Abstract: A thin film strain gage transducer includes temperature compensation resistances on an unstrained portion of the flexure element of the transducer. The compensation resistances are formed of the same material as the electrical leads interconnecting the strain gage resistances and also are deposited simultaneously with the electrical leads during manufacture.

Abstract: A blocking attachment to limit movement of a circuit breaker operating handle consists of a single member constructed of material having the resilient properties of sheet steel. Outwardly extending tabs at opposite ends of the attachment are inwardly movable for mounting and dismounting the attachment with respect to a circuit breaker housing. An inverter L-shaped section of the attachment defines a freeway wherein the circuit breaker handle is movable from On to Trip positions and is readily viewable to determine when automatic tripping has taken place. Handle movement is limited to the freeway so that the circuit breaker may not be opened manually while the blocking attachment is operatively mounted to the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A relatively high current capacity molded case circuit breaker having arcing and main contacts and an arc chute to receive and extinguish arcs drawn between the arcing contacts is provided with a trifurcated magnetic arc runner extending from the stationary arcing contact well into the arc chute. The outer sections or legs of the arc runner extend generally parallel to the forward surface of the terminal strap on which the stationary contacts are mounted, and the center leg of the arc runner is curved forward so that the free end of the center leg extends forward of a substantial number of plates in the arc chute. The center leg is shaped so that during opening of the circuit breaker the movable arcing contact moves in close proximity to the center leg and in so doing encourages arcs which may form between the main contacts to extinguish rapidly.

Abstract: A narrow molded case circuit breaker is constructed with a planar cradle having an edge portion to achieve relatching and another edge portion to achieve kicking of the contact arm for weld breaking. A single bonding operation is utilized to connect the movable contact directly to a flexible conductor and at the same time simultaneously secures the movable contact and conductor to the movable contact arm. Since the movable contact is bonded directly to the flexible conductor, the movable contact arm may be constructed of steel or other relatively poor electrical conducting material.

Abstract: A manual motor starter having a current responsive automatic trip means is provided with an undervoltage trip device. The latter includes a solenoid having a plunger biased to operate a lever into tripping engagement with the automatic trip means when the solenoid plunger is magnetically released. While the biasing means is strong enough so that the kinetic energy of the plunger when released from its magnetically held-in position is sufficient to trip the starter, the biasing means is not strong enough to prevent resetting of the trip means after restoration of operating voltage.

Abstract: A molded elongated arcuate shield is snap-fitted to a circuit breaker operating handle to achieve a lost motion connection thereto. The operating handle projects through an elongated wall opening in the circuit breaker housing and is movable longitudinally thereof. The shield is disposed between an arcuate interior surface of housing and an arcuate surface of an apron formed integrally with the handle. While the apron above is too short to close the wall opening for all positions of the handle, the apron in cooperation with the shield fully closes the wall opening for all positions of the handle. Latch tabs formed integrally with the shield engage a blocking formation internally of the housing to hold the shield stationary while the handle moves from its On to Trip position. In the former position ON indicia carried by the apron is viewable through an aperture in the shield through which the handle extends, and when the handle is in its Trip position the latched shield blocks the ON indicia from view.

Abstract: A multi-pole molded case circuit breaker is provided with an interlock, including a forwardly biased actuator, that automatically operates a common trip bar to trip position when the front cover of the molded case is open. With the cover closed, the actuator Zis accessible for pivoting in a first direction to operate the trip bar to trip position. A single coil spring wound around the actuator is compression loaded to bias the actuator forward and is torsionally loaded to bias the actuator opposed to said first direction.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to handle locking attachments for circuit breakers and more particularly relates to handle locking attachments of the kind which receive padlocks.

Abstract: A unitized combination starter is constructed with circuit breaker and contactor sections, each of which is provided with a pair of spaced stationary contacts and a cooperating movable bridging contact. The bridging contacts are closely spaced, are parallel and carry currents which flow in opposite directions. Under severe fault conditions a strong blowoff effect is created to force both bridging contacts in their respective contact opening directions. This quickly places four air gaps in the current path to severely limit current rise and thereby facilitate circuit interruption.

Abstract: A trip-free contact operating mechanism is provided with a latching system for maintaining a releasable cradle in its reset position. The latching system includes a lever mounted on a fixed pivot and having one end latchable by a cam member movable by a fault current responsive automatic trip means. A latch pin mounted in slots at the other end of the lever is engageable with the cradle for maintaining the latter in reset position. The latch pin is movable mounted on the lever in a manner such that the former may rotate about its axis, it may move lengthwise of the mounting slots, and the pin may pivot about an axis perpendicular to the pin axis and in the vicinity of one end of the pin.

Abstract: Both undervoltage and shunt trip auxiliary feature modules, adapted to be mounted side-by-side with one or more circuit breaker modules include an electromagnetic trip device having a trip actuator which is biased toward tripping position and is normally latched in a reset position. A lost motion connection interconnects the actuator with a trip member which is in direct driving engagement with the releasable latch for the automatic trip means of the circuit breaker so that when the actuator is released, movement thereof is transmitted through the trip member to the circuit breaker latch for tripping of the latter. Each auxiliary feature module also includes a reset member which acts to automatically reset the actuator after each tripping operation thereof. The reset member is in direct driving engagement with the cradle of the circuit breaker contact operating mechanism so that movement of the cradle towards its tripped position will operate the reset member in a direction to reset the actuator.

Abstract: A multipole circuit breaker having a single contact operating mechanism for all poles and a fault current sensing means for automatic tripping of the breaker is provided with alarm switch means to indicate when opening of the circuit breaker has been caused by a fault condition. The operating mechanism includes a metal frame to which a latchable cradle is pivotally mounted. The frame includes parallel guide slots through which a formed pin actuator extends to be moved by the cradle as it operates between its latched and released (tripped) positions. A spring connected between the mechanism frame and the pin actuator biases the latter toward the cradle. An insulating extension element is adjustably mounted on the actuator to transmit motion of the latter to operate a switch in an alarm circuit, in accordance with cradle position.

Abstract: A narrow molded case circuit breaker having a trip-free overcenter toggle contact operating mechanism wherein the contact operating spring is connected between the movable contact arm and releasable cradle, and the contact arm is pivotally connected to the manual operating member, is constructed in such a manner that prior to closing of the housing by its cover part, the movable contact arm is cocked with respect to the cradle. That is, when the circuit breaker is assembled, the movable contact arm and cradle are mounted for movement is generally parallel planes. However, before the housing cover is assembled to the housing base, the main spring moves the movable contact arm so that the plane thereof is at an angle with respect to the plane of the cradle. In order to limit this tilting or cocking, the cradle is provided with a blocking formation which is engaged by the movable contact arm so that cocking of the movable contact arm is limited to an acceptable degree.

Abstract: A manually operable circuit breaker is provided with a spring powered trip-free contact operating mechanism. A fault current responsive thermal-magnetic automatic trip means is included as in an auxiliary means for operation of the circuit breaker from a remote location. Both the auxiliary means and the operating mechanism operate to open and close the same set of contacts.

Abstract: A gauge movement includes a tapered plastic output shaft having a member disposed symetrically thereabout. The member has first and second ends and a conical inner surface disposed about and adapted to receive the tapered plastic output shaft. The conical inner surface extends substantially from the first end to the second end and defines a conical bore through the member. The bore has a first inside diameter at the first end and a second inside diameter, smaller than the first inside diameter, at the second end. The member is further provided with a stepped outer surface having a first outside diameter at the first end and a second outside diameter, larger than the first outside diameter, at the second end. The member further includes at least one slot for deforming the tapered plastic output shaft when the member is forced into engagement with the shaft, to thereby prevent relative rotational movement between the member and the shaft.

Abstract: An in-line blender is provided for mixing a single fluid or blending it with at least one other substance. The blender includes a conduit having a hollow interior disposed about a central axis and a shaft extending longitudinally through the conduit along the central axis. The blender also includes a plurality of stationary mixing stages extending in series along the central axis with each of the mixing stages defining a plurality of spiral channels within the hollow interior of the conduit. Each of the mixing stages includes a plurality of distinct segments extending in series along the central axis. The blender further includes means for adjusting both the angular and the axial position of each of the segments with respect to adjacent segments along the shaft.

Abstract: A storage binder for audiovisual material comprises a first and second cover member each having an inner and outer surface. A spine member joins the first and second cover members. A first mounting bracket is affixed to the inner surface of the first cover member for securing a slide tray thereto. A second mounting bracket is affixed to the inner surface of the second cover member for securing an audio cassette thereto.

Abstract: An in-line blender is provided for mixing a single fluid or blending it with at least one other substance. The blender includes a conduit having a hollow interior disposed about a central axis and a shaft extending longitudinally through the conduit along the central axis. The blender also includes a plurality of stationary mixing stages extending in series along the central axis with each of the mixing stages defining a plurality of spiral channels within the hollow interior of the conduit. Each of the mixing stages includes a plurality of distinct segments extending in series along the central axis. The blender further includes means for adjusting both the angular and the axial position of each of the segments with respect to adjacent segments along the shaft.

Abstract: A device is provided having means for defining a fluid passage which include an inlet section, a throat section, and an outlet section. The fluid passage decreases in size in the inlet section and increases in size in the outlet section. A plurality of flexible members extend axially along the entire length of the fluid passage and extend radially outwardly from the means defining the fluid passage. Means are provided for adjusting the radial position of the flexible members to vary the size of the fluid passage.

Abstract: A control circuit for a stepping motor is provided which rotates the motor armature in such a manner as to minimize motor resonance while not appreciably reducing the motor torque at high speeds. The circuit includes means for receiving an input signal indicative of the desired direction and rate of motor travel and means responsive to the input signal for developing a position command signal which is a multi-step function having a maximum and a minimum level and wherein all steps are of equal amplitude but wherein at least one step between said maximum and minimum levels has a duration which is unequal to that of another step. Finally, the circuit includes means responsive to the position command signal for developing an energization signal for the stepping motor.