Abstract: A fault interrupter and a method of operating a fault interrupter to reduce arcing time during fault interruption. Fault interrupter operation is delayed following detecting a peak current such that its operation occurs at a point of the current wave resulting in reduced arcing during fault isolation.

Abstract: A golf swing teaching aid includes an arm cuff positionable on an upper portion of a golfer's forward arm. A hand engaging member is positionable on a hand of the forward arm and has a first side, a second side, a forward edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A plurality of couplers engages and urges toward each other the first and second lateral edges. An elongated rod has a cuff end and a hand end. The cuff end is pivotally coupled to the arm cuff. The hand end is pivotally coupled to the first side of the hand engaging member. The rod is straight and maintains a distance between the arm cuff and the hand engaging member. The hand engaging member and the arm cuff are positionable on the forward arm to resist bending of the forward arm during a golf swing.

Abstract: A latching electromagnetically actuable device comprises an electromagnet and an electrical coil. The electromagnet comprises an armature and a core. At least one of the armature and the core is of a magnetically hard material. A housing supports the electromagnet and the coil. Energizing the coil in a first direction magnetizes the magnetically hard material to draw the armature and core together and latch the electromagnet. Energizing the coil is a second direction releases the electromagnet.

Abstract: A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.

Abstract: A fault interrupter and a method of operating a fault interrupter to reduce arcing time during fault interruption. Fault interrupter operation is delayed following detecting a peak current such that its operation occurs at a point of the current wave resulting in reduced arcing during fault isolation.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable device includes a base. A magnetic core is fixedly mounted to the base. An armature is movably mounted to the base proximate the magnetic core. A coil is fixedly mounted to the base and is selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The armature and magnetic core have mating surfaces adapted to provide three contact areas in a triangular configuration to provide minimal magnetic air gap and a stable interface when the coil is energized.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable device has a magnetic core proximate an armature and a coil selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The armature and magnetic core are of laminated magnetic steel and have mating surfaces. At least one of the armature and magnetic core includes conductive weld or braze lines for integrally securing laminations together to define a conductive path proximate the mating surface to provide a shading coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a formed interface there between a magnetic core proximate an armature of an electromagnetically actuable device. A coil of the electromagnetically actuable device is selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The formed interface is adapted to provide three contact areas in a triangular configuration at the mating surfaces of the armature and magnetic core which causes a minimal magnetic air gap and a stable interface there when the coil is energized. The formed interface overcomes the surface deformations of the armature and magnetic core to reduce vibration and noise.

Abstract: A switch assembly for use in an electrical apparatus includes a first contact having a first substrate and a first contact pad. The first contact pad is of copper or of a copper alloy. A second contact has a second substrate and a second contact pad. The second contact pad is of silver or of a silver alloy. The first contact is movably mounting relative to the second contact so that in a make position the first and second contact pads are in electrical contact with one another and in a break position the first and second contact pads are spaced from one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a formed interface there between a magnetic core proximate an armature of an electromagnetically actuable device. A coil of the electromagnetically actuable device is selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The formed interface is adapted to provide three contact areas in a triangular configuration at the mating surfaces of the armature and magnetic core which causes a minimal magnetic air gap and a stable interface there when the coil is energized. The formed interface overcomes the surface deformations of the armature and magnetic core to reduce vibration and noise.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable device has a magnetic core proximate an armature and a coil selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The armature and magnetic core are of laminated magnetic steel and have mating surfaces. At least one of the armature and magnetic core includes conductive weld or braze lines for integrally securing laminations together to define a conductive path proximate the mating surface to provide a shading coil.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical apparatus includes a first optical element, a second optical element, and a third optical element disposed between the first and second optical elements. Light from the first optical element is incident upon the second optical element at an angle with respect to the optic axis that is substantially independent of an offset of the first optical element in a direction orthogonal to the optic axis.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical apparatus includes a first optical element, a second optical element, and a third optical element disposed between the first and second optical elements. Light from the first optical element is incident upon the second optical element at an angle with respect to the optic axis that is substantially independent of an offset of the first optical element in a direction orthogonal to the optic axis.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable device has a magnetic core proximate an armature and a coil selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The armature and magnetic core are of laminated magnetic steel and have mating surfaces. At least one of the armature and magnetic core includes conductive weld or braze lines for integrally securing laminations together to define a conductive path proximate the mating surface to provide a shading coil.

Abstract: A latching electromagnetically actuable device comprises an electromagnet and an electrical coil. The electromagnet comprises an armature and a core. At least one of the armature and the core is of a magnetically hard material. A housing supports the electromagnet and the coil. Energizing the coil in a first direction magnetizes the magnetically hard material to draw the armature and core together and latch the electromagnet. Energizing the coil is a second direction releases the electromagnet.

Abstract: A switch assembly for use in an electrical apparatus includes a first contact having a first substrate and a first contact pad. The first contact pad is of copper or of a copper alloy. A second contact has a second substrate and a second contact pad. The second contact pad is of silver or of a silver alloy. The first contact is movably mounting relative to the second contact so that in a make position the first and second contact pads are in electrical contact with one another and in a break position the first and second contact pads are spaced from one another.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable device has a magnetic core proximate an armature and a coil selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The armature and magnetic core are of laminated magnetic steel and have mating surfaces. At least one of the armature and magnetic core includes conductive weld or braze lines for integrally securing laminations together to define a conductive path proximate the mating surface to provide a shading coil.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable device includes a base. A magnetic core is fixedly mounted to the base. An armature is movably mounted to the base proximate the magnetic core. A coil is fixedly mounted to the base and is selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The armature and magnetic core have mating surfaces adapted to provide three contact areas in a triangular configuration to provide minimal magnetic air gap and a stable interface when the coil is energized.

Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.

Abstract: A unitary housing structure is provided for an electrical switching device such as a three-phase contactor. The housing includes internal partitions for separating an operator section from contact sections, and for isolating phase sections from one another. The partitions are contiguous with one another and with side walls of the housing, inhibiting plasma flow within the housing cavities. The housing is made of a thermoplastic material which is molded as a single piece. The thermoplastic may be partially protected from plasma and arcs by shields within the phase sections, such as splitter plate supports.