Movable contact assembly for an electrical contactor
First Claim
1. A modular movable contact assembly for an electrical contactor providing an interruptable current path, the contact assembly comprising:
- an enclosure configured to be secured to a carrier for displacement within the contactor, the enclosure being displaceable relative to the stationary contact pads;
a movable contact element including an electrically conductive body extending through the enclosure, the electrically conductive body first and second movable contact pads disposed at first and second ends of the contact element, the first and second ends extending from the enclosure; and
at least one biasing member disposed within the enclosure for urging the movable contact element toward a biased position in which the first and second movable contact pads are biased toward the stationary contact pads;
the contact assembly, including the enclosure, the movable contact element and the at least one biasing member, being preassembled as a modular unit configured to be removably secured to the carrier.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A modular movable contact assembly for an electrical contactor providing an interruptable current path, the contact assembly comprising:
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an enclosure configured to be secured to a carrier for displacement within the contactor, the enclosure being displaceable relative to the stationary contact pads;
a movable contact element including an electrically conductive body extending through the enclosure, the electrically conductive body first and second movable contact pads disposed at first and second ends of the contact element, the first and second ends extending from the enclosure; and
at least one biasing member disposed within the enclosure for urging the movable contact element toward a biased position in which the first and second movable contact pads are biased toward the stationary contact pads;
the contact assembly, including the enclosure, the movable contact element and the at least one biasing member, being preassembled as a modular unit configured to be removably secured to the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A movable contact assembly for an electrical contactor providing an interruptable current-carrying path, the assembly comprising:
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a modular housing configured to be removably secured to a carrier for displacing the modular housing within the contactor relative to the stationary contact pads;
a movable conductive element having a central portion disposed within the housing, and first and second movable contact pads disposed on at first and second ends thereof outside the housing; and
a compression member disposed intermediate the housing and the central portion of the conductive element, the compression member exerting a biasing force against the housing and the conductive element to urge the conductive element toward a contact position;
the contact assembly, including the enclosure, the movable contact element and the at least one biasing member, being preassembled as a modular unit configured to be removably secured to a carrier of the contactor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A contactor for completing and interrupting electric current carrying paths between a source of electrical power and a load, the contactor comprising:
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a housing;
an operator disposed in the housing;
stationary contacts disposed in the housing;
a carrier movable under the influence of the operator; and
a movable contact assembly coupled to the carrier for movement relative to the stationary contacts, the movable contact assembly including a modular housing removably supported on the carrier, a conductive element disposed in the housing, the conductive element having contact pads disposed thereon for selectively contacting the stationary contacts, and a biasing member exerting a biasing force on the housing and on the conductive element to urge the conductive element towards a contact position in which the contact pads contact the stationary contacts, the contact assembly, including the enclosure, the movable contact element and the at least one biasing member, being a modular unit configured to be removably secured to a carrier of the contactor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification