Abstract: A reader for a disk-shaped carrier with Wiegand wires is described which manages with only two permanent magnets (1, 2). the variation of the magnetic field needed for detecting the Wiegand wires is effected by flux concentrating pieces (3, 4, 7) attached to the permanent magnets (1, 2). In order to be able to read the carrier with the Wiegand wires without change when it is inserted into the reader rotated by 180.degree. round its longitudinal axis coinciding with the direction of insertion (14), the flux concentrating pieces (3, 4, 7) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14) which is a two-fold axis of symmetry. To pick-up the Wiegand pulses, two E-shaped soft magnetic cores (9) are provided which carry on their center leg an electrical sensor winding (17). The free ends of the legs of the E-shaped cores (9) face one another and are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14).

Abstract: A reader for a disk-shaped carrier with Wiegand wires is described which manages with only two permanent magnets (1, 2). The variation of the magnetic field needed for detecting the Wiegand wires is effected by flux concentrating pieces (3, 4, 7) attached to the permanent magnets (1, 2). In order to be able to read the carrier with the Wiegand wires without change when it is inserted into the reader rotated by 180.degree. round its longitudinal axis coinciding with the direction of insertion (14), the flux concentrating pieces (3, 4, 7) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14) which is a two-fold axis of symmetry. To pick-up the Wiegand pulses, two E-shaped soft magnetic cores (9) are provided which carry on their center leg an electrical sensor winding (17). The free ends of the legs of the E-shaped cores (9) face one another and are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14).

Abstract: The material for electric contacts having arc-quenching properties comprises an irreversibly cured polymeric molding compound, which contains 5 to 20 volume percent of a metal powder and optionally contains up to 40 volume percent of an additional filler consisting of an electrically non-conducting inorganic powder. The selected thermosettable molding compound can be cured without forming a liquid phase.

Abstract: The power circuit breaker particularly for use in medium-voltage switchgear comprises contacting parts consisting of a contact pin, which is displaceable in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and a contact socket, which is coaxial to said pin and comprises a forward portion adapted to contact the pin. That forward portion of the socket is formed with axial slots dividing that forward portion into axial segments. Each of said segments comprises at its tip a covex portion, which protrudes radially inwardly and resiliently bears on the pin when the breaker is closed. In such breaker the pin has a forward portion, which comprises a tip and which has a length that is smaller than the largest depth to which the pin can be inserted into the socket. That forward portion consists of a composite material, which contains a metal having a high electrical conductivity and a material which releases quenching gases under the action of an electric arc.

Abstract: The magnetic field sensor comprises a bundle consisting of a plurality of identical parallel bistable magnetic elements, which are surrounded by respective electrical windings, which are all wound in the same sense and are electrically connected in parallel.

Abstract: The reading head comprises a core, which carries an electric detector winding and which may be E-shaped for reading two rows of Wiegand wires or U-shaped for reading one row of Wiegand wires. Two platelike permanent magnets are spaced from the outer legs of the core. One pole face of each permanent magnet is covered by a low-reluctance element, which terminates close to the core in a top plan view on the reading surface. The core and the magnets include such an oblique angle that in the reading surface of the reading head each low-reluctance element is spaced in the reading direction from the adjacent free leg end of the core. This arrangement ensures that during the reading operation each Wiegand wire will first enter the relatively extensive magnetic field established between those pole faces which are not covered by low-reluctance elements. Thereafter, the Wiegand wire is trigger and then enters the region between the low-reluctance elements and is saturated in that region.

Abstract: The load-isolating switch comprises two coaxial electrodes 1 and 2, which are mechanically connected by an interposed insulator 3. A cam 4 is provided on the insulator 3 and is spanned by at least one contact bridge 5, which is axially displaceable by an axially displaceable slider 10, which has coupling elements 13, 14 for engaging the or each contact bridge 5. In one position the or each contact bridge 5 is in contact with both electrodes 1 and 2. The or each contact bridge is adapted to slide up on an inclined surface 4a of the cam to disengage the contact bridge 5 from one of said electrodes and is movable to a second position in which said slider is disengaged from at least said one electrode.

Abstract: A process is described for the manufacture of strip comprising a base metal substrate, a coating which has been electrodeposited on selected surface portions of said substrate and consists of precious metal or a precious metal alloy and, if desired, an intermediate diffusion barrier layer consisting particularly of nickel. The resulting strip constitutes a semifinished product for use in the making of electric contacts. When the coating has been electrodeposited, the strip is subjected to a recrystallizing annealing and to a rolling operation, preferably a cold-rolling operation.