US3740499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil filled stepping switch
Assignee: Comsat Corp
•
Filing: 1971-04-06
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A high voltage oil filled stepping switch connects a plurality of DC voltage sources to a common output terminal. The rotor and housing is formed of plastic and contains appropriate grooves and flutes to increase electrical resistance to voltage breakdown while increasing the oil storage space. A flexible self-aligning shaft incrementally positions the rotor contacts with the housing contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 A Standing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/54; H01H19/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A rotary stepping switch comprising: a cylindrical housing having end closure means; at least one output terminal mounted on said end closure means and a plurality of input terminals mounted on said cylindrical housing a flexible insulated shaft means concentrically positioned for rotation in the housing; a rotor positioned concentrically within the housing means connecting said rotor to said flexible shaft means; a plurality of stationary contact members secured to the interior of the housing in circumferentially spaced relation and electrically connected to the input terminals; a slidable electrical connection means providing electrical contact between the rotor and the output terminal; and contact means on the rotor electrically connected to the sliding electrical contact means and adapted to contact the stationary contact means on the interior of the housing upon rotation of the shaft and rotor in proper angular relation relative to the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A rotary stepping switch comprising: a cylindrical housing having end closure means; at least one output terminal mounted on said end closure means and a plurality of input terminals mounted on said cylindrical housing a flexible insulated shaft means concentrically positioned for rotation in the housing; a rotor positioned concentrically within the housing means connecting said rotor to said flexible shaft means; a plurality of stationary contact members secured to the interior of the housing in circumferentially spaced relation and electrically connected to the input terminals; a slidable electrical connection means providing electrical contact between the rotor and the output terminal; and contact means on the rotor electrically connected to the sliding electrical contact means and adapted to contact the stationary contact means on the interior of the housing upon rotation of the shaft and rotor in proper angular relation relative to the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A switch as in claim 1 further including a body of oil substantially covering the rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A switch as in claim 2 where the flexible shaft means include a flexible shaft and an adaptor, the adaptor rotatably connected to the housing and the shaft, the shaft connected to the rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A switch as in claim 2 where the sliding electrical contact means includes a slip ring mounted on the rotor and a stationary brush mounted on said end closure means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switch as claim 3 where the flexible shaft is plastic and the rotor is connected only at the end of the shaft farthest from the adaptor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A switch as in claim 4 where the flexible shaft means includes a flexible shaft rotatably connected to the housing at one end and connected to the rotor only at the other end, the interior periphery of the housing being fluted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A switch as in claim 6 where the rotor has a circumferential groove to increase the electrical leakage resistance of the rotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A switch as in claim 6 where the exterior of the housing has a circumferential groove to increase the electrical leakage resistance of the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch as in claim 6 where the stationary contact members are positioned within the flutes of the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A switch as in claim 6 where the housing has a stationary central cylindrical member with an axial bore, the flexible shaft rotatably positioned within the axial bore and the rotor having an axial bore positioned around the cylindrical member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A switch as in claim 10 where the axial bore of the rotor has longitudinal grooves for lubricating and damping the relative movement of the rotor and the cylindrical member of the housing.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |