Patent US4066859A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4066859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mercury wettable contact assembly
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1976-05-21
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A switching device comprising a movable blade wetted with a liquid metal, and a stationary blade having a surfacelayer of a non-metallic material which is not wetted by the liquid metal.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Steinmetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/06; H01H1/08; H01H29/00; H01H29/02; H01H29/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A switching device which comprises a moveable contact blade formed of a magnetizable metal and having a contact surface wetted with a liquid metal, and a stationary contact blade formed of a magnetisable metal and having on its contact surface a layer consisting of a non-metallic material that is not wetted by the liquid metal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A switching device which comprises a moveable contact blade formed of a magnetizable metal and having a contact surface wetted with a liquid metal, and a stationary contact blade formed of a magnetisable metal and having on its contact surface a layer consisting of a non-metallic material that is not wetted by the liquid metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A switching device according to claim 1, in which the non-metallic material consists of an insulating material provided with at least one hole extending therethrough and having a maximum size of 10 5 μ 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A switching device according to claim 1, in which an intermediate layer approximately 100μm thick of a non-magnetizable metal is provided between the contact surface of the movable blade and the liquid metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A switching device according to claim 3, in which the non-magnetizable metal is molybdenum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A switching device according to claim 1, in which an intermediate layer approximately 100μm thick of a non-magnetizable metal is provided between the contact surface of the stationary blade and the non-metallic material layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A switching device according to claim 5, in which the non-magnetizable metal is molybdenum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A switching device according to claim 1, in which the contact surface of the movable blade is provided with grooves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switching device according to claim 7, in which said grooves extend longitudinally of the movable blade contact surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A switching device according to claim 1, in which the liquid metal is mercury.
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) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |