Reactive fuse element with exothermic reactive material
First Claim
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1. A reactive fuse comprising:
- a substrate having a top surface, the substrate further including a first end and a second end arranged distal to the first end;
a first conductor positioned adjacent to the first end along the top surface;
a second conductor positioned adjacent to second end along the top surface, the first and second conductors spaced apart along the top surface; and
a reactive material cooperating with the substrate to electrically couple the first and second conductors, the reactive material having a stable state and a exothermic state.
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Abstract
Reactive fuses that contain reactive fuse elements for use in electrical circuits and other applications are provided. In various exemplary embodiments reactive materials and reactive foils are employed to provide a focused, localized heat source which can by used to open or sever a fuse element, or precisely join one or more metallic components. In particular, reactive material can be utilized to open a fuse element in response to the heat generated by a sustained overload current. Alternatively, reactive material may be utilized in the construction of a reactive fuse to join, for example, metallic components to a base fuse element or fuse cap.
47 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A reactive fuse comprising:
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a substrate having a top surface, the substrate further including a first end and a second end arranged distal to the first end;
a first conductor positioned adjacent to the first end along the top surface;
a second conductor positioned adjacent to second end along the top surface, the first and second conductors spaced apart along the top surface; and
a reactive material cooperating with the substrate to electrically couple the first and second conductors, the reactive material having a stable state and a exothermic state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fuse element for use in a reactive fuse, the fuse element comprising:
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a fuse link; and
a reactive material carried by the fuse link, the reactive material having a plurality of nano-layers configured to produce a self-propagating exothermic reaction in response to an energy input. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of forming a fuse element comprising:
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providing an electrically conductive fuse link having a bonding surface;
aligning a reactive material adjacent to the bonding surface of the fuse link, , the reactive material having a plurality of nanolayers configured to produce a self-propagating exothermic reaction in response to an energy input establishing a fusing area, the fusing area defined between the reactive material and the fuse link; and
securing the reactive material to bonding surface to define a reactive fuse element. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification