Vacuum Fuse
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorSCOTT RAYMOND LANNING
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-current limiting vacuum fuse employs a fusible assembly having a pair of electrodes and a fusible element that is situated therebetween. The fusible assembly is a rigid, self-supporting unitary structure that is brazed to an envelope when manufactured inside a vacuum furnace. The fuse provides improved interruption capability and/or a higher voltage rating at reduced cost. The fuse may be used individually, or a plurality of the fuses can be connected together in series to provide enhanced interruption capability and/or a higher voltage rating. The fuse can be connected in parallel with a current limiting fuse to form a vacuum current commutating fuse that provides the benefits of both types of fuses.
Claims11
An electrical fuse structured to be electrically connectable with a protected portion of an electrical circuit and comprising:
- an envelope having a hollow interior region that has a reduced pressure therein;
- the envelope comprising a case and a pair of end seals;
- the case comprising at least a first wall and having a pair of openings;
- the least first wall being situated adjacent the interior region;
- the pair of end seals each having a hole formed therein, the end seals each being affixed to the case and overlying an opening of the pair of openings;
- a fusible assembly comprising a fusible element and a pair of electrodes that are affixed together to form a rigid and self-supporting assembly that is received in the holes, the fusible assembly being formed of an electrically conductive material, the fusible element being electrically interposed between the pair of electrodes;
- the fusible element being situated in the interior region;
- and
- the fusible assembly being affixed to the end seals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.