Breaking-off type current-limiting fuse

Abstract

An actuator assembly for mounting a current limiting fuse to a current interrupter, the current limiting fuse configured to eject a striker in response to the occurrence of an electrical fault. The actuator assembly includes a housing coupling the actuator assembly to the current limiting fuse, a hinge connecting the actuator assembly to the lower terminal of the interrupter, and a disconnect mechanism operating when the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse to disconnect the current limiting fuse from the upper terminal of the interrupter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to circuit interrupting devices, such as current limiting fuses. BACKGROUND

[0002] Fuses are a type of circuit interrupting device used in electrical power distribution systems to protect equipment, such as transformers, capacitor banks, cables, and / or other equipment, from overload and fault currents by opening the circuit. Two types of fuses are commonly used in electrical power distribution systems, expulsion fuses and current limiting fuses. Expulsion fuses are non-limiting and can include a fusible element and an internal arc quenching liner, which can be formed of bone fiber, melamine, aluminum trihydrate, and / or other materials. When the fusible element melts, for example, in response to an overload and / or fault current, the resulting arc plasma consumes the liner material and produces a deionized gas. As a result, hot gas, along with flames and / or debris, is violently expelled into the atmosphere with a loud noise. In addition, expulsion fuses are designed to fit into an industry standard distribution cutout and drop open to provide a visible indication that the fault has been cleared.

[0003] In contrast, current limiting fuses do not expel hot gas into the environment upon operation. For example, a current limiting fuse can be composed of one or more wires and / or ribbon elements (e.g., formed of silver and / or copper) having a reduced cross-sectional area over its length and a fusible element surrounded by a highly compacted quartz / sand pack. Upon a high current fault, the fusible element first melts at the reduced cross-sectional area and then melts over the remaining length of the element. The resulting arc dissipates its thermal energy into the surrounding sand, which forms a glass-like structure, such as ballasite. The resulting arc voltage, loss of thermal energy, and confinement of the arc by the glass envelope limit the fault current, thereby interrupting the circuit without expelling any byproducts into the environment.

[0004] However, existing current limiting fuses are not designed to fit directly into an industry standard cutout. Instead, they are typically designed to accommodate a clip-in installation. As utility providers become increasingly concerned with the negative effects of expelled gases on vegetation and wildlife, current limiting fuses are becoming more popular than expulsion fuses, which do not expel hot gas into the environment upon interrupting the circuit. Accordingly, there is a need for a mounting option that enables an industry standard current limiting fuse to be mounted to an industry standard cutout. SUMMARY

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a circuit interrupter assembly including a current limiting fuse and an actuator assembly. The current limiting fuse includes a terminal connecting the current limiting fuse to a first terminal of a circuit breaker, and a striker that ejects from the current limiting fuse in response to occurrence of an electrical fault. The actuator assembly includes a housing coupling the actuator assembly to the current limiting fuse, a hinge connecting the actuator assembly to a second terminal of the circuit breaker, and a disconnect mechanism that operates when the striker ejects from the current limiting fuse to disconnect the current limiting fuse from the first terminal of the circuit breaker.

[0006] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides an actuator assembly for mounting a current limiting fuse to a circuit breaker, the current limiting fuse configured to eject a striker in response to occurrence of an electrical fault. The actuator assembly includes a housing coupling the actuator assembly to the current limiting fuse, a hinge connecting the actuator assembly to a lower terminal of the circuit breaker, and a disconnect mechanism that operates when the striker ejects from the current limiting fuse to disconnect the current limiting fuse from an upper terminal of the circuit breaker.

[0007] Other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an industry standard distribution circuit breaker according to an example.

[0009] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a circuit interrupter assembly mounted to Figure 1 the standard distribution circuit breaker according to an example.

[0010] Figure 3A is a side view of a standard current limiting fuse included in Figure 2 the circuit interrupter assembly of

[0011] Figure 3B is a perspective view of an offset cap included in Figure 3A the current limiting fuse of

[0012] Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view of the standard current limiting fuse of Figure 3A according to an example.

[0013] Figure 4A is a perspective view of an actuator assembly included in Figure 2 the circuit interrupter assembly of

[0014] Figure 4B is another perspective view of the actuator assembly included in Figure 2 the circuit interrupter assembly of

[0015] Figure 5A is a perspective view of an actuator assembly according to one example. Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a perspective view of a housing of an actuator assembly.

[0016] Figure 5B is a perspective view of a current bridge assembly included in a housing according to one example. Figure 5A

[0017] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hinge included in an actuator assembly according to one example. Figure 4A and Figure 4B

[0018] Figure 7A is a perspective view of a trip mechanism included in an actuator assembly according to one example. Figure 4A and Figure 4B

[0019] Figure 7B is a side view of a trip mechanism included in an actuator assembly according to one example. Figure 4A and Figure 4B

[0020] Figure 8A is a perspective view of a link included in a trip mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B

[0021] Figure 8B is a perspective view of a retainer spring included in a trip mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B

[0022] Figure 8C is a perspective view of a release plate included in a trip mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B

[0023] Figure 8D is a perspective view of an actuation lever included in a trip mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B

[0024] Figure 8E is a perspective view of an actuator spring included in a trip mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B

[0025] Figure 8F is a perspective view of a latch included in a trip mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B ​​​​​​​​​​

[0026] Figure 8G is included in a disconnect mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a perspective view of a latch plate in a disconnect mechanism according to one example.

[0027] Figure 8H is included in a disconnect mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a perspective view of a release lever mechanism in a disconnect mechanism according to one example.

[0028] Figure 8I is included in a disconnect mechanism according to one example. Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a perspective view of a hinge retainer in a disconnect mechanism according to one example.

[0029] Figure 9 is a close-up perspective view of a circuit interrupter assembly of Figure 2 according to one example in an unoperational state.

[0030] Figure 10 is a close-up perspective view of a circuit interrupter assembly of Figure 2 according to one example in an operational state.

[0031] Figure 11 is a side view of a disconnect mechanism in an actuator assembly of Figure 4A and Figure 4B according to one example in an operational state.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a side view of a disconnect mechanism in an actuator assembly of Figure 4A and Figure 4B according to one example in an operational state.

[0033] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a disconnect mechanism in an actuator assembly of Figure 4A and Figure 4B according to one example in an operational state.

[0034] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a circuit interrupter assembly of Figure 2 according to one example being disconnected from an industry standard circuit breaker of Figure 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Before any embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The use of "consisting of," and variations thereof is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled," and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

[0036] In general, the present disclosure relates to a replaceable circuit interrupter assembly that includes a current limiting fuse and a reusable actuator assembly for mounting the current limiting fuse to an industry standard interrupter.

[0037] Figure 1 A perspective view of an industry standard interrupter 100 is shown for mounting and electrically connecting a protective device, such as a circuit interrupting device, in an electrical power distribution system. The interrupter 100 includes first or upper terminals 105 and second or lower terminals 110 that electrically connect the circuit interrupting device to the electrical power distribution system. The upper terminals 105 and lower terminals 110 are disposed on opposite ends of an insulator 115 included in the interrupter 100, thereby giving the interrupter 100 a "C" shape. In the example shown, the interrupter 100 is supported by and mechanically coupled to a bracket 120 that can be mounted to a structure included in the electrical power distribution system, such as a utility pole or tower.

[0038] Figure 2 A perspective view of a circuit interrupter assembly 200 for use in an electrical power distribution system is shown in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. The circuit interrupter assembly 200 includes a current limiting fuse 205 and an actuator assembly 210. As shown, the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is configured to be mounted to an industry standard interrupter, such as the interrupter 100. With reference to Figure 3A The current limiting fuse 205 is an industry standard current limiting fuse that includes a top terminal or cap 305, an offset cap 307, a fuse tube 310, and a bottom terminal or cap 315. The offset cap 307 is used to electrically and mechanically connect the current limiting fuse 205 to the upper terminals 105 of the interrupter 100. Figure 3B A perspective view of the offset cap 307 is shown.

[0039] As will be described in greater detail below, the actuator assembly 210 is used to electrically and mechanically couple the bottom cap 315 to the lower terminal 110 of the circuit interrupter 100. Figure 3C A perspective view of the current limiting fuse 205 is shown, with the fuse tube 310 removed to expose the fusible element 320 included in the current limiting fuse 205. The fusible element 320 melts in response to the occurrence of an overload and / or a short circuit fault condition to open the circuit in the power distribution system. For example, when an electrical fault occurs in the power distribution system to which the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is connected, the current limiting fuse 205 electrically disconnects the upper terminal 105 of the circuit interrupter 100 from the lower terminal 110 of the circuit interrupter 100.

[0040] Further, as Figure 3C shown, the current limiting fuse 205 includes a striker 325. The striker 325 can be one component of a striker assembly included in the current limiting fuse 205 that includes components such as a spring, an explosive charge, and / or one or more wires (not shown) that operate to eject the striker 325 from the current limiting fuse 205 in response to the occurrence of an electrical fault. The striker 325 is positioned within the current limiting fuse 205 to align with an aperture formed in the bottom cap 315. Thus, when the fusible element 320 melts in response to an electrical fault to open the circuit, one or more components of the striker assembly are also operated to eject the striker 325 from the bottom cap 315 through the aperture. For example, upon the occurrence of an electrical fault, a spring included in the striker assembly is released and / or a small amount of explosive included in the striker assembly is detonated to eject the striker 325 from the bottom of the current limiting fuse 205. Further, the striker 325 is ejected from the bottom of the current limiting fuse 205 after the fusible element 320 included in the current limiting fuse 205 melts in response to the occurrence of a fault.

[0041] As described above, the current limiting fuse 205 is mounted to the circuit interrupter 100 using the actuator assembly 210. In particular, the current limiting fuse 205 is electrically and mechanically coupled to the lower terminal 110 of the circuit interrupter 100 by the actuator assembly 210. Figure 4A and Figure 4B A perspective view of the actuator assembly 210 is shown, according to one example of the present disclosure. The coupling mechanism includes a housing 400, a hinge 405 coupled to the housing 400, and a tripping mechanism 410 positioned within the housing 400.

[0042] Figure 5AA perspective view of the housing 400 is shown. As shown, the interior of the housing 400 includes or defines a first interior cavity 505 that is arranged to receive and house the disconnect mechanism 410. In the example shown, the first interior cavity 505 is rectangular. However, it should be understood that in some cases, the first interior cavity 505 has a different shape. Further, the interior of the housing 400 includes or defines a second interior cavity 510 that is disposed above the first interior cavity 505 and is arranged to receive the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205. In other words, when the actuator assembly 210 is coupled to the current limiting fuse 205, the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205 is received by and positioned within the second interior cavity 510. Further, when the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205 is received by the second interior cavity 510 of the housing 400, the disconnect mechanism 410 positioned within the first interior cavity 505 is disposed below the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205. In the example shown, the second interior cavity 510 is cylindrical and has a greater circumference than the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205. However, in some cases, the second interior cavity 510 has a different shape.

[0043] The housing 400 further includes a plurality of holes and / or receptacles for coupling the housing 400 to the bottom cap 315 and the hinge 405 of the current limiting fuse 205. In the example shown, the housing 400 includes a lip 515 in which a plurality of holes 520A-520D are formed for fastening the housing 400 to the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205. When the bottom cap 315 is received by the second interior cavity 510, the plurality of holes 520A-520D can be aligned with corresponding holes formed in the bottom cap 315 such that fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, washers, etc.) can be inserted into the holes 520A-520D to couple the bottom cap 315 to the housing 400. Further, the housing 400 includes a coupling mechanism 525 for coupling the hinge 405 to the housing 400. In the example shown, the coupling mechanism 525 includes a first hole 530A and a second hole 530B for coupling the hinge 405 to the housing 400. In some cases, the housing 400 is constructed of an electrically conductive metal, such as copper / copper alloy or aluminum and / or steel. In some cases, the housing 400 is formed of a different electrically conductive material.

[0044] The housing 400 further includes a current bridge assembly 535. Figure 5BA perspective view of the current bridge assembly 535 is shown, which includes a copper plate 540 and a steel plate 545 that are secured to the housing 400 (e.g., by studs and / or nuts). As shown, the copper plate 540 is disposed on top of the steel plate 545. The current bridge assembly 535 is configured to pass current from the housing 400 to the hinge 405 via the copper plate 540 when the trip mechanism 420 is in an unoperated state. As will be described in greater detail below, the unoperated state of the trip mechanism 410 is the state of the trip mechanism 410 before the trip mechanism 410 is operated to disconnect the current limiting fuse 205 from the upper terminal 105 of the interrupter 100. As will be described in greater detail below, the current bridge assembly 535 is mechanically compressed by the hinge 405 and engages the prongs of the hinge 405 with the hinge retainer such that there is a force acting on the hinge 405 that resists the engagement of the hinge 405 with the hinge retainer. When the trip mechanism 410 is operated and the hinge retainer begins to move downward, the compression force from the current bridge assembly 535 helps the hinge 405 to separate from the hinge retainer 745. In some cases, the copper plate 540 is used to pass current from the housing 400 and the steel plate 545 is used to provide the mechanical compression force.

[0045] Figure 6A perspective view of the hinge 405 is shown. As shown, the hinge 405 includes a first pivot 605 A and a second pivot 605B for electrically and mechanically connecting the actuator assembly 210 and the circuit interrupter assembly 200 to the lower terminal 110 of the flow breaker 100. The first pivot 605 A and the second pivot 605B are smooth such that when the first pivot 605 A and the second pivot 605B are received and positioned within the openings or slots of the lower terminal 110, respectively, the hinge 405 is operable to rotate about the first pivot 605 A and the second pivot 605B relative to the lower terminal 110 of the flow breaker 100. The hinge 405 further includes a first aperture 610 A and a second aperture 610B for coupling the hinge 405 to the housing 400. For example, the first aperture 610 A and the second aperture 610B are arranged to align with the first aperture 530A and the second aperture 530B of the housing 400 such that the housing 400 and the hinge 405 can be mechanically coupled by a pin or similar mechanical component that extends through the first aperture 530A and the second aperture 530B and the first aperture 610 A and the second aperture 610B. In some cases, the first aperture 530A and the second aperture 530B of the housing and / or the first aperture 610 A and the second aperture 610B of the hinge 405 are replaced with one or more different fastening elements for coupling the hinge 405 to the housing 400. As will be described in greater detail below, the hinge 405 further includes prongs 615 for mechanically coupling the hinge 405 to one or more components of the trip mechanism 410. In some cases, the hinge 405 is composed of an electrically conductive metal such as copper / copper alloy or aluminum or steel. In some cases, the hinge 405 is formed of a different electrically conductive material.

[0046] When the current limiting fuse 205 and the actuator assembly 210 are mechanically coupled to one another (e.g., fastened together using the plurality of holes 520A-520D and the corresponding holes formed in the bottom cap 315) and installed on the circuit breaker 100, the offset cap 307 mechanically and electrically connects the current limiting fuse 205 to the upper terminal 105 and the hinge 405 of the circuit breaker 100, and more particularly, the first pivot 605A and the second pivot 605B mechanically and electrically connect the current limiting fuse 205 to the lower terminal 110 of the circuit breaker 100. As will be described in greater detail below, the actuator assembly 210 is configured to perform an operational action of disconnecting the offset cap 307 of the current limiting fuse 205 from the upper terminal 105 of the circuit breaker 100 in response to the occurrence of an electrical fault. After the actuator assembly 210 performs the operational action to disconnect the offset cap 307 from the upper terminal 105 of the circuit breaker 100, the current limiting fuse 205 is tripped from the circuit breaker 100. For example, the current limiting fuse 205 and the actuator assembly 210 rotate downward about the first pivot 605A and the second pivot 605B such that the current limiting fuse 205 and the actuator assembly 210 hang from the lower terminal 110 of the circuit breaker 100 to provide a visual indication that the current limiting fuse 205 has opened the electrical circuit in response to the electrical fault.

[0047] In particular, when an electrical fault occurs in the power distribution system to which the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is connected, the tripping mechanism 410 included in the actuator assembly 210 performs an operational action to disconnect the current limiting fuse 205 from the upper terminal 105 of the circuit breaker 100. As described above, when the current limiting fuse 205 operates in response to the electrical fault, the striker 325 is ejected downward from the bottom of the current limiting fuse 205. The striker 325 exits the current limiting fuse 205 through the opening formed in the bottom cap 315 when ejected and enters the actuator assembly 210. In particular, the striker 325 enters the first internal cavity 505 of the actuator assembly 210 and exerts a force (e.g., 22 lbs) on the tripping mechanism 410, thereby triggering the tripping mechanism 410 to perform the operational action of disconnecting the offset cap 307 of the current limiting fuse 205 from the upper terminal 105 of the circuit breaker 100.

[0048] Figure 7A and Figure 7B A perspective view and a side view of a tripping mechanism 410 in an unoperated state, according to one example of the present disclosure, are shown. The unoperated state of the tripping mechanism 410 is the state of the tripping mechanism 410 before the tripping mechanism 410 is operated to disconnect the current limiting fuse 205 from the upper terminal 105 of the circuit breaker 100. As will be described in greater detail below, the tripping mechanism 410 includes a link 705, a retainer spring 710, a release plate 715, an actuation lever 720, an actuator spring 725, a latch 730, a latch plate 735, a release lever mechanism 740, and a hinge retainer 745.Figure 8A- Figure 8I Components included in the disconnection mechanism 410 are shown in perspective views.

[0049] In the inoperative state, the link 705 is biased or supported by a retainer spring 710. The retainer spring 710 is coaxially arranged around the length of the link 705 so that the retainer spring 710 is compressed between the top surface 805 of the link 705 and the release plate 715. A force is exerted by the retainer spring 710 against the top surface 805 of the link 705. In addition, downward movement of the link 705 toward the release plate 715 causes compression of the retainer spring 710. In the example shown, the top surface 805 of the link 705 is hat-shaped and includes a flat surface designed to engage the striker 325 when the striker 325 is ejected from the current-limiting fuse 205. The link 705 is arranged in such a manner that the axis of the link 705 and the axis of the striker 325 are aligned substantially collinearly.

[0050] The actuating rod 720 is held or latched in an inoperative state by a latch 730. As shown, a notch 810 formed in a first end 815 of the actuating rod 720 is configured to receive and engage an arm 820 of the latch 730. When the arm 820 of the latch 730 engages the notch 810 formed in the actuating rod 720, the actuating rod 720 is prevented from moving linearly downward (e.g., in the direction of the hinge retainer 745). The latch 730 is mechanically coupled to and supported by a latch plate 735. In the example shown, the latch 730 is coupled to the latch plate 735 by a pin, such that the latch 730 is operable to rotate relative to the latch plate 735 about the pin.

[0051] When the disconnect mechanism 410 is in an inoperative state, the actuator spring 725 is compressed between the latch plate 735 and a cap 825 formed on the actuator rod 720. When compressed, the actuator spring 725 exerts a downward force on the cap 825 in the direction of the hinge retainer 745. However, as described above, the latch 730 prevents the actuator spring 725 from pushing the actuator rod 720 in the direction of the hinge retainer 745. The latch 730 is supported in the inoperative state by the release lever mechanism 740. As shown, the notch 830 formed in the latch 730 is configured to engage a tab 835 extending from the release lever mechanism 740.

[0052] When the tab 835 extending from the release lever mechanism 740 engages the notch 830 formed in the latch 730, the tab 835 prevents the latch 730 from rotating in the clockwise direction. Additionally, the tab 835 prevents the actuator spring 725 from pushing the actuation lever 720 in the downward direction toward the hinge holder 745 via the latch 730. As described above, when the trip mechanism 410 is in the unoperated state, the actuator spring 725 exerts a downward force on the actuation lever 720. Accordingly, the release lever mechanism 740 supports the latch 730 in the unoperated state, thereby preventing the latch 730 from disengaging the actuation lever 720 and rotating in the clockwise direction in response to the force exerted on the actuation lever 720 by the actuator spring 725. The release lever mechanism 740 includes a first aperture 840 that mechanically couples the release lever mechanism 740 to a bottom end 845 of the link 705. The release lever mechanism 740 further includes a second aperture 850 for mechanically coupling the release lever mechanism 740 to the release plate 715. As will be described in greater detail below, the release lever mechanism 740 is rotatably coupled to the release plate 715.

[0053] The hinge holder 745 is mechanically coupled to a second end 855 of the actuation lever 720. In the illustrated example, the second end 855 of the actuation lever 720 includes an aperture 860 for coupling the actuation lever 720 to the hinge holder 745. Additionally, in the illustrated example, the hinge holder 745 includes a first aperture 865 configured to receive the second end 855 of the actuation lever 720 and a second aperture 870 arranged in alignment with the aperture 860 formed in the second end 855 of the actuation lever 720. In some cases, a fastener, such as a pin, is inserted into the aperture 860 and the second aperture 870 while the second end 855 of the actuation lever 720 is received by the first aperture 860 of the hinge holder 745. As Figure 9 As shown, when the trip mechanism 410 is in the unoperated state, a groove 875 formed in the hinge holder 745 is configured to receive and engage the prong 615 extending from the hinge 405.

[0054] Figure 9 A close-up perspective view of the current limiting fuse 205 coupled to the lower terminal 110 of the circuit interrupter 100 by the actuator assembly 210 when the trip mechanism 410 is in the unoperated state is shown. That is, Figure 9 A close-up perspective view of the bottom of the current limiting fuse 205, the actuator assembly 210, and the lower terminal 110 of the circuit interrupter 100 in a normal operating condition of the power distribution system to which the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is connected (e.g., prior to an electrical fault occurring) is shown. When in the unoperated state, the prong 615 extending from the hinge 405 is engaged by and supported by the groove 875 formed in the hinge holder 745.

[0055] Conversely,Figure 10 A close-up perspective view of the bottom of the current limiting fuse 205, the actuator assembly 210, and the lower terminal 110 of the disconnector 100 after the current limiting fuse 205 and the trip mechanism 410 have operated in response to an electrical fault in the power distribution system to which the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is connected is shown. That is, Figure 10 A close-up perspective view of the trip mechanism 410 in an operated state is shown. The operated state of the trip mechanism 410 is the state of the trip mechanism 410 after the trip mechanism 410 has operated to trip the current limiting fuse 205 from the disconnector 100 (e.g., to disconnect the current limiting fuse 205 from the upper terminal 105 of the disconnector 100). When in the operated state, the hinge retainer 745 is no longer engaged with the prong 615 extending from the hinge 405.

[0056] As Figure 10 Further shown, the striker 325 has been ejected from the bottom of the current limiting fuse 205 and into the actuator assembly 210. As described above, the striker 325 is ejected from the current limiting fuse 205 when the current limiting fuse 205 is operated to interrupt the circuit to which the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is connected. For example, when the fusible element 320 melts to open the circuit in response to an electrical fault, one or more components of the striker assembly are also operated to eject the striker 325 from the bottom cap 315. When ejected, the striker 325 enters the first interior cavity 505 of the actuator assembly 210 and exerts a downward force D( Figure 11 ) on the top surface 805 of the link 705. In the example shown, the striker 325 travels 5-7 millimeters (mm) before contacting the top surface 805 of the link 705 when the striker 325 is ejected from the current limiting fuse 205. In some cases, the striker 325 travels a different distance before contacting the top surface 805 of the link 705. For example, in some cases, the striker 325 travels a distance of less than 5 mm before contacting the top surface 805 of the link 705. In other cases, the striker 325 travels a distance of more than 7 millimeters before contacting the top surface 805 of the link 705.

[0057] In some cases, the striker 325 ejects from the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205 with an initial force of approximately 26 pounds (lbs). In other cases, the striker 325 ejects from the bottom cap 315 of the current limiting fuse 205 with a different magnitude of force. In some cases, when the striker 325 contacts the top surface 805 of the link 705 after ejecting from the current limiting fuse 205, the force D exerted by the striker 325 on the top surface 805 is less than the force with which the striker 325 ejected from the bottom of the current limiting fuse 205. For example, if it is assumed that the striker 325 ejected from the current limiting fuse 205 with an initial force of 26 lbs, the force D exerted by the striker 325 on the top surface 805 of the link 705 can be less than 26 lbs. In such an example, the striker 325 can exert a force D of 22 lbs on the top surface 805 of the link 705 when the striker 325 ejected from the current limiting fuse 205 with an initial force of 26 lbs. In some cases, the striker 325 exerts a force D on the top surface 805 of the link 705 that is less than 22 lbs. In some cases, the striker 325 exerts a force D on the top surface 805 of the link 705 that is greater than 22 lbs. In some cases, the striker 325 exerts a force D on the top surface 805 of the link 705 that is between 20-30 lbs. In some cases, the striker 325 exerts a force D on the top surface 805 of the link 705 that is less than 20 lbs. In some cases, the striker 325 exerts a force D on the top surface 805 of the link 705 that is greater than 30 lbs.

[0058] With reference to Figure 11 When the striker 325 exerts a force D on the top surface 805 of the link 705, the link 705 moves linearly downward (e.g., in a direction toward the release lever mechanism 740). When the link 705 moves linearly downward, the release lever mechanism 740, which is coupled to the bottom end 845 of the link 705, rotates in a counterclockwise direction. When the release lever mechanism 740 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the tab 835 extending from the release lever mechanism 740 rotates away from the notch 830 formed in the latch 730. As described above, when the tab 835 is engaged with the notch 830 formed in the latch 730, the tab supports the latch 730 in the unoperated state. However, when the tab 835 of the release lever mechanism 740 rotates away from the latch 730, the latch 730 is no longer supported in the unoperated state.

[0059] Further, as described above, the actuation lever 720 is supported in the unoperated state by the latch 730. For example, an arm 820 extending from the latch 730 engages a notch 810 formed in the first end 815 of the actuation lever 720 such that the arm 820 supports the actuation lever 720 in the unoperated position. However, when the latch 730 is no longer supported by the release lever mechanism 740 after the release lever mechanism 740 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the latch 730 is unable to support the actuation lever 720 in the unoperated position. For example, the latch 730 is unable to prevent the actuator spring 725 from pushing the actuation lever 720 downward in the direction of the hinge retainer 745. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12, the force T exerted by the actuator spring 725 on the cap 825 of the actuation lever 720 pushes the actuation lever 720 downward in the direction of the hinge retainer 745. As the hinge retainer 745 is coupled to the second end 855 of the actuation lever 720, the hinge retainer 745 also moves in the downward direction as the actuation lever 720 moves in the downward direction. As Figure 13 Further shown, the downward movement of the actuation lever 720 forces the latch 730 to rotate in the clockwise direction.

[0060] In some cases, the actuator spring 725 exerts a downward force T on the actuation lever 720 that is greater than the downward force D exerted by the striker 325 on the top surface 805 of the link 705. In some cases, the downward force T exerted by the actuator spring 725 on the actuation lever 720 is approximately 100 lbs. In some cases, the downward force T exerted by the actuator spring 725 on the actuation lever 720 is less than 100 lbs. In some cases, the downward force T exerted by the actuator spring 725 on the actuation lever 720 is greater than 100 lbs.

[0061] As the actuation lever 720 and the hinge retainer 745 are pushed downward in response to the downward force T exerted by the actuator spring 725, the actuation lever 720 exerts a corresponding downward force on the prong 615 of the hinge 405 via the hinge retainer 745. It should be appreciated that the force exerted by the actuation lever 720 on the prong 615 of the hinge 405 is approximately equal to and / or slightly less than the downward force T exerted by the actuator spring 725. The downward force exerted by the hinge retainer 745 on the prong 615 of the hinge 405 causes a separation between the prong 615 of the hinge 405 and the hinge retainer 745. The push force from the current bridge assembly 535 further contributes to the separation between the prong 615 of the hinge 405 and the hinge retainer 745. For example, the compression force exerted by the current bridge assembly 535 on the hinge 405 causes the hinge 405 to partially rotate from its pivot such that the current limiting fuse 205 is disengaged from the upper terminal 105. Further, as Figure 10 shown, after the trip mechanism 410 is operated, the hinge retainer 745 begins to separate from the prong 615 of the hinge 405.

[0062] When the trip cap 307 of the current limiting fuse 205 is disconnected from the upper terminal 105 of the circuit breaker 100, the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is “trippped” from the circuit breaker 100. That is, the circuit interrupt assembly 200 (e.g., the current limiting fuse 205 coupled to the actuator assembly 210) rotates downward about the first and second pivot axes 605A and 605B of the hinge 405 and away from the upper terminal 105 of the circuit breaker 100. Figure 14 The circuit interrupter assembly 200 is shown tripped from the circuit breaker 100. As shown, the circuit interrupter assembly 200 is hung downward from the lower terminal 110 of the circuit breaker 100 by the first and second pivot axes 605A and 605B of the hinge 405. The circuit interrupter assembly 200 hung in the tripped position from the circuit breaker 100 provides a visual indication to a service technician that the current limiting fuse 205 has been operated to interrupt an electrical fault occurring in the power distribution system.

[0063] After the circuit interrupt assembly 200 is operated to interrupt an electrical fault occurring in the power distribution system, the current limiting fuse 205 cannot be reused. However, the actuator assembly 210 can be reused when a new current limiting fuse 205 is installed in the circuit interrupt assembly 200. That is, a service technician can disconnect the operated current limiting fuse 205 from the actuator assembly 210 and connect a new, unoperated current limiting fuse 205 to the previously used actuator assembly 210. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a reusable device (e.g., the actuator assembly 210) for connecting an industry standard current limiting fuse (such as the current limiting fuse 205) to an industry standard distribution circuit breaker (such as the circuit breaker 100).

[0064] While various aspects have been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, various modifications and changes to one or more aspects described herein will occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A circuit interrupter assembly comprising: a current limiting fuse, the current limiting fuse comprising: a terminal, the terminal connecting the current limiting fuse to a first terminal of an interrupter; and a striker, the striker being ejected from the current limiting fuse in response to an occurrence of an electrical fault; and an actuator assembly, the actuator assembly comprising: a housing, the housing coupling the actuator assembly to the current limiting fuse; a hinge, the hinge connecting the actuator assembly to a second terminal of the interrupter; and a trip mechanism, the trip mechanism operating to disconnect the current limiting fuse from the first terminal of the interrupter when the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse.

2. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 1, wherein, the trip mechanism comprising a link, the link being arranged to contact the striker when the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse; and an actuation lever, the actuation lever being released to disconnect the current limiting fuse from the first terminal of the interrupter when the link is contacted by the striker; wherein an axis through the striker is substantially aligned with an axis through the link.

3. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 2, wherein, the trip mechanism further comprising a spring, the spring exerting a force on the actuation lever after the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse, the force causing the actuation lever to disconnect the current limiting fuse from the first terminal of the interrupter.

4. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 3, wherein, the force exerted on the actuation lever by the spring is greater than a second force exerted on the link by the striker.

5. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 2, wherein, the trip mechanism further comprising a latch, the latch supporting the actuation lever in an inoperative state prior to the striker being ejected from the current limiting fuse.

6. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 5, wherein, the trip mechanism further comprising a release lever mechanism coupled to the link, the release lever mechanism comprising a tab, the tab supporting the latch in the inoperative state prior to the striker being ejected from the current limiting fuse.

7. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 6, wherein, the release lever mechanism rotates when the link is contacted by the striker; and wherein the tab disengages from the latch when the release lever mechanism rotates.

8. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 1, wherein, the trip mechanism is housed in a first cavity formed in a housing of the actuator assembly, and the current limiting fuse is received by a second cavity formed in the housing of the actuator assembly.

9. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 8, wherein, the trip mechanism is disposed below the current limiting fuse when the current limiting fuse is received by the second cavity.

10. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 1, wherein, the current limiting fuse is an industry standard current limiting fuse, and the interrupter is an industry standard interrupter.

11. An actuator assembly for mounting a current limiting fuse to an interrupter, the current limiting fuse being configured to eject a striker in response to an occurrence of an electrical fault, the actuator assembly comprising: a housing, the housing coupling the actuator assembly to the current limiting fuse; a hinge, the hinge connecting the actuator assembly to a lower terminal of the interrupter; and a trip mechanism, the trip mechanism operating to disconnect the current limiting fuse from an upper terminal of the interrupter when the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse. the trip mechanism comprising a link, the link being arranged to contact the striker when the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse; 12. The actuator assembly of claim 11, wherein, and ​ wherein the disconnect mechanism includes an actuation lever that is released when the link is contacted by the striker to disconnect the current limiting fuse from the upper terminal of the cutout; wherein an axis through the striker is substantially aligned with an axis through the link.

13. The actuator assembly of claim 12, wherein, The disconnect mechanism further includes a spring that exerts a force on the actuation lever after the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse, the force causing the actuation lever to disconnect the current limiting fuse from the upper terminal of the cutout.

14. The actuator assembly of claim 13, wherein, The force exerted on the actuation lever by the spring is greater than a second force exerted on the link by the striker.

15. The actuator assembly of claim 12, wherein, The disconnect mechanism further includes a latch that supports the actuation lever in an unoperated state before the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse.

16. The actuator assembly of claim 15, wherein, The disconnect mechanism further includes a release lever mechanism coupled to the link, the release lever mechanism including a tab that supports the latch in the unoperated state before the striker is ejected from the current limiting fuse.

17. The circuit interrupter assembly of claim 16, wherein, The release lever mechanism rotates when the link is contacted by the striker; and wherein the tab is disengaged from the latch when the release lever mechanism rotates.

18. The actuator assembly of claim 11, wherein, The disconnect mechanism is housed in a first cavity formed in a housing of the actuator assembly, and the current limiting fuse is received by a second cavity formed in the housing of the actuator assembly.

19. The actuator assembly of claim 18, wherein, The disconnect mechanism is disposed below the current limiting fuse when the current limiting fuse is received by the second cavity.

20. The actuator assembly of claim 11, wherein, The current limiting fuse is an industry standard current limiting fuse, and the cutout is an industry standard cutout.

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