Jie Ning

US Patent:

7071427, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Sep 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/950887

Inventors:

Jie Ning - Shorewood WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 9/22

US Classification:

200 5005

Abstract:

A disconnect is coupled to a rotary shaft communicating with a door-mounted knob provides an operator on the shaft for engaging the door handle to detect closure of the door. The operator includes a pair of coupling mechanisms that control the transmission of torque between the operator and the shaft depending on whether the door is open or closed. Specifically, when the door is closed, torque applied to the operator in both directions is transmitted to the shaft. If the door is open, torque applied to the operator is only transmitted in one direction to disconnect power through the disconnect unless the user performs a predetermined sequence of events to rotatably couple the operator to the shaft with respect to rotation in the opposite direction that connects power through the disconnect. When the door is open the operator may be easily used to disconnect power but may be used to connect power only when the user manipulates the operator in a certain way.

US Patent:

7315006, Jan 1, 2008

Filed:

Jan 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/343405

Inventors:

Jie Ning - Shorewood WI, US
James Peter Miller - Waukesha WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 3/20
G05G 5/06

US Classification:

200331, 200 5005, 74527, 74575

Abstract:

A ball ratchet mechanism suitable for use with an electrical disconnect employs a track and drive surface that engage the ball so as to capture it without significant shear force being applied to ridges of the track. In this way, the shape of the track can be optimized for smooth ratcheting action without the risk of high torques shearing track ridges.