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:
Apr. 25, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 08, 2003
Steven C. Schmalz, Greenfield, WI (US);
Michael F. Walz, Bradenton, FL (US);
Steven C. Schmalz, Greenfield, WI (US);
Michael F. Walz, Bradenton, FL (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
The continuity of the coil of the actuating solenoid of an electric power switch is detected through utilization of a signaling device, such as a light emitting diode (LED) that monitors energization of a dc power supply fed from the source side of the coil. A circuit energized from the other side of the coil generates a dc voltage Vthat is applied to the gate electrode of an electronic switch shunting the LED. The voltage Vis greater than the dc supply voltage to bias the electronic switch off so that the LED is illuminated when there is continuity through the coil. If the coil fails, Vwill be zero and the electronic switch is turned on to short circuit the LED to signal the failure of the coil.