US4480197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple load switching circuit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-06-16
•
Granted: 1984-10-30
•
Expires: 2001-06-16
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses an electronic circuit which allows selective energization of electrical loads from a remote location by successive momentary interruptions of a common power source. In one embodiment, a ceiling fan and an attached light fixture are controlled from a single wall switch position, such that the first application of power energizes only the light circuit, a second application (following a momentary interruption) energizes only the fan circuit, and a third such application energizes both circuits at the same time.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerrell P. Hollaway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:34
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/56; H03K17/72; H03K17/735
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit for use with a system having an electrical power source and a means for power interruption coupled by an electrical transmission line to one or more remotely located loads, said switching circuit comprising: (a) semiconductor switching means having regenerative feedback, a pair of main terminals, and a gate terminal for producing a change in conductance between said main terminals in response to a control signal applied thereto: (b) means for coupling the main terminals of said semiconductor switching means in series between a respective load and said power source; (c) capacitor memory means for storing information representative of the most recent state of conduction of said semiconductor switching means; and (d) voltage regulator trigger means, coupled to said memory means and to said series coupling means, for generating a control signal for the gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means in response to a momentary interruption of the supply of power through said series coupling means, where said means for power interruption is remote from the bistable thyristor switching circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit for use with a system having an electrical power source and a means for power interruption coupled by an electrical transmission line to one or more remotely located loads, said switching circuit comprising: (a) semiconductor switching means having regenerative feedback, a pair of main terminals, and a gate terminal for producing a change in conductance between said main terminals in response to a control signal applied thereto: (b) means for coupling the main terminals of said semiconductor switching means in series between a respective load and said power source; (c) capacitor memory means for storing information representative of the most recent state of conduction of said semiconductor switching means; and (d) voltage regulator trigger means, coupled to said memory means and to said series coupling means, for generating a control signal for the gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means in response to a momentary interruption of the supply of power through said series coupling means, where said means for power interruption is remote from the bistable thyristor switching circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The switching circuit of claim 1, where said means for power interruption is a manually operable power switch located at any point in said transmission line between said power source and said loads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the application of power to said bistable thyristor switching circuit following an interruption of power for a period of time longer than a prescribed period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means and responsive to the operation of said means for power interruption, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the operation of said means for power interruption connecting said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit following an interruption of the connection of said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit via said means for power interruption for a period of time longer than a prescribed period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said momentarily applying means includes a diode-resistor-capacitor network coupled to said semiconductor switching means and said voltage regulator means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the application of power to said bistable thyristor switching circuit following a relatively brief interruption of power in response to the information stored in said memory means indicating that said semiconductor switching means was non-conductive immediately prior to said power interruption.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means and responsive to the operation of said means for power interruption, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the operation of said means for power interruption connecting said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit following a relatively brief interruption of the connection of said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit via said means for power interruption and in response to the information stored in said memory means indicating that said semiconductor switching means was non-conductive immediately prior to said interruption.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said momentarily applying means includes a diode-resistor-capacitor network coupled to said semiconductor switching means and said voltage regulator means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the application of power to said bistable thyristor switching circuit following a relatively lengthy interruption of power or following a relatively brief interruption of power in response to the information stored in said memory means indicating that said semiconductor switching means was non-conductive immediately prior to said relatively brief interruption.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means and responsive to the operation of said means for power interruption, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the operation of said means for power interruption connecting said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit following a relatively lengthy interruption of the connection of said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit via said means for power interruption or following a relatively brief interruption of the connection of said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit via said means for power interruption and in response to the information stored in said memory memory means indicating that said semiconductor switching means was nonconductive immediately prior to said brief interruption.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the application of power to said bistable thryistor switching circuit following an interruption of power for a relatively brief period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said trigger means includes voltage regulator means coupled to said gate terminal of said semiconductor switching means and means, coupled to said memory means and said voltage regulator means and responsive to the operation of said means for power interruption, for momentarily applying to said voltage regulator means a voltage greater than a reference level of said voltage regulator means in response to the operation of said means for power interruption connecting said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit following an interruption of the connection of said power source to said bistable thyristor switching circuit via said means for power interruption for a relatively brief period of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 9, 10, 11, or 12, wherein said momentarily applying means includes a diode-resistor-capacitor network coupled to said semiconductor switching means and said voltage regulator means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A bistable thyristor switching circuit according to claim 1, wherein said power source and said loads are alternating current types and said bistable thyristor switching circuit includes current rectification means in series with the main terminals of said semiconductor switching means, and holdup current means connected in parallel with the main terminals for said semiconductor switching means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3723827A
Cited
US4322632A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-30 | 1988-04-30 | 1988-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-30 | 1992-04-30 | 1992-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-30 | 1996-04-30 | 1996-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |