Fuse block-out device

• US 5,982,266 A
• Filed: 09/29/1998
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exelon Generation Company LLC (Exelon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Commonwealth Edison Company (Exelon Corporation)
• Inventors: Mlinar, Frank J., Hedenschoug, James D., Sanford, Craig V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/163,278
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 337/168, 337/186, 337/205, 337/210, 337/211, 81/3.8, 81/487, 361/835, 361/833
• US Class Current: 337/168
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 9/02 without sliding or pivotal connections, e.g. tweezers, onepiece tongs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/25 Safety arrangements preventing or inhibiting contact with live parts, including operation of isolation on removal of cover

Abstract

An improved fuse block-out device is disclosed that includes a fuse block-out device that includes a first portion shaped to be received by a fuse block and a second portion shaped to securely engage a fuse. When a fuse is removed from the fuse block, the first portion of the fuse block-out device is inserted into the fuse block, and the removed fuse is inserted into the second portion of the fuse block-out device. In this way, the fuse block-out device reduces accidental electrical shock and prevents accidental replacement of the removed fuse. Because the removed fuse is securely engaged, the fuse block-out device controls the location of the removed fuse.

Claims

1. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion shaped to be received by a fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps;

wherein the first portion and said fuse comprise respective longitudinal lengths, wherein the first portion and said end caps comprise respective diameters, wherein the longitudinal length of the first portion is substantially equal to the longitudinal length of said fuse, and wherein the diameter of the first portion along its longitudinal length is substantially equal to the diameter of said end caps.

12. The invention of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the second portion and said fuse comprise respective longitudinal lengths and the longitudinal length of the second portion is greater than said longitudinal length of said fuse.

13. The invention of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise longitudinal lengths and wherein the longitudinal length of the second portion is greater than the longitudinal length of the first portion.

14. The invention of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the second portion comprises a lateral dimension, and wherein the lateral dimension of the second portion is sized to allow accessibility of adjacent fuses when the first portion engages with said fuse clip of said fuse block.

15. The invention of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the second portion comprises a lateral dimension, and wherein the lateral dimension of the second portion is sized to allow accessibility of adjacent fuses when the first portion engages with said fuse clip of said fuse block and when the second portion securely engage said fuse.

16. The invention of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the second portion comprises a section defining a hole.

17. The invention of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the fuse block-out device is seismically qualified.

18. The invention of claims 1, 3, or 4, wherein the first portion comprises a length of about 2.0 inches, and wherein the second portion comprises a length of about 2.688 inches.

19. The invention of claims 1, 3, or 4, wherein the second portion comprises a section defining a hole comprising a diameter of about 0.218 inches.

20. The invention of claims 1, 3, or 4, wherein the first and second portion comprise an ABS flame-retardant resin.

2. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion shaped to be received by a fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of said first and second conductive end caps.

5. The invention of claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the first portion and said fuse comprise respective longitudinal lengths and diameters, and wherein the longitudinal length and diameter of the first portion are substantially equal to the longitudinal length and diameter respectively of said fuse.

6. The invention of claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the first portion is shaped to be received by only one of a first and second fuse clip of a fuse block.

7. The invention of claim 2 or 3, wherein the first portion comprises a substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by one of a first and second fuse clip of a fuse block.

8. The invention of claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the first portion is shaped to be received by both a first and second fuse clip of a fuse block.

9. The invention of claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the first portion comprises a first substantially cylindrical member and a second substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by a first and second fuse clip respectively of a fuse block.

11. The invention of claim 2 or 4, wherein the first portion defines a longitudinal axis extending along its length and wherein the second portion defines a longitudinal axis extending along its length, the longitudinal axis of the second portion being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion.

3. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion shaped to be received by a fuse clip of a fuse block, the first portion defining a longitudinal axis extending along its length; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of at least one of said first and second conductive end caps;

wherein the second portion defines a longitudinal axis extending along its length, the longitudinal axis of the second portion being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion.

10. The invention of claim 3 or 5, wherein the second portion is shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of said first and second conductive end caps.

4. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a substantially cylindrical non-conductive first portion shaped to be received by a fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of at least one of said first and second conductive end caps.

21. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion shaped to be received by a fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse;

wherein the first portion and said fuse comprise respective longitudinal lengths and diameters, and wherein the longitudinal length and diameter of the first portion are substantially equal to the longitudinal length and diameter respectively of said fuse;

wherein the second portion is shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of at least one of said first and second conductive end caps.

22. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion shaped to be received by a fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse;

wherein the first portion and said fuse comprise respective longitudinal lengths and diameters, and wherein the longitudinal length and diameter of the first portion are substantially equal to the longitudinal length and diameter respectively of said fuse;

wherein the second portion is shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of said first and second conductive end caps.

23. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion shaped to be received by a fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse;

wherein the first portion and said fuse comprise respective longitudinal lengths and diameters, and wherein the longitudinal length and diameter of the first portion are substantially equal to the longitudinal length and diameter respectively of said fuse;

wherein the first portion defines a longitudinal axis extending along its length and wherein the second portion defines a longitudinal axis extending along its length, the longitudinal axis of the second portion being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion.

24. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion comprising a first substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by a first fuse clip of a fuse block and a second substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by a second fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse;

wherein the second portion is shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of at least one of said first and second conductive end caps.

25. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion comprising a first substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by a first fuse clip of a fuse block and a second substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by a second fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse;

wherein the second portion is shaped to securely engage a fuse comprising first and second conductive end caps comprising respective circumferences;

the second portion being shaped to securely engage more than half of said circumference of said first and second conductive end caps.

26. A fuse block-out device comprising:

a non-conductive first portion comprising a first substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by a first fuse clip of a fuse block and a second substantially cylindrical member shaped to be received by a second fuse clip of a fuse block; and

a second portion coupled with the first portion and shaped to securely engage a fuse;

wherein the first portion defines a longitudinal axis extending along its length and wherein the second portion defines a longitudinal axis extending along its length, the longitudinal axis of the second portion being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion.