Abstract: A contactor includes a housing having a cavity with fixed contacts received in the cavity and a movable contact movable within the cavity to mate to the fixed contacts and unmate from the fixed contacts. The movable contact electrically connecting the fixed contacts in the mated position. A mating gap is formed between the movable contact and the fixed contacts when the movable contact is unmated from the fixed contacts. The contactor includes an actuator operably coupled to the movable contact to move the movable contact within the cavity relative to the fixed contacts. The actuator includes a primary coil assembly and a secondary coil assembly. The primary coil assembly is operable to move the movable contact. The secondary coil assembly is operable independently from the primary coil assembly to change a length of the mating gap.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly includes the solenoid armature assembly having a flux tube or magnetic bearing having an opposed first end and a second end. The armature assembly additionally includes an armature having an opposed third end and a fourth end and movable within the flux tube or magnetic bearing along a mutual axis. The fourth end of the armature is slidably movable beyond the second end of the flux tube or magnetic bearing. A top plate facing the fourth end of the armature, the top plate having an opening for slidably receiving the central core. A slot is included in at least one of the flux tube or magnetic bearing, the armature, and the top plate to improve or decrease release time between the movable contacts and the stationary contacts.

Abstract: A method of regulating the operation of an electrical system. The electrical system includes, a load, at least one sensor coupled to the load configured to measure at least one characteristic of the load, a solenoid having at least one coil, at least one sensor coupled to the solenoid coil configured to measure at least one characteristic of the coil. A control circuit is coupled to the at least one load sensor and the at least one coil sensor, and includes a memory. The method includes receiving, by the control circuit, at least one load characteristic from the at least one load sensor, determining, by the control circuit, a force sufficient to maintain an electrical contact, based on the at least one load characteristic, and regulating, by the control circuit, a coil current, based on the force and based on the at least one characteristic of the coil.

Abstract: A power switch device has a housing, a movable shuttle and at least one shape memory alloy actuator. The housing has a cavity and stationary current carrying contacts which extend through the housing to the cavity. The movable shuttle with a bridge contact provided in the cavity. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is attached to a first end of the shuttle and to a first end of the housing. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is configured to respond to a first activation signal. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator contracts from an initial shape in response to the first actuation signal to move the shuttle and the bridge contact toward the stationary current carrying contacts to a closed position in which the bridge contact is positioned in electrical engagement with the stationary current carrying contacts.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly includes the solenoid armature assembly having a flux tube or magnetic bearing having an opposed first end and a second end. The armature assembly additionally includes an armature having an opposed third end and a fourth end and movable within the flux tube or magnetic bearing along a mutual axis. The fourth end of the armature is slidably movable beyond the second end of the flux tube or magnetic bearing. A top plate facing the fourth end of the armature, the top plate having an opening for slidably receiving the central core. A slot is included in at least one of the flux tube or magnetic bearing, the armature, and the top plate to improve or decrease release time between the movable contacts and the stationary contacts.

Abstract: A power switch device has a housing, a movable shuttle and at least one shape memory alloy actuator. The housing has a cavity and stationary current carrying contacts which extend through the housing to the cavity. The movable shuttle with a bridge contact provided in the cavity. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is attached to a first end of the shuttle and to a first end of the housing. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is configured to respond to a first activation signal. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator contracts from an initial shape in response to the first actuation signal to move the shuttle and the bridge contact toward the stationary current carrying contacts to a closed position in which the bridge contact is positioned in electrical engagement with the stationary current carrying contacts.

Abstract: A method of regulating the operation of an electrical system. The electrical system includes, a load, at least one sensor coupled to the load configured to measure at least one characteristic of the load, a solenoid having at least one coil, at least one sensor coupled to the solenoid coil configured to measure at least one characteristic of the coil. A control circuit is coupled to the at least one load sensor and the at least one coil sensor, and includes a memory. The method includes receiving, by the control circuit, at least one load characteristic from the at least one load sensor, determining, by the control circuit, a force sufficient to maintain an electrical contact, based on the at least one load characteristic, and regulating, by the control circuit, a coil current, based on the force and based on the at least one characteristic of the coil.

Abstract: A switch assembly adapted and a method for switching power to a circuit having a power source. The switch assembly includes current carrying contacts and a coupling member. The coupling member has conductive pads for engaging the current carrying contacts and a contact bridge extending between the conductive pads. An actuator assembly moves the coupling member between a closed position in which the conductive pads of the coupling member engage the current carrying contacts and an open position in which the conductive pads of the coupling member are disengaged from the current carrying contacts. Opposing electromagnetic forces are generated between the contact bridge and the conductive pads to resist electromagnetic repulsion forces generated between the current carrying contacts and the conductive pads as the actuator assembly approaches or is in the closed position.

Abstract: A switch assembly adapted and a method for switching power to a circuit having a power source. The switch assembly includes current carrying contacts and a coupling member. The coupling member has conductive pads for engaging the current carrying contacts and a contact bridge extending between the conductive pads. An actuator assembly moves the coupling member between a closed position in which the conductive pads of the coupling member engage the current carrying contacts and an open position in which the conductive pads of the coupling member are disengaged from the current carrying contacts. Opposing electromagnetic forces are generated between the contact bridge and the conductive pads to resist electromagnetic repulsion forces generated between the current carrying contacts and the conductive pads as the actuator assembly approaches or is in the closed position.

Abstract: A contactor or switch assembly adapted for switching power to a circuit. The housing has internal walls that laterally extend within the interior compartment to define a protection chamber. Current carrying contacts are disposed in the protection chamber of the housing. The current carrying contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. Arc dissipation areas are provided in the protection chamber and are located proximate to the current carrying contacts. Magnets are provided proximate ends of the dissipation areas. The magnets create magnetic flux or a magnetic field that extends across the current carrying contacts. The magnetic flux directs electric arcs radiating from one or more of the current carrying contacts into the arc dissipation areas, thereby increasing the effective distance that the electric arcs travel wherein the electric arcs are dissipated in the dissipation areas.

Abstract: A contactor or switch assembly adapted for switching power to a circuit. The housing has internal walls that laterally extend within the interior compartment to define a protection chamber. Current carrying contacts are disposed in the protection chamber of the housing. The current carrying contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. Arc dissipation areas are provided in the protection chamber and are located proximate to the current carrying contacts. Magnets are provided proximate ends of the dissipation areas. The magnets create magnetic flux or a magnetic field that extends across the current carrying contacts. The magnetic flux directs electric arcs radiating from one or more of the current carrying contacts into the arc dissipation areas, thereby increasing the effective distance that the electric arcs travel wherein the electric arcs are dissipated in the dissipation areas.

Abstract: A contactor assembly is adapted for switching power to a circuit having a power source. The contactor assembly includes a housing, carry contacts, and arc contacts. The housing defines an interior compartment and includes internal chamber walls that laterally extend within the compartment to define a protection chamber. The carry contacts are disposed in the protection chamber of the housing. The carry contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. The arc contacts are disposed in the housing outside of the protection chamber. The arc contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. The internal chamber walls of the housing prevent material that is expelled from one or more of the arc contacts when an electric arc emanates from one or more of the arc contacts from contaminating one or more of the carry contacts.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided for a container having a hermetically sealed internal chamber. The pressure sensor includes a support member having a membrane side and an electrical contact extending along the membrane side. The support member is configured to be held by the container such that at least a portion of the support side is exposed to the internal chamber of the container. The pressure sensor also includes a membrane having a chamber side and an opposite support side. The membrane is held by the support member such that the chamber side is configured to be exposed to the internal chamber and the support side is configured to be isolated from the internal chamber. A pressure differential across the chamber side and the support side of the membrane deflects the membrane into and out of engagement with the electrical contact of the support member.

Abstract: A contactor assembly is adapted for switching power to a circuit having a power source. The contactor assembly includes a housing, carry contacts, and arc contacts. The housing defines an interior compartment and includes internal chamber walls that laterally extend within the compartment to define a protection chamber. The carry contacts are disposed in the protection chamber of the housing. The carry contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. The arc contacts are disposed in the housing outside of the protection chamber. The arc contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay includes an armature and an inner core at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the armature. The armature is slidably movable relative to the inner core. A coil at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The relay also includes a stationary contact held in a ceramic header and a movable contact connected to the armature via a shaft. The movable contact is movable between an open position wherein the movable contact does not engage the stationary contact and a closed position wherein the movable contact engages the stationary contact. The relay also includes a housing having an open end and a chamber. The chamber contains the armature, the inner core, the coil, the movable contact, and at least a portion of the stationary contact. The housing forms a portion of a magnetic circuit of the relay. The ceramic header is circumferentially welded to the housing adjacent the open end such that the chamber of the housing is hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided for a container having a hermetically sealed internal chamber. The pressure sensor includes a support member having a membrane side and an electrical contact extending along the membrane side. The support member is configured to be held by the container such that at least a portion of the support side is exposed to the internal chamber of the container. The pressure sensor also includes a membrane having a chamber side and an opposite support side. The membrane is held by the support member such that the chamber side is configured to be exposed to the internal chamber and the support side is configured to be isolated from the internal chamber. A pressure differential across the chamber side and the support side of the membrane deflects the membrane into and out of engagement with the electrical contact of the support member.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay includes an armature and an inner core at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the armature. The armature is slidably movable relative to the inner core. A coil at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The relay also includes a stationary contact held in a ceramic header and a movable contact connected to the armature via a shaft. The movable contact is movable between an open position wherein the movable contact does not engage the stationary contact and a closed position wherein the movable contact engages the stationary contact. The relay also includes a housing having an open end and a chamber. The chamber contains the armature, the inner core, the coil, the movable contact, and at least a portion of the stationary contact. The housing forms a portion of a magnetic circuit of the relay. The ceramic header is circumferentially welded to the housing adjacent the open end such that the chamber of the housing is hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A modular, multi-phase electrical relay contactor assembled from a number of electrical relay contactor units. Each unit has a housing, an electromagnetic motor located within the housing, a pair of stationary contacts attached to the housing, a moveable contact, and a moveable contact carrier. The moveable contact carrier is engaged with the moveable contact and has a metallic clapper plunger attached to its upper end. A protrusion extends from one side of the moveable contact carrier and an aperture, sized to receive the protrusion of another electrical relay contactor unit, is formed through another side of the moveable contact carrier. A plurality of units are adapted to be connected together such that when engaged, the protrusion extending from the moveable contact carrier of a forwardly located unit will fit into the aperture formed in the moveable contact carrier of a rearwardly located unit, thereby providing synchronous movement of the plurality of moveable contact carriers and the moveable contacts.

Abstract: A electrical conductor relay. The relay has a unitary, non-conducting, chassis/bobbin assembly with a base portion, a bobbin portion, and an upper portion with a window and a plunger slide passage. An electromagnetic coil is located around the bobbin portion and a magnetic metal core passes through the bobbin and extends partially into the window. First and second electrodes are attached to the chassis/bobbin assembly. The first electrode has a first electrode contact, and the second electrode has a top end. A plunger slide member is positioned within the plunger slide passage and has a magnetic metal plunger plate affixed to its bottom. The magnetic metal plunger plate is movably located in the window and is spaced above the magnetic metal core extending up into window. An armature with a fulcrum end and a rearwardly extending spring attachment end and a front end with an armature contact is provided. The armature pivotally engaged with the plunger slide member.

Abstract: A modular, multi-phase electrical relay contactor assembled from a number of electrical relay contactor units. Each unit has a housing, an electromagnetic motor located within the housing, a pair of stationary contacts attached to the housing, a moveable contact, and a moveable contact carrier. The moveable contact carrier is engaged with the moveable contact and has a metallic clapper plunger attached to its upper end. A protrusion extends from one side of the moveable contact carrier and an aperture, sized to receive the protrusion of another electrical relay contactor unit, is formed through another side of the moveable contact carrier. A plurality of units are adapted to be connected together such that when engaged, the protrusion extending from the moveable contact carrier of a forwardly located unit will fit into the aperture formed in the moveable contact carrier of a rearwardly located unit, thereby providing synchronous movement of the plurality of moveable contact carriers and the moveable contacts.