Non-contact auxiliary switch and electric power apparatus incorporating same
US7034644B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2071/048
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The auxiliary switch includes a non-contact sensor, such as a Hall effect device, that is switched by the condition of a magnetic field. The magnetic field condition is effected by a movable contact indicator that moves between open and closed positions with the separable contacts of the electric power apparatus. A magnet may be attached to the movable contact indicator, or the movable contact indicator can be magnetized to form the magnet. Alternatively, the moving contact indicator can intercept or not intercept a magnetic field produced by a fixed magnet spaced from the sensor. The Hall effect device may be mounted on the outside of the nonmagnetically permeable housing of the electric power apparatus, or inside if there is sufficient room. In either case, no mechanical coupling is required for the sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.