System and method of detecting a welded contact
US12387883B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 2021 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2009/288
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An industrial switching device prevents a false indication of an open electrical circuit when contacts within the switching device are welded shut. Under normal operation, an actuator is selectively moved between a first position and a second position to reciprocally move a plunger to open and close the contacts. The actuator includes an indicator of whether the switching device is in the “ON” or “OFF” state. When the contacts are welded shut, a plunger engagement section interlocks with an actuator engagement section to prevent the actuator from moving from the “ON” position to the “OFF” position. A crossbar on the plunger engagement section embeds in the actuator engagement section to prevent the actuator from sliding over the plunger. A side member on the plunger engagement section prevents the actuator from sliding around the plunger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.