Step-by-step Type (e.g., Closure Responsive To Predetermined Number Of Control Pulses Patents (Class 335/138)
  • Patent number: 10811871
    Abstract: An improved low profile surge protector is provided that minimizes the space necessary between powered devices and power sources. The present invention provides protection for overvoltage events while using existing, standard household outlets and allows for slimmer devices to mount as close as possible to a wall without leaving unappealing gaps between the device and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony G. Gondor, William Hubbard Carter
  • Patent number: 8258901
    Abstract: An energy-saving electromagnetic switching device in the present invention includes a housing, and an electromagnetic assembly and a movable magnetic pole within the housing. The movable magnetic pole connects a resilience means which engages with the movable magnetic pole to control the electromagnetic switching device switched on and off. At least one locking assembly is set between the movable magnetic pole and the housing, via which the electromagnetic switching device can automatically and repeatably change from an on-state to an off-state if the electromagnetic assembly is momentarily energized. The electromagnetic switching device is energy-saved, has higher automatization degree, simple operation, and lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Chungtai Hao
  • Patent number: 7332989
    Abstract: A switch mechanism has at least one set of contacts including at least one fixed contact and at least one moveable contact which is carried by an axially moveable carrier that is held by a spring-loaded detent when the contacts are closed, the carrier being released with a force to overcome the latching mechanism when opening the contacts, and a cam member with at two cam profiles that is disposed adjacent one end of the carrier and is operable to pull the axially moveable carrier towards the cam and thereby pull the at least one moveable contact into engagement with the at least one fixed contact. In one embodiment, the cam may carry a permanent magnet which when moved attracts and draws with it a permanent magnet mounted fixedly with respect to the axially moveable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: EJA Limited
    Inventor: Derek Jones
  • Patent number: 6218918
    Abstract: A mechanical latch relay started by a current pulse is disclosed which comprises an electromagnetic generating unit, a connecting mechanism and a mechanical locking mechanism, and which can maintain the existing operation state when the current pulse starting the relay disappears, and it changes its operation state when another current pulse is provided, and then it keeps the operation state even if the pulse disappears so that it can provide a stable operation state of current on/off unnecessary to be provided with a current for a long time, which enables to provide an effective control for current on/off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Glorywin International Group Limited
    Inventors: Ian G. Mawston, Antonio Chi-Shing Wu
  • Patent number: 5204646
    Abstract: A segmented coil has individual segments mounted on a common electromechanical switch plunger. The e.m.f. developed by the coil segments are superposed so that a reduced input voltage, relative to a continuous single coil, is capable of translating the plunger between two oppositely situated sets of switch contacts. The segmented coil structure assumes the same wire thickness as that of a prior art continuous coil operating with an input voltage of greater value. The result is retention of a small switch package for reduced voltage levels due to the fact that coil wire diameter and the number of turns may be kept the same as for a continuous coil operating with a higher voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Fleming-Dahl
  • Patent number: 4804933
    Abstract: An automatic electric load transfer switch incorporates an over-the-center spring mechanism to operate switch contacts. The spring mechanism has a first position at which the electric load is connected to one electricity source and a second position at which the load is connected to another electricity source. The spring mechanism is driven by a solenoid activated cam shaft. An apparatus is provided for halting the movement of the spring mechanism at a position intermediate the first and second positions at which the load is not connected to either electricity source. The halting apparatus is releasable so that the spring mechanism can continue its movement between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Brown Industrial Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Becker, Lawrence F. Freitag, Frank W. Kussy
  • 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: 4475094
    Abstract: A remotely controlled circuit control device has first and second load contact assemblies movable into circuit engagement and circuit disengagement positions relative to one another in which one load contact assembly is operatively connected to a solenoid so that alternate forward strokes of the solenoid moves the one load contact assembly between reset and tripped positions through a push-push mechanism having an indexing portion and a latching portion. An overload mechanism cooperates with the latch portion to cause the load contact assemblies to move to the circuit disengaged position upon occurrence of a fault condition. The second load contact assembly includes pivotably mounted contact members which are linked to the first load contact assembly in such a way that circuit engagement during solenoid energization is precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Aime J. Grenier, Robert W. Peterson, Odd Larsen
  • Patent number: 4399335
    Abstract: An elongated unitary arm of a rigid material is tiltably mounted upon a rotor supported for rotation about a central axis and is spring force tilted in a first direction. This assembly is located in such a manner that the arm may be placed in register with any one of the operating tabs of a plurality of electrical load switches so mounted and oriented that the operating tabs extend toward the central axis to define a circle. Upon being placed in register with a switch operating tab, the arm is tilted in the opposite direction by the action of a solenoid actuated plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronnalee House, John Delaplane, Ronald G. Davis
  • Patent number: 4368443
    Abstract: On an insulating baseboard with a central opening there are located contacts. There are also auxiliary contacts intended for connecting local control circuits of the device. A rotational electromechanical drive is provided to rotate a contactor, and an electromagnetic drive is adapted to reciprocate said contactor for operating contacts. The electromagnet drive has an electromagnet for closing contacts and a plurality of electromagnets for opening contacts. The number of the electromagnets corresponds to the number of the contact fixing devices. The armature of each electromagnet is connected with one of the contact fixing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Inventors: Vitaly I. Koshman, Vladimir F. Petrichenko, Boris S. Gnilitsky, Vyacheslav D. Oborotov, Alexandr M. Ubiiko, Leonid P. Abara