Patents Examined by Donovan
  • Patent number: 5874881
    Abstract: An electromechanical device has a coil configuration comprising an insulating substrate (30) carrying a first group of 12 series-connected spiral conductor patterns (21a-21m) and a second group of 12 series-connected spiral conductor patterns (22a-22m). Some of the conductor patterns (21a, 22a, 21d, 22d, 21e, 22e, 21i, 22i, 21j, 22j, 21m and 22m) are disposed on the upper side of the substrate (30). Other ones of the conductor patterns (21b, 22b, 21c, 22c, 21f, 22f, 21h, 22h, 21k, 22k, 21l and 22l) are disposed on the underside of the substrate (30). The conductor patterns on both sides of the substrate (30) are electrically interconnected by means of plated-through connections (40). The first group is in arranged in parallel with the second group by means of common connection electrodes (51 and 52). The conductor patterns (21a-21m) of the first group and the conductor patterns (22a-22m) of the second group are carried by the same substrate (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Steinbusch
  • Patent number: 5874873
    Abstract: An electric motor control apparatus includes an electrical current control apparatus which is operable to limit current to an electric motor. When the electric motor is a three-phase motor, three current limiting switch assemblies are provided in the electric current control apparatus. A single stack of laminations concentrates magnetic fields emanating from conductors in all three current limiting switch assemblies. Each of the current limiting switch assemblies includes two movable contacts which are mounted on contact arms. The contact arms are movable in slots in the stack of laminations. A first series of splitter plates is disposed in an array along a path of movement of the contact on the first movable contact arm and a second series of splitter plates is disposed along a path of movement of the contact on the second contact arm for each of the current limiting switch assemblies. A short circuit splitter plate conducts electrical current between the two series of splitter plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Earl T. Piber, Peter K. Moldovan, Kurt V. Eckroth, Peter J. Theisen
  • Patent number: 5874875
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay structure having a plate spring and a yoke secured to a base by forming a vibration damping portion integral with a terminal and by securing the terminal to the base by insertion molding. The vibration damping portion is disposed between an L-shaped yoke, an end of which is secured to the base, and the terminal, which is also fixed to the base. The vibration damping portion is spot welded to a plate spring, which is secured to the yoke. A spot welding machine is provided for fixing the plate spring to the vibration damping portion. The spot welding machine has electrodes that are rotated by motors while effecting spot welding of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Kazuo Ohtsuka, Nobuo Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 5874876
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay structure which includes a bobbin 1 having a coil 5 wound therearound. A coil terminal 6 is electrically connected with an end 5a of the coil 5. A base 4 is insert-formed with a terminal 8, 9. The coil terminal 6 has a first end firmly attached to a flange 1c of the bobbin 1 and a second end connected to the terminal 8, 9. A projecting piece 6a is formed in a generally central portion of the coil terminal 6. The projecting piece 6a is bent with an end 5a of the coil 5 twined therearound, to thereby support the end 5a of the coil 5. Another flange 1a of the bobbin 1 is fixed to the base 4 by fitting a projecting rod 1b of the flange 1a to a fitting groove 4a of the base 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Nobuo Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 5874874
    Abstract: The helical contact compression springs of a circuit breaker are preassembled in a contact clip for easier assembly of the circuit breaker. The bottom wall of an elongated trough formed by the clip is pierced by holes forming cylindrical protrusions extending into the trough. The clip is placed over the springs supported in a row in a fixture. A die head presses on the spring clip to compress all the springs and then simultaneously insert punches into the holes in the clip to expand the protrusions and secure the springs to the clip. The fixture includes a slide mounted on guides for movement between a loading position and an operating position under the die head. A support block is pivoted on the slide to present one of two sets of spring recesses for circuit breakers having different current ratings with the slide in the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Roger W. Helms, Joseph B. Humert, Henry R. Beck, David E. Little, Kenneth M. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5874879
    Abstract: A leakage flux canceling device is provided which requires a small number of parts and which has high space factor. A leakage flux canceling device 30 is mounted to a funnel side of a deflecting apparatus for reducing leakage flux to a panel side attributable to a horizontal deflection magnetic field, and comprises a ring-like body 32 having flanges 32 facing each other, a pair of bobbins 40 and 60 without cores formed on the flanges, a canceling coil 34 wound on each of the bobbins for canceling leakage flux, and winding grooves 48 and 68 formed in the respective bobbins such that the winding of each canceling coil has a greater length in the circumferential direction, and permitting the canceling coils to be wound from the outer surface side of the corresponding bobbins. The bobbins and the ring-like body are formed as a one-piece body, and the bobbins each have an arcuate shape matching the ring-like body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Taka, Tomomi Inoue
  • Patent number: 5874878
    Abstract: A non-magnetic plate, or spacer block, of is attached to the side of the switching assembly of a high security switch system. Alternatively, the actuator assembly may have an extended housing. As a result, a second actuator assembly may not be substituted for the first actuator assembly by placing the second actuator assembly on the side of the first actuator assembly and slid under the security switch assembly as the first actuator assembly is moved away for the purpose of defeating the security switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: John T. Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5874882
    Abstract: An open superconductive magnet useful in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. The magnet has two spaced apart assemblies, wherein each assembly has a magnetizable pole piece and a magnetizable ring radially spaced outwardly apart from, and at least partially longitudinally overlapping, the pole piece. A superconductive main coil is positioned radially between the pole piece and the ring. A superconductive shielding coil is positioned radially outward from the superconductive main coil and longitudinally outward from the longitudinally outer end of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Michael Anthony Palmo, Michele Dollar Ogle, Bruce Campbell Amm
  • Patent number: 5872499
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay, having ON and OFF states, for connecting a source of electrical current to a load, said relay comprising: an armature movable between ON and OFF positions corresponding, respectively, to said ON and OFF states of said relay; a magnetic core surrounded by first windings forming a holding coil to magnetize said core when a first portion of electrical current is passed through said holding coil and consequently to cause said armature to move from said OFF position to said ON position as a result of a magnetic attraction produced between said magnetic core and said armature, resulting in causing a second portion of electrical current to flow through said load; said magnetic core additionally surrounded by second windings forming a load coil through which said second portion of said electrical current flows when said armature is in said ON position, said load coil producing a magnetic field which counteracts a magnetic field produced by said holding coil; and parameters of said load coil
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Peder U. Poulsen
  • Patent number: 5872497
    Abstract: A high energy transfer relay includes a housing, a solenoid, a pivot arm, a stationary contact, a switching contact and a leaf spring. The switching contact is mounted on the leaf spring. The armature of the solenoid is coupled to the pivot arm such that when the solenoid is energized, the pivot arm moves in the direction of the stationary contact. Movement is against the force of the leaf spring which is positioned to bias the pivot arm away from the stationary contact against a stop. The leaf spring also pre-loads the pivot point. In addition, the resilience of the leaf spring cushions the impact of the switching contact on the stationary contact to help prevent contact bounce. The outer end of the pivot arm includes a flat that coacts with a flat wall to form an air cushion. The air cushion also assists in preventing contact bounce by absorbing the momentum of the pivot arm after the contacts mate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Physio-Control Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Yerkovich, Stephen T. Vincent, Richard J. Cardin
  • Patent number: 5872495
    Abstract: A thermal and magnetic trip unit for a multi-pole circuit breaker includes a thermal structure having a bimetallic element and one or more heater elements. Each of the heater elements and a portion of the bimetallic element is generally "U" shaped defining a conductive path which extends from one leg of the U to the other leg. The heater elements and bimetallic element may be configured in parallel to reduce the level of current flowing through the bimetallic element and thus increase the current level at which the bimetallic element will trip the breaker. Alternatively, the heater elements may be configured in series with the bimetallic element, by inserting electrical insulators between the bimetallic element and each of the heater elements and connecting the various "U" shaped elements using a connecting bus which connects the second leg of one element to the first leg of the next element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard DiMarco, James E. Ferree, Robert E. Black
  • Patent number: 5872496
    Abstract: A slim-type small size electromagnetic relay is made using semiconductor manufacturing techniques to form a silicon substrate 2 having a planar movable plate 5 and a torsion bar 6 for axially supporting the movable plate 5 formed integrally therewith, with a planar coil 7 provided on an upper face of the movable plate 5 and a movable contact 9 provided on a lower face. Glass substrates 3, 4 are provided on upper and lower faces of the silicon substrate 2, with fixed contact 11 contactable with the movable contact 9 provided on the lower glass substrate 4. Permanent magnets 13A, 13B and 14A, 14B for producing a magnetic field at the planar coil 7 are fixed to the glass substrates 3, 4. Rotation of the movable plate 5 against the torsion force of the torsion bar 6 is controlled by passing a current through the planar coil 7 to produce a magnetic force, thereby causing contact or separation of the movable contact 9 and the fixed contact 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Asada, Masayoshi Esashi
  • Patent number: 5872501
    Abstract: A rare earth bonded magnet obtained by mixing two types of magnetic powders (A) and (B) in the present invention has a high residual magnetic flux density (Br), a large intrinsic coercive force (iHc) and a large maximum energy product ((BH)max) in spite of a low rare earth element content, and shows an excellent rust preventability. A rare earth-iron-boron type magnet alloy of the present invention has a residual magnetic flux density (Br) as high as not less than 10 kG, an intrinsic coercive force (iHc) as large as not less than 3.5 kOe and a large maximum energy product ((BH)max) and which has an excellent rust preventability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Toda Kogyo Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Hamano, Minoru Yamasaki, Akihisa Indue, Akira Takeuchi, Yuji Omote
  • Patent number: 5872498
    Abstract: A resistance arrangement for an electromagnetic switching device (1) is useable for switching capacitive loads with main contact pieces (3) and auxiliary contact pieces (4). One terminal (7) of the auxiliary contact pieces (4) and one terminal (6) of the main contact pieces (3) of the same phase lie on the same side of the switching device (1) stacked on top of each other. The auxiliary contact pieces (4) switch on before the main contact pieces (3) and switch off after them. Between the terminals (6) and (7) of each phase, an ohmic resistance (8) located in a nonconductor housing (13) is connected. The resistance (8) is placed immediately under the terminal (7) of the auxiliary contact piece (4) in the existing cavity (14) of a nonconductor housing (13) expanding into the direction of the terminal (6) of the main contact piece (3). This arrangement can be easily installed and is space-saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, LLC
    Inventor: Reiner Linek
  • Patent number: 5872500
    Abstract: A superconducting annular electromagnet for MRI purposes includes an annular winding within which a generally cylindrical space is provided. The winding includes at least one pair of annular coils, each having an outer cylindrical surface which is suitably formed to define a feature which facilitates fixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Oxford Magnet Technology Limited
    Inventor: Russell Peter Gore
  • Patent number: 5870010
    Abstract: An electrical actuator for a throttle device has a stator and a rotor, the rotor being coupled to the throttle device and comprising a permanent main magnet. The stator includes in axially extending slots therein auxiliary permanent magnets which interact with the rotor magnet to exert a magnetostatic torque (T.sub.MS) on the rotor which tends to rotate it to a pre-set rest position. The stator also has an energizing coil which when actuated results in an electromagnetic torque (T.sub.EM) on the rotor which is opposed to the magnetostatic torque and causes the rotor to pivot through a limited angle of rotation. The thickness and width of the auxiliary permanent magnets are selected so that the cross-sectional area thereof provides a maximum value of the magnetostatic torque (T.sub.MS) per unit volume thereof, thus minimizing the necessary volume and weight of the auxiliary permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Bernd Ackermann
  • Patent number: 5870009
    Abstract: The trip device comprises a magnetic circuit having a first and second fixed parts, a movable element and an adjustment device. The adjustment device comprises a shunt and an air gap arranged between the first and second fixed parts branched off with respect to the mobile element. The tripping threshold of the trip device is modified by varying the air gap distance between the shunt and the second fixed part. In a circuit breaker, the mobile element acts on an opening mechanism and an adjustment part acts on the adjustment device making the air gap distance vary. A sensor associated to the magnetic circuit supplies a measurement signal to a processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electronic SA
    Inventors: Marc Serpinet, Laurent Previeux
  • Patent number: 5867082
    Abstract: A switch has a carrier sheet with electrodes formed on an internal side thereof to form switch contacts. An armature is held in slidable contact with the internal side of the carrier and the electrodes by a magnet disposed on the external surface of the carrier. The magnet is carried in a knob mounted on the external side of the membrane carrier for rotary, linear or complex motion. When a user manipulates the knob the magnet drags the armature either into or out of shorting relation with the electrodes. A magnetic detent gear can be incorporated to provide tactile feedback. A pushbutton version of the switch can be made with a pivotable armature normally held spaced from electrodes on the substrate by a magnet. A membrane and spacer may be added to protect and seal the electrodes and armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: DuraSwitch, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Van Zeeland
  • Patent number: 5867079
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device including, in an envelope formed by a base (1) and an insulating casing (7), a contact holder (3) in which are housed contact bridges (4) featuring a moving lock (8) capable of immobilizing the contact holder (3), wherein the lock (8) and the insulating casing (7) have sliding assembly devices (74, 75) which move the lock (8) positively from the rest position towards the contact holder (3) in the locked position by moving the insulating casing (7) away from the base, and the sliding assembly devices (74, 74) move the lock (8) away from the contact holder positively from the locked position by moving the casing towards the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Duchemin, Bruno Jacquet, Regis Perrocheau
  • Patent number: 5866854
    Abstract: A calibrating device for a balance including a load receiving unit for loads to be weighed, a load measuring unit and a lever mechanism serving for the force transmission between the load receiving unit and the load measuring unit, wherein the lever mechanism is coupled to the load receiving unit through a coupling area on an input side and to the load measuring unit through a coupling area at an output side, and wherein the lever mechanism further includes an additional coupling area, separate from the coupling areas on the input and output sides, for releasably coupling a calibrating force which is uncoupled during the normal weighing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Emery, Thomas Glattli