Patent US3564346A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3564346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control circuit
Assignee: WAGER ELECTRIC CORP
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Filing: 1968-07-08
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1988-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A first switch (solid-state or electromagnetic) controls energization and deenergization of a timing circuit which controls the state of a second switch (solid-state) connected in a current path shunting the winding of a load controlling relay. When a predetermined input is provided to the first switch, a capacitor is charged and upon removal of said predetermined input from the first switch, the capacitor discharges and renders the second switch nonconductive, thereby causing the load controlling relay to become energized for a predetermined, variable period of time. A greater part of the discharging period is usable because the firing signal to the second switch is reduced during discharging of the capacitor. In one embodiment, the first switch is maintained conductive during energization of the load by a signal derived from the high side of the load. In another embodiment, the second switch is energized during charging of the capacitor, but a current-limiting resistor is connected in series with the load until the capacitor begins discharging.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl E Atkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/945; H03K17/955; H03K17/28; H03K3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
A control circuit comprising: 1. first and second power input terminals through which power is applied to said control circuit; 2. first switching means electrically connected to said power input terminals and operative in response to a predetermined input signal to control a first current path comprising said first switching means; 3. second switching means having anode, cathode and gate electrodes, and being operative in response to a signal applied to said gate electrode to control a second current path comprising said second switching means; 4. bias circuit means electrically connected to and operative to provide a firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means; 5. timing circuit means electrically connected to said first switching means and to said gate electrode of said second switching means and including capacitance means, a charging current path for said capacitance means, and a discharging current path for said capacitance means; and 6. third switching means controlled by current divertible from said second current path by said second switching means and operative to control energization and deenergization of a load, and further operative to decrease said firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means simultaneously with energization of a load, wherein when said power input terminals are connected to a source of alternating current power and said first switching means is provided with said predetermined input signal, said capacitance means of said timing circuit means is charged, and when said predetermined input is no longer provided to said first switching means, said capacitance means discharges and provides to said gate electrode of said second switching means a signal operative to maintain said second current path open and thereby divert controlling current to said third switching means for a predetermined variable portion of the discharging period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
A control circuit comprising: 1. first and second power input terminals through which power is applied to said control circuit; 2. first switching means electrically connected to said power input terminals and operative in response to a predetermined input signal to control a first current path comprising said first switching means; 3. second switching means having anode, cathode and gate electrodes, and being operative in response to a signal applied to said gate electrode to control a second current path comprising said second switching means; 4. bias circuit means electrically connected to and operative to provide a firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means; 5. timing circuit means electrically connected to said first switching means and to said gate electrode of said second switching means and including capacitance means, a charging current path for said capacitance means, and a discharging current path for said capacitance means; and 6. third switching means controlled by current divertible from said second current path by said second switching means and operative to control energization and deenergization of a load, and further operative to decrease said firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means simultaneously with energization of a load, wherein when said power input terminals are connected to a source of alternating current power and said first switching means is provided with said predetermined input signal, said capacitance means of said timing circuit means is charged, and when said predetermined input is no longer provided to said first switching means, said capacitance means discharges and provides to said gate electrode of said second switching means a signal operative to maintain said second current path open and thereby divert controlling current to said third switching means for a predetermined variable portion of the discharging period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
rectifying means connected between one terminal of said winding and the cathode of said second switching means; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
rectifying means connected between one terminal of said winding and the cathode of said second switching means; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
first switching means electrically connected to said power input terminals and operative in response to a predetermined input signal to control a first current path comprising said first switching means;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
first switching means electrically connected to said power input terminals and operative in response to a predetermined input signal to control a first current path comprising said first switching means;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein the firing signal provided by said bias circuit means is increased above its normal level during charging of said capacitance means of said timing circuit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
said discharging current path for said capacitance means in said timing circuit comprises a variable resistance means connected in parallel with said capacitance means; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
said discharging current path for said capacitance means in said timing circuit comprises a variable resistance means connected in parallel with said capacitance means; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
said discharging current path for said capacitance means in said timing circuit comprises second rectification means connected in parallel with said second resistance means, and variable resistance means connected from the second terminal of said first rectification means to the low side of said capacitance means, unlike terminals of said first and second rectification means being directly connected to each other; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
said discharging current path for said capacitance means in said timing circuit comprises second rectification means connected in parallel with said second resistance means, and variable resistance means connected from the second terminal of said first rectification means to the low side of said capacitance means, unlike terminals of said first and second rectification means being directly connected to each other; and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
filtering circuit means connected to said first power input terminal;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
filtering circuit means connected to said first power input terminal;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
said discharging path for said capacitance means in said timing circuit comprises a variable resistance means, and a third and a fourth resistance means connected in series between the high and the low side of said capacitance means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
said discharging path for said capacitance means in said timing circuit comprises a variable resistance means, and a third and a fourth resistance means connected in series between the high and the low side of said capacitance means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
8 words
capacitance means connected in parallel with said winding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
8 words
capacitance means connected in parallel with said winding.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
second capacitance means connected between said filtering circuit means and the output terminal of said timing circuit; and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
second capacitance means connected between said filtering circuit means and the output terminal of said timing circuit; and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
109 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 further comprising manual switching means selectively operable (1) in a first position, to close a first connection to said timing circuit means so as to enable said control circuit to perform the full sequence of events of normal circuit operation, and (2) in a second position, to open said first connection to said timing circuit means and to close a second connection bypassing at least a portion of said timing circuit means so as to enable said second switching means to be rendered nonconductive without any substantial time delay after said predetermined input signal has been provided to said first switching means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
a gas filled tube and a second resistance means are connected in series from the low side of said capacitance means to the first terminal of said first resistance means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
a gas filled tube and a second resistance means are connected in series from the low side of said capacitance means to the first terminal of said first resistance means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
second switching means having anode, cathode and gate electrodes, and being operative in response to a signal applied to said gate electrode to control a second current path comprising said second switching means;
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
second switching means having anode, cathode and gate electrodes, and being operative in response to a signal applied to said gate electrode to control a second current path comprising said second switching means;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
a gas filled tube is connected between the low side of said capacitance means and the first terminal of said first rectification means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
a gas filled tube is connected between the low side of said capacitance means and the first terminal of said first rectification means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
bias circuit means electrically connected to and operative to provide a firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
bias circuit means electrically connected to and operative to provide a firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
A control circuit according to claim 3 wherein said manual switching means, when in said second position, closes a third connection directly between said first current path and said first power input terminal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
resistance means connected between said first power input terminal and the output terminal of said timing circuit means only when said second switching means is conductive.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
resistance means connected between said first power input terminal and the output terminal of said timing circuit means only when said second switching means is conductive.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control circuit according to claim 3 wherein said manual switching means, when in said second position, shunts a portion of the normal firing signal to ground.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
timing circuit means electrically connected to said first switching means and to said gate electrode of said second switching means and including capacitance means, a charging current path for said capacitance means, and a discharging current path for said capacitance means; and
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
timing circuit means electrically connected to said first switching means and to said gate electrode of said second switching means and including capacitance means, a charging current path for said capacitance means, and a discharging current path for said capacitance means; and
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
8 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein:
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
145 words
third switching means controlled by current divertible from said second current path by said second switching means and operative to control energization and deenergization of a load, and further operative to decrease said firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means simultaneously with energization of a load, wherein when said power input terminals are connected to a source of alternating current power and said first switching means is provided with said predetermined input signal, said capacitance means of said timing circuit means is charged, and when said predetermined input is no longer provided to said first switching means, said capacitance means discharges and provides to said gate electrode of said second switching means a signal operative to maintain said second current path open and thereby divert controlling current to said third switching means for a predetermined variable portion of the discharging period.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
145 words
third switching means controlled by current divertible from said second current path by said second switching means and operative to control energization and deenergization of a load, and further operative to decrease said firing signal to said gate electrode of said second switching means simultaneously with energization of a load, wherein when said power input terminals are connected to a source of alternating current power and said first switching means is provided with said predetermined input signal, said capacitance means of said timing circuit means is charged, and when said predetermined input is no longer provided to said first switching means, said capacitance means discharges and provides to said gate electrode of said second switching means a signal operative to maintain said second current path open and thereby divert controlling current to said third switching means for a predetermined variable portion of the discharging period.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
8 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein:
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said charging current path for said capacitor in said timing circuit provides a relatively short charging time, and said discharging current path provides a relatively long discharging time.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
8 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein:
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said third switching means comprises:
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
A control circuit according to claim 10 wherein said fIring signal is decreased below its normal level for any period during which said electromagnetic relay means is energized.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
55 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said bias circuit means comprises low frequency relaxation oscillator means operative to produce a pulse train which is transmitted to said gate electrode of said second switching means and which maintains said second switching means conductive in the absence of a signal from said timing circuit means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
134 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said bias circuit means comprises first, second and third resistance means, said first resistance means being connected between said first power input terminal and said gate electrode of said second switching means before said predetermined input signal is provided to said first switching means, said second and third resistance means being connected in parallel with each other and in series with said first resistance means between said first power input terminal and said gate electrode during charging of said capacitance means of said timing circuit means, and said second and first resistance means being connected in series between said first power input terminal and said gate electrode during that part of the discharge period of said capacitance means during which said second switching means in nonconductive.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said bias circuit means comprises:
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
75 words
A control circuit according to claim 1 further including manually operated switching means for selectively interconnecting said first switching means to said gate electrode of said second switching means (1) in a first position, through said timing circuit means, and (2) in a second position, through alternate circuit means operative to render said second switching means nonconductive without any substantial time delay after said predetermined input signal has been provided to said first switching means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control circuit according to claim 10 further including disabling circuit means operative to maintain said first switching means conductive when said electromagnetic relay means is energized.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control circuit according to claim 16 further including manually operated switching means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said disabling circuit means to said first switching means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |