Importance

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Abstract

In accordance with the invention, a fuse comprises a reactive composite structure to interrupt the flow of current in a circuit. The term fuse, as used herein, is intended to cover current interrupters generically and thus encompasses fuses, circuit breakers and other devices for interrupting the flow of current through a conductor. Reactive composite structures comprise two or more phases of materials spaced in a controlled fashion throughout a composite in uniform layers, local layers, islands, or particles. Upon appropriate excitation, the materials undergo an exothermic chemical reaction that spreads rapidly through the composite structure generating heat and light. Moreover a reactive composite structure can break apart upon reaction. This breakage can rapidly interrupt the flow of current through the reactive composite structure. Such structures can provide high-speed current interruption. In addition, reactive composite structures can have abrupt reaction initiation thresholds such that a pulse of energy of a certain magnitude may initiate a clearing reaction but a slightly smaller pulse of energy may not. Such a reactive composite structure can thus provide a high speed, highly sensitive current interrupter.

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First Claim