With Switches Patents (Class 361/631)
  • Patent number: 7599171
    Abstract: A load center includes an enclosure, a first power input, a second power input, a first circuit breaker having a line terminal electrically connected to the first power input and a load terminal, a first bus electrically connected to the load terminal, a number of independent second circuit breakers powered from the first bus, a second bus, a number of independent third circuit breakers powered from the second bus, and a transfer switch having a first input electrically connected to the first bus, a second input electrically connected to the second power input, and an output electrically connected to the second bus. The transfer switch selectively electrically connects one of its first and second inputs to its output. The first bus and the second circuit breakers power only a number of non-critical loads. The second bus and the third circuit breakers power only a number of critical loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Scot E. Remmert
  • Patent number: 7460360
    Abstract: A power distribution panel having circuit elements such as KTK and GMT fuses removably mounted to a unit housing by means of module members, thereby allowing for ease of customization of the circuit elements of the power distribution panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Schomaker, Carlos Arroyo Gonzalez, Delfino Hernandez, Luis Manuel Sanchez Aguilar, Narciso Delgado Guevara, Celsa Mora Curiel
  • Patent number: 7408766
    Abstract: A power supply system for supplying electrical power to at least one load includes a base plate, a support rail and a power supply module fastened to the base plate, at least one bus bar module, and a rail mounting device for mounting the bus bar module on the support rail. The rail mounting device includes conductor members for supplying power from the power supply module to bus bars contained within the bus bar modules, respectively. A first plug has contacts that engage contacts of each of the bus bars of the bus bar module via access slots contained in the cover member thereof, thereby to supply three-phase power to a load such, as a motor, via a heavy-duty power switch and a circuit breaker that are both mounted on the base plate, and associated second and third connecting plugs. Single-phase power is supplied to an auxiliary load, such as an electrical appliance, from two or more bus bars of the bus bar module via a fourth plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Oesterhaus, Jörg Sheer, Walter Hanning, Daniel Brugger, Max Hufschmid, Paul Hug
  • Patent number: 7304834
    Abstract: A power distribution panel having circuit elements such as KTK and GMT fuses removably mounted to a unit housing by means of module members, thereby allowing for ease of customization of the circuit elements of the power distribution panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Schomaker, Carlos Arroyo Gonzalez, Delfino Hernandez, Luis Manuel Sanchez Aguilar, Narciso Delgado Guevara, Celsa Mora Curiel
  • Patent number: 7286340
    Abstract: An adapter is for mounting an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, on the back panel of an enclosure, such as a switchgear cabinet. The back panel has at least one aperture. The adapter includes a first end portion coupled at or about the aperture of the back panel, an engaging portion engaging and securing the circuit breaker to the adapter, a fastener, and a second end portion disposed distal from the first end portion and including an elongated slot. The elongated slot receives the fastener in order to couple the adapter to the back panel when the fastener is fastened, while enabling adjustment of the adapter and the circuit breaker coupled thereto, with respect to the back panel, when the fastener is unfastened. The first end portion, the engaging portion and the second end portion form a single piece adapter. An enclosure assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Syed M. Karim, James L. Gehlbach
  • Patent number: 7256984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reconfigurable power distribution panel, a power distribution system, a method for reconfiguring a power distribution panel, and a method for manufacturing a reconfigurable power distribution panel. The reconfigurable distribution panel, among other elements, may include a first bus bar having a first plurality of contact points thereon and a plurality of circuit protection locations associated therewith and a second bus bar located proximate the first bus bar and having a second plurality of contact points thereon, the second plurality of contact points having the same plurality of circuit protection locations associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Minchul Kim, Keith Gibson, Keith Leicht
  • Patent number: 7027293
    Abstract: A breaker distribution module is disclosed. The breaker distribution module essentially includes an insulation rod, a plurality of output terminals, a plurality of input busbars and a plurality of breakers. The insulation rod is composed of a plurality of insulation blocks. The output terminals are disposed on the insulation rod. The breakers connect to the output terminals and the input busbars. Each of the breakers corresponds to one of the output terminals. In addition, the insulation rod can also be manufactured as an integrative unit, and the breaker distribution module further includes a connection busbar electrically coupled to the input busbars. The design of the pluralities of insulation blocks decreases the fabricating cost. In addition, the connection busbar is able to change the output voltage disposition of the breaker distribution module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: DELTA Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ta-Jung Yang, Bi-Jen Liu
  • Patent number: 6987664
    Abstract: A finger guard for an electrical circuit breaker includes a rear plate with an opening, a guard portion extending from the plate adjacent the opening, and a removable portion, or knock-out, positioned within the opening. A further finger guard for an electrical circuit breaker includes a rear plate with an opening, a guard portion extending from the plate adjacent the opening, and opposing ramped finger grips on the outer walls of the guard portion. A further finger guard for an electrical circuit breaker includes a rear plate with an opening, and a guard portion extending from the plate adjacent the opening, the plate further including a designation holder. An electrical power distribution system with a chassis having an electrical circuit including a mount for an electrical circuit breaker and an opening providing access to the mount, includes a finger guard mounted across the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Johnsen, Carlos Cabrera, David E. Schomaker
  • Patent number: 6958538
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a proximity I/O switch, which is configured to transfer data between the components in a computer system. This proximity I/O switch is comprised of multiple switch chips, which are coupled together through capacitive coupling. This enables the multiple switch chips to communicate with each other without being constrained by the limitations of conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms. The multiple switch chips in the proximity I/O switch are also configured to communicate with components in the computer system through conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Lauterbach, Robert J. Drost
  • Patent number: 6870729
    Abstract: A finger guard for an electrical circuit breaker includes a rear plate with an opening, a guard portion extending from the plate adjacent the opening, and a removable portion, or knock-out, positioned within the opening. A further finger guard for an electrical circuit breaker includes a rear plate with an opening, a guard portion extending from the plate adjacent the opening, and opposing ramped finger grips on the outer walls of the guard portion. A further finger guard for an electrical circuit breaker includes a rear plate with an opening, and a guard portion extending from the plate adjacent the opening, the plate further including a designation holder. An electrical power distribution system with a chassis having an electrical circuit including a mount for an electrical circuit breaker and an opening providing access to the mount, includes a finger guard mounted across the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Johnsen, Carlos Cabrera, David E. Schomaker
  • Publication number: 20040246662
    Abstract: A heat sink with fins has a flat, planar surface soldered to a metallic layer at one surface of a flat, planar ceramic layer. The opposite surface of the ceramic layer has a metallic pattern including base areas for high power, high frequency load switching MOSFETs. Lead frames are soldered between the lead frame base areas and base contact areas of the MOSFET packages. Thermal conduction between the MOSFETs and the heat sink dissipates the heat from switching losses. A gate drive circuit board for the load switching system is supported spaced from the and is separated from the MOSFETs by a thermally blocking air gap, with the component side of the gate drive circuit board facing away from the MOSFETs. Spade terminals of the lead frames extend through openings in the gate drive circuit board to route high power signals independently of the gate driver circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Thurk, Eric W. Suomi, Bradley J. Brunker
  • Patent number: 6826035
    Abstract: A power controller generally includes a first switching device and a first bus bar mounted to the first switching device such that wiring may enter and exit the power controller. The first bus bar may have a face plate that extends at least partially above opposed side plates of the power controller and a mounting plate in electrical contact with the first switching device. A power controller assembly generally includes a power controller having one or more bus bars and a cover having a top surface, opposed end surfaces, and opposed side surfaces for attaching to and enclosing the power controller. The opposed end surfaces may have one or more windows through which wiring may pass and connect to one or more of the bus bars of the power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Chromalox, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred R. Roman, Michael Hardy, Wayne Estes, Daniel White, Jerry Black
  • Patent number: 6741452
    Abstract: A retaining device (20) for mounting a switch (10) to a computer enclosure (30) includes a main wall (22) and left and right side walls (24) cooperatively defining a space therebetween for accommodating the switch therein. A pair of pins (28) is stamped perpendicularly from the main wall. An extension tab (23) extends from the left side wall and defines a through aperture (25) therein. A bent tab (27) extends from the right side wall. In assembly, the switch is received in the retaining device with the pins being received in through holes of the switch. The combined retaining device and switch is then attached to a panel (32) of the enclosure (30). The bent tab is engagingly received in a locking aperture of the panel. A screw (40) is extended through the through aperture (25) to engage with the panel in a screw aperture (38) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alvin Liu, Yuan-Lin Hsu, Li Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 6707256
    Abstract: A self contained multiple dimming channel package includes a housing with a main power circuit board supported on its bottom wall and a control circuit board extending laterally and vertically to baffle air flow through the housing. A cross flow cooling fan forces air through an opening in the control board and across power switching modules and toroidal chokes mounted to the main board. Each power switching module includes a heat sink with fins parallel to the air flow, and the chokes are mounted in rows with their central openings aligned with the air flow. The power switching modules include circuits attached to the heat sinks with terminals releasably plugged into mating connectors on the main board. Circuit breaker switches are snapped into place in the housing. The front corners of the housing are provided with integral mounting bracket and handle members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Brunker, Joseph W. Garvey, Eric W. Suomi, John P. Thurk
  • Patent number: 6680842
    Abstract: A front mount circuit breaker assembly for circuit breakers of different dimensions that are removably mounted to modular circuit breaker holder members. Elongated contacts extend from the terminals on the back of the circuit breakers to the front. The holder members have a through portion between the two ends. Below the two ends and inwardly, a supporting surface is defined for supporting electrical contacts where the distal ends of the elongated contacts are removably mounted to provide the electrical connection for the device. These connections have been brought to the front. The elongated contacts can be made of different dimensions that cooperate with those of the circuit breaker. The holder members are banked together and removably mounted over a cooperating longitudinal rib that is received within a bay cut out defined on the flat bottom wall of the holder members in one of the embodiments. Another embodiment includes outwardly extending flanges for ready mounting to a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventors: Pedro R. Pelaez, J. Thomas Johnston
  • Publication number: 20030206392
    Abstract: A switching device for controlling a large amount of current includes a circuit board carrying electronic components thereon, a power-switching element electrically connected to the circuit board, and a housing disposed underneath the circuit board and containing the power-switching element therein. The housing made of a heat-conductive material includes a heat-sink block having a sloped surface on which the power-switching element is mounted. Connecting leads extending from the power-switching element are positioned at an upper portion of the sloped surface which is close to the circuit board. In this manner, the length of connecting leads is shortened and heat and noises generated therein are suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kawata
  • Patent number: 6621689
    Abstract: An interlock assembly for an electrical panel which includes a primary switch arrangement interconnected with a primary power source, and an auxiliary switch arrangement interconnected with an auxiliary power source for supplying power to the electrical panel in the event of an interruption in the primary power source. The interlock assembly includes an interlock member that is movable between first and second interlock positions, for preventing the primary and auxiliary switch arrangements from simultaneously being in the ON position, to ensure that power from only a single power source is supplied to electrical panel at any one time. The interlock assembly includes a movable interlock member interconnected with a support arrangement mounted to the electrical panel within a space defined between the primary and auxiliary switch arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Michael O. Flegel
  • Patent number: 6442032
    Abstract: An apparatus and system is provided for coupling an ethernet switch to communication link(s) in a communication network without requiring the disconnection and reconnection of the communication link(s). A module is configured to accommodate components of an ethernet switch, and can be modularly introduced into a communication rack and quickly engaged with rack-mounted mating connectors which are coupled to the communication link(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel, societe anonyme
    Inventors: Ignacio A. Linares, James C. McKinley, Teck Q. Chin, Dennis J. Harkin
  • Patent number: 6407908
    Abstract: In order to provide a good gas-insulated circuit breaker which is compact and easy in assembling and preparation, a gas-insulated circuit breaker 100 is constructed with a grounded enclosure 104 enclosed a insulation nature gas, a current interruption part having a fixed contactor 115 arranged in the grounded enclosure 104 and a movable contactor 116 to be contacted with and to be separated from the fixed contactor 115, and an operating mechanism 101 to output a driving force to drive the movable contactor 116, wherein a grounded enclosure side main rotating shaft 110 connected to the movable contactor 116 through a connection member and a main output shaft 102 for outputting a rotating force to actuate the movable contactor 116 through the grounded enclosure side main rotating shaft 110 provided on the operating mechanism 101, are arranged on a coax so as to be coupled with a gear coupling 120, and the operating mechanism 101 is arranged almost under the grounded enclosure 104.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Iryo, Hideo Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 6385045
    Abstract: A water-resistant switching device has an elastomeric body overmoulded to one part of the casing. The elastomeric body has a rib which co-operates with a hooked flange portion to define a space for receiving a hooked flange of another part of the casing to provide a watertight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Electronique
    Inventor: Brian Tissington
  • Patent number: 6339358
    Abstract: It is possible to reduce the voltage drop on sub-power supply lines for reducing the subthreshold current and thereby prevent the operating speed of a logic circuit from lowering. Main power supply lines are arranged along one side of a rectangular region including a MOS logic circuit whose subthreshold current must be reduced, and a plurality of sub-power supply lines are arranged on the region in the direction perpendicular to the main power supply lines. A plurality of switching MOS transistors for selectively electrically connecting the sub-power supply lines to the main power supply line are dispersedly arranged with respect to the main power supply line. By dispersedly arranging the switching MOS transistors with respect to the main power supply line, it is possible to reduce the equivalent resistance of the sub-power supply lines compared to the case where switching MOS transistors are provided at one place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Yasushi Kawase, Takesada Akiba, Yoshinobu Nakagome, Kazuhiko Kajigaya
  • Patent number: 6284981
    Abstract: A U-shaped metal member for securing a circuit component to a circuit board in place of conventional screws and nuts. The element is inserted through aligned holes of the component and the board and is wave soldered to the board for permanent securement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Liang Hwang
  • Patent number: 6266231
    Abstract: A circuit breaker lock-out device is disclosed, the lock-out device including a U-shaped channel member with a plurality of closed slots paired opposite one another in the side walls of the channel. The device includes lock-out bars comprising a notched stem transversely aligned with the channel member to immobilize a circuit breaker switch in either the “OFF” or “ON” position as desired. The bars are “locked” in position with a padlock or closed-door padlockable bar, immobilizing the circuit breaker switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Safety Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Warren Donahue, Wilburn Dale Myers
  • Patent number: 6226174
    Abstract: A modular electrical fitting suitable for the instrument panel of a motor boat, has a plastic housing 8, 9, 10, having a rectangular foot print, with each side having a shaped upper edge, and a connection cavity 11 positioned in the uppermost portion of each side edge, so that the modular unit 8, 9, 10 can be connected together by means of a resilient joining device 13, which can be pushed in place to physically connect two of the modular units together as shown between units 8 and 9. This enables the modular units to be held together from above, whilst the underside of the units can be connected together by brass bus bars or the like to provide a secure electrical connection between adjacent units, so that the modular units can be connected together box physically and electrically. Each of these modular units 8, 9, 10, etc can be provided with a switch, fuse, or other electrical component, so that the modular units can be connected together to form an entire switchboard or instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: BEP Marine Limited
    Inventor: Ross Gregory Pratt
  • Patent number: 6134101
    Abstract: The gas-insulated, metal-enclosed switchgear assembly contains two, three or more switchpanels, each having a multipole power breaker (CB.sub.1, CB.sub.2, CB.sub.3, CB.sub.4) as well as isolating and grounding switches per switch pole (CB.sub.1R) and is designed like a ring or in a 11/2 power-breaker circuit. The switch poles of the power breakers are each of identical design and are arranged parallel to one another. The switchpanels each have one current path of U-shaped design per phase in a vertical plane, in which current path the base of the U contains a vertically aligned pole of the power breaker, and the two limbs of the U each contain an electrical connection of the power breaker and an isolating as well as a grounding switch. The upper limbs of the U of one of the switchpanels are connected phase-by-phase to the lower limbs (S.sub.u) of another of the switchpanels, by means of respective single-phase gas pipelines (L.sub.12 (R), L.sub.23 (R), L.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bucher, Lorenz Muller
  • Patent number: 6111745
    Abstract: The interface conductors, stabs and runbacks, which are engaged at first ends by quick disconnects on electrical apparatus in a switchgear assembly, are fabricated from a stacked pair of elongated, flat conductors secured together at the first ends by elongated fasteners which are compressed into countersunk through apertures in the flat conductors to form a joint with no lateral projections. The interface conductors are supported adjacent the disconnects by a first support having a base member with through openings in which the conductors are snugly supported, and rigid projections with planar surfaces extending from the base member toward the quick disconnects alongside the openings and against which the interface conductors are secured adjacent free ends of the projections. A second support spaced rearward of the first support provides additional support for the runbacks. Interphase supports formed by C-channels are provided for the runbacks between the first and second supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Wilkie, II, Rodney William Bruner, Neal Edward Rowe, Steven Dale Walker
  • Patent number: 6107869
    Abstract: It is possible to reduce the voltage drop on sub-power supply lines for reducing the subthreshold current and thereby prevent the operating speed of a logic circuit from lowering. Main power supply lines are arranged along one side of a rectangular region including a MOS logic circuit whose subthreshold current must be reduced, and a plurality of sub-power supply lines are arranged on the region in the direction perpendicular to the main power supply lines. A plurality of switching MOS transistors for selectively electrically connecting the sub-power supply lines to the main power supply line are dispersedly arranged with respect to the main power supply line. By dispersedly arranging the switching MOS transistors with respect to the main power supply line, it is possible to reduce the equivalent resistance of the sub-power supply lines compared to the case where switching MOS transistors are provided at one place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Yasushi Kawase, Takesada Akiba, Yoshinobu Nakagome, Kazuhiko Kajigaya
  • Patent number: 5995362
    Abstract: A support and electrical power supply device comprises a mounting plate supporting an electrical switchgear apparatus and housing branch conductors extending perpendicularly to a busbar. The branch conductors present identical lengths. The connection strips are arranged close to the opposite terminal parts of the branch conductors and comprise orifices arranged symmetrically with respect to the horizontal midplane of the mounting plate to enable fitting of the connection parts with the lineside terminals or the loadside terminals of the switchgear apparatus. Two connection possibilities of the switchgear apparatus are possible at the time of installation to achieve a lineside or a loadside power supply. The same mounting plate can also be used for supply of a single switchgear apparatus or of two switchgear apparatuses with opposite feeders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Robert Morel, Henri Auoue, Jean-Jacques Kuntz, Philippe Romanet-Perroux
  • Patent number: 5933319
    Abstract: An enclosure for an external terminal of a circuit breaker on an electrical panelboard, which includes a body and a cover. The body defines an aperture for inserting an electrical load conductor and is securable adjacent a circuit breaker. The cover is mounted to the body for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position the terminal is exposed. In the second position the body, the circuit breaker and the cover jointly enclose the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bill W. Buckner, Dale A. Hoppensteadt
  • Patent number: 5898565
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear apparatus comprising connection conductors connected to a connection portion to breaker side, disconnectors connected to the connection conductors, cable heads connected to the disconnectors, lightning arresters having one end connected between the disconnectors and the cable heads, single phase voltage transformers provided in one of three phases and having one end connected between the disconnectors and the cable heads and a disconnector cylindrical vessel filled with an insulating gas and containing the connection conductors, the disconnectors, the cable heads, the lightning arresters and the single phase voltage transformers therein. The cable heads are disposed so that the axis of the disconnector cylindrical vessel and the axes of the cable heads are parallel. The lightning arresters are disposed so that the axis of the disconnector cylindrical vessel and the axes of the lightning arresters are parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yamauchi, Masazumi Yamamoto, Kiyokazu Torimi, Hiroki Sanuki
  • Patent number: 5894404
    Abstract: A circuit breaker panelboard enclosure is adapted to receive circuit breaker covers that are attached to the interior or circuit breaker module without requiring attachment screws and the like. The circuit breaker modules within the enclosure are equipped with electrically-insulative extension clips that are received and retained within apertures formed in the circuit breaker covers in press-fit relation. The circuit breaker covers are removed by grasping the ends of the circuit breaker covers and pulling the circuit breaker covers away from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas F. Vrnak, Kevin D. Mazzella, Kevin F. Nolan
  • Patent number: 5883777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a meter module to be installed in an instrument panel of a car and a structure for assembling the meter module and to provide a meter module wherein the designs of the meters and switches can easily be modified and the functions thereof can be changed in accordance with a model and grade of the motor vehicle for installing them in the instrument panel in an easier and preferable manner. The meter module consists of an independent meter display unit and cluster unit having a guide protrusion respectively, both guide protrusions can be inserted into the same introducing guides of a module accommodation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Keizo Nishitani, Minoru Kubota
  • Patent number: 5870278
    Abstract: A motor starter assembly made up of sub-assemblies each formed from a circuit breaker 40 and a contactor 60 and positioned on a baseplate 20 with which a set of power bars 23 is associated. The baseplate includes a support area 21 for the sub-assemblies and a connection are preferably a bracket 22 that is overhanging in relation to the support area. The baseplate further includes power connection elements and or control connection elements provided on the bracket and the connection area to permit plugging in of the sub-assemblies on the baseplate along an engagement direction Z approximately parallel with the support area and perpendicular to a direction X of a set of bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Michel Girard, Emmanuel Latour, Didier Sibille
  • Patent number: 5870277
    Abstract: An assembly of electrical equipment having devices, such as circuit breakers and contactors grouped in pairs, included on a supporting baseplate. Each pair of devices includes a circuit breaker 40 and a contactor 60 and a baseplate 20 having power pins and control pins that cooperate with respective power and control terminals of the devices. Auxiliary units 50,70 are fixed to one of the devices 40,60 while being connected to control terminals 45,65,66 of the one device. The units 50,70 are connected to a linkage with a bus or a control and command system by plugging units 50,70 into control pins 81,82 of the baseplate 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Michel Girard, Philippe Rix
  • Patent number: 5838533
    Abstract: A housing assembly for electrical components includes a plurality of tubular housing sections which are fixedly interconnected. Portions of the housing sections are then removed to form openings in the housing assembly. The openings formed in the housing assembly may be formed in either interior or exterior walls of the housing assembly. Each of the tubular housing sections forms a compartment in which an electrical component may be mounted. By removing portions of a plurality of the interior walls of the housing assembly, a chamber which extends across end portions of a plurality of the compartments is formed. Front and rear end plates may be connected with the housing assembly. In addition, covers may be provided for openings formed in the exterior of the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Berdj N. Yazaryan, Vanacan Tatavoosian
  • Patent number: 5689402
    Abstract: A docking adapter includes a male HDI 30 type connector (for connecting to a "POWERBOOK" portable computer) and a female DB 25 type connector (for connecting via a SCSI bus cable to either a "MACINTOSH" personal computer or a SCSI external hard drive). The pins of the HDI type connector are electrically connected to the corresponding pins of the DB type connector. The adapter includes a switch having an actuated position for grounding pin 1 of the HDI type connector to "dock" the portable computer in a disk operating mode facilitating data transfer with the "MACINTOSH" over the SCSI bus. When not in the actuated position, the portable computer may be connected to and access the external hard drive over the SCSI bus. The adapter also includes a light emitting diode (LED) connected between the termination power pins of the DB and HDI connectors and ground to monitor for the presence of termination power on the SCSI bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: APS Technologies
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Ralston, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5452175
    Abstract: A construction of a panel includes at least one opening defined therein, a first and a second box are respectively disposed beside the opening of the panel, each of the first and second boxes has a hole defined therein and an extending live line and an extending ground line respectively extend from the first box and the second box and extend along sides defining the opening, one end of the extending live/ground line is in communication with the corresponding holes of the first and the second boxes. The extending live and extending ground lines are respectively and electrically connected to an electrical element disposed in the panel, which has two conductive plates extending therefrom, each of the conductive plates has an L-shaped plate extending transversely therefrom so as to receive the extending live/ground lines between the L-shaped plate and the conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Pei-Lien Tsai
  • Patent number: 5436799
    Abstract: A modular switching-element block which comprises at least one base body having plug-in locations for switching elements, such as electrical switches, and is fitted with a base body which is split into a plurality of base-body modules which can be plugged into one another. In comparison with a common base body, this arrangement makes possible greater variability of the number of plug-in locations, with respect to freely selectable special fits with switching elements, and reduces the advance-provision cost for a standard fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Krieg, Siegfried Klink, Uwe Manzke, Michael Schulcz
  • Patent number: 5347427
    Abstract: A cabinet assembly comprises a cabinet, a main wiring board provided with a control circuit and disposed within the cabinet, switches for controlling the control circuit, and keys for operating the switches, capable of being pushed from outside the cabinet. To eliminate restrictions placed by the keys and a light emitting diode for indicating actions of the control circuit on the design of the cabinet, to simplify the construction of the cabinet assembly and to facilitate cabinet assembly assembling work, the switches and the light emitting element are mounted on the main wiring board, the keys are formed and disposed so that the key top of each key form a portion of the external shape of the cabinet, each key is provided integrally with an actuating rod for operating the corresponding switch, and the light emitted by the light emitting element is transmitted by a light transmitting member to a portion of the wall of the cabinet or to the key top of the pushed key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotaka Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 5272591
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cover for an exposed bus bar attached to an electrical control device having a contour mounting surface for circuit interrupters. The cover includes a generally planar body member having sufficient size to substantially cover the exposed bus bar. The cover includes means for securing the body to the device so that the position of the body prevents contact between the bus bar and a person's finger or equipment particularly when an individual circuit interrupter is mounted to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Randall L. Blue, Jeffrey O. Sharp, Michael R. Harris, Kim D. Wheeler