Low profile fusible disconnect switch device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10074500-B2
Application number	US-201414561875-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 5, 2014
Priority date	Dec 5, 2014
Publication date	Sep 11, 2018
Grant date	Sep 11, 2018

Abstract

A compact fusible disconnect switch device having a reduced switch housing size and increased power density is configured to be face mounted to a panel. A fuse cover assembly allows installation and removal of a fuse without having to open the panel. Line-side and load-side terminals are provided on a common side of the housing. In-line mechanical ganging and simultaneous application is provided for combinations of the compact fusible disconnect switch devices.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fusible disconnect switch device comprising:
a nonconductive switch housing including a plurality of orthogonal sides and configured to removably accept a cylindrical overcurrent protection fuse;
a first fuse contact member and a second fuse contact member coupled to the nonconductive switch housing, each of the first fuse contact member and the second fuse contact member configured to engage and complete an electrical connection through the overcurrent protection fuse, wherein the first fuse contact member is rotatably mounted to the nonconductive switch housing and selectively positionable with respect to the overcurrent protection fuse, and the first fuse contact member comprises a planar conductive contact having a circular periphery and a pair of protruding keyed ribs extending from the circular periphery;
at least one movable switch contact in the nonconductive switch housing and positionable between open and closed positions to respectively connect or disconnect the electrical connection through the overcurrent protection fuse while the fuse is engaged to the first fuse contact member and the second fuse contact member;
a rotary actuator coupled to the nonconductive switch housing and configured to move the at least one movable switch contact between the opened and closed positions; and
a line-side terminal and a load-side terminal exposed on and accessible from a common one of the plurality of orthogonal sides to establish an electrical connection to an external circuit.

2. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of orthogonal sides is configured to face mount the nonconductive switch housing to a panel.

3. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 2 , wherein the one of the plurality of orthogonal sides comprises an elevated surface portion, and wherein the rotary actuator comprises a handle portion projecting from the elevated surface portion.

4. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of orthogonal sides includes a fuse cover assembly.

5. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 4 , wherein the fuse cover assembly includes a cover element rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a handle element mounted to the cover element.

6. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 5 , wherein the handle element is rotatable relative to the cover element about a second rotational axis.

7. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 6 , wherein the second rotational axis is perpendicular to the first rotational axis.

8. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 5 , wherein the first fuse contact member is attached to the handle element.

9. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 4 , wherein the line-side terminal and load-side terminal respectively include one of a wire clamp terminal, a bullet contact, or a terminal blade.

10. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orthogonal sides includes a first side-and a second side opposing the first side with the cylindrical fuse being removably accepted between, wherein the first side is larger than the second side opposing the first side.

11. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 1 , wherein the second fuse contact member comprises a contact sleeve adapted to receive a terminal element of the cylindrical overcurrent protection fuse.

12. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 11 , wherein the terminal element of the cylindrical overcurrent protection fuse comprises a ferrule.

13. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 1 , further comprising a fuse state indicator in the nonconductive switch housing.

14. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 13 , wherein the fuse state indicator is a neon tube.

15. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one in-line ganging link.

16. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one in-line ganging link is coupled to the rotary actuator.

17. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 16 , wherein linear movement of the at least one in-line ganging link causes rotation of the rotary actuator.

18. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 16 , wherein the rotary switch actuator includes a round body and a switch extension extending radially from the round body internal to the nonconductive switch housing, the at least one in-line ganging link coupled to the switch extension.

19. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 16 , wherein the rotary actuator includes a round body and a handle portion projecting outwardly from and exterior to the nonconductive switch housing, the at least one in-line ganging link coupled to the handle portion.

20. The fusible switch disconnect device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one in-line ganging link comprises at least one of a rod and a plate.

21. A fusible disconnect switch device comprising:
a nonconductive switch housing configured to removably accept a cylindrical overcurrent protection fuse, the nonconductive switch housing comprising a front side and a rear side opposing the front side;
a first fuse contact member and a second fuse contact member coupled to the nonconductive switch housing and configured to engage respective first and second ferrules of the overcurrent protection fuse and complete an electrical connection through the cylindrical overcurrent protection fuse, wherein the first fuse contact member is rotatably movable relative to the nonconductive switch housing, and the first fuse contact member comprises a planar conductive contact having a circular periphery and a pair of protruding keyed ribs extending from the circular periphery;
at least one movable switch contact in the nonconductive switch housing being selectively positionable in a closed position or an opened position to connect or disconnect the electrical connection through the cylindrical overcurrent protection fuse while the first fuse contact member and the second fuse contact member are engaged to the respective ferrules;
a rotary actuator configured to move the at least one movable switch contact between the opened position and the closed position; and
a line-side terminal and a load-side terminal extending exterior to the rear side and being accessible from the rear side for connection to an external circuit.

22. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 21 , wherein the front side is configured to face mount the nonconductive switch housing to a panel.

23. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 22 , wherein the front side comprises an elevated surface portion, and wherein the rotary actuator comprises a handle portion projecting from the elevated surface portion.

24. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 23 , wherein a fuse cover assembly extends on the elevated surface portion.

25. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 24 , wherein the fuse cover assembly includes a cover element rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a handle element mounted to the cover element.

26. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 25 , wherein the handle element is rotatable relative to the cover element about a second rotational axis.

27. The fusible disconnect switch device of claim 26 , wherein the second rotational axis is perpendicular to the first rotational axis.

28. The fus

Assignees

• Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd

Inventors

• Neyens Tyler John
• Von Zur Muehlen Patrick Alexander
• Darr Matthew Rain
• Su Shungang
• Dunker Jessica Ann

Classifications

• H01H9/10 Primary

  Adaptation for built-in fuses (mounting switch and fuse separately on, or in, common support H02B1/18) · CPC title

• H01H2235/01

  Spiral spring · CPC title

• H01H1/5833

  comprising an articulating, sliding or rolling contact between movable contact and terminal · CPC title

• H01H85/30

  Means for indicating condition of fuse structurally associated with the fuse · CPC title

• H01H85/36

  Means for applying mechanical tension to fusible member · CPC title