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.

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 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.

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.

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 breaker comprises a fixed piece, a movable piece, a thermally-actuated element and a resin case. The fixed piece has an embedded portion embedded in the resin case in a region that overlaps with the thermally-actuated element in a plan view viewed in the thickness direction. The resin case has: an outer peripheral portion formed on the outer perimeter of a recessed portion; a first penetrating portion penetrating the recessed portion to expose the embedded portion to the thermally-actuated element side; an island portion interposed between the fixed piece and the thermally-actuated element in the inside of the first through portion; and a connecting portion connecting between the outer peripheral portion and the island portion.

The breaker comprises a fixed piece, a movable piece, a thermally-actuated element and a resin case. The fixed piece has an embedded portion embedded in the resin case in a region that overlaps with the thermally-actuated element in a plan view viewed in the thickness direction. The resin case has: an outer peripheral portion formed on the outer perimeter of a recessed portion; a first penetrating portion penetrating the recessed portion to expose the embedded portion to the thermally-actuated element side; an island portion interposed between the fixed piece and the thermally-actuated element in the inside of the first through portion; and a connecting portion connecting between the outer peripheral portion and the island portion.

The breaker has a fixed contact; a movable piece having an elastic portion and a movable contact; a thermally-actuated element deformed in response to temperature changes so as to shift the movable piece from a conductive state in which the movable contact contacts with the fixed contact to a cut-off state in which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact; a case main body having an accommodation recess for the fixed contact, movable piece and thermally-actuated element; and a lid member fixed to the case main body to cover the accommodation recess. The lid member has an embedding portion in which a part of the movable piece is embedded and a first recess which is recessed in a thickness direction of the lid member. The case main body has a first protruding portion fitted into the first recess.

The breaker has a fixed contact; a movable piece having an elastic portion and a movable contact; a thermally-actuated element deformed in response to temperature changes so as to shift the movable piece from a conductive state in which the movable contact contacts with the fixed contact to a cut-off state in which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact; a case main body having an accommodation recess for the fixed contact, movable piece and thermally-actuated element; and a lid member fixed to the case main body to cover the accommodation recess. The lid member has an embedding portion in which a part of the movable piece is embedded and a first recess which is recessed in a thickness direction of the lid member. The case main body has a first protruding portion fitted into the first recess.