Patent ID: 6232866
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: H01C

Abstract:
A device in series with an electrical circuit for protecting the electrical circuit from excessive electrical potential comprising an alternating layered structure of metallic conductors and a composite conducting material formed as a plurality of metallic particles at a concentration approaching a percolation conduction threshold in an insulating background matrix, the device comprising:a first metallic conductive lead with an end;a lamellar structure comprising a first end, a second end and at least one lamination unit conductively laminated to the end of the first metallic conductive lead wherein the lamellar structure has a first operative mode of conductivity below a predetermined threshold voltage and a second operative mode of increased resistivity at and above said predetermined threshold voltage, a lamination unit comprising:a first planar piece of the composite conductive material with a first surface and a second surface;a first piece of metallic conductor, the same planar dimensions as the first piece of composite conductive material, laminated to the first piece of composite conductive material, a first surface of the first metallic conductor in contact with the second surface of the composite conductive material;a second piece of planar composite conductive material, the same planar dimensions as the first piece of metallic conductor, laminated to the first piece of metallic conductor, a first surface of the composite conductive material in contact with a second surface of the metallic conductor; anda second piece of metallic conductor, the same planar dimensions as the second piece of composite conductive material, laminated to the second piece of composite conductive material, a first surface of the second metallic conductor in contact with a second surface of the composite conductive material;a second metallic conductive lead with an end; anda planar piece of the conductive composite material forming a conductive bridge between the end of the second conductive lead and the lamellar structure at the second end of the lamellar structure,the planar pieces of conductive composite oriented so that a direction of conduction is across the thickness of each planar piece.