US2678982A - Low amperage fuse - Google Patents
Low amperage fuse Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2678982A US2678982A US355541A US35554153A US2678982A US 2678982 A US2678982 A US 2678982A US 355541 A US355541 A US 355541A US 35554153 A US35554153 A US 35554153A US 2678982 A US2678982 A US 2678982A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fuse
- thin film
- conductor
- point
- platform
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 127
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 61
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 40
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 40
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 20
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 5
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 4
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052797 bismuth Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- JCXGWMGPZLAOME-UHFFFAOYSA-N bismuth atom Chemical compound [Bi] JCXGWMGPZLAOME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052787 antimony Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N antimony atom Chemical compound [Sb] WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 such as Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
- H01H85/02—Details
- H01H85/04—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges
- H01H85/041—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges characterised by the type
- H01H85/046—Fuses formed as printed circuits
Definitions
- This invention relates to electric fuses for protecting electric circuits from overload conditions.
- the principal object of this invention is to provide an improved fuse which is particularly useful in protecting low energy or amperage circuits, such as may be encountered in circuits using transistors or the like, which embodies a new principle of construction and operation, which produces new and improved results, and which may be inexpensively manufactured.
- the improved principle of construction and operation of the electric fuse of this invention is very much like that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 355,542 filed May 18, 1953 wherein the end of an elongated or rod or pin shaped conductor engages a thin sheet conductor at a point within th area of the thin sheet conductor.
- the transverse dimensions of the point of engagement of the conductors is greater than the thickness of the thin conductor.
- the fuse blows on high overloads because the high current density, in the area of the thin conductor around the point of engagement of the conductors, heats up the thin conductor to its fusion temperature for instantly melting the same.
- the fuse blows on a sustained low overload because the point of engagement of the conductors heats up to the fusion temperature of the thin conductor by reason of current passage therethrough for melting the thin con ductor. Because the fusion of the thin conductor provides an ever widening gap, a gap is provided over which the circuit voltage cannot maintain conduction and the are, if any, after. striking, is unable to establish itself in one place long enough to cause damage. The establishment of sustained arc is therefore prevented and the arc is quickly extinguished.
- the electric fuse is so constructed that it will protect low energy or amperage circuits, such as may be encountered in circuits using transistors and the like.
- a platform of electrical insulating material which carries and supports a thin film conductor of fuse metal and theend of an elongated conductor engages this thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof.
- the thin film conductor is preferably less than substantially .001 inch in thickness and is preferably applied to the supporting platform by evaporating the fuse metal and condensing the same thereon.
- the point of engagement between the conductors is made quite small, substantially .001 inch in transverse dimension, and towards this end the end of the elongated conductor is preferably pointed.
- the film is also deposited on the elongated conductor at the point of engagement to insure good contact between the two conductors.
- fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point of engagement to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors as pointed out above.
- a very efficient fuse is provided in this manner by reason of the fact that the amount of fuse metal that must be melted is very small as compared to a wire or a punched element fuse.
- the small amount of energy required to melt the thin film of fuse metal is an outstanding advantage of this construction. With all this, the fuse is rugged because the thin film of fuse metal is firmly supported by the platform.
- the fuse metal used in the thin film conductor is selected on the basis of the amperage at which the fuse is to blow. For example, for a real low ampere fuse, high resistance metals may be used, such as bismuth, antimony, lead, tin or the like, and for higher ratings, a lower resistance material, such as, silver or aluminum are more desirable.
- the electric fuse of this invention may take various forms, but preferably it includes a substantially cylindrical body of electrical insulating material having a bore extending longitudinally from one end and a notch in the side thereof communicating with the inner end of the bore for forming the platform on which is deposited the thin film conductor of fuse metal.
- the elongated conductor extends through and is supported in the bore in the body and its inner end is preferably pointed and engages the thin film conductor on the platform.
- Metallic caps may be applied to the ends of the body and electrically connected to the conductors for facilitating the connecting of the fuse into the electric circuit to be protected.
- Figure l is a side elevational view of the low amperage fuse of this invention.
- Figure 2 is an end view thereof.
- Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the fuse taken substantially along the line E 3 of Figure 1.
- Figure l is a view similar to Figure 1, but with the metallic caps omitted.
- Figure is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 3.
- the low amperage fuse of this invention is generally designated at Id. It includes a substantially cylindrical body II formed of insulating material, such as may be moulded from a thermoplastic material such as nylon or the like. This body II is provided with a longitudinally extending bore i2 which runs from one end of the body to a point within the body. A notch I3 is provided in the side of the body and it communicates with the inner end of the bore I2. The notch I3 and the inner end of the bore #2 form a substantially flat platform M within the body.
- a thin film of fuse metal is suitably applied to the platform I4 to form a thin film conductor I 5.
- this film is formed by evaporating the fuse metal and then condensing the onto the platform Ill in order to obtain the thin film.
- the thickness of the film is preferably less than .001 inch and may be as thin as ten millionths of an inch.
- the fuse metal may be any desired metal.
- a very low ampere fuse high resistance metals are preferably used, such as bismuth, antimony, lead, tin and the like, bismuth being preferred.
- a lower resistance metal may be used, such as silver or aluminum.
- the end of the body II adjacent the notch I3 is preferably coated with tin or copper by spraying the same, this coating being designated at I6.
- this coating When this coating is applied it is brought into contact with the film I5 of the fuse metal so as to be electrically connected thereto.
- the thin film I5 of fuse metal may be deposited over the side of the body as well as on the platform as illustrated in Figure 3 so that the sprayed metal iii physically engages the same and has a large contact therewith.
- a portion of the sprayed metal i6 may be carried onto the film I5 of fuse metal at the outer edge of the platform I l.
- the other end of the body II may also be sprayed with tin or copper or the like as indicated at H.
- An elongated conductor I8 formed of copper, steel or any other suitable conducting metal, which may take the form of a pin is inserted into the bore l2.
- the inner end of this elongated conductor is preferably pointed and en-- gages the thin film conductor I5 at the point of engagement designated at I9.
- the transverse dimension, that is the diameter of the point of engagement I9, is preferably about .001 inch.
- the film is preferably vaporized on the point thereof.
- the elongated conductor I8 is firmly held within the bore 12 of the body II.
- Suitable metallic caps 20 and 2i are applied over the ends of the body II and are held in place thereon by the sprayed metal I6 and IT.
- the cap 2%! is in electrical contact with the sprayed metal I6 and hence the thin film conductor I5 of the fuse metal and the cap 2
- the fuse of this invention constructed in this manner is very efficient because of the fact that the amount of fuse metal that must be melted is very small. This small amount of energy required to melt the thin film conductor of fuse metal is an outstanding advantage of the construction of the fuse of this invention.
- the electric fuse of this invention is rugged in nature for the thin film conductor which would normally be quite fragile is firmly supported by the platform and is fully enclosed within the fuse.
- the fuse of this invention may be made extremely small and the only real requirement on size is to make the same so that it may be con-- veniently manufactured on a production basis and readily handled.
- the fuse may be about /2 inch in length and A; inch in diameter.
- the fuse of this invention be ing small is mechanically fitted as well as electrically fitted for use in protecting low energy circuits, such as circuits incorporating transistors or the like.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform, an elongated conductor having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, and means for connecting the conductor in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin in conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal applied to the platform by evaporating the fuse metal and condensing the same thereon, an elongated conductor having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform, an elongated conductor having a pointed end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal applied to the platform by evaporating the fuse metal and condensing the same thereon, an elongated conductor having a pointed end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform, an elongated conductor having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, the transverse dimension of the point of engagement of the conductors being greater than the thickness of the thin film conductor, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform and. having a thickness of less than substantially 01 inch, an elongated conductor having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, the transverse dimension of the point of engagement of the conductors being substantially .001 inch, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform, an elongated conductor having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined high overload in the electric circuit or a predetermined low overload existing for a time interval, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a hollow tube having an end wall forming a platform in the tube and formed of insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform in the tube, an elongated conductor carried in the tube and having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a substantially cylindrical body of insulating material having a bore extending longitudinally from one end thereof and a notch in the side thereof communicating with the inner end of the bore and forming a platform in the body, a thin film conductor of fuse metal. carried by the platform in the body, an elongated conductor carried in the bore in the body and having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, and means for connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a hollow tube having an end wall forming a platform in the tube and formed of insulating material, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform in the tube, an elongated conductor carried in the tube and having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, a metallic cap carried by each end of the tube, means for electrically connecting the thin film conductor to one of the caps, means for electrically connecting the elongated conductor to the other cap, and said caps connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a substantially cylindrical body of insulating material having a bore extending longitudinally from one end thereof and a notch in the side thereof communicating with the inner end of the bore and forming a platform in the body, a thin film conductor of fuse metal carried by the platform in the body, an elongated conductor carried in the bore in the body and having its end engaging the thin film conductor at a point within the area thereof, a metallic cap carried by each end of the body, means for electrically connecting the thin film conductor through the notch to one of the caps, means for electrically connecting the elongated conductor to the other cap, and said caps connecting the conductors in series in an electric circuit so that, upon a predetermined overload in the electric circuit, fusion takes place in the area of the thin film conductor about the point to provide an ever widening gap between the conductors.
- a low amperage fuse comprising a platform of electrical insulating material, an elongated conductor arranged substantially normal to the platform and having a pointed end substantially contacting the platform at a point within the area thereof, a continuous thin film conductor References Cited in the file of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Sheller Mar. 31, 1931 Baldwin et 'al. Feb. 3., 1942 Loporto Apr. 25, 1950
Landscapes
- Fuses (AREA)
- Design And Manufacture Of Integrated Circuits (AREA)
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US355541A US2678982A (en) | 1953-05-18 | 1953-05-18 | Low amperage fuse |
| GB3921/54A GB775646A (en) | 1953-05-18 | 1954-02-10 | Improvements in or relating to electric fuses |
| GB3439/56A GB775647A (en) | 1953-05-18 | 1954-02-10 | Improvements in or relating to electric fuses |
| CH329177D CH329177A (de) | 1953-05-18 | 1954-03-01 | Schmelzsicherung |
| DEL18142A DE1011971B (de) | 1953-05-18 | 1954-03-01 | Elektrische Schmelzsicherung |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US355541A US2678982A (en) | 1953-05-18 | 1953-05-18 | Low amperage fuse |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2678982A true US2678982A (en) | 1954-05-18 |
Family
ID=23397808
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US355541A Expired - Lifetime US2678982A (en) | 1953-05-18 | 1953-05-18 | Low amperage fuse |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2678982A (de) |
| CH (1) | CH329177A (de) |
| DE (1) | DE1011971B (de) |
| GB (2) | GB775646A (de) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2874248A (en) * | 1956-09-11 | 1959-02-17 | Gen Dynamics Corp | Multiple fuse |
| US2941059A (en) * | 1957-09-16 | 1960-06-14 | Gen Motors Corp | Printed circuit type fuse |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1282152B (de) * | 1962-06-29 | 1968-11-07 | Wilhelm Federmutz | Elektrische Schmelzsicherung |
| KR910002070B1 (ko) * | 1982-07-07 | 1991-04-01 | 유끼노부 와다나베 | 통형퓨우즈 |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1798174A (en) * | 1929-11-23 | 1931-03-31 | Frank E White | Fuse plug |
| US2271729A (en) * | 1941-05-06 | 1942-02-03 | Baldwin John | Fuse plug |
| US2505193A (en) * | 1946-02-08 | 1950-04-25 | Loporto Frank | Fuse plug |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE744200C (de) * | 1942-07-28 | 1944-01-12 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Elektrische Schmelzsicherung |
-
1953
- 1953-05-18 US US355541A patent/US2678982A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1954
- 1954-02-10 GB GB3921/54A patent/GB775646A/en not_active Expired
- 1954-02-10 GB GB3439/56A patent/GB775647A/en not_active Expired
- 1954-03-01 DE DEL18142A patent/DE1011971B/de active Pending
- 1954-03-01 CH CH329177D patent/CH329177A/de unknown
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1798174A (en) * | 1929-11-23 | 1931-03-31 | Frank E White | Fuse plug |
| US2271729A (en) * | 1941-05-06 | 1942-02-03 | Baldwin John | Fuse plug |
| US2505193A (en) * | 1946-02-08 | 1950-04-25 | Loporto Frank | Fuse plug |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2874248A (en) * | 1956-09-11 | 1959-02-17 | Gen Dynamics Corp | Multiple fuse |
| US2941059A (en) * | 1957-09-16 | 1960-06-14 | Gen Motors Corp | Printed circuit type fuse |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB775647A (en) | 1957-05-29 |
| DE1011971B (de) | 1957-07-11 |
| GB775646A (en) | 1957-05-29 |
| CH329177A (de) | 1958-04-15 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4322777A (en) | Circuit board formed with spark gap | |
| US4320374A (en) | Electric fuses employing composite aluminum and cadmium fuse elements | |
| US2856488A (en) | Current-limiting fuses for small current intensities | |
| US3244838A (en) | Current limiting fuse device and corona free protective link for use therein | |
| US2678982A (en) | Low amperage fuse | |
| CA1212989A (en) | Surge voltage arrester having an external short- circuit path | |
| US2773961A (en) | Time delay fuse | |
| US3564473A (en) | Surge protector | |
| US2688061A (en) | Time lag fuse | |
| US2918551A (en) | Fuses with built-in indicating plungers | |
| US2769877A (en) | Time delay fuse | |
| US2183728A (en) | Fuse | |
| US2270404A (en) | Fuse | |
| US3267238A (en) | Electrical fuses | |
| US3735317A (en) | Electric multibreak forming cartridge fuse | |
| US2337495A (en) | Circuit interrupter | |
| KR102332881B1 (ko) | 열변형물질이 구비된 고전압용 전류단락휴즈 | |
| EP0121005A1 (de) | Thermische Schmelzsicherung | |
| US2563536A (en) | Fuse construction | |
| US2113155A (en) | Delayed action fuse | |
| US3733572A (en) | Current limiting fuse | |
| US4766408A (en) | Current limiting fuse with indicator | |
| US2247704A (en) | Fuse construction | |
| TWI758638B (zh) | 熔斷電阻器組件及製造該熔斷電阻器組件的方法 | |
| US2281029A (en) | Fuse link |