Abstract: A fuse element assembly has been disclosed. The fuse element assembly includes a fuse element having a pair of side edges and at least one weak spot between the side edges. The fuse element assembly also includes an arc-quenching material attached locally to the fuse element adjacent the weak spot.

Abstract: A circuit protection device including a housing having a top section mounted to a bottom section, a first arc barrier extending from the bottom section, a second arc barrier extending from the top section, the top and bottom sections mounted together to define a cavity between the first arc barrier separated a distance from the second arc barrier, a first terminal and a second terminal secured to the bottom section, and a fuse element comprising a body of metallic material arranged in one of a plurality of geometric configurations mounted within the top section and the bottom section of the housing, extending through the first arc barrier and the second arc barrier and connected to the first and second terminals, wherein the first and second arc barriers resist arcing upon activation of the fuse and the fuse element melts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition.

Abstract: Electrical fuses include slip fit terminal elements coupled to the ends of a fuse element. The terminal elements may rotate relative to the fuse element ends as the fuses are bolted to circuit conductors and protect the fuse element from being damaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse assembly for rapid interruption of a prospective fault current. The fuse assembly includes a plurality of splitter plates. A plurality of foil elements extend between a pair of terminals and are physically supported by the splitter plates. A pair of parallel busbars are in series with the foil elements and generate a magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to the current flowing in the foil elements. In the presence of a prospective fault current, the foil elements will melt and at arcing inception an electromagnetic force developed as a result of interaction between the magnetic field and the arc current will push the molten foil elements into the splitter plates. This increases the arc length and hence the arc voltage. At least the foil elements and the splitter plates are preferably located in flowing liquid dielectric such as MIDEL 7131, for example.

Abstract: The overcurrent protection structure according to the present invention mainly comprises a fusible fuse structure unit disposed in a coating, and the both ends of the fusible fuse structure unit extend outwardly beyond the coating and form a first electrode and a second electrode. In the manufacturing process, the gas-assisted injection molding process enables at least one space for accommodating gas disposed between the fusible fuse structure unit and the coating such that the heat generated by the electrically energized the fusible fuse structure unit will not dissipate through the heat conduction of the coating in order to ensure that it will blow at high temperature when reaching a specific current or a specific temperature and the circuit protection effect.

Abstract: A voltage surge protection device comprising a disconnection device with electric contacts said disconnection device comprising a first connecting electrode electrically connected with a first connecting strip, a second connecting electrode electrically connected with a second connecting strip, and a third switching electrode electrically connected to the second connecting strip. The protection device comprises a surge arrestor connected in series with a thermal disconnector between the third movable arc switching electrode and the second connecting strip. Said thermal disconnector comprises at least one fuse element extending between a first and second conducting radial wall of an arc extinguishing chamber, said arc extinguishing chamber comprising at least one conducting separator.

Abstract: A power circuit includes a first low voltage power bus, a second low voltage power bus, a fuse electrically connected between the first low voltage power bus and the second low voltage power bus, and a fuse barrier. The fuse has a non-interrupted state and an interrupted state. The fuse barrier includes a spring having a first end and a second end, a fastener connecting the first end of the spring to one of the first low voltage power bus and the second low voltage power bus, and an insulating barrier. The insulating barrier is disposed from the second end of the spring. The insulating barrier engages a portion of the fuse in the non-interrupted state thereof. The spring drives a portion of the insulating barrier through the fuse in the interrupted state thereof.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting an electrical circuit against excessive currents by a fuse assembly. The fuse assembly is configured to interrupt the flow of current through the electrical circuit by increasing dielectric separation between two ends of a fuse element prepared in a form substantially representing a curve. The fuse element is coupled to a pair of conductive endcaps and a dielectric material substantially encloses the fuse element between the endcaps. The method of increasing dielectric separation between two ends of a fuse element includes preparing the fuse element in the form substantially representing the curve, coupling the fuse element between a pair of conductive endcaps, and enclosing the fuse element in a dielectric material which is formed such that a portion of the dielectric material extends into the area bounded by the fuse element and a line intersecting the two ends of the fuse element.

Abstract: A fuse 1 includes a pair of terminals 2, a housing 4 and a fusible body 5. The one ends 3a of the terminals 2 are housed within the housing 4. The housing 4 includes a pair of end walls 12a, 12b, a pair of side walls 13a, 13b, a first partition wall 21 and a pair of second partition walls 22. The inner faces 15a, 15b of the pair of end walls 12a, 12b are opposite to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction of arranging the terminals in parallel and extend along the end faces of the terminals. The inner faces 16a, 16b of the side walls 13a, 13b are opposite to each other in a direction of arranging the terminals in parallel. The first partition wall 21 is located between the pair of terminals 2. The pair of second partition walls 22 are located between the first partition wall and the inner faces 16a, 16b, respectively.

Abstract: A fuse that includes an arc energy reducing coating to reduce arc energy during a short-circuit and/or a full voltage overload current interrupt is described. The fuse includes end conductor elements, and at least one fuse element secured between and making electrical contact with the end conductor elements. An elongate fuse housing, having a passageway extending longitudinally through the housing, extends between the end conductor elements. The fuse element extends through the housing passageway. An arc energy reducing coating at least partially coats each end portion of the fuse element.

Abstract: The invention is a housing for a blade fuse, and a blade fuse that uses that housing. The housing includes a first generally planar wall and a second generally planar wall. The first and the second generally planar walls each have an outer surface and an inner surface, and the inner surface of the first generally planar wall faces the inner surface of the second generally planar wall. Each of the generally planar walls has at least one rib extending from its inner surfaces. The one or more rib on the inner surface of the first generally planar wall extends towards, and is generally aligned with, the one or more corresponding rib on the inner surface of the second generally planar wall. These generally aligned rib sets form a gap, and the gap is sized so as to permit the close-fitting insertion of a fuse element between that gap.

Abstract: A fuse box for motor vehicles includes a housing that is adapted to contain electrical fuses mounted to a common busbar for connecting one end of the fuses directly to a pole of an electric battery in the vehicle. The housing includes lateral surfaces for providing torsional protection to the fuses against twisting or bending when the nuts holding the fuses in place are tightened. Screening zones are defined in the housing for screening off fusable portions of the fuses so that melted material is prevented from migrating into the housing beyond the screening zone where the melted material may cause damage. Mechanical coding structures are provided in the housing to ensure that only cable terminals having a shape corresponding to the coding structures can be installed in selected regions of the fuse box. This prevents inadvertent misuse of cross-connection of cables having inadequate or excessive current carrying capacity.

Abstract: The invention is a fusible link-containing structure for an electrical fuse. The structure includes an metallic or other conductive element having a fusible link. The structure further includes at least one arc-quenching tab secured to the metallic element, and that tab may be secured to the metallic element at a position spaced apart from the fusible link. The tab or tabs are secured to the metallic element without rivets or other mechanical fasteners. For example, a lamination process may be used.

Abstract: A high voltage, current limiting device is connected in series with a high voltage power source and a protected load to interrupt current for an over-current condition [Typically 50 kA]. The current limiting device includes a current sensor/isolator and a switch connected in series. A current limiter, which may include a fuse or polymer current limiting material, is connected in parallel to the current sensor/isolator. The current sensor/isolator includes a pair of electrically insulated supports secured to a plurality of support rods to maintain the insulated supports at a predetermined fixed spacing to support an expulsion fuse. The expulsion fuse link includes a pair of copper conductors of adequate current carrying capability that are attached to ends of a main weak link fuse. A pair of coil springs hold the weak link fuse under tension to repel the conductors apart when the weak link fuse melts open during an over-current condition.

Abstract: The invention is a component for an electrical or electronic fuse. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the component comprises a body of resilient, compressible material having a front face and a rear face. A fusible element is disposed within the body of resilient material, and the fusible element extends through a passageway within the body. At least one of the faces includes a flange section extending outwardly from that one face.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic part having a safeguard function for protecting the associated electronic equipment against abnormally high voltages such as lightning surge voltage. It is equipped with an element which cuts off any continuous excess current so as to prevent the surge absorbing element and the protected circuit from being spontaneously ignited. This electronic part having a safeguard function comprises: a surge absorbing element (1); a low-melting-point metal element (23) which is electrically connected in series with said surge absorbing element (1) and which is held in contact with said surge absorbing element (1) in such a manner as to allow a satisfactory heat conduction therebetween; and a thermocontractive insulating tube (25) which covers over the periphery of said surge absorbing element (1) and the periphery of said low-melting-point metal element (23).

Abstract: A high breaking capacity micro-fuse includes a body having a wall which forms a cavity in a body, pair of conductive terminals extending through the wall, and a fusible element extending between the pair of conductive terminals and connected thereto in the cavity. An insulating member with a hole through which the fusible element extends has a shape by which a space is provided between the inner surface of the wall of the body and the insulating member when the insulating member is disposed in the cavity of the body.

Abstract: A continuous hollow compartment open at both opposite ends thereof is arranged within an electrically insulating housing. Tubular portions of end contacts extend into ends of the hollow compartment and are completely covered at their inner surfaces by an arc-inhibiting screen. Flat portions of the end contacts form clamping locations and solder pins. The ends of a fuse wire and the ends of the screen are clamped at the clamping locations. The solder pins form a respective wave solder region and a reflow solder region. During manufacture of the safety fuse element, the tubular-shaped end contacts are inserted into the ends of the hollow compartment of the housing. Then there is drawn-in the screen and the fuse wire and the flattenable portions of the end contacts are flattened to form the flat portions, so that there are clamped at the clamping locations the ends of the fuse wire and the ends of the screen. Now the flat portions are bent to form the solder pins.

Abstract: A subminiature fuse has a housing in which more than one enclosed arc-extinguishing chambers are in series provided with partitions inbetween and one or more than one small hole communicating with the more than one arc-extinguishing chambers in series are provided at the respective partitions, a pair of lead terminals being fixed to the housing in such a manner as the respective fuse wire connecting portions of the lead terminals are accommodated in the respective opposite end arc-extinguishing chambers and the portions of a pair of lead terminals for connection with an external circuit are projected out of the housing, a fuse wire being extended between the fuse wire connecting portions of the pair of lead terminals through the small hole of the respective partitions, the opposite ends of the fuse wire being electrically and mechanically connected respectively to the pair of the lead terminals, whereby the fuse is capable of providing a high breaking characteristics and quickly melting to sever the fuse wire

Abstract: An electrical fuse for mounting on a circuit board. The fuse has a housing member with terminal members engaging a fuse element intended to interrupt an external electrical circuit coupled with the terminal members upon an occurence of a fault condition in the electrical circuit. The housing member has internal arc-suppressant structure supporting and deflecting the fuse element to shield the terminal members from arcs occurring upon a failure of the fuse element in response to the fault condition.

Abstract: A core assembly having a flexible insulating material core and a spirally wound inner fuse wire engages with one or more elongate bodies of the flexible insulating material to sandwich and compress the inner fuse wire therebetween. An arc burning between the blown ends of the inner fuse wire will be blocked and quenched by the core and body insulating materials expanding or moving into the space where the arc subsists and is burning away a portion of the inner fuse wire. An outer fuse wire, an outer wrapper of shrinkable tubing or twisting together the core assembly and the elongated body or bodies retains the core assembly and insulating body or bodies engaged along their length and forms a fuse wire assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge fuse has a pair of compressed, resilient plugs in opposed ends of a passageway passing through the fuse housing. The compressed material of the plugs engages and holds the fuse filament in slight tension along the length of the passageway and provide unexpectedly superior arc-quenching qualities to prevent explosion of the fuse housing. The ends of the fuse filament can be engaged through the centers of the plugs axially to align the fuse filament in the housing or the fuse filament ends can be engaged between the plugs and the interior of the housing wall to align the fuse filament under tension diagonally in the housing.

Abstract: A fillerless electric fuse having a tubular casing with open ends is provided with a fusible element in the form of an extremely fine wire extending from one of the open ends to the other. The casing is provided with a pair of annular sections of reduced diameter at opposite ends thereof which receive a pair of metal contact rings having an outside diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of the fuse casing. The fusible element extends through each of the open ends of the casing and is welded into electrically conductive relationship with the axially outwardly facing surfaces of the respective metal contact rings. End terminals are press fitted over each of the metal contact rings and are permanently secured to the fuse casing. Means are provided inside the fuse to establish an impermeable barrier of insulating material within the fuse casing around the fusible element and between the end caps.

Abstract: An electric fuse according to this invention incorporates metal end caps and an elongate fuse element having regions of reduced cross-sectional area and extending in electrical series between the metal end caps, wherein the fuse incorporates within each end a respective gasket of an absorbent material impregnated with an arc-inhibiting substance. Materials which have been found to be particularly effective for the gaskets are asbestos and absorbent types of paper, including strawboard and cardboard, impregnated with an arc-inhibiting compound constituted, suitably, by sodium silicate.

Abstract: A power class fuse comprises an insulative canister having a female load break contact at a closed end of the canister and a male load break contact, coupled electrically to a fuse element. The male load break contact is inserted into the canister for engagement with the female load break contact to complete a circuit through the fuse element. An arc gas control device including a pair of spaced parallel plates each having apertures formed therethrough and filter material sandwiched between the plates, is mounted on the male load break contact. The arc gas control device forms a partition in the canister upon insertion of the male load break contact thereinto. Arc gas generated upon engagement of the male and female load break contacts passes through the control device into the canister interior surrounding the fuse element to reduce back pressure in the canister, while metallic particles and other contaminants which could produce flashovers within the canister, are trapped in the filter material.

Abstract: A fuse having a high cycling ability combined with a high arc-extinguishing ability due to the presence of a gas-evolving material. The fuse includes a pair of fusible elements having end portions and intermediate portions arranged between the end portions and converging in opposite directions, so as to form a pair of wedge-like structures. The pair of fusible elements is composed of planar portions and portions where these planar portions meet. The fusible element has points of minimized cross-section which are spaced from any bent in the fusible element. The improvement comprises a rectangular plate of gas-evolving material inserted into the gap, or space, defined by the pair of parallel fusible elements. The terminal elements of the fuse and its casing form abutments for the plate of gas-evolving material in longitudinal and in transverse direction so that no additional means are required for maintaining the gas-evolving plate in position relative to the pair of fusible elements of the fuse.

Abstract: An electrical loadbreak fuse and canister assembly with arc quenching means operative upon withdrawal of the fuse from the canister or upon insertion of the fuse in the canister under either load or fault conditions. The canister, formed of a glass filled polyester tube, is designed to extend within the enclosure for an electrical device to be protected by the assembly, and is provided with a flange at the outer end for mounting on the enclosure. A fixed loadbreak contact at the inner end of the canister is enclosed within a non-conductive sleeve having a collar formed there around. The inner end of the fuse is provided with a loadbreak contact probe having a non-conductive tip and with a non-conductive disc mounted between the fuse and the contact probe. Both the sleeve and collar, and the disc serve to defuse and cool ionized gases generated by arcing between the loadbreak contacts within the canister.

Abstract: A circuit-protecting fuse comprises an insulating housing having electrically conductive connectors on opposite ends thereof to connect the fuse in an electrical circuit and at least one fusible link in the housing connected in electrically conductive relationship at opposite ends thereof with the connectors. The fusible link has at least one area of limited cross-section defining a heat-generating section and a member of a material which produces arc quenching gas when heated to a predetermined temperature positioned on the heat-generating section, whereby when an overload condition of predetermined magnitude occurs in a circuit in which the fuse is connected, the heat-generating section melts and vaporizes, and the heat thus produced generates an amount of deionizing gas from the member to extinguish any arc which forms at the vaporized section. Seal means seals the fuse to prevent escape therefrom of flames and ionized gas the the like produced as a result of the overload condition.

Abstract: The fuse is of the general purpose type having a casing closed at the ends by terminal caps; a core inside the casing; a main fusible element wound about the core and connected between the caps; a pair of arcing clips mounted in spaced relation on the core adjacent the main fusible element; and, an auxiliary element also wound about the core and connecting together the arcing clips. The improvement comprises a nonporous dielectric sheet covering the exposed surface of the clips and being interposed between and in contact with the clips and the main fusible element for determining the arc gap between them.

Abstract: A power vacuum fuse using coaxial electrodes with the fuse length disposed therebetween. In one embodiment of the invention a larger diameter outer cylinder is partially disposed around a hollow inner cylinder within an evacuated chamber and the fuse links are connected from the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder can have spiral or slots formed therein to move the arc as desired. In another embodiment of the invention a solid inner cylinder is disposed within a hollow diameter outer cylinder, which can form or be directly connected to a metallic enclosure. Current paths can be provided into the solid inner cylinder from both ends, thus substantially increasing the current carrying capacity of a given size vacuum fuse. In yet another embodiment of the invention a hollow inner cylinder is partially disposed within a larger diameter outer cylinder.