Patent US4398837A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3886507A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3886507A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable latch for a relay
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1973-10-05
•
Granted: 1975-05-27
•
Expires: 1993-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic latch for use with relay is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a latch which can be assembled to a standard relay in the field is provided for latching the relay in a predetermined position. The latch is magnetically biased toward a latching position to follow the movement of the movable contact in the relay and to latch the relay when in the selected position. A spring can be added to bias the latch towards a latching position. The movable contacts of a standard relay are spring biased by a force which is less than that provided by the disclosed magnetic latch. An electric coil is provided for opposing the magnetic flux generated in the latch permitting the spring provided in the standard relay to move the magnetic latch to an unlatched position. In a second embodiment of the invention a magnetic latch for a relay is provided which is latched by a permanent magnet in the open or closed position. The latch includes an armature which is held in the open or closed position by means of two permanent magnets. A coil disposed around the armature can be energized to change the position of the magnetic latch. The direction of movement of the armature is determined by the direction of current flow through the coil and this is controlled by a diode switching arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Johnston
- 👤 Alfred E Maier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/16; H01F7/1607; H01F7/1615; H01H; H01H50/00; H01H50/16; H01H50/18; H01H50/20; H01H51/00; H01H51/22; H01H51/2209; H01F7/121; H01F7/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
A latch comprising: a housing formed of a magnetizable material; an elongated core formed of a magnetizable material disposed within said housing and being movable between a latched position wherein said core is in contact with said housing and an unlatched position wherein said core is not in contact with said housing; a magnet disposed within said housing between said housing and said core so as to form a magnetic circuit through said core and said housing when said core is in contact with said housing to securely hold said core to said housing; said magnet disposed with the north-south pole of said magnet aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said core; biasing means for biasing said core towards the latched position; an electric coil, disposed in said housing, which when energized opposes the magnetic circuit formed through said core by said magnet permitting said core to be moved to the unlatched position; said housing has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a bight portion connecting the two legs of said U-shaped housing; said core disposed within said housing for movement along its longitudinal axis between a latched position in engagement with the bight portion of said U-shaped housing and an unlatched position spaced from the bight portion of said U-shaped housing; an end plate formed from non-magnetic material connecting the free ends of the legs of said U-shaped housing; said housing having an opening formed in the bight portion; a latch arm extending from said core through the opening in the bight portion of said housing; said latch arm being secured to said core to move in unison with said core; said core having a longitudinal threaded opening formed therein; and said latch arm includes a threaded portion which engages the threaded opening formed in said core so that the distance which said latch arm extends from said latch can be varied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
A latch comprising: a housing formed of a magnetizable material; an elongated core formed of a magnetizable material disposed within said housing and being movable between a latched position wherein said core is in contact with said housing and an unlatched position wherein said core is not in contact with said housing; a magnet disposed within said housing between said housing and said core so as to form a magnetic circuit through said core and said housing when said core is in contact with said housing to securely hold said core to said housing; said magnet disposed with the north-south pole of said magnet aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said core; biasing means for biasing said core towards the latched position; an electric coil, disposed in said housing, which when energized opposes the magnetic circuit formed through said core by said magnet permitting said core to be moved to the unlatched position; said housing has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a bight portion connecting the two legs of said U-shaped housing; said core disposed within said housing for movement along its longitudinal axis between a latched position in engagement with the bight portion of said U-shaped housing and an unlatched position spaced from the bight portion of said U-shaped housing; an end plate formed from non-magnetic material connecting the free ends of the legs of said U-shaped housing; said housing having an opening formed in the bight portion; a latch arm extending from said core through the opening in the bight portion of said housing; said latch arm being secured to said core to move in unison with said core; said core having a longitudinal threaded opening formed therein; and said latch arm includes a threaded portion which engages the threaded opening formed in said core so that the distance which said latch arm extends from said latch can be varied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
358 words
A latch comprising: a housing formed of a magnetizable material; an elongated core formed of a magnetizable material disposed within said housing and being movable between a latched position wherein said core is in contact with said housing and an unlatched position wherein said core is not in contact with said housing; a magnet disposed within said housing between said housing and said core so as to form a magnetic circuit through said core and said housing when said core is in contact with said housing to securely hold said core to said housing; said magnet disposed with the north-south pole of said magnet aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said core; biasing means for biasing said core towards the latched position; an electric coil, disposed in said housing, which when energized opposes the magnetic circuit formed through said core by said magnet permitting said core to be moved to the unlatched position; said housing has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a bight portion connecting the two legs of said U-shaped housing; said core disposed within said housing for movement along its longitudinal axis between a latched position in engagement with the bight portion of said U-shaped housing and an unlatched position spaced from the bight portion of said U-shaped housing; an end plate formed from non-magnetic material connecting the free ends of the legs of said U-shaped housing; said housing having an opening formed in the bight portion; a latch arm extending from said core through the opening in the bight portion of said housing; said latch arm being secured to said core to move in unison with said core; said core having a threaded longitudinal opening formed therethrough; said end plate having an opening formed therein; said latch arm includes a threaded portion which engages the threaded opening formed in said core so that the distance which said latch arm extends from said latch can be varied; and, an extension extending from the threaded portion of said latch arm through the opening in said end plate whereby the distance which said latch arm extends from said latch can be varied by rotating said extension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
358 words
A latch comprising: a housing formed of a magnetizable material; an elongated core formed of a magnetizable material disposed within said housing and being movable between a latched position wherein said core is in contact with said housing and an unlatched position wherein said core is not in contact with said housing; a magnet disposed within said housing between said housing and said core so as to form a magnetic circuit through said core and said housing when said core is in contact with said housing to securely hold said core to said housing; said magnet disposed with the north-south pole of said magnet aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said core; biasing means for biasing said core towards the latched position; an electric coil, disposed in said housing, which when energized opposes the magnetic circuit formed through said core by said magnet permitting said core to be moved to the unlatched position; said housing has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a bight portion connecting the two legs of said U-shaped housing; said core disposed within said housing for movement along its longitudinal axis between a latched position in engagement with the bight portion of said U-shaped housing and an unlatched position spaced from the bight portion of said U-shaped housing; an end plate formed from non-magnetic material connecting the free ends of the legs of said U-shaped housing; said housing having an opening formed in the bight portion; a latch arm extending from said core through the opening in the bight portion of said housing; said latch arm being secured to said core to move in unison with said core; said core having a threaded longitudinal opening formed therethrough; said end plate having an opening formed therein; said latch arm includes a threaded portion which engages the threaded opening formed in said core so that the distance which said latch arm extends from said latch can be varied; and, an extension extending from the threaded portion of said latch arm through the opening in said end plate whereby the distance which said latch arm extends from said latch can be varied by rotating said extension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A latch as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said electric coil surrounds a portion of said core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A latch as claimed in claim 3 including: a spool having a generally rectangular opening therethrough around which said coil is wound; SAID core having a generally rectangular cross-section which fits in the generally rectangular opening in said spool to prevent relative rotational movement of said core with respect to said spool; and, said spool is fixed with respect to said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A latch as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said spring is of the coil variety and is disposed around said extension; and, said magnet is of a flat rectangular shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
171 words
A latch comprising: an elongated core formed from a ferromagnetic material and being movable between a latched and an unlatched position; biasing means urging said core towards the latched position; magnetic sealing means, comprising a flat rectangular permanent magnet disposed with the north-south magnetic axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said core, to form a magnetic flux path through said core when said core is in the latched position to magnetically retain the latch in the latched position; an electric coil disposed so as to buck the magnetic flux path in said core formed by said magnetic sealing means when energized allowing said core to be moved to the unlatched position; a housing having a generally U-shaped cross section formed from a ferromagnetic material and containing said core and said magnetic sealing means within the confines defined by said housing; said coil disposed around a portion of said core and being fixed relative to said housing; and, a latch arm adjustably secured to said core and extending from said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A latch comprising: an elongated core formed from a ferromagnetic material and being movable between a latched and an unlatched position; biasing means urging said core towards the latched position; magnetic sealing means, comprising a flat rectangular permanent magnet disposed with the north-south magnetic axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said core, to form a magnetic flux path through said core when said core is in the latched position to magnetically retain the latch in the latched position; an electric coil disposed so as to buck the magnetic flux path in said core formed by said magnetic sealing means when energized allowing said core to be moved to the unlatched position; a housing having a generally U-shaped cross section formed from a ferromagnetic material and containing said core and said magnetic sealing means within the confines defined by said housing; said coil disposed around a portion of said core and being fixed relative to said housing; and, a latch arm adjustably secured to said core and extending from said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A latch as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said latch arm is threadably secured to said core; and, an extension rigidly secured to said latch arm and extending from said housing so that the distance said latch arm extends from said latch can be varied by rotating said extension.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |