Abstract: A high voltage, high current, switching device includes a jaw assembly electrically connected to a first electrical conductor, a housing assembly electrically connected to a second electrical conductor and a blade assembly fixedly attached to the housing assembly at a first end thereof. The blade assembly has an electrically conductive blade contact fixedly attached to a second end distal from the first end. Further, the housing assembly and the blade assembly pivot about a first axis to drive the blade contact into the jaw assembly to close the switch and the blade assembly is operable to rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis only when the distal end of the blade assembly is seated in the jaw assembly. Thus, the blade does not pivot about its longitudinal axis prematurely, for example, before it is properly seated in the electrical terminal.

Abstract: A pole shaft assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The pole shaft assembly includes a shaft structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism and to be pivotably coupled to the housing. A number of throw assemblies are disposed on the shaft, and are secured with respect to the shaft with fasteners. The shaft includes first and second opposing ends and an elongated body portion extending therebetween. The elongated body portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape comprising a number of orienting features.

Abstract: A current switch includes a blade-shaped movable contact that extends in a radial direction from a rotation center, and that reciprocates such that a free end of the movable contact draws a rotation locus, a fixed contact that includes a plurality of pairs of energizing contacts that come into and out of contact with the movable contact, a movable arcing contact that is provided on the movable contact, fixed arcing contacts that are provided on a pair of energizing contacts, and a pair of permanent magnets that are arranged within the pair of energizing contacts adjacent to the fixed arcing contacts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging a Control Assembly (“CA”) on an Electronic Device (“ED”). The methods involve: mounting a first component (112, 812, 908) of CA on a Top Surface (“TS”) (104, 804, 904) of ED (100, 800, 900) such that a Central AXis (“CAX”) (136, 836, 934) thereof is at an acute angle (170, 870, 962) relative to a plane (152, 852, 952) perpendicular to a horizontal center axis (150, 850, 950) of ED; mounting a second component (106, 806, 906) of CA on TS such that CAX (132, 832, 932) thereof is at a first Obtuse Angle (“OA”) (164, 860, 960) relative to the plane; and mounting a third component (108, 808, 912) of CA on TS such that CAX (134, 834, 936) thereof is at a second OA (166, 862, 970) relative to the plane. The second or third component may have a trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current switch including a blade-type movable contact configured to extend in a radial direction from a pivoting center and reciprocatingly move such that a free end of the movable contact draws a pivoting track, a fixed contact including energizing members separated from the movable contact and arranged to be opposed to and substantially in parallel to each other on both sides across a pivoting surface of the movable contact and an outer frame configured to cover at least the periphery of the energizing members, a movable arc contact provided in the movable contact, fixed arc contacts provided in the fixed contact, and permanent magnets arranged on the inside of the fixed contact or the movable contact to generate a magnetic field that crosses an arc generated between the movable arc contact and the fixed arc contacts.

Abstract: A combination input unit comprises a printed circuit board, a press key, a retaining bracket, a light transmissive rotary dial, and a housing. The printed circuit board accommodates an encoder circuit, a plurality of contacts, and a plurality of light sources. The press key is disposed above the contacts, and comprises a flange thereof. The retaining bracket is fitted over the press key and connects the press key to the printed circuit board. The light transmissive rotary dial is rotatably fitted over the press key. The rotary dial is positioned above the encoder circuit, comprises at least one elastic piece for resiliently pressing the encoder circuit, and a reflective surface. Light emitted by the light sources are reflected by the reflective surface, thus to illuminate the whole rotary dial. The housing receives the press key, the rotary dial, and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An energy transfer system absorbs impact forces and/or energy from a moveable conductive blade directly attached to a moveable contact in a circuit breaker. The energy transfer system includes a rotatable member and a biasing member. The rotatable member has an axis of rotation about which the rotatable member is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The rotatable member further includes a protrusion. The protrusion has an initial curved engagement surface portion, a planar engagement surface portion next to the initial curved engagement surface portion, and a final curved engagement surface portion next to the planar engagement surface portion. The biasing member biases the rotatable member towards the first position.

Abstract: A switch includes a blade-type moving contact that extends in a radial direction from a turning center and reciprocates such that its free end draws a turning locus, and a fixed contact that moves toward and away from the moving contact in a turning range of the moving contact. The blade-type moving contact and the fixed contact are accommodate in a tank. The moving contact is supported by the movable-side support conductor. The fixed contact is supported by the fixed-side support conductor. An opening through which the moving contact enters is arranged to be opposed to a turning center of the moving contact. The movable-side support conductor and the fixed-side support conductor are arranged substantially on a same straight line extending along a center axis of the tank.

Abstract: A switch includes a blade-type moving contact that extends in a radial direction from a turning center and reciprocates such that its free end draws a turning locus, and a fixed contact that moves toward and away from the moving contact in a turning range of the moving contact. The blade-type moving contact and the fixed contact are accommodated a tank. The moving contact is supported by the movable-side support conductor. The fixed contact is supported by the fixed-side support conductor. An opening through which the moving contact enters is arranged to be opposed to a turning center of the moving contact. The movable-side support conductor and the fixed-side support conductor are arranged substantially on a same straight line extending along a center axis of the tank.

Abstract: A rotary knob assembly (100) includes a fixed raised boss (110) having a boss cavity (107) and a knob (102) optionally having a rotary switch stem (104) therein. The knob can include a portion that axially resides within the boss cavity such that impacts to the knob transfers to the fixed raised boss. The knob can further include a rigid core member (106) and an outer over-molded portion (108) over-molded on to the rigid core member. The fixed raised boss can include an outer circumference (118) and an inner circumference (116). The inner circumference of the boss and a portion of the rigid core member and the outer circumference of the boss and the outer mover-molded portion form a knob-boss interface (117) that sustains impacts to the rotary knob assembly while isolating a rotary switch (112) from impacts.

Abstract: A switch includes a blade-type moving contact that extends in a radial direction from a turning center and reciprocates such that its free end draws a turning locus, and a fixed contact that moves toward and away from the moving contact in a turning range of the moving contact. The blade-type moving contact and the fixed contact are accommodated a tank. The moving contact is supported by the movable-side support conductor. The fixed contact is supported by the fixed-side support conductor. An opening through which the moving contact enters is arranged to be opposed to a turning center of the moving contact. The movable-side support conductor and the fixed-side support conductor are arranged substantially on a same straight line extending along a center axis of the tank.

Abstract: A movable contacting device in a circuit breaker comprises: a crossbar linked with the opening/closing mechanism and carried so as to pivot cooperatively with the opening/closing mechanism; a movable contact arm engaged, so as to cooperational with the crossbar, with a shaft fitted into a mutually opposing recesses in the crossbar; and a movable contact arm support fixed to the case accomodating the opening/closing mechanism and having mutually opposing through-holes through which the shaft is passed; and the movable contact being configured so that the movable contact slides between surfaces of movable contact arm support having the mutually opposing through-holes; and the construction of a single-pole portion of the movable contact arm is constituted by arranging in parallel two movable contact arm members each having a movable contact at one end, and in a shaft-supporting portion at the other end, an elastic member is sandwiched between the two movable contact arm members.

Abstract: A movable contactor of a circuit breaker, comprising: a cage for angularly rotating with one side as a axis; a plurality of fingers disposed at the cage, including a path body portion having a predetermined thickness and having one end of an inclined plane, a wire connecting portion extending from one end of the path body portion with steps so as to have a certain area and having one horizontal plane, and an arc discharge portion extending from another end of the path body portion with a predetermined length so as to induce the discharge of the arc; and terminals each coupled to each of the fingers and for contacting or being separated from a fixed contactor according to the angular-rotation of the cage. Accordingly, the fabrication process for fingers is facilitated and the material cost necessary to fabricate the fingers can be reduced, thereby reducing the fabrication cost.

Abstract: A U-shaped spring member is placed on the outer periphery of a hollow cylindrical part of an operating body. Engaging portions in arm portions upwardly inwardly extending from both ends of the spring member are fitted into holes through the hollow cylindrical part and brought into resilient contact with a groove on the outer periphery of an operating shaft. This structure provides a switch device that has great resistance to pull-out of the operating body for secure fastening thereof and is easy to assemble.

Abstract: Rotary switches, and in particular riser-style commutators, are detailed together with featured strips from which they are made. Segments formed from the strips may include anchor notches and slots for receiving reinforcing rings. The structure of the strip additionally permits electrical isolation of adjacent riser segments to occur through its coining rather than through slotting.

Abstract: A method of making a microswitch module which comprises the steps of: charging a molten resin onto a loading surface of a microswitch; disposing an actuator element onto the molten resin charged onto the loading surface of the microswitch; and ensuring that the actuator element remains fixed while at least part of the the molten resin hardens into a layer of resilient material thereby providing a microswitch module wherein the actuator element is adapted to transmit a mechanical switching force to the loading surface of the microswitch through the layer of resilient material for actuating the micro switch. Additionally, a micro switch module comprises a micro switch; a layer of resilient material disposed on a loading surface of the microswitch; and an actuator element disposed on the layer of resilient material for transmitting a mechanical switching force therethrough to the loading surface of the microswitch for actuating the microswitch.

Abstract: A switch comprises a first and second contacts, a plunger, a toggle bar, and a spanner. A preferred trip lever arrangement is used in which a trip lever transfers an actuating force from the plunger to the toggle bar, and the toggle bar is caused to move farther than the plunger to provide a short trip point. Swing arms that are acted upon through a series of rigid body force transfers allow an operator to manually force welded contacts to be broken in the event that the contacts become welded to a spanner or other components of the switch assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a microswitch module which comprises the steps of: charging a molten resin onto a loading surface of a microswitch; disposing an actuator element onto the molten resin charged onto the loading surface of the microswitch; and ensuring that the actuator element remains fixed while at least part of the the molten resin hardens into a layer of resilient material thereby providing a microswitch module wherein the actuator element is adapted to transmit a mechanical switching force to the loading surface of the microswitch through the layer of resilient material for actuating the micro switch. Additionally, a micro switch module comprises a micro switch; a layer of resilient material disposed on a loading surface of the microswitch; and an actuator element disposed on the layer of resilient material for transmitting a mechanical switching force therethrough to the loading surface of the microswitch for actuating the microswitch.

Abstract: This invention is related to an auto tripping key switch, comprising a switch housing being formed with at least one guide groove and one slideway at an inner side thereof; a first contact plate and a second contact plate that are fastened to the switch housing, the first contact plate being provided with a first contact and the second contact being connected to a deformable bi-metallic strip provided with a second contact that opposes to and is spaced from the first contact at an appropriate distance. This invention further comprises a key that is provided with a first protrusion engaging the guide groove within the switch housing such that the key is only slidable along the guide groove, the key having an inner serrate edge; and a cylindrical insulative housing that is slidable in the switch housing and has an end being formed with a serrate edge matching the serrate edge of the key so as to subject rotation of the cylindrical insulative housing when the key is being pushed.

Abstract: This invention is related to an auto tripping multi-state key switch, comprising a switch housing being formed with at least one guide groove and one slideway at an inner side thereof; a first contact strip and a second contact strip both fastened to the switch housing, the first contact strip including a first contact and the second contact strip including a second contact; a bi-metallic strip having thereon a third contact and being connected to a connection plate include thereon a fourth contact; a key being provided with at least one first protrusion thereon for engaging the guide groove within the switch housing, the key having an end that is formed with a serrated edge; a rotary housing being provided with at least one second protrusion thereon for engaging the guide groove and the slideway allowing sliding movement of the rotary housing within the switch housing, the rotary housing having a top end being formed with a serrated edge that cooperates with the serrated edge at the bottom of the key, and th

Abstract: A rotary switch having a terminal base molded on a lead frame which includes internal contacts and external terminals, along with the connecting straps between them, all formed of a single metal part. Portions of the metal of the lead frame are selectively removed in order to create a variety of switch configurations. Different switch actuating rotors are provided which further allow creation of different switch modes (single throw, double throw, etc.). The rotor is also provided with detents in order to allow for retention and indexing of the switch positions. A ramp may be selectively installed into the rotor to eliminate unwanted detent positions without requiring a different rotor. One or more "floating" movable contact elements complete the circuits when the rotor allows a respective spring to force a floating movable element into contact with both of a corresponding pair of stationary contacts of the terminal base.

Abstract: In a movable contactor device in a circuit breaker, two contactor elements are arranged in such a manner that they are in parallel with each other and are independent of each other, to form a movable contactor for each phase. The two contactor elements have respective movable contacts separated from each other, and are rotatably coupled through a supporting shaft to a connecting conductor having three prong-shaped contact pieces. The number of contact points with the stationary contact can be increased as much.

Abstract: A switching component for a metal-clad station provides the equivalent of three three-phase section switches respectively disposed on two outlets powering sets of three-phase busbars and allowing grounding of the section switches upstream therefrom. The section-switching and grounding are performed by first contact parts engagable with second contact parts electrically connected together and to ground, and third contact parts. The second contact parts and the third contact parts are carried by a common shaft rotatable about the shaft axis.

Abstract: Compact electrical power disconnect switch modularized to provide very broad current rating and comprising reverse-loop fingers which cooperate in pairs and form flexible spring-loaded contact members. An enlongated rotatable contact member is positioned between the reverse-loop fingers and makes and breaks electrical contact with same upon being rotated. Operation is fast and positive and three-phase power can readily be accommodated. A viewing window can be provided for a rapid check of the position of the switch.

Abstract: An index rotary switch includes a housing, stationary contact members, a rotor contact member, and a pushbutton-operated actuator device. The stationary contact members are disposed within the housing for defining an infinite number of alternately achieved on-and-off positions. The rotor contact member is disposed for rotation within the housing for wipingly engaging the stationary contact members. The rotor contact member is formed with a rectangularly-shaped flat portion and a plurality of resilient L-shaped arms extending downwardly from respective edges thereof. The L-shaped arms have arcuate-shaped contacts formed upon their free ends so as to wipingly engage the stationary contacts. The actuator device is disposed within the housing and is operatively connected to the rotor contact member for sequentially rotating the rotor contact member so that the arcuate-shaped contacts alternately index with respect to the on-and-off positions upon successive actuations of the actuator device.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is made with a braided electrical conductor having a densified end which has reduced porosity from the braided wire. Preferably, the densified end is formed by squeezing copper wires with a solder matrix to reduce the air in the densified end so that it has over 95% solids. A solder layer is formed between the densified end and the switch element, preferably by using a foil of silver braze which is melted between the densified end and the switch element. In the preferred method of forming the densified end, the solder and copper are heated and squeezed at pressures in the range of 500-750 pounds under a liquid blanket of material to limit copper oxidation.

Abstract: A pivotable shaft supports a plurality of conductor elements. The conductor elements are pivoted into and out of contact with their associated electrical contacts upon rotation of an over center mechanism so as to selectively make or break an electrical connection. The conductor elements are freely rotatable within the shaft so as to minimize the effects of arcing on these members. The pivotable shaft is supported in a housing made of non-conductive material such that the electrical contacts and conductor elements are isolated from the surrounding environment to provide an explosion proof switch.

Abstract: Am improved switch is set forth. The switch has an insulating housing supporting a plurality of flexible contacts fashioned from a first conductive material selected to impart flexibility and spring action to the contacts. Accordingly, the contacts can be biased to engage and maintain contact with the switch rotor which is manipulated to produce the desired switching. Welded to each contact is a terminal connector extending to the exterior of the housing for connection to wires. The terminal connectors are fashioned from a second conductive material selected for strength and durability to prevent breakage.

Abstract: A rotary selector switch comprises a generally flat blade mounted for rotation in its own plane about an axis passing through it into and out of contact with one or more of several spaced terminal contacts.

Abstract: Switch contacts are placed on a thermoplastic stator body in their desired positions and a thermoplastic holding member is pressed onto the switch contacts. The holding member is then ultrasonically or otherwise thermally welded to the stator body in such a manner that the melted portions of the holding member between the switch contacts are deformed into contact with and welded to the stator body. A groove is formed in the stator body perpendicular to the switch contacts into which excess material of the holding member flows during the welding process.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved positive latch for high voltage, air break disconnect switches of the type having an elongated blade with one end swiveling on a terminal to switch its opposite end from the remote terminal, the blade being rotatable about its longitudinal axis and relative to the terminals and provided at its switching end with a transversely projecting contact lug shiftable by rotation of the blade into and out of frictional engagement with the remote terminal. The latch is pivotally mounted on the remote terminal and has a hook-like portion spring biased downwardly into latching position with respect to the end portion of the blade and is rotatable out of latching position by engagement with the latch of an arm carried by the blade when the contact lug is rotated out of engagement with the remote terminal and is formed with an extension engageable with the blade mounted latch operating arm for opening the latch as the blade approaches closed position.