Tilt actuated liquid metal switch having a negative break angle

Claim 1

A tilt actuated liquid metal switch comprising: an envelope having an interior surface normally maintained in a substantially horizontal position; a switching electrode supported by and extending into said envelope; a pool of liquid metal disposed within said envelope and engaging said interior surface; and a pool depressor provided within said envelope; said depressor including a portion located, with said envelope in the horizontal position, so as to be normally in engagement with a portion of said pool and so as to be disposed between said electrode and the center of gravity of said pool causing a restoring force, due to the interaction of the depressor portion and the surface tension of said pool, tending to move said pool away from said electrode; tilting of said envelope away from the horizontal position causing movement of said pool into engagement with said electrode due to gravitational force overcoming tee summation of adhesional force, set up by the engaging surfaces of said envelope and said pool, and the restoring force; subsequent reverse tilting of said envelope causing disengagement of said pool from said electrode prior to the horizontal position being attained due to the restoring force exceeding the summation of gravitational force and adhesional force.