Patent US5645746A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5645746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Use of PTC devices
Assignee: Tyco International Ltd Bermuda
•
Filing: 1995-11-30
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Granted: 1997-07-08
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Expires: 2015-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Use of PTC circuit protection devices in motor vehicle wiring systems. The devices can replace some or all of the fuses conventionally used. Preferred devices contain PTC conductive polymers. Because the PTC devices can be reset without physical access to them, the wiring system can be arranged more efficiently and more economically. For example, the size of at least some of the wires of the harness can in many cases be reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm R. Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:47
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H9/00; H02H9/02; H02H9/026; B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/0207; B60R16/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
740 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, an airplane, or a ship, and which comprises (1) a source of electrical power; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the power source, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the power source; and (4) a plurality of branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, at least two of the branch circuits being PTC-protected branch circuits, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK ; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the power source by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; wherein at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled: (A) in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C. the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° C. and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD , where I LOAD is the maximum steady state current in that PTC-protected branch circuit under normal operating conditions; (B) in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit; (C) the total number of PTC-protected branch circuits is p, and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., in q of the PTC-protected branch circuits, where q is at least 0.1 p, the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is equal to or lower than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG); or (D) some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE equal to or less than I 22 , and some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of a PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG), and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 is not more than x times the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means in which I DAMAGE is equal to or less than I 22 , where x is 10.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
740 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, an airplane, or a ship, and which comprises (1) a source of electrical power; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the power source, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the power source; and (4) a plurality of branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, at least two of the branch circuits being PTC-protected branch circuits, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK ; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the power source by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; wherein at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled: (A) in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C. the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° C. and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD , where I LOAD is the maximum steady state current in that PTC-protected branch circuit under normal operating conditions; (B) in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit; (C) the total number of PTC-protected branch circuits is p, and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., in q of the PTC-protected branch circuits, where q is at least 0.1 p, the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is equal to or lower than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG); or (D) some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE equal to or less than I 22 , and some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of a PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG), and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 is not more than x times the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means in which I DAMAGE is equal to or less than I 22 , where x is 10.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits comprises a switch which (i) can be operated to disconnect at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits from the power source and (ii) is connected between the branch PTC device and the operative electrical device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein the switch comprises a relay, a field effect transistor, a bipolar solid state device or a silicon-controlled rectifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 1 which comprises at least one power distribution node which comprises a power input line and a plurality of outgoing lines, a plurality of said outgoing lines being electrically connected to the input line through a branch PTC protection device and being PTC-protected branch connection means of PTC-protected branch circuits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein the power input line and the outgoing lines are electrically connected to each other through a connection means selected from flexible printed circuits, printed circuit boards and metal fretts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A circuit according to claim 5 wherein the branch PTC device is electrically connected in series with the connection means by means of a solder joint, or a weld, or an elastically deformed contact member, or a plastically deformed contact member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein the branch PTC devices, and the connections between the power input line, the branch PTC devices and the outgoing lines, are contained within a reopenable enclosure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electrical system according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the branch circuits is a fuse-protected or breaker-protected branch circuit which comprises (a) a fuse or circuit breaker which (i) is the weakest current-carrying point in the fuse-protected branch circuit, (ii) is electrically connected directly to the supply means, and (iii) disconnects the fuse-protected branch circuit if the current through it exceeds a value of I FUSE amps, I FUSE being less than I LINK ; (b) an operative electrical device; and (c) a fused branch electrical connection means which (i) is electrically connected directly to the fuse or circuit breaker and to the operative device and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of I FB amps, I FB being more than I FUSE .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electrical system according to claim 2 wherein the supply means comprises (a) a principal supply means which is electrically connected directly to the power source and which contains a fuse or a circuit breaker which (i) is the weakest current-carrying point of the principal supply means, and (ii) has a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, and (b) a plurality of subsidiary supply means which are electrically connected to the principal supply means in parallel with each other, at least one of said subsidiary supply means (i) containing a subsidiary circuit protection device which is the weakest current-carrying point in the subsidiary supply means and which is converted into a high resistance state if the current in the subsidiary supply means exceeds a value I SUB amps and thus reduces the current to a value substantially below I SUB , and (ii) being connected to a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits, in each of which I TRIP is less than I SUB .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical system according to claim 1 wherein the PTC device contains a PTC element which is composed of a PTC conductive polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical system according to claim 10 wherein the PTC conductive polymer comprises a polymeric matrix comprising polyvinylidene fluoride and, dispersed in the polymeric matrix, carbon black.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electrical system according to claim 2 which comprises two or more device enclosures, each of which (a) is composed of an electrically insulating material, and (b) contains a plurality of the PTC devices, each PTC device forming part of one of the PTC-protected branch circuits; at least one of said device enclosures being separated from another of said device enclosures by a distance of at least 150 cm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical system according to claim 2 which is installed in a road vehicle, and wherein the power supply comprises a battery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical system according to claim 13 wherein at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits contains a single PTC protection device and a plurality of operative devices which are electrically connected between the PTC protection device and the return means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrical system according to claim 13 wherein there are p PTC-protected branch circuits, and in q of the PTC-protected branch circuits, where q is greater than 0.3 p, I DAMAGE is equal to or lower than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of copper wire having a cross sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrical system according to claim 13 which comprises at least four branch PTC protection devices located at at least two spaced-apart locations which are separated from each other by a distance of at least 50 cm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical system according to claim 13 wherein there are p PTC-protected branch circuits, and in r of the PTC protected branch circuits, where r is at least 0.75 p, the length of the PTC branch connection means is less than 200 cm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
An electrical system according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits contains a second PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected in series with the operative device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) is converted into a high temperature high resistance state if said operative device becomes excessively hot or if said operative device is operated for more than a predetermined time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrical system according to claim 1 which further comprises a voltage sensor which senses the voltage at a point on the PTC-protected branch connection means and which, when the branch PTC circuit protection device is in the high temperature high resistance state, is capable of generating a visible light signal or a signal which can be fed to a computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electrical system according to claim 1 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits (a) at all temperatures between -40° and +85° C., (i) the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that circuit is at least 1.1 times the I LOAD in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that circuit; (b) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that circuit is at most 1.5 times the I LOAD , where I LOAD is the maximum steady state current in that PTC-protected branch circuit under normal operating conditions; and (c) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein at least two of conditions (A), (B), (C) and (D) are fulfilled.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein at least three of conditions (A), (B), (C) and (D) are fulfilled.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein all of conditions (A), (B), (C) and (D) are fulfilled.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
107 words
A system according to claim 1 which is installed in a road vehicle, and wherein (1) the power supply comprises a battery; (2) each of the branch PTC protection devices contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; and (3) the total number of PTC-protected branch circuits is p, and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., in q of the PTC-protected branch circuits, where q is greater than 0.3 p, I DAMAGE is equal to or lower than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 24 wherein in r of the PTC-protected branch circuits, where r is at least 0.75 p, the length of the PTC branch connection means is less than 200 cm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system according to claim 24 wherein condition (A) is fulfilled.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system according to claim 24 wherein condition (B) is fulfilled.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
414 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system, the total number of PTC-protected branch circuits is p, and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., in q of the PTC-protected branch circuits, where q is at least 0.1 p, the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is equal to or lower than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
414 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system, the total number of PTC-protected branch circuits is p, and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., in q of the PTC-protected branch circuits, where q is at least 0.1 p, the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is equal to or lower than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein q is greater than 0.3 p.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein in r of the PTC protected branch circuits, where r is at least 0.75 p, the length of the PTC branch connection means is less than 200 cm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 which further comprises a voltage sensor which senses the voltage at a point on the PTC-protected branch connection means and which, when the branch PTC circuit protection device is in the high temperature high resistance state, is capable of generating a visible light signal or a signal which can be fed to a computer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein at all temperatures between -40° and +85° C., q is at least 0.1 p.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein at all temperatures between -40° and +85° C., q is greater than 0.3 p.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
98 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD , where I LOAD is the maximum steady state current in that PTC-protected branch circuit under normal operating conditions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
92 words
An electrical system according to claim 34 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits (a) at all temperatures between -40° and +85° C., (i) I PASS is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) I DAMAGE is at least 1.1 times I TRIP ; (b) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., I PASS is at most 1.5 times I LOAD ; and (c) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., I DAMAGE is at most 1.5 times I TRIP .
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperature between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protection branch circuit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrical system according to claim 36 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between -40° and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrical system according to claim 36 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.2 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.1 times I LOAD .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP , of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electrical system according to claim 39 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.2 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electrical system according to claim 39 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between -40° and 85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) at at least one temperature between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrical system according to claim 28 wherein some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE equal to or less than I 22 , and some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of a PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG), and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 is not more than x times the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means in which I DAMAGE is equal to or less than I 22 , where x is 10.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
463 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE equal to or less than I 22 , and some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of a PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG), and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 is not more than x times the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means in which I DAMAGE is equal to or less than I 22 , where x is 10.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
463 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE equal to or less than I 22 , and some of the PTC-protected branch connection means are insulated copper wires having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 , where I 22 is the I DAMAGE of a PVC-insulated copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 0.324 mm 2 (22 AWG), and at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means having an I DAMAGE greater than I 22 is not more than x times the total length of the PTC-protected branch connection means in which I DAMAGE is equal to or less than I 22 , where x is 10.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
11 words
An electrical system according to claim 43 wherein x is 5.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
11 words
An electrical system according to claim 43 wherein x is 2.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
429 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a realm connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD , where I LOAD is the maximum steady state current in that PTC-protected branch circuit under normal operation conditions.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
429 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a realm connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD , where I LOAD is the maximum steady state current in that PTC-protected branch circuit under normal operation conditions.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
92 words
An electrical system according to claim 46 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits (a) at all temperatures between -40° and +85° C., (i) I PASS is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) I DAMAGE is at least 1.1 times I TRIP ; (b) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., I PASS is at most 1.5 times I LOAD ; and (c) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., I DAMAGE is at most 1.5 times I TRIP .
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electrical system according to claim 46 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperature between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and +85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protection branch circuit.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
432 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PCT device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP , of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
432 words
An electrical system which is installed in a road vehicle, and which comprises (1) a battery; (2) a supply connection means which is electrically connected to a first pole of the battery, and which has, at its weakest current-carrying point, a current-carrying capacity of I LINK amps, (3) a return connection means which is electrically connected to a second pole of the battery; and (4) a plurality of PTC-protected branch circuits which are electrically connected in parallel between the supply connection means and the return connection means, each of said branch circuits comprising (a) a branch PTC circuit protection device which (i) is electrically connected to the supply connection means directly or via at least one other PTC-protected branch circuit, (ii) is taken from a batch of PTC devices made by the same manufacturing process, the largest steady state current which will not cause any of the devices in the batch to trip being I PASS and the smallest steady state current which will cause all of the devices in the batch to trip being I TRIP , I TRIP being less than I LINK , and (iii) contains a PTC element which is composed of a conductive polymer; (b) an operative electrical device which is spaced apart from the branch PTC circuit protection device; and (c) an elongate PTC-protected branch connection means which (i) electrically connects the branch PTC device and the operative device, and (ii) has at all points a current-carrying capacity of at least I DAMAGE amps, I DAMAGE being more than I TRIP ; whereby, if the PTC-protected branch connection means is accidentally connected to the first and second poles of the battery by connections which do not include the operative device, there is created a fault circuit which contains the branch PTC circuit protection device and in which the current is initially greater than I TRIP , thus causing the branch PTC circuit protection device to trip and reduce the current to a steady state value substantially below I TRIP ; in which system in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times the I TRIP of the branch PCT device in that PTC-protected branch circuit, and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I DAMAGE of the branch connection means in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.5 times the I TRIP , of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrical system according to claim 49 wherein in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between -40° and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.1 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD .
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical system according to claim 49 in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (ii) at at least one temperature between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.3 times I LOAD .
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electrical system according to claim 49 in at least one of the PTC-protected branch circuits, (i) at all temperatures between 0° and 80° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at least 1.2 times I LOAD , and (ii) at at least one temperature between -40° and 85° C., the I PASS of the branch PTC device in that PTC-protected branch circuit is at most 1.1 times I LOAD .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE4015816A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-07 | 2001-01-06 | 2001-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-01-06 | 2005-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-07 | 2009-01-06 | 2009-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |