A circuit breaker includes a vacuum interrupter. The interrupter includes a first movable electrode to which a first contact is connected and a second movable electrode to which a second contact is connected. The interrupter is operable between an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the first contact and the second contact are separated by a contact gap distance. In the closed state, the first contact and the second contact touch each other. The circuit breaker includes an ultrafast actuator operatively connected to each of the first and second movable electrodes. The ultrafast actuator is configured to change the vacuum interrupter from the closed state to the open state by simultaneously moving the first contact in a first direction along a first distance portion of the contact gap, and the second contact in a second direction along a second distance portion of the contact gap.

A circuit breaker includes a vacuum interrupter. The interrupter includes a first movable electrode to which a first contact is connected and a second movable electrode to which a second contact is connected. The interrupter is operable between an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the first contact and the second contact are separated by a contact gap distance. In the closed state, the first contact and the second contact touch each other. The circuit breaker includes an ultrafast actuator operatively connected to each of the first and second movable electrodes. The ultrafast actuator is configured to change the vacuum interrupter from the closed state to the open state by simultaneously moving the first contact in a first direction along a first distance portion of the contact gap, and the second contact in a second direction along a second distance portion of the contact gap.

A hermetically sealed electromagnetic contactor including: a main contact unit including a pair of main fixed contact pieces, each of the main fixed contact pieces having a main fixed contact at one end and a terminal portion to be connected to a main circuit at the other end, and a main movable contact piece having a pair of main movable contacts configured to come into contact with and be separated from the main fixed contacts and configured to open and close an electrical path of the main circuit; a contact support configured to support the main movable contact piece; an electromagnet unit configured to switch opening/closing of the main contact unit via the contact support; and a hermetically sealed container made of resin on an inside of which the main contact unit and the electromagnet unit are arranged, the hermetically sealed container having the inside filled with insulating gas.

A hermetically sealed electromagnetic contactor including: a main contact unit including a pair of main fixed contact pieces, each of the main fixed contact pieces having a main fixed contact at one end and a terminal portion to be connected to a main circuit at the other end, and a main movable contact piece having a pair of main movable contacts configured to come into contact with and be separated from the main fixed contacts and configured to open and close an electrical path of the main circuit; a contact support configured to support the main movable contact piece; an electromagnet unit configured to switch opening/closing of the main contact unit via the contact support; and a hermetically sealed container made of resin on an inside of which the main contact unit and the electromagnet unit are arranged, the hermetically sealed container having the inside filled with insulating gas.

A reed switch including a cylindrical enclosure with two ends, a first blade and a second blade is disclosed. The first blade has a first lead, a first web, and a first contact, and the first web is bent at a first angle as compared to the first lead. The second blade has a second lead, a second web, and a second contact, and the second web is bent at a second angle as compared to the second lead. The first contact is disposed adjacent to the second contact with a gap between them.

A reed switch including a cylindrical enclosure with two ends, a first blade and a second blade is disclosed. The first blade has a first lead, a first web, and a first contact, and the first web is bent at a first angle as compared to the first lead. The second blade has a second lead, a second web, and a second contact, and the second web is bent at a second angle as compared to the second lead. The first contact is disposed adjacent to the second contact with a gap between them.

Switch assemblies and switching methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a switch assembly may include a first blade having a first contact within an enclosed cavity, and a second blade having a second contact within the enclosed cavity. The first and second contacts are operable to make or break contact with one another in response to a magnetic field. The switch assembly may further include a coating formed over each of the first and second contacts, the coating including a titanium layer, a second layer formed over the titanium layer, and a tungsten-copper layer formed over the second layer. In some embodiments, the second layer is copper or molybdenum.

A MEMS device comprises an electro mechanical element in a sealed chamber containing a gas comprising a reactive gas selected to react with any contaminants that may be present or formed on the operating surfaces of the device in a manner to maximize the electrical conductivity of the surfaces during operation of the device. The MEMS device may comprise a MEMS switch having electrical contacts as the operating surfaces. The reactive gas may comprise hydrogen or an azane, optionally mixed with an inert gas, or any combination of the gases. The corresponding process provides a means to substantially reduce or eliminate contaminants present or formed on the operating surfaces of MEMS devices in a manner to maximize the electrical conductivity of the surfaces during operation of the devices.

A MEMS device comprises an electro mechanical element in a sealed chamber containing a gas comprising a reactive gas selected to react with any contaminants that may be present or formed on the operating surfaces of the device in a manner to maximize the electrical conductivity of the surfaces during operation of the device. The MEMS device may comprise a MEMS switch having electrical contacts as the operating surfaces. The reactive gas may comprise hydrogen or an azane, optionally mixed with an inert gas, or any combination of the gases. The corresponding process provides a means to substantially reduce or eliminate contaminants present or formed on the operating surfaces of MEMS devices in a manner to maximize the electrical conductivity of the surfaces during operation of the devices.

A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.