Abstract: A trip unit wherein one sidewall of a trip unit housing assembly captivates a trip bar is provided. A captivation assembly is coupled, or directly coupled, to a trip unit housing assembly, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly includes a trip bar bearing cap having a stop feature, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The trip bar includes a radial stop paddle having hemispherical protrusions structured to contact the trip unit housing, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly elements are incorporated into the trip unit housing assembly and captivates the trip bar in all but one axis, thereby limiting tolerance buildup and improving repeatability.

Abstract: A trip unit wherein one sidewall of a trip unit housing assembly captivates a trip bar is provided. A captivation assembly is coupled, or directly coupled, to a trip unit housing assembly, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly includes a trip bar bearing cap having a stop feature, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The trip bar includes a radial stop paddle having hemispherical protrusions structured to contact the trip unit housing, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly elements are incorporated into the trip unit housing assembly and captivates the trip bar in all but one axis, thereby limiting tolerance buildup and improving repeatability.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker switch handle extension is described. The circuit breaker switch handle extension is used to control and limit operation of a circuit breaker switch handle to which it is attached. The handle extension includes positive stop features that prevent damage or destruction of the circuit breaker switch handle when excessive or undesirable force is applied to the handle extension.

Abstract: An assembly and associated method are provided for use with the stationary and moveable contact sub-assembly portions of a vacuum interrupter. This assembly employs a groove machined circumferentially into an electrode of the sub-assembly in conjunction with a retaining ring apparatus having a first portion inserted into the groove. A second portion of the retaining ring provides stable structural support to components stacked onto the retaining ring apparatus. The components are clamped together and brazing material is placed across junctions between and among the individual vacuum interrupter components. Methods for constructing a vacuum interrupter sub-assembly in conjunction with brazing processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clad end seal for a vacuum interrupter comprises a disk-shaped base portion made of at least two clad metal layers and a cylindrical sidewall portion extending therefrom comprising one of the metal layers. The base portion provides strength and stiffness, while the sidewall portion provides stress isolation between the insulating tube of the vacuum interrupter and the base of the clad end seal. The metal sidewall has a relatively low yield strength and a thin section which reduces the risk of fracture when the end seal is brazed to the vacuum interrupter insulating tube. The clad end seal is produced by forming a clad sheet into a cup-shaped article, followed by removal of the outer metal layer from the cylindrical sidewall. The resultant clad end seal comprises a unitary component which eliminates the problems associated with conventional multi-component end seals.