Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, separable contacts, an operating mechanism configured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip circuit including a trip actuator configured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The circuit interrupter also includes a ground fault detection circuit configured to sense a difference between currents through the first and second electrical conductors and to output an output signal based on the sensed difference, a power supply configured to convert alternating current power from the first and second electrical conductors to a direct current power, and a processor configured to receive the direct current power and the output signal. The processor is also configured to determine whether a characteristic of the power supply is present in the output signal and to control the trip circuit based on the determination.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, separable contacts, an operating mechanism configured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip circuit including a trip actuator configured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The circuit interrupter also includes a ground fault detection circuit configured to sense a difference between currents through the first and second electrical conductors and to output an output signal based on the sensed difference, a power supply configured to convert alternating current power from the first and second electrical conductors to a direct current power, and a processor configured to receive the direct current power and the output signal. The processor is also configured to determine whether a characteristic of the power supply is present in the output signal and to control the trip circuit based on the determination.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a trip actuator configured to cooperate with an operating mechanism to trip open separable contacts. The circuit interrupter also includes a ground fault sensor configured to sense a difference between a current through a first electrical conductor and a current through a second electrical conductor and to output an output current based on the sensed difference and a ground fault amplifier circuit configured to convert the output current to an output voltage. The circuit interrupter also includes first and second switches configured to electrically connect the output of the ground fault sensor to the ground fault amplifier circuit and the trip actuator, respectively. The circuit interrupter also includes a processor configured to control operation of the first and second switches and, when the first switch is closed, to control operation of the trip actuator based on the output voltage.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a trip actuator configured to cooperate with an operating mechanism to trip open separable contacts. The circuit interrupter also includes a ground fault sensor configured to sense a difference between a current through a first electrical conductor and a current through a second electrical conductor and to output an output current based on the sensed difference and a ground fault amplifier circuit configured to convert the output current to an output voltage. The circuit interrupter also includes first and second switches configured to electrically connect the output of the ground fault sensor to the ground fault amplifier circuit and the trip actuator, respectively. The circuit interrupter also includes a processor configured to control operation of the first and second switches and, when the first switch is closed, to control operation of the trip actuator based on the output voltage.

Abstract: A current transformer comprises a coil, a core and a shunt member. The core forms a magnetic circuit and has a first permeability. At least a portion of the core is encircled by the coil. The shunt member is coupled to the core and has a second permeability. The shunt member is continuous and forms a magnetically parallel path with the at least a portion of the core encircled by the coil. The current transformer may be incorporated in to a trip device.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a peak detector determining a peak amplitude of a current pulse of the current flowing in a power circuit. A microprocessor determines whether the peak amplitude of the current pulse is greater than a predetermined magnitude. A plurality of routines including a time discounted accumulation algorithm, a short delay algorithm and a series time discounted accumulation algorithm, employ the peak amplitude to determine whether an arc fault condition exists in the power circuit.

Abstract: A method for detecting a latent environmental effect (such as a corrosive environment under insulation) or a latent structural change (such as a crack in a concealed structural member) at a known remote concealed location. The method of the instant invention includes three steps. The first step is to use a harmonic electromagnetic transponder at the known remote concealed location of the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change, the harmonic electromagnetic transponder having a reactive portion which reacts to the latent environmental effect or latent structural change to modify the harmonic emission of the transponder. The second step is to remotely interrogate the transponder by directing electromagnetic radiation at the transponder. The third step is to use the harmonic emission of the transponder to remotely determine the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change.

Abstract: A circuit breaker with a thermal/magnetic trip device incorporates a monitor that senses the temperature of the bimetal and the amplitude of the load current to distinguish between a thermal and a magnetic trip. If the temperature of the bimetal is above a selected value when the circuit breaker trips, a “THERMAL” trip light emitting diode (LED) is energized, while a high load current at the time of a trip lights a “MAG” trip LED. The monitor also energizes an “ARC” LED in response to an arc fault signal from an AFCI at the time of trip, or a “GRD” LED in response to a ground fault trip. If a trip sensor, which monitors load voltage does not detect opening of the circuit breaker contacts when an arc fault or ground fault signal is generated, the corresponding LED is flashed to indicate the failure to trip. The monitor also has a “SURGE” LED to indicate a voltage surge in the protected distribution system as detected by a surge detector built into the circuit breaker.

Abstract: Described are enzyme systems specific for acetone and methods of using these enzyme systems to detect acetone in biological or environmental samples. Biosensors containing these enzyme systems are disclosed, in which detection of acetone may be achieved by linking electrochemical, photometric, or other detection means to one or more acetone-specific enzyme reactions or pathways. Methods of using such acetone-specific biosensors include subject management of weight loss, disease detection, and bioavailability monitoring of therapeutics.

Abstract: A high energy density, high power density capacitor having an energy density of at least about 0.5 J/cm.sup.3 is provided. The capacitor comprises a plurality of interleaved metal electrode layers separated by a polymer layer. The interleaved metal electrode layers terminate at opposite ends in a solder termination strip. The high energy density aspect of the capacitors of the invention is achieved by at least one of the following features: (a) the dielectric thickness between the interleaved metal electrode layers is a maximum of about 5 .mu.m; (b) the polymer is designed with a high dielectric constant .kappa. of at least about 3.5; (c) the metal electrode layers within the polymer layer are recessed along edges orthogonal to the solder termination strips to prevent arcing between the metal electrode layers at the edges; and (d) the resistivity of the metal electrode layers is within the range of about 10 to 500 ohms per square, or a corresponding thickness of about 200 to 30 .ANG..

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing ballasts and starter assemblies used in gas discharge lamps are disclosed. One embodiment of a starter assembly includes a one-piece plastic enclosure for a glow bulb which is used as a starter for a fluorescent lamp. The enclosure has a latching hinged lid, a partition wall to isolate the glow bulb leads, and integral strain relief. The glow bulb enclosure is preferably mounted inside a ballast assembly and the glow bulb leads are preferably ultrasonically welded to the ballast power supply wires. Methods of reducing manufacturing expenses by physically separating the glow bulb from other ballast components are also disclosed.

Abstract: An one-piece plastic protective enclosure is provided for a glow bulb used as a starter for a fluorescent lamp. The enclosure has a latching hinged lid, a partition wall to isolate the glow bulb leads, and integral strain relief. The glow bulb enclosure is mounted inside a ballast assembly and the glow bulb leads are ultrasonically welded to the ballast power supply wires.

Abstract: A high energy density, high power density capacitor having an energy density of at least about 0.5 J/cm.sup.3 is provided. The capacitor comprises a plurality of interleaved metal electrode layers separated by a polymer layer. The interleaved metal electrode layers terminate at opposite ends in a solder termination strip. The high energy density aspect of the capacitors of the invention is achieved by at least one of the following features: (a) the dielectric thickness between the interleaved metal electrode layers is a maximum of about 5 .mu.m; (b) the polymer is designed with a high dielectric constant .kappa. of at least about 3.5; (c) the metal electrode layers within the polymer layer are recessed along edges orthogonal to the solder termination strips to prevent arcing between the metal electrode layers at the edges; and (d) the resistivity of the metal electrode layers is within the range of about 10 to 500 ohms per square, or a corresponding thickness of about 200 to 30 .ANG..

Abstract: A strain tolerant multifilamentary wire capable of carrying superconducting currents is provided comprising a plurality of discontinuous filaments formed from a high temperature superconducting material. The discontinuous filaments have a length at least several orders of magnitude greater than the filament diameter and are sufficiently strong while in an amorphous state to withstand compaction. A normal metal is interposed between and binds the discontinuous filaments to form a normal metal matrix capable of withstanding heat treatment for converting the filaments to a superconducting state. The geometry of the filaments within the normal metal matrix provides substantial filament-to-filament overlap, and the normal metal is sufficiently thin to allow supercurrent transfer between the overlapped discontinuous filaments but is also sufficiently thick to provide strain relief to the filaments.

Abstract: A strain tolerant microfilamentary wire capable of carrying superconducting currents is provided comprising a plurality of discontinuous filaments formed from a high temperature superconducting material. The discontinuous filaments have a length at least several orders of magnitude greater than the filament diameter and are sufficiently strong while in an amorphous state to withstand compaction. A normal metal is interposed between and binds the discontinuous filaments to form a normal metal matrix capable of withstanding heat treatment for converting the filaments to a superconducting state. The geometry of the filaments within the normal metal matrix provides substantial filament-to-filament overlap, and the normal metal is sufficiently thin to allow supercurrent transfer between the overlapped discontinuous filaments but is also sufficiently thick to provide strain relief to the filaments.