Abstract: A self-powered recloser includes a circuit breaker, an electrical actuator, an electrical generator, a capacitor, and a lever. When in an on state, the circuit breaker harvests power from a medium voltage line required to actuate its movable contact to interrupt current flow in the medium voltage line, and when in an off state, it does not harvest power from the medium voltage line. The electrical actuator is configured to transition the circuit breaker from the off state to the on state. The capacitor when charged is configured to provide the electrical actuator with the electrical power required to transition the circuit breaker from the off state to the on state. The lever is configured to be moved by an operative. Movement of the lever is configured to charge the capacitor via the electrical generator.

Abstract: The push switch 1 includes a case 2, a pair of contacts 3 and 4, a movable contact 5, a cap 7 covering the case 2 from the upper side, and a cover 8 pressing the cap 7 from the upper side. The cover 8 includes a top plate 81 and a pair of extending portions 83 extending downward from opposite sides of the top plate 81. Each of the extending portions 83 of the cover 8 has a pair of leg portions 831 extending downward and a bridge portion 832 connecting the pair of leg portions 831. The bridge portion 832 has a pair of inclined portions 8321 formed at the lower end portion of the bridge portion 832 and inclined outward, and a cutout portion 8322 formed between the pair of inclined portions 8321.

Abstract: An autotrip plunger of a circuit breaker is disclosed for opening contacts of the circuit breaker to install and uninstall the circuit breaker from a current source. In an embodiment, the autotrip plunger includes a compression spring, a first body section and a second body section, the first body section including a contact surface for contacting a tripping element of the circuit breaker and the second body section including an arbor shaft for fitting in the compression spring. At the free end of the arbor shaft, the arbor shaft includes at least one radial protrusion for holding the compression spring. A circuit breaker with such an autotrip plunger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable panel laterally disposed between and connected to one or more mounting members directly or indirectly connected to opposing ends of the panel, with the panel maintained under compressive force along at least one vector extending between the opposing ends. The compressive force deforms the panel into a one of two stable deformed positions, with the device disposed such that the panel may be moved between each of the two stable deformed positions by application of manual force to one of two opposing faces of the panel. A first shape memory alloy (SMA) or piezo actuator member is connected to the panel, the actuator member being capable of moving the panel from a first one of the two stable deformed positions to a second one of the two stable deformed positions.

Abstract: In or for a computer mouse, an insert which fits inside a mouse cavity that, at the same time, readily accommodates the actuation of mouse buttons while not interfering with other moving parts inside the mouse. Accordingly, the insert would preferably occupy space within the cavity to reduce the free volume of space that would otherwise amplify a clicking noise from one or more mouse buttons, while also serving to actually dampen the clicking noise. The insert can preferably be custom-designed as to accommodate essentially any mouse design and thereby fit readily within the otherwise unoccupied interior space of the mouse body. Preferably, the material employed for such an insert may be embodied by a sound-dampening foam.

Abstract: The relay has a movable first contact, a second contact, and an actuating element operatively connected with an armature of the relay. The first contact is movable toward the second contact by the actuating element and dependent on a supply of current to the relay. A snap action spring connects the second contact to a housing of the relay. The second contact is positioned between two arrangements by the snap action spring.

Abstract: A snapping switch includes a base, a ring, a knob, first to third snapping members, and two contact pads. The ring is mounted on the base. The knob is rotatably engaged with the base and the ring. The first snapping member mounted on one of the ring and the knob. The second and third snapping members are separately mounted on the other one of the ring and the knob and sandwiching the first snapping member there-between. The contact pads are respectively mounted on the ring and the knob. When the knob is in a first position, the first snapping member attracts one of the second and third snapping members to separate the contact pads; and when the knob is rotated to a second position, the first snapping member can attract the other one of the second and third snapping members to make an electrical connection between the contact pads.

Abstract: An input device that is capable of sensing how hard a user is pressing when contacted is disclosed. The input device includes a pressure sensing unit generating an electrical signal in accordance with pressure applied on one surface of the pressure sensing unit and a fixed resistance making a parallel electrical connection with the pressure sensing unit. Thus, not only can the input device receive a form of information that is changed proportionally in accordance with the pressure applied by the user, but the deviation in electrical characteristics that may occur during the manufacturing of different products can also be reduced. Also, by adjusting the resistance value of the fixed resistance, the sum of the resistance values by the parallel connection between the fixed resistance and the pressure sensitive resistance can be adjusted so that the electrical signal generated by the input device through pressing can be adjusted.

Abstract: An ignition key switch apparatus having a compact size, high current capability, and a snap action mechanism. A pre-loaded snap spring can be configured to include a fixed end attached to an anchor and a free end attached to a movable contact operable between normal and actuated positions. A cam can be utilized to convert a rotary motion at a key interface into a linear movement of a plunger for snap spring blade actuation. The unique pre-loaded snap spring generates a fast (e.g., instantaneous) movement from an open to a closed position and vice versa upon application/removal of a load to reduce the effect of arcing on associated contacts and conductors. The pre-loaded snap spring also ensures that the movable contact does not remain in any intermittent position, other than the two extreme positions given at any position of the plunger.

Abstract: A high speed closing switch in a power distributor includes: a case forming an external appearance; a first electrode provided within the case and including a through hole; a second electrode having a receiving recess facing the through hole; a moving contact point member having a cylindrical portion received in the through hole so as to be put into the receiving recess and a flange portion formed at one end of the cylindrical portion; and a closing coil wound on a base of the case, wherein a damping hole is formed at receiving recess of the second electrode. When the moving contact point member put into the receiving recess approaches its final position, a damping force is applied to the moving contact point member to stably and accurately control the final position.

Abstract: A snapping switch includes a base, a ring, a knob, first to third snapping members, and two contact pads. The ring is mounted on the base. The knob is rotatably engaged with the base and the ring. The first snapping member mounted on one of the ring and the knob. The second and third snapping members are separately mounted on the other one of the ring and the knob and sandwiching the first snapping member there-between. The contact pads are respectively mounted on the ring and the knob. When the knob is in a first position, the first snapping member attracts one of the second and third snapping members to separate the contact pads; and when the knob is rotated to a second position, the first snapping member can attract the other one of the second and third snapping members to make an electrical connection between the contact pads.

Abstract: An electric contactor may include a first plunger member supporting a first contact member thereon, the first plunger member being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to a first electrical terminal; a second plunger member supporting a second contact member thereon, the second plunger member being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to a second electrical terminal; a first linear actuator selectively causing movement of the first plunger from the disengaged position to the engaged position; and a second linear actuator selectively causing movement of the second plunger from the disengaged position to the engaged position. Actuation of one of the first and second linear actuators will apply a weld breaking force against the plunger associated with the other of the first and second linear actuators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact arrangement of a relay with a contact head (11) with a crown (17) which encloses a contact surface (15) and is raised with respect to the contact surface. According to the invention, for increasing the contact reliability with a dry switching load, this crown (17) is interrupted at a multitude of locations, by which means teeth (21) and intermediate spaces between the teeth (21) are formed. This crown contact head in the closed position of the contact arrangement bears on a crownless contact head. The contact spring (23) carrying the movable contact head is designed in a manner such that it may be subjected to torsion. The result of this is that the crown contact head (11) reliably contacts the crownless adjacent contact head (25) at the two small-surfaced contact locations, in each case with a high specific surface pressing.

Abstract: A lever mounted on a support for pivotal movement between two end positions is acted upon by a toggle spring connected at its opposite ends to the lever and the support to bias the lever away from a centre position of unstable equilibrium towards its two end positions. In the invention, instead of using a conventional coil spring, the toggle spring is constructed a leaf spring.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch actuating mechanism is for a circuit breaker including a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism with an operating handle interconnected to the separable contacts by a linkage assembly, and an auxiliary switch having a contact member. The auxiliary switch actuating mechanism includes an actuating lever with first and second ends and a pivot portion engaging the housing proximate the auxiliary switch. A torsion spring biases the actuating lever towards engaging and actuating the contact member of the auxiliary switch. The contact member is actuated when the separable contacts are not tripped open and the linkage assembly is not collapsed. When the circuit breaker trips, the linkage assembly collapses, engaging and pivoting the actuating lever, in order to overcome the bias and disengage and deactivate the contact member.

Abstract: The present invention is a microswitch where the movable contact that is attached to a movable member is adjacent a fixed end of said movable member and not adjacent a free end of said movable member.

Abstract: An energy-autonomous electromechanical wireless switch which has at least one transducer element for converting mechanical to electrical energy, and has at least one actuating panel for introducing the mechanical energy, and has at least one sensor for each actuating panel for detecting the switching command. At least one electronic system generates and emits a wireless signal. At least one mechanism deflects the forces introduced by the actuating panel onto the transducer element.

Abstract: An electrical miniswithch comprising a case including a case part forming a base having several electrical terminals extending therefrom, and a case part forming a cover, an instantaneous switching mechanism located in the case and comprising a flexible conducting blade subjected to a substantial pre-stress, and a push-button mounted sliding through the part of the case forming the cover to actuate the instantaneous mechanism. The miniswitch also comprises a compression spring opposing sliding of the push-button so that in the break position of the miniswitch the flexible conducting blade is biased by th push-button and the spring, retained by a stop on the push-button, and in the switched or make position of the miniswitch the conducting blade is not subjected to constraint from the push-button and the compression spring.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a casing having a central and two side chambers that are separated from the central chamber by respective partitions. A switching mechanism in each second chamber has fixed and moving contacts and an actuator. A rocker in the central chamber is used to cause the actuators to move the moving contacts into contact with and out of contact from the fixed contacts. There is also included engaging means engaging each actuator to the rocker for movement thereby, which has a circular part that extends across the first and second chambers rotatably snugly through a circular hole in the partition such that partitioning between the central and side chambers is substantially splash, jet or dust proof.

Abstract: A negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus and method is disclosed, which generally includes a plunger associated with an actuating lever, a stationary anchor, a moveable contact, and at least two stationary contacts. The negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus also includes a snap-spring assembly reactive to the actuating lever, wherein the snap-spring assembly is assembled into the stationary anchor and the actuating lever to form a spring-anchor-lever assembly thereof including a central spring member loaded into an axial compression and persuaded to bend into a post-buckled elastic mode shape thereof to form a negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus in which the moveable and the stationary contacts are responsive to an actuating force derived from the snap-spring assembly.

Abstract: A switch arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a number of switches arranged on a substrate, each switch having a resiliently deformable conductive dome for making an electrical connection with a corresponding contact on the substrate; and a number of signal lines for connection to a microprocessor for signalling an operation of a switch. The switches are arranged such that operation of any given switch creates a unique electrical connection between two of the signal lines and each of the signal lines is electrically connected to a conductive surface of a respective dome. Also disclosed is a cover for a portable electronic apparatus, having a number of user operable keys. The keys are connectable to a microprocessor in the apparatus via electrical connections made using the conductive domes.

Abstract: A tact switch (1) includes a housing (10), a plurality of fixed contacts (20) retained to the housing, a movable contact (30), an actuator (40), a pivot piece (50) and a top cover (60) mounted onto the housing. The top cover has at least one support arm (64). The movable contact is positioned between the fixed contacts and the top cover. The actuator has an operating portion (42) and a press portion (44). The pivot piece pivotably mounted to the at least one support arm of top cover has an engaging portion (52) engaging with the press portion of the actuator. When the operating portion is pressed, the press portion depresses the engaging portion to deflect the engaging portion downwardly to depress the movable contact, and the movable contact elastically deforms downwardly to electrically connect the plurality of fixed contacts to each other.

Abstract: A tact switch includes: an insulative base (7), a plurality of contacts (741) partially retained in the insulative base (7) and partially exposed to exterior, a cover (1) engaging to the insulative base (7), a conductor plate (6) mounted on the insulative base (7) and comprising resilient contacts (60) for movably contacting the contacts (741), a metal dome (5) positioned on the conductor plate (6) and having a pressing portion (51) for movably and elastically contacting the resilient contacts (60), a supporting plate (3) being positioned over the metal dome (5) and being fixed in the insulative base (7), the supporting plate (3) having a planar main body defining a hole (30) and a tab (32), and a flexible arm (33) extending from the tab (32) of the main body toward the pressing portion (51) of the metal dome (5), and an actuator (2) being movably received between the insulative base (7) and the cover (1) and having a ramp (241) for downwardly actuating the flexible arm (33) to contact the metal dome (5).

Abstract: A switch device includes two switch elements, both elements being disposed in a case and given restoring force by a common leaf spring; a cover which closes a top opening of the case; and an operating knob having two projections for selectively activating the switching elements. The leaf spring includes a compressed portion which is resiliently compressed by the cover, a pair of pressing strips which resiliently presses against each shaft of a pair of drivers of the switching elements. The operating knob presses a protruding receiver of each of the drivers, thereby selectively tilting a pair of conductive plates to output a switch ON signal.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises an assembly of a base and an upper cover. A conductor resilient plate is mounted in the switch with a resilient tongue that extends and bends toward the upper cover and is placed parallel with a push button on a same side of the conductor resilient plate. Thereby, the thickness of the upper cover and the base can be reduced, so the switch could be accommodated dimensionally electrical equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a control system for acoustical function control in a motor vechicle using a speech input system (10,11) that receives a spoken command and converts it into corresponding control signals, the systems being activated by an operating element (12) that is actuated manually and, upon being actuated, outputting to an operating person an indication of its readiness to receive a voice command,

Abstract: A switch having a long contact life is provided. A neutral contact blade is provided with a first neutral contact and a second neutral contact. A primary movable contact blade and a secondary movable contact blade are supported by these first and second neutral contacts, respectively, for seesaw motion. The operation of a lever causes the primary movable contact blade and the secondary movable contact blade through a pushrod to move in a seesaw motion in such a manner that a secondary movable contact provided on one end of the secondary movable contact blade contacts with an associated secondary fixed contact before a primary movable contact provided on one end of the primary movable contact blade contacts with an associated primary fixed contact, whereas after the primary movable contact of the primary movable contact blade is separated from the primary fixed contact, the secondary movable contact of the secondary movable contact blade is separated from the secondary fixed contact.

Abstract: A switch includes two interacting contacts (1, 2) and a closing spring (5, 11, 15, 21) for moving the contacts into the closed position, an operating button which can be used to initiate a prestressing phase of the closing spring (5, 11, 15, 21), and a locking device (6) for locking the contacts (1, 2) until a predetermined moment at which the influence of the prestressed closing spring (5, 11, 15, 21) is to be released onto the contacts. The locking device (6) is designated to lock the interacting contacts (1, 2), during the prestressing phase, at a contact distance. The contact distance to be locked being less than the contact distance in the open position of the contacts (1, 2).

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker including a frame, a spring shaft mounted on the frame and rotatable around a central axis thereof, a spring case having a notch in an outer periphery thereof and rotatable around the central axis, a rotating spring provided in the spring case and having a first end secured to the spring shaft and a second end secured to the spring case, a cam secured to the spring shaft and rotatable along with the spring shaft, and a catch rotatably mounted on the spring case. The catch is at an original position at the notch inside the outer periphery of the spring case by a spring. The operating mechanism further includes a charging device for rotating the spring case to charge the rotating spring and a control lever rotatably mounted on the frame and having an end portion engaged with the cam, the catch and the outer periphery of the spring case for performing closing and opening control of the charging device.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: A microswitch in which a good snap action feeling is obtained and an operating stroke is large is provided. Included in the microswitch is a swingable lever which is pushed by a pressing projection of a push button swingably pivotally supported. One end of the lever is pivotally supported and the other end is coupled with one end of a movable member having a movable contact. The movable member is biased by a spring in one direction.

Abstract: A switch assembly having first and second snap acting switches sequentially actuated by user movement of a single rocker which contains a cantilever blade spring for effecting actuation of the first switch; and, upon continued user movement of the rocker overtravel of the first snap acting switch is absorbed by resilient movement of the cantilever blade member.

Abstract: A microswitch in which a good snap action feeling is obtained and an operating stroke is enhanced is provided. A compession spring is interposed between a movable member and a swingable lever which are respectively pivotaly supported at close positions. The swingable lever is operated by a push button which is vertically slidable. Further, restricting plates to restrict the motion in the width direction of the movable member are attached to the push button. A positioning member to hold the swingably lever to the position which faces the push button when the microswitch is assembled is also provided.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed of the classes: ##STR1## wherein the subscript n is an integer from 3-5, inclusive, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or R.sub.2 ; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 consist essentially of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl and R.sub.2 may be the same as or different from R.sub.3, and wherein Aryl consists essentially of phenyl and phenyl substituted with halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, and trifluoromethyl;(b) derivatives of furan having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 consists essentially of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, and W is either carbonyl or carbinol; and(c) cyclopentenonyl compounds having the formulas ##STR3## wherein R.sub.5 consists essentially of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, P.sub.1 is hydrogen or a protective group, Y is either ##STR4## A new process is disclosed for preparing 1-(methyl)-16,16-(dimethyl)-11-alpha-15-alpha-dihydroxy-9-oxo-2,13,trans, trans-prostadienoate, and congeners thereof, including racemic mixtures.