Method and apparatus for triggering a fuse
US6141202A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2085/466
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The response time of a melting fuse is controlled or influenced by temporarily boosting a threshold level from a first constant value (I.sub.1) to a second dynamic value (I.sub.2) which is then caused to decay in a controlled manner during a fixed time between (t.sub.1) and (t.sub.2) and in accordance with a selectable decay function. If a current (m) flowing through the fuse exceeds the decaying threshold value a fuse blowing current is generated and supplied to the fuse, whereby the fuse blows sooner than it would have, if the excess current had prevailed for a long enough time between (t.sub.1) and (t.sub.X). On the other hand, the fuse does not blow in response to short duration transient excess currents that occur, for example at starting an engine. The engine start impulse which may be used to temporarily raise the threshold value from (I.sub.1) to (I.sub.2) and then cause said controlled decay.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.