Steven R Sullivan

US Patent:

6756876, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Aug 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/210688

Inventors:

Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI
Karl A. Kohm - Cranston RI
Kevin R. French - North Dighton MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01H 3752

US Classification:

337111, 337379, 337365, 337102

Abstract:

A current interrupter ( ) includes bimetallic member ( ) as a switching member having a formed portion ( ) providing snap action movement between oppositely dished configurations. An integrally formed extended length portion ( ) having a stiffening feature extends from the formed portion and mounts a movable contact at its free end. Stiffening feature embodiments include folded opposed marginal edges and one or more longitudinally extending ribs formed in the extended length portion. In one embodiment, the bimetallic member is cantilever mounted in a housing member ( ). In another embodiment, a bimetallic member ( D) has first and second extended length portions ( ) extending from opposite sides of a formed portion to provide a circuit interrupter with a double break system.

US Patent:

7038896, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Dec 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/318960

Inventors:

Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI, US
Kevin R. French - North Dighton MA, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dalas TX

International Classification:

H02H 5/04

US Classification:

361 25

Abstract:

A solid state motor protector has a first PTC chip (positive temperature coefficient of resistivity) electrically connected in series relation with a second resistor having a generally fixed temperature coefficient of resistivity and mechanically coupled to the first resistor in close/direct thermal coupling. Another embodiment has a plate like isolator () formed with an opening receiving a polymer PTC chip () and having terminals () which serve as fixed resistors. Yet another embodiment has an additional PTC resistor and a fixed resistor used in a motor reversing mechanism. Still another embodiment has a fixed resistor on either side of a PTC resistor for use in protecting the windings of a single phase motor. Another embodiment has a stack of polymer PTC resistor chips () with one chip serving as a voltage blocking chip and the other chip serving as fixed resistors.

US Patent:

7326887, Feb 5, 2008

Filed:

Dec 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/610117

Inventors:

Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI, US
Jonathan F. Cohen - Douglas MA, US

Assignee:

Sensata Technologies, Inc. - Attleboro MA

International Classification:

H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219505, 219504, 219508, 219481, 219494, 307117

Abstract:

A self-hold motor protector () has an open metallic housing () in which a thermostatic disc () carrying a movable electrical contact () is cantilever mounted. A heater seat plate () is mounted in the housing in electrical and thermal relationship therewith. The heater seat plate has a seating recess () in which a positive temperature coefficient resistor heating element () is received with one contact surface in electrical and thermal engagement with the heater seat plate. A terminal plate () mounts a stationary electrical contact () and is received over the opening of the housing but electrically isolated therefrom by a gasket (). An electrically conductive spring () extends between the terminal plate and a second contact surface of the heating element.

US Patent:

62108247, Apr 3, 2001

Filed:

Dec 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/216046

Inventors:

Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI
Mark G. Dexter - Acushnet MA
Kevin R. French - North Dighton MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01M 212
H01M 200

US Classification:

429 53

Abstract:

End cap apparatus (2) is received in the open end of an electrochemical cell casing (6) and is particularly adapted to be crimped thereto electrically separated from the casing by a gasket (4). The end cap apparatus incorporates current interrupt safety protection features including high rate overcharge protection through an over-temperature and/or low pressure switch (22, 12d-18, 18', 18", 118a), low rate overcharge and overdischarge protection through a low pressure switch (12d-18, 18', 18", 118a), extended short circuit protection through an over-temperature switch driven by l. sup. 2 r heating of internal components (20, 22, 16, 12, 12', 16', 16", 16'", 12. sup. v, 102, 122, 120), and pressure venting through a frangible portion (12e) of a diaphragm. The diaphragm can be integrally formed with a header (12, 12", 12'", 12. sup. iv) or can be a separate element (32, 82, 92, 108, 112, 112' 112", 112'").

US Patent:

50498495, Sep 17, 1991

Filed:

Aug 30, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/575461

Inventors:

Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI
Richard L. Jenne - Attleboro MA
Gennady Baskin - Providence RI

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01H 3100
H01H 6100
H01H 8500

US Classification:

337 1

Abstract:

A circuit breaker has two thin flat terminals embedded in an electrically insulating housing exposing respective broad flat sides of the terminals in spaced side-by-side relation to each other in a housing chamber. The circuit breaker has a thermostat metal member secured at one end to one exposed side of one terminal to mount the member extending along a chamber wall and has a contact at its opposite end to engage and disengage the other terminal to close and open a circuit in response to a selected current in the circuit. The contact comprises a material which erodes during repeated cycling of the circuit breaker. The thermostat metal member has a portion of reduced cross-sectional area adapted to burn out and separate the member into two sections to open the circuit if the contact welds or sticks to the other terminal. A stop on the housing intercepts movement of one of the member sections after burn out to avoid shorting of the circuit. An abutment on the housing prevents reclosing of the circuit after the contact has eroded to a selected extent.

US Patent:

57502773, May 12, 1998

Filed:

Oct 2, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/720585

Inventors:

Viet H. Vu - Milford MA
Lucien P. Fontaine - Lincoln RI
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Robert J. Pinault - West Warwick RI
Jane A. Blasi - Acton MA
Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI
Geoffrey J. Paquin - North Attleboro MA
Stephen S. Johnson - Attleboro MA
Gary K. Maus - South Attleboro MA
Lance E. Cambra - Acushnet MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX
Duracell Inc. - Bethel CT

International Classification:

H01M 212
H01M 1050

US Classification:

429 7

Abstract:

A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. Alternatively, the thermally responsive mechanism may include a meltable mass of material which melts when exposed to elevated temperature to break an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. The end cap assembly may also include integrated therein a pressure responsive current interrupt mechanism. If the internal gas pressure within an operating cell exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure responsive mechanism activates to sever an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly to prevent current from passing through the cell.

US Patent:

62046357, Mar 20, 2001

Filed:

May 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/311489

Inventors:

Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01M 1046

US Classification:

320134

Abstract:

A pressure actuated current interrupt device particularly useful for prismatic electrochemical cells has a cup-shaped member (12, 12', 12", 12'", 12. sup. IV, 12. sup. V, 12. sup. VI) mounted on the cover of the cell and arranged to protrude into the interior of the cell. The cup-shaped member can be formed either as a separate member or as a portion of a layer of a composite cover. The cup-shaped member has a side wall (12b) in which stress is created by pressure generated in the cell which acts on the generally flat end wall (12a) of the cup-shaped member. A selected amount of pressure causes the side wall to catastrophically collapse with the configuration of the cup-shaped member being inverted to permanently break the electric current path with a cover mounted terminal. A composite cover (8. sup. iv, 8. sup. v) includes a membrane layer in which the cup-shaped member is formed and which can also include a pressure vent (12g).