Smart fuse for circuit protection
US9548177B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2235/01
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A smart fuse for circuit protection includes a first shaft and second shaft separated by a gap. A heater is located inside portions of the first and second shafts, and the heater is held in place within the shafts by a solder alloy that fills the gap. The shafts and solder alloy form an electrical signal path through the fuse. A spring is attached to the heater. The spring is stretched such that the spring exerts a force on the heater. The solder alloy holds the heater in place and resists the force exerted by the spring. In an activation condition of the fuse, the heater increases in temperature and melts the solder alloy. The melted solder alloy no longer resists the force exerted by the spring, and the spring pulls the heater through the second shaft until the gap is open, thereby severing the electrical connection through the fuse.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.