Contact Moved By Sudden Release Of Stored Energy, (e.g., Spring Charger) Patents (Class 200/400)
  • Patent number: 11955299
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating mechanism for opening and closing at least one contact, which operating mechanism comprises, a base frame, a bridge body movable relative to the base frame between a closed position and an opened position, a rod mechanism of a first and a second link, a cam arranged on a shaft, a locking lever fixedly arranged with one end to the first link and moves with the first rod between a locked position and an unlocked position, a control shaft having a D-shaft portion with a flat surface portion and a semi cylindrical surface portion, and a lock position, in which the path of the second end of the locking lever intersects with the circumference of the cross-section of the D-shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Bert Knol, Albert Postmus, Adri Lammers, Mathieu Hesselink
  • Patent number: 11715945
    Abstract: A system including an arc flash sensor that detects an arc flash event and an arc flash mitigation device in communication with the sensor. The mitigation device includes a path of least resistance having a path input and a path output. The arc flash sensor is located downstream the output. The mitigation device includes an electro-mechanical switch between the input and the output and an actuator. The mitigation device also includes a bypass power switch device that includes a solid-state circuit interrupter and that conduct current between the input and the output in response to an open-circuit condition of the switch. A system controller is provided to generate a trigger to activate the actuator to generate the open-circuit condition of the switch, which causes the power switch device to interrupt a fault current associated with a fault event in response to detection of the arc flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Brian E. Carlson, Brooke E. Lang, Robert P. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11264191
    Abstract: A breaker includes a stationary contact, a movable contact, an operation device including a link portion liked to the movable contact and including an output lever rotatably supported, the operation device operating rotation of the output lever in accordance with a first control signal for a command for pulling out the movable contact and a second control signal for a command for inserting the movable contact, and an auxiliary contact to switch between turn-on and turn-off of an input of the first control signal and the second control signal to the operation device in conjunction with operation of the output lever, the auxiliary contact being able to be used in a circuit configuration to monitor a state of the operation device. The output lever rotates so as to operate a first link portion on a side toward a first direction with respect to a rotational center of the output lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuichi Tanigaki, Satoru Maeno, Daisuke Fujita
  • Patent number: 11253942
    Abstract: A welding-type power system that includes an engine and an electric generator driven by the engine. A power bus configured to connect a power output of the electric generator to one or more of a welding-type output, a power storage device, and a switched mode power supply. A plurality of sensors are configured to monitor a plurality of parameters associated with power demand to and from the power bus and generate a signal indicative of the power demand to and from the power bus based on the monitored plurality of parameters. A controller is configured to receive the signal from the plurality of sensors, the controller to control the engine speed in response to the signal or the power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery R. Ihde
  • Patent number: 11227733
    Abstract: A switch includes: a tank; a fixed contact and a reciprocally movable contact provided inside the tank; an opening/closing shaft that rotates to thereby move the movable contact; a jack base fixed to the outer side of the tank; a torsion bar that stores a force to rotate the opening/closing shaft so as to move the movable contact in a direction away from the fixed contact; and an opening/closing lever detachably attached to the opening/closing shaft. The jack base has a first penetrating portion formed therethrough and facing the opening/closing lever. The opening/closing lever has a second penetrating portion formed therethrough and facing the jack base. The switch further includes: a bolt inserted through the first penetrating portion and the second penetrating portion; and a nut attached to a portion of the bolt, the portion of the bolt extending out of the first penetrating portion and the second penetrating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Maeno, Daisuke Fujita
  • Patent number: 11158467
    Abstract: A dual power automatic transfer switch mechanism comprises a switch housing; a first spring; a second spring; a first pin which is disposed to correspond to a first power supply, the first spring acts between the first pin and the switch housing; and a second pin which is disposed to correspond to a second power supply, the second spring acts between the second pin and the switch housing. The dual power automatic transfer switch mechanism further comprises a first driving disk is configured to actuate the first pin moves between a first power-on position and a first power-off position; and a second driving disk is configured to actuate the second pin moves between a second power-on position and a second power-off position. The first and second driving disk are configured to rotate synchronously such that the first and the second pin cannot be in the power-on position at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Zhenzhong Liu, Haitao Sun
  • Patent number: 11152162
    Abstract: A charging mechanism charges a stored-energy spring of a stored-energy spring mechanism. The charging mechanism contains a charging gear coupled to the stored-energy spring, an intermediate shaft coupled to the charging gear, an idler gear driven by a charging motor, a freewheel coupled to the idler gear, and a dog clutch that couples the freewheel to the intermediate shaft to charge the stored-energy spring and uncouples same from the intermediate shaft in the charged state. The dog clutch contains a first clutch block that is non-rotatably coupled to the intermediate shaft, a second clutch block connected to the freewheel, and a synchronizer ring arranged between the clutch blocks and is non-rotatably coupled to the first clutch block. During a rotation relative to the second clutch block, the synchronizer ring couples in a form-fitting manner to the second clutch block in a first direction of rotation about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Friedrich Loebner, Lukas Binner
  • Patent number: 11114255
    Abstract: An electrical switching device with separable contacts includes a switching apparatus including a fixed electrical contact and a mobile electrical contact that can be moved between a closing position and an opening position; a control lever mechanically coupled to the mobile electrical contact, the control lever being rotatable, about a first axis of rotation, between a first position and a second position; an anti-rebound lever arranged so as to move from a rest position to an opened-out position when the control lever reaches the second position. The anti-rebound lever engages a stop when it is in the opened-out position thereof and when the control lever is in the second position so as to prevent the control lever from leaving the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Javier Herreros, Christian Bach
  • Patent number: 11094477
    Abstract: A charging mechanism charges a stored-energy spring of a stored-energy spring mechanism. The charging mechanism contains a charging gear coupled to the stored-energy spring, an intermediate shaft coupled to the charging gear, an idler gear, a freewheel coupled to the idler gear, a locking mechanism for releasably locking the charging gear in a charged state of the stored-energy spring, and a dog clutch that couples the freewheel to the intermediate shaft to charge the stored-energy spring and uncouples same from the intermediate shaft in the charged state of the stored-energy spring. The dog clutch contains a first clutch block that is non-rotatably coupled to the intermediate shaft, a second clutch block connected to the freewheel, and a synchronizer ring disposed between the clutch blocks and is non-rotatably coupled to the first clutch block, the synchronizer ring is pressed against the second clutch block when the dog clutch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marian Bietz, Michael Bartz, Lukas Binner, Gunnar Lutzke, Friedrich Loebner
  • Patent number: 11062858
    Abstract: An electrical switching unit with separable contacts comprises a switching device comprising: a control lever coupled mechanically to a mobile electrical contact and an anti-bounce lever, mounted on the control lever and configured to be displaced to a deployed position to cooperate with an abutment to prevent the control lever from leaving its position. The switching device comprises a fixed bearing mounted around the control lever. The anti-bounce lever comprises a contact portion which is in contact against an edge of the bearing when the anti-bounce lever is in its rest position and which is displaced along the edge when the control lever rotates about the bearing. The bearing comprises, on the edge, a guiding portion in the form of a cam configured to push the anti-bounce lever to its deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Christian Bach, Javier Herreros
  • Patent number: 11031199
    Abstract: A switching contact drive device contains a transmission with an energy store. The energy store is enclosed in a housing. The housing guides a relative movement, particularly a deformation of the energy store. The switching contract drive device is provided for driving an electrical switching device such as a circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Bradler, Alexander Rose-Poetzsch
  • Patent number: 11031191
    Abstract: A device for switching an electric current with separable electrical contacts includes a switching mechanism including: a switching shaft that is coupled to a mobile electrical contact; a trip hook that is pivotably mounted on a fixed support of the mechanism; a linking system coupling the switching shaft to the trip hook. The linking system includes a first pair of connecting rods that are pivotably mounted on the trip hook and a second pair of connecting rods that are mounted so as to pivot with a crank of the switching shaft. The first connecting rods are connected to the second connecting rods with a single axis of articulation which forms a pivot link between the first connecting rods and the second connecting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Eric Pinero, Brice Jacolin, Anais Toumi, Daniel Reviron
  • Patent number: 10930461
    Abstract: An electronic circuit breaker comprises an electronic circuitry and a lockout mechanism configured to provide a safety feature. The lockout mechanism includes a trip rod placed along a longitudinal axis of the electronic circuit breaker. The trip rod has first and second ends. The lockout mechanism further includes a barrel mounted coaxially around the trip rod near the first end of the trip rod. The lockout mechanism further includes a moving arm mechanically coupled to the trip rod. The lockout mechanism further includes an electronic-powered magnet mounted coaxially on the trip rod near the second end being opposite of the first end of the trip rod. The lockout mechanism further includes an armature mechanically coupled to the trip rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Raiden Jay Kim, Guang Yang
  • Patent number: 10901451
    Abstract: An input device includes a base member, a motor, a rotation shaft, a worm gear, a first gear, a rotor, a movement member, an elastic member, a change amount detection unit, and a controller. The rotation shaft is rotated by the motor. The worm gear is rotated by the rotation shaft. The first gear is rotatable and engaged with the worm gear. The rotor is rotatable relative to the base member, includes a second gear engaged with the first gear, and is rotated by an operator. The movement member is moved as the worm gear is moved. The elastic member generates urging force. The change amount detection unit detects a change amount of a state that is changed in accordance with the movement of the movement member. The controller performs drive control for the motor to change a sense of force applied to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventors: Takashi Uenomachi, Toshio Ogawa, Shinya Muto, Yoshitsugu Wakita, Ikuyasu Miyako, Wataru Kimura
  • Patent number: 10881785
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system comprises: a control interface and multiple unique loading guides. The control interface of the fluid delivery system is configured to accept a fluid pump assembly. The multiple loading guides are retractable from the fluid delivery system to retain and control movement of a facing of the fluid pump assembly to contact the control interface on the facing of the fluid delivery system. In one configuration, the control interface is disposed in a cavity of the fluid delivery system; the multiple loading guides are disposed at locations in proximity to the cavity. The multiple loading guides can be configured to slidably retract in unison to support substantially orthogonal insertion of the fluid pump assembly into the cavity of the fluid delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ivenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse E. Ambrosina, Benjamin G. Powers
  • Patent number: 10847327
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical switch device comprising contacts which are mobile through actuation of a first rotation shaft (10) and a control mechanism (1) for the mobile contacts which is situated in a housing and which can be rearmed via a second rotation shaft (20). The first rotation shaft (10) passes through a first wall (2, 3) of the housing and the device comprises a first rotation sensor (12) coupled with the first rotation shaft (10) outside of the housing, so as to measure the angular displacement of the first rotation shaft. The second rotation shaft (20) passes through a second wall (2, 3) of the housing and the device comprises a rearming module (25, 26) removably fixed outside of the housing against the second wall (2, 3), so as to be coupled with the second rotation shaft (20) to be able to rearm the control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Denis Perrin
  • Patent number: 10818443
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for a dual power supply transfer switch. The switching mechanism has a switching assembly, which includes a driving plate, a driving rod, an actuator and an auxiliary mechanism. The driving plate includes an arc-shaped driving groove. The driving rod extends into the driving groove. The auxiliary mechanism includes a spring. The driving plate is able to rotate under an external force. The driving groove bypasses the driving rod when an end of the driving groove does not contact the driving rod, and the driving groove pushes the driving rod to rotate over a first angle and urges the spring to deform when the end of the driving groove contacts the driving rod. The spring recovers and drives the driving rod to rotate over a second angle after the spring having passed a dead point, thus causing the actuator turning on or off a first power supply. The switching mechanism also includes another switching assembly for switching a second power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Zhenzhong Liu, Xiaojing Zeng
  • Patent number: 10796865
    Abstract: A blocking member for an actuator having a movable arm for effecting a quick-make feature, includes, for example, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the elongated member is configured so that the blocking member disposed in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm of the actuator to restrain movement of the movable arm and so that the blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm of the actuator to permit movement of the movable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: David Peter Mika, Linda Yvonne Jacobs, Daniel Edward Delfino, Nagesh V. Tumu, Dmitry Povolotskiy
  • Patent number: 10734169
    Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a circuit breaker having an operating rod for moving contacts of the circuit breaker between an open position and a closed position includes: a frame; a first axle rotatably arranged in the frame; a cam arranged on the first axle, which cam operates the operating rod of the circuit breaker; a first gear arranged on the first axle for driving the cam; a second axle arranged rotatably in the frame and parallel to the first axle; a sector gear arranged on the second axle, the sector gear having at least one toothed sector and at least one toothless sector, the at least one toothed sector engaging the first gear upon rotation of the second axle; a spring element for rotatably urging the sector gear; and a lock for locking the rotation of the second axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Arend Lammers, Jinto Md, Akshay Vatharkar
  • Patent number: 10707037
    Abstract: A fast earthing switch device for HV applications which includes a gas-tight casing, a movable contact connectable to and unconnectable from a fixed contact. The movable contact is linearly movable between an open position and a closed position. The device further includes an operating mechanism for the movable contact and is characterized in that the operating mechanism includes an actuating spring actuating a closing operation of the movable contact from the open position to the closed position, at least a driving lever mounted on an operating shaft actuating an opening operation of the movable contact from the closed position to the open position, the driving lever also partially reloading the actuating spring during the opening operation, the operating mechanism further includes coupling means operatively coupling the driving lever to the movable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Matteo Papetti, Roberto Mingiardi, Ennio Errico, Neal-Zhipeng Yuan, Roberto Fabbi
  • Patent number: 10665413
    Abstract: A fusible disconnect switch devices includes dual sets of switch contacts to connect or disconnect a current path through an overcurrent protection fuse with reduced arcing severity. Faster acting and longer contact path switch mechanisms are described providing satisfactory switching of DC circuits without excessive electrical arcing in a reduced physical package size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: John Joseph Shea, Hongbin Wang, Paul J. Rollmann, Matthew Rain Darr
  • Patent number: 10546704
    Abstract: A medium voltage pole assembly which includes a supporting frame, a pole insulator having a first and a second electrical terminal protruding therefrom, and a pole body housed within the pole insulator and having a first and a second electrical contact couplable and uncouplable with each other and respectively electrically connected to the first and second electrical terminal. The supporting frame includes first coupling means including a first coupling surface and the pole insulator includes second coupling means including one or more flaps slidingly couplable to the first coupling surface and mechanically fixing the pole insulator to the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrea Delpozzo, Emanuele Morelli, Osvaldo Prestini
  • Patent number: 10319540
    Abstract: An electrical installation switching device has an insulating material housing; a switching knob protruding beyond the housing on a housing front face and able to pivot between a switched-on and switched-off position about a first pivot axis; a magnetic short circuit current and/or a thermal excess current trigger; a contact site formed from a fixed and a moveable contact piece, a switching lock having a latching site and being triggerable by an excess and/or short circuit current using the trigger when unlatching the latching site; an operator pivotable between a release and an operating position about a second pivot axis, aligned parallel to the first pivot axis, switching knob having an operating contour, the operator and operating contour cooperating by triggering the switching lock using the trigger when the operator pivots about the second pivot axis to hold the knob in an intermediate position between the on and off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Ralf Weber, Erwin Muders, Klaus-Peter Eppe
  • Patent number: 10199182
    Abstract: A switch, in particular a low-voltage circuit breaker, in plug-in technology includes a withdrawal shaft to move the switch from an operating position into a removal position; a force store including a storage spring unloaded during withdrawal; and an unlatching shaft which, as the circuit breaker is withdrawn, is configured to rotate into an unlatching position, unloading of the storage spring taking place when the unlatching shaft is in the unlatching position. To permit unloading of the force store during the withdrawal, the unlatching shaft includes a driver element, spaced radially apart from its axis of rotation and configured to rest in a sliding manner on an outer contour of a rotatably mounted cam disk. The withdrawal shaft and the cam disk are connected via a connecting element which transforms the rotation of the withdrawal shaft into a corresponding rotation of the cam disk and therefore, of the unlatching shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Johannes Nestler
  • Patent number: 10199204
    Abstract: Embodiments of target retaining apparatus and substrate processing chambers incorporating same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a target retaining apparatus includes a housing including a first slot and a second slot; a cam movably disposed in the housing, wherein movement of the cam is constrained along the first slot; a retaining arm movably coupled to the cam, wherein movement of the retaining arm is constrained along the second slot; a linking member including a first end rotatably coupled to the cam and a second end rotatably coupled to the retaining arm; and a biasing element biasing the cam towards a first position in which the retaining arm extends away from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Srinivasa Yedla, Sundarapandian Reddy, Uday Pai, Kirankumar Savandaiah, Thanh X. Nguyen, Muhammad M. Rasheed, Jallepally Ravi
  • Patent number: 10157716
    Abstract: The circuit breaking safety lock includes a slider, a first locking piece, a first locking shaft, a first pressure spring and a first lifting mechanism, wherein the first locking piece is fixedly connected with the slider, the first locking shaft is locked with the first locking piece, the first pressure spring is used for moving the first locking shaft along a direction towards the slider, and the first lifting mechanism is used for moving the first locking shaft along a direction away from the slider. The double-power switch includes a housing, a first position electrode, a second position electrode, a movable electrode, a bi-position lock and the circuit breaking safety lock, wherein the movable electrode is fixedly connected with the slider and moves between the first position electrode and the second position electrode with the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Nijing Zhang
    Inventor: ManFuk To
  • Patent number: 10026567
    Abstract: A spring operation device includes a closing shaft rotating to apply closing driving force to a movable contactor of a circuit breaker; a breaking shaft connected to the closing shaft in an axial direction and rotating to apply breaking driving force to the movable contactor of a circuit breaker; a plurality of springs having one ends connected to the closing shaft and the breaking shaft and the other ends fixed in position and provided along circumferences of the closing shaft and the breaking shaft in order to transmit elastic restoring force to the closing shaft and the breaking shaft to rotate the closing shaft and the breaking shaft; and a power transmission unit connecting the closing shaft and the breaking shaft when a closing operation is performed and releasing a connection between the closing shaft and the breaking shaft when a breaking operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Chul Ahn, Kyu Bok Choi, Young Sung Kim, Zoltán Bajnay, Balázs Lévai, Csanád Bakos
  • Patent number: 10020142
    Abstract: A trippable control system for one or more electrical breaker poles includes a first link pivotable about a first pivot point between first and second positions; a second link pivotable about a pivot axis for connecting to one or more breaker poles, whereby movement of the first link causes the second link to pivot about the pivot axis between a position for opening and a position for closing the breaker pole(s); and a trip mechanism suitable for releasing the first pivot point and for exerting a movement force on the first link to move the first link between the second and third positions when the first link pivots about a second pivot point. Movement of the first link between the second and third positions causes the second link to pivot about the pivot axis between the position for closing the breaker pole(s) and the position for opening the breaker gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SOCOMEC
    Inventors: Roger Dumont, Arnaud Marchal, Damien Rogosinski
  • Patent number: 10008355
    Abstract: An accumulator control system for one or more electrical breaker poles includes an accumulator mechanism presenting a control handle movable at least between breaking and closing positions; a first link connected to the outer carriage and pivoting about a first pivot point between first and second positions, by actuating the control handle of the accumulator mechanism between the breaking and closing positions; a second link pivotable about a pivot axis and connected to the first link by a sliding connection so that the movement of the first link, between the second and first positions, causes the second link to pivot about the pivot axis between a position for closing one or more breaker poles, and a position for opening one or more breaker poles. The control system is further configured to exert an additional pivoting force on the second link when the control handle is actuated beyond the breaking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SOCOMEC
    Inventors: Yassine Bouazza, Roger Dumont, Damien Rogosinski
  • Patent number: 10008348
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes, for example, a housing, a stationary electrical contact attached to the housing, a movable arm operably movably attachable to the housing and a second end having an electrical contact releaseably contactable with the stationary electrical contact, and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism includes a first biasing means for opening the electrical contacts, a second biasing means for closing the electrical contacts, and a yieldable support. The yieldable support is operable in a rigid configuration to support a compression force to prevent opening of the electrical contacts while the second biasing means is operable to apply the force to close the electrical contacts. The yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow opening of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: David Peter Mika
  • Patent number: 9972458
    Abstract: Disclosed is a draw in and out type circuit breaker. In the draw in and out type circuit breaker, at least one guide slot is provided in a slide plate, and thus, a clip moves to a test position, a connected position, or a disconnected position with being fitted into the at least one guide slot, thereby enabling a position of the clip to be easily controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sangchul Lee
  • Patent number: 9966208
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a manual operation device for low voltage switching apparatus. An operating handle is provided with a fixing groove. The fixing groove is matched with a second fixing plate, the second fixing plate is placed in the fixing groove. A reset torsion spring is arranged between the second fixing plate and the fixing groove. A pawl is rotatably mounted on the second fixing plate through a fixing pin, the pawl rotates about the fixing pin. One end of a first reset spring is connected to the top end of the pawl, the other end of the first reset spring is connected to the operating handle. The operating handle i mounted on a mounting shaft of an operating mechanism of the low voltage switching apparatus. A mounting plate is provided with a rotation shaft, the rotation shaft is the rotation shaft of an energy storage mechanism of the low voltage switching apparatus. The mounting shaft and the rotation shaft are not concentric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: SEARI ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG CHINT ELECTRICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mi Zhou, Di Shen, Anshun You, Degang Qu, Zhen Li
  • Patent number: 9902324
    Abstract: A clutch assembly is connected between a gear set connected to a driving motor of an actuator mechanism of a wing mirror and a ring gear connected to an adapter, and includes a clutch gear meshing with an extremity of the gear set, a pinion gear, and left-handed and right-handed clutch springs. The clutch gear defines a groove in an inner circumference. The pinion gear includes a gear portion meshing with the ring gear, and a clutch holding surface integrally formed with the gear portion. The left-handed and right-handed clutch springs are fitted about the clutch holding surface and are coiled on the clutch holding surface in two opposite directions. Each of the left-handed and right-handed clutch springs includes a protrusion engaged in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Kyongchol Chong
  • Patent number: 9885755
    Abstract: An optical waveguide sheet 50 is fastened to an inward facing access door 4 of the load center 2. When the door is closed, the optical waveguide sheet is positioned so that one portion is juxtaposed with the circuit breaker 10A in the load center, to enable the optical waveguide sheet to receive an optical signal 70A characterizing current in the circuit breaker. The optical waveguide sheet 50 is further positioned so that another portion is juxtaposed with an optical window 48 of an aggregator. The optical waveguide sheet is configured to internally reflect the optical signal 70A within its body and to conduct the internally reflected optical signal from the circuit breaker to the optical window of the aggregator. The aggregator may provide information characterizing current usage to an alarm, a measurement device, the smart grid, or a storage device for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Steve M. Meehleder, Jeffrey O. Sharp
  • Patent number: 9876335
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for racking circuit breakers in a switchgear cabinet include a drive mechanism that is flexibly linked to a racking mechanism associated with each circuit breaker. The drive mechanism can be connected for racking multiple circuit breakers without requiring re-positioning of the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrew Bower, Michael J. Murry, Harshavardhan M. Karandikar
  • Patent number: 9865408
    Abstract: A switch extension device comprises an elongate extension member and an actuation member. The elongate extension member has a distal end shaped to couple with an electrical switch and a proximal end for positioning remote from the electrical switch. The actuation member is coupleable to the proximal end of the elongate extension member. The actuation member is movable to move the extension member to actuate the electrical switch. Methods of operation are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Avangrid Renewables, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Vette
  • Patent number: 9865415
    Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker 10 having a handle assembly 100 formed of two separate pieces, namely a handle section 110 and a link section 150 with a first end 152 and a second end 154. The link section 150 is pivotally connected at the first end 152 to the handle section 110, and at the second end 154 to a movable blade 30 carrying the movable contact 32 of the circuit breaker. The handle section 110 can be formed of a plastic, and the link section 150 can be formed of a metallic material. A metallic link section can be thinner than an equivalent plastic part, and can provide a robust metal-to-metal interface with the blade 30 carrying the movable contact 32. The handle assembly 100 can also have one or more clearance gaps 132 and 134 designed between the handle section 110 and link section 150 to provide for a range of independent motion by the handle section 110 in relation to the link section 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventor: Chad R. Mittelstadt
  • Patent number: 9849231
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a control interface and multiple unique loading guides. The control interface of the fluid delivery system receives a fluid pump assembly. The multiple loading guides are retractable from the fluid delivery system to retain and control movement of a facing of the fluid pump assembly to contact the control interface on the facing of the fluid delivery system. In one configuration, the control interface is disposed in a cavity of the fluid delivery system; the multiple loading guides are disposed at locations in proximity to the cavity. The multiple loading guides slidably retract in unison to support substantially orthogonal insertion of the fluid pump assembly into the cavity of the fluid delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Invenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse E. Ambrosina, Benjamin G. Powers
  • Patent number: 9843173
    Abstract: A switchgear apparatus (1) comprising a switching unit (2) comprising one or more electric poles (21), a truck assembly (4), on which said switching unit is mounted, said truck assembly being movable with respect to a supporting frame (3), actuation means (5) for moving said truck assembly, said switching unit being reversibly movable between an insertion position (A), at which said switching unit is electrically connected to an electric line, and a withdrawal position (B), at which said switching unit is electrically disconnected from said electric line and an electro-mechanical signalling arrangement (6) that is mounted on said truck assembly, said electromechanical signalling arrangement interacting with said actuation means to provide electric signals indicative of the position of the switching unit at said insertion position (A), at said withdrawal position (B) or at an intermediate position (C) that is different from said insertion position and said withdrawal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Andrea Farina, Stefano Magoni
  • Patent number: 9706675
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a structural base, a handle mechanically coupled to the structural base, and a cam element mechanically coupled to the handle. The handle may be configured to translate between an open position and a closed position and vice versa relative to the structural base. The cam element may be configured to mechanically couple to a retention structure for retaining the system when the handle is in the closed position and during at least a portion of the translation of the handle, move at least partially in a direction opposite to that of the handle in response to translation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Corey Dean Hartman, Russell C. Smith, Bernard D. Strmiska, Andrew Lafayette McAnally
  • Patent number: 9552950
    Abstract: A moveable contact arm assembly includes a moveable contact arm having a moveable contact thereon. Also included is a carrier assembly operatively coupled to the moveable contact arm. Further included is a first end plate operatively coupled to the carrier assembly and a bottom bracket operatively coupled to the first end plate. Yet further included is a first latch member coupled to the bottom bracket, the first latch member comprising a first guiding surface and defining a first recess portion. Also included is a guide pin extending from the carrier assembly and in contact with the first guiding surface of the first latch member during movement of the moveable contact arm assembly. Also included is a first stop pin extending from the carrier assembly and disposed in the first recess portion of the first latch member in the blow open condition of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Triplicane Gopikrishnan Babu, Rajendra Kumar Sharma, Tanmay Pralhad Tamboli
  • Patent number: 9536693
    Abstract: A trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a poleshaft and a trip D-shaft. The trip assembly comprises: a yoke assembly comprising a yoke member and a trip pin coupled to the yoke member, the yoke member being structured to be coupled to the poleshaft; and a link assembly comprising a linking member, the linking member being structured to cooperate with each of the trip pin and the trip D-shaft. When the yoke member moves in response to a trip condition, the linking member is structured to transmit movement of the yoke member into movement of the trip D-shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew Lawrence Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 9530578
    Abstract: A transmission assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a mount, at least one charging mechanism, and a pair of separable contacts. The transmission assembly has a drive assembly and a transfer assembly. The drive assembly includes a rotary driving member, a stored energy mechanism, and a linear driving member partially extending into the stored energy mechanism and being coupled to the rotary driving member. The transfer assembly cooperates with the drive assembly and the separable contacts and includes a sliding transfer component. The transmission assembly moves between a LOADED OPEN position, an UNLOADED CLOSED position, a LOADED CLOSED position, and an UNLOADED OPEN position. When the transmission assembly moves from the LOADED OPEN position to the UNLOADED CLOSED position, the linear driving member drives the sliding transfer component in a generally linear direction, thereby closing the separable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qing Qi Chen, Li Hua Bao
  • Patent number: 9508495
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved double break contact system for use in moulded case circuit breakers. The system comprises shaft means (8), fixed contact means (1 and 2) and moving contact means (3) mounted on shaft means (8), spring means (4) operatively mounted on the shaft means (8), holder means (5) securing said spring means (4) wherein holder means being rotatably mounted on the shaft means in a manner that rotation of the shaft means in operation rotates said holder means. The spring means is adapted to provide force opposing the electromagnetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LARSEN & TOURBO LIMITED
    Inventors: Anoop Philip, Mukul Gupta
  • Patent number: 9472359
    Abstract: Circuit breakers that include and/or a trip latch assembly that is configured to maintain open and closed energy status of the breaker. The trip latch assembly can include: a first stop cam held on a cam shaft; a second stop cam held on the cam shaft axially spaced apart from the first stop cam; a drive cam held on the cam shaft; a trip-open latch held on a trip latch shaft, (typically above) in cooperating alignment with the first stop cam; a trip-close latch held on the trip latch shaft above and in cooperating alignment with the second stop cam; a follower residing below and in communication with the drive cam; and a linkage attached to the follower and to a main shaft to open and close the breaker responsive to the position of the drive cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: CaiYing Ding, Chao Yang, Li Yu, Wilbert Arthur Henrik deVries
  • Patent number: 9443668
    Abstract: A torque regulator assembly is for a stored energy assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The torque regulator assembly includes: a drive assembly including a gear and a transfer assembly disposed on the gear, the gear being structured to be cooperable with at least one charging mechanism of the stored energy assembly; and a shaft extending through the gear. The drive assembly is structured to move between a driving position and a non-driving position. In the driving position, the gear is cooperable with the transfer assembly to drive the shaft. In the non-driving position, the gear rotates independently with respect to the transfer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaizhi Zhang, Li Yu, Chao Yang, Caiying Ding
  • Patent number: 9373457
    Abstract: An electric power circuit breaker with an energy storage device and an indicating device including an indicator lever with an indicator and an indicating cam of loaded and unloaded states of the loading mechanism. The indicating cam is mounted on the loading shaft in proximity to the loading cam, and includes a notch for receipt of the indicator lever when the mechanism is in the loaded state. The indicating cam includes a single ramp for progressively bringing the indicator lever into position up to the notch to guarantee latching of the opening latch maintained in a tripped position by the auxiliary release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Hubert Roelandt, Frank Emeyriat
  • Patent number: 9362064
    Abstract: An opening assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus having a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a poleshaft. The opening assembly includes a spring link comprising a first portion structured to be pivotably coupled to the poleshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion. A number of opening springs each include a stationary end coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of the spring link. The spring link is movable between an open position, wherein the opening springs bias the spring link and poleshaft to maintain full separation of the separable contacts, and a closed position, wherein the opening springs either do not bias the poleshaft or bias the poleshaft with a low level of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew Lawrence Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 9349554
    Abstract: A switchgear operating mechanism has: a ratchet wheel that rotates together with a closing shaft; a stop lever that enables contact between an energy storing cam and a roller; a motor that transmits power to a feed lever; a feed pawl; stop pawls that suppresses reverse rotation of the feed pawl; a closing lever that expands/contracts a closing spring; a catch mechanism for energy storage for the closing lever; a closing cam; a stopper unit that suppresses rotation of the stop lever; a first sprocket; second and third sprockets that are capable of rotating together with an intermediate shaft; a fourth sprocket rotatably fastened to an energy storing cam shaft; a first chain that engages with the first and second sprockets; and a second chain that engages with the third and fourth sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ohda, Tatsuya Watanabe, Yoshikata Kobayashi, Masaharu Shimizu, Satoshi Marushima
  • Patent number: 9349560
    Abstract: A circuit breaker and a method of developing the current limiting circuit breaker are described. The circuit breaker includes a carrier assembly to supply current to a circuit through a fixed contact in a first operative state. The carrier assembly includes a latch pin to move responsive to a force transferred to the latch pin as a result of a fault condition in the circuit, a cam assembly in contact with the latch pin to move responsive to movement of the latch pin, and a movable contact coupled to the cam assembly, the movable contact breaking the physical contact with the fixed contact to put the circuit breaker in a second operative state. The circuit breaker also includes a mechanism to move the carrier assembly responsive to a signal indicative of the fault condition to put the circuit breaker in a third operative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mahesh Jaywant Rane, Saugata Das, Glen Charles Sisson