Current limiter system

Claim 2

A current limiting apparatus for connecting an insulaTed cable having aluminum conductors to an aluminum bus bar, comprising: a one-piece, aluminum combined terminal and end cap member, said end cap member directly joined to the aluminum conductors of said cable, fuse links affixed to said cap member and extending within a sand matrix, a further end cap member of said limiting apparatus engaging the extending ends of said fuse links to complete a conductive path from said links, a terminal integrally connected to said further end cap member, a terminal connected to said bus bar and joined to said further end cap member terminal to complete a serial path from said cable conductors through said aluminum end cap member, said fuse links, said further end cap member and said bus bar terminal to said bus bar.

Claim 3

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said aluminum end cap member comprises a generally circular face, said face being plated with a coating of copper for engagement with the fuse link ends.

Claim 4

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said aluminum end cap member comprises a generally circular face, said face being plated with a coating of nickel for engagement with the fuse link ends.

Claim 5

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said further end cap member is fabricated of aluminum.

Claim 6

A waterproff current limiting apparatus for connecting insulated cable having aluminum conductors to an aluminum bus bar, wherein said limiting apparatus is generally cylindrical in shape and includes terminals adjacent the axial ends thereof within the extension of the cylindrical shape of said apparatus, and comprising aluminum end cap members of said limiting apparatus engaging extending ends of a plurality of fuse links to complete a conductive path from said links, each of said terminals integrally connected to one of said cap members, a terminal connected to said bus bar and joined to one of said terminals to complete a serial path from said cable conductors through one aluminum end cap member, said fuse links, said other end cap member and said bus bar terminal to said bus bar; a dual layer, water-impervious insulating sleeve enclosing said apparatus and said terminals, a dual layer jacket covering said bus bar with the ends of the layers of said jacket interleaved with layers of one end of said sleeve, and the layers at the other end of said sleeve both engaging the insulation on said cable.

Claim 7

A waterproff current limiting apparatus for connecting insulated cable having aluminum conductors to an aluminum bus bar, wherein said limiting apparatus is generally cylindrical in shape and includes terminals adjacent the axial ends thereof within the extension of the cylindrical shape of said apparatus, and comprising aluminum end cap members of said limiting apparatus engaging extending ends of a plurality of fuse links to complete a conductive path from said links, each of said terminals integrally connected to one of said cap members, a terminal connected to said bus bar and joined to one of said terminals to complete a serial path from said cable conductors through one aluminum end cap member, said fuse links, said other end cap member and said bus bar terminal to said bus bar; a dual layer, water-impervious insulating sleeve enclosing said apparatus and said terminals, a dual layer jacket covering said bus bar with the ends of the layers of said jacket interleaved with layers of one end of said sleeve, and the layers at the other end of said sleeve both engaging the insulation on said cable.

Claim 8

A current limiting apparatus for connecting an aluminum conductor to an aluminum bus bar, comprising a one-piece combined end cap and terminal member witn one end comprising an end cap for the limiter and the other end joined directly to the aluminum conductors of said cable, fuse links affixed to said cap and extending within an enclosing housing, a further end cap of said limiting apparatus engaging the extending ends of said fuse links to complete a conductive path from said links, a terminal integrally connected to said further end cap and a terminal connected to said bus bar and joined to said further end cap terminal to complete a serial path form said conductor through said aluminum end cap through said fuse links, said further end cap and said bus bar terminal to said bus bar.

Claim 9

A current limiting apparatus for connecting an aluminum conductor to an aluminum bus bar, comprising a one-piece combined end cap and terminal member witn one end comprising an end cap for the limiter and the other end joined directly to the aluminum conductors of said cable, fuse links affixed to said cap and extending within an enclosing housing, a further end cap of said limiting apparatus engaging the extending ends of said fuse links to complete a conductive path from said links, a terminal integrally connected to said further end cap and a terminal connected to said bus bar and joined to said further end cap terminal to complete a serial path form said conductor through said aluminum end cap through said fuse links, said further end cap and said bus bar terminal to said bus bar.

Claim 10

An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said further end cap comprises a combined end cap and terminal member fabricated of aluminum wherein said end cap comprises a generally circular face, a surface covering said face, said surface comprising an alloy of readily solderable metal, and said surface is positioned for engagement with the fuse link ends.

Claim 11

An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said aluminum end cap comprises a generally circular face, said face being covered by a coating of nickel alloy for engagement with the fuse link ends.

Claim 12

An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said aluminum end cap has an end covering thereover of copper alloy, and said end covering is positioned to engage one end of said first links.

Claim 13

A connection structure for connecting an insulated cable having aluminum conductorS therein and an aluminum bus bar in a manner adapted for power distribution usage, said connection structure including a cylindrical current limiter, said limiter including a first end cap and second end cap, fusible links interposed between and spacing said end caps, a sand matrix disposed in the spacing between said caps and an outer insulating tubular casing surrounding said sand matrix and the end caps, said end caps being fabricated of aluminum and each including an end face in electrical contact with fusible links of said limiter, each of said end caps including a terminal end, the terminal end of said first end cap engaging a terminal extending from said bus bar to comprise a connection of substantially the circumference of said cylindrical limiter, and the terminal end of said second cap comprising a crimp terminal of approximately the circumference of said limiter, and an insulating sleeve member sealed to said cable and bus bar and, closely disposed about said limiter and to minimize air pockets within said connection structure.

Claim 14

A connection structure for connecting an insulated cable having aluminum conductorS therein and an aluminum bus bar in a manner adapted for power distribution usage, said connection structure including a cylindrical current limiter, said limiter including a first end cap and second end cap, fusible links interposed between and spacing said end caps, a sand matrix disposed in the spacing between said caps and an outer insulating tubular casing surrounding said sand matrix and the end caps, said end caps being fabricated of aluminum and each including an end face in electrical contact with fusible links of said limiter, each of said end caps including a terminal end, the terminal end of said first end cap engaging a terminal extending from said bus bar to comprise a connection of substantially the circumference of said cylindrical limiter, and the terminal end of said second cap comprising a crimp terminal of approximately the circumference of said limiter, and an insulating sleeve member sealed to said cable and bus bar and, closely disposed about said limiter and to minimize air pockets within said connection structure.