Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment (50) of an optical sensor device adapted to detect presence of an object by reflected radiation such as visible or invisible light within viewing field (8) of an optical sensor (4) over a broader distance ("X")range without having to make physical position adjustments of a single radiation source heretofore required. Device (50) is provided with a pair of spaced-apart radiation sources (14, 16) that are positioned such that their respective radiation beams (18, 20) angularly intersect optical axis ("O") of viewing field (8) at respective angles (.theta..sub.1, .theta..sub.2) to provide three respective zones comprising a first zone (1), second zone (2) and an intermediate third zone (3) therebetween containing at least a portion of the first and second zones (1, 2) within viewing field (8) from any one or more of which reflected radiation from an object is able to be detected by sensor (4).

Abstract: A solid state switch (SS) for controlling a load (1) supplied from either an alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC) power supply line (L1, L2) having a pair of solid state devices (FET1, FET2) for controlling energization of the load and a common control circuit (CC) therefore which includes a diode isolated, capacitive-reactively coupled, line-derived power supply circuit (PSC) for the common control circuit and an opto-isolated logic signal input circuit (ISO) such power supply circuit effectively eliminating the need for transformers or the line.

Abstract: A hybrid switch (2) having a solid state circuit (2a) including a thyristor (SCR) for closing and reopening a supply circuit (S,4,6) to a load (L) and contacts including an isolating contact (S1) for connecting power to and disconnecting power from the solid state circuit (2a), a control contact (S2) for initiating turn-on and turn-off of the thyristor (SCR), and a bypass contact (S3) for shunting the solid state circuit (2a) after the load has been energized. A zero voltage crossover circuit (ZVC) allows turn-on of the thyristor (SCR) only when the A.C. supply voltage is below a preset value to avoid arcing at the contacts on closing. The inherent zero current crossing turn-off characteristic of the thyristor (SCR) avoids arcing at the contacts on opening.

Abstract: Improved response in an ambient temperature compensated thermal overload relay is obtained by providing a bimetal element (2) wherein the main bimetal section (4) is coupled through a reversed compensating bimetal section (6) to a heat sink mounting base (8) either directly or through a heat transfer control member (18) and placing the heater (10) that is energized by the overload current only adjacent the main bimetal section (4). With this arrangement, the main bimetal section (4) bends in the switch tripping direction and the compensating bimetal section (6) bends in the subtractive direction in response to temperature change therein to reduce the net deflection for ambient temperature compensation under normal operating conditions and gradual small overload conditions.

Abstract: A power controller with overload protection having an alternating current source (AC) connected through power lines (L1, L2) and a pair of power switching devices (FET1, FET2) and a current sensor resistance shunt (SH) in series to a load (LD). A line-derived control power supply circuit (LDS) is connected through one of the power switching devices (FET1) to the lower line (L1, L2) such that the control power supply current does not flow through the shunt (SH) or the load (LD). Close and open commands are applied from a control switch (CSW) through a threshold detector (DT) and a logic circuit (LG1) to operate a latch (LCH) that turns the power switching devices (FET1, FET2) on and off under the clocking control of a zero voltage detector (ZVD) and a zero current detector (ZCD) and the gating control of a minimum current circuit (MCC). An overload circuit (AVC, ITC, TTC) provides instantaneous trip of the latch on rupture current or timed trip of the latch on smaller overloads.

Abstract: A power MOSFET reversing H-drive system having a first pair of N-channel and P-channel MOSFETs (Q1,Q2) connected in series with a load (LD1,LD2) to a power supply source (T1) and a second like pair of N-channel and P-channel MOSFETs (Q3,Q4) connected in series with the load (LD1,LD2) to the source (T1), each pair having a resistance voltage divider (R1-R2, R5-R6) for providing the P-channel MOSFET (Q1,Q3) with a different voltage level gate signal from the logic level input signal by which the N-channel MOSFET (Q2,Q4) is gated, an overvoltage protector (Z1,Z2) allowing extension of the supply voltage (T1) range under which the system is operable, and the on-state resistances and the flyback current capability of the intrinsic diodes (ID1-ID4) being matched to the size of the load to be driven.

Abstract: A solid state DC power control system having a single N-type or N-channel or majority carrier solid state switching element (Q1) connected to the high side (L) of the power supply for energizing a ground or neutral (V.sub.o) connected load (LD). A voltage level translation circuit (2,2') supplies a floating regulated control voltage to the switching element (Q1) high enough to maintain it turned on even if the voltage at the low side of the switching element (Q1) rises up to or near the supply voltage thereby allowing use of such N-type switching device (Q1) in the high side (L) of the supply. A zener diode (ZD3) limits the gate(G)-to-source(S) voltage to the proper level. A non-inverting drive circuit (10,12) controlled by a logic level signal input element (Q2) controls connection of the high voltage to the switching (Q1) gate (G). A first version uses a DC-DC converter (CON) and a preferred version uses a voltage multiplier (VM) in the voltage level translation, high voltage, gate supply circuit (2,2').

Abstract: An A.C. overload current sensing, remote power controller of minimum size and weight and integral construction. Current rate sensing wound toroids are used that are small enough to fit around the line terminal studs without having to enlarge the prior insulator space available therein. The electronic overload current detecting and tripping control circuit is replaced by a pair of modules, detector and control modules, having improved performance and a shape and size such that they fit within the relay housing alongside its operating magnet. The detector module has integrator means for converting current rate of change signals into current magnitude indicative signals thereby enabling use therewith of rate sensing wound toroids of about one-tenth the size of equivalent current transformer wound toroids.

Abstract: An electrical power shutdown system for an aircraft includes a battery (B), a battery relay (BR), a plurality of aircraft status sensor switches (SSW), an electrical bus (EB) leading to the power utilization system, a main battery switch (BSW), and a control unit (CS). When the status sensor switches indicate shutdown of the aircraft, the control unit activates a timer (TMR) that controls disconnect elements (Q1, IR) to cause deenergization of the battery relay after a time interval if the pilot forgets to open the main battery switch. The control unit (CS) prevents resetting (closing of the battery relay) on momentary interruption of the positive battery power under shutdown conditions but allows such resetting on momentary interruption of such positive power under normal operative conditions and prevents such resetting regardless of the status if the main battery switch is open.

Abstract: A push-push lamp socket having a socket member (2) into which a conventional lamp bulb (28) can be mounted by a first axial push and released by a second axial push for removal. In a first version, a cylindrical socket member (2) has four entry recesses (W,N,E,S) or grooves for receiving the radial lugs (24,26) of a conventional lamp bulb in either of two ninety degree orientations (W,E or N,S) and a horizontal groove (4) having slopes (16, 38) leading to pockets (30,40) on its inward and outward sides for latching the bulb lugs (24,26) in response to a first push and disengagement. Additional slopes (42,46) and pocket (44) control the lugs on a second push and disengagement to rotate the bulb lugs into the recesses (N,S) for release from the socket.

Abstract: An arc interruption structure for an electric switching device such as a contactor having one or more J-plates (38,42,46,48) adjacent to but insulated from each contacts gap provided by stationary contacts (20,22) and a movable bridging contact (24) of the contactor whereby sub-arcs are received from the contacts gaps to the bend (38c) of the J-plates and move therefrom along the short limb (38b) of the J-plate to the extremity (38c) thereof, thus to be retained and extinguished within the arc interruption structure and not ejected either forwardly into the vent space or reversely back toward the contacts gap. The J-plates (38,42) may have various forms such as a reduced-width bend (38c) with greater width limbs (38a,38b) or a reduced-width bend (52d) and short limb (52c) with a greater width long limb (52f). These J-plates may be used with arc runners (22a,24a) and/or with one or more flat, arc splitter-plates (40,41,44,45) and/or an auxiliary arc bridge (30 ).

Abstract: A remote control circuit breaker and contactor system having at least one I/O circuit functioning as an interface between a central processing unit and a plurality of up to 32 devices such as remote circuit breakers for each I/O circuit, each remote circuit breaker having an individual electronic circuit which receives commands from the I/O circuit to turn the breaker or contactor on or off or hold and also senses the state of the breaker contacts and the control line and upon request sends back status codes which are stored in the memory in the I/O circuit to be read when desired by the central processing unit. Four-state status information is provided including open, closed, tripped and problem (low voltage, open or shorted control line). Contact state is determined by directly measuring the contact resistance in single break contacts (or solid state device contactors) or the contact voltage in double-break contacts.

Abstract: A switch having a pair of spring-biased switch pushbuttons (6, 10) for operating respective switches (8, 12). A slidable interlocking bar (24) allows depression of only one pushbutton at a time. The switches may be either double-throw (18, 20) or single-throw (22). The switch housing (2, 4) will accept a selected one of two interchangeable switch accessories including latching and auxiliary contact means having a pair of latching members (26, 28) pivotally mounted in the housing, a spring-biased release pushbutton (30) slidably mounted in the housing, and actuator (32) pivotally mounted on the release pushbutton for actuating either latching member, and auxiliary contacts (38, 40) for actuation by the release pushbutton, or a transformer (42) operated pilot light (44).

Abstract: A reduced-size thermal overload relay having a housing (2) that includes three narrow compartments (2k, 2l, 2m) in which are mounted three connector brackets (16,18,20) supporting three flat bimetal members (16j, 18j, 20j). Three narrow cassette heaters (6,8,10) are mounted at the upper part of the housing and held in by a snap-in hold-down device (12) that engages pairs of hooks (6b, 7b) at the lower portions of the heaters. A pushbutton (12a) on the hold-down device extends through a hole (3c) in the front wall of the housing for manual depression to release the heaters for removal. Each bracket (16) is H-shaped having legs (16c, 16d) for mounting it in a housing compartment (2k) and arms (16a, 16b) connected by a platform (16e) to which the upper terminal clip (6d) of the cassette heater is clamped with a screw (16q), the small angles of this platform and terminal clip automatically drawing the flat heater element (6c) into desired spacing with the bimetal member.

Abstract: The parts of the three-pole contactor (FIGS. 1 and 2) are designed so as to enable economical assembly thereof without any screws or similar fasteners. A molded contact carrier (12) having windows (12a-c) that retain movable bridging contacts (14, 16, 18) and their bias springs (20, 22, 24) and armature (28) seat (12i) and snap-in securing ramps (12k, 12m) that retain a leaf spring (26) extending through a slot (28a) in the armature (28) forms a subassembly that is inserted into an upper housing part (2) that has slots (2v, 2w, 2x) into which stationary contacts (6, 8, 10) are inserted. An encapsulated coil subassembly (38) having terminals (42, 44), a bobbin (40) and a coil (4) and a return spring (36) snap-in assembled thereon is placed over the armature (28). An E-shaped magnet (46) having shading coils (48, 50) on its poles is inserted through the holes in the coil assembly (38).

Abstract: A constant load and constant contact force snap-action switch having a normally-closed movable operate contact on a flipper blade which has a compression strip that snaps through an S-curvature to a reverse buckled state to trip the operate contact open. The flipper blade is coupled through an insulating cap to the leaf spring mounted movable alarm contact to close the latter at the same time. A return spring biased reset lever resets the operate contacts on depression down a first amount, opens the operate contact without closing the alarm contacts on depression down a second amount for stop purposes, and trips the operate contacts open on lifting upwards for test purposes. On reset, lost motion in the coupling cap knocks the alarm contact open if welded. A selector is settable to select any of three functions for the reset lever, (1) reset-stop-test, (2) auto reset stop, or (3) reset test.

Abstract: An integral multiswitch display panel (FIG. 3) having a plurality of pushbutton switches (A1-4, B1-4, C1-4, D1-4) mounted thereon along with a signal lamp (16) for each switch. A control circuitry P.C. board (44) and a display drive P.C. board (10) are common to all the switches with the control contacts (40, 42) of the switches controlling the displays (24) within the respective pushbuttons to provide on-off or alpha-numeric informational indications in response to operation of the bushbutton switches. The printed circuit lines of the control circuitry P.C. board (44) are connected through hermetically sealed connectors (50, 52, 54) at the bottom of the display panel to external controlled circuits with at least some of these lines being connected to the display drive P.C. board (10) for controlling the displays (24). The pushbuttons are environmentally sealed by a common seal (8) to prevent dirt, water, and the like from entering inside the panel housing (2, 4).

Abstract: A pair of interval timer units including a lower right timer (LRT) and a lower left timer (LLT) for controlling a pair of D.C. motors (RM, LM) to drive a pair of load devices accurately and consistently a predetermined lowering distance. The load devices are raised together until stopped by limit switches (LS1, LS2) but can be lowered individually under the interval timer (IT) control. Each timer unit (LRT) includes a voltage regulator (ZD1, ZR1) to provide a constant voltage to a ramp voltage generator (RG) and a reference voltage to a voltage inverter (VI). The ramp voltage is applied through a buffer (IC1B) to one input of a comparator (IC1C). The variable supply voltage is also applied to the voltage inverter (VI) that provides a time reference voltage that varies inversely with respect to variation in the supply voltage.

Abstract: An engine starter protective and control module (PCM) and system having a 1/2 second start speed delay timer (DT) and a 30-second crank timer (CT) that are started when a start switch (SS) is closed to control a logic circuit (L) that operates a coil driver (CD) to energize the engine starter motor (ES). An engine speed signal from an engine-driven alternator (ALT) shaped in a wave shaping circuit (WSC) is detected by a crank frequency sensor (CFS) which by-passes the delay timer (DT) to continue the cranking if the engine attains an initial speed adequate for starting, otherwise, if the battery is too low, the delay timer (DT) terminates cranking. A run frequency sensor (RFS) receives the speed signal and provides a lockout signal to the logic circuit (L) when the engine speed reaches run RPM. A crank timer (CT) started by the start switch (SS) times a 30-second cranking cycle and a 2-minute cool-off lockout interval to prevent overheating of the starter motor (ES).

Abstract: A reduced size pushbutton (6) switch having a plurality of contact pairs (40, 42, 44, 46) arranged angularly for radial actuation by normally-open cams (34c) or normally-closed cams (34d) on a vertically reciprocated actuator block (34) by a snap-action mechansim (30c, 30d, 36, 38 or 66, 68a). The contact pairs are electrically connected to a control circuitry PC board (52) which provides an output control as well as controlling a multi-character alpha-numeric display mounted within the pushbutton. This display includes a light source (22), a display (24) and movable (14) and stationary (12) contacts connecting the light source to a display drive PC board (10) which may be connected to the control circuitry PC board to afford control of the display by some of the contact pairs. A seal (8) between the front panel and the display PC board hugs the pushbutton to prevent dirt from entering the switch base (54).