Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing noise in a radially ventilated rotor of a dynamoelectric machine are provided by slots formed in the pole regions of the rotor. Members formed of a selected magnetic material, having longitudinally extending ventilating ducts connected with a plurality of ventilating holes, are inserted within each slot and provided with the same flow of cooling fluid which is introduced into the slot contents of the radially ventilated rotor. Thereafter, the flow of fluid through both the slot contents and the pole regions is equalized in order to prevent flow-induced noise.

Abstract: An improved spectral shift-producing rod in a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor has an elongated hollow tubular body with a pair of end plugs attached to its opposite ends to hermetically seal the rod. A burnable poison material is contained in the hollow body. The material generates a gas within the body as operation of the reactor proceeds. Also, the material is soluble in moderator water when brought into contact with the same. The rod has a weakened structural region which is subject to rupture at a given level of internal pressure. Preferably, the weakened region takes the form of a thinned disc-like portion formed in at least one of the end plugs. The water soluble material within the rod depresses power initially by absorbing neutrons. Absorption of neutrons causes generation of helium gas which increases internal pressure within the rod. When the internal pressure exceeds the rupture strength of the weakened region of the rod, the hermetic seal is broken and water enters the rod.

Abstract: This invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly to circuit breakers for industrial power circuits with 10,000 amp interrupting capacity and 240 V ratings. This invention provides a novel arc shield arrangement whereby two arc shields are placed in series alignment with a small air gap between the shield. The effect of this new arrangement increases the arc voltage and arc braking distance and yet the air gap is kept small enough to keep the arc within the shielding and away from other components where it can cause damage.

Abstract: An improved actuating mechanism is provided for a power switch that includes a "tripped" position intermediate an "on" position and "off" position. The mechanism includes an auxiliary switch and improved cam operating means for operating the switch.

Abstract: A fluid-blast circuit-interrupter of the puffer-type is provided having two connected piston structures, one designated herein as a primary piston structure, and the other termed a secondary piston structure, connected serially mechanically in tandem series arrangement to thereby compress a suitable arc-extinguishing fluid in two separate compression chambers. Valve action is utilized to delay the initiation of the second gas-blast from the second compression chamber toward the arc until the separable interrupting contacts have reached a desired predetermined contact separation distance. By suitably changing the component dimensions of the interrupter, the degree of gas compression, and the instant of gas-blast application of the second arc-extinguishing blast, may be changed without delaying the instant of initial contact separation.

Abstract: An improved switch operating mechanism comprises a rotary type lever for operating a toggle switch lever or slide switch lever with improved means for coupling the levers.

Abstract: An improved gas-type circuit-interrupter is provided having a pair of separable contacts, which establish an arc upon separation within a confined casing having a nozzle structure. The arrangement is such that during the initial portion of the opening operation of the interrupter, the established arc generates gas pressure, due to the hot arc energy developed in the arc, and this high-pressure gas is then stored within an adjacently-provided gas-storage region. At a later point in time in the opening operation, when, preferably, the current flow through the interrupter approaches its low instantaneous-current value, the aforesaid accumulated gas pressure, contained within said gas-storage region, returns in a gas flow to the arc, and effects the extinction thereof during such low instantaneous values of arcing current.

Abstract: An improved puffer-type, compressed-gas, circuit-interrupter is provided having an improved separable contact structure with resilient stationary contact fingers biased inwardly upon the movable tubular venting arcing contact, the latter moving with a movable operating cylinder over a relatively-fixed piston structure, and carrying an insulating nozzle therewith. The movable tubular venting arcing contact is disposed upstream of the movable nozzle structure, and does not impede the gas flow through the nozzle structure, as generated by the relative movement of the operating cylinder over the relatively-fixed piston structure.

Abstract: An improved puffer-type gas-blast circuit-interrupter is provided having a movable operating cylinder assembly movable over a relatively-fixed piston structure. A high compression ratio is obtained during the opening operation by minimizing the "dead" volume of arc-quenching gas within the movable operating cylinder, and an efficient gas-flow path through the movable cylinder assembly smoothly converges through the movable nozzle throat-area into the drawn arc. A high electrical withstand capability is accomplished by using a generous radius on the lower ends of external stationary main contact fingers, and by shrouding, or shielding the stationary contact probe within the surrounding shield of the stationary contact fingers. The circuit-interrupter of the present invention is adapted for various current ratings, such as 2,000 amperes, 3,000 amperes, or 4,000 amperes, for example, by varying the number of stationary main contact fingers used surrounding the movable operating gas-cylinder.

Abstract: An improved compressed-gas puffer-type circuit-interrupter is provided having improved supporting, shielding and assembly features for making ready provision for a separate bench subassembly of the gas-interrupter module, and enabling its ready application to a grounded metallic tank-type of circuit-interrupter, or, alternatively, to gas-insulated transmission-line equipment, as desired.Improved supporting features involve the utilization of a pair of upstanding side-insulating supporting shields, which substantially solely support the upper relatively-stationary contact and shielding assembly, apart from any support needed by the upper terminal-bushing, when used.

Abstract: An improved vapor-cooled terminal-bushing is provided for increased current-carrying capacity, such as 6,000 amperes, for example, in an oil-type circuit-breaker, being provided with a "dry" body portion, utilizing resinous materials, such as epoxy-resin formulations, for example.Preferably, the body portion of resinous materials, such as epoxy resin, for example, is composite, or of a two-piece construction, having an inner first epoxy-resin formulation having improved dielectric strength, and an outer-disposed externally-located "petticoat"-type insulating second body portion, having weather-sheds, the second weather-shed annular body portion being preferably cast directly onto the inner high-dielectric-strength first epoxy-body portion, and having some flexibility for adherence purposes.

Abstract: An improved puffer-type compressed-gas circuit-interrupter is provided having double-flow gas-flow conditions occurring in opposite directions within the arcing region, and providing thereby adaptability for high-current interrupting duty.Additional features moreover include a relatively-stationary tubular arcing contact for improved venting of the hot arcing gases, secondary circumferentially-disposed movable contact fingers making contacting engagement with said tubular stationary venting arcing contact improved main contact structure.

Abstract: A multi-pole high-power circuit-interrupter is provided having a single common operating mechanism therefor, and having independent pole tripping operation by associating with at least one of a plurality of the pole-units its independent ball latching means, which may be very quickly mechanically released upon a tripping operation associated with the respective one pole-unit to which said ball latching device is connected.Another important feature of the invention is the provision of a plurality of load-release latching balls, which may be quickly released from their latched position by a pneumatic releasing device, which is energized in response to electrical overload conditions existing in the respective pole-unit to provide thereby a tripping operation for the particular pole-unit, to which the ball-latching releaseable device is mechanically connected.

Abstract: An indicating sectional two-part fuse is provided having a high-current current-limiting section, and a low-current expulsion section, mechanically connected together, and in electrical series, the low-current section utilizing a standard-type fuse-link, which may be replaced. The high-current current-limiting section may contain one or more current-limiting type fuse elements, supported by an interrupter rod within an enclosed casing filled with an arc-extinguishing granular material, and the low-current expulsion section of the fusible device may comprise an open-ended fuse tube, through which the standard fuse-link may extend, with the cable of the fuse-link extending out of the open end of the fuse tube.

Abstract: A double-break puffer-type compressed-gas circuit-interrupter is provided having a common piston-and-cylinder arrangement for simultaneously forcing a blast of compressed gas through suitably-disposed jet apertures into a pair of serially-established arcs, the operating arrangement being such that there occurs simultaneous operation of the piston-and-cylinder arrangement, together with opening motion of the bridging cross-bar, electrically and mechanically interconnecting the two movable contacts.An ancillary feature of the invention involves the provision of suitable arc-horns, associated with each of the break structures, so that the inherent looping of the electrical circuit through the circuit-interrupter results in electromagnetic repulsion forces, to exert an outward electromagnetic force exerted upon each of the two serially-related arcs.

Abstract: A protection system to prevent the failure of a flywheel caused by an overspeed condition of a fluid pump. A positive displacement pump is coupled to, and driven by, the drive shaft of the fluid pump, and the positive displacement pump circulates a fluid into a discharge manifold. The fluid exits from the discharge manifold through an orifice, and returns to the positive displacement pump to be recirculated. Brake shoes are arrayed around the flywheel, and are connected to hydraulic cylinders, which in turn is connected by conduits to the discharge manifold. A pressure sensitive valve is installed in the conduit between the discharge manifold and the hydraulic cylinder. The pressure sensitive valve permits fluid to flow from the discharge manifold to the hydraulic cylinder whenever the pressure within the discharge manifold exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter characterized by a movable contact arm disposed between two spaced stationary contacts which arm is movable to the open position by electromagnetic forces generated by an overload current condition.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a separately excited field controlled direct current drive motor powered by a direct current power supply wherein field current is pulse-width modulated in response to operator control and the vehicle operating parameters. An armature current demand signal which is dependent on a throttle setting is compared with an actual armature current signal derived from an armature shunt and the difference is applied to a field current output amplifier which supplies current to the separately excited field to reduce the difference to zero. The armature current demand signal is responsive to the operator's control of the throttle in the electric vehicle. The drive motor of the electric vehicle can be operated in the driving mode for moving the electric vehicle or a regenerative mode for braking the electric vehicle and supplying energy to the power supply. The armature demand signal is also influenced by various operating conditions to improve operation of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter is described having improved electrodes. The electrodes are of the cup-shaped type with an insert electrode disposed within the cup-shaped contact closely spaced from the base portion of the cup. The insert electrode has spiral or radial and circumferential extending slots therein. The spirals or slots of the insert electrodes may extend in the same or opposed directions.

Abstract: A pipe coupler utilized for connecting two sections of pipe to prevent the escape of gas from within the pipe through the joint therebetween. An annular coupling member comprises two end sections and an intermediate section therebetween, with the two end sections having an inside diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of the pipe sections, while the inside diameter of the intermediate section is greater. The two pipe sections are disposed within the coupling member, with the joint positioned longitudinally within the intermediate section. The two pipe sections and the intermediate section form an annular space therebetween, and in this annular space is positioned an annular sealing gasket. The sealing gasket has an inside diameter substantially the same as the pipe outside diameter, and has a radially outwardly extension positioned therearound.