Fusible link

• US 6,404,322 B1
• Filed: 02/12/1999
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elsie Manufacturing Co.
• Original Assignee: Elsie Manufacturing Co.
• Inventors: Simon, Robert, Ruegsegger, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin, Gerald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/249,559
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 337/159, 337/152, 337/148, 337/160, 337/232, 337/416, 337/290, 337/295, 337/296, 403/179, 403/270, 403/271
• US Class Current: 337/416
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/007 Break-bolts loosening at high temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/76 Contact member actuated by melting of fusible material, actuated due to burning of combustible material or due to explosion of explosive material

Abstract

A new and improved fusible link having opposite ends. The fusible link comprises two pieces each having opposite ends. One of the opposite ends of each piece defines the opposite ends of the link. The other end of said pieces overlap each other and have a eutectic solder therebetween. Means is provided adjacent the other end of the pieces to strengthen the link in tension between the opposite ends when said solder is in shear and to reduce creep. Means is also provided adjacent the other ends of the pieces to separate the pieces and break the linkage upon the eutectic solder reaching the eutectic temperature. The new and improved fusible link in a specific embodiment utilizes a crimp and crimp sliding surfaces to prevent creep at temperatures lower than the eutectic temperature for providing separation of the link upon the solder being heated to a eutectic temperature.

Claims

1. A fusible link comprising two pieces of sheet material, each piece having opposite ends and opposite side edges, one of said ends defining the opposite ends of said link, the other of said ends having generally planar surfaces between said side edges, said planar surfaces being superimposed adjacent the other of said ends, said superimposed surfaces being devoid of material weakening apertures, an effective amount of eutectic solder, said solder being solely positioned between said superimposed surfaces, said pieces being bent at said superimposed surfaces to define a bend extending transversely across said pieces from one of said side edges to the other of said side edges to provide additional strength to said link when said shear forces are applied to said solder and to reduce creep at temperatures below the eutectic temperature of said solder, and means including said bend for quickly separating said pieces when said eutectic solder reaches its eutectic temperature, said link being nestable with other links superimposed thereon for shipping.

2. The fusible link of claim 1, wherein said sheet material is chosen from the group of sheet materials consisting of copper, steel, brass, sheet materials, and composite sheet materials thereof.

3. The fusible link of claim 1, wherein said one ends are rounded and have a hole therein for connecting said link to other apparatus.

4. The fusible link of claim 3, wherein said holes are surrounded by planar surfaces upon which washers can be placed.

5. The fusible link of claim 1, wherein said superimposed surfaces are maximized in surface area.

6. The fusible link of claim 5, wherein said solder is provided between said superimposed surfaces in a thickness from about 0.002 to about 0.004 inches.

7. The fusible link of claim 1, wherein said bent superimposed surfaces define a bend which extends transversally across said link generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal length of said link.

8. The fusible link of claim 7, wherein said bend is crimped in each of said pieces.

9. The fusible link of claim 7, wherein said bend is formed in each of said pieces in a press.

10. The fusible link of claim 1 wherein said bent superimposed surfaces define a bend which extends generally transversally across said link, said bend being defined by opposite and spaced apart bottom planar surfaces which extend from opposite and spaced apart bottom bends at said superimposed surfaces and top elevated spaced apart bends, a top generally planar surface extends between said top spaced apart elevated bends, said planar surfaces having different longitudinally dimensions, said piece with the shortest longitudinal dimensions being positioned within said bend of said piece with the largest longitudinal dimensions.

11. The fusible link of claim 10, wherein said bottom planar surfaces define an angle with said sheet material of said links.

12. The fusible link of claim 11, wherein said angle is from about 15°

to about 45°

.

13. The fusible link of claim 11, wherein said angle is about 30°

.

14. The fusible link of claim 10 wherein said top and bottom bends are radiused.

15. The fusible link of claim 14 wherein said bottom bends are radiused from about one quarter to about one sixteenth inches.

16. The fusible link of claim 14 wherein said top bends are radiused from about one quarter to about one sixteenth inches.

17. The fusible link of claim 14 wherein said top planar surfaces of said pieces with the shortest and longest longitudinal dimensions both have a longitudinal dimension from about 0.2 to about 0.3 inches.

18. The fusible link of claim 14 wherein said top planar surface of said piece with the shortest longitudinal dimension has a top planar surface with a longitudinal dimension of about 0.2 inches.

19. The fusible link of claim 17 wherein said top planar surface of said piece with the largest longitudinal dimension has a top planar surface with a longitudinal dimension of about 0.3 inches.