General Electric Company

Tyco Electronics Corporation

Ronald Lee Hogue

James P Frank

Donald E Nice

Kenneth R Renkes

Michael Gunderson

Hasmukh M Thekdi

Joseph Borrelli

An electrical contactor assembly is provided that includes a base and power terminals mounted thereto. The power terminals are configured to convey signals. The assembly includes an actuator mounted to the base that moves between initial and final positions along a first direction of motion. The assembly includes a bridge contact supported by the actuator and moved in the first direction of motion. The bridge contact includes contact surfaces on opposite ends thereof aligned with corresponding power terminals. The contact surfaces engage and interconnect the power terminals when the actuator and bridge contact are moved to the final position. The bridge contact moves in a second direction of motion with respect to the actuator. The second direction of motion differs from the first direction of motion during engagement.

High power electrical contactor with improved bridge contact mechanism

A threadless coupling for pressurized systems includes a nut member and a mating member. The nut member has a first axial end for attachment to the pressure sensitive control, a second axial end configured for engagement with the mating member, and a housing extending between the first axial end and the second axial end. The housing is configured for locking engagement with a pair of retaining tabs extending from an outer surface of the mating member. Each mating member retaining tab engages a corresponding seating surface and step surface of the respective housing opening so that relative axial and rotational movement of the nut member and mating member is prevented.

Coupling

A threadless coupling for pressurized systems includes, in one form, a nut member and a mating member. The nut member, in one embodiment, has a first axial end for attachment to the pressure sensitive control, a second axial end configured for engagement with the mating member, and a housing extending between the first axial end and the second axial end. The housing includes a pair of openings spaced 180.degree. apart and configured for locking engagement with a pair of retaining tabs extending from an outer surface of the mating member. Each housing opening includes a step surface and a seating surface. During assembly, the mating member retaining tabs are positioned 90.degree. out of alignment with the housing openings. A portion of the mating member including the retaining tabs is then inserted into the nut member. When the retaining tabs are axially aligned with the housing openings, the nut member is turned 90.degree. so that the housing openings are aligned with the retaining tabs. Each mating member retaining tab engages a corresponding seating surface and step surface of the respective housing opening so that relative axial and rotational movement of the nut member and mating member is prevented.

A pressure sensitive control device having a housing made up of a plurality of housing members, a diaphragm, a bistable snap-disc, a switch and an actuator. The snap-disc moves from one configuration to another upon application of pressure over a predetermined amount to drive the actuator which moves the switch from its normal operating position, which can be either closed or open, to a tripped position, which is opposite its normal operating position. Two adjacent housing members, which support the snap-disc and switch, respectively, are formed with cooperating spacers which allow the spacing of these housing members to be continuously varied over a small range of adjustment to allow the switch point of the control device to be adjusted after partial assembly of the control device. The diaphragm and some of the housing members may be subassembled for testing the components of the control device prior to complete assembly. The switch is initially formed as one piece and electrically halved after subassembly with one of the housing members. A housing member which is formed for connection to an electrical control circuit to which the control device is to be attached is modular and can be replaced with similar housing members which are configured for connection to different types of mating electrical connectors associated with different control circuits. Methods of assembly are also enclosed.

Method of assembling a pressure responsive control device

A pressure sensitive control device having a housing made up of a plurality of housing members, a diaphragm, a bistable snap-disc, a switch and an actuator. The snap-disc moves from one configuration to another upon application of pressure over a predetermined amount to drive the actuator which moves the switch from its normal operating position, which can be either closed or open, to a tripped position, which is opposite its normal operating position. Two adjacent housing members, which support the snap-disc and switch, respectively, are formed with cooperating spacers which allow the spacing of these housing members to be continuously varied over a small range of adjustment to allow the switch point of the control device to be adjusted after partial assembly of the control device. The diaphragm and some of the housing members may be subassembled for testing the components of the control device prior to complete assembly. The switch is initially formed as one piece and electrically halved after subassembly with one of the housing members. A housing member which is formed for connection to an electrical control circuit to which the control device is to be attached is modular and can be replaced with similar housing members which are configured for connection to different types of mating electrical connectors associated with different control circuits. Methods of assembly are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Morrison, IL, United States of America

Ronald Lee Hogue