Patents Examined by Marina Fishman
-
Patent number: 9063623Abstract: A controller for use in a wet environment, such as a controller for a pool or spa, includes a sensor element that generates an electric field having an active region. For the controller, at least one flexible layer is positioned to overlay the sensor element and surround the active region. With this arrangement, a pocket is established between the flexible layer and sensor element. A control circuit that is responsive to the capacitance between the sensor element and the flexible layer is provided. When the flexible layer is deformed, the capacitance changes and the control circuit generates an output signal that corresponds to a particular switch state for a connected device (e.g. pump or heater). For the controller, the control circuit is designed and/or calibrated to maintain a current switch state output in response to the presence of water on the controller and near the active region.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Green Cedar Holdings LLCInventor: Sam Royhob
-
Patent number: 9064644Abstract: Holding structure includes a gear rack member for coupling with an object for movement therewith. The gear rack member includes a set of a teeth and a cam profile surface. A latch is associated with the set of teeth so as to engage and disengage the teeth. A cam follower is fixed to the latch to engage the cam profile surface thereby defining the engaged or disengaged position of the latch with respect to the teeth. A spring provides torque on the latch. The holding structure is constructed and arranged such that during movement of the object in an intended direction, the latch engages the teeth and is held in the engaged position by the spring so as to stop any movement of the object in a direction that is opposite the intended direction, otherwise, the spring is constructed and arranged to hold the latch in the disengaged position.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Matthew Cuppett, Jonathan Fuge, Beth Dahm, Mauricio Aristizabal
-
Patent number: 9064647Abstract: Contact alignment structure aligns a contact of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes the contact fixed to a conductor, and a resistor tube having a longitudinal axis. The contact alignment structure includes a tube clamp assembly for selectively coupling to a periphery of the resistor tube. A rocker assembly is coupled with the tube clamp assembly and with the conductor so that the conductor is supported by the rocker assembly only at one end of the conductor. When the rocker assembly is coupled to the conductor, the tube clamp assembly can be rotated about the periphery of the resistor tube to change a position of the contact in a first degree of freedom, and a portion of the rocker arm assembly can be moved to change a position of the contact in a second degree of freedom that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resistor tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Matthew Cuppett, Morris Tampa, Beth Dahm, Carl Kurinko, Brant Suhrie
-
Patent number: 9064652Abstract: The switch includes a printed circuit, of generally plane shape, and comprising a first face bearing a first contact pad, a second face, opposite the first, bearing a second contact pad, and a through-orifice allowing access between the first face and the second face. The switch also includes a conductor, having a first part, which cooperates with the first contact pad, and a second part, which extends between a first end, fixed to the first part, and a free second end, passing through the orifice. The second part is elastically deformable between a rest position, in which its second end cooperates with the second contact pad, and a stressed position, in which its second end is moved away from the second contact pad.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: THALESInventor: Christophe Boget
-
Patent number: 9058939Abstract: An arc runner configured to provide a substantially constant separation between a side surface of a conductive contact carrier and an arc discharge surface of the arc runner during an initial portion of a separation of two contacts. The arc discharge surface is preferably a flat surface oriented perpendicular to an axis of rotation of one contact away from the other. The conductive contact carrier having the side surface is configured to allow the arc runner to repeatedly travel along its side without mechanical interference during repeated openings and closings of the contacts. During the initial portion of the separation of the contacts, an electrical arc generated between the contacts during the separation is desirably transferred off of the contacts to the arc discharge surface after the separation between the contacts exceeds the distance between the side surface and the arc discharge surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Chad R. Mittelstadt, Jeff Kaufman
-
Patent number: 9058948Abstract: A current breaking device including a main stationary contact; a vacuum cartridge connected to the main contact and, having a rod supporting a second movable contact for connection with a second stationary contact on the main contact; a main movable contact for connection with, the main stationary contact; and a rigid rocker arm pivotally connected to the actuating rod of the vacuum cartridge, and about another axis fixed with respect to the main stationary contact and vacuum cartridge, so that upon rotation of the rocker arm to open both the main and second contacts, the main contacts are opened before the second contacts, and upon rotation in the opposite direction the second contacts are fully closed before any movement of the main contacts toward closure.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SASInventor: Patrice Grosjean
-
Patent number: 9040855Abstract: Button assemblies including water tight seals and methods for making the same are provided. The button assembly can include a button made from a rigid material having a cosmetic portion and a post. The post may extend from a bottom surface of the button and activate a switch of the electronic device when the button is actuated. Additionally, the button assembly can include a sealing member made from a compliant material having a post receiving hole. The sealing member may be secured to the button and an interior surface of a housing of the electronic device. The post receiving hole may fit around and engage the post. In some embodiments, the button may include a cavity and the sealing member may include a protruding member. In these embodiments, the cavity can receive the protruding member to provide for better registration of the sealing member to the button during assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Stephen Brian Lynch
-
Patent number: 9040862Abstract: An electrode assembly for a vacuum interrupter is configured such that supporting members can support most of a contact electrode plate and a supporting electrode plate in an axial direction with coil conductors interposed therebetween. Accordingly, an impact generated between electrode assemblies upon a closing operation of the vacuum interrupter may be evenly distributed onto the supporting members, which may result in preventing each of the electrode plates and the coil conductors from being deformed. Also, the supporting members are inserted into the electrode plates and the coil conductors, thereby effectively preventing a current from flowing via the supporting members. In addition, the supporting member may be wide and large so as to simplify an assembly operation and reduce an assembly time.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jae Seop Ryu
-
Patent number: 9035211Abstract: A gas-insulated circuit interrupter is disclosed, the interrupter having an improved design for quenching electrical arcs. The interrupter includes a first contact and a second contact configured to alternatively connect to and disconnect from the first contact. One or both of the contacts are at least partially contained in an arcing chamber. The arcing chamber includes the point at which the contacts connect during current-carrying operation of the interrupter. The arcing chamber is at least partially surrounded by a heating chamber for accommodating a quenching gas. A channel connects the heating chamber and the arcing chamber and is positioned to direct the quenching gas toward the first contact and the second contact arcing area. One or more valves direct gas from the arcing chamber to the heating chamber when the interrupter is operated to interrupt a current.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Pennsylvania Breaker, LLCInventor: Daniel C. Schiffbauer
-
Patent number: 9035212Abstract: An exemplary medium or high voltage switch has a first set of contact elements and a second set of contact elements. Each contact element includes an insulating carrier carrying conducting elements. In the closed state of the switch, the conducting elements align to form one or more current paths between terminals of the switch along an axial direction. For opening the switch, the contact elements are mutually displaced by means of one or two drives along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The switching arrangement is arranged in a fluid-tight housing in a gas of elevated pressure or in a liquid. The switch has a high voltage withstand capability and fast switching times.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AGInventors: Lars Liljestrand, Lars E. Jonsson, Per Skarby, Per Lindholm, Ueli Steiger
-
Patent number: 9029722Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a terminal body, and a manipulating portion disposed on one side surface of the terminal body, wherein the manipulating portion includes: a substrate having a first contact point and a second contact point; and a conductive dome configured to conduct the first and second contact points when being pressed, wherein the first and second contact points are spaced from each other on the substrate in a first direction, and wherein the second contact point portion is not disposed in a second direction crossing the first direction. Under these configurations, the mobile terminal can have more various designs.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Jaejun Jung
-
Patent number: 9024217Abstract: A key structure of a keyboard includes an intermediate plate, a keycap, a scissors-type connecting member, and an elastic element. The intermediate plate includes a hollow portion and a position-limiting recess. The position-limiting recess is formed in a lower part of the intermediate plate and in communication with the hollow portion. A lower part of the scissors-type connecting member is accommodated within the position-limiting recess. An upper part of the scissors-type connecting member is engaged with the keycap. After the elastic element is fixed on the intermediate plate, the elastic element is penetrated through the scissors-type connecting member and contacted with the keycap. The intermediate plate, the keycap, the scissors-type connecting member and the elastic element are combined as a single key. After plural keys are fixed on a base plate, the keyboard is assembled. Consequently, the efficiency of assembling the keyboard is enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.Inventor: Chin-Siong Khor
-
Patent number: 9012801Abstract: A flexible shunt for a vacuum circuit breaker can have a reduced straight length and improved flexibility even with an increased thickness within a predetermined accommodation space of a main circuit part. The flexible shunt comprises a pair of conductive plates, each including a clamp connecting portion configured as a flat conductive member, the clamp connecting portion being connected the clamp, a terminal side connecting portion configured as a flat conductive member, the terminal side connecting portion being connected to the terminal side, and a flexible curved portion configured to connect the clamp connecting portion to the terminal side connecting portion, the flexible curved portion being formed to be projected outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seung Pil Yang
-
Patent number: 8981244Abstract: The present invention relates to a forward/backward rotation switching mechanism, comprising: a cover, a turntable, a terminal-fixing body, a first contact terminal, and a second contact terminal. In the present invention, a plurality of dust-off trenches are especially formed on the peripheral edges of the turntable for preventing from the dust accumulation between the turntable and a cover; therefore, even if the forward/backward rotation switching mechanism is used in an environment having a lot of dust, the turntable can still be turned around because the dust is ruled out by the dust-off trenches.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ying-Sung Ho, Chen-Hong Huang, Chang-Nan Chen, Chao-Yi Lee, Tao-Lung Hsueh, Cheng-Wei Lu
-
Patent number: 8969749Abstract: A push & lock unit includes cam sections mounted on an outer wall of a rotary body that is disposed on an underside of an operating body, and each one of the cam sections contacts a saw-tooth section disposed on a lower end of a rib on an inner wall of a cover and a projection disposed at a bottom center of a housing in response to an up and down movement of the operating body, whereby the rotary body is rotated. When the operating body is pushed, a push face thereof is locked at a position almost flush with an outer face of a panel. When the operating body is pushed once more, it is released from the lock, and restores to a state where the operating body projects from the outer face of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Nishikawa, Shinya Sato
-
Patent number: 8963034Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a bottom board, a circuit board disposed on the bottom board, a resilient member, a key cap and two supporting members. The bottom board is formed with two first holes spaced apart from each other. The key cap is located over the bottom board, and includes two pivoting portions that are spaced apart from each other. Each supporting member has an end pivoted to a respective one of the pivoting portions of the key cap, and an opposite end pivoted to the bottom board. When the key cap is moved toward the bottom board and presses the resilient member, each of the supporting members engages at least partly a corresponding one of the first holes, and the resilient member triggers the circuit board so as to generate a corresponding signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Chen-Yi Liang, Cheng-Hsiang Chuang, Chun-Chien Chen, Shun-De Bai, San-Pao Kao
-
Patent number: 8963037Abstract: In a vacuum circuit breaker corresponding to three-phase, which is configured by linearly arranging three pressure tanks respectively corresponding to one-phase, in which insulation gas is encapsulated, and a vacuum valve is installed, each pressure tank has a nearly longitudinal shape or a nearly square shape, viewed from a plane surface, and the vacuum valve is arranged in each of the pressure tanks in a state where a drive direction of the movable conductor is aligned with an upper lower direction, and the movable conductor is positioned lower than the vacuum valve, and keeps a sufficient insulation distance with respect to the movable-side connection conductor, and is neared to a position in one of diagonal directions or longitudinal directions of the pressure tank having a nearly square shape or nearly ellipsoidal shape, and moreover, the operation mechanism is arranged and configured at a position, which is lower than the vacuum valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Katsushi Nakada, Masahiro Arioka
-
Patent number: 8957339Abstract: Provided is a dome-shaped spring for placing on a substrate having stationary contacts, and a circumferential edge of the dome-shaped spring is continuously in contact with the stationary contacts. At least a part of a neutral plane has a shape defined by an even function of at least eighth-order. Angle ? of the neutral plane of the dome-shaped spring to the substrate at a second inflection point that exists at a second-positioned inflection point from the circumferential edge, angle ? of the neutral plane to the substrate at a first inflection point, and angle ? of the neutral plane at the circumferential edge of the dome-shaped spring to the substrate satisfy following inequalities of ? ? and ? ?.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigenori Inamoto, Masahiko Aranai
-
Patent number: 8946580Abstract: The present invention relates to contactors for unidirectional DC operation with permanent magnetic arc extinguishing. In addition to the blow magnets, the contactors are equipped with compensatory permanent magnets for compensating the magnetic field in the vicinity of the contact bridge in order to prevent contact levitation, i.e., an uncontrolled opening of the contacts that is due to a magnetic force generated by a strong current flowing through the contact bridge. To this end, the compensatory permanent magnets are arranged in the vicinity of the contact bridge and polarized in the opposite direction of the blow magnets. The magnetic field of the compensatory magnets and the current flowing through the contact bridge are generating a magnetic force that acts on the contact bridge and tends to keep the electrical contacts closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbHInventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Matthias Kroeker
-
Patent number: 8946571Abstract: A multimeter includes a case having a rotary selector knob for selecting a multimeter function. A circuit board defining multiple switching terminals thereon is located in the case. A rotary switch assembly is operatively coupled to the selector knob. The rotary switch assembly has a plurality of contact pairs which selectively complete a galvanic connection across predetermined pairs of switching terminals. The rotary switch assembly further includes first and second switch members located in opposition on respective sides of the circuit board. Each of the switch members has at least one of the contact pair.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Jeffrey E. Worones, Terry G. Morey