A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

A surge protective device (SPD) assembly includes a base and an SPD module configured to be mounted on the base. The SPD module includes an SPD module PCB, an SPD module circuit, and a thermal disconnector mechanism. The SPD module circuit is at least partly embodied in the SPD module PCB and includes an overvoltage protection component mounted on the SPD module PCB. The thermal disconnector mechanism is mounted on the SPD module PCB in a ready configuration. The thermal disconnector mechanism is operative to transition from the ready configuration to an actuated configuration responsive to sufficient overheating of the overvoltage protection component. When the thermal disconnector mechanism is positioned in the ready configuration, the SPD circuit forms a first current path through the overvoltage protection component. When the thermal disconnector mechanism is positioned in the actuated configuration, the thermal disconnector mechanism forms an alternate second current path that bypasses the overvoltage protection component.

A case has an engagement hole formed in a side surface thereof in the width direction, a cover has a projecting piece formed thereon, the projecting piece projecting toward the case side, and a tip portion of the projecting piece is fitted into the engagement hole from the inside. A reset bar has a recessed portion formed in a preset range extending in the depth direction and the circumferential direction within the outer peripheral surface of the reset bar and, when positioned at either an initial position or an automatic reset position, prevents the tip portion from being pushed inside by having the outer peripheral surface opposed to the back side of the projecting piece. In addition, when positioned at a manual reset position, the reset bar allows the tip portion to be pushed inside by having the recessed portion opposed to the back side of the projecting piece.

A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection between the two contacts and opens the switch. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes. The locking element is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock by exerting a force on a part of the switching mechanism, which force holds the switching mechanism in its second switching position.

A flash double-temperature linkage temperature controller has an arrangement that enables contacts of two movable contact sheet sets and two static contact sheet sets to sequentially operate at different temperatures, and a desired fixed temperature difference is obtained. The two movable contact sheet sets are respectively connected to the two static contact sheet sets to control two electric heating tubes, so that the effect whereby two electric heating tubes (high power) work during water heating and a single electric heating tube (low power) works during heat preservation heating is achieved, and the working frequency of the high-power contact sets is greatly reduced.

The invention relates mainly to a starter for a heat engine of a motor vehicle comprising: at least one electromagnetic contactor comprising a positive output terminal, at least one electric motor, the electric motor comprising: at least one brush cage (43), at least one positive brush (35) mounted in the brush cage (43), an electrical path (91) between the positive brush (35) and the positive output terminal (32), and at least one thermal protection (96) situated in the electrical path (91), in which the thermal protection is suitable for disconnecting the two elements (93, 95) when the thermal protection has a temperature above a temperature threshold to electrically disconnect the positive output terminal relative to the positive brush (35).

A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter.

A system and method for protecting an electronics module on a spacecraft in space are described. The system includes a non-radiation hardened electronics module electrically connected to a power supply, with a switch connected between the power supply and the electronics module. The switch can disconnect the electronics module from the power supply in response to an event signal. A sensor which is capable of detecting a solar proton event is connected to the switch. The sensor emits the event signal upon detection of the solar proton event.

A temperature-sensing tape including a flexible, electrically insulating substrate, a plurality of temperature-sensing elements disposed on the substrate, wherein a temperature-sensing element includes a bimetallic switch.