A bi-metal actuator includes a shape memory alloy layer thermally actuated, a superelastic alloy layer fixed along to at least a part of the shape memory alloy layer, and at least one deformation sensor. The shape memory alloy layer has an initial shape at or below a transition start temperature T.sub.S and a final shape at or above a transition end temperature T.sub.E, has transitional shapes between the initial shape and the final shape which is formed according to the temperature between the transition start temperature T.sub.S and the transition end temperature T.sub.E of the shape memory alloy layer. The at least one deformation sensor is provided along at least a part of the superelastic alloy layer for measuring strain values of the superelastic alloy layer indicating the current form of the shape memory alloy layer.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a current interrupt device (CID) including a frangible bulb that is configured to be thermally triggered. In some embodiments, the CID includes a breaking contact electrically coupled to a fixed contact and held in electrical contact by the frangible bulb. In some embodiments, the frangible bulb is configured to break at a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the breaking contact is configured to bend, rotate and/or otherwise deform about a hinge point in order to become electrically disconnected from the fixed contact when the frangible bulb breaks. In some embodiments, opening the electrical circuit between the breaking contact and the fixed contact may prevent overcharging, overvoltage conditions, overcurrent conditions, thermal runaway, and/or other catastrophic failure events.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a current interrupt device (CID) including a frangible bulb that is configured to be thermally triggered. In some embodiments, the CID includes a breaking contact electrically coupled to a fixed contact and held in electrical contact by the frangible bulb. In some embodiments, the frangible bulb is configured to break at a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the breaking contact is configured to bend, rotate and/or otherwise deform about a hinge point in order to become electrically disconnected from the fixed contact when the frangible bulb breaks. In some embodiments, opening the electrical circuit between the breaking contact and the fixed contact may prevent overcharging, overvoltage conditions, overcurrent conditions, thermal runaway, and/or other catastrophic failure events.

Provided is a pellet composition having enhanced thermal stability for use in a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device. The solid thermal pellet composition comprises an organic compound have low ionization potential, such as dibenzosuberenone. The solid pellet maintains its structural rigidity up to a transition temperature (T.sub.f), but further has improved overshoot temperature ranges. Therefore, the improved thermal pellets have a maximum dielectric capability temperature (T.sub.cap), above which the pellet composition may lose substantial dielectric properties and conducts current that is at least 160° C. greater than the T.sub.f. The aging performance is further enhanced. Further, methods of enhanced processing and pelletizing are provided.

Provided is a pellet composition having enhanced thermal stability for use in a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device. The solid thermal pellet composition comprises an organic compound have low ionization potential, such as dibenzosuberenone. The solid pellet maintains its structural rigidity up to a transition temperature (T.sub.f), but further has improved overshoot temperature ranges. Therefore, the improved thermal pellets have a maximum dielectric capability temperature (T.sub.cap), above which the pellet composition may lose substantial dielectric properties and conducts current that is at least 160° C. greater than the T.sub.f. The aging performance is further enhanced. Further, methods of enhanced processing and pelletizing are provided.

Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical equipment, for example, equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. A temperature-sensitive, active material-containing actuator is pre-selected to operate at a pre-determined temperature indicative of impending equipment failure and placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-selected temperature the actuator signals this by closing an externally-powered circuit to enable or provide a suitable alarm signal. Additionally, the actuator may close a second circuit connected to a machine controller to alert the machine controller to take some pre-programmed action. Selected actuators are based on shape memory alloys (SMA) adapted to operate over a temperature range sufficient to encompass the expected range of pre-determined temperatures.

A resettable sensor assembly includes an elongate valve body having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity therein. A housing is at least partially disposed within a cooperates with the elongate valve body and includes at least one electrical contact. A support member disposed within the elongate valve body cavity cooperates with a plate to communicate with the at least one electrical contact. An actuator element configured for translating the plate along the axis between a first position in which the plate contacts the at least one electrical contact and a second position in which the plate is spaced apart from the at least one electrical contact. The element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the plate between the first position and the second position.

Disclosed is an SMD micro mixed fuse with a thermal fuse function that stably operates at high voltage surges and can interrupt electrical current at a predetermined temperature. The SMD micro mixed fuse includes: a fuse substrate provided with a first electrode and a second electrode; a variator layer formed on a front surface of the fuse substrate; a first contact terminal and a second contact terminal respectively arranged at a first side and a second side of a front surface of the varistor layer and respectively connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one thermal fuse that is arranged on the front surface of the variator layer, is not connected to the first and second contact terminals, but is connected to the fuse substrate; and a fusible element that is wire-bonded to the first and second contact terminals and is not connected to the thermal fuse.

Disclosed is an SMD micro mixed fuse with a thermal fuse function that stably operates at high voltage surges and can interrupt electrical current at a predetermined temperature. The SMD micro mixed fuse includes: a fuse substrate provided with a first electrode and a second electrode; a variator layer formed on a front surface of the fuse substrate; a first contact terminal and a second contact terminal respectively arranged at a first side and a second side of a front surface of the varistor layer and respectively connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one thermal fuse that is arranged on the front surface of the variator layer, is not connected to the first and second contact terminals, but is connected to the fuse substrate; and a fusible element that is wire-bonded to the first and second contact terminals and is not connected to the thermal fuse.

An electronic temperature switch (10), comprises a measurement circuit (11) that measures temperature and generates an temperature signal corresponding to the sensed temperature; an evaluator circuit (12) that receives said temperature signal and compares said temperature signal to a lower threshold value and an upper threshold value, and generates an evaluation signal indicating when said temperature signal is between the lower temperature threshold value and an higher temperature threshold value; and a loading circuit (13) that in response to the evaluator circuit, generates a first pre-set output signal indicating when the temperature signal is between the lower threshold value and the higher threshold value, and a second pre-set output signal when the temperature signal is not between the lower threshold value and the higher threshold value.