US3742255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual-mode solid state relay
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-12
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A solid state power relay which may optionally provide either a fast turn-on, as is preferred for luminous gas discharge lamps, or a gradual turn-on, as is preferred for incandescent lamps to prolong filament life. Interchanging from one mode to the other is readily accomplished to provide interchangeability in standard traffic signal controllers or like applications.
Inventors
- 👤 C Stevens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:36
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/56; H03K17/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A dual-mode solid state relay comprising: first and secOnd silicon controlled rectifiers connected in parallel with their respective cathode/anode electrodes oppositely polarized; oscillator means for generating a train of control pulses at a pulse repetition rate exceeding the turn-off time of said silicon controlled rectifiers; first means for selectively applying said control pulses to the gate electrode of said first silicon controlled rectifier in response to an external control signal; delay means for applying said control pulses to the gate electrode of said second silicon controlled rectifier at a given time following the application of said external control pulse, in a first, soft-start, mode of operating said relay; second means for selectively applying said control pulses to the gate electrode of said second silicon controlled rectifier, simultaneously with the activation of said first control pulse applying means, in response to said external control signal in a second, hard-start, mode of operating said relay; and means for connecting said first and second silicon controlled rectifiers in series with an external load and an alternatingcurrent power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A dual-mode solid state relay comprising: first and secOnd silicon controlled rectifiers connected in parallel with their respective cathode/anode electrodes oppositely polarized; oscillator means for generating a train of control pulses at a pulse repetition rate exceeding the turn-off time of said silicon controlled rectifiers; first means for selectively applying said control pulses to the gate electrode of said first silicon controlled rectifier in response to an external control signal; delay means for applying said control pulses to the gate electrode of said second silicon controlled rectifier at a given time following the application of said external control pulse, in a first, soft-start, mode of operating said relay; second means for selectively applying said control pulses to the gate electrode of said second silicon controlled rectifier, simultaneously with the activation of said first control pulse applying means, in response to said external control signal in a second, hard-start, mode of operating said relay; and means for connecting said first and second silicon controlled rectifiers in series with an external load and an alternatingcurrent power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A dual-mode solid state relay as defined in claim including: pulse transformer means having a primary winding connected to the output of said oscillator means, a first secondary winding comprising said first control pulse applying means, and a second secondary winding comprising said second control pulse applying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A dual-mode solid state relay as defined in claim 1 wherein said delay means comprises: a transistor switch synchronized to the frequency of said alternating-current power source for inhibiting operation of said oscillator means during a portion of each full cycle of said power source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A dual-mode solid state relay as defined in claim 1 including: indicator means shunted connected across said first and second silicon controlled rectifiers to visibly display the operating state of said relay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A dual-mode solid state relay as defined in claim 1 including: first and second equalizing resistors, of substantially equal value, connected in series between each of said control pulse applying means and its corresponding gate electrode to provide equal distribution of the control pulses applied thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dual-mode solid state relay as defined in claim 3 including: means for inhibiting the operation of said transistor switch during the second, hard-start, mode of operating said relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A dual-mode solid state relay as defined in claim 1 including: pulse transformer means having a primary winding connected to the output of said oscillator means, a first secondary winding connected to the gate and cathode electrodes of said first silicon controlled rectifier, and a second secondary winding connected to the gate and cathode electrodes of said second silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
A solid state relay comprising: first and second silicon controlled rectifiers connected in parallel with their respective cathode/anode electrodes oppositely polarized; oscillator means for generating a train of control pulses at a pulse repetition rate exceeding the turn-off time of said silicon controlled rectifiers; pulse transformer means having a primary winding connected to the output of said oscillator means, a first secondary winding connected to the gate and cathode electrodes of said first silicon controlled rectifier, and a second secondary winding connected to the gate and cathode electrodes of said second silicon controlled rectifier; delay means for selectively turning said oscillator means on and off in response to an externally applied control signal including a transistor switch synchronized to the frequency of an alternating current power source; and means for connecting said first and second silicon controlled recitifiers in series with an external load and an alternating-current power source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
A solid state relay comprising: first and second silicon controlled rectifiers connected in parallel with their respective cathode/anode electrodes oppositely polarized; oscillator means for generating a train of control pulses at a pulse repetition rate exceeding the turn-off time of said silicon controlled rectifiers; pulse transformer means having a primary winding connected to the output of said oscillator means, a first secondary winding connected to the gate and cathode electrodes of said first silicon controlled rectifier, and a second secondary winding connected to the gate and cathode electrodes of said second silicon controlled rectifier; delay means for selectively turning said oscillator means on and off in response to an externally applied control signal including a transistor switch synchronized to the frequency of an alternating current power source; and means for connecting said first and second silicon controlled recitifiers in series with an external load and an alternating-current power source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3239748A
Cited
US3551700A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |