Abstract: An A.C. overload current sensing, remote power controller of minimum size and weight and integral construction. Current rate sensing wound toroids are used that are small enough to fit around the line terminal studs without having to enlarge the prior insulator space available therein. The electronic overload current detecting and tripping control circuit is replaced by a pair of modules, detector and control modules, having improved performance and a shape and size such that they fit within the relay housing alongside its operating magnet. The detector module has integrator means for converting current rate of change signals into current magnitude indicative signals thereby enabling use therewith of rate sensing wound toroids of about one-tenth the size of equivalent current transformer wound toroids.

Abstract: A reset lockout addition to an A.C. overload current sensing, remote power controller of minimum size and weight and integral construction. Current rate sensing wound toroids are used that are small enough to fit around the line terminal studs without having to enlarge prior insulator space available therein. The electronic overload current detecting and tripping control circuit, is replaced by a pair of modules, detector and control modules, having improved performance and a shape and size such that they fit within the relay housing alongside its operating magnet. The detector module has integrator means for converting current rate of change signals into magnitude indicative signals thereby enabling use therewith of rate sensing wound toroids of about one-tenth the size of equivalent current transformer wound toroids.

Abstract: An auxiliary add-on attachment is disclosed for use in combination with an existing rocker switch. The attachment includes a spring loaded latch mechanism which upon release drives the rocker button to an OFF position. The latch mechanism is released upon retraction of a solenoid plunger when the solenoid is energized by a trip signal which may, for example, be delivered from a timing circuit when a designated machine should be automatically turned off after a certain length of time, such as cathode ray tubes, computers, photocopy machines, etc. Depressing the rocker button back to its ON position loads and resets the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A formed pivot structure for a pivotally operable lever mounted in a bushing such as a toggle switch lever bushing. The pivot is provided by a suitable through-hole, opposite blind holes or circular groove in the enlarged portion of the lever into which thin portions of the bushing, either perforated or unperforated, are punched from opposite sides of the bushing. This provides a pair of aligned pivots affording free pivoting of the toggle lever in one plane while retaining it snugly from wobbling out of said plane.

Abstract: A solid state motor control or power control universal assembly means and method whereby common parts are used to provide two basic semiconductor power pole versions, namely, a two-terminal power pole having two semiconductors in reverse-parallel connection between the terminals and a three-terminal power pole having two semiconductors in series connections between two terminals and a third terminal therebetween. These two power pole versions are the requiste subassemblies that may then be connected in various combinations to provide the numerous different types of motor control and power control systems commonly used.

Abstract: A trigger speed control switch for use on portable tools having double-pole contacts with wiping action, larger contact opening gaps, screw-clamp terminals for connection of the power line conductors, a printed circuit board for mounting the speed control circuit, an adjustable trigger lock mechanism with detenting to hold it in adjusted position, and terminals for connecting a load device such as a motor as well as an external filter capacitor. A small version having all of these features is small enough for direct substitution for an on-off trigger switch as well as for universal portable tool application. A larger version having all of these features is adapted for substitution for present wired-components types of trigger speed control switches. In either case, modification of a given tool is not required to receive the double-pole trigger speed control switch.

Abstract: A programmable controller that is programmed to simulate a ladder diagram and accepts input signals to control output devices in accordance with the ladder diagram program and comprising, in addition to a main memory that stores the program, a logic processor and input/output circuits, of a special wire number memory and a control coil memory for receiving, storing and making available to the processor the result of every logic function representing the current on-off status of each wire node and each control coil and associated contacts. This controller affords the maintenance of a complete current record of the changing status of the contacts and their interconnecting circuit nodes. This makes possible a particularly simple unidirectional-logic programming mode because the programmer does not have to keep track of which logic operations must be temporarily stored.

Abstract: A preassembled self-contained fiber optic module is disclosed which may be inserted in standard switch enclosures to enable a remote electrical switching function to be performed by means of optical switching within the switch enclosure. A single module mounts facing ends of two fiber optic cables in spaced substantially colinear alignment and also forms a narrow elongated guiding channel perpendicular to the colinear axis of the cables and intersecting the gap therebetween for guiding an operator-driven opaque shutter which is movable into the gap to block the optical path between the facing ends of the cables. Transducer means are provided at the remote ends of the fiber optic cables to supply an electrical signal in response to optical transmission. A fiber optic limit switch and a fiber optic pushbutton switch are specifically disclosed.

Abstract: A ground fault interrupter for two and three wire, single phase load circuits employing a circuit breaker having an electro-responsive contact trip-open mechanism, a fault sensing differential transformer, an operational amplifier providing characteristic output pulses whose magnitude depends upon the non-presence or presence of a ground fault and whether the latter is resistive or reactive in kind, and an energizing circuit for the electro-responsive contact trip-open mechanism including a transistor which is normally held non-conducting in the absence of a ground fault and rendered conducting whenever a resistive ground fault occurs. A capacitor in circuit with the amplifier output and transistor base renders the transistor immune from amplifier pulses characteristic of reactive ground faults. Varistors are included between the load circuit wires to suppress transient voltage surges from falsely inducing nuisance ground fault interrupting action.

Abstract: A gate turn-off device is formed by the integration of a power transistor with a lateral thyristor. The thyristor has a split emission path from its emitter, part of the emitter current completing a regenerative loop to maintain conduction after removal of a gating signal, and the remainder of the emitter current supplying base drive to the power transistor to render the latter conductive. In the ON state of the device, most of the load current flows through the power transistor, with only a small holding current flowing through the thyristor. Because of the low level of holding current, the thyristor is easily turned off by a small negative gating signal, breaking the regenerative loop, thus terminating emitter current whereby there is no base drive for the power transistor and hence the device is OFF.

Abstract: Precision snap switches having improved forms of integral one piece contact support and wire terminal members that reduce electrical heating, enhance the current carrying ratings of such switches, and facilitate the use of larger size wire terminal securing screws.

Abstract: A protective control for the starter and electrical systems of a motor vehicle, including a main relay for controlling the electrical system, and a starter relay for controlling the starter system. Electronic logic is provided for the electrical system which: (1) prevents energization of the main relay if the battery polarity is reversed; (2) if the battery polarity is correct, turns on the main relay when a master switch is closed; and (3) maintains the main relay in an ON condition when an AC signal from the alternator is sensed even if the masterswitch is subsequently opened. The latter prevents disconnection of the battery from the electrical system while the engine is running.

Abstract: A double pole sliding contact trigger switch is disclosed having auxiliary butt contact means for affording sequential actuation of a pair of switches in a single housing. Upon depression of the trigger, a double pole switch is closed by sliding bridging contactors to energize a portable tool motor. Upon further depression of the trigger, a single pole switch is closed by a butting bridging contactor to energize a solenoid in the tool.

Abstract: A manual switch for portable electric tools having minimum parts and ease of assembly. The switch is of the trigger actuated type and includes a single-piece molded housing, single-piece stationary contact-terminals, single-piece movable contact-terminals, and a snap-in assembled trigger. The double-pole stationary and movable contact-terminals are placed in slots in the single-piece molded housing member, this molded member is folded to form a switch housing, the return spring is inserted into the groove in the trigger, the cam end of the trigger along with the spring is inserted into the housing, the housing is closed by the rivet, and the trigger is snap-in assembled fully into its hole in the housing to complete assembly of the switch. The switch is connected to a tool motor circuit by pressing electrical conductors into holes in the bottom of the housing. These connections can be released by inserting a release tool alongside the lead, or by depressing built-in release buttons in an alternate design.

Abstract: A portable programmer panel incorporating switches, logic circuits and data indicators for storing a wire number program of a ladder diagram in a memory. A memory board is plugged into the panel. Selected sets of switches corresponding to fields F1, F2 and F3 are repeatedly set on a decimal basis for three successive instruction words (data) to be multiplexed into memory locations, respectively indicative of the input wire number (F1), the contact number (F2), and the output wire number (F3) for a series contact or the last parallel contact; or the input wire number (F1) and the control coil or other output device number (F3) for an output function; or the input wire number (F1) and the contact number (F2) for a parallel contact other than the last. Simultaneously, a switch in the F2 field is set to program the normally-open (N.O.) or normally-closed (N.C.) nature of the contact.

Abstract: A trigger switch for portable tools such as circular saws, chain saws, and the like having a return-spring biased trigger that is actuated by the forefinger of the user to turn the tool on and upon release returns to and locks in off position under spring action. The trigger switch which may be of the inline or pivoted (overhanging) type is provided with a built-in spring biased lock that automatically locks the trigger whenever the trigger returns to its off position. A manual release button is arranged to be depressed by the thumb of the user to release the lock and allow reactuation of the trigger. The lock-off feature is characterized by a strong lock to prevent forcing and requiring only minimum modification of the conventional trigger switches.

Abstract: A rocker switch having a spring-biased lock lever within the contact actuator that extends out to catch beneath the rim of the hole in the frame to lock the rocker button in the "off" position. An insertable key, which may include the entire face of the rocker button, has a projecting cam effective when inserted to retract the lock lever to allow normal operation. Removal of the key prevents unlocking of the rocker switch for operation to "on" position. The lock lever has an angular end that allows actuation of the rocker button from "on" to "off" position even when the key is removed. This angular end cams on the frame to momentarily depress the lock lever and allow it to snap below the rim of the hole in the frame. This lock lever is then inaccessible except to the projecting cam of the key.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed comprising a temperature sensitive thyristor thermally coupled to a power switching thyristor and electrically connected in parallel with the gate of the latter. The temperature sensitive thyristor senses the temperature of the power switching thyristor and automatically responds thereto above a predetermined temperature by shunting the gate current to prevent overheating of the power switching thyristor. The device may additionally include a second temperature sensitive thyristor having a lower switching temperature than the first mentioned thyristor and connected in series with the gate of the power switching thyristor whereby the latter may be triggered into conduction only within a defined temperature range bounded by the switching temperatures of the temperature sensitive thyristors. Normally off and normally on devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rocker switch having non-illuminated indicator means comprising a ribbon or sheet member which effectively slides along the interior surface of a rocker cap having a window visually exposing the appropriate indicia on the ribbon as the rocker is pivoted. The ribbon is flexible enough to assume the interior shape of the rocker cap and stiff enough to slide therealong during rocking operation. A window or lens may assume various positions on the rocker cap with appropriate positioning of indicia on the ribbon therebeneath.

Abstract: Ground to neutral fault protection employing dormant oscillators which are only energized and function on the .[.occurance.]. .Iadd.occurrence .Iaddend.of such type of a ground fault. Combined with known types of two and three wire single phase AC ground fault interrupters to provide circuit interruption regardless of which wire is faulted to ground.