Patent US6023403A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6023403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface mountable electrical device comprising a PTC and fusible element
Assignee: Littelfuse Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 2000-02-08
•
Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a device for protecting an electrical circuit. The device includes a resistive element having a first and a second surface. A first electrode is in electrical contact with the first surface of the resistive element and a second electrode is in electrical contact with the second surface of the resistive element. A first end termination electrically connects the circuit and the first electrode. A second end termination electrically connects the second electrode and the circuit. An electrically insulating layer is interposed between the first and second end terminations and is in contact with the first and second electrodes. The end terminations allow for an electrical connection to be made to both electrodes from the same side of the electrical device.
Inventors
- 👤 Katherine M. McGuire
- 👤 Honorio Luciano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C7/00; H01C7/02; H01C7/027; H01C1/00; H01C1/14; H01C1/1406; H01C1/142; H01H; H01H85/00; H01H85/02; H01H85/04; H01H85/041; H01H85/0411; H01H2085/0414; H01H85/048; H01H2085/0483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for protecting an electrical circuit comprising: a resistive element having a first and a second surface connected to a first and a second side wall; a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the resistive element and a second electrode disposed on the second surface of the resistive element; a first end termination wrapping around the first side wall of the resistive element and electrically connecting the circuit and the second electrode; a second end termination wrapping around the second side wall of the resistive element and electrically connecting the first electrode and the circuit; and an electrically insulating layer disposed on the first and second electrodes and interposed between the first end termination and the first electrode and interposed between the second end termination and the second electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for protecting an electrical circuit comprising: a resistive element having a first and a second surface connected to a first and a second side wall; a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the resistive element and a second electrode disposed on the second surface of the resistive element; a first end termination wrapping around the first side wall of the resistive element and electrically connecting the circuit and the second electrode; a second end termination wrapping around the second side wall of the resistive element and electrically connecting the first electrode and the circuit; and an electrically insulating layer disposed on the first and second electrodes and interposed between the first end termination and the first electrode and interposed between the second end termination and the second electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the resistive element exhibits PTC behavior.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the resistive element is comprised of a conductive polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating layer is in contact with the first and the second surfaces of the resistive element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1, wherein first end termination is disposed on a portion of the first and second surfaces of the resistive element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the first end termination is in direct physical contact with the second electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the second end termination is in direct physical contact with the first electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the first end termination is disposed on the first side wall and the second end termination is disposed on the second side wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second end terminations are comprised of a first and a second conductive layer, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, silver, copper, nickel, gold and alloys thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the second conductive layer comprises tin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the first conductive layer comprises copper and the second conductive layer comprises solder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of photo resist, dielectric, ceramic and solder mask.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrical device of claim 1, wherein the electrodes comprise a metallic foil.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for protecting an electrical circuit comprising: a PTC element having a first and a second surface connected to a first and a second side wall; a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the PTC element and a second electrode disposed on the second surface of the PTC element; a first end termination wrapping around the first side wall of the PTC element and providing electrical connection between the circuit and the second electrode; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on the first electrode; a fusible element disposed on the first insulating layer, the fusible element electrically connected in series with the PTC element; and a second end termination wrapping around the second side wall of the PTC element and providing electrical connection between the fusible element and the circuit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for protecting an electrical circuit comprising: a PTC element having a first and a second surface connected to a first and a second side wall; a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the PTC element and a second electrode disposed on the second surface of the PTC element; a first end termination wrapping around the first side wall of the PTC element and providing electrical connection between the circuit and the second electrode; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on the first electrode; a fusible element disposed on the first insulating layer, the fusible element electrically connected in series with the PTC element; and a second end termination wrapping around the second side wall of the PTC element and providing electrical connection between the fusible element and the circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 15, wherein the PTC element is comprised of a conductive polymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 15 further including a conductive member electrically connecting the PTC element with the fusible element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 17, wherein the fusible element is in direct contact with the conductive member and the second end termination.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of Claim 15, wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises a main portion and a sub-portion, and a conductive member electrically connects the resistive element and the fusible element through an opening in the first electrically insulating layer at a point intermediate the sub-portion and the main portion of the first electrically insulating layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of Claim 15 further including a second electrically insulating layer disposed on the second electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 20, wherein the second electrically insulating layer acts as a barrier to direct current flow from the second electrode to the second end termination.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 20, wherein the second electrically insulating layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of photo resist, dielectric, ceramic and solder mask.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 15 further including a protective layer covering the fusible element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 15, wherein the first and second end terminations are comprised of a first and a second conductive layer, respectively.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 24, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, silver, copper, nickel, gold and alloys thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 24, wherein the second conductive layer comprises tin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 26, wherein the first conductive layer comprises copper and the second conductive layer comprises solder.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 15, wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of photo resist, dielectric, ceramic and solder mask.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for protecting an electrical circuit comprising: a conductive polymer PTC element having a first and a second surface and a first and a second side wall; a first electrode in electrical contact with the first surface of the PTC element and a second electrode the second surface of the PTC element; a first end termination disposed on the first side wall of the PTC element and electrically connecting the circuit and the first electrode; a second end termination disposed on the second side wall of the PTC element and electrically connecting the second electrode and the circuit; and an electrically insulating layer disposed on the first and second electrodes and creating a physical barrier between the second end termination and the first electrode and a physical barrier between the first end termination and the second electrode.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for protecting an electrical circuit comprising: a conductive polymer PTC element having a first and a second surface and a first and a second side wall; a first electrode in electrical contact with the first surface of the PTC element and a second electrode the second surface of the PTC element; a first end termination disposed on the first side wall of the PTC element and electrically connecting the circuit and the first electrode; a second end termination disposed on the second side wall of the PTC element and electrically connecting the second electrode and the circuit; and an electrically insulating layer disposed on the first and second electrodes and creating a physical barrier between the second end termination and the first electrode and a physical barrier between the first end termination and the second electrode.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electrical device for protecting a circuit comprising: a conductive polymer PTC element having a first and a second surface and a first and a second side wall; a first electrode in electrical contact with the first surface of the PTC element and a second electrode in electrical contact with the second surface of the PTC element; a first end termination disposed on the first side wall of the PTC element and providing an electrical connection between the circuit and the first electrode; a fusible element electrically connected in series with the PTC element; and a second end termination disposed on the second side wall of the PTC element and providing an electrical connection between the fusible element and the circuit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electrical device for protecting a circuit comprising: a conductive polymer PTC element having a first and a second surface and a first and a second side wall; a first electrode in electrical contact with the first surface of the PTC element and a second electrode in electrical contact with the second surface of the PTC element; a first end termination disposed on the first side wall of the PTC element and providing an electrical connection between the circuit and the first electrode; a fusible element electrically connected in series with the PTC element; and a second end termination disposed on the second side wall of the PTC element and providing an electrical connection between the fusible element and the circuit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-07 | 2003-08-09 | 2004-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | 2008-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-08-09 | 2012-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |