Electrical time lock-out system

Claim 2

An electrical time lock-out system comprising: an operator; an operator circuit connected with said operator and including a normally open lock-out switch; lock-out switch control means; a holding circuit including holding switch means having first and second positions; holding switch control means responsive to a triggering signal to switch said holding switch to said second position and to an absence of said triggering signal to switch said holding switch to said first position; current sensing means connected with said holding switch control means for sensing current in said operator circuit and responsive to a selected current therein to produce said triggering signal; a time delay device connected with said holding switch control means and responsive to an electric signal in said control circuit to, after a selected time delay, produce said triggering signal to switch said holding switch means to said second position; said holding circuit connecting said holding switch with said lock-out switch control means and said time delay device to complete a circuit to said lock-out control means when said holding switch is in said second position and to complete a circuit to said time delay device when said holding switch is in said first position whereby when said system is operating normally said current sensing means will maintain said triggering signal on said holding switch control means to hold said holding switch in said second position to maintain said lock-out switch closed and when either said operator circuit or said control circuit is de-energized said holding switch will switch to said first position thereby requiring the time delay device to be reactivated before the system can again operate said operator.

Claim 3

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said sensing means includes a ferromagnetic loop surrounding a lead in said operator circuit and a sensing coil wound on one side of said loop.

Claim 4

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said time delay device includes a time delay switch including thermostatic means for closing said switch and electrical resistance means dIsposed in heat exchange relationship with said thermostatic means.

Claim 5

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said operator is an electric drive motor for driving an air conditioner compressor; and said control circuit includes a thermostat switch connected in series with said holding switch control means.

Claim 6

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said holding switch control means includes a solenoid connected with said holding switch and a gate controlled rectifier having its power circuit connected with said solenoid; and said current sensing means includes sensing means disposed adjacent said operator circuit and connected with the gate circuit of said rectifier.

Claim 7

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said time delay device includes a time delay switch having thermostatic drive means heat coupled therewith and connected with said first position of said holding switch.

Claim 8

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said time delay device includes a time delay switch connected in series with said lock-out switch control means and having dash-pot delay means coupled therewith, said dash-pot delay means including drive coil means connected with said first position of said holding switch.

Claim 9

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said holding switch control means includes a gate controlled rectifier having its gate connected to said current sensing means and to said time delay device so said rectifier will be rendered conductive any time said operator circuit is energized and when said time delay is rendered operative.

Claim 10

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said time delay device includes a time delay switch connected in series with said lock-out switch control means and in parallel with said holding switch.

Claim 11

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said operator circuit includes a control switch for selectively de-energizing said operator circuit.

Claim 12

An electrical time lock-out system comprising: an operator; operator control circuit connected with said operator and including lock-out switch means; a holding circuit connected with said operator and including a lock-out switch control, a holding switch device switchable between first and second contacts and a holding switch control including a rectifier having gate means responsive to a selected electrical signal to trigger said rectifier means and having its power circuit connected to said holding switch control; a current sensor connected with said gate means and responsive to current in said operator control circuit to apply said electrical signal to said gate means, a time delay device including a time delay switch and a time delay drive operative upon energization thereof to, after a predetermined time delay, close said time delay switch; an electrical circuit connecting said time delay drive with said second contact; a readiness circuit connecting said delay switch to a power source and to one of said means; an actuating circuit connected with said holding circuit for energization thereof whereby when said system is energized said time delay device will be energized to, after said predetermined time delay, close said time delay switch to complete a circuit through said readiness circuit to said one means and, thereafter, when said actuating circuit is energized said holding circuit will be energized to energize said lock-out switch control to close said lock-out switch and energize said operator circuit thereby causing said current sensor to sense the current in said operator circuit to apply said selected electrical signal to said gate means as long as said operator circuit remains energized to maintain said holding switch in said second position.

Claim 13

An electrical time lock-out system comprising: an operator; operator control circuit connected with said operator and including lock-out switch means; a holding circuit connected with said operator and including a lock-out switch control, a holding switch device switchable between first and second contacts and a holding switch control including a rectifier having gate means responsive to a selected electrical signal to trigger said rectifier means and having its power circuit connected to said holding switch control; a current sensor connected with said gate means and responsive to current in said operator control circuit to apply said electrical signal to said gate means, a time delay device including a time delay switch and a time delay drive operative upon energization thereof to, after a predetermined time delay, close said time delay switch; an electrical circuit connecting said time delay drive with said second contact; a readiness circuit connecting said delay switch to a power source and to one of said means; an actuating circuit connected with said holding circuit for energization thereof whereby when said system is energized said time delay device will be energized to, after said predetermined time delay, close said time delay switch to complete a circuit through said readiness circuit to said one means and, thereafter, when said actuating circuit is energized said holding circuit will be energized to energize said lock-out switch control to close said lock-out switch and energize said operator circuit thereby causing said current sensor to sense the current in said operator circuit to apply said selected electrical signal to said gate means as long as said operator circuit remains energized to maintain said holding switch in said second position.

Claim 14

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 11 whErein: said sensor includes a ferro-magnetic loop, an electro-magnetic coil wound on one side thereof, and lead means connecting said coil with said gate means.

Claim 15

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 11 wherein: said readiness circuit connects said delay switch to said gate means.

Claim 16

An electrical time lock-out system as set forth in claim 11 wherein: said readiness circuit connects said delay switch to said holding switch control.