Magnetic actuation of a switching device
US6707371B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H37/56
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A control device including a switch with a ferromagnetic armature moving between a first position and a second position. The armature actuates a plunger that causes the switch to snap from an open position to a closed position. An energy-storing member may be positioned adjacent the ferromagnetic armature, the energy-storing member moving a magnet between an attracting position and a non-attracting position based on a temperature of an environment surrounding the energy-storing member. When the energy-storing member positions the magnet in the attracting position, the magnet causes the armature to snap from the first position to the second position, thereby actuating the plunger and causing the switch to snap from the open position to the closed position. A ferromagnetic backstop may also be positioned adjacent the magnet and coupled to the energy-storing member to hold the magnet and the energy-storing member in the non-attracting position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.