Electromagnetically controlled, temperature-sensitive (ECTS) reed switch with substantially hystersis free operation

Claim 1

An electrically operable low hysteresis switching device comprising: (a) a reed switch having a pair of electrical contacts; (b) permanent magnetic means disposed adjacent said reed switch for establishing a magnetic field in the vicinity of the reed switch contacts; (c) ferrite means, disposed adjacent to said reed switch and said permanent magnetic means, for normally altering said magnetic field at ferrite temperatures equal to the Curie point of said ferrite, thereby to cause said reed switch normally to assume first and second switch positions at ferrite temperatures below and above said Curie point, respectively, under the influrence of said magnetic field; (d) an electromagnetic coil means disposed adjacent said reed switch, permanent magnetic means and said ferrite means and in magnetic circuit therewith, said coil having input terminals for supplying electrical current to alter said magnetic field by an amount sufficient to cause the position of said reed switch to change from one of said positions to the other of said positions at a constant ferrite temperature different from said Curie point; and (e) temperature control means disposed adjacent said ferrite means for maintaining said ferrite means at a substantially constant temperature below said Curie point upon the application and removal of electrical current at the input terminal to said coil.