Abstract: A magnetic microactuator (100) including a coil (6; 61; 62) controlling the axial movement of a sliding block (30) including at least one permanent magnet (2) joined or aligned with a ferromagnetic or magnetised rear arbor (42) and guiding the field lines of the magnetic field of revolution in the axial direction (D) through the coil (6; 61; 62) wherein circulates the sliding block (30), up to a rear end (43) of said rear arbor (42) that tends to cooperate by magnetic attraction with at least one first ferromagnetic restoration element (8), located in the vicinity of a rear face (25) of the structure (20) of the microactuator (100), in order to bring said sliding block (30) back into a rear end-of-travel position when no coil (6; 61; 62) is powered.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic drive unit including a coil, a yoke, and an armature is disclosed. The winding of the coil is partly wound in one direction and partly in the other direction. An electromechanical switching device includes at least one input terminal and a respective output terminal and an electromagnetic drive unit adapted to limit or to break the electrical current between the at least one input terminal and the respective output terminal.

Abstract: A resettable switching device, e.g. a relay, comprises a fixed contact (18) and a movable contact (28). A solenoid (12) is fixed relative to the fixed contact and a ferromagnetic plunger (20) carries the movable contact. A spring (24) biases the plunger away from the fixed contact so the device is normally open. When the device is set a further ferromagnetic element, e.g. a plunger (22), holds the first plunger (20) in a closed-contact position by magnetic attraction against the action of the spring (24). When a predetermined current condition exists in the solenoid the magnetic attraction between the element and plunger is reduced below the level necessary to hold the plunger so that the movable contact disengages the fixed contact.

Abstract: Superconducting coils and methods of manufacture include a superconductor tape wound concentrically about and disposed along an axis of the coil to define an opening having a dimension which gradually decreases, in the direction along the axis, from a first end to a second end of the coil. Each turn of the superconductor tape has a broad surface maintained substantially parallel to the axis of the coil.

Abstract: Electromagnetic actuator for moving a contact into a switched-on or switched-off state, comprising a contact-actuating rod which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction between a first position, corresponding to the switched-off state, and a second position, corresponding to the switched-on state. A core which is made of magnetizable material and interacts with a switch-on coil is attached to the contact-actuating rod. Also present is a pole piece which is made of magnetizable material and of which that face which is directed towards the core, in the first position of the contact-actuating rod, is arranged at an air-gap distance from that surface of the core which is directed perpendicular to the direction of displacement, and in the second position bears as closely as possible against the said core surface. The actuator furthermore comprises a yoke made of magnetizable material for closing the magnetic flux circuit of the switch-on coil through the pole piece and the core.

Abstract: A switching apparatus including an electromagnetic command device fitted with a magnetic circuit made up of a main circuit polarized by a permanent magnet and linked to a depolarizing coil and through a movable circuit integral with a movable support subject to a return spring and acting directly or indirectly on at least one disconnecting pole. The main magnetic circuit has at least two air gaps in series on the path of the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet and the movable magnetic circuit includes at least two parts capable of closing the air gaps when the main magnetic circuit and the movable magnetic circuit are joined together and are crossed by the magnetic flux created by the permanent magnetic, thereby carrying out a locking function and creating a multiplication of the locking forces, with an unlocking function being provided by the depolarization coil the counter-flux from which crosses the magnetic circuit and air gaps.

Abstract: A switching device providing highly-reliable, frictionless, adjustment-free operation is described. Comprised of a comparatively small number of moving parts, the various aspects of the invention offer compact, cost-effective, reliable alternatives to their complex electromagnetic and costly solid-state counterparts. The main parts of the invention rely upon the principles of magnetic attraction and repulsion for the switching of a plurality of electrical contacts contained within the switching device. The flexibility inherent in the design of the invention permits the switching device to be configured in a variety of aspects, including the failsafe and latching designs described herein.

Abstract: An electrical switching device prevents moving contacts from welding to stationary contacts in a switching device. This is achieved using an auxiliary magnet system in the main current path, which system produces a contact pressure force corresponding to the excitation current so that no arcs are produce between the contacts when overcurrents and short-circuit currents occur. The moving iron core of the auxiliary magnet system is for this purpose connected to the contact link mounting via which the contacts are switched on and off.

Abstract: A switch device including an inner yoke and an outer yoke are arranged around the winding of an electromagnetic block, and a plate-shaped permanent magnet is inserted between the two yokes. A highly efficient actuation of the switching device is achieved by the assistance of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A non-latching relay switch assembly which includes a coil section and a switch or contact section. The coil section includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The respective sections are arranged in separate locations or cavities in the assembly. The switch has a "normal" position and is selectively switched by an overriding electromagnetic assembly. The switch returns to the "normal" position when the overriding electromagnetic assembly is inactive.

Abstract: A tripping coil for a circuit breaker, wherein the circuit breaker is designed to carry high load currents. The tripping coil includes a coil having a first winding and a second winding, a permanent magnet, a return spring, an armature and an actuator rod. The first winding and the permanent magnet produce a magnetic flux to urge and hold the armature into a biased position. The second winding produces a magnetic flux which urges the armature into an unbiased position. The return spring also exerts a force on the armature urging the armature into the unbiased position. The actuator rod is fixed to the armature, and interacts with the circuit breaker such that the circuit breaker is tripped when the armature moves into the unbiased position.

Abstract: A bistable electrical contactor employs a one-piece permanent magnet plunger operating in conjunction with an aligned pole piece and a pair of oppositely-wound coils to afford pulse-operated bistable operation of the associated contacts. The coils are wound in opposition to provide respective opposite electromagnetic fields, one "aiding" and one "opposing" the inherent magnetic flux of the plunger. The plunger may be spring-biased toward one of its two bistable positions, typically the one in which the plunger is most remote from the pole piece. When an appropriate coil is briefly energized, the respective "aiding" or "opposing" force is respectively added to or subtracted from the inherent magnetic force of the plunger to cause the appropriate change of state. The pole piece is structured and positioned to facilitate interaction with the plunger. An adjustable stop arrangement minimizes bounce of resiliently-mounted contacts.

Abstract: A solenoid having one or more windings, a plurality of alternate windings of which are connected in electromagnetic field bucking relationship. An alternative construction utilizes layers of bifilar windings. A first winding of each bifilar winding pair in a first layer is adapted to procduce a field to buck the field of a second winding in the same bifilar winding pair.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical converter for the variable adjustment of an outer circuit with great accuracy. The converter comprises an armature, a unit containing magnets for generating a magnetic field of variable intensity, and a device for varying the intensity of the generated magnetic field, wherein the armature and the generating unit are movable relatively to one another.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated proximity device or switch is provided with an armature formed as a shallow U that is pivoted at its center and arranged with the legs of the U directed toward the pole faces of a pair of permanent magnets. The particular shape increases the sensitivity of the device and the force available for operating contacts or other output devices in response to the diversion of flux from an end of the armature.

Abstract: There is provided an indicator and a pair of cooperating vehicular lamps including a first lamp and a second lamp. An arrangement for activating the indicator when only one of the lamps is operating includes at least one cylindrical coil unit having a winding comprised of two wires including a first wire and a second wire. The first wire is connected to the first lamp in such a manner that when the first lamp is operating the first wire carries the first current producing a first magnetic field. The second wire is connected to the second lamp in such a manner that when the second lamp is operating the second wire carries a second current producing a second magnetic field which opposes and at least partly cancels out the first magnetic field.