The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 25, 1984
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1982
Paige W Thompson, Morrison, IL (US);
Ronald W Kelly, Morrison, IL (US);
General Electric Company, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Abstract
A condition responsive electric switch system comprises switch means which includes at least one set of contact elements defining a preselected open position, a preselected closed position, and a preselected initial contact make-break position, disposed between the open and closed positions. Switch actuating means is movable in actuating relation with the switch means for operating the contact elements selectively into and out of the three preselected positions. Spring means and temperature responsive means are connected to and impart motion to switch actuating means, with the spring means and temperature responsive means creating opposing forces on the switch actuating means. The condition responsive electric switch system has both positive and negative spring gradients including a force producing means having maximum absolute positive gradient forces F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 in which F.sub.1 =maximum absolute positive gradient pre-load force on the contact elements at the preselected initial contact make-break position; F.sub.2 =maximum absolute positive gradient force on the contact elements at the preselected closed position wherein the value of the expression (F.sub.2 -F.sub.1)/F.sub.2 should not be substantially less than unity. A net contact element force is also produced generally in the vicinity of zero as the contact elements pass at least through the preselected initial contact make-break position. The system further includes means for adjusting the larger negative spring gradients in the system. An electrical switch device and a method of operating the switching device are also disclosed.