Abstract: A barrier for isolating the electrical contacts of a circuit breaker from the operating mechanism for the contacts. The barrier includes openings to allow the operating mechanism to pass through the barrier, and venting channels for venting gas from within the circuit breaker to the exterior of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A tripping coil for a circuit breaker, wherein the circuit breaker is designed to carry high load currents. The tripping coil includes a coil having a first winding and a second winding, a permanent magnet, a return spring, an armature and an actuator rod. The first winding and the permanent magnet produce a magnetic flux to urge and hold the armature into a biased position. The second winding produces a magnetic flux which urges the armature into an unbiased position. The return spring also exerts a force on the armature urging the armature into the unbiased position. The actuator rod is fixed to the armature, and interacts with the circuit breaker such that the circuit breaker is tripped when the armature moves into the unbiased position.

Abstract: An optoelectronic coupling element and method for manufacturing the coupling element. The coupling element includes a light wave guide, a microlens, a first carrier chip and a light emitting and/or light detecting semiconductor element. The microlens is preferably spherical in shape and is adapted for optically coupling the light wave guide and the semiconductor element. The semiconductor element can be part of the first carrier chip or, according to another embodiment, can be part of a second carrier chip. The purpose of this coupling element is to facilitate the precise mounting of the microlens in a position between the light wave guide and the semiconductor element and also facilitate the adjustment of the microlens to optimally perform its light coupling function. The method for manufacturing the coupling element provides for the formation of a receptacle having trapezoidal shape sides in the carrier chip. The microlens is mounted within the receptacle with a connecting medium such as glass.

Abstract: A combined disconnecting and grounding switch for high voltage use. A space-saving arrangement providing for automatic grounding when the switch is in an open circuit position. The disconnecting and grounding switch including a connection contact connectable with a contact having a high voltage potential wherein the contacts are vertically arranged one over the other. The switch also includes a switch rod designed to be vertically displaceable in its longitudinal direction. The switch rod has an upper conductive section and an adjoining lower non-conductive section. The switch rod can be moved up or down by a driving arrangement including a threaded shaft driven by a motor and a traveling nut assembly cooperating with the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the temperature of a semiconductor structural component. The circuit includes a bipolar transistor (1) in thermal contact with a semiconductor structural element to be monitored, and a MOSFET (11) connected in series with a current source (12). The MOSFET (11) is maintained in a nonconducting state with two Zener diodes (13, 14) if the bipolar transistor (1) is the standard operating temperature of the semiconductor structural element. This circuit provides for a reduced zero current signal. The current flowing through the bipolar transistor (1) increases with temperature and the gate-source voltage of the MOSFET (11) is increases until it switches off. If the current flowing through the MOSFET (11) is greater than the impressed current of the current source (12) the potential across the current source takes a step increase a value near the supply voltage (V.sub.DD). This voltage step can then be detected as an excess-temperature signal.

Abstract: An assembly adapted to commutate arcs from between the main contacts of a circuit breaker to an arcing contact such that a single arc at the arcing contact can be extinguished and dispersed within an arc chute. The assembly is adapted to be pivotally attached to the ends of the main contact carrying arms and includes arc channeling members joined to form a contact surface. An arcing contact can be fixed to the contact surface such that the arcs from the main contacts are channelled into one arc at the arcing contact.

Abstract: A front plug system with a lagging end contact arrangement. The front plug system for flat components includes a front element (1) with front plug connector (20) which can be plugged on by a swinging motion. If the front plug connector is plugged on until the point of engagement of a closing arrangement (27, 15) is reached, all operating contacts of the front plug systems arranged in receiving arrangements (3, 24) are already closed. An end contact arrangement (51, 52) arranged opposite the center of rotation of the front plug connector engages only when, after operating the closing arrangement, the front plug connector is plugged completely onto the front element and secured against being pulled off. With the end contact arrangement according to the invention the electrical signals of the operating contacts can be released simultaneously in particular across a control on the flat component.

Abstract: An improved magnetic armature for magnetically activated circuit breakers. The armature being configured to provide a consistent engagement length between the armature and the contact operating mechanism of a circuit breaker. The armature also being configured to reduce the air gap distance between the armature and the magnetic yoke of a circuit breaker.

Abstract: A temperature activated fan assembly preferably for an electric motor. The assembly includes a fan, a torque transfer means engagable with the fan for transferring torque to the fan and a first member which expands in response to a temperature increase. The expansion of the first member causes the torque transfer means to engage the fan. The first member is situated within the motor such that the first member causes the fan to operate when a critical temperature in the motor is reached. The first member can be fabricated as a rod or coil from a material having a suitably high coefficient of thermal expansion. The first member can also be fabricated from a memory material.

Abstract: A crossbar spanning the poles of a multiple pole circuit breaker. The crossbar is formed from a structural member such as beam having an I-shaped cross-section, wherein an insulating material such as plastic is molded to the beam. The shape of the structural member is such that it provides a high strength to weight ratio. The plastic is molded such that it includes means for inhibiting arcing between the poles of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: Contact materials based on AgSnO.sub.2 and having Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CuO as further metal oxide additives were previously disclosed. In these materials the total content of all metal oxides was supposed to be between 10 and 25% by volume with the SnO.sub.2 share equal to or greater than 70% by volume of the total amount of oxide.According to this invention the quantity of SnO.sub.2 is kept smaller than 70% by volume; specifically at about 65%, but in any case equal to or greater than 50%. The SnO.sub.2 weight content is to be in the 4% to 8% range and the weight percentage ratio of SnO.sub.2 to CuO is to be between 8:1 and 12:1.In the associated production process, either Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder is purposely admixed to an internally oxidized alloy powder (IOAP) in an additional operation, a grain restructuring with locally different Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 concentrations occurring in the structure after sintering and compacting.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for an axial fan, wherein the axial fan is used for moving air through a cabinet or enclosure for heat generating electrical components. The axial fan is housed in a cylindrical housing having a flange and air inlet at one end and a flange and air outlet at the other end. The mounting arrangement also includes a support having a base with an air opening and two parallel walls. The parallel walls including catches for attaching the housing to the support. The support is mounted in an enclosure or formed as an integral part of the enclosure.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor and method for its manufacture. Preferably, the pressure sensor is used as an absolute pressure sensor. The pressure sensor includes a pressure sensor chip of semiconductor material, the pressure sensor chip including a piezoresistive diaphragm. The pressure sensor is arranged in a casing which has an aperture for transmitting the ambient pressure to the diaphragm of the pressure sensor chip. The pressure sensor chip is fastened on a conductive tape and the conductive tape is a component of the casing. The casing consists of a hard synthetic material and contains the pressure sensor chip. The casing is configured so that the method of manufacture and tooling for manufacture allow cost-efficient production. The casing also offers protection for the pressure sensor during testing, equipping and during application in a circuit.

Abstract: A method for hermetically fastening a glass fiber within a tube, wherein the tube can be used with light wave guide components, the tube serving as a connecting part at the component. The method provides for a tube consisting of quartz, quartz glass or glass. The glass fiber is connected to the tube at a predetermined fastening location by means of heating the tube and collapsing the tube to hermetically connect the glass fiber to the tube through melting.

Abstract: A magnetic actuating or trip mechanism for use with a circuit breaker including an armature, a permanent magnet for biasing the armature to a biased position, a first magnetic member having an armature guide, a second magnet member, an electromagnetic coil including a first winding for urging the armature from the biased position and a second winding for urging the armature from the biased position, a compression spring for urging the armature from the biased position, a fastener for fastening the first and second members to the permanent magnet, and recesses for locating the electromagnetic coil relative to the first and second members. The coil includes an armature opening and the first and second members each include a permanent magnet mounting surface and a coil mounting surface, the permanent magnet mounting surface includes a ridge for preventing the members from rotating relative to the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A vertical plug-in single-in-line circuit module with a carrier for carrying a row of single-in-line mounted metal pins lying in the plane of the carrier along one carrier edge as outer electrical connections of one or more resistive elements such as a resistance area or resistance path. A first region of the resistive element is located closer to the metal pins of the carrier than a second region of the resistive element. Leads couple the metal pins to the resistive element. The first region lying closest to the metal pins is so constructed that it sees a higher heat dissipation per unit surface area during operation than the second region. The leads are connected to the resistive element such that the current can flow between the first region and second region.

Abstract: A two-piece spring latch assembly operable as a closure device for a load center cabinet, wherein the latch assembly is slidably engagable with the door of a load center cabinet. The latch assembly includes a sliding latch body having a top surface with a depression for facilitating engagement of the latch body. The latch body also includes a latch member for engaging the frame of the load center cabinet. A latch spring is mounted to the latch member and defines a spring member for urging the sliding latch body into a latched position. The latch spring also defines a latch bearing surface and a strike bearing surface. These surfaces are fabricated from the same material as the spring member and resist wear through repeated cycles of engagement and disengagement with the frame of the load center cabinet.