Patent ID: 6327129
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H01T

Abstract:
A surge protector assembly, comprising:a first terminal;a second terminal;a third terminal;a gas discharge tube having a first end and a second end;a first metal oxide varistor conductively connected to said gas discharge tube;a first bracket arm associated with said first end of said gas discharge tube, said first bracket arm being generally parallel to said first end of said gas discharge tube, said first bracket arm being movable between a steady-state position in which said first bracket arm causes said first terminal to be conductively separated from said third terminal and a shorting position in which said first bracket arm causes said first terminal to be conductively connected to said third terminal, said first bracket arm being spaced from said first end of said gas discharge tube by a first distance when sail first bracket arm is in its steady-state position and by a second distance when said first bracket arm is in its shorting position, said first distance being greater than said second distance, said first bracket arm being spring-biased towards its shorting position;a first holding member associated with said first bracket arm;a first portion of eutectic material that bonds said first bracket arm to said first holding member when said first bracket arm is in its steady-state position so that said first holding member holds said first bracket arm in its steady state position, said first bracket arm being released by said first holding member upon a change of state of said first portion of eutectic material so that said first bracket arm moves to its shorting position;a second metal oxide varistor conductively connected to said gas discharge tube;a second bracket arm associated with said second end of said gas discharge tube, said second bracket arm being generally parallel to said second end of said gas discharge tube, said second bracket arm being movable between a steady-state position in which said second bracket arm causes said second terminal to be conductively separated from said third terminal and a shorting position in which said second bracket arm causes said second terminal to be conductively connected to said third terminal, said second bracket arm being spaced from said second end of said gas discharge tube by a third distance when said second bracket arm is in its steady-state position and by a fourth distance when said second bracket arm is in its shorting position, said third distance being greater than said fourth distance, said second bracket arm being spring-biased towards its shorting position;a second holding member associated with said second bracket arm; anda second portion of eutectic material that bonds said second bracket arm to said second holding member when said second bracket arm is in its steady-state position so that said second holding member holds said second bracket arm in its steady state position, said second bracket arm being released by said second holding member upon a change of state of said second portion of eutectic material so that said second bracket arm moves to its shorting position.