Patents Examined by William A Bolton
  • Patent number: 11031192
    Abstract: A switchgear includes a movable part capable of reciprocating movement in first and second directions, a movable contact coupled to the movable part and capable of reciprocating movement relative to the movable part, a biasing member that biases the movable contact, a latch part capable of switching between a first state in which movement of the movable contact in the first direction is restricted and a second state in which movement of the movable contact in the first direction is permitted, and a fixed contact provided on a side of the first direction with respect to the movable contact. When the movable part and the movable contact move in the first direction, after movement for a predetermined distance, the movement of the movable contact is restricted by the latch part in the first state, and then, when the movable part has moved further in the first direction, the latch part is switched to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Kubota, Katsushi Nakada
  • Patent number: 11024477
    Abstract: A vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter including a vacuum bottle housing and at least one vacuum bottle positioned within the vacuum bottle housing. The vacuum interrupter further including a seal between the vacuum bottle housing and an operating mechanism. The seal sealing the operating mechanism from an interior of the vacuum bottle. Wherein the seal includes an end coupled to the vacuum bottle housing. The vacuum interrupter further including a gasket positioned between the seal and the vacuum bottle housing. The gasket having an inner diameter configured to receive the end of the seal and extend radially outward from end of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Daniel Breyre
  • Patent number: 11017967
    Abstract: A distribution grounding switch for an electricity distribution network has a first electrical terminal adapted connectable to a mains line, a second electrical terminal connectable to a lateral line, a first vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, a second vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, and a magnetic linkage cooperative with one of the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle and one of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle so as to cause the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle the close while generally simultaneously causing the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle to open. The mechanical linkage also causes the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle to open generally simultaneously with the closing of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Eduardo Montich
  • Patent number: 11017964
    Abstract: A middle illuminated button switch including a printed circuit board (PCB), a base and a cover. A guide core is arranged between the base and the cover, a through hole is arranged at the bottom of the base and under the guide core. A light guide groove is provided at the lower end surface of the guide core. A light-emitting element is arranged on the upper end of the PCB, and the light-emitting element is inserted into the base from the through hole and embedded in the light guide groove. Since the light-emitting element is embedded in the base from the bottom to the top, and the light is emitted to the outside from the middle through the guide core, so as to realize the light-emitting effect in the middle of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: FuXi Wu
  • Patent number: 11004632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum arc extinguishing chamber contact, a vacuum arc extinguishing chamber and a vacuum circuit breaker. The contact includes a contact blade, a first contact cup and a second contact cup. The first contact cup is arranged in the second contact cup. One end of the first contact cup is connected with the second contact cup, and the other end of the first contact cup is connected with the contact blade. The contact blade is connected with the second contact cup. According to the invention, a single longitudinal magnetic field is split into a plurality of independent longitudinal magnetic field areas, a plurality of coils are used for shunting current, and the current density is reduced, thereby solving the contradiction between interrupting of the large short-circuit current and the temperature rise of the large rated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Beijing Orient Vacuum Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weirong Liu, Xin Chang
  • Patent number: 10998144
    Abstract: A power contact electrode plasma therapy circuit includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact. A plasma ignition detector is configured to detect an electrical parameter over the switchable contact electrodes indicative of the formation of plasma between the switchable contact electrodes and output a plasma ignition signal based on the electrical parameter as detected. A plasma burn memory is configured to receive and store the plasma ignition signal. A controller circuit is configured to receive from the plasma burn memory the plasma ignition signal, start a time based on receipt of the plasma ignition signal, and upon the timer meeting a time requirement, output a plasma extinguish command. A plasma extinguishing circuit, configured to bypass the pair of terminals upon receiving the trigger signal to extinguish the plasma between the switchable contact electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Arc Suppression Technologies
    Inventors: Reinhold Henke, Robert Thorbus
  • Patent number: 10991527
    Abstract: A contact piece for a high-voltage circuit breaker includes at least a contact pin and a contact carrier. The contact carrier is configured to mechanically fasten the contact pin in the high-voltage circuit breaker. The contact pin includes a contact shaft. The contact carrier and the contact shaft are formed as a monolithic contact element. A method for producing a contact piece is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Huebner, Martin Krehnke, Volker Lehmann
  • Patent number: 10991528
    Abstract: A load-break switch has a housing holding insulation gas at ambient pressure; a first main contact and a second main contact being movable relative to each other in an axial direction of the switch; a first arcing contact and a second arcing contact being movable relative to each other in the axial direction and defining an arcing region where an arc is formed during a current breaking operation, wherein the arcing region is located radially inward from the first main contact; a pressurizing system pressurizing a quenching gas during the current breaking operation; and a nozzle system arranged to blow the pressurized quenching gas onto the arc. The first main contact includes at least one pressure release opening to allow gas flow in a radial outward direction. A total area of the pressure release opening suppresses a reduction of gas flow out of the pressure release opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Nitesh Ranjan, Elham Attar, Jan Carstensen, Magne Saxegaard, Martin Kristoffersen, Ståle Talmo, Stanley Lohne, Michael Schwinne, Martin Seeger
  • Patent number: 10991529
    Abstract: An object is to enhance direct-current insulating performance of a gas-blast circuit breaker. The gas-blast circuit breaker includes: a pair of main contacts disposed in a gas tank to face each other and configured to operate for opening and closing a circuit; a pair of arc contacts disposed to face each other and configured to operate for opening and closing the circuit, the arc contacts being disposed coaxially with the main contacts at locations close to the centers of the main contacts, respectively; and an elastic electrically conductive material disposed on an outer surface of an insulating nozzle facing an inner surface of one of the main contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kotsuji, Jun Nukaga, Makoto Hirose, Takahiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10991533
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a conductive member for a circuit breaker high voltage portion conductor assembly, the conductive member including a body with a transfer portion and a coupling portion. The body transfer portion has an electro-thermally efficient contour. That is, the body transfer portion has an electrically efficient contour and a thermally efficient contour. The body transfer portion includes a number of slots defining fins. In this configuration, the body transfer portion distributes current generally evenly across a cross-sectional area of the conductive member body. Further, the fins provide heat dissipation via convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Brandt, Brad Robert Leccia, Richard Blaine Frye, IV, Zachary Ryan Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10984973
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an electric switching unit provided with an arc-blasting unit. In one embodiment, an electric switch can be provided. This electric switch can include an arc-blasting unit with a compression cylinder enclosing a compression chamber mobile together with the mobile contacts, and a stationary piston at an end of the compression chamber, provided with a support rod made up as a blowpipe which channels the gas compressed in the chamber when the contacts separate to a nozzle that directs the flow to a separation place of the contacts so as to efficiently blast electric arcs. The arrangement can be relatively lightweight and can occupy relatively little space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Sikorski, Boris Nechal, Robert Luescher
  • Patent number: 10978265
    Abstract: An example electrical interruption switch includes a casing, surrounding a contact unit defining a current path therethrough. The contact unit has a first and second connection contact, a separation region and an upsetting region. A current supplied to the contact unit via the first connection contact, can be discharged via the second connection contact, or vice versa. The contact unit includes, or is connected to, a sabot configured to move from a starting to an end position via pressure; in the end position, the separation region is separated causing an insulation spacing between the first and second connection contacts. The upsetting region, upset during movement of the sabot from the starting to end positions, is formed as a tubular or rod-shaped element having an axis; the tubular or rod-shaped element has one or more tapers in its cross-sectional diameter; and the cross-sectional diameter is defined perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Peter Lell
  • Patent number: 10978263
    Abstract: A coupling system for securing an elongated rod to a connector that links the elongated rod to a device, and methods therefor, are disclosed herein. The coupling system includes a swivel member pinned in a receptacle of the connector, and a fastener secured to the swivel member. The elongated rod is secured to the fastener. The elongated rod may be a conductor rod and the device may be an interrupter for a circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Matthew D. Cuppett, Brian Christopher
  • Patent number: 10971316
    Abstract: A pressure trip unit for an electrical switch, including an actuating element and at least one flow channel per electrical pole, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the at least one pole of the electrical switch includes at least two switching contacts for making or disconnecting a flow path. The switching contacts of the at least one pole of the electrical switch are disconnectable via the actuating element which can respond to a pressure generated in a disconnection zone of the, in each case, two switching contacts by an electric arc drawn in the event of an electrodynamic recoil of the switching contacts. Further, the disconnection zone is connectable to the actuating element via the flow channel, the at least one flow channel including a nonreturn valve to permit a flow only from the disconnection zone in the direction of the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Oliver Andersen, Pawel Biedunkiewicz, Joerg-uwe Dahl, Erhard Deylitz
  • Patent number: 10971317
    Abstract: Recloser apparatuses, methods and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a recloser includes a vacuum interrupter coupled with first and second electrical terminals. A driving structure is coupled with the vacuum interrupter. An electromagnetic actuator is coupled with the driving structure and is moveable to a first position to open the vacuum interrupter and to a second position to close the vacuum interrupter. A mechanical opening/closing mechanism includes a handle and a mechanical connection driving structure. The handle is moveable to move the vacuum interrupter to the first position and the second position. A control circuit is provided in communication with the electromagnetic actuator and is operable to actuate the electromagnetic actuator to move the vacuum interrupter between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Robert L. Hanna, Patrick Fischer-Carne, Luciano DiMaio
  • Patent number: 10964496
    Abstract: A method for closing an actuator in a magnetically actuated switch assembly, where the actuator includes an armature and a winding, and the switch assembly includes a manual actuation device coupled to one end of the armature and a movable terminal in a vacuum interrupter coupled to an opposite end of the armature. The method includes commencing a closing operation of the actuator using the manual actuation device to move the armature towards a closed latch position, detecting that the actuator is being manually closed, and energizing the winding to assist moving the armature to the closed latch position when the armature gets to a predetermined distance from the closed latch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Tsvetan Rusev, Adam Gardner, Michael Stamer
  • Patent number: 10964492
    Abstract: Device, circuit, system, and method for arc suppression. A contact separation detector is configured to output an indication of a separation state of a pair of electrical contacts. A contact bypass circuit, coupled to the contact separation detector, is configured to provide an electrical bypass between the pair of contacts based on the indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Arc Suppression Technologies
    Inventor: Reinhold Henke
  • Patent number: 10964498
    Abstract: A gas-insulated low- or medium-voltage load break switch includes: a housing defining a housing volume for holding an insulation gas at an ambient pressure; a first arcing contact and a second arcing contact arranged within the housing volume, the first and second arcing contacts being movable in relation to each other along an axis of the load break switch and defining a quenching region in which an arc is formed during a current breaking operation; a pressurizing system having a pressurizing chamber arranged within the housing volume for pressurizing a quenching gas from an ambient pressure p0 to a quenching pressure pquench during the current breaking operation; and a nozzle system arranged within the housing volume for blowing the pressurized quenching gas in a subsonic flow pattern from the pressurization chamber onto the arc formed in the quenching region during the current breaking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Bernardo Galletti, Elham Attar, Jan Carstensen, Magne Saxegaard, Martin Kristoffersen, Martin Seeger, Michael Schwinne, Nitesh Ranjan, Patrick Stoller
  • Patent number: 10964497
    Abstract: A double-contact switch includes: a first and second tubular vacuum switching chamber formed as partial switching chambers of a switching tube; an electrode fixed in the switching tube and arranged between the first and second vacuum switching chambers and having a first fixed contact projecting into the first vacuum switching chamber and a second fixed contact projecting into the second vacuum switching chamber; a first electrode arranged in the first vacuum switching chamber and movable within the first vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the first electrode having a region which bears a contact and is closed off in a gastight manner relative to an exterior of the first vacuum switching chamber; a second electrode arranged in the second vacuum switching chamber and movable within the second vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the second electrode having a region which bears a contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Oliver Kreft, Michael Wohlang, Kai Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10957505
    Abstract: A disconnect switch assembly includes first and second disconnect switches with each of the first and second disconnect switch including a housing, a fixed main contact in the housing, and a movable main contact in the housing in cooperating alignment with the fixed main contact. Each of the movable main contacts is coupled to a (common) first actuator. A second actuator is coupled to the housing of the first disconnect switch and a third actuator is coupled to the housing of the second disconnect switch. The first actuator is configured to concurrently apply first and second motive forces (in opposing but in-line directions) to the movable contacts of the first and second disconnect switches. The second and third actuators are configured to apply a motive force to the housings that is in a direction opposing a respective motive force applied by the first actuator to the movable main contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Steven Zhenghong Chen, Mark A. Juds