Abstract: A new type of electrical contact is described which has reduced erosion and sticking failures and has reduced material costs. The electrical contact is particularly suitable for sealed electrical contacts such as in sealed remreed contacts.

Abstract: A relay capable of being assembled by machine and electrically connected by dip-soldering operations to metallic strips having prongs passing through an insulating base plate to provide plug-in connections, has metallic leads, lugs and strips preshaped so that when they are mounted in the base plate or the winding spool, as the case may be, pairs of them will interfit at locations where they are then soldered by dip soldering.

Abstract: Laminated springs for obtaining relay three-way switch and the like, made of an elastically deformable conductive metal, each having two fore elongated sustantially parallel arms extending along about the half of the spring length, near the free ends of which are fixed, contact pads having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and applied thereon with their longitudinal flat surface so that the generatrices of each co-operating pairs of pads are set at right angles to one another, while at the back portion each laminated spring comprises a longitudinal tongue extending backwardly, having a predetermined length and bent at right angle in regard to the laminated spring plane, between the pair of fore arms and the rear tongue of each spring a through hole being bored. The invention also concerns the assembly method of said laminated springs and the relays obtained therewith.

Abstract: A combined sensor-transducer with a calculator or computer is provided in which the sensor senses mechanical motions as in muscular exercising to provide a transduced pulse to the calculator or transducer to tally the number of muscular movments or by inserting a factor in the computer to read out the pulses in terms of calories or energy. An improved type of reed switch is provided for sensing mechanical motions in which a magnet is slidably supported near magnetically responsive metal lead wires, the magnetic flux with each movement of the slidable magnet bending the wires into conductive contact.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed comprising two sets of rod-shaped fixed electrodes formed of a magnetic material and one cylindrical moving electrode formed of a permanent magnet, each set of the fixed electrodes being fixed to the respective end of a cylindrical vessel so that the ends of each set of the fixed electrodes face the ends of the other set of the fixed electrodes with the moving electrode capable of reciprocating between the ends of the two sets of fixed electrodes inside the cylindrical vessel. The moving electrode is comprised of at least one adhesive layer of a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, copper and alloys thereof on the surface of the permanent magnet, and at least one contact layer of a metal selected from the group consisting of rhodium, wolfram, rhenium, ruthenium and alloys thereof, silver-wolfram, gold-chromium on the adhesive layer of metal. At least the permanent magnet of the moving electrode and the adhesive layer of metal are thermally diffused with each other.

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 low-current contact structure formed on a contact member or substrate of various layers is described. A layer of refractory material is connected via a layer of easily diffusive metal with a layer of noble metal through diffusion annealing.

Abstract: The specification describes a device termed a silent obturator which is in the form of a flexible strip having at least one mounting hole at one end portion at least and supported in bowed or arcuate configuration between two supports, one of which is movable toward the other and which carries a "moveable" contact member near but not at the mid-point thereof whereby motion of one support relative to the other causes outward or inward deflection of the obturator relative to a line between the supports in such manner as to displace the contact member toward the fixed support in one coordinate direction and away from the line between said supports in another coordinate direction effectively providing a resultant path of motion at an angle to the line between said supports which, when said moveable contact member is placed in spaced association with a "fixed" contact member relatively fixed in space provides a contact action therewith which is substantially tangential relative to the bow or curve of the obturator

Abstract: A switching device is provided which is of a highly integrated structure and particularly adapted for a matrix arrangement of switch elements. The structure characteristically enables the switching device to be efficiently fabricated with maximum component density and minimum cost, and includes a base plate in the form of an integral combination of two insulating plates lying on each other, fixed contacts formed in an appropriate pattern on one of the insulating plates, and movable contacts formed integrally with spring strips supported on the base plate.

Abstract: An electromagnet with terminal means for series connecting the electromagnet, a conventional thermocouple, and an external safety switch. One end of a first terminal is adapted to provide low contact resistance when connected to the hot side of the thermocouple and the other end of the first terminal is adapted to be connected to the safety switch. Separated from the first terminal by an insulative base and integral with the base to which a yoke and winding are secured, are a second terminal, adapted to be connected at one end to the safety switch and connected at its other end to one end of the winding, and a third terminal, adapted at one end to be connected to the housing of a control device in which the electromagnet is assembled and connected at its other end to the other end of the winding.

Abstract: A current limiter providing for a rapid triple series break in the protected circuit. Two movable contact arms are electromagnetically driven apart by two electromagnetic or slot motor drives for rapid circuit interruption when current through the current limiter exceeds a predetermined value. This provides twice the rate of contact separation than that which can be obtained from a single contact arm and consequently increases the rate of arc voltage rise and reduces peak let through current. The magnetic drive devices are formed from a ferromagnetic material and have a narrow slot formed therein, which is magnetically open on one end. Each contact arm is disposed in the slot of an associated magnetic drive device near the open end thereof. Each movable contact arm has a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted thereon. One of these contacts engages a stationary contact and the other contact engages a mating contact on the opposing movable contact arm when the current limiter is closed.

Abstract: A sealed reed spring switch in which a single pair of contacting springs carries two or more electrically insulated conducting paths. The electrically conductive, magnetically responsive springs are coated with an insulating material at least on opposing surfaces over which two or more distinct conductive coatings are formed. Two circuits such as a telephone tip and ring circuit, for example, may be simultaneously controlled by a single sealed two-path switch unit.

Abstract: An electrical terminal having a looped configuration for properly orienting a segment of the terminal to which a contact may be mounted to thereby properly direct a magnetic blow-out force induced by current flow through said segment. The terminal is formed by two longitudinal, parallel 90.degree. bends rather than two lateral, parallel 90.degree. bends, and comprises a flat rectangular member having a U-shaped aperture formed longitudinally therein defining a tongue segment (to which a contact may be mounted) spaced between a pair of longitudinal side segments joined at their ends by a pair of lateral segments bent 90.degree. from the plane of said tongue segment about longitudinal axes co-linear with the legs of the U-shaped aperture.

Abstract: The reed contact unit comprises a pair of aligned members of magnetizable and electrically conductive material spaced apart endwise from each other with a fillet of non-magnetic electrically conductive material inserted between the spaced ends of the members. The upper surfaces of the members and the fillet are coplanar. An electrically conductive cantilever carries an electrically conductive and magnetizable armature at its free end overlying the fillet and the adjacent ends of the members. Upon magnetization of the members, a contact surface of the armature contacts the members to complete an electric circuit between the cantilever and the members. The members and the cantilever are mounted within a hermetically sealed enclosure.

Abstract: An encapsulated electromechanical relay provides both make and break contact functions by utilizing a movable diaphragm for connecting between inner and outer concentric conductors. In a non-energized state the diaphragm provides electrical continuity between one pair of contact members, and in a magnetically energized state the movable diaphragm contact then povides electrical continuity between a second pair of contact members by moving away from the central contact of the first pair and moving into contact with the central contact of the second pair.

Abstract: In a relay construction, an insulate coil form having a through bore and a coil wound thereon is fixed to an insulate base by a fixed core part which straddles the coil form and is fastened to the base. The fixed core part has an opening aligned with the bore in the coil form and a plunger or movable core part is mounted for linear reciprocating travel in said opening and bore. An armature in the form of an obturator-type strip of spring metal has one end fastened to the base beneath the coil form and extends outwardly and upwardly from the base in a continuous arcuate bend to its other end which lies above the fixed core part and is fastened to the upper end of the plunger. The obturator strip carries a contact proximate the apex of its bend which tangentially engages a fixed contact leading to an output terminal when the relay coil is energized to magnetize the fixed core part and thereby cause the plunger to move downwardly further into the bore in the coil form.

Abstract: A cross bar switching matrix for electric conductors in two sets has a first array of strips of magnetic metal mounted parallel on an insulating support plate with laterally projecting tongues from each strip the ends lying freely on the support plate. A second set of metal strips identical to the first set but at right angles thereto is mounted on a second insulating support plate. The support plates are juxtaposed with the strips perpendicular to each other and the free ends of the tongues of each set are opposed and form with a portion of each of the associated strips a ring which is substantially closed but for a thin layer of electrically insulating material in the areas where the strips of each array cross those of the other. Electromagnetic control circuits made up of electric control conductors are associated with a respective one of the strips and each electric control conductor includes a conductor linked with each of the rings formed by the tongues of the respective array strip.

Abstract: A bistable switch comprising an electrically and magnetically conductive flexible contact member clamped at one end, the other freely movable end being alternately brought into contact, by a magnetic excitation flux, with one of two electrically and magnetically conductive counter-contacts. After termination of the excitation flux, the contact position is maintained by a permanent magnet. The contact member comprises a strip-shaped portion having a high magnetic resistance which is comparatively flexible and a strip-shaped portion having a low magnetic resistance which is comparatively rigid. The magnetic as well as mechanical properties of such a switch can thus be optimized.

Abstract: A coordinate electrical switch construction comprising a pair of flexible insulating sheets each havng pierced therethrough a coordinate array of "U" shaped magnetic contact elements arranged to have corresponding legs in opposing, spaced-apart registration. Winding means coupled to the contact elements in each set of coordinates on each sheet are coincidently energisable to selectively magnetize a pair of elements at a crosspoint to bring opposing legs into electrical contact against the flexion of the sheets. The contact elements are multiplied together in one and the other sets of coordinates on respective sheets to provide signal path halves which are completed upon contact leg closure at a crosspoint. The contact elements are of a remanent magnetic material so that closure is maintained after termination of the energizing step. Release of selected crosspoint elements is achieved by reverse energization of the defining winding means.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switch assembly having a structure adapted for integral formation of component parts and for reduction in size and production cost, including an insulating base plate having at least one through hole formed therein to serve as a cell for relay contacts. An integrated type switching device can be realized with a matrix array of such through holes and electromagnetic relays associated therewith, the relay contacts being mounted on the base plate through the medium of two groups of conductive layers formed on the opposite surfaces of the base plate and extending along the lines and rows of contact cells, respectively.

Abstract: The reed contact unit comprises a pair of aligned members of magnetizable and electrically conductive material spaced apart endwise from each other. A fillet of non-magnetic electrically conductive material may be inserted between the spaced ends of the members. A flat electrically conductive resilient member supported at its opposite ends carries, at its mid-region, a magnetizable and electrically conductive armature and suspends it over the fillet and the adjacent end portions of the magnetizable members. Upon magnetization of the members, a lower contact surface of the armature engages the ends of the magnetizable members and completes an electric circuit from at least one of the magnetizable members through the resilient member to its support. The magnetizable members and the resilient member are mounted within a sealed enclosure.

Abstract: A circuit breaker, operating in an insulating liquid dielectric environment, switchable between an open position and a closed position, is made of metallic sensing, tripping and supporting members, where a plurality of the members are coated with a dual protective film comprising a first layer containing zinc phosphate or iron phosphate about 0.00001 to about 0.0004 inch thick covered by an outside layer containing zinc chromate and/or zinc dichromate about 0.00001 to about 0.0004 inch thick, the protective film being resistant to the contacting liquid dielectric.

Abstract: Contact carriers for relays are produced by electrochemically plating sheets of electrically conductive nonmagnetic metal with iron. The sheets have a width corresponding to the intended length of the contact carriers. The sheets are then cut in strips across the width of the sheets to form the contact carriers. The sheets can be plated on one or both sides. Following the plating step and before cutting the strips from the sheet, the sheet can be mechanically treated, as by rolling, to increase the resiliency of the sheet. The sheet can be masked during the plating operation to produce contact carriers with unplated portions on the plated sides of the carriers. A contact element can be mounted on the plated or unplated portion of the contact carrier and more than one contact element can be mounted on each carrier. The contact carriers and contact elements can be arranged in relays in many combinations utilizing the forces of attraction and repulsion.

Abstract: A leaf spring and contact arrangement for an electromagnetic switch. A movable contact has a magnetic body attached thereto and is restrained by side arms secured to a housing and bent arms connecting the contact member to the side arms. The side arms are arranged symmetrically about the center of gravity of the movable contact. The contact member, side arms and bent arms are all in substantially the same plane. A magnetic force overcoming the restraining force causes movement of the movable contact in a direction perpendicular to said plane. The leaf spring may be formed in a repeat pattern consisting of a plurality of movable contacts each having a pair of bent arms associated therewith for connecting the movable contact to the secured side arms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact holder for an electromagnetic contactor or relay, the contact holder being slidably displaceable within a contactor housing by the contactor armature to guide the armature and change the contact state between movable contacts carried by the contact holder and fixed contacts carried by the housing. The contact holder comprises first and second parts formed from insulating material which are joined together, the first part being connected to the armature and provided with seatings on which movable bridge contacts are located, and are held in place by the second part. Elongate openings are formed in the first part between adjustment seatings, and isolating or anti-arcing partitions integral with the housing extend through the openings.

Abstract: A sealed contact includes a capsule enclosing a pair of magnetic reeds. Each reed has a fixed end sealed in the capsule and a flat movable portion with side edges substantially parallel to one another for a predetermined length and tapered toward one another from the end of the predetermined length to the tip of the movable portion. The reeds are positioned so that the movable portions overlap one another by an overlap length and define an overlap area which is less sensitive to variation in overlap length than a conventional sealed contact having reeds cut substantially normal to the parallel side edges.