Wireless communication fuse state indicator system and method

1. A fuse state indication system comprising:

an overcurrent protection fuse comprising a primary fuse element extending between terminal elements, said terminal elements configured for removable connection to line-side and load-side electrical circuitry and said terminal elements completing a current path through said primary fuse element, the current path of the primary fuse element failing upon a predetermined current failing upon a predetermined current flowing through the primary fuse element;

a radio frequency identification tag comprising a transmitter, wherein said tag is coupled to said fuse; and

a radio frequency interrogation device configured to wirelessly communicate with said tag to determine whether said fuse is in a current carrying state via operation of said transmitter or whether said fuse is an opened state breaking an electrical connection through said primary fuse element between said terminal elements via non-operation of said transmitter, thereby identifying opened fuses for replacement.

2. A fuse state indication system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification tag is electrically connected to the terminal elements of the fuse.

3. A fuse state indication system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification tag is physically located in proximity to said primary fuse element, wherein heat and electrical arcing associated with opening of the primary fuse element damages the identification tag to prevent transmission of a signal from the identification tag.

4. A method for indicating an opened fuse in a fused system having at least one overcurrent protection fuse with a fuse state identification element and a communication device remote from the fuse, said method comprising:

transmitting a signal to the identification element of the fuse with the communication device through an air interface;

awaiting a response from the identification element to the communication device; and

determining the operational current carrying state of the overcurrent protection fuse based upon the response or lack thereof from the identification element, wherein a response from the identification element is taken as an indication that the primary fuse element is in an operational current-carrying state, and further wherein a lack of response is taken as an indication that the primary fuse element is in an opened non-current carrying state.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising:

generating a transmission field with the communication device; and

powering the identification element with the transmission field.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein transmitting a signal comprises transmitting a radio frequency signal.

7. A method in accordance with claim 4 , further comprising electrically connecting the identification element in parallel with the primary fuse element.

8. A method in accordance with claim 4 , further comprising locating the identification element physically proximate to the primary fuse element and subject to damage when the primary fuse element electrically opens, thereby preventing the identification element from responding after the primary fuse element has opened.

9. A method in accordance with claim 4 , further comprising strong information and data relating to the operational current carrying state of the overcurrent protection fuse.

10. A method in accordance with claim 4 , further comprising decoding at least one of the signal to the identification element and the response from the identification element; the decoded response including data corresponding to the operational current carrying state of the fuse of analysis, wherein the data comprises at least one of a location code for the overcurrent protection fuse, a manufacturing code for the overcurrent protection fuse, a manufacturing date for the overcurrent protection fuse, and data pertaining to voltage characteristics experienced by the overcurrent protection fuse.

11. A method in accordance with claim 4 , further comprising:

selectively transmitting at least first and second signals to the identification element of the fuse with the communication device, the first and second signals being different from one another;

receiving the selectively transmitted signal with the identification element;

responding to the selectively transmitted signal with a basic response when the first signal is received; and

responding to the selectively transmitted signal with a detailed response when the second signal is received;

wherein the basic response and the detailed response are different from one another.

12. An electrical fuse comprising:

a protective body;

terminal elements extending from said protective body;

a primary fuse element extending within said protective body and electrically connected between said terminal elements, said primary fuse element constructed to fail upon an occurrence of a predetermined current condition, thereby providing overcurrent protection to an electrical circuit completed through said terminal elements; and

an identification element coupled to the fuse, the identification element being configured to transmit a radio frequency signal to a remote device when the primary fuse element is in an operational current carrying state, and the identification element being rendered inoperable to transmit a radio frequency signal when the primary fuse element has failed.

13. A fuse according to claim 12 , wherein the identification element is electrically connected to terminal elements of the fuse.

14. A fuse according to claim 12 , wherein the identification element is physically located in proximity to said primary fuse element, wherein heat and electrical arcing associated with opening of the primary fuse element damages the identification element to prevent transmission of a signal from the identification element.

15. A fuse according to claim 12 , wherein the identification element comprises at least one of a transmitter, a responder, and a transponder.

16. A fuse state identification comprising:

overcurrent protection means for defining a conductive path between first and second terminal elements, the overcurrent protection means responsive to current flow therethrough to open an electrical connection between the terminal elements when a predetermined current condition occurs;

identification means, associated with the overcurrent protection means, for communicating an operational current carrying state of the overcurrent protection means through an air interface, wherein the identification means is physically located in proximity to the overcurrent protection means, wherein heat and electrical arcing associated with opening of the overcurrent protection means damages the identification means to prevent transmission of a signal from the identification means;

communication means, located remotely from the identification means, for communicating with the identification means through an air interface; and

determining means, responsive to communication between the identification means and the communication means, for determining the operational current carrying state of the overcurrent protection means as closed to complete the conductive path or opened to interrupt the current path.

17. A fuse state identification system according to claim 16 , wherein the identification means is electrically connected to the terminal elements of the overcurrent protection means.

18. A fuse state identification system according to claim 16 , wherein the identification means comprises at least one of a transmitter, a responder, and a transponder.

19. A fuse state identification system according to claim 16 , wherein the identification means is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal.