Abstract:
A potted electrical circuit is enclosed within a housing and has a first and second fiberglass layer that is laid upon a top surface of the potted electrical circuit. A lid of the housing seals the electrical circuit there within and an opening formed in a side wall allows circuitry wiring to extend there from out. The first fiberglass layer is a woven layer while the second fiberglass layer is a padding-like layer. Circuitry wiring pushes through the woven first fiberglass layer before extending out through the opening in the housing. The first fiberglass layer is tucked in and around the electrical circuit and adheres to the inside of the housing by attaching to the potting material while it hardens. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical circuit in combination with the insulation material is used within a transient voltage surge suppression device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting electrical circuits from the effects of component product residue due to circuit failure. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for protecting potted electrical circuits enclosed within housings that may typically employ surge suppression or other like circuitry used in the mitigation of electrical anomalies and abnormal conditions in devices to which the surge suppression circuitry is connected, from component product residue that may be subjected upon surrounding circuitry when a failure of any particular circuit occurs. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Component failure on circuit boards of all types is very well known in the prior art. Some component failure can have little or no effects on the circuit itself and/or the surrounding circuitry. However, in other circuitry, component failure can have devastating effects on the specific circuit board containing the failed component or on a surrounding circuit board, circuit panel or other electrical equipment in close proximity thereto. 
     Circuitry that is specifically designed to fail in certain circumstances can be found in Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS) devices, also known as Surge Protective Devices (SPD). These devices are well known in the prior art. TVSS devices are used with computers, other types of electrical equipment and electrical circuits to protect against electrical line voltage surges and other occurring transient electrical anomalies that may occur along an electrical power line to which the equipment or circuit is coupled. Transient over voltages or voltage surges result in peak voltage levels that occur within an electrical line that are higher than that which the equipment being protected is rated to handle (i.e., over-voltages). Transient electrical anomalies include other types of electrical occurrences in the electrical line that are considered sub-cycle events which cause the equipment to operate improperly or completely fail (i.e., over-currents and the like). Transient over voltages or voltage surges have become even more problematic in today&#39;s sophisticated electrical world wherein sensitive computerized equipment requires a constant and regulated supply voltage. 
     Various types of voltage surges that can affect an electrical device or circuit can occur at any given time within an electrical line, and include Temporary Over Voltages, and abnormal conditions such as Full-Phase Over voltages and Limited Current Over voltages. It is desirable to suppress any excess voltage or current that occurs on an electrical circuit that has been disturbed. Studies by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have shown 120 Volt power lines reaching as high as 5,600 Volts. Suppression of these over-voltages and other transient electrical anomalies is highly desirable, and many instances critical, to the operation of an electrical device, computer or electrical circuit. 
     Transient over voltages and voltage surges can occur due to a plurality of factors, to include, but are not limited to, internal anomalies and external anomalies such as, lightning strikes, circuit overloads, power company grid activity, temporary or permanent failure of the neutral conductor, recovery from brown-outs, black-outs and circuit interruption by simple human error. Since transient over voltages and voltage surges are very common, but difficult to predict, it is imperative to have a TVSS device on line at all times protecting the targeted piece of electrical equipment or circuit. To leave the equipment unprotected can result in a devastating consequence wherein the equipment is temporarily brought off-line, severely damaged or completely destroyed. This result could be detrimental to hospitals, police, fire and rescue units, the military and other critical functioning entities who can not afford to be “off-line” for any period of time. It is therefore critical to suppress these surges and anomalies and minimize their effect on the electrical equipment they are charged to protect. 
     It is understandable however, that even the best, most complex, most redundant TVSS devices are not one hundred percent effective against all electrical line surges and transient anomalies. However, suppressing as many of these surges and transients as possible most likely will result in a longer life for the electrical equipment that the TVSS device is protecting. It will also help to minimize any possible “down-time.” 
     Many TVSS devices, and in particular solid state devices, employ metal oxide varistors (MOVs) to provide for a non-linear voltage-current relationship for handling the surge suppression. However, other TVSS devices exist, which employ silicon avalanche diodes (SADs), zener diodes, selenium cells and high voltage capacitors for surge suppression. In other TVSS devices, gas discharge tubes are employed for the surge suppression component. MOV designed TVSS devices are favored over many other surge suppression components due to their ability to be used in low voltage applications, such as, for example, AC power distribution systems having a normal and nominal operating voltage less than or about 600 volts AC (600 VAC). 
     MOVs act as a type of current diverter for the TVSS device. Under normal conditions, TVSS device surge suppression components, such as MOVs, draw very little current. As the voltage level increases across the TVSS device, to a level higher than the system voltage and that which the equipment it is protecting is designed (rated) to handle, the impedence of the TVSS circuit drops significantly, effectively causing electrical conduction across the surge suppression components or MOVs. Since very low impedance is required in voltage surge suppression, this result is highly desirable. The result of this current diverting scheme is voltage surge absorption by the MOVs. The energy absorbed by the surge suppression components, such as the MOVs, is dissipated as heat. In some instances (a sustained over voltage condition), the heat rises to a level which causes the MOV, or other surge suppression component, to burn, melt or explode. Although the desired result of voltage surge suppression may have been realized, the melting, burning or explosion of the MOV can cause other problems that must be addressed. For instance, the MOV can vaporize, which can result in plasma being formed, which in turn creates a new electrical conductor. This new electrical conduction defeats the purpose of the TVSS device resulting in damage to the equipment that the TVSS device is meant to protect by letting through the voltage surge or transient which the TVSS was intended to suppress. Further, unacceptable end of life conditions can cause damage to the equipment that the TVSS was intended to protect as well as surrounding equipment near the installation site of the TVSS. For these reasons, it is imperative to provide a mechanism for the TVSS device which would permit it to operate up to a level which provides for adequate transient voltage surge suppression all the while providing for the ability to be brought off line to avoid TVSS device failure or environmental hazards in cases where the surge protective device components are reaching their end of life. In other words, it is desirable to provide a manner in which the TVSS device, or other like devices, can safely fail, otherwise known as “acceptable failure modes” or “acceptable end-of-life conditions.” And in those situations wherein acceptable failure modes or acceptable end-of-life conditions results in component product residue being projected and thereby subjected on surrounding circuitry, it is desirable to contain such residue and minimize or eliminate damage to the surrounding circuitry. 
     To avoid the problems associated with surge suppression component (i.e., MOV) destruction, which can cause TVSS device failure, advancements have been made to TVSS devices, including but not limited to, device container improvements to quell or contain plasma formation and the provision of fusing circuitry to prohibit MOV burn-up. U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,534 to Rau et al. addresses both of these issues. To inhibit plasma formation, a plastic cover and housing are used for the TVSS module, silver wires serve as fuses or fuse links since they are known to have a lower oxidation energy level than copper or aluminum, and longer lengths are used for the fuse wires which raises voltage re-strike levels thereby reducing arc formation that may occur in a wire melt down situation. In this prior art device, one wire fuse is used for every MOV that is employed. Although this may be appropriate when employing small thermal fuses for each MOV, this would be more difficult if using larger current rated fuses. If so, the use of one current rated fuse for every MOV would require that a larger housing be employed. For those circuits that require a significant level of transient voltage surge suppression, the size of such a device would not be acceptable for most applications with today&#39;s modern need for limited space requirements. Further, even if the TVSS device could be made to be compact due to a minimal amount of surge suppression components being employed, and therefore a minimal number of fuses being employed, space requirements within the environment where the device is employed could still dictate that the device of this prior art reference is too large (i.e., the confined spacing requirements of a naval vessel). Still further, the use of a current rated fuse for every MOV would most likely cause the TVSS device to constantly go “off-line” due to the fast acting response time of standard current rated fuses. This of course would defeat the entire purpose of the TVSS device. On the other hand, if only thermal fuses are employed, then the problems associated with a non-performing TVSS device that has reached its end of life due to high current abnormal over voltage conditions, will still exist since the thermal fuses only work at the component level to take over-heated MOV components off-line. Simply put, the use of thermal fuses only at the component level is inadequate for today&#39;s needs in transient voltage surge suppression technology. Another aspect of this prior art reference, as to the issue of containment of component product reside, relates to the use of a sand and epoxy fill material, which is used to fill spaces and voids to prevent the spread of any plasma created due to component failure or fuse wire clearing. However, the use of such fill material is very limiting in that once it is applied to the circuit it can not be removed to change simple device repairs. 
     Other attempted advancements in the prior art of improved safety for surge suppression circuits can be seen in European Patent Application No. 07250027.5 (Publication No. EP 1 806 818 A2), wherein thermal cutoffs are employed and revised layouts or orientations of the components are chosen to reduce the risk of burning through the outer enclosure in the event that electrical components, such as MOVs, over heat. However, revised layouts and/or orientation of components can limit what can be placed on a specific circuit board and is not an ideal way to solve the problem of component product residue containment. 
     Other attempted advancements in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,464 to Liptak et al., have placed restrictive and/or resilient materials around a circuit board before it is potted with a material, which is poured over the circuit board and the restrictive and/or resilient material and then allowed to hardened. Although this has provided an added protective layer, it again is limiting in that no modifications to the device, circuit board or material layers can be made once it is encapsulated within the potting material. 
     In view of all of the above, improvements are clearly needed in the art of protecting circuit boards and devices in general, which employ circuitry that is known to, or designed to purposefully overheat or fail upon certain events occurring, like those most often seen in surge suppression and like devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     We have invented a novel insulation system for use with electrical circuits, which overcomes the deficiencies seen in the prior art. Although our novel insulation system can be used with a wide variety of electrical circuits it is best employed with electrical circuits that are enclosed within a housing. Further, while best used with enclosed electrical circuits, the novel insulation system of the present invention is best used with surge suppression circuitry used in devices such as TVVS devices. However, nothing herein limits the use of our novel insulation system with only enclosed surge suppression circuits. 
     Our novel insulation system employs a housing for receiving an electrical circuit, such as, by way of example, a surge suppression circuit. The size and shape of the housing is dependent on the size and/or orientation of the circuit board or boards employed. Each circuit is potted with a potting material that is be poured wet over the circuit board and allowed to harden. While in a preferred embodiment, the housing has at least one opening for allowing wires associated with the potted circuit to protrude through the housing, wires may remain internal for connection to terminal strips and therefore not protrude through the housing at least opening. 
     The novel insulation system of the present invention also employs at least two further insulation layers of glass fiber such that a first layer of glass fiber is laid upon a top surface of the potted circuit and tucks in and around the circuit board which is typically positioned along or proximal to a bottom surface of the housing. The first glass fiber layer can be affixed to the circuit on at least one edge by applying the glass fiber layer to the potted circuited while the potting material is still “wet” and not yet hardened. In a preferred embodiment, the first glass fiber layer is woven sheet of fiberglass. Further, wires from the potted circuit are pushed through the fiber glass weave and out through the opening in the housing, such that a potion of the fiberglass weave fills the housing opening. 
     A second glass fiber layer is then laid upon a top surface of first glass fiber layer such that the second glass fiber layer fills a majority of any resulting free space within the housing and up to a bottom surface of a top or lid portion, which seals the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the second glass fiber layer is a fiberglass padding (or “fluff”) that is generally more pliable than the woven first fiberglass layer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an electrical schematic diagram of a novel circuit used in the TVSS device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a housing enclosing the novel TVSS device circuit of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the housing enclosing the novel TVSS device circuit employing three fuses; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of three pair of fuses soldered to a circuit board; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the housing enclosing the novel TVSS device circuit employing two fuses; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , illustrating a potted circuit board with two layers of insulating material disposed within the housing; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the two layers of insulating material of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view, partially cut-away, of an aperture formed in a side wall of the housing, illustrating that wires of the circuit penetrate one of the layers of insulating material, which in turn fills a portion of an opening in the aperture; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the TVSS device of the present invention illustrating that multiple modular boards can be employed side by side within a single housing; 
         FIG. 11  a cross-sectional view of an alternate housing of another alternate embodiment of the TVSS device of the present invention utilizing the novel insulating layers of said present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate configuration of a printed circuit board employed with the TVSS device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electrical schematic diagram is shown illustrating a fused transient surge suppression circuit  10  employed with a transient voltage surge suppression device of the present invention. As shown, circuit  10  employs a plurality of Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) V 1 -V 20  arranged in three columns (one for each phase of a three phase line) but electrically coupled in parallel. It is understood that nothing herein limits the use of this novel circuit with either single or two phase lines. It is further understood that any number of MOVs or like surge suppression components can be employed per column. Also, the number of columns can vary dependent upon the modes of protection for the surge suppression application.  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a preferred embodiment wherein a three phase line is employed having Phase A, Phase B, Phase C, Neutral and Ground. 
     Each MOV V 1 -V 20  has its own thermal fuse VF 1 -VF 20 , respectively, coupled in series with its MOV (herein jointly numbered  28 ). In the preferred embodiment, thermal fuses VF 1 -VF 20  are enclosed within the component body of each MOV V 1 -V 20 , respectively. A set of three LEDs, LED 1 - 3 , one for each phase of the three phase line, are employed for indicating that a failure may have occurred with any one of the three columns of MOVs associated with a given phase of the three phase line. A set of three resistors, R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , are also employed in series with LED 1 , LED 2  and LED 3 , respectively. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , it is shown that three surge rated fuses, F 1 , F 2  and F 3 ,(collectively individually numbered  30 ) are employed wherein one fuse is provided for each phase of the three phase line. As shown, fuses F 1 , F 2  and F 3  are all coupled directly to the power terminals of the three phase electrical line and are also coupled directly, in very close proximity, to the array of MOVs. This provides for a very short lead length for fuses F 1 , F 2  and F 3 . In the preferred embodiment, ferrule type surge rated fuses are employed, rated for 5-100 kA 8×20 uSec Waveforms, 600 VAC, 200 kA I.R. These fuses permit the TVSS device to withstand a rated surge pulse without opening, but are current limiting under AC short circuit conditions. Nothing herein limits this invention from using higher or lower rated fuses to accomplish the same result for a different application for TVSS technology. 
     The mounting of fuses F 1 , F 2  and F 3  (number  30  in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) on the same printed circuit board as the array of MOVs and their associated thermal fuses permit the TVSS device of the present invention to employ only one circuit board  18 , which in turn permits a small housing to be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a housing  12  is shown which encloses circuit  10 . Housing  12 , is made from a high fire retardant material to inhibit the spreading of a fire in the unlikely event of a melt down of the MOVs on circuit  10 . Housing  12  includes a cover  14 , on which are mounted the three LEDs, Led 1 , LED 2  and LED 3 . Cover  14  is held in place by a set of screws  16  at each corner of cover  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of housing  12  is shown. As illustrated, circuit  10  is enclosed within housing  12  and mounted upon a single printed circuit board (PCB)  18 . Each phase of a three phase line, Phase A, Phase B and Phase C, along with Neutral and Ground, couple to PCB  18  and has wire leads  34  and Neutral and Ground extending therefrom through an aperture  20  in housing  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , pairs of ferrule type fuses  22  are soldered  24  to suitable size bores  26  in circuit board  18 . Rows of varistors  28  (not shown in this  FIG. 4 ) are mounted in each side of the fuses  22 . A ring terminal  32  electrically connects the pair of ferrule type fuses  22 . The ring terminal  32  can be a standard, flag or dual ring terminal as needed. Electrical conductors  34  connect the fuse to the electrical circuit to be protected such as phase A, B or C shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  as few as two fuses  30  are positioned between varistors  28 . These fuses can be used for separate phases A and B or can be combined with a ring terminal  32  to protect a single circuit. 
     Another embodiment of the fusing system includes the connection of the ferrule fuse between two circuit boards with appropriately sized bores through them. The fuse or multiple fuses can be placed in between these boards and soldered into place. This will allow for the connection of multiple fuses from and to multiple phases, modes or suppression components. The fuses will be soldered into place on both of the boards. 
     Additional diagnostic circuits or features can be employed with the TVSS device of the present invention to achieve the same results in the same way and in the same manner. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a preferred embodiment of the present novel insulation system for electrical circuits is shown. A housing  36 , generally of a rectangular shape, although other shaped housings can be employed, is shown for the preferred embodiment. As shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7 , housing  36  encloses an electrical circuit board  38  positioned near or along an inner bottom surface  40  of housing  36 . Electrical circuit board  38  is potted (encapsulated by a thermosetting compound) with potting material  42 , which is poured wet over electrical circuit board  38  and allowed to harden. A first layer of glass fiber  44  is draped over (i.e., laid upon) a top surface of electrical circuit board  38  at a time when the potting material  42  has just been poured and is therefore still wet (i.e., not yet harden), such that a peripheral edge  46  of the first layer of glass fiber  44  can be tucked in and around circuit board  38  and be allowed to adhere to the potting material  42  as it hardens. In this configuration, first layer of glass fiber  44  acts like a blanket covering circuit board  38 . Thereafter, a second layer of glass fiber  48  is placed upon a top surface  50  of first layer of glass fiber  44  and generally fills the remaining air spaces within housing  36  up and to a bottom surface  52  of a lid portion  54  of housing  36 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , is shown that in a preferred embodiment, first layer of glass fiber  44  is a woven sheet of fiberglass, while second layer of glass fiber  48  is fiberglass padding. For the purposes of  FIG. 8 , a partially exploded view, lid portion  54  of housing  36  is not shown as well as potting material  42 . 
     Further to  FIG. 7 , and with reference to  FIG. 9  as well, a set of wires  60 , in communication with circuit board  38 , protrude through an opening (or aperture)  56  formed in a side wall  58  of housing  36  for connection to other electrical equipment (not shown). As shown in  FIGS. 6   7 , and  9 , opening  56  has a threaded fitting  62  inserted therein. Further, as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , set of wires  60 , insert or punch through the fiberglass weave of first layer of glass fiber  44  such that a small potion of the fiberglass weave is tucked within opening  56  and thereby partially filling it and separating the inside area of housing  36  from the outside ambient air around housing  36 . A threaded fitting is used so that a locking nut can be threaded onto the housing and used as a strain relief. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a first alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a housing  64  is shaped such that it can receive and retain a plurality of electrical circuit board modules  66 . In the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 10 , four modules  66  are employed and are positioned side by side to fill the bottom surface of housing  64 . It is understood, although not shown, that the first and second layers of glass fiber,  44  and  48  respectively, would then be employed as described in the preferred embodiment above. Further to  FIG. 10 , a pair of openings  68  is employed and can be formed in opposing side walls  70  as shown therein, although nothing herein limits different configurations for openings  68  and for openings  68  being formed in different side walls, or formed in the same side wall, or using more or less than two openings. The sets of wires  60 , as in the preferred embodiment, protrude through openings  68 . 
     In a second alternate embodiment, a “tall” housing  72  is employed, as shown in  FIG. 11 . In such embodiment, a series, for example three, of electrical circuit boards  38  is employed within tall housing  72  and are stacked one on top of the other. All boards  38  are potted with a potting material  42  and each board has its own first and second layer of glass fiber,  44  and  48  respectively, as described above in the preferred embodiment. Depending on the number of boards  38  employed would dictate how many openings  56  are employed. In  FIG. 11 , one opening  56  is formed in a side wall of housing  72 . However, nothing herein limits the number of openings  56  that can be formed therein for permitting the sets of wires  60  to protrude therefrom. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , an alternate embodiment to that which is shown in  FIG. 4  is shown, wherein the pairs of ferrule type fuses  22  are soldered  24  to suitable size bores  26  in circuit board  18 , but orientated along a horizontal plane instead of uprights as that shown in  FIG. 4 . Rows of varistors are mounted thereon 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform the same function in the same way for achieving the same result.