Abstract: A gas turbine power plant is provided with an industrial gas turbine which drives a rotating brushless exciter generator coupled to a power system through a breaker. One or more of the turbine-generator plants are operated by a hybrid digital computer control system during sequenced startup, synchronizing, load and shutdown operations. The program system for the computer and external analog circuitry operate in a multiple gas turbine control loop arrangement. Automatic synchronization is achieved with a hybrid subsystem which includes the programmed computer and external phase detection circuitry. An automatic synchronization program for the computer is divided into rough speed and voltage matching, fine speed matching and breaker closure subprograms.

Abstract: An electric switch especially adapted for use in a variety of keyboard applications includes an elongated and generally straight wire beam spring which is fixedly supported at its ends in the switch housing with a center portion free to be flexed relative to the ends of the spring. The normal position of the wire beam spring has the center portion spaced from a pair of spaced contacts and an actuator mounted on the switch housing is depressed to flex this center portion from its normal position into engagement with the contacts and thereby close an electric circuit between such contacts.

Abstract: A miniature switch with a removable cap on the actuator, so that any cap may be replaced with another of different appearance.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a housing, and means is adapted to be selectively movable in the housing for operating the electrical switch. Means having a deflected portion therein is engaged between the housing and the operating means for yielding generally as a collapsible column to oppose the selective movement of the operating means.

Abstract: An antitheft device comprising a timing circuit and preferably a rotary lock switch operated by a key will interrupt an utilization apparatus such as the ignition circuit of an automobile and sound an alarm unless the lock switch can be unlocked from a first locking position to a second locking position, and unless the lock switch can be unlocked from the second locking position to a third locking position neither earlier than a first predetermined time nor later than a second predetermined time after the lock switch is unlocked to the second locking position.

Abstract: A switch including a housing carrying a first contact defining a first fulcrum and having an elongated electrically conductive lever blade disposed in overlying relationship and carrying a second contact from one end thereof for normally engaging such first contact. A third contact is carried from the opposite end of such blade and is movable through a predetermined path to engage a fourth contact carried from the housing and defining a second fulcrum. Biasing means is provided for normally biasing the second and third contacts into engagement with the respective first and fourth contacts. An actuator is operative to overcome such biasing means to disengage the second contact from the first contact and is further operative to, in case the first and second contacts become welded together, sufficiently overcome such biasing means to disengage the third and fourth contacts.

Abstract: A push button switch comprises a key top having a recess and a resilient member provided so as to surround the recess of the key top. The resilient member has a projected portion extending therefrom in the direction away from the recess of the key top, and at least the end of the projected portion is formed of conductive material. A contact member is secured to a base plate in opposed relationship with the projected portion. A holder member holds the key top in such a manner that the projected portion of the resilient member is normally spaced apart from the contact member but engages the contact member upon depression of the key top.

Abstract: Extremely low bounce switching characteristics are achieved by biasing electrical switch conductors with a torsion beam member. The torsion beam member includes a torsion beam portion having an axis which is restrained from rotation thereabout at a first point and an operating beam portion connected to the torsion beam portion at a second point spaced from the first point. The axis of the operating beam is oriented at an angle with respect to the axis of the torsion beam such that displacement of the operating beam causes rotation of the torsion beam from a quiescent rotational state thus producing a torsional bias force against such displacement. At least one of the switch's electrical make/break conductors is operatively associated with the operating beam for displacement therewith while the remaining electrical conductor is disposed for making or breaking the electrical contact upon displacement of the operating beam.

Abstract: The cartridge is interchangeably structured to accommodate various servomechanisms for the switch or other operating unit therein, as well as to accommodate various electrical arrangements for the pushbutton cap which is slidably guided in the open end of the cartridge to operate the servomechanism. The cap is releasably latched to each servomechanism by a cross-biased latch mechanism which prevents the cap from being shocked out of the cartridge, but which can nevertheless be overridden by a finger pull on the cap when it is desired to remove the cap from the cartridge. When so removed, the cap is tethered to the cartridge, although the tether is releasable from the cap, and vice versa, should this become necessary or desirable.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism which can be adapted for use in devices such as a rocker type electrical switch assembly. The rocker can be inserted in a housing through an opening in one side thereof. The rocker is held for rotation about a fixed axis by the combination of the closure member for the housing opening and parts of the housing which engage the rocker.

Abstract: A push button-type switch comprising a rectangular casing having parallel end walls, parallel side walls and a bottom wall and opening at the top, said end walls, side walls and bottom wall defining a switching chamber therebetween, a key stem extending vertically within and projecting upwardly of said switching chamber for upward and downward movement; a return spring disposed about said key stem for normally urging the key stem upwardly, a movable spring contact carried by said key stem within said switching chamber for movement between engaging and disengaging positions; and stationary contact means on said side walls to be engaged by said movable spring contact.

Abstract: An electrical switch including first and second fixed electrical contacts carried by the body of the switch. Fastened to the body is an L-shaped flexible strip which carries first and second movable contacts, one end of one limb of the L-shaped strip being secured to the body. In order to engage the first movable contact with the first fixed contact the strip is flexed along the length of said one limb, and in order to engage the second movable contact with the second fixed contact the strip is twisted along the length of said one limb.

Abstract: A subminiature switch structure particularly adapted for cooperation with integrated circuits as may, for example, be employed in an electronic watch including a restrained spring wire manually movable by resilient bending from normal spring loaded engagement with a first terminal into wiping engagement with a second terminal.

Abstract: An electrical disconnect switch which includes a pair of fixed tubular conductors having tulip connectors mounted on the free ends thereof. The switch includes a pair of movable tubular conductors telescopically engageable with the tulip connectors for completing a circuit through the switch. The movable conductors are spring biased to an opened position and a latch is provided for retaining the movable conductors in a closed position. The switch also includes a solenoid connected across the fixed conductors and designed to operate a lever for blocking movement of the movable conductors to the closed position when a relatively high current is flowing through the solenoid.

Abstract: A relay switch for controlling an electronic circuit adapted to adopt two states includes first and second conducting parts spaced apart from one another by an insulating material in a configuration whereby the first and second parts can be connected by a resistance formed by the skin of a user's finger, such connection being effective to control the state of the circuit.

Abstract: An alternating current switch suitable for automatic assembly is provided having an insulating housing including an open top base and a cover to close the base. The base has side openings to expose screw terminals and may have bottom openings to admit wires to push in connectors. The terminals are integral parts of contact arms within the housing. The contact arms as well as a balance spring are held in place in the housing within side wall slots integral with the base of the housing and by bosses integral with the cover. The balance spring and a movable contact arm are shaped to bear against cam portions of a toggle.The cover is provided with bearings to hold the toggle at its trunions in pivoting relation and is provided with a top opening through which the trigger of the toggle extends to the switch exterior.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by spring means for closing contacts, means for charging the spring means and including a crankshaft structure, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft, driving pawl means operable to advance the ratchet wheel for charging the spring means, an oscillating drive pawl structure in driving engagement with said ratchet wheel, means operable to oscillate said drive pawl structure and comprising a bight portion movable across the axis of the output shaft of a charging motor.

Abstract: An electric switch having a sealed casing or a closed type switch wherein a breather hose has its one end opened to the interior of a closed contact chamber, so that the breathing action of the contact chamber due to its temperature change is made through the breather hose. An opening at the other end of the breathing hose is located in an outside atmosphere of good condition, whereby air of high humidity is prevented from intruding into the contact chamber.

Abstract: A round plastic bushing and frame for an electric switch wherein the bushing has a flared collar that is radially squeezed when it is pressed through a round hole from the back of a mounting panel and spreads out in front so that its edge locks the bushing to the panel for great strength retention. A pair of integral spring fingers press against the back of the panel to keep the collar tight against the front of the panel. The integral frame has a pair of parallel arms that hug the switch base and are terminated in hooks that engage notches on opposite sides thereof to secure the integral bushing and frame to the base.In a first version where the bushing and frame cannot be molded integrally into final form, the collar is molded as a radial flange on the projecting end of the bushing and, after removal from the mold, is formed into a frusto-conical collar around the tip of the bushing for snap-in mounting.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting dielectric breakdowns in a metal-clad, high-voltage installation made up of a plurality of component sections includes a thermal sensor for each of the sections wherein a dielectric breakdown may occur for sensing the temperature. The output of the thermal sensors feed a comparator which forms an output signal from at least two discrete signals from the thermal sensor. A circuit arrangement corresponding to the comparator identifies the thermal sensor associated with the component section wherein a dielectric breakdown has occurred.