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.

Abstract: A baffle for use in a circuit breaker includes a first baffle mechanism and a second baffle mechanism. Each of the first and second baffle mechanisms includes a base, a plurality of elongated members supported by the base, and cross-pins or other elongated members for supporting the base of one of the baffle mechanisms substantially parallel to the base of the other baffle mechanism. The elongated members of the first and second baffle mechanisms are interleaved to form a labyrinth.

Abstract: A contactor for switching electric current has a stationary contact and a movable contact which when driven by a solenoid moves into and away from abutment with the stationary contact. An arc chute includes a plurality of splitter plates which extend radially from a center point in a geometric arc around the stationary contact on a side that is opposite to the movable contact. A curved arc runner is connected to the stationary contact to guide an electrical arc travelling between the stationary contact and each of the splitter plates. An elongated arc runner is connected to the movable contact to guide the electrical arc between the movable contact and splitter plates at the ends of the geometric arc.

Abstract: A sealed contactor for switching electric current has a switching assembly that includes a movable contact which selectively bridges a pair of stationary contacts to provide an electrical path therebetween. The moveable and stationary contacts are mounted to a body of electrically insulating material to form a unitized structure. A separate actuator assembly has an enclosure which contains an electrically operated driver with a linkage that extends into the switching assembly to alternately operate the moveable contact into engagement with and disengagement from the stationary contacts. The switching assembly is sealingly attached to the actuator assembly in an interlocking manner that prevents arcs produced between the contacts from escaping outside the electric current switching apparatus. Nevertheless, the switching assembly is capable of being easily removed and replaced as a single unit from the actuator assembly when repairing the contactor.

Abstract: A cam disc has a dual row of ratchet teeth on the periphery for dual rate of advancement by either of two oscillating motorized advance pawls. The disc has alternating high and low concentric cam tracks formed on one face. A plate is registered on the cam disc hub and has integrally formed plural resilient cam follower arms with each arm having a plastic cam track follower tip molded over the tip. The molded tips make contact with a stationary portion of the plate to limit follower travel when the cam is retracted by user movement of the shaft for setting the cam position. The high and low cam tracks engage adjacent follower arm pairs to effect a drop-to-make and drop-to-break action to each of a plurality of SPDT switches disposed for actuation by the cam followers.

Abstract: A method for remotely controlling flow of gaseous fuel to a burner having an electrically operated electromagnetically actuated modulating valve. The electromagnetic actuator comprises a coil having about one thousand turns of fine wire disposed proximate an annular permanent magnet. Either the magnet or coil may be attached to a moveable valve member which has a resilient poppet biased to close on a valve seat to shut off gas flow. Upon energization of the coil, a magnetomotive force is generated and moves the poppet off the seat to permit flow. Increased current flow in the coil proportionately increases opening of the poppet and movement of a metering member which throttles flow. When the poppet is fully open, flow is reduced to minimum metered level. A single user operated, remotely located potentiometer can be used to effect the proportional control of flow to the burner. In the preferred embodiment the metering member is cylindrical with a varying area grove or recess.

Abstract: A two-pole switch for DC current has a housing formed by a pair of open shells abutting each other to enclose components of the apparatus. Each shell rigidly holds a stationary contact, and an actuator is pivotally coupled to the shells. A pair of movable contacts are pivotally attached to the actuator so that each movable contact touches one stationary contact when the actuator is in a first position and the contacts are separated when the actuator is in a second position. A spine plate is between the shells and electrically separates the two stationary contacts and arc extinguishing chambers. A solenoid is within the housing aligned with the contacts and drives the actuator between the second and first positions to close the contacts.

Abstract: A remote control residential and commercial lighting and appliance branch circuit breaker provides both overload current protection and load management. Structure is provided enabling packaging in a three-quarter inch width case, including a first set of contacts in the case provided by a pair of separable overload breaker contacts, trip structure in the case for causing separation of the overload breaker contacts in response to overload currents therethrough, a second set of contacts in the case provided by a pair of switching relay contacts having open and closed conditions and electrically connected in series with the overload breaker contacts, and an actuator in the case energizable to mechanically actuate the switching relay contacts. Feedback circuitry is included providing status indication of the condition of the switching relay contacts. Structure is provided for reducing actuator and spring requirements and sizes.

Abstract: A U-shaped or O-shaped metal strap (20, 30-32, 34) is attached in a belt-like manner around the insulating housing (2, 2') of a DC speed control switch to provide an external heat sink for a FET (22, 36) attached to the heat sink. Bosses (2f, 2h, 2g) on the switch housing project into holes (20e, 20b-32b, 34h, 34g) in the heat sink to position the heat sink on the housing. Formed terminal conductors on the FET plug into press-in terminations on the switch. A pair of mirror image battery clips (16) are trapped against opposite sides of the switch housing by the heat sink and an interposed insulator (18), the clips having cooperatively aligned depending legs (16e) forming battery terminal clips, and formed prongs (16c) that plug into press-in wire terminations on the switch. Holes (16d) in body portions of the battery clips surround bosses (2e) on the sides of the switch housing to interlock the clips against lateral movement.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly (10) for signaling the location of a movable member (36) at either of opposite end limits of movement relative to a stationary frame (44,46) includes a compact elongate housing (58) adapted to be mounted on the frame to extend along the path of movement of a power driven member (32), such as the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder, which shifts the movable member between its end limits. The proximity switch is fixedly mounted in the housing and carries a switch actuating member (74) mounted for sliding movement over a relatively short distance sufficient to move two actuating targets (104,106) into an out of actuating proximity of respective air core proximity sensing coils (132,134) within the housing. Lost motion abutment structure (76,78) on the switch actuation member and power driven member (54) move into engagement with each other as a power driven member approaches each end of its stroke.

Abstract: A pair of insulating base halves (26,28) are adapted for mutual engagement along respective open sides, one base half (26) containing stationary contacts (30,32,34) and an electrical bussing element (30) structurally interlocked with the base half and the other base half containing a speed control circuit board (40) and electrical connectors (56,58) biased into electrical engagement with the circuit board and forming push-in lead connectors with the stationary contacts and bussing element, a movable contact carrier (38) disposed between the base halves for sliding movement and having a movable contactor (64) engaging the stationary contacts and a wiping contact (66) engaging variable resistance (44,46) elements on the printed circuit board, the two base halves being interlocked (26k,28e) together along a lower edge and retained together along an upper edge by inserting them into a hollow housing (2) containing a depressible trigger operator (4,18) the insertion effecting a driving connection (18d,38k) between

Abstract: A pair of insulating base halves (26,28) are adapted for mutual engagement along respective open sides, one base half (26) containing stationary contacts (30,32,34) and an electrical bussing element (30) structurally interlocked with that base half upright against an interior wall and the other base half containing a speed control circuit board (40) disposed in an upright position along an opposite interior wall and electrical connectors (56,58) biased into electrical engagement with the circuit board and forming push-in lead connectors with the stationary contacts and bussing element, a movable contact carrier (38) disposed between the base halves for sliding movement and having a movable contactor (64) engaging the stationary contacts and a wiping contact (66) engaging variable resistance (44,46) elements on the printed circuit board, the two base halves being interlocked (26k,28e) together along a lower edge and retained together along an upper edge by inserting them into a hollow housing (2) containing a

Abstract: A hybrid switch (2) having a solid state circuit (2a) including a thyristor (SCR) for closing and reopening a supply circuit (S,4,6) to a load (L) and contacts including an isolating contact (S1) for connecting power to and disconnecting power from the solid state circuit (2a), a control contact (S2) for initiating turn-on and turn-off of the thyristor (SCR), and a bypass contact (S3) for shunting the solid state circuit (2a) after the load has been energized. A zero voltage crossover circuit (ZVC) allows turn-on of the thyristor (SCR) only when the A.C. supply voltage is below a preset value to avoid arcing at the contacts on closing. The inherent zero current crossing turn-off characteristic of the thyristor (SCR) avoids arcing at the contacts on opening.

Abstract: A molded insulating switch housing (2) has a rectangular opening (2a) in an end wall thereof through which an actuator (4) having a rectangular cross-sectional shape extends for linear reciprocable movement and is biased to an extended position with respect to the housing. A trigger operator member (6) is affixed to the outer end of the actuator (4) and has a recess (6b) open toward the end wall of the housing (2). A continuous rectangular flange (2b) surrounds the opening (2a) in the end wall and is telescopically received within the recess (6b) of the trigger operator (6) to form a dust and foreign contaminant material seal for the switch.

Abstract: A transistor (20) is mounted to a plug-in socket (22) and this assembly is in turn attached by a bolted (24) connection to a heat sink (18) which is slidably inserted within a housing (16) open to a bottom side and attached to a vertical tube (10) of an electric outboard motor near the lower unit (6) thereof and has its electrical connections (22d, 22e) with a multiwire conductor (26) sealed (27) in a watertight manner, the conductor extending through an opening (10a) in the sidewall of the tube (10) to the interior of the tube for connection with an upper unit (2) of the motor, the conductor (26) and sidewall opening (10a) also being sealed (28) in a watertight manner.

Abstract: A lighted toggle lever switch having a pair of like insulator halves (14, 16) with short trunnions (14a, 16a) that pivot a toggle lever (8) at opposite ends of a lateral hole 10b therethrough, these insulator halves lining the metal cover (4) and bushing (6) and each having a channel (14j, 14k) for a lamp terminal. Coaxial helical spring connectors (20, 22) separated by an insulating tube (26) electrically connect the terminals to a lamp bulb (18) within the hollow toggle lever handle that has a threaded-in lens cap (12) at its external end.

Abstract: A portable electric tool speed control switch of the trigger actuated type having an adjustable trigger stop that affords selective setting of the maximum speed point to any one of a multiplicity of speed points. The trigger stop is integrally mounted in the trigger and abuts the switch housing to limit trigger depression. A spring-biased plunger pin (16) extends rearwardly through the trigger head (10) toward the housing and an adjusting knob (20) recessed in and rotatably mounted in the trigger head has a notched helical track (20b) that engages a tooth at the head of the pin so that rotation of the knob adjusts the plunger pin to provide a trigger stop by abutting the housing at the selected point of trigger depression thus setting the speed point of the tool and affording returning repeatedly to the same speed point.

Abstract: A formed pivot structure for a pivotally operable lever mounted in a bushing such as a toggle switch lever bushing. The pivot is provided by a suitable through-hole, opposite blind holes or circular groove in the enlarged portion of the lever into which thin portions of the bushing, either perforated or unperforated, are punched from opposite sides of the bushing. This provides a pair of aligned pivots affording free pivoting of the toggle lever in one plane while retaining it snugly from wobbling out of said plane.

Abstract: A trigger speed control switch for use on portable tools having double-pole contacts with wiping action, larger contact opening gaps, screw-clamp terminals for connection of the power line conductors, a printed circuit board for mounting the speed control circuit, an adjustable trigger lock mechanism with detenting to hold it in adjusted position, and terminals for connecting a load device such as a motor as well as an external filter capacitor. A small version having all of these features is small enough for direct substitution for an on-off trigger switch as well as for universal portable tool application. A larger version having all of these features is adapted for substitution for present wired-components types of trigger speed control switches. In either case, modification of a given tool is not required to receive the double-pole trigger speed control switch.

Abstract: A rocker switch having non-illuminated indicator means comprising a ribbon or sheet member which effectively slides along the interior surface of a rocker cap having a window visually exposing the appropriate indicia on the ribbon as the rocker is pivoted. The ribbon is flexible enough to assume the interior shape of the rocker cap and stiff enough to slide therealong during rocking operation. A window or lens may assume various positions on the rocker cap with appropriate positioning of indicia on the ribbon therebeneath.