Cooper Industries, Inc.

Cooper Power Systems, Inc.

Stephen P Johnson

Stephen P Hassler

John Lapp

Thomas C Hartman

David R Miller

Stanley S Kershaw

Jeffrey J Kester

Robert N Schettler

Jonathan J Woodworth

Richard J Bzdak

Stephen P Haasler

Paul R Desnoyers

Walter R Materna

William E Hurlburt

A delay mechanism for retarding relative movement between two members has particular application in a hinge assembly for a dropout fuseholder. In one embodiment, a pin member rotatably connecting two adjacent members is disposed through a sleeve which has a cavity filled with viscous material, such as silicon putty. Protrusions extending from the shaft of the pin engage the putty and retard the relative rotational movement of the two members. In another embodiment, a friction member, such as a washer or annular seal, is disposed between the adjacent rotatable members. The friction member has facing surfaces contacting the opposing surfaces of the rotatable members such that the frictional forces between the friction member and the rotatable members retard rotation. In still another embodiment, the hinge assembly of a dropout fuseholder includes a latch member which rotates away from the fuseholder once dropout is initiated. As this occurs, the latch member draws a plug member through a putty-filled chamber in the fuseholder. The plug member includes extending projections which engage the viscous putty to retard rotation of the latch member. Additionally, dashpot devices may be employed between the various members of the hinge assembly to retard relative movement.

Delay mechanism for retarding relative movement between two members

A current responsive latching apparatus may be employed in a dropout fuseholder or other electrical component for retaining the component in a current-carrying position and disconnecting and isolating the electrical component upon the occurrence of an overcurrent of a predetermined magnitude. The apparatus includes a current path through the component, including a current-carrying stud or conductor, a portion of which extends outside the component for releasably engaging a support member. A latching apparatus, which may include an actuating member of memory allow or a bimetallic material, engages the conductor to retain the support member in a supporting position beneath the electrical component. The apparatus may further include a heater element in the current path to ensure that the actuation member is heated to the temperature necessary to cause it to change shape and release the conductor upon the presence of an overcurrent.

Current responsive latching apparatus for disconnecting and isolating an

A current-limiting dropout fuseholder includes multiple current paths through the fuse body. A primary current path includes a high current fusible element. A secondary current path in parallel with the primary path includes a triggering conductor that extends outside the fuse body and is connected to a moveable support. The second current path further includes a first spark gap for severing the triggering conductor upon the occurrence of a fault and the shifting of the fault current from the primary current path to the second current path. A second spark gap formed between the primary and the second current paths ensures that the fault current flows across the first spark gap for a time sufficient to sever the triggering conductor, thereby ensuring that dropout will occur.

Current limiting fuse and dropout fuseholder

An apparatus for retarding rotation of a pin member, comprising: a sleeve having a body and a chamber within the body, the sleeve body comprising first and second coaxial body segments, the first body segment including a reduced-diameter portion and the second body segment including a counterbore sized to receive the reduced-diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion being axially longer than the counterbore, such that a circumferential recess is formed when the reduced diameter portion is slidingly received in the counterbore; a pair of aligned apertures in the body; a shaft disposed through the apertures and adapted for rotation within the chamber; viscous material surrounding the shaft and substantially filling the shaft and substantially filling the voids in the chamber; and extensions on the shaft for engaging the viscous material and retarding rotation of the shaft in the chamber.

The fuseholder includes a current limiting fuse mounted within a fuse body and a lower contact and hinge assembly. The fuse body has contact assemblies mounted on each end thereof. The lower contact assembly on the fuse body is mounted on a hinge which is rotatably supported on an interchangeable cutout mounting. The current limiting fuse includes a fuse element spirally wound around a spider which extends the length of the fuse body. The fuse element includes a high current fusible element and a low current fuse element. The fusible element includes a plurality of spaced reduced areas and is supported on the spider by support surfaces which are located between adjacent reduced areas of the fusible element. An auxiliary wire also extends the length of the fuse body about the spider. The hinge includes a hinge member rotatably mounted on the interchangeable cutout mounting, a connective member supporting the contact assemblies and fuse body with current limiting fuse, and a latch for latching the hinge member to the connective member in a contracted position. The latch is connected to a trigger wire attached to the lower end of the auxiliary wire to maintain the hinge and connective members in their contracted position. Upon the melting of the trigger wire due to a current overload, the trigger wire releases the latch thereby allowing the connective member to move to an extended position with respect to the hinge member such that the current limiting fuse drops out of the interchangeable cutout mounting.

Current limiting fuse having compact structure

An improved load break disconnecting device is disclosed, comprising a conductive portion having a non-gassing fuse, a fuse cartridge having first and second ends and enclosing said fuse, a conducting hinge assembly and conducting stationary contact means, and a non-conducting arc extinguishing sleeve with latch means for latching the sleeve in a non-covering position until the switch is closed and biasing means for snapping the sleeve into an arc-extinguishing, covering position when the switch is opened.

Load break disconnecting device with solid arc suppression means

Nested contact and cap assembly for fuseholder

A fuse is provided for protection of high current power distribution equipment, such as transformers. The fuse includes a dual function fuse element having a solder pot which permits fuse opening in response to long-term current overload conditions, and a minimum cross-section wire portion for short circuit opening. The fuse element is enclosed within a tube, and the tube is received within a housing. The tube is closed off on one end thereof with a dual size button, which size is selectable for reception into the housing.

Dropout expulsion fuse

Current limiting fuse and dropout fuseholder for interchangeable cutout

A mounting bracket assembly for mounting an object to a support structure includes a hanger strap for gripping the object and a channel member for supporting the hanger strap. The hanger strap includes a lobe disposed about the object and inwardly projecting mounting tabs which engage aligned slots formed in the sides of the channel member. A single fastener is disposed through the hanger strap adjacent to the tabs so as to cause the lobe to simultaneously grip the arrester and to retain the mounting tabs in the slots.

Mounting bracket assembly

An expulsion type fuse is provided which is resistant to line surges caused by lightning. The fuse includes an inner fusing assembly which has a tube and a knurled conductive button inserted in one end of the tube. A fusing area is provided wherein a pair of fusing leads are disposed into a cylindrical solder pot. One of such pairs interconnects the button to the solder pot. The other pair interconnects the fuse leader to the solder pot.

A spider for a gassing current limiting fuse made of an asbestos free material is disclosed. The spider material produces an arc quenching gas and water upon erosion by an arc. The material includes the following proportions of ingredients: 50-80% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O; 8-22% Wollastonite (CaSiO.sub.3); and 10-25% melamine formaldehyde resin.

Asbestos free material for gassing current limiting fuses

A fail-safe, non-fragmenting surge arrester includes a liner having outlets formed in the walls thereof for venting ionized gases generated within the liner by internal arcing. The vented ionized gas forms a lower impedance path for the current which is thereby shunted around the failed internal components, preventing the generation of internal pressure which could otherwise cause a fragmenting failure mode of the arrester. The internal components include stacked varistor elements and may include an internal fuse link electrically in series with the varistors.

Growing community of inventors

Olean, NY, United States of America

Stephen P Johnson