74results about "Electromagnetically operated protective switches" patented technology

A fast acting switching mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a drive rod articulated to a drive module and supporting at an end thereof a contact bridge having at opposite ends thereof respective moveable contacts for switchably engaging a pair of fixed contacts of the circuit breaker. A contact spring unit is operatively coupled to the drive module for applying closing pressure in the order of 200 Kg; and a latch latches the drive rod in an open or closed position after operation of the circuit breaker and prevents rebounds. The contact bridge includes a pair of side conductors supporting on upper edges thereof an armature having an exposed upper surface that supports the moveable contacts at opposite ends of the armature; and a reinforcing element inserted between the side conductors.

Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.

A circuit interrupting device having a dual-coil solenoid for delivering an increased magnetic field to the solenoid plunger when a fault is detected and it is desired to place the device into a tripped condition. Independent switching devices control the flow of current through the respective coils of the solenoid and a third switching device controls the operation of the two coil driving switch devices. A detection circuit detects faults and controls the third switching device to activate the coil driving switching devices when a fault is detected. A programmable device runs a self-test program to determine whether the device is operating properly and faults can be detected. The programmable device can also independently control the operation of the two coil driving switching devices.

A magnet switch for a starter of the present invention includes a plunger and a switch frame. The plunger has a stepped part at the outer peripheral surface thereof. The switch frame has a projection at an end face thereof, the end face being opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the plunger. Engagement of the stepped part of the plunger with the projection of the switch frame can lock forward movement of the plunger, so that no impact force is imposed on the movable contact and the insulator. Thus, deformation of the movable contact and breakage of the insulator can be prevented, and the axial length of the magnet switch can be reduced to reduce the size of the magnetic switch.

A parallel pole magnetohydraulic circuit breaker (10), having a single trip element (271) and a pair of trip mechanisms (101, 102), achieving an increased current carrying capacity with reduced nuisance trips. The tip mechanisms (101, 102) are contained within separate housings (14, 16), with electrical connections (30, 40) and multipole trip mechanism (101, 102) communicating through apertures in the common wall (14'). Preferably, the armature (260) of the trip element (271) acts on a single trip mechanism (101, 102), which multiplies the available force to trigger a trip of the other tip mechanism.

A permanent-magnet ground fault circuit interrupter plug with self-diagnosing function having an enclosure and a permanent-magnet mechanism encased in the enclosure. In one embodiment, the permanent-magnet mechanism includes a frame assembly having a crossbeam, a frame pressure post and a core connecting post positioned at each side of the crossbeam, a core attached to the core connecting post and positioned inside a coil assembly, a spring sleeved on the core connecting post and positioned therebetween an inner cam of the coil assembly and the crossbeam of the frame assembly; a circuit-breaking coil and a circuit-connecting coil wound on the coil assembly, respectively, a permanently magnet positioned proximately to the core, a pair of movable contact arms with each having one movable contact positioned at each lateral side of the frame pressure post for communicating with the frame assembly, a pair of fixed contacts positioned above the corresponding movable contacts, and a metal oxide varistor with one end electrically connected to a first terminal of a power source directly and the other end electrically connected to a second terminal of the power source from a load side across a circuit breaker.

A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.

A circuit breaker and method includes a mechanical pole moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position to open an electrical connection between a pair of electrical contacts. An electronic tripping device is configured to respond to a sensor signal. The sensor signal is output from a condition sensor wherein upon receiving the sensor signal the electronic tripping device trips the mechanical pole into the unlatched position.

A user adjustment assembly for translating user-adjustable dial settings to tripping levels of an electronic trip unit includes a potentiometer and an adjustment button. The potentiometer is positioned inside a cover of the trip unit and includes a potentiometer button. The adjustment button is coupled to the potentiometer for mechanically adjusting it and includes an insulation disc for increasing resistance to electrostatic discharge, preventing contaminants from entering the printed wire assembly components, and preventing application of downward force to the potentiometer button. The insulation disc has a bottom surface that is dimensioned to be larger than the potentiometer button. The adjustment button includes one or more stops that trigger a fail safe operation mode where the tripping levels are automatically adjusted to higher or predetermined protective levels when the adjustment button is moved to those stop positions. Switch calibration is obviated and the simplified design reduces overall cost.

The present invention provides an electromagnetic tripping device. The device has a cradle (1) supporting a U-shaped armature (2) whose ends form polar surfaces cooperating with a palette (3). The palette is brought on the surfaces to close a magnetic circuit formed by the armature and the palette. A trip coil (4) is mounted around a yoke frame surrounding the magnetic circuit and can thwart the force of a magnet to move the palette. A resetting top cap (7) of the palette is mounted slidingly in a support (12) included in the cradle. The palette (3) pivots with respect to the U-shaped armature. The feature of the electromagnetic tripping device is that the cradle (1) includes the said top cap (7) and support (12).

A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.

A circuit breaker includes a trip unit and an electronic fault detection unit sharing a common trip latch for causing the circuit breaker to trip upon detection of a fault by either unit. The circuit breaker has an electromagnet for causing the circuit breaker to trip upon detection of a fault by an electronic fault detection unit. The electromagnet is oriented in the housing proximal the trip latch without any components interposed between them, and directly attracts the latch. Advantageously the electromagnet orientation does not impact operation or the range of motion of the latch or other trip unit components. Advantageously the circuit breaker of the present invention does not increase the trip latch mass, its bulk swept volume through its range of motion or require additional linkage components that potentially might increase trip cycle time. In some embodiments the electromagnet core is reciprocable.

A divided armature for the trip mechanism of a circuit breaker especially useful for low trip current breakers allows for two independent adjustments: first of the magnetic air gap between the yoke and the armature and second of the clearance between the trip bar and the back plate of the armature. The divided armature allows the force of a return spring of the trip mechanism to be unchanged while adjusting the magnetic air gap to set the trip current point.

A circuit breaker includes a vacuum valve, an electromagnet including a first coil for driving an operating shaft of the vacuum valve toward an opening direction by electromagnetic repulsion, a movable core and a permanent magnet. Further, an operating mechanism is provided which excites the first coil to close the vacuum valve, holds the vacuum valve closed by an attractive force of the permanent magnet and excites the first coil in a direction reverse to an excitation direction in closing operation to open the vacuum valve. In the circuit breaker, together with the first coil, a second coil is disposed which is excited simultaneously with an electromagnetic repulsion coil for a quick opening operation by electromagnetic repulsion is provided in the electromagnet.

A circuit breaker includes a case having an opening, separable contacts housed within the case, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pivot and a pair of extension springs for moving the operating mechanism to close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism also includes an operating handle for operating the operating mechanism. The operating handle includes a first handle portion extending through the opening of the case and a second portion having a pair of elongated arms within the case. The extension springs extend between the elongated arms and the pivot.

A user adjustment assembly for translating user-adjustable dial settings to tripping levels of an electronic trip unit includes a potentiometer and an adjustment button. The potentiometer is positioned inside a cover of the trip unit and includes a potentiometer button. The adjustment button is coupled to the potentiometer for mechanically adjusting it and includes an insulation disc for increasing resistance to electrostatic discharge, preventing contaminants from entering the printed wire assembly components, and preventing application of downward force to the potentiometer button. The insulation disc has a bottom surface that is dimensioned to be larger than the potentiometer button. The adjustment button includes one or more stops that trigger a fail safe operation mode where the tripping levels are automatically adjusted to higher or predetermined protective levels when the adjustment button is moved to those stop positions. Switch calibration is obviated and the simplified design reduces overall cost.

The present invention relates to an alternating-current power supply device which can improve a power factor of an alternating-current load, realizes low cost and miniaturization, and recovers magnetic energy. The alternating-current power supply device includes a bridge circuit composed of four reverse conducting semiconductor switches, a capacitor that is connected between direct-current terminals of the bridge circuit and absorbs the magnetic energy at the time of cutting off the current, an alternating-current voltage source that is connected to the induction load in series and is inserted between alternating-current terminals of the bridge circuit, and a control circuit that gives a control signal to gates of the respective reverse conducting semiconductor switches and controls on / off states of the respective reverse conducting semiconductor switches. The control circuit simultaneously controls the on / off operation of the paired reverse conducting semiconductor switches positioned on a diagonal line of the four reverse conducting semiconductor switches composing the bridge circuit, makes a control so that when one pair of the two pairs is ON, the other pair is OFF, and switches the control signal in synchronization with a voltage of the alternating-current voltage source.

An electromagnetically actuated adjusting apparatus for lens is disclosed. The adjusting apparatus comprises a body capable of furnishing a lens inside, at least one permanent magnet, a first magnetic conductor and a second magnetic conductor. The first and the second magnetic conductors are respectively wound with a plurality of coils. The permanent magnet is adjoined to the body and has a first polarity and a second polarity opposing each other. The first magnetic conductor has at least a first extension member provided opposite to the first polarity. The second magnetic conductor has at least a second extension member provided opposite to the second polarity. The first extension member and the second extension member can better converge magnetic flux lines emanating from the coils when charged to the positions nearing the two polarities of the permanent magnet so high-efficiency focusing and zooming of lens can be achieved.

A method and magnetic trip unit for actuating a latching mechanism to trip a circuit breaker upon an overcurrent condition, the magnetic trip unit including: a first electrically conductive strap configured to conduct an electrical current; a first magnet yoke disposed proximate to the first electrically conductive strap; and a first armature pivotally disposed proximate to the first magnetic yoke in operable communication with the latching mechanism; the first armature providing a magnetic path having a reluctance to magnetic flux; and the reluctance is adjusted to prevent saturation of the magnetic flux when the current through the strap is a first number times a rated current of the circuit breaker and the reluctance is adjusted to promote saturation of magnetic flux when the current through the strap is a second number times the rated current of the circuit breaker, wherein the first number is a number smaller than the second number.

A motor protection trip unit for a circuit breaker includes an electrically conductive strap, a yoke including a body including a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall. The third side wall extends between the first and second side walls, the fourth side wall extending from the first and second side walls and comprising a yoke gap extending therethrough. A motor protection trip unit for a circuit breaker also includes a flapper holder coupled to the strap, a flapper pivotally coupled to the flapper holder, and a biasing mechanism coupled between the flapper holder and the flapper. The biasing mechanism is configured to maintain the flapper a distance from the yoke such that a yoke-flapper gap is defined between the yoke and the flapper.

A circuit breaker and method includes a mechanical pole moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position to open an electrical connection between a pair of electrical contacts. An electronic tripping device is configured to respond to a sensor signal. The sensor signal is output from a condition sensor wherein upon receiving the sensor signal the electronic tripping device trips the mechanical pole into the unlatched position.

Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.

A solenoid assembly for a circuit breaker having a clapper with an increased mass is provided. The mass, preferably at least one non-ferrous slug, increases the mass of the clapper so that the solenoid response time is slowed. That is, the added mass creates an inertial delay that slows the solenoid clapper as the clapper moves between the first position and the second position. Preferably, the delay is between 48 ms and 60 ms, and more preferably 50 ms. The clapper having a non-ferrous slug may also be incorporated into existing circuit breakers by, for example, coupling the non-ferrous slug to the preexisting clapper, or replacing the clapper with a clapper assembly having at least one non-ferrous slug thereon.

A circuit breaker includes a case having an opening, and separable contacts having a closed position and an open position housed within the case. An operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts includes a pivot and a pair of extension springs for moving the operating mechanism to close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism further includes an operating handle for operating the operating mechanism. The operating handle includes a first or handle portion extending through the opening of the case and a second arm portion having a pair of elongated arms within the case. Each one of the extension springs extends between a corresponding one of the elongated arms and the pivot. The operating mechanism further includes a pair of links having an unbroken state corresponding to the closed position of the separable contacts and a broken state. One of the links pivots about the pivot.

A circuit interrupter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, separable contacts moveable between a closed position and an open position, an operating mechanism configured to open said separable contacts, an electromagnetic element electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal and cooperating with said operating mechanism, and a diode electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal and in parallel with the electromagnetic element. When a current flowing through the circuit interrupter flows in a first direction from the first terminal toward the second terminal, the current flows through the diode. When the current flowing through the circuit interrupter flows in a second direction from the second terminal toward the first terminal, the current flows through the electromagnetic element.

A leakage protective plug comprises a case and electric contacts. A protective cap is fixed on the top of the case and includes a reset button protective cap and a test button protective cap. The reset button protective cap is interiorly provided with a reset button connected with a push rod which in order penetrates an electric contact upper panel, an upper spring, an electric contact lower panel and a lower spring. The electric contact upper panel is provided at a right side thereof with a locking member linked with a brake connecting rod which is linked with a brake plate. The brake plate is located at a lower right side of the locking member. Below the brake plate are disposed an electromagnet pole shoe, an electromagnet coil, and an electromagnet core. The test button protective cap is provided with a test button having a test electric contact.