Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor having an electromagnet consisting of a fixed core and an operating coil mounted on the fixed core, a plurality of fixed contacts, a crossbar disposed above the fixed core, a plurality of contact bars associated with the crossbar and each provided with a pair of movable contacts located opposite the corresponding fixed contacts, respectively, a movable core joined to the lower portion of the crossbar opposite to the fixed core, and a rigid frame consisting of two parallel polygonal bars and two parallel connecting bars interconnecting the respective opposite ends of the polygonal bars. The crossbar and the movable core are supported pivotally on the rigid frame.

Abstract: A three-position electrical driving mechanism having a jump-drive sub-assembly, a pivotable actuator and associated spring arrangement for storing energy, a detent arrangement and associated latches for holding the detents in place, a release arrangement for disengaging the detents from the latches, and a storage drive sub-assembly which is operable in response to a blown fuse or an open circuit trip. This switch requires the operator to perform the same switching operation each time the switch is utilized, and therefore errors that occur when an operator must perform several different operations are avoided.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for racking a contactor mechanism within an enclosure. The mechanism is urged into a fully-engaged position by an arm extending from a rotatable cross shaft which in turn is operated by a pair of complementary four-bar linkages. The first linkage in effect consists of a handle, connecting rod and bellcrank, the second consisting of the bellcrank and another arm, affixed to the cross shaft. An improved spring-loaded detent arm assists in holding the handle in the "racked on" position and a pivoted interlock engages the bellcrank in two positions.

Abstract: An electric switch, more particularly a current-limiter, to be actuated by a control pin which indicates the OFF or the ON condition, and which can be opened also by the agency of thermomagnetic tripping mechanisms and by means of a coil. A crank lever is linked to a swinging assembly which is rockably mounted about the pin and to a rocker carrying the rod to actuate the movable contacts. The lever, to be able to permit that the contacts may be closed, must rest on a step of another lever and this resting relationship can be undone either by acting upon the pin, or by means of the tripping mechanisms and the coil. The opening by means of the tripping mechanisms takes place with a kind of "stroke trip" action, the mechanism being automatically reset during opening. The action of the tripping mechanisms is visually displayed and the reclosure of such a switch can be caused dependent from a local intervention by means of a pushbutton.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for interrupting current through plural electrical circuits has a separate current responsive circuit path for each electrical circuit. Each path includes a manually operable latching mechanism capable of engaging and disengaging a pair of electrical contacts on demand and further includes a circuit responsive releaseable latch mechanism for automatically disengaging the pair of contacts. A common manually activated handle is connected to each of the latching mechanisms to enable manual and automatic operation of the breaker for simultaneous engagement or disengagement of the paired electrical contacts. The connection of the common handle to the several latching mechanisms encompasses a trip bar arranged for both pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of the handle and sliding movement relative to guides within a common insulating case of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A rotary switch has a control shaft (8) controlling electrical contacts (not shown). On being moved from the "OFF" position as illustrated towards an "ON" position by turning clockwise (arrow 9), a ramp (21) on a cam (2) engages a cam follower (41) mounted on a first lever arm (3). The first arm is held in position against the thrust of the cam follower's bias spring (42) by a catch (31) engaging a bearing surface (51) of a second lever arm (5). Similarly the second lever (5) is held in position by a spring (52) urging it against the moving part of an electromagnet (7). The electromagnet is shown in its powered position with spring (61) compressed thereby. Turning the shaft also winds up a return spring (not shown) tending to urge the shaft towards the "OFF" position. The shaft is held in the "ON" position by the cam follower (41) engaging in a notch (20) in the cam.When power to the electromagnet fails (i.e.

Abstract: Current limiting switch for rapid circuit breaking, including at least one pair of contacts, one contact being mounted stationary and the other being mounted on a movable arm. The contact arm is rotatable about a fixed point upon surpassing a predetermined current threshold value, by means of an electromagnet energized by the current passing through the switch. The electromagnetic means comprise an electromagnet and a first and a second armature cooperating with the electromagnet, in which the first armature drives the movable contact in the direction of disengagement and the second armature releases a locking device, which blocks the movable contact in the direction of movement until the current threshold is reached.

Abstract: A control mechanism for providing four separate linear control positions. Included is a lever having two ends, one end being free to register the four linear positions. First and second stationary solenoids both being located on one side of the lever are provided and the first solenoid plunger is pivotally secured to the lever at the end opposite the free end. The plunger of the second solenoid is pivotally secured to the lever between the ends of the lever. A stationary assembly including a spring is positioned and arranged to exert force on the lever between the first and second solenoids in a direction opposite the direction of solenoid plunger movement upon solenoid actuation. The spring force exerted on the lever is less than the combined force of the plungers of the first and second solenoids upon their common actuation. Separate spring force is exerted on the lever so that the lever is perpendicular to the plungers of the solenoids when both the first and second solenoids are deactuated.

Abstract: A high performance, manually and automatically operable, trip-free magnetic circuit breaker incorporates a collapsible linkage having selected elements of precision molded plastic cooperating in a dual latch system, the linkage being adapted to be accurately assembled and mounted in the breaker without requiring adjustment inside the breaker housing; incorporates a double break contact system to achieve longer life, more reliable operation and improved rupture capacity; and incorporates auxiliary switch means with improved actuator biasing to achieve more reliable breaker operation in auxiliary switch applications.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor characterized by a stationary contact structure, a movable contact structure, the movable contact structure comprising a contact arm and a conductor, and a shuntless, pivotal electrical connection between the contact arm and the conductor.

Abstract: An electrical switch is disclosed herein which comprises a member rotatably mounted upon a support and having contact arms connected thereto. The member has a first position in which the contact arms touch contacts mounted to the support, and a second position rotated from the first position in which the contact arms are spaced apart from the contacts. A T-bar is slidably mounted upon the support and is operable to move the member between the first and second positions. The T-bar includes a cross member which has lipped ends positioned and sized to engage certain surfaces of the member. A solenoid and a spring are associated with the T-bar and are operable to move the T-bar in first and second, opposed directions, respectively. As the T-bar moves in the second direction, one end of the cross member engages a surface of the rotatable member and moves the member from one position to the other.

Abstract: A three-position ribbon guide comprises a ribbon guide bar which is pivoted at one end and carries a ribbon guide at an opposite end. Arranged transversely to the guide bar, one above and one below, are two pivotable armature levers each coupled to the guide bar by a pin which rides in a slot in the guide bar. Each slot has a generally vertical and a horizontal portion. An armature fixed in each lever near a pivot axis thereof is subjected selectively to a magnetic attraction when a current flows through an adjacent electromagnet. Energization of one or the other of the electromagnets will pivot the lever and cause its coupling pin to slide along the horizontal portion of the slot in the guide bar. Such movement raises the ribbon guide bar about its pivot, the coupling pin of the other lever remaining steady but sliding through the vertical portion of the guide slot thereof as the guide bar moves.

Abstract: A high voltage fault interrupter including a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact, a trip mechanism module connected to said movable contact, said trip mechanism module monitoring the power line for conditions which call for circuit interruption, a dielectric housing completely enclosing said interrupter and said trip mechanism module, the housing including a flexible dielectric interface, and an actuating and reset module connected to said trip mechanism module through the flexible dielectric interface. The trip mechanism module can include contact position and fault condition indicators within the dielectric housing which are visible externally to indicate the condition of the interrupter. The high voltage interrupter can include a hydraulic interphase trip module which is responsive to fault opening of the vacuum interrupter for providing a hydraulic pulse to a second and third circuit interrupter connected in the same system.