Wireless communication fuse state indicator system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fuse state indication system comprising:
- an overcurrent protection fuse comprising a primary fuse element extending between terminal elements, said terminal elements configured for removable connection to line-side and load-side electrical circuitry and said terminal elements completing a current path through said primary fuse element, the current path of the primary fuse element failing upon a predetermined current failing upon a predetermined current flowing through the primary fuse element;
a radio frequency identification tag comprising a transmitter, wherein said tag is coupled to said fuse; and
a radio frequency interrogation device configured to wirelessly communicate with said tag to determine whether said fuse is in a current carrying state via operation of said transmitter or whether said fuse is an opened state breaking an electrical connection through said primary fuse element between said terminal elements via non-operation of said transmitter, thereby identifying opened fuses for replacement.
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Abstract
An electrical fuse and method therefor includes a protective body, terminal elements extending from said protective body, and a primary fuse element extending within said protective body and electrically connected between the terminal elements, and an identification element configured to transmit a wireless signal to a remote device for determining an operational state of said primary fuse element.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fuse state indication system comprising:
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an overcurrent protection fuse comprising a primary fuse element extending between terminal elements, said terminal elements configured for removable connection to line-side and load-side electrical circuitry and said terminal elements completing a current path through said primary fuse element, the current path of the primary fuse element failing upon a predetermined current failing upon a predetermined current flowing through the primary fuse element; a radio frequency identification tag comprising a transmitter, wherein said tag is coupled to said fuse; and a radio frequency interrogation device configured to wirelessly communicate with said tag to determine whether said fuse is in a current carrying state via operation of said transmitter or whether said fuse is an opened state breaking an electrical connection through said primary fuse element between said terminal elements via non-operation of said transmitter, thereby identifying opened fuses for replacement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for indicating an opened fuse in a fused system having at least one overcurrent protection fuse with a fuse state identification element and a communication device remote from the fuse, said method comprising:
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transmitting a signal to the identification element of the fuse with the communication device through an air interface; awaiting a response from the identification element to the communication device; and determining the operational current carrying state of the overcurrent protection fuse based upon the response or lack thereof from the identification element, wherein a response from the identification element is taken as an indication that the primary fuse element is in an operational current-carrying state, and further wherein a lack of response is taken as an indication that the primary fuse element is in an opened non-current carrying state. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electrical fuse comprising:
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a protective body; terminal elements extending from said protective body; a primary fuse element extending within said protective body and electrically connected between said terminal elements, said primary fuse element constructed to fail upon an occurrence of a predetermined current condition, thereby providing overcurrent protection to an electrical circuit completed through said terminal elements; and an identification element coupled to the fuse, the identification element being configured to transmit a radio frequency signal to a remote device when the primary fuse element is in an operational current carrying state, and the identification element being rendered inoperable to transmit a radio frequency signal when the primary fuse element has failed. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A fuse state identification comprising:
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overcurrent protection means for defining a conductive path between first and second terminal elements, the overcurrent protection means responsive to current flow therethrough to open an electrical connection between the terminal elements when a predetermined current condition occurs; identification means, associated with the overcurrent protection means, for communicating an operational current carrying state of the overcurrent protection means through an air interface, wherein the identification means is physically located in proximity to the overcurrent protection means, wherein heat and electrical arcing associated with opening of the overcurrent protection means damages the identification means to prevent transmission of a signal from the identification means; communication means, located remotely from the identification means, for communicating with the identification means through an air interface; and determining means, responsive to communication between the identification means and the communication means, for determining the operational current carrying state of the overcurrent protection means as closed to complete the conductive path or opened to interrupt the current path. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification