# US 10,483,706 B2 · Solenoid coil with replaceable status indicator light > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,483,706 B2 - Document ID: US10483706B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/411,607 - Filed: 2017-01-20 - Published: 2018-07-26 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-20 - Assignees: Automatic Switch Company - Applicants: Automatic Switch Company - Inventors: Nicholas W. Ingles; German Gutierrez; Jeffrey Loprete - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10483706B2 ## CPC - H01R 31/02: Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92) - F16K 37/0041: {for measuring valve parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence)} - H01F 7/064: {Circuit arrangements for actuating electromagnets (circuit arrangements for obtaining special operating characteristics H01F7/18; driving circuits for electromagnets making use of a switching regulator H01H47/325)} - F16K 31/06: using a magnet {, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid} - G08B 21/18: Status alarms (G08B21/02 takes precedence) - H01R 33/22: for screw type base, e.g. for lamp - H02M 7/04: by static converters - H05B 45/30: Driver circuits - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL ## Abstract Apparatus and method provide a solenoid coil having a field-replaceable status indicator light, such as an LED. The status indicator light lights up when power is supplied to the solenoid coil to indicate the coil is energized and turns off when the coil is no longer energized. This allows technicians and other personnel working in hazardous environments to easily and reliably monitor the operational status of the solenoid coil. An electrical splitter adapter splits power between the solenoid coil and the status indicator light. The splitter adapter allows the status indicator light to be removed without interrupting power to the solenoid coil. Where the power is AC power, a rectifier may be provided on the splitter adapter to convert the AC power to DC power. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A solenoid coil assembly, comprising: a solenoid coil operable to actuate a valve connected to the solenoid coil; a light source affixed adjacent to the solenoid coil; and an electrical splitter adapter disposed between the solenoid coil and the light source, the electrical splitter adapter having electrical contacts that connect the solenoid coil in electrical parallel to the light source; wherein the electrical splitter adapter is configured to be connected to an AC power source and to provide power from the AC power source to both the solenoid coil and the light source; and further comprising a rectifier disposed between the electrical splitter adapter and the light source, the rectifier being operable to convert AC power from the AC power source to DC power. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 1, further comprising the AC power source and wherein the electrical splitter adapter is connected to the AC power source. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 2, wherein the light source is one of the following light sources: an incandescent light source, and an LED light source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 3, wherein the light source is configured to light up when power is flowing to the solenoid coil. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 3, wherein the light source is configured to light up when power has stopped flowing to the solenoid coil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 3, wherein the light source may be removed without interrupting power to solenoid coil. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical splitter adapter is an at least substantially T-shaped splitter adapter or an at least substantially Y-shaped splitter adapter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the solenoid coil is a nuclear-qualified solenoid coil. ### Claim 9 A solenoid coil assembly, comprising: a solenoid coil operable to actuate a valve connected to the solenoid coil; and an electrical splitter adapter disposed between the solenoid coil and a light source, the electrical splitter adapter having electrical contacts that connect the solenoid coil in electrical parallel to the light source; wherein the electrical splitter adapter is configured to be connected to an AC power source and to provide power from the AC power source to both the solenoid coil and the light source; and further comprising a rectifier disposed between the electrical splitter adapter and the light source, the rectifier being operable to convert AC power from the AC power source to DC power. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 9, further comprising the AC power source and wherein the electrical splitter adapter is connected to the AC power source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 9, further comprising a current sensor disposed between the electrical splitter adapter and the light source, the current sensor being operable to detect whether current is flowing from the AC power source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 9, wherein the electrical splitter adapter is an at least substantially T-shaped splitter adapter or an at least substantially Y-shaped splitter adapter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The solenoid coil assembly of claim 9, wherein the solenoid coil is a nuclear-qualified solenoid coil. ### Claim 14 A method of monitoring a solenoid coil, comprising: connecting a light source adjacent to and in electrical parallel with the solenoid coil, the light source operable to provide an indication of an operational status of the solenoid coil when power is flowing to the solenoid coil; and replacing the light source with a replacement light source without interrupting the power flowing to the solenoid coil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the light source is operable to light up when the power is flowing to the solenoid coil. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the light source is operable to light up when power has stopped flowing to the solenoid coil. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the light source is an LED light source, further comprising converting the power flowing to the solenoid coil from AC power to DC power.