US3623150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contactor switch
Assignee: Dewhurst and Partner PLC
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Filing: 1970-01-12
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1990-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A contactor rated to switch at least 20 amperes in which the movement of a contact arm to engage a moving contact with a fixed contact occurs in two stages, the arm first moving to engage the moving contact with the fixed contact and then pivoting about the fixed contact. The contactor is in two separably connected parts, the first comprising the electromagnet drive system and the second comprising the contact set, main spring, possibly an auxiliary spring, and a microswitch.
Inventors
- 👤 George Eric Minns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/14; H01H1/24; H01H50/00; H01H50/02; H01H50/04; H01H50/041; H01H50/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A contactor capable of switching electric currents of at least 20 amps, said contactor comprising a contact set including at least one fixed contact (58), a rigid contact arm (70), and at least one moving contact (66) mounted on said contact arm for engaging said fixed contact, a main spring (72) biassing said contact arm mechanically, a support member (48) on which said contact set and main spring are mounted, an electromagnet (14) releasably connected to said support member, which electromagnet, when energized and deenergized, moves said moving contact between first and second positions in which it respectively engages with and disengages from said fixed contact, and means (74, 84) guiding the movement of said moving contact (66) from said second to said first position and dividing said movement into a first part in which said moving contact (66) is displaced from said second position into engagement with said fixed contact (58), and a second part in which said contact arm (70) pivots about said moving contact (66) and said fixed contact (58).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A contactor capable of switching electric currents of at least 20 amps, said contactor comprising a contact set including at least one fixed contact (58), a rigid contact arm (70), and at least one moving contact (66) mounted on said contact arm for engaging said fixed contact, a main spring (72) biassing said contact arm mechanically, a support member (48) on which said contact set and main spring are mounted, an electromagnet (14) releasably connected to said support member, which electromagnet, when energized and deenergized, moves said moving contact between first and second positions in which it respectively engages with and disengages from said fixed contact, and means (74, 84) guiding the movement of said moving contact (66) from said second to said first position and dividing said movement into a first part in which said moving contact (66) is displaced from said second position into engagement with said fixed contact (58), and a second part in which said contact arm (70) pivots about said moving contact (66) and said fixed contact (58).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A contactor according to claim 1 comprising an auxiliary spring wherein said main spring, (72) auxiliary spring, (88) and said electromagnet (14,22) exert on said contact arm (70) during at least said first part of said movement a net mechanical couple which is substantially zero.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A contactor according to claim 1 comprising an auxiliary spring wherein said main spring (72), auxiliary spring (88), and said electromagnet (14, 22) exert on said contact arm (70) during at least said first part of said movement a net mechanical couple which tends to rotate the contact arm (70) in a sense tending to move said moving contact (66) from said second position towards said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A contactor according to claim 1 wherein said electromagnet comprises a solenoid (14) having a plunger (22) which is releasably connected to said contact arm (70).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contactor according to claim 5 wherein said plunger (22) is connected to a member (28) which abuts said contact arm (70).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A contactor according to claim 5 wherein said contact arm is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to said moving contact (66), and said member (28) is of electrically insulating material.
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) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |