US4360740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low voltage switching circuit for controlling a high voltage electrical load
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-09-01
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2001-09-01
Abstract
Abstract Solid state high voltage electronic switching means, preferably a triac, is connected in series with a high voltage load, for instance, a light, across a high voltage alternating current power source. Contacts of a relay having a low voltage coil are operably connected for controlling the triac. A diode and solid state voltage limiting and storage means, preferably a zenier diode, are also connected in series across the high voltage alternating current power source converting alternating current to direct current and reducing and storing the now direct current providing a low voltage direct current power source. A capacitor may be connected in parallel with the zenier diode for aiding in storing and stabilizing the low voltage direct current. Alternately, low voltage switching means in the form of either a common on-off switch or a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means are connected in series with the low voltage relay coil across the low voltage direct current power source for controlling the relay contacts thereby controlling the high voltage load with a low voltage circuit. The solid state low voltage electronic switching means forming part of one form of low voltage switching means may include a solid state flip-flop operably connected controlled by the normally off-momentarily on manual switch and operably connected to the base of a transistor with the transistor connected in series with the low voltage coil of the relay means across the low voltage direct current power source.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert F. Conard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:38
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M5/00; H02M5/02; H02M5/04; H02M5/22; H02M5/25; H02M5/257; H02M5/2573
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
In an electrical circuit for controlling a high voltage electrical load by a low voltage switching circuit; the combination of: a high voltage alternating current power source; solid state high voltage electronic switching means and a high voltage load to be energized connected in series across said alternating current power source, said electronic switching means transmitting high voltage electrical power therethrough to energize said high voltage load when energized and interrupting said high voltage electrical power therethrough to de-energize said high voltage load when de-energized; relay means having contacts operably connected to said electronic switching means energizing said switching means when closed and de-energizing said switching means when open, a low voltage coil causing closing of said contacts when energized and opening of said contacts when de-energized; diode means for converting said alternating current power source to direct current power source and solid state voltage limiting and storage means for reducing and storing the now direct current power, said diode means and said voltage limiting and storage means being connected in series across said alternating current power source; low voltage switching means and said low voltage coil of said relay means connected in series across said low voltage direct current power source of said voltage limiting and storage means for selectively energizing and de-energizing said low voltage coil of said relay means to selectively energize and de-energize said high voltage load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
In an electrical circuit for controlling a high voltage electrical load by a low voltage switching circuit; the combination of: a high voltage alternating current power source; solid state high voltage electronic switching means and a high voltage load to be energized connected in series across said alternating current power source, said electronic switching means transmitting high voltage electrical power therethrough to energize said high voltage load when energized and interrupting said high voltage electrical power therethrough to de-energize said high voltage load when de-energized; relay means having contacts operably connected to said electronic switching means energizing said switching means when closed and de-energizing said switching means when open, a low voltage coil causing closing of said contacts when energized and opening of said contacts when de-energized; diode means for converting said alternating current power source to direct current power source and solid state voltage limiting and storage means for reducing and storing the now direct current power, said diode means and said voltage limiting and storage means being connected in series across said alternating current power source; low voltage switching means and said low voltage coil of said relay means connected in series across said low voltage direct current power source of said voltage limiting and storage means for selectively energizing and de-energizing said low voltage coil of said relay means to selectively energize and de-energize said high voltage load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said high voltage electronic switching means includes a triac connected in series with said high voltage load across said alternating current power source; and in which said contacts of said relay means are operably connected to said triac and said alternating current power source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said voltage limiting and storage means includes capacitor means connected across said direct current power source for aiding in storing and stabalizing said low voltage direct current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said voltage limiting and storage means includes a zenier diode connected in series with said diode means across said alternating current power source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said low voltage switching means includes an on-off switch selectively positionable in each of an on position energizing and an off position de-energizing said relay means low voltage coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said low voltage switching means includes a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means, said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off, said electronic switching means energizing said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and de-energizing said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 6 in which said low voltage electronic switching means includes a solid state flip-flop operably connected to said manual switch and operably connected to the base of a transistor, said transistor being operably connected in series with said low voltage coil of said relay means across said low voltage direct current power source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 6 in which said normally off-momentarily on manual switch is connected in parallel with a second normally off-momentarily on manual switch each independently operable in similar manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 6 in which said low voltage electronic switching means includes a solid state flip-flop operably connected to said manual switch and operably connected to the base of a transistor, and transistor being operably connected in series with said low voltage coil of said relay means across said low voltage direct current power source; and in which said normally off-momentarily on manual switch is connected in parallel with a second normally off-momentarily on manual switch each independently operable in similar manner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said high voltage electronic switching means includes a triac connected in series with said high voltage load across said alternating current power source; in which said contacts of said relay means are operably connected to said triac and said alternating current power source; and in with said low voltage switching means includes a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means, said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off, said electric switching means energizing said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and de-energizing said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said voltage limiting and storage means includes a zenier diode connected in series with said diode means across said alternating current power source; and in which said low voltage switching means includes a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means, said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off, said electronic switching means energizing said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and de-energizing said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
170 words
In an electric circuit as defined in claim 1 in which said high voltage electronic switching means includes a triac connected in series with said high voltage load across said alternating current power source; in which said contacts of said relay means are operably connected to said triac and said alternating current power source; in which said voltage limiting and storage means includes a zenier diode connected in series with said diode means across said alternating current power source; and in which said low voltage switching means includes a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means, said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off, said electronic switching means energizing said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and deenergizing said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
211 words
In a method of controlling a high voltage electrical load by a low voltage switching circuit; the steps of: converting a high voltage alternating current power source to a low voltage direct current power source by use of diode means and solid state voltage limiting means; directing said low voltage direct current power source through series connected selectively operable switching means and a low voltage relay coil for energizing said relay coil by low voltage direct current when said switching means is in a closed position and de-energizing said relay coil when said switching means is in an open position; directing said high voltage alternating current power source through series connected solid state high voltage switching means and a high voltage electrical load, said switching means transmitting high voltage electrical power therethrough to energize said high voltage load when energized and interrupting said high voltage electrical power therethrough to de-energize said high voltage load when de-energized; operably connecting relay contacts controlled by said low voltage relay coil to said high voltage switching means for energizing said switching means when closed and de-energizing said switching means when open, said relay contacts being closed by said relay coil when said relay coil is energized and being opened when said relay coil is de-energized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
211 words
In a method of controlling a high voltage electrical load by a low voltage switching circuit; the steps of: converting a high voltage alternating current power source to a low voltage direct current power source by use of diode means and solid state voltage limiting means; directing said low voltage direct current power source through series connected selectively operable switching means and a low voltage relay coil for energizing said relay coil by low voltage direct current when said switching means is in a closed position and de-energizing said relay coil when said switching means is in an open position; directing said high voltage alternating current power source through series connected solid state high voltage switching means and a high voltage electrical load, said switching means transmitting high voltage electrical power therethrough to energize said high voltage load when energized and interrupting said high voltage electrical power therethrough to de-energize said high voltage load when de-energized; operably connecting relay contacts controlled by said low voltage relay coil to said high voltage switching means for energizing said switching means when closed and de-energizing said switching means when open, said relay contacts being closed by said relay coil when said relay coil is energized and being opened when said relay coil is de-energized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of directing said high voltage alternating current power source through said solid state high voltage switching means includes directing said high voltage alternating current power source through a triac; and in which said step of operably connecting said relay contacts to said high voltage switching means includes operably connecting said relay contacts to said triac and to said high voltage alternating current power source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of converting said high voltage alternating current power source to said low voltage direct current power source includes stabilizing low voltage direct current of said low voltage direct current power source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of converting a high voltage alternating current power source to a low voltage direct current power source by use of solid state voltage limiting means includes using a zenier diode as said solid state voltage limiting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of directing said low voltage direct current power source through series connected selectively operable switching means includes directing said low voltage direct current power source through an on-off switch selectively positionable in each of an on position energizing and an off position de-energizing said relay coil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of directing said low voltage direct current power source through said selectively operable switching means includes using switching means in the form of a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means with said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off so that said electronic switching means energizes said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and de-energizes said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a method as defined in claim 18 in which said use of said solid state low voltage electronic switching means includes use of a solid state flip-flop operably connected to said manual switch and operably connected to the base of a transistor with said transistor being operably connected in series with said low voltage relay coil.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a method as defined in claim 18 in which said using of said switching means in the form of said normally off-momentarily on manual switch includes selectively alternately using said manual switch and a second similar manual switch connected in parallel therewith.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a method as defined in claim 18 in which said use of said solid state low voltage electronic switching means includes use of a solid state flip-flop operably connected to said manual switch and operably connected to the base of a transistor with said transistor being operably connected in series with said low voltage relay coil; in which said using of said switching means in the form of said normally off-momentarily on manual switch includes selectively alternately using said manual switch and a second similar manual switch connected in parallel therewith.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of directing said high voltage alternating current power source through said solid state high voltage switching means includes directing said high voltage alternating current power source through a triac; in which said step of operably connecting said relay contacts to said high voltage switching means includes operably connecting said relay contacts to said triac and to said high voltage alternating current power source; and in which said step of directing said low voltage direct current power source through said selectively operable switching means includes using switching means in the form of a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means with said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off so that said electronic switching means energizes said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and de-energizes said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of converting a high voltage alternating current power source to a low voltage direct current power source by use of solid state voltage limiting means includes using a zenier diode as said solid state voltage limiting means; and in which said step of directing said low voltage direct current power source through said selectively operable switching means includes using switching means in the form of a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means with said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off so that said electronic switching means energizes said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and de-energizes said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
230 words
In a method as defined in claim 13 in which said step of directing said high voltage alternating current power source through said solid state high voltage switching means includes directing said high voltage alternating current power source through a triac; in which said step of operably connecting said relay contacts to said high voltage switching means includes operably connecting said relay contacts to said triac and to said high voltage alternating current power source; in which said step of converting a high voltage alternating current power source to a low voltage direct current power source by use of a solid state voltage limiting means includes using a zenier diode as said solid state voltage limiting means; and in which said step of directing said low voltage direct current power source through said selectively operable switching means includes using switching means in the form of a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means with said electronic switching means being convertible between transmitting and non-transmitting modes by said manual switch being selectively moved temporarily to momentarily on and remaining in that particular of said modes upon said manual switch then being moved back to normally off so that said electronic switching means energizes said low voltage coil when in said transmitting mode and de-energizes said low voltage coil when in said non-transmitting mode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |