Electronic Fuse Apparatus with Sensor-Based Current Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuses and fuse links in power converters experience delays in interrupting current, which can lead to high voltages being supplied to devices, potentially damaging them, especially in scenarios like internal short circuits in information handling systems.
Innovation Solution
A fuse apparatus comprising a switch, current sensor, voltage sensor, and controller that interrupts current when either a threshold current or voltage is exceeded, protecting devices and loads by creating an open circuit condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fuses and fuse links are used to protect against short circuits, then the device is protected against internal short circuits, but there is a delay in interrupting current which can cause high voltage to be supplied to the load, potentially damaging it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal operation of conventional fuses with an electronic control system. A controller receives signals from voltage and current sensors, processes the information, and actuates a switch (such as a transistor or MOSFET) to interrupt current flow. This electronic substitution eliminates the inherent delay of conventional fuses by enabling rapid detection and response to overvoltage or overcurrent conditions, thereby protecting the load without time loss.
2Device complexity
If conventional fuses are used, then the structure is simple, but the response speed is slow causing high voltage to reach the load before interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control to the fuse system by implementing a controller that actively monitors voltage and current conditions and adjusts the switch state in real-time. This dynamic operation allows the system to respond rapidly to changing conditions, interrupting current almost instantaneously when thresholds are exceeded, thereby achieving high-speed protection while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular sensor-controller-actuator architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuse apparatus for protecting a device and a load coupled to the device may include a switch. The switch may be configured to interrupt current to protect a device and a load coupled to the device. A fuse apparatus may include a current sensor which may be coupled to a controller. The controller may control the switch to interrupt current to protect a device when current exceeds a threshold current. Additionally, a fuse apparatus may include a voltage sensor coupled to the controller. The controller may control the switch to interrupt current to protect a load when an output voltage of the device exceeds a threshold voltage.