Abstract: An electric battery, for example, a zinc-bromine battery for an automobile, is protected against leakage of electrolyte, in particular against bromine liberated during a crash. For this purpose, the reservoirs provided for the electrolyte are filled with a sponge-like material that stores the electrolyte. Alternatively, or in addition, the reservoirs are surrounded by a protective sheathing made of a material that binds the escaping electrolyte, in particular through chemical reaction.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement to couple an auxiliary switch mechanism to an electrical switchgear unit, preferrably a contactor, with a contact slide piece onto which the moving contact pieces are mounted, and a switchgear housing onto which the switchgear fixed-mounted contact pieces are mounted. The contact slide pieces of the switchgear unit and the auxiliary switch mechanism are mounted so that they can slide transversely to the direction of connection. A projection of the auxiliary switch mechanism is positioned in a cutout of the contactor in an interlocking fashion. The connection of contact slide pieces similarly takes place in a positive, interlocking fashion. A lock makes an effective connection with the position of the contact slide piece in the auxiliary switch mechanism, thereby preventing the removal of the auxiliary switch mechanism when the unit is switched on.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a three-phase reversing contactor with fixed-mounted contact parts serving the input and the output, and a connection by contact bridges from the input to the output. A common drive mechanism is provided for all the contact bridges, and a shift mechanism to change the configuration of the contact bridges, while in the OPEN position, relative to the fixed-mounted contact parts is also provided. Through the application of the two independently movable contact bridge carriers, which by use of an auxiliary magnet can be selectively brought into functional contact with the common drive mechanism by a reversing yoke, the drive output for the auxiliary magnets can be kept low. As there is a fixed configuration of contact bridges to the fixed-mounted contact parts, the major wiring work can be performed in the shop by the use of correspondingly formed fixed-mounted contact parts.

Abstract: An electromagnet system for electromagnetic switchgear, the system having movable and stationary magnet portions, the stationary magnet portion having a pole surface wherein slots are provided for inserting a short-circuit ring. The slots are arranged so that the short-circuit ring may be substituted with a pole plate which extends beyond the pole surface on all sides. The pole plate has an opening which corresponds to the size of the pole surface. The opening is provided with two straps thereacross which can be inserted into the slots. This arrangement permits operation of the electromagnet system in response to AC, as well as DC, excitation.

Abstract: A switchgear apparatus having three switching gaps with contacts arranged thereacross for connecting three-phase electrical power to a consumer. Apparatus is described whereby a selected one of the switching gaps closes earlier than the other switching gaps during a closing cycle of the switchgear, and opens later than the other switching gaps during an opening cycle of the switchgear. The contacts across the early closing and late opening gap experience only minimal contact burnoff, thereby permitting a substantially reduced volume of contact overlay material to be provided therefor. In addition, less expensive contact material may be utilized for this contact.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching apparatus having a switch position indicator is disclosed. The switch position indicator is in functional connection with the contact carrier and protrudes beyond the cover of the switching apparatus in at least one switch position. The switch position indicator is coupled to the contact carrier by apparatus such that the switch position indicator travels a greater distance than the movable contact carrier in going from at least one switch position to another. Thereby, an unequivocal switch position indication can be obtained, particularly in an open contact condition which satisfies switch disconnect function conditions, thereby making the switching apparatus useful as a disconnect switch.

Abstract: A contact arrangement for electric switchgear is disclosed. The contact arrangement comprises a bifurcated offset contact bridge having two contact bridge parts, each of which is inserted into an opening in an actuating contact bridge carrier. Each contact bridge part rests on a first supporting surface of the opening. A spring retainer rests against the contact bridge and a compression spring is mounted between a second surface of the opening and the spring retainer. The spring retainer is guided in the contact bridge carrier against movement transverse to the direction of motion of the carrier. Each end of each contact bridge part is provided with a semicircular contact pad which, when the contact bridge parts are placed adjacent each other, form a bifurcated circular contact pad which engages with corresponding stationary contacts.

Abstract: In an air break contactor, the armature comprises a first lamination and two second laminations, the first lamination having at a lower end an extension projecting at a 90.degree. angle with respect to the body of the lamination into a space between the bottom wall of the housing and the free end of a lower leg of the magnet assembly core member. The entire armature rests on an elbow of the lamination extension, while the second laminations are disposed between a pair of tabs extending from respective lateral edges of the first lamination.

Abstract: A screwless wiring or connecting terminal for electric conductors is disclosed. According to the invention, a clamping spring of the leaf type is secured in a housing such that it can be tensioned in ring- or hairpin-fashion. One end of the spring can be detented in a cocked position by a detent associated with the spring. A conductor can be clamped between the one end of the spring and the housing when one end of the spring is released. A terminal according to the invention has the advantage that the spring terminal can be supplied from the factory in a cocked position, so that it is not necessary for the customer to apply high forces to insert and clamp a conductor. Terminals according to the invention are particularly well-suited for use in equipment having a large number of terminals, such as electromagnetic switchgear.

Abstract: A locking device for two juxtaposed and spaced electromagnetic switching devices is disclosed. In the switching devices, contact carriers are provided which can be moved back and forth between first and second switching positions. The motion of the contact carriers is regulated by a latching member which can be tilted into a latching position by actuating one of the contact carriers relative to the other contact carrier. The latching member is held in a frame and is preferably in the form of a balance beam. The latching member is pivotable on a support member in the form of a pin. The frame itself is engageable with a shoulder-shaped extension in openings of the housing walls of the electromagnetic switching devices. The locking device can be adapted to different conditions in a simple manner by adjusting the pin which is held in a threaded hole of the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for actuating an electromagnetic switchgear comprising a switch position indicator, by means of a leading contact that closes a circuit to supply current to an actuating coil of an electromagnet. Main contacts of the switchgear close just after the leading contact. The electromagnet holds all of the contacts in their actuated positions until current through its coil is interrupted.

Abstract: A terminal for an electric conductor is disclosed in which a cylindrical clamping member rotatable in a clamping frame is provided with clamping faces which are arranged eccentrically and which protrude beyond the cylindrical portion of the member. More particularly, the clamping surfaces are formed by circumferential surfaces of two spaced disks which, in turn, are formed in part from and supported by the aforesaid cylindrical portion. Additionally, for receiving the conductor, the clamping frame is provided with an opening which is outside and extends lengthwise of the cylindrical portion. After insertion of the conductor in such opening, rotation of the clamping member causes the conductor to be pressed between the clamping surfaces and the clamping frame, thereby substantially increasing the pull-out forces associated with the conductor.