# US 2013/0278245 A1 · Motorized Electrical Switch Mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0278245 A1 - Document ID: US20130278245A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/451,752 - Filed: 2012-04-20 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-20 - Assignees: Elster Solutions, LLC - Inventors: Garry M. Loy; Rodney C. Hemminger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130278245A1 ## CPC - H01H 3/40: using friction, toothed, or screw-and-nut gearing - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract A bistable relay may include a pair of contact arms. Each contact arm is configured to have a first end and a second end, such that, when the relay is in the closed position, current flows from the first end to the second ends of each of the contact arms, and when the relay is in an open position, current does not flow from the first ends to the second ends of the contact arms. The relay further includes a motor, a pair of springs, a pair of cams driven by the motor, and a linearly actuating member configured to move the contact arms from the first configuration to the second configuration, the member including a cam follower surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A watt hour meter comprising a meter current sensor; a plurality of meter terminals, including a first set of meter terminals and a second set of meter terminals; and a bistable relay having a closed configuration and an opened configuration, the bistable relay further comprising: a pair of contacts, each having a first position associated with the closed configuration of the relay and a second configuration associated with the open configuration of the relay; a motor; a pair of springs; a pair of cams driven by the motor; and a linearly actuating member configured to move the contacts from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position, the member including a cam follower surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The watt hour meter of claim 1 wherein the first set of meter terminals is configured to connect to a source side and the second set of meter terminals is configured to connect to a load side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The watt hour meter of claim 1 wherein the watt hour meter is a single phase watt hour meter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The watt hour meter of claim 1 wherein the watt hour meter is a polyphase watt hour meter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The watt hour meter of claim 1 wherein the motor is controlled by a control system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The watt hour meter of claim 5 wherein the control system comprises a single pole double throw type control switch. ### Claim 7 A relay having an opened position and a closed position, the relay further comprising: a pair of contact arms, each having a first end and a second end, such that, when the relay is in the closed position, current flows from the first end to the second ends of each of the contact arms, and when the relay is in an open position, current does not flow from the first ends to the second ends of the contacts; a motor; at least one spring; at least one cam driven by the motor; and a linearly actuating member connected to the contact arms and configured to move the contacts from the first configuration to the second configuration, the member including a cam follower surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The relay of claim 7 wherein the relay is a bistable relay. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The relay of claim 7 further comprising two springs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The relay of claim 7 further comprising two cams. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The relay of claim 7 wherein the motor is controlled by a control system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The relay of claim 11 wherein the control system comprises a single pole double throw type control switch. ### Claim 13 A relay having an open position and a closed position, the relay further comprising: a pair of contact arms, each having a first end and a second end, such that, when the relay is in the closed position, current flows from the first end to the second ends of each of the contact arms, and when the relay is in an open position, current does not flow from the first ends to the second ends of the contact arms; a motor; a pair of springs; a pair of cams driven by the motor; and a linearly actuating member connected to the contact arms and configured to move the contact arms from the first configuration to the second configuration, the member including a cam follower surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The relay of claim 13 wherein the motor is controlled by a control system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The relay of claim 14 wherein the control system comprises a single pole double throw type control switch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The relay of claim 13 wherein the relay is a bistable relay. ### Claim 17 A method of controlling the flow of current through a relay comprising: actuating a motor so as to effect rotation of a pair of cams and an increase in potential energy of two springs attached to the cams, wherein the springs are both attached to a cam follower surface resting between the cams, the cam follower surface being attached to a linear actuating member that controls the motion of a pair of contacts; stopping the motor when the cam follower surface shifts from a first position to a second position, such that when the cam follower surface is in the first position, current flows through the relay and when the cam follower surface is in a second position, current does not flow through the relay. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the motor is controlled by a control system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method claim 18 wherein the control system comprises a single pole double throw type control switch. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the relay is a bistable relay.