Claims
- 1. A variable voltage protection device for use in combination with a ground comprising:a variable voltage protection component; and a compressible conductive ground plane contacting the variable voltage protection component, wherein the compressible conductive ground plane comprises a conductive polymeric material and is more compressible than the variable voltage protection component, such that under compressive forces, the compressible conductive ground plane will compress more readily than the variable voltage protection component and will substantially conform to and form electrical contact with irregular surfaces.
- 2. The variable voltage protection device of claim 1 wherein the conductive polymeric material comprises at least one compliant surface such that the conductive ground plane can conform to and form electrical contact with irregular surfaces when placed under compression.
- 3. The variable voltage protection device of claim 1 wherein the conductive polymeric material comprises an adhesive surface whereby the conductive ground plane will adhere to and maintain electrical contact with an electrical component surface.
- 4. A variable voltage protection device for use in combination with a ground comprising:a variable voltage protection component; and a compressible conductive ground plane contacting the variable voltage protection component, wherein the compressible conductive ground plane comprises a conductive elastomer or conductive rubber and is more compressible than the variable voltage protection component, such that under compressive forces, the compressible conductive ground plane will compress more readily than the variable voltage protection component and will substantially conform to and form electrical contact with irregular surfaces.
- 5. The variable voltage protection device of claim 4 wherein the conductive elastomer or conductive rubber comprises at least one compliant surface such that the conductive ground plane can conform to and form electrical contact with irregular surfaces when placed under compression.
- 6. The variable voltage protection device of claim 4 wherein the conductive elastomer or conductive rubber comprises an adhesive surface whereby the conductive ground plane will adhere to and maintain electrical contact with an electrical component surface.
- 7. A method of making a variable voltage protection device comprising:providing a compressible conductive ground plane comprising at least one compliant surface such that the conductive ground plane can conform to and form electrical contact with irregular surfaces when placed under compression; providing a variable voltage protection material; and depositing the variable voltage protection material on the compressible conductive ground plane, wherein the compressible conductive ground plane is more compressible than the variable voltage protection material, such that under compressive forces, the compressible conductive ground plane will compress more readily than the variable voltage protection component and will substantially conform to and form electrical contact with irregular surfaces.
- 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the variable voltage protection material comprises a reinforcing layer.
- 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the compressible conductive ground plane comprises a reinforcing layer on a surface thereof and the variable voltage protection material is applied to and impregnated in the reinforcing layer.
Parent Case Info
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/943,189, filed Oct. 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,687, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/790,250, filed on Jan. 28, 1997, and a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/275,947 filed on Jul. 14, 1994, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (45)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
Materials Technology; “Technological Advances”; vol. 9, No. 3/4; Feb./Mar. 1994. |
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 17, No. 257 (E-1368), May 20, 1993 and JP,A,05 003104 (MURATA MFG CO LTD), Jan. 8, 1993. |
Machine Design, vol. 55, No. 27, Nov. 1983, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, pp. 87-91, XP002004500, Ben Carlisle: “Solving Problems with Elastomeric Connectors”. |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08/275947 |
Jul 1994 |
US |
Child |
08/790250 |
|
US |