Failsafe surge protector having reduced part count
US6606232B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01C7/126
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A failsafe surge protector having a reduced part count includes a line terminal, a gas tube assembly, at least one ground spring for biasing the gas tube assembly in the direction of the line terminal, and a ground terminal. The gas tube assembly includes a gas tube, a fusible solder pellet, a failsafe ground, an MOV, and an MOV spring. The surge protector provides a first electrical ground path from the line terminal to the ground terminal through the gas tube and the fusible solder pellet, and a second electrical ground path parallel to the first electrical ground path from the line terminal to the ground terminal through the MOV. When the fusible solder pellet melts, the ground spring biases the failsafe ground into electrical contact with the line terminal, thereby providing a short-circuit electrical path from the line terminal to the ground terminal through the failsafe ground.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.