Fusible switching disconnect modules and devices

p00001Fuse switch disconnect modules and devices

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

p00003This request is a continuation request in part of the United States application Serial No. 11 / 222,628 entitled Fuse Switch Modules and Devices and filed on September 9, 2005, which claims the priority of the Provisional Application of States United Serial No. 60 / 609,431 filed September 13, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

p00005This invention generally relates to fuses, and, more particularly, to disconnect switches with fuses.

p00006Fuses are widely used as surge protection devices to avoid costly damage to electrical circuits. Fuse terminals typically form an electrical connection between an electrical power source and an electrical component or a combination of components arranged in an electrical circuit. One or more connections or elements with fuses, or a set of elements with fuses, is connected between the fuse terminals, so that when the electric current through the fuse exceeds a predetermined limit, the elements with fuses melt and open one or more circuits through the fuse to avoid damage to the electrical component.

p00007In some applications, fuses are used not only to provide electrical connections with fuses but also for connection and disconnection, or switching purposes, to complete or interrupt an electrical connection or connections. As such, an electrical circuit is completed or interrupted through conductive parts of the fuse, thereby energizing or de-energizing the associated circuitry. Typically, the fuse is housed in a fuse holder that has terminals that are electrically coupled to the desired circuitry. When the conductive parts of the fuse, such as sheets, terminals or fuse bushings, are coupled to the edges of the fuse holder, an electrical circuit is completed through the fuse, and when the conductive parts of the fuse are decoupled from the edges of the fuse holder , the electrical circuit through the fuse is interrupted. Therefore, by inserting or removing the fuse to and from the edges of the fuse holder, a disconnect switch with fuses is made.

p00008US 6864443 B1 describes a switch disconnect module with fuses having a separate removable fuse plug to hold a fuse in the housing when a switching lever is in an established position.

p00009In accordance with the present invention, a switch disconnection module with fuses is provided, comprising:

p00010a circuit breaker housing adapted to receive a fuse therein;

p00011a fuse that can be inserted removably into the circuit breaker housing;

p00012line side and load side terminals that communicate with the fuse when the fuse is inserted into the circuit breaker housing;

p00013at least one fixed contact and at least one mobile contact that can be selectively located along a linear axis with respect to the at least one mobile contact between an open position and a closed position for connecting or disconnecting an electrical connection to through the fuse;

p00014an actuator that causes the at least one mobile contact to be located between the open position and the closed position;

p00015an interlocking arm located between the actuator and a cover, coupling the interlocking arm to the cover in a locked position when the at least one movable contact is in the closed position, disengaging the interlocking arm to the cover in an unlocked position when the at least one mobile contact is in the open position;

p00016in which the locked position prevents the lid from moving from the closed position to the open position; and

p00017characterized in that the cover is engaged in the circuit breaker housing and is movable with respect to the fuse between an open position and a closed position while the fuse is inserted into the circuit breaker housing, the cover hiding the fuse when it is in the closed position and exposing the cover the fuse for removal when it is in the open position.

p00018BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fuse switch disconnect device. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a part of the switch disconnect device with fuses

p00019shown in figure 1 in a closed position.

p00020Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a part of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 1 in an open position. Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a second example of a switch disconnecting device with

p00021fuses

p00022Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third example of a switch disconnect device with fuses. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fourth example of a switch disconnecting device with

p00023fuses

p00024Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the fuse switch disconnection device shown in Figure 7. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fifth example of a switch disconnect device with

p00025fuses

p00026Figure 9 is a perspective view of a part of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sixth example of a switch disconnect device with

p00027fuses

p00028Figure 11 is a perspective view of a seventh example of a switch disconnect device with fuses. Figure 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a switch disconnecting device with

p00029fuses in a closed position.

p00030Figure 13 is a side elevational view of a part of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in the

p00031Figures 12 and 13 in an open position.

p00032Figure 15 is a side elevational view of a part of the fuse switch disconnection device shown in Figure 14. Figure 16 is a perspective view of a grouped arrangement of fuse switch devices

p00033shown in figures 12-15.

p00034Figure 17 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a switch disconnect device with fuses in a closed position. Figure 18 is a side elevational view of a part of the switch disconnect device with fuses

p00035shown in figure 17.

p00036Figure 19 is a side elevation view of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 17 in an open position. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 19.

p00037Figure 21 is a perspective view of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 20 in a closed position.

p00038Figure 22 is a side elevation view of the fuse switch device shown in Figure 21.

p00039Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a switch disconnect device with fuses.

p00040Figure 24 is a perspective view of a part of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 23.

p00041Figure 25 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a switch disconnect device with fuses.

p00042Figure 26 is a perspective view of a part of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 25.

p00043Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of the fuse switch disconnect device shown in Figure 26.

p00044Figure 28 is a side elevational view of a part of a further embodiment of a switch disconnect device with fuses.

p00045Fig. 29 is a side elevational view of a part of a further embodiment of a switch disconnect device with fuses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

p00047Circuit breakers with known fuses are subject to various problems in use. For example, any attempt to remove the fuse while the fuses are energized and under load can result in dangerous conditions as a dangerous arc can occur between the fuses and the edges of the fuse holder. Some fuse holders designed to accommodate, for example, Class CC UL (Underwriters Laboratories) fuses and 10x38 IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) fuses that are commonly used in industrial control devices include permanently mounted auxiliary contacts and associated rotating cams and switches to provide an interrupted and delayed anticipated voltage and current connection and current connections through the fuses when the fuses are detached from the fuse clamps in a housing protective. One or more fuses can be detached from the fuse clamps, for example, by removing a drawer from the protective housing. Interrupted and delayed early connections are commonly used, for example, in motor control applications. Although interrupted and delayed anticipated connections can increase the safety of such devices with respect to users when installing and removing fuses, these features increase costs, make it difficult to mount the fuse holder and are undesirable for switching purposes.

p00048Structurally, interrupted and delayed anticipated connections may be intricate and may not support repeated use for such switching purposes. In addition, by opening and closing the drawer to disconnect or reconnect the circuitry, the drawer can be left carelessly in a partially open or partially closed position. In any case, the fuses in the drawer may not be completely coupled to the fuse terminals, thus compromising the electrical connection and making the fuse box susceptible to unintentionally opening and closing the circuit. Especially in all areas subject to vibration, the fuses can be released from the clamps. Still further, a partially open drawer protruding from the fuse holder can interfere with the work space around the fuse holder. Operators may unintentionally collide with open drawers, and possibly unintentionally close drawers and re-energize the circuit.

p00049Additionally, in certain systems, such as industrial control devices, electrical equipment has been standardized in size and shape, and since fuse disconnect switches tend to vary in size and shape from standard standards, they may not be necessarily compatible with the power distribution panels used with such equipment. For at least the above reasons, the use of disconnect switches with fuses has not fully met the needs of certain final applications.

p00050Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fuse switch disconnecting device 100 that overcomes the difficulties mentioned above. The switch disconnect device with fuses 100 can be conveniently connected or disconnected in a convenient and safe manner without interfering with the work space around the device 100. Circuit breaker device 100 can reliably connect and disconnect a circuit and can be used with standardized equipment in, for example, industrial control applications. In addition, the circuit breaker device 100 may be provided with various mounting and connection options for versatility purposes in the field. Various examples will be described below to demonstrate the versatility of the circuit breaker device, and it is contemplated that circuit breaker device 100 may be beneficial in a variety of electrical circuits and applications.

p00051In the illustrative example of Figure 1, the circuit breaker device 100 may be a two-pole device formed from two separate circuit breaker modules 102. Each module 102 may include an insulating housing 104, a fuse 106 charged to the housing 104, a fuse cover or cover 108 that fixes the fuse to housing 104, and a switch actuator 110. Modules 102 are single pole modules, and modules 102 can be coupled

p00052or grouped together to form the two-pole circuit breaker device 100. However, it is contemplated that a multi-pole device can be formed in a single housing instead of the modular form of the exemplary device shown in Figure 1.

p00053The housing 104 may be manufactured from an insulating or non-conductive material, such as plastic, in accordance with known procedures and techniques, including, but not limited to, injection molding techniques. In an exemplary device, the housing 104 is formed in a generally rectangular size and shape that is complementary to and compatible with DIN and IEC standards applicable to standardized electrical equipment. In particular, for example, each housing 104 has a bottom edge 112, opposite side edges 114, side panels 116 extending between the side edges 104, and an upper surface 118 extending between the side edges 114 and the side panels 116 . The bottom edge 112 has a length L and the side edges 114 have a thickness T, such as 17.5 mm in one example, and the length L and the thickness T define an area or footprint on the bottom edge 112 of the housing 104. The footprint allows the bottom edge 112 to be inserted into a standardized opening that has a complementary shape and dimension. Additionally, the side edges 114 of the housing 104 have a height H according to known standards, and the side edges 114 include grooves 120 extending therethrough to vent the housing 104. The upper surface 118 of the housing 104 can be contoured to include a central embossed portion 112 and recessed end portions 124 extending to the side edges 114 of the housing 104.

p00054The fuse 106 of each module 102 can be charged vertically in the housing 104 through an opening in the upper surface 118 of the housing 104, and the fuse 106 can partially extend through the raised central portion 102 of the upper surface 118. The fuse cover 108 extends over the exposed portion of the fuse 106 extending from the housing 104, and the cover 108 fixes the fuse 106 to the housing 104 in each module 102. In an exemplary device, the cover 108 may be made of a non-conductive material, such as plastic, and may be formed with a generally smooth or flat end section 126 and elongate fingers 128 extending between the upper surface 118 of the central portion 122 in relief and the housing 104 and the end of the fuse 106. Openings are provided between adjacent tongues 128 to vent the end of the fuse 106.

p00055In an exemplary device, the cover 108 additionally includes flange sections 130 joining the tongues 128 opposite to the final section 126 of the lid 108, and the flange sections 103 fix the lid 108 to the housing 104. In an exemplary device, the sections 130, flange, cooperate with grooves in the housing 104, such that the cover 108 can rotate a predetermined amount, such as 25 degrees, between a locked position and a released position. That is, once the fuse 106 is inserted into the housing 104, the fuse cover 108 can be installed on the end of the fuse 106 in the groove of the housing 104, and the cover 108 can be turned 25 degrees to the locked position in the that the cover 108 frustrates the removal of the fuse 106 from the housing 104. The groove can also be uneven or tilted such that the cover 108 applies a slight downward force on the fuse 106 as the cover 108 is installed. To remove the fuse 106, the cover 108 can be turned from the locked position to the open position, in which both the cover 108 and the fuse 106 can be removed from the housing 104.

p00056The switch actuator 110 may be located at an opening 132 of the upper relief surface 122 of the housing 104, and the switch actuator 110 may partially extend through the upper relief surface 102 of the housing 104. The switch actuator 100 may be rotatably mounted in the housing 104 on a shaft or shaft 134 inside the housing 104, and the switch actuator 110 may include a lever, handle or bar 136 extending radially from the actuator 110. By moving the lever 136 from a first edge 138 to a second edge 140 of the opening 132, the shaft 134 rotates to an open or switching position and electrically disconnects the fuse 106 in each module 102 as explained below. When the lever 136 moves from the second edge 140 to the first edge 138, the shaft 134 rotates again to the closed position illustrated in Figure 1 and electrically connects the fuse 106.

p00057A line-side terminal element 142 may extend from the lower edge 112 of the housing 104 in each module 102 to establish the line and load connections to the circuitry. As shown in Figure 1, the line side edge element 142 is a busbar za clamp configured or adapted to be connected to a line input manifold, although it is contemplated that other side terminal elements may be employed of line in alternative examples. A clamp of the mounting panel 144 also extends from the bottom edge 102 of the housing 104 to facilitate mounting of the circuit breaker device 100 on a panel.

p00058Figure 2 is a side elevation view of one of the circuit breaker modules 102 shown in Figure 1 with the side panel 116 removed. Fuse 106 can be seen located in a compartment 150 inside the housing 104. In an exemplary device, the fuse 106 may be a cylindrical cartridge fuse that includes an insulating cylindrical body 152, conductive bushings and end covers 154 coupled to each end of the body 152, and a fuse element or a set of fuse elements that they extend into body 152 and are electrically connected to end covers 154. In exemplary devices, the fuse 106 may be an UL Class CC fuse, an UL supplement fuse, or an IEC 10x38 fuse, which is commonly used in industrial control applications. These and other types of cartridge fuses suitable for use in module 102 are commercially available at Cooper / Bussmann in St. Louis, Missouri. It is appreciated that other types of fuses can also be used in module 102 as desired.

p00059A lower conductor fuse terminal 156 may be located in a lower portion of the fuse compartment 150 and may be U-shaped in an example. One of the final covers 154 of the fuse 106 rests on an upper leg 158 of the lower terminal 156, and the other lower cover 154 of the fuse 106 is coupled to an upper terminal 160 located in the housing 104 adjacent to the fuse compartment 150. The upper terminal 160, in turn, is connected to a load side terminal 162 to accept a load side connection at the circuit breaker module 102 in a known manner. The load side terminal 162 in one example is a known mounting screw terminal, although it is appreciated that other types of terminals can be used for load side connections to module 102. Additionally, the lower fuse terminal 156 may include fuse rejection characteristics in a further example, which prevents the installation of incorrect fuse types to module 102.

p00060The switch actuator 110 may be located in an actuator compartment 164 in the housing 104 and may include the shaft 134, a rounded body 166 generally extending radially from the shaft 134, the lever 136 extending from the body 166, and an actuator connection 168 coupled to the actuator body 166. The actuator connection 168 can be connected to a spring loaded contact assembly 170 that includes a first and second movable or switchable contacts 172 and 174 coupled to a slide bar 176. In the closed position illustrated in Figure 2, the switchable contacts 172 and 174 are mechanically and electrically coupled to the fixed contacts 178 and 180 mounted in the housing 104. One of the fixed contacts 178 may be mounted at one end of the terminal element 142, and the other of the fixed contacts 180 may be mounted at one end of the lower terminal 156 of fuses. When the switchable contacts 172 and 174 are coupled to the fixed contacts 178 and 180, the circuit path is completed through the fuse 106 from the line terminal 142 and the lower terminal 156 of fuses to the upper terminal 160 of fuses and the load terminal 162.

p00061While in an exemplary device the fixed contact 178 is mounted on a terminal 142 having a busbar clamp, another terminal element may be provided, such as a clamp-type terminal or terminal strip known in a compartment 182 in the housing 104 instead of the busbar clamp. Therefore, module 102 can be used with a wired connection to a line side circuitry instead of a line input manifold. Therefore, module 102 can easily become different mounting options in the field.

p00062When the switch actuator 110 rotates around the shaft 134 in the direction of the arrow A, the slide bar 176 can move linearly upward in the direction of the arrow B to disengage the switchable contacts 172 and 174 of the fixed contacts 178 and 180. Then, the lower fuse terminal 156 is disconnected from the line side terminal element while the fuse 106 remains electrically connected to the lower fuse terminal 156 and to the load side terminal 162. A cutting chamber compartment 184 may be formed in the housing 104 below the switchable contacts 172 and 174, and the cutting chamber may provide a space that contains and dissipates the arc energy when the switchable contacts 172 and 174 are disconnected. The arc is interrupted in two locations at each of contacts 172 and 174, thereby reducing the intensity of the arc, and the arc is contained in the lower portions of the housing 104 and away from the upper surface 118 and the hands of a user when handling the switch actuator 110 to disconnect the fuse 106 from the line side terminal 142.

p00063The housing 104 may additionally include an interlocking ring 186 that can be used in conjunction with a retention opening 188 in the body of the switch actuator 166 to fix the switch actuator 110 in one of the closed position shown in Figure 2 and the open position shown in figure 3. For example, an interlocking clamp can be inserted through the interlocking ring 186 and the retaining opening 188 to limit the switch actuator to the corresponding open or closed position. Additionally, a fuse retention arm may be provided in the switch actuator 110 to prevent the removal of the fuses except when the switch actuator 110 is in the open position.

p00064Figure 3 illustrates the circuit breaker module 102 after the switch actuator has been moved in the direction of arrow A to an open or connected position to disconnect the switchable contacts 172 and 174 from the fixed contacts 178 and 180. According to the actuator it moves to the open position, the actuator body 166 rotates on the shaft 134 and therefore the actuator connection 168 moves upward in the actuator compartment 164. As connection 168 moves up, connection 168 pulls slide bar 176 upward in the direction of arrow B to separate switchable contacts 172 and 174 from fixed contacts 178 and

p00065180.

p00066A clamping element 200 may be provided below the slide bar 176 and may slide the slide bar 176 upward in the direction of arrow B to a fully open position that separates contacts 172, 174 and 178, 180 from each other. . Therefore, according to the actuator body 166 rotates in the direction of the arrow A, the connection 168 moves past an equilibrium point and the clamping element 200 helps in opening the contacts 172, 174 and 178, 180. Therefore, the clamping element 200 prevents partial opening of the contacts 172, 174 and 178, 180 and guarantees a complete separation of the contacts to safely interrupt the circuit through the module 102.

p00067Additionally, when the actuator lever 136 moves back in the direction of the arrow C to the closed position shown in Figure 2, the actuator connection 168 moves to the position of the slide bar 176 down in the direction of arrow D to couple and close contacts 172, 174 and 178, 180 and reconnect the circuit through fuse 106. The slide bar 176 moves down against the deflection of the clamping element 200, and once in the closed position, the slide bar 176, and the actuator connection 168 and the switch actuator are in a static equilibrium so that the switch actuator 110 remain in the closed position.

p00068In an exemplary device and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the clamping element 200 may be a helical spring element that is loaded in compression in the closed position of the switch actuator 110. However, it is appreciated that in an alternative example a spiral spring can be loaded in tension when the switch actuator 110 is closed. Additionally, other known clamping elements may be provided to produce opening and / or closing forces to aid in the proper functioning of the circuit breaker module.

p00069102 The tightening elements can also be used for damping purposes when the contracts are open.

p00070The lever 136, when moving between the open and closed positions of the switch actuator 102, does not interfere with the working space around the circuit breaker module 102, and the lever 136 is unlikely to return inadvertently to the closed position from the position open In the closed position shown in Figure 3, the lever 136 is located adjacent to one end of the fuse 106. Therefore, fuse 106 partially protects lever 136 from inadvertent contact and unintentional activation to the closed position. The clamping element 200 additionally provides some resistance to the movement of the lever 136 and closing of the contact mechanism. Additionally, the fixed contacts 178 and 180 are always protected by the housing 104 of the module 102, and any risk of electric shock is avoided due to the contact with the line-side terminal 142 and the fixed contacts 178 and 180. Therefore, circuit breaker module 102 is considered to be safer than many of the circuit breaker devices with known fuses.

p00071When the modules 102 are grouped together to form a multi-pole device, such as the device 100, a lever 136 can extend through and connect to multiple switch actuators 110 for different modules. Therefore, all connected modules 102 can be disconnected and reconnected by manipulating a single lever 136. That is, multiple poles can be simultaneously connected to device 100. Alternatively, the switch actuators 110 of each module 102 in the device 100 can be independently activated with separate levers 136 for each module.

p00072Figure 4 is a side elevational view of an additionally exemplary example of a circuit breaker with fuses 102 that includes, for example, a retractable latch tongue 210 that can extend from the switch actuator 110 when the lever 136 moves to the position open The locking tongue 210 may be provided with an interlocking opening 212 therethrough, and a padlock or other element may be inserted through the interlocking opening 212 to ensure that the lever 136 cannot move to the closed position. In different examples, the locking tongue 210 can be loaded by a spring and extend automatically, or it can be manually extended from the switch actuator 166. When the lever 136 moves to the closed position, the locking tongue 210 can automatically or manually return to the retracted position in which the switch actuator 110 can be turned back to the closed position shown in Figure 2.

p00073Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third exemplary example of a switch disconnect module with fuses 220 simulating module 102 described above but having, for example, a DIN rail mounting slot 222 formed in a bottom edge 224 of a housing 226. The housing 226 may also include openings 228 that can be used to group module 220 into other circuit breaker modules. The side edges 230 of the housing 226 may include connection openings 232 for line-side and load connections to strips or clamps in the housing 226. The access openings 234 may be provided on recessed upper surfaces 236 of the housing 226. For example, a bare wire can extend through the connection openings 232 and a screwdriver can be inserted through the access openings 234 to connect the line and load circuitry to the module 220.

p00074Like module 102, module 220 may include fuse 106, fuse cover 108 and switch actuator 110. Module switching is performed with switchable contacts as described above in relation to module 102.

p00075Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of a fourth example of a switch disconnect module with fuses 250 which, like modules 102 and 220 described above, includes a switch actuator 110 rotatably mounted to the housing on a shaft 134, a lever 136 extending from the actuator connection 168 and a slide bar 176. The module 250 also includes, for example, a mounting bracket 144 and a line side terminal element 142.

p00076Unlike modules 102 and 220, module 250 may include a housing 252 configured or adapted to receive a rectangular fuse module 254 inserted in a cartridge fuse 106. Fuse module 254 is a known assembly that includes a rectangular housing 256, and 258 plates of terminals extending from housing 256. A fuse element or fuse assembly can be located in the housing 256 and is electrically connected between the plates of the terminals 258. Said fuse modules 254 are known and in one embodiment are CubeFuse modules commercially available from Cooper / Bussmann in St. Louis, Missouri.

p00077A line side fuse clamp 260 may be located in the housing 252 and may receive one of fuse module 254 terminal plates 254. A load side fuse clamp 262 may also be located in the housing 252 and may receive the other sheet 258 of fuse terminals. The line side fuse clamp 260 may be electrically connected to the fixed contact 180. The load side fuse clamp 262 can be electrically connected to the load side terminal 162. The load side terminal 142 may include the fixed contact 178, and the connection can be made by rotating the switch actuator 110 to couple and disengage the switchable contacts 172 and 174 with the respective fixed contacts 178 and 180 as described above. Although the line terminal 142 is illustrated as a busbar clamp, it is recognized that other line terminals can be used in other devices, and the load side terminal 162 may also be another type of terminal instead of the mounting screw of the another example.

p00078The fuse module 254 can be connected to or removed from the fuse clamps 260, 262, or the fuse module 254 can be removed from the housing 252. For switching purposes, however, the circuit is connected and disconnected to the contacts 172, 174 and 178 and 180 instead of the 260 and 262 fuse clamps. Therefore, the arc between the disconnected contacts can be contained in a cutting chamber or compartment 270 in the lower portion of the compartment and away from the fuse clamps 260 and 262. When opening the circuit breaker module 250 with the switch actuator 110 before If the fuse module 254 is installed or removed, any risk of the electric arc or the energized metal in the fuse and the housing interface is eliminated. Therefore, it is believed that circuit breaker module 250 is safer to use than many of the circuit breakers with known fuses.

p00079A plurality of modules 250 may be grouped or otherwise connected to form a multi-pole device. The poles of the device can be operated with a single lever 136 or operated independently with different levers.

p00080Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fifth exemplary fuse switch disconnect device 300 which is, for example, a multi-pole device in an integrated housing 302. The housing 302 can be constructed to accommodate three fuses 106 in an exemplary device and Therefore, it is suitable for a three-phase power application. The housing 204 may include a DIN 304 rail groove in the illustrated example, although it is understood that other mounting options, mechanisms and mounting schemes may be used in alternative examples. Additionally, in one example the housing 204 may have a width with dimension D of approximately 45 mm in accordance with IEC industry standards for contactors, relays, manual motor protectors and integral initiators that are also commonly used in system applications. industrial control However, the benefits of the invention also correspond to devices that have different dimensions and devices for different applications.

p00081The housing may also include connection openings 306 and access openings 308 on each side edge 310 that can receive a wired connection and a tool, respectively, to establish line and load connections for fuses 106. A single actuator 110 The circuit breaker can be turned to connect and disconnect the circuit through the fuses between the line and load terminals of the circuit breaker device 300.

p00082Figure 9 is a perspective view of a switching assembly 320 for device 300. The switching assembly can be accommodated in the housing 302 and in an exemplary device, which may include a set of line terminals 322, a set of load terminals 324, a set of lower fuse terminals 326 associated with each of the fuses respective 106, and a set of slide bars 176 having switchable contacts mounted therein to couple and disengage the fixed contacts mounted at the ends of the line terminals 322 and the lower fuse terminals 324. An actuator connection (not visible in the figure 9) it can be mounted on an actuator shaft 134, so that when the lever 136 is rotated, the slide bar 176 can be moved to disconnect the switchable contacts from the fixed contacts. The tightening elements 200 may be provided below each of the slide bars 176 and assist in the operation of the switch actuator 110 as described above. As with the previous example of the modules, a variety of line side and load side terminal structures can be used in various examples of the switching assembly.

p00083The retaining bars 328 may also be provided on the shaft 134, which extend to the fuses 106 and engage the fuses in a locked manner to prevent fuses 106 from being removed from the device 300, except when the switch actuator 110 is in the open position In the open position, the retaining bars 328 can form an angle away from the fuses 106, and the fuses can be freely removed. In the closed position, as shown in Figure 9, the retention arms or bars 328 lock the fuse in place. In an exemplary device, distal ends of the bars or arms 328 may be received in slots or blockers in the fuses 106, although the fuses 106 may be blocked in any other manner as desired.

p00084Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sixth example of a fuse switch disconnection device 370 that includes the circuit breaker module 300 described above and, for example, a low voltage module 372 mounted on one side of the module 300 and mechanically connected to the switch mechanism in module 300. In an exemplary device, the low voltage module 372 may include an electromagnetic coil 374 calibrated at a predetermined voltage range. When the voltage falls below the range, the electromagnetic coil causes the switch to come into contact with the module 300 to the open position. A similar module 372 can be used in an alternative example to open the switch contacts when the voltage experienced by the electromagnetic coil exceeds a predetermined voltage range, and therefore, can serve as an overvoltage module. In this way, the switch contact in module 300 can be opened with module 372 and coil 374 according to low voltage or overvoltage conditions.

p00085Figure 11 is a perspective view of a sixth circuit breaker disconnecting device with exemplary fuses 400 which is basically the circuit breaker device 300 and a circuit breaker device 220 coupled. The circuit breaker device 300 provides three poles for an AC power circuit and the device 220 provides an additional pole for other purposes.

p00086Figure 12 is a perspective view of a switch disconnect module with fuses 410 which, like the previous examples, includes a non-conductive housing 412, a switch actuator 414 extending through a raised relief surface 415 of accommodation 412, and a cover 416 that provides access to a fuse receptacle (not shown in Figure 12) in the housing 412 for the installation and replacement of a surge protection fuse (also not shown in Figure 12). Like the previous examples, the housing 412 includes switchable and fixed contacts (not shown in Figure 12) that complete or interrupt an electrical connection through the fuse in the housing 412 through the movement of an actuator lever 417.

p00087A DIN 418 rail mounting slot can be formed on a bottom edge 420 of the housing 412, and the DIN 418 rail mounting slot can be sized, for example, to be coupled and decoupled by pressure with a 35mm DIN rail by hand and without tools. The housing 412 may also include openings 422 that can be used to group module 410 to other circuit breaker modules as explained below. The side edges 424 of the housing 412 may be open at its end to provide access to cable terminals 426 to establish external circuitry of line-side connections and electrical load. Terminal access openings 428 may be provided on recessed upper surfaces 430 of housing 412. For example, a bare wire can extend through the sides of the cable terminals 426 and a screwdriver can be inserted through the access openings 428 to tighten a screw of the terminal in order to secure the wires to the terminals 426 and connect the line and load circuitry to module 410. While cable terminals 426 are included in one embodiment, it is recognized that a variety of alternative configurations or types of terminals can be used in other embodiments to establish electrical line-side and load connections to module 410 via conductive wire, cables, busbars, etc.

p00088Like the previous examples, housing 412 has a size and size complementary to and compatible with DIN and IEC standards, and housing 412 defines an area or footprint at the bottom edge 420 for use with standardized openings that have a shape and dimension complementary. By way of example only, the housing 412 of the single-pole module 410 can have a thickness T of approximately 17.5 mm for an interruption capacity of up to 32 A; 26 mm for an interruption capacity of up to 50 A, 34 mm for an interruption capacity of up to 125 A; and 40 mm for a capacity of up to 150 A by DIN 43 880. Likewise, it will be understood that the module 410 may be manufactured as a multi-pole device, such as a three-pole device having a T dimension of approximately 45 mm for an interruption capacity of up to 32 A; 55 mm for an interruption capacity of up to 50 A, and 75 mm for an interruption capacity of up to 125 A. Although exemplary dimensions are provided, it will be understood that other dimensions of more or less value may also be employed in alternative embodiments of the invention.

p00089Additionally, and as illustrated in Figure 12, the side edges 424 of the housing 412 may include opposite pairs of vertically oriented fins 432 separated from each other and projecting from cable terminals 426 adjacent to the upper surface of the housing 430 and the sides of the cable terminals 426. The fins 432, sometimes referred to as wings, provide an increased surface area of ​​the housing 412 in a horizontal plane that extends between the cable terminals 426 on the opposite side edges 424 of the housing 412 that will otherwise occur if the fins 432 do not they are present. That is, at a path length of peripheral outer surface area extending in a plane parallel to the bottom surface 420 of the housing 412 includes the sum of the outer surface dimensions of one of the pairs of fins 432 extending from one of terminals 426, extending the outer dimensions of the respective front or rear panels 431, 433 of the housing, and the outer surface dimensions of the opposing fins 432 to the opposite terminal

p00090426.

p00091Additionally, the housing 412 may also include ribs or brackets that extend horizontally 434 apart from each other and interconnect the innermost fins 432 in a lower portion of the side edges of the housing 424. The ribs or brackets 434 increase a path length of the surface area between the terminals 426 in a vertical plane of the housing 412 to meet the external space requirements between the terminals 426. The fins 432 and the ribs 434 result in surface areas with a serpentine shape in the horizontal and vertical planes of the housing 412 that allow greater values ​​of tension of the device without increasing the footprint of the module 410 compared, for example, with the examples given have previously described of figures 1-11. For example, fins 432 and ribs 434, provide a voltage value of 600 VAC while meeting the applicable internal and external space requirements between terminals 426 and applicable UL standards.

p00092The lid 416, unlike the examples described above, may include a substantially flat lid portion 436, and an erect portion of finger grip 438 projecting upwardly and outwardly from one end of the lid portion 436 flat and opposite to switch actuator 414. The lid may be made of a non-conductive material or an insulating material, such as plastic, in accordance with known techniques, and a flat lid portion 436 may be hinged at an end end thereof opposite to the finger grip portion 438 so that the lid portion 436 rotates around the hinge. By virtue of the hinge, the finger grip portion 438 moves beyond the switch actuator along an arcuate path as explained further below. As illustrated in Figure 12, the cover 416 is in a closed position by housing the fuse in the housing 412, and as explained below, the cover 416 is movable to an open position, providing access to the fuse in the circuit breaker module 410 .

p00093Figure 13 is a side elevation view of the module 410 with the front panel 431 (Figure 12) removed so that the internal components and features can be observed. The cable terminals 426 and the terminal screws 440 are located adjacent to the side edges 424 of the housing 412. A fuse 442 is loaded or inserted into the module 410 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the housing 415, and as illustrated in Figure 13, a longitudinal axis 441 of the fuse 442 extends vertically, rather than horizontally, in the housing 412. The fuse 442 is contained within the housing 412 below the cover 416, and more specifically below the flat cover portion 436. Fuse 442 is located longitudinally in a fuse receptacle 437 formed integrally in housing 412. That is, fuse receptacle 437 is not movable with respect to housing 502 for loading and unloading of fuse 442. The fuse 442 is received in the receptacle 437 with one end of the fuse 442 located adjacent and below the cover 416 and on the upper surface of the module 415, and the other end of the fuse 442 separated from the cover 416 and the upper surface of the module 415 for a distance equal to the length of the fuse 442. An actuator interlock 443 is formed with the cover 416 and extends down to the adjacent housing 412 and to the side of the fuse receptacle 437. The lid actuator interlock 443 of the cover 416 extends opposite and beyond the cover finger grip portion 438.

p00094A cover interlocking tab 444 extends radially outwardly from a cylindrical body 446 of the switch actuator 414, and when the switch actuator 414 is in the closed position illustrated in Figure 13 completing an electrical connection through the fuse 442, the cover interlock tongue 444 generally extends perpendicular to the lid actuator interlock 443 416, and a distal end of the lid interlock tongue 444 is located adjacent to the actuator interlock 443 of the lid 416. Therefore, the lid interlock tongue 444 directly opposes the movement of the actuator interlock 443 and resists any attempt by a user to rotate the lid 416 on the hinge of the lid 448 in the direction of the arrow E to open the lid 416. Thus, fuse 442 cannot be accessed without first turning the switch actuator 414 in the direction of arrow F to move the pair of switchable contacts 450 beyond the fixed contacts 452 through the connection 454 of actuator and slide bar 456 that carries the switchable contacts 450 in a manner similar to the previous examples. Therefore, inadvertent contact with energized portions of the fuse 442 is avoided, since the cover 416 can only be opened to access the fuse 442 after the circuit through the fuse 442 is disconnected by the switchable contacts 450, providing this a safety measure for the human operators of module 410. Additionally, and since the housing 416 houses the fuse 442 when the switchable contacts 450 are closed, the external surfaces of the housing 412 and the cover 416 are secure to the contact.

p00095A conductive path is established through the housing 412 and the fuse 442 as indicated below. A rigid terminal member 458 extends from the load side terminal 426 closest to the fuse 442 on one side of the housing 412. A flexible contact member 460, such as a cable, can be connected to the terminal member 458 at one end and attached to an inner surface of the lid 416 at the opposite end. When the cover 416 is closed, the contact member 460 is brought to the mechanical and electrical coupling with an upper bushing or end cover 462 of the fuse 442. A mobile bottom terminal 464 of fuses is mechanically and electrically connected to the lower fuse bushing or end cover 466, and a flexible contact member 468 interconnects the movable lower terminal 464 of fuses to a fixed terminal 470 carrying one of the fixed contacts 452. The switchable contacts 450 interconnect the fixed contacts 452 when the switch actuator 414 is closed as shown in Figure 13. A rigid terminal member 472 completes the circuit path to terminal 426 on the side of the line on the opposite side of the housing 412 In use, the current flows through the circuit path from the line side terminal 426 and the terminal member 472, through the switch contacts 450 and 452 to the terminal member 470. From the terminal member 470, current flows through the contact member 468 to the lower fuse terminal 464 and through the fuse 442. After it flows through the fuse 442, the current flows to the contact member 460 to the terminal member 458 and to the line side terminal 426.

p00096Fuse 442 in different exemplary embodiments may be a commercially available 10x38 Midget fuse from Cooper / Bussmann in St. Louis, Missouri; an IEC 10x38 fuse; a CC class fuse; or a European style fuse D / DO. Additionally, and as desired, the optional fuse rejection characteristics can be formed at the lower fuse terminal 464 or anywhere in the module, and cooperate with the fuse rejection characteristics of the fuses so that only certain types of fuses can be installed properly in module 410. Although certain examples of fuses are described in this document, it will be understood that other types and configurations of fuses may be employed in alternative embodiments, including, but not limited to, various types of cylindrical fuses or cartridges and rectangular fuse modules.

p00097A clamping element 474 may be provided between the mobile bottom terminal 464 of fuses and the fixed terminal 470. The clamping element 474 may be, for example, a coil coil spring that is compressed to provide an upward tightening force in the direction of the arrow G to ensure mechanical and electrical coupling of the mobile bottom terminal 464 of fuses to the bushing. lower fuse 466 and the mechanical and electrical coupling between the upper fuse bushing 462 and the flexible contact member 460. When the cover 416 opens in the direction of the arrow E to the open position, the clamping element 474 pushes the fuse up along its axis 441 in the direction of the arrow G as shown in Figure 14, exposing the fuse 442 through the upper relief surface 415 of the housing 412 so that it can be easily removed by an operator for replacement. That is, the fuse 442, by virtue of the tightening element 474, is automatically raised and ejected from the housing 412 when the cover 416 is rotated around the hinge 448 in the direction of the arrow E after the switch actuator 414 turn in the direction of arrow F.

p00098Figure 15 is a side elevational view of module 410 with the cover 416 rotated around hinge 448 and the switch actuator 414 in the open position. The switchable contacts 450 move upwardly by the rotation of the actuator 414, and the displacement of the actuator connection 454 causes the slide bar 456 to move along a linear axis 475 substantially parallel to the axis 441 of the fuse 442, separating physically the switchable contacts 450 of the fixed contacts 452 in the housing 412 and disconnecting the conductive path through the fuse 442. Additionally, and due to the pair of switchable contacts 450, the electric arc is distributed between more than one location, as described above.

p00099The clamping element 474 deflects when the cover 416 is open after the actuator 414 moves to the open position, and the clamping element 474 lifts the fuse 442 of the housing 412 so that the upper fuse bushing 462 extends above the upper surface 415 of the housing. In said position, fuse 442 can be easily grasped and pulled from or removed from module 410 along axis 441. Therefore, fuses can be easily removed from module 410 for replacement.

p00100Furthermore, when the actuator 414 moves to the open position, an interlocking tab of the actuator 476 extends radially outwardly from the switch actuator body 446 and can accept, for example, a padlock to prevent inadvertent closure of the actuator 414 in the direction of the arrow H that would otherwise cause the slide bar 456 to move down in the direction of the arrow I along the axis 475 and will engage the switchable contact 450 to the fixed contacts 452, again completing the electrical connection to the fuse 442 and presenting a danger to the safety of the operators. When desired, the cover 416 can be turned again on the hinge 448 to the closed position shown in Figures 12 and 13, and the switch actuator 414 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow H to move the cover latch tongue 444 until the coupling with the interlock of the actuator 443 of the cover 416 to keep each of the cover 416 and the actuator 414 in static equilibrium in a closed and locked position. The closing of the cover 416 requires some force to overcome the resistance of the regulating spring 474 in the fuse receptacle 437, and the movement of the actuator to the closed position requires some force to overcome the resistance of a clamping element 478 associated with the sliding bar 456, making the inadvertent closing of the contacts and the consummation of the circuit through the module 410 much less likely.

p00101Figure 16 is a perspective view of a clustered coupling of switch disconnect modules with fuses 410. The connector parts 480 may be made of plastic, for example, and may be used with openings 422 in the housing panels to retain the modules 410 in a side-to-side relationship with respect to each other with, for example, a pressure coupling. The clamps 482 and / or shoes 484, for example, can be used to join or tie the actuator levers 417 and the cover finger grip portions 438 of each module 410 together so that each of the actuator levers 417 and / or of all the covers 416 of the combined modules 410 move simultaneously with each other. The simultaneous movement of the covers 416 and the levers 417 can be especially advantageous for interrupting the three-phase current or, as another example, when connecting the power to the related equipment, such as, motor and a cooling fan for the motor, so that One does not work without the other.

p00102Although single-pole modules 410 grouped together to form multi-pole devices have been described, it is understood that a multi-pole device having the characteristics of module 410 can be constructed in an individual housing with the appropriate modification of the example shown in the Figures 8 and 9, for example.

p00103Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a switch disconnect module 500 with fuses which, as in the previous embodiments, includes a single pole housing 502, a switch actuator 504 extending to through an upper surface 506 in relief of the housing 502, and a cover 508 that provides access to a fuse receptacle (not shown in Figure 17) in the housing 502 for the installation and replacement of an overcurrent protection fuse (also not shown in Figure 17). Like the previous examples, housing 502 includes switchable and fixed contacts (not shown in Figure 17) that connect or disconnect an electrical connection through the fuse in housing 502 through the movement of an actuator lever 510.

p00104Similarly to module 410, module 500 may include a DIN rail mounting groove 512 formed on the bottom edge 514 of the housing 502 for mounting the housing 502 without tools. The housing 502 may also include an actuator opening 515 that provides access to the body of the switch actuator 504 so that the actuator 504 can be rotated between the open and closed position automatically and facilitate remote control of the module 500. It is also possible they provide openings 516, which can be used to group module 500 to other circuit breaker modules. A guide groove 517, curved or arched, of activation is also formed in a front panel of the housing 502. A sliding activation mechanism, as shown below, can be selectively located in slot 517 to activate module 500 and disconnect the path of the current through it after an appearance of the predetermined circuit conditions. Slot 517 also provides access to the activation mechanism for manual activation of the mechanism with a tool, or to facilitate remote activation capability.

p00105The side edges 518 of the housing 502 can be opened at their ends to provide access to line and load side cable terminals 520 to establish electrical line and load side connections to the module 500, although it will be understood that other types may be used. of terminals. The terminal access openings 522 may be provided on recessed upper surfaces 524 of the housing 502 to receive a bare wire or other conductor extended through the sides of the cable terminals 520, and a screwdriver can be inserted through the openings of access 522 to connect the line and load circuitry to module 500. Like the previous examples, housing 502 has a size and size complementary to and compatible with DIN and IEC standards, and housing 502 defines an area or footprint on the lower surface 514 of the housing for use with standardized openings that have a complementary form and dimension.

p00106Like the module 410 described above, the side edges 518 of the housing 502 may include opposite pairs of vertically oriented wings or wings 526 separated from each other and projecting out of the cable terminals 520 adjacent to the upper surface 524 housing and the sides of the cable terminals 520. The housing 502 may also include ribs or brackets that extend horizontally 528 spaced from each other and interconnect the innermost fins 526 in a lower portion of the side edges of the housing 518. The fins 526 and the ribs 528 result in surface areas with a serpentine shape in the horizontal and vertical planes of the housing 502 that allow greater values ​​of tension of the device without increasing the footprint of the module 500 as explained above.

p00107The cover 508, unlike the examples described above, may include a contoured outer surface defining a peak 530 and a concave section 532 with downward tightening from the peak 530 and opposite the switch actuator 504. The beak 530 and the concave section 532 form a finger support area on the surface of the lid 508 and is suitable, for example, to serve as an operator's thumb support for opening or closing the lid 508. The lid 508 may be hinged articulated at one end thereof closest to the beak 530 so that the lid 508 rotates on the hinge and the lid 508 is movable beyond the switch actuator 504 along the arc path . As illustrated in Figure 17, the cover 508 is in a secure closed position to the contact housing the fuse inside the housing 502, and as explained below, the cover 508 can be moved to an open position providing access to the fuse .

p00108Figure 18 is a side elevational view of a portion of the fuse switch disconnect module 500 with a front panel thereof removed so that the internal components and features can be seen. In some aspects the module 500 is similar to the module 410 described above in its internal components, and for a shorter time, the similar characteristics of the modules 500 and 410 are indicated with the same reference characters in Figure 18.

p00109The cable terminals 520 and the terminal screws 440 are located adjacent to the side edges 518 of the housing 502. The fuse 442 is loaded vertically in the housing 502 below the cover 508, and the fuse 442 is located in the receptacle no. mobile 437 of fuses formed in housing 502. The cover 508 may be formed with a conductive contact member which may, for example, be recessed to receive the upper fuse bushing 462 when the cover 408 is closed.

p00110A conductive circuit path is established from the load line terminal 520 and the terminal member 472, through the switch contacts 450 and 452 to the terminal member 470. From the terminal member 470, current flows through the contact member 468 to the lower fuse terminal 464 and through the fuse

p00111442 After flowing through the fuse 442, the current flows from the conductive contact member 542 of the cover 508 to the contact member 460 connected to the conductive contact member 542, and from the contact member 460 to the terminal member 458 and up to terminal 426 on the line side.

p00112A clamping element 474 may be provided between the mobile lower fuse terminal 464 and the fixed terminal 470 as described above to ensure mechanical and electrical connection between the cover contact member 542 and the upper fuse bushing 462 and between the lower fuse terminal 464 and the lower fuse bushing 466. In addition, the tightening element 474 automatically ejects the fuse 442 from the housing 502 as described above when the cover 508 rotates around the hinge 448 in the direction of the arrow E after the switch actuator 504 is turned in the direction of arrow F.

p00113Unlike module 410, module 500 may additionally include an activation mechanism 544 in the form of an activation bar 545 slidably mounted and a solenoid 546 connected in parallel through fuse 442. The activation bar 545 is slidably mounted for the activation guide groove 517 formed in the housing 502, and in an exemplary embodiment, the activation bar 545 may include a solenoid arm 547, a cover interlocking arm 548 which extends substantially perpendicular to solenoid arm 547, and a support arm 550 extending obliquely to each of solenoid arm 547 and cover latch arm 548. The support arm 550 may include a locking tab 552 and a distal end thereof. The body 446 of the switch actuator 518 may be formed with a shoulder 554 cooperating with the locking tab 552 to keep the activation bar 545 and the actuator 504 in static equilibrium with the solenoid arm 547 resting on an upper surface 546 of solenoid.

p00114A torsion spring 555 is connected to the housing 502 at one end and the actuator body 446 at the other end, and the torsion spring 555 squeezes the switch actuator 504 in the direction of the arrow F to the open position. That is, the torsion spring 555 resists the movement of the actuator 504 in the direction of the arrow H and tends to force the actuator body 446 to rotate in the direction of the arrow F to the open position. Therefore, the actuator 504 is fail-safe under the torsion spring 555. If the switch actuator 504 is not fully closed, the torsion spring 555 will force it to the open position and prevent inadvertent closure of the switchable actuator contacts 450, together with safety and reliability issues associated with incomplete contact closure. switchable 450 with respect to fixed contacts 452.

p00115Under normal operating conditions, when the actuator 504 is in the closed position, the tendency of the torsion spring 555 to move the actuator to the open position is counteracted by the support arm 550 of the activation bar 545 as shown in the Figure 18. The fixing tab 552 of the solenoid arm 550 is coupled to the projection 554 of the actuator body 446 and keeps the actuator 504 stably in static equilibrium in a closed and locked position. Once the locking tab 552 is released from the projection 554 of the actuator body 446, however, the torsion spring 555 forces the actuator 504 to the open position.

p00116An actuator interlock 556 is formed with the cover 508 and extends downwardly to the housing 502 adjacent to the fuse receptacle 437. The cover interlocking arm 548 of the activation arm 545 is received in the actuator interlock 556 of the cover 508 and prevents the cover 508 from opening, unless the switch actuator 504 rotates in the direction of the arrow F as it is explained below, to move the activation bar 545 and release the cover locking arm 548 of the activation bar 545 of the actuator interlock 556 of the cover 508. The deliberate rotation of the actuator 504 in the direction of the arrow F causes the solenoid arm 550 fixing of the activation bar 545 to rotate beyond the actuator and causes the solenoid arm 547 to tilt or form an angle with respect to solenoid 546. The tightening of the activation bar 545 results in an unstable position and the torsion spring 555 forces the actuator 504 to rotate and further rotate the activation bar 545 to the point of release.

p00117The deliberate absent movement of the actuator to the open position in the direction of the arrow F, the activation bar 545, through the interlocking arm 548, directly opposes the movement of the lid 508 and resists any attempt by a user to rotate the lid 508 around the hinge of the lid 448 in the direction of the arrow E to open the lid 508 while the switch actuator 504 it is closed and the switchable contacts 450 are coupled to the fixed contacts 452 to complete a circuit path through the fuse 442. Therefore, inadvertent contact with energized portions of the fuse 442 will be avoided, since the fuse can only be accessed when the circuit through the fuse is interrupted through the switchable contacts 450, thereby providing a degree of safety to the human operators of module 500.

p00118Upper and lower members 557, 558, of solenoid contact are provided and establish electrical contact with the respective upper and lower bushings 462, 466 of the fuse 442 when the cover 508 is closed on the fuse

p00119442 The contact members 557, 558, in turn, establish electrical contact to a circuit board 560. The resistors 562 are connected to the circuit board 560 and define a parallel circuit path of high resistance through the bushings 462, 466 of the fuse 442, and the solenoid 546 is connected to this parallel circuit path in the circuit board 560 . In an exemplary embodiment, the resistor is selected such that, in normal operation, substantially each of the current flows passes through the fuse 442 between the fuse bushings 462, 466 rather than through the members of upper and lower solenoid contact 557, 558 and circuit board 560. The solenoid coil 546 is calibrated so that when the solenoid 546 experiences a predetermined voltage, the solenoid generates an upward force in the direction of the arrow G that causes the activation bar 545 to move in the activation guide groove 517 to along an arched path defined by slot 517.

p00120As those skilled in the art can appreciate, solenoid coil 546 can be calibrated to be sensitive to a predetermined low voltage condition or a predetermined overvoltage condition, as desired. Additionally, circuit board 560 may include circuitry to actively control solenoid operation 546 in response to circuit conditions. The contacts may additionally be provided on the circuit board 560 to facilitate activation of the solenoid remote control 546. Therefore, in response to abnormal circuit conditions that are predetermined by the calibration of the solenoid coil or control circuitry in the board 560, solenoid 546 is activated to move the activation bar 545. Depending on the solenoid configuration 546 and / or the board 560, the fuse opening 442 may or may not activate an abnormal circuit condition, causing the solenoid 546 to activate and move the activation bar 545.

p00121According to the activation bar 545 it crosses the arc path in the guide groove 517 when the solenoid 546 operates, the solenoid arm 547 rotates and tilts or adopts an angle with respect to the solenoid 546. The tightening of the solenoid arm 547 causes the activation bar 545 becomes unstable and capable of forcing the torsion spring 555 acting on the fixing tab of the activation arm 552 through the projection 554 in the actuator body 446. As the torsion spring 555 begins to rotate the actuator 504, the activation bar 545 is further rotated due to the coupling of the locking tab of the activation arm 552 and the projection of the actuator 554 and becomes even more unstable and is subjected to the force of the torsion spring. The activation bar 545 is further moved and rotated by the combined action of the guide groove 517 and the actuator 504 until the activation tab of the activation arm 552 is released from the projection of the actuator 554, and the interlocking arm 548 of activation bar 545 is released from actuator interlock 556. At this point, each of the actuator 504 and the cover 518 can be freely rotated.

p00122Figure 19 is a side elevation view of the fuse switch disconnect module 500 illustrating solenoid 546 in an activated position in which a solenoid bolt 570 moves up and engages the activation bar 545, making that the activation bar 545 moves along the curved guide groove 517 and becomes inclined and unstable with respect to the plunger. As the activation bar 545 moves and turns more unstable, the torsion spring 555 helps to make the activation bar 545 become more unstable as described above, until the projection 554 of the actuator body 446 is it releases from the locking tab 552 of the activation bar 545, and the torsion spring 555 forces the actuator 504 to fully rotate to the open position shown in Figure 19. As the actuator 504 rotates to the open position, the actuator connection 454 pulls the slide bar 456 upward along the linear axis 475 and separates the switchable contacts 450 from the fixed contacts 452 to open or disconnect the circuit path between the terminal blocks 520. Additionally, the rotation of the activation bar 545 releases the actuator block 556 from the cover 508, allowing the clamping element 474 to force the fuse up from the housing 502 and causing the cover 508 to rotate around the hinge 448 to Fuse 442 is exposed for easier removal and replacement.

p00123Figure 20 is a perspective view of the switch disconnect module 500 with fuses in the activated position and the relative positions of the actuator 504, the activation bar 545 and the cover 508. As shown in Fig. 20, the slide bar 456 carrying the switchable contacts 450 may be assisted in the open position by a first clamp element 572 external to the slide bar 456 and a second clamp element 574 internal to the slide bar. 456. The clamping elements 572, 574 can be axially aligned with each other but are oppositely charged in one embodiment. The clamping elements 572, 574 can, for example, be helical spring elements, and the first clamping element 572 can be loaded in compression, for example, while the second clamping element 574 is loaded in tension. Therefore, the first clamping element 572 exerts an upwardly directed pushing force 572 on the sliding bar 456, while the second clamping element 574 exerts a pulling force directed upward on the sliding bar 456. Combined forces of the clamping elements 572, 574 force the slide bar in an upward direction indicated by arrow G when the actuator rotates to the open position as shown in Figure 20. The action of the double spring of the clamping elements 572, 574, together with the torsion spring 555 (figures 18 and 19) acting on the actuator 504 guarantees a fast, automatic and complete separation of the switchable contacts 450 from the fixed contacts 452 in a reliable way. Additionally, the action of the double spring of the clamping elements 572, 574 avoids and / or effectively compensates for contact rebound when the module 500 is operating.

p00124As Figure 20 also illustrates, the actuator interlock 556 of the lid 508 is substantially U-shaped in an exemplary embodiment. As can be seen in Figure 21, the interlock 556 extends down to the housing 502 when the cover 508 is in the closed position on the fuse 442, loading the compression clamping element 474. Figure 22 illustrates the cover locking arm 548 of the activation bar 545 aligned with the actuator locking 556 of the cover 508 when the cover 508 is in the closed position. In said position the adapter 504 can be turned again in the direction of the arrow H to move the slide bar 456 down in the direction of the arrow I to couple the switchable contacts 450 to the fixed contacts 452 of the housing 502. According to the actuator 504 rotates in the direction of the arrow H, the activation bar 545 rotates again to the position shown in Figure 18, stably keeping the actuator 504 in the closed position in an interlocking arrangement with the cover 508 . The activation bar 545 may be loaded by means of a spring to further assist the activation action of the module 500 and / or the return of the activation bar 545 to the stable position, or even additionally to tilt the activation arm 544 to a default position with respect to the guide groove 517 of activation.

p00125Figures 23 and 24 illustrate a further embodiment of a switch disconnect device with fuses 600 that includes a circuit breaker module 500 and an auxiliary contact module 602 coupled or grouped to housing 502 in a side-to-side relationship with respect to module 500 a through openings 516 (figure 17) in module 500.

p00126The auxiliary contact module 602 may include a housing 604 generally complementary to the housing 502 of the module 500, and may include an actuator 604 similar to the actuator 508 of the module 500. An actuator connection 606 can interconnect the actuator 604 and the slide bar 608. Sliding bar 608 can carry, for example, two switchable contact pairs 610 separated from each other. One of the pairs of switchable contacts 610 connects and disconnects a circuit path between a first set of auxiliary terminals 612 and members of rigid terminals 614 extending from the respective terminals 612 and each carrying a respective fixed contact for coupling and decoupling with the first set of switchable contacts 610. The other pair of switchable contacts 610 connects and disconnects a circuit path between a second set of auxiliary terminals 616 and members of rigid terminals 618 extending from the respective terminals 616, and each carrying a respective fixed contact for coupling and decoupling. with the second set of switchable contacts 610.

p00127By connecting or tying the actuator lever 620 of the auxiliary contact module 602 to the actuator lever 510 of the circuit breaker module 500 with a clamp or shoe, for example, the actuator 604 of the auxiliary contact module 602 can be moved or activated simultaneously with the actuator 508 of circuit breaker module 500. Therefore, auxiliary connections can be connected and disconnected together with a primary connection established through circuit breaker module 500. For example, when the primary connection established through module 500 feeds an electric motor, an auxiliary connection to a cooling fan can be made to the auxiliary contact module through one of the 612 and 616 terminal assemblies, so that the fan and the engine are turned on and off simultaneously by the device 600. As another example, one of the auxiliary connections through terminals 612 and 616 of the auxiliary contact module 602 can be used for remote indication purposes to signal to a remote device the status of the device as it is opened or closed to connect or disconnect circuits through device 600.

p00128Although the characteristics of the auxiliary contact have been described in the context of a complementary module 602, it is understood that the components of module 602 can be integrated into module 500 if desired. Also, single or multi-pole versions of such a device may be provided.

p00129Figures 25-27 illustrate a further embodiment of a fuse disconnection device 650 that includes a disconnect module 500 and a monitoring module 652 coupled or grouped to housing 502 of module 500 through openings 516 (Figure 17) in the module 500

p00130The monitoring module 652 may include a housing 654 generally complementary to the housing 502 of the module 500. A detector plate 656 is located in the housing 652, and the flexible contact members 658, 660 are connected respectively to each of the bushings 462, 466 (figure 18) of the fuse 442 (figure 1) in the disconnect module 500 through, for example, the lower and upper solenoid contact members 557, 568 (Figure 18) that establish a parallel circuit path through the fuse bushings 462, 466. The detector plate 656 includes a detector 662 that monitors the operating conditions of the contact members 566, 568 and transmits a signal to an input / output element 664 powered by an included power source, such as a 670 battery. When the predetermined operating conditions are detected with the detector 662, the input / output element 664 transmits a signal to an output signal port 672 or alternatively, to a communications device 674 that communicates wirelessly with a system of general information and sending remote response 676 alerting, notifies and notifies the maintenance personnel or the technicians responsible for responding to the activation and conditions of the open fuse to restore or re-energize the associated circuitry in the shortest possible time.

p00131Optionally, an input signal port 678 may be included in the monitoring module 652. The input signal port 678 can be interconnected with an output signal port 672 of another monitoring module, so that the signals of multiple monitoring modules can be connected in series with an individual communications device 674 for transmission to the remote system 676. Interface connections (not shown) can be used to interconnect one monitoring module to another in an electrical system.

p00132In one embodiment, detector 662 is a voltage sensing setting circuit that has a first and second portions typically isolated from each other. When the fuse primary element 680 of the fuse 442 is opened to switch the current path through the fuse, the detector 662 detects the voltage drop across the terminal elements T1 and T2 (the contact members of the solenoid 566 and 558) associated with fuse 442. The voltage drop causes one of the portions of the circuit, for example, to be set high and provide an input signal to the input / output element 664. Acceptable detection technology for detector 662 is available at, for example, SymCom, Inc. in Rapid City, South Dakota.

p00133Although in an exemplary embodiment, the detector 662 is a voltage detector, it is understood that other types of detectors may be used in alternative embodiments to monitor and detect a fuse 442 operating status, including, but not limited to, current detectors and temperature detectors that can be used to determine whether the primary fuse element 680 has been interrupted in an overcurrent condition to isolate or disconnect a portion of the associated electrical system.

p00134In a further embodiment, one or more additional detectors or transducers 682, internal or external to the monitoring module 652, may be provided to collect data of interest with respect to the electrical system and the load connected to the fuse 442. For example, detectors or transducers 682 can be adapted to monitor and detect vibration and displacement conditions, mechanical resistance and stress conditions, acoustic emissions and noise conditions, thermal imaging diagnosis and thermographic conditions, electrical resistance, conditions of pressure and humidity conditions in the vicinity of fuse 442 and connected loads. The detectors or transducers 682 can be coupled to the input / output device 664 as signal inputs. Video diagnostic and survival imaging devices (not shown) may also be provided to supply video data and inputs to input / output element 664.

p00135In an exemplary embodiment, the input / output element 664 may be a microcontroller having a microprocessor or an equivalent electronic packet that receives the input signal from the detector 662 when the fuse 442 functions to interrupt the current path through the fuse. 442 The input / output element 664, in response to the input signal of the detector 662, generates a data packet in a predetermined message protocol and transmits the data packet to the signal port 672 or the communication device 674. The data packet can be formatted in any desired protocol, but in an exemplary embodiment it includes at least one fuse identification code, a fault code, and a location or address in the data packet so that the fuse handled can be easily identified and its status can be confirmed, together with its location in the electrical system by remote system 676. Of course, the data package may contain other information and codes of interest, including but not limited to, system test codes, data collection codes, security codes and the like that are desirable or advantageous in the communications protocol.

p00136Additionally, the signal introduced from the detector or transducer 682 can be input to input / output element 664, and input / output element 664 can generate a data packet in a predetermined message protocol and transmit the data packet to the port. signal 672 or communications device 674. The data package may include, for example, codes related to vibration and displacement conditions, mechanical resistance and stress conditions, acoustic emissions and noise conditions, thermal imaging diagnostic states and thermographic states, electrical resistance, conditions of pressure and humidity conditions in the vicinity of fuse 442 and connected loads. Image and video data, supplied by survival and diagnostic imaging devices 682 may also be provided in the data packet. Such data can be used for troubleshooting, diagnosis and recording of the history of events for detailed analysis in order to optimize the electrical system as much as possible.

p00137The data packet transmitted from the communication device 674, in addition to the data packet codes described above, It also includes a unique transmitter identifier code so that the general information and response sending system 676 can identify the particular monitoring module 652 that is sending a data packet in a larger electrical system that has a large number of modules 652 of supervision associated with several fuses. As such, the precise location of the affected circuit breaker module 500 in an electrical system can be identified by the general information and response sending system 676 and communicated to the responsible personnel, along with additional information and instructions to quickly restart the affected circuitry when one or more of modules 500 works to disconnect a portion of the electrical system.

p00138In one embodiment, the communication device 674 is a low power radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter that digitally transmits the data packet wirelessly. Therefore, point-to-point wiring in the electrical system for fuse monitoring purposes is avoided, although it is understood that point-to-point wiring can be used in some embodiments of the invention. Additionally, although a low power digital radio frequency transmitter has been specifically described, it is understood that other equivalent known communication schemes may alternatively be used if desired.

p00139The status indicators and the like, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be provided in the monitoring module 652 to locally indicate a driven fuse 442 or an activated disconnection condition. Therefore, when maintenance personnel arrive at the location of the circuit breaker module 500 containing the fuse 442, the status indicators can provide the local status identification of the fuses associated with the module 500.

p00140Additional details of said monitoring technology, communication with remote system 676 and response and management of system 676 are described in US Patent Application No. 11 / 223,385, filed on September 9, 2005 and entitled Circuit Protector Monitoring Assembly, Kit and Method.

p00141Although the monitoring characteristics have been described in the context of a complementary module 652, it is understood that the components of module 652 can be integrated into module 500 if desired. Also, single or multi-pole versions of such a device may be provided. Additionally, the monitoring module 652 and the auxiliary contact module can each be used with a single circuit breaker module 500 if desired, or alternatively, they can be combined into an integrated device with a single pole or multiple pole capacity.

p00142Figure 28 is a side elevation view of a portion of a further embodiment of a fuse switch disconnect module 700 that is constructed similarly to circuit breaker module 500 described above, but includes a bimetallic overload element 702 instead of the solenoid described previously. The overload element 702 is manufactured from strips of two different types of metallic or conductive materials that have different coefficients of thermal expansion bonded together, and an alloy of strength bonded to the metallic elements. The resistance alloy can be electrically insulated from the metal strips with insulating material, such as a double cotton coating in an exemplary embodiment.

p00143In use, the resistance alloy strip is attached to the contact members 557 and 558 and defines a parallel connection of high resistance through the bushings 462 and 466 of the fuse 442. The resistance alloy is heated by the flowing current through the resistance alloy and the resistance alloy, in turn, heats the bimetallic strip. When a predetermined current condition is reached, the differentiation rates of the thermal expansion coefficients in the bimetallic strip cause the double overload element 702 and move the activation bar 545 to the release point at which the actuator loaded with the spring 508 and the slide bar 456 move to the open positions to disconnect the circuit through the fuse 442.

p00144Module 700 can be used in combination with other modules 500 or 700, auxiliary contact modules 602 and monitoring modules 652. Single pole and multi-pole versions of the module may also be provided.

p00145700.

p00146Fig. 29 is a side elevational view of a portion of a further embodiment of a fuse switch disconnect module 720 that is constructed similarly to circuit breaker module 500 described above, but includes an electronic overload element 722 which monitors the flow of current through the fuse under contact members 557 and 568. When the current reaches a predetermined level, the electronic overload element 722 energizes a circuit to power the solenoid and activate the module 720 as described above. The electronic overload element 722 can also be used to reset the module after an activation event.

p00147Module 702 can be used together with other modules 500 or 700, auxiliary contact modules 602 and monitoring modules 652. Single or multi-pole versions of the 700 module may also be provided.

p00148Therefore, embodiments of fuse disconnecting devices are described in this document that can be activated or deactivated in a convenient and safe manner without interfering with the workspace around the device. Circuit breaker devices can reliably activate or deactivate a circuit in an economical manner, and can be used with standardized equipment in, for example, industrial control applications. In addition, circuit breaker modules and devices can be provided with various mounting and connection options for greater versatility in the field. Auxiliary contact and activation capability against overload and low load are provided, along with remote monitoring capability and control capability.

p00149This document describes an embodiment of a switch disconnection module with fuses comprising a circuit breaker housing adapted to receive a fuse therein, a fuse being removably inserted in the housing, line side and side terminals of load that communicate with at least one fuse when the fuse is inserted into the housing; and at least one fixed contact and at least one mobile contact that can be selectively located along a linear axis with respect to the fixed contact between an open position and a closed position to connect or disconnect an electrical connection through the fuse. An actuator causes the at least one movable contact to be positioned between the open position and the closed position, and at least one clamping element acts on the switchable contact to the open position. The rotary switch actuator and the cover lock when the switchable contacts close.

p00150Optionally, the at least one mobile contact comprises a pair of switchable contacts transported on a sliding bar. The actuator can be rotatably mounted, and the at least one tightening element may comprise a torsion spring that tilts the actuator in one direction causing the mobile contact to adopt the open position. A swivel-mounted cover can lie in a fuse receptacle, and a solenoid can be connected in parallel through the fuse. An activation bar can be slidably placed along an arcuate path to lock or release the actuator. A mobile fuse terminal may be provided as a clamping element to lift the mobile terminal in order to eject the fuse from the housing when the mobile contact is in the open position. A slide bar can move the movable contact along the linear axis, and the at least one clamping element can comprise the first and second clamping elements that act on the sliding bar with one of the tightening elements loaded in torsion and The other charged in tension.

p00151Additionally, the circuit breaker housing may optionally be formed with a serpentine shape adjacent to the line and load side terminals, and multiple modular housings can be grouped together with each of the modular housings comprising switchable contacts for connecting or disconnecting a respective fuse. An optional auxiliary contact module can be coupled to the disconnect module, and an optional monitoring module can be coupled to the circuit breaker module. The monitoring module may comprise a detector to detect a state of the fuse. A bimetallic overload element or a resettable electronic overload module may be provided. The lid may be a hinged hinged lid coupled to the upper surface of the housing, the lid defining at least one concave section.

p00152This document describes another example of a switch disconnect module with fuses comprising a circuit breaker housing adapted to receive a fuse therein, the fuse being provided separated from the housing and removably inserted into the housing. A hinged hinged cover is attached to the housing and rotates between the open and closed positions, and the line and load side terminals are connected to the fuse when the fuse is inserted into the housing. At least one of the line and load side terminals comprises a first fixed switch contact provided between the respective line side terminal and the load side terminal and the fuse, and a fuse terminal is adapted to couple a Conductive element of the fuse when inserted into the circuit breaker housing. AND l fuse terminal coupled to a second contact fixed switch and a slide bar is provided in the housing of the circuit breaker. The sliding bar includes a first and second mobile contacts corresponding to the first and second fixed switch contacts. A rotatably mounted switch actuator is adapted to the position of the slide bar, and the first and second movable contacts between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first and second fixed switch contacts to connect or disconnect an electrical connection through the fuse, and an activation mechanism is located between the switch actuator and the cover. The activation mechanism couples each of the actuators of each of the switch actuator and the cover in an interlocked position when the sliding bar is in the closed position, and the activation mechanism is decoupled that each of the cover and the actuator when the slide bar is in the open position.

p00153Optionally, the activation mechanism may comprise an activation bar that includes an interlocking arm of the lid, and a support arm that extends obliquely from one to the other, and the activation bar can be slidably mounted to a arched guide groove. A solenoid may be provided to engage the activation bar in an activated condition and move the activation bar to release the adapter. An optional electronic overload element can energize the solenoid when the predetermined circuit conditions occur. Alternatively, a bimetallic overload element may be provided.

p00154Additionally, the fuse terminal is optionally movable, and a clamping element can be coupled to the fuse terminal to eject the fuse from the housing when the slide bar is in the open position. The actuator is loaded with a spring and pressed to an open position, and an auxiliary contact module can be coupled to the circuit breaker module. The auxiliary contact module may comprise at least one pair of switchable contacts that cooperate with a pair of fixed contacts to connect or disconnect an auxiliary connection. A monitoring module may optionally be coupled to the circuit breaker module, and the monitoring module may comprise a detector to detect a fuse status. The monitoring module may also comprise a communications device. The housing can also be configured to be grouped together with at least one different circuit breaker module.

p00155Another example of a switch disconnecting device with fuses is still described in this document. The device comprises a circuit breaker housing adapted to receive a fuse therein, a fuse can be inserted removably into the housing, line-side and load terminals that communicate with the at least one fuse when the fuse is inserted into the accommodation, and the at least one fixed contact and at least one mobile contact that can be selectively located along a linear axis with respect to the fixed contact between an open position and a closed position for connecting or disconnecting an electrical connection through the fuse. An actuator causes the at least one mobile contact is located between the open and closed position, and at least one clamping element acts on the mobile contact to the open position. An activation mechanism counteracts the at least one clamping element under normal operating conditions. The activation mechanism stops counteracting the at least one clamping element when the predetermined circuit conditions occur.

p00156Optionally, the activation mechanism may comprise a solenoid or a bimetallic strip. An activation bar may be configured to lockably engage the actuator under normal operating conditions. At least one detector may be connected in parallel to the fuse, the detector being selected from the group of a voltage detector or a current detector, and a temperature detector. At least one communication device may be provided to communicate with a remote system. At least one auxiliary contact may be provided, the auxiliary contact being open and closed simultaneously with the at least one mobile contact. The at least one clamping element can be selected from the group of a torsion spring, a compression spring and a tension spring.

p00157An example of a switch disconnection device with fuses is also described herein, comprising: means for accommodating at least one fuse, the fuse being removably inserted in the housing; means for connecting the fuse to a circuit; means for switching the means for connection in order to connect or disconnect an electrical connection through the fuse, the means for switching on the means of the housing; means for activating the means for switching and selectively placing the means for switching in the open and closed positions without removing the fuse from the housing means; and means for activating the means for actuation when the predetermined circuit conditions occur.

p00158Optionally, the switchable means may comprise a plurality of mobile contacts to dissipate the arc energy in more than one location. The means for activation may comprise a solenoid and an activation bar. The means for actuation may comprise rotating means, sliding means and clamping means. Means may be provided to monitor a fuse operating status, and means may also be provided to communicate a fuse operating status to a remote system. Auxiliary switching means may be provided and operated simultaneously by the drive means. Means may also be provided to eject the fuse from the housing means.

p00159Although the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the scope of the claims.