Circuit breaker with integral fuse mounting stud
AssigneeMP Hollywood
InventorCuong Ha
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A circuit breaker device includes a bimetallic overcurrent protection element which is configured to be placed in series with an integrated replaceable fuse. The replaceable fuse may be faster-acting than the bimetallic overcurrent protection element, and may be higher-rated than the bimetallic overcurrent protection element. The circuit breaker device may include an electrically isolated terminal stud having a height sufficient to retain the replaceable fuse thereon, the electrically isolated terminal stud not directly connected to the bimetallic overcurrent protection element, so that current can only flow through the bimetallic overcurrent protection element when a replaceable fuse comprising an intact fuse element is supported on the electrically isolated terminal stud.
Claims18
A thermally activated overcurrent circuit breaker device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a first terminal structure extending into the housing;
- a second terminal structure, the second terminal structure comprising a first conductive portion extending into the housing and a second conductive portion outside of the housing, the first conductive portion electrically isolated from the second conductive portion,
- a thermally activated overcurrent protection element located within the housing and configured to change shape, in response to current exceeding a breaker threshold current passing therethrough for a period of time exceeding a breaker delay period, from a closed position in which the thermally activated overcurrent protection element forms part of an electrical connection between the first terminal structure and the second terminal structure;
- and
- a fuse supported by the second terminal structure and electrically connecting the first conductive portion of the second terminal structure to the second conductive portion of the second terminal structure, the fuse comprising a fuse element configured to fuse open in response to the current exceeding a fuse threshold current for a period of time exceeding a fuse delay period, wherein the fuse threshold current is higher than the breaker threshold current, and wherein the breaker delay period is longer than the fuse delay period.
A thermally activated overcurrent circuit breaker device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a first electrical terminal extending into the housing;
- a second electrical terminal extending into the housing and comprising an externally available end extending in a first direction from the housing, the externally available end comprising an aperture extending therethrough;
- a terminal stud for mounting a removable fuse thereon, the terminal stud extending in a second direction through the aperture in the externally available end of the second terminal, the second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction;
- an insulating material electrically insulating the terminal stud from the second terminal;
- a thermally activated overcurrent protection element located within the housing and configured to change shape, in response to current exceeding a breaker threshold current passing therethrough for a period of time exceeding a breaker delay period, from a closed position in which the thermally activated overcurrent protection element forms part of an electrical connection between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal;
- and
- the removable fuse, the removable fuse supported by the second terminal stud and electrically connecting the second electrical terminal to the terminal stud, the removable fuse comprising a fuse element configured to fuse open in response to the current exceeding a fuse threshold current for a period of time exceeding a fuse delay period, wherein the fuse threshold current is higher than the breaker threshold current, and wherein the breaker delay period is longer than the fuse delay period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.