Abstract: A novel rotary switch includes metal contact segments integrally molded into annular plastic frame members which segments are then further sealed to prevent passage of flux or other contaminants from reaching the interior of the switch. Further, each contact segment has an arcuate interior contact portion which engages a rotating bridging member on the inner periphery of the arcuate surface. The arcuate segments are spaced together so that the bridging member that conducts signals to the arcuate surface never contacts a plastic surface. A toothed member is provided to cam the bridging member out of contact with one contact segment before making contact with the next adjacent contact segment.

Abstract: A multiposition rotary transformer switch including a molded switch housing including a bore, an interrupted mounting flange located intermediate the ends of the bore and an interrupted key flange at one end of the bore, the flanges each including slots located at equally spaced intervals, the slots in one flange being offset from the slots in the other flange and a number of fixed contacts mounted on said housing, a dual voltage shaft assembly including a shaft having a drive nut at one end and a pair of floating contacts at the other end, and a tap changer shaft assembly including a shaft having a drive nut at one end and a floating contact at the other end, the shaft assemblies being adapted to be mounted in the bore in the housing and a reversible cap adapted to be mounted on the switch housing to enclose the end of the shaft assemblies in one position and mounted on the drive nut on the shaft in the other position to selectively rotate the shaft assembly with respect to the fixed contacts, the cap being

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher is provided with a cartridge-type switch for commutating current from a high current source to a pair of generally parallel conductive rails. A conductive cartridge switch in sliding electrical contact with the rails at the breech end includes a pressure chamber and aperture for receiving a projectile. An increase in pressure in the pressure chamber forces the projectile forward while forcing the cartridge rearward. Current is commutated from the cartridge to a conductive armature which subsequently propels a projectile along the conductive rails.

Abstract: A transformer tap changing switch including a rotary contactor shaft supporting spaced apart radially extending arms having roller contactor sets mounted thereon and yieldably biased into engagement with adjacent ones of an array of elongated cylindrical rod contacts supported between spaced apart switch frame plates. Each of the rod contacts includes a centrally disposed lug or blade type terminal located between the roller contactor assemblies and spaced sufficiently from each such that current flow along the rod contact elements between the terminal portions and the rotary switch contactors establish counteracting magnetic force fields which substantially cancel each other and eliminate any forces acting on the rotary contactor assembly. The switch includes a manually actuated lever for rotating the contactor shaft and which is provided with a switch position locking mechanism including a spring biased pin which projects into a selected hole in a position locking plate member.

Abstract: Rotary switch includes a dielectric rotor with die cast conductive circuit paths therein which connect various surface contacts thereon. Rotor comprises first and second dielectric disc members facing internal surfaces which are sandwiched together. Internal surface on first disc member has channels therein which communicate with opposed surface via four circles of holes through the disc member. Holes through second disc member communicate between internal surface thereof and two circular bus channels on opposed surface. Metal die cast into sandwiched disc members forms inner circuit paths and surface contacts. Finished rotor is placed in housing with fixed contacts which make contact with different sets of surface contacts as rotor is rotated incrementally relative to housing. Two fixed contacts remain in contact with respective bus channels regardless of incremental position of rotor.

Abstract: The cylindrical rotor of a switch for switching very large DC currents has a conducting element extending arcuately over a portion of its cylindrical surface and axially therealong. Two stationary brush members extend radially inward toward and axially along and are in sliding electrical contact with the cylindrical rotor surface. An arc chamber formed in the insulation between the brush members and extending arcuately around the rotor from one of the brush members accommodates the massive arc which is drawn as the rotor is rotated from a first position in which the conducting element shorts the brush members and conducts therebetween the very large current applied to the brush members and a second position in which contact between the rotor conducting element and the one brush member is broken. In one embodiment of the invention, the rotor conducting element shorts the second brush member to a third when the rotor is in the second position.

Abstract: A segment holder is mounted in a casing for rotational movement therein, and a plurality of contact wires extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the segment holder and are spaced from each other along the said axis of rotation, the segment holder being biased to turn in a direction under the resiliency of the contact wires. When a driver connected to the segment holder is actuated from the exterior of the casing, the segment holder is rotated against the biasing force applied thereto to make break electrical contact between the contact wires via a conductive segment(s) mounted on the segment holder.

Abstract: A breaker combination, for use in bus bar installations for connecting at least one bus bar with at least one branch, includes an encapsulating tube and a rotatable switching tube axially disposed in the tube. Stationary counter-contacts arranged on the inner periphery of the tube, are connected with a bus bar or a branch. The switching tube carries external contact studs for making electrical connection with the counter-contacts which also are connected to the poles of a power circuit breaker lying inside the switching tube. This integrated construction provides an especially compact arrangement and simplified locking between the drives for the power circuit breaker and for the isolating or switching contacts.

Abstract: An electrical control for providing a graduated change in the magnitude of electrical energy transferred from a source of electrical energy to a device driven thereby including a mount, a plurality of load contacts disposed in fixed relation on the mount, a movable power contact engaging certain of the plurality of load contacts, a movable transition contact associated with the movable power contact first engaging each of the load contacts engaged by the movable power contact to provide an alternate full load current path through each of the load contacts engaged by the movable power contact prior to engagement by the movable power contact, thus providing a transition between the load contacts engaged by the movable power contacts which are connected to differing magnitudes of impedance substantially without arcing; and a third movable contact may be provided for selectively engaging other of the plurality of load contacts for effecting a switching function.