US3365559A - Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter - Google Patents
Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3365559A US3365559A US531967A US53196766A US3365559A US 3365559 A US3365559 A US 3365559A US 531967 A US531967 A US 531967A US 53196766 A US53196766 A US 53196766A US 3365559 A US3365559 A US 3365559A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- interrupter
- circuit
- fusible
- circuit interrupter
- conductive
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 title 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 20
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 10
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium atom Chemical compound [In] APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 6
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Gallium Chemical compound [Ga] GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005275 alloying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052797 bismuth Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- JCXGWMGPZLAOME-UHFFFAOYSA-N bismuth atom Chemical compound [Bi] JCXGWMGPZLAOME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009849 deactivation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005474 detonation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052733 gallium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000012768 molten material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001261 rose's metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005245 sintering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
- H01H85/02—Details
- H01H85/38—Means for extinguishing or suppressing arc
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
- H01H37/74—Switches in which only the opening movement or only the closing movement of a contact is effected by heating or cooling
- H01H37/76—Contact member actuated by melting of fusible material, actuated due to burning of combustible material or due to explosion of explosive material
- H01H37/761—Contact member actuated by melting of fusible material, actuated due to burning of combustible material or due to explosion of explosive material with a fusible element forming part of the switched circuit
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
- H01H85/02—Details
- H01H85/38—Means for extinguishing or suppressing arc
- H01H2085/388—Means for extinguishing or suppressing arc using special materials
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to an electrical circuit interrupter, and more particularly to a device of that nature which specifically eliminates the possibility of inadvertent closing of an interrupted circuit.
- a circuit interrupter of this type is especially desirable for use in assuring positive disconnection of a potentially dangerious electrical circuit, particularly under high ambient temperature conditions.
- the deactivation of an electrically operable weapon system on a crashed or burning plane is one example of conditions which might require such protection.
- a weapon so protected would run a substantially reduced risk of accidental detonation by the heat generated by a burning plane.
- Circuit interrupters of the type commonly used prior to this invention frequently employed a fusible conductive link, adapted to melt at a certain temperature. Frequently, however, the molten metal of the melted links would run or drip into a shape which would again form a conductive path capable of sustaining current flow.
- an object of this invention is the provision of a circuit interrupter in which the material of a temperature-sensitive conductive link is affirmatively withdrawn from a certain non-conductive area, following an initial circuit interruption.
- the objects of this invention contemplate the provision of a circuit interrupter having the foregoing characteristics which is nevertheless relatively light in weight, easy to manufacture and small in size.
- a feature of this invention is the use of a series electrical circuit comprising a pair of plugs of relatively high fusing temperature material having an element of relatively low fusing temperature material interposed between them, wherein the structure of the plugs is adapted to absorb the molten form of the interposed element by capillary action or by alloying of the two materials or by combinations of these mechanisms, upon melting of that element. As a result of this absorption, the interposed element is physically removed from between the two plugs thereby assuring a positive break in electrical continuity of the circuit.
- FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an interrupter constructed in accordance with this invention, shown before circuit interruption;
- FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing the device of FIGURE 1, following a circuit interruption
- FIGURE 3 is a pictorial representation of the conductive plug which is used in the device shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 to withdraw molten link material from the link area after a circuit path has been interrupted.
- the invention may be seen to comprise a housing or body member in the form of tubular or cylindrical container 10, formed of glass or other suitable dielectric material, in which is positioned a fusible element 12 made of a conductive metal or alloy having a sharply defined melting temperature.
- a fusible element 12 made of a conductive metal or alloy having a sharply defined melting temperature.
- Representative metals or alloys of this type include indium, and alloys such as Roses alloy and Woods alloy which may include, for example, bismuth, gallium, lead and indium.
- the fusible element 12 is positioned relative to cylinder 10 in an aperture 14 within a collar 16.
- the collar comprises a support means for element 12, preferably formed of a ceramic or other dielectric material which is not subject to wetting by the fusible metal of element 12 in its molten state.
- Element 12 may be staked or otherwise secured within collar 16 in order to form an integral unit which will facilitate assembly of the complete interrupter.
- the integral unit comprising link 12 and collar 16 is positioned axially within the container 10, and a pair of conductivve plugs 18 are positioned on opposite sides thereof in mechanical and electrical contact with the ends of fusible element 12.
- Plugs 18 comprise cylindrical lengths of a porous or spongy conductive material which is chosen for its ability to rapidly absorb the molten metal of link 12 so as to withdraw it from aperture 14.
- Such absorbent plugs can be made, for example, by sintering copper particles into an integral mass which is characterized by pores or voids of particular size. Suitable plugs may also be formed by compressing a mass of conductive metal fibers into a given shape in accordance with well known techniques.
- the dimensions of the voids in a plug should preferably be determined relative to the surface-tension characteristics of the molten fusible metal of element 12 so as to preclude dripping or return flow of the metal following its withdrawal into the plug.
- a pore size on the order tof microns has been found to be acceptable for this purpose.
- the two plates 20 may preferably be pressed towards each other within the glass container, so as to assure firm electrical contact between the parts and to achieve the desired overall electrical resistance across the interrupter. A resistance of 100 micro-ohms or less is a typical preferred value for such a device.
- the plates 20 may be sealed to container 10 by means of a suitable bonding method such as the formed washer of epoxy material 24.
- Indium has been mentioned previously as a desirable material for link 12.
- This metal is known to have a sharply defined melting temperature of 156.40 C.
- the indium element will melt and be absorbed into the absorbent sponge metal blocks 18 as shown at 12A in FIGURE 2.
- the absorbed indium cannot be reunited to close the circuit even under sustained heat, since the molten indium will be held by surface tension within the porous blocks 18.
- a material having a low vapor pressure, such as indium which will in turn provide a relatively high arc-over voltage.
- an interrupter having an overall length of 0.75 inch and a representative diameter of 0.25 inch may readily be produced.
- An interrupter constructed in accordance with the foregoing description of this invention accordingly may be made relatively small and light in weight, and will be characterized by high resistance to shock and vibration effects due, in each case, to the lack of any requirement for moving mechanical parts in its operation.
- a temperature responsive electrical circuit interrupter comprising:
- a fusible circuit path element of electrically conductive material having a known melting temperature, mounted to said body member in a given position relative thereto;
- absorbent means comprising a porous mass of compressed conductive fibers mounted to said body member in contact with said fusible element and forming part of said series electrical circuit between said fusible element and at least one of said pair of external electrical circuit connection means;
- said absorbent means operating to withdraw substantially all of the material of said fusible element from said given position upon melting of said fusible element, by absorbing substantially all of the material of said fusible element into said porous mass.
- said absorbent means comprises a pair of spaced apart porous masses having said fusible circuit path element positioned between said porous masses, said interrupter further including support means for said fusible element mounted to said body member between said porous masses and formed of a material characterized by high resistance to wetting by the material of said fusible element in its molten state.
- a temperature responsive electrical circuit interrupter comprising:
- a fusible circuit path element of conductive material having a known melting temperature mounted to said housing member in a substantially axially aligned position within said housing member;
- support means mounted to said housing member and formed of a material which is resistant to wetting action of the conductive material of said fusible element, said support means supporting said fusible element within said housing member;
- closure means sealing the axially opposite ends of said tubular housing member for maintaining a sealed environment within said housing;
- first external electrical contact means electrically coupled to said first plug and extending to the exterior of said housing member for establishing external electrical connection to said interrupter;
- second external electrical contact means electrically coupled to said second plug and extending to the exterior of said housing member for establishing external electrical connections to said interrupter
- said absorbent conductive material being porous and characterized by interstitial spaces dimensioned to absorb and retain the material of said fusible element in its molten state so as to withdraw substantially all of such molten material from the axial space between said first and second plugs when said fusible element has melted.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Fuses (AREA)
Priority Applications (10)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL133832D NL133832C (fr) | 1966-03-04 | ||
US531967A US3365559A (en) | 1966-03-04 | 1966-03-04 | Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter |
BR186609/67A BR6786609D0 (pt) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-01-30 | Interruptor de circuito responsavel ao calor ambiente |
NL6703016A NL6703016A (fr) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-02-27 | |
GB9128/67A GB1141234A (en) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-02-27 | Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter |
CH296767A CH449755A (fr) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-03-01 | Coupe-circuit électrique sensible à la température |
SE02869/67A SE326756B (fr) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-03-02 | |
FR97123A FR1512940A (fr) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-03-02 | Coupe-circuit électrique sensible à la température |
BE694939D BE694939A (fr) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-03-02 | |
DE19671588034 DE1588034B2 (de) | 1966-03-04 | 1967-03-03 | Von der umgebungstemperatur abhaengige elektrische sicherung |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US531967A US3365559A (en) | 1966-03-04 | 1966-03-04 | Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3365559A true US3365559A (en) | 1968-01-23 |
Family
ID=24119830
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US531967A Expired - Lifetime US3365559A (en) | 1966-03-04 | 1966-03-04 | Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3365559A (fr) |
BE (1) | BE694939A (fr) |
BR (1) | BR6786609D0 (fr) |
CH (1) | CH449755A (fr) |
DE (1) | DE1588034B2 (fr) |
FR (1) | FR1512940A (fr) |
GB (1) | GB1141234A (fr) |
NL (2) | NL6703016A (fr) |
SE (1) | SE326756B (fr) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4581674A (en) * | 1983-03-30 | 1986-04-08 | General Electric Company | Thermal fuse device for protecting electrical fixtures |
WO2010097454A1 (fr) * | 2009-02-27 | 2010-09-02 | Ceramtec Ag | Élément de sécurité électrique |
EP2947678A1 (fr) * | 2014-05-22 | 2015-11-25 | Littelfuse, Inc. | Incrustation poreuse pour boîtier de fusible |
US20160047699A1 (en) * | 2012-12-18 | 2016-02-18 | Endress+Hauser Wetzer Gmbh+Co. Kg | Sensorelement, Thermometer sowie Verfahren zur Bestimmung einer Temperatur |
US9892880B2 (en) | 2014-05-22 | 2018-02-13 | Littelfuse, Inc. | Insert for fuse housing |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS568457B2 (fr) * | 1973-05-30 | 1981-02-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | |
GB1557911A (en) * | 1976-04-15 | 1979-12-19 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Tamperature responsive current interrupter |
US8603864B2 (en) * | 2008-09-11 | 2013-12-10 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Method of fabricating a semiconductor device |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1350055A (en) * | 1918-11-15 | 1920-08-17 | Valley Electric Company | Cartridge-type fuse |
US2017492A (en) * | 1934-03-24 | 1935-10-15 | John B Glowacki | Cartridge ferrule type refillable fuse and element |
US2283656A (en) * | 1939-10-07 | 1942-05-19 | Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co | Circuit interrupter |
-
0
- NL NL133832D patent/NL133832C/xx active
-
1966
- 1966-03-04 US US531967A patent/US3365559A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1967
- 1967-01-30 BR BR186609/67A patent/BR6786609D0/pt unknown
- 1967-02-27 NL NL6703016A patent/NL6703016A/xx unknown
- 1967-02-27 GB GB9128/67A patent/GB1141234A/en not_active Expired
- 1967-03-01 CH CH296767A patent/CH449755A/fr unknown
- 1967-03-02 SE SE02869/67A patent/SE326756B/xx unknown
- 1967-03-02 FR FR97123A patent/FR1512940A/fr not_active Expired
- 1967-03-02 BE BE694939D patent/BE694939A/xx unknown
- 1967-03-03 DE DE19671588034 patent/DE1588034B2/de active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1350055A (en) * | 1918-11-15 | 1920-08-17 | Valley Electric Company | Cartridge-type fuse |
US2017492A (en) * | 1934-03-24 | 1935-10-15 | John B Glowacki | Cartridge ferrule type refillable fuse and element |
US2283656A (en) * | 1939-10-07 | 1942-05-19 | Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co | Circuit interrupter |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4581674A (en) * | 1983-03-30 | 1986-04-08 | General Electric Company | Thermal fuse device for protecting electrical fixtures |
WO2010097454A1 (fr) * | 2009-02-27 | 2010-09-02 | Ceramtec Ag | Élément de sécurité électrique |
CN102395454A (zh) * | 2009-02-27 | 2012-03-28 | 陶瓷技术有限责任公司 | 电保险装置、用于其的型坯、及制造该保险装置的方法 |
US20160047699A1 (en) * | 2012-12-18 | 2016-02-18 | Endress+Hauser Wetzer Gmbh+Co. Kg | Sensorelement, Thermometer sowie Verfahren zur Bestimmung einer Temperatur |
EP2947678A1 (fr) * | 2014-05-22 | 2015-11-25 | Littelfuse, Inc. | Incrustation poreuse pour boîtier de fusible |
US9607799B2 (en) | 2014-05-22 | 2017-03-28 | Littelfuse, Inc. | Porous inlay for fuse housing |
US9892880B2 (en) | 2014-05-22 | 2018-02-13 | Littelfuse, Inc. | Insert for fuse housing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE1588034B2 (de) | 1971-09-16 |
GB1141234A (en) | 1969-01-29 |
SE326756B (fr) | 1970-08-03 |
BE694939A (fr) | 1967-09-04 |
NL133832C (fr) | |
FR1512940A (fr) | 1968-02-09 |
BR6786609D0 (pt) | 1973-08-09 |
DE1588034A1 (de) | 1970-05-21 |
CH449755A (fr) | 1968-01-15 |
NL6703016A (fr) | 1967-09-05 |
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