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.

Abstract: A contactor comprises first and second armatures which are urged towards contact-making positions by first and second windings, respectively. Each of the armatures displaces the other armature from its contact-making position when moving towards its own contact-making position. A controller actuates each of the windings before deactuating the other of the windings.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter has a pair of stationary contacts and a pair of movable contacts mounted in a housing. Also included is an electromagnetic coil mounted in the housing for generating an electromagnetic field. The interrupter also has a plunger and an armature, each slidably mounted at least partially within the electromagnetic coil. The armature can be magnetically driven by the coil against the plunger. A latch means is included for releasably holding the pair of movable contacts against the pair of stationary contacts. A fault detector can detect a fault in an electrical distribution system in order to actuate the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A solenoid having a controlled rate of motion is provided. The solenoid includes a housing having a channel disposed therein, a coil disposed around the channel for providing an electromagnetic force in response to a current being supplied therethrough, and a plunger disposed within the channel and movable between a first position and a second position in response to the presence or absence of the electromagnetic force. A dampener is linked to the plunger which creates an atmospheric pressure differential as the plunger moves to one or both of the first position or the second position which pressure differential acts to slow the rate of movement of the plunger.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic operating device 10 for a circuit breaker includes a coil 12 which defines a cavity 14. A pair of elements 34, 44 are slidably arranged within the cavity 14, a first element 34 being operable to cause a time delay tripping of the circuit breaker and a second element 34 being operable to cause a substantially instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker. A first pole piece 22 is associated with the first element. A linkage 64 is carried by the second element 44 for linking the second element to a moving contact carrier 66 of the circuit breaker. A frame 18, which defines a magnetic path, is arranged about at least a part of the coil 12, the magnetic frame 18 defining a second pole piece 40 which is aligned with the first pole piece 22. The first pole piece 22 and the elements 34, 44 are displaceable towards the second pole piece 40 to effect tripping of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An electro-magnetically operable device 12 for a circuit breaker 10 comprises a coil 13 that defines a cavity. A first plunger 14 and a second plunger 16 are located within the cavity, adjacent one another. The first plunger 14 is housed in a sealed canister 18 which is filled with a damping liquid. The plunger 14 is displaceable within the canister 18 in a damped manner. The second plunger 16 is also displaceable within the cavity and movement thereof is guided by an open tube 20. The first plunger 14 and the second plunger 16 are urged away from a pole piece 30 of the device 12 via helical springs 32 and 34, respectively.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator comprises a coil associated with a magnetic circuit having a first series of polar parts to drive a rotor, and a second series of polar parts cooperating with a pivoting blade. A return spring causes movement of the blade to a separated position. A latch is rendered active to lock the blade in the separated position during rotation of the rotor, and inactive to unlock the blade enabling its electromagnetic attraction against the polar face, and stopping of the rotor. The actuator has an operating mode either as motor or as electromagnet depending on the position of the blade.

Abstract: A tape recorder having a controller for a movable member is able to control the movement of the member between two states by one electromagnet. The controller includes an electromagnet having first and second attracting parts which correspond to first and second attracted parts, a driving member which is driven through a fixed motion by a driving source, a combining part for moving which is installed on said movable member so as to separate from the driving member or be maintained in the combined state with said driving member by said first attracted part, a combining part for keeping position which is installed on said movable member to maintain said movable member in the second position by combining with the second attracted part and a leaving prevention part for preventing the leaving from said driving member of said combining part for moving when said movable member is at a position from halfway between said first and second positions to its second position.