A switching device for fast disconnection of short-circuit currents is provided. The switching device comprises a switching bridge with a movable contacting element and a fixed contacting element. The switching bridge being operable in a closed state, in which the movable contacting element is in contact with the fixed contacting element, and an open state, in which the movable contacting element is spaced apart from the fixed contacting element. The switching device further comprises an electromagnetic switching drive with a coil for generating a magnetic field and a magnet anchor, a guide sleeve to guide the movement of the magnet anchor in the magnetic field of the coil, a pyrotechnic propellant charge located in the cavity, and a supporting device for supporting the guide sleeve. The magnet anchor is arranged within the guide sleeve such that a cavity is formed below the magnet anchor.

A switch assembly including a switch and a high impedance element used for energy harvesting purposes that are connected to a power line at one end and assembly electronics at an opposite end, where in one non-limiting embodiment the switch assembly has particular application for use in connection with a vacuum interrupter. The high impedance element has higher impedance than the switch so that current flows through the switch from the power line when the switch is closed and through the high impedance element from the power line when the switch is open, where power from the high impedance element can power a switch closing device, such as a solenoid actuator. The high impedance element can be a resistive element, a capacitive element or a combination of a resistive and capacitive element.

A switch assembly including a switch and a high impedance element used for energy harvesting purposes that are connected to a power line at one end and assembly electronics at an opposite end, where in one non-limiting embodiment the switch assembly has particular application for use in connection with a vacuum interrupter. The high impedance element has higher impedance than the switch so that current flows through the switch from the power line when the switch is closed and through the high impedance element from the power line when the switch is open, where power from the high impedance element can power a switch closing device, such as a solenoid actuator. The high impedance element can be a resistive element, a capacitive element or a combination of a resistive and capacitive element.

A circuit breaker includes at least one moveable contact. The moveable electrode is operably connected to a Thomson coil actuator that can separate and open the contacts of the circuit breaker. A sensor senses current or voltage in the circuit breaker. When a condition exists that triggers an opening action, a controller will use select a current level to apply to the Thomson coil actuator. The selected current level will vary based on the sensed current or voltage level. The controller will cause a driver to apply the selected current level to the Thomson coil actuator, and it will cause the contacts to separate and open. If the circuit breaker is a vacuum interrupter, the vacuum interrupter may employ a multi-section bellows in which each section has unique structural characteristics as compared to the other sections, so that different sections will dominate as the Thomson coil's speed of operation varies.

A circuit breaker includes at least one moveable contact. The moveable electrode is operably connected to a Thomson coil actuator that can separate and open the contacts of the circuit breaker. A sensor senses current or voltage in the circuit breaker. When a condition exists that triggers an opening action, a controller will use select a current level to apply to the Thomson coil actuator. The selected current level will vary based on the sensed current or voltage level. The controller will cause a driver to apply the selected current level to the Thomson coil actuator, and it will cause the contacts to separate and open. If the circuit breaker is a vacuum interrupter, the vacuum interrupter may employ a multi-section bellows in which each section has unique structural characteristics as compared to the other sections, so that different sections will dominate as the Thomson coil's speed of operation varies.

The invention relates to a handheld nail setting device comprising highly dynamic electromagnetic drive in the manner of a Thomson coil with soft-magnetic frame, comprising a first excitation coil (30) whose winding height is greater than its length, which hence is flat; a soft-magnetic frame in which the first excitation coil is arranged and against which it abuts, and which in in the manner of a pot magnet constitutes an open magnetic circuit which includes an outer region, a bottom and an inner region, and which is open on its end face, wherein the first excitation coil at least partly encloses the inner part of the frame; a short circuit armature preferably formed hollow cylindrical at least on its side facing the first excitation coil, which is movably mounted along an axis and which in its stroke starting position dips into the end-face opening of the frame and thereby at least partly encloses the inner part of the frame, wherein the frame entirely or predominantly is formed of a soft-magnetic composite material or one or more sheet stacks, which has a saturation flux density of at least 1.5 T and an effective specific electrical conductivity of not more than 10.sup.6 S/m, and the first excitation coil and/or the frame include at least one means for strain relief, in particular in the form of an enclosure in order to at least partly absorb at least the radial forces occurring on the first excitation coil during an actuating operation vertically to the direction of movement, and wherein the Lorentz force acting on the short circuit armature is used to perform work.

The invention relates to a handheld nail setting device comprising highly dynamic electromagnetic drive in the manner of a Thomson coil with soft-magnetic frame, comprising a first excitation coil (30) whose winding height is greater than its length, which hence is flat; a soft-magnetic frame in which the first excitation coil is arranged and against which it abuts, and which in in the manner of a pot magnet constitutes an open magnetic circuit which includes an outer region, a bottom and an inner region, and which is open on its end face, wherein the first excitation coil at least partly encloses the inner part of the frame; a short circuit armature preferably formed hollow cylindrical at least on its side facing the first excitation coil, which is movably mounted along an axis and which in its stroke starting position dips into the end-face opening of the frame and thereby at least partly encloses the inner part of the frame, wherein the frame entirely or predominantly is formed of a soft-magnetic composite material or one or more sheet stacks, which has a saturation flux density of at least 1.5 T and an effective specific electrical conductivity of not more than 10.sup.6 S/m, and the first excitation coil and/or the frame include at least one means for strain relief, in particular in the form of an enclosure in order to at least partly absorb at least the radial forces occurring on the first excitation coil during an actuating operation vertically to the direction of movement, and wherein the Lorentz force acting on the short circuit armature is used to perform work.

A circuit breaker includes a pole unit with a first and second electrodes. A linkage also extends from the pole unit. A linear actuator is operably connected to the pole unit. A Thomson coil or other high-speed actuator is also operably connected to the linkage. When the circuit breaker is closed, no gap is provided between them. To open the electrodes, the high-speed actuator first acts on the linkage by moving the linkage at a speed that is greater than a speed by which the linear actuator can move the linkage. The linear actuator can then actuate and increase a distance between the electrodes. A gap is provided between the pole unit and at least one of the actuators when the breaker is closed. This gap is reduced or eliminated when the breaker is open.

A power circuit breaker has a housing defining a first passage and a cross passage through the housing. A bus bar extends through the cross passage and is configured to transmit electric power and/or break transmission of the electric power through the housing. The bus bar includes at least an input section, a coin or center section, and an output section that are separable from each other. The housing aligns a solenoid piston within the first passage of the housing. The solenoid has a piston with two opposite ends, and one of the ends operates as a plunger to separate the sections of the bus bar when the solenoid is actuated. The plunger moves the coin or center section of the bus bar out of contact with the input section and the output section of the bus bar to break electrical transmission across the bus bar.

A transformer assembly including a transformer that is part of an underground residential power distribution circuit and that provides fault isolation and restoration. The transformer assembly includes an enclosure enclosing a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformer assembly also includes first and second switching devices mounted to a panel of the enclosure, where each switching device includes an outer housing, a transformer interface electrically coupled to the primary winding, a connector interface electrically coupled to a first connector and a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact. The fixed contact is electrically coupled to the connector interface or the transformer interface and the movable terminal is electrically coupled to the other connector interface or the transformer interface.