An electric machine, to a motor vehicle with such an electric machine, and to a method for operating such an electric machine. The electric machine includes at least one sliding contact which is formed by a slip ring connected to a rotor and by at least one brush and via which an operating current flows during an operation of the electric machine. A control unit is configured to control the operation of the electric machine. The control unit is configured to verify a predetermined operating criterion of the electric machine and, if said operating criterion is met, to inject a cleaning current according to a predetermined scheme, which then flows independently of the operating current via the sliding contact and cleans said sliding contact in order to maintain or improve a current transfer capability of the sliding contact.

A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

An exemplary contactor assembly includes, among other things, a movable contact that transitions relative to a plurality of stationary contacts back and forth between a closed position and an open position. The movable contact contacts at least one of the stationary contacts with an initial contact surface and then a final contact surface when the movable contact is in the closed position. An exemplary contactor transitioning method includes, among other things, changing areas of contact between a movable contact and a plurality of stationary contacts when the movable contact is in a closed position with the plurality of stationary contacts.

The invention teaches how to establish 1 to 1 connection between a first group of n electrical signals to a second group of n electrical signals. A first connector half with a first group of n1 contacts equally spaced around a circle and a second connector half with a second group n2 connectors, also equally spaced around a circle, with n11=n2n. The angular extent of the individual contacts from the first group is e1, and that from the second group is e2. The angular extent of the gap between individual contacts from the second group is g2. Following relationship must be satisfied: e1<g2 and e2>(360/n1e1). A switch interconnect means for connecting arbitrarily selected n contacts out of a first group of n1 contacts where (n11)n to n signals from a first group of n signals. The minimum number of signals required for doing this is n+(n1n)*n. A single pole switch is connected from each of the n signals from the first group to each of the n arbitrarily selected contacts from the first group of n1 contacts. Each of the remaining n1n contacts from first group, is connected to one end of a group of n switches. The other end of each switch from this group of switches is connected to each of the n signals from second group.

The invention teaches how to establish 1 to 1 connection between a first group of n electrical signals to a second group of n electrical signals. A first connector half with a first group of n1 contacts equally spaced around a circle and a second connector half with a second group n2 connectors, also equally spaced around a circle, with n11=n2n. The angular extent of the individual contacts from the first group is e1, and that from the second group is e2. The angular extent of the gap between individual contacts from the second group is g2. Following relationship must be satisfied: e1<g2 and e2>(360/n1e1). A switch interconnect means for connecting arbitrarily selected n contacts out of a first group of n1 contacts where (n11)n to n signals from a first group of n signals. The minimum number of signals required for doing this is n+(n1n)*n. A single pole switch is connected from each of the n signals from the first group to each of the n arbitrarily selected contacts from the first group of n1 contacts. Each of the remaining n1n contacts from first group, is connected to one end of a group of n switches. The other end of each switch from this group of switches is connected to each of the n signals from second group.

The present invention relates to a start switch or contact point (10) for rotating electric machines with single-phase power supply, having a base (100) bearing actuating arms (200) carrying conductive blades (300). The actuating arms (200) are independent and one-piece, each one carrying at least one conductive blade (300) and being pressed against a stop (210) by a resilient element (400), also including a sliding surface (230) with a friction-reduction region (235). The present invention also relates to an electric machine provided with a corresponding start switch or contact point.

A member has a first recess, a second recess, and a depression. The depression accommodates a movable member and a contact member. Positioned on a bottom surface of the first recess is a first fixture contact, whereas positioned on a bottom surface of the second recess is a second fixture contact. When a pressure receiving section of the movable member is pressed toward a bottom surface of the depression, the movable member is elastically deformed to separate a movable joint from the contact member. When the pressure receiving section is further pressed toward the bottom surface of the depression, the movable member is elastically deformed to separate the first movable contact from the first fixture contact and to separate the second movable contact from the second fixture contact.

A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

A circuit interrupter includes a stationary contact and a moveable contact arm assembly having a moveable contact positioned thereon, the moveable contact configured to be moveable into and out of physical contact with the stationary contact. The circuit interrupter also includes an overcurrent tripping device coupled to the moveable contact arm assembly via a linkage assembly and configured to move the moveable contact out of physical contact with the stationary contact upon detection of an overcurrent situation. The moveable contact arm assembly is connected to the linkage assembly via at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly, so as to cause a relative sliding action between the moveable and stationary contacts as the moveable and stationary contacts are moved into or out of contact with each other such that a wiping action is created in order to clean the moveable and stationary contacts.

A circuit interrupter includes a stationary contact and a moveable contact arm assembly having a moveable contact positioned thereon, the moveable contact configured to be moveable into and out of physical contact with the stationary contact. The circuit interrupter also includes an overcurrent tripping device coupled to the moveable contact arm assembly via a linkage assembly and configured to move the moveable contact out of physical contact with the stationary contact upon detection of an overcurrent situation. The moveable contact arm assembly is connected to the linkage assembly via at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly, so as to cause a relative sliding action between the moveable and stationary contacts as the moveable and stationary contacts are moved into or out of contact with each other such that a wiping action is created in order to clean the moveable and stationary contacts.