Open circuit protection device
OwnerRussell William Adaminventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protection device which includes an insulating tube closed at each end by a fuse cap. Electrically connected to one cap is a contact plug, and to the other cap a spring and a contact plunger. Sandwiched between the plug and the plunger is a combustible separator configured to disintegrate when the potential difference between the plug and the plunger exceeds a predetermined amount. This disintegration permits the spring to bias the plug and the plunger into electrical connection thus eliminating the potential difference. The protection member contains an accelerant to increase its rate of disintegration. The device is used to protect neon lighting systems from open circuits.
Claims13
A protection device for electrical systems, the device comprising an insulating member enclosing first and second electrical contact pieces separated by a protection member, and a biasing member for biasing at least the first contact piece to sandwich the protection member between said contact pieces, wherein the protection member is configured to disintegrate upon a predetermined potential difference being reached between the contact pieces, said protection member including an accelerant to increase a rate of disintegration of the protection member, the disintegration of the protection member permitting the biasing member to force the contact pieces into contact thereby eliminating any potential difference therebetween.
A protection assembly for electrical systems, said assembly comprising:
- a protection device comprising an insulating member enclosing first and second electrical contact pieces separated by a protection member, and a biasing member for biasing at least the first contact piece to sandwich the protection member between said contact pieces, wherein the protection member is configured to disintegrate upon a predetermined potential difference being reached between the contact pieces, said protection member including an accelerant to increase a rate of disintegration of the protection member, the disintegration of the protection member permitting the biasing member to force the contact pieces into contact thereby eliminating any potential difference therebetween;
- an insulative housing configured to releasably retain said protection device;
- a first electrical connector for interconnecting first electrical apparatus with said first contact piece;
- and
- a second electrical connector for interconnecting second electrical apparatus with said second contact piece.
An electrical system comprising:
- first electrical apparatus at a first electrical potential;
- second electrical apparatus at a second, different electrical potential;
- and
- at least one protection assembly comprising:
- a protection device including an insulating member enclosing first and second electrical contact pieces separated by a protection member, and a biasing member for biasing at least the first contact piece to sandwich the protection member between said contact pieces, wherein the protection member is configured to disintegrate upon a predetermined potential difference being reached between the contact pieces and comprises an accelerant that increases a rate of disintegration of the protection member, the disintegration of the protection member permitting the biasing member to force the contact pieces into contact thereby eliminating any potential difference therebetween;
- an insulative housing configured to releasably retain said protection device;
- a first electrical connector for interconnecting said first electrical apparatus with said first contact piece;
- and
- a second electrical connector for interconnecting said second electrical apparatus with said second contact piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.