Compact dual element fuse unit, module and fusible disconnect switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10153123-B2
Application number	US-201615222125-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2016
Priority date	Mar 20, 2015
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

An embodiment of a fuse module has been disclosed. The fuse module includes a housing and a fuse element assembly contained within the housing. The fuse element assembly includes at least one fuse element unit having a plurality of trigger mechanisms and a perforated strip electrically connected to the trigger mechanisms. Increased ampacity ratings in a more compact arrangement provides for fuse modules having increased current protection capability that, in turn, provides for improved disconnect switching capabilities.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuse element for containment in a generally hexahedronal housing of a time-delay fuse module, the fuse element comprising:
a first end;
a second end; and
a multi-layer perforated body extending between the first end and the second end, wherein both of the first end and the second end have a plurality of distinct connection points, and wherein the fuse element has an ampacity rating of greater than 100 A.

2. The fuse element of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of distinct connection points are spaced apart from one another.

3. The fuse element of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of distinct connection points comprises a plurality of tabs.

4. The fuse element of claim 3 , wherein one of the first and second ends has a substantially linearly extending fin such that the plurality of tabs are defined on the fin.

5. The fuse element of claim 4 , wherein the one of the first and second ends has a base wall, and wherein the substantially linearly extending fin extends substantially perpendicularly from the base wall.

6. The fuse element of claim 1 , wherein the multi-layer perforated body includes at least four perforated layers spaced apart from another.

7. The fuse element of claim 1 , wherein multi-layer perforated body is integrally formed with the plurality of distinct connection points.

8. A fusible disconnect switch assembly comprising:
a switch housing having a receptacle; and
a time-delay fuse module removably insertable into the receptacle, wherein the time-delay fuse module includes a fuse housing, and a plurality of multi-layer fuse elements electrically connected in parallel within the fuse housing,
wherein the time-delay fuse module has an ampacity rating of greater than 100 A.

9. The fusible disconnect switch assembly of claim 8 , wherein the switch assembly includes a pivotable actuator disposed at least in part within the switch housing for electrically isolating load side circuitry from line side circuitry by manual pivoting of the actuator.

10. The fusible disconnect switch assembly of claim 8 , wherein the fuse housing facilitates finger-safe handling of the time-delay fuse module.

11. The fusible disconnect switch assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of trigger mechanisms electrically connected to the multi-layer fuse element, the multi-layer fuse element including a plurality of perforated strips.

12. The fusible disconnect switch assembly of claim 11 , wherein each of the trigger mechanisms comprises a spring-loaded trigger.

13. A time-delay fuse module comprising:
a housing; and
a short circuit protection multi-layer fuse element contained within the housing and having an ampacity rating of greater than 100 A, wherein the short circuit protection multi-layer fuse element includes a plurality of perforated strips spaced apart from one another, each of the perforated strips including a first end and a second end each having a plurality of distinct connection points.

14. The time-delay fuse module of claim 13 , wherein the housing has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape.

15. The time-delay fuse module of claim 13 , wherein the housing is fabricated from a thermoplastic material.

16. The time-delay fuse module of claim 13 , wherein the housing is not fabricated from a ceramic material, a glass-melamine composite material, or a thermoset plastic material.

17. The time-delay fuse module of claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of time-delay overcurrent protection trigger mechanisms electrically connected to the multi-layer fuse element.

18. The time-delay fuse module of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of time-delay overcurrent protection trigger mechanisms is connected to the multi-layer fuse element at a different one of the connection points.

Assignees

• Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd

Inventors

• Katarki Advait Madhusudan
• Von Zur Muehlen Patrick Alexander
• Douglass Robert Stephen

Classifications

• H01H85/175

  characterised by the casing shape or form · CPC title

• H01H85/17

  characterised by the casing material · CPC title

• H01H85/56

  the intermediate or auxiliary part having side contacts for plugging into the base, e.g. bridge-carrier type · CPC title

• H01H85/10

  with constriction for localised fusing (H01H85/11 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H85/36

  Means for applying mechanical tension to fusible member · CPC title