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US 10,283,286 B2Granted
Switch element with an opening for use in a potentially explosive area
AssigneeTyco Electronics Austria GmbH
InventorChristian Kroepfl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch element for use in a potentially explosive area is disclosed. The switch element has a base plate, a housing connected to the base plate and forming a cavity between the base plate and the housing, the cavity communicating with an area exterior of the switch element through an opening formed in either the base plate or the housing, and a plurality of contacts for closing and opening an electrical circuit disposed in the cavity.
Claims18
A switch element comprising:
- a base plate;
- a housing connected to the base plate and forming a cavity between the base plate and the housing, the cavity communicating with an area exterior of the switch element through an opening formed only in the base plate, only in the housing, or between only the base plate and the housing, the cavity is otherwise sealed from the area exterior of the switch element aside from the opening, the opening is dimensioned to release any escaping explosive energy from an explosion in the cavity over a period of time such that the explosive energy escaping to the outside is not capable of igniting an explosive mixture exterior of the switch element;
- and
- a plurality of contacts for closing and opening an electrical circuit disposed in the cavity.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.