Arc suppressor for fusible elements

摘要

An arc suppressor fixable to a fusible element to suppress electrical arcs and prevent the spread of electric arc “burn-back.” The arc suppressor includes first and second inner members comprised of pre-cured silicone rubber, and first and second outer members comprised of an arc suppressing material (e.g., melamine). The inner and outer members form a sandwich around a portion of the fusible element, wherein the first inner member is located adjacent to a first surface of the fusible element and the second inner member is located adjacent to an opposing second surface of the fusible element. The first outer member is located adjacent to the first inner member and the second outer member is located adjacent to the second inner member. Mechanical fasteners tightly engage together the first and second inner members, the fusible element, and the first and second outer members.

主权项

1. A fuse comprising:
a fusible element made of a conductive metal having opposing first and second surfaces, said fusible element including (i) an intermediate portion having at least one region of high resistance, and (ii) first and second end portions located at opposite sides of the intermediate portion; and at least one arc suppressor fixed to a selected one of the intermediate portion or the first or second end portions of the fusible element, to create a solid barrier on the portion of the fusible element that prevents electric arc “burn-back” from traveling along the fusible element beyond the selected portion including the at least one arc suppressor, each arc suppressor comprising: first and second inner members comprised of pre-fabricated plates formed from a sheet of pre-cured silicone rubber; first and second outer members comprised of an arc quenching material, wherein
said first inner member is located adjacent to the first surface of the fusible element and the second inner member is located adjacent to the second surface of the fusible element, andsaid first outer member is located adjacent to the first inner member and the second outer member is located adjacent to the second inner member; and one or more fasteners for fixing the first and second inner members and the first and second outer members to the fusible element as a sandwich between the adjacent first and second inner members, fusible element, and first and second outer members.