Abstract: A vacuum vessel 17 comprises a bell shaped metallic casing 20, and an insulating circular end plate 21 hermetically brazed to the opening end of the metallic casing 20. A vacuum interrupter 2 is constituted by aligning a stationary contact rod 27 with a movable contact rod 25, each having an electrical contact 18, 19 within the vessel so that the latter is in contact with the former or away therefrom. A vacuum power interrupting device comprises an insulating block 4 mounted on the vacuum interrupter so that the outer surface of the insulating end plate 21 attached to the opening end of the vacuum interrupter is pressed onto the insulating block through a sealing member 11.

Abstract: A miniaturized switch particularly suitable for electronic keyboard control applications has a pair of contact members providing spaced contacts, a conductive floating contactor disposed in the space between such contacts adapted to engage both of the contacts to close the switch, a resilient sleeve enclosing the contacts and the space therebetween to encircle the contactor, and actuator means to displace the contactor within the sleeve relative to the contacts to effect closing of the switch.

Abstract: A vacuum vessel 7 comprises a bell shaped metal casing 5, and an insulating circular end plate 6 hermetically brazed to the opening end of the metal casing. A vacuum interrupter 3 is constituted by aligning a stationary contact rod 20 with a movable contact rod 17, each having an electrical contact 8,9, within the vacuum vessel so that the latter is in contact with the former or away therefrom. A vacuum power interrupting device comprises a disk-shaped resin supporting block 4 in which the vacuum interrupter is molded. A stationary electrode 23 is connected to a stationary contact rod 20 disposed within the vacuum interrupter. A tubular insulating barrier is integrally formed with the supporting block so as to surround the stationary electrode.

Abstract: Magnetically actuated devices such as, e.g., switches and synchronizers typically comprise a magnetically semihard component having a square B-H hysteresis loop and high remanent induction. Among known alloys having such properties are Co-Fe-V, Co-Fe-Nb, and Co-Fe-Ni-Al-Ti alloys which, however, contain undesirably large amounts of cobalt.According to the invention, devices are equipped with a magnetically semihard, high-remanence Fe-Cr-Mo alloy which comprises Cr in a preferred amount in the range of 6-26 weight percent and Mo in a preferred amount in the range of 1-12 weight percent. Preparation of alloys of the invention may be a treatment of annealing, deformation, and aging.Magnets made from alloys of the invention may be shaped, e.g., by cold drawing, rolling, bending, or flattening and may be used in devices such as, e.g., electrical contact switches, hysteresis motors, and other magnetically actuated devices.

Abstract: A bobbin for an electrical coil is described having a main winding space for electrical wire and at least two separate further winding spaces for terminating the wire wound on the main winding space. The or each further winding space has a groove in which a number of terminating wire coils can be wrapped. The groove is breached or gapped so that the wire coils wrapped in the channel bridge the breach and can be wholly or partially soldered together at the bridging portions to form terminal connections to the wire on the main winding space.

Abstract: Magnetically actuated devices such as, e.g., switches and synchronizers typically comprise a magnetically semihard component having a square B-H hysteresis loop and high remanent induction. Among alloys having such properties are Co-Fe-V, Co-Fe-Nb, and Co-Fe-Ni-Al-Ti alloys which, however, contain undesirably large amounts of cobalt.According to the invention, devices are equipped with a magnetically semihard, high-remanence Fe-Mo-Ni alloy which comprises Mo in a preferred amount in the range of 2-26 weight percent and Ni in a preferred amount in the range of 0.5-15 weight percent.Magnets made from alloys of the invention may be shaped, e.g., by cold drawing, rolling, bending, or flattening and may be used in devices such as, e.g., electrical contact switches, hysteresis motors, and other magnetically actuated devices.Preparation of alloys of the invention may be by a treatment of annealing and aging or deformation and aging.

Abstract: A reed switch having contact electrodes extending within a sealed envelope to overlap and form a magnetically actuable contact gap of the switch.Each contact electrode has flattened bladed portions which taper from their overlapping forward extremities to form blades of varying thickness, the thickest part of the blades being at the overlap between them.

Abstract: A high voltage relay is provided of the double-pole, double-throw type which is enclosed in a gas-filled envelope, and which has particular application to medical purposes, although it is not limited to such uses. The movable and fixed contacts of the relay are supported within the envelope, with the movable contact being supported for pivotal movement, and for selective engagement with the fixed contacts. The movable contacts are mounted on an insulating rod and, in accordance with the invention, the insulating rod is formed of glass filled epoxy resin.

Abstract: In a rhodium electrical contact of a switch, particularly a reed switch, from 0.1 to 10 atomic % of Ag is included in the electrical contact. The electrical contact of the invention has a long life under a various loading conditions from a non-working condition, where an electric current is neither conducted nor broken by the switch, to a working condition, where erosion of the electrical contact is caused by short arcs between members of the electrical contact.

Abstract: A switch assembly which has an actuating magnet, held in one of a plurality of intersecting cavities within a reciprocally movable plunger, and a magnetic reed switch located alongside one another within a switch housing. With the actuating magnet in one position in the plunger the magnetic reed switch contacts remain normally open when the plunger is extended. With the actuating magnet in another cavity in the plunger, the magnetic reed switch contacts remain normally closed when the plunger is extended. The switch housing comprises a barrel including a cavity for receiving the magnetic switch and a guide cavity for receiving a plunger spring and guiding the reciprocal movement of the plunger.

Abstract: An audio and/or visual signal device is mounted on a pinball machine for signaling to the area surrounding the machine that a replay game or the like has been awarded. The signal device is connected through a relay to a source of electric power. The relay is energized by a magnetic reed switch adapted to be mounted in close association with a solenoid operated knocker within the machine so that the switch is magnetically closed when the knocker is operated.

Abstract: A current interrupting device having improved contact life includes a hermetically sealed housing in which a thermostatic member is adapted to cause electrical contacts to move into and out of engagement depending on the temperature of the thermostatic member. The atmosphere within the housing is a gas having a dielectric strength slightly over the impressed voltage.

Abstract: A reed switch mounted within an electrically conductive tubular member so as to form a coaxial center conductor, the tubular member and center conductor forming a coaxial line with a predetermined impedance therebetween. This reed switch and tubular member are mounted within a coil to form a reed relay.

Abstract: An electrical swtich construction having a self-contained and completely operable electrical switch assembly disposed in a protective envelope and having leads extending from the assembly and projecting externally through an opening in one end of the envelope. A removable end closure is carried by the envelope and closes the opening of the one end thereof, the end closure having apertures therethrough and removably receiving the leads therethrough whereby the self-contained switch assembly is adapted to be carried by the end closure away from the protective envelope when the end closure is removed from the one end of the protective envelope and the self-contained switch assembly is adapted to be removed from the end closure solely by pulling the leads out of the apertures thereof.

Abstract: A reed relay is constructed by first depositing a layer of an electrically conductive material substantially over an encapsulated reed switch. Terminals are laser welded to the conductive layer and a laser beam is used to cut a continuous pitch spiral from the conductive layer to simulate a conventional control winding.

Abstract: A magnetically operated switch especially useful in telephone applications includes a transformer having a plurality of windings on an E-frame core and a reed switch magnetically coupled to the core by a plurality of high permeability strips which are placed in juxtaposition with the core and which have rolled end portions for supportably receiving the reed switch. The switch may be used in a hybrid junction for dial pulse detection.

Abstract: A reed relay wherein the coil and switch terminals are disposed generally in planes parallel to the axis of the relay. A bobbin is molded onto a switch consisting of glass-enclosed contacts with leads projecting therefrom. Coil terminals are molded integrally with the flanges of the bobbin. The coil leads are connected to one side of the terminals which are then bent into notches in the flanges. The switch terminals are formed alternatively by bending them into notches in the bobbin flanges to project at right angles to the axis of the bobbin or by laying a separate terminal in the bobbin and welding the terminals to it. A housing is molded around the bobbin and the respective coil and switch terminals are bent into an in-line position.

Abstract: A scanner unit on a double-sided printed circuit board has reed switches on one face and coils on the other. The copper patterns include large screening pads beneath the reed switches and the coils. These pads distribute heat evenly along the switches to minimize thermally-induced E.M.F.'s, and provide electrostatic screening. An energizing circuit for the coils provides a single, long pulse several times larger in magnitude than the minimum required for relay actuation, followed by a series of shorter pulses of the same magnitude, but having a time-average magnitude equal to the relay holding current. This avoids the need for a voltage-dropping resistor and power wastage therein.

Abstract: A magnetic latching reed relay including a single continuous control winding disposed about an encapsulated reed switch having a pair of reeds constructed of a remanent magnetic material. The reeds are normally biased in an open position. When a first pulse of current, of a certain amplitude, is applied to the control winding a magnetic flux field is generated which magnetically saturates the reed blades, producing magnetic poles of opposite polarity at the contacting ends of the reeds which overcomes the normal mechanical bias of the blades, closing the contacts. A second pulse of current of an opposite direction and of approximately half the amplitude of the first pulse is then applied to the control winding and a reverse magnetic flux field is generated which is insufficient to magnetically saturate the reed blades and the magnetic polarity established thereby being also insufficient to overcome the normal spring bias of the blades, thus allowing the blades to return to the normal or open position.

Abstract: A magnetically adjustable relay which may have a sealed contact system is disclosed wherein the switching element is affixed to an elongated ferromagnetic adjusting plate. The adjusting plate is deformable under influence of an applied external magnetic field to provide for adjustment of the switching element. In disclosed embodiments the adjusting plate may be provided with a designated bending point.

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.

Abstract: A magnetically adjustable relay which may have an internally positioned sealed contact system is disclosed wherein the switching element of the contact system is elongated and has one end affixed to an elongated ferromagnetic adjusting plate. The adjusting plate is attached to the coil body by means of torsional cross pieces or bars. The position of the adjusting plate within the coil body can be adjusted by means of an exteriorly applied magnetic field which deforms the cross bars.

Abstract: An electrical reel spring relay construction in which the winding bobbin serves as the enclosing envelope. The bobbin has a longitudinal cavity therein, the cavity opening at each end of the bobbin in a tapered, wedge-shaped socket. Each spring member of the reed spring member pair has fitted thereabout near its terminal end a wedge-shaped sleeve dimensioned and formed to fit precisely in one of the cavity sockets. As so fitted, the spring members are positioned within the cavity so that their contact ends overlap. A contact gap spacing is determined by slightly oppositely angling the axes of the sockets from the longitudinal axis of the bobbin.

Abstract: The position of an armature 22 located within a sealed glass envelope 12 of a sealed contact switch 11 is adjusted to meet a gap width requirement between the armature and an electrical contact 23. The glass envelope 12 is placed into a holer 48 adjacent a magnetic pole face of a magnetizing apparatus. The holder 48 supports the envelope in a position wherein the armature 22 becomes oriented perpendicular to a magnetic force field and the path of movement of the armature in closing or opening the contact extends in the same direction as that of the field. Under the influence of the applied magnetic field, the armature 22 is yieldably pulled beyond its normal path of movement toward the pole face. When the envelope is removed from the field, the armature remains in an adjusted rest position within the envelope, different from its initial rest position. The adjustment of the armature is useful in the manufacture of mercury-wetted sealed contact switches.

Abstract: A reed relay wherein a glass-enclosed switch is inserted into a hollow bobbin and a hinged tab is swung upwardly to provide a support shoulder for a lead projecting through the large opening of the bobbin. A housing has an internal shoulder at each end, the shoulders being engageable respectively with a preformed shoulder at one end of the bobbin and the shoulder provided by the hinged tab at the other end of the bobbin to clamp the leads between the bobbin and the housing. During assembly the hinged tab is forced upwardly by tooling which also provides a support about which the switch leads are bent through an angle of 90.degree..

Abstract: A high voltage magnetic relay is enclosed by an insulating housing containing a gas such as sulfur hexafluoride under pressure. The switch terminals removably extend through a wall of the housing and are sealed. The magnet structure is removably connected to the housing by a sealed joint. A fill valve removably extends through a wall of the housing and is sealed thereto. The armature shifts a pivotal arm in the housing between open and closed contact positions.The housing is formed of a polyamide material having the property of being resistant to deterioriation by fluorine gas, said material being poly hexamethylene terephthalic amide.

Abstract: A reed relay and the method of making the same. A bobbin is molded directly onto a glass-encapsulated switch. Simultaneously, the coil terminals are molded into the bobbin. The coil is wound on the bobbin and the leads connected to the coil terminal. Shrink tubing is placed over the assembly and treated to shrink it in place covering the coil.

Abstract: A fiber optic reed switch is disclosed. A pair of fiber optic cables are mounted to the ends of cantilever reed arms by means of supports providing coaxial alignment of the cables upon closure of the reed arms to complete an optical circuit.

Abstract: A reed relay wherein a glass-encapsulated switch having leads projecting longitudinally from each end is inserted in a longitudinal bore in a bobbin. A cover having a top wall, side walls and end walls is applied to the bobbin. One end wall is slotted to receive one of the leads of the switch. The combination of the bobbin, the cover and the slot capturing one of the leads effects the immobilization of both leads and the switch when the cover is applied. The cover is ultrasonically welded to the bobbin.

Abstract: The cooperating contacts of a reed switch each comprise a layer of palladium. A protective layer of ruthenium deposited on the palladium layer prevents the formation of frictional polymers.

Abstract: A current interrupting device having improved contact life incorporates a thermostatic member adapted to cause electrical contacts to move into and out of engagement depending on the temperature of the thermostatic member. The device is evacuated and back-filled with a mixture of argon and helium and then hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed relay of the reed-type in which an elongated switching control rod is angularly displaced in operation. The extreme positions include internal stops, which may be contacts, in which case the switch is a single-pole-double-throw device. An attached actuator for the switch device provides tolerance-absorbing overtravel by means of uniquely arranged resilient means, such that switch-gap tolerances are effectively absorbed. The device may be of the magnetically latching type or may, in simplest form, include a single controlling electromagnet and only one fixed contact. Two embodiments are described.

Abstract: A magnetic latching relay includes three control windings disposed about an encapsulated reed switch having a pair of reeds constructed of a remanent magnetic material. A first winding is disposed about one reed and second and third windings are disposed about the other reed. The windings are arranged so that a current pulse applied to the first and second winding generates magnetic flux fields in the same direction that produce magnetic poles of opposite polarity at the contacting ends of the reeds and causes the contacting ends to close while a current pulse applied to the first and third windings generates magnetic flux fields in the opposite direction that in turn produces magnetic poles of like polarity at the contacting ends and causes the contacting ends to open.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal transmission and control system wherein a signal is transmitted from one member of co-acting members to another member; the signal being transmitted without mechanical contact -- and being transmitted regardless of the spatial relation, the angular relation, or the relative motion of the members. The present invention may be designed to transmit various types of signals; and may be used as a remote control for controlling any of a variety of systems.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay consists of a structural member that defines a longitudinal plane and forms an interior protective space. Part of the member is a bobbin with a coil mounted on it situated around the space. The space extends the entire length of the member which is open at both ends. Fixed contacts extend into the protective space and a contact actuator is mounted in the space so as to extend along the bobbin while having a free end in proximity to the fixed contacts for cooperation therewith. Terminals are connected to the coil, to the actuator and to the fixed contacts. These terminals are embedded in and extending outwardly from the structural member on opposite sides thereof in the longitudinal plane. An outer protective casing is formed of two casing members sealed together generally in this plane, the casing and the structural member together forming a seal around each terminal. The open ends of the structural member are sealed.

Abstract: A protection circuit is provided which incorporates a reed relay whose contacts form the circuit breaker of an electrical appliance. The winding of the reed relay is supplied with a rectified alternating current derived from a current transformer coupled to the supply line to the appliance. In order to avoid periods of zero current in the winding, the winding is also supplied with a rectified alternating current from a source which is out of phase with that supplying the supply line. Failure of the current on the line will cause the contacts to open. Preferably the relay has a set of self latching contacts to prevent re-energization of the winding once de-energized. A manually operable reset switch is provided in series with the self latching contacts.

Abstract: In a reed switch comprising an envelope, first and second stationary terminals, and an armature supported elastically on the second stationary terminals in such a manner that the innermost end portion of the second stationary terminal and one end portion of the armature are opposite to each other with a magnetic gap, each of the one end portion of the armature and the innermost end portion of the second stationary terminal is larger in sectional area than the other portion thereof, thereby to decrease the magnetic resistance of the magnetic gap and to increase the closing power of the switch. According to another aspect of the invention, the reed switch has a back stop for detaining the armature when the switch is opened.

Abstract: Reed switches, contact sections of the reed of which bear with a predetermined positive force against inside surfaces of an elongated envelope, are made by forming combs, each including a header web and, integral with the web and projecting therefrom, a plurality of reed elements. The reed elements are parallel with one another and spaced from one another along the web. A plurality of elongated glass envelopes are mounted in a fixture, parallel with one another and spaced the same centerline-to-centerline distance as the reed elements. The reed elements of a first comb are inserted into one end of the envelopes and the reed elements of a second comb into the other end of the envelopes until the inner ends of the opposite reeds are in the desired positions lengthwise with respect to one another.

Abstract: A reed switch opening and closing device comprises a reed switch having a pair of reeds with a contact therebetween operated by a change of magnetic flux. A magnet having N and S poles is movably disposed relative to and adjacent to the reed switch. The magnet is disposed so that the N-S direction thereof is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the reeds of the reed switch.

Abstract: A high-voltage magnetic relay enclosed within a housing of insulating material which contains a gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride. The terminals within the housing extend through its wall and are secured to the housing in sealed relation thereto to prevent gas from leaking from the housing. Leads are connected to the terminals externally of the housing, with insulating material surrounding the leads and being secured by the terminals to the housing. An operating mechanism within the housing shifts a pivoted arm electrically connected to one of the terminals within the housing into and from contact with another of the terminals within the housing.

Abstract: A carrier for circuit elements comprises a frame member of insulating material having terminals embedded in it. These terminals have interior portions for connection to circuit elements mounted within the carrier and exterior portions emerging from opposite sides of the frame member in a single plane. Two housing caps are mounted on the frame member to enclose it and the circuit elements.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed relay of the reed-type in which an elongated switching control rod is angularly displaced in operation. The extreme positions include internal stops, which may be contacts, in which case the switch is a single-pole-throw device. An attached actuator for the switch device provides tolerance-absorbing overtravel by means of uniquely arranged resilient means, such that switch-gap tolerances are effectively absorbed. The device may be of the magnetically latching type or may, in simplest form, include a single controlling electromagnet and only one fixed contact.

Abstract: In a magnetically actuated switch such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,809, the armature stop against which the armature engages in its switch-open position has a pair of vibratile members attached to its tip, in vibration transmitting relation to it and extending lengthwise from it. The two vibratile members are tuned to different frequencies, both lower than that of the armature stop. They so control vibration of the armature stop as to quickly stop the armature at its switch open position. Similar vibratile members on a relatively stationary contact member eliminate contact rebound upon switch closure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device comprises a bobbin with a coil mounted thereon, the bobbin forming a protective tube with a contact chamber at each end. Embedded in the bobbin are a plurality of terminals connected to the coil, pole shoes, and contact terminals connected to the pole shoes. An armature is disposed in the tube and has two free end portions coated with contact material facing end portions of the pole shoes that extend from opposite walls of a respective one of the contact chambers. At least one permanent magnet is mounted between flanges of the bobbin at each end of the tube, these magnets and the pole shoes being disposed symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tube and at least one further axis perpendicular to such longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electromagnet comprises a coil core of ferro-magnetic material having a coil wound around the core. The coil is supported by a bobbin. The coil core is elongated, and the winding of the coil surrounds the core in its longitudinal direction, so that a homogeneous magnetic field extending between the longitudinally running end surfaces of the coil core is obtained along the length of the whole coil core. A touch free influence of magnetic field controlled means, such as reed switches, positioned along the length of the coil at one of its long sides provided with a winding being obtained, so that for influencing, said means can take a position relative to the magnet within a considerable margin determined by the length of the long sides of the magnet.

Abstract: A switching device for the indirect activation and/or termination of systems operatively coupled to the switching device includes a manipulating member, an impulsing means, a circuit completion means adapted to be activated by said impulsing means, and a displaceable shielding means. The members are arranged such that upon manipulation of the manipulating member, the shielding means is displaced whereby the circuit completion means causes activation of the external system to which the device is wired.

Abstract: A hold-in type of automotive relay which when actuated by a first switch controlled exciting current closes its normally open relay contacts and a second switch magnetically connected to said relay and the source of current. The contacts of the second switch remain closed even after the first switch is opened and until such time as the current passing through the second switch is interrupted.

Abstract: There is provided an indicator and a pair of cooperating vehicular lamps including a first lamp and a second lamp. An arrangement for activating the indicator when only one of the lamps is operating includes at least one cylindrical coil unit having a winding comprised of two wires including a first wire and a second wire. The first wire is connected to the first lamp in such a manner that when the first lamp is operating the first wire carries the first current producing a first magnetic field. The second wire is connected to the second lamp in such a manner that when the second lamp is operating the second wire carries a second current producing a second magnetic field which opposes and at least partly cancels out the first magnetic field.

Abstract: A high voltage magnetic relay assembly has a double pole, double throw contact assembly enclosed within a housing containing gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride. Terminals surrounded by insulators project from the housing, the terminals and insulators being sealed with respect to the housing to prevent gas leakage therefrom. The contact mechanism includes an operating yoke acting on pivoted contact arms electrically connected to some of the terminals and shiftable to and from contact with other of the terminals.

Abstract: A fiber optic reed switch is disclosed. A pair of fiber optic cables are mounted to the ends of cantilever reed arms by means of supports providing coaxial alignment of the cables upon closure of the reed arms to complete an optical circuit.