An electric heating device for emitting a heated air flow, in particular for a sanitary room or washroom in a rail-borne vehicle, includes an air duct, a fan generating the air flow, a heating element heating the air flow and a first over-temperature switch. The first over-temperature switch can reversibly switch off the heating element when a first over-temperature is exceeded. A second over-temperature switch can irreversibly switch off the heating element when a second over-temperature is exceeded. The second over-temperature switch is disposed in a recess, depression or opening formed in the air duct. The second over-temperature switch has a disconnect or isolating switch to be thermally triggered for switching off the heating element. The thermally triggered disconnect or isolating switch can be triggered by a glass sphere or bead that breaks when the second over-temperature is exceeded.

A temperature switch includes a base having a receiving hole, and a conducting mechanism mounted on the base and having first and second conductive modules, a connection module connected electrically and releasably to the first and second conductive modules, and two deformable rods that are disposed in the receiving hole and that push the second conductive module to abut against the connection module. The second conductive module is moved away from the connection module when one of the deformable rods is deformed by temperature to switch the temperature switch from an energized position to a safety cut-off position.

Thermal switch technology is disclosed. In one example, a thermally activated switch can include an electronic substrate base, and first and second electrical contacts coupled to the electronic substrate base. The first and second electrical contacts can be movable relative to one another due to thermal expansion or contraction of a material to facilitate contact or separation of the first and second electrical contacts.

Structures, devices, systems, and techniques are provided to represent an operational state of an electronic device. In one aspect, a device that can represent the operational state of the electronic device can comprise a substrate configured to produce an amount of heat in response to a predetermined operational state of the electronic device, and a member thermally coupled to the substrate and having a physical property that is configurable in response to at least the amount of heat produced by the substrate. Configuration of the physical property can yield a specific physical state of the member that represents the predetermined operational state.

Structures, devices, systems, and techniques are provided to represent an operational state of an electronic device. In one aspect, a device that can represent the operational state of the electronic device can comprise a substrate configured to produce an amount of heat in response to a predetermined operational state of the electronic device, and a member thermally coupled to the substrate and having a physical property that is configurable in response to at least the amount of heat produced by the substrate. Configuration of the physical property can yield a specific physical state of the member that represents the predetermined operational state.

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a temperature measurement circuit configured to produce a first signal indicating a first operating temperature of a first semiconductor device and a temperature comparison circuit operationally coupled with the temperature measurement circuit. The temperature comparison circuit can be configured to compare the first signal with a second signal indicating a second operating temperature of at least a second semiconductor device and produce a comparison signal indicating whether the indicated first operating temperature is higher, lower or equal to the indicated second operating temperature. The apparatus can also include an adjustment circuit configured to adjust operation of the first semiconductor device based on the comparison signal.

A thermal switch having an on-state and an off-state is provided. First and second plates are composed from a thermally conductive material. The first and second plates are connected to form an internal cavity having a channel defining a gap between the first and second plate. The first reservoir is coupled to the channel and contains a thermally conductive liquid. The actuator is coupled to the first reservoir and the channel and is moveable between a first state and a second state corresponding to the on-state and the off-state of the thermal switch, respectively. Thermally conductive liquid is allowed to flow from the first reservoir to the channel when the actuator is in the first state and allowed to flow from the channel to the first reservoir when the actuator is in the second state.

A method for reducing thermal shading in a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is provided. The method includes: detecting one or more regions in a CMOS image sensor in which thermal shading occurs, the CMOS image sensor including a plurality of heating elements in a chip; automatically switching a subset of the plurality of heating elements to turn on based on the detected one or more regions; and automatically switching the subset of the plurality of heating elements to turn off in an active power consumption phase of the CMOS image sensor.

A circuit interrupting device with a temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism is provided. The temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism is located in close proximity to a section of conductor that generates heat. An energized first solenoid generates a magnetic force capable of moving an armature that unlatches a latch releasing a spring to open a main contactor removing power from an electrical circuit. The temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism upon reaching a predetermined temperature which is higher than the predetermined temperature threshold of the temperature sensing switch also generates a mechanical force capable of moving the armature that unlatches the latch releasing the spring to open the main contactor removing power from the electrical circuit. Once activated, the temperature activated permanent lockout trip mechanism inhibits the latch from latching which prevents a reset of the circuit interrupting device thus the circuit interrupting device is permanently disabled as the main contactor cannot be closed, and power no longer be reconnected to the electrical circuit.

A power supply control device includes: a power generator that converts energy into power; an environmental sensor that detects a state of an ambient environment; and a controller that controls an operation timing of a functional circuit that operates upon receipt of power supplied from the power generator based on the state of the ambient environment detected by the environmental sensor.