Abstract: A multi-positional mercury switch (1, 2, 3) for use with miniature relays (4). The mercury switch apparatus has mercury wettable magnetic contact structures (11, 12, 211, 212, 221, 222, 311, 312) supported in a sealed envelope member (10, 20, 30) supporting the magnetic contact structures with ends thereof extending from the envelope member for interconnection with terminals of the relay. A mercury holding assembly (13, 14, 23, 24, 33, 34) is slidably located within the sealed envelope member adjacent the magnetic contact structures and is responsive to an external magnetic field generated by electrical signals in a coil (410) surrounding the sealed envelope member for engaging the magnetic contact structures and establishing an electrical conducting path between the magnetic contact structures.

Abstract: Actuating apparatus for an optical fiber switch in which a single fiber array (19) retained in a retaining block (20, 21) is movable within a housing (17) to align the single array (19) with one (10) or the other (11) of two fixed fiber arrays. A shuttle element (25) slidably extending through the housing (17) has provided at each end a disc (30, 31) the inner surfaces of which control the movement of a pair of push-rods (42, 43), also extending through the housing (17), which push-rods (42, 43) are bearable on opposite sides of the retaining blocks (20, 21). Reciprocal movement of the shuttle element (25) causes the same movement of the push-rods (42, 43) to move the movable fiber array (19) between its two switch positions. Movement of the shuttle element (25) is caused by the selective energization of two electromagnets (50, 51) mounted in opposite walls (40, 41) of an hermetically sealed outer housing (18).

Abstract: An electrical reed spring relay construction in which a single pair of reed springs are controlled to complete simultaneously two distinct conducting paths. A pair of yoke members each comprising a pair of parallel legs connected at one end by a transverse base member are suspended by the other ends of the legs at opposite ends of an encapsulating envelope. Between the legs of each yoke member is arranged a reed spring member also suspended at one end of the envelope. The yoke assemblies are suspended at the envelope ends so that the other ends and base members overlap and are spaced apart to present the contact gaps. Upon the application of a magnetic field, the other end of the reed spring member of each yoke member is urged into contact with the base member of the other yoke member.