Fuse Device With Phase Change Component For Response Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit protection devices, such as fuses and PTC devices, often have response times that are too rapid for certain applications, leading to inappropriate reaction to fault conditions, necessitating a solution to adjust and prolong the response time effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a phase change component with a phase change temperature lower than the fuse temperature into the fuse device, which absorbs additional heat and delays the transition to a high resistance state, thereby increasing the response time by requiring more energy to reach the fuse temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a conventional fuse device is used, then the response time is rapid, but the response time cannot be adjusted and may be too short for certain applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by incorporating a phase change material (such as paraffin wax or salt hydrate) with a specific melting point between the ambient temperature and the fuse operating temperature. When the fuse component heats up during operation, the phase change material absorbs excess thermal energy through melting, thereby delaying the temperature rise of the fuse element and extending the response time. This provides adjustable response characteristics without changing the fundamental fuse design.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material acts as an intermediary thermal buffer between the heat source (fuse component) and the fuse element. It mediates the thermal energy transfer by absorbing heat during phase transition, thereby controlling the rate at which the fuse element reaches its operating temperature. This intermediary layer provides a mechanism to adjust response time while maintaining the protective function of the fuse.
2Speed
If the fuse component directly heats the circuit protection element, then the response is immediate, but the response time cannot be prolonged without additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material undergoes a solid-to-liquid phase transition at a temperature below the fuse operating temperature but above ambient temperature. During this phase change, the material absorbs latent heat of fusion, which slows down the temperature rise of the fuse component. This creates a time delay in the heating process, effectively prolonging the response time while maintaining the eventual protective action.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material is pre-positioned in thermal contact with the fuse component before operation. When overheating begins, the phase change material immediately begins absorbing thermal energy through its phase transition, preemptively slowing the temperature rise before the fuse element reaches its tripping point. This preliminary thermal buffering action extends the response time window.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The phase change component effectively prolongs the response time of the fuse device, allowing for a controlled and delayed transition to a high resistance state, enhancing the device's ability to manage fault conditions and reducing the likelihood of premature tripping.
Implementation Method 1
the phase change component exhibits a phase change temperature, the phase change temperature marking a phase transition of the phase change component
Implementation Method 2
the phase change component...absorbs additional heat and delays the transition to a high resistance state
Implementation Method 3
The resistance of the circuit protection device, including a circuit protection element, may be altered by direct heating due to temperature increase in the environment of the circuit protection element, or via resistive heating generated by electrical current passing through the circuit protection element
Implementation Method 4
a phase change component, disposed in thermal contact with the fuse component
Data Source
AI summary
A fuse device including a fuse component, a first electrode, disposed on a first side of the fuse component, a second electrode, disposed on a second side of the fuse component, and a phase change component, disposed in thermal contact with the fuse component. The fuse component may comprise a fuse temperature, wherein the phase change component exhibits a phase change temperature, the phase change temperature marking a phase transition of the phase change component, and wherein the phase change temperature is less than the fuse temperature.