Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Theodore John Houck, Iii

James Peter Miller

Robert Alfred Duchrow

Jeffrey R Annis

Karen R Hecht

Jie Ning

Miriam Biagini

Massimo Baldo

Jeffrey John Battani

Sergio Bortolloni

Giuseppe Zanaglio

William R Berry

Phillip R Bush

A contactor assembly includes a stationary contact, an arc contact, an arc arrestor, and a magnetic intensifier. The magnetic intensifier is constructed to be secured in generally close proximity to the stationary contact. During communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier accentuates a magnetic field associated with the stationary contact and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. A pair of arc guides extend along the magnetic intensifier and, cooperatively with the magnetic force, ensure efficient, repeatable, and expedient transfer of a circuit termination arc to the arc arrestor. Such a construction increases the operable range and lifecycle of the contactor by reducing the damage associated with propagation of the circuit termination arc.

Contactor assembly with arc steering system

A method of manufacturing a current switch magnetic intensifier that is constructed to be secured in generally close proximity to the stationary contact of the current switch. During termination of the communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier accentuates a magnetic field associated with a stationary contact and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. The intensifier is fitted proximate the stationary contact so that a pair of arc rails extend beyond the stationary contact such that a force of a magnetic field generated by the contactor magnetic intensified is directed in a common direction with a direction of reduced resistance of the pair of arc rails to ensure efficient, repeatable, and expedient transfer of a circuit termination arc to the arc arrestor.

Method of manufacturing a current switch magnetic intensifier

A gas diverter is disclosed that slows, cools, and directs the hot gas and plasma generated during the operation of an electrical switching device. The gas diverter mounts to the switching device and has an inlet for accepting the gas and exit for expelling the gas. The diverter has peripheral walls and internal partitions that divide the gas and provide for two independent circuitous flow paths. In multi-phase switching devices, a plurality of gas diverters may be used to further separate the gases generated in each respective phase. The gas diverter is made of a high temperature, arc resistant plastic which is molded to form a two piece structure. The gas diverter is mounted to the device via a slide in place flange-channel mechanism.

Gas diverter for an electrical switching device

A ball ratchet mechanism suitable for use with an electrical disconnect employs a track and drive surface that engage the ball so as to capture it without significant shear force being applied to ridges of the track. In this way, the shape of the track can be optimized for smooth ratcheting action without the risk of high torques shearing track ridges.

Fuse block with improved unidirectional operator

An apparatus for use with a control assembly including a power source and a circuit disconnector located on a first side of a planar member forming an opening, the disconnector including a first mechanical linkage having open and closed positions, the apparatus for manipulating the mechanical linkage between the open and closed positions and visually indicating on a second side of the planar member at least a first state of the control assembly when the first state occurs, the apparatus including a handle assembly including a handle member moveable between at least first and second positions and positioned on the second side of the planar member adjacent the opening, an extension member rigidly connected to and extending from the handle member through the opening and forming a second mechanical linkage at a distal end that is linkable with the first mechanical linkage on the first side of the planar member, the extension member moving the first mechanical linkage between the closed and open positions when the handle is moved between the first and second positions, respectively and at least a first light emitter positioned on the second side of the planar member, and at least a first contact linkable between the power source and the first light emitter that closes to provide power to the first light emitter when the first state occurs.

Illuminated disconnecting handle for use with CDM

A disconnect is coupled to a rotary shaft communicating with a door-mounted knob provides an operator on the shaft for engaging the door handle to detect closure of the door. The operator includes a pair of coupling mechanisms that control the transmission of torque between the operator and the shaft depending on whether the door is open or closed. Specifically, when the door is closed, torque applied to the operator in both directions is transmitted to the shaft. If the door is open, torque applied to the operator is only transmitted in one direction to disconnect power through the disconnect unless the user performs a predetermined sequence of events to rotatably couple the operator to the shaft with respect to rotation in the opposite direction that connects power through the disconnect. When the door is open the operator may be easily used to disconnect power but may be used to connect power only when the user manipulates the operator in a certain way.

Fuse block with integral door sensing rotary disconnect

A handle assembly for use with a planar member forming an opening and having first and second sides, the assembly including a handle member moveable between at least first and second positions and mounted on the second side of the planar member adjacent the opening, an extension member rigidly connected to and extending from the handle member through the opening, a cam at least linkable to at least one of the handle member and the extension member for movement therewith and at least a first contact including a activation member, the first contact closing when the activation member is activated, the cam, extension member and activation member positionable in a first relative juxtaposition with respect to each other such that when the handle member is in one of the first and second positions, the cam activates the activation member and, when the handle member is in the other of the first and second positions, the cam releases the activation member.

Disconnecting handle with auxiliary contacts for use with CDM

The invention relates to a modular disconnect switch () for use in an electrical enclosure cabinet () having a plurality of different operating mechanisms that can be assembled with the switch. These include, but are not limited to: a dial-type ratcheting rotary switch with a door-sensitive actuating mechanism (), a dual rotary switch () that meets certain standards and provides a butterfly handle inside the cabinet, a lock accessory () for enabling the lockout of the switch in the off position, a motion translator device () for interfacing to a side-mounted cabinet door handle, a network connectivity module (), and a module for adding at least one switch pole to the basic disconnect switch ().

Modular disconnect switch

A rotary switch assembly for mounting on a disconnect switch () in an electrical enclosure () includes a base () and a rotor () which is rotatably coupled to the base (). The rotor () is first axially depressed and then rotated to switch the disconnect switch () to the 'on' position. The base () has a stop member () for latching the rotor () in an 'off' position before the rotor () is axially depressed. A lockout tab () is attached to the rotor () for locking the switch in the &#x201c;off&#x201d; position. A rotary handle () is provided for mounting on the rotor (), for operation in either rotational direction. The rotary handle () has two wings with formed grips () for thumb and fingertips to securely grip and turn the handle () with the required torque for actuating and de-actuating the disconnect switch.

Rotary service switch for the interior of electrical enclosures having a disconnect switch

A fuse block having a rotary operator communicating with a door-mounted knob provides a handle on the rotary operator for engaging the door handle to detect closure of the door. The handle includes first and second coupling mechanisms that control the connection between the handle and the operator depending on whether the door is open or closed. With the door closed power may be connected and disconnected. With the door open the handle may be used only to disconnect power.

A switching apparatus is provided for a fuse block that is disposed in a cabinet. The switching apparatus enables a user to connect and disconnect the fuse block from its power source when the interior of the cabinet is accessed. Locking mechanisms are provided to prevent the power supply from being reconnected to the fuse block until cabinet door is closed, and the switching apparatus is turned on.

Flexible cable operated fuse switch

A fuse block having a rotary operator communicating with a door-mounted knob provides a sensor arm on the rotary operator for engaging the door handle to detect closure of the door. A slider may actuate a set of plates capturing a swing arm attached to the rotary operator preventing inadvertent movement of the rotary operator when the door is open.

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Theodore John Houck, Iii