A breaker device for connecting in an electrical circuit, the device includes a pyrotechnic initiator and a body having present therein: a pressurizing chamber in communication with an outlet from the pyrotechnic initiator; at least one electrically conductive portion for connection to the electrical circuit; at least one fusible element connected in series with the conductive portion, the initiator being connected to the terminals of the fusible element and the fusible element being configured to trip when the current passing through it exceeds a predetermined value, thereby actuating the initiator; and a movable breaker element; the pyrotechnic initiator being configured to cause the breaker device to pass from a current-passing first configuration to a circuit-breaking second configuration, the movable breaker element being moved on passing from the first configuration to the second in order to disconnect the conductive portion.

The disclosure relates to an energy supply apparatus for the overcurrent-protected electric power supply to an electric consumer, including a power supply device configured to provide an electric current for the electric consumer, and a controllable power protection element configured to disable a supply of electric current to the electric consumer when the electric current reaches a first current limit value, wherein the controllable power protection element comprises an adjustable second current limit value set by the power supply device, wherein the power supply device receives an increased power requirement of the electric consumer within a time interval and to control the controllable power protection element for a duration of the time interval to set the second current limit value, and wherein the controllable power protection element disables the supply of the electric current to the electric consumer upon reaching the second current limit value by the electric current.

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.

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.

A method for operating a protective apparatus and a protective apparatus, in particular a self-tripping explosive fuse, wherein the protective apparatus includes a fuse element, which is designed to interrupt a conductor section by an explosion. A tripping unit is designed to trip the explosion by an ignition voltage (U.sub.Z) when the ignition voltage exceeds a prescribed value. The protective apparatus has a thermoelectric element, which generates the ignition voltage (U.sub.Z) depending on heating of the conductor section.

A switch device capable of safely opening an electrical circuit in response to an abnormality such as wetting with water or liquid leaking from a battery. The device includes a first conductor connected to an external circuit and having a relatively high ionization tendency, and a second conductor arranged close to the first conductor and having a relatively low ionization tendency which is lower than that of the first conductor, a reaction part which electrically corrodes the first conductor is formed by a liquid between the first and second conductors.

An arc detection assembly is provided and includes first and second conductors including first and second terminal ends, respectively, which are engageable to form an electrical connection and an arc detection system. The arc detection system includes a fusible link disposed proximate to one of the first and second terminal ends and configured to break in response to an arcing condition between the first and second terminal ends and a monitoring circuit coupled to the fusible link and configured to determine when breakage of the fusible link occurs and to thereby determine that the arcing condition has occurred.

An arc detection assembly is provided and includes a first conductor comprising a first terminal end, a second conductor comprising a second terminal end, an enclosure to partially enclose a space in which the first and second terminal ends are engageable to form an electrical connection and an optical detection system. The optical detection system includes an optical element within the enclosure with a line-of-sight to an engagement of the first and second terminal ends and a sensor. The sensor is displaced from the enclosure and coupled to the optical element. The sensor is configured to determine when the optical element senses an arcing condition between the first and second terminal ends.

A release apparatus includes a coiled restraining wire with each end attached to a corresponding fuse wire. The fuse wires are supplied with respective actuation electric currents by respective independent current sources. Flow of actuation current through a fuse wire causes that fuse wire to break; breakage of either one or both fuse wires allows the restraining wire to partially uncoil and allow the release apparatus to transition from a retained condition to a released condition, by allowing disengagement of retention members from a release member that can then move out of the release apparatus. The release apparatus can be employed to attach a deployable component to a satellite or spacecraft, and can be readily repaired, refurbished or reset for repetitive ground testing.

A release apparatus includes a coiled restraining wire with at least one end attached to a fuse wire. Actuation current through the fuse wire causes it to break; breakage of the fuse wire allows the restraining wire to partially uncoil and allow the release apparatus to transition from a retained condition to a released condition, by allowing disengagement a sleeve from retention members and disengagement of retention members from a release member that can then move out of the release apparatus. The sleeve isolates the restraining wire and fuse wire from load forces on the release member. Rolling bearings within the sleeve against the retention members reduces resistance to disengagement of the sleeve. The release apparatus can be employed to attach a deployable component to a satellite or spacecraft, and can be readily repaired, refurbished or reset for repetitive ground testing.