Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Rockwell Technologies, Inc.

Allen-Bradley Company, LLC

Raymond H Hannula

Christopher John Wieloch

Mark A Kappel

Richard G Smith

Donald F Swietlik

Jeffrey R Annis

Richard W Waltz

An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.

Electromagnetic operator for an electrical contactor and method for controlling same

A unitary housing structure is provided for an electrical switching device such as a three-phase contactor. The housing includes internal partitions for separating an operator section from contact sections, and for isolating phase sections from one another. The partitions are contiguous with one another and with side walls of the housing, inhibiting plasma flow within the housing cavities. The housing is made of a thermoplastic material which is molded as a single piece. The thermoplastic may be partially protected from plasma and arcs by shields within the phase sections, such as splitter plate supports.

Electric contactor housing

An operator assembly for an electromagnetic switching device includes a pair of insulative boards arranged in mutually facing relation. A first board carries first contacts, which may be arranged in pairs, while a second board carries second contacts designed to engage the first contacts upon closure. The first and second boards are pivotally secured to one another to rock between open and closed positions. A biasing member urges the board towards a normal position. The first board supports an electromagnet assembly and conductive traces for transmitting energizing current to the electromagnet coil. The second board supports an armature which is displaced under the influence of the electromagnet assembly during energization, thereby pivoting the boards with respect to one another against the force of the biasing member, and moving the first and second contacts into engagement.

Operator for an electromagnetic switching device

Method for controlling an electromagnetic operator of an electrical device

An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.

A movable contact assembly for contactors and similar devices includes a movable spanner or conductive element biased toward a conducting position by a biasing element. A housing partially surrounds the conductive element and the biasing element. The biasing element and exerts compressive forces against the housing and the conductive element. The assembly may be installed as a modular unit on a carrier which is displaced during operation of the contactor. The housing shields the biasing element from plasma, arcs and debris during operation of the device. Multiple conductive elements and corresponding biasing elements may be includes in each assembly.

Movable contact assembly for an electrical contactor

A biasing assembly for a switching device is formed in a modular enclosure that may be mounted on either left or right sides of the switching device. The biasing assembly interfaces with the switching device to rapidly move the switching device between first and second stable positions, such as corresponding to open and closed contact orientations. The biasing assembly includes a hub and link plate coupled to a spring assembly. A spring in the spring assembly is precharged by initial movement of an actuating handle. Once a predetermined intermediate position is reached, a double roller arrangement is displaced along a support surface to rapidly toggle the spring assembly, link plate and hub to a second position. The enclosure includes abutment surfaces for stopping and holding the link plate in stable positions. The rolling contact afforded by the spring assembly rollers permits extremely rapid displacement and rolling friction during displacement of the assembly.

Biasing assembly for a switching device

A housing defines a fluid enclosure which contains a gear pump having a driving gear that couples for rotation by a shaft. When the shaft rotates, the gear pump forces fluid through one of two fluid passages in the housing against the force of a valve spring. A torque which remains relatively constant over a wide range of shaft speeds is thus applied to the housing, and in reaction the housing rotates to operate an electrical switch.

Growing community of inventors

Delafield, WI, United States of America

Raymond H Hannula