Contact Composition Or Structure Patents (Class 335/196)
  • Publication number: 20080231398
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes a base including a fixed contact piece and a movable contact piece. The movable contact piece includes a movable contact point that is moved to contact and be separated from the fixed contact piece at a fixed contact point by driving the movable contact piece. The movable contact piece includes a terminal portion held in the base and partially protruding from the base, a first contact piece portion connected to the terminal portion and protruding from the base at a different position from the terminal portion, a bent portion connected to the first contact piece portion and changing a protruding direction gradually, and a second contact piece portion connected to the bent portion, extending in a different direction from a base portion, and provided with the movable contact point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryota Minowa, Norio Fukui, Tetsuya Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20080024253
    Abstract: A starter includes a motor and an electromagnetic switch disposed close to and radially outward of the motor. The switch includes a contacts cover, a terminal bolt, and a conductive metal member. The contacts cover is cup-shaped. The terminal bolt is secured in the contacts cover so as to extend in the axial direction of the motor through an end wall of the contacts cover. The metal member has a first and a second end portion. The first end portion is inserted in the contacts cover through a side wall of the contacts cover. The second end portion is located outside the contacts cover and electrically connected to the motor. The switch further includes a movable contact, a first fixed contact that is electrically connected to a power source via the terminal bolt, and a second fixed contact made up of the first end portion of the metal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kurasawa, Kazuhiro Andoh, Yamato Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 7315229
    Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic relay which does not require a braided wire for securing a current capacity of a main contact unit. The electromagnetic relay includes a main contact unit inserted into a power supply path to a load and an arc contact unit connected in parallel to the main contact unit. An auxiliary contact unit is electrically independent of the main contact unit and the arc contact unit. The main contact unit includes a main fixed contact fixed to a frame body and a main contact spring made of a leaf spring and fitted with a main mobile contact which is attached to and detached from the main fixed contact. The arc contact unit and the auxiliary contact unit are arranged adjacent to each other. The main contact spring extends in a direction in which the arc contact unit and the auxiliary contact unit are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sasaki, Naoki Kanemoto, Takafumi Imai
  • Patent number: 7307500
    Abstract: An arrangement used to fix conductor rails for multi-phase switchgears to allow for mounting and dismantling the conductor rails in a simple manner is provided. The switchgear housing (4) comprises straight guide elements (16) which are used to receive the mounting position using the conductor rails (8). Each conductor rail (8) includes a continuous bore (22) which is covered by a receiving bore (24) when in a mounted position, the receiving bore being formed in the switchgear housing (4). Insertion journals (28) extend through the continuous bores (22) into the receiving bores (24) associated therewith and are combined with a connecting web (30) in order to form an insertion comb (26) made of an insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Gerving, Wolfgang Kremers
  • Patent number: 7061350
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic relay with an electromagnetic coil for exciting a magnetic field and an iron circuit for guiding the magnetic field, wherein the electromagnetic coil surrounds at least part of the iron circuit and the iron circuit comprises a core, a movable armature and a yoke. The electromagnetic relay further comprises a contact system with a movable contact bridge which can be actuated dependent on the magnetic field. In order to provide an electromagnetic relay that is able to disconnect or connect a plurality of electric contacts simultaneously in a particularly secure and loss reduced manner, according to the present invention there are provided at least three electric contacts on the contact bridge. According to an advantageous embodiment, the contact system comprises three fixed contacts which are corresponding each to one of three phases and the contact bridge forms a star point of the three phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Schneider, Titus Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7053739
    Abstract: An electrical contacting device includes a plurality of current paths connected in parallel to each other, and a plurality of electrical contact points each having a first contact and a second contact that are mechanically opened and closed. Each current path is provided with a corresponding one of the contact points. For prevention of the occurrence of arc discharge at the contact points, each current path has its electrical characteristics adjusted in order not to allow the passage of the minimum discharge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Noboru Wakatsuki, Yu Yonezawa, Yoshio Satoh, Tadashi Nakatani, Tsutomu Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6838627
    Abstract: An element (20) for making an electric contact to another contact member (19) for enabling an electric current to flow between said element (20) and said contact member comprises a body having at least a contact surface thereof coated with a contact layer (21) to be applied against said contact member. This contact layer comprises a continuous film comprising a laminated multielement material having strong bonds, such as covalent or metallic bonds, within each atomic layer and weaker bonds, through larger bonding distance or for example as van der Waals bonds or hydrogen bonds, between at least some adjacent atomic layers thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Peter Isberg, Björn Hellström, Bengt Stridh, Anna-Liisa Lönn, Rolf Gustafsson, Sylvia Arnell, Pan Min
  • Patent number: 6798325
    Abstract: A connector rail includes a full profile which is provided with first bearing surfaces and second bearing surfaces which are used to provide support in the window opening of the rear wall of the housing. The second bearing surfaces are provided with projections for securing continuous current conductors which are aligned in a parallel manner and which are, for instance in the case of low voltage circuit breakers, embodied as male contacts for fixed contacts. Respectively corresponding projections are provided in order to secure the flexible cables to the moveable switching contacts or to secure the fixed switching contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
  • Patent number: 6774751
    Abstract: Connecting bars are made from profiled semifinished products and have a cavity. The bars have the same outer dimensions for different nominal currents and are intended for connecting the electrical components of electrical devices and apparatus to an external electrical circuit. The connecting bars extend through the window opening located in the wall of the devices or apparatus and are fixed in the housing by a fixing device including two or more partial parts profiles. These are configured in such a way that they can be connected to one another by positive fit or otherwise to a hollow connecting bar. The partial parts have one or several legs, the length of which defines the height of the connecting bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
  • Patent number: 6376788
    Abstract: An electromagnetic blow-open device for a pole of a circuit breaker where the pole has a stationary contact and a movable contact. The movable contact includes contact fingers mounted on a contact carrier. The contacts have an open position and a closed position. The pole further has an associated rotatable pole shaft. The electromagnetic blow-open device includes a collapsible linkage having a rigid position and a changeable position. The collapsible linkage is disposed between, and coupled to, the pole shaft and contact carrier. The collapsible linkage is maintains the stationary contact and the movable contact in the closed position while the collapsible linkage is in the rigid position and to allow the stationary contact and the movable contact to move to the open position when the collapsible linkage is in said changeable position. The electromagnetic blow-open device also includes an actuator arm which is coupled to the collapsible linkage and is responsive to an over-current condition in the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William John Jones, Perry Robert Gibson, James Jeffery Benke
  • Patent number: 6362710
    Abstract: For increasing the reliability of contact closure in safety relays, a contact spring (10) is provided with two contact pieces (15, 16) which are disposed at the free end of the contact spring (10), spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperate with contact pieces (17, 18) disposed on a common fixed contact. The contact spring (10) has a zone (19) in which it is not only flexible but also sufficiently torsional about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure the closure of both contact couples. Disposing the free end of the contact spring (10) carrying the contact pieces (15, 16) at an angle with respect to the fixed contact (12) achieves smooth and low-bounce contact closure and at the same time provides the function of a pre-contact and a main contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works (Europe) AG
    Inventor: Johannes Oberndorfer
  • Patent number: 6340923
    Abstract: A high frequency relay comprises a contact base block having pairs of fixed contacts, contact members with movable contacts, and an electromagnet for moving the contact members to open and close the fixed contacts by the movable contacts. The contact base block comprises an injection-molded base having projections on its front surface, first metal films formed as the fixed contacts on top surfaces of the projections, second metal films formed as connection terminals for outside devices on a rear surface of the base, each of which corresponds to one of the first metal films, through holes each having a conductive material on its inner surface to make an electrical connection between one of the first metal films and the corresponding second metal film in the shortest distance, and a third metal film formed on the base to provide electrical isolation from the first and second metal films, which works as electromagnetic shield as well as a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamanaka, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Kazunobu Nakata
  • Patent number: 6300854
    Abstract: For increasing the reliability of contact closure in safety relays, a contact spring (10) is provided with two contact pieces (15, 16) which are disposed at the free end of the contact spring (10), spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperate with contact pieces (17, 18) disposed on a common fixed contact. The contact spring (10) has a zone (19) in which it is not only flexible but also sufficiently torsional about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure the closure of both contact couples. Disposing the free end of the contact spring (10) carrying the contact pieces (15, 16) at an angle with respect to the fixed contact (12) achieves smooth and low-bounce contact closure and at the same time provides the function of a pre-contact and a main contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd
    Inventor: Johannes Oberndorfer
  • Patent number: 5969586
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic relay in which a contact mechanism 50 provided on a base 10 is driven by a card 60 which slides and moves in parallel to the axis of an electromagnet block 20 provided in the base 10 as the electromagnet block 20 is magnetized and demagnetized, the base 10 comprises a guide portion 17 for restricting the card 60 in its position. This prevents variations in the performance characteristics so that high productivity and long service life of contacts can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Noda, Takeshi Suzuki, Takashi Noguchi, Tatsuo Shinoura, Takashi Asao
  • Patent number: 5899323
    Abstract: A contact guide member extends transversely to the contact fingers on the contact carrier of electrical switching apparatus and has spaced openings through which the contact fingers extend and are held in spaced relation. The contact finger guide member is positioned to isolate the arc toes adjacent the free ends of the contact fingers from the main contacts and the contact springs in order to protect the latter items from the arc gases and debris generated during arcing. The openings in the contact finger guide member are elongated to permit differentially pivoting of the contact fingers, but not axial movement. The contact finger guide member slides in a pocket molded in the end face of the contact carrier and is captured by and moves with the contact fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Richard Rakus
  • 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: 5749751
    Abstract: A circuit breaker (1) with a terminal connector (5). The terminal connector (5) has engagement means provided by outwardly extending male spade connectors (9a-9d) arranged in two spaced-apart offset parallel rows (7, 8). The circuit breaker (1) can therefore accommodate a maximum number of connectors (9a-9d) while allowing female spade connectors to be positioned regardless of orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: James Joseph Shortt, Shay Joseph Lavelle
  • Patent number: 5525769
    Abstract: An inverter contact switch has a first pair of spaced fixed contacts connected to respective terminals of an inverter circuit for selectively disconnecting and connecting the inverter to a DC power bus. A first pair of spaced movable contacts are positioned on opposite sides of the fixed contacts. A drive actuator is coupled to the movable contacts for concurrently driving the movable contacts into substantially simultaneous engagement with the pair of fixed contacts for establishing a circuit path from one of the fixed contacts through each of the movable contacts to another of the fixed contacts. The switch may include a second pair of fixed and movable contacts operatively connected to a DC return bus and another terminal of the inverter for isolating the inverter from both the power and return buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Larry G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5448033
    Abstract: A stationary contact strap for a circuit breaker, with an electrically conductive body portion having a plurality of discrete apertures arrayed in a pattern which define at least two input portions for splitting transient current input into the contact strap into generally parallel pathways which are also in the same general direction as transient current flow in the circuit breaker movable contact arm; and an output portion electrically coupled to the input portions and the fixed stationary main contact, wherein the output portion is oriented so that transient current flow therethrough is in a direction generally opposite to transient current flow in the movable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Leone, Donald M. Boles
  • Patent number: 5338905
    Abstract: An accelerator sensor is formed of a cylinder of a conductive material, a magnetized inertial member mounted in the cylinder so as to be movable longitudinally of the cylinder, a conductive member mounted at least on the end surface of the inertial member that is on the side of one longitudinal end of the cylinder, a pair of electrodes disposed at this one longitudinal end of the cylinder, and an attracting member disposed near the other longitudinal end of the cylinder. When the conductive member of the inertial member comes into contact with the electrodes, these electrodes are caused to conduct via the conductive member. The attracting member is made of a magnetic material such that the attracting member and the inertial member are magnetically attracted toward each other. At least a part of the electrodes described is made of a magnetic material which attracts magnetically the inertial member to prevent chattering between the inertial member and the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 5025119
    Abstract: A relay (30) has one or both current carrying relay contacts (12, 14) made of a soft, deformable, readily fusible metal, preferably indium, lead, cadmium, bismuth, or tin. When the relay (30) closes, the contacts (12, 14) deform or fuse together, ensuring good electrical conductance and eliminating chatter and accidental opening. The relay (30) is particularly useful in a bypass circuit (54) for a spacecraft battery system (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Howard H. Rogers, Jerry J. Herrin
  • Patent number: 5021760
    Abstract: A solenoid starter switch unit for garden tractors, outboard motors and the like operating in a vibrational environmental has an insulating housing with a coil chamber and an outwardly extending rectangular contact chamber. A coil unit supported in the coil chamber has a magnetic plunger with a contact pin journalled in one end and projecting into the contact chamber. The pin has an intermediate contact ledge and a contact has a flat base abutting the contact ledge. The contact is a winged-shaped strip of constant width substantially corresponding to the ledge and is symmetrically formed with a flat base on an inclined portion connected to an outer flat contact portion parallel to the base. An outer lip projects laterally and inwardly from the contact portion. A clamp nut on the pin has an outer edge engaging an outer portion of the base. Coil leads in one embodiment project through the top housing wall. Terminals are press fitted within receptacles on the top of the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Clum Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Krubsack, Allen L. Handy, John G. Lawton
  • Patent number: 4926150
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay comprising a hinged armature pivotably supported at a front face of a coil core carrying a relay winding, a switching contact supported on the hinged armature, a fixed counter contact cooperating with the switching contact for actuating the electromagnetic relay, and contact carrier for supporting the fixed counter contact and having a first portion including a center leg and two outer legs arranged on opposite sides of the center leg in spaced relationship relative thereto, a crossbar connecting the center and outer legs at one end thereof, the center leg having at an end thereof spaced from the crossbar a bent-away portion for supporting the one fixed counter contact, the first portion further including in the vicinity of the bent-away portion of the center leg laterally symmetrically extending webs for connecting the center leg to the outer legs, respectively, the center leg having a stretchable portion located between the crossbar and the connecting webs for adjusting a posiiton o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Emil Buchschmid, Anton Frenznick, Klaus Lindner, Olaf Schmid, Hans-Dieter Schmid, Gerhard Schmidt, Theodor Sturm
  • Patent number: 4801909
    Abstract: An electromagnetic device for controlling the supply of current to an electric starter motor includes a pair of fixed contacts on a support for connection to a power supply and a starter motor, respectively. A movable contact which is adapted to engage both fixed contacts is carried by a movable core of an electromagnet so that upon energization of the electromagnet, the movable contact engages both fixed contacts to complete the circuit to the starter motor. A spring is provided for biassing the movable contact away from the fixed contacts upon de-energization of the electromagnet. A flexible braided conductor is permanently connected between the movable contact and one of the fixed contacts to provide an equipotential electrical connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Industrie Magneti Marelli S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Fasola
  • Patent number: 4766273
    Abstract: Stationary contact, terminal and arc-runner structure for a high-current double-break electrical contactor that affords longer contact life. Each stationary contact (66,80) and turn-back arc-runner (68,82) is connected to the associated terminal (52,72). Each arc-runner (68,82) is V-shaped and has a slot (68e,82e) at its turn-back or bight portion (68b,82b) through which the associated stationary contact (66,80) extends so that its contact tip (66b,80b) is thereabove for engagement by the bridging contact (36). The stationary contacts (66,80) allow substantially straight-through current flow, no turn-back current loop, when the contacts (66,36,80) are closed under normal current conditions to retain maximum contact pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund M. Butterworth, Daniel A. Wycklendt
  • Patent number: 4731510
    Abstract: The support piece of a circuit-breaker's movable contact assembly has a one piece structure including a rigid sole piece carrying the mobile contacts and a resilient blade facing the sole piece, at a distance therefrom, and forming a contact pressure spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: La Telemecanique Electrique
    Inventor: Daniel Nourry
  • Patent number: 4727345
    Abstract: A contact arrangement for a low-voltage circuit breaker comprises a pivotally mounted holder for two or more contact levers which are connected by flexible current leads to a fixed connecting device or connecting bar. Between the current leads, a spacer is arranged which comprises, besides a wall portion separating the current leads, lateral projections of pocket or tub-shaped form. The projections provide a seating surface for a leg of the current lead bent in loop form as well as a protective arch contiguous with the seating surface for protecting any damaged sheets of the current leads. The spacer comprising an insulating material, is provided with an opening for a joint pin provided for the pivotable suspension of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Kugler, Bernd Rambotzki
  • Patent number: 4700162
    Abstract: In a contact mechanism having electrical contact pieces in a switching device integrated with a spring plate fixed at one end, a wiping movable contact piece is fixed to the other end of the spring plate and has a semispherical shape at the contact portion, and a fixed contact piece also has a semispherical shape at its contact with a movable contact piece. The level of the apex of the contact area of the movable contact piece is shifted toward the support point side of the movable contact piece from the level of the apex of the contact area of the fixed contact piece. Conversely, the level of the apex of the contact area of the fixed contact piece is shifted toward the lower base stand side from the level of the apex of the apex if the contact area of the movable contact piece. As a result, the movable contact piece can surely and easily contact and separate from the fixed contact piece, and the movement of the movable contact piece in sliding is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Hirawata, Shigeru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4670725
    Abstract: In a relay tongue unit intended to be included in an electric relay the unit comprises at least one tongue unit in the form of a resilient sheet consisting of an attaching member, which comprises a main portion (1), a fuse portion (2) and a transition portion (3), and a tongue portion (4). This has at its free end a contact (5) and a resistance portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Tocksfors Verkstads AB
    Inventor: Wilgot Ahs
  • Patent number: 4635024
    Abstract: A method of welding electrical contacts onto conductive bodies including engaging a surface of the contact with the conductive body and passing a welding current through a pair of spaced surface areas of the contact to provide weld action and wherein a rib portion between the pair of spaced areas retains unoxidized metal thereon to improve electrical contact properties of any article made and utilizing the contact and particularly the ribbed area thereof for make and break engagement with other members of an electric circuit.A new control article is also provided wherein a contact therein has a raised center rib thereon for contacting an associated means for make and break circuit action, which contact is made from silver or silver alloy and has uncontaminated silver on the surface of the rib or center area of the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventors: Robert M. Wells, Alton R. Wells
  • Patent number: 4617542
    Abstract: A switch having gold-plated contacts on which is formed a gold-mercury amalgam, at least the contacts being immersed in a totally fluorinated hydrocarbon fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: IMCS Corporation
    Inventors: Erno B. Lutz, Bruce A. Weber, Jerry Markle
  • Patent number: 4609897
    Abstract: A relay is disclosed which is sufficiently miniaturized for use in a DIP socket. It employs tapered switching contacts for obtaining maximum deflection with a given force. Novel adjustable fixed contacts are employed. The solenoid portion is designed to avoid offset adjustment problems and maximize the efficiency of magnetic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Thermosen, Incorporated
    Inventors: Heinz DeKoster, Oscar Edelman, Nathan H. Magida
  • Patent number: 4540963
    Abstract: An electrical relay assembly has a spring action bridge contact for engaging with two counter contact elements. The bridge contact is connected with an armature at one end of a longitudinal first section. The other end of the first section is connected to a linearly directed second section having two contact points facing opposite the counter contact elements. The first section has a lateral width not greater than the distance between the contact points. A lever action of the contact points about two different axes thereby results, as a consequence of which a frictional effect is produced at the contact points. The bridge contact is particularly applicable for the switching of low currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Esterl, Josef Weiser
  • Patent number: 4535312
    Abstract: A design of magnetic field actuated sealed electrical contact unit for an electrically operated relay or mechanically operated switch is constructed of metal and plastics laminae (1, 1a, 2, 2a, 5 and 5a) one of which incorporates a diaphragm 10 which functions both as moving contact and armature. In the case of a relay the electromagnetic energizing unit (3, 3a, 4 and 4a) may also be of laminar construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald W. Lomax
  • Patent number: 4516099
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic relay, one of the spring members of the electromagnetic relay is fixed to a cubic corner protrusion of a base block of a housing. Side projections provided in the spring member are fitted into deep holes which adjoin a slot in the cubic corner protrusion so that the spring member becomes firmly fixed to the base block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Takamisawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihisa Fujii, Noboru Tomono, Hajime Watanabe, Yasushi Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 4513267
    Abstract: A so-called blow-off type current limiting circuit breaker includes a stationary contact strap that is divided into three elongated closely spaced coplanar parallel arms that are connected to each other at one end of the strap. The stationary contact is mounted to the interior one of the parallel arms at the end thereof remote from the one end of the strap. A terminal portion of the strap connects exterior ones of the parallel arms to one another at the ends thereof remote from the one end of the strap. A movable contact engageable with and disengageable from the stationary contact is mounted to one end of a movable contact arm that is pivoted at its opposite end in the region of the one end of the strap, extending parallel to the arms of the strap and being aligned with the interior arm. Current in the interior arm flows in a direction opposite to the direction of current flow in the exterior arms and the movable contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens-Allis, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. McClellan, Frank W. Kussy
  • Patent number: 4503410
    Abstract: A relay with a contact making independent from environmental conditions with two hermetically sealed contact pills is described. Each contact pill comprises a switching-over contact and a diaphragm made of electrically and magnetically conducting material which diaphragm is the movable member adhering on corresponding contact poles due to the magnetic flux caused by a permanent magnet and flowing through the core of a drive coil. To change the contact condition of the relay it is sufficient to produce a current pulse through the drive coil causing a control flux of a magnitude which exceeds that of the permanent magnet flux by a small amount only because the two fluxes add their strength when the change-over operation is initiated. Due to this adding the needed drive power is so small that a direct driving by TTL-circuits is possible. By other arrangements of the permanent magnet within the magnetic circuit monostable relays can also be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Roger M. Hochreutiner
  • Patent number: 4476450
    Abstract: A compact, flexible relay with plunger-type armature is provided. Relay configurations ranging from single-pole, single throw to double-pole, double-throw may be provided on the same base, using standardized components. A plurality of the relay terminals are placed in a stacked arrangement, including intermediate insulators, for minimizing the use of space transverse to the plunger armature. The terminals are integrally formed to include a plate portion for positioning parallel to the base and a depending blade portion extending transversely thereto for external electrical connections. Some of the terminals are included in the electromagnetic circuit. In a particular configuration, a double-pole, double-throw relay suited for dynamic braking of a motor is conveniently provided employing the stacked arrangement of terminals and several standardized components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Essex Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel J. Brown
  • Patent number: 4475095
    Abstract: A relay with plunger-type armature includes a resilient contact support, such as a conductive leaf spring, supported by a terminal in a manner affording substantial attenuation of contact bounce when engaged by an armature-mounted contact. Provision is made for insuring separation of the contacts upon reverse displacement of the armature. Specifically, a leaf spring may be fixed at one end to the base of a channel formed in the surface of a terminal plate. An overlying apertured insulator preflexes the spring and limits its displacement in the reverse direction. In a double-throw relay, the other "stationary" contact may be mounted on a resilient support, such as another leaf spring, for providing contact bounce suppression there as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Essex Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel J. Brown
  • Patent number: 4460881
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical relay, particularly for automotive use, characterized by quietness of operation in which the armature coil, spring arm and contact elements are so arranged that the mating surfaces of the contact elements lie substantially in a single plane when in open position and are closed without audible noise by relative sliding movement in said plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Inventors: Jack B. Meister, Stephen P. Beard, Robert H. Andrews
  • Patent number: 4458171
    Abstract: A magnetically detented piezoelectric relay including a piezoelectric bender element having a fixed portion and a movable portion; means for providing an actuating voltage to deflect the bender element; first contact means mounted on the movable portion; second stationary contact means remote from the bender element and proximate the first contact means for selective engagement therewith in response to deflection of the bender element; and magnetic circuit means including a magnet; a first stationary pole member; and a second pole member on the movable portion for magnetically adhering the movable portion to the first pole member until the deflection force of the bender element exceeds the holding force of the magnetic circuit; one of the first and second pole members is convergingly tapered toward its face and has a face of reduced area relative to the area of the face of the other of the first and second pole members; at least one of the first and second pole members is movable toward and away from the othe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Piezo Electric Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Kolm, Henry H. Kolm
  • Patent number: 4456896
    Abstract: An improved low cost relay which comprises a one-piece spool/base, a one-piece core/terminal and a one-piece yoke/armature (yokarm). A coil wound on the spool has one of its leads led to a wire which passes through the hollow stem of the spool for contact with the core upon its insertion into the stem. The stem also retains the yokarm in position with respect to the core and spool. A contact area on the yokarm moves against a contact area on a press-fit terminal mounted in the base with excellent wiping action. The other coil lead is led to a second wire mounted in the spool, and which is captured by a lanced split in a further terminal, which is also a press-fit in the base. A suppressor diode is received in the base and has one of its leads captured by the further terminal when inserted into the base, and its other lead received and captured between the yokarm and the base when the core/terminal is inserted. A backstop for the yokarm is provided by a cover for the device which is mounted on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: TRW Canada Limited
    Inventor: Rodney Hayden
  • Patent number: 4446449
    Abstract: A relay having a plunger-type armature is provided with a magnetic circuit having two serial air gaps arranged for additively applying a magnetic force to the armature in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of its plunger to provide the requisite endwise motion to the armature. In addition to a relatively conventional air gap between the inner end of the armature and a base terminal included in the magnetic circuit, a second air gap is also provided between an armature flange and the bight of a ferromagnetic U bracket about the coil. The armature flange comprises a relatively large area extending transversely of the outer end of the armature plunger and over the U bracket bight portion. The length of the armature plunger from the underside of the flange is such that the flange comes into contiguous, but not contacting, relation with the U bracket's bight portion upon movement of the armature to its actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Essex Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel J. Brown
  • Patent number: 4420732
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: Sungho Jin
  • Patent number: 4401863
    Abstract: A contact device for low voltage switch devices, includes at least two stationary contact bars with contact pieces, as well as at least one electrically-conductive contact bridge which is disposed in a contact bridge support and is movable by means of a spring force. In order to provide a good contact device wherein a weight and material saving is obtained, wherein simultaneously a switch-on impact of the contact is prevented and wherein a good adaptability of the movable contact pieces to the position of the stationary contact pieces is obtained, the contact bridge is made from a flexible material and a contact pressure spring for each of the two movable contact pieces is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Starkstrom Gummersbach GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Lemmer, Kurt Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 4359702
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combination relay, suppression resistor and end of cycle bell in a compact unitary assembly intended for use in a microwave oven. The size of the relay is reduced by employing a bifurcated contact strip which has legs surrounding the relay coil pole piece and a contact actuator which is U-shaped to move within a plane which intersects the coil and bobbin. A plastic housing encloses these components and provides a support for the bell. The surge suppression resistor can be a few turns of magnet wire wrapped around the protective covering on the relay coil core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventor: Spencer C. Schantz
  • Patent number: 4359704
    Abstract: A device for setting up a contact connection between independent electrical circuits, which comprises a plate made of magnetic material 1 on which is placed a sheet 2 of insulating material, supporting at least two independent conductor circuits 3, 4 adapted to be connected together by means of a magnetized conductive member 6, held in position by the attraction of the said magnetic plate 1.The invention relates to a device used in games and in the audio-visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Editions Edmond Dujardin
    Inventor: Philippe Cloup
  • Patent number: 4356466
    Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid relay in which the plunger armature is biased to its at-rest position by a spring of strip metal having an arcuate portion extending between an anchorage portion and an arm portion in engagement with the armature. The armature and spring are relatively loosely held together in operative relation to permit ready alignment of the armature with the relay electromagnet. A movable contact on the spring at one end of the armature cooperates with a stationary contact on a terminal of ferromagnetic material which forms a portion of the electromagnet magnetic flux path to provide a magnetic blow-out effect. The ferromagnetic bracket of the electromagnet is employed to retain major component parts of the relay in assembled relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Essex Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Brown, Jerome L. Lorenz
  • Patent number: 4348566
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masanori Baba, Toshito Hara
  • Patent number: 4339642
    Abstract: The movable arm of a circuit breaker provides at its lower extremity a backing surface against which a copper carrier is clipped. A movable contact is affixed to the exposed surface of the carrier beyond the backing surface, such that current flow between the contact and a flexible, conductive braid, also affixed to the carrier, is conducted through the carrier rather than the arm which may then be fashioned from a less expensive, relatively low conductivity material such as steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Seymour, Frank H. Murphy, Lelio C. Vergnano