Abstract: A circuit breaker design and process for high speed assembly utilizes a unique secondary latch arrangement to reduce frictional forces and increase the breaker calibration test yield. The design allows for interchangability of the trip unit by first pre-assembling the arc chute cavity and operating mechanism. Arrangement of the primary and secondary latch pivots reduces the trip force for further increase in the calibration yield.

Abstract: A solid state current limiting circuit interrupter for the arcless interruption of current through a protected circuit includes a pair of mechanically switched contacts electrically connected in series between the power source and the protected load. A solid state switch becomes electrically connected in parallel across the contacts when the contacts are opened to transfer the current to the solid state switch in a first state of voltage drop lower than arc voltage, and then in a second state of voltage drop higher than power source voltage in which stored energy is dissipated and current is forced to drop to zero to interrupt the circuit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a termination between a fiber optic cable having a centrally positioned optical fiber and a plurality of surrounding reinforcement strands and an outer jacket and a component housing having a tubular extension. In the disclosed method of forming the termination, a portion of the outer jacket is removed to expose a predetermined length of the optical fiber and reinforcement strands. The exposed length of the optical fiber is then inserted through the tubular extension into the component housing and fixed in alignment with an electro-optic component. Thereafter, an adhesive layer is applied over the outer diameter surface of the tubular extension and the reinforcement strands are positioned about the tubular member on the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A combined trip actuator and accessory module for molded case circuit breakers is accessible in the field for user selected accessory options. The trip actuator includes a U-shaped stator with a permanent magnet at the end of one leg. A spring-loaded armature member extends across both legs to form a closed-loop magnetic circuit. The over-current trip coil and shunt trip coil are arranged on one leg with the undervoltage coil arranged on the other leg. The accessory module is accessible from the top surface of the breaker cover for field installation of the undervoltage and shunt trip coils to provide the corresponding undervoltage and shunt trip functions.

Abstract: An amalgam of mercury is placed at the anode end of a low-pressure mercury discharge lamp for D.C. operation to counteract mercury vapor depletion at the anode end of the lamp. The amalgam attracts mercury vapor to the anode end of the lamp when the lamp is turned off to maintain uniform mercury vapor distribution in the lamp.

Abstract: A bridging contact is arranged across two fixed contacts with a pair of parallel, closely spaced conductors serving as the bridging contact carrier. The conductors each form a pair of upper and lower links joined by means of a toggle pivot pin and are refrained from movement by means of a pair of tension springs. A high current pulse in opposite direction within the parallel conductors generates electromagnetic forces which propels the conductors apart. The bridging contact carried by the parallel conductors is thereby rapidly driven out of contact relation with the fixed contacts to interrupt the circuit.

Abstract: A molded plastic load center enclosure allows the circuit breakers contained therein to be compactly aligned on one side of the enclosure. The insulative properties of the plastic allows the circuit breaker branch straps to be mounted on the bottom and side walls of the enclosure. The end of the bottom-mounted branch strap is formed for direct connection with the line terminals. The end of the side-mounted branch strap is apertured for convenient connection with the load terminals.

Abstract: A control arrangement to prevent or delay the closing of current limiting circuit breaker contacts after opening by repulsion due to a short circuit is disclosed. A first contact arm and a second contact arm are operatively associated with a ratchet or pawl for locking the second contact arm. A release lever operatable by the first contact arm and the breaker operating mechanism releases the ratchet after a delay period greater than the duration of the short circuit or the operating time of the breaker operating mechanism.

Abstract: Increased optical transmission is provided for a body of optically transparent polycrystalline alumina by coating at least one major surface of said alumina body with a solid glaze coating and subsequently melting said coating at elevated temperatures to dissolve the surface alumina grains in physical content therewith to provide a smoother surface when the coating residue has been removed. More particularly, a solid glaze coating is first deposited on said major surface of the alumina body and the coated alumina body thereafter heated to sufficiently elevated temperatures for the glaze liquification whereupon surface alumina grains in physical contact therewith are dissolved in a manner which reduces the high spots on the individual surface alumina grains without materially introducing low spots at the grain boundaries and wherein the individual alumina surface grains have been preferentially etched in certain of the crystalline axis directions.

Abstract: This application describes a number of novel advanced piezoelectric ceramic power switching devices which are mounted within protective gastight enclosures that are either evacuated to a high degree of vacuum or filled with an inert gas protective atmosphere. The devices thus constructed are capable of operating over a range of load voltages extending from about 100 volts to 5000 volts or more with corresponding currents of from a few amperes to hundreds of amperes and wherein it is possible to provide a number of such structures in a single common protective gastight enclosure. For certain circuit applications the devices thus constructed have unpoled portions on which are mounted either passive circuit components such as resistors, capacitors and the like or active semiconductor devices all interconnected in circuit relationship with each other and the switching devices by using printed circuit or integrated circuit fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A commutating circuit in combination with a snubber circuit are employed to switch a thyristor from a conducting state to a non-conducting state. The snubber circuit is connected across the cathode and anode of the thyristor to absorb system energy when the thyristor is switched. The commutating circuit is coupled in series with the cathode of the thyristor by means of a current transformer for increasing the cathode resistance, causing the cathode current to immediately transfer to the gate.

Abstract: A three piece molded plastic enclosure for electric service entry apparatus such as meters, fuses, circuit breakers and switches. The enclosure provides protection against adverse environmental conditions while providing visual access to the components contained therein. The enclosure is tamperproof by virtue of a hinge arrangement formed between a stationary cover and a movable door. Once the door is assembled to the cover, the door cannot be easily removed without a separate tool.

Abstract: A process of forming sub-micrometer metallization structures on a substrate is provided. A layer of a photoresist on the structure is pattern irradiated with a reduced dosage of actinic radiation so that, upon development, recesses are formed therein which extend only partially through the photoresist layer. A first layer of metallization is deposited onto the structure at an oblique angle such that it does not completely coat the photoresist in the recesses. The structure is then flood irradiated with actinic light and developed to form openings to the substrate where the photoresist layer is not covered in the recesses. A second layer of metallization is then deposited at normal incidence. The second metallization breaks off and deposits isolated structures on the substrate through the openings. The photoresist layer and overlying layers of metallization are then removed by conventional lift-off technique.

Abstract: An electrical contact for vacuum interrupters of a pressed and sintered composition of copper (60-80 wt %), ferrovanadium alloy (40-100 wt % of the balance) with at least 80 wt % of any remainder consisting of a refractory metal of the group of chromium, vanadium and their compounds. The ferrovanadium alloy comprises 55-85 wt % of vanadium.

Abstract: An improved mounting structure for spatially disposing from its long axial conductive member, a filament within the outer envelope of an incandescent lamp is disclosed. The mounting structure offsets the filament from the centerline of the lamp and from its conductive members so as to substantially reduce the typically experienced arcing condition between the conductive members of the mounting structure and the filament.

Abstract: An improved method of forming layers of silicon dioxide on a substrate whereby high quality films are prepared at ambient temperature. The films are formed by electron beam evaporation in the presence of oxygen containing water vapor.

Abstract: A modular ground fault circuit breaker is provided by the arrangement of a ground fault module and signal processor module operatively connected with a circuit breaker module. EAch of the modular components are individually tested and calibrated prior to assembly. The circuit breaker module consists of an automated residential circuit breaker modified to receive the ground fault and signal processor modules.

Abstract: A plurality of monocrystalline silicon seeds is disposed on an insulator layer which is disposed on a substantially flat major surface of a silicon wafer. A first monocrystalline silicon deposit of first conductivity type is formed on a first silicon seed and a second monocrystalline silicon deposit, of similar configuration, is formed on a second silicon seed. The first and second deposits are then covered with insulator layers and a third monocrystalline deposit is formed on a third silicon seed. The third deposit has a top surface height substantially equal to or less than that of the top surfaces of the first and second deposits. An insulator layer is then formed on the top surface of the third deposit and first and second monocrystalline islands are formed on this insulator layer. Complementary bipolar transistors are formed in the first and second monocrystalline silicon deposits and PMOS and NMOS transistors are formed in the first and second islands on the third insulator layer.

Abstract: An electronic overcurrent circuit interrupter utilizes a digital processor for performing RMS sampling of circuit current for comparison to stored long time and short time current values and time delays before tripping the breaker. A magnetic core current transformer is employed for providing an output current signal to the digital processor. Upon detecting core saturation, which occurs at high currents, an analog detection circuit interrupts the RMS sampling and causes the digital processor to time out the shortest pre-selected time delay before tripping the breaker.

Abstract: An integrated circuit breaker lighting panelboard and wiring gutter assembly allows the circuit breakers and the power system wiring cables to be housed within a common enclosure. A pair of keyed trim plates can be optionally mounted on either side of the lighting panelboard access door to provide a large wiring cable gutter on one side of the enclosure. Alternatively, one of the keyed trim plates can be mounted on each side of the lighting panelboard access door for a smaller wiring cable gutter on each side.