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US4228412A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrical switching apparatus and energizing circuits therefor

Assignee: Gemalto Terminals Ltd
•
Filing: 1978-03-07
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Granted: 1980-10-14
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Expires: 1998-03-07
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Abstract

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.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert J. Dalley
  • 👤 Robert D. Owen
  • 👤 George S. Parmenter

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 20:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H50/00; H01H50/12; H01H50/02; H01H50/04; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/18

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 77 words
Electrical switching apparatus for an electrical scanner unit, wherein a printed circuit board carries a plurality of reed relays each comprising an electric coil and at least one reed contact unit, wherein the coils are disposed on one surface of the board and the contact units are disposed on the other surface opposite their respective coils, and wherein screening means of substantially non-magnetic, electrically- and thermally-conductive material is disposed between each contact unit and its respective coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 77 words
Electrical switching apparatus for an electrical scanner unit, wherein a printed circuit board carries a plurality of reed relays each comprising an electric coil and at least one reed contact unit, wherein the coils are disposed on one surface of the board and the contact units are disposed on the other surface opposite their respective coils, and wherein screening means of substantially non-magnetic, electrically- and thermally-conductive material is disposed between each contact unit and its respective coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screening means is of copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screening means is disposed on said other surface of the board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screening means comprises part of the conductive cladding of the circuit board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screening means includes loops enclosing respective points of electrical connection of the reeds to the circuit board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is a double-sided printed circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the screening means includes part of the conductive cladding on said one surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each coil has a plurality of reed contact units associated therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein a single, common screening means is provided between each coil and its associated reed contact units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 11 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each coil is tubular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each reed relay includes magnetic circuit means for transmitting the magnetic flux produced by the coil to the reed contact unit, and comprising two pole-pieces respectively positioned at opposite axial ends of the coil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pole-pieces also serve to mount the coil on the board.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 95 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the axis of each coil is parallel to the plane of the board, and the pole-pieces comprise respective plate-like members each lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis and each having a first bent-over portion which extends axially into the coil and a second bent-over portion which extends substantially parallel to said axis and towards the second bent-over portion of the other pole-piece, the reed contact unit being positioned on said other surface of the board parallel to and adjacent a line joining the second bent-over portions.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3408602A Cited
US3582844A Cited
US3812439A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-10-14 1984-04-14 1984-10-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-10-14 1988-04-14 1988-10-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-10-14 1992-04-14 1992-10-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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