US3689771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switching apparatus with adjustable deadband
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-01
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1990-12-01
Abstract
Abstract Electric switching apparatus having an adjustable differential switching action. A two-state switching device, for instance a relay, assumes a state dependent on the response of a pair of photoelectric cells which, in dependence on the position of a movable vane, are illuminated by a lamp. The switching device is controlled by the cells through a circuit having a switching differential, that is exhibiting hysteresis or backlash, such that switching occurs only when both cells become shielded from the light or exposed to it. The two cells are movably mounted such that the distance the vane has to move to produce switching, and hence the differential switching action, is adjustable.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Sharp
- 👤 Donald William Allan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H47/00; H01H47/22; H01H47/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
Electric switching apparatus comprising support means, lampholder means carried by said support means, a pair of photosensitive sensors movably mounted on said support means, a support member, said control member in one position interrupting the passage of radiation from a lamp in said lamp-holder means to one of said photosensitive sensors and in another position interrupting the passage of radiation from said lamp to both of said photosensitive sensors, said movable mounting of said sensors permitting adjustment of the distance between the two said positions, said sensors being together pivoted about an axis which lies substantially in the plane defined by the paths followed by radiation passing from the lamp to the sensors and which is at least substantially perpendicular to thE direction of movement of said control member, and a two state switching device so controlled by said sensors that switching occurs when both sensors become shielded against the radiation and when both sensors become exposed to the radiation, said apparatus as a result having a switching differential which, due to the movable mounting of said sensors, is adjustable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Electric switching apparatus comprising support means, lampholder means carried by said support means, a pair of photosensitive sensors movably mounted on said support means, a support member, said control member in one position interrupting the passage of radiation from a lamp in said lamp-holder means to one of said photosensitive sensors and in another position interrupting the passage of radiation from said lamp to both of said photosensitive sensors, said movable mounting of said sensors permitting adjustment of the distance between the two said positions, said sensors being together pivoted about an axis which lies substantially in the plane defined by the paths followed by radiation passing from the lamp to the sensors and which is at least substantially perpendicular to thE direction of movement of said control member, and a two state switching device so controlled by said sensors that switching occurs when both sensors become shielded against the radiation and when both sensors become exposed to the radiation, said apparatus as a result having a switching differential which, due to the movable mounting of said sensors, is adjustable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
Electric switching apparatus comprising support means, lamp-holder means carried by said support means, a pair of photosensitive sensors pivoted on said support means, a control member pivoted on said support means about an axis parallel to but offset from pivoting axis of said sensors, said control member in one position interrupting the passage of radiation from a lamp in said lamp-holder means to one of said photosensitive sensors and in another position interrupting the passage of radiation from said lamp to both of said photosensitive sensors, said pivoting of said sensors permitting adjustment of the distance between the two said positions, and a two state Schmitt trigger-like switching device so controlled by said sensors that switching occurs when both sensors become shielded against the radiation and when both sensors become exposed to the radiation, said apparatus as a result having a switching differential which, due to the movable mounting of said sensors, is adjustable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
Electric switching apparatus comprising support means, lamp-holder means carried by said support means, a pair of photosensitive sensors pivoted on said support means, a control member pivoted on said support means about an axis parallel to but offset from pivoting axis of said sensors, said control member in one position interrupting the passage of radiation from a lamp in said lamp-holder means to one of said photosensitive sensors and in another position interrupting the passage of radiation from said lamp to both of said photosensitive sensors, said pivoting of said sensors permitting adjustment of the distance between the two said positions, and a two state Schmitt trigger-like switching device so controlled by said sensors that switching occurs when both sensors become shielded against the radiation and when both sensors become exposed to the radiation, said apparatus as a result having a switching differential which, due to the movable mounting of said sensors, is adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electric switching apparatus comprising: a lamp, a pair of photo-responsive sensors, a movable control member which is movable about an axis in response to an applied control signal and is mounted between said lamp and said pair of photo-responsive sensors for selectively interrupting paths of radiation from said lamp to said pair of photo-responsive sensors, said photo-responsive sensors being mounted upon selectively adjustable means for changing the relative displacement of said sensors with respect to the angular movement of said movable control member, switching means connected to said sensors, said switching means having deadband means controlled by said sensors such that switching occurs when both of said radiation paths become interrupted and when both of said radiation paths cease being interrupted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electric switching apparatus comprising: a lamp, a pair of photo-responsive sensors, a movable control member which is movable about an axis in response to an applied control signal and is mounted between said lamp and said pair of photo-responsive sensors for selectively interrupting paths of radiation from said lamp to said pair of photo-responsive sensors, said photo-responsive sensors being mounted upon selectively adjustable means for changing the relative displacement of said sensors with respect to the angular movement of said movable control member, switching means connected to said sensors, said switching means having deadband means controlled by said sensors such that switching occurs when both of said radiation paths become interrupted and when both of said radiation paths cease being interrupted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said selectively adjustable means includes pivotal means for pivoting, with respect to said movable member, said pair of photo-responsive sensors about an axis of said pivotal means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said movable control member which is selectively adjustable includes means for pivoting said movable control member about an axis which is parallel to said axis of said selectively adjustable means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said deadband means of said switching means includes a Schmitt trigger-type circuit whereby said Schmitt trigger-type circuit senses whether neither, one or both of said pair of photo-sensors is conductive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said adjustable means includes a housing for mounting said lamp such that said pair of photo-responsive sensors and said lamp are pivoted about said axis of said pivotal means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said movable control member which is selectively adjustable includes pivotal means for pivoting said movable control member about an axis which is parallel to said axis of said pivotal means of said selectively adjustable means, and said deadband means of said switching means includes a Schmitt trigger type circuit whereby said Schmitt trigger-type circuit senses whether neither, one or both of said pair of photo-sensitive sensors is conductive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3332014A
Cited
US3596178A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |