With Housing Or Support Means Patents (Class 335/202)
  • Patent number: 8400239
    Abstract: The switching device includes an actuation magnet provided in a magnet chamber and fixed in the magnet chamber by at least one spring element, at least one displaceable switch contact, the at least one displaceable switch contact being displaceable by the actuation magnet and at least one stationary switch contact, the magnet chamber including an assembly opening for inserting or removing a tolerance insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Christian Sturm, Alexander Zhukowski, Norbert Zimmermann, Reinhard Zinner
  • Patent number: 8395463
    Abstract: A sealed receptacle includes a case, a cylindrical member, and a closure plate. The sealed receptacle is configured to house a fixed contact, a movable contact, and an arc protection member. The arc protection member includes a peripheral wall, and a bottom. The peripheral wall is configured to conceal a junction between the case and the cylindrical member from the fixed contact and the movable contact. The bottom is interposed between the movable contact and the closure plate. The sealed receptacle houses a contact pressure provision member configured to bias the movable contact to come into contact with the fixed contact. The contact pressure provision member is interposed between the movable contact and the bottom so as to come into resilient contact with both the movable contact and the bottom irrespective of a position of the movable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ito, Ritsu Yamamoto, Motoharu Kubo, Tsukasa Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8390409
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a switch device particularly a low-voltage switch device, having an actuation magnet chamber by at least one spring element, having at least one displaceable switch contact and at least one stationary switch contact, wherein the at least one displaceable switch contact can be displaced by the actuation magnet, the magnet chamber comprising an assembly opening for inserting or removing a tolerance insert. At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method for inserting or removing a tolerance insert in a magnet chamber of such a switch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Christian Sturm, Alexander Zhukowski, Norbert Zimmermann, Reinhard Zinner
  • Patent number: 8358188
    Abstract: An electronic module for a trip device has been optimised so as to integrate the known functionalities, in particular threshold parameter setting, current measurements, voltage taps, read-out display and communication. An electromagnetic actuator is further present in the electronic module to optimise breaking of the associated circuit breaker. The space occupation constraints inherent to location of the trip device in existing switchgear units have been respected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Henri Bellotto, Frédéric Toti Buttin
  • Patent number: 8350648
    Abstract: A power control apparatus in the form of a standard, toggle, wall-mounted light switch for remote actuation of an electrical load or local manual override. A switch housing supports and retains a latching relay that includes power terminals, a switching terminal for remote actuation by a control signal, and a manual override. A switch lever extends from the body of the switch housing for manual actuation to override the state of the relay. The switch lever engages the manual override of the latching relay upon manual actuation by a person. A centering structure maintains the switch lever in a centered position to allow unimpeded movement of the manual override. The latching relay can be remotely actuated by a signal at its switching terminal to switch a power load connected to the power terminals on or off, or the relay can be manually overridden by actuation of the switch lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Gus Cueto
  • Patent number: 8344833
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a wire conductor having at least one end, a terminal configured to be operatively connected to the at least one end of the wire conductor, and a terminal member having a first end section configured and disposed to establish a mechanical bond and an electrical connection with the at least one end of the wire conductor, and a second end section configured and disposed to establish a mechanical link and an electrical connection with the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dale Lee Baldauf, Michael Alan McCord, Ronald Dale Gentry
  • Patent number: 8334741
    Abstract: A mechanical switching device including a base member, at least one pair of elongated conductor members mounted on the base member, each conductor member including a conductor end, wherein the conductor ends of the pair of conductor members are separated by a gap, a middle member mounted on the base member, a switch member including a stationary part and a movable part, the movable part including a conductor bridge. The stationary part includes a protruding member protruding away from the direction of displacement of the conductor bridge, wherein the base member, the conductor members, the middle member and the stationary part of the switch member are attached together by means of at least one attachment arrangement formed in the base member, the middle member and the protruding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Lars Eriksson, Mats Johansson
  • Patent number: 8324997
    Abstract: A motor drive includes a device for safe fitting of the motor drive with a circuit breaker. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a first cover, whose position can be altered, for example by being guided in slotted links, in such a way that only the receiving opening provides a free space for receiving the handle, owing to the overlap by the first cover, and therefore it is only possible for the circuit breaker to be fitted on the motor drive when the handle is in the corresponding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Haas, Friedrich Obermeyer, Willibald Riss
  • Patent number: 8319587
    Abstract: A device for sectioning an electrical circuit is provided. The device includes a housing having two main sectioning terminals and, in the housing, a first member for sectioning a first electrical connection between the two main sectioning terminals, an automatic control, under the action of an electrical signal, of the first sectioning member from the closed position to the open position thereof, and a manual control member for resetting the first sectioning member from the open position to the closed position thereof. The device also includes, in the housing, two secondary sectioning terminals and a second sectioning member movable between a position for opening and a position for closing a second electrical connection between the two secondary sectioning terminals, the second sectioning member being coupled to the first sectioning member, commutation of the first sectioning member bringing about commutation of the second sectioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Durand, Jérémy Delteil
  • Publication number: 20120293285
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic relay body having an electromagnet and a contact part, the contact part opening and closing along with movement of the electromagnet, a terminal member supporting the electromagnetic relay body, and a base member supporting the terminal member. The terminal member has a connecting part electrically connected to the electromagnetic relay body, the electromagnetic relay body is supported by the connecting part while providing a clearance between the base member and the electromagnetic relay body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke KURIHARA, Akihiko NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8314670
    Abstract: A mechanical switching device including a base member, at least one pair of elongated conductor members mounted on the base member, each conductor member with a conductor end, wherein the conductor ends of the pair of conductor members are separated by a gap, a middle member mounted on the base member, a switch member adapted to establish and disestablish an electrical connection between the conductor ends of the pair of conductor members. Each of the conductor members includes an opening in which a respective protruding part is received. The protruding parts are provided on and extend from the middle member so that the conductor members are electrically isolated and protected from the surrounding environment around the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Mats Johansson, David Karlén
  • Publication number: 20120286906
    Abstract: The switching device includes an actuation magnet provided in a magnet chamber and fixed in the magnet chamber by at least one spring element, at least one displaceable switch contact, the at least one displaceable switch contact being displaceable by the actuation magnet and at least one stationary switch contact, the magnet chamber including an assembly opening for inserting or removing a tolerance insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Christian Sturm, Alexander Zhukowski, Norbert Zimmermann, Reinhard Zinner
  • Patent number: 8305170
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses an electromagnetic switching device including a housing including a mounting side and a connector side opposite the mounting side. The connector side includes one first and second main connection area for connecting first and second main lines to first and second fixed main contacts disposed in the interior of the housing. In the interior of the housing, movable main contact bridges are disposed via which one main current path each main current path includes one of the first fixed main contacts, one of the second fixed main contacts, and one of the main contact bridges. The main connection areas are located opposite one another. One first and one second central area are disposed between the main connection areas. The central areas each extend from the first to the second main connection area. The central areas are elevated relative to the main connection areas and disposed next to one another viewed from the first to the second main connection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bardo Koppmann, Peter Schlegl, Norbert Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20120268224
    Abstract: A mounting unit for an electromagnetic contactor can prevent erroneous mounting of a non-mountable unit in a state in which a mountable unit is mounted on a case-side mounting portion, and a connection structure of an electromagnetic contactor uses the mounting unit. A mounting unit (3) for an electromagnetic contactor can be mounted on electromagnetic contactors (2a, 2b) having on a unit attaching portion (6b) a contactor-side mounting preventing portion (6f) that prevents mounting by engagement when a non-mountable unit, which cannot be mounted, is mounted. In the mounting unit (3), a unit main body (39) is provided with a mounting preventing transfer member (51) that forms a unit-side mounting preventing portion (54) that engages with a contactor-side mounting preventing portion (6f) when mounted on the electromagnetic contactors (2a, 2b) and prevents mounting of the non-mountable unit on a unit mounting portion (3g) onto which the non-mountable units (5a, 5b) are mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC FA COMPONENTS & SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Naka, Koji Okubo, Kouetsu Takaya, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8289113
    Abstract: Modular soft starters are disclosed having a plurality of soft starter modules with stacked SCRs and heat sinks for accommodating a single phase of a three phase motor, where the modules may be connected serially for starting each phase of a higher voltage motor, and where the modules can be mounted in a cabinet in a variety of different orientations to facilitate optimized cabinet space utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Donald Miller, David Scott S. Maclennan
  • Patent number: 8284002
    Abstract: A current interrupting switch for power distribution systems comprising an outer case and a plurality of vacuum interrupter bottle switches positioned in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Impact Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Heller, Kuang-Chien Hu
  • Publication number: 20120249271
    Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic contactor unit capable of firmly connecting electromagnetic contactors without influencing outer dimensions when the electromagnetic contactors are connected to each other. The electromagnetic contactor unit connected at least two juxtaposed electromagnetic contactors (2a, 2b) with a connection piece (42). The electromagnetic contactor includes an attachment hole (41a) formed in each corner of an attachment plate portion, a piece accommodation concave portion (43) fitting a half portion of the connection piece formed above the attachment hole and accommodating within an outer dimension, and is opened to a connection surface with the adjacent electromagnetic contactor, and a locking portion (44) locking the connection piece formed in the piece accommodation concave portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC FA COMPONENTS & SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Naka, Koji Okubo, Kouetsu Takaya, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8279028
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay including a body, a plurality of first surface-mount terminals projecting from the body, and at least one second terminal projecting from the body. Each first terminal includes a distal end portion adapted to be mounted on a surface of a circuit board. The second terminal includes a distal end portion adapted to be inserted into a through-hole of a circuit board. The distal end portion of the second terminal is positioned farther away from the body than the distal end portion of the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Yokoyama, Shigemitsu Aoki
  • Publication number: 20120242432
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes a relay body, a connector and an electronic-component connection terminal. The connector is provided integrally with the relay body. The electronic-component connection terminal is disposed so as to protrude from the relay body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa NISHIMURA, Hirofumi FUKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20120242433
    Abstract: A contactor has a frame including a base unit, a coil provided on the base unit and including input terminals, and a module including a circuit board for electrically controlling the coil, the circuit board including input terminals for power supply and output terminals for providing an electrical connection to the coil. The contactor further includes a fastening device arranged for mechanically and electrically connecting one of the output terminals to a corresponding input terminal of the coil, and the module is designed such that the fastening device connects the output terminal of the circuit board to the input terminal of the coil while at the same time the module is connected to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, David Karlén, Lars Eriksson, Ove Coman
  • Patent number: 8274346
    Abstract: An electromagnetic contact device has a contactor holder (40), which moves a mounted movable contactor (42a) according to a displacement of a movable core (32) forming an electromagnet (30) for operation. The contactor holder (40) is being housed together with the electromagnet (30) for operation in a case (1). The case (1) has a lower case portion (10) housing the electromagnet (30) for operation and an upper case portion (20) engaging with the lower case portion (10) while being stacked on the lower case portion and houses the contactor holder (40) advanced from above. The upper case portion (20) has a recess (21) with an upward opening and houses the contactor holder (40) placed on the bottom wall of the recess (21). The lower case portion (10) houses one selected either a DC-only electromagnet (30b) or an AC-only electromagnet (30a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouetsu Takaya, Koji Okubo, Yasuhiro Naka, Toshikatsu Ohgami, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8269589
    Abstract: An electromagnetic drive unit is disclosed, including a yoke and a movable armature. In at least one embodiment, the yoke and the armature have a matched shape so that, when the electromagnetic drive unit is activated, the armature is adapted to at least partially cross the yoke. An electromechanical switching device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Burger, Reinhard Maier, Bernd Trautmann
  • Patent number: 8253517
    Abstract: A full-protection circuit breaker has a line-protection circuit breaker and a residual-current-operated component which can be fitted thereto. A first switching mechanism, located therein, includes a first switching toggle for operation of a first latching mechanism, which is accommodated in the residual-current-operated component. A second switching mechanism, provided in the line-protection circuit breaker, includes a second switching toggle for operation of a second latching mechanism, which is accommodated in the line-protection circuit. The first and the second latching mechanisms are coupled by means of a first coupling element. The first and the second switching toggle are coupled by means of a second coupling element, wherein the second coupling element acts on the first switching toggle with respect to the second switching toggle, pivoting through the predeterminable lead angle in the direction of its connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventor: Ralph Weber
  • Patent number: 8241074
    Abstract: Embodiments provide circuit breakers with stops adapted to prevent a lug screw from falling out of circuit breaker and/or to prevent the lug screw from blocking a wire receiver of circuit breaker lug body. In one aspect, a circuit breaker is provided having a circuit breaker housing; a lug assembly retained in the circuit breaker housing, the lug assembly including a threaded screw hole; a lug screw having driving end and a threaded shaft inserted in the threaded screw hole; and a back-out stop adapted to contact the driving end and limit an extent of backward movement of the lug screw out of the threaded screw hole. Other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell T. Watford, Timothy Biedrzycki, Brian Timothy McCoy
  • Patent number: 8228143
    Abstract: An assembly including an electromagnetic relay and a circuit board. The electromagnetic relay includes a body having a lateral surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of terminals protruding outward from the lateral surface of the body. The terminals respectively have distal portions extending beyond the bottom surface of the body. The circuit board is provided with a relay-mount surface. The electromagnetic relay is mounted on the relay-mount surface in an orientation such that the bottom surface of the body is opposed to the relay-mount surface, and the distal portions of the terminals being fixed to the circuit board. Each terminal is formed from a flat plate element and has a shape angled in a width direction of the flat plate element. The body has a height defined in a direction orthogonal to the relay-mount surface of the circuit board and corresponding to a length of a shortest edge of the lateral surface, the shortest edge being shorter than any of edges of the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventor: Satoshi Takano
  • Publication number: 20120133463
    Abstract: A mechanical switching device including a base member, at least one pair of elongated conductor members mounted on the base member, each conductor member with a conductor end, wherein the conductor ends of the pair of conductor members are separated by a gap, a middle member mounted on the base member, a switch member adapted to establish and disestablish an electrical connection between the conductor ends of the pair of conductor members. Each of the conductor members includes an opening in which a respective protruding part is received. The protruding parts are provided on and extend from the middle member so that the conductor members are electrically isolated and protected from the surrounding environment around the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Mats Johansson, David Karlén
  • Publication number: 20120133460
    Abstract: Two electromagnetic contact devices 1a, 1b are arranged adjacently, a reversible unit 2 is detachably mounted on these electromagnetic contact devices, and two auxiliary contact point units 4a, 4b are detachably mounted on the reversible unit. In addition, two surge absorption units 3a, 3b are detachably mounted on the electromagnetic contact devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Fuji Electric FA components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Okubo, Kouetsu Takaya, Yasuhiro Naka, Toshikatsu Ohgami
  • Patent number: 8169283
    Abstract: A support for anchoring a trip unit of a circuit breaker to a base thereof to prevent separation of the trip unit from the base during a short circuit fault. The support has top-facing two locking tabs that snap into place behind a wall in a lug-receiving area of the base. The support also has an opening through which a terminal of the trip unit is received snugly. The locking tabs keep the support in place and prevent forces produced by gasses during a fault from forcing the trip unit away from the base. The terminal, attached to the trip unit, is retained by the opening, which transfers upward forces to the top of the support, which is positioned against a top section of the base. The snug fit by the terminal through the opening and retention of the support in the lug-receiving area during a fault increases post-fault dielectric performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall L. Siebels, Gary A. Volesky
  • Patent number: 8164403
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism for a power receptacle, which includes a disconnect block, a locking member slidably coupled to the disconnect block, and an electromagnetic device moveably coupled to the locking member. The disconnect block includes two side arms extending outwards. A pressing plate is disposed above the disconnect block, and a disconnect spring is disposed above the pressing plate. The moveable contact arms of the main switch of the receptacle are disposed between the pressing plate and the disconnect block, and the pressing plate pushes the moveable contact arms when the main switch is being opened when a current leakage is detected. The receptacle also includes an auxiliary switch disposed because the disconnect block and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bingham McCutchen LLP
    Inventor: Cheng-li Li
  • Patent number: 8164404
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes a resin case, a coil, a movable contact; a fixed contact, a flat recess, a ventilation hole, a cooling member and a flat passage. The resin case has a housing space therein. The movable contact is within the housing space and is actuated by the coil. The fixed contact is within the housing space. The flat recess is formed at the case to communicate with the housing space. The ventilation hole is formed at the case to provide communication between the recess and an exterior of the case. The cooling member is within the recess to cool flame that passes through the recess. The flat passage is formed between the cooling member and an internal wall surface of the recess and has a clearance dimension such that flame is extinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ANDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kamiya, Manabu Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8159321
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a production method for an electromagnetic switching device includes the following steps in the sequence listed: producing a one-piece switching chamber, producing a contact bridge carrier and equipping the contact bridge carrier with movable contact bridges, wherein the contact bridges include a plurality of primary contact bridges and at least one auxiliary contact bridge; inserting the contact bridge carrier equipped with the movable contact bridges into the switching chamber; inserting partition elements into the switching chamber so that each partition element is arranged between a bridge contact point of one of the primary contact bridges and a bridge contact point of one of the auxiliary contact bridges, and equipping the switching chamber with fixed primary counter-contact points; fixing primary covers to the switching chamber so that the primary covers cover the primary counter-contact points and fix the partition elements in the switching chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Bollinger, Johann Drexler, Alexander Keintzel, Peter Schlegl
  • Patent number: 8143980
    Abstract: A switching device, for example a circuit breaker, has an input terminal and an output terminal for connection to electrical conductors, and two switching contacts which, when closed, close a current path between the input terminal and the output terminal. A disconnect device is provided for disconnecting the two switching contacts. For triggering the disconnect device, an overcurrent trigger device and/or a short-circuit trigger device are in mechanical operative connection with the disconnect device by way of a reversing lever. The reversing lever includes a first lever arm with a trigger extension that can be actuated by the overcurrent trigger device and/or by the short-circuit trigger device, and a second lever arm with an actuating extension for triggering the disconnect device. To ensure safe operation, the actuating extension is configured to be resiliently compliant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: MOELLER Gebäudeautomation GmbH
    Inventor: Adolf Tetik
  • Patent number: 8138872
    Abstract: A contact device has a first yoke having a substantially U-shape, a second yoke bridged over both ends of the first yoke, a spool wound with a coil disposed between the first yoke and the second yoke, a movable iron core inserted into a center hole of the spool in a reciprocating mariner, and a contact mechanism unit formed above the second yoke driven with a drive shaft having a lower end fixed to the movable iron core, which reciprocates based on excitation and demagnetization of the coil, and an upper end projecting out from an upper surface of the second yoke. An insertion hole communicating to the center hole of the spool and through which the movable iron core reciprocates is formed in the first yoke. An annular auxiliary yoke including an insertion hole communicating to the insertion hole of the first yoke and through which the movable iron core reciprocates is provided at a lower surface of the first yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuhiro Yoshihara, Kazuchika Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8138864
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a housing having a molded case made of liquid crystal polymer. Separable contacts are disposed within the housing. An operating mechanism is disposed within the housing and is structured to open and close the separable contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and is structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes an electronic trip circuit and a rigid, conductive base providing a ground to the electronic trip circuit. The rigid, conductive base is insert molded to a portion of the molded case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, Richard G. Benshoff, James M. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8138863
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has a movable contact arranged at one end of a drive shaft that reciprocates in an axis center direction based on excitation and demagnetization of an electromagnet block, and a pair of adjacently arranged fixed contacts with which the movable contact is operable to contact and separate. A first electromagnetic iron piece, a second electromagnetic iron piece and the movable contact are inserted to the drive shaft so that the first electromagnetic iron piece and the second electromagnetic iron piece sandwich the movable contact. The second electromagnetic iron piece is biased to one end side of the drive shaft with a coil spring inserted to the drive shaft. When the movable contact contacts to the pair of fixed contacts, the second electromagnetic iron piece forming a magnetic circuit with the first electromagnetic iron piece pushes the movable contact to the pair of fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Ikuhiro Yoshihara, Ryuichi Hashimoto, Kazuchika Hiroki, Hideaki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8138440
    Abstract: A fast acting switching mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a drive rod articulated to a drive module and supporting at an end thereof a contact bridge having at opposite ends thereof respective moveable contacts for switchably engaging a pair of fixed contacts of the circuit breaker. A contact spring unit is operatively coupled to the drive module for applying closing pressure in the order of 200 Kg; and a latch latches the drive rod in an open or closed position after operation of the circuit breaker and prevents rebounds. The contact bridge includes a pair of side conductors supporting on upper edges thereof an armature having an exposed upper surface that supports the moveable contacts at opposite ends of the armature; and a reinforcing element inserted between the side conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Arcoline Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuriy Onufriyenko, Eduard Ulanovsky, Dov Yeger, Yefim Gofman
  • Patent number: 8115578
    Abstract: An electromechanical relay includes a case and a relay module, in which the case has terminals to enable a connection into the circuit to be protected and connectors which cooperate with complementary connectors on the relay module to enable the relay to readily be connected to the external circuit. The relay also has an arrangement in which the fixed contacts are directly associated with the connectors on the module and the movable contacts are associated therewith, and can be provided as either normally open or normally closed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Alan R Fancke
  • Patent number: 8106732
    Abstract: A relay includes a base and a switch built into the base. A first terminal that is built into the base, is connected to one end of the switch, and is provided on a bottom of the base, a second terminal that is built into the base, is connected to the other end of the switch, and is provided on the bottom, and a third terminal that is connected to the first terminal in the base, is provided on a top of the base. No other terminal is provided on the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventor: Satoshi Takano
  • Patent number: 8093973
    Abstract: A movable contact holder includes a movable contact holder base and a movable contact holder cover. One side of the movable contact holder base is opened to have a plurality of recesses each being formed for holding a contact pair, each contact pair include a bridge contact assembly and a contact spring inserted therein while being isolated from the other pairs. The other side of the movable contact holder base is formed as a bottom wall, and preferably includes openings through which an assembly jig can be inserted from outside the moveable contact holder. Alternatively, jig openings can be formed in lateral side walls of the recesses to allow the assembly jig to be inserted. The movable contact holder cover covers the movable contact holder base and is coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Components and Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouetsu Takaya, Koji Ohkubo, Yasuhiro Naka, Toshikatsu Ohgami, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8093975
    Abstract: A semiconductor switching module including a housing having openings to remove pressure which occurs during a short circuit. The housing openings, which can be sealed by thin walls dimensioned so that so that parts which carry current cannot be touched from outside and the walls can be destroyed or removed by the pressure which occurs during a short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Meier, Bertrand Viala, Stephan Jonas
  • Patent number: 8093984
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Wolfgang Pump, Ralf Wieland, Albert Stieger, Joachim Majewski, Roland Ritz, Klaus-Peter Eppe, Erwin Muders, Joachim Becker, Rainer Ludovici, Heinz-Erich Popa, Wolfgang Suess
  • Publication number: 20110304414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic contactor including a stationary armature which includes a housing enclosure for a coil for generating a magnetic field, the enclosure having an opening, a closing cover for the opening of the enclosure, the closing cover having an aperture, and a movable armature passing through the aperture of the closing cover for the opening of the enclosure, further including a guide ring made from non-magnetic material which is arranged in the aperture of the closing cover so as to have, between a first wall in contact with the wall of the aperture of the cover and a second wall facing towards the movable armature, a thickness corresponding to the minimal radial gap between the movable armature and the stationary armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: ABB FRANCE
    Inventor: Jacques DUMOUX
  • Patent number: 8058574
    Abstract: An auxiliary contact block is disclosed for expanding a switching device and to a switching device having at least one auxiliary contact block. A compact auxiliary contact block, i.e. a block requiring little wiring and space, for a switching device is disclosed, and a switching device having at least one auxiliary contact block. In at least one embodiment of the auxiliary contact block, the auxiliary contact block includes auxiliary contacts disposed in a plane, the contacts having contact bridges and associated fixed contact pieces, and at least one contact slider, which can be equipped with at least one auxiliary contact pair. The configuration of the auxiliary contacts in a plane as described herein allows a very small installation size and very little wiring complexity of the auxiliary contacts in a simple manner. The actuating unit can, for example, be configured as a slider that couples the contact slider and the switching device with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Ludwig Niebler, Johannes Voit
  • Patent number: 8054612
    Abstract: A plug-in unit includes a breaker electrically connected with a busbar at a power supply side and an electric device electrically connected with the breaker. Joint surfaces making contact with each other are formed at the breaker and the electric device, respectively. The breaker includes a terminal metal fitting connecting the busbar thereto and a plug-in terminal metal fitting installed at the joint surface of the breaker, and the electric device includes a plug terminal, which is installed at the joint surface thereof and capable of being connected with the plug-in terminal metal fitting. The breaker is detachably joined with the electric device by an engaging member including an engaging unit and an engagement receiving unit. The engaging unit and the engagement receiving unit are installed at the joint surfaces of the breaker and the electric device, respectively, and detachably engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Ichinomiya, Toshiyuki Kawano, Takami Satoh
  • Publication number: 20110267158
    Abstract: A relay has a coil housing with a coil arrangement and a movable armature, which by a magnetic flux be generated in the coil arrangement by a coil current, permits or interrupts a flow of current via two main contact terminals; and a control unit in the coil housing for controls the coil current,
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Simon Kalmbach, Karl Steimle, Gunter Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20110248803
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch includes an excitation coil that forms an electromagnet by energizing, a movable core driven by a magnetism generated in the excitation coil, a cylindrical frame having a bottom that accommodates the excitation coil and constitutes a part of a magnetic circuit of the excitation coil, an end plate electrically connected with the frame, and diodes electrically connected with the excitation coil in parallel. In addition, at least one of terminals of the diodes is fixed to the end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Yoshinori YAMAGUCHI, Kiyokazu HARUNO
  • Patent number: 8035468
    Abstract: A relay has a magnet system with a core partially enclosed by a coil. A yoke has a first yoke leg attached to a first end of the core and a second yoke leg extending parallel to the core. The second yoke leg has an armature mounting portion formed on an upper side of the second yoke leg remote from the coil. A pole has a first pole leg connected to a second end of the core and a second pole leg extending parallel to the core. The second pole leg has an upper surface substantially aligned with the armature mounting portion. A fixed contact is arranged on a fixed contact carrier substantially aligned with the second pole leg. The arrangement of the magnet system ensures precise positional alignment during extrusion coating with a plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Heinz Stadler
  • Patent number: 8017881
    Abstract: A circuit breaker enables selective left, right or a combination of both side connection to a power conductor, such as a cable or wire. Side connection eliminates the need for large radius U-bends of the power conductor that is normally required when using top connection circuit breakers. An electrically non-conductive cavity commonly defined by left and right sides of the circuit breaker housing receives the power conductor in a connector such as a lug. The circuit breaker may have a visualization window oriented to observe whether excessive cable is projecting out of the lug, so as to confirm compliance with electrical code over surface spacing requirements. In some embodiments, the circuit breaker lugs are vertically oriented above its front cover surface in a receptacle portion of the housing. The receptacle may be constructed for selective lug orientation in horizontal or vertical positions by the installer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Simmons
  • Patent number: 7996985
    Abstract: A method of making a relay includes: preparing a relay core member; coupling first, second and third terminals to the relay core member by moving the same horizontally relative to the relay core member such that terminal portions of the first, second and third terminals enter notches formed in the relay core member in a horizontal direction; and enclosing the relay core member, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal within a housing, and sealing the housing with resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Excel Cell Electronic Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ming-Chang Kuo
  • Patent number: 7994882
    Abstract: A single pole module of a circuit breaker is disclosed. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion, and an interior wall separating the first portion from the second portion. The first portion includes a first section receiving a circuit board and a second section receiving a lever mechanism. The second portion includes a first section receiving an electromagnetic protection device, a second section receiving an arc extinguishing device, a third section receiving a thermal protection device, and a fourth section receiving an operating mechanism. The first and second sections of the first portion occupy substantially half of the housing and the first, second, third and fourth sections of the second portion occupy substantially half of the housing and the second section of the first portion and the third section of the second portion are opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prashant Sudhakar Zende, Javier Gomez Martin, Jorge Juan Bonilla, Ranjit Manohar Deshmukh, Manuel Meana Alcon, Pedro Luis Perez