Eaton Corporation

Daniel Patrick Heckenkamp

Matthew Wilbur Naiva

Roger James Briggs

Thomas Francis Kurland

The disclosed concept provides for an operating mechanism in a overload relay assembly having a solenoid with a permanent magnet. The solenoid includes a ferrous output member. The solenoid moves the output member between a first retracted position and a second extended position. When the output member is in the first retracted position, the permanent magnet maintains the output member in the first retracted position. Thus, in a system wherein the overload relay assembly interrupts power to its own operating mechanism solenoid, the permanent magnet maintains the output member in the first retracted position even when the solenoid is de-energized.

Electronic overload relay switch actuation

The disclosed concept relates to an overload relay and, more specifically, to an overload relay switch having a reduced number of components and less complex components. The reduced number of components includes the lack of a return spring on the manual actuators. Further, the relay switch member, which was typically a snap switch conducting member structured to change its configuration, is a substantially flat blade. Further, a circuit is used to detect an over-current condition and a solenoid actuates the relay switch assembly, thereby eliminating the need for a mechanical over-current detection and switch actuation device.

Overload relay switch without springs

Contactor base

An electro-mechanical contactor is disclosed having a powerhead and a base housing. The powerhead has a set of stationary contacts mounted therein. A set of movable contacts are mounted on a movable contact carrier that moves the movable contacts between a contact open position and a contact closed position with respect to the stationary contacts. The movable contact carrier has an armature slot integrally molded therewith to loosely receive an armature therein so as to allow the armature to float within the movable contact carrier and the powerhead. The powerhead has a powerhead housing configured to guide and retain the floating armature during normal operation. Extended life of the contactor is achieved by eliminating a rigid mounting between the armature and the movable contact carrier.

Contactor with floating armature

An electro-mechanical reversing contactor is disclosed in which a single common base is molded to receive two contactor powerheads. The common base has a bottom surface and upwardly extending sides, with an upwardly extending center divider, thereby forming two powerhead sockets. Each powerhead socket is capable of receiving a powerhead therein. The common base also has a circuit board pocket to receive a single circuit board to control both contactor powerheads. The center divider has an upwardly extending interlock tower to receive an interlock pawl that is engageable with each of the contactor powerheads. The interlock mechanism mechanically prevents both contactors from being energized at the same time. The common base for two powerheads saves labor and material costs in assembling and installing a reversing contactor.

Electro-mechanical reversing contactor with a single, common base

A removable control unit of a motor control center has an auxiliary operator handle linked to a molded case circuit breaker handle for control of the circuit breaker externally of the motor control center cabinet. An interlock slide bar is driven by the auxiliary handle to an extended position to block removal of the unit with the circuit breaker in the ON condition, and follows the handle by gravitational force to a withdrawn position upon movement of the handle to an OFF condition of the circuit breaker, the slide bar abutting a fixed stop prior to the handle reaching the OFF condition to separate the handle from the slide bar in the OFF condition. A spring carried on the interlock slide bar is engaged by the handle to effect driving engagement, compression of the spring occurring only as the handle is nearly in the ON condition.

Auxiliary operator for circuit interrupting apparatus with interlock

A one piece member rests against a cam surface at a first end and against an adjustable pivot at a second end, biased thereagainst by an integral cantilever spring of said member, the distal end of which is interlocked in a deflected position to a hook formed in a housing. One end of a bimetal strip is riveted to the second end of the one piece member, the position of the other end of the bimetal strip being determined by manual adjustment of the pivot and the cam.

Growing community of inventors

Oconomowoc, WI, United States of America

Daniel Patrick Heckenkamp