Abstract: A magnetic switch has a fixed contact, a movable contact, and a flat, flexible blade supporting the movable contact, and movable between first and second positions in which the contacts are respectively engaged and disengaged. A blade magnet is affixed to the free end of the blade and is movable with it. An actuator is selectively movable to first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the blade. An actuator magnet is positioned on the actuator in facing opposition to the blade magnet. When the actuator is moved to its first and second positions, one pole of the actuator magnet is disposed beyond the position of the blade magnet when the blade is in its respective first and second position. Thus, when the actuator is moved to one of its first and second positions, the blade magnet is repelled by the actuator magnet to drive the blade, with snap action, to the other of its first and second positions.

Abstract: A small electric motor including one or more field coils which cooperate with a long, thin cylindrical rotor having only a single pair of nonsalient rotor poles. A stator pole piece assembly is in magnetic flux relationship with the rotor and is provided with salient stator poles which each subtend an angle of at least about one hundred and twenty degrees with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In some embodiments the stator poles are arranged in sets which cooperate with different axial portions of the rotor.

Abstract: An electric motor and method of making the motor, in which a unitary one-piece cylindrical housing is molded of nonmagnetic material with an H-shaped axial cross-section to provide cylindrical recesses in opposite ends of the housing. A gear train is inserted in one of these recesses, and a rotor assembly and a centrally orificed stator are inserted in the other recess. The stator is in the form of a sub-assembly having a plurality of annular pole pieces stacked in oppositely disposed relationship with each other. Each of these pole pieces has only a single salient stator pole projecting perpendicularly from adjacent the margin of the stator orifice, and the pole pieces are stacked such that the stator poles project in opposite directions and are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs to form a cylindrical array. Two of the pole pieces are provided with peripheral flanges to form a cylindrical enclosure for the energizing winding of the motor.

Abstract: A small two-phase motor having first and second field coils which each cooperate with a long, thin cylindrical rotor. The rotor is provided with only a single pair of nonsalient rotor poles and has a length to diameter ratio which advantageously is at least about 2.5. A stator pole piece assembly is in magnetic flux relationship with the rotor and includes first and second sets of salient stator poles which respectively cooperate with the first and second field coils. There are only two salient stator poles in each set, and the stator poles are angularly spaced apart by approximately ninety electrical degrees. In some embodiments one of the stator poles in the first set and one of the stator poles in the second set extend in opposite directions parallel to the rotor axis from a single tubular member which forms a part of the pole piece assembly.

Abstract: An electric motor or other electric rotating machine in which certain of the stator poles are of hardened magnetic material to provide the machine with a unidirectional self-starting characteristic. In certain preferred embodiments the housing for the motor is of nonconductive material, and two of the stator pole pieces protrude through the housing and serve as electrical terminals. The housing encloses a spool or bobbin which supports the energizing winding for the motor as well as a reduction gear train which advantageously is mounted on one of the flanges of the bobbin.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving a timing device from an external AC power source and, in the event that the AC power source fails, from an auxiliary DC source. The driving apparatus includes a pulse producing circuit which produces periodic pulses in response to timing pulses. A timing pulse circuit, including an oscillator which produces an oscillating voltage having a frequency substantially proportional to the AC power source frequency, applies the timing pulses to the pulse producing circuit. A DC power supply receives the voltage which is supplied by the AC power source and generates a DC energizing voltage to energize the various circuits of the apparatus, including the pulse producing circuit and the oscillator. In the event that the AC power source fails, the voltage produced by the auxiliary DC source is used to energize the various circuits of the apparatus.

Abstract: A self-starting unidirectional electric motor in which a pair of auxiliary stator pole members are angularly spaced from the main stator poles and are provided with a magnetic return path having a reluctance which is less than the reluctance of the return path for the main stator poles. When the field coil of the motor is deenergized, the rotor consistently assumes a favorable starting position in which each rotor pole is opposite one of the auxiliary pole members. In several advantageous embodiments the housing for the motor is fabricated from nonconductive, nonmagnetic material, and the main stator poles serve as the motor's electrical terminals.

Abstract: A watt-hour meter or other visual read-out apparatus which may also be read electrically through the use of a plurality of code discs and a photoelectric sensing device in spaced juxtaposition with the back sides of the discs. The sensing device is supported by a cable-controlled carriage which reciprocates back and forth in a direction parallel to the discs under the control of a bidirectional electric motor. A pair of stop members are located at opposite ends of the path of travel of the carriage for causing the motor to reverse direction as the carriage contacts one of the stop members.