Abstract: A circuit breaker has a pair of poles, either of which can experience a ground fault. A sensing device senses an imbalance of current between the phases and neutral, and a trip device responsive to the sensing device simultaneously trips both of the poles when an imbalance of current (ground fault) is sensed in either of the poles. The trip device includes a trip lever engageable with each of the poles and a single solenoid for controlling operation of the trip lever.

Abstract: A busway and insulator assembly for use with the busway are described. The insulator assembly provides access to the conductive busbars through the busway housing and is configured for use with plug-in tabs which extend from the outer edges of the busbars. The insulator assembly includes a base having openings therethrough for cooperation with each plug-in tab. Insulated stabs extend from the insulator base and are disposed between the plug-in tabs-to prevent arcing between the tabs and exposed areas of the busbars. Additionally, the insulator base includes track members for slidably receiving an insulated cover which may be moved into a position blocking access to the plug-in tabs or moved to a position permitting access to the plug-in tabs.

Abstract: An adjustable depth electrical enclosure is taught. Briefly stated, a load center housing has inverted T shaped slots provided along its exterior. A bracket having an adjusting screw swagged thereto is extended through the T slot so that the bracket can ride back and forth in the vertical portion of the T slot. The adjusting screw is rotatably attached to a flange on the enclosure such that rotation of the screw causes the adjusting bracket to move with respect to the front/rear direction of the enclosure. Thereafter, when the brackets are attached to wall studs, mere adjustment of the adjusting screw allows the enclosure to be moved perpendicular to the wall thereby allowing the enclosure to be accurately flush mounted with the wall material utilized.

Abstract: Apparatus for closing a circuit breaker of a circuit that carries a substantial current includes a terminals (W1, W2, W12, W13, W14) for connection to an available source of electric power. The electric power available is typically 24 VDC, 48 VDC, 125 VDC or 120 VAC. An actuator including an electric motor M and a solenoid S both designed to operate on 24 VDC first cocks charging springs and then releases the charging springs to close the circuit breaker. A controller including a microprocessor U3 is connected to and derives power from the connected terminals and produces a pulse width modulated control signal (RUN; CLOSE) for controlling the actuator. The duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal is adjusted in relation to the electric power supplied by the selected source so that the power supplied to the motor and relay functions effectively as the required 24 VDC power. Sensors J1 sense the condition of the charging springs, a charging cam, the circuit breaker, etc.

Abstract: A flexible fixture for holding a printed circuit board, particularly for reflow soldering of surface mount components on both sides of printed circuit boards. This is provided by a sturdy frame having on the inside lip a stepped recess for receiving the edge of a printed circuit board, the frame being provided as a kit of parts including four corner frame segments. Longitudinal tracks in the arms of the corner frame segments slidably receive side bars which are adjustably locked in place by screws. Locater devices, clamps and intermediate board support posts are additionally disclosed for attachment to the frame.

Abstract: An overload relay with a multi-function control button is disclosed herein. The overload relay includes a contactor having a solenoid which holds the contacts of the contactor closed when energized. Power to the solenoid is provided by the power conductors connected to the contacts of the contactor. The power provided to the solenoid is controlled by a switch which is operated with the multi-function button. The multi-function button includes a slidable member and an indicator member movably contained within the slidable member. The indicator member is mechanically connected with the contacts of the switch which control the application of power to the solenoid. When these contacts are disengaged, the indicator member has a portion which extends beyond the tubular member to produce a visual indication that the supply of power to the contactor solenoid has terminated and the contacts of the contactor are open.

Abstract: A controller for a line regulation device such as a voltage regulator is provided with an interface to a removable memory module. The memory module is preferably of the memory card type which can be carried by a field engineer in a clothing pocket. When the memory card is inserted into an externally accessible slot in the controller, its presence is signaled to the controllers microprocessor. In response, the microprocessor reads user selected control parameters which are entered via the controller's front panel. Depending on the control parameters, the microprocessor updates the programming code in its internal memory, executes the code stored in the memory card while it is present but does not update its internal memory, or dumps selected status information to the memory card so that it can be analyzed at a different location.

Abstract: A singulated stream of products comprised of both single and overlapping products is transported through a scanning zone along a transport path. Each single or overlapping product defines a shadow on the transport path that is analyzed to determine the presence of product multiples in the product shadow by measuring the width and length of the product shadow. If the length of the product shadow exceeds by more than a predetermined amount the average length of previously measured shadows having a similar width, the shadow likely contains two or more overlapping products. As the product shadow moves through the scanning zone, each product included therein is scanned for affixed bar codes by a plurality of bar code scanners. If two different bar codes or two identical bar codes from mutually exclusive scanners are recorded for a single product shadow, then the shadow likely contains two or more overlapping products.

Abstract: The temperature of articles in an "environmental" chamber is stabilized by evacuation of the "environmental" chamber, after having stabilized the temperature of such an article to approximate that of a controlled-temperature member spaced from the article by a small gap, to a pressure just sufficient to provide viscous gas behavior, adjusting the temperature of the article to closely match that of the member by gas conduction heat transfer across the gap, and evacuating the chamber to high vacuum.

Abstract: A stationary contact strap for a circuit breaker, with an electrically conductive body portion having a plurality of discrete apertures arrayed in a pattern which define at least two input portions for splitting transient current input into the contact strap into generally parallel pathways which are also in the same general direction as transient current flow in the circuit breaker movable contact arm; and an output portion electrically coupled to the input portions and the fixed stationary main contact, wherein the output portion is oriented so that transient current flow therethrough is in a direction generally opposite to transient current flow in the movable arm.

Abstract: A motor control unit for protecting a motor against overload, short circuit and ground fault currents. The unit monitors the currents in each phase of the motor to provide values representative of each phase current. The unit also includes a contactor for opening and closing each phase, wherein the unit controls the contactor based upon the values representative of the phase currents. The contactor is opened where the phase currents exceed limits which indicate that either an overload, short circuit or ground fault situation exists at the motor. A magnetic trip circuit breaker can also be provided to operate in cooperation with the unit to provide instantaneous trip protection for current levels which are relatively high in relation to those for which the contactor is rated.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution busway system which includes a housing having side channels and top and bottom channels is described. The channels enclose and secure at least one stack of conductive busbars in place. At least one of the top or bottom housing channels is adjustably mounted between the side channels so the overall housing may be adjusted to accommodate various arrangements of busbars or busbars having different thicknesses. In a preferred form of the invention, the adjustable channels include holes which are aligned with elongate slots through the side channels. Fasteners extending through the aligned holes and slots allow the adjustable channel to be moved and fixed at different locations along the elongate slot.

Abstract: A combination input/output (I/O) module for a microprocessor based device is disclosed. The combination I/O module includes a combination point which is operable as either an input point adapted for coupling to an input device, an output point adapted for coupling to an output device, or both. The combination I/O module provides continuous sensing of the presence or absence of the output device. The combination I/O module includes a triac and provides for continuous sensing of the conductive state of the triac.

Abstract: An articulated arm transfer device employs a pair of upper arms each upper arm being rotatable at its shoulder end, and a pair of forearms each forearm being rotatable at its wrist end. The elbow ends of each pair are connected to each other by a link means. The shoulder ends are mounted on a support in such a manner that one upper arm is rotated by a drive means, and holding means for an object to be transferred is mounted on the wrist ends. The link means includes shafts upon which the elbow ends are mounted and at least two S-bands connecting the shafts in such a manner that rotation of one shaft in either direction causes rotation of the other shaft in the opposite direction. The elbow end of one upper arm is fixed to its shaft, while the elbow end of the other upper arm is rotatably mounted on its shaft.

Abstract: A monitor is provided for use with an AC voltage regulator having a number of taps including a neutral tap and a tap changer capable of activating any of the taps. The voltage regulator receives an input voltage and produces an output voltage and is constructed so that the output voltage bears a relationship to the input voltage that depends on the activated tap. The tap changer is constructed to activate different taps as necessary to maintain the output voltage close to a target level despite fluctuations of the input voltage or load. The monitor apparatus includes a switch responsive to activation of the neutral tap for providing initial activated-tap information and a dead-reckoning computation device responsive to changes of the activated tap for updating the activated-tap information in accordance with changes of the activated tap made after the activation of the reference tap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker trip unit configured to operate with a plurality of different plug-in display units. The display unit includes a memory which stores data representative of the particular display unit, and which allows the trip unit to automatically adapt to communicate with the display modules. The trip unit includes a processor and programming which permits a bi-directional flow of data between the units, such as display data and control data.

Abstract: An apparatus for fusing a workpiece including at least two electrically conductive elements comprising:an electrode;means for moving the electrode into contact with said workpiece causing said electrode to contact and apply a force to said workpiece;means for generating a trigger current upon contacting said workpiece with said electrode;means for detecting said trigger current and initiating a welding current which fuses said elements;and means for generating said welding current.

Abstract: A housing is provided for a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker has contacts capable of being in an open state or a closed state, of movement between the open and closed states, and of generating a hot gas in consequence of that movement. An electronics module is provided for controlling movement of the contacts from the closed state to the open state. The housing has a first portion housing the contacts and a second portion housing the electronics module. The second portion is formed of a material subject to damage by the hot gas, and the first portion is constructed to protect the second portion from damage by the hot gas. The first portion is ideally formed of a thermosetting material resistant to damage by the hot gas and the second portion is ideally formed of a thermoplastic material, which reduces the cost of manufacturing the housing. A quick-mounting construction for assembling the second portion with the first portion further reduces the cost of assembly.

Abstract: A remote tripping mechanism for use with a spring loaded safety switch. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism is made up of two cams with a compression type trip spring anchored between them. The two cams are held in the "normal position" (the spring compressed) by a latch. In this position, the switch operates in the same manner as a conventional safety switch. A trip lever connected to a solenoid is positioned such that it is unobtrusive when the switch is turned ON and OFF. When the switch is in the ON position and power is applied to the solenoid, the trip lever unlatches the latch and the two cams separate. The first cam engages and lifts the bail, turning the switch OFF. The cams are reset by turning the handle to the OFF position. This compresses the trip spring and resets the latch.

Abstract: An electrodynamic machine, such as an electric induction motor (10), has a frame (12); at least one bearing housing (16) attached to the frame, including a bearing (18); and a shaft (14) rotatively mounted to the bearing within the frame. A second housing, such as a fan housing (20), defines at least one generally tapered, mating shoulder surface (24). The second housing is attached to the bearing housing along a fixed reference plane with respect to the shaft centerline. The device has at least one fastener (26, 28) defining a generally tapered shoulder surface (40), which abuts the corresponding second housing shoulder surface (24) as the fastener is tightened. At least one of the abutting second housing (24) and fastener (40) shoulder surfaces defines a convex tapered portion and the other of the respective abutting shoulders (24, 40) defines a concave tapered portion, so that tightening the fastener registers the second housing portion along the reference plane.