# US 12,009,655 B2 · Switchable pyro fuse > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,009,655 B2 - Document ID: US12009655B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/476,161 - Filed: 2021-09-15 - Published: 2023-03-16 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-15 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Dylan Erb; John M. Schoech; Paul W. Firehammer; Alexander J. Clarabut - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009655B2 ## CPC - H02H 7/1222: {responsive to abnormalities in the input circuit, e.g. transients in the DC input} - H01H 39/006: {Opening by severing a conductor} - H01M 10/625: Vehicles - H01M 50/14: for protecting against damage caused by external factors - H02H 3/05: with means for increasing reliability, e.g. redundancy arrangements {(for logic circuits H03K19/003)} - H01H 9/32: Insulating body insertable between contacts - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY ## Abstract Exemplary electrical disconnects may include a housing defining a first access at a first end of the housing and a second access at a second end of the housing. The second access may extend vertically along a height of the housing beyond a vertical location of the first access. The electrical disconnects may include a busbar characterized by a first segment and a second segment. The first segment and the second segment may be coupled at a break section of the busbar. The first segment of the busbar may extend through the first access of the housing. The second segment of the busbar may extend through the second access of the housing. The electrical disconnects may include a pyrotechnic initiator disposed within the housing. The electrical disconnects may include a blade laterally aligned with the break section of the busbar. The electrical disconnects may include a plunger within which the blade is seated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical disconnect comprising: a housing defining a first access at a first end of the housing and a second access at a second end of the housing opposite the first end of the housing, the first end horizontally displaced from the second end, wherein the second access extends vertically along a height of the housing beyond a vertical location of the first access; a busbar characterized by a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment and the second segment are coupled at a break section of the busbar, wherein the first segment of the busbar extends through the first access of the housing, and wherein the second segment of the busbar extends through the second access of the housing; a pyrotechnic initiator disposed within the housing; a blade laterally aligned with the break section of the busbar; and a plunger attached to the blade. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, wherein the pyrotechnic initiator is operationally accessible from the second end of the housing, and wherein the pyrotechnic initiator is positioned along a height of the housing between the first access defined in the housing and a location where the second segment of the busbar extends from the second access defined in the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, further comprising: a barrel defining a recess in which the pyrotechnic initiator is seated. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electrical disconnect of claim 3, wherein a portion of the barrel extends within a recess defined within the busbar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The electrical disconnect of claim 3, wherein a first end of the plunger is characterized by an exterior diameter less than a diameter of the recess defined in the barrel, and wherein the first end of the plunger is disposed within the recess of the barrel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrical disconnect of claim 5, wherein the plunger defines a recess in the first end of the plunger, and wherein the pyrotechnic initiator extends within the recess defined in the first end of the plunger when the plunger is located in a first position within the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, wherein the plunger is moveably disposed within the housing between a first position within the housing in which the pyrotechnic initiator is adjacent the plunger and a leading edge of the blade is positioned on a first side of the break section of the busbar, and a second position within the housing in which the leading edge of the blade is located on a second side of the break section of the busbar opposite the first side of the break section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, wherein the second segment of the busbar at the second access extends substantially parallel to the first segment of the busbar at the first access, and wherein the break section of the busbar extends normal to the first segment of the busbar at the first access and the second segment of the busbar at the second access. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electrical disconnect of claim 8, wherein the housing defines a protrusion extending from a top of the housing towards the break section of the busbar and adjacent the second segment of the busbar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, wherein the break section of the busbar is characterized by a thickness less than a thickness of either the first segment of the busbar or the second segment of the busbar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, wherein the blade is ceramic. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrical disconnect of claim 11, wherein the blade is characterized by a V-shape along a leading edge of the blade. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, wherein the plunger comprises a blade housing characterized by a base and sidewalls, and wherein the sidewalls of the blade housing extend on opposite sides and in line with the second segment of the busbar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrical disconnect of claim 13, wherein a base of the housing defines an angled protrusion over which the base of the blade housing may travel during operation of the electrical disconnect. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The electrical disconnect of claim 1, further comprising: an activation circuit comprising overcurrent detection coupled with the busbar, wherein the overcurrent detection is communicatively coupled with a trigger of the pyrotechnic initiator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrical disconnect of claim 15, wherein the activation circuit further comprises: a connector coupleable with an external management system and operable to receive a signal from the external management system to trigger the pyrotechnic initiator. ### Claim 17 An electrical disconnect comprising: a housing defining a first access at a first end of the housing and a second access at a second end of the housing opposite the first end of the housing, wherein the second access extends vertically along a height of the housing beyond a vertical location of the first access, wherein a base of the housing defines a track, and where the housing defines a vent at the first end of the housing; a busbar characterized by a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment of the busbar extends through the first access of the housing, and wherein the second segment of the busbar extends through the second access of the housing; a barrel positioned proximate the second end of the housing; a pyrotechnic initiator disposed within the barrel and electrically accessible through the second end of the housing; a blade; and a plunger attached to the blade, wherein the plunger is movably disposed within the track defined in the base of the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electrical disconnect of claim 17, wherein the plunger comprises a blade housing characterized by a base and sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls of the blade housing extend on either side and in line with the second segment of the busbar, and wherein the base of the blade housing is seated in the track defined in the base of the housing. ### Claim 19 An electrical disconnect comprising: a housing defining a first access at a first end of the housing and a second access at a second end of the housing opposite the first end of the housing, wherein the second access extends vertically along a height of the housing beyond a vertical location of the first access; a busbar characterized by a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment and the second segment are coupled at a break section of the busbar, wherein the first segment of the busbar extends through the first access of the housing, wherein the second segment of the busbar extends through the second access of the housing, wherein the second segment of the busbar at the second access extends substantially parallel to the first segment of the busbar at the first access, and wherein the break section of the busbar extends normal to the first segment of the busbar at the first access and the second segment of the busbar at the second access; a pyrotechnic initiator disposed within the housing; a blade laterally aligned with the break section of the busbar; and a plunger attached to the blade. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The electrical disconnect of claim 19, wherein the plunger is moveably disposed within the housing between a first position within the housing in which the pyrotechnic initiator is adjacent the plunger and a leading edge of the blade is positioned on a first side of the break section of the busbar, and a second position within the housing in which the leading edge of the blade is located on a second side of the break section of the busbar opposite the first side of the break section.