Abstract: A disconnecting switchgear has three mutually exclusive positions II-0-I, with position II energizing the load circuit, position 0 de-energizing the load circuit and position I grounding the circuit, which reduces the electrical risk when interacting with an electrical panel. The switchgear includes a control interconnected with a body, where the control includes a gripping mechanism with an electrical labelling element, an extension mechanism, a locking mechanism and indicator labels; the body includes a group of external electrical conductors or connection terminals, a group of internal electrical conductors or poles, an earth short-circuit electrical conductor, displays of electrical quantities, luminous indicators, and sight glasses for viewing moving poles; electrical conductors and electrical contacts interconnected with a drive shaft and the latter to a power-transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A shunt trip assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to a number of circuit breakers. The shunt trip assembly includes a housing assembly and an actuating assembly. The actuating assembly includes a limited number of components. In another embodiment, the shunt trip assembly housing assembly is a substantially sealed housing assembly. In another embodiment, the shunt trip assembly housing assembly includes a single mounting panel.

Abstract: An auxiliary tripping device is configured to interrupt a flow of current in the event of an undervoltage and/or a current pulse in a subordinate power circuit. The tripping device includes a spring element, a storage element which can be moved between a tensioned and a detensioned position, a trip element for tripping a trip mechanism of the electrical switching device and an activation element, the storage element being embodied in the tensioned position, when activated by way of the activation element, to emit the stored mechanical energy to the trip element. In an embodiment, a movably supported blocking element is provided, which is connected functionally in a first position to the storage element when the storage element is in the tensioned position, so that the storage element is held by the blocking element and in a second position the blocking element releases the storage element to perform a movement.

Abstract: A bistable relay may include a pair of contact arms. Each contact arm is configured to have a first end and a second end, such that, when the relay is in the closed position, current flows from the first end to the second ends of each of the contact arms, and when the relay is in an open position, current does not flow from the first ends to the second ends of the contact arms. The relay further includes a motor, a pair of springs, a pair of cams driven by the motor, and a linearly actuating member configured to move the contact arms from the first configuration to the second configuration, the member including a cam follower surface.

Abstract: A device and method for operating automotive battery system relays and related switches. By aligning a magnetic field with a direction of current flow in a contact plate disposed between magnets that are producing the field, a generated Lorentz force can be used to promote arc extinguishing during a relay opening sequence, while simultaneously reducing the tendency of the Lorentz forces to interfere with the operation of a solenoid or other switch-activating mechanisms. By using a rotary-based mechanism to establish contact between a contact plate and current-carrying terminals, the likelihood of inadvertent opening of the relay is reduced. Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with hybrid-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a drive for a switch disconnector having C or O switching capacity and a switching pin acting as switching contact. A spindle drive is driven by an electric motor and has a spindle nut. An actuating element, which is loaded by a compression spring and is capable of pivoting about a fixed pivot point, is acted upon by the spindle nut. The actuating element for its part interacts with an actuating apparatus which actuates the switching pin.

Abstract: A device and method for operating automotive battery system relays and related switches. By aligning a magnetic field with a direction of current flow in a contact plate disposed between magnets that are producing the field, a generated Lorentz force can be used to promote arc extinguishing during a relay opening sequence, while simultaneously reducing the tendency of the Lorentz forces to interfere with the operation of a solenoid or other switch-activating mechanisms. By using a rotary-based mechanism to establish contact between a contact plate and current-carrying terminals, the likelihood of inadvertent opening of the relay is reduced. Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with hybrid-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

Abstract: An automatic transfer switch apparatus for use with a stand-alone generator, for supplying emergency power to a residence or small business. The automatic transfer switch apparatus is configured to sense a utility line failure, start up and stabilize the generator, and switch over the household circuits from the utility to the generator, and switch back when the utility recovers. The transfer switches incorporate motor-driven switch interlock mechanisms in several embodiments, as well as various operational features.

Abstract: A spring assembly is provided for a yoke assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft. The yoke assembly is coupled to the pole shaft and is movable among first and second positions corresponding to the separable contacts being closed and open, respectively. The spring assembly includes a number of first springs having a first spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly, and a number of second springs having a second spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly. The second spring rate is different than the first spring rate. The number of first springs and the number of second springs bias the yoke assembly toward the second position.

Abstract: A contact spring assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a movable contact assembly and a stationary contact assembly having stationary electrical contacts. The movable contact assembly includes a carrier assembly, and movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly and carrying movable electrical contacts. The contact spring assembly includes a first contact spring housing member, a second contact spring housing member coupled to and disposed opposite from the first contact spring housing member, a spring guide disposed between and coupled to at least one of the first and second contact spring housing members and including spring holes, springs received in the spring holes, and sliders coupled to the springs. The springs and sliders individually bias the movable contact arms and movable electrical contacts toward engagement with corresponding stationary electrical contacts. A movable contact assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microrelay device formed on a silicon substrate wafer for use in opening and closing a current path in a circuit. A pair of electrically conducting latching beams are attached at their proximal ends to terminals on the substrate. Proximal ends of the beams have complementary shapes which releasably fit together to latch the beams and close the circuit. A pair of shape memory alloy actuators are selectively operated to change shapes which bend one of the beams in a direction which latches the distal ends, or bend the other beam to release the distal ends and open the circuit. The microrelay is bistable in its two positions, and power to the actuators is applied only for switching it open or closed.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter handle mechanism is disposed on the face of a molded case circuit breaker. The handle mechanism has a rotary handle, which may be rotated through approximately 90° of rotation from a disposition of circuit interrupter conduction to a disposition of circuit interrupter non-conduction. The handle is not centered over the linear handle of the circuit interrupter per say, but rather is disposed in the upper left hand corner, so that a larger lever arm can be utilized. Furthermore, the larger lever has a handle opening into which the hasp of a lock may be placed to lock the circuit breaker in the open state for servicing and the like. Because of the length of the handle more hasps can be disposed therein than if the handle was disposed exactly in the center of the circuit breaker case. Lastly, the disposition of the circuit breaker rotary handle provides an indication of the conduction status of the molded case circuit breaker. If the handle is in a generally horizontal position, i.e.

Abstract: A latching switch relay has a selector hub which moves a contact carrying rotary switch shaft along with its contacts from a first to a second position. The selector hub moves to a corresponding first and second position to cause movement of the shaft by remote actuation of a rotary solenoid or by manual operation of a handle linked to the selector hub. A spring is engaged with the selector hub to resiliently urge the switch shaft into its first and second positions.

Abstract: An electric circuit breaker includes means for providing a predetermined delay between the initiation of a command pulse and the mechanical operation of an element of the circuit breaker in response to the command pulse. In one embodiment, the predetermined delay is provided between a tripping command pulse and the mechanical operation of the trip mechanism of a vacuum circuit breaker. In this embodiment, a translatable armature is coupled to the trip mechanism through mechanical linkage including a flywheel rotatably mounted on a shaft. The shaft is mechanically coupled to the trip mechanism wherein rotation of the shaft operates the trip mechanism. The translatable armature is mechanically coupled to the flywheel so that movement thereof causes the flywheel to rotate through a predetermined rotation. The flywheel includes impact imposing means extending outwardly from a major face thereof. The shaft includes impact receiving means extending radially therefrom.

Abstract: A motor driven timing device is provided with a molded plastic frame having an electromagnet, a motor, a contact assembly, and a contact actuator attached thereto. The molded plastic frame is partially sandwiched between the electromagnet and a mounting base member to which the electromagnet is fixed.

Abstract: An arrangement for the electrical control of the keyboard of a video or audio tape recorder includes electromechanical levers acting on the usual rod system associated with the keyboard in substitution of the conventional keys. The levers are essentially bellcranks and are associated with tumblers and electromagnets.

Abstract: A motor assembly for the switch operator mechanism of a high-current low-voltage bolted-pressure load-break switch; the switch operator mechanism includes spring drive means for rapidly driving the movable contact of the switch to its closed and opened positions, a main drive shaft, a drive linkage between the main drive shaft and the spring drive means, and trip means for actuating the spring drive means to open the switch. The motor assembly includes an electric motor, an operating shaft and a first transmission means including a mutilated ratchet element drivingly connecting the motor to the operating shaft. A second transmission means couples the operating shaft to the main drive shaft of the switch-operating mechanism for closing the switch. An electrical circuit is provided for automatically de-energizing the motor during switch closure.

Abstract: A control switch has a switch shaft mounted for reciprocal rotational movement about its axis. A cam profile is fixed to the shaft and has first and second opposed cam surfaces. A driver is mounted to selectively engage the first or second cam surface to drive the switch shaft into a first clockwise position or a second counterclockwise position by remote actuation. The driver is connected to a rotary solenoid which allows uni-directional drive translated into two directional drive by the driver.A control circuit provides rapid actuation and slow release of the rotary solenoid along with operation of a linear solenoid when desired to select between first and second directional movement of the cam profile. The control circuit permits charging a capacitor while rapidly actuating a relay to actuate the rotary solenoid. A resistor provides for slow discharge of the capacitor to maintain the relay actuated over a slow release period after disruption of the charging circuit.