Abstract: A high voltage combination fuse has a current limiting section which has a free standing, helical coil of fusible wire material. The support for the free standing coil comes only from the pulverulent arc quenching material which fills the fuse casing and surrounds the coil. The coil has a foot portion and a head portion of increased cross-section to avoid arcing in the immediate vicinity of the end caps. The foot and head portions are preferably formed by doubling back a length of wire at the respective end and wrapping the tip of the doubled back length around the wire.

Abstract: An electroluminescent display device includes at least two conductive leads spaced from each other with a light-emitting element electrically coupled between such leads. A transparent, insulating base is formed about and between the leads. The base encapsulates both the leads and the light-emitting element.At least one lateral portion of each lead extends beyond the base and substantially conforms to the configuration of the base. In conforming such lateral portions, they are preferably wrapped around the base and fixed to it. These lateral portions are arranged so that light from the light-emitting element may pass axially through the base and out of its ends. In addition, light may pass laterally out of the base.The device may also be used for circuit protection purposes. To so use the device, a protective element is electrically coupled between the leads so that upon the occurrence of an overload condition in an external circuit coupled to the lateral portions, the protective element decouples the leads.

Abstract: A dry well fuseholder for use with electrical apparatus containing a dielectric liquid. The holder has an outer, liquid-tight, tubular shell and a number of components inside the shell abutting coaxially in the following order: an annular fitting adapted for supporting the fuseholder on the apparatus; an insulating tube; an annular fuse terminal; another insulating tube; and an annular fuse terminal closed at one end. Glass fibers bonded together with epoxy resin are wound over the peripheral surface of the fitting-tube assembly to produce the shell. Seals are located between the fittings and shell near the joints of fittings and tubes. These seals are composed of a material which swells on contact with the dielectric liquid. This is a division, of application Ser. No. 680,209, filed Apr. 26, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,778.

Abstract: Selected circuit elements and interconnections of an integrated circuit device are connected by platinum silicide fuse links which open when electrical power exceeds a threshold amount. The fuse is constructed by defining the fuse geometry in a polycrystalline silicon layer over a wafer substrate, depositing a layer of platinum thereover and then sintering the platinum into the polysilicon.

Abstract: A plurality of regularly spaced solid electrolyte capacitor bodies are held by their anode leads. A group of cathode lead wires are held at the same spacing and an exothermically alloyable fuse strand is laid at right angles over the held cathode leads and attached thereto. The fuse strand is cut in the spaces between adjacent lead wires and the held lead wires are registered with the held capacitor bodies. An insulative layer is provided between each body and an adjacent lead wire. The free ends of the cut fuse segments are connected to the counterelectrodes of the adjacent capacitor bodies and the bodies with attached fuse segments are encapsulated as by molding.

Abstract: A pair of substantially flat rectangular fusible links is constructed from progressive dies by partially cutting them from sheet metal stock as blanks, flanging edges on the parts and including the forming of triangular camming surfaces on such flanges, and then shearing the parts from the stock. Thereafter, the links are fluxed and soldered together and are held in interested complementary relation. It is characteristic of the links that there are no voids or discontinuities in the joined surfaces and into which flux will not flow; the interfacing triangular cam surfaces insure a clean breaking apart of the links once the eutectic temperature is reached because any longitudinal sliding movement of the links biases them laterally apart under the camming action to insure a complete break-away of the confronting soldered surfaces.

Abstract: A method for making plug-in fuse elements of different desired fuse ratings comprising the steps of providing a blank of fuse metal which is initially provided throughout its length with a continuous portion of reduced thickness having a fixed thickness dimension for making fuses of a variety of fuse ratings, and blanking the blank of fuse metal to contain a pair of laterally spaced terminal blade portions, current carrying extensions thereof and an interconnecting fuse link portion of reduced thickness having a fixed thickness dimension located in a platelike body of a plug-in fuse element. The interconnecting fuse link portions of fixed reduced thickness dimension, provided by the blanking of the blanks of fuse metal are arranged in desired locations and desired configurations including width and length dimensions, to provide the different desired fuse ratings.

Abstract: A method for making a plug-in fuse assembly comprises the steps of providing a blank of fuse metal which is initially provided between opposite margins thereof with a continuous portion of reduced thickness, blanking the blank of fuse metal to form a pair of generally parallel laterally spaced confronting terminal blade portions which are interconnected by a transverse web, current carrying extensions of the terminal blade portions and an interconnecting fuse link portion formed by remaining sections of said portion of reduced thickness, inserting and anchoring an insulating body between said current carrying extensions of the blank with the pair of terminal blade portions of the blank, which are interconnected by the transverse web, extending outwardly from the insulating lid, and blanking the exposed transverse web interconnecting the terminal blade portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making plug-in fuse assemblies utilizing a strip of fuse metal having longitudinally spaced blank portions from which individual plug-in fuse elements are to be formed, each blank portion having corresponding portions spaced transversely of the length of the strip from which said fuse link portions, on the one hand, and at least said terminal blade portions, on the other hand, of a plug-in fuse element is to be formed. The strip of fuse metal is advanced past punch and die assemblies which form in each blank portion of the strip a pair of parallel confronting terminal blade portions and current-carrying extensions interconnected by a fuse link portion.

Abstract: An electric switch for thermal overload protection includes a meltable pellet containing a pool of mercury which establishes electrical contact between two lead-in wires. When the pellet is heated to its melting point, the mercury becomes unconfined and the circuit is opened.

Abstract: A fusing technique whereby a fuse is fabricated upon a substrate by integrated circuit techniques. Three or more layers of chemically dissimilar metals are deposited upon the region where the fuse is to be formed. The top layers are then etched away from the region where the fusible link is to be formed leaving the lower two layers, the top one of which forms the actual fusible link. The lower layer is then etched away leaving the fusible link suspended from the underlying substrate. The current necessary to cause such a fuse to blow is consistent from fuse to fuse since the physical dimensions of the fusible link can accurately be controlled with the integrated circuit techniques used and, since the fusible link is not in contact with the substrate, the rate at which heat is conducted away from the fusible link cannot vary from fuse to fuse.

Abstract: A method of attaching one tubular member such as a hollow metallic conducting tube to another tubular member such as a hollow insulator tube of a high voltage fuse comprises the steps of inserting the metallic tube into the insulator tube to a desired location and then expanding the metallic tube radially outwardly at a position where engagement is desired until the metallic tube engages and at least partially fills an annular groove on the interior of the insulator tube. To further provide a moisture tight seal at the point of engagement, an elastomeric compound such as a room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone rubber may be placed in the groove to assure a moisture tight seal when the metallic tube is expanded. The exterior of the insulator tube is slightly deformed due to expansion of the metallic tube, and the quality of the connection between the tubes may be determined by the amount of this slight deformation. Also disclosed is a novel fuse produced by this method.

Abstract: A method for making a mount for a circuit breaker for mounting the circuit breaker in a holder of the type typically used for fuses and a method of making the mount is disclosed. Engaging means such as metallic screw threads or a bayonet ferrule are bonded to the envelope of the circuit breaker with one of the circuit breaker leads attached thereto. The other circuit breaker lead is attached to an eyelet. A spacer is molded between the base of the circuit breaker and the eyelet to hold the eyelet in a fixed position relative to the circuit breaker so that when the screw threads or bayonet ferrule is engaged with a holder, the eyelet contacts a contact in the base of the holder.

Abstract: A method for making a plug-in fuse assembly like that disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,767, granted Sept. 30, 1975 for Miniature Plug-In Fuse having different desired fuse ratings. The method comprises the steps of providing a strip of fuse metal which is initially preferably provided throughout its length with a continuous longitudinally extending portion of reduced thickness having a fixed thickness dimension and from which fuse link portions of fuse elements are to be stamped. Various selected areas of the strip, those which preferably are not the portions of reduced thickness and from which the terminal portions of the fuses are to be formed, are covered with a non-oxidizable conductive coating, preferably tin plating.

Abstract: An electric fuse having blind metal fusion joints, e.g. solder joints, between the two ferrules and the fusible element, or the fusible elements, thereof. One of these conductive connection joints is situated adjacent the center region of the inner end surface of one of the two ferrules. The other of these conductive connection joints is situated between one of the rims of the casing and the peripheral region of the inner end surface of the other of the two ferrules.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of providing a blank containing a pair of laterally spaced coplanar terminal forming blade portions which are interconnected by a transverse rigid web, coplanar current carrying extensions thereof and an interconnecting relatively fragile fuse-forming link inserting around the blank a housing made of insulating material with the current carrying extensions of the blank and the interconnecting fuse-forming link preferably within the housing and with the pair of terminal blade portions of the blank and the transverse web on the outside of the housing, securing said blank to the housing so the housing rigidly interconnects and supports the current carrying extensions, and blanking the exposed transverse web interconnecting the terminal blade portions.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of providing a blank containing a pair of laterally spaced coplanar terminal forming blade portions which are interconnected by a transverse rigid web, coplanar current carrying extensions thereof and an interconnecting relatively fragile fuse-forming link, inserting around the blank a housing made of insulating material with the current carrying extensions of the blank and the interconnecting fuse-forming link preferably within the housing and with the pair of terminal blade portions of the blank and the transverse web on the outside of the housing, securing said blank to the housing so the housing rigidly interconnects and supports the current carrying extensions, and blanking the exposed transverse web interconnecting the terminal blade portions.

Abstract: A method of making fuses for a record unit comprising providing an electrl circuit pattern on an insulated substrate and then attaching a plurality of fine wires to the circuit pattern. A groove is provided beneath the wires which are encapsulated collectively but not individually.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a plug-in fuse assembly like that disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,767, granted Sept. 30, 1975 for Miniature Plug-In Fuse.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a plug-in fuse assembly like that disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,767, granted Sept. 30, 1975 for Miniature Plug-In Fuse and having different desired fuse ratings. The method comprises the steps of providing a blank of fuse metal which is initially provided throughout its length with a continuous central portion of reduced thickness having a fixed thickness dimension for making fuses of a variety of fuse ratings, and blanking the blank of fuse metal to contain a pair of laterally spaced coplanar terminal forming blade portions which are interconnected by a transverse web of reduced thickness having a fixed thickness dimension, coplanar current carrying extensions thereof and an interconnecting fuse-forming link portion of reduced thickness having a fixed thickness dimension located in a coplanar platelike body of a plug-in fuse element.

Abstract: A thermal switch for automatically opening a circuit when the ambient temperature is increased to a predetermined level. A pair of conductor wires are arranged in side by side fashion with extremities extending in the same direction. A spring portion is included in at least one of the conductor wires to provide stored energy when the spring is biased into electrical contact with each other. A localized contact region is included in the conductor wire in the region below the spring portion but spaced upwardly from the associated extremities to create a lever arm. The extremities, contact region, lever arm and spring being encapsulated with a heat fusible material which biases the conductor wires into contact with each other and which is coated with a rigid insulating material to retain the conductor wires electrically insulated from each other except at the contact region.

Abstract: A high-voltage fuse having a casing closed at each end thereof by a pair of composite plug terminals. Each of these composite plug terminals is made up of a pair of semi-cylindrical complementary parts. The fuse includes a pair of helically wound fusible element means whose longitudinal axes are parallel to each other and spaced from each other. One of said pair of fusible element means and one pair of semi-cylindrical terminal parts are arranged to one side of a plane of symmetry extending in a direction longitudinally of the casing of the fuse. The other of said pair of fusible element means and another pair of semi-cylindrical terminal parts are arranged to the other side of the aforementioned plane of symmetry.

Abstract: The fuse is of the type including an electrically insulating cartridge, a pair of electrically conductive terminal caps at opposite ends of the cartridge, a fusible element within the cartridge in electrical contact with the terminals, and a self-supporting bound matrix filler of arc-quenching particulate matter. The improvement comprises that one of the terminal end caps has a filter disposed on its inside end surface over a drain port.Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a fuse. The method comprises the steps of assembling the components, packing with arc-quenching particulate matter, filling with a suspension of colloidal silica, removing excess suspension, and drying. In filling, the colloidal silica suspension is forced into a fill port in one end cap and released through a drain port in the other end cap. Before passing out through a drain port in the other end cap, the suspension passes through a filter disposed on the inside end surface of the end cap and overlapping the drain opening.

Abstract: A thermal limiter construction having a casing provided with an insulating end plug carrying a conductor with an enlarged contact head inside said casing and against which spring controlled sliding contact means in the casing normally engages to conductively interconnect the casing and the conductor together. A washer-like member is telescopically disposed about the contact head and is disposed between the sliding contact means and a spring that acts between the sliding contact means and the end plug to tend to move the sliding contact means away from the contact head whereby the washer-like member separates the spring from the sliding contact means. Such sliding contact means can comprise a plurality of conductive balls disposed in a circular array in the casing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a plug-in fuse assembly disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Ser. No. 432,980, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,767, Jan. 14, 1974 for Miniature Plug-In Fuse.

Abstract: A method for assembling fuses having casings closed by plug terminals conductively interconnected by helically wound fusible elements. The fusible elements are wound around squirrel-cage-like structures involving extremely thin and extremely stiff metal rods. These rods are withdrawn from the fusible elements and drawn out of the casings of the fuses at such time when the pulverulent arc-quenching filler filled into the casings provides sufficient support for the fusible elements so that the support thereof previously provided by the aforementioned metal rods can safely be dispensed with. The small diameter of the rods minimizes the voids initially formed by their removal which, in turn, minimizes the tendency of the fusible elements to be somewhat displaced incident to removal of their temporary metallic supporting rods.