Eaton Corporation

Peter J McGinnis

Peter J Theisen

James E Hansen

Lian Q Zou

Mark Allan Juds

Lance Gula

Richard Paul Malingowski

Earl T Piber

Birger Pahl

Peter K Moldovan

Richard Walter Hirthe

Joseph F Changle

Michael G Taranowski

Steven R Schachameyer

Ruth E Hubbell

Edward J Hummelt

Randal Vernon Malliet

Mark H Polczynski

Paul G Rops

Edward Francis Buck

Francis Christopher Edrozo

Brian Thomas Pier

Victor E Shtaida

Richard A Baumann

John S Jackson

Jeffery A Patten

Arlene M Klumb

James A Mading

Frederick F Banach

Lewis J Gohde

Albert Y Chang

A combination fluid condition monitor and fluid level sensor having an excitation electrode divided into two segments disposed closely spaced and parallel to current sensing electrode. For the fluid condition monitoring mode function both segments of the excitation electrode are commonly excited sequentially at high and low frequencies and the currents sensed in the sensing electrode employed to compute the difference in impedance for determining the fluid condition. For the level sensing mode function a mode switching circuit grounds one of the excitation electrode segments and excites the other then grounds the other segment and excites the one segment and the resultant currents ratioed to determine the amount of electrode immersed in fluid and hence the fluid level.

Combined fluid condition monitor and fluid level sensor

A method for real time monitoring fluid in a vessel with a probe having a pair of electrodes immersed in the fluid. The disclosed probe has the electrodes arranged helically on a rod, sized and configured for insertion in an engine dipstick hole. Preferably, the probe has spiral electrode winding up regions different pitch to provide improved impedance response at low fractional Hertz and high (at least one Hertz) frequencies of excitation. In one version with alternating voltage the difference in current magnitude measured at the low and high frequencies is compared with stored known values for known fluid conditions and an electrical signal indicative of fluid condition is generated. Examples with engine drain oil and heavy duty transmission lubricant fluid are presented. The impedance properties measured can determine the percentage remaining useful life (RUL) of the fluid. In another version of the method the current phase shift angle is measured at the fractional Hertzian frequency; and, from known values of current phase shift angle of the fluid, at various conditions, the condition of the fluid determined. The differential current measured and the measured phase shift angle may be combined, for example, by the square of the sum of the squares procedure to provide an enhanced impedance change indicator.

Monitoring fluid condition through an aperture

An electrical circuit interrupter comprising a housing with an operating mechanism disposed therein and including first and second separable main contacts disposed within the housing is taught. There is an electrically conducting first contact support which has a shape which substantially doubles back upon itself and which has parallel, spaced apart first and second legs forming a central region. An electrically insulating support member is supplied which is disposed in the central region and has a substantial portion outboard of the central region in a disposition to shield a portion of the contact support member. It also has a portion which captures the first contact support member. In addition, magnetic plates are disposed within the central region for cooperating with other closed loop magnetic plates outside of the support member for providing a slot motor action for the movable contact. An arc runner is provided which is trapped between the support member and the contact support conductor. All of this is disposed upon a protrusion in the housing of the circuit breaker and held in place by way of a securing device. Lastly, a mandrel is provided for supporting the aforementioned external magnetic plates. The mandrel is gas evolving so that under the influence of the heat of an electrical arc it evolves gas which helps to push the arc out and away from the opening contacts. The aforementioned gas propels the formed arc outwardly away from the contacts in an effort to cool and interrupt the arc.

Circuit interrupter with plasma arc acceleration chamber and contact arm

A system for enabling a vehicle operator to control the speed or rate of raising and lowering of a powered lift window. The actuator or switch includes a pressure responsive variable impedance device comprising a variable resistance in one embodiment and a variable capacitance in another embodiment. Increasing force directly on the variable impedance device by the user's finger or an actuator decreases the impedance which is sensed by a voltage divider which outputs a voltage which increases with increasing force. This latter voltage is compared with the output of a triangle wave oscillator and the output of the comparator is a pulse width modulated signal with pulse-width proportional to applied force. The pulses are applied to a power device (Mosfet) which modulates the duty cycle (%) of the current to the window lift mechanism drive motor to give variable motor speed.

Power window switch which incorporates express up/down and window motor

Molded insulating shell halves are secured together around a blowout coil, stationary and movable contacts to pivotally trap an armature assembly therebetween. Windows are provided in the shell halves to ventilate the electromagnet coil during operation. The electromagnet is removable through the window without disassembly of the contactor. Contact and armature adjustment is accomplished through additional window openings. An arc chute having left and right-hand arc extinguishing chambers each sub-divided into upper and front chambers splits the arc into four series segments and increases the overall length of the arc significantly over similar prior art devices.

D.C. electromagnetic contactor

A two-pole switch for DC current has a housing formed by a pair of open shells abutting each other to enclose components of the apparatus. Each shell rigidly holds a stationary contact, and an actuator is pivotally coupled to the shells. A pair of movable contacts are pivotally attached to the actuator so that each movable contact touches one stationary contact when the actuator is in a first position and the contacts are separated when the actuator is in a second position. A spine plate is between the shells and electrically separates the two stationary contacts and arc extinguishing chambers. A solenoid is within the housing aligned with the contacts and drives the actuator between the second and first positions to close the contacts.

Direct current switching apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, WI, United States of America

Peter J McGinnis