Buffer, Rebound Preventing Patents (Class 200/288)
  • Patent number: 11335519
    Abstract: A switching unit for switching an electrical current, the unit comprising separable fix and mobile electrical contacts and a mechanism capable of switching over the contacts between a closed state and an open state. The mechanism comprises a switching shaft coupled to a mobile electrical contact, a trip hook mounted to be pivoted on a fixed support of the mechanism and comprising a bore in which is housed an abutment and a link system coupling the switching shaft to the trip hook. The link system comprises an articulated linkage, which is rotationally linked with respect to the trip hook and which comprises a main bearing surface, which bears on the abutment when the switching mechanism is in the closed state. The abutment is configured to be elastically deformed when the switching mechanism passes from the open state to the closed state and the linkage exerts an effect on the abutment, so as to damp the impact of the linkage on the abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Frédéric Court
  • Patent number: 11227729
    Abstract: A damping and latching mechanism for a Thomson coil-based actuator used to open and close the separable contacts of circuit interrupters in circuit breakers uses magnetorheological fluid to actively control the damping of opening and closing strokes in a circuit breaker in order to decrease wear and tear on components that can result from contact-based damping mechanisms and to maintain the open and closed states of separable contacts in the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul R. Rakus, Hongbin Wang, Logan D. Weigle
  • Patent number: 10650995
    Abstract: A vacuum interrupter includes a fixed side contact and a movable side contact; a fixed side electrode rod connected to the fixed side contact; a movable side electrode rod connected to the movable side contact; a fixed side reinforcement plate which is arranged between the fixed side electrode rod and the fixed side contact, and whose rim portion has a step portion to be arranged apart from the back of the fixed side contact; and a movable side reinforcement plate which is arranged between the movable side electrode rod and the movable side contact, and whose rim portion has a step portion to be arranged apart from the back of the movable side contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Ochi, Shinichi Miki, Taiki Donen
  • Patent number: 10600592
    Abstract: A vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter including a vacuum bottle, a bi-stable mechanism, and a bellows assembly. The vacuum bottle having axially seperable contacts, wherein at least one of the contacts is a moveable contact. The bi-stable mechanism including an actuator, and a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving the moveable contact. The bellows assembly reciprocating the moveable contact to prevent arcing between the contacts. The bellows assembly including a spring biasing the contacts apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Patent number: 10522314
    Abstract: A magnetic trip device comprises an actuator coil part having a plunger; an output plate configured to rotate in a first direction by the pressing of the plunger; a micro switch configured to output an electrical signal indicating a state of the circuit breaker; a switch driving lever mechanism configured to rotate to a first position for pressing the operation lever portion and a second position for releasing the operation lever portion; a driving lever bias spring for elastically pressing the switch driving lever mechanism; an automatic reset mechanism for pressing the plunger to the retracted position; a driving lever latch configured to rotate to a restraining position for preventing the switch driving lever mechanism from rotating to the first position, and a release position; and an avoiding portion formed on the output plate to avoid contacting with the switch driving lever mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyuho Lee
  • Patent number: 10504675
    Abstract: A contact spring for a cradle relay of an electrical switch comprises a switching leg and a hook extending from the switching leg. The switching leg has a contact. The hook has a first tongue bent back toward the switching leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Gutmann, Rudolf Mikl
  • Patent number: 10468219
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter having a status indicator providing a current status of the circuit interrupter, the status indicator presenting one of: an On state, an Off state or a Fault state. The status indication is provided as a visual status and is color coded to one of the three circuit interrupter states. The circuit interrupter further including, in one configuration, a rocker actuator that rotates about an axis and the status indication mechanism is coupled to the rocker actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Fasano
  • Patent number: 10446347
    Abstract: A reed for a reed switch and a reed switch are provided. The reed may include a first portion having a first thickness and a first length, a second portion having a second thickness and a second length, and a hinged portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the hinged portion having a third thickness and a third length, wherein the third length is less than 150% of the first thickness and the third thickness is less than each of the first thickness and the second thickness. The reed switch may include the reed disposed in an insulating housing with a reed deformer to deform the reed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Pickhard
  • Patent number: 10361050
    Abstract: An electrical relay (2) includes an electromagnetic drive system for providing bi-directional drive. The electrical relay (2) includes a first a coil (212) and a second coil (213). A current is supplied to the coils (212) and (213) in opposite directions. The two coils (212) and (213) can be used to accelerate the armature in either direction in relation to the two contacts. This can be used to drive the armature to either one of the contacts and to accelerate and decelerate the armature during a single transit. In the latter regard, the armature can be accelerated and decelerated to shorten the transit time, reduce bounce, reduce wear on the contacts, and allow for different contact material options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Patent number: 10247031
    Abstract: A waveguide for a sensor system for mounting in a casing structure to measure the clearance between the casing structure and a rotary blade. The casing structure, which may be a turbine casing structure, includes a radially outer casing portion and a radially inner casing portion (e.g. a segment seal). The waveguide includes a radially outer portion for mounting in the radially outer casing portion and a radially inner portion for mounting in the radially inner casing portion. The two portions are sealed together and bridged by a sealing portion having a deformable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Neal Carter, Francis Bridge
  • Patent number: 10020154
    Abstract: An operating mechanism including a number of biasing elements and a number of linkage members is provided. The linkage members are operatively coupled to each other and each are movable between a second configuration, an initial tripped configuration, a rebound configuration, and a final tripped configuration. The biasing elements are operatively coupled to the number of linkage members and bias the number of linkage members to the final, first configuration. A stop member is coupled to one of the linkage members. The stop member moves with the associated linkage member. The stop member is positioned to contact a stop surface when the linkage members are in the rebound configuration. Contact between the stop member and the stop surface substantially arrests the motion of the linkage members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Raymond Lee Jurek, David Curtis Turner, Jack Edward Devine, Bradley Patrick Rizzo, Brian Scott Jansto
  • Patent number: 9997302
    Abstract: An electrical component may include an electrically conductive element and electrical insulation that at least partially surrounds the element and without contact. A heat pipe may be surrounded by the insulation at least at one end and may partially protrude from the insulation, wherein the part of the heat pipe protruding from the insulation protrudes closer to the central element than the insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Vladimir Danov, Stefan Kern, Jochen Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9953777
    Abstract: A switching device has a housing-mounted contact and a movable contact. The movable contact is provided for making contact with the housing-mounted contact. The switching device has a switch lock with a latch and a latch support, wherein the latch support has a latching location for latching the latch to the latch support, wherein the switching device furthermore has a hand switching lever. A connecting rod is mounted movably on the latch support, the connecting rod bearing against a projection of the hand switching lever when the hand switching lever is arranged in the position in which the contacts are in contact. An actuation of the hand switching lever—for separating the movable contact from the housing-mounted contact—moves the connecting rod and thereby releases the latching of the latching support to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INDUSTRIES (AUSTRIA) GMBH
    Inventor: Raffael Zimmel
  • Patent number: 9953788
    Abstract: An electric circuit breaker including a spring energy store drive having a spring and a manual winding device for manually tensioning the spring. In accordance with an embodiment, the manual winding device includes a rotatable latching disk, a latching pawl arranged next to the disk, and a manual actuating device connected to the latching pawl. The latching pawl is guidable into a latching toothed portion of the disk. The pawl is also capable of moving, owing to an actuation of the actuating device. As a result, the disk is capable of rotating along a preset desired rotation direction for tensioning the spring. The latching toothed portion is asymmetrical and a force transmission from the pawl onto the disk is possible along the desired rotation direction. The disk slides along the pawl when the disk rotates along the desired rotation direction more quickly than the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGSELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Fabian Roehrig, Ralf Studt
  • Patent number: 9834137
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided pertaining to a turn signal. AUTO CANCEL of a turn signal may be performed electrically, eliminating cancelling pawls and undesirable noise emanating from such pawls as they click against conventional structure in predominantly mechanical turn signal systems. An electromagnetic brake may dampen or prevent turn signal stalk movement if an object is in a blind spot of a vehicle. Such brake may be released or canceled electronically and quietly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Kostal of America
    Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
  • Patent number: 9748051
    Abstract: There are provided a row of external permanent magnets and a row of internal permanent magnets; a floating output ring is provided on which is wound a 3-phase coil, between these rows. The floating output ring has no mechanical restraining relationship with any other member in the linear motor). Instead, a controller that controls a PWM inverter that injects AC exciting current into the 3-phase coil brings the central axes of the double cylinder and the floating output ring into coincidence by generating supporting force with respect to the floating output ring by magnetism, by controlling the d axis current component of the exciting current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yutaka Maruyama, Katsumi Suzuki, Yoshiaki Ohda, Satoshi Marushima
  • Patent number: 9685292
    Abstract: A pole shaft catch assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft pivotably coupled to the housing and a yoke assembly coupled to the pole shaft. The pole shaft catch assembly includes a catch arm. The catch arm moves between an engaged position in which the catch arm engages the yoke assembly to restrict movement of the yoke assembly and the pole shaft, and a disengaged position in which the catch arm disengages the yoke assembly. A biasing element biases the catch arm toward the disengaged position. A trigger translates movement of the yoke assembly into movement of the catch arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Paul R. Rakus, Erik R. Bogdon
  • Patent number: 9672996
    Abstract: The control device possesses a rigid main part combining most of the functional elements of this type of control device. It is made up of two portions of a rotary shaft, having placed between them a cam and a support arm that are connected together by a pivot that is offset relative to the axis of rotation. A toothed wheel having an inner set of teeth is placed around the support arm that is provided with a rachet system. The toothed wheel has an outer set of teeth-driven by a motor, via an intermediate gearwheel. The pivot controls the compression of the actuator spring by the assembly rotating. The device is applicable to high and medium voltage circuit breakers and switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Simon Ardyna, Ernst Suter, Peter Von Allmen
  • Patent number: 9595404
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus including a housing, a circuit interrupter mechanism movably disposed in the housing, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a bracket that secures the damper assembly to the housing. A damper body is adjustably secured to the bracket. A stopper is coupled to the damper body and arranged to limit relative movement of the circuit interrupter mechanism with respect to the damper assembly. A damper rod extends through an opening in the stopper and has a surface that is arranged to interact with the circuit interrupter mechanism. The damper rod is arranged to damp movement of the circuit interrupter mechanism with respect to the damper body when the circuit interrupter mechanism is in contact with the surface of the damper rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Fangwei Zheng, Hairong Chen, Hao Wu, Zongfeng Ye
  • Patent number: 9536694
    Abstract: A pole shaft catch assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft pivotably coupled to the housing and a yoke assembly coupled to the pole shaft. The pole shaft catch assembly includes a catch arm. The catch arm moves between an engaged position in which the catch arm engages the yoke assembly to restrict movement of the yoke assembly and the pole shaft, and a disengaged position in which the catch arm disengages the yoke assembly. A biasing element biases the catch arm toward the disengaged position. A trigger translates movement of the yoke assembly into movement of the catch arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Paul R. Rakus, Erik R. Bogdon
  • Patent number: 9524833
    Abstract: An action output device for a micro breaker, connecting with more than one micro breaker, includes: a shell, the shell comprises: a motor, which is for outputting a torque; an action unit, which is for achieving switching the micro breaker on and off, comprising a rotating part, a poking part, and a linking piece, wherein, the torque outputted by the motor is got by the rotating part; the linking piece is drove to swing by the poking part; the linking piece is connected with an action mechanism of the micro breaker for driving to switch on and off; and a control unit, which controls the motor turning on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: HUBEI SHENGJIA WIRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jiasheng Wan
  • Patent number: 9425006
    Abstract: A switch assembly including a vacuum switch mounted to an at least partly electrically conductive housing, and a holder for a vacuum bottle. The housing includes at least one gas entry opening at a lower end of the housing and at least one gas exit opening at an upper end of the housing, and a first free heat convection path between the openings to provide cooling. A second free heat convection path may be provided in a free space between the holder and vacuum bottle. A switching device for connecting the vacuum switch to a second electric conductor. An electric power distribution switchgear, encapsulating at least one three-phase module including a switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Elham Attar, Ståle Talmo, Thor Endre, Tom-Rune Bjortuft
  • Patent number: 9393901
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided pertaining to a turn signal. AUTO CANCEL of a turn signal may be performed electrically, eliminating cancelling pawls and undesirable noise emanating from such pawls as they click against conventional structure in predominantly mechanical turn signal systems. An electromagnetic brake may dampen or prevent turn signal stalk movement if an object is in a blind spot of a vehicle. Such brake may be released or canceled electronically and quietly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kostal of America
    Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
  • Patent number: 9378909
    Abstract: A spring contact, an inertia switch, and a method of manufacturing an inertia switch are provided. The spring contact includes a conductive body portion having an outer edge and an inner edge partially surrounding an open area, a split in the conductive body portion, the split extending between the outer edge and the inner edge, and a conductive contact finger extending from the inner edge into the open area. The inertia switch includes a shell; a mass movably positioned within the shell; the spring contact positioned within the mass; a biasing member positioned between the spring contact and the header; and a conductive member extending through the header. The biasing member provides a bias between the spring contact within the mass and the conductive member. The method includes at least partially closing the split in the spring contact during insertion of the spring contact within the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Circor Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: David Gass, Brent Salamone, Corey C. Jordan
  • Patent number: 9105426
    Abstract: An electrical wiring device includes dampening member placed in contact with a stationary contact. The dampening member absorbs and thus decreases at least a portion of the vibration that occurs in the stationary contact when it is impacted by a movable contact in the electrical wiring device. Thus, the noise associated with the impact is lessened. In certain exemplary embodiments, the dampening member is a bumper cap which partially encases a portion of the stationary contact. In certain exemplary embodiments, the dampening member is a bumper pad intimately disposed between an edge of the stationary contact and a wall of the housing, such that movement or vibration of the stationary contact is lessened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Erik Gouhl, Robin Lu
  • Patent number: 9064645
    Abstract: In order to take maximum advantage of the modularity provided by a multipole circuit breaker with double enclosure (100), a new architecture is proposed. The outer case (48) of the switchgear apparatus (100) is formed directly when assembly of the breaking device (600) is performed by juxtaposition and securing between single-pole breaking units (10), spacers (46) and side walls (50), trip device (7) and cover (64). The spacers (46) can thus be used for various functionalities, and in particular to modify the external aspect of the switchgear apparatus (100) or the nature of the trip device (7) in delayed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Nereau, Christophe Grumel, Marc Rival, Hervé Anglade
  • Publication number: 20150041293
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is disclosed which includes a plurality of fixed contacts and a plurality of corresponding movable contacts. An actuating shaft is operatively connected to and actuates the plurality of movable contacts to couple with/separate from the corresponding fixed contacts. A supporting device for the actuating shaft can be movably connected to a wall of the circuit breaker, and the actuating shaft can be operatively coupled to the supporting device to rotate around a rotation axis relative to the wall of the circuit breaker and the supporting device itself. The circuit breaker can include an adjustment device for adjusting at least the position of the actuating shaft relative to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio CURNIS, Edoardo SCOLA
  • Patent number: 8658928
    Abstract: A switch has a housing, a contact mechanism having a movable contact piece disposed in the housing, an operating element that operates the movable contact piece, a spring member of the contact mechanism that operates the movable contact piece to open and close a contact, and a regulating mechanism that suppresses vibration of the spring member arranged at a position contacting the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Abe Takayuki, Kenichi Ando, Shigenobu Kishi, Yuya Kudo
  • Patent number: 8378242
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a stopping groove engaged with part of the main shaft and a rebound preventer rotatably installed in the circuit breaker. The stopping groove includes first and second contact surfaces contactable with the part of the main shaft upon the rotation of the main shaft. Further, an extending line of a force applied from the part of the main shaft to the second contact surface passes through the center of the rotation of the rebound preventer upon a reverse rotation of the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae Seong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120312667
    Abstract: A power breaker incudes a fine motion mechanism portion having a chattering suppression portion formed of ring members and a ring member provided with sloping surfaces or curved surfaces at positions corresponding to one another in a state stacked up in a center axis direction, so that an impact generated upon collision of a movable electrode with a fixed electrode when a circuit is closed is trapped as a compression force. Hence, kinetic energy generated upon collision is consumed by energy absorption by friction due to a spring property of the ring members and a frictional force on the contact surfaces. It thus becomes possible to reduce a generation time of a chattering action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Takakazu Inoue
  • Patent number: 8053693
    Abstract: In an electrical switch, in particular an electrical microswitch, has at least one electrical contact designed as a hollow-shape section of a component of an electrically conducting material. In this electrical switch, the occurrence of vibrations with the introduction onto an opposing contact is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Saia-Burgess Oldenburg GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Rolf Bertram, Martin Koepsell, Bruno Stenzel
  • Publication number: 20100230261
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit breaker having a rebound preventor, the circuit breaker including, a main body, a fixed contact fixed to the main body, a movable contact contactable with or separated from the fixed contact and movably installed at the main body, a main shaft connected to one side of the movable contact and rotatably installed on the main body, a trip mechanism coupled to another side of the main shaft and configured to rotate the main shaft, and a rebound preventor having one end rotatably installed on the main body and provided with a stopping unit formed at another end thereof and engaged with the main shaft, wherein the rebound preventor is rotated with being engaged with the main shaft, and the stopping unit restricts a reverse rotation of the main shaft in a state where the rebound preventor has been rotated over a prescribed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: LS INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dae Seong Kim
  • Patent number: 7633364
    Abstract: A dampening apparatus has a housing with a plurality of first guide members and a plurality of second guide members coupled together. A first biasing member is located in an area proximate to the first guide members and within the housing. A first planar member is provided having a plurality of first apertures with the first guide members or the second guide members passing through the first apertures. A plurality of second planar members is provided having a plurality of second apertures with the second guide members passing through the second apertures. A plurality of second biasing members is located in an area proximate to the second guide members. An elongated shaft is coupled to the first planar member. The dampening apparatus could be included in a circuit interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Moffat, Timothy G. Robirds
  • Patent number: 6590172
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided wherein the circuit breaker comprises a contact arm movable between a closed position, an open position and a blown open position wherein the contact arm is disposed in the circuit breaker. A bumper disposed to contact the contact arm when the contact arm is in the blown open position. In addition, a stop member disposed to be in contact with a linkage assembly so as to create a gap between the bumper and the contact arm when the contact arm is disposed in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre, Hemant Kumar Mody
  • Patent number: 6420669
    Abstract: A modular toggle mechanism assembly has a housing assembly, a toggle handle pivotally mounted in the housing assembly and movable between a first position and a second position, biasing means for selectively biasing the toggle handle in the first position or the second position, and an actuator arm connected to the toggle handle and capable of selectively actuating an external switching device as a function of the position of the toggle handle. The modular toggle assembly also includes an external switching device in selective association with the toggle handle. The housing assembly includes an upper housing and a lower housing configured to be secured together, wherein a portion of the toggle handle extends from an opening in the upper housing for user operation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David Shenker, David B. Balaban, Michael Ostrovsky, John LiBretto
  • Patent number: 6246021
    Abstract: A switching device has an openable contact arrangement including at least one movable contact member disposed on a movable contact arm and at least one stationary contact member. At least one movable braking body is provided for limiting the movement of the contact arm in opening the contact arrangement. The inertias of the contact arm with the movable contact member and the braking body are designed so that the contact arm is braked and the braking body is moved upon an impact of the contact arm with the braking body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Thilker, Albert Zacharias
  • Patent number: 5931289
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a releasable retaining mechanism for releasably retaining a movable contact arm of the circuit breaker to prevent "sneak" during movement of the contact arm to the closed position, as well as, to prevent "bounce" during movement of the contact arm to the open position. The releasable retaining mechanism preferably includes a hook member rigidly secured to the movable contact arm and a retaining spring secured to the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. The hook member engages the retaining spring when the movable contact arm is in the open position. The releasable retaining mechanism further includes a release finger extending from the operating mechanism adjacent the retaining spring, the release finger being positioned to contact the retaining spring when an operating handle of the circuit breaker is moved to actuate the operating mechanism in order to place the movable contact arm in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Wei Chou
  • Patent number: 5758764
    Abstract: To prevent the contacts of an electrical switch bouncing when the switch is operated, with the attendant arcing and contact erosion, spring mass mechanisms are added adjacent the spring arms and contacts to engage such spring arms and contacts and transfer the vibrational energy to such spring mass mechanisms and permit the spring arms and contacts to operate without any contact bounce. An energy absorber can be used alternatively to absorb the vibrational energy. A combination of spring mass mechanism for one spring arm/contact assembly and an absorber for the second spring arm/contact assembly can be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Garoffolo, Paul Kadar, Steve Campolo
  • Patent number: 5310971
    Abstract: The contact bridge of a molded case circuit breaker is rotatably mounted in a bar by two springs arranged symmetrically from the rotation axis. Each spring is, on the one hand, anchored to the contact bridge, and, on the other hand, anchored to a rod housed in a notch of the bar. The same springs provide contact pressure and slowing-down of opening of the contact bridge at the end of repulsion travel by electrodynamic effect. The contact bridge bears on its edge cam surfaces which, at the end of opening travel, engage the anchoring rods to move them in the notches in the elongation direction of the tension springs. The energy of the contact bridge is thus taken up and stored in the springs causing slowing-down of the contact bridge. The profile of the cams can be chosen to enable reclosing of the contact bridge, this reclosing naturally being delayed by the slowing-down effect at the end of travel. The cam profile can also ensure latching of the contact bridge in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Denis Vial, Jean Bonfils, Marc Rival
  • Patent number: 5260533
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having current limiting capabilities is dimensionally optimized for relatively smaller frame size circuit breakers. The handle yoke is supported with rollers thereby allowing the crossbar to be disposed in the space normally utilized for the handle yoke pivot axis. A clinch joint arcer assembly with a plurality of arcing contact arms, each pivotally connected by a clinch joint to a pivotally mounted main contact arm permits additional main contact arms to be provided in the same space normally occupied by the arcing contact arms alone. Additionally, arcing contact spring housings protect the arcing contact springs from deterioration due to corrosive ionizing gases generated during interruption. A positive off link assembly prevents the operating handle from being placed on an OFF position when the main contacts are welded together and transfers the force applied to the operating handle to the upper link to allow the weld to be broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: John K. Livesey, Richard E. White, Alfred E. Maier, Amelia M. Stay, Douglas C. Marks, Walter O. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5199557
    Abstract: In a process of producing an electric or electronic component, particularly a key, a continuous track of a metal foil is machined into two metallic terminal components constituting links between two carrier strips. A base housing component is cast from a high temperature resistant material around the terminals and is connected to the carrier strips through two tags protruding outwards from opposite, outer side surfaces of the base housing component. In an inner recess of the base housing component a domed metal disc having an acoustically damping coating on the convex side surface thereof, an elastically compressible rubber component and a push button are arranged. On top of the base housing component, a top housing component preferably made from the same high temperature resistant plastics material is arranged. Within the recess of the base housing component, the terminals define electric contacts with which the domed metal disc cooperates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: MEC A/S
    Inventors: Gert Brandt, Soren R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5192841
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a chassis, an electrical contact structure, and a shock absorber mechanism. The contact structure includes a movable first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The first contact has a first movement range. The shock absorbing mechanism, which absorbs energy from the movement of the first contact, includes a metallic bar pivotally mounted on the chassis, and first and second limit members fixed to the chassis. The first and second limit members define a second movement range which overlaps the first movement range. A spring weakly biases the metallic bar towards the second limit member. The first contact, during movement thereof to an open position, strikes the metallic bar. Kinetic energy is removed from the first electrical contact by the metallic bar without bounce of the electrical contact, and the metallic bar pivots against the first limit member, transferring the shock of stopping the first contact to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Stanislaw A. Milianowicz, Edward J. Klimek, Robert N. Krevokuch
  • Patent number: 5149928
    Abstract: An arc spinner interrupter apparatus includes a first electrical contact assembly having a fixed contact and an arcing element. A second electrical contact assembly includes an arm selectively movable along a path into and out of engagement with the fixed contact. The arcing element extends beyond the fixed contact in a direction parallel to the path of the arm and is biased toward a position at least partially within the path of movement such that the arm impacts and engages the arcing element during movement toward the fixed contact. A mass is biased toward a position in contact with the arcing element for dampening oscillation of the arcing element in a direction transverse to the path of movement. When the arm impacts the arcing element the kinetic energy of the arcing element acting in the transverse direction is transferred from the element to the mass and oscillation of the element is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: A. B. Chance Company
    Inventor: Eugene L. Kamp
  • Patent number: 5132496
    Abstract: A membrane switch comprises an upper flexible layers, separation layer and a lower conductive layer mounted on a support. The membrane switch is designed to absorb the noise created when a key is depressed and an operating block collides with the layers directly beneath it. By creating several holes in the one or more of the lower layers of the membrane switch, and optionally the support that geometrically surrounds the aperture of the separation layer, the colliding force of the operating block on the laminated membrane switch is dispersed and much of the noise is absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Acer Inc.
    Inventor: Keh-Houng Lee
  • Patent number: 5012053
    Abstract: A contact structure of a switching device having a pivoted movable contact arm for reducing contact chatter, i.e., bounce, at the instant of closing or separation is given. Such chatter is mainly caused by clearances existing around pivots of the movable contact arm and operating mechanisms. A contact spring for applying a contact pressure when the switch is closed is provided between a portion of the movable contact arm at the other side of a contact in relation to the pivot of the movable contact and a stationary portion of the switching device. Also, a stopper is provided on a contact arm support member engagable with the contact arm at a side of the contact. With structure the movable contact arm and operating mechanisms are perfectly biased by the contact spring always in one direction and prevents free movement of the movable contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Terasaki Denki Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wasaburo Murai
  • Patent number: 4933519
    Abstract: A grounding switch device for a metal-clad switchgear is adapted to be inserted into a standard circuit breaker cell allows the bus and line conductors within the switchgear assembly to be grounded for maintenance. A plurality of fixed and selectable test ports are provided to facilitate various electrical tests. The ground switch device is disposed on a frame and contains a ground contact assembly for providing sliding contact between the ground switch device and the ground bus within the circuit breaker cell. The ground contact assembly is in electrical contact with a movable contact. The movable contact is adapted to engage a stationary contact mounted on a mounting plate, attached to the frame by way of an insulator. A selector switch assembly connects the stationary contact to either the upper bus terminals or line terminals in the metal-clad switchgear assembly. The contact portion of the movable contact is U-shaped having two spaced-apart blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Stanislaw A. Milianowicz, Nagar J. Patel, Henry J. Remic, Jr., Paul T. Bottegal
  • Patent number: 4912289
    Abstract: A relatively quiet switch assembly having a plurality of spaced contact sets with snap-acting transfer actuation and interconnected by a common bus plate. The bus plate is formed of a swandwich construction having a thin (0.001 Inch) core layer of visco-elastic polymer and thicker layers of copper bonded to both sides of the core layer for sound attenuation upon contact transfer. Where the bus plate is formed to a right-angle bend of R/t-1.2 the inner layer is formed of half-hard material and the outer layer of fully annealed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Lauritsen, Conrad W. Pastwa, Daniel A. Wycklendt
  • Patent number: 4855549
    Abstract: A circuit breaker has a stationary contact arm (2) having a stationary contact (3), a first contact arm (107) having a contact (6) for contacting the stationary contact (3) and an extended terminal portion (107) for connecting a flexible wire (8) and a second contact arm (110) for pivoting the first contact arm, and a third contact arm (110a) that pivots about a common axis of the second contact arm and is provided with a flattened U-shaped aperture (114) thereon, and which is connected with an oblong aperture of the second contact arm by a connecting member (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruhisa Toda, Shiroo Murata
  • Patent number: 4814564
    Abstract: A bounce-free acceleration switch includes a resiliently mounted movable contact (14) which cooperates with a counter contact (15). The kinetic energy of the movable contact (14) is transmitted through an impact body (16) to a resiliently mounted massive body (17) which, when swinging back to its rest position, engages a stop (18). Re-transmission of the kinetic energy from the massive body (17) to the impact body (16) and thus to the contact couple (14, 15), which would cause contact bouncing, is prevented by providing a spacing (s) between the massive body (17) and the impact body (16) in the rest position of the apparatus, and by the fact that during the deflecting and swinging-back movement of the massive body (17) the impact body (16) returns towards its rest position and is therefore not hit again by the massive body (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: SDS-Relais AG
    Inventor: Heinz Ritter
  • Patent number: 4786771
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter comprises a toggle link having an upper toggle link and a lower toggle link pivotally connected by a knee pin to each other, a movable contact arm having a movable contact element secured thereon and connected to the lower toggle link of the toggle link, and a toggle link stopper capable of contacting the upper toggle link for preventing the bouncing back of the movable contact arm during tripping of the movable contact arm. The toggle link stopper is provided with a first stop surface which is brought into engagement with the upper toggle link when the movable contact arm is being tripped open and a second stop surface which is brought into engagement with the upper toggle link at a position closer to the knee pin than to the first stop surface when the movable contact arm is bouncing back. Thus, the toggle link is engaged by two stop surfaces at two stages, enabling the preventing of the bouncing of the movable contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsukasa Iio, Yoshinori Mochizuki, Hiroshi Fujii, Yasusi Genba, Hideaki Moriwaki