US4048599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric switching device
Assignee: Elektra Tailfingen Ammann and Cie
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Filing: 1976-05-10
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1996-05-10
Abstract
Abstract An electric switching device has a selector shaft that drives a switching element between a "cut-out" position in which the switch is open and a "cut-in" position in which the switch is closed. In the cut-in position, a set of "movable" electric contacts carried on the switching element each make electrical connection with a corresponding "fixed" contact supported on a housing. A cut-out mechanism automatically opens the switch when the voltage across the switch falls below a predetermined value (an undervoltage condition). The cut-out mechanism includes an electromagnet, wired in series with the switch, which controls the movement of the blocking lever. The blocking lever is movable between a blocking position in which it holds the switching element in its cut-in position, and a release position in which it allows the switching element to move to its cut-out position. A control element and a release lever provide an operative connection between the electromagnet and the blocking lever such that the blocking lever moves from its blocking position to its release position in response to an undervoltage condition. In addition, the switch will not automatically reclose when the voltage rises above the predetermined value, and if manually reclosed during an undervoltage condition, the switch will not remain closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto Groth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/50; H01H73/00; H01H73/36; H01H73/42; H01H83/00; H01H83/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An electric switch that automatically opens when the voltage carried by the switch falls below a predetermined value comprising, in combination, a switching element linearly movable along the direction of its longitudinal axis between a cut-in position that closes the switch and a cut-out position that opens the switch and is biased toward its cut-out position, control means having an electromagnet electrically connected in series with the switch, a release lever actuated by said control means to move from a first position to a second position when the voltage energizing said electromagnet falls below said predetermined value, a blocking mechanism operating with said release lever and said switching element to move from a blocking position in which it maintains the switching element in said cut-in position to a release position in which it allows said switching element to move to said cut-out position in response to said release lever moving from said first position to said second position, and a selector shaft and a first toggle lever acting independently of the blocking mechanism and operatively connecting said selector shaft and said switching element to drive said switching element between said cut-out and cut-in positions in response to a rotation of said selector shaft, said first toggle lever being near its dead center position when said switching element is in its cut-in position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An electric switch that automatically opens when the voltage carried by the switch falls below a predetermined value comprising, in combination, a switching element linearly movable along the direction of its longitudinal axis between a cut-in position that closes the switch and a cut-out position that opens the switch and is biased toward its cut-out position, control means having an electromagnet electrically connected in series with the switch, a release lever actuated by said control means to move from a first position to a second position when the voltage energizing said electromagnet falls below said predetermined value, a blocking mechanism operating with said release lever and said switching element to move from a blocking position in which it maintains the switching element in said cut-in position to a release position in which it allows said switching element to move to said cut-out position in response to said release lever moving from said first position to said second position, and a selector shaft and a first toggle lever acting independently of the blocking mechanism and operatively connecting said selector shaft and said switching element to drive said switching element between said cut-out and cut-in positions in response to a rotation of said selector shaft, said first toggle lever being near its dead center position when said switching element is in its cut-in position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switch according to claim 1 in which the one lever arm of the toggle lever is rotationally fixed on the selector shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A switch according to claim 1 in which the blocking mechanism functions independently of the toggle lever and interacts either with the selector shaft or with the switching element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A switch according to claim 1 in which the blocking mechanism comprises a pivotable blocking lever to block and release the switching elements, said blocking lever being held in its blocking position by the said release lever when the electromagnet is energized by a voltage at or above said predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A switch according to claim 4 wherein said control means has a core, a movable control element, and means operatively connecting said control element and said core, said movable control engaging said release lever and being structured to maintain said release lever in said first position when the voltage is at or above said predetermined voltage and to place said release lever in said second position when the voltage is below said predetermined level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A switch according to claim 5 wherein said core is drawn towards said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized, and further comprising a resetting spring that urges said core in a direction opposite to said electromagnet, said spring being structured to move said core in said opposite direction when the electromagnet is energized by a voltage below said predetermined level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A switch according to claim 4 in which the blocking lever of said blocking mechanism is a second toggle lever movable between its blocking and release positions through its dead center position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A switch according to claim 4 further comprising a movable control element wherein said blocking lever is pivotally mounted on the selector shaft and can be locked in a detent recess of the release lever, said release lever is mounted to pivot between said first and second position about a pivot pin, and said detent recess is located between the pivot pin of the release lever and a free end which interacts with the movable control element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A switch according to claim 8 further comprising a spring acting on said release lever and wherein the release lever is mounted on the pivot pin so that it is radially adjustable under the action of a compression spring to allow a manual opening and closing of the switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch according to claim 8 in which the release is located between the selector shaft and the electromagnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A switch according to claim 8 wherein said control means further comprises a core acted upon by the electromagnet and in which the release lever is constructed as a single arm and the movable control element is a double-armed control lever, one lever arm of said control lever being pivoted at the core of the electromagnet and the other free lever arm being located below the free end of the release lever.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
A switch according to claim 11 wherein said free ends of said release lever and said control lever are structured so that the free end of the release lever is directed toward the control lever and moves from an abutting to an adjacent relationship when said control lever moves in response to an undervoltage condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A switch according to claim 8 wherein said first toggle lever has a first lever arm mounted on said selector shaft, said first lever arm being one arm of a double armed lever with said blocking lever being the other arm.
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) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |