Abstract: Sensor and/or power-harvesting apparatus are provided for sensing and/or harvesting energy across a relatively wide dynamic range of a driving rotational input. The apparatus may include a rotor magnet (10, 62) responsive to a driving rotational input (14, 64). Utilization of a togging effect or a magnetic spring effect results in certain rapid-rotation events where the rotor magnet can rapidly rotate regardless of a low rate of rotation of the driving rotational input. A coil assembly (28, 75) is magnetically coupled to the rotor magnet to generate a signal in response to rotation of the rotor magnet during the rapid-rotation events. This signal may be used to harvest electrical energy and/or may be processed to determine characteristics of the driving rotational input.

Abstract: Sensor and/or power-harvesting apparatus are provided for sensing and/or harvesting energy across a relatively wide dynamic range of a driving rotational input. The apparatus may include a rotor magnet (10, 62) responsive to a driving rotational input (14, 64). Utilization of a togging effect or a magnetic spring effect results in certain rapid-rotation events where the rotor magnet can rapidly rotate regardless of a low rate of rotation of the driving rotational input. A coil assembly (28, 75) is magnetically coupled to the rotor magnet to generate a signal in response to rotation of the rotor magnet during the rapid-rotation events. This signal may be used to harvest electrical energy and/or may be processed to determine characteristics of the driving rotational input.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a movable contact assembly having a movable contact, a stationary contact assembly, and an operating mechanism. The stationary contact assembly includes a conductor, a first stationary contact disposed on the conductor, and a second stationary contact disposed on the same such conductor proximate the first stationary contact. The first stationary contact has a first contact surface disposed a first distance from the conductor. The second stationary contact has a second contact surface disposed a second distance from the conductor. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The operating mechanism is structured to move the movable contact assembly and cause the movable contact to engage or disengage from at least the first contact surface of the first stationary contact.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a movable contact assembly having a movable contact, a stationary contact assembly, and an operating mechanism. The stationary contact assembly includes a conductor, a first stationary contact disposed on the conductor, and a second stationary contact disposed on the same such conductor proximate the first stationary contact. The first stationary contact has a first contact surface disposed a first distance from the conductor. The second stationary contact has a second contact surface disposed a second distance from the conductor. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The operating mechanism is structured to move the movable contact assembly and cause the movable contact to engage or disengage from at least the first contact surface of the first stationary contact.

Abstract: Hot spots in power conductors are monitored by apparatus comprising a temperature probe embedded in an electrically insulative thermally conductive material in surface-to-surface contact with the power conductor, typically at a joint being monitored. The temperature probe is spaced from the power conductor by the electrically insulative thermally conductive material a distance sufficient to provide electrical isolation, while the material has sufficient thermal conductivity that the temperature probe is able to substantiate trends in temperature changes at the joint. The invention can be incorporated into existing electrically insulative supports for the power conductors.