Abstract: A switch assembly including a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact, an actuator operable to move the movable contact, and a drive rod assembly coupled to the movable contact and the actuator. The drive rod assembly includes a male part and a female part where the male part is inserted into and coupled to the female part. One of the male part or the female part includes a conductor that provides an electrical connection between the male and female parts and one of the male part or the female part includes a locking ring that snap fits into a groove in the other male or female part.

Abstract: A switch assembly for high voltage applications, where the switch assembly includes a traditional mechanical switch and a triggered gap device electrically coupled in parallel. The mechanical switch includes a first switch contact and a second switch contact, where one or both of the first switch contact and the second switch contact are movable to engage and disengage the first and second switch contacts to allow or prevent current flow therethrough. The triggered gap device includes a vacuum enclosure, a first stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and a second stationary contact positioned within the enclosure, where a gap is defined between the first and second stationary contacts. The triggered gap device further includes a plasma control device that allows creation of a plasma in the gap that causes an arc between the stationary contacts on the order of micro-seconds that allows current flow between the contacts.

Abstract: A switch assembly for high voltage applications, where the switch assembly includes a traditional mechanical switch and a triggered gap device electrically coupled in parallel. The mechanical switch includes a first switch contact and a second switch contact, where one or both of the first switch contact and the second switch contact are movable to engage and disengage the first and second switch contacts to allow or prevent current flow therethrough. The triggered gap device includes a vacuum enclosure, a first stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and a second stationary contact positioned within the enclosure, where a gap is defined between the first and second stationary contacts. The triggered gap device further includes a plasma control device that allows creation of a plasma in the gap that causes an arc between the stationary contacts on the order of micro-seconds that allows current flow between the contacts.

Abstract: A support for an electronic display is provided. The support is movable through a panning motion by both manual manipulation and a motor. The support may include a clutch that facilitates both manual and motorized panning of the electronic display. The support is manually movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The support is also capable of supporting a relatively heavy load, such as a television or a computer monitor, and rotating the heavy load through a panning motion with a relatively small motor. The support may include a thrust bearing to facilitate panning of the heavy load. The support also includes a clutch that prevents stripping or damage of electrical components in the event panning motion is inhibited, such as by engagement of the electronic display with a wall. The support also includes a plurality of mechanical components that are removable as a single unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for resurfacing and buffing the playable surface of an optical disc is provided. The apparatus includes a reciprocally mounted disc support having a rotatably mounted platen or turntable on which a disc may be received, a resurfacing wheel, a buffing wheel, and a power-driven and timed drive assembly for driving the disc support member between a loading/unloading station, a resurfacing station for engagement with the resurfacing wheel, and a buffing station for engagement with a buffing wheel.