US3952209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical system for automotive vehicles and the like
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1974-09-09
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Granted: 1976-04-20
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Expires: 1994-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An electric power distribution system for automotive vehicles is disclosed. The system employs a bus bar which is connected to an electric power source and positioned within the vehicle in such a way as to provide a ready source of power near each power consuming device. Power control switches are coupled to control power transmission over relatively heavy conductors between the bus bar and each power consuming device. Light weight conductors are connected to the power control switches or power controllers to operate them in response to control signals provided over additional switch devices such as manually operated switches on the dashboard of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis Sowersby Shaklee
- 👤 Julius Neumann
- 👤 Evans James Irving
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:35
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/03; B60R16/0315
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An electrical system for a vehicle carrying a self-contained source of electrical power, a plurality of electrical devices at various locations about the vehicle, a heavy gauge main supply conductor coupled to one terminal of said source and positioned to pass adjacent each of said devices, means for coupling said devices to the opposed terminal of said source, a plurality of controllers for individually controlling the operation of one or more of said devices, with said controllers each disposed physically adjacent said devices controlled thereby, individual heavy gauge power conductors coupling the respective controllers to said main supply conductor, heavy gauge power conductors electrically joining said controllers to the devices controlled thereby, and a plurality of independent, manually operable switches, light gauge signalling conductors each connecting each of said switches to said controllers and independently to said power source whereby responsive to selective operation of any of said switches at least one of said controllers is actuated to control the operation of any devices controlled thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An electrical system for a vehicle carrying a self-contained source of electrical power, a plurality of electrical devices at various locations about the vehicle, a heavy gauge main supply conductor coupled to one terminal of said source and positioned to pass adjacent each of said devices, means for coupling said devices to the opposed terminal of said source, a plurality of controllers for individually controlling the operation of one or more of said devices, with said controllers each disposed physically adjacent said devices controlled thereby, individual heavy gauge power conductors coupling the respective controllers to said main supply conductor, heavy gauge power conductors electrically joining said controllers to the devices controlled thereby, and a plurality of independent, manually operable switches, light gauge signalling conductors each connecting each of said switches to said controllers and independently to said power source whereby responsive to selective operation of any of said switches at least one of said controllers is actuated to control the operation of any devices controlled thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical system is of the direct current, grounded return type with the ground return passing through conductive body of the vehicle, and said one terminal comprises the terminal to the active or "battery" side of said source, and the other terminal comprises a coupling to grounding conductive members of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said signalling conductors comprise a unitary conductive lead from ground to a switch and from the switch to a controller, and wherein each said conductor is a separable part of a flexible printed circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main supply conductor comprises a single cable member coupling said source to said controllers in parallel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrical system for an automotive vehicle comprising a power supply conductor from a self-contained power source on said vehicle, a plurality of power loads dispersed about said vehicle, a plurality of power controllers with each of said controllers being physically adjacent one of said loads, individual conductors connecting each load to the adjacent controller and to one terminal having electrical connection with said power source, a plurality of manually operable control switches at convenient locations about said vehicle, each of said switches having an independent connection to the other terminal of said power source for operation independently of the other switches, each of said switches having a connection over a signalling conductor to one or more of said controllers, said controllers individually responsive to selective operation of the switch connected thereto over said signalling conductors to complete a supply conductor path to the loads connected to the respective controllers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrical system for an automotive vehicle comprising a power supply conductor from a self-contained power source on said vehicle, a plurality of power loads dispersed about said vehicle, a plurality of power controllers with each of said controllers being physically adjacent one of said loads, individual conductors connecting each load to the adjacent controller and to one terminal having electrical connection with said power source, a plurality of manually operable control switches at convenient locations about said vehicle, each of said switches having an independent connection to the other terminal of said power source for operation independently of the other switches, each of said switches having a connection over a signalling conductor to one or more of said controllers, said controllers individually responsive to selective operation of the switch connected thereto over said signalling conductors to complete a supply conductor path to the loads connected to the respective controllers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5 in which the power controllers are solid state devices which are selectively rendered conductive responsive to signals from said control switches, thereby providing power to the loads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which the power controllers include Darlington circuits coupled to be rendered conductive responsive to signals received from the control switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which the power controllers include relay means.
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) | 1979-04-20 | 1979-10-20 | 1980-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-20 | 1983-10-20 | 1984-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-20 | 1987-10-20 | 1988-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |