US3613040A - High-voltage temperature switch - Google Patents

High-voltage temperature switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3613040A
US3613040A US9633A US3613040DA US3613040A US 3613040 A US3613040 A US 3613040A US 9633 A US9633 A US 9633A US 3613040D A US3613040D A US 3613040DA US 3613040 A US3613040 A US 3613040A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fusible
magnetic field
switch
leaf spring
circuit
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
US9633A
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English (en)
Inventor
Chester H Fluder
Carl Krisco
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.)
Vapor Corp
Original Assignee
Vapor 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
Application filed by Vapor Corp filed Critical Vapor Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3613040A publication Critical patent/US3613040A/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
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/44—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using blow-out magnet
    • H01H9/443—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using blow-out magnet using permanent magnets
    • 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
    • H01H2037/762—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 using a spring for opening the circuit when the fusible element melts
    • H01H2037/763—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 using a spring for opening the circuit when the fusible element melts the spring being a blade spring
    • 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
    • H01H2085/386—Means for extinguishing or suppressing arc with magnetic or electrodynamic arc-blowing

Definitions

  • a high-voltage temperature switch for a direct current circuit including a body formed of insulating material and defining an arc chute within which a fusible conductor or link is positioned, wherein the link establishes a circuit and opens upon being subjected to a given temperature to interrupt the circuit, and means for generating a magnetic field across the arc chute about the fusible link to blow out the arc in the event the link opens.
  • SHEET 20F 2 FIG] Y TNVENTORS CHESTER H. FLUDER ⁇ CARL ATTORNEY This invention relates in general to a circuit breaker or a switch responsive to a high-temperature condition to interrupt a circuit and correct the high-temperature condition, and more particularly to a high-voltage temperature switch to prevent overheat or fire hazards arising from certain fault conditions, for example such conditions that may be present on rapid transit cars.
  • Recent models of rapid transit cars have incorporated evaporators for air conditioning and heaters for heating the compartments as a single package in overhead installations. These heaters produce such a watts density that in the absence of airflow thereover, considerable damage to equipment and the cars and possibly fire can result.
  • the lack of sufficientairflow, when the heaters are energized could be caused by a number of factors, such as broken blower belts, faulty blower motors, badly clogged filters, or welded contacts on the heater contactor control. It then becomes a problemto sense the overheat condition and prevent its escalation to the point of damage by interrupting the power source to the heater.
  • the present invention relates to a high-voltage temperature switch responding to an overheat condition to interrupt a high-voltage direct current circuit, and is thereby usefulto prevent overheat and fire hazards arising fror'trcertain fault conditions on rapid transit cars.
  • the switch includes a molded body of insulating material including an elongated bar portion and upstanding walls from the bar portion coacting therewith to define an arc chute. Positive and negative terminals or busses are mounted on the bar in spaced relation.
  • a fusible link connects between terminals to define a circuit therebetween, and which opens in response to being subjected to a predetermined high temperature.
  • the fusible link includes an elongated member of insulated material arched in the center with terminal means at each end.
  • a leaf spring conductor is permanently fastened to terminal means on one end of the insulating member and releasably fastened on the other end of the member to the other terminal means by a fusible metal.
  • the leaf spring is bent over the arch portion of the member, and upon being released will spring up to separate the releasable end from the corresponding terminal means.
  • the fusible metal softens upon being subjected to a given'temperature to allow release of the one end of the spring leaf.
  • a magnetic field is generated in the arc chute and about the fusible link. Generation of the magnetic field is by a pair of permanent magnets mounted on opposite sides of the arc chute in magnet cavities formed in the switch body.
  • Another object of this invention is in the provision of a highvoltage temperature switch for use on rapid transit cars employing high-voltage direct current circuits to prevent overheat or fire conditions arising from certain fault conditions, and which responds to a predetermined high temperature to interrupt the circuit.
  • a further object of this invention is in the provision of a high-voltage temperature switch for direct current circuits employing a fusible link encased in an insulating material defining an arc chute, and wherein a magnetic field is generated in the chute to achieve an adequate interrupting capability.
  • FIG. I is a perspective view of the high-voltage temperature switch of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the switch shown inFlG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken along line 3-3 'of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fusible link as removed body;
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the switch of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section as taken through the center'of the switch on the longitudinal axis and illustrating the fusible link in operative or circuit establishing position;
  • FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG..6, but illustrating the fusible link in circuit-interrupting position.
  • the high-voltage temperature switch of the invention is especially useful for interrupting high-voltage direct current circuits in response tooverheat conditions, although it could also be used wherever there is a need in the electrical circuitry to interrupt a circuit pursuant to a high-heat condition.
  • the switch is especially useful in rapid transit cars to protect against damage that might be caused by an electrically powered heater upon the failure of airflow thereover, where the airflow is necessary to maintain the heat condition at the heaters are powered by high voltage direct current circuits, such as 600 volts or higher, and difficulties are encountered in the interruption of such circuits with commercially available circuit-breaking devices.
  • the present invention utilizes a heat-sensitive fusible link of a type well know in an-environment permitting interruption capability of high voltage direct current circuits, wherein an arc chute -is provided in coaction with a magnetic field'to blow out the v are created during opening of'the fusible link.
  • the high-voltage temperature switch of the invention includes a body 11 of insulating material formed to define an arc chute 12, a positive terminal or buss 13, a negative terminal or bus 14, a fusible link or conductor 15, and'magnetic means 16 for generating a magnetic field across the arc chute and about the fusible link 15.
  • the switching body 11 may be molded or otherwise formed of a suitable electrical insulating material capable of withstanding temperatures encountered when used in an area to detect a high-temperature condition.
  • the switch would be placed adjacent a heater in a rapid transit car so that it would sense an overheat condition of the heater and interrupt the circuit of the heater to prevent damage to it and surrounding structures.
  • the body includes a bar portion 17 having an upper flat-surface I8, and upstanding walls 19 which coact with the flat surface or bottom wall 18 to define the arc chute 12.
  • the upstanding walls extend from the opposite edges of the bottom wall 18 and are substantially parallel to each other, and in alignment with each other. However, it should be appreciated that the walls 19 need not be parallel to each other, as long asthey coact with the bottom wall 18 to define an arc chute .within which the fusible link 15 may be positioned.
  • the positive terminal 13 is mounted at one end of the flat surface 18, while the negative terminal 14 is mounted at the other end, and these terminals are of a suitable electrical conducting material such as copper.
  • the positive terminal 13 is rectangular in shape and fastened to the switch body by a suitable capscrew 20.
  • the negative terminal 14 is fastened to the surface 18 of the switch body by a capscrew 21.
  • the negative tenni'nal while being generally rectangular in shape includes a necked down portion 22 which extends into the arc chute. Both the positive and negative tenninals facilitate the connection of the switch into a circuit, as well as connection to the fusible link 15.
  • the fusible link 15 which completes the circuit between the positive terminal 14 includes an elongated member 23 of suitable insulating material such as ceramic or steatite, and
  • a negative terminal terminals are of a suitable electrically conductive metal, such as copper, and differently shaped to facilitate the proper directional mounting of the fusible link on the switch body,
  • the positive terminal has a rectangularly shaped end, while the negative terminal has a cylindrically shaped end.
  • Both terminals are provided with suitable apertures through which fasteners may extend, and the apertures are spaced so that they align with like apertures in the positive and negative terminals 13 and 14 of the switch so that fasteners 27 and 28 may be utilized for securing the fusible link to the switch body and also for electrically connecting the fusible link to the positive and negative terminals of the switch.
  • metal inserts 29 and 30 are molded in the body 11 of the switch for receiving the capscrews 27 and 28. Similarly, it will be appreciated that inserts are provided for the capscrews 20 and 21.
  • the positive and negative terminals 24 and 25 are respectively attached to metal rivets 31 and 32 which extend vertically through, the opposite ends of the fusible link elongated member 23. Solder or other suitable means may be employed for connecting the terminals to the rivets, and the rivets define a conductive path to the upper side of the member 23.
  • the leaf spring member 26 is permanently fastened to the rivet 31 at one end, such as by a suitable solder joint 33, and
  • the leaf spring member 26 may be formed of a suitable metal capable of providing good electrical conducion as well as facilitating the opening of the fusible link upon 3 I melting of the heat fusible joint 34.
  • the leaf spring member includes an upper copper strip 35 and a lower spring steel strip 36, wherein the copper strip serves to conduct the electricity across the link, while the spring steel strip serves to open the link when the link is subjected to a given heat.
  • center portion of the elongated member-23 is arched upwardly to further facilitate the action of the leaf spring member 26 when the heat fusible joint 34 melts, and the releasable end of the spring member moves upwardly to a position like that shown in FIG. 7.
  • the heat-fusible joint 34 is defined by a fusible alloy that is softened upon being subjected to a predetermined heat condition.
  • the melting point of the alloy may define an opening temperature of l90to 450F. Therefore, it can be app'reciated that current passes through the leaf spring member 26, and when the fusiblejlink is subjected to a given temperature at which theheat-fusible joint will melt, the fusible alloy is softened and the releasable end of the spring member pops up I to open the circuit established between the positive and negative terminals of the switch.
  • the magnetic means 16 includes a pair of permanent magnets 40, one arranged on each side of the arc chute 12 to facilitate mounting of the permanent magnets 40 on the body 11 of the switch. Blow out magnetic cavities 41 are defined to receive the permanent magnets 40, which magnets may be cemented therein by a suitable adhesive.
  • the releasable end of the fusible link is at the negative side of the circuit established thereby, wherein the open area defined between the releasable end of the spring member 26 and the rivet 32 when the fusible link is open is well within the stronger portion of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 40.
  • the permanent magnets are rectangular in shape and have a long axis that substantially parallels a line extending from the intersection of the spring member 26 and the elongated member 23 through the center of the open area defined between the, releasable end of the spring member 26 and the rivet 32 when thespring member is a popped-up position. Accordingly, the permanent magnets 40 on opposite sides of the arc chute are aligned with each other and arranged along a path inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the switch bar member 17.
  • the switch will provide a closed circuit between the positive and negative terminals 13 and I4, and when the switch is subjected to an overheat condition that might endanger the surrounding components, the fusible alloy joint 34 will melt and release the leaf spring member 26 to pop to the open position as shown in FIG. 7. Arcing across the releasable end of the spring member and the rivet 32 is then blown out by the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 40 to complete the interruption of the circuit. It can be appreciated that thereafter upon alleviating the fault condition causing the overheat, a new fusible link may be easily installed to thereafter again establish the circuit between positive and negative terminals of the switch.
  • a high-voltage temperature switch for a direct current cuit upon being subjected to a given temperature means adjacent said chute continually creating a magnetic field therein and about said fusible conductor to blow out the are caused by opening of the fusible conductor, said fusible conductor including an elongated insulating member arched in the center, terminal means at opposite ends, a leaf spring means permanently attached to one of said terminal means and bent down over the arched center and releasably attached to the other terminal means by a heat-fusible metal that melts to release the one end of the leaf spring means in response to a given temperature and the area between the releasable end of the leaf spring means in released position and the corresponding terminal means being directly in the path of the magnetic field.
  • a high-voltage temperature switch for a direct current circuit operable to interrupt the circuit upon being subjected to a given temperature, said switch comprising a body of insulating material, said body having an elongated bar and a pair of upstanding substantially parallel and aligned walls intermediate the ends of the bar and defining therewith an arc bar, a heat-fusible link connected between said tenninals to define a circuit and positioned on said bar within said are chute, means generating a magnetic field in said are chute about said fusible link to blow out the are caused by opening of the fusible link, said body including wall means coacting with said upstanding walls to define blow out magnet cavities I field traversing said are chute, said fusible link including an elongated insulating member arched in the center, terminal means at opposite ends, a leaf spring means permanently attached to one of said terminal means and bent down over the arched center and releasably attached to the other terminal means by a heat-fusible metal that melts to release the one end of the leaf

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Fuses (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US9633A 1970-02-09 1970-02-09 High-voltage temperature switch Expired - Lifetime US3613040A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US963370A 1970-02-09 1970-02-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3613040A true US3613040A (en) 1971-10-12

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US9633A Expired - Lifetime US3613040A (en) 1970-02-09 1970-02-09 High-voltage temperature switch

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3613040A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE760380A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2059146A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2080321A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1262846A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3736544A (en) * 1971-07-16 1973-05-29 Vapor Corp High voltage temperature switch
US4692733A (en) * 1985-07-20 1987-09-08 Y. S. Securities Limited Fuse for an alternating current power circuit
WO1994003913A1 (de) * 1992-08-07 1994-02-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Thermosicherung und verfahren zu ihrer aktivierung
US5612662A (en) * 1995-02-07 1997-03-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Thermal fuse and method for its activation
US20080117016A1 (en) * 2006-11-22 2008-05-22 Tsung-Mou Yu Temperature Fuse Protection Device
US20100045421A1 (en) * 2006-09-01 2010-02-25 Alexander Dauth Electric Circuit With Thermal-Mechanical Fuse
US20100277268A1 (en) * 2008-01-10 2010-11-04 Peter Ireman Thermal safety device
US20150167950A1 (en) * 2013-12-17 2015-06-18 GE Lighting Solutions, LLC Method and system for a thermal cut-off using low-temperature solder for a solid state lighting device
US20160049275A1 (en) * 2014-08-18 2016-02-18 Borgwarner Ludwigsburg Gmbh Fuse for an electrical circuit and printed circuit board having a fuse
US20160155596A1 (en) * 2013-07-16 2016-06-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Fuse with separating element
US9373467B2 (en) 2011-05-19 2016-06-21 Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2263627B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1974-03-08 1976-12-10 Cables De Lyon Geoffroy Delore
FR2494901A1 (fr) * 1980-11-25 1982-05-28 Vincent De Araujo Manuel Dispositif de protection a fil fusible

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2167499A (en) * 1937-01-29 1939-07-25 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Disconnecting switch
US2185039A (en) * 1934-09-18 1939-12-26 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit interrupter
US2727110A (en) * 1953-12-22 1955-12-13 Gen Electric Time-delay motor protective fuse
US3090854A (en) * 1960-11-21 1963-05-21 Ward Leonard Electric Co Permanent magnet blowout for a contactor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2185039A (en) * 1934-09-18 1939-12-26 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit interrupter
US2167499A (en) * 1937-01-29 1939-07-25 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Disconnecting switch
US2727110A (en) * 1953-12-22 1955-12-13 Gen Electric Time-delay motor protective fuse
US3090854A (en) * 1960-11-21 1963-05-21 Ward Leonard Electric Co Permanent magnet blowout for a contactor

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3736544A (en) * 1971-07-16 1973-05-29 Vapor Corp High voltage temperature switch
US4692733A (en) * 1985-07-20 1987-09-08 Y. S. Securities Limited Fuse for an alternating current power circuit
WO1994003913A1 (de) * 1992-08-07 1994-02-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Thermosicherung und verfahren zu ihrer aktivierung
US5612662A (en) * 1995-02-07 1997-03-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Thermal fuse and method for its activation
US20100045421A1 (en) * 2006-09-01 2010-02-25 Alexander Dauth Electric Circuit With Thermal-Mechanical Fuse
US7911314B2 (en) * 2006-09-01 2011-03-22 Alexander Dauth Electric circuit with thermal-mechanical fuse
US7639114B2 (en) * 2006-11-22 2009-12-29 Tsung-Mou Yu Temperature fuse protection device
US20080117016A1 (en) * 2006-11-22 2008-05-22 Tsung-Mou Yu Temperature Fuse Protection Device
US20100277268A1 (en) * 2008-01-10 2010-11-04 Peter Ireman Thermal safety device
US9373467B2 (en) 2011-05-19 2016-06-21 Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor
US20160155596A1 (en) * 2013-07-16 2016-06-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Fuse with separating element
US10141151B2 (en) * 2013-07-16 2018-11-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Fuse with separating element
US20150167950A1 (en) * 2013-12-17 2015-06-18 GE Lighting Solutions, LLC Method and system for a thermal cut-off using low-temperature solder for a solid state lighting device
US20160049275A1 (en) * 2014-08-18 2016-02-18 Borgwarner Ludwigsburg Gmbh Fuse for an electrical circuit and printed circuit board having a fuse
US9620321B2 (en) * 2014-08-18 2017-04-11 Borgwarner Ludwigsburg Gmbh Fuse for an electrical circuit and printed circuit board having a fuse

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2080321A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-11-12
GB1262846A (en) 1972-02-09
DE2059146A1 (de) 1971-08-19
BE760380A (fr) 1971-05-17

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