7985results about "Protective switch operating/release mechanisms" patented technology

By applying an AC pulse to a gate of a transistor which easily deteriorates, a shift in threshold voltage of the transistor is suppressed. However, in a case where amorphous silicon is used for a semiconductor layer of a transistor, the occurrence of a shift in threshold voltage naturally becomes a problem for a transistor which constitutes a part of circuit that generates an AC pulse. A shift in threshold voltage of a transistor which easily deteriorates and a shift in threshold voltage of a turned-on transistor are suppressed by signal input to a gate electrode of the transistor which easily deteriorates through the turned-on transistor. In other words, a structure for applying an AC pulse to a gate electrode of a transistor which easily deteriorates through a transistor to a gate electrode of which a high potential (VDD) is applied, is included.

By applying an AC pulse to a gate of a transistor which easily deteriorates, a shift in threshold voltage of the transistor is suppressed. However, in a case where amorphous silicon is used for a semiconductor layer of a transistor, the occurrence of a shift in threshold voltage naturally becomes a problem for a transistor which constitutes a part of circuit that generates an AC pulse. A shift in threshold voltage of a transistor which easily deteriorates and a shift in threshold voltage of a turned-on transistor are suppressed by signal input to a gate electrode of the transistor which easily deteriorates through the turned-on transistor. In other words, a structure for applying an AC pulse to a gate electrode of a transistor which easily deteriorates through a transistor to a gate electrode of which a high potential (VDD) is applied, is included.

An arc fault detector system detects arcing faults in an electrical distribution system by monitoring one or more conductors and producing an input signal representing one or more electrical signal conditions in the circuit to be monitored. This input signal is processed to develop signals representing the electrical current flow through the monitored circuit and broadband noise signal components. The system analyzes these signals to determine whether an arcing fault is present, and if so, outputs a trip signal which may be used directly or indirectly to trip a circuit breaker or other circuit interruption device.

A micromanipulator comprising a tubular structure and a structural compliance mechanism that are formed from a tube made of an elastic and / or superelastic material. Fabricated with laser machining and has no mechanical joints, the micromanipulator can be manipulated in various motions and degree-of-freedoms without permanent deformation. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) in one embodiment are implemented as main actuators of the micromanipulator. The micromanipulator can be implemented with multiple SMAs to manipulate the mechanism with multiple degree-of-freedom. In another implementation, multiple segments of the mechanisms are formed and arranged in various configurations, including a “double-helix”-like configuration, for enabling intricate motions of the micromanipulator. The micromanipulator is useful for intravascular interventional applications and particularly ultrasonic imaging when coupled with an ultrasound transducer.

A protection circuit is provided for protecting a secondary battery from overcharging and excessive discharge current by a simple circuit. The protection circuit is provided with a connection terminal (T3) for connecting the secondary battery (6); a connection terminal (T1) for connecting a charging device for charging the secondary battery (6) and / or a load device driven by a discharge current from the secondary battery (6); a bimetal switch (SW1) that is provided between the connection terminals (T1, T3) and turned off in the case of exceeding a specified temperature set beforehand; a heater (R2) for heating the bimetal switch (SW1); and an integrated circuit (IC1) for turning the bimetal switch (SW1) off by causing the heater (R2) to generate heat if a voltage applied to the connection terminal (T3) by the secondary battery (6) exceeds a preset reference voltage.

A system for producing a simulated ground fault when arcing is present in an electrical circuit includes a sensor which monitors the electrical circuit. An arcing fault detection circuit determines whether an arcing fault is present in response to the sensor and produces a trip signal in response to a determination that an arcing fault is present in the electrical circuit. A ground fault simulator circuit produces a simulated ground fault in response to the trip signal.

A circuit breaker including a pyrotechnic element configured to ablate or cut a portion of the circuit so as to break the circuit, thereby breaking the circuit. The portion of the circuit to be broken may be specially formed to be readily ablated or cut, and / or may be a current load-based fuse.

An arc fault circuit interrupter system for use with an electrical circuit includes an arcing fault detector which monitors the electrical circuit and a controller which generates a trip signal in response to the detection of arcing faults. The controller may also generate one or more communication signals corresponding to information relating to the operation of the arcing fault circuit interrupter. The system may also include one or more of the following: a communication port which communicates to a user the information relating to operation of the arc fault circuit interrupter in response to the communication signals; a memory for retaining predetermined information related to the condition and operation of the arcing fault circuit interrupter, with or without a backup memory; and a combined self-test / reset switch.

An electrical fault detector system detects electrical faults in an electrical distribution system by monitoring one or more conductors and producing an input signal representing one or more electrical signal conditions in the circuit to be monitored. This input signal is processed to develop a first signal representing the electrical current flow through the monitored circuit and a second signal representing signal components in a selected frequency range typical of arcing faults, and which exceed a predetermined threshold. The system also detects ground faults in the circuit being monitored.

An arc fault circuit breaker (10) conducting an electric current to a protected load is presented. The circuit breaker (10) has a first (mechanical) compartment (24) and a second (electrical) compartment (62). A bimetal resistor (50) is disposed within the first compartment (24) and conducts the current therethrough. The bimetal resistor (50) has a stud (56) extending into the second compartment (62). A single sense line (60) is electrically connected to the bimetal resistor (50) and routed into the second compartment (62). The sense line (60) and said stud (56) conduct a voltage signal indicative of arcing of the current. A circuit board (84) is disposed within the second compartment (62) and is connected to the sense line (60) and stud (56) within the second compartment (62) to process the voltage signal. The circuit board (84) has a first conductive path (104) electrically connected to the stud (56), and a second conductive path (106) electrically connected to the sense line (60). The first and second conductive paths (104,106) run substantially parallel and proximate to each other such that electromagnetic interference of the voltage signal is substantially reduced.

A circuit breaker including a pyrotechnic element configured to ablate, tear, or cut a portion of the circuit. The portion of the circuit to be broken may be formed to be readily broken and / or may be a current load-based fuse. Also, the circuit breaker may be configured to ensure predictable progressive lateral tearing of the portion of the circuit to be broken; the circuit breaker may optionally be configured so that substantially all of the pyrotechnic element's output is focused on breaking the circuit; and the circuit breaker may optionally include a positive displacement mechanism that, after actuation of the pyrotechnic igniter, prevents the circuit breaker from inadvertently re-closing.

A system for determining whether arcing is present in an electrical circuit includes a sensor for monitoring a current waveform in the electrical circuit, and an arc fault detection circuit which determines whether an arc fault is present in response to the sensor. The arc fault detection circuit includes a controller which produces a trip signal in response to a determination that an arcing fault is present in the electrical circuit, and an inhibit / blocking function for preventing the production of the trip signal under one or more predetermined conditions.

A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated by a controller is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts, an operating mechanism, a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism, and a control circuit in operable communication with the main contacts. The drive system includes a motor, and a primary drive responsive to the motor and in operable communication to open and close the main contacts. The control circuit indicates a closed main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being closed, and an open main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being held open via the drive system.

An electric circuit breaker apparatus is used in a vehicle including an electric circuit having a converter and a storage battery. The electric circuit breaker apparatus interrupts power supply from the storage battery to the converter when a collision of the vehicle is detected. The electric circuit breaker apparatus includes a power supply circuit breaker driven by a low explosive type actuator, which is actuated when a collision of the vehicle is detected. Actuation of the power supply circuit breaker interrupts a power supply path connecting a positive terminal of the storage battery to the converter and grounds a portion of the power supply path closer to the converter than the interrupted portion.

Devices capable of protecting electronic components during the occurrence of a disturbance event using printed circuit board manufacturing techniques. A three (3) layer structure is formed comprising a polymer-based formulation sandwiched between two electrode layers. The devices can be manufactured in panel form providing high quantities of devices which can be removed from the panel and applied directly to the component to be protected. Desired patterns can be formed on either one of the electrode layers by photo-etch techniques thereby providing a process that can be tailored to a large number of applications.

A mechanical release mechanism is provided. The mechanical release mechanism includes two structural members in slideable relation one to another. A latch holds one structural member in a latched position relative to the other structural member. A shape memory alloy member disposed within one of the structural members is used to move the latch holding the other structural member thereby allowing relative motion between the structural members.

Disclosed is a washing machine, a control panel assembly of which has an improved structure to minimize problems caused by a shaking of a rotary knob and the interference of the rotary knob with other surrounding parts. The control panel assembly of the washing machine includes a control panel; a knob guide installed on the control panel; and a rotary knob rotatably mounted on the knob guide and including a boss passing through the knob guide. The knob guide includes a boss insertion part restricting the boss to prevent the rotary knob from shaking. The boss insertion part includes an extension extended from the bottom surface of the knob guide and forming a boss insertion hole, into which the boss is inserted, therein.

A MEMS (microelectromechanical system) electrical switch device is provided for circuit protection applications. The device includes a mechanical latching mechanism by which the switch is held in the closed position, and a mechanism by which this latch is released when the load current passing through the device reaches or exceeds some desired magnitude. In addition, a mechanism is provided by which the switch may be reset to its closed position by applying an electrical control voltage to certain terminals of the device. A number of these devices, or arrays of these devices, can be fabricated by parallel processes on a single substrate, and photolithography can be employed to define the mechanical structures described above. Other embodiments include additional electrical isolation of the resetting mechanism, enhancement of the separation distance of the contact points of the switch in the open position, and prevention of arcing at the latch mechanism. A method of fabricating the device is provided. A method of using the aforementioned device is also provided.

The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an electrical distribution system, and a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to a load. The device includes a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect at least one fault in the electrical distribution system. A power interruption circuit couples the plurality of line terminals to the plurality of load terminals to thereby provide power to the load under normal operating conditions. The power interruption circuit also is coupled to the fault detection circuit, and configured to decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in response to the fault detection circuit detecting the at least one fault. A test circuit is coupled to the fault detection circuit and the power interruption circuit. The test circuit is configured to provide a simulated fault signal to the fault detection circuit in response to a user stimulus. An end-of-life indication circuit is coupled to the test circuit and the power interruption circuit. The end-of-life indication circuit provides the user with an end-of-life alarm indicator if the fault detection circuit fails to respond to the simulated fault signal within a predetermined period of time.

A direct mount rotary handle operating mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having electrical contacts. The handle mechanism includes a driver coupled to the circuit breaker and a handle having a socket for receiving the driver. The socket is configured to allow the handle to rotate relative to the driver. The handle further includes a movable locking pin. A lock latch is associated with the driver, wherein the lock latch includes a flange portion. When the electrical contacts of the circuit breaker are welded closed and a torque is applied to the handle, the handle rotates to a position in which the pin is blocked from being inserted into the locking hole by the flange portion thereby preventing the handle from being locked in an OFF position when the contacts are welded together.

An actuator is provided. The actuator comprises a base portion, a cantilever beam connected to the base portion, and an actuator cell adjacent to the cantilever beam. The actuator cell comprises a first metal electrode positioned on the cantilevered beam, a second metal electrode positioned near the first metal electrode, and phase change material between the first and second metal electrodes, wherein the phase change material connects the first metal electrode to the second metal electrode, wherein applying a burst of energy to the phase change material causes the phase change material to change between an amorphous state and a crystalline state, causing the cantilevered beam to move between a first position and a target position, wherein the cantilevered beam remains at the target position upon removal of the energy.

The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an AC power supply control circuit, an isolation interface circuit and a low voltage printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. The low voltage PCB assembly includes a universal serial bus (USB) charging interface circuit configured to convert the modulated power signal into a low voltage direct current (DC) charging signal. The at least one low voltage PCB assembly includes at least one USB socket coupled to the USB charging interface circuit and accessible via the at least one USB aperture formed in the front cover member. The USB charging interface circuit is configured to provide the low voltage DC charging signal to at least one device-under-charge at a maximum predetermined charging current.

A current sensor 73 detects a current flowing through a first buss bar 11. When a current value detected by the current sensor 73 became equal to or greater than a threshold current value, a CPU 74 outputs a driving control signal to a driving circuit 77, and the driving circuit 77 operates an, ignitor 29 through a second substrate 65 and a terminal 50. Therefore, the ignitor 29 ignites, a second projection 41 is melted by heat of a heating agent 27, a compression spring 34 is expanded and a thermite case 26 jumps up. Thus, electrical connection between the thermite case 26 and the first and second buss bars 11, 19 is interrupted. Further, since an outer container 61 in which the current sensor 73, the CPU and the driving circuit 77 are accommodated is integrally assembled with the cap 14a and the resin case 14b in which the thermite case 26, the ignitor 29, the compression spring 34 and the second projection 41 are accommodated, non-operational state of the ignitor 29 due to disconnection of electric wire is not generated.

An assist mechanism is for a handle attachment of a circuit breaker having a housing with an operating member operable among a plurality of positions. The handle attachment includes a casing coupled to the circuit breaker housing and enclosing an actuating assembly which interconnects the circuit breaker operating member with a handle that is operable from the exterior of the casing. The assist mechanism is a wave spring having a first end coupled to the casing, and a second end having a wave bend that divides the second end into three sections having three corresponding tangential vector forces. The tangential vector forces provide a bias to the actuating assembly of the handle attachment that differs depending on the position of the circuit breaker operating member. In this manner, the assist mechanism augments energy generated by movement of the operating member and translates it into a corresponding handle attachment movement.

A circuit breaker having a safe construction, where no electrically charged portions are exposed in an accessory installation area or anywhere outside a main circuit case even if a cover of the circuit breaker is opened in a live condition. In order to achieve above object, the circuit breaker of this invention includes the main circuit case made of an insulating material, and an opening-closing trip mechanism disposed outside of the main circuit case and electrically insulated from the main circuit. According to this invention, a circuit breaker capable of eliminating the risk of an electric shock, thereby providing the excellent safety can be obtained.