Abstract: A vacuum chamber contact assembly includes a vacuum housing assembly, a conductor assembly, and an operating mechanism. The vacuum housing assembly defines a sealed enclosed space. The conductor assembly includes a first stationary conductor assembly, a second stationary conductor assembly, and a movable conductor assembly. The operating mechanism includes a number of stationary components, a number of movable components and an actuator/latch assembly. The movable conductor assembly and the operating mechanism movable components are disposed entirely within the vacuum housing assembly enclosed space. The actuator/latch assembly includes an open, first latch unit and a close, second latch unit. The actuator/latch assembly is structured to maintain the movable conductor assembly in both the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber contact assembly includes a vacuum housing assembly, a conductor assembly, and an operating mechanism. The vacuum housing assembly defines a sealed enclosed space. The conductor assembly includes a first stationary conductor assembly, a second stationary conductor assembly, and a movable conductor assembly. The operating mechanism includes a number of stationary components, a number of movable components and an actuator/latch assembly. The movable conductor assembly and the operating mechanism movable components are disposed entirely within the vacuum housing assembly enclosed space. The actuator/latch assembly includes an open, first latch unit and a close, second latch unit. The actuator/latch assembly is structured to maintain the movable conductor assembly in both the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter system includes a vacuum circuit interrupter having a vacuum chamber that contains a fixed contact and a moveable contact. A non-conductive rod extends from the moveable contact. One or more Thomson coils are wound around the rod, and one or more armatures are connected to the rod. When a driver energizes one of the Thomson coils, a corresponding armature will be repelled from that Thomson coil and move the rod to open or close the contacts of the vacuum circuit interrupter. The system also may include a damper that provides an active damping force rod when the rod is moved to open and/or close the vacuum circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter system includes a vacuum circuit interrupter having a vacuum chamber that contains a fixed contact and a moveable contact. A non-conductive rod extends from the moveable contact. One or more Thomson coils are wound around the rod, and one or more armatures are connected to the rod. When a driver energizes one of the Thomson coils, a corresponding armature will be repelled from that Thomson coil and move the rod to open or close the contacts of the vacuum circuit interrupter. The system also may include a damper that provides an active damping force rod when the rod is moved to open and/or close the vacuum circuit interrupter.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit interrupter includes a line side voltage sensing module for measuring first voltages on a line side of separable contacts, a load side voltage sensing module for measuring second voltages on a load side of the separable contacts, a current sensor, and a main controller. The main controller is further structured and configured to: (i) for each of a plurality of arc interruption events in the circuit interrupter, determine a mass loss due to contact erosion during the arc interruption event based on one or more of the first voltages, the second voltages and the current measured by the current sensor, (ii) determine a total mass loss based on each determined mass loss due to contact erosion, and (iii) monitor a remaining life of the separable contacts based on the determined total mass loss due to contact erosion.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for treating dried coal and coal char to promote passivation of the reactive carbon particles by forming a protective oxide coating and simultaneously adding moisture to rehydrate said particles. The passivation process is conducted in a novel apparatus providing for the staged control of the reaction temperature and the staged introduction of both oxygen and moisture. The fluidized bed apparatus has internal in-bed cooling means embedded within the fluidized coal or coal char particles so as to remove the heat energy as it is released by virtue of the exothermic passivation reactions.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for treating dried coal and coal char to promote passivation of the reactive carbon particles by forming a protective oxide coating and simultaneously adding moisture to rehydrate said particles. The passivation process is conducted in a novel apparatus providing for the staged control of the reaction temperature and the staged introduction of both oxygen and moisture. The fluidized bed apparatus has internal in-bed cooling means embedded within the fluidized coal or coal char particles so as to remove the heat energy as it is released by virtue of the exothermic passivation reactions.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit interrupter includes a line side voltage sensing module for measuring first voltages on a line side of separable contacts, a load side voltage sensing module for measuring second voltages on a load side of the separable contacts, a current sensor, and a main controller. The main controller is further structured and configured to: (i) for each of a plurality of arc interruption events in the circuit interrupter, determine a mass loss due to contact erosion during the arc interruption event based on one or more of the first voltages, the second voltages and the current measured by the current sensor, (ii) determine a total mass loss based on each determined mass loss due to contact erosion, and (iii) monitor a remaining life of the separable contacts based on the determined total mass loss due to contact erosion.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for treating dried coal and coal char to promote passivation of the reactive carbon particles by forming a protective oxide coating and simultaneously adding moisture to rehydrate said particles. The passivation process is conducted in a novel apparatus providing for the staged control of the reaction temperature and the staged introduction of both oxygen and moisture. The fluidized bed apparatus has internal in-bed cooling means embedded within the fluidized coal or coal char particles so as to remove the heat energy as it is released by virtue of the exothermic passivation reactions.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a transductor circuit that senses a direct current between at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal and outputs an alternating current proportional to the direct current between the input terminal and the output terminal. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a current sensor configured to sense an alternating current component of the direct current. The electrical switching apparatus further includes an alternating current electronic trip circuit including an arc fault detection circuit configured to detect an arc fault based on the sensed alternating current component. The alternating current electronic trip circuit is also configured to control pairs of separable contacts to trip open based on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit or the detected arc fault.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a transductor circuit that senses a direct current between at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal and outputs an alternating current proportional to the direct current between the input terminal and the output terminal. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a current sensor configured to sense an alternating current component of the direct current. The electrical switching apparatus further includes an alternating current electronic trip circuit including an arc fault detection circuit configured to detect an arc fault based on the sensed alternating current component. The alternating current electronic trip circuit is also configured to control pairs of separable contacts to trip open based on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit or the detected arc fault.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a transductor circuit that senses a direct current between at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal and outputs an alternating current proportional to the direct current between the input terminal and the output terminal. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a current sensor configured to sense an alternating current component of the direct current. The electrical switching apparatus further includes an alternating current electronic trip circuit including an arc fault detection circuit configured to detect an arc fault based on the sensed alternating current component. The alternating current electronic trip circuit is also configured to control pairs of separable contacts to trip open based on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit or the detected arc fault.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a transductor circuit that senses a direct current between at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal and outputs an alternating current proportional to the direct current between the input terminal and the output terminal. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a current sensor configured to sense an alternating current component of the direct current. The electrical switching apparatus further includes an alternating current electronic trip circuit including an arc fault detection circuit configured to detect an arc fault based on the sensed alternating current component. The alternating current electronic trip circuit is also configured to control pairs of separable contacts to trip open based on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit or the detected arc fault.

Abstract: A circuit breaker terminal lug cover is structured to mechanically secure to a circuit breaker terminal lug and protect the terminal lug from degradation or corrosion. The terminal lug includes a number of terminal lug screws capable of securing a number of cables to the circuit breaker. The terminal lug cover includes a plurality of sides structured to carry heat away from the terminal lug or deflect ionized gases away from the terminal lug. At least one of the sides includes a number of securing members structured to mechanically secure the terminal lug cover to the circuit breaker terminal lug. One of the sides includes an access hole permitting access to the number of terminal lug screws.

Abstract: A direct current arc chute includes a ferromagnetic base having first and second ends; first and second ferromagnetic side members disposed from the respective first and second ends; a third ferromagnetic member disposed from the base intermediate the side members and having an end portion opposite the base; and first and second magnets on the respective first and second members have a magnetic polarity facing the third member. A first arc chamber is between the first and third members; and a second arc chamber is between the second and third members. The first magnet and first member extend away from the first end and beyond the end portion, and toward the second magnet and second member after the end portion. The second magnet and second member extend away from the second end and beyond the end portion, and toward the first magnet and first member after the end portion.

Abstract: A direct current arc chute includes a ferromagnetic base having first and second ends; first and second ferromagnetic side members disposed from the respective first and second ends; a third ferromagnetic member disposed from the base intermediate the side members and having an end portion opposite the base; and first and second magnets on the respective first and second members have a magnetic polarity facing the third member. A first arc chamber is between the first and third members; and a second arc chamber is between the second and third members. The first magnet and first member extend away from the first end and beyond the end portion, and toward the second magnet and second member after the end portion. The second magnet and second member extend away from the second end and beyond the end portion, and toward the first magnet and first member after the end portion.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc chamber. The arc chamber includes a slot motor having a core and a housing with an opening therein, an arc chute, and a number of gassing inserts disposed in the opening of the housing. The number of gassing inserts and the housing are structured to form a number of gas flow circulation paths. The number of gas flow circulation paths are structured to drive an arc into the arc chute.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a movable contact assembly having a movable contact, a stationary contact assembly, and an operating mechanism. The stationary contact assembly includes a conductor, a first stationary contact disposed on the conductor, and a second stationary contact disposed on the same such conductor proximate the first stationary contact. The first stationary contact has a first contact surface disposed a first distance from the conductor. The second stationary contact has a second contact surface disposed a second distance from the conductor. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The operating mechanism is structured to move the movable contact assembly and cause the movable contact to engage or disengage from at least the first contact surface of the first stationary contact.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a movable contact assembly having a movable contact, a stationary contact assembly, and an operating mechanism. The stationary contact assembly includes a conductor, a first stationary contact disposed on the conductor, and a second stationary contact disposed on the same such conductor proximate the first stationary contact. The first stationary contact has a first contact surface disposed a first distance from the conductor. The second stationary contact has a second contact surface disposed a second distance from the conductor. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The operating mechanism is structured to move the movable contact assembly and cause the movable contact to engage or disengage from at least the first contact surface of the first stationary contact.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc chamber. The arc chamber includes a slot motor having a core and a housing with an opening therein, an arc chute, and a number of gassing inserts disposed in the opening of the housing. The number of gassing inserts and the housing are structured to form a number of gas flow circulation paths. The number of gas flow circulation paths are structured to drive an arc into the arc chute.