130results about "Dynamo-electric relays" patented technology

An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and / or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts. The body and the implantable magnet are positioned such that the body is shifted to one of the first position and the second position as a function of the external magnetic field resulting in a magnetic force between the magnet and the magnetically soft body.

A method of measuring confidence of speech recognition in a speech recognizer compares a phase change point with a phoneme string change point and uses a difference between the phase change point and the phoneme string change point and a likelihood ratio, and an apparatus using the method is provided. That is, the method of the present invention includes detecting a phase change point of a speech signal; detecting a phoneme string change point according to a result of speech recognition; calculating confidence of the speech recognition by using a difference between the detected phase change point and phoneme string change point. According to the present invention, a performance of measuring confidence may become improved by simultaneously taking not only a likelihood ratio, but also taking a comparison result of a phase change point with a phoneme string change point into consideration.

The present invention is directed to an inductively driven electromagnetic linear actuator arrangement employing eddy currents induced by a fixed drive coil to drive its armature. Eddy current focusing fields are employed to direct the eddy currents using Lorentz forces to maximize armature speed. The armature includes a shorted driven coil in a DC magnetic field. This can be supplied by a permanent magnet. When current is applied, a force is felt by the coil in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. Such an actuator is well suited for electrical switching applications including transfer switching applications, circuit breaker applications, and ground fault interrupter applications.

A switch for switching over a propagation path of external signal by contacting or non-contacting a movable member to or from an electrode. The switch comprises an input port for inputting an external signal, a movable member connected to the input port, a first electrode for propagating the external signal, a first control power supply connected to the first electrode and for generating a control signal, a second electrode for blocking the external signal, and a second control power supply connected to the second electrode and for generating a control signal. The first control power supply provides a control signal to the first electrode. The movable member is displaced by a driving force generated based on a potential difference between the movable member and first electrode and a potential difference between the movable member and second electrode, thereby being contacted to the first or second electrode.

An improved ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle with reverse wiring protection. If the power lines are incorrectly connected to the load end of the receptacle during installation, power output to both the input end of the receptacle and the insertion outlets on the faceplate is prevented. The GFCI receptacle includes two stationary terminals on two first output conductors electrically connected to the insertion outlet, two stationary terminals on two second output conductors adapted for electrically connecting to the load, and four moveable terminal on two moveable connector arm adapted for electrically connecting to the power lines. The four moveable terminals corresponds in position to the four stationary terminals, respectively, and operate to electrical connect or disconnect the power lines to and from the load and the insertion outlet in a manner controlled by a disconnecting mechanism assembly and a reverse wiring protection mechanism.

The present invention relates to a switch with a rocker, which has an affixed magnet, capable of being reliably opened or closed by a mechanical operation of a magnetized rocker. The present invention comprises of a supporting plate and a plurality of electromagnets occurring a magnetic force when a power is supplied thereto and being disposed in a bottom surface of the supporting plate. Further, the present invention has a rocker made of a magnetic substance, magnetized in order to occur repulsion with the electromagnet and then rotated by a predetermined angle. Furthermore, the present invention at least one magnet for magnetizing the rocker and retaining an inclined state of the rocker by the if occurred attraction with the electromagnet, and being disposed on the rocker. Also, the present invention has a plate spring, to provide a pressure along with the rotation of the rocker, having erect portions on both end portions thereof, in which the erect portions are fixed to the rocker, and a contact means to contact with connectors by the pressure of the plate spring.

A three dimensional microwave switch having a plurality of waveguide transmission lines configured in an octahedral shape having microwave I / O ports at the corners. Individual actuators selectively move respective reeds within the waveguide transmission lines between a signal-attenuating position abutting the interior surface of the waveguide transmission line and a signal-conducting position substantially coaxial with the waveguide transmission line and abutting the signal lines of the I / O microwave ports couple to opposite ends of the waveguide transmission line.

An automatic transfer switch to automatically electrically connect an electrical panel to a second power source, e.g., an electric generator, during interruption or failure of a first power source, e.g., a utility power supply, includes a powered interlock arrangement that is operative to prevent the electrical panel from being electrically connected to both power sources simultaneously.

A relay includes a contact point block having a support shaft with both ends spanning a contact point base, a plunger having a movable contact at a lower end thereof, and a movable iron piece configured to drive the plunger and to have a plate spring. The relay also includes an electromagnetic unit and a base block having a fixed contact point at a position opposite to the movable contact point. The movable iron piece is supported on the supporting shaft. The plunger is inserted through an operation hole of the contact point base. Upper and lower surfaces of the contact point block are held by the electromagnetic unit and the base block. The electromagnetic unit directly fixes the iron core to an upper surface of the contact point base.

A typical duplex GFCI receptacles has two buttons, a test button that, when pressed, shuts off power to the receptacle and down stream devices, and a reset button that, when pressed, restores power to the GFCI and down stream devices. Generally, the test button is pressed to verify that the GFCI will interrupt power to the conductive paths and the reset button is pressed to reset the GFCI. In operation, the test portion of the GFCI will automatically break electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths (i.e., open the conductive path) between line and load sides upon the detection of a fault such as a reverse wiring condition, a ground fault, an open neutral and / or a defective GFCI device. When this happens the reset button in the typical GFCI receptacle is then pressed in an to attempt to restore power. The GFCI here disclosed has only one button which is used for both the test and reset operation. It is pressed to test the GFCI and its associated circuitry for operability and, only if all circuits are operable, upon release it resets the GFCI by closing open conductive paths. If, during operation, the test portion of the GFCI detects a fault and operates to shut off power to the receptacle and down stream devices, the pressing and releasing of the single button will reconnect power to the receptacle and down stream devices only if the GFCI is operational, if an open neutral condition does not exists and / or if the device is not reversed wired.

A switching device including housing and a breaker mechanism, the latter consisting of a trip lever, a catch, a displaceable contact arm and a deflection shaft that is fixed to the housing. The aim is to generate a constant contact force. To achieve this, the end of the catch is coupled to the displaceable contact arm by way of a bolt. The bolt is configured to be displaced in a receiving element that is formed by the housing.

Disclosed is a toggle type SPDT MEMS switch wherein an input port of the switch is always connected to one of two output ports of the switch while driving the switch by an electromagnetic force generated by a magnetic field and maintaining a switching state by an electrostatic force. Since the MEMS switch performs switching using the electromagnetic force which is stronger than the electrostatic force, it can perform reliable operation, have a mechanically robust structure, and handle high power signals. In addition, since initial displacement can become large, large isolation can be obtained when the switch is turned off. In addition, since the MEMS switch maintains an ON state using the electrostatic force in a state where a distance between two electrodes is small without using the electrostatic force after switching, it can be operated with a relatively low voltage. In addition, since current is applied only at the moment of switching in order to generate the electromagnetic force, power consumption is low. Further, since the MEMS switch is implemented by only one toggle type switch and is integrated on one substrate by a MEMS fabrication technique, the entire size of the switch is very small.

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay comprising: a base comprising at least one printed circuit card, which card has at least two conductor tracks forming respective switch accesses; at least one conductive contact element movable between a closed position in which it presses against said two conductor tracks in order to establish an electrical connection between them, and an open position in which the contact element is spaced apart from at least one of said two tracks; a contact element support, the support comprising at least one flexible arm carrying the contact elements; and an actuator mounted on the printed circuit card, and comprising at least one coil constituted by a winding of electric wires; wherein the support includes at least one portion, in particular a portion in the form of a tongue, on which a moving member of the actuator acts in order to move said flexible arm of the support.

An improved electromechanical switch designed to operate at frequencies from DC through microwave has terminal probe tips that are formed from an alloy of noble metal and contoured with a pattern of peaks and valleys in order to provide better contact wiping operation and capture of wear debris. The switch incorporates damper elements to reduce switching contact bounce, thus providing increased contact life as well as higher quality signal switching.

An improved ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle with reverse wiring protection. If the power lines are incorrectly connected to the load end of the receptacle during installation, power output to both the input end of the receptacle and the insertion outlets on the faceplate is prevented. The GFCI receptacle includes two stationary terminals on two first output conductors electrically connected to the insertion outlet, two stationary terminals on two second output conductors adapted for electrically connecting to the load, and four moveable terminal on two moveable connector arm adapted for electrically connecting to the power lines. The four moveable terminals corresponds in position to the four stationary terminals, respectively, and operate to electrical connect or disconnect the power lines to and from the load and the insertion outlet in a manner controlled by a disconnecting mechanism assembly and a reverse wiring protection mechanism.

An actuator comprising:a fixed part comprising a ferromagnetic yoke and a magnetized assembly mounted on a face of the yoke and extending substantially over the whole dimension of said face parallel to the axis of movement of a moving part,the moving part comprising a ferromagnetic element comprising a first air-gap surface to form a magnetic air-gap of variable thickness and a second air-gap surface parallel to the axis of movement to form a residual magnetic air-gap of constant thickness with a corresponding air-gap surface of the magnetized assembly.an excitation coil.An electric switch apparatus equipped with the actuator.

A circuit breaker contact assembly includes a line conductor having a folded back fixed contact end, a fixed contact mounted on the contact end, and a movable contact arm having an inner edge and first and second ends. A movable contact is mounted on the first end. The movable contact arm is pivotable about the second end between a closed position in which the inner edge extends adjacent the contact end with the movable contact in contact with the fixed contact to form a reverse current loop, and an open position in which the movable contact is pivoted away from the fixed contact. The contact arm includes a first inner longitudinal member extending along the inner edge and a second outer longitudinal member. The first inner longitudinal member has a higher electrical conductivity than the second outer longitudinal member, which has a higher shear strength and a lower specific density.

An electrical contact assembly resists blow-open under conditions of increased current flow. The contact assembly includes parallel conducting surfaces on fixed and moveable conductors that generate forces biasing the contacts together under current flow conditions. The assembly also includes a magnetic armature and yoke that exert a magnetic force to resist movement of the contacts toward the open position. Current flowing through both the fixed and moveable conductors contribute to the magnetic force. A spring may additionally bias the contacts to the closed position. The contact assembly may be used in remote-controlled circuit breaker applications.

As the static magnetic field used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (“MRI”) instruments increases the resonance frequency also increases. Consequently, the signal lost due to the coil becomes an issue. To compensate for this loss, it is possible to use an active device, such as a diode, a transistor, etc., with the radio frequency coil, MRI arrangement and method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention to generate negative resistance to cancel the coil loss resistance. In this manner, the efficiency of the RF coil at high frequency can be improved.

A method and apparatus for maintaining a liquid metal switch in a state of readiness for switching. The liquid metal switch has a liquid metal volume contained in a cavity of a switch body. A signal path though the cavity is made or broken by energizing an actuator to move the liquid metal volume within the cavity in response to a switching signal. To maintain readiness, a signal generator supplies a vibratory signal to the actuator. The resulting vibrations in the liquid metal volume allow the liquid metal volume to be subsequently moved with reduced power.

A shunt assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a conductor assembly having a load conductor and a movable contact assembly with a number of movable contact arms. The movable contact assembly is movable in response to a fault current. The shunt assembly includes a number of flexible conductive elements each having a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms, and a number of bends disposed between the first and second ends. At least one constraint element is disposed proximate a corresponding one of the bends and constrains movement of the flexible conductive element in response to the fault current, thereby translating the magnetic repulsion force associated with the fault current into a corresponding torque of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly.

An electromechanical switching device ensures automatic selected polarity interconnection between terminals of two power sources. A double pole double throw (DPDT) switch has three pairs of contacts. A first pair of leads connect to two pairs of contacts in a manner that reverses polarity when switched, while a second pair of leads connect to the other pair of contacts. A switch controller employs a plurality of coils in electrical communication with the two pairs of leads. The coils are arranged and configured so that, when the two pairs of leads are connected to the respective power sources, the coils cause an actuator to move the switch automatically into the correct polarity state regardless of the connections of the leads. The invention is described as a battery jumper cable and to automatically connect like terminals of a pair of batteries. The invention encompasses the method of this device.

A typical duplex GFCI receptacles has two buttons, a test button that, when pressed, shuts off power to the receptacle and down stream devices, and a reset button that, when pressed, restores power to the GFCI and down stream devices. Generally, the test button is pressed to verify that the GFCI will interrupt power to the conductive paths and the reset button is pressed to reset the GFCI. In operation, the test portion of the GFCI will automatically break electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths (i.e., open the conductive path) between line and load sides upon the detection of a fault such as a reverse wiring condition, a ground fault, an open neutral and / or a defective GFCI device. When this happens the reset button in the typical GFCI receptacle is then pressed in an to attempt to restore power. The GFCI here disclosed has only one button which is used for both the test and reset operation. It is pressed to test the GFCI and its associated circuitry for operability and, only if all circuits are operable, upon release it resets the GFCI by closing open conductive paths. If, during operation, the test portion of the GFCI detects a fault and operates to shut off power to the receptacle and down stream devices, the pressing and releasing of the single button will reconnect power to the receptacle and down stream devices only if the GFCI is operational, if an open neutral condition does not exists and / or if the device is not reversed wired.

The present invention relates to a micro-electromechanical actuator. An electromagnetic-type micro-electromechanical actuator of the present invention has a conductive beam formed in a micro electronic substrate on an upper side of a magnetic substance, so that the conductive beam can be moved toward an in-plane mode in parallel to the micro electronic substrate depending on a direction that current flows. Therefore, the micro-electromechanical actuator can be applied to most of electromagnetic micro-electromechanical systems that require an in-plane mode.

A shunt assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a conductor assembly having a load conductor and a movable contact assembly with a number of movable contact arms. The movable contact assembly is movable in response to a fault current. The shunt assembly includes a number of flexible conductive elements each having a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms, and a number of bends disposed between the first and second ends. At least one constraint element is disposed proximate a corresponding one of the bends and constrains movement of the flexible conductive element in response to the fault current, thereby translating the magnetic repulsion force associated with the fault current into a corresponding torque of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly.

A circuit breaker includes a housing having first and second openings, with stationary and movable separable contacts disposed therein. An operating mechanism is disposed in the housing, is coupled to the separable contacts and is structured to move those contacts between open and closed positions. A trip mechanism is disposed in the housing and cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A slot motor assembly is disposed about the separable contacts and has upper and lower slot motor portions. The upper slot motor portion is disposed above the movable contact and the lower slot motor portion is disposed below the stationary contact. The upper slot motor portion includes a rigid, laminated steel member having a general U-shape, with a bight portion, and first and second legs. The first and second legs engage the housing at the respective first and second openings.

A mechanism for a circuit breaker contact arm that allows current limiting by reducing the opening time is disclosed. A secondary trip assembly is arranged to actuate due to magnetic forces generated during an undesirable electrical condition such as a short circuit. The secondary trip system releases a contact arm assembly allowing the contact arm to rotate to an open position that interrupts the flow of electrical power.

A reed switch assembly of a magnetic latching relay includes a movable reed, an immovable reed, a movable contact and an immovable contact. The movable contact and the immovable contact are disposed at respective ends of the movable reed and the immovable reed. The end with the movable contact of the movable reed is bent twice to form a reverse U-shaped end. The end with the immovable contact of the immovable reed is bent twice to form a U-shaped end. The reverse U-shaped end of the movable reed and the U-shaped end of the immovable reed are interlaced. The present invention further comprises a tension spring. One end of the tension spring is fixed to the reverse U-shaped end of the movable reed, and another end of the tension spring is mounted to a base of the magnetic latching relay.