WO2002084417A2 - Voyant lumineux destine a etre utilise en combinaison avec un protecteur de circuit electrique ou un fusible - Google Patents

Voyant lumineux destine a etre utilise en combinaison avec un protecteur de circuit electrique ou un fusible Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002084417A2
WO2002084417A2 PCT/US2002/010349 US0210349W WO02084417A2 WO 2002084417 A2 WO2002084417 A2 WO 2002084417A2 US 0210349 W US0210349 W US 0210349W WO 02084417 A2 WO02084417 A2 WO 02084417A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
indicator light
circuit
overload indicator
electrical
lead line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/010349
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002084417A3 (fr
Inventor
Cathy D. Santa Cruz
Galen J. May
Original Assignee
Santa Cruz Cathy D
May Galen J
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 Santa Cruz Cathy D, May Galen J filed Critical Santa Cruz Cathy D
Priority to AU2002256043A priority Critical patent/AU2002256043A1/en
Priority to GB0326553A priority patent/GB2392030A/en
Priority to DE10296666T priority patent/DE10296666T5/de
Priority to JP2002582298A priority patent/JP2004526291A/ja
Publication of WO2002084417A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002084417A2/fr
Publication of WO2002084417A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002084417A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H73/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
    • H01H73/02—Details
    • H01H73/12—Means for indicating condition of the switch
    • H01H73/14—Indicating lamp structurally associated with the switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/04—Means for indicating condition of the switching device
    • 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
    • H01H85/30—Means for indicating condition of fuse structurally associated with the fuse
    • H01H85/32—Indicating lamp structurally associated with the protective device

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to improvements connected with a prior art circuit protector or fuse but more particularly relates to an improvement incorporating use of an indicator light which automatically illuminates when actuated by the circuit protector or a blown fuse when a circuit overload has occurred.
  • circuit protector is novel and well accepted and highly utilized within the field. However, it would be most advantageous and a much needed improvement if such a circuit protector were to include an indicator light which automatically illuminates when the protector senses and disengages the circuit when an electrical overload has incurred. Unfortunately, the noted circuit protector only provides a pop-up switch and this is not efficient for quickly visually indicating to maintenance personnel that an electrical overload has occurred.
  • Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an indicator light for use with an electrical circuit protector which can be any suitable light means of engineering choice.
  • suitable light means includes but is not limited to a pre-existing light source, such as an a light emitting diode "LED" or the like.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an indicator light for use with an electrical circuit protector which is economical to manufacture and easily marketable. Also, the present invention is most suitable for use with circuit protectors and/or fuse housings which are made from conductive plastics.
  • FIG. 1 is substantially an overview of the preferred type of prior art indicator light source which is suitable for use for the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is substantially a partial internal overview of the present invention when installed on a prior art electrical circuit protector and illustrates a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 substantially illustrates a front view of an interrupter blade reset button having an electrically connected circuit overload indictor light installed thereon.
  • FIG. 4 substantially illustrates a back side view of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is substantially a partial internal overview of the present invention when installed on a prior art electrical circuit protector and illustrates a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is substantially an external overview of the present invention when installed on a prior art electrical circuit protector and illustrates a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is substantially an overview of the present invention when assembled in the form of a light stick.
  • FIG. 8 is substantially an overview of a prior art fuse holder having the circuit overload indicator light of the present invention installed therein.
  • FIG. 9 is substantially a plan view for installing a commutator strip of the present invention onto a different type of prior art circuit protector housing.
  • FIG. 10 is substantially an overview depicting one possible means for electrically connecting a circuit overload indicator light to a prior art fusible link.
  • FIG. 1 1 is substantially a plan view for a glass fuse adapter having the circuit overload indicator light installed therein.
  • FIG. 12 is substantially a plan view for an in-line fuse adapter having the circuit overload indicator light installed therein.
  • (10) substantially represents a circuit overload indicator light which is to be used in combination with an electrical circuit protector (12) as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the noted indicator light of the preferred embodiment substantially comprises a circuit overload indicator light (10) having a first and second lead line (10-A & 10-B) extending there from for energizing indicator light (10).
  • An example of one suitable type of circuit overload indicator light is sold by RADIO SHACK® entitled "micro lamp” part #7219.
  • any other suitable type of circuit overload indicator light of engineering choice may be used.
  • FIG. 2 we depict a first embodiment of a typical prior art electrical circuit protector (12), such as taught within U.S. Patent #4,687,164, which substantially includes a circuit protector housing (14) for containment of all the electrical components. With all the electrical components being interconnected for electrical communication there between, and such components are typically associated with the noted electrical circuit protector (12).
  • a first terminal (20-A), a second terminal (20-B), a current responsive bimetallic element (22) and an interrupter blade reset button (16) which is slidably engaged within a button housing (18).
  • interrupter blade reset button (16) being interconnected to a suitable actuating means such as a spring (not shown for clarity purposes) or the like, for actuating interrupter blade reset button (16) between an activated position and an inactivated position.
  • interrupter blade reset button (16) when interrupter blade reset button (16) is in its inactivated position, the electrical circuit protector (12) when installed in-line within a typical electrical circuit, allows an electrical current to flow without interruption.
  • bimetallic element (22) which is responsive to heat caused by an electrical overload, automatically deforms into a bent shape, which in turn causes the actuating means to force interrupter blade reset button (16) upward in a protruding manner from within button housing (18).
  • interrupter blade reset button (16) automatically assumes its activated position when an overload has occurred. This process is well known and documented within the noted prior art.
  • circuit overload indicator light 10
  • the present invention incorporates the above process but further includes the noted a circuit overload indicator light (10) which when installed in the following manner automatically illuminates when interrupter blade reset button (16) assumes its actuated position.
  • circuit overload indicator light (10) can be installed in multiple ways and some of the possible installation methods will be addressed hereafter. However, the invention is not to be limited to such installation methods but is to include other types of methods which may become applicable over time. Referring now to FIG.s 3 & 4, wherein we depict the preferred embodiment for installing the circuit overload indicator light (10). It is to be understood that overload indicator light (10) is to be substantially mounted at a location of choice onto or within interrupter blade reset button (16) by any suitable attachment means of choice, such as glue, etc. While the leads (10A & 10B) extending there from are installed onto or within interrupter blade reset button (16) as follows. In FIG.
  • interrupter blade reset button (16) which includes an electroplated section (24), and first lead line (10-A) of circuit overload indicator light (10) is fixedly attached at a suitable location of engineering choice onto or within interrupter blade reset button (16), and interconnected onto electroplated section (24) by appropriate attachment means of choice, such as solder (26), or the like.
  • FIG. 4 we show substantially a back side of interrupter blade reset button (16) which includes an electroplated section (28), and second lead line (10-B) of circuit overload indicator light (10) is fixedly attached at a suitable location of engineering choice onto or within interrupter blade reset button (16) and interconnected onto electroplated section (28) by appropriate attachment means of choice, such as by solder (30), or the like.
  • interrupter blade reset button (16) assumes its activated position, first and second lead lines (10-A & 10-B) are simultaneously energized, and in turn circuit overload indicator light (10) automatically illuminates.
  • circuit overload indicator light (10) is mounted into a recess formed within button housing (18) with first and second lead lines being retained within a recess formed within button housing (18).
  • first lead line (10-A) of circuit overload indicator light (10) being interconnected to first terminal (20-A) at a location of engineering choice by appropriate attachment means such as solder (32).
  • second lead line (10-B) of circuit overload indicator light (10) being interconnected at a location of engineering choice by appropriate attachment means such as solder (34), onto an electroplated section (36), which is in communication with and attached to second terminal (20-B) at a location of engineering choice by appropriate communication and attachment means such as solder (38).
  • circuit overload indicator light (10) is mounted onto button housing (18), and circuit protector housing (14) includes a hole there through which is of a shape and size to slidably receive first and second lead line (10-A & 10-B) there through.
  • first lead line (10-A) being of a sufficient length to extend from within the hole and throughout circuit protector housing (14), and first lead line (10-A) being fixedly attached to first terminal (20-A) by functional attachment means of engineering choice, such as by wrapping first lead line (10-A) around first terminal (20-A).
  • second lead line (10-B) is of a sufficient length to extend from within the hole and throughout circuit protector housing (14), and second lead line (10-B) being fixedly attached to second terminal (20-B) by functional attachment means of engineering choice, such as by wrapping second lead line (10-B) around second terminal (20-B).
  • the embodiment as described above may further include circuit overload indicator light (10) and first and second lead lines (10-A & 10-B) being contained within an elongated housing which in combination form a light stick (40) and circuit protector housing (14) and button housing (18) having a hole there through for slidably receiving light stick (40) there through.
  • the present invention is to include other types of embodiments so as to be usable with various types of fuses and/or circuit breakers, as will be seen. However it is to be understood the overall end result is substantially the same as in each case the circuit overload indicator light (10) when installed will automatically illuminate upon an electrical overload.
  • FIG. 8 wherein illustrated is a prior art fuse holder (42) which is used for removably receiving, energizing and supporting a fuse (not shown) therein.
  • the fuse holder (42) having a first electrical lead line (42-A) extending there from, a second electrical lead line (42-B) extending there from, a first terminal (44) and a second terminal (46). With first electrical lead line (42-A) being in communication and interconnected onto first terminal (44) and second electrical lead line (42-B) being in communication and interconnected onto second terminal (46).
  • circuit overload indicator light (10) which when combined and installed as described hereafter, allows maintenance personnel to easily determine that the fuse (not shown) which is installed within fuse holder (42) has blown and must be replaced, as circuit overload indicator light (10) will automatically illuminate when an electrical overload has occurred.
  • circuit overload indicator light (10) can be fixedly mounted onto fuse holder (42) at any suitable location of engineering choice, and first lead line (10-A) is fixedly attached to first terminal (44) by any appropriate attachment means, such as solder (48) or the like. With second terminal lead (10-B) being attached to second terminal (46) by any appropriate attachment means, such as solder (50) or the like. Whereby, it will now be seen circuit overload indicator light (10) will automatically illuminate when an electrical overload has occurred, thus notifying maintenance personnel that the fuse (not shown) has blown and must be replaced. Referring now to FIG. 9, wherein we depict yet another type of prior art circuit protector which is in the form of a housing (52) and an alternative method for indicating when an electrical overload has occurred.
  • circuit protector housing (52) includes a mounting plate (54) for mounting circuit protector housing (52), a first terminal (56) and a second terminal (58).
  • the present invention includes the teachings of the noted prior art and housing thereof. However, it is now improved as our current invention includes herein and teaches a commutator strip (60) which is of a shape and size to substantially mate with a top portion of circuit protector housing (52).
  • the commutator strip (60) being made from substantially any suitable material of engineering choice which allows for negative and positive contacts (not shown) to be laminated therein.
  • Circuit overload indicator light (10), and first and second leads are also laminated within commutator strip (60).
  • commutator strip (60) further includes a first opening (62) which is of a shape and size to slidably receive first terminal (56) there through, and a second opening (64) which is of a shape and size to slidably receive second terminal (58) there through.
  • commutator strip (60) may further include means for delivering a light beam to a remote location, such as to a circuit breaker box, or the like when the circuit overload indicator light is illuminated.
  • commutator strip (60) may include a fiber optic line (61) which is interconnected to a remote location of choice.
  • commutator strip (60) can be easily slidably engaged over each of the terminals (56 & 58) onto the top section of circuit protector housing (52) and then securely fastened by suitable fastening means, such as nuts (66) and bolts (68). Whereby, when an electrical overload has occurred, the commutator strip (60) will automatically energize and illuminate the circuit overload indicator light (10).
  • FIG. 10 wherein depicted is a prior art fusible link (70) which is normally used in many different types of fuses and when an electrical overload has occurred the fusible link will automatically break. Therefore, it would be most advantageous to include the circuit overload indicator light (10) being installed in line and electrically connected within the existing circuitry normally associated with the fusible link (70). It is to be understood this circuitry in combination can be incorporated in a number of different ways, thus the preferred embodiment is not taught herein, just the concept of the combination of a fusible link (70) and the circuit overload indicator light (10).
  • fuse adapter (72) which is of a shape and size to be threadably engaged within a typical pre-existing fuse receptacle (not shown), and fuse adapter (72) having a housing for containment of circuit overload indicator light with the circuitry for energizing circuit overload indicator light (10) and appropriate circuitry normally associated with a fuse adapter (72) therein. It is to be understood that it may be useful to include adjustment means for controlling return amperage, voltage or current after the fuse has blown so as to protect against accidental shock and/or circuit overload. Such adjustment means may include a resister or any other suitable means of engineering choice. Also, fuse adapter (72) is internally threaded for threadably receiving a prior art fuse (74) therein.
  • circuit overload indicator light (10) In use, when fuse adapter (72) is installed within the noted fuse receptacle, circuit overload indicator light (10) automatically illuminates. However, when the prior art fuse (74) is threadably inserted and fixedly attached within fuse adapter (72), circuit overload indicator light (10) automatically goes off. Thereafter, when prior art fuse (74) is subjected to an electrical overload, the prior art fuse (74) blows in the normal manner, and again the circuit overload indicator light (10) automatically illuminates and notifies maintenance personnel that the prior art fuse (74) must be replaced.
  • in-line fuse adapter (76) having a housing which is of a shape and size to be frictionally engaged within a typical in-line fuse receptacle (not shown), and in-line fuse adapter (76) includes the circuit overload indicator light (10) and appropriate circuitry for energizing circuit overload indicator light (10) and appropriate circuitry normally associated with inline fuse adaptor (76) therein. Also, in-line fuse adapter (76) includes an internal cavity for receiving and retaining a typical pre-existing inline fiise (78) therein. In use, when in-line fuse adapter housing (76) is installed within the noted fuse receptacle, circuit overload indicator light (10) automatically illuminates.
  • circuit overload indicator light (10) automatically goes off. Thereafter, when prior art in-line fuse (78) is subjected to an electrical overload, the prior art in-line fuse (78) blows in the normal manner, and again the circuit overload indicator light (10) automatically illuminates and notifies maintenance personnel that the prior art in-line fuse (78) must be replaced.
  • adjustment means for controlling return amperage, voltage or current after the fuse has blown so as to protect against accidental shock and/or circuit overload.
  • Such adjustment means may include a resister or any other suitable means of engineering choice.
  • circuit breakers and/or protectors are to be inherent herein, as the overall combination of such devices having an overload indicator light therewith is the general overview of the present invention.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un voyant lumineux qui, lorsqu'il est installé en combinaison avec un protecteur de circuit ou un fusible, etc., s'illumine automatiquement pour informer un utilisateur qu'une surcharge électrique s'est produite.
PCT/US2002/010349 2001-04-16 2002-04-02 Voyant lumineux destine a etre utilise en combinaison avec un protecteur de circuit electrique ou un fusible WO2002084417A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002256043A AU2002256043A1 (en) 2001-04-16 2002-04-02 An indicator light for use in combination with an electrical circuit protector or fuse
GB0326553A GB2392030A (en) 2001-04-16 2002-04-02 An indicator light for use in combination with an electrical circuit protector or fuse
DE10296666T DE10296666T5 (de) 2001-04-16 2002-04-02 Anzeigelicht zur Verwendung in Kombination mit einer elektrischen Sicherung
JP2002582298A JP2004526291A (ja) 2001-04-16 2002-04-02 電気回路保護装置又はヒューズとを組み合わせて使用する表示灯

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US28416601P 2001-04-16 2001-04-16
US60/284,166 2001-04-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002084417A2 true WO2002084417A2 (fr) 2002-10-24
WO2002084417A3 WO2002084417A3 (fr) 2003-11-27

Family

ID=23089129

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/010349 WO2002084417A2 (fr) 2001-04-16 2002-04-02 Voyant lumineux destine a etre utilise en combinaison avec un protecteur de circuit electrique ou un fusible

Country Status (5)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2004526291A (fr)
AU (1) AU2002256043A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE10296666T5 (fr)
GB (1) GB2392030A (fr)
WO (1) WO2002084417A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101007335B1 (ko) 2005-11-23 2011-01-13 현대중공업 주식회사 가스절연 차단기용 휴즈홀더

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4342979A (en) * 1980-07-14 1982-08-03 Jet Accessories, Inc. Lighted circuit breaker
US4345233A (en) * 1981-03-02 1982-08-17 Eaton Corporation Manual switch with timed electro-thermal latch release
US5534840A (en) * 1993-07-02 1996-07-09 Schneider Electric Sa Control and/or indicator unit
US6377158B1 (en) * 1999-02-12 2002-04-23 Tsung-Mou Yu Push button current cut-off safety switch
US6445275B2 (en) * 1999-12-30 2002-09-03 Tsung-Mou Yu Overload-protection push-button switch with automatic resetting mechanism of pull-push type
US6445273B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2002-09-03 Tsung-Mou Yu Overload-protection push-button switch with automatic resetting mechanism
US6448880B2 (en) * 1999-12-30 2002-09-10 Tsung-Mou Yu Overload-protection push-button switch with retractable actuating mechanism
US6456185B1 (en) * 1999-06-24 2002-09-24 Tsung-Mou Yu Push-button switch with overload protection

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4342979A (en) * 1980-07-14 1982-08-03 Jet Accessories, Inc. Lighted circuit breaker
US4345233A (en) * 1981-03-02 1982-08-17 Eaton Corporation Manual switch with timed electro-thermal latch release
US5534840A (en) * 1993-07-02 1996-07-09 Schneider Electric Sa Control and/or indicator unit
US6377158B1 (en) * 1999-02-12 2002-04-23 Tsung-Mou Yu Push button current cut-off safety switch
US6456185B1 (en) * 1999-06-24 2002-09-24 Tsung-Mou Yu Push-button switch with overload protection
US6445273B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2002-09-03 Tsung-Mou Yu Overload-protection push-button switch with automatic resetting mechanism
US6445275B2 (en) * 1999-12-30 2002-09-03 Tsung-Mou Yu Overload-protection push-button switch with automatic resetting mechanism of pull-push type
US6448880B2 (en) * 1999-12-30 2002-09-10 Tsung-Mou Yu Overload-protection push-button switch with retractable actuating mechanism

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0326553D0 (en) 2003-12-17
WO2002084417A3 (fr) 2003-11-27
DE10296666T5 (de) 2004-04-22
JP2004526291A (ja) 2004-08-26
AU2002256043A1 (en) 2002-10-28
GB2392030A (en) 2004-02-18
GB2392030A8 (en) 2004-03-03

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