Abstract: Electrical device contact assemblies with separable electrical contacts exhibiting enhanced arcing constriction are disclosed. Electrical device contact assembly includes first and second electrical contacts separable along a separation path, and a magnetic field generator configured as part of a line conductor that is operable to produce a magnetic field that acts on the separation path during a short circuit event. Electrical devices including the electrical device contact assembly and methods of operating the electrical device contact assembly are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of over-voltage protection devices intended to protect sensitive electric/electronic devices and assemblies against effects of increased voltages, more precisely to the field of overvoltage protective devices provided with an electronic assembly intended to extend a life span of the basic component and to ensure a higher quality level of protection of electronic devices.

Abstract: A rotary breaker that interrupts a transmission of a driving force from a motor to a drive mechanism unit is provided between the motor having a permanent magnet incorporated therein and the drive mechanism unit of an electric vehicle. A second controller controls the rotary breaker based on operation states of a power converting unit that has a power converter that drives the motor by converting a direct-current voltage or an alternate-current voltage into an alternate-current voltage with an arbitrary frequency and a first controller that controls the power converter, operation states of the motor and the rotary breaker, and an operation state of the second controller itself.

Abstract: A dielectric arrestor insert for use in a chamber wafer processing system having a gas input line, an arrestor housing and a wafer processing space. The input line is able to provide gas to the arrestor housing. The arrestor housing is able to house the dielectric arrestor insert. The dielectric arrestor insert comprises a gas entry portion, a non-linear channel and a gas exit portion. The gas entry portion is arranged to receive the gas from the input line. The non-linear channel is arranged to deliver the gas from the gas entry portion to the gas exit portion. The gas exit portion is arranged to deliver the gas from the non-linear channel to the wafer processing space.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling an arc suppression circuit includes a serial communication link communicating a serial signal therethrough. The control circuit includes a microprocessor having a serial input communicating with the serial communication link. The microprocessor generates a control output signal in response to the serial signal. The control circuit further includes the arc suppression circuit having an electrical contact and operating in response to the control output signal to reduce an arc at the electrical contact.

Abstract: A multiphase current interrupter is provided for interrupting a phase current between two contacts in an electrical phase. The current interrupter includes a first ablative chamber disposed around contacts for a first electrical phase. The first chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the first electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. The current interrupter further includes at least a second ablative chamber disposed around contacts for at least a second electrical phase. The second chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the second electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. An interconnecting structure provides fluid communication between the first ablative chamber and the second ablative chamber. The interconnecting structure is adapted to dissipate a shock wave generated in any of the ablative chambers.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for detecting and configuring a solid state dimmer when wired in series or parallel with a load powered by an alternating current (AC) input. The device can comprise a microcontroller configured to be powered by the AC input. A zero-cross detector in communication with the microcontroller is capable of detecting when an AC waveform crosses zero and generating a corresponding pulse signal when the AC waveform crosses zero. A pulse analyzer can be included and configured to determine when the zero-cross detector is generating pulses exceeding a pre-determined time length threshold that represents a serial wiring configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling movement of an object through a medium using a magnetic field by combining the magnetic field of a primary electromagnetic coil having a central axis with the magnetic fields of a plurality of secondary electromagnetic coils having axes generally parallel to the central axis of the primary coil and positioned within the primary coil to produce an operational magnetic field by which movement of the object in a medium is controlled outside of the primary coil.

Abstract: A superconducting winding includes a pair of superconducting winding sections electrically connected at a node and bypass circuitry connected between the node and electrical ground and configured to allow current to flow to electrical ground when a voltage across the superconducting winding exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage. In certain embodiments, the bypass circuitry includes a switching device (e.g., zener diode) having an open position and a closed position, the switch in the closed position to allow current flow when the voltage across the superconducting winding exceeds the predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: A medium- and high-voltage gas-insulated circuit breaker with arc quenching capability, comprising an electrical contact which is provided with a fixed element and with a movable element which can be mutually coupled and which form, upon separation, an arc channel into which a blast of gas is introduced which is generated by a gas chamber provided with an orifice which is controlled by a valve. The particularity of the invention is constituted by the fact that the valve is driven by the current that flows across the electrical contact.

Abstract: A medium to high voltage load circuit interrupter and method for breaking the flow of electric current in a line having a load and a source. A main switch is connected in series with the line. A metal resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC element) is connected in series to the arcing switch, wherein the metal resistor and arcing switch are connected in parallel with the main switch. The main switch moves from the closed position to the open position prior to the arcing switch moving from the closed position to the open position. The circuit interrupter further includes an arc chute having a channel and electrically coupled to the arcing switch wherein the arcing switch is positioned within the channel when the arcing switch is in a closed position. In one embodiment, the PTC element is positioned on an insulator positioned between a ground and the main switch and an arcing switch. In another embodiment, the PTC element is positioned within a channel in the arc chute.

Abstract: During opening or closing of the apparatus, in particular a circuit breaker while it is electrically isolated, the method consists in:i) recording a signal representative of the variation over time of the pressure inside the interrupter chamber by means of a sensor disposed outside the interrupter chamber and mounted to be in communication with the gas under pressure inside said chamber;ii) recording a signal representative of the variation over time of the position of the moving contact by means of a sensor disposed outside the interrupter chamber and mounted to detect movement of a drive rod; andiii) comparing the above signals with corresponding signals representative of reference operation of the high voltage electrical apparatus for the purpose of monitoring proper operation thereof or of detecting faulty operation of the electrical apparatus, particularly in the event of a valve in the interrupter chamber of the circuit breaker becoming jammed.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter provides a conducting path between two conductors and interrupts the conducting path in response to overcurrent conditions in the conductors. The interrupter includes a magnetic core around which the conductors are disposed. Each conductor is electrically coupled to an arc runner and a spanner is biased into contact with the arc runners to compete a conducting path between the conductors. A secondary response mechanism is provided adjacent to the core and includes arms extending around the core and a magnetic body. In response to overcurrent conditions of a first magnitude the body of the secondary response mechanism is attracted to the core causing the arms to displace the spanner out of contact with the arc runners. In response to overcurrent conditions of a second magnitude, such as due to direct short circuits, the spanner is repelled rapidly to a non-conducting position and the secondary response mechanism is attracted to the core to hold the spanner in the non-conducting position.

Abstract: A high voltage circuit breaker with insertion of resistance on closing, wherein the resistance is inserted by a fixed insertion electrode co-operating with the end of the moving main contact, the blast nozzle and the arcing contact of the moving assembly being secured to each other, and the subassembly being movable relative to the moving assembly so that on triggering, because of the inertia of said subassembly, the arcing contacts separate after the insertion electrode and the end of the moving main contact have moved sufficiently far apart.

Abstract: A method for interrupting electrical power between two conductors is provided, including biasing an electrically conductive element into a conducting position between two contact regions of the conductors. The contact regions are preferably portions of arc runners coupled to the conductors. The conductors surround a magnetic core that generates an electromagnetic field due to current in the conductors. The conductive element is repelled to a non-conducting position by the electromagnetic field in response to an overcurrent condition in the conductors. A secondary response mechanism is moved in response to the overcurrent condition to maintain the conductive element in the non-conducting position. For more gradually occurring overcurrent conditions, the secondary response mechanism is attracted toward the core, displacing the conductive element to the non-conducting position.

Abstract: The switching device has a fixed contact which cooperates with a movable contact secured to a movable contact carrier. The contacts are connected to runner rails for the arc that is created upon the contact opening. The runner rail connected to the movable contact consists of a movable commutating conductor which, during the initial stage of the contact opening, is at least approximately stationary, and then moves together with the movable contact to the open position of the switching device.

Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear includes a hermetic vessel for containing therein a switching apparatus and an electrically insulating gas for insulating the switching apparatus. An electric arc detector disposed on the hermetic vessel detects an electric arc generated within the hermetic vessel and generates a signal upon detecting the arc. A control circuit prevents a trip signal from being supplied to one circuit interrupter in response to an arc signal and a trip signal for another circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A protective device in a gas insulated switchgear having a housing providing a gas chamber containing a gaseous medium and insulating a bus bar circuit inside the gas chamber. The protective device includes a fault detector outside the gas chamber and connected to the bus bar circuit to detect a fault and an arc detector inside the gas chamber to detect an arc generated upon the occurrence of a fault. A circuit interrupter connected in the bus bar circuit is operated responsive to the concurrent operation of the detectors.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high-voltage DC circuit breaker apparatus with reverse current insertion system by line voltage charge, which comprises a commutation switch, a series circuit of a capacitor, a reactor and a switch connected in parallel with the commutation switch, a resistor connected so as to charge the capacitor by a line voltage. The charging time constant of the capacitor determined by the capacity of the capacitor and the resistor is used as a reference in a manner so that the rise time constant of the line voltage is smaller than the charging time constant of the capacitor, and the rise time constant of the line current is larger than the charging time constant of the capacitor, thereby interrupting the fault current without fail.

Abstract: A primary power circuit breaker adapted to be immersed in the dielectric fluid for a transformer, the breaker including an arc interrupting assembly for extinguishing the arc produced on load break; a trip free mechanism responsive to primary, secondary or primary-secondary differential current signals and thermally responsive to fluid temperature, and an externally operable reset assembly for closing the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An improved high-voltage, single-shot circuit-protector device, having fuse-like characteristics, and having a chemical operating mechanism, is provided to protect, at low-cost, transmission-line circuits. Preferably, the device contemplates the use of a single-pressure puffer-interrupter having a driving piston attached to the movable contact structure and operated by a chemical operator having an explosive element. Also, preferably, the aforesaid device is self-contained and self-operable, utilizing, preferably, a current-transformer, which triggers a self-contained static control circuit, the latter effecting the "firing" of the explosive element of the chemical operator to thereby generate gas pressure very quickly, and thus effect an opening operation of the contact-operating piston and the attached movable contact structure. For repetitive use, a manual reset lever is preferably provided which is capable of manual hook-stick operation.

Abstract: Current interruption capability for short-line or terminal faults is achieved by connecting a fluid blast interrupter in series with a high current vacuum interrupter capable of withstanding the initial recovery voltage during such fault. The fluid blast breaker ultimately becomes able to carry the total recovery voltage by delaying opening of the vacuum interrupter for a fixed interval after opening of the fluid blast breaker has been triggered.

Abstract: An arc interrupter for heavy surge currents in power systems is provided in hich a self-biasing, spring helix conductor is fixed between two frangible and/or fusible elements which are in turn integrally fastened to the edges of respective eddy-current rings canted to effect a horn gap for magnetic blow-out of any ensuing arc in the area of the helix. The helix generates magnetic forces in addition to its spring force to break the fusible and/or frangible elements in response to predetermined surge currents and will then drop out of the gap between the eddy-current rings by gravity action. The circuit is thus broken and any ensuing arc is extinguished.

Abstract: Air-break circuit interrupter having a plurality of stacked plates of insulating material straddled at the lower edge thereof by electrodes including diverging wing portions extending between the plates to permit the initial arc to be divided by the base portion of the electrodes into a number of elementary arcs extending between the plates to define a helical current path. Inserts of ferromagnetic material are sandwiched between the upstanding legs of the base portion of the electrodes interconnecting the wings thereof in order to enhance the migration of the arc roots along the base portion preventing their stagnation thereon.