Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Gigavac, LLC

Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc.

Keith A Singer

Keith W Kawate

Peter G Berg

Christian V Pellon

Michael J Lavado

Keith Richard Washburn

Clifford Buxton

William Bentley

Eric Morrison

Chistian Pellon

Thomas Gasper

Joseph L Medeiros

Daniel Sullivan

Samuel Naumowicz

Ewoud Roest

Electrical switching devices are disclosed that have pressure relief mechanisms to allow for the release of internal pressure within the switching device housing. The pressure within the housing can be caused by different events with one such event being internal arcing within the housing caused during operation of the housing's internal components. Is some cases the arcing can be caused during separation of the switching device contacts. The pressure relief mechanism allows for the high pressure to pass from the housing in a more controlled matter to minimize or prevent high pressure breach or rupture of the switching device housing. The pressure relief mechanisms are particularly applicable to switching devices with hermetically sealed housings. Many different pressure relief mechanisms can be used including rupture disks or engineered weak points in the switching device housing.

Switching devices incorporating rupture disk

A switch assembly including a housing. An escutcheon portion on the front surface of the housing has a raised platform. A transition ramp extends from the platform to a rest area and a finger area is adjacent the rest area. A perimeter frame encloses the finger area so that the escutcheon portion defines opposing notches aligned with the rest area. A handle has a hub with an axial bore so that a pivot pin insert through the axial bore rotatably couples the handle to the housing. A finger grip extends from the hub. The finger grip has a surface for selectively abutting against the rest area and a textured portion for manual actuation when a finger in inserted into the finger area.

Circuit breaker having a framed finger area

Switch assembly with escutcheon

A circuit interruption device includes at least one constriction zone. The constriction zone provides for interference with arcing of an electrical signal. The device may include at least one expansion zone. The device may include at least one movable component to assist in creation of the at least one constriction zone. A method of fabrication is provided.

Circuit interruption device with constrictive arc extinguishing feature

Growing community of inventors

Attleboro, MA, United States of America

Keith A Singer