Abstract: A mercury switch has two spaced apart electrical contacts mechanically supported by its glass envelope and electrically connected to external terminals. A third conductor passes through the glass envelope at the opposite end. A housing for mercury is formed by divergent plates supported on the third conductor, which housing extends into the mercury reservoir near its support so as to draw mercury into the space between the divergent plates. A magnetic partition is supported from the third conductor by a flexible hinge which allows the partition to move back and forth between the divergent plates of the housing alternately into each of a pair of stops between said two spaced apart electrical contacts. Whichever wall of the housing the partition is closest to, the space is narrowed so that the mercury rises under capillary attraction and contacts the electrical contact between the wall and the partition.

Abstract: A movable magnetic armature of a size to nest within stepped faces on a fixed magnetic pole piece and on the armature support, respectively, is attached to the armature support by a conductive spring member which normally biases the armature away from the nested position in which it contacts a contact and stop member on the fixed pole. Imposition of the magnetic field causes the armature to move into closed contact position. The position of the armature even when in open contact position is close to the steps of the fixed pole piece as well as the armature support providing a low reluctance, short throw, quick action switch.

Abstract: The magnetic elements of a mercury reed switch are supported within their non-magnetic capsule so that, instead of coming into contact in initially overlapping relationship, under the influence of a magnetic field they become essentially aligned with one another. The reeds are so constructed that by selection of the size or shape of their respective opposed ends, the magnetic flux pattern is modified to maintain desired relative alignment to achieve desired spacing between solid contacts. In a preferred form at least one of the magnetic elements carries a substantially non-magnetic conductive extension means, conductively affixed to its supporting element in position to complete an electrical circuit from its supporting element through intermediate conductive liquid and the other reed element in some switch condition.

Abstract: The magnetic elements of a reed switch are supported within their non-magnetic capsule so that, instead of coming into contact in initially overlapping relationship, under the influence of a magnetic field they become essentially aligned with one another. The reeds may be so constructed that by selection of the size or shape of their respective opposed ends, the magnetic flux pattern is modified to maintain desired relative alignment to achieve desired contact. The invention relates to a mercury wetted switch which employs mercury to complete electrical contact between the non-contacting ends of the reeds.