Zero space fuse system
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsElmar Gillrath, Randy Pohl, Darrell S. Filtz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An in-plane fuse adapter provides a conductive extension that may be received by a standard terminal of a terminal block relay or the like to present side surfaces conforming substantially to the width of the terminal block relay allowing other terminal blocks to be closely abutted to the left and right side of the terminal block relay when it is attached to a connector rail. A wire terminal is held by the housing and attached to the second socket positioned to receive and retain an external electrical conductor of a type normally received by the plurality of terminals of the terminal block relay.
Claims15
An in-plane fuse adapter used with a terminal block relay of a type mountable at a rear surface on a laterally extending rail to present a substantially constant lateral thickness between left and right planar walls that may abut corresponding planar walls of adjacent terminal blocks mounted on the rail, the terminal block relay further providing a plurality of terminals accessible at upper and lower edges of the terminal block relay for receiving electrical conductors communicating electrical signals to a relay of the terminal block relay, the fuse adapter comprising:
- an insulating housing;
- a fuse holder within the insulating housing having a first and second socket receiving corresponding ends of a standard electrical fuse;
- a conductive extension having a first end within the housing attached to the first socket, and a second end extending from the housing in an engagement direction to be received and retained by a terminal of the terminal block relay;
- and
- a wire terminal held by the housing and attached to the second socket positioned to receive and retain an external electrical conductor of a type normally received by the plurality of terminals of the terminal block relay;
- wherein when the conductive extension is retained by a terminal of the terminal block relay, the housing lies substantially between planes of the left and right planar walls of the terminal block relay.
A terminal block relay comprising:
- a housing having a rear surface including a channel allowing the housing to be mounted on a laterally extending rail to present a substantially constant lateral thickness between left and right planar walls that may abut corresponding planar walls of adjacent terminal blocks mounted on the rail;
- a plurality of terminals accessible at upper and lower edges of the terminal block relay for receiving electrical conductors communicating electrical signals to a relay of the terminal block relay;
- an in-plane fuse adapter including:
- (a) an insulating housing;
- (b) a fuse holder within the insulating housing having a first and second socket receiving corresponding ends of a standard electrical fuse;
- (c) a conductive extension having a first end within the housing attached to the first socket and a second end extending from the housing in an engagement direction to be received and retained by a terminal of the terminal block relay;
- and
- (d) a wire terminal held by the housing and attached to the second socket positioned to receive and retain an external electrical conductor of a type normally received by the plurality of terminals of the terminal block relay;
- wherein when the conductive extension is retained by a terminal of the terminal block relay, the housing lies substantially between planes of the left and right planar walls of the terminal block relay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.