Contact-actuating Means Patents (Class 335/185)
  • Patent number: 11901145
    Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable medium may include instructions executable by at least one processor in a computing device to cause the processor to perform operations that include transmitting, to a first power source, a command to provide power to a coil of a switching device with a fixed current profile. The operations also include receiving one or more voltage measurements associated with the coil during a period of time, determining whether the voltage measurements associated with the coil indicate that one or more movable contacts of the switching device are at least partially welded to one or more contacts of an electric circuit, and transmitting an additional command to a second power source to disconnect a current to the coil in response to determining that the voltage measurements indicate that the movable contacts of the switching device are at least partially welded to the contacts of the electric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson, David M. Messersmith, David Elmiger
  • Patent number: 11521817
    Abstract: A switching device includes: a first terminal contact; a first fixed contact arranged at the first terminal contact; a contact bridge; a contact bridge carrier arranged at the contact bridge and having a barrier; a first movable contact arranged at the contact bridge; a second terminal contact; a second fixed contact arranged at the second terminal contact; a second movable contact arranged at the contact bridge; and a magnetic drive assembly including a coil and an armature, the armature being coupled to the contact bridge. The first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact in a switched-on state of the switching device. The first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact in a switched-off state of the switching device. The second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in the switched-on state of the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Christoph Bausch, Lutz Friedrichsen, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Julia Otte, Kai Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11322326
    Abstract: An elastic contact plate structure of an electromagnetic relay includes at least one elastic plate assembly and at least one contact structure. The elastic plate assembly includes first, second, third and fourth plates sequentially stacked on one another, and first plate has a first convex arc bent portion with first mounting hole formed at an end; second plate has second convex arc bent portion with second mounting hole formed at an end. Third plate has third mounting hole formed at an end; fourth plate has fixed section, which has fourth mounting hole, and elastic section. Contact structure is passed and fixed into first, second, third, and fourth mounting hole. Therefore, the force receiving strength of elastic contact plate structure shows a positive linear change with the deformation, and the stability of connecting or disconnecting elastic contact plate structure is improved significantly, so as to achieve a better electrical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SONG CHUAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-Jen Wu
  • Patent number: 11170961
    Abstract: A relay has a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact, a movable touch piece including a first movable contact that is disposed facing the first fixed contact, and a second movable contact that is disposed facing the second fixed contact, the movable touch piece being disposed so as to be movable in a contact direction in which the first movable contact and the second movable contact come into contact with the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact and a separation direction in which the first movable contact and the second movable contact separate from the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact, and a drive device disposed in the contact direction with respect to the movable touch piece and configured to generate a driving force for moving the movable touch piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Ryota Minowa, Hiroyuki Iwasaka, Yasuo Hayashida, Shingo Mori
  • Patent number: 10573477
    Abstract: An electrical contact switch for use in an electrical contactor, which comprises first and second electrical terminals, an electrically-conductive busbar in electrical communication with the first electrical terminal, and at least one fixed electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive busbar. The switch also has an electrically-conductive moveable arm in electrical communication with the second electrical terminal, with at least one moveable electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive moveable arm to form an electrical contact set with the fixed electrical contact. A fixed ferromagnetic element is positioned at or adjacent to a side of the electrically-conductive moveable arm proximate the second electrical terminal, and a moveable ferromagnetic element is provided in physical communication with a side of the electrically-conductive moveable arm which is opposite to the fixed ferromagnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Connell
  • Patent number: 10541097
    Abstract: An electromechanical relay, which can be inserted into a modular terminal in an insertion direction, wherein the relay is arranged in a housing and has two toggle switches, each of which is connected to connecting elements. At least one of the connecting elements leads out of the housing at the side and extends perpendicular to the insertion direction in at least some segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9715985
    Abstract: An electric switch is disclosed. The electric switch includes first and second terminals, and a contact sub-assembly is disposed between the first and second terminals and includes at least two contact members. The contact sub-assembly has a connecting position in which the contact members contact each other, wherein a current path extends from the first terminal to the second terminal through the contact sub-assembly in the connecting position, and an interrupting position in which the contact members are spaced apart from each other, wherein the current path does not extend from the first terminal to the second terminal in the interrupting position. At least two conductor members are disposed in the current path between the first terminal and the contact sub-assembly, and the current generates a Lorentz force between the conductor members that is mechanically translated to bias the contact sub-assembly into the interrupting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Neuhaus, Johannes Helmreich, Christoph Hauer
  • Patent number: 9583283
    Abstract: An electrical contactor has a first terminal having a fixed member with at least one fixed electrical contact, a second terminal, and at least one movable electrical contact in electrical communication with the second terminal. A dual-coil actuator is also provided and has a first drive coil drivable to open and close the movable and fixed electrical contacts, and a second non-drive coil feedback connected to induce a reverse flux to temper and stabilize a net flux. Control of a delay time of the opening and closing electrical contacts is thus possible, so as to be at or adjacent to a subsequent or next zero-crossing of an associated AC load current waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Connell
  • Patent number: 9063995
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method replicates data from a first database system to a second database system. A trigger table associated with the first database system is determined. The trigger table includes information for rows in tables of the first database system relevant to authorizations in the first database system. The method generates an access control list (ACL) report from the trigger table. The ACL report includes information for setting ACL rules for the second database system. An access context is determined for an entity from the ACL report. The method then generates an ACL rule based on the access context to restrict access to the replicated data in the second database system to users associated with the access context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Maschhur Smid, Joachim Burgert
  • Publication number: 20150137914
    Abstract: An actuator for a switchgear is disclosed, which can include a core having a package of core element layers made of magnetic material, and permanent magnets between the core elements, fixed with screws with screwheads. A movable plate is configured to open or close a magnetic circuit to the core, and an electromagnetic coil is surrounded by the core elements. To avoid mechanical infringement of the environment of the actuator by prominent screwheads, without weakening the magnetic force, screws for mechanical connection of the core element layers and the permanent magnets can be oriented perpendicular to the plane of stacking of the core element layers, and screw-holes for the screws can be implemented through the core element layers and the permanent magnets, and the screw-holes can end in diameter extended openings, so that the screwheads and/or the screwnuts are recessed into the diameter extended openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Christian REUBER
  • Publication number: 20150115967
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric switch, in particular a rocker switch, comprising a contact system and comprising a movable actuating element for switching over the contact system between two switch positions, in particular an on position and an off position. The switch has a drivable actuator, which is operatively connected to the actuating element in such a way that the actuating element in at least one of the two switch positions is moved, on driving of the actuator, into the other switch position by the actuator for switching the contact system. In particular, the actuating element is moved by the actuator from the on position to the off position of the contact system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas MAIER, August GEIGER, Alexander HENTSCHEL, Alexander PRILL, Daniel NILL
  • Publication number: 20150091678
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a contact structure of a low-voltage electrical apparatus. The contact structure is in a dual-breakpoint form, and comprises: two U-shaped static contacts, the U-shaped static contact enabling the current direction in the static contact to be opposite to the current direction in a movable contact; a contact bridge; two movable contacts, disposed on the contact bridge, and respectively corresponding to the two static contacts; a contact support member, disposed on the movable contacts and connected to the movable contacts; two main contact springs, symmetrically disposed under the movable contacts and forming an angle with the contact bridge; and a spring support member, disposed under the two movable contacts and connected to the two main contact springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Hong Xi, Feng Jia, Ping Zeng, Changxun Gu
  • Publication number: 20150054607
    Abstract: An electrical circuit switch including: a first movable element configured for being movable by a force applied to the first movable element, the force having a direction parallel to a first axis; and a second movable element including a movable contact and being configured for, by means of the force, moving the movable contact in parallel to a second axis between an open and a closed position, corresponding to the switch opening or closing an electrical circuit. The first axis forms an angle to the second axis and the first movable element and the second movable element are pivotally arranged to each other in a first joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bjorn Lunden, David Karlen, Arne Trangard, Stefan Lunderius
  • Patent number: 8957342
    Abstract: A sealed solenoid, magnetically operated electric power switch is suitable for use as capacitor, line and load switch operating at transmission and distribution voltages that includes no dynamically moving seals through the sealed container housing the contactor portion of the switch. The sealed solenoid switch includes a magnetically operated drive system with an actuator that magnetically couples across the container wall to avoid the use of a moving or sliding seal as part of the drive system. The sealed solenoid switch may also include a ballast resistor and resistor contact located inside the sealed container to avoid another seal as part of the ballast system. A magnetic latch holds the switch in a closed position, and a spring holds the switch in the closed position, to avoid the need for an energizing current to maintain the switch in either position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Southern States LLC
    Inventors: Neil McCord, Joseph R. Rostron, Frank Blalock, Donald Swing, Roy Alexander, Kent Davey, William Horn
  • Patent number: 8872607
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a safety switch assembly having a number of fixed and movable contacts, a control mechanism that alters the conducting state of the contacts, and a magnetizable member that extends between alternate portions of the safety switch assembly. The safety switch assembly includes a magnetically operable electrical switch that is positioned proximate the magnetizable material such that changes in the magnetic condition of the magnetizable material alter the conducting state of the magnetically operable electrical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventor: Derek W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8766750
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic switching apparatus, a fixed core is fixedly-installed at a lower side, and a movable core driven by an electromagnetic force is installed at an upper side so as to be directly connected to a movable contact. This may require no shaft, and thus simplify the entire structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeon Soon Choi
  • Publication number: 20140152406
    Abstract: A micro-relay that overcomes some of the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art is disclosed. The micro-relay comprising: (1) a first substrate comprising one or more monolithically integrated planar coils for generating a magnetic field; and (2) a second substrate comprising a magnetically actuated switch having a moving contact that selectively moves in a plane parallel to its substrate. The first and second substrate are aligned and bonded to collectively provide a closed magnetic circuit that efficiently channels the generated magnetic field through the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: COTO Technology, Inc., HT MicroAnalytical, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Richard Christenson
  • Patent number: 8742875
    Abstract: A contactor has a frame including a base unit, a coil provided on the base unit and including input terminals, and a module including a circuit board for electrically controlling the coil, the circuit board including input terminals for power supply and output terminals for providing an electrical connection to the coil. The contactor further includes a fastening device arranged for mechanically and electrically connecting one of the output terminals to a corresponding input terminal of the coil, and the module is designed such that the fastening device connects the output terminal of the circuit board to the input terminal of the coil while at the same time the module is connected to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, David Karlén, Lars Eriksson, Ove Coman
  • Publication number: 20140145805
    Abstract: A relay includes: a fixed terminal on which a fixed contact is provided; a movable terminal on which a movable contact is provided; a cam that has an elliptical circumference shape, and is rotatable while a portion of the circumference shape is contacting a surface of the movable terminal; and a driving unit that rotates the cam so that respective portions located at one ends of a major axis and a minor axis of the elliptical circumference shape alternately contact the surface of the movable terminal; wherein when the portion located at one end of the major axis of the elliptical circumference shape of the cam contacts the surface of the movable terminal, the movable terminal is deformed elastically so that the movable contact contacts the fixed contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Takuya UCHIYAMA, Nobuo Yatsu, Natsumi Sakai, Kohei Takahashi, Katsuaki Koshimura, Masahiro Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20140137820
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuating device (1) for a camshaft adjustment device of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with an elongated actuating element (2) forming an engagement region on the end side and movable by the force of a coil device (29) provided in a stationary manner, which actuating element preferably has in parts a cylindrical covering contour and penetrates a cut-out (8) in permanent magnet means (6) arranged on the shell side, which are constructed for cooperating with a stationary core region (5) comprising a core body (15), and which actuating element lies in a switching position with a contact surface (11), on the end side on the actuating element side, against a contact surface (10) on the core region side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ETO MAGNETIC GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Golz
  • Patent number: 8729984
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a magnetic actuator having more than one air gap. After the trip unit is triggered, a first armature is accelerated to quickly close a first air gap and then mate with a second armature. The first and second armature then move toward a core to close a second air gap and reach the final combined armature position, causing a contact to open. A faster reaction time is provided, yet without increasing the number of turns of the trip coil winding, and provides a more efficient actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Willy Feller, Beat Villiger
  • Publication number: 20140077907
    Abstract: A tool and method for switching an electromagnetic relay may be provided, whereby the tool comprises a switching member capable of moving between a first position and a second position along a path oriented to the relay; wherein movement of the switching member from the first position to the second position is capable of switching a switch state of the electromagnetic relay via a magnetic force exerted by the switching member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventor: Lim Kean Lai
  • Publication number: 20140062626
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay including an electromagnet, a movable contact actuated by the electromagnet, and a fixed contact disposed opposite to the movable contact and capable of contacting and separating from the movable contact. The electromagnetic relay further includes a backstop for stopping movement of the movable contact in a direction separating from the fixed contact, and a backstop positioner for setting the backstop at a position for defining a predetermined contact gap between the fixed contact and the movable contact. In a state where movement of the movable contact is stopped by the backstop, different-sized contact gaps are defined between the fixed contact and the movable contact, depending on the position of the backstop set by the backstop positioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasushi SAITO, Akihiko NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8653914
    Abstract: A safety switch assembly having a number of fixed and movable contacts, a control mechanism that alters the conducting state of the contacts, and a magnetisable member that extends between alternate portions of the safety switch assembly. The safety switch assembly includes a magnetically operable electrical switch that is located in a body of the switch assembly and positioned proximate the magnetisable material such that changes in the magnetic condition of the magnetisable material alter the conducting state of the magnetically operable electrical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventor: Derek W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8653915
    Abstract: An embodiment of an electrical contactor according to the present invention provides improved operability and manufacturability. Such electrical contactor may include a housing substantially surrounding an electrical conductor assembly and contact actuator. The conductor assembly includes a stationary contact assembly and a movable contact assembly. The contact actuator selectively mechanically interfaces to the movable contact assembly to make or break an electrical conduction. The contactor provides improved contact bounce dampening and actuator force characteristics. Methods according to the present invention include a method of manufacturing and a method of operating a solenoid actuated electrical contactor so as to minimize solenoid plunger acceleration and impact forces while making the electrical conduction and to maximize solenoid plunger acceleration and impact forces while breaking the electrical conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Trumpet Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Schmidt, Dennis A. Maller
  • Patent number: 8638183
    Abstract: A power switch includes switch contacts that are opened via a switch shaft, which, when the switch is triggered, is actuated by way of the trigger slider of a trigger unit, in particular a working current trigger unit. The trigger slider moves the switch shaft by way of the trigger shaft of a switch latch, the trigger unit including electric coil into which an armature extends that is drawn into the coil by electromagnetic forces of attraction when the switch is triggered. A stationary counter armature is disposed in the coil, which counter armature serves as a stop for the armature, so as to increase the forces of attraction. The movement of the armature is transmitted by way of a mechanism to the movement of the trigger slider so as to increase the displacement path of the trigger slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Freimuth, Jürgen Renner, Matthias Weiss
  • Publication number: 20140002216
    Abstract: A mini high-power magnetic latching relay containing a magnetic circuit is compact in structure, which can minimize the overall volume of the relay to facilitate application to the printed circuit board requiring high power and small volume of relay, and expansion of the application scope of magnetic latching relay is provided by this invention. The magnetic circuit comprises a magnetic enclosure, an iron core, a winding; the winding comprises a coil former and a coil wrapped on the coil former. The magnetic enclosure is formed by a magnetic steel and armature vertically located on both ends of the magnetic steel. This structure provides a balanced magnetic circuit that can ensure contact pressure in the magnetic latching relay, stable bouncing time, and improved service life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Xiaoxia Yang, Guozhang Gao, Shuijun Wang
  • Publication number: 20130335177
    Abstract: An electromagnet device is configured to generate a magnetic attractive force between a stationary core and a movable core when electricity is applied to a coil, so that the movable core is moved in a direction for coming into contact with the stationary core, and a movable shaft is moved in a direction in which a first end face of the movable shaft separates from a movable terminal. After the movable contact comes in contact with the fixed contact, the movable core moves further in a direction for coming into contact with the stationary core. A yoke made of a magnetic body is disposed between the movable terminal and the first end of the movable shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8570125
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch has a contact device having a pair of fixed contacts fixed thereof and maintaining a predetermined interval inside an arc-extinguishing chamber receptacle, and a movable contact disposed to be connectable with the pair of fixed contacts; and an electromagnetic device driving the movable contact. The electromagnetic device has a cylindrical exciting coil, a fixed core passing through center of the exciting coil, a magnetic yoke covering an outer side of the exciting coil, and a movable core facing the fixed core and the magnetic yoke, and armature surfaces of the fixed core and the magnetic yoke are formed on a side of the contact device than the exciting coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Yasuhiro Naka, Kouetsu Takaya, Yuichi Yamamoto, Yuji Shiba
  • Patent number: 8564388
    Abstract: The relay (KM) has at least first and second contact points (a1, a2), the states of which are switched from an open state to a close state by the drive of an electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) switch the states between the open state and the close state by enabling movable contact pieces (31) to move with respect to respective fixed contact pieces (30) by using a power transmission mechanism (21) movable by the drive of the electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) are set so that the second contact point (a2) is switched to the close state after the first contact point (a1) is switched to the close state and the first contact point (a1) is switched to the open state after the second contact point (a2) is switched to the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: National University Corporation Nagaoka University of Technology
    Inventors: Yuji Hirao, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 8558646
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism for a power receptacle, which includes a disconnect block, a locking member slidably coupled to the disconnect block, and an electromagnetic device moveably coupled to the locking member. The disconnect block includes two side arms extending outwards. A pressing plate is disposed above the disconnect block, and a disconnect spring is disposed above the pressing plate. The moveable contact arms of the main switch of the receptacle are disposed between the pressing plate and the disconnect block, and the pressing plate pushes the moveable contact arms when the main switch is being opened when a current leakage is detected. The receptacle also includes an auxiliary switch disposed because the disconnect block and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Bingham McCutchen LLP
    Inventor: Cheng Li Li
  • Patent number: 8552824
    Abstract: An integrated planar electromechanical contactor assembly includes a substrate, a through-hole formed through the substrate, a plurality of solenoid traces embedded within the substrate about the through-hole in a plurality of distinct planes, a solenoid core arranged in the through hole in electromagnetic communication with the plurality of solenoid traces, and a mobile contact arm. The plurality of distinct planes are substantially parallel to one another and each solenoid trace of the plurality of solenoid traces is in electrical communication with an adjacent solenoid trace through an electrical via. Furthermore, the mobile contact arm is configured to selectively connect an external contact lead arranged on the substrate to at least one electrical trace embedded within the substrate responsive to motion of the solenoid core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Debabrata Pal
  • Patent number: 8487722
    Abstract: A thermally managed electromagnetic switching device (2) is provided that includes a current carrying component set (4) switchable between a closed, current carrying state and an open, current interrupting state. A thermally dissipating component set (6) functionally supports and electrically isolates the current carrying component set (4) in the open state. The thermally dissipating component set (6) includes at least in part a thermally conductive polymer and is cooperatively configured to transfer heat away from the current carrying component set (4) in the closed state to dissipate thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, James M. McCormick, Kevin F. Hanley, Timothy R. Budd
  • Patent number: 8446241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for switching on and off an electric circuit comprising: a charge (5) which can be ignited, the combustion of which brings about the switching on or off of the electric circuit, ignition means for the pyrotechnic charge (5), characterized in that: the ignition means are connected to the electric circuit and the ignition means comprise a microswitch (M, M?) with magnetic action for controlling the ignition of the pyrotechnic charge (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Hugues Filiputti, Mathias Lamien
  • Publication number: 20130106542
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a contact switching device in which a short circuit contingent to flow-out of scattered objects caused by arc is eliminated, so that life durability is increased. For this, there is provided a contact switching device in which a movable iron core provided at one end portion of a movable shaft is attracted to a fixed iron core, based on excitation and degauss of an electromagnet portion, by which the movable shaft reciprocates in a shaft center direction, and movable contacts of a movable contact piece arranged at another end portion of the movable shaft contact and depart from fixed contacts. Particularly, contact surfaces between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts are arranged inside a box-shaped insulating member, and an opening portion of the insulating member is closed by a lid body having at least one extending portion in a direction of an arc generated between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Keisuke Yano, Ryuichi Hashimoto, Yasuo Hayashida, Shingo Mori
  • Patent number: 8373525
    Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor has a stationary core; a coil arranged around the stationary core; a movable holder movable toward the stationary core; a movable core coupled to one end of the movable holder for being attracted to the stationary core by the excitation of the coil; and a nonmagnetic structural component arranged on the movable core facing the stationary core. The nonmagnetic structural component is a flat plate structural component with high flexural rigidity, overlaid on the surface of the movable core to face the stationary core. The nonmagnetic structural component and the movable core are held between a cushioning spring and a coupling pin. The cushioning spring is contained in the movable holder and buts the back face of the movable core not facing the stationary core. The coupling pin crosses the nonmagnetic structural component with both ends engaged with a pair of holder legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Watanabe, Hideki Daijima
  • Publication number: 20130033345
    Abstract: The relay (KM) has at least first and second contact points (a1, a2), the states of which are switched from an open state to a close state by the drive of an electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) switch the states between the open state and the close state by enabling movable contact pieces (31) to move with respect to respective fixed contact pieces (30) by using a power transmission mechanism (21) movable by the drive of the electromagnet (32). The first and second contact points (a1, a2) are set so that the second contact point(a2) is switched to the close state after the first contact point(a1) is switched to the close state and the first contact point(a1) is switched to the open state after the second contact point(a2) is switched to the open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: National University Corporation Nagaoka University of Technology
    Inventors: Yuji Hirao, Koichi Futsuhara
  • Publication number: 20130015930
    Abstract: A medium or high voltage switch has a switching assembly actuated by two drives. Each drive includes a plunger arranged between two Thomson coils. The coils as well as the plunger are rectangular for reducing the weight and therefore inertia of the drive and thus to increase drive speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: LARS E. JONSSON
  • Patent number: 8350648
    Abstract: A power control apparatus in the form of a standard, toggle, wall-mounted light switch for remote actuation of an electrical load or local manual override. A switch housing supports and retains a latching relay that includes power terminals, a switching terminal for remote actuation by a control signal, and a manual override. A switch lever extends from the body of the switch housing for manual actuation to override the state of the relay. The switch lever engages the manual override of the latching relay upon manual actuation by a person. A centering structure maintains the switch lever in a centered position to allow unimpeded movement of the manual override. The latching relay can be remotely actuated by a signal at its switching terminal to switch a power load connected to the power terminals on or off, or the relay can be manually overridden by actuation of the switch lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Gus Cueto
  • Publication number: 20120326815
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch has a contact device having a pair of fixed contacts fixed thereof and maintaining a predetermined interval inside an arc-extinguishing chamber receptacle, and a movable contact disposed to be connectable with the pair of fixed contacts; and an electromagnetic device driving the movable contact. The electromagnetic device has a cylindrical exciting coil, a fixed core passing through center of the exciting coil, a magnetic yoke covering an outer side of the exciting coil, and a movable core facing the fixed core and the magnetic yoke, and armature surfaces of the fixed core and the magnetic yoke are formed on a side of the contact device than the exciting coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC FA COMPONENTS & SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Yasuhiro Naka, Kouetsu Takaya, Yuichi Yamamoto, Yuji Shiba
  • Publication number: 20120319806
    Abstract: A thermally managed electromagnetic switching device (2) is provided that includes a current carrying component set (4) switchable between a closed, current carrying state and an open, current interrupting state. A thermally dissipating component set (6) functionally supports and electrically isolates the current carrying component set (4) in the open state. The thermally dissipating component set (6) includes at least in part a thermally conductive polymer and is cooperatively configured to transfer heat away from the current carrying component set (4) in the closed state to dissipate thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, James M. McCormick, Kevin F. Hanley, Timothy R. Budd
  • Publication number: 20120313737
    Abstract: A disclosed electromagnetic relay includes a fixed contact, a movable contact provided in a movable contact spring, an electric magnet causing the movable contact to contact the fixed contact by applying force via an arming unit, a magnet generating a magnetic field between the fixed contact and the movable contact, and yokes made of a magnetic material, wherein the yokes are arranged in parallel to interpose the fixed contact and the movable contact between the yokes and to apply the magnetic field generated by the magnet to an area where the fixed contact and the movable contact exist, and insulating portions are provided on inner surfaces of the yokes facing the fixed contact and the movable contact, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Daiei Iwamoto, Takashi Yuba
  • Publication number: 20120306602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a switch suitable for efficient microfabric. The switch elements are disposed in several layers. Various embodiments provide various switching capabilities and operational characteristics. The switches can be protected by suitable packaging, and can be efficiently fabricated in groups or arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HT MicroAnalytical, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Richard Christenson
  • Publication number: 20120293284
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch operative to close and open an electrical contact arrangement to thereby turn on and off an electrical current flowing through an electrical circuit. A movable iron core includes a shaft insertion hole that extends in an axial direction of the movable iron core and has an opening in an end face of the movable iron core axially opposing a movable contact of the electrical contact arrangement. The hole includes a step disposed at a position along the depth, a shaft fixture section on a bottom side of the step, and a shaft guide section on an opening side of the step. An inside diameter of the shaft fixture section is smaller than an inside diameter of the shaft guide section. One axial end side portion of the shaft is press fit in the shaft fixture section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Mitsuhiro MURATA, Takahisa INAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20120256711
    Abstract: An exemplary medium or high voltage switch has a first set of contact elements and a second set of contact elements. Each contact element includes an insulating carrier carrying conducting elements. In the closed current-carrying state of the switch, the conducting elements align to form one or more current paths between terminals of the switch along an axial direction. For opening the switch, the contact elements are mutually displaced by through two drives along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The switching arrangement is arranged in a fluid-tight housing in a gas of elevated pressure or in a liquid. The switch has a high voltage withstand capability and fast switching times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Lars LILJESTRAND, Lars E. Jonsson, Per Skarby, Ryan Chladny
  • Publication number: 20120242431
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic switch, current flow through a coil causes a plunger to be axially displaced by magnetic attraction, against a restoring force of a return spring, thereby axially displacing a movable contact against fixed contacts and so enabling current flow via the contacts. One or more contact displacement limiting members are disposed on the opposite side of the fixed contacts from the movable contact, for limiting the extent to which the movable contact can be axially displaced when the fixed contacts have become worn by repetitive switching operations. A condition in which the movable contact cannot be restored to a “contacts open” position is thereby prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukio NAWA
  • Patent number: 8274346
    Abstract: An electromagnetic contact device has a contactor holder (40), which moves a mounted movable contactor (42a) according to a displacement of a movable core (32) forming an electromagnet (30) for operation. The contactor holder (40) is being housed together with the electromagnet (30) for operation in a case (1). The case (1) has a lower case portion (10) housing the electromagnet (30) for operation and an upper case portion (20) engaging with the lower case portion (10) while being stacked on the lower case portion and houses the contactor holder (40) advanced from above. The upper case portion (20) has a recess (21) with an upward opening and houses the contactor holder (40) placed on the bottom wall of the recess (21). The lower case portion (10) houses one selected either a DC-only electromagnet (30b) or an AC-only electromagnet (30a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouetsu Takaya, Koji Okubo, Yasuhiro Naka, Toshikatsu Ohgami, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8269585
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch includes: a stationary contact; a movable contact movably provided with respect to the stationary contact; a coil configured to move the movable contact to a side of the stationary contact by means of current conduction; and a shaft provided inside the coil such that the movable contact is provided at an end portion thereof, wherein a snap-fit portion having a pair of hooks disposed to face each other is provided at an end portion of the shaft, and the movable contact is fixed between the end portion of the shaft and the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeon Soon Choi
  • Patent number: 8222981
    Abstract: An electrical switching device includes first and second circuit assemblies. Each of the first and second circuit assemblies includes a base terminal and a moveable terminal movable between an open state and a closed state. The movable terminal is electrically connected to the base terminal in the closed state. An actuator assembly is electromechanically controlled by a motor. The actuator assembly includes a pivot member rotated by the motor that has a post extending outward from a pivot body. An actuator is moved by the pivot member and is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is operatively coupled to the moveable terminals of the first and second circuit assemblies. The actuator moves the movable terminals to the closed state as the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position. The actuator has a pocket with a compression spring received in the pocket. The compression spring extends between a first end and a second end. The first end engages the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Thomas Zarbock, Matthew Len Moeller, Garland H. Ladd, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120139672
    Abstract: An extinction cover (5) is mounted on a case (4) thereby sealing an extinction chamber (S). This extinction cover has an engaging-force-increased portion (5c1) which strengthens the force of engagement with the case, and an engaging-force-decreased portion (5c2) which weakens the force of engagement with the case. In response to an increase in internal pressure in the extinction chamber due to arc gas generation, the engaging-force-decreased portion establishes disengagement of the case and provides a gap (27) with the case, for linking the extinction chamber to external air, and the engaging-force-increased portion maintains engagement with the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC FA COMPONENTS & SYSTEMS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kouetsu Takaya, Koji Okubo, Yasuhiro Naka, Kenji Suzuki