US3736466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-arcing switch system and process
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1971-07-13
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Granted: 1973-05-29
•
Expires: 1991-07-13
Abstract
Abstract In order to prevent arcing upon opening a mechanical switch it is proposed to place an electronic signal controlled switch in series with the mechanical switch and to provide a second mechanical switch for opening the signal path to the electronic signal controlled switch before the mechanical switch is opened.
Inventors
- 👤 R Fox
- 👤 R Davies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/54; H01H9/547; H01H9/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A non-arcing switch system adapted to be located in an electrical circuit including an electrical power source and an electrical load comprising controlled electronic valve means including first and second major current carrying terminals and at least one control terminal, said first major current carrying terminal serving as one external connector for said switch system, an impedance having one end connected to said control terminal, and mechanical switch means including a first terminal conductively associated with said second major current carrying terminal of said valve means a second switch terminal serving as a remaining external connector for said switch system, a third switch terminal connected to the other end of said impedance and through said impedance to said control terminal, and mechanically operable means for connecting the terminals of said switch means to apply power to an electrical load and for disconnecting the terminals of said switch means for removing power from an electrical load, said manually operable means effecting connection of said first and second terminals of the switch means before connection of the second and third terminals of the switch means during application of power and effecting disconnection of said second and third terminals of the switch means before disconnection of the first and second terminals of the switch means during removal of power.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A non-arcing switch system adapted to be located in an electrical circuit including an electrical power source and an electrical load comprising controlled electronic valve means including first and second major current carrying terminals and at least one control terminal, said first major current carrying terminal serving as one external connector for said switch system, an impedance having one end connected to said control terminal, and mechanical switch means including a first terminal conductively associated with said second major current carrying terminal of said valve means a second switch terminal serving as a remaining external connector for said switch system, a third switch terminal connected to the other end of said impedance and through said impedance to said control terminal, and mechanically operable means for connecting the terminals of said switch means to apply power to an electrical load and for disconnecting the terminals of said switch means for removing power from an electrical load, said manually operable means effecting connection of said first and second terminals of the switch means before connection of the second and third terminals of the switch means during application of power and effecting disconnection of said second and third terminals of the switch means before disconnection of the first and second terminals of the switch means during removal of power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A non-arcing switch system according to claim 1 in which said electronic valve means is an electronic switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A non-arcing switch system according to claim 1 in which said electronic valve means is a gate controlled bilateral thyristor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A non-arcing switch system according to claim 1 in which said electronic valve means is a silicon controlled rectifier having a cathode, an anode, and a gate, said anode and cathode constituting said first and second terminals of said electronic valve means, respectively, said gate constitutes said control terminal, and said impedance includes a diode oriented to permit current flow from said third switch terminal to said gate and to substantially impede current flow in the opposite direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
A non-arcing switch system according to claim 1 in which said electronic valve means is a transistor having an emitter, base, collector, emitter junction, and collector junction and a diode having a rectifying junction therein, said diode being interposed between said first terminal and said emitter of said transistor and oriented so that said rectifying and emitter junctions are both forwardly biased in the same direction of current flow, said collector serving as said second terminal of said electronic valve means and said base serve as said control terminal of said electronic valve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A non-arcing switch system according to claim 1 in which said switch means includes a thermally conductive housing and said electronic valve means is mounted in low thermal impedance relation thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A non-arcing switch system according to claim 1 additionally including means for reducing the rate of rise of voltage within said electronic valve means when closing said switch means to apply an electrical potential across said first and second major current carrying terminals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3430063A
Cited
US3491284A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |