With Adjustable, Replaceable Or Interchangeable Structural Features Patents (Class 335/132)
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Patent number: 6005207Abstract: A circuit breaker housing includes a base having a main portion and a separate subbase portion. The line contact arms for the breaker are mounted on the subbase portion and attached to the main portion which includes the load contact arms. The main portion of the base includes a bottom wall which insulates the load contact arms from the line contact arms along a portion of their lengths. In addition, the bottom wall forms a structural member which rigidly ties the two sidewalls of the main portion of the base. The bottom wall of the main portion of the base includes an opening through which line contacts coupled to the line contact arm make contact with load arm contacts coupled to the load contact arms. Adjacent to the opening, the main portion of the base includes vertical ribs directly tied to the bottom wall which strengthen internal and external side walls in the main portion of the base and reinforce the structural member formed by the bottom wall of the main portion of the base.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.Inventors: Bernard DiMarco, David A. Leone, Bruce D. Guiney, Neal Reeves
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Patent number: 5986528Abstract: An electrical switching device prevents moving contacts from welding to stationary contacts in a switching device. This is achieved using an auxiliary magnet system in the main current path, which system produces a contact pressure force corresponding to the excitation current so that no arcs are produce between the contacts when overcurrents and short-circuit currents occur. The moving iron core of the auxiliary magnet system is for this purpose connected to the contact link mounting via which the contacts are switched on and off.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Markus Meier, Bardo Koppmann
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Patent number: 5969587Abstract: An auxiliary switch for a circuit-breaker includes a casing containing at least one contact blade member mobile under the control of a pivoting and sliding actuator lever between a closed position and an open position. The actuator lever has a lateral actuator pin which projects out of the casing through a slot in the latter. The slot has a localized escape lobe away from its main part and which receives the actuator pin.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNCInventor: Christian Combas
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Patent number: 5959519Abstract: A switch device including an inner yoke and an outer yoke are arranged around the winding of an electromagnetic block, and a plate-shaped permanent magnet is inserted between the two yokes. A highly efficient actuation of the switching device is achieved by the assistance of the permanent magnet.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Siemens AGInventors: Ralph-Ronald Gobel, Norbert Sorgel, Hans Pfab
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Patent number: 5959517Abstract: A method an apparatus is disclosed for preventing contact welding during fault conditions. This fault current tolerable contactor includes two magnetic components, one in operable association with the movable contacts, and the other fixable attached above the movable contacts such that when a fault condition occurs, a high magnetic force is created to draw the two magnetic components together thereby opening the contacts. The magnetic force keeps the contacts open at least until current zero, and preferably a defined time thereafter to provide enough time for the contacts to cool and prevent welding upon the closure of the contacts.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Wieloch, Xin Zhou
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Patent number: 5952903Abstract: A push button residual current device employs a single push button to perform setting and testing operations. Over a first part of the down stroke of the push button a test trip is initiated which causes the device to trip if it is properly functioning. When the push button is pushed further, and then released, the device goes into a state allowing current to pass provided no trip condition is detected. Once the device is operative for allowing current to pass, any fault condition results in a trip for disconnecting the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Power Breaker PLCInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 5949314Abstract: An electromagnetic drive for a switch, preferably a motor protective circuit-breaker. The electromagnetic drive has a magnetic system, whose movable armature serves to actuate switching contact elements in the switch. The armature is coupled to a transmission lever by a leaf spring. One end the leaf spring is fixedly clamped and the other end of the leaf spring is connected to the transmission lever in such a way that the transmission lever is actuated when the leaf spring flexes and thus the free end of the leaf spring is displaced.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1998Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: ABB Patent GmbHInventors: Karin Spengler, Jorg Stamm
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Patent number: 5933064Abstract: A contactor includes an upper housing (1) for contact parts and a lower bobbin (5) that bears a coil and can be placed therein in an initial position or in a position displaced by 180 degrees. The coil terminals (6, 7) lie next to each other on one side of the bobbin (5). Before the assembly of the bobbin (5) in the housing (1, 4), at least two male parts (2, 3) comprising terminal pins, and at least one female part (8, 9) comprising a hole that is intended to receive one of the male parts (2 or 3), are molded on at the areas that will subsequently border each other. In order to arrange the coil terminals (6, 7) on one side of the contactor, the male part (2 or 3) that does not act in conjunction with a female part (8, 9) in this position must be broken off prior to assembly. In order to arrange the coil terminals (6, 7) on the other side of the contactor that is turned away by 180 degrees, the other male part (2 or 3) must be broken off.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, LLCInventor: Peter Hilfiker
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Patent number: 5933065Abstract: The present invention relates to a control and signalling device for a protective switching apparatus of the relay switch type which is provided with power switches (1) and a protection assembly (4) and is capable of detecting faults (overloads or overcurrents) on each current path associated with a switch (1), this device being actuated by a manual control member (51) which can take an operating "run" position corresponding to closed contacts, a "stop" position corresponding to open contacts and a "trip" position corresponding to the position after detection of a fault, characterised by the fact that it comprises a mobile spring loaded cam (52) actuated by a triggering spring (54) and capable of--from the "run" position in which it is locked by an automatic interlock (55) and after the triggering and release of the interlock (55)--of turning the manual control member (51) which then actuates the coil switch (81).Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1996Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventor: Pierre Duchemin
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Patent number: 5909164Abstract: A separable circuit breaker includes a separate trip apparatus portion, having a trip apparatus and a trip apparatus container, and a switching apparatus portion having a switching apparatus and a switching apparatus container. The switching apparatus and trip apparatus are connectable by connection terminals in a lower part of the respective containers. The trip apparatus portion also includes a trip apparatus cover connected to an upper portion of the trip portion container and an assistant cover rotatably connected to an upper portion of the trip apparatus cover. The assistant cover allows access to the trip apparatus. The trip appartus includes a bimetal element and an armature. The switching apparatus portion includes a crossbar and a handle. The crossbar is connected and engaged with the armature according to deformation of the bimetal element such that current flow through the circuit breaker can be opened by rotation of the crossbar when an overcurrent exists.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sang Don Lee
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Patent number: 5907267Abstract: Photoelectric reflective object sensors are mounted in an exteriorly mounted auxiliary switch case to detect a member on a movable contact assembly of the contactor to produce logic level output signals indicative of the operational state of the contactor electromagnet. One or a pair of photoelectric sensors are used in a side mounted auxiliary switch to detect the contactor movable contact assembly in the energized or de-energized position, or en route between the two positions. A single photoelectric sensor is used in a top adder auxiliary switch to detect if the movable contact assembly is or is not in the extended (de-energized) position. The auxiliary switches provided logic level output signals directly usable with microprocessor based controllers.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Scott A. Reid, Francis S. Richards, Jr.
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Patent number: 5886601Abstract: An electromagnetic relay assembly includes an actuator unit and at least one switch unit detachably connected with the actuator unit. The actuator unit includes an actuator casing accommodating therein an electromagnetic assembly and a movable actuator frame magnetically attracted by the electromagnetic assembly to move between first and second positions. The switch unit Includes a switch casing accommodating therein a switch assembly capable of selectively assuming one of an ON state in response to movement of the movable actuator frame from the first position to the second position and an OFF position in response to movement of the movable actuator frame from the second position to the first position. The actuator casing and the switch casing have mating engagement members by which the actuator unit and the switch unit can be separably connected together while the movable actuator frame in the actuator unit can be drivingly coupled with the switch assembly In the switch unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuhiro Kitamura, Hiroaki Hamaguchi, Naoki Kanemoto, Masahiro Kutsuna, Tetsuyasu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 5886602Abstract: A contact-unit slide for contractors which includes an insulating body in which windows are drilled wherein in each of these windows a contact bridge and a compression spring associated with the contacts are housed, the slide being moved by the mobile parts of the contactor's electromagnet, the spring bearing on the opposite side of the support surface adjacent to the contact bridge. The body has slots extending between a window and a visible surface to allow it to be supported on the upper end of the associated spring.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1996Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventors: Michel Burel, Jean-Pierre Duchemin, Bruno Jacquet
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Patent number: 5880658Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device for operationally switching currents in the load range and having an instantaneous release, connected in series, for protection against welding of the contacts (6) in the overload range is created, and has a high reliability and low overall volume. The electromagnet (2) of the switching device (1) is arranged in the middle relative to the contact bridge carrier (8) and coupled directly to the latter in the middle. The instantaneous release (3) acts via a rocker (15) on the movable contact (6) and is actuated only in the case of overcurrents, use being made of the fact that only the directly coupled drive system of the switching device is employed in the nominal current range.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1998Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Peter Donhauser, Johann Drexler, Wilhelm Holzer
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Patent number: 5874877Abstract: A circuit breaker with a completely electromagnetic type overcurrent tripping device has a flexibility for changes in the production schedule of the overcurrent tripping device. An overcurrent tripping device for each pole is integrally housed in a common unit case, which is then inserted into a case of the circuit breaker. In this case, a yoke of the overcurrent tripping device is combined with an oil dash pot inserted into a coil, and the combined parts are pressed and fixed in the unit case without soldering. Thus, the coil, which is changed depending on the rated current, and the yoke and oil dash pot which are common products, can be separately stored prior to assembly, thereby enabling flexible responses to changes in the production schedule. In addition, the yoke and the oil dash pot need not be soldered and are fixed individually to the unit case, thereby reducing the number of assembly operations.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1997Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Kawashima, Kazuhiko Satoh, Tadahisa Aoki, Makoto Ogasawara
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Patent number: 5872498Abstract: A resistance arrangement for an electromagnetic switching device (1) is useable for switching capacitive loads with main contact pieces (3) and auxiliary contact pieces (4). One terminal (7) of the auxiliary contact pieces (4) and one terminal (6) of the main contact pieces (3) of the same phase lie on the same side of the switching device (1) stacked on top of each other. The auxiliary contact pieces (4) switch on before the main contact pieces (3) and switch off after them. Between the terminals (6) and (7) of each phase, an ohmic resistance (8) located in a nonconductor housing (13) is connected. The resistance (8) is placed immediately under the terminal (7) of the auxiliary contact piece (4) in the existing cavity (14) of a nonconductor housing (13) expanding into the direction of the terminal (6) of the main contact piece (3). This arrangement can be easily installed and is space-saving.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, LLCInventor: Reiner Linek
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Patent number: 5867079Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device including, in an envelope formed by a base (1) and an insulating casing (7), a contact holder (3) in which are housed contact bridges (4) featuring a moving lock (8) capable of immobilizing the contact holder (3), wherein the lock (8) and the insulating casing (7) have sliding assembly devices (74, 75) which move the lock (8) positively from the rest position towards the contact holder (3) in the locked position by moving the insulating casing (7) away from the base, and the sliding assembly devices (74, 74) move the lock (8) away from the contact holder positively from the locked position by moving the casing towards the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventors: Jean-Pierre Duchemin, Bruno Jacquet, Regis Perrocheau
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Patent number: 5867081Abstract: A polarized bistable electromagnetic relay arrangement comprising at least two monostable instantaneous electromagnetic relay devices with a L-shaped yoke, a permanent magnet disposed between both relay devices so that one magnetic pole be magnetically connected by polar masses to both yokes of the relay devices and polar masses magnetically connect the other pole of the magnet to both blades whereas the magnetic circuits of both relay devices are designed so that the magnetic flux produced by one energized coil passes in series through both blades while superposing themselves to the magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Chauvin ArnouxInventors: Daniel Arnoux, Axel Arnoux, Claude Genter
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Patent number: 5864270Abstract: In the case of the relay, an insulating wall which has at least three insulating layers is formed between the magnet system and a live metal part, in that the insulating wall is formed from a wall base having at least one insulating gap, and in that the insulating layer is formed in the insulating gap by insulating material which is inserted in liquid form and is subsequently cured.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Ralf Hoffman
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Patent number: 5861786Abstract: Safety switch with contacts that may be switched by means of an external actuator A. A housing 10 houses an electrical contact block B and an electromagnet E and this housing has a control head 11 attached to it that may be rotated around an axis X1 and which is fitted with a push rod 15 which may be moved parallel to this axis to act on the block. The core 20 of the electromagnet moves along an axis X3 parallel to X1 and co-operates with an element 22 which blocks the push rod by means of a two-position device which permits the push rod to be blocked when the electromagnet is either supplied with power or not supplied with power respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventor: David Laveau
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Patent number: 5854580Abstract: A breaker device excellent in safety and contained in a compact casing. In a casing 1, a pair of fixed electrodes 11a, 11b is projected, and a movable electrode 31, which is fitted with and detached from the fixed electrodes, is arranged. A handle 40 is inclinably supported by a supporting shaft 45. On the top surface of an upper casing 3, a pair of poles 70 is erected, and rectangular solid sliding projections 71 are projected, while guiding grooves 73 are formed in side faces of the handle 40. In each of the guiding grooves 73, an arc-shaped portion allowing the sliding projection 71 to rotate about the supporting shaft 45 is provided at an upper end of a linear portion which allows the sliding projection 71 only to slide therealong. When the movable electrode 31 is inserted with the handle being erected, the sliding projections are guided by the linear portions, while the handle 40, maintained in an erected state, is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Kazumoto Konda, Kunihiko Watanabe, Toshiyuki Sekimori, Yasuyoshi Fukao
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Patent number: 5844457Abstract: A pair of pivoted links positioned at opposite sides of a movable armature and reversely oriented with respect to each other, have a pivotal connection at their opposite ends to a movable contact carrier and intermediate their ends to the armature whereby movement of the armature is amplified in movement of the contact carrier to permit reduction in the air gap between the armature and electromagnet core without incurring a corresponding reduction in contact carrier movement.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1996Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kurt V. Eckroth, David S. Hunter
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Patent number: 5834996Abstract: An electric switch (1) includes a switching device (4), movable between its ON position and OFF position, for switching a current circuit. The switch (1) is combined with a magnetic circuit (28, 29) for electromagnetic undervoltage tripping. In the event of undervoltage, the magnetic circuit (28, 29), as it opens, shifts the switching device (4) to its OFF position. The switching device (4) shifted to its OFF position closes the magnetic circuit (28, 29) again. A linearly movable fixing slide (24) couples the switching device (4) with the magnet armature (28) of the magnetic circuit and fixes the magnet armature (28) on the magnet core (29) in the OFF position of the switching device (4).Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1997Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Ullermann
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Patent number: 5828277Abstract: A contactor/circuit-breaker type switch device having at least one power switching pole comprising fixed contacts (1, 2) cooperating with mobile contacts (5) coupled to an actuator member (15) actuated by a solenoid (8) or by a lock lever (12) linked to a lock (23), characterised in that the lock lever (12) actuates the mobile contact actuator member (15) directly and in that the mobile parts (10) of the solenoid actuate the actuator member (15) via a coupling lever (13) adapted to be coupled to said mobile parts (10) by a demountable coupling (19, 221) associated with locking means (14) conditioned by the status of the lock.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventor: Pierre Duchemin
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Patent number: 5825269Abstract: An electromagnetic switchgear having an explosion chamber that can be removed from its bottom part and a bridge support that projects into the area of the explosion chamber and bears movable contact parts. In order to safely lock by simple means the contact support when the explosion chamber has been removed, locking means and the explosion chamber are specially designed with means that make the locking means slide in a link into a position where the contact support is unlocked when the explosion chamber is connected to the bottom part of the switchgear.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Bardo Koppmann
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Patent number: 5815058Abstract: A contact enforcement apparatus for an electric switch includes two electro-magnetic bars. The first electro-magnetic bar is disposed between a crossbar of the switch and a moveable contact arm. The crossbar carries the moveable contact arm and the first electro-magnetic bar such that the electrical contacts of a stationary contact arm and the moveable contact arm are opened and closed by the crossbar. The second electro-magnetic bar is in U-shape and has a front wall and a back wall, between which the moveable contact arm is at least partially inserted when the electrical contacts are closed together. When a "fault" current passes by the electrical contacts, an attractive force between the electro-magnetic bars is largely increased. This attractive force overcomes a repulsive force caused by the "fault" current which tends to open up the electrical contacts, so that the contact between the moveable and stationary contacts remain closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Onan CorporationInventor: Daniel Gizaw
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Patent number: 5801608Abstract: The relay has a magnet system with an armature that operates on a switching spring via an actuating element. This switching spring has a frame-shaped contact spring as well as a fork-shaped reset spring, intermeshed in one plane and mutually decoupled, whereby the reset spring guides the actuating element via at least two linkage points lying in a line parallel to the pivot axis. The relay of the present invention provides a compact construction with few individual parts and a very low-friction operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: EH-Schrack Components-AGInventor: Leopold Mader
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Patent number: 5717370Abstract: In an electromagnetic switching device, particularly in a contactor, a connecting piece, which is flexible in all directions, is fitted between the armature (9) and the contact bridge carrier (6). An intermediate plate (8) carrying elastic bars (14, 15) is placed between the armature (9) and the contact bridge carrier (6) so that it rests torsion-free against the contact bridge carrier (6). The elastic bars (14, 15) act upon both end regions of a coupling bolt (10) guided through a hole (19) in the armature (9), as well as in a direction perpendicular to it upon both end regions of the armature (9).Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.Inventor: Heinz Haas
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Patent number: 5701110Abstract: An accessory module for monitoring and controlling the status of a circuit breaker. The accessory module attaches to the side of a circuit breaker and has a mechanism similar to the mechanism in a circuit breaker. The mechanism has multiple positions that correspond to multiple states of a circuit breaker Actuators transform relatively large-scale motions of the mechanism into small-scale motions and transfers these to buttons on switches. Depressing these switches depending on the position of the mechanical assembly makes and breaks circuits that are in communication with a remote site. A circuit board designed specifically to hold and locate the switches and actuators and provide tracings that can withstand high currents. The invention further provides a terminal plug having a pull tab which can be grasped to remove an otherwise inaccessible terminal plug. A dual-function base, which serves both as an enclosure and as a spacer.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: Square D CompanyInventors: Jerry Lynn Scheel, Randy Luther Siebels
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Patent number: 5684442Abstract: The electromagnetic switching device, especially contactor consists of an electromagnet (2) fastened in its housing, with a core (2) and an armature (14). Mounted on the core (2) is a magnet coil (17) carrying the coil assembly (7) and coil terminal parts (8) protruding only in one direction. The coil assembly (7) can be installed into the housing in two 180.degree. offset positions, around the winding axis of the magnet coil (17). The electromagnetic switching device can be used with unchanged inscription at 180.degree. offset coil terminal parts (8).Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.Inventor: Max Hufschmid
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Patent number: 5680083Abstract: An electromagnet device for an electromagnetic contactor is formed of a frame with an opening, a movable-contact supporter slidably disposed in the frame, a movable contact supported by the movable-contact supporter, a movable core connected to the movable-contact supporter, and a stationary core for attracting the movable core. The stationary core includes a base plate for closing the opening of the frame, at least one columnar arm core fixed to the base plate to extend therefrom, and at least one pole piece fixed to the arm core at a side opposite to the base plate. The pole piece provides attracting force to the movable core when the stationary core is energized. In the electromagnetic device, a device for partly interrupting a magnetic path of the stationary core is formed. The interrupting device reduces remanent flux in the stationary core when the stationary core is deenergized.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kuniyuki Kogawa, Toru Tsuchiya, Mitsuo Ishihara
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Patent number: 5677655Abstract: A general purpose electromagnetic contactor that can be easily mounted on a printed circuit board. A general purpose electromagnetic contactor includes main terminals and auxiliary contact terminals, and connecting faces of the main terminals and connecting faces of the auxiliary contact terminals are positioned at different levels or planes. Adjustment terminals are connected to the auxiliary contact terminals to position the connecting faces of the adjustment terminals in the same level as the connecting faces of the main terminals. Therefore, the general purpose electromagnetic contactor can be mounted on a printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masamitsu Hinata, Kouetsu Takaya
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Patent number: 5652420Abstract: An improved contactor control system comprising several modules, such as a contactor module, an overload/controller module, a communication module, a bell alarm module, and a power terminal module which are electrically interconnected through a plug-in unit, and mechanically interconnected through one or more snap-in units, and which modules can be interchangeable and arranged relative to the overload/controller module according to a particular industrial application.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Mark E. Innes, Nelson R. Palmer
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Patent number: 5646586Abstract: A conversion kit in the form of a flux shifter unit that interfaces with the circuit breaker operating mechanism and is installable without dismantling the circuit breaker is proposed herein. The flux shifter unit responds to the electronic trip unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate the circuit breaker contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition. Tolerance take-up for various manufacture's designs is achieved by expansion springs while electrical interface with remote accessories and other electronic trip units is achieved by button-actuated switches.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
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Patent number: 5635886Abstract: The cutoff structure for a circuit breaker comprising, for each pole, a contact bridge (17) lodged in a push button (20). The push button is guided in a fixed cage (21) mounted in the box of the circuit breaker, the cage being fitted with passage windows (24) for the contact bridge and with an upper stop (26) for the bridge, so as to constitute a telescopic sub-assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1994Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Schneider ElectricInventor: Christian Pichard
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Patent number: 5631614Abstract: A contactor device includes a magnetic latch apparatus to reduce bounce between contact pads on closing. The magnetic latch apparatus includes a first magnet assembly and a second magnet assembly disposed so as to magnetically latch the first contact pad and second contact pad in the closed position. The first and second magnet assemblies typically are disposed respectively on the first contact pad carrier and second contact pad carrier such that the distance between the first and second magnet assemblies corresponds to the distance between the first and second contact pads. The magnet assemblies have a latch element that is a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or a magnetically attracted material.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1995Date of Patent: May 20, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George C. Goodman, Nelson R. Corby, Jr.
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Patent number: 5623239Abstract: The manufacture of an electrical contactor is simplified by a construction including a base 22, a contactor assembly 20 having electrical contacts 32, a magnetic core 26, an armature assembly having an armature 30 movable in proximity to the core 26 and capable of moving the contacts 32 between circuit making and circuit breaking positions, and a spring 36, the spring 36 being integrally formed in the base 22 and resiliently supporting the magnetic core 26. The spring 36 controls the bounce in the contacts 32 when the contactor is energized by dissipating the kinetic energy imparted to the armature 30, the core 26, or both.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1996Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Assignee: Furnas Electric Co.Inventor: Clem P. Sitar
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Patent number: 5617067Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having a coil, stator and an armature where dual parallel channels are formed in the stator for receiving the coil and where the armature is hinged to the stator for movement toward the stator upon application of an electrical current to the coil. The stator has a length, a width and a height where its length is at least 1.6 times its width and its width is at least 2.0 times its height.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Ram S. Arora, Walter K. O'Neil, Bryce A. Buuck
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Patent number: 5608367Abstract: In a molded case circuit breaker with an interchangeable thermalmagnetic trip unit, the C-shaped heater transformer core is permanently held in place in the casing by a load bus strap with the gap in the core facing the trip unit. When the interchangeable trip unit is inserted into the molded casing, a magnetically permeable member mounted in the trip unit is aligned in the gap in the heater transformer core. The bimetal of the trip unit is fixed at one end to an electrically conductive sleeve surrounding the magnetically permeable member and forming the secondary of the heater transformer. The length of the magnetically permeable member is selected to establish the current conditions at which the bimetal trips the circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Walter M. Zoller, David S. Hunter, Jr., Edward L. Wellner, Michael R. Larsen, Peter J. Theisen, Donald A. Link
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Patent number: 5606299Abstract: An electrical switching device such as a motor starter is adapted to be controlled through control signals in control wiring and includes separable contacts; an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts; first terminals for interfacing the control signals to the operating mechanism; a modular surge suppressor circuit for suppressing a surge associated with the control signals, with the modular surge suppressor circuit including second terminals for engaging the first terminals and interfacing the control signals thereto; and a modular terminal block for interfacing the control signals in the control wiring to the modular surge suppressor circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Mark E. Innes, Nelson R. Palmer
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Patent number: 5600291Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor device including an enclosure formed by a base unit and a housing unit assembled together and accommodating the power poles and a solenoid having a coil the body of which has power supply terminals on one side, said enclosure providing between the base unit and the housing unit a housing adapted to receive the power supply terminals, characterised in that the enclosure has symmetrically disposed relative to the first housing a second housing also formed between the base unit and the housing unit and having substantially the same cross-section as the first housing so that it can receive the side of the coil provided with terminals after the coil is turned around, the housing opposite that receiving the terminals being closed off.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventors: Jean-Pierre Duchemin, Bruno Jacquet, Regis Perrocheau
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Patent number: 5594399Abstract: A protective switching device equipped with power poles, for which mobile contacts are supported on a contact support, a protection assembly with magnetic and/or temperature tripping capable of detecting overloads or overcurrents on each pole current path and a lock operated by a manual control knob. The lock includes a mechanism to control direct opening of power contacts of a circuit breaker or similar device in a manual control, or opening of an auxiliary contact that interrupts the current in the coil in the control electromagnet of a contactor-circuit breaker or similar device.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventors: Christian Blanchard, Michel Lauraire, Didier Vigouroux
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Patent number: 5581219Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a container made of electrically insulating material, the container being constituted by a casing and a cover; a switching mechanism contained in the container; partition walls defining a recess in the casing, the recess being separated from an interior of the container by the partition walls; and a base made of electrically insulating material, on which an accessory which is in the form of a cassette is detachably mounted, the base being detachably mounted in the recess formed in the cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1992Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eiji Nozawa, Naoshi Uchida, Masao Miura, Tsuneo Ebisawa
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Patent number: 5578980Abstract: A hybrid switch comprises an electromagnetic contactor for conducting a current flow after the current making operation, a semiconductor switch device connected in parallel with a main contact of the electromagnetic contactor, for conducting operations of making and breaking a current; and a semiconductor unit body including a case having a square shape in section for housing the semiconductor switch device, and conductor plates which are respectively connected to terminals of the semiconductor switch device and drawn out from sides of the case, end portions of the conductor plates being bent to form main circuit terminals, the semiconductor unit body being mounted on a top portion of the electromagnetic contactor, and the main circuit terminals of the conductor plates drawn out from the semiconductor unit body being fastened to main circuit terminals of the electromagnetic contactor by using terminal screws, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1995Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Okubo, Soichi Okita
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Patent number: 5576676Abstract: The base plate module of an electromagnetic switching device, specifically a contactor, is mounted on a base plate (1). The base plate module contains the core (2) of the electromagnet, a magnet coil (5), a printed circuit board (10) with its connected ancillary devices, as well as the contact plugs (16, 17) and terminals (24, 25), both of which are accessible from the outside. Printed circuit board (10) is mounted on base plate (1) and is located between base plate (1) and core (2), which is mounted on the base plate. Strip conductors (12, 13, 14), on the side facing core (2), feature several spring-loaded stub contacts (19, 20) and/or contact plugs (21, 22), all of which are vertically mounted on circuit board (10). Flange (7) of coil module (6), which is oriented toward base plate (1), provided with terminals (23) of magnet coil (5). With magnet coil (5) in the mounted position, terminals (23) of magnet coil (5) are in contact with the spring-loaded stub contacts (19) of strip conductors (13).Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1996Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.Inventors: Erich Koller, Hans Weichert, Daniel Zumkeller
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Patent number: 5572177Abstract: A compact current detection unit which detects a failure in a relay terminal and provides a relay terminal array which has a failure detection function and is compact and easy to assemble. The current detection unit includes two symmetrical bobbins; a core located within compartments of bobbins and has an air gap in it; holes in the bobbins which correspond to air gap in the core; coil wound on the compartments; and a circuit board fastened to the side of one of the bobbins on which a Hall element is mounted. A Hall element is inserted through and fixed in position by the holes in the bobbins and the air gap in the core. If a current is flowing through the coil, the lines of magnetic force generated in the core are detected by the Hall element located in the air gap. If no current is flowing, no lines of force are detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1994Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Omron CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujiwara
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Patent number: 5546062Abstract: A contactor/protection relay type protection switch comprises at least one power pole comprising a mobile contact holder cooperating with fixed contacts. It can be moved by an operating lever coupled to moving parts of a solenoid. The switch includes an elastic device between the end of the lever coupled to the solenoid and a plunger of the contact holder.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventor: Pierre Duchemin
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Patent number: 5541561Abstract: An integral electrical circuit controller apparatus selectively connects a load to a power source and includes an electrical contactor having contacts, a circuit breaker having separable contacts connected in series with the electrical contactor and a trip mechanism responsive to current flowing through the separable contacts for tripping the contacts open in response to predetermined current conditions, and a current throttle impedance for limiting short circuit current. The trip mechanism and the electrical contactor independently interrupt current flowing through the electrical contactor and the circuit breaker. The current throttle impedance limits short circuit current flowing through the electrical contactor and the circuit breaker until current is interrupted. The electrical contactor may include an overload relay. The current throttle may include a coiled conductor of nichrome or iron wire enclosed in a dielectric housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1993Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kurt A. Grunert, John A. Wafer
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Patent number: 5535083Abstract: A magnetic coil assembly with a connector arrangement which prevents explosion or other accident due to the mismatch of voltage rating between a surge absorber and a magnetic coil, allows only the surge absorber to be changed easily if it has been damaged, and ensures ease of automatically assembling the surge absorber into the magnetic coil assembly. The magnetic coil assembly includes a coil spool, a winding wound around the coil spool, and coil terminals mounted on the coil spool and electrically connected with the winding. The surge absorber is connected mechanically and removably with the coil spool or coil terminals, using connectors that may uniquely relate to the ratings of the absorber and coil, and the absorber terminals of the surge absorber are brought into contact with, and therefore are electrically connected with, the coil terminals.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1993Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji Sako, Shigeharu Ootsuka
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Patent number: 5521567Abstract: A switchgear module is provided that is assembled from one or more molded housing portions to provide a gas-tight volume for the housing of electrical components. The switchgear modules include provisions for assembly of various combinations of switchgear modules into a variety of electrical circuit configurations while maintaining a gas seal of the switchgear modules. In a preferred arrangement, the switchgear module includes bus conductors that are integrally incorporated during the molding of the switchgear module housing and that are accessible from opposite sides of the module. Further, the switchgear module includes integrally molded features for providing access to make electrical interconnections between the bus conductors of adjacently positioned switchgear modules.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: S&C Electric CompanyInventors: David H. Devonald, III, James A. Hansen, Henry W. Kowalyshen, Chester H. Lin, Buddy B. McGlone, James K. Niemira, Edward J. Rogers, Edward A. Steele