Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker, which may compensate for errors of a contact monitoring device capable of monitoring a contact wear amount in a vacuum interrupter, and to a vacuum circuit breaker comprising same. According to the present disclosure, the contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker may determine an appropriate time for maintenance and repair by monitoring in real time a contact wear amount using a photosensor. Moreover, the contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker, by using two photosensors, minimizes position errors with respect to the photosensors or a push rod that may be present inherently in the sensors or occur due to an installation state, and thus, may detect the contact wear amount with precision.

Abstract: A pivot assembly (24) is movably connected to a balance beam (22) between a first and second balancing area (34, 36). The pivot assembly (24) defines a pivot axis (B) being movable relative to a center axis (A0) to define a first variable pivot distance (Pd1) and a second variable pivot distance (Pd2) for proportioning a first and second component according to the concurrently and inversely variable first and second pivot distances (Pd1, Pd2). The balance beam (22) presents a proportioning scale (60) which includes a plurality of identical ratios (62) in scale of the first variable pivot distance (Pd1) to the second variable pivot distance (Pd2) for aligning the pivot assembly (24) with a desired ratio of the first and second components. A first and second pair of retainer walls (38, 40) extend upwardly from the respective balancing areas (34, 36) and diverge from one another for abutting and centering a variety of container sizes on the respective balancing areas (34, 36).

Abstract: An operating mechanism operates a multi-pole circuit breaker assembly. For each circuit breaker in the multi-pole circuit breaker assembly, the following elements are provided: a connection assembly for connection to an operating shaft of the circuit breaker, an actuator for changing between an ON and OFF state of the operating mechanism, a translation assembly for transferring a movement of the actuator to the connection assembly, and a compression spring exerting a force on the operating shaft in the ON state of the operating mechanism. The force exerted by the compression spring is adjustable by a force setting assembly in a continuous manner.

Abstract: An electrical contact system for an electrical switching device is proposed, which has two contact units and in which a contact force acts between the contact unit and the contact unit when an electrical contact is made, wherein means are provided to exert the contact force, and wherein the first contact unit can be disconnected from the second contact unit. The means are distinguished in that they have a thermal expansion effect which results in an increase in the contact force as the temperature of the means rises.

Abstract: A switch contact arrangement for a power switch is provided with a device for increasing the contact force acting between switch contacts. The device includes a cavity which is made in a stationary conductive element of the switch contact arrangement in such a manner that the direction of the current in the conductive element adjacent to the stationary switch contact runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conductive element and therefore essentially parallel to the direction of current in an associated displaceable conductive element. The above-mentioned arrangement is suitable for low-voltage power switches with a selective form, whereby the switch contacts thereof allow a short-circuit current to be guided without premature opening.

Abstract: An actuator for a switch, the actuator being movable between on and off positions against an adjustable resilient bias to provide a first signal when said actuator is in said on position and a second signal when said actuator is in said off position.

Abstract: A contact finger module for mounting in a high-power switchgear includes at least one contact finger having a contact piece and a flexible contact piece support, which extends along a longitudinal direction and has an attachment end and a contact-making end. The contact piece overhangs the contact piece support in the opposite direction to a deflection direction, and is connected to the contact piece support at the contact-making end. The contact finger module includes at least one leaf spring, which extends along the longitudinal direction and has an attachment end at which it is connected to the attachment end of the contact piece support in the mounted state. The leaf spring can produce a force that counteracts deflection of the contact piece in the deflection direction. In the mounted state, the leaf spring can extend in the longitudinal direction at least as far as the center of the extension of the contact piece in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: To reduce the number of components for facilitating assembly and parts management, and to ensure prevention of rattling of the movable block, a switch contact structure is disclosed, which comprises a substrate 63, a movable block 67 disposed so as to be movable along the substrate 63, a fixed contact 89 mounted on the substrate 63, and a movable contact mounted on the movable block 67, the movable contact being brought into and out of contact with the fixed contact 89 by the movement of the movable block 67 along the substrate 63, wherein the movable block 67 is provided with a resin spring portion 107 formed integrally therewith for urging the movable block 67 toward the substrate 63, and the movable contact plated or printed on the surface facing toward the substrate 63.

Abstract: A user interface device for inputting and outputting information. The user interface device includes a plurality of keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of alphanumeric characters or functions. The keys are joined together to slide substantially in unison. The user interface device also includes a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure applied to one or more of the plurality of keys, a direction sensor configured to detect direction of motion of the plurality of keys, a selection component for selecting at least one of an alphanumeric character or function based on the sensed pressure and sensed direction of motion, and an output device for presenting the selected at least one alphanumeric character or function based on the sensed pressure and sensed direction of motion. The selected alphanumeric character or function is associated with the key where the pressure was sensed and with an associated direction closest to the sensed direction of motion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay comprising a hinged armature pivotably supported at a front face of a coil core carrying a relay winding, a switching contact supported on the hinged armature, a fixed counter contact cooperating with the switching contact for actuating the electromagnetic relay, and contact carrier for supporting the fixed counter contact and having a first portion including a center leg and two outer legs arranged on opposite sides of the center leg in spaced relationship relative thereto, a crossbar connecting the center and outer legs at one end thereof, the center leg having at an end thereof spaced from the crossbar a bent-away portion for supporting the one fixed counter contact, the first portion further including in the vicinity of the bent-away portion of the center leg laterally symmetrically extending webs for connecting the center leg to the outer legs, respectively, the center leg having a stretchable portion located between the crossbar and the connecting webs for adjusting a posiiton o

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously applying two independent forces to the contact blades of a movable contact assembly. The contact assembly has three contact blades joined at the base. The circuit breaker mechanism exerts a closing force through a blade carrier to the center blade which in turn exerts a closing force on the outer main blades. To increase the contact force on the outside main blade contacts without increasing the contact force of the center blade contact and without changing the relative distances between the blade carrier and the main blade contacts and center blade contacts, a compression spring is positioned between each main blade and the blade carrier.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated relay having a spring which compensates for misalignment of a moveable block as shown and described. The movable block reciprocates within said relay housing in response to forces exerted by the electromagnet. The block includes projections which engage openings in an leaf spring which biases the block. The spring to block engagement provides compensation for misalignment of the block, and for unequal forces applied to the block and/or spring.The compensation provided by the spring to block engagement is achieved by a loose fit between projections on the slidable block and openings in the spring. The freedom of movement provided by the slots allows the spring to bulge in a direction opposite to the force on the spring end with respect to the sliding block. By creation of this bulge between the two two projections on the sliding block, compensation is provided to the spring system.

Abstract: Materials exhibiting electrostrictive characteristics, such as piezoelectric materials, are used to selectively increase the mechanical engagement forces between two electrical connections for improving the integrity and reliability of their interconnection. In one illustrative embodiment, a piezoelectric layer is located beneath each connection pad of a printed circuit board and separated therefrom by a layer of dielectric material. The respective piezoelectric layers are commonly connected to a source of voltage for selectively increasing their geometric dimension thereby also increasing the force of engagement between the connection pads and a suitable connector.

Abstract: In a driving mechanism for a vacuum circuit breaker including a movable contact, a stationary contact and bellows permitting reciprocating movement of the movable contact, a bell crank is oscillated by an actuating device to reciprocate a drive bar connected to the movable contact. As the movable and the stationary contacts are worn, the displacement of the drive is increased. The increase is detected and the pivot point of the bell crank is shifted toward the stationary contact. Thus retracted position of the movable contact is shifted in accordance with the wear, and the stroke of the movable contact and hence the amplitude of variation in length of the bellows are maintained constant in spite of the wear.

Abstract: An electrical snap acting switch is calibrated by deforming an unsupported part of a terminal strip which carries a fixed contact after assembly of the switch device, to predetermine the operating point of the switch contacts. Deformation of the fixed contact support strip is facilitated by apertures in the strip on opposite sides of the fixed contact. These apertures also serve to ventilate the make and break zone of the contacts to assist in ozone dispersal from this zone, minimizing arcing.

Abstract: An electrical snap action switch for use in a temperature regulator has a movable contact assembly consisting of a conductive contact carrying arm movable between fixed stops and cantilevered within the switch housing, the contact arm being parallel to and cooperating with a Q-shaped snap-action spring, so that the arm carries the working current while the snap spring acts on the arm to make the switch monostable in operation between the stops.

Abstract: A contact system for a high-voltage power circuit breaker wherein the contact system includes first and second hollow contacts which have end faces which rest against one another under pressure in the "on" position or condition of the breaker and which separate to form a gap in the "off" position of the breaker. In accordance with the invention, the contact system is further provided with a number of spring-loaded contact means arranged at the end face of one of the contacts for forming with the current path of that contact current loops for aiding the spring force provided by the contact means.

Abstract: An electrical connection for the moving contacts of a relay in which a connector pin in the header of the relay and the moving contacts are electrically connected by a cantilever spring contact supported on the connector pin, the cantilevered spring contacts extending substantially parallel to the contact blade of the relay. The free end of the spring has a curved projecting portion which presses lightly against the surface of the contact blade adjacent the pivotal axis of the blade, allowing the contact blade to pivot freely while maintaining electrical contact between the spring and blade.