Abstract: Provided herein is an improved bi-stable relay. In some embodiments, the bi-stable relay assembly may include a housing, and a core assembly within the housing. The core assembly may include a coil support structure, a first coil and a second coil along a central section of the coil support structure, a first magnet at a first end of the coil support structure, a second magnet at a second end of the coil support structure, and a first electromagnetic shell component and a second electromagnetic shell component each extending between the first and second magnets.

Abstract: An actuator for controlling the movement of an element between two stable positions with pulsed electrical control without a change in polarity comprises: a ferromagnetic mobile mass, at least one electrically controlled wire coil that is fixed with respect to the mobile mass, at least two ferromagnetic poles that are fixed with respect to the mobile mass and on either side of the mobile mass. The actuator comprises at least one permanent magnet that attracts the mobile mass in order to achieve the two stable positions. The mobile mass defines, with the ferromagnetic poles, at least two variable air gaps during the movement of the mobile apparatus. The magnetic flux of the permanent magnet opposes the magnetic flux generated by the at least one coil regardless of the position of the mobile mass.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having at least one electromagnetic actuator unit, the actuator unit comprising a coil and a plunger, which plunger is axially movable relative to the coil via energization of the coil, and the actuator unit being arranged in a housing. In order to achieve a particularly simple design, the plunger is arranged approximately coaxially with the coil according to the invention.

Abstract: An automatic playing system may include a damper module for changing a sound generated by the automatic playing system. The damper module may include a damper board, a motion driver, and a supporter. The damper board may be configured to control at least one damper of the automatic playing system. The motion driver may be configured to drive the damper board and operated to perform at least one automatic playing function. The supporter may be configured to couple the damper board with the motion driver when the motion driver is operated.

Abstract: An actuator for a mechanical switch, a mechanical switch, a circuit breaker and a high voltage power transmission system including such an actuator are disclosed. The actuator includes at least one armature and a first primary coil with turns wound around a central coil axis, where the armature is movable along the central coil axis and there is a magnetic flux concentrator provided at least around the first primary coil.

Abstract: Embodiments of soft latching solenoids comprise a coil assembly (24); a plunger assembly (26); at least one flux conductor (28) comprising a flux circuit. The coil assembly (24) is fixedly situated with respect to a solenoid frame (21). The plunger assembly (26) is configured to linearly translate in a first direction along a plunger axis (32) upon application of a pulse of power to the coil assembly (24). The flux conductor(s) (28) is/are positioned radially exteriorly to the plunger assembly (26) to form the flux circuit. The flux circuit comprises the solenoid frame (21), the plunger assembly (26), and the at least one flux conductor (28). The flux circuit is arranged and configured so that the plunger assembly (26) is held in a plunger detent position upon cessation of the pulse of power.

Abstract: Power tool (10) may include solenoid coil (1) that functions as a drive source for plunger (5). Battery (3) may be connected with solenoid coil (1), battery (3) supplying a current to solenoid coil (1). Solenoid coil (1) may store magnetic energy while current from battery (3) flows through solenoid coil (1). The magnetic energy stored in solenoid coil (1) may be transformed into kinetic energy of plunger (5), whereby plunger (5) being moved from a first position to a second position. The magnetic energy stored in solenoid coil (1) is determined by the current flowing through solenoid coil (1) and has no relationship with the voltage of battery (3). Consequently, sufficient power can be conveyed to plunger (5) even if the voltage of battery (3) is low.

Abstract: A shunt trip assembly having a tripping solenoid and a locking solenoid selectively blocks movement of the tripping solenoid to prevent inappropriate tripping of a circuit breaker during shock loading thereof. The tripping solenoid includes a tripping plunger that is longitudinally translatable along a tripping path to operatively engage a trip button of the circuit breaker. The locking solenoid includes a locking plunger that is selectively translatable along a locking path to selectively block movement of the tripping plunger, the locking path being substantially perpendicular to the tripping path. A longitudinally-facing first abutment surface on the tripping plunger is engaged by the locking plunger to prevent inappropriate movement of the tripping plunger during shock loading. A peripherally-disposed second abutment surface on the tripping plunger prevents misconfiguration of the shunt trip assembly after the shunt trip assembly has been deenergized.

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: The solenoid (1) is of the type having a magnetic circuit (2, 3, 13) on which a permanent magnet (6) and an electric winding (7) would induce respective magnetic fields; the magnetic circuit has a stationary portion including a squared annular shroud (2) divided theta-like by a partition (3) which encloses, between itself and the shroud (2), the permanent magnet (6), on the one side, and the electric winding (7), on the other side, and a moving portion including a plunger (13) slidable axially within the winding (7) and being guided through an opening (12) in the shroud (2). The plunger (13) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position dependent on the magnetic field induced by the winding (7). The partition (3) comprises a flat plate on which the plunger (13) bears directly in its retracted position.

Abstract: A system for setting in particular the rotor (2) of a coaxial or waveguide switch in n possible locking positions S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3, . . . has an axially staggered drive on one side and on the opposite side a locking means (6, 7, 8/9, 10/11, 12). On the side facing the stator, the drive (3, 4, 5) has a drive winding composed of the drive coils (5) connected to only one pair of conductors by means of which a current of a determined polarity is supplied to the drive winding (5) and which turns the rotor (2) in the direction of the n locking positions S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3, . . . by means of magnetic forces. The main purpose of the locking means (6, 7, 8/9, 10/11, 12) is to turn the rotor (2) into the exact locking position and to maintain it in that position.

Abstract: Device for setting the rotor of a rotary switch in one of three possible switching positions (positions 1 to 3). Such rotary switches can be for example wave guide or coaxial switches. The excitation of windings in this device for a rotary direction is effected by a pair of conductors with a current pulse. This current pulse, via an initial drive system and by means of a drive torque produced by the windings of the latter, moves the rotor from an initial end position (position 1) in the direction of a mid-position (position 3) and to an intermediate position. After the current pulse has been switched off, a permanently imprinted magnetic detent torque brings about the further rotation of the rotor to the mid-position (position 3), where the rotor is centered by the shape of the detent torque. A further current pulse on the same pair of conductors produces a drive moment which moves the rotor from the mid-position (position 3) to the other end position (position 2).

Abstract: An undervoltage tripping unit for a power line circuit breaker features a holding solenoid and a boostig solenoid having their associated plungers coupled to move together so as to be retracted against the force of plunger biasing springs when both solenoids are energized. Release of the plungers from the retracted position is used to trip the associated power line circuit breaker when the line voltage falls below a tripping voltage level. The holding solenoid is continuously coupled to the circuit breaker power input terminals. The booster solenoid is energized through a plunger-actuated switch so as to be de-energized when the plungers are fully retracted or in a position proximate thereto.

Abstract: A resettable circuit interrupter in a ground fault detector circuit utilizes a housing which slideably retains a solenoid coil wound on a bobbin. A contact carrier is attached to the bobbin and one or more moveable contacts are provided on the carrier opposite a corresponding set of fixed contacts. A plunger slides through a central passageway in the solenoid coil. The bobbin is spring biased so that the contacts are in a normally open position. In a manually resettable version, when the solenoid coil conducts a predetermined current, manually activating the plunger causes the plunger to magnetically couple to a footplate attached to the bobbin. When a plunger spring returns the plunger to its original position, the bobbin and contact carrier move with it and the contacts are closed. When the solenoid coil conducts insufficient current to magnetically couple the plunger and footplate, the bias springs maintain the contacts in the normally open position.

Abstract: A latching solenoid is provided which has first and second coils having a central axial opening arranged to produce oppositely polarized first and second magnetic fields along the axial opening. A paramagnetic path is provided from the central opening around the outside of the coils and back to the central opening, with this path having a first gap within the central opening. A plunger is spring biased within this central opening to close the first gap upon activation of the first coil in opposition to the spring.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-current making switch is provided which has a driver which forms an air cylinder in the housing and which has movable contacts attached thereto. The driver moves the contacts to make and break the circuit. The force to move the driver is provided by pressurized air within the housing chamber which in response to the operation of a solenoid which operates a latch allows the contacts to make very rapidly. Upon operation of the solenoid, the latch is removed from abutting contact with the driver thereby allowing the driver to move in response to the air pressure and make the circuit.

Abstract: A rotary control having a variable detent is disclosed. The control, for electrical instruments and the like, includes a manually rotatable shaft to which a plate is coaxially mounted. The plate includes magnetizable flutes extending radially therefrom, each flute corresponding to a rotational stop position of the rotary control. Spaced adjacent the plate is a switchable electromagnet that forms a detent. A control switch in communication with the electromagnet selectably energizes it to engage magnetically the flutes successively as the shaft is manually rotated, stopping the rotary control at each rotational stop position. The switch also de-energizes the electromagnet so that the shaft may be continuously variable. A plurality of electromagnets can be positioned about a plate to vary the locations of the rotational stop positions. In a separate embodiment, a plurality of plates, each with an associated electromagnet, is mounted coaxially on the shaft.

Abstract: A magnetically operated AC switching device, such as an AC electrical contactor, is operable with a delay-on-dropout feature to permit safe shutdown of equipment energized therethrough in case of power failure. The device includes an AC pickup winding which is energizable from an AC power source and a DC holding winding which is electrically connected to a rectifier for energization of the holding winding with DC power from the AC source. A capacitor is also electrically connected to the rectifier in parallel with the holding winding for energization with DC power from the AC source. Upon energization of the device, the AC pickup winding moves fixed and movable contacts of the device into engagement, and the DC holding winding maintains them in engagement. The AC pickup winding can remain energized without burnout; and upon power dropout the capacitor supplies DC power to the holding winding for an instant to provide a slight delay in the separation of the contacts.

Abstract: A sector motor has a rotor which is rotatable to one of three positions in a housing. The rotor carries field magnets surrounding stationary armature poles carried by the housing. An arcuate 90.degree. slot in one end of the housing receives an arcuate 45.degree. arm projecting from the rotor thereby limiting the rotor to a total angular rotation of 90.degree.. Spaced latching magnets coact in mutual repulsion or attraction or both to latch the rotor at either end of rotor rotation. The motor's inherrent magnetic restoring force assisted by a magnetic detent carried by the housing and rotor and located midway between opposite ends of the 90.degree. slot latch and prevent vibration of the rotor in a central position between opposite ends of its range of rotation.

Abstract: A mechanically latchable solenoid having a single coil and a single-piece armature or core plunger having a latch pin fixed thereto. The plunger is moved to a first, retracted position by energization of the coil with a pulse of either direct or alternating electric current. A spring-biased mechanical latch latches the plunger in the retracted position. A subsequent energization of the coil with a current pulse unlatches the plunger so that the plunger is returned to its original, unretracted position by a non-magnetic external force, such as that provided by a plunger spring. The latch is in the form of a lobed cam which is mechanically moved out of its normal unlatched position by the latch pin when the coil is first energized to attract the plunger from its unretracted to its retracted position. When the plunger has moved a predetermined portion of the distance to its retracted position, a lobe of the spring-biased cam engages the pin to prevent the plunger from returning to its original position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tripping device for protecting a printed circuit card by opening an electrical circuit of the card in response to an overcurrent of the circuit. The device includes contacts and an energizing coil which are connected in series with the circuit to be opened. When the contacts of the device are closed and the circuit current is normal, a magnetic holding flux provided by a bar magnet holds a plate in contact with two spaced and parallel side-walls between which is located the bar magnet. When an overcurrent occurs, the energizing coil produces a breaking flux which reduces the holding flux sufficiently so that the plate may be moved from the side-walls by a return spring, thereby opening the contacts and the circuit. When the plate is moved from the side-walls, an actuating rod which passes through an opening in the plate is projected out of the device housing to indicate the opening of the circuit.

Abstract: An electrically releaseable permanent magnet latch includes a magnetic tube disposed within a U-shaped magnetic frame. Disposed within the tube are a lightweight armature and a coil spring biasing the armature forward. An electromagnet coil is wound about the tube and a pair of permanent magnets are inside the frame outboard of the tube. Magnetic diverter plates abut the magnets and are interposed between the magnets and coil. A collar on the tube provides a direct magnetic bridge to the diverters. Energization of the coil creates a flux which bucks the permanent magnet flux to permit the spring to overcome the armature holding force whereby the spring operates the armature.

Abstract: This trip device comprises a permanent magnet of cobalt-rare earth material and a plunger which is normally held in a withdrawn position by the permanent magnet. A tripping coil surrounds the plunger and, upon energization, develops tripping flux that opposes the holding flux from the permanent magnet, thereby to effect release of the plunger. In a position between the tripping coil and the permanent magnet, flux-diverting structure of highly permeable magnetic material is provided for shunting a portion of the tripping flux through a shunt path bypassing the permanent magnet. This shunt path contains a relatively large non-magnetic gap for limiting the tripping flux through the shunt path sufficiently to cause 30 percent or more of the tripping flux to pass through the permanent magnet in a direction opposite to the direction of the holding flux.