Abstract: A self-adaptable proximity detector delivering a binary output signal for the presence or absence of a target. The proximity detector includes a processing unit and operates according to a short learning mode for an adjustment relative to its environment, according to a long learning mode for an adjustment relative to its environment and to a target, and according to a working mode corresponding to normal operation. The proximity detector also includes a variable digital storage resistor driven by the processing unit in the learning mode and connected to the detection stage so that variation of the value of the digital resistor causes a variation of the switching threshold. In the working mode, the processing unit is in a standby state and the variable digital storage resistor remains at its set operating value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proximity detector having a housing (10) and issuing an output signal (15) whose state is a function of the position of a target (5) or of the frequency of passage of a target (5), where the detector parameters can be set by an operator using operator dialogue facilities (35) communicating with the detector by dialogue signals (14). The dialogue facilities (35) are separated from the detector housing (10) and can be incorporated into a connection block (30) connected to the detector housing (10) by a connecting cable (20) which conveys the dialogue signals (14) and the detector output signal (15).

Abstract: A coupler for a programmable logic controller connecting to an Ethernet network under the TCP/IP protocol in order to communicate with various equipment. The coupler uses two disk partitions in a flash memory, one acting as a disk for the real time operating system and the other acting as a user disk. The two disks are accessed through the FTP protocol on TCP/IP, and the user disk space is managed by an HTTP server.

Abstract: The thermal protection relay determines a value representative of the thermal image of an apparatus to be protected according to a measured current value, to a previous value of the thermal image and to preset heating and cooling time constants. The relay takes into account a non-zero initial thermal image, determined from experimental thermal resistance curves of the apparatus. In the case of a motor, for example, this enables the cold tripping curve of the relay to be lowered without modifying the hot tripping curve, so as to bring the tripping curves of the relay closer to the thermal resistance curves of the motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cartridge, in particular for an electrical protection apparatus such as a switch or circuit breaker, comprising an enclosure of appreciably cylindrical shape closed by two end-plates, two contacts extending axially inside the enclosure, at least one of which contacts called the movable contact is connected to an operating mechanism and is slidingly mounted between a closed position of the contacts corresponding to a rest position of the apparatus and a position in which the arcing contacts are separated and form an electric arc between them, separation of the contacts resulting in breaking of the electrical circuit, and a means for producing an axial magnetic field for diffusion of the arc in the arc formation area. The cartridge comprises means for speeding up cooling of the contact material in liquid form flowing on the contact surface of said arcing contacts during breaking.

Abstract: A proximity detector including a reference oscillator and a measurement oscillator, the frequency of which depends on the proximity of an object, particularly a metal object. A detection counter value A, which is controlled by the frequency F of the measurement oscillator, is compared to a set point counter value B to create the output signal. The set point counter value B0, which is determined during the calibration operation, is corrected by a quantity C that depends mainly on the difference of the measured temperature &thgr; compared to the calibration temperature &thgr;0. The proximity detector may find particular application to the detection of ferrous or nonferrous objects by universal or selective, inductive or capacitive detecting elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply control module for loads or motors, which is mounted as an addition under a main electromagnetic switch appliance (Ap) and having, in a casing (1), current paths with commutating poles controlled by an electromagnet control device and substantially characterized by the fact that it includes at the rear, means (21, 22, 23, 31, 32) capable of channelling gases flowing out of the breaker chambers of the main appliance (Ap).

Abstract: The invention concerns a protection relay, in particular of the thermal type, recessed relative to its front face (24), a recess acting as through passage for interconnection of the conductors (C) between the terminals of the relay control (23) and of the contact switch (16). The recess (27) is concealed in normal operation by a shutter consisting of a flap (26) or a fixed part (26′) of the housing (20). The interconnection conductors can consist of individual cables (C) or can be integrated to a precabling addition (40) housed in the recess.

Abstract: A multipole electrical switchgear apparatus comprises a drive mechanism equipped with a pole shaft and a plurality of breaking modules. Each module comprises a vacuum cartridge moved by a movable rod articulated on a transmission lever. The pole shaft is linked to the transmission levers by means of a connecting rod. This common connecting rod gives the kinematic transmission system a great strength. Furthermore, it enables switchgear apparatuses having variable distances between breaking modules to be produced inexpensively, based on a standard pole shaft. Finally, it enables differentiation of the switchgear apparatuses to be delayed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electromechanical protective relay comprising deformable bimetal switches in the event of overload in power lines. A triggering mechanism acts on a flexible blistering segment (20) which can pivot by means of a support (30) on a fixed rest (17) and whereof the stem (21) has an extension (27) formed along the length of the segment and folded back in U- or V-shape to press elastically against a bearing surface (36) of the box so as to cause the segment to exert pressure on the pivot.

Abstract: A light beam output from a magneto-optical current transducer using the Faraday effect is divided into two output light beams. A first output light beam is applied, via an output polarizer, to a first optical input of a processing unit. A second output light beam is applied to a second optical input of the processing unit. The processing unit converts the two beams into electrical signals U1 and U2, then computes a first quantity R=U1/U2, determines the AC component (RAC) and the DC component (RDC) of the first quantity and deduces therefrom a second quantity S=RAC/RDC enabling the electric current to be measured to be determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to a push-button type switch comprising electrical contacts actuated by a head made up of a command button (1) associated with a body (2) within which is housed a piston (4) and a push rod (6) acting on electrical contacts which are able to slide and to pivot within the body (2) along an axis (X—X) without being able to pivot relative to one another, the push rod (6) being fitted with a first catch (7) and a second catch (8) characterized by the fact that the piston (4) is fitted with a command device (41) capable, when the button (1) is pushed, of actuating the first catch (7) called the stop catch immobilizing the push rod (6) in the “stand-by” position and then releasing the push rod (6) which can move into the “held” position where it is immobilized by the second catch (8) which is used to maintain contact.

Abstract: A electrical device can be snapped onto a support rail by a compression spring orthogonal to a length of the rail and arranged in a cylindrical housing. The housing opens to the outside, opposite the edge of the rail, via an opening in a top adapted to axial insertion of the spring during its assembly and includes an elastic wall capable of transversal movement, with the wall having a bearing surface on a rail edge side on which the spring is buttressed or having another similar bearing surface that can be activated after the axial insertion of the spring.

Abstract: An electromechanical contactor that houses an electromagnet and a mobile contact carrier within one body.

Abstract: A magnetic trip with a fixed magnetic circuit polarised by a permanent magnet. The magnetic circuit includes two preferably identical parallel wafers each defining a main branch and a deflection tab with the presence of a coil on each branch. At their ends opposite to the mobile pallet, the wafers have in cross-section an L shape. The insulation structure carrying the coils is formed of two half-shells tightly holding the wafers. The trip can be used in circuit breakers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multipolar electromagnetic switching module designed to be connected by line connections (t1, t2, t3) to a main electromagnetic switching device (AP) and by load connections (U, V, W, u, v, w) to at least one motor and having, in a unit (Bo), between said connections, several load paths fitted with switching poles whose contacts are always alternately closed and controlled by a switching electromagnet (EI) driven by a control circuit, each of the switching poles (C1, C2, C3) consisting of a movable contact holder (Pc) between two conductors (Cf1, Cf2) bearing fixed contacts characterized in that, for each pole, the movable contact holder (Pc) comprises two parallel loop-shaped conductors (Cm1, Cm2) connected to a connection (T1, T2, T3) and that the two fixed contact parts (Cf1, Cf2) are loop-shaped and connected to connections (U, V, W).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of electrical units for controlling power units, comprising a contactor breaker (CD) with a plurality of current-breaking poles actuated by a solenoid (E) and by a control and slipping mechanism (D, S) on the one hand, and by an auxiliary module (MS) plugged on the power outputs of the contactor breaker and connected by control links to the latter on the other hand, characterized by the fact that it includes a control connection block (R) provided with control connectors (G) which connect to control outputs (A1, A2, 21, 22, 14, 13) of the contactor breaker onto which a control terminal (Ba) may be connected alternatively and with control connectors (J) which connect to control outputs (S1, S2, S3, 82, 84, 81) of the auxiliary module (MS) onto which a control terminal (Bs) may be connected alternatively, with electrical links connecting said control connectors (G, J).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of electrical units for controlling power units, comprising a contactor breaker (CD) with a plurality of current-breaking poles actuated by a solenoid (E) and by a control and slipping mechanism (D, S) on the one hand, and by an auxiliary module (MS) plugged on the power outputs of the contactor breaker and connected by control links to the latter on the other hand, characterized by the fact that it includes a control connection block (R) provided with control connectors (G) which connect to control outputs (A1, A2, 21, 22, 14, 13) of the contactor breaker onto which a control terminal (Ba) may be connected alternatively and with control connectors (J) which connect to control outputs (S1, S2, S3, 82, 84, 81) of the auxiliary module (MS) onto which a control terminal (Bs) may be connected alternatively, with electrical links connecting said control connectors (G, J).

Abstract: Multipole contact block with sudden disconnection utilisable in a position switch or a push button.

Abstract: The signal processing device comprises determining means to supply an output signal having a value representative of a time constant of a part of an input signal having an appreciably exponential form. The determining means comprise first integrating means to supply a first integration signal representative of integration of the input signal in two opposite directions for appreciably equal times. Extraction means connected to the first integrating means supply a value representative of a time constant as a function of the first integration signal. The process comprises integration and extraction steps to supply the value representative of a time constant.