Abstract: A friction element which can be used in the lockup clutch of a hydrokinetic torque converter and has a friction face engaging a complementary friction face when the clutch is at least partially engaged is provided with one or more channels which are machined, impressed or otherwise formed in its friction face to permit a fluid coolant to flow from a first compartment containing a pressurized fluid into a second compartment wherein the fluid pressure is lower. Each channel includes at least one fluid flow restricting portion which communicates with the first compartment and establishes a turbulent flow of fluid into a major portion of the respective channel. The major portion is designed to establish a laminar flow of fluid toward one or more outlets communicating with the second compartment.

Abstract: A friction element which can be used in the lockup clutch of a hydrokinetic torque converter and has a friction face engaging a complementary friction face when the clutch is at least partially engaged is provided with one or more channels which are machined, impressed or otherwise formed in its friction face to permit a fluid coolant to flow from a first compartment containing a pressurized fluid into a second compartment wherein the fluid pressure is lower. Each channel includes at least one fluid flow restricting portion which communicates with the first compartment and establishes a turbulent flow of fluid into a major portion of the respective channel. The major portion is designed to establish a laminar flow of fluid toward one or more outlets communicating with the second compartment.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a lockup clutch having an annular piston which is reciprocable in the direction of the axis of rotation of the housing of the torque converter and carries a friction lining having a friction surface which bears against a friction surface at the inner side of the housing when the lockup clutch is engaged. At least one of the friction surfaces is provided with channels defining passages for the flow of a fluid coolant from a first internal compartment of the housing toward a second compartment located radially inwardly of the friction surfaces. The piston and/or the housing is resiliently deformable so that it can influence the rate of fluid flow through the passages. The width of the passages decreases gradually radially inwardly from the first compartment toward the second compartment, and the passages slope radially outwardly in the direction of rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A manually operable circuit breaker having coupling terminals and a visible isolating gap which can be established only when the protective circuit breaker is open. The isolating gap is provided by an isolating module which is mountable on coupling terminals of the circuit breaker. The isolating module contains a removable isolating unit. The isolating unit can be removed only when the protective circuit breaker is open. In this way, the circuit breaker is provided with a visible isolating gap only when required.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for monitoring the operating condition of a switch by utilizing one or more integrating stages to determine the switching capacity and prevent overstresses. One or more monitoring devices for current, switch action rate, arc quench chamber insulation, contact condition, mechanical condition, operating temperature, or contact voltage are provided, which report the equipment condition, particularly the switching capacity. The sensors are functionally connected with the switchgear drive via a processing stage. The current sensors, together with a counting device, can report the .intg. i.n.dt, i.e. a measure of the stressing of the switch, and in doing so can disable the drive of the equipment. The invention serves the early detection of switchgear which is no longer fully operational, so that these can be replaced before an overstress occurs.

Abstract: An improved locking member for the housing of an electric switching apparatus including a contact plate having a threaded aperture, and a screw-type electrical contact disposed in the aperture. The housing has an elongated slit disposed therein transverse to the direction of insertion of the contact plate into the housing which opens into the interior thereof adjacent the plate and the contact. The locking member is inserted through the slit into the housing for securing the contact plate therein. The improvement of the invention comprises the locking member comprising a planar sheet member having a recess disposed therein and a projection member integrally formed with the sheet member extending into the recess in the plane of the sheet member from one side thereof.