With Housing Or Support Means Patents (Class 335/202)
  • Patent number: 6911884
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic switching device including a cylindrical part made of a magnetic material with a closed bottom for housing a movable iron core having a movable contact and so constructed as to render the movable contact movable toward and away from a fixed contact, a joint member made of a metallic material with an insertion hole formed substantially in the center thereof for movably receiving a movable shaft fixedly attached to the movable iron core, and a metal plate made of a non-magnetic material with a hole formed substantially in the center thereof with the inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical part, the cylindrical part and the joint member are air-tightly jointed to each other with the metal plate provided therebetween, and the movable iron core is housed in the cylindrical part with a clearance defined between the movable iron core and the joint member corresponding to a required stroke within which the movable contact contacts the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Riichi Uotome, Hideki Enomoto, Ritsu Yamamoto, Hideki Kishi
  • Patent number: 6903638
    Abstract: A complex electromagnetic relay including a plurality of relay structures configured respectively as relays independent of each other, each relay structure including an electromagnet assembly and a contact section acting to open or close in accordance with an operation of the electromagnet assembly; and a housing accommodating the relay structures in a mutually inverted orientation with contact sections of the relay structures being located alternately at opposing sides. The electromagnet assemblies in the relay structures are provided individually with bobbins supporting coils. The housing includes an enclosing wall enclosing the relay structures in an envelope-like manner and a partition wall arranged between the relay structures disposed side-by-side to separate the relay structures from each other. The bobbins of the electromagnet assemblies are fixedly attached to the enclosing wall as well as to the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Akihiko Nakamura, Shigemitsu Aoki, Hirofumi Saso
  • Patent number: 6897748
    Abstract: A circuit breaker has a main housing, and a pocket-shaped auxiliary equipment storage section is formed in the housing. A cassette type auxiliary switch is inserted into and attached to the auxiliary equipment storage section. The auxiliary switch is connected to a switching mechanism in the main housing of the circuit breaker so that the circuit breaker performs switching operations. The circuit breaker includes a locking device for positioning the auxiliary switch inserted into the auxiliary equipment storage section at a predetermined position. Further, an engagement-type stopper is provided for fixing the auxiliary switch at the position where the auxiliary switch is inserted into the auxiliary device storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Yamagata, Koji Asakawa, Katsunori Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 6891710
    Abstract: Method for control of a proportional magnet comprising a magnet core, a magnet armature, a magnet coil for operating a control element in a shift valve or a proportional pressure-control valve, particularly a pressure-control valve for clutch operation in an automatic motor vehicle transmission, and comprising an electronic control device, whereby the magnet core may be moved back and forth between a control region and a hold region with a magnetic hold position of the magnet armature and a defined transition from the control region to the hold position may be executed and whereby mechanisms are provided for recognition of the movements of the magnet armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Karlheinz Mayr, Markus Eisele, Robert Ingenbleek, Walter Kill, Hubert Remmlinger, Jochen Fischer, Bernd Fessler
  • Patent number: 6888077
    Abstract: A protection and control assembly includes several multipole electrical switch devices each having a box (10,20,30) provided with input side and output side conducting connection strips, that project along a vertical axis on a horizontal connection area on the input side, and output side respectively, of the box (10,20,30) and that can be inserted in openings (44) of removable power terminal blocks (40,40?,50,50?,60). The assembly includes at least one connecting element (80,80?) that electrically connects the poles of a first and a second electrical device of the assembly, the connecting element (80) being arranged such that it is positioned firstly between the box (10) and a power terminal block (40,50) of the first device, and secondly between the box (20) and a removable power terminal block (40?,50?) of the second electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: José Garcia, Serge Paggi, Régis Perrocheau
  • Patent number: 6882258
    Abstract: An assembly for interacting with a circuit breaker operating mechanism of a circuit breaker, the assembly including an accessory device, an actuator, and a compliant device. The accessory device includes a plunger configured for movement between a retracted position and a protruded position. The actuator includes a first free end and a second free end, the second free end configured for mechanical cooperation with the plunger. The compliant device is disposed intermediate the operating mechanism and the actuator, the compliant device is configured for mechanical cooperation with the second free end of the actuator. A force is applied from the operating mechanism to the accessory device, the force for resetting the accessory device is transmitted from the operating mechanism to the compliant device, from the compliant device to the actuator, and from the actuator to the plunger for resetting the plunger from the protruded position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Neil Castonguay, Dean Arthur Robarge, Girish Mruthunjaya Hassan
  • Patent number: 6879230
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-pole contactor—circuit breaker type switch composed of a housing (1) containing breaking poles (11) activated by a control electromagnet (16) and by a trip control mechanism (18, 14) and comprising a protection module (2) equipped with means (21) for measuring pole currents and means (22) for acting on the electromagnet (16) and on the trip control mechanism (14) if a fault current is detected, characterised by the fact that it comprises a control and/or communication module (3) that is installed removably on the housing, below the protection module (2) and communicating with the processing circuit (22) on the said protection module (2) through connectors (23, 33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Jean Haudry, Philippe Guibert
  • Patent number: 6870450
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic switching device, in particular a contactor, comprising a switching device housing (2) and a plug-in module which can be inserted into the latter and which contains a coil form (12) for a coil. A tripping element (60) is mounted on a housing section (40) of the plug-in module (4). Said element is designed to mechanically actuate the contact unit (30) of an electric switch (24) for producing an economy connection. The switch (24) is mounted on a support structure (printed-circuit board (22)) that is located in the plug-in module (4), with a supporting contour (70) of said switch adjoining a bearing contour (72) of the housing section (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Bauer, Stephan Faber, Bardo Koppmann, Manuela Lüftl, Markus Meier
  • Patent number: 6867671
    Abstract: A signal accessory for a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker (10) having an operating mechanism (40) with a cradle pin (41b), a cross bar (55) and a trip bar (54) and a main breaker cover (20). The signal accessory (300) comprises a signal accessory mounting (301) having a bottom mount (308) and a top mount (306) coupled to the bottom mount (308) with the top mount configured to receive a switch (302, 304) and engage the breaker cover (20) in an accessory socket (22). A switch member (311) is rotably mounted on the bottom mount (308) with the switch member (311) having an actuator lever (322) in contact with the operating mechanism (40) of the circuit breaker (10) and an actuator pad (314) in contact with a switch mounted on the top mount (306).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Rodriguez, Elizabeth Blessitt, Bernard DiMarco, Russell Green, Günther Kachelrieb, Fritz Freidenstein
  • Patent number: 6864768
    Abstract: An electrical switching system comprises a main housing enclosing an actuable apparatus including an actuator extending outwardly of the housing. A contact housing encloses an electrical contact and a pusher selectively actuable by the actuator to operate the contact. A mortise is provided on one of the main housing and contact housing and a tenon is provided on the other of the main housing and contact housing for joining the contact housing to the main housing. A snap lock resiliently locks the contact housing to the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian H. Passow, James L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 6864765
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing; separable contacts mounted in the housing; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. An overcurrent assembly is responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts and actuates the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A bonnet forms a U-shape which surrounds the separable contacts and which cools and splits an arc when the operating mechanism trips open the separable contacts. A first bonnet piece forms a first leg of the bonnet, and a second bonnet piece forms a second leg and a base of the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Louis Wellner, Paul Jason Rollmann, Thomas Michael Hall, Peter Lee Nerstrom, Michael Frederick Walz, Peter Klaus Moldovan
  • Patent number: 6861932
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay for high frequency signal switching is provided. The electromagnetic relay has a small size, high isolation characteristics, and small loss. Fixed terminals are supported by the sides of a base composed of a dielectric material and having an internal space. A fixed contact on each fixed terminal is exposed to the internal space. The surface of the fixed terminal is disposed parallel to the bottom of the base, while a movable block is disposed in the internal space of said base. Signal lines are formed from the fixed terminals and a movable contact piece. Shielding portions to be grounded are disposed at either upper or lower part of the internal space corresponding to the signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shinoura, Mitushiro Kawai, Shishido Jun
  • Patent number: 6852937
    Abstract: A switching device, in particular a position sensing switching device, generates switching signals. The position sensing switching device comprises at least one switching unit and at least one activation unit, the switching unit reacting to a relative spacial displacement of the switching unit and the activation unit with respect to one another by outputting appropriate switching signals. The switching unit is embodied as an inductive switching unit and the activation unit is embodied as an inductive damping unit. The position sensing switching device according to the invention is preferably applied in gear-speed-changing units for automatic gearboxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Cherry GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zapf, Alexander Kugler, Gerhard Hahn
  • Patent number: 6853274
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a manual control, an over-center contact mechanism, and a magnetic current sensing coil, wherein said an over-center contact mechanism is disposed between said external manual control and said sensing coil. For example, a collapsible toggle linkage selectively applies a force along an axis, which generally intersects the coil. The circuit breaker has a housing for a contact mechanism having a contact bar rotational axis. The magnetic sensing coil of the circuit breaker is not disposed between the contact mechanism and a side wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Airpax Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Millburn, Noel Keith Ware, Mervyn Bradshaw Johnston
  • Patent number: 6850134
    Abstract: An operating mechanism assembly for a circuit breaker that includes a frame assembly, a metal pivot structure, and a trip device. The trip device has a cradle member structured to pivot about a pivot point and a trip assembly. The trip assembly is coupled to the frame assembly. The cradle member is pivotally disposed on the metal pivot structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edward E. Lias, Michael J. Whipple, Michael W. Nordmeyer
  • Patent number: 6844800
    Abstract: A contact assembly for use in an electrical switching apparatus has an actuator. An enclosure comprises an interior space housing first and second stationary contacts fixedly mounted in spaced relation with one another in one of a normally closed position or a normally open position. A pusher is movably mounted in the enclosure and is selectively driven by the actuator to move between a normal position and an actuated position. The pusher comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and first and second side walls connected between the top wall and bottom wall to define an opening having respective first and second ends. First and second longitudinally spaced top ribs are on an inside of the top wall proximate the respective first and second side walls. First and second longitudinally spaced bottom ribs are in an inside of the bottom wall proximate the respective first and second side walls and laterally offset from the respective first and second top ribs. A movable contact is received in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian H. Passow, Kevin B. Tews
  • Patent number: 6838962
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wire lug arc vent barrier for protecting a wire lug in a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker having a housing with a terminal for a load connection and a terminal for a line connection. The wire lug/arc vent barrier comprises a body having a first end including a tang, a second end including an elongated finger and a middle portion between the first end and the second end defining a concave space, with an opening at each of the middle portion, wherein the body is mounted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Leone, Steve D. Still
  • Patent number: 6838960
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a molded case comprised of a case and a cover. Terminal parts to be connected to a power supply and a load are provided respectively at front and rear ends of the molded case. A control mechanism for switching a movable contact is disposed between the front and rear terminal parts. The cover is divided into three parts for covering the control mechanism and the terminal parts disposed at front and rear of the control mechanism, respectively. The front and rear parts of the cover covering the terminal parts are detachably mounted on the molded case as terminal covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Asakawa, Hisao Kawato, Yasutoshi Ide, Hideto Yamagata, Akihiko Kohanawa
  • Publication number: 20040257184
    Abstract: A network protector bus assembly, which is structured to be coupled to a roll-out circuit breaker having a plurality of quick disconnect assemblies, includes a line buss assembly and a load bus assembly. The line bus assembly has three elongated bus sub-assemblies, each with a stab extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the line bus sub-assemblies. Each line bus sub-assembly stab has a width sufficient to accommodate at least two circuit breaker quick disconnect assemblies. Similarly, the load bus assembly has three elongated bus sub-assemblies, each with a stab extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the load bus sub-assemblies. Again, each load bus sub-assembly stab has a width sufficient to accommodate at least two circuit breaker quick disconnect assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Steven E. Meiners, Arthur J. Jur, Stephen W. Oneufer, Michael F. Magazine, Douglas M. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6831534
    Abstract: A circuit breaker (10, 12) includes a sensing circuit (48, 50, 52), a control circuit (46), an actuator (42), an operating mechanism, and an interlock mechanism (70, 94). The sensing circuit (48, 50, 52) is configured to generate the sense signal representative of a power signal flowing through a power circuit (54, 56, 58). The control circuit (46) has a frame (74, 76) and is configured to receive the sense signal and to provide a trip signal on a first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is external to the control circuit frame (74, 76) and has a second terminal (98) coupleable to the first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is configured to receive the trip signal on the second terminal (98). The operating mechanism is coupled to the actuator (42) and is configured to open and close the power circuit in response to actuation of a lever (36). The actuator (42) is configured to actuate the lever (36) in response to the trip signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Rodriguez, James E. Ferree, Solomon Titus, David A. Leone
  • Patent number: 6828885
    Abstract: A circuit-breaker including a an interrupter chamber housing that includes a plastic material and houses an interrupter. The interrupter includes at least one stationary contact member, which, via a busbar is connected to a corresponding connecting terminal and a moveable contact member that is moveable connectable to the stationary contact member. To ensure that heat generated by the busbar is more rapidly released into the switch compartment housing the busbar is imbedded in an outer wall of the interrupter chamber housing and in contact with the housing by a form fit or a force fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Dedenbach, Klaus Ochtinger, Carsten Rusteberg, Lutz Thilker
  • Patent number: 6825745
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a front wall and a rear wall, and further includes specific functional subdivisions. The front wall and the rear wall are separated from one another by a separating joint, which runs vertically in the in-use position, between the enclosure front wall and the enclosure rear wall. An integrated cable duct is provided in the base of the enclose rear wall. The cable duct can be covered and extends underneath the contact support bearings and underneath the current transformer chambers which surround the lower connecting rails essentially over the entire width of the low-voltage circuit breaker. In the direction of the enclosure front wall, it has one or more through-opening for the connecting cables to pass through between the current transformers and the electronic tipping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
  • Publication number: 20040227603
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, an operating mechanism, and a cassette. The cassette includes a separable current path having a movable contact arm, two arc receptors each disposed for receiving an electrical arc in response to a short circuit overcurrent condition, and two slot motors each disposed proximate the movable contact arm for magnetically driving the movable contact arm to a blown open position in response to a short circuit overcurrent condition. The slot motors each have two side legs opposing each other and defining a space therebetween for receiving the movable contact arm, each side leg having a magnetic core and an insulative layer and being biased toward the interior of the side walls of the cassette, wherein each side leg is restrained from being magnetically attracted toward the movable contact arm during a short circuit condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Ciarcia, Ananthram Subramanian, Narender Macha, Luis Brignoni, Samuel Kim
  • Publication number: 20040217831
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a switching device (1) based on a uniform control tile, which is easy to produce and assemble, ensuring good electric insulation properties. To achieve this, the device comprises an adapter (12) with second contact means (13), arranged to form a connection between first contact means (7, 8) and a conductor (10) that is to be connected. Said adapter and second contact means have insulating isolating elements (18, 18a, 18b, 18c), at least bordering several sides, for defined creepage distances and clearances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Bauer, Peter Hartinger, Stefan Merz, Rolf Muller, Ludwig Niebler, Joe Rogers
  • Patent number: 6806799
    Abstract: An anti-rotation device for preventing the pivotal rotation of a circuit breaker required for removal of that circuit breaker from electrical distribution equipment in which it is installed is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Daniel J Runyan
  • Patent number: 6806800
    Abstract: An assembly designed for connecting a motor operator mechanism to side frames of a circuit breaker operating mechanism is disclosed. The assembly comprising a plate connected between the side frames of the operating mechanism and a bracket portion secured to the plate and engages the motor operating mechanism. The bracket portion couples and aligns the motor operator mechanism and the circuit breaker operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Neil Castonguay, Girish Mruthunjaya Hassan, Dean Arthur Robarge, Dave Scot Christensen
  • Patent number: 6803536
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, separable contacts housed within the case, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contacts. The operating mechanism includes a first pivot, a catch link and a U-link. The catch link has a first end and a second end, is pivotally mounted to the first pivot at the first end of the catch link, and is pivotally mounted to the U-link at the second end of the catch link. An operating handle includes a first handle portion extending through an opening of the case, a second elongated arm portion within the case, and a second pivot between the first and second portions. An independent operating handle link has a first end and a second end, is pivotally mounted to the second pivot at the first end thereof, and is pivotally mounted to the first pivot at the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 6803844
    Abstract: A switchgear, for low-voltage switching units with a linearly-displaceable contact support, includes a case-like housing with guide grooves, running in the direction of travel of the contact support, in the housing side walls thereof. Suitable projections on the side of the contact support, engage in the grooves, whereby the linear travel of the contact support is achieved. Pivoting contacts are arranged on the contact support as displaceable switch contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
  • Patent number: 6800823
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, separable contacts having a fixed contact and a movable contact, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a closed position, an open position, an operating handle for moving the operating mechanism between the open and closed positions, a movable contact arm carrying the movable contact, a linkage having a first end and a second end, and a snap lever. The second end of the linkage is pivotally mounted to the movable contact arm. The snap lever holds the linkage in the open position of the operating mechanism and releases the linkage as the operating handle moves from the open position toward the closed position of the operating mechanism, in order to snap close the separable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Malingowski, Craig A. Rodgers, Lance Gula, Randal D. Gazdecki, Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 6800824
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, a frame fixedly disposed within the case, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The frame includes a tab. The operating mechanism includes an operating handle, a closed position, an open position, a linkage, such as a pair of links, having a first end and a second end, and a link pivotally mounted to the case and to the first end of the linkage. The tab of the frame engages and stops movement of the link in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Slepian, Craig A. Rodgers, Lance Gula
  • Publication number: 20040189426
    Abstract: An R-T-B system rare earth permanent is provided, which comprises a sintered body comprising: an R2T14B phase (wherein R represents one or more rare earth elements (providing that the rare earth elements include Y) and T represents one or more transition metal elements essentially containing Fe, or Fe and Co) as a main phase; and a grain boundary phase containing a higher amount of R than the above main phase, wherein, when Pc (permeance coefficient) is 2, if a total flux is defined as f1 under the application of an effective magnetic field of 240 kA/m (providing that an effective magnetic field=an applied magnetic field−a demagnetizing field, and each value of them is absolute value), if a total flux is defined as f2 under the application of an effective magnetic field of 800 kA/m, and if a total flux is defined as f3 under the application of an effective magnetic field of 2,000 kA/m, a magnetization rate a (=f1/f3×100) is 40% or more, and a magnetization rate b (=f2/f3×
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hidaka, Kazuya Sakamoto, Kazuo Sato, Hironari Okada
  • Patent number: 6791440
    Abstract: An electrically isolating iso bearing for a circuit breaker is provided that comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and a body extending therebetween, said inner surface comprising a pair of bosses and a pair of openings, said outer surface comprising at least one boss, said body comprising a pair of rotor protective flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Edward Harmon, Gary Steven Douville, Chanchal Kumar Garg, Linda Yvonne Jacobs, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6784770
    Abstract: An earth leakage detection device (14) includes a housing (52) and an earth leakage detection circuit (114) mounted within said housing (52) for detecting earth leakage in the electrical distribution circuit. A dielectric test switch (115) is arranged between the electrically conductive strap (18) and the earth leakage detection circuit (114). Pressing the button (84) causes said dielectric test switch (115) to stop the flow of electrical current from said electrically conductive strap (18) to said earth leakage detection circuit (114) to protect the circuit (114) during dielectric testing. A lever arm (605), pivotally secured within said housing (52), causes said trip/reset mechanism (116) to actuate the circuit breaker (12) when said button (84) is pressed. The trip/reset mechanism (116) is resiliently mounted within said housing (52), independently from said transformer (182).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Miguel Ortiz Gimenez, Pere Planas Comerma
  • Patent number: 6784772
    Abstract: An electric solenoid with adaptable terminals and posts to connect to a variety of different electric connectors, and with a multiple-eared mounting plate permitting mounting in a variety of configurations. The solenoid posts combine internally-threaded female post receptors integrally molded into the solenoid casing, with removable post studs, one end of which is threaded to screw into the respective female post receptor. The other end of the removable post studs are also threaded, and can be formed in a variety of different sizes to accommodate a variety of connectors as needed for a particular application. The energizing terminal (and ground terminal, if present) can accommodate a variety of connector types, including eyelet leads, push-on connectors, and spade connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis Brandon, Michael L. Mullins, Thomas G. Holder
  • Patent number: 6781491
    Abstract: A removable quick connect terminal for an electric power switch has a molded housing with an open cavity and an electrically conductive terminal member with a plurality of male terminations that project through slots in a cavity wall in the housing into the open cavity. The terminal member has a tang projecting outward from the housing that is clamped by a conventional collar terminal to a power conductor of the switch projecting into an external terminal recess in the molded switch casing. The terminal member is secured to the molded housing by a pair of oppositely facing chamfered catches engaging an opening in the flat center section of the terminal member. The molded housing of the quick connect terminal has hooks which engage abutment surfaces on the switch casing and a pair of integral compliant latches which engage latch ledges in the external terminal recess to removably secure the housing to the switch casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Jerome Whipple, Edward Ethber Lias
  • Patent number: 6778048
    Abstract: An assembly for interacting with a circuit breaker operating mechanism of a circuit breaker including a housing and a pair of contacts within the housing, the operating mechanism arranged to separate the pair of contacts upon the occurrence of a trip event is disclosed. The assembly includes a plurality of linkages arranged to transmit mechanical energy from the operating mechanism to a plunger of an accessory device for changing a state thereof. The system of linkages is configured to compensate for any over-travel resulting from possible tolerance variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Luis Brignoni, Ronald Ciarcia, Ananthram Subramanian, Narender Macha
  • Patent number: 6771151
    Abstract: In order to provide a bearing for an already prepositioned switching shaft, fitted with coupling levers, of a low-voltage circuit breaker in the region where the switching forces act, a bearing assembly is provided. The bearing assembly includes a bearing body which is mounted on the housing front wall of the switch pole, surrounding the switching shaft in the form of a half shell. The bearing body includes a subregion which projects between two coupling levers, which are at a distance from one another and are connected to a movable switching contact. It thus forms side guide surfaces for the coupling levers. Such a bearing assembly can be arranged in both the end regions of the switching shaft in multipole circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
  • Patent number: 6762662
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed electrical switch assembly comprises a casing having an opening end. A cover is sealingly attached to said opening end of said casing for forming a primary volume hermetically sealed from external environment. Received in said primary volume are a switch means and a magnetic responsive means. A magnetic activating means is fitted at the upper surface of said cover for effecting the movement of said magnetic responsive means. The switch means comprises electrical contacts to change the conducting state of a power circuit with which said switch means is connected, a switching lever which can change its positions according to the conducting state of the power circuit. The magnetic responsive means couples with said switching lever for moving with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventors: Wen-Fong Lee, Ming-Hung Lee, Ming-Tung Lee, Ming-Yu Lee
  • Publication number: 20040125546
    Abstract: An anti-rotation device for preventing the pivotal rotation of a circuit breaker required for removal of that circuit breaker from electrical distribution equipment in which it is installed is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Square D Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Runyan
  • Patent number: 6724284
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism having a pivotally mounted operator handle for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism releasing the operating mechanism to move the operator handle to its tripped position. A micro-switch includes an actuator lever movable between an actuated position and a non-actuated position and adapted to engage a surface of the operator handle. The micro-switch also includes a normally open contact having a closed state corresponding to the actuated position and an open state corresponding to the non-actuated position. The operator handle surface engages and moves the actuator lever to the actuated position in only the ON position of the operator handle. The actuator lever is in the non-actuated position in the OFF position and the tripped position of the operator handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Anthony Simms, Jeffery Wayne Lockhart, Wayne Gerald Adamson
  • Patent number: 6707357
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch includes an electromagnetic module and a contact module that is to be plugged into the electromagnetic module. The contact module includes a fixed contact member and a movable contact member that is pivoted to the fixed contact member so as to be rotatable relative to the fixed contact member between a first angular position for establishing a first circuit, and a second angular position for establishing a second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tendex Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chieh Chuang
  • Patent number: 6700467
    Abstract: An operating mechanism controls and trips a separable contact structure arranged in a protected circuit. The mechanism includes a frame, a drive member pivotally coupled to the frame, a spring pivotally connecting the drive member to a drive connector, an upper link pivotally seated on the drive connector, a lower link member pivotally coupled to the drive connector, a crank member pivotally coupled to the lower link member for interfacing the separable contact structure, and a cradle member pivotally secured to the frame and pivotally securing the upper link. The cradle member is configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, which is displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit such as a trip condition. The mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position. Spacers are operatively positioned between movable members, and protrusions are operatively formed on the enclosure of the contact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dave S. Christensen, Randy Greenberg, Girish Hassan, Dean A. Robarge
  • Publication number: 20040036563
    Abstract: A heat dissipation system for an audio amplifier is presented, including a housing having a plurality of apertures therein; at least one completely enclosed air tunnels, each air tunnel extending between one of the apertures in the housing and another of the apertures in the housing, each air tunnel at least partially defined by a pair of opposed heat sinks mounted within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: David W. Seaton, Mark H. Powell, Jason R. Taylor, Eric Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 6686821
    Abstract: A relay device capable of reducing the manufacturing costs thereof by decreasing the number of parts and the number of electrical connections between these parts, and making the manufacturing process simple. The relay device has a plurality of electromagnetic relays and uses a common base plate with which stems of the electromagnetic relays are formed integrally, and on which a wiring member is formed by resin molding. The wiring member on the common base plate is projected from the molded resin to define a fixed contact member of each electromagnetic relay. Each relay unit assembly of each electromagnetic relay except for the fixed contact member thereof is secured to the common base plate such that a movable iron piece is driven in parallel with a surface of the common base plate. The construction of the resultant relay device is compact, the relay properties are readily adjusted, and the number of parts can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Anden Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirohisa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6677841
    Abstract: A contact assembly for use in an electrical apparatus comprises a housing and a pusher movably mounted in the housing. A movable contact is supported on the pusher. A stationary contact is proximate the moveable contact in the housing. A return spring biases the pusher to a normal position. A contact spring operatively associated with the moveable contact forces the movable contact against a stop associated with the pusher. The contact spring and the return spring are of identical construction and are positioned in the housing so that force or torque produced by the return spring is greater than force or torque produced by the contact spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventor: Christian H. Passow
  • Patent number: 6661321
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch includes a socket, an electromagnetic module, and a contact module that is to be plugged into the socket and the electromagnetic module. The contact module includes a fixed contact member and a movable contact member that is rotatable relative to the fixed contact member between a first angular position for establishing a first circuit, and a second angular position for establishing a second circuit. The fixed contact member is formed with conductive blade portions that can be plugged into the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Tendex Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chieh Chuang
  • Patent number: 6657524
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a switching contact arrangement and a drive apparatus which operates it, with the connection between the switching contact arrangement and the drive apparatus being designed such that it is detachable. For this purpose, a contact support of the switching contact arrangement contains a coupling bolt, which produces a hinged connection to a lever arrangement for the drive apparatus. A holding piece allows a actuating shaft of the drive apparatus to be rotated to a position, and to be fixed in this position. This allows the switching contact arrangement to be removed without any problem, and subsequently to be replaced by another switching contact arrangement. Once the control panel for the circuit breaker has been removed, the holding piece can be placed on the actuating shaft and can be attached to a front housing body of the circuit breaker where the control panel would otherwise be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen, Artur Wajnberg
  • Patent number: 6642823
    Abstract: A contact block assembly comprising a pusher having a body portion; a window formed in the body portion; a movable contact positioned within the window; a recess formed in the body portion; a first spring positioned within the recess and abutting the movable contact; and second spring positioned outside the pusher and abutting the movable contact is disclosed. A method of assembling a contact block assembly, the method comprising the steps of inserting a first spring into a recess in a pusher; inserting a movable contact within a window of the pusher and in contact with the first spring; and positioning a second spring outside the pusher and in contact with the movable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventor: Christian H. Passow
  • Patent number: 6624731
    Abstract: A contact assembly for use in an electrical switching apparatus has an actuator. An enclosure comprises an interior space housing first and second stationary contacts fixedly mounted in spaced relation with one another in one of a normally closed position or a normally open position. A pusher is movably mounted in the enclosure and is selectively driven by the actuator to move between a normal position and an actuated position. The pusher comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and first and second side walls connected between the top wall and bottom wall to define an opening having respective first and second ends. First and second longitudinally spaced top ribs are on an inside of the top wall proximate the respective first and second side walls. First and second longitudinally spaced bottom ribs are in an inside of the bottom wall proximate the respective first and second side walls and laterally offset from the respective first and second top ribs. A movable contact is received in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian H. Passow, Kevin B. Tews
  • Patent number: 6621393
    Abstract: An electromechanical contactor that houses an electromagnet and a mobile contact carrier within one body. The electromagnet 20 is situated at the rear of the body 10 and a command wiring plane PB is situated at the front of the power wiring plane PA. The command terminals B and the control terminals C are arranged in a forward command/control terminal block 60. The coil terminals 26 are connected to the command terminals B by transverse conductors 27 housed in grooves made between an internal surface of the body and an external surface of an arch-shaped casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SA
    Inventors: Patrick Comtois, Patrick Larcher, Alain Moreux, Régis Perrocheau