A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member. In the shorting position, the shorting bar forms an electrical short circuit between the first and second GDT terminals to bypass the GDT.

The present invention provides a relay with a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire driven mechanism. Conventional mechanical relays rely on electromagnetic principle to operate. Hence, magnetic fields of electromagnetic relays often interfere with magnetic fields of other electrical components, thus resulting in the components physically interfering with each other. The present invention utilizes the shape memory characteristics of a SMA wire to achieve the purpose of changing the operation of the relay. Specifically, when a SMA wire is in heat, it restores to its original shape or original length. Comparing to conventional mechanical relays, the relay provided by the present invention does not magnetically interfere with other electrical components, thus is able to function effectively. In addition, because the relay of the present invention does not require iron cores or coils, available space therein is increased and may be used to accommodate control circuits with various functions.

The present invention provides a relay with a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire driven mechanism. Conventional mechanical relays rely on electromagnetic principle to operate. Hence, magnetic fields of electromagnetic relays often interfere with magnetic fields of other electrical components, thus resulting in the components physically interfering with each other. The present invention utilizes the shape memory characteristics of a SMA wire to achieve the purpose of changing the operation of the relay. Specifically, when a SMA wire is in heat, it restores to its original shape or original length. Comparing to conventional mechanical relays, the relay provided by the present invention does not magnetically interfere with other electrical components, thus is able to function effectively. In addition, because the relay of the present invention does not require iron cores or coils, available space therein is increased and may be used to accommodate control circuits with various functions.

A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member. In the shorting position, the shorting bar forms an electrical short circuit between the first and second GDT terminals to bypass the GDT.

A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member. In the shorting position, the shorting bar forms an electrical short circuit between the first and second GDT terminals to bypass the GDT.

The present invention provides a protection device including a bimetal component and a PTC component. This protection device includes a resin base, a first terminal, a second terminal, a PTC component, a bimetal component, an arm, an upper plate and a resin cover. A portion of the first terminal configures a first electrode, and a portion of a second terminal configures the second electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode are exposed outward at the bottom surface of the resin base. In a normal state, the first terminal, the arm and the second terminal are electrically connected in series. When the bimetal component is activated, the first terminal and the arm become electrically cut off while the first terminal, the PTC component, the bimetal component, the arm and the second terminal are electrically connected in series in the mentioned order.

The present invention provides a protection device including a bimetal component and a PTC component. This protection device includes a resin base, a first terminal, a second terminal, a PTC component, a bimetal component, an arm, an upper plate and a resin cover. A portion of the first terminal configures a first electrode, and a portion of a second terminal configures the second electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode are exposed outward at the bottom surface of the resin base. In a normal state, the first terminal, the arm and the second terminal are electrically connected in series. When the bimetal component is activated, the first terminal and the arm become electrically cut off while the first terminal, the PTC component, the bimetal component, the arm and the second terminal are electrically connected in series in the mentioned order.

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 resistively heated shape memory polymer device is operated using resistive heating to heat the shape memory polymer device. The resistively heated shape memory polymer device is made by providing a wire that includes a resistive medium. The wire is coated with a first shape memory polymer. The wire is exposed and electrical leads are attached to the wire. In one embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a clot destruction device. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a microvalve. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a micropump. In yet another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a thermostat or relay switch.