US3868610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective electrical switching means
Assignee: UNIVERSAL TELEWRITERS UK Ltd
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Filing: 1973-11-29
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A coordinate switching device includes an array of switching elements arranged in rows and columns. Each element includes a soft iron armature arranged for movement of a portion thereof between magnetic pole members so that as the gap between one pole and the armature increases the other gap diminishes. Movement of the armature is arranged to operate switch contacts, one of which may be the armature. The magnetic fields necessary to actuate the armature are produced by selective energization of respective row and column conductors arranged so that one produces fields in opposite senses in the two gaps while the other produces fields in the same sense. The poles may be on opposite sides of the same end of the armature or on the same side of the armature but at opposite ends. The armature may be arranged to be bistable so that its position is maintained in the absence of actuating currents.
Inventors
- 👤 Hassan Paddy Abdel Salam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H67/00; H01H67/22; H01H67/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
In a coordinate switching device comprising a plurality of selectively operable switching elements disposed in an array comprising rows and columns, each said switching element having an armature of magnetizable material, first and second spaced apart pole members of magnetizable material, a first gap defined between said armature and said first pole member and a second gap defined between said armature and said second pole member, means mounting said armature on the one hand and said first and second pole members on the other hand for relative movement therebetween whereby as the reluctance of said first gap increases with said relative movement that of said second gap diminishes and vice versa, and contact means operated by said relative movement, the improvement wherein there is provided: a respective first electric circuit associated with each of said rows of switching elements; means selectively energizing each said first electric circuit thereby to develop similarly directed magnetic fields in said first gap and in said second gap of each of the elements in the associated row; a respective second electric circuit associated with each of said columns of switching elements; and means selectively energizing each said second electric circuit thereby to develop oppositely directed magnetic fields in said first gap and in said second gap of each of the elements in the associated column; whereby said selective energization of one of said first and one of said second circuits produces selective operation of one only of said switching elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
In a coordinate switching device comprising a plurality of selectively operable switching elements disposed in an array comprising rows and columns, each said switching element having an armature of magnetizable material, first and second spaced apart pole members of magnetizable material, a first gap defined between said armature and said first pole member and a second gap defined between said armature and said second pole member, means mounting said armature on the one hand and said first and second pole members on the other hand for relative movement therebetween whereby as the reluctance of said first gap increases with said relative movement that of said second gap diminishes and vice versa, and contact means operated by said relative movement, the improvement wherein there is provided: a respective first electric circuit associated with each of said rows of switching elements; means selectively energizing each said first electric circuit thereby to develop similarly directed magnetic fields in said first gap and in said second gap of each of the elements in the associated row; a respective second electric circuit associated with each of said columns of switching elements; and means selectively energizing each said second electric circuit thereby to develop oppositely directed magnetic fields in said first gap and in said second gap of each of the elements in the associated column; whereby said selective energization of one of said first and one of said second circuits produces selective operation of one only of said switching elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said circuits comprises a single winding embracing the armatures of all said switching elements of the respective row or column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said circuits consists of a conductor embracing the pole members of the respective switching element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said circuits consists of a conductor embracing a yoke member provided with said pole members at spacedapart portions thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said gaps are defined between opposite faces of a portion of said armature and respective ones of said pole members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said gaps are defined between spaced apart faces on the same side of said armature and respective ones of said pole members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said armature of all of a plurality of said switching elements are formed by spaced apart integral portions of a single member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said pole members of a plurality of said switching elements are formed by spaced apart integral portions of a single member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a coordinate switching device comprising a two dimensional array of selectively operable contact sets arranged in rows and columns and each arranged for operation by the movement of an individual armature, each said armature arranged for said movement in response to first and second magnetic fields induced in an individual pole member by selective energization of a respective first electric conducTor associated with all the pole members of the row containing the set and a respective second electric conductor associated with all the pole members of the column containing the set, the improvement wherein all said contact sets and said armatures are contained within a common sealed enclosure, and said conductors and said pole members are disposed outside said enclosure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a coordinate switching device comprising a two dimensional array of selectively operable contact sets arranged in rows and columns and each arranged for operation by the movement of an individual armature, each said armature arranged for said movement in response to first and second magnetic fields induced in an individual pole member by selective energization of a respective first electric conducTor associated with all the pole members of the row containing the set and a respective second electric conductor associated with all the pole members of the column containing the set, the improvement wherein all said contact sets and said armatures are contained within a common sealed enclosure, and said conductors and said pole members are disposed outside said enclosure.
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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |