An electric power system such as, for example, a circuit, an electric appliance, an electric generator, and/or an energy storage system, can be coupled with a negative thermal expansion component. The negative thermal expansion component can be formed from a material having negative thermal expansion properties such that the negative thermal expansion component contracts in response to an increase in temperature. The contraction of the negative thermal expansion component can form a nonconductive gap that disrupts current flow through the electric power system. The disruption of the current flow can eliminate hazards associated with the electric power system overcharging, overheating, and/or developing an internal short circuit.

An electric power system such as, for example, a circuit, an electric appliance, an electric generator, and/or an energy storage system, can be coupled with a negative thermal expansion component. The negative thermal expansion component can be formed from a material having negative thermal expansion properties such that the negative thermal expansion component contracts in response to an increase in temperature. The contraction of the negative thermal expansion component can form a nonconductive gap that disrupts current flow through the electric power system. The disruption of the current flow can eliminate hazards associated with the electric power system overcharging, overheating, and/or developing an internal short circuit.

A thermal triggering element having a vessel body with an outer wall formed from a rupturing material, and having a cavity enclosed by the outer wall and situated in the interior of the vessel body, and in which a triggering liquid is enclosed. The vessel body is formed so as to extend along an axial direction, with a tubular central section extending in the axial direction, and with two end sections located at the respective axial ends and in which the cavity is closed off in the manner of a cap. In order for the thermal triggering element to be protected against damage by shocks, the triggering element has a permanently acting reinforcement which reinforces the rupturing material with respect to shock loads acting transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction.

A method for testing a switch in an advance pneumatic detector with a pressure tube includes moving a piston within the pressure tube with a magnet. A pressure of a gas in a portion of the pressure tube is adjusted in response to moving the piston. A state of the switch is monitored.

An electric power system such as, for example, a circuit, an electric appliance, an electric generator, and/or an energy storage system, can be coupled with a negative thermal expansion component. The negative thermal expansion component can be formed from a material having negative thermal expansion properties such that the negative thermal expansion component contracts in response to an increase in temperature. The contraction of the negative thermal expansion component can form a nonconductive gap that disrupts current flow through the electric power system. The disruption of the current flow can eliminate hazards associated with the electric power system overcharging, overheating, and/or developing an internal short circuit.

A MEMS/NEMS actuator based on a phase change material is described in which the volumetric change observed when the phase change material changes from a crystalline phase to an amorphous phase is used to effectuate motion in the device. The phase change material may be changed from crystalline phase to amorphous phase by heating with a heater or by passing current directly through the phase change material, and thereafter quenched quickly by dissipating heat into a substrate. The phase change material may be changed from the amorphous phase to a crystalline phase by heating at a lower temperature. An application of the actuator is described to fabricate a phase change nano relay in which the volumetric expansion of the actuator is used to push a contact across an airgap to bring it into contact with a source/drain.

A MEMS/NEMS actuator based on a phase change material is described in which the volumetric change observed when the phase change material changes from a crystalline phase to an amorphous phase is used to effectuate motion in the device. The phase change material may be changed from crystalline phase to amorphous phase by heating with a heater or by passing current directly through the phase change material, and thereafter quenched quickly by dissipating heat into a substrate. The phase change material may be changed from the amorphous phase to a crystalline phase by heating at a lower temperature. An application of the actuator is described to fabricate a phase change nano relay in which the volumetric expansion of the actuator is used to push a contact across an airgap to bring it into contact with a source/drain.

Switches, breakers that incorporate a phase change material are disclosed, as well as electrical devices including the same. A switch includes a first conductor, a second conductor spaced a distance from the first conductor such that the second conductor does not contact the first conductor, and a switching device electrically coupled to the first conductor, the switching device having a phase change material that, when heated, expands to electrically contact the second conductor.

An advance pneumatic detector to indicate pressure changes in an environment includes a switch, a pressure tube, an endcap, a piston, and a magnet. The pressure tube is connected to the switch. The endcap is disposed on an end of the pressure tube opposite from the switch. The piston is disposed within and forms a seal against the pressure tube. The piston is slidably engaged with the pressure tube. The magnet is slidably attached to and surrounds a portion of the pressure tube. The magnet is configured to control the positioning of the piston within the pressure tube.

A temperature-controlled device for switching off a heating device at a limit temperature has a thermo-mechanical temperature sensor device, a switch-off device, and manual reactivation means. The switch-off device has switching means which are activated by a trigger for switching off the heating device. The manual reactivation means have a movable handle and transmission means for transmitting a force of an operator for reactivating the switching means after switching off the heating device by the trigger. The transmission means have a click spring which at the beginning is in a basic position and, when an operating force acting on said click spring exceeds a certain limit force, clicks to a deflected position. Said click spring in the basic position enables reactivating or re-switching on, respectively, of the switching means. Said click spring in the deflected position releases so much movement path on the transmission means for the switching means that said switching means by the temperature sensor device and by the switch-off device above the limit temperature are activatable and switchable by the trigger.