Patent ID: 6239686
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A temperature actuated switch comprising a polymeric housing having a cavity therein, a pair of terminals having terminal contacts in said cavity and terminal leads extending externally of said housing from said terminal contacts, a resilient switch blade having a movable blade contact normally engaging one of said terminal contacts, said switch blade being connected in electrically conductive relationship with the other of said terminal contacts, an actuator of shape memory alloy positioned in said cavity said actuator being in the shape of a coil spring and having one actuator end portion attached to said switch blade and an opposite actuator end portion attached to said housing, said actuator having an extended deformed shape at normal temperatures wherein said blade contact engages said one of said terminal contacts, and said actuator having a contracted recovered shape at an elevated temperature wherein said actuator bends said switch blade in a direction away from said one of said terminal contacts to separate said blade contact from said one of said terminal contacts.