US3611240A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dropout fuse
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1970-05-04
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-05-04
Abstract
Abstract An open type dropout fuse has full range fault clearing capability, with fuse operation being confined within the fuse tube. An explosive charge is used to hold the fuse in a closed circuit position and, upon detonation, releases the fuse for drop-open movement to physically open the circuit. An electric igniter for the explosive charge is switched in for detonation after fuse operation has been initiated within the fuse tube. Initial drop-open movement of the fuse is opposed to retard physical opening of the fuse.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey W Mikulecky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H31/00; H01H31/02; H01H31/12; H01H31/122; H01H31/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A dropout fuse comprising, in combination, an upper terminal, a lower terminal spaced and electrically isolated from said upper terminal, a fuse assembly, an upper terminal fitting on said fuse assembly for releasably engaging said upper terminal, a lower terminal fitting on said fuse assembly spaced from said upper terminal fitting and pivotally connected to said lower terminal for pivotal movement relative thereto whereby said fuse assembly can be closed in bridging relation between said upper and lower terminals and is movable about said pivotal connection to an open position with said upper terminal and terminal fitting disengaged, fusible means within said fuse assembly electrically connected between said upper and lower fittings, said lower terminal fitting including a flipper member having said pivotal connection to said lower terminal and a fitting member carried by said fuse assembly and pivotally connected to said flipper member for movement with and relative to said flipper member, spring mean engaged between said flipper and fitting members when said fuse assembly is in said bridging relation biasing said flipper member for movement in a direction urging said fuse assembly toward said open position, an explosive charge carried by said fuse assembly and connected to said flipper member opposing said bias so that said fuse assembly is maintained in said bridging relation until said explosive charge is detonated whereupon said flipper member is released for movement by said spring means to initiate movement of said fuse assembly to said open position, electrical igniter means responsive to operation of said fusible means to detonate said explosive charge, and means connected between said flipper and fitting members and opposing relative movement therebetween to thereby retard movement of said fuse assembly to said open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
A dropout fuse comprising, in combination, an upper terminal, a lower terminal spaced and electrically isolated from said upper terminal, a fuse assembly, an upper terminal fitting on said fuse assembly for releasably engaging said upper terminal, a lower terminal fitting on said fuse assembly spaced from said upper terminal fitting and pivotally connected to said lower terminal for pivotal movement relative thereto whereby said fuse assembly can be closed in bridging relation between said upper and lower terminals and is movable about said pivotal connection to an open position with said upper terminal and terminal fitting disengaged, fusible means within said fuse assembly electrically connected between said upper and lower fittings, said lower terminal fitting including a flipper member having said pivotal connection to said lower terminal and a fitting member carried by said fuse assembly and pivotally connected to said flipper member for movement with and relative to said flipper member, spring mean engaged between said flipper and fitting members when said fuse assembly is in said bridging relation biasing said flipper member for movement in a direction urging said fuse assembly toward said open position, an explosive charge carried by said fuse assembly and connected to said flipper member opposing said bias so that said fuse assembly is maintained in said bridging relation until said explosive charge is detonated whereupon said flipper member is released for movement by said spring means to initiate movement of said fuse assembly to said open position, electrical igniter means responsive to operation of said fusible means to detonate said explosive charge, and means connected between said flipper and fitting members and opposing relative movement therebetween to thereby retard movement of said fuse assembly to said open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The dropout fuse of claim 1 wherein said motion retarding means includes an outer flexible enclosure, a compression spring within said enclosure and extending between said fitting member and flipper member to be compressed during relative movement therebetween, and silicon putty filling the interior of said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
150 words
A dropout fuse comprising, in combination, first and second spaced and electrically isolated terminals, a fuse assembly including a fuse tube characterized by including means for interrupting and clearing a fault condition within said fuse tube, and including spaced terminal means on said fuse tube connected to said interrupting and clearing means for connecting said fuse assembly in electrical circuit between said first and second terminals, means connecting said fuse tube in bridging relation between said first and second terminals, for movement relative to said terminals in a direction out of said bridging position, and means producing a force biasing said fuse tube for movement in said direction, an explosive charge carried by said fuse assembly and connected to said bias producing means and opposing said bias, and means operatively connected to said interrupting and clearing means for igniting said explosive charge after said interruption and clearing has been initiated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
A dropout fuse comprising, in combination, first and second spaced and electrically isolated terminals, a fuse assembly including a fuse tube characterized by including means for interrupting and clearing a fault condition within said fuse tube, and including spaced terminal means on said fuse tube connected to said interrupting and clearing means for connecting said fuse assembly in electrical circuit between said first and second terminals, means connecting said fuse tube in bridging relation between said first and second terminals, for movement relative to said terminals in a direction out of said bridging position, and means producing a force biasing said fuse tube for movement in said direction, an explosive charge carried by said fuse assembly and connected to said bias producing means and opposing said bias, and means operatively connected to said interrupting and clearing means for igniting said explosive charge after said interruption and clearing has been initiated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dropout fuse of claim 3 including means connected to said fuse tube for retarding motion thereof in response to said bias.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The dropout fuse of claim 3 wherein said means connecting said fuse tube in said bridging relation includes a flipper connected to said fuse tube and first terminal for joint movement of said flipper and fuse tube relative to said first terminal in said direction, and means connected to said flipper for providing said biasing force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dropout fuse of claim 5 including means connected to said fuse tube for retarding motion thereof in response to said bIas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The dropout fuse of claim 6 wherein said means for igniting said explosive charge comprises an electrical conductor in heat transfer relation with said explosive charge, and including means for connecting said electrical conductor in circuit with said fault interrupting and clearing means and having an electrical gap therein so that operation of said fault interrupting and clearing device is initiated prior to completing a circuit to said electrical conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The dropout fuse of claim 6 including a fitting member connected to said fuse tube and to said flipper member for movement with and relative to said flipper member, wherein said biasing means is connected between said fitting member and said flipper member, and wherein said motion retarding means is connected between said fitting member and said flipper member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The dropout fuse of claim 8 wherein said motion retarding means includes an outer flexible enclosure, a compression spring within said enclosure and extending between said fitting member and flipper member to be compressed during relative movement therebetween, and silicon putty filling the interior of said enclosure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
163 words
A dropout fuse comprising in combination, first and second spaced and electrically isolated terminals, a fuse assembly including a fuse tube, fusible means within said tube, and spaced terminal means on said fuse tube and connected to said fusible means for connecting said fuse assembly in electrical circuit between and bridging said first and second terminals, means including an explosive charge for holding said fuse assembly in position electrically connecting said first and second terminals through said fusible means and further operative upon detonation of said explosive charge to release said fuse assembly for drop-open movement, said dropout fuse having a biasing arrangement normally urging said fuse assembly in the direction of drop-open movement, said explosive charge positioned to oppose said drop-open movement and further characterized by including an electrically operated igniter, and means for establishing an electrical circuit to said igniter for detonation of said explosive charge subsequent to fusion of said fusible means to release said fuse assembly for drop-open movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
163 words
A dropout fuse comprising in combination, first and second spaced and electrically isolated terminals, a fuse assembly including a fuse tube, fusible means within said tube, and spaced terminal means on said fuse tube and connected to said fusible means for connecting said fuse assembly in electrical circuit between and bridging said first and second terminals, means including an explosive charge for holding said fuse assembly in position electrically connecting said first and second terminals through said fusible means and further operative upon detonation of said explosive charge to release said fuse assembly for drop-open movement, said dropout fuse having a biasing arrangement normally urging said fuse assembly in the direction of drop-open movement, said explosive charge positioned to oppose said drop-open movement and further characterized by including an electrically operated igniter, and means for establishing an electrical circuit to said igniter for detonation of said explosive charge subsequent to fusion of said fusible means to release said fuse assembly for drop-open movement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dropout fuse of claim 10 including motion retarding means connected to said fuse assembly for retarding drop-open movement of said fuse assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
The dropout fuse of claim 10 including a flipper connected to said fuse assembly, spring mechanism connected to said flipper and biasing said flipper in a direction tending to pivot said fuse assembly out of said position bridging said first and second terminals, and wherein said explosive charge is connected to said flipper opposing said bias to hold said flipper against said pivotal movement and to release said flipper for said pivotal movement when said explosive charge is detonated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
The dropout fuse of claim 10 wherein one of said terminal means includes a flipper member pivotally connected to said first terminal, including a fitting member carried by said fuse tube and pivotally connected to said flipper member for joint movement therewith relative to said first terminal and pivotal movement relative to said flipper member, including a spring mechanism connected between said fitting member and said flipper member and biasing said flipper member for movement about its pivotal connection to said first terminal in a direction tending to pivot said fuse assembly out of said position bridging said first and second terminals, and wherein said explosive charge is carried by said fuse assembly and is connected to said flipper member opposing said bias to hold said flipper member against pivotal movement relative to said fitting member and to release said flipper member for response to said bias when said explosive charge is detonated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The dropout fuse of clAim 13 including means connected between said fitting member and said flipper member to oppose relative movement between said flipper member and fitting member and retard drop-open movement of said fuse assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The dropout fuse of claim 13 wherein said first and second terminals comprise lower and upper terminals, respectively, and said fuse assembly extends generally vertical when bridging said upper and lower terminals, including means defining an opening in the lower end of said fuse tube, and wherein said explosive charge is disposed in said fuse tube opening and projects outwardly therefrom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dropout fuse of claim 15 wherein said spring mechanism also provides electrical connection in the circuit of said fuse tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The dropout fuse of claim 10 wherein said igniter comprises a conductor in heat transfer relation with said explosive charge, wherein said means establishing said electrical circuit for said igniter includes means defining a gap in said igniter electrical circuit so that said circuit to said igniter is not established until fusion of said fusible means has begun.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dropout fuse of claim 10 wherein said fuse assembly is characterized by including means for interrupting and clearing a fault condition within said fuse tube.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The dropout fuse of claim 10 including means connected to said explosive charge for holding said explosive charge generally intact and in said fuse assembly upon detonation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dropout fuse of claim 12 including means connected to said explosive charge for holding said explosive charge generally intact on said flipper upon detonation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |