Spring Biased Patents (Class 337/178)
  • Patent number: 8018317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuse system for a switchgear assembly, especially for a medium voltage switchgear assembly. The fuse system comprises a plurality of fuses which correspond to the number of phases, every fuse having a tripping bar that projects from the face of the fuse under the effect of the force of a spring when the fuse comes into action. A sealing body, with a spring arrangement interposed, pushes a sealing head into the interior of a receptacle receiving the fuse. A two-armed lever is received on the sealing head, one arm covering a tripping mechanism which actuates a power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Lars-Johan Lindqvist, Ole Granhaug, Jan-Henrik Kuhlefelt
  • Patent number: 7742269
    Abstract: The circuit breaker according to the present invention has first and second terminals having favorable electric conductivity and joined to each other with solder; and a heater whose circumference is insulated installed for melting the solder and supplied with electric power from the current path separate from current paths passing through the first and second terminals; wherein the first and second terminals are separated by a spring force and insulated when the solder is melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6867679
    Abstract: A mounting for a circuit interrupter is provided that facilitates the easy removal and insertion of the circuit interrupter. The mounting includes upper and lower terminal and support arrangements that cooperate with upper and lower device mounting studs of a circuit interrupter. The device mounting studs also function as electrical circuit connection points to connect the circuit interrupter in an electrical circuit via respective upper and lower contact assemblies of the mounting. The upper and lower contact assemblies include resilient retention facilities for providing suitable electrical contact forces when engaged with the device mounting studs. The upper and lower terminal and support arrangements retain the circuit interrupter within the mounting and are selectively operable to release the circuit interrupter for removal from the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: S & C Electric Co.
    Inventor: Jorge R. Montante
  • Patent number: 6392526
    Abstract: A fuse cutout for connection to a power source comprising, a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of the mounting, respectively. A holder member fixedly attached to the lower support of the mounting. A pivot member received in the holder member at a first pivot point, the pivot member being movable between first and second positions. A fuseholder having upper and lower ends, the lower end being pivotally attached to the pivot member at a second pivot point, the fuseholder being movable between closed and open positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the pivot member, respectively. A first biasing member disposed between the pivot member and the lower end of the fuseholder at the second pivot point, biasing the pivot member toward the second position. The pivot member includes a planar cam surface that engages a lower contact of the holder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald B. Roberts, Daren A. Clark, Robert A. Brown
  • Patent number: 5982270
    Abstract: A thermal fuse includes a first electrical contact extending through and engaged in electrical contact with a second contact. A spring is compressed between the first and second contacts. A thermally deformable pin retains the second contact against the compressed spring. The pin is responsive to a high temperature condition such that the pin deforms, thereby allowing the spring to disengage the first and second contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin E. Wolfe, Jr., Gary C. Berray, Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 5760673
    Abstract: A current-limiting dropout fuseholder includes multiple current paths through the fuse body. A primary current path includes a high current fusible element. A secondary current path in parallel with the primary path includes a triggering conductor that extends outside the fuse body and is connected to a moveable support. The second current path further includes a first spark gap for severing the triggering conductor upon the occurrence of a fault and the shifting of the fault current from the primary current path to the second current path. A second spark gap formed between the primary and the second current paths ensures that the fault current flows across the first spark gap for a time sufficient to sever the triggering conductor, thereby ensuring that dropout will occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Hassler, Stephen Paul Johnson, John Lapp
  • Patent number: 4885561
    Abstract: An overload and fault protector for a distribution transformer or the like is disclosed. A series-connected high range current-limiting fuse and a low range expulsion type fuse is provided with a transformer lead disconnect or ejection mechanism to insure a rapid, positive disconnect of the transformer or other power distribution circuit components. The ejection mechanism supports the transformer lead and completes the circuit to the fuse link assemblies. Upon separation of the fuse link, the ejection mechanism operates to quickly disconnect the transformer lead minimizing voltage stress on the fuse assembly and providing visible indication of a blown fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Veverka, Stephen P. Hassler
  • Patent number: 4598265
    Abstract: A flipper is described for a fuse of the type having a generally cylindrical fuse tube, a fusible element within the tube and a fuse leader, the fuse leader having two ends with one of the ends connected to the fusible element disposed within the tube and with the other end of the leader adapted to be connected to a fixed terminal such as one of the two terminals of a power factor capacitor. In one embodiment, the flipper has two elongated arms disposed adjacent one another, a helical torsion spring at one end of each arm, an eyelet connecting together the other end of the arms and adapted to pass through the fuse leader, and a hook or similar connection carried by the springs to mount the flipper assembly to the associated terminal to which the free end of the fuse leader is joined. The flipper assists in the extraction of the leader from the fuse tube and provides positive restraint of the leader after the fuse has blown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burrage, J. Howard Shaw, James R. Marek, David W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4344059
    Abstract: Disclosed is an arcing rod catcher for a high voltage fuse which engages the arcing rod when the arcing rod moves during fuse operation so that the arcing rod will not bounce back or reverse directions during and after fuse operation. Since the arcing rod movement is utilized to actuate a fuse latch assembly to release the fuse from an upper mounting when it operates, it is necessary for the arcing rod to move to the operating position and remain in that position to permanently indicate that the fuse has operated and to prevent the possibility that a blown fuse will be re-latched into a closed position. The disclosed invention utilizes engaging fingers which allow the arcing rod to pass in one direction but prevent the arcing rod from returning in the opposite direction when the fuse operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: Roy T. Swanson
  • Patent number: 4103270
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a high voltage fuse comprises a round metal plate that has a center portion that has been machined to reduce the thickness of the center portion. The center portion of the metal plate is then subjected to a coining or pressing operation to further reduce the thickness of the center portion and also to increase the hardness and smoothness of the center portion so that the center portion can be reliably punctured during fuse operation. The metal plate is then sealed over the end of the fuse by folding the edge of a metal conducting tube over the edge of the metal plate. The peripheral portion of the metal plate serves as a stop to prevent the expulsion of fuse parts when the fuse operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventor: Hiram Soloman Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3958205
    Abstract: A lightweight, compact, conductor-mounted open link fault interrupter having mounting means permitting suspension thereof directly from an overhead power line without the need of cumbersome pole-mounting structure. Pinwheeling and flashover problems heretofore encountered during operation of conductor-mounted, closed link interrupters are precluded by virtue of the open link, fusible element employed since through use thereof no net rotational forces are imparted to the interrupter during its operation. The interrupter hereof provides especially advantageous protection when electrically connected in series with a unique high range current limiting fuse capable of safely interrupting high magnitude fault current to insignificant values substantially ahead of the first natural zero point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: A. B. Chance Company
    Inventors: Lloyd Ronald Beard, Allen Houpt Knepper