Weld Breaking Contactor

A weld breaking contactor comprising:

• a first plunger member supporting a first contact member;
• a second plunger member supporting a second contact member;
• a first linear actuator adapted to selectively cause movement of said first contact member from a disengaged position to an engaged position relative to a first electrical terminal;
• a second linear actuator adapted to selectively cause movement of said second contact member from a disengaged position to an engaged position relative to a second electrical terminal;
• and
• a rocker selectively engaging said first and second plungers in response to actuation of either of said first and second linear actuators,
• wherein if a weld develops between said first contact member and said first electrical terminal while said first contact member is in said engaged position, then actuation of said second linear actuator causing said second contact member to move towards said engaged position is operable to break said weld and force said first contact member toward said disengaged position.

A weld-breaking contactor comprising:

• a first plunger member supporting a first contact member thereon, said first plunger member being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to a first electrical terminal;
• a second plunger member supporting a second contact member thereon, said second plunger member being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to a second electrical terminal;
• a common armature engaging said first and second plungers, said first and second plungers extending axially therefrom;
• a first coil disposed around a first portion of said armature, and energizing said first coil causes said first contact member to move into said engaged position;
• and
• a second coil disposed around a second portion of said armature, and energizing said second coil causes said second contact member to move into said engaged position,
• wherein if a weld develops between said first contact member and said first electrical terminal while said first contact member is in said engaged position, then actuation of said second linear actuator causing said second contact member to move towards said engaged position is operable to break said weld and force said first contact member toward said disengaged position.

A weld-breaking contactor comprising:

• a first plunger member supporting a first contact member;
• a second plunger member supporting a second contact member, said second plunger being axially aligned with said first plunger member;
• a first linear actuator adapted to selectively cause movement of said first contact member from a disengaged position to an engaged position relative to a first electrical terminal;
• a second linear actuator adapted to selectively cause movement of said second contact member from a disengaged position to an engaged position relative to a second electrical terminal;
• and
• a spring disposed between said first and second contact members and biasing said first and second contact members away from each other,
• wherein if a weld develops between said first contact member and said first electrical terminal while said first contact member is in said engaged position, then actuation of said second linear actuator causing said second contact member to move towards said engaged position is operable to break said weld and force said first contact member toward said disengaged position.