US4583867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-energized commutation device sensitive to a temperature gradient
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-04-20
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Granted: 1986-04-22
•
Expires: 2004-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A device, for assuring selective commutation of one or the other of two electric measuring circuits to a single electric exploitation circuit as a function of the temperature gradient present between two distinct points of reference, has a first thermocouple placed at the first point of reference; a second thermocouple placed at a second point of reference, connected in opposition to the first thermocouple in order to deliver a differential electro-motive force (Δe) of which the value and the sign are a function of the value and sense of the gradient; and commutation means sensitive to this electro-motive force and fed solely by the energy produced by the two thermocouples. The commutation means includes a relay fed by the differential electro-motive force.
Inventors
- 👤 Georges Gautheret
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H47/00; H01H47/22; H01H47/26; G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; H01H53/00; H01H53/01; H01H53/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for obtaining selective commutation of two electric measuring circuits (11, 21) to a single utilization electric circuit as a function of the temperature gradient present between two distinct points of reference, said device comprising: a first thermocouple (12) placed at a first point of reference, a second thermocouple (22) placed at a second point of reference, said second thermocouple being connected in opposition to said first thermocouple in a manner to deliver an electro-motive force differential, (Δe) the value and sign of which are a function of the magnitude and sense of said temperature gradient, commutation means (100) responsive to said electro-motive force differential and energized solely by energy produced by said two thermocouples, said commutation means being adapted to selectively connect one or the other said measuring circuit to said utilization circuit according to the sign of said differential electro-motive force with respect to the electro-motive force corresponding to a null gradient, when the absolute value of the electromotive force differential exceeds a pre-determined threshold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for obtaining selective commutation of two electric measuring circuits (11, 21) to a single utilization electric circuit as a function of the temperature gradient present between two distinct points of reference, said device comprising: a first thermocouple (12) placed at a first point of reference, a second thermocouple (22) placed at a second point of reference, said second thermocouple being connected in opposition to said first thermocouple in a manner to deliver an electro-motive force differential, (Δe) the value and sign of which are a function of the magnitude and sense of said temperature gradient, commutation means (100) responsive to said electro-motive force differential and energized solely by energy produced by said two thermocouples, said commutation means being adapted to selectively connect one or the other said measuring circuit to said utilization circuit according to the sign of said differential electro-motive force with respect to the electro-motive force corresponding to a null gradient, when the absolute value of the electromotive force differential exceeds a pre-determined threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said commutation means comprises a polarized relay of which the terminals of the winding are fed by said differential electro-motive force, the magnetic field produced by said winding activating a movable contact-carrying blade obtaining selective commutation of said electric measuring circuits, connected to input terminals of said relay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
199 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said commutation means comprises: at least one pair of distinct fixed contacts placed opposite each other and respectively connected to one and the other of said measuring circuits, at least one wire movable between said two fixed contacts and of which an end is connected to said utilization circuit, said wire coming in contact with one or the other of said fixed contacts in order to allow a measuring current to flow between one of said two measuring circuits and said utilization circuit, and the direction of said current being substantially perpendicular to the direction of displacement of said wire, a magnetic field generating element fed by the differential electro-motive force, the magnetic field (B) of which, being oriented perpendicular to the direction of said current and the direction of displacement of said wire, acting on said movable wire carrying said measuring current in order to make it come selectively in contact with one or the other of said fixed contacts as a function of the sign of said electro-motive differential force, and means for maintaining a current in said wire when it leaves at least one of the said fixed contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said magnetic field generating element comprises a winding around a toric core split radially in a manner to form an air gap, said movable wire being disposed in said air gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said core is provided with polar pieces in a form elongated parallel to the direction of said movable wire.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
59 words
A device according to either one of claims 4 and 5, wherein said means for maintaining a current in said wire comprises a damping condenser connected to each end of said movable wire not connected to said utilization circuit, in order to maintain in said wire a current during its displacement from one said fixed contact to the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein one of the thermocouples is a Cu-Ni/Ni-Cr thermocouple, the other couple being a NiCr/Ni-Al thermocouple.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said measuring circuits comprises at least one temperature measuring probe placed in the region of said first or second point of reference respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein said measuring probe is a thermocouple probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the thermal inertia of said thermocouples constituting said measuring probes is greater than the thermal inertia of said thermocouples controlling said commutation means.
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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) | 1989-04-21 | 1989-10-21 | 1990-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-21 | 1993-10-21 | 1994-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-21 | 1997-10-21 | 1998-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |