Abstract: A circuit breaker with electrical disconnect means characterized by a solenoid operator for moving a handle of a circuit breaker between ON and OFF positions. The solenoid operator includes a movable electromagnet and a movable armature for actuating the handle, an interlock switch serially connected to the electromagnet and a manual operator for overriding the solenoid operator by opening a circuit through the interlock switch.

Abstract: A circuit breaker with a magnetic circuit for delaying the trip function and characterized by a dual variable magnetic circuit air gap which allows a time delay at low level overcurrents, such that motor starting transient currents do not prematurely trip the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter characterized by an assemblage of interconnected electrical units including a circuit breaker, a current limiting structure, a contactor, and a motor controller which units are fitted together detachably into a compact unit, in which the controller controls the contactor and the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined current condition, and in which the circuit interrupter includes a single pair of separable contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker with an arc gas vent baffle characterized by a molded insulating housing containing circuit breaker and an arc quenching chamber, the housing having walls forming a compartment containing a terminal, the walls having spaced vent openings communicating with the compartment one of which openings is covered with a baffle to turn aside the flow of gases, and the baffle being yieldably mounted to permit access through the opening from the outside of the housing.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a solenoid control circuit for controllably energizing a solenoid to actuate a motor operator to automatically move a handle of the circuit breaker to change the operative condition of the circuit breaker. The control circuit includes a monostable multivibrator that supplies an electrical pulse to the solenoid upon the receipt of a switching initiation signal. The time duration of the electrical pulse is controlled to be sufficiently long to assure proper operation of the solenoid and is determined by a timing circuit coupled to the source of operating voltage for the solenoid. If the operating voltage decreases, the time required to charge the timing circuit increases, increasing the duration of the electrical pulse of the solenoid to assure proper operation under low voltage conditions.

Abstract: A circuit breaker with arc chamber vent characterized by a molded insulating housing containing circuit breaker means and an arc quenching chamber, the housing having wall means forming a compartment containing a terminal, and the wall means having gas vent opening communicating between the chamber and the compartment and a tubular wall surrounding the terminal for preventing any arc gases exhausting from the chamber into the compartment from causing electrical breakdown between the terminal and any proximate conductor.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a handle lock or locking mechanism for preventing unauthorized use of the circuit breaker. The locking mechanism includes a lock cover disposed over a manually engagable handle of the circuit breaker and a spring biased locking cylinder and spindle assembly disposed normally above the lock cover and movable along an elongated slot formed through the lock cover. The cylinder and spindle assembly is mechanically connected to the handle for movement in unison therewith. The elongated slot includes an enlarged locking portion that is located along the lock cover in a position corresponding to the OFF position of the handle and the OPEN position of the separable electrical contacts of the circuit breaker. An elongated cylinder of the cylinder and spindle assembly is receivable through the locking portion of the elongated slot and when retained therein prevents substantial movement of the handle from its OFF position.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a single coil solenoid operator for placing the handle of the circuit breaker in its ON position or in its OFF position. The solenoid operator includes a single coil solenoid formed by an electromagnet secured to a movable electromagnet drive plate and by an armature secured to a movable armature drive plate. The drive plates are disposed for rectilinear movement and are configured alternately to engage a formed trigger plate secured to the handle to move the trigger plate and the handle between the ON position and the OFF position of the handle. A pair of pivotable, bistable mechanical latches are configured to engage and stop further movement of alternate drive plates depending upon the state of the latches. Successive actuations of the single coil solenoid operator cause the handle to be placed alternately in its ON position or in its OFF position.

Abstract: This invention provides an electric control device comprising a unique and novel auxiliary contact structure is made an integral part of the operating coil. This new arrangement greatly expands the interlocking capabilities of electric control devices without causing an increase in the device's overall size.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel and unique electric control device which utilizes a new auxiliary contact device. This new auxiliary contact device has a contact-carrying structure that is directly engaged with the operating mechanism of the electric control device whereby the operating mechanism directly moves the auxiliary contact device to all operating positions eliminating any requirement for biasing the auxiliary contacts into any normal position.

Abstract: An electric control apparatus with an electromechanical latch device which allows the electric control device to be momentarily energized to one operating position, mechanically latched in that position, and released to return to its initial position after momentarily energizing the latch device mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter with an optical indicator characterized by a housing, a stationary contact structure within the housing, a movable contact carrier structure within the housing and movable between open and closed positions relative to the stationary contact carrier, said carrier structure also being movable between remote and proximate positions of the lens, indicator means for observing the position of said carrier structure and including a lens in the housing and directed to said carrier structure, indicia on the surface of said carrier structure facing the lens and having two indicia portions, and the lens showing different indicia portions when the carrier structure is in remote and proximate positions, thereby indicating to an observer whether the circuit interrupter is in the open or closed circuit condition.

Abstract: An electric control device is provided by this invention with a new and unique pull-out contact combination. This pull-out arrangement allows the contact assembly to be pulled away from the housing of the control device for visual inspection of the contacts without removing electrical conductors terminated there.

Abstract: A method for making pressed magnetic components having a low core loss characterized by the steps of compacting a plurality of substantially rectangular particles of an oriented iron alloy having a silicon content of from about 2.5% to about 3.5% and a carbon content of up to 0.01% into a compact of predetermined configuration, and stress-relief annealing the compact in a non-oxidizing atmosphere so as to provide a magnetizable compact having low core loss.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus, comprising an electrical conductor, is encapsulated with a cured, solid insulation comprising bonded, catalyzed, resin coated filler particles, where the resin constitutes from about 1 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of the resin coated filler particle weight.

Abstract: A current limiting contactor characterized by stationary and movable contacts, an elongated conductor supporting the movable contact, the conductor being fixedly mounted at a position spaced from the movable contact, the conductor having a looped portion including a pair of overlapping segments for conducting current in opposite directions of each other, the movable contact engaging the stationary contact when conducting a current up to a predetermined current value, and the conductor being comprised of a flexible material and the overlapping portions being separable to move the movable contact away from the stationary contact when the current exceeds said predetermined value.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor characterized by a stationary contact structure, a movable contact structure, the movable contact structure comprising a contact arm and a conductor, and a shuntless, pivotal electrical connection between the contact arm and the conductor.