Abstract: A switched reluctance motor includes a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis, and having a plurality of rotor poles, and a stator surrounding the rotor and including first, second and third stator phases. The motor also includes energizing means for sequentially energizing the stator phases with an energy source to cause rotation of the rotor, based on rotor position information, the energizing means causing one phase to be energized and then deenergized to near a zero current level prior to a point where the rotor pole breaks away from the stator pole. The energizing means further includes limited current turn on means connected to switch operating means for operating a switch on the one phase to permit flow of limited current through the one phase after it reaches a near zero current level but before the break away point.

Abstract: A method for forming a structural member, the method comprising the steps of placing a first sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in a press, placing a second sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in the press, the second member only partially overlapping the first member, the first member only partially overlapping the second member, and the direction of the length dimension of the second member being angled relative to the direction of the length dimension of the first member, and closing the press to shape the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a filament reinforced plastic pipe including an integral bell, the method comprising the steps of winding a filament bundle, in a plurality of layers, around a mandrel having a cylindrical outer surface to form a pipe including a bell portion having a cylindrical inner surface, and machining the inner surface so that the inner surface is tapered.

Abstract: A water heater comprising a tank including an outer surface, and including an inner surface defining a water chamber, an electrical component extending outwardly of the outer surface of the tank, an outer jacket surrounding the tank and having therein an opening affording access to the electrical component, a door which is mounted on the outer jacket and which covers the opening, a dam which is located within the opening and surrounds the electrical component, which extends between the tank and the outer jacket, and which includes a portion extending between the door and the outer jacket, and insulating material located between the tank and the outer jacket and outside of the dam.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor includes a housing assembly that may be adapted for one, two, three or four poles. An armature is affixed to a contact carrier either by a flat leaf spring that passes through a slot in a laminated armature or by a press fit of a solid armature into the contact carrier. In one embodiment of the invention, a housing assembly snaps into a base to permit a maximum amount of automatic asssembly and a minimum number of components. These components include a base, a magnet assembly having at least one shading coil, a formed coil assembly, two symmetrically disposed springs to return a contact carrier to a neutral position when the coil is de-energized, an armature to complete the magnetic circuit that is attached to the contact carrier, a contact block that supports terminals and stationary contacts, and a contact carrier that carries one or more moving contacts into engagement with the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A junction box apparatus for an electrical raceway system to be placed in a floor includes a base and a removable access unit. A removable tunnel insert is provided which can be inserted down through the access unit after the access unit is mounted upon the base. The tunnel insert defines a plurality of passages through the junction box. A removable extension collar is also provided which is adapted to be sandwiched between the base and the access unit for determining a nominal height of the junction box apparatus. Also, removable duct separators having spring metal clips with serrated edges are provided which are adapted to be connected to the base for separating a plurality of ducts received in the duct openings. By a combination of the removable tunnel insert, the removable extension collar, and the removable duct separators, a basic base and access unit assembly can be readily modified to be compatible with a plurality of duct combinations and arrangements and a plurality of floor thicknesses.

Abstract: A plug-in apparatus for use with an electrical busway containing a plurality of bus bars includes an enclosure with an electrical accessory disposed therein. A plurality of plug-in jaws are connected to the electrical accessory and extend through a rear wall of the enclosure for engaging the bus bars. An operating handle is mounted outside of the enclosure. An interlock assembly includes an elongated interlock arm movably connected to the enclosure and extending in a generally horizontal direction across a plane of the rear wall of the enclosure. The interlock arm is movable relative to the enclosure between an unlocked position and a locked position. A safety link is operably associated with the operating handle and interlock assembly for preventing the operating handle and the interlock assembly from being simultaneously located in their "On" and unlocked positions, respectively.

Abstract: An electric current detector has a light source for generating light having substantially linear polarization and a predetermined polarization direction, a material substantially transparent to the light, the material having at least one characteristic direction, and the material exhibiting the Faraday effect in response to a magnetic field generated by the electric current. Also the light is launched into the material, and a predetermined angle established between the polarization direction and the characteristic direction, the predetermined angle chosen to permit separation of a rotation of the polarization of the light by the Faraday effect from polarization effects on the light by a birefringence of the material. A value of 22.5.degree. for the magnitude of the predetermined angle permits a separation of the rotation of the polarization due to the Faraday effect from polarization effects due to a birefringence of the material.

Abstract: A reduced voltage starter for gradually starting a polyphase motor having an acceleration control circuit for gradually applying power to the motor and detector circuits for detecting various fault conditions for terminating power to the motor. A shorted solid state switch detector senses when one of the semiconductor switches applying power to the motor is shorted to terminate the application of power from the remaining phases. A phase angle control circuit insures a uniform application of power to the motor. A phase rotation detection circuit detects when the three phases are in other than their correct sequence and terminates power in the event of such detection. An underload detection circuit senses when the current drops beneath a preselected reference after the motor has reached its full speed and terminates power in response to such detection. A line-to-line-to-line-to-neutral convertor produces signals representative of the line-to-neutral voltages which are necessary for other circuit functions.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive switch has means for producing linear motion in response to pressure, means for springably resisting the linear motion, means for operating a switch after a predetermined linear motion, and a lifter pin having a projection on a first end for slidably engaging a hole in the means for springably resisting the linear motion, the lifter pin being mounted between the means for producing linear motion and the means for springably resisting the linear motion so as to transmit force from the means for producing linear motion to the means for springably resisting the linear motion, the lifter pin decoupling rotational motion between the means for producing linear motion and the means for springably resisting the linear motion. A piston may serve as the means for producing linear motion in response to pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple optical switch capable of integration with common machine tool control devices such as push buttons, limit switches, and pressure responsive switches. The invention is an optical switch comprising a housing for mounting the optical switch, a drive rod capable of motion, and at least one mirror surface movable with the drive rod for reflecting light in a desired direction.

Abstract: A sensor-tripper apparatus for tripping the trip lever of a circuit interrupter in a power distribution circuit, the apparatus including a trip rod mounted in a tube and supported on a frame, a thermally responsive member having a predetermined curie temperature connected in the primary circuit, a magnet assembly mounted for axial movement on the tube and operatively connected to the trip rod, the magnet assembly being attracted to the thermally responsive member and holding a spring in compression whereby on release of the magnet assembly from the thermally responsive member the spring will move the magnet assembly and trip rod to trip the trip lever and a magnetic disk assembly operatively connected to the trip rod and being responsive to a high fault current in the primary circuit to move the trip rod independently of the magnet assembly to trip the trip lever.

Abstract: An arrester for use under oil in an electrical apparatus, the arrester comprising a first contact assembly, a plurality of valve blocks, a second contact assembly, and a conductive cement serially electrically connecting the first contact assembly, each of the plurality of valve blocks, and the second contact assembly. The arrester also includes a thin insulative inert to oil coating completely covering the plurality of valve blocks, the coating and the cement permitting electrical separation of the valve blocks in the event of electrical destruction of the valve blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a mixture to produce a product such as cottage cheese. The apparatus comprises a vat for holding the mixture, a paddle for stirring the mixture, a cutting knife for cutting the product, a carriage for supporting the cutting knife and the paddle above the vat and a mechanism for moving the cutting knife and the paddle horizontally along the vat. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for mechanically retracting the paddle from the mixture so that the cutting knife can be extended into the product, a mechanism for connecting the cutting knife to the carriage and for extending the knife into the vat and for extracting the knife from the vat, and a mechanism for causing reciprocative movement at regular intervals of the cutting knife perpendicular to the path of travel of the carriage.