Patent ID: 6621401
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A self-recovering current-limiting device with liquid metal, the device comprising:a first and a second electrode for connection to an electric circuit to be protected, each of the first and second electrodes being made of a respective solid metal; a plurality of pressure-resistant insulating bodies; a plurality of insulating intermediate walls supported by the plurality of insulating bodies, the plurality of insulating intermediate walls and the plurality of pressure-resistant insulating bodies defining a plurality of first compression spaces, the plurality of insulating intermediate walls defining a plurality of connecting channels, the plurality of first compression spaces being disposed one behind the other between the first and second electrodes and being at least partially filled with the liquid metal; wherein the plurality of insulating bodies and the plurality of intermediate walls define a upper half shell and a lower half shell, the upper half shell including a first joining surface and the lower half shell including a second joining surface opposing the first joining surface, the upper and lower half shells being sealingly joined in a region of a common middle plane of the plurality of connecting channels along the first and second joining surfaces; and wherein the first and second electrodes are each substantially T-shaped, a respective half of each of the first and second electrodes being supported in respective corresponding recess in each of the upper and lower half shells, a respective middle leg of each of the first and second electrodes projecting respectively outward from the upper and lower half shells.