Summary

The present invention relates to a process for providing a predetermined pyrotechnic energy output, comprising a pyrotechnic material that pyrotechnically converts at a material-specific conversion temperature, and communicating heat to the pyrotechnic material to convert the pyrotechnic material at an ambient temperature of the pyrotechnic material that is less than the conversion temperature.

An electric heating device for emitting a heated air flow, in particular for a sanitary room or washroom in a rail-borne vehicle, includes an air duct, a fan generating the air flow, a heating element heating the air flow and a first over-temperature switch. The first over-temperature switch can reversibly switch off the heating element when a first over-temperature is exceeded. A second over-temperature switch can irreversibly switch off the heating element when a second over-temperature is exceeded. The second over-temperature switch is disposed in a recess, depression or opening formed in the air duct. The second over-temperature switch has a disconnect or isolating switch to be thermally triggered for switching off the heating element. The thermally triggered disconnect or isolating switch can be triggered by a glass sphere or bead that breaks when the second over-temperature is exceeded.

An electric heating device for emitting a heated air flow, in particular for a sanitary room or washroom in a rail-borne vehicle, includes an air duct, a fan generating the air flow, a heating element heating the air flow and a first over-temperature switch. The first over-temperature switch can reversibly switch off the heating element when a first over-temperature is exceeded. A second over-temperature switch can irreversibly switch off the heating element when a second over-temperature is exceeded. The second over-temperature switch is disposed in a recess, depression or opening formed in the air duct. The second over-temperature switch has a disconnect or isolating switch to be thermally triggered for switching off the heating element. The thermally triggered disconnect or isolating switch can be triggered by a glass sphere or bead that breaks when the second over-temperature is exceeded.

An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrical contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component. Reliable and effective electrical connection in the normal state and reliable isolation of a defective overvoltage-limiting component are ensured by the fact that a thermally expandable material is arranged within the housing in a way that, in the event of thermal overloading of the overvoltage-limiting component, the position of the overvoltage-limiting component is changed by expansion of the thermally expandable material relative to the position of the connection elements in a way that causes at least one pole of the overvoltage-limiting component to be out of electrical contact with the corresponding connection element.

An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrical contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component. Reliable and effective electrical connection in the normal state and reliable isolation of a defective overvoltage-limiting component are ensured by the fact that a thermally expandable material is arranged within the housing in a way that, in the event of thermal overloading of the overvoltage-limiting component, the position of the overvoltage-limiting component is changed by expansion of the thermally expandable material relative to the position of the connection elements in a way that causes at least one pole of the overvoltage-limiting component to be out of electrical contact with the corresponding connection element.

Certain aspects are directed to a thermal fuse for preventing overheating of RF devices in a telecommunication system. In one embodiment, an RF thermal fuse comprises a body: a conductive bolt positioned in the body, the conductive bolt having a length sufficient to provide an impedance at a point of protection on a transmission line in response to the conductive bolt contacting a live conductor of the transmission line, wherein the impedance reflects a portion of the incident power of an RF signal from an RF signal source; and a driving mechanism that causes the conductive bolt to selectively contact the live conductor in response to an event.

Certain aspects are directed to a thermal fuse for preventing overheating of RF devices in a telecommunication system. In one embodiment, an RF thermal fuse comprises a body: a conductive bolt positioned in the body, the conductive bolt having a length sufficient to provide an impedance at a point of protection on a transmission line in response to the conductive bolt contacting a live conductor of the transmission line, wherein the impedance reflects a portion of the incident power of an RF signal from an RF signal source; and a driving mechanism that causes the conductive bolt to selectively contact the live conductor in response to an event.

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.

An expansion system for temperature detection by means of thermomechanical expansion and movement has an expansion receptacle, an elongate fluid line which is connected in a fluid-conducting manner thereto, and a switching means which is mechanically operatively connected to the expansion receptacle for the purpose of actuation of a switching process of the switching means at a settable actuation point. A working fluid is contained in the expansion receptacle and in the fluid line. Furthermore, an activation material which is formed to change, upon contact with the working fluid or upon mixing with the working fluid, said working fluid with regard to its volume and/or its flowability is contained in the expansion system.