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:
Oct. 01, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 22, 1998
Alvin G. Becker, Austin, TX (US);
National Instruments Corporation, Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
A relay multiplexing system which provides improved safety from hazardous voltage conditions. The relay multiplexing system comprises a relay multiplexer module and a terminal block which connects to the relay multiplexer module. The relay multiplexer module and corresponding terminal block incorporate a design according to the present invention whereby power can only be provided to the respective relays when the corresponding terminal block is connected to the respective relay multiplexer module. The terminal block is required to form an electrical path between the power supply in the relay multiplexer module and the relays. Thus, when the terminal block is removed from the corresponding relay multiplexer module, power is unable to be provided to the relays, thereby ensuring safety from hazardous voltages which could otherwise appear on exposed pins of the connector.