US1237211A - Fuse. - Google Patents

Description

S. j. LEVEEN.

russ. 'APPLICATION man JAN. 7, 1914.

Paened Aug. 14, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

/Wmsesj UNITED srArns nageur OFFICE.

SWAN J. LEVEEN, F ROCK ISLAND, ILLHQ'OIS, ASSIGNOR TO TRIO MANUFACTRDQG COMPANY, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, A CGRPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FUSE.

Speeicatien of Letters Patent.

To all whom z' may concern."

Be 1t lknown that I SWAN J. Lnvnnn a citizen of the United States, residing at` Rock Island, in the county of Rock .Island cessive fusible members.

and State of Illinois, have invented certain new -anduseful Improvements in F uses, of which the following is a specification.

' The present invention has reference to certain improvements in inclosed fuses, and particularly to improvements in inclosed fuses of the renewable type,'3tl1a.t is, of that type in which the fuse element may be replaced or renewed withoutithe necessity of rejecting or destroying the terminal portions or members of thev fuse, thereby making it possible to use these terminal portions or-members time after time with snc- 'Ihe advantages resulting` from such an arrangement are manifest, and, of course, include the feature of ysaving in cost of replacement when the fuse has blown. l

At the instant of rupture of the fusible element, gases are generated at high temperature with the result that a considerable gas pressure is generated within the fuse cartridge, On account of the high temperature generated at the instant of rupture it is very important to the successful and ireA proof operation of the fuse-that the molten metals and other materials should be securely retained within the cartridge so as to avoid the possibility7 of setting fire to adjacent structures. Furthermore, the fuse cartridges are frequently mounted on finely linished and expensive switch-boards or otherstructures which might be seriously damaged or defaced if-the'cartridge were allowed to break or'come apart during the circuit opening operation. r

Ithas been found a comparatively simple matter to construct the shell of the cartridge L ofl iire resisting fiber or theV like of sufhcient strength to withstand the gas pressures generated 'at -high temperature at the instant; of rupture, and eXperience'has shown that the'cartridge generally breaks down, ifat all, by blowing off the end portions thereof.

This' is because. 'in the past, it has been diflii-cult orimpossible toI securely attachthe end portionsto the shelf in such a manner. that resisting manner that' they will not blow out at the instant of rupture, thereby overcoming the diiculty or objection above noted. Nevertheless, to so construct and relate the parts that Ythe feature of renew*- ability shall in no `wise be impaired or les-A sened. In this connection also it is desired to produce a construction such that the completely assembled cartridge cannot'be inserted into the terminal clips of the switchboard, fuse block, or the like, until the end portions have been securely connected'to the shell, and a construction such that as long asthe cartridge remains connected into the terminal clips the end portions cannot become loosened or disengaged from the shell. In this way. assurance will be had that the end portions must be securely connected to the shell before the cartridge can be connected into the terminal clips, and that as long as the cartridge remains connected into the terminal clips such connection will be maintained. l

Another object of the inventionhas to do with the provision of a cartridge construction such that the shock or pressure generated 'at the instant of rupture, and underv abnormal conditions in-the circuit will be lessened, thereby still further increasing the factor .of safety for' a given mechanical strength of the cartridge. When this fea-' turel is associated or combined with the fea- -ture of increased mechanical strength Vob- Patented Aug. 14', 1917.-

ture it is desired to so construct the cartridg-ge that during. and after the rupture the gases may escape provide such.- a construction that this escapll-j Will take place at a comparatively slow rate 'and in a safe manner so-that the escaping gases will not injure the switch-board or other structure on whiei the fuse may be mounted. v

"in connection with the foregoing I.' will A. that a successfully operating inclosed if; rmistbe so'eonstructed that the dampenor 'quenching powder will at all times ity surround-the fusible element so th at n the instant of rupture arrives the yvder may fall in area-ind and against the 'j sing mass so as to quench or break up the construction l have alsol so constructed 'u' arranged the parts that the powder will at all times snugly or ,closelycontaotand surround the fusible element.

Still another object of the invention has reference to they provision of certain imlprovementsin the indicating device whereby an indication is given as to'whet-her or not the fuse has been blown or remains intact. In this connection it is desired to produce Aa'construction suchf'that a ldefinite indication will be "given, regardless of the exact position in which the fuse maybe mounted, whether.v horizontally or vertically, and whether on the top, side, or bottom of a Switchboard orfthe like.

` Other objects and useswill appear from a detailed descriptionof the invention'which consists in the lfeatures of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of one form of fuse structure embodying features of my invention; a corner of the cartridge 'beingcut away toshow the manner of attaching the fuse wire to one of the terminals;

Fig.'y Qvis a. longitudinal section taken on the line 9.-.2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction vofthe arrows;

Fig. 3 .is' aV detail sectional view of the the construction shown. in Figs. 1 and Q after rupture; showing how the plug may be driven out against the cap by thel gas pressure; A

Fig.y et is av=detail end view of a modified construction of cap, which nevertheless embodies vcertain Aof the AtheV arrangement lof. Figs. 1

features disclosed in and 2; and is also construction employing sert-ion between `the terminal clips of t-he switchboard or other mounting;

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken onthe line from the cartridge, but to at'many points and throughout its enlire length. Therefore, inconnection with "ze feature of providing an expansion space Ais asbestos wool; inasmuch as this is 'resisting material. of

blades for in-V l 'stant of rupture 'to leak .or seep :5e-dof Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; i

Fig. G is a detail section ta en on the line 6 6 of Fig. LL looking in the directionof the arrows; l

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a modified construction of fuse embodying certain of the features of invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to (i inclusive` the fuse construction shown in Fig. 7 being of the ferruld type;

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken ou the line S--B of Fig. T looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9l is a detail section taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows; and l Fig. 10 is a side view of ay modified form of fusible element, the same being made of a single strip including the end tern'iinals, instead of beingv in the form of a built-up strip; such as those previously illustrated.

l will first describe the construction illust-rated in Figs. l. '2 and 3, and will then describe the several modifications; pointing out wherein the features of invention are to be found in each.

The body portion of the fuse comprises a shell or the like 1-2 which is preferably cylindrical in form and may be made of any suitable fire-resisting insulating material, such as fiber, paper or the like. The fusible element 13 extends lengthwise within this shell., and said 'element may be composed of a fusible body portion 1i electrically connected to terminal portions 15 and 1G; as

. the scope of my invention the use of either of these forms, except as l may limi-t myself 1n the clainn although as will presently appear for some purposes it would be preferable to have the end portions 15 and 16 made from a stronger material than the body portion 1li.

The central portion of the shell 12 is filled with powder 2O of any desirable composition; number of which powders are fan'iiliar to the art and are in general use.' The end portions of the shellare plugged as at A21 and to retain the powder properly in the shell; the end portions of the fuse member extendinke.` through these plugs. A desirable form of material for use in making the plugs a fire sufficiently close texture or body to hold the. powder in position, but nevertheless of su'lieiently porous structure to allow the gases generated at the inthrough and to thus escape.

In ythe arrangement shown' in Figs. l-G

inclusive` rivets or the like 23 areextended through the shell and through the body or l the end portions of the fuse member, .there by locking the fuse member in position within the shell, and ysecurely retaining the endportions in position to effectively resist tensionv even when the body portion'l of the fuse has been ruptured. lt is preferred that each of these rivets hare its end provided with a notch or the like 2l, so that after the rivet has been placed in position it maybe upset and thus securely held against pulling out in either direction. On account ofthis upsetting it will be apparent that'if any attempt be made to remove the rivet thel shellwill b e torn and thus destroyed, This is an important consideration when the fuse is to vbe used in some localities, inasmuch as the underwriters specications frequently provide against a refilling of the shell itself.. If the shell were to be refilled this fact could be readily detected by an eX- amination' of the shell which would show the torn portions or places Where the rivets had been Withdrawn.

On each end of the shell there is removably mounted a cap orthe like 25,- the flanges 26 whereof .preferably extend down along the body of the shell far enough to inclose the ends of the rivets so as to protectu and hide the same by covering them. A pair of angles 27 and 28 are carried by each cap,

ltheir shorter arms' 29 preferably lying against the inner surface of the caps, while their longer arms 30 land 31 ext-end out through slots inthe endsof the caps. These longer arms are adapted lto lie Hat against the opposite sides of the end portions oi the fusible member to thereby grip .the same be- `*tween them, and to provide firm electrical contact with them. Rivets or the like 32 serve to secure the angle arms to the caps, but it is preferred that the caps be provided with somewhat .elongated slots or the lilre 33 so that the rivets may have a slight amount of play with respect to the caps. This will enable the angles to adjust themselves nicely, so that a firm even Contact against theend portions of the fusible mem-A I the arrangement shown 'in l, 2, and 3,

nber will be secured.

In. one form of 4the invention, that disclosed in Figs. l, 2, and 3, l employ the arms 30 and 3l, or one or both of them, tor the purpose of securing a secure unyielding connection between the caps and the endportions of the f-usiblemember. lnasmuch as the end portions olf' the fusible members are securely riveted to thel shell it will be apparent that if the caps inl turn be lsecured to said end portions the caps will also be" securely connected to the shell so that they will f be enabled to withstand the gas pres sures created .atthe instant of rupture. In

the end portions of the Afusible member, and"75 when thus seated will retain thecaps against endwise removal. Nevertheless by reason ofthe somewhat loose rivetedfconnections the arms 30 and 3l of said angles are allowed a sucient movement to permit them to spread apart when the caps are to be mounted in position on or to be removed from the shell. It will be seen, however, that as long as thel arms 30 and 3l are maintained in operative or working position, such as that shown in Fig. 2, as for example when they are inserted between the terminal clips of'a fuse block, the caps cannot be removed and consequently are enabled to effectively resist the gas pressures. 90

As a simple means of providing the eX- pansion space or chamber, which was previously referred to. l seat the plugs 21 and 22 a slight distance inward from the endsy of the shell so that the spaces 37v are pro- 95 vided between the plugs and the caps. When the gas pressure occasioned by the rupture. of the fuse rises to a sumcient value the plugs will be forced outward against their respective caps, so that the volume or space' which the gas occupies is allowed to correspondingly increase. The amount of this increase of volume will in some cases be augmented' also by reason of compression yol" the plugs s' themselves after they have been jammed against the caps, inasmuch' as the plugs may be made of compressible material, such as asbestos wool.

After the gases have been generated it is desired to allow them to lescape in such a manner that they will not harm or,` injure" the fuse panel vor otherl device on'which the fuse may be mounted. For this purpose the. caps are preferably perforated in their end walls so that the 'gases can seep or work out throughthe perforations. Asa convenient mode of construction to accomplish this re'- sult the rivets 32 may be perforated as at 38. s When the plugs 2l andV 22`ha've `beenfdriven out against their caps they will serve 'to seal the cracks whichmay exist around the caps to some'extent, but nevertheless the gases will a sliding plate or the like 39 sets onto the end of the cap, being held in place by reason of the engagement of the rivets with the elongated slots 40 of the plate. The central portion of this plate is provided with an opening 41, one side of which is broader than the other. As shown in Fig. 6, the end portions of the fusible member are shouldered as at 42, so that when the plate 39 is moved over into the position shown in Fig. 4 the narrower portion of the opening 41 will be brought into position and thus the plate will 'seat beneath the shoulders 42 and will lock the cap against removal from the end of the fusible member.

The construction shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, embodies the features of invention previously described, but this construction is of the ferrule type. In this case each end of the fusible member is provided with a shouldered pin 43 through which the rivets Q3 previously described are passed. In this case also the caps are provided with collars or the like 44 which are threaded to takel onto the pins 43 in the manner best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. These collars 44 preferably extend inward some distance to seat against the plugs 21 and 2'2 and to provide the' expansion spaces 37.' In thisl case also the end portions of the caps are to be provided with the holes 45 through which the gases are allowed to escape.

It will be seenfrom the foregoing that in eac-h of the herein illustrated arrange- `ments the end portions of the fusible member are securely riveted or otherwise connected` to the shell, in such a manner that they are able to effectively resist end pull. Furthermore, in each case the construction is such that the rivets or other connections may bel extended through the shell at a point some distance inward from the ends thereofso as to provide an extremely firm and secure connection whicli will not tear out'under pressure. Also in each of the foregoing arrangements theend caps are retained against pullin away by reason of engagement with the enfgl portions of the fusible member.

ments a small fuse wire 46 is shunted across that portion of the fusible member which fusible member opens the entirel current will be concentrated on the fine fuse wire 46. In

consequence such wire will be blown almost instantly. In order to give an indication as to the condition of the main fusible member,

Iv mount a bead or the like 47 on the fuse wire 46, said bead preferably rest-ing within an pocket or socket 48 of the shell, as best shown inFigs. l and 8. It is preferred that after the fuse cartridge has been made up a label or the like be pasted or otherwise vse,-

cured over the fuse wire 46 throughbgtitslength with the exception of thatfortipn' fore, the tendency will`v for the fuse wire to open vigorously at thepoint where it supports the bead, thereby generating a quantity of gas within the socket or pocket 48. This will blow the bead out from suchpocket with considerable force, so that the bead will be displaced regardless of whether the fuse be mounted horizontally or vertically, and regardless of whether or not the bead be on the top or bottom' side of the fuse, if the same be mounted horizontally.A

From the foregoing disclosuresit will be apparent that in each case the end caps are connected securely tothe shell, so that said caps cannot be blown voff 'or otherwise removed from the shell except by disconnect-V not individually connected `to the shell it will be evident that they could be blown out or become otherwise displaced as soon as the fusible member had been severed, and, therefore, the independent or individual connection lof the two end portions to the shell is important to the obtaining of a secure connection between each cap and the correspondin end of the shell.

t will also be' seen from the foregoing disclosures that I have provided'such a constructiai that thec'aps cannot be disconnected from the shell until the terminal portions of the fuse have been removed from their respective terminal clips, and such that said l terminal ortions cannot be inserted int the In each of the herein described arrange. p o

terminal clips until a proper connection is effected between the caps and the shell. Both of these features are important in a device of this kind for thiA purpose of insuring a proper and satisfactory operation for the various purposes intended.

I do not limit myself to .the constructions herein disclosed, except@ as I may do so in the claim, but I contemplate within the scope of my invention any equivalentconstructions operating in equivalent manners to produce.

'equivalent results.

I claim: As a new article of manufacture an .in-

closed fuse comprising a cylindrical shell of fire resisting material, a fuse plate extending beyond each end of the shell, a pin connection. from each fuse plaie mt 1e shella isble member joining the fuse pla tes togezhe', a removable cap closing each end of the shell, clips on each cap adapted to lie aga-inst the side faces of the adjacent-J fuse plate7 and means for rigidly connecting each cap to the adjacent fuse plate, substantially as de scribeoll HERY C. Sonn-TER, S. C. GQLBMAN.

Images