With Fusible Metal Overlay (e.g., Alloy-forming) Patents (Class 337/160)
  • Patent number: 5745023
    Abstract: A fuse element which includes a substantially beltlike fusible body for electrically connecting a pair of connecting terminal portions to each other, the connecting terminal portions connected to an electric circuit, a low-melting-point metal piece clamped and fixed onto a melting metal adding portion arranged on the fusible body in order to adjust a fusion characteristic of the fusible body, and a pair of clamping pieces formed to extend outward from both side edges of the melting metal adding portion of the fusible body for clamping and fixing the low-melting-point metal piece set on the melting metal adding portion from both sides of the low-melting-point metal piece, in which the pair of clamping pieces have projections for holding the low-melting-point metal piece in press contact with each other by projecting into a space defined by a width of the melting metal adding portion when the clamping pieces are upwardly bent from both sides of the melting metal adding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Totsuka
  • Patent number: 5739741
    Abstract: A metal chip of low-melting metal having a cavity is fixedly held by an embracing portion of a fusible portion of a fuse of a fusible metal conductor. The metal chip has a predetermined outer diameter, and by changing a diameter of a through hole defining the cavity, the volume of the cavity can be adjusted. By doing so, fusion characteristics of the fusible portion can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Hanazaki, Mitsuhiko Totsuka
  • Patent number: 5673014
    Abstract: In known methods heretofore, one could generally distinguish with respect to design and tripping characteristic between the LVHBC fuse (low-voltage high-breaking-capacity fuse), which protects against overload currents, and the semiconductor protection fuse which is quick-acting in the event of a short-circuit to protect, for example, thyristors. The general-purpose converter fuse according to the present invention combines the advantages of both fuses in one unit. This is achieved by the application of fusible elements, which besides having rows of narrow sites as is customary under known methods heretofore, in addition have a row of narrow sites with comparatively long narrow sites, in whose vicinity a solder deposit is arranged. The general-purpose converter fuse simultaneously assumes the function of an LVHBC fuse and of a semiconductor protection fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Domanits
  • Patent number: 5668522
    Abstract: A slowly-breaking fuse includes a housing made of a synthetic resin, a fuse element including a pair of terminal members for an electrical connection, and a melting member mounted between the terminal members, the melting member being smaller in thickness than the terminal member, the melting member having a narrow elongated central portion and a pair of base portions between which the narrow elongated central portion is mounted, and a cross-sectional area increased member provided at an opposite end of the melting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiko Totsuka, Toshiharu Kudo, Hisashi Hanazaki
  • Patent number: 5661448
    Abstract: A chain of fuse-links is made from an electrically conductive metal plate. Each fuse-link P4. has an arc-shaped fusing portion 1 and a couple of terminal portions 4, 4 constituting a pair of wing-shaped members connected to each end of the arc-shaped fusing portion 1. A carrier strap 9 has a plurality of vertical connecting pieces 8 each positioned at fixed intervals for retaining the plurality of fuse-links P4. Each of a plurality of interconnection pieces 7 is connected to the vertical connecting piece 8 at one end and connected to a side edge of specific side one of the couple of terminal portions at the other end. The other end of the interconnection piece 7' is bent so that the end edges of the couple of terminal portions 4, 4 rise above the carrier strap 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Totsuka, Hisashi Hanazaki
  • Patent number: 5559488
    Abstract: The fuseholder includes a current limiting fuse mounted within a fuse body and a lower contact and hinge assembly. The fuse body has contact assemblies mounted on each end thereof. The lower contact assembly on the fuse body is mounted on a hinge which is rotatably supported on an interchangeable cutout mounting. The current limiting fuse includes a fuse element spirally wound around a spider which extends the length of the fuse body. The fuse element includes a high current fusible element and a low current fuse element. The fusible element includes a plurality of spaced reduced areas and is supported on the spider by support surfaces which are located between adjacent reduced areas of the fusible element. An auxiliary wire also extends the length of the fuse body about the spider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Hassler, Stephen P. Johnson, John Lapp
  • Patent number: 5552757
    Abstract: A thin film surface-mount fuse having two material subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a fusible link, its supporting substrate and terminal pads. The second subassembly includes a protective layer which overlies the fusible link so as to provide protection from impacts and oxidation. The protective layer is preferably made of a polymeric material. The most preferred polymeric material is a polycarbonate adhesive. In addition, the most preferred supporting substrate is an FR-4 epoxy or a polyimide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Blecha, Katherine M. McGuire, Andrew J. Neuhalfen, Daniel B. Onken
  • Patent number: 5546066
    Abstract: The present invention provides a delayed-fusion fuse by which its predetermined durability can be reliably ensured, and its stable pre-arcing time-current characteristics can be obtained, even when a current exceeding the steady-state current such as a motor lock current frequently flows in the fuse. The delayed-fusion fuse includes a pair of electric connecting sections formed on both sides of a fusible section having a narrow fusing portion made of an electrically conductive metal. Also, the delayed-fusion fuse includes a metallic chip made of low fusing point metal for absorbing heat generated in the fusible section, and a covering and adhering section for holding the metallic chip on the fusible section. A thin metallic layer forms a solid solution with the low fusing point metal, where the solid solution requires an energy of formation which is higher than that of the formation of a solid solution made of the electrically conductive metal and the low fusing point metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiko Totsuka, Toshiharu Kudo, Hisashi Hanazaki
  • Patent number: 5528213
    Abstract: An embracing portion is formed on a fusible body of metal, and a chip of low-melting metal is embraced by this embracing portion, and a constricted portion of a small cross-sectional area is formed at the fusible body, and a radiating plate is provided in the vicinity of the constricted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kondo, Shigemitsu Inaba, Mitsuhiko Totsuka, Toshiharu Kudo
  • Patent number: 5262751
    Abstract: A fuse includes a meltable and conductive metal element mainly containing Cu and having a blowout portion, and a low-melting-point metal chip fixed at the blowout portion. The low-melting-point metal chip comprises a Sn-Cu alloy. Preferably, the low-melting-point metal chip comprises an alloy containing 0.5 to 3.5% by weight of Cu and all the residual content of Sn. Also preferably, the low-melting-point metal chip comprises an alloy containing 0.5 to 3.5% by weight of Cu, 1.0 to 6.0% by weight of Sb and all the residual content of Sn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Kudo, Masahiro Kanda, Mitsuhiko Totsuka
  • Patent number: 5099218
    Abstract: A binary electrical fuse is comprised of a core wire which is preferably relatively rigid, has a high ohmic resistance, and a high melt temperature. The core wire is clad with a metal of substantially less rigidity having a low ohmic resistivity, and low melt temperature, i.e. in the range of from about 230 degrees C. to 700 degrees C. The resistance of the core wire is at least about ten times the resistance of the cladding and preferably twenty or more times the resistance of the cladding. In the course of a fusing cycle the cladding metal will melt and pool, leaving the core wire as the sole conductor resulting in a rapid blow of the fuse due to the sudden high resistance load presented by the core wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventor: Ian Salisbury
  • Patent number: 4944084
    Abstract: A fuse comprising a fuse element made by fixing a low-melting-point metal chip to a high-melting-point metal conductor, in which oxidatoin of the portions of the metal chip that are in contact with the metal conductor is prevented by [either partially fusing or soldered the metal chip to the metal conductor, or by] forming a layer of oxidation resistant material over the metal chip and then partially fusing the metal chip to the metal conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kinya Horibe, Hirohiko Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 4547830
    Abstract: A device for protection of a semiconductor device comprises a metallic wire and means for connecting said wire to the output of said semiconductor device, said metallic wire having a characteristic that when a current a little lower than the current that destroys said semiconductor device flows through said wire, said wire is melted in as short a period of time as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Rohm Company Limited
    Inventor: Yoshio Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 4533896
    Abstract: A fuse is disclosed for protecting thick film devices. The fuse comprises two blocks of material mounted to the substrate that carries the thick film device. The blocks are mounted in close proximity to one another, in axial alignment, but in a spaced apart relationship. An electrically conductive fusible link (e.g. solder) straddles the two blocks so as to complete an electric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Yakov Belopolsky
  • Patent number: 4503415
    Abstract: There is disclosed an encapsulated fuse link whereby a lower melting point metal such as tin is deposited between two reduced cross sectional areas of a higher melting point base material such as copper or silver which forms the major surface area of the link. The area upon which the lower melting point metal is deposited is encapsulated by means of nonconductive material such as a high temperature plastic tube which is secured to the major surface of the link by some means such as staples at either end. The structure prevents the low melting point metal from migrating or traveling down the fuse link during operation which would undesirably tend to alter the characteristics of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Commercial Enclosed Fuse Co. of NJ
    Inventors: William J. Rooney, Francis J. Rooney
  • Patent number: 4486734
    Abstract: This high voltage fuse comprises a pair of spaced terminals and a fusible conductive element connected between the terminals. At spaced locations along the length of the fusible element, there are bodies of a material that exothermically reacts when heated to a predetermined temperature. Connected between the terminals independently of the fusible element is a triggering circuit. The bodies of exothermic material are connected in good heat-transfer relationship with the triggering circuit and the fusible element so that the heating effect of current through the triggering circuit upon disruption of the fusible element causes the material of said bodies to exothermically react and thus cause further disruption of the fusible element at additional locations respectively located adjacent said bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John G. Leach
  • Patent number: 4367451
    Abstract: A fusible element for electric fuses including a core or layer of copper, an outer layer of silver plating, and an M-effect overlay on the silver layer of a low fusing point metal, e.g. tin, capable of severing the current path through the plating of silver and the core of copper by a metal diffusion process.The M-effect overlay is arranged in spaced relation in regard to the point of the fusible element where the highest temperature prevails to maximize the temperature difference, or temperature gradient, between the M-effect overlay and the hottest point of the fusible element when the latter is carrying current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Gould Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Panaro
  • Patent number: 4357588
    Abstract: A high voltage fuse for interrupting a wide range of currents and especially suited for low current interruption is disclosed. The fuse is comprised of a fuse element having a first and a second plurality of portions of reduced cross-sections. The second plurality of portions further comprise two or more parallel conducting paths some of which carry a portion of material which has a lower melting temperature than the melting temperature of the material of the fuse element. The parameters of the first and second plurality of reduced cross-section portions, the lower melting point material, and the fuse element itself are selected to adapt the fuse to provide proper protection for the various current conditions to which a high voltage transformer is subjected. The fuse element provides fast rupturing under short-circuit current conditions while also providing the characteristic of withstanding relatively high inrush current conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John G. Leach, James J. Carroll
  • Patent number: 4216457
    Abstract: A fusible element for electric fuses capable of combining time-lag in the range of overload currents with current-limiting action for currents in the range of short-circuit currents. The fusible element comprises a relatively wide perforated center section and axially outer heat dam sections. The center section has points of reduced cross-section imparting to it a predetermined fusing i.sup.2 .multidot.t. The center section of the fusible element is folded in a direction longitudinally thereof to effect mutual heating of the portion, or portions, thereof to different sides of the fold, or folds. This allows to increase the mass of the center section and results in an increase of time-lag. Relatively narrow heat-dam-strip sections extend from the ends of said center section. The fusing i.sup.2 .multidot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Gould Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Panaro
  • Patent number: 4146863
    Abstract: A one piece fusible conductor wherein a current carrying isthmus member in the form of a bridge connects first and second members. The first member has a hole in the vicinity of the isthmus and the hole is filled with a rivet shaped solder deposit and defines current carrying regions of the first member leading to the isthmus. In accordance with the invention, the horizontal profile E of the cross section of each of the latter regions is within a range of 0.7 to 1.00mm and the horizontal profile D of the cross section of the isthmus is within a range from 1.0 to 2.00mm. Furthermore, the profiles E and D satisfy approximately the following relationship: 0.75 .gtoreq. E/D .gtoreq. 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Mollenhoff
  • Patent number: 4118684
    Abstract: In a one piece fusible conductor of the type having cutouts for narrowing the path of current so as to form current carrying isthmuses with a hole filled with a solder deposit adjacent each isthmus, the cross section at each isthmus has a definite relation to the cross section of the material between the hole containing the solder deposit and the diamond shaped cutouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Mollenhoff
  • Patent number: 4028655
    Abstract: A high voltage current limiting fuse of the type including a bound silica sand filler has a fusible element provided with evenly spaced perforations along its major length. In the region of the center of the fuse, a segment of the element is provided with additional perforations. At least one of the perforations in the segment has a lead-tin alloy overlay directly adjacent its perimeter which, in conjunction with the additional perforations, lowers the low current clearing level of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Koch
  • Patent number: 3958206
    Abstract: A conventional fusible element is combined with exothermic reactive material such as PETN or a ribbon of aluminum-palladium to supply quickly released chemical energy for fast circuit interruption where the circuit-derived electrical energy available for interruption is low. An arc quenching substance preferably surrounds the fusible element. The exothermic reaction is initiated thermally or by supplementary electrical energy from a trigger circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert V. Klint
  • Patent number: 3935553
    Abstract: A d-c fuse having a clearing ability ranging from currents close to the minimum fusing current to major fault currents is provided with a wide ribbon fuse link having a matrix-like system of perforations. The fuse link is wrapped around gas-evolving rod means in such a fashion as to form a gap between the longitudinal edges thereof resulting in the formation of currents of arc-quenching gas evolving from said rod means and flowing transversely across said edges of said ribbon fuse link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Inventors: Frederick J. Kozacka, Edward J. Knapp, Jr., Philip C. Jacobs, Jr.