US3902080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-26
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A switching assembly wherein a triac is controlled by a magnetically-operated reed switch. The reed switch is in turn operated by a magnet attached to a slidable button. The circuitry includes a zero crossing detector which operates to interconnect a load through the triac when the switch is operated at an instant when the instantaneous value of A.C. line voltage is less than about 30 volts (in an initial half-cycle) and otherwise limits current flow (if the switch is turned on at a time when the line voltage is above about 30 volts) for the remainder of a first half-cycle, thus in both instances reducing undesired initial abnormal current flow when a typical load is switched ''''on''''.
Inventors
- 👤 Clair Raymond Edward St
- 👤 Melvin A Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:41
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/97; H03K17/13; H03K17/136; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
An electrical switching assembly comprising: first and second electrical terminals to be selectively opened and closed; a solid state A.C. switch having a gate lead and first and second controlled leads; a PNP transistor and NPN transistor with emitters and collectors commonly connected in parallel between said gate lead and said first controlled lead, respectively; a control switch having an input terminal connected to said second controlled lead and an output terminal; a current-limiting resistor connected between said switch output terminal and said gate lead and collector leads of said transistors; a voltage divider comprising a first resistor and second resistor, wherein said first resistor has a resistance value substantially greater than said second resistor; a first terminal of said first resistor being connecteD to said output terminal of said control switch, a second terminal of said first resistor being connected to a first terminal of said second resistor and to the bases of said transistors, and a second terminal of said second resistor being connected to said emitters to said transistors and to said first controlled lead and to said second electrical terminal; whereby upon the application of an A.C. potential through a load across said first and second electrical terminals, switching operation occurs upon the closing of said control switch with said solid state A.C. switch providing a closed circuit in the event that closure of said control switch occurs when a source switching potential is below a selected discrete voltage, and when said control switch is closed when said source voltage is above a selected discrete voltage, one of said transistors turns on before said solid state A.C. switch can turn on, applying initially a reduced current flow through a said load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
An electrical switching assembly comprising: first and second electrical terminals to be selectively opened and closed; a solid state A.C. switch having a gate lead and first and second controlled leads; a PNP transistor and NPN transistor with emitters and collectors commonly connected in parallel between said gate lead and said first controlled lead, respectively; a control switch having an input terminal connected to said second controlled lead and an output terminal; a current-limiting resistor connected between said switch output terminal and said gate lead and collector leads of said transistors; a voltage divider comprising a first resistor and second resistor, wherein said first resistor has a resistance value substantially greater than said second resistor; a first terminal of said first resistor being connecteD to said output terminal of said control switch, a second terminal of said first resistor being connected to a first terminal of said second resistor and to the bases of said transistors, and a second terminal of said second resistor being connected to said emitters to said transistors and to said first controlled lead and to said second electrical terminal; whereby upon the application of an A.C. potential through a load across said first and second electrical terminals, switching operation occurs upon the closing of said control switch with said solid state A.C. switch providing a closed circuit in the event that closure of said control switch occurs when a source switching potential is below a selected discrete voltage, and when said control switch is closed when said source voltage is above a selected discrete voltage, one of said transistors turns on before said solid state A.C. switch can turn on, applying initially a reduced current flow through a said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said selected discrete voltage is 30 volts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control switch is a magnetically-controllable reed switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said solid state A.C. switch is a triac.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 4 further comprising: a metal enclosure having exterior heat emitting ribs; a printed circuit card and said triac, control switch, resistors and transistors being mounted on said printed circuit card; and said enclosure includes a slot for mounting therein said printed circuit card with said triac in heat conductive contact with said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 5 comprising switch operating means including a slide button assembly comprising: an operating slidable button; a magnet attached to said button; and a supporting sliding surface adapted to enable said button and magnet to be moved on the outer face of said enclosure, whereby said magnet is moved toward and away from said magnetically-controlled switch, and thereby said switching assembly selectively operated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said slide button assembly comprises a non-metallic plastic material and wherein there is included a contractable arm having a notch thereon, and a notch in said housing and adapted to receive and latch said button assembly when it is positioned in an ''''on'''' position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said magnet is positioned within said plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A switching assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the range of ratios of ohmage values for the resistance of said second resistor divided by the resistance of said first resistor is in the range of 1/20 to 1/30.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3594591A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |