Abstract: A cartridge fuse including a tubular insulating body, integrally formed ferrule terminals secured over the respective ends of the insulating body, and a fusible strip extending within the insulating body electrically interconnecting the ferrule terminals.

Abstract: A compact load break switch having at least one vacuum interrupter connected between two terminals carried by respective insulating bushings through a current exchange assembly. The vacuum interrupter is disposed within one of the insulating bushings, and a current exchange insulating housing having portions which extend telescopically into both insulating bushings, provides adequate creepage distance through air from the vacuum interrupter and the current exchange assembly to a grounded housing for the load break switch. Also, a current transformer is disposed about the insulating housing to provide remote indication of the flow of fault current through the current exchange assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum fuse (10) including a pair of arcing electrodes in the form of parallel, confronting, spaced apart disks (13, 14) supported on the inner ends of aligned contact rods (11, 12). The confronting surfaces of the electrodes define an arc gap (18) and are provided with a plurality of arcuate slots (54). A fusible element (19) projects from bores (23, 24) which are recessed relative to the confronting disk surfaces to bridge the arc gap and it and the arcing electrodes (13, 14) are electrically connected to the contact rods (11, 12). The fusible element (19) is flattened at the mid-point of the arc gap and a hole (22) is drilled in the flattened section. The outer housing (1) of the fuse (10) includes a metallic housing member (7) and ceramic end plates (4, 6). Use of a metallic housing (7) eliminates the need for a separate, axial, metallic shield to prevent deposition of vaporized metallic particles during current interruption.

Abstract: A cartridge fuse holder having a stationary electrical contact adapted to engage one of the end terminals of a cartridge fuse and a movable electrical contact adapted to engage the other end terminal of the fuse. The moveable contact includes a T-shaped electrical contact formed from an integral sheetmetal blank which is reciprocably mounted within the fuse holder in a fashion biasing it against its respective fuse terminal.

Abstract: A microprocessor based recloser control including a independent memory is disclosed. The independent memory is alterable by processor means and by input and output means independent of the processor means. The independent memory is non-volatile and requires little energy to alter its contents. Events which would otherwise be ignored when the processor means is disabled, because of an insufficiency of power for reliable operation, are recordable in the independent memory.

Abstract: A time delay fuse (10) includes a tubular housing (12) of insulative material with first and second open ends (14, 16). First and second metallic or electrically conductive ferrules (18, 20) are mounted on the first and second ends, respectively, of the tubular housing. A core (24) is positioned within the tubular housing (12) and affixed to the ferrules (18, 20) by electrically conductive material (26) such as solder. At least one short inner wire (28) extends along the core and is electrically and mechanically connected to the solder (26). A second wire (34) longer than the first wire (28) is spirally wound around the core (24) and the first inner wire (28). The second wire (34) includes first and second ends (36, 38) mechanically and electrically connected to the conductive material (26) such that the first and second wires are electrically parallel.

Abstract: A series pass battery charger is disclosed which comprises at least two input voltage sources, a series pass element and a power dissipation control circuit which is operatively connected to the series pass element. The power dissipation control circuit senses the voltage difference between the input voltages sources and the DC output voltage of the battery charger and controls the voltage applied to the series pass element. During periods of excessive power dissipation, the control circuit decreases the amount of the input voltage applied to the series pass element thereby greatly reducing the power dissipated.

Abstract: A fuse holder for an indicating fuse has a generally U-shaped body with a pair of spaced flexible electrically conductive side walls extending from a base and forming a cavity therebetween for receiving a fuse. An electrically conductive finger projects from each of the side walls into the cavity at an acute angle. Upon insertion of a fuse, between the free ends of the side walls opposite the base and into the cavity, the fingers are pivoted towards the respective side walls, and the side walls are deformed with the free ends thereof being rotated towards the fuse, such that electrical contact is made with the fuse at four different locations, by the two fingers and the ends of the two side walls.

Abstract: A measuring circuit for obtaining a mean square value of a power distribution line paramter and a process for obtaining a mean square value is disclosed. The measuring circuit and process exploit my discovery that an accurate measurement of the mean square may be closely approximated by sampling the power parameter an odd number of times greater than one during the power parameter cycle. When the power parameter is sampled an odd number of times (N) during its cycle aliasing errors due to the existence of odd harmonics above the Nyquist Frequency are minimized. As a result, the means of the most recent N sample values squared is very nearly equal to the true mean square value which would be produced by a continuous integration of the square of the power parameter during its period divided by the period. By sampling at a relatively low frequency, errors and circuit complexity are reduced, and the speed with which an acceptable mean square value is obtained is increased.

Abstract: A power factor correction capacitor is disclosed which includes: one generally flat elongated extended foil pack formed by wrapping a sheet of film, a wider sheet of foil, another but similar sheet of film and another but similar sheet of foil; a second generally flat elongated extended foil pack generally similar to the first pack; and at least one clip which mechanically connects one of the extended sheets of foil in the first pack with one of the extended sheets of foil in the second pack by physically piercing the extended edges of the adjacent foil ends.

Abstract: A current measuring apparatus utilizes a known fundamental frequency, e.g., 60 Hz, for measuring current and includes a sensing and measurement pulse generation circuit including a current transformer for developing a low power signal directly related to the line current in a powerline, and a diode bridge with a first Zener diode for sensing when the developed current related signal exceeds a first predetermined positive threshold value and a second Zener diode for sensing when the developed current related signal falls below a second predetermined negative threshold value. Across the bridge is an LED for generating a first measurement signal having a duration related to the time when the developed signal exceeds the positive threshold value and second measurement signal during the time when the current related signal falls below the negative threshold value.

Abstract: The method of the present invention encompasses comparing the instantaneous value of a waveform with at least two reference voltages, -R and +R, when crossing of these voltages occurs and processing this data in a data processor (46) to determine parameters of the waveform such as frequency and amplitude and of fundamental and DC offset.The apparatus of the present invention includes comparators (E.sub.1 and E.sub.2) which senses the voltage crossings and which has outputs (28 and 30) inputted to a latch (36) and to logic circuitry (32). A counter (50) supplies a count to the latch (36) and the output of the latch (36) is coupled to a microprocessor (46). The logic circuitry (32) has an output (34) coupled to the latch and to the microprocessor (46) first for causing, when a crossing occurs, the latch (36) to latch data identifying the particular crossing made and a count of the time it occurred and second to cause the microprocessor (46) to input this latched data and then to reset the logic circuitry.

Abstract: In a high voltage circuit interrupter switch or recloser a single multi-function control actuator is connected to a trip bar for tripping contact operating linkage to effect opening of one or more movable contacts. The control actuator includes a spring biased crank member and a toggle linkage operably associated to permit resetting of the control actuator to its initial position upon effecting movement of the contact operating linkage. The recloser has a switch for energizing a closing solenoid to reclose the interrupter contact. A movable catch is associated with switch operating linkage and is operably connected to the control actuator whereby the control actuator may effect energization of the solenoid to close the interrupter contacts. The control actuator is also connected to a lockout linkage for effecting lockout of the contact operating linkage upon receipt of a control signal when a predetermined number of circuit interruptions have been performed in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying foamed material to tobacco, particularly in connection with the making of cigarettes. The foamed material may be added to the tobacco, for example, in the paper guide section of a cigarette maker at the garniture mouth (21) or through the short tongue (30) or through both, or at the chimney (10). Addition of a foamed material to the tobacco, during the cigarette making process, results in a cigarette in which the material added is more uniformly distributed.

Abstract: A terminal adapter for a cartridge fuse accommodating the installation of the fuse in fuse holders of a different size and type while at time insuring the installation of the proper class of fuse in a particular application.

Abstract: A subminiature fuse is disclosed comprising two terminals, a substrate, a fusible conductor, and a unitary housing. The unitary housing is sealed and provides increased mechanical strength, thus reducing the risk of a catastrophic failure of the fuse. The upper portion of the fuse terminals are shaped into finger like projections adaptable to mechanically fastening the fusible conductor and the substrate thereto thus facilitating the manufacturing process. In one embodiment the fusible conductor and adjacent portions of the terminals and substrate are coated with a ceramic coating or adhesive. The housing is sealed by ultrasonic welding or preferably in an insert molded plastic enclosure which is substantially devoid of air.

Abstract: An earth anchor including a helically shaped blade including a non-linear leading edge, and in which the principle longitudinal axis of the shaft of the anchor is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis of the helical blade.

Abstract: A flipper is described for a fuse of the type having a generally cylindrical fuse tube, a fusible element within the tube and a fuse leader, the fuse leader having two ends with one of the ends connected to the fusible element disposed within the tube and with the other end of the leader adapted to be connected to a fixed terminal such as one of the two terminals of a power factor capacitor. In one embodiment, the flipper has two elongated arms disposed adjacent one another, a helical torsion spring at one end of each arm, an eyelet connecting together the other end of the arms and adapted to pass through the fuse leader, and a hook or similar connection carried by the springs to mount the flipper assembly to the associated terminal to which the free end of the fuse leader is joined. The flipper assists in the extraction of the leader from the fuse tube and provides positive restraint of the leader after the fuse has blown.

Abstract: An electrical contactor device has a molded insulating body base member with at least one boss having a bore extending from a contact element support surface. A stationary contact element having a generally planar plate portion and a projection extending from said plate portion adjacent, in a bent condition, to a terminal screw receiving boss is positioned on the boss of said base member and the terminal receiving screw is threaded into engagement with the contact element to assemble the contact element with the screw and to simultaneously bend the projection into a keyway formed in the bore to secure the contact element to the base member. A second projection adjacent the first projection is of substantially greater width than the first projection and is permanently bent into a position for engagement with a shelf extending from a portion of the base member adjacent to the bore to assist in securing the contact element to the base member.

Abstract: A rolling conductor support includes modular conductor carriers each having a U-shaped body and a removable retaining means. The conductor carriers are pivotably joined together by caps which delimit the range of rotation between successive conductor carriers.The removable retaining means may be easily released by the U-shaped body without adverse effect. Separators for locating conductors within a portion of the U-shaped body also provide support against compressive loading.