Abstract: An electrical switching device and related methods, for use in aerospace applications include a first static contact assembly, a second static contact assembly, a movable contact assembly for making an electrical connection between the first and second static contact assemblies. The first contact assembly, the second contact assembly and the movable contact assembly each include a silver contact that is percussion welded to the aluminum substrate. Before percussion welding, the silver contact includes a projection for focusing an arc during percussion welding.

Abstract: An electrical switching device and related methods, for use in aerospace applications include a first static contact assembly, a second static contact assembly, a movable contact assembly for making an electrical connection between the first and second static contact assemblies. The first contact assembly, the second contact assembly and the movable contact assembly each include a silver contact that is percussion welded to the aluminum substrate. Before percussion welding, the silver contact includes a projection for focusing an arc during percussion welding.

Abstract: An electrically controlled switching device includes a support, a first contact coupled to the support, a second contact coupled to the support, an SMA element operably connected with the second contact, a sensor positioned on or adjacent to the SMA element, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The SMA element is configured to transform between a first shape and a different second shape responsive to an electrical pulse heating the SMA element to a transformation temperature. The sensor is configured to detect a detected temperature of the SMA element. The controller is configured to control the electrical pulse heating the SMA element. The controller receives signals from the sensor indicative of the detected temperature of the SMA element.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal member, and a second terminal member. The separable contacts are received in the housing and include a first contact and a second contact. At least one of the contacts is moveable with respect to the other to open and close the separable contacts. The trip mechanism can include a bimetal strip and selectively open the separable contacts. The first terminal member includes a first socket configured to receive a pin located on an associated bus structure. The first terminal member is electrically connected with the first contact. The second terminal member includes a second socket configured to receive another pin located on the associated bus structure. The second terminal can contact the bimetal strip and is electrically connected with the second contact. The first and second sockets can be received in the housing.

Abstract: A power contactor that includes a number of inputs for a number of power sources, a number of outputs for a number of loads, a number of separable contacts for each pair of the number of inputs and the number of outputs, and an electromagnetic coil. The power contactor also includes a control circuit structured to control the electromagnetic coil to cause the number of separable contacts to open or close, and a plurality of plug-in pins. Each of the plug-in pins is for a corresponding one of the number of inputs and the number of outputs, and is structured to plug into a backplane socket. The power contactor also includes an electrically insulating housing electrically insulating each of the plug-in pins from the other the plug-in pins.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal member, and a second terminal member. The separable contacts are received in the housing and include a first contact and a second contact. At least one of the contacts is moveable with respect to the other to open and close the separable contacts. The trip mechanism can include a bimetal strip and selectively open the separable contacts. The first terminal member includes a first socket configured to receive a pin located on an associated bus structure. The first terminal member is electrically connected with the first contact. The second terminal member includes a second socket configured to receive another pin located on the associated bus structure. The second terminal can contact the bimetal strip and is electrically connected with the second contact. The first and second sockets can be received in the housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a backplane module includes providing a thermally conductive substrate, and applying a predetermined volume of epoxy extending between a first electrical component disposed on the thermally conductive substrate and a second electrical component disposed on the thermally conductive substrate to create an electrical pathway therebetween.

Abstract: A load module for a power module in which the power module includes a housing assembly. The load module includes an epoxy body and a number of elongated conductive strands. Each of the conductive strand are partially disposed in the epoxy body and each of the conductive strands includes a conductive member and a limited insulator. Each of the limited insulators is disposed on selected portions of an associated conductive member.

Abstract: An electrically controlled switching device includes a support, a first contact coupled to the support, a second contact coupled to the support, an SMA element operably connected with the second contact, a sensor positioned on or adjacent to the SMA element, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The SMA element is configured to transform between a first shape and a different second shape responsive to an electrical pulse heating the SMA element to a transformation temperature. The sensor is configured to detect a detected temperature of the SMA element. The controller is configured to control the electrical pulse heating the SMA element. The controller receives signals from the sensor indicative of the detected temperature of the SMA element.

Abstract: A circuit interruption device includes a support, a set of separable contacts, a first member movable between an OFF position and an ON position, a second member, and a transport mechanism that includes a shape memory alloy element. When the first member is in the OFF position, the second member is in an extended position, the shape memory alloy element is in its first shape, and the first surface and the another first surface are engaged with one another and resist movement of the first member away from the OFF position. Responsive to an electrical pulse, the shape memory alloy element transforms into its second shape and moves the first member toward the ON position. When the second member is in the extended position, the another second surface engages with the second surface to resist movement of the first member away from the ON position.

Abstract: A power module is provided. The power module includes a housing assembly and an electrical assembly. The electrical assembly includes an AC input assembly, a DC input assembly, a number of AC feeder layers, a number of DC feeder layers, a number of AC electrical components and a number of DC electrical components. Each AC feeder layer includes a generally planar body and an embedded conductor. Each DC feeder layer includes a generally planar body and an embedded conductor. Each AC feeder layer conductor is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said AC input assembly. Each DC feeder layer conductor is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said DC input assembly. Each AC electrical component is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, an AC feeder layer conductor. And, each DC electrical component is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, a DC feeder layer conductor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a backplane module includes providing a thermally conductive substrate, and applying a predetermined volume of epoxy extending between a first electrical component disposed on the thermally conductive substrate and a second electrical component disposed on the thermally conductive substrate to create an electrical pathway therebetween.

Abstract: A circuit interruption device includes a support, a set of separable contacts, a first member movable between an OFF position and an ON position, a second member, and a transport mechanism that includes a shape memory alloy element. When the first member is in the OFF position, the second member is in an extended position, the shape memory alloy element is in its first shape, and the first surface and the another first surface are engaged with one another and resist movement of the first member away from the OFF position. Responsive to an electrical pulse, the shape memory alloy element transforms into its second shape and moves the first member toward the ON position. When the second member is in the extended position, the another second surface engages with the second surface to resist movement of the first member away from the ON position.

Abstract: A power contactor that includes a number of inputs for a number of power sources, a number of outputs for a number of loads, a number of separable contacts for each pair of the number of inputs and the number of outputs, and an electromagnetic coil. The power contactor also includes a control circuit structured to control the electromagnetic coil to cause the number of separable contacts to open or close, and a plurality of plug-in pins. Each of the plug-in pins is for a corresponding one of the number of inputs and the number of outputs, and is structured to plug into a backplane socket. The power contactor also includes an electrically insulating housing electrically insulating each of the plug-in pins from the other the plug-in pins.

Abstract: A load module for a power module in which the power module includes a housing assembly. The load module includes an epoxy body and a number of elongated conductive strands. Each of the conductive strand are partially disposed in the epoxy body and each of the conductive strands includes a conductive member and a limited insulator. Each of the limited insulators is disposed on selected portions of an associated conductive member.

Abstract: A power module is provided. The power module includes a housing assembly and an electrical assembly. The electrical assembly includes an AC input assembly, a DC input assembly, a number of AC feeder layers, a number of DC feeder layers, a number of AC electrical components and a number of DC electrical components. Each AC feeder layer includes a generally planar body and an embedded conductor. Each DC feeder layer includes a generally planar body and an embedded conductor. Each AC feeder layer conductor is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said AC input assembly. Each DC feeder layer conductor is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said DC input assembly. Each AC electrical component is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, an AC feeder layer conductor. And, each DC electrical component is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, a DC feeder layer conductor.