Claims
- 1. An apparatus for interrupting an electrical current upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions, the apparatus comprising:
- conductor means having a conductive path intermediate of first and second ends of said conductor means for conducting a current which is to be interrupted upon the occurrence of the predetermined overload conditions;
- energy storage means responsive to said current which is to be interrupted for releasing a sufficient quantity of energy upon the occurrence of the predetermined overload conditions to cause said conductive path to be open-circuted, said energy storage means further comprising a first explosive material for explosively releasing said quantity of energy upon being heated to a predetermined threshold temperature, and said conductive path being dimensionally configured of a conductive material so as to have a predetermined hear-generating characteristic with respect to current whereby said predetermined threshold temperature is exceeded when the electrical current is flowing therethrough at a rate which corresponds to the predetermined overload conditions; and
- auxiliary heating means for delivering thermal energy to said energy storage means such that said first explosive material is heated to a preselected preheat temperature which is below said predetermined threshold temperature by a predetermined amount.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary heating means comprises a resistive heating element.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary heating means comprises a transformer having a secondary winding which is connected for short-circuit operation.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary heating means comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 402,648, filed July 28, 1982 abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
930526 |
Jul 1963 |
GBX |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
402648 |
Jul 1982 |
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