Fuse and trip mechanism therefor

Abstract

A trip mechanism for a fuse includes a trip unit disposed within an elongated housing of the fuse, and a processor. The trip unit includes a fuse element and an actuator for severing the fuse element. The processor is in electrical communication with the trip unit, and is adapted to monitor electrical current. Responsive to the processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, the processor is adapted to signal the actuator to sever the fuse element. The processor is programmable to selectively adjust the predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling the fuse to have a plurality different current ratings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trip mechanism for a boric acid expulsion fuse, said fuse comprising an elongated housing including a first end and a second end, a first electrical terminal coupled to the first end, a second electrical terminal coupled to the second end, and a contact member disposed within the elongated housing, said trip mechanism comprising:
 a trip unit structured to be disposed within said elongated housing, said trip unit comprising a fuse element and an actuator for severing said fuse element; and   a processor in electrical communication with said trip unit, said processor being adapted to monitor electrical current,   wherein responsive to said processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, said processor being adapted to signal said actuator to sever said fuse element,   wherein said processor is programmable to selectively adjust said predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling said fuse to have a plurality different current ratings, and   wherein said actuator is a chemical firing mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The trip mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said chemical firing mechanism severs said fuse element directly, without requiring a separate electrical switch. 
     
     
         3 . A boric acid expulsion fuse comprising:
 an elongated housing including a first end and a second end;   a first electrical terminal coupled to the first end;   a second electrical terminal coupled to the second end;   a contact member disposed within the elongated housing; and   a trip mechanism comprising:
 a trip unit disposed within said elongated housing, said trip unit comprising a fuse element and an actuator for severing said fuse element, and 
 a processor in electrical communication with said trip unit, said processor being adapted to monitor electrical current, 
 wherein responsive to said processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, said processor being adapted to signal said actuator to sever said fuse element, and 
 wherein said processor is programmable to selectively adjust said predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling said fuse to have a plurality different current ratings. 
   
     
     
         4 . The fuse of  claim 3  wherein said actuator is a chemical firing mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The fuse of  claim 4 , wherein said chemical firing mechanism severs said fuse element directly, without requiring a separate electrical switch.