US1612254A - Renewable electric fuse - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28 1926.

J. C. BOGLE RENEWABLE ELECTRIC FUSE Filed Dec l, 1922 3 lllAl ll Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. BUGLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR '30 C091: ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. CC-RPORATIQN ILLINOIS.

RENEWABLE ELECTRIC FUSE.

A licatien filed December 1 1922.

My invention relates to electric fuses and it has special reference to fuses that are known as enclosed renewable fuses.

More particularly my invention relates to an in'iproved electric fuse provided with an insulating chamber having conducting terninals at ends and a novel type of fuse link extending through the insulating chamher and contacting at each end with the terminals. I have shown the terminals to be of a type suitable for clamping the ends of the fuse linl in place and also adapted in turn to be clamped by the usual type of fuse clips.

An object of my invention is to provide a fuse link for the above type of fuse which can be readily inserted in place and yet which does not require the use of washers for retaining its ends in contact with the fuse ter minals.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type indicated. above, which is simple in construction, easily assembled, and dependable in operation.

Further objects of my invention will appear upon reference to the following specification and. accompanying drawing, in which-- Figure 1 is a view in section of an enclosed renewable fuse structure constructed in accordance with my invention and shown in a partially assembled condition;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the fuse fully assembled;

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the fuse link; and,

Fig. l is a detail perspective view showing a ferrule member.

Referring to Fig. 1, a container 1 formed of insulating material is shown enclosing a special type of link 2. The container 1 is provided at each end with ferrules 3 and 4, which are in turn provided with threaded portions 5 and 6 for engaging cap members 7 and 8, respectively.

The particular type of cap members 7 and 8 shown, forin no part of my present invention and. they are similar in construction to those shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 385,427, filed June 1, 1920, which has matured into Patent No. 1,443,865, granted January 30th, 1922. The cap members 7 and 8 are provided with centrally positioned tortuous passages 9 and 10 Serial No. 604,159.

respectively, for the escape of gases formed when the fuse link is burned out.

The fuse link comprises a centrally positioned fusible element- 11, which may be formed of a ribbon of easily fusible metal, such as zinc, and of a cross section depending upon the current to be carried by the fuse. The fusible element 11 is attached at each end to supporting and connecting terminals 12 and 13, which. serve to supportthe fusible element 11 rigidly in its proper central location and also serve to connect the fusible element in circuit without interposing any unnecessary resistance.

The connecting terminals 12 and 13 are pro vided with enlarged ends shaped in the form of flat washer portions 14: and 15 respectively. However, the end portion 14; is preferably initially formed in the distorted shape shown in Fig. 1 in order that it may be readily inserted through the shell 1 and the ferrules 3 and 4, when assembling the device or when renewing the fusible element. The washer portions 142 and 15 may be provided with the. centrally located openings 16 and 1'? respectively, coaxial with passages 9 and 10 in cap members 7 and 8. The ferrules 3 and 4 may be provided respectively with inturned flanges or rims 18 and 19 against which the faces of washers 14L and 15 may be clamped. If desired, the inner surfaces of the washers 1 1 and 15 may be slightly roughened as at 20 in Fig. 3, and also the outer surfaces of flanges 18 and 19 may be roughened as at 21 in Fig. 4. These roughened areas will serve to prevent relative turning movement of the link terminals and ferrules when the device is being assembled.

In the assembly of the device, the fuse link member 2 is placed in the container 1 by first inserting the washer portion 14;, when in its distorted form. The washer portion 15 is then brought up against the flange 19 of ferrule 4 and securely clamped in place by the cap member 8. The washer portion 14 being formed of comparatively flexible material, may then be easily bent to a flattened shape approximating that shown in Fig. 3. The cap member 7 may then be screwed in place and will force the portion 1a into its fully flattened shape shown in Fig. 3.

then the fuse is fully assembled, it will be noted that the washer portions 1 1- and 15 will have a large surface area in Contact with much more quickly assembled in case of an emergency.

The two ferrules 3 and l as shown are constructed alike and hence the link 2 may be inserted from either end and the link ends may be interchangeably associated with either of the fuse ends. Such construction avoids the necessity of examining the shell ends when it is desired to assemble the device quickly.

lVhile I have shown and described but one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that many modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims and I desire to have only such limitations imposed upon my invention as are necessitated by tie prior art or set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States, is:

l. A fuse comprising a shell member, a fuse link constituting a fusible element having an enlarged end portion of flexible sheet material initially curved in shape to reduce its dimensions while being installed in operative position in said shell member but capable of being expanded after installation to engage the outer periphery of said shell member thereby serving as a washer member upon being flattened.

2. A fuse comprising a shell member, a fuse link constitutin a fusible element, and a terminal member for said fusible elei lent, said terminal member having an end portion of flexible sheet material curved in a shape permitting its free insertion through said fuse shell member having an opening of a certain diameter, said end portion being of suflicient area upon being flattened subse quent to installation in said shell member to substantially cover an opening of such diameter.

3. An enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, and a fuse link in said shell memher, said fuse link having an enlarged flexible end portion of sheet material initially formed in a shape to pass freely through said shell and forming when flattened a washer for covering and contacting with the end of said shell member.

4. An enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, an end cap on one end of said shell member, and a fuse link in said shell member, said fuse link having a flexible end portion of sheet material initially formed neiaeea in a shape to pass freely through said shell and forming normally, when flattened and expanded, a washer exceeding the size of the opening in said shell member and being clamped beneath said end cap, which washer serves as a closure for the end of said shell.

5. An enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, an end cap on one end of said shell member, and a. fuse link in said shell member, sa d fuse link having a flexible end portion initially formed in a shape to pass freely through said shell and forming nor-- mally, when fattened, a washer clamped beneath said end cap, said washer and said end cap being formed with coaxial passages for venting said shell member.

6. fill enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member ferrules at the ends of said SllQll ii-ember, end caps engagin said fer- 1 l fuse link in said shell memfuse link having an enlarged is end portion initially formed in )e to pass freely through said shell 0. forming normally, when flattened and expanded, a washer exceeding the size of the openin in said shell member and being clamped between said ferrules and said end caps.

if. [in enclosed type fuse comprising a shell men'iber, a ferrule at the end of said shell member, a cap member engaging said ferrule, and a fuse link extending through said shell member, said ferrule having an opening for insertion of said fuse link and said fuse link being provided with an enlarged end forming a washercovering said opening and clamped between said cap and said ferrule.

8. An enclosed type fuse comprisin a shell member a ferrule at an end of said shell member and fuse link in said shell memher, said fuse link having an enlarged flexihis end portion initially formed in a shape o pass freely through said shell and said errule and forming when flattened a washer or covering and contacting with a rim of said fe rule.

an. enclosed type fuse comprising a shell member, a ferrule at an end of said shell member, a fuse link in said shell mem ber, said fuse link having an enlarged flexible end portion initially formed in a shape to pass freely through said shell and said ferrule and forming when flattened a wash er for covering and contacting with a rim of said ferrule and coacting means on said washer and said ferrule for preventing relative turning movement therebetween.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN G. BUGLE.

Images