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.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure coupled to the housing, and a number of first plug-in members coupled to the electrical bus structure. A number of circuit breakers include a first surface and a second plug-in member disposed opposite the first surface. The second plug-in member of each of the number of circuit breakers is mated with a corresponding one of the number of first plug-in members. A plate member is removably coupled to the housing. The plate member includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface of the number of circuit breakers engages the opposite second surface of the plate member in order to maintain mating of each of the number of circuit breakers with the corresponding one of the number of first plug-in members.

Abstract: A ball and socket coupling is provided. The ball and socket coupling includes a ball body having a passage extending therethrough and a ball portion, and a socket body having a conduit extending therethrough and a ball receiving portion configured to receive the ball portion of the ball body. The ball and socket coupling also includes retaining structure disposed in the passage of the ball body and the conduit of the socket body, where the retaining structure is configured to operatively couple the ball body and the socket body together for permitting relative motion therebetween. The ball and socket coupling further includes motion limiting structure associated with the retaining structure and configured to limit relative motion between the ball body and the socket body to rotation about a single axis that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow through the ball and socket coupling.

Abstract: An improved electrical switching apparatus comprises a plurality of electrical switching assemblies in a ganged configuration. A bridging device mechanically connects together the actuator devices of the electrical switching assemblies to cause the simultaneous tripping of all of the electrical switching assemblies when an overload or an arc fault is detected on any electrical switching assembly of the gang.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit breaker includes a panel having a first side and an opposite second side, a housing coupled to the opposite second side of the panel, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a test circuit structured to simulate a trip condition to trip open the separable contacts, and a proximity sensor disposed on or within the housing proximate the opposite second side of the panel. The proximity sensor is structured to sense a target to actuate the test circuit when the target is disposed proximate the first side of the panel and opposite the proximity sensor.

Abstract: A system is for an aircraft including a plurality of rows of seats. The system includes a plurality of monitors, a plurality of arc fault circuit interrupters each of which includes three poles having a line terminal and a load terminal. Each of a plurality of electronic enclosures is capable of being energized from a corresponding one of the load terminals of a corresponding one of the poles of a corresponding one of the AFCIs. A panel holds the AFCIs. A single-phase power source powers the line terminals of the poles of the AFCIs. Each of the poles corresponds to one row of the aircraft. Each of the electronic enclosures corresponds to one of a plurality of zones. Three of the rows are disposed in each of the zones. One of the AFCIs is associated with a corresponding one of the zones.

Abstract: An aircraft circuit breaker includes a housing having an opening, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the contacts, and a trip mechanism structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the operating mechanism. The trip mechanism includes a first bimetal to trip open the operating mechanism responsive to a thermal fault, a second ambient compensation bimetal to compensate the first bimetal, and an arc fault trip circuit to trip open the operating mechanism responsive to an arc fault. An indicator includes an indicator portion and a leg disposed from the indicator portion. A spring biases the indicator portion. The second bimetal holds the leg of the indicator, thereby holding the indicator against the spring bias. The second bimetal releases the leg of the indicator responsive to the arc fault trip circuit and the arc fault, thereby releasing the indicator to the spring bias.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc fault trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The arc fault trip mechanism includes an arc fault test circuit adapted to simulate an arc fault trip condition to trip open the separable contacts. A proximity sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, is adapted to sense a magnetic target to actuate the arc fault test circuit.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus, such as an aircraft circuit breaker or an aerospace circuit breaker, is for a corresponding aircraft or aerospace panel including a first aperture and a second aperture. The circuit breaker includes a status, such as a health status or trip status, a housing adapted to be coupled to the panel, separable contacts and an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes an operating handle adapted to pass through the first panel aperture and a light indicator adapted to be disposed through the second panel aperture to indicate the status of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a peak detector determining a peak amplitude of a current pulse of the current flowing in a power circuit. A microprocessor determines whether the peak amplitude of the current pulse is greater than a predetermined magnitude. A plurality of routines including a time discounted accumulation algorithm, a short delay algorithm and a series time discounted accumulation algorithm, employ the peak amplitude to determine whether an arc fault condition exists in the power circuit.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having first and second axles is provided that includes a coupling apparatus adapted to distribute torque between the first and second axles and a traction controller for controlling operation of the differential apparatus from vehicle launch up to a predetermined vehicle speed. The traction controller is configured to engage the coupling apparatus in a first operating state according to at least one vehicle operating parameter indicative of a low traction operating condition and to further control engagement of the coupling apparatus in a second vehicle operating state during the low traction operating condition according to a difference between an actual vehicle yaw rate and a predetermined target vehicle yaw rate.

Abstract: A valve control system for an engine having a camshaft with first and second cam profiles, the valve control system comprising a rocker arm assembly including a first rocker arm having a first cam follower in engagement with the first cam profile, and a second rocker arm having a second cam follower in engagement with the second cam profile. The first rocker arm includes a latch member biased toward a latched condition by a fluid pressure in a chamber, and the first rocker arm defines a fluid passage having a first end in open fluid communication with the pressure source, and a second end in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber. An alignment feature cooperates with the latch member to ensure proper alignment with a latch surface.

Abstract: A coupling device (11;111) including a rotatable housing (13,15;113) defining a clutch cavity and a clutch assembly (29;129) disposed therein. The housing defines an apply chamber (37;137) and a clutch apply member (39) disposed therein to bias the clutch assembly into engagement. A source of pressurized fluid for the clutch apply member comprises a pumping element (59,61;159,161) operable to pump pressurized fluid in response to rotation of a rotor (61;161). There is a stationary plenum assembly (51;153) defining a pumping chamber, and the pumping element is operably disposed within the pumping chamber, and a drive means (63;163) is operable to transmit rotational movement of the rotatable housing (13,15;113) to said rotor (61;161) of the pumping element, such that clutch engagement is not dependent upon coupling input-to-output speed differential.

Abstract: A differential gear mechanism, of either the locking Cr limited slip type, including a gear case rotatably disposed within an outer housing and a mechanism to limit rotation of side gears relative to the gear case; this rotation limiting mechanism including a member which is axially moveable between a first position and a second position. The mechanism includes a sensor assembly and a sensor element disposed adjacent the gear case. The axially moveable member includes a sensed portion surrounding an annular surface of the gear case, and disposed between the annular surface and the sensor element, in one embodiment. Movement of the sensed portion corresponding to changes within the mechanism between unlocked and locked conditions results in the sensor assembly transmitting an electrical output. The vehicle control logic can know the condition of the differential mechanism and control certain other parts or functions of the vehicle accordingly.

Abstract: A locking differential having a collar member (35) fixed to rotate with the gear case (11), but free to move axially, and cooperating with a first sidegear (19) to define interdigitated lock members (41,43) operable, when the collar member is locked (FIG. 1), to prevent rotation of the first sidegear relative to the gear case (11). A spring (61) is disposed between the collar member and the gear case, to bias the collar member toward unlocked (FIG. 3). A plurality of actuation members (47) is provided, each having a first end (49) in engagement with the collar member, and a second end (51) in engagement with a ramp plate (53). When the actuating means is in the actuated condition, the ramp plate rotates relative to the gear case, and the actuation members ramp-up on the ramp plate and move the collar member from unlocked to locked.

Abstract: A coupling device (11) including a housing (13, 15) defining a clutch cavity (39) and at least one window (55, 57) extending through the housing adjacent the clutch cavity. A clutch assembly (29) is disposed within the clutch cavity and includes a first clutch disc (31) having ears (63) to limit rotation relative to the housing. The housing defines a plurality of fluid passages (67) extending axially from the window to the clutch cavity, the housing defining a plurality of axial recesses (61), each of which receives one of the ears of each disc. Each of the fluid passages (67) is in fluid communication with one of the axial recesses (61), and receives fluid as the window passes through a reservoir of fluid (F).

Abstract: A deactivating valve control system for an internal combustion engine and, for each deactivating intake poppet valve (19D), there is provided a deactivating lash compensation device (37). Each of the devices (37) includes a latch member (83) biased toward an unlatched condition (FIG. 3) by a spring member 69, including a vertically-extending spring portion (73). In one embodiment (FIG. 1), the deactivation system includes an actuation rod (49) which is rotated to overcome the biasing force of the spring members (69) and move the latch members (83) into latching engagement (FIG. 5). In another embodiment (FIG. 7), an actuation wire (105) is reciprocated linearly to pivot a lever member (99) associated with each deactivating device (37), again to overcome the spring (69) and move the latch member (83) into latching engagement.

Abstract: A coupling device (11) and method of assembly, the device being of the type including a plenum member (17) disposed at one axial end of the coupling housing (13,15), the method comprising configuring the plenum member (17) such that each of the required features (55,57,61,66) is disposed circumferentially between an adjacent pair of fastener holes (18H). Next, the input ring gear (R) is installed about the housing (13,15) of the coupling device (11), from an axial end opposite said plenum member (17), into assembly position adjacent said flange portion (18). Each of a plurality (N) of fasteners (89) is inserted through one of the fastener holes (18H) and into initial threaded engagement with the input ring gear (R). Finally, by means of a fastener driver, all of the plurality (N) of fasteners (89) are driven into full threaded engagement, substantially simultaneously, with the input ring gear (R).

Abstract: A rocker arm (25) adapted to engage a pair of cam lobes (15,17), the rocker arm having first (31) and second (33) sidewall portions, and being formed from a flat sheet metal blank (25B) having a nominal thickness (T). The sidewall portions (31,33) define fold regions (51,53) whereby, after each is folded over upon itself, and the rocker arm is formed to have the sidewall portions generally parallel to each other, the fold regions provide first (41) and second (43) cam contact surfaces, each having a width (W) substantially greater than the nominal thickness of the blank.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (11) for an internal combustion engine, and an improved method of assembly of such a lash adjuster. The lash adjuster (11) is of the type having a body (13), a plunger (15), and a check valve assembly (17). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the check valve assembly comprises a cartridge (17A;17B) comprising a member (27;41) separate from the plunger (15) and defining a valve seat (27S;41S). The check valve cartridge is capable of being assembled and tested for compliance with a predetermined relationship of flow versus pressure differential, prior to assembly into the plunger (15). In accordance with the improved method of assembly, a plurality of different bodies (13A;13B) and plungers (15A;15B;15C;15D) is provided, as well as a plurality of different, interchangeable check valve cartridges (17A;17B), and the assembly operator selects a body, a plunger, and a cartridge to provide an assembled lash adjuster having the predetermined, desired operating parameters.