US3365559A - Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter - Google Patents

Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter Download PDF

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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
Application number
US531967A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ralph L Sherwood
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI USA LLC
Original Assignee
Burndy Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to NL133832D priority Critical patent/NL133832C/xx
Application filed by Burndy Corp filed Critical Burndy Corp
Priority to US531967A priority patent/US3365559A/en
Priority to BR186609/67A priority patent/BR6786609D0/pt
Priority to NL6703016A priority patent/NL6703016A/xx
Priority to GB9128/67A priority patent/GB1141234A/en
Priority to CH296767A priority patent/CH449755A/fr
Priority to SE02869/67A priority patent/SE326756B/xx
Priority to BE694939D priority patent/BE694939A/xx
Priority to FR97123A priority patent/FR1512940A/fr
Priority to DE19671588034 priority patent/DE1588034B2/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3365559A publication Critical patent/US3365559A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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)
US531967A 1966-03-04 1966-03-04 Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter Expired - Lifetime US3365559A (en)

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
GB9128/67A GB1141234A (en) 1966-03-04 1967-02-27 Environmental heat responsive circuit interrupter
NL6703016A NL6703016A (fr) 1966-03-04 1967-02-27
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
BE694939D BE694939A (fr) 1966-03-04 1967-03-02
FR97123A FR1512940A (fr) 1966-03-04 1967-03-02 Coupe-circuit électrique sensible à la température
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)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
CH449755A (fr) 1968-01-15
NL133832C (fr)
GB1141234A (en) 1969-01-29
BE694939A (fr) 1967-09-04
SE326756B (fr) 1970-08-03
DE1588034B2 (de) 1971-09-16
BR6786609D0 (pt) 1973-08-09
NL6703016A (fr) 1967-09-05
FR1512940A (fr) 1968-02-09
DE1588034A1 (de) 1970-05-21

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