With Adjustable, Replaceable Or Interchangeable Structural Features Patents (Class 335/132)
  • Patent number: 7645953
    Abstract: An electrical conductor mount is provided for an accessory including a number of electrical conductors and an actuator. The electrical conductor mount includes an accessory enclosure from which or to which the electrical conductors extend. A mounting element is disposed on the enclosure proximate the electrical conductors external to the accessory enclosure. The mounting element includes a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductors, and a retaining portion retains the electrical conductors within the receiving portion. The mounting element mounts the electrical conductors in a position in which they do not obstruct operation of the actuator. The mounting element may be a resilient hook including a first end disposed on the enclosure of an accessory module. The retaining portion may be a hook disposed on the second end of the resilient hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Erik R. Bogdon, Thomas A. Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20090302979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an auxiliary contact block. The auxiliary contact block comprises a housing and a tool free latching mechanism. The tool free latching mechanism further comprising a stationary member integral to the housing and a latching bar. The latching bar comprising a button in communication with a moveable member by a central body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Namitha Chandrappa, Subramanyan Ananthakrishnan, G. Kalyana Sundaram, Pedro Jose Riera
  • Patent number: 7623010
    Abstract: An electrical switch for connecting and breaking a circuit including a connecting and breaking mechanism for connecting and breaking the circuit provided with at least a set of movable contacts and stationary contacts; a electromagnetism drive mechanism for controlling the contacts to be actuated so as to realize closed circuit; a housing for accommodating the movable contact and stationary contact; an arc-extinguishing mechanism disposed in the housing and corresponded to the movable and stationary contact; a case connected to a base for accommodating the electromagnetism drive mechanism; a bedplate associated with the case; and a holding mechanism disposed on the bedplate for holding the contacts to connect the circuit, the electromagnetic holding mechanism is electromagnetic and has a set of electromagnetic attracting mechanism in which the movable iron core is made to be a pothook or a baffle mechanism, the movable iron core is attracted so that the pothook or baffle keeps the switch closed by means of hi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 7609137
    Abstract: An electrical switching device having at least one pole includes a housing of an insulating material, and an incoming terminal contact and an outgoing terminal contact associated with a first pole. Each of the terminal contacts includes a first connection device for connection of a first external electrical conductor. At least one of the terminal contacts includes a second connection device for pluggable connection of a second electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Roesner, Karsten Gerving, Guenter Baujan, Klaus Dauer
  • Patent number: 7598834
    Abstract: An accessory tray is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, including a housing, an operating mechanism, and a number of accessories. The housing has a cavity with a first end and the second end, and is disposed beneath the operating mechanism. The accessory tray includes an elongated member including first and second ends and is structured to receive the circuit breaker accessories. A guide mechanism guides the elongated member into and out of the cavity, in order to install the circuit breaker accessories beneath the operating mechanism. When the elongated member is disposed within the cavity, the first end is disposed at or about the cavity first end and the second end is disposed at or about the cavity second end. The accessory tray may be a single-piece molded member having a plurality of mounting portions for removably securing a plurality of circuit breaker accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Whitaker, Erik R. Bogdon, Ronald W. Brand, Robert S. Estok, James M. Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 7598831
    Abstract: A relay, in particular for a starter for an internal combustion engine for use in a motor vehicle. The relay has a self-resilient contact bridge, which for a reversible change in shape effected by the contact pressure, in particular widening, is embodied in curved form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Braun, Josef Weigt, Steffen Fuhr
  • Patent number: 7557684
    Abstract: According to the invention, an electromagnetic switch includes a pair of fixed contacts, a movable magnetic core, a magnetic coil, and a fixed magnetic core. The movable magnetic core is configured to be moved by a magnetic attraction, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the fixed contacts. The fixed magnetic core is configured to create the magnetic attraction when the magnetic coil is energized. The fixed magnetic core has a base portion and a disc portion. The base portion is arranged to face the movable magnetic core. The disc portion is fixed to the base portion and formed of a stack of metal sheets including at least one base metal sheet and a balance metal sheet. The balance metal sheet has a thickness that is predetermined to balance a difference between a desired thickness of the disc portion and a total thickness of the at least one base metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiro Kurasawa
  • Patent number: 7541900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module for electrical locking between a first and a second contactor, comprising a first and a second normally closed auxiliary contact for respectively cooperating with a slide of the first and the second contactor, a first and a second connecting member of the module for cooperating respectively with a connecting member of the first and the second contactor, a first connection terminal being connected in series with the first normally closed auxiliary contact and with the second connecting member of the module, a second connection terminal being connected in series with the second normally closed auxiliary contact and with the first connecting member of the module, and the first and second connecting members of the module being positioned on a face of the body, at a first and a second part of the module respectively, respectively intended to be arranged on the front face of the first and the second contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: ABB France
    Inventor: Alain Portier
  • Publication number: 20090102585
    Abstract: A contactor assembly includes a stationary contact, an arc contact, an arc arrestor, and a magnetic intensifier. The magnetic intensifier is constructed to extend in generally close proximity to one of the stationary contact and the arc contact. During communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier manipulates a magnetic field associated with current passing through the contactor assembly and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. Preferably, the magnetic intensifier is formed integrally with a turnback associated with one of the stationary contact or the arc contact. Such a construction simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the contactor assembly and provides efficient and repeatable arc suppression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ramsey Annis, Robert Alfred Duchrow, James Peter Miller, Susan L. Beneke
  • Patent number: 7515024
    Abstract: A magnetic movement mechanism usable in a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: (i) a first permanent magnet, (ii) a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet, (iii) a soft magnet positioned between the two permanent magnets, (iv) a balance frame positioned between the two ends of the soft magnet, (v) a first coil and (vi) a second coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that when a current passes through the first coil, a first magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet in a first direction, and when a current passes through the second coil, a second magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: General Protecht Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wusheng Chen, Fu Wang, Huaiyin Song
  • Patent number: 7495534
    Abstract: In a terminal of a standard, plug-in or box type molded case circuit breaker, a terminal module assembly for a molded case circuit breaker capable of being removable by easily selecting the terminal type, and a molded case circuit breaker having the terminal module assembly, the terminal module assembly comprising a plurality of terminals provided to selectively have a standard, plug-in or box type and electrically connected to fixed contactors, a plurality of terminal bases provided as many as the number of the terminals and selectively having the standard, plug-in or box type, thus to fixedly support each of the terminals, wherein each terminal is assembled to each terminal base to obtain a terminal module intermediate assembly, and a common supporting base for supporting all of the plurality of intermediate assemblies regardless of the terminal type or terminal base type, wherein the terminal module assemblies having the construction can be attached/detached to/from the molded case circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 7492244
    Abstract: A code switch for an electrical appliance comprises triggering magnets at specific points in a rotatable rotor. Stationary opposite contacts are disposed in the housing of the code switch and wipers are provided with contact heads assigned to said opposite contacts at a disconnecting distance. When a triggering magnet is moved above an opposite contact by rotating the rotor, the contact head is pulled upward by magnetic force towards the opposite contact and the contact is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hamm
  • Patent number: 7489216
    Abstract: A housing cover for a solenoid housing operable for accommodating solenoids for switching hydraulic directional valves is disclosed. A housing cover box has a plurality of side walls, a top side, and an open bottom side, with first and second actuating guides for guiding first and second solenoid control push rods being located on the top side. A plug connector is located between the actuating guides. At least one screw clearance hole is located at each corner of the housing cover box for locating a screw for joining the housing cover box to the solenoid housing. A sealing plate is located between the housing cover box and the solenoid housing, and at least one mounting foot is located at a corner and on a bottom surface of the housing cover box. A tubular spigot is aligned with and extends each screw clearance hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: DBT GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Dettmers, Sebastian M. Mundry, Jens Titschert, Ulrich Ballauf
  • Patent number: 7482901
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is comprised of a make-and-break mechanism part disposed between frame plates opposite to each other; a base in which a breaking portion including cross bar, moving contact, fixed contact and arc-extinguishing device, and an over-current trip device are contained; a middle base, in which a partition wall separating the breaking portion from the make-and-break mechanism part, and the breaking portion from the over-current trip device, is provided; and a cover for covering the base and middle base. A frame of the make-and-break mechanism part is secured to the base through the middle base, and the secured part of the frame and the inner bottom face of the base are disposed in the proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Watanabe, Hiroyuki Kakisako, Shigeki Koumoto, Takashi Iitsuka, Kouzou Maeta
  • Patent number: 7479858
    Abstract: Contactor-circuit breaker comprising a control electromagnet and a protection device both capable of acting on mobile contacts in response respectively to a deliberate control and to a detected electrical fault, through a multi-pole device. An electromagnetic tripping device (41) is added onto a contact control mechanism (40). The protection device (30), preferably interchangeable, is connected to the electromagnet (20) through a control line (33B) and to the control mechanism (40) through a trip line (33A) so that it outputs an electrical power supply to the electromagnet on the control line, and in the case of a fault, a trip signal on the trip line. The electromagnet (20) is of the DC type, and the protection device (30) adapts its power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SA
    Inventors: Gilles Baurand, Dominique Leglaye, Jean-Pierre Tellier
  • Patent number: 7474182
    Abstract: A contactor includes a housing lower section housing a solenoid mechanism, a main contact and a housing upper section, for housing main terminals and a connector module including control terminals which may be connected to the solenoid coil of the solenoid mechanism. The housing upper section includes a recessed step to the front of a housing side, in which the connector module may be fixed. The control terminals are located facing the housing front in front of the plane of the main terminals. Connector lines extending into the main housing from the connector module connect the control terminals to the control pins, connected to the solenoid coil and located in the housing lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Jakob Bolz, Wolfgang Kremers, Alfred Michael Wohlang
  • Patent number: 7474183
    Abstract: A latching electromagnetically actuable device comprises an electromagnet and an electrical coil. The electromagnet comprises an armature and a core. At least one of the armature and the core is of a magnetically hard material. A housing supports the electromagnet and the coil. Energizing the coil in a first direction magnetizes the magnetically hard material to draw the armature and core together and latch the electromagnet. Energizing the coil is a second direction releases the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Siemnes Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7432789
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device includes an electromagnetic drive device and at least one electrical contact that, when a starting current is applied to the drive device, can be transferred by the drive device from a disconnect position (contact opened) into a bridging position (contact closed). When the switching device is fully installed, the contact can be blocked in the disconnect position and can be mechanically blocked in the disconnect position by an arresting element that can be connected to the switching device. As a result, the contact remains in the disconnect position even when the starting current is applied to the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl-Hans Bärnklau, Johann Drexler, Peter Hartinger, Gerhard Wössner
  • Patent number: 7423504
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay is provided which is capable of reducing a contact bounce at time of closing a contact. The electromagnetic relay is so configured that an opposed angle ? is 0°<?<45°, when viewed from a direction to which a normally open fixed contact and a movable contact slide before the normally open fixed contact comes into surface-contact with the movable contact spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kon, Masayuki Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7420446
    Abstract: The circuit breaker of this invention comprises a pair of stationary contactors 2, 3 which are respectively provided with stationary contacts 2a, 3a, a movable contactor 4 which includes a pair of movable contacts 4a and which is capable of bridging both the stationary contactors, a switching mechanism section 10 which operates when an overcurrent has flowed through the stationary contactors, a crossbar 5 which separates the movable contactor from the stationary contactors upon the operation of the switching mechanism section, a contact pressure spring 7 which is engaged with the crossbar at one end and with substantially the central part of the movable contactor at the other end and which urges the movable contactor toward the stationary contactors, and arc extinction chambers 8 which are respectively disposed near both the end parts of the movable contactor and which extinguish an arc struck at the separation of the movable contactor from the stationary contactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Fushimi, Susumu Takahashi, Kazumasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7414501
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch mounted on a starter for cranking an internal combustion engine includes an excitation coil for driving a plunger upon supplying electric current to the excitation coil. A conductor member led out from the excitation coil is connected to an outside cable to supply electric current to the excitation coil. The conductor member is made of a thin plate to be easily led out from a molded contact cover and is connected to a reinforcing member made of a thick plate that is embedded in the contact cover. The outside cable is connected to the reinforcing member so that the thin conductor member is not damages by a high vibration of an engine. The outside cable is easily connected to the reinforcing member with a screw after completion of the electromagnetic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoya Imanishi, Youichi Hasegawa, Sadayoshi Kajino
  • Publication number: 20080106362
    Abstract: A contactor with modular connection of the coil according to the invention comprises an insulating body, an operating coil housed in the insulating body, and means of modular connection of the coil to an external circuit so that the coil can be powered. The coil connection means comprise a connection arrangement, internal to the body, comprising at least two pairs of contact pieces positioned near at least two faces of the insulating body, these two faces being chosen from the front face and two opposed side faces running transversely between the front face and the rear face, each contact piece facing an opening in the body, and at least one removable connection module comprising a pair of connection terminals, which is connected to a second pair of contacts which are intended to collaborate with a first pair of contact pieces of the internal connection arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ABB FRANCE
    Inventor: Alain Portier
  • Patent number: 7369022
    Abstract: An auxiliary switch sub-assembly is provided for a telecommunication system circuit breaker including a housing having an opening, separable contacts inside the housing, and an operating mechanism operating the separable contacts between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism comprises an operating handle operable among a first position corresponding to the separable contacts being open and a second position corresponding to the separable contacts being closed. The operating handle has a first end protruding from the opening of the housing, and a second end. The auxiliary switch sub-assembly includes an auxiliary switch including an actuator, and a mount attaching the auxiliary switch to the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker within the housing thereof. The actuator is mechanically actuated by a portion of the second end of the operating handle. An electrical switching apparatus employing an auxiliary switch sub-assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Glen C. Sisson, Craig A. Rodgers
  • Publication number: 20080074215
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the remaining useable life, or “wellness,” of a contactor or motor starter, and for predicting impending faults of such a device, is disclosed. By monitoring actuating coil current, actuating coil voltage, line current, and/or line voltage, the present invention can calculate wellness metrics which, when compared to threshold values, may be used as indicators of remaining life and/or imminent failures. The invention also provides non-mechanical positive indications of proper closures and openings of contacts for safety interlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Jan Walker
  • Patent number: 7332989
    Abstract: A switch mechanism has at least one set of contacts including at least one fixed contact and at least one moveable contact which is carried by an axially moveable carrier that is held by a spring-loaded detent when the contacts are closed, the carrier being released with a force to overcome the latching mechanism when opening the contacts, and a cam member with at two cam profiles that is disposed adjacent one end of the carrier and is operable to pull the axially moveable carrier towards the cam and thereby pull the at least one moveable contact into engagement with the at least one fixed contact. In one embodiment, the cam may carry a permanent magnet which when moved attracts and draws with it a permanent magnet mounted fixedly with respect to the axially moveable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: EJA Limited
    Inventor: Derek Jones
  • Patent number: 7319373
    Abstract: An auxiliary switch terminal housing is provided for a telecommunication system circuit breaker including an enclosure, separable contacts inside the enclosure, line and load terminals in electrical communication with the separable contacts, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and an auxiliary switch which is actuated by the operating mechanism. The auxiliary switch includes outputs and conductors electrically interconnected with the outputs. The terminal housing includes a first portion coupled to the enclosure of the circuit breaker proximate the line and load terminals, a second portion distal from the first portion, a plurality of terminals inside the second portion and electrically interconnected with the conductors and the outputs of the auxiliary switch, and a fastening mechanism, such as a pair of screws or rivets, fastening the terminal housing to the circuit breaker enclosure. An electrical switching apparatus employing a terminal housing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark O. Zindler
  • Patent number: 7286031
    Abstract: In the supporting structure of fixed contact terminals, a pair of fixed contact terminals with respective fixed contacts provided on their free ends are supported by fixed contact bases and the both ends of a movable contact piece contact with and separate from the pair of the fixed contacts. Cut-off grooves are provided on the surfaces of the fixed contact bases at each position near the fixed contacts, and they are formed in a converted T shape on a cross section, partitioning the pair of fixed contact terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishida, Yasuyuki Masui, Takeshi Miyasaka
  • Publication number: 20070194868
    Abstract: According to the invention, an electromagnetic switch includes a pair of fixed contacts, a movable magnetic core, a magnetic coil, and a fixed magnetic core. The movable magnetic core is configured to be moved by a magnetic attraction, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the fixed contacts. The fixed magnetic core is configured to create the magnetic attraction when the magnetic coil is energized. The fixed magnetic core has a base portion and a disc portion. The base portion is arranged to face the movable magnetic core. The disc portion is fixed to the base portion and formed of a stack of metal sheets including at least one base metal sheet and a balance metal sheet. The balance metal sheet has a thickness that is predetermined to balance a difference between a desired thickness of the disc portion and a total thickness of the at least one base metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadahiro Kurasawa
  • Publication number: 20070188278
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch and related manufacturing method are disclosed having an electromagnetic coil creating an electromagnet when energized, a stationary core associated with the electromagnetic coil and operative to be magnetized when the electromagnet is created, one set of stationary contacts disposed in areas away from the stationary core, and a plunger carrying thereon a movable contact and operative to move toward the stationary contacts to close the same when the stationary core is magnetized by the electromagnet. The stationary core includes a base section and a disc section assembled to the base section. The disc section includes a plurality of stacked thin plates, fixedly secured to each other by fixing means, which have through-openings extending to each other in a circumferential direction in communication with each other to form a coil takeout opening through which an end portion of the electromagnetic coil is extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikio Tsukada, Shinji Usami
  • Patent number: 7210970
    Abstract: A shouldered connector pin socket (14) is shown having an open channel (14a) formed in the face surface of a wall member of a circuit breaker housing. An electrically conductive spring member (16, 16?) is received over the channel and is formed with a first set of spring fingers (16d) that are adapted to engage a connector pin along a first axial length (14c) of the channel making electrical engagement with the pin and urging the pin against the channel surface as the pin is slidingly inserted into the channel. The spring fingers urge the flange of the connector pin into a recess formed by a stepped shoulder defining the entrance to a second axial length (14d) with the stepped shoulder and the spring fingers cooperating to retain the connector pin in the channel. A second set of spring contact fingers (16e) can also be used to engage the connector pin along a third axial length (14e) and thereby provide a redundant contact system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian V. Pellon, Michael J. Lavado, Jacky C. Chan
  • Patent number: 7157997
    Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor in which neighboring main contact points have an interphase barrier between them. A concave section is provided at the inner wall face of the interphase barrier at the middle of the emission path of the arc gas that is generated from the opening and closing of a main contact point. The concave section allows the arc gas passing from an arc generation point to an emission window to be accumulated in the concave section, which acts as a container, thus reducing the rate at which the arc gas is emitted. As a result, the amount of heat dispersed from the arc gas to the interphase barrier due to heat transfer is increased, thus reducing the temperature of the arc gas flowing from the emission window, which suppresses damage to the wiring cable that would otherwise occur due to excessive heating of the main terminal onto which the arc gas flows, and fusion of the interphase barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ohkubo, Mitsuhara Kasahara, Hidehiko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7157996
    Abstract: In the electromagnetic switching device, it is possible to miniaturize and have low costs, have quiet operation noise, and also quickly extinguish the arc. The electromagnetic switching device has an electromagnetic actuator with a movable iron core, a pair of fixed terminals that respectively have a fixed contact point, a movable contact that has movable contact points on the right and left ends, a shaft, and an enclosing component that holds the movable contact points and the fixed contact points. The pair of movable contact points respectively contact with and detach from the pair of fixed contact points, and the pair of fixed contact points respectively conduct each other and are insulated again through the shaft by moving the movable iron core along the axis using the electric magnetic actuator. A quasi-hermetically sealed space, which is the extinguishing space, is formed by the enclosing component and a first yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Enomoto, Riichi Uotome, Kouji Yokoyama, Katsuyoshi Kamioka
  • Patent number: 7145422
    Abstract: A direct current relay includes a plurality of contact pairs, and a plurality of magnets (5). Each of the plurality of contact pairs is configured having contacts (21, 22, 31) with contact regions (21a, 22a, 31a) disposed to allow opening and closure with respect to each other. The plurality of contact pairs are disposed such that the plurality of magnets (5) are disposed on one straight line, and the contact pairs are located between the magnets (5) on a line identical to the straight line. Each of the plurality of magnets (5) is provided to distort an arc generated between contacts (21, 22, 23, 31) on an occasion of relay cut off in a direction crossing the straight line. Even if a backward current flows, arcs will not interfere with each other, allowing extinguishing in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Imanishi, Akinobu Yoshimura, Takeshi Ariyoshi, Tamio Tsurita, Yasuhiko Nishi
  • Patent number: 7138894
    Abstract: An electromagnetic breaker includes a housing (10) having two conductors (30, 31), and a slidable conductor (40) slidably disposed in the housing (10) and movable to engage with the conductors (30, 31) and to electrically couple the conductors (30, 31) together. An electromagnetic device (2) may selectively force the slidable conductor (40) toward and away from the conductors (30, 31). The slidable conductor (40) includes a magnetic member (44), the electromagnetic device (2) includes a core for acting with the magnetic member (44). A spring device (14) may bias the conductors (30, 31) toward the slidable conductor (40). Another spring device (47) may bias the slidable conductor (40) away from the conductors (30, 31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: Mei-Ling Lo
  • Patent number: 7106155
    Abstract: A double-lever mechanism is for the trip actuator of a circuit breaker having a housing, separable contacts and an operating member for opening and closing the contacts. A trip bar opens the separable contacts in response to a trip condition, such as an overcurrent condition. The trip actuator assembly is a self-contained unit including an actuation subassembly comprising the double-lever mechanism and a coil and a plunger housed within an enclosure. First and second trip levers of the double-lever mechanism are pivotally coupled to first and second ends of the enclosure, respectively. In response to the trip condition, the plunger extends, pivoting the first trip lever which engages and pivots the second trip lever in order to actuate the trip bar. The double-lever mechanism provides a mechanical advantage by reducing actuating forces and plunger travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Turner, Louis F. Grahor, Jason K. McMains, Thomas M. Whalen
  • Patent number: 7098762
    Abstract: An electromechanical switch includes a main contact provided with a number of main fixed contacts and a mobile main contact bridge; an auxiliary contact which precedes the main contact in the switch-on process and includes a number of auxiliary fixed contacts and a mobile auxiliary contact bridge; and a contact bridge carrier for actuating the main contact bridge and the auxiliary contact bridge. At least one of the contact parts is spring-mounted. The electromechanical switch has two stable positions of the auxiliary contact bridge or the auxiliary fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alf Wabner
  • Patent number: 7098763
    Abstract: Electrical switching device with a switching housing designed to be fitted with at least one switching polar assembly (80) comprising two arc extinguishing splitters blocks (81,82) located on each part of a contact bridge (83) movable along a horizontal axis. The switching housing comprises a first element (20) comprising a bottom (21) formed from a first horizontal face of the switching device (10), so as to form a tank with a cavity (29) that houses a first splitters block (81), and a second element (30), assembled to the first element (20), comprising a bottom (31) formed from a second horizontal face of the switching device (10), opposite the first horizontal face, so as to form a tank with a cavity (39) that collects the second splitters block (82). The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Patrick Larcher
  • Patent number: 7095303
    Abstract: A mold frame is formed with two collision sections opposed to a back face of a movable iron core with a movable contact support therebetween. One collision section is higher than the other. The movable contact support includes an inclined plane on the base bottom face thereof and near the higher collision section. The base bottom face abuts the back face of the movable core. When this contactor is attached with the higher collision section provided at the lower side, the support having collided in the “released” condition is rotated around the collision section, thereby reducing the impact. When this contactor is attached with the lower section at the lower side, the support attracted toward the core by a plate spring is allowed to collide, at the bounce of the support, with the back face of the core via the inclined plane, thereby canceling the inertia by the bounce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Koji Ohkubo, Hidekazu Miyazawa, Hidehiko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7091805
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has a mobile contact point attached to a contact member, a fixed contact point, a contact point spring that applies a biasing force on the contact member towards the fixed contact point, a guide that carries the contact member and said contact point spring, a coil that generates a pulling force when excited to move the guide and a returning spring that provides a biasing force for causing the guide to return. A mechanism is provided such that a load is generated on the contact member by the motion of the guide towards the fixed function against the returning spring immediately before the mobile contact point contacts the fixed contact point. This mechanism applies a contact point spring load of the contact point spring and the load as a contact pressure to the contact member for contacting the mobile contact point with the fixed contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Kawahara, Shinya Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7084727
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a switching device (1) based on a uniform control tile, which is easy to produce and assemble, ensuring good electric insulation properties. To achieve this, the device comprises an adapter (12) with second contact means (13), arranged to form a connection between first contact means (7, 8) and a conductor (10) that is to be connected. Said adapter and second contact means have insulating isolating elements (18, 18a, 18b, 18c), at least bordering several sides, for defined creepage distances and clearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Bauer, Peter Hartinger, Stefan Merz, Rolf Müller, Ludwig Niebler, Joe Rogers
  • Patent number: 7064638
    Abstract: An electrical switch having an actuator 130, a contact station 112, and a base 110. The actuator 130 includes a movable portion 130f which moves translationally from a first position to a second position when a voltage is applied thereto and which returns back from the second position to the first position when the voltage is removed. The contact station 112 is provided in a center portion of the base 110 so as to fix contact portions 101s having stationary contacts 101a of stationary contactors 101. Movable contactors 103 each are made of a beam material and each have one end portion coupled with and fixed to a housing, and have another end portion provided with a movable contact 103a. An operational arm 105 has one end coupled with the movable portion 130f of the actuator 130, and the other end connected to the other end portions of the movable contactors 103.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7061352
    Abstract: A noise-free low-power consumption wide voltage range DC and AC contactor and remote telephone control system is disclosed. A movable iron core is connected to a linkage. Another end of the linkage is connected to a micro switch. A normal close contact of the micro switch is serially connected to a magnetic coil and is parallel connected to an IC circuit and a retaining coil. A lower end of the movable iron coil is in the extent of the coil so that the magnetic coil attracts the movable iron core to move downwards to conduct the contactor and meanwhile, the magnetic coil will disconnect. The retaining coil is used to replaced the magnetic coil to attract the movable iron core. Since the power consumption of the retaining coil is small and thus the contactor is noise free, lower power consumption, and wide voltage range. Three voltage stages are selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Tzo-Ing Lin
  • Patent number: 7049912
    Abstract: An electric switching device of which each power pole includes a movable bridge equipped with at least one movable contact that co-operates with at least one fixed contact of the pole between open and closed positions. The switching device includes at least one approach actuator—bistable or of Voice Coil type—acting on the movable bridges to distance and bring together the movable contacts of the movable bridges and the fixed contacts. Each pole includes a force actuator, e.g., piezoelectric, to establish contact pressure or contact switching, without the use of a mechanical restoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Christian Bataille, Stephane Follic
  • Patent number: 7046108
    Abstract: An electronic circuit breaker which includes an automatic button or switch handle, a movable axle fitted in the automatic button, a movable copper mounted on a lower end of the movable axle, two movable silver contacts provided on two sides of a bottom of the movable copper, two stationary silver contacts positioned against the two movable silver contacts, a magnetic mechanism disposed between the two stationary silver contacts, the magnetic mechanism comprising a permanent magnet, two iron plates mounted at two sides of the permanent magnet, a reel mounted on one of the iron plates, a solenoid installed on the reel, a CPU connected with the solenoid, a primary circuitry conductive wire installed on the other one of the iron plates, a movable iron mounted on a bottom of the movable copper, a stationary magnet and CT connected in series with a primary circuitry of current-out and current-in electrodes, a movable magnet mounted above the stationary magnet, a short-circuit locking mechanism having an arm positio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Tzo-Ing Lin
  • Patent number: 7030723
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device includes an electromagnetic drive apparatus and has a moving contact element which can be operated by this drive apparatus. The moving contact element can be switched between a bridging position, which connects a pair of stationary contacts, and a disconnected position, which disconnects the stationary contacts. The electromagnetic switching device also has an actuating apparatus having an actuating element which interacts with the moving contact element and can be moved between an operating position and a safe position. In the operating position, the moving contact element can be switched by the electromagnetic drive apparatus between the bridging position and the disconnected position. Further, by movement of the actuating element to the safe position, the moving contact element can be blocked from moving from the bridging position to the disconnected position, and can be blocked in the disconnected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl-Hans B{hacek over (a)}rnklau, Johann Drexler, Peter Hartinger
  • Patent number: 7023306
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnet block having coils wound about the bodies of spools through which iron cores are provided. The electromagnet block is accommodated in a concave part that opens upward of a box-shaped case such that the shaft centers of the iron cores can be orthogonal to the bottom surface of the box-shaped case. The electromagnet block is excited and demagnetized by the passage and break of electric current through the coils so that a contact mechanism can be driven by a movable iron piece that is absorbed to and leaves magnetic pole portions at the upper ends of the iron cores. In this case, the electromagnet block is hung at the upper opening edge of the box-shaped case such that a space can be provided between the bottom surface of the box-shaped case and the electromagnet block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishida, Yasuyuki Masui
  • Patent number: 7023305
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control and protection module (10) for a low voltage multipolar switch device that is comprised of a connector base (50), a control electromagnet (41) and a trip mechanism (42) capable of acting upon the moving contacts (52) in order to open and break the power poles. The detachable control and protection unit (10), an electronic board (20) which has a processing unit (30), a control device (31) and a protection device (32), responsible respectively for operating the electromagnet and the trip mechanism in response respectively to a control signal (310) and a trip signal (320) transmitted by the processing unit (30). The processing unit can suppress the control signal (310) from the electromagnet (41) in the event of malfunction of the protection device (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Cuny, Philippe Guibert, Gilles Baurand
  • Patent number: 6998550
    Abstract: An interface linkage assembly for a network protector is provided. The network protector includes a circuit breaker structured to move in and out of a housing assembly, and having a mechanical trip assembly and an electrical close assembly. The interface linkage includes a coupling device, a housing assembly portion and a rollout portion. The coupling device has a first component and a second component. The housing assembly portion is coupled to the coupling device first component. The rollout portion is coupled to the coupling device second component. The rollout portion is structured to be coupled to the mechanical trip assembly and the electrical close assembly, and further structured to move the mechanical trip assembly over a lesser arc and the electrical close assembly over a greater arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur James Jur, Douglas Michael Brandt, John Wesley Fail
  • Patent number: 6975194
    Abstract: A switching device which can be small-sized by improving a shielding performance and can improve the reliability of switching characteristics. A permanent magnet disposed near stationary contacts is arranged in its pole-face perpendicularly of the axis of a moving contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishida, Yasuyuki Masui, Kozo Maenishi
  • Patent number: 6967549
    Abstract: A modular asynchronous contactor assembly includes a contactor for each phase or pole of an electrical device. The contactor assembly is applicable as both a switching device and an isolation or load protection device. As such, each contactor is constructed so that each includes multiple contact assemblies. Moreover, the contactors within a single contactor assembly or housing can be independently controlled so that the contacts of one contactor can be opened without opening the contacts of the other contactors of the contactor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Michael T. Little, James Kinsella, Chris Wieloch, Engelbert Hetzmannseder