Abstract: Apparatus for detecting an electrical insult to a gas tubing system and dissipating the energy from such insult. The system includes tubing and an injury mitigator. The tubing includes a conduit, an insulating layer, a conductive layer, and a jacket. The conduit is connected to earth ground. The conductive layer is electrically insulated from the conduit by the insulating layer. The mitigator includes an insult event detection circuit and an energy dissipation circuit, both electrically connected between the conductive layer of the tubing and ground. Insult indication is provided by a fusible link. Energy dissipation is provided by the fuse, a transient voltage suppression (TVS) device, and/or a spark gap. The TVS device has a setpoint voltage less than the breakdown voltage of the spark gap, ensuring that the TVS device actuates before the spark gap conducts.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting an electrical insult to a gas tubing system and dissipating the energy from such insult. The system includes tubing, at least one terminating connector, and an injury mitigator. The tubing includes a conduit, an insulating layer, a conductive layer, and a jacket. The conduit is connected to earth ground. The conductive layer is electrically insulated from the conduit by the insulating layer. The mitigator includes an insult event detection circuit and an energy dissipation circuit, both electrically connected between the conductive layer of the tubing and ground. Insult indication is provided by a fusible link. Energy dissipation is provided by the fuse, a transient voltage suppression (TVS) device, and/or a spark gap. The TVS device has a setpoint voltage less than the breakdown voltage of the spark gap, ensuring that the TVS device actuates before the spark gap conducts.

Abstract: An installation switching device includes a housing, a main contact point having an arc quenching chamber, an input terminal, an output terminal, an impact-style armature system configured to move the main contact point to an open position, a latching mechanism having a latching point and configured to open an isolating contact point disposed in a secondary current path parallel to a main current path, a main thermostatic bimetallic strip configured to act on the latching point to as to cause the main contact point to remain in the open position, a current limiting resistor disposed in the secondary current path, a selective thermostatic bimetallic strip disposed in the secondary current path and configured to act on the latching mechanism, a handle configured to act on the latching mechanism so as to open and close the main contact point, and a phase connecting rail.

Abstract: Methods for applying electrical stimuli to optical micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) devices are disclosed. Electrical stimuli may be applied to one or more released current carrying elements mounted above a supporting substrate biased to minimize electrostatic force between the one or more current released current carrying elements and the supporting substrate. Additionally, the electrical stimuli bias minimizes electrical potential difference between the one or more released current carrying elements and one or more non-current carrying elements mounted above the supporting substrate that come in contact or close proximity during operation of the one or more released current carrying elements.

Abstract: A lockable MEMS switching architecture provided having a clutch assembly, a switching member, and an actuator. The clutch assembly has one or more engagement features located in proximity to the switching member—particularly one or more receiving features located upon the switching member. The clutch assembly is actuated to disengage the engagement features from the receiving features. The switching member is actuated to move in relation to the clutch assembly. Once the switching member is in a desired position, the clutch assembly is de-actuated, causing the engagement features to re-engage with the switching member, thereby restricting its further movement.

Abstract: A thermal trip device in which a bimetal (2) is heated by overcurrent and performs trip operation of a circuit by curvature of the heated bimetal (2), wherein at least one part of the surface of the bimetal (2) is made to be black or matte black (7). Thereby, temperature of the bimetal (2) can be highly accurately measured using a no-contact thermometer. Furthermore, a temperature measurement part (8) of the bimetal is provided with a bending part (11), and the surface of the bending part is made to be matte black.

Abstract: An overload tripping device includes a temperature-compensating bimetal operating as a tripping lever and interposed between an output lever of a differential shifter mechanism linked with a main bimetal and a latch receiver of an opening-and-closing mechanism section of a circuit breaker. The temperature-compensating bimetal has an intermediate portion journaled on a bimetal holder. An operating arm made of a light molding material is attached to a tip of the temperature-compensating bimetal so as to push the latch receiver. Additionally, a balance weight may be installed on the temperature-compensating bimetal to balance inertial moments on the opposite sides of the bimetal. Thus, the circuit breaker is prevented from being inadvertently tripped due to external stimulus.

Abstract: An electrical instrument switch includes a rocker switch for manual on-and-off switching and that is seated in an insulation housing. Depending on the pivot position, the rocker switch moves, with a working end that dips into the housing interior, a contact bridge between the closed position of its contact and the open position of its contact. The contact bridge is electrically connected in series with a contact spring that can be triggered thermally and hence acts as an overcurrent protection. The contact spring can move between its contact position and its open position. The contact spring is mechanically prestressed in the direction of its open position. When overcurrent occurs, it is transferred out of its contact position into its open position by a thermal triggering element. A pivot of the rocker switch counter to the mechanical prestress, in the tipping direction of the contact spring, guides the contact spring from its open position back into its contact position.

Abstract: A wound bobbin coil (A) and a fuse (B) are interconnected electrically in series. The coil and the fuse are mounted closely adjacent and molded into a tough, nylon encapsulation (C). The series connected coil and fuse are connected with electrical terminals (26, 30) to form a unitary electrical component which is readily connected with associated circuitry. In this manner, when the coil becomes damaged sufficiently to blow the fuse, both the coil and the fuse must be replaced. A repairman cannot short the fuse or merely replace the fuse and allows a damaged coil to continue functioning. In the preferred utilization of the present coil in a freezer compartment ice maker, coil failures can cause flooding, overheating, and other catastrophic damage to a refrigerator/freezer.

Abstract: A motor starting device for de-energizing the starting winding the required motor speed is reached comprising electromagnetic means (3) to urge actuation of the switching means (20,21) and a latch member (10) controlled by a thermal temperature-balanced bimetallic strip (5) to prevent switching until the bimetallic strip (5) reaches a selected temperature through current flow flow therethrough.

Abstract: An electrical overload circuit breaker utilizes as the current-responsive tripping mechanism a solenoid, the coil of which is constituted by a helical spring of shape memory effect material and which mechanically acts on the armature. There is a non-SME spring which also acts on the armature but in a direction opposing the SME spring. The current is passed through the SME spring and, when it becomes excessive, the armature is urged both mechanically and electromagnetically in a tripping direction.