Rotary Armature Patents (Class 335/125)
  • Patent number: 12094668
    Abstract: An arc path formation unit and a direct current relay are disclosed. The arc path formation unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of magnet parts. Each magnet part is arranged adjacent to a plurality of fixed contacts. Opposing surfaces of the plurality of magnet parts located adjacent to one fixed contact and facing each other, the opposing surfaces facing each other, and opposing surfaces of the magnet parts located adjacent to another fixed contact, the opposing surfaces facing each other, are configured to have the same polarity. Accordingly, electromagnetic forces formed in the fixed contacts are formed in a direction away from each other and away from a central portion. Accordingly, damage to each configuration of the arc path formation unit and the direct current relay caused by a generated arc can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: LS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jungwoo Yoo
  • Patent number: 11990298
    Abstract: A security switch for detecting an actuator comprises a magnetic field source, a magnetically susceptible object, and a circuit. The magnetic field source is configured to produce a magnetic field gradient. The magnetically susceptible object is suspended at a first position at least in part due to the magnetic field gradient and shiftable to a second position when the actuator affects the magnetic field gradient. The circuit is configured to detect when the object is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Magnasphere Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Hedeen, Ronald Sayles, Randall Woods
  • Patent number: 11908648
    Abstract: A switch includes: a first stationary contact having a first stationary contact point; a second stationary contact having a second stationary contact point; a movable contact having a first movable contact, and a second movable contact point; a first magnet pair defined by magnets having surfaces facing each other, the magnets of the first magnet pair being disposed with the first stationary contact point and the first movable contact point therebetween in such a manner that the magnets of the first magnet pair become farther from each other outwardly; and a second magnet pair defined by magnets having surfaces facing each other, the magnets of the second magnet pair being disposed with the second stationary contact point and the second movable contact point therebetween in such a manner that the magnets of the second magnet pair become farther from each other outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuki Hotta, Shinya Watanabe, Takashi Inaguchi, Katsutoshi Ikarashi
  • Patent number: 11631564
    Abstract: A switching assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus of a switching system. The electrical switching apparatus includes a base. The switching system has a communication device. The switching assembly includes a number of contact assemblies coupled to the base, each of the contact assemblies having a stationary contact and a movable contact structured to move between a CLOSED position corresponding to engagement with the stationary contact, and an OPEN position corresponding to disengagement with the stationary contact; and a transfer assembly including an element and only one single actuator coupled to the element, the element being structured to be coupled to the base, the single actuator comprising a controller for receiving a signal from the communication device. The single actuator is structured to move the movable contact of each of the number of contact assemblies between the CLOSED position and the OPEN position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Jeffrey Gibson
  • Patent number: 11615931
    Abstract: The electromagnetic relay includes a contact unit, an electromagnet, an armature unit, and a base. The contact unit includes a fixed contact and a movable spring including a movable contact. The armature unit is movable in accordance with excitation of the electromagnet to allow the movable contact to move between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact and an open position away from the fixed contact. The base holds the contact unit and the electromagnet on a certain surface side. The movable contact is placed between the base and the fixed contact in an arrangement direction in which the base and the electromagnet are arranged. The armature unit includes a press part which causes movement of the movable contact by applying a pressing force to a certain surface facing the fixed contact, of the movable spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kato, Yoshihide Asada, Machiko Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 11450499
    Abstract: A switching assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus of a switching system. The electrical switching apparatus includes a base. The switching system has a communication device. The switching assembly includes a number of contact assemblies coupled to the base, each of the contact assemblies having a stationary contact and a movable contact structured to move between a CLOSED position corresponding to engagement with the stationary contact, and an OPEN position corresponding to disengagement with the stationary contact; and a transfer assembly including an element and only one single actuator coupled to the element, the element being structured to be coupled to the base, the single actuator comprising a controller for receiving a signal from the communication device. The single actuator is structured to move the movable contact of each of the number of contact assemblies between the CLOSED position and the OPEN position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Jeffrey Gibson
  • Patent number: 10896796
    Abstract: A switching assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus of a switching system. The electrical switching apparatus includes a base. The switching system has a communication device. The switching assembly includes a number of contact assemblies coupled to the base, each of the contact assemblies having a stationary contact and a movable contact structured to move between a CLOSED position corresponding to engagement with the stationary contact, and an OPEN position corresponding to disengagement with the stationary contact; and a transfer assembly including an element and only one single actuator coupled to the element, the element being structured to be coupled to the base, the single actuator comprising a controller for receiving a signal from the communication device. The single actuator is structured to move the movable contact of each of the number of contact assemblies between the CLOSED position and the OPEN position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Jeffrey Gibson
  • Patent number: 9767976
    Abstract: A polar relay is provided including: an insulation housing, an armature assembly, and a coil assembly. The armature assembly is pivotably mounted within the insulation housing. The armature assembly is rotatable between a first position and a second position, with one end of the iron core in contact with one armature of the pair of armatures while the other end of the iron core is spaced apart from and thus out of contact with the pair of armatures by corresponding gaps therebetween. The gaps are provided without providing a magnetic isolation plate between or applying an isolation layer onto contact layers of the armature and the iron core. The armature assembly is rotatable around a vertical pivot axis, avoiding changing a position of the pivot point during the movement of the iron core, stabilizing the action of the armature assembly, and ensuring the continuity of the action of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guangcheng Fang, Xiaoning Zhang
  • Patent number: 9741518
    Abstract: A latch relay includes a frame, a bobbin installed in the frame and having a coil wound therearound, first and second yokes provided as magnetic bodies, a rotary mover rotating in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction between head portions of the first and second yokes, first and second fixed contactors installed to be spaced apart from one another and parallel to each other within the frame, a movable contactor having one end connected to the second fixed contactor, a transmission lever having one end coupled to one side of the rotary mover to make a vertical movement, a support member fixedly installed on one side of the transmission lever, and an elastic member providing contact force such that the movable contactor is brought into contact with the first fixed contactor or separated from the first fixed contactor, while moving according to a movement of the transmission lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeonsoon Choi
  • Patent number: 9728347
    Abstract: A contactor mounting system is disclosed herein. The contactor is directly mounted to the printed wire board. Pins may be coupled to an exposed end portion of the first stationary lead and the second stationary lead of the contactor. Pins may be configured to interconnect the contactor to the printed wire board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Debabrata Pal, John Horowy
  • Patent number: 9184007
    Abstract: An electromechanical microswitch, comprising first and second electromagnets mounted in spaced-apart orientation to one another where each electromagnetic has a field center located a first distance above the mounting surface. A permanent magnet is positioned between the electromagnets and includes a magnetic field center that is higher above the mounting surface than that of the electromagnets so that the permanent magnet is magnetically biased toward the mounting surface. A stripline switch element is mountable between the permanent magnet and mounting surface, and biased against circuit structures on the mounting surface, whereby the stripline switch element moves between first and second activated positions under influence of the electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Pileggi, Jason C. Hill
  • Patent number: 9068815
    Abstract: Position sensors and methods having a coil, a magnetic target movable into greater and lesser proximity to the coil responsive to the position to be sensed, and circuitry responsive to an inductance of the coil to provided a measure of the proximity of the magnetic target to the coil. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments having improved sensitivity and shielding from stray fields and for shielding from magnetic fields generated by the coil excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Sturman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. North, Jeffrey A. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20150145622
    Abstract: A rotary magnet switch includes a housing defining a cavity for a rotary magnet having a first section rotatable with respect to a second section. A first registration secures the first magnet section to the housing. An actuator extends from a side wall of the housing. The actuator is secured to the second magnet section and is configured to rotate the second magnetic section with respect to the housing and the first magnet section to switch the magnet on and off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: QinetiQ North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Terrenzi, Faheem F. Faheem, Donald MacLeod, Ross Malin, M. Spenser Brouwer, Paul William Paolillo, Scott Quigley
  • Patent number: 8653691
    Abstract: A device and method for operating automotive battery system relays and related switches. By creating a dual bipolar magnetic field adjacent the contactor portion of a switching mechanism in the relay, the magnetic field used to promote arc extinguishing is shifted, which in turn reduces the Lorentz force that forms as a byproduct of the field. Such a configuration has the potential for simultaneously maintaining arc-extinguishing capability and improving short-circuit withstanding capability while reducing the tendency of the Lorentz forces to interfere with the operation of a solenoid or other switch-activating mechanisms. Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with hybrid-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Hsu, Andrew J. Namou
  • Patent number: 8514037
    Abstract: A device and method for operating automotive battery system relays and related switches. By aligning a magnetic field with a direction of current flow in a contact plate disposed between magnets that are producing the field, a generated Lorentz force can be used to promote arc extinguishing during a relay opening sequence, while simultaneously reducing the tendency of the Lorentz forces to interfere with the operation of a solenoid or other switch-activating mechanisms. By using a rotary-based mechanism to establish contact between a contact plate and current-carrying terminals, the likelihood of inadvertent opening of the relay is reduced. Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with hybrid-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Hsu, Andrew J. Namou
  • Patent number: 8514040
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay assembly comprises a rotatable electromagnetic coil assembly, first and second pairs of opposed permanent magnets, and a switch assembly. The coil assembly comprises a coil, a core, and a rotatable coil housing. The coil is wound around the core. The core comprises opposed core termini, and the coil housing has an axis of rotation orthogonal to the coil axis. The magnet pairs fixedly positioned adjacent the core termini such that the core termini are respectively displacable intermediate the magnet pairs. The coil operates to create a magnetic field directable through the core for imparting coil housing rotation about the axis of rotation via attraction to the positioned/anchored magnets. The core termini displace linkage arms, and the linkage arms actuate contact-spring assemblies of the switch assembly intermediate open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Clodi, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Philipp Gruner
  • Patent number: 8427261
    Abstract: A device and method for operating automotive battery system relays and related switches. By aligning a magnetic field with a direction of current flow in a contact plate disposed between magnets that are producing the field, a generated Lorentz force can be used to promote arc extinguishing during a relay opening sequence, while simultaneously reducing the tendency of the Lorentz forces to interfere with the operation of a solenoid or other switch-activating mechanisms. By using a rotary-based mechanism to establish contact between a contact plate and current-carrying terminals, the likelihood of inadvertent opening of the relay is reduced. Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with hybrid-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Hsu, Andrew J. Namou
  • Patent number: 8004377
    Abstract: A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Brusky, Kurt Lawrence Lindsey
  • Patent number: 7920037
    Abstract: A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kurt Lawrence Lindsey, Randal Vernon Malliet
  • Patent number: 5909162
    Abstract: In a seesaw type electromagnetic relay comprising an armature carrying out a seesaw motion by excitation of an electromagnet, and a movable spring which carries out the seesaw motion in synchronism with the seesaw motion of the armature and which comprises a par of spring sections, at least one of the spring sections forks into two branches to form a pair of spring pieces one of which is bent downward. A pair of movable contacts is mounted at both free end parts of the movable spring on a bottom surface of the movable spring. One of the movable contacts is mounted at the free end part in the spring pieces on bottom surfaces thereof to form a pair of movable contact elements acting as a twin movable contact. A pair of fixed contacts faces the pair of movable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Matsujiro Ikeda, Kazuya Yamakosi
  • Patent number: 5864269
    Abstract: An electromagnetic hinged-armature relay comprises a contact spring (2) which is arranged on and attached to an armature (1). The contact spring serves as a switching contact spring and has a bounce dampener which is in the form of a swing element (3) made as one piece with the contact spring which greatly reduces bounces of contacts and contact wear resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Andreas Grueber, Wolfgang Hoffmann, Andre Koerner, Maik Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5812041
    Abstract: A terminal housing mounting structure adapted for use with an electromagnetic switch includes a terminal housing mounted to a switch cover, and a terminal bolt that passes through the terminal housing and the switch cover. The terminal housing has an alignment groove that receives a lug plate in a predetermined orientation. A cylindrical end portion of the switch cover and a cylindrical end portion of the terminal housing are provided with engagable sawteeth equally spaced apart from one another so that the terminal housing is angularly displaceable and releaseably engagable with respect to the switch cover in a plurality of angular increments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ishikawa, Hitoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 5561486
    Abstract: An assembly which can be used as a rotor in an electromagnetic actuator for a camera shutter. The assembly generally includes at least two pieces of magnetic material each having a north and south pole, a drive arm, means for magnetically holding the magnetic material in a fixed position relative to the drive arm and means for rotating the assembly within the electromagnetic actuator. In one embodiment of the invention, the magnetic material comprises a first magnet and a second magnet. Preferably, the first magnet and the second magnet are rectangularly shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Jude A. SanGregory
  • Patent number: 4839619
    Abstract: A relay for wideband signals is provided having a rotor which includes a permanent magnet structure, an armature, and a microstrip pattern for selectively engaging microstrip patterns on a substrate and having a stator which includes an electromagnet. To minimize wear, while maintaining high frequency performance, the rotor is raised, rotated, and lowered by a stator or electromagnet onto the new position relative to the substrate microstrip pattern. In a first stable state the electromagnet is inactive and the rotor engages the substrate microstrip pattern in a first position. To place the relay in a second stable state, the electromagnet is energized which simultaneously attracts the armature, raising the rotor, as well as repulsing the permanent magnet structure. The rotor then rotates to the desired second position and the electromagnet is inactivated. The rotor then lowers and engages the substrate microstrip pattern in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon C. Mutton
  • Patent number: 4725801
    Abstract: A bistable solenoid switch has a plunger and associated movable contact adapted for controlled reciprocation by a coil and bobbin assembly to either of two stable states not requiring sustained energization of the coil. The movable contact is biased toward one of the stable states, for example, "Contacts Closed" in which a pair of stationary contacts are engged by the movable contact. The bobbin is provided with one or more radial projections extending into its core for serving a detenting function with respect to a land formed on an end face of the plunger. When the bobbin projection is engaged by the plunger land, it is prevented from displacing the movable contact into engagement with the stationary contact, and the second, or "Contacts Open", state exists. Means are also provided for translating axial displacement of the plunger into angular displacement for moving it into and out of the detented engagement with the bobbin projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Hamilton Standard Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4689589
    Abstract: A rotary actuator has a casing; a rotor rotatably provided in the casing; an exciting coil mounted on the rotor; a magnetic pole member provided in the casing which surrounds the rotor; first, second and third contact elements mounted on the rotor and electrically coupled to opposite end terminals and an intermediate terminal of the coil respectively; first and second stops provided in the casing and cooperating with the rotor to restrict the rotation thereof over a predetermined angular range; fourth, fifth and sixth contact elements mounted on the casing to cooperate respectively with the first, second and third contact elements such that the sixth contact element permanently contacts the third contact element, that the fourth contact element contacts the first contact element except when the rotor engages and is adjacent to the first stop and that the fifth contact element contacts the second contact element except when the rotor engages and is adjacent to the second stop; and a switch for applying electri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ashiba, Takashi Shirakuma
  • Patent number: 4688010
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has a casing of electrically insulative material which is divided by an insulating partition into a coil space for receiving an electromagnet and a switching space for receiving a contact assembly. An armature is magnetically coupled to the electromagnet and is operatively connected to the contact assembly for switching contact operation thereof in response to energization of the electromagnet. The partition extends along the entire length of the electromagnet without leaving any communication path between the coil space and the switching space, such that the electromagnet in the coil space can be insulatively separated from the contact assembly in the switching space within the length of the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nobutoki, Kenji Ono, Keiji Okahashi, Sueyoshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 4625191
    Abstract: A safety electromagnetic relay includes two pairs of contact sets, each pair including a load-driving contact set and a control contact set, and each contact set including a fixed contact and a movable contact spring. The two load-driving contact sets are normally-open contacts and may be connected in series and included in an external load circuit which requires safe interruption. The contact springs of each of the first and second pairs are ganged by a coupling member which is movable independently of a relay armature. The ganged pairs of contact springs are actuated by the armature in such a manner that when one of the load-driving contact sets should become welded in the closed condition, the other load-driving contact set will still open when the armature moves to the inoperative position, but the control contact set associated with the welded load-driving contact set is prevented from returning to its condition corresponding to the inoperative position of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Johannes Oberndorfer, Kenji Ono, Yoshiyuki Iwami
  • Patent number: 4554521
    Abstract: An armature/contact system wherein the armature rotates about a given axis, and a contactor is mounted thereon for movement therewith. The contactor is so formed as to have a resilient member having a contact surface which is within a plane which includes the axis of rotation of the armature. A stationary contact is provided for engagement by such contactor, such stationary contact having an arcuate contact surface. Limit-stop means is provided for defining the position of the contactor surface within a plane which intersects the axis of the armature whenever the contactor surface and stationary contact surface are out of engagement with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Babcock Electro-Mechanical, Inc.
    Inventor: Max Hurter
  • Patent number: 4539540
    Abstract: The rotating armature relay exhibits one or two ferromagnetic bars which are provided with an insulating covering in their central area. Contact springs are secured in the insulation covering, the contacting, free ends of said contact springs respectively interacting with cooperating contact elements anchored in a base body. As a result, a slide-free and, thus, low-friction actuation derives as, however, does relatively high friction at the contact locations, whereby contact impacts are suppressed and foreign layers are abraded from the contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rolf-Dieter Kimpel, Heinz Stadler, Alfred Heinzl
  • Patent number: 4520331
    Abstract: A rotary actuator for a microwave switch, including, a stationary armature formed by a core positioned along a particular axis and with a coil wound around the core to form at least one electromagnet and with the polarity at the end of the core in accordance with the direction of current flow through the coil upon the application of electrical energy to the coil, a rotor positioned adjacent to one end of the core and with the rotor supported for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the particular axis of the core, the rotor including a plurality of spaced permanent magnets located axially relative to the one end of the core and with the application of electrical energy to the coil providing axial excitation to produce magnetic interaction between the permanent magnets and the core and provide rotary travel of the rotor in one of two opposite directions in accordance with the direction of current flow through the coil, and a stop located in the path of rotation of the rotor to engage a portion of the rotor to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Transco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton F. Steidel
  • Patent number: 4476449
    Abstract: An actuator for selectively actuating a circular array of electric switches. The actuator includes a molded plastic rotor part that contains particles of magnetic material. One portion of the rotor is magnetized to provide a permanent magnet that is effective to attract a switch actuating arm that is pivoted to the rotor. Another tubular portion of the rotor is magnetized to provide the rotor of an electric stepper motor. The stepper motor rotates the rotor to various positions. The arm can be attracted by an electromagnet and pivoted to a position in which it operates one of the circular array of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald N. Gray, Ronald G. Davis
  • Patent number: 4475093
    Abstract: A polarized electromagnetic relay has two L-shaped yokes with a permanent magnet disposed therebetween. Each yoke has a long leg and a short leg with a coil wound around the long legs of the yokes. The long leg of a similarly L-shaped armature is also disposed between the long legs of the yokes and the armature is pivotally mounted at its short leg so that the free end of the long leg of the armature executes switching movements between the short yoke legs and forms a rectangle in combination with the yoke arrangement. The armature may be mounted centrally or single-sided with respect to the yoke legs for monostable or bistable switching behavior of the relay. The compact arrangement of the yokes and armature permits a number of contact elements to be disposed beneath the coil at both sides of the long armature leg, with the armature causing movement of spaced spring contact elements for making and breaking with corresponding fixed contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulrich Kobler
  • Patent number: 4463331
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay which is formed with two distinct and separate compartments, one of which houses the electromagnetic motor and the other of which contains the electroresponsive armature as well as stationery and moveable contacts. Such separate compartments and their components therewithin can be manufactured separately to be subsequently joined together to make the completed relay, with any one of the electromagnetic motors being joined with any one of the armature/contact operating structures. The relay comprises permanent magnet means to increase motor efficiency and which can provide a latching function. Unique stationery contact structures are provided for receiving the motion from the moveable contact as afforded by the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Babcock Electro-Mechanical, Inc.
    Inventor: Max Hurter
  • Patent number: 4339735
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic relay, an armature block serving to actuate contact springs includes a pair of armatures and a permanent magnet disposed therebetween to magnetize the armatures to opposite polarities. Pole ends of a yoke carrying the excitation flux created by the relay coil extend between free ends of the armatures. The armature block is suspended by means of a resilient arm integrally formed with the block at one side thereof and having its outer end fixed to a bearing portion, so that a rocking motion of the armature block is achieved by a flexing motion of the resilient arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., Hans Sauer
    Inventors: Kenji Ono, Kazuhiro Nobutoki, Hans Sauer
  • Patent number: 4296393
    Abstract: A contact spring arrangement for an electromagnetic relay includes a contact spring forming at least one movable contact for cooperation with a fixed contact, and an actuator which embraces the contact spring and has a first portion for moving the movable contact towards the fixed contact, thereby closing the contact couple, and a second portion for withdrawing the movable contact from the fixed contact, thereby opening the contact couple. The actuator is so shaped that the distance between the location at which the first actuator portion engages the contact spring and the contacting location of the contact couple is greater than the distance between the location at which the second actuator portion engages the contact spring and the said contacting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Inventors: Hans Sauer, Wolf Steinbichler, Sepp Antonitsch
  • Patent number: 4265682
    Abstract: A high silicon steel strip having excellent magnetic properties and good workability, and having a composition consisting of 4-10% by weight of silicon and the remainder being substantially iron and incidental impurities is produced by cooling super rapidly the high silicon steel melt on a cooling substrate to form a thin strip having micro-structure comprising very fine crystal grains having substantially no ordered lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Norboru Tsuya
    Inventors: Noboru Tsuya, Kenichi Arai
  • Patent number: 3993971
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay is disclosed comprising within its coil bobbin a magnetic core, the ends of which extend substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin so as to form pole shoes projecting from the coil bobbin and having mutually aligned pole faces and further comprising an armature which is disposed externally of the coil bobbin between the pole shoes of the magnet core and which is pivotally mounted for rotation about one of its centroid axes, said one axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin. Contact terminals are disposed on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the coil and are positively located by embedment in a contact carrier, the coil bobbin and the contact carrier extending substantially over the entire length of the coil bobbin and being provided with engaging means for the mutual positioning and retaining of the contact carrier and coil bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., Hans Sauer
    Inventors: Kenji Ono, Hiromi Nishimura, Tetsuo Mori, Hans Sauer
  • Patent number: 3946347
    Abstract: A structural arrangement is provided for an electromagnetic relay having an armature, coil means, contact means including contact terminals and fixed contacts, and a coil holder body having the armature located therein and being composed of two substantially exactly interfitting and interconnected parts. One part of the coil holder body is formed as a contact holder with the contact terminals and the fixed contacts embedded therein. The other of the two parts of the coil holder body is formed as a cover member configured to at least partly define a contact containing chamber for the relay structure. Alternatively, the two parts of the coil holder body may be formed to essentially consist of two identically constructed contact holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1973
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Sauer