Magnetic electrical switch
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsMichael Pearce, Travis Spoone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetic electrical switch apparatus includes: a switch assembly that includes: a switch body housing including a stationary contact; a shaft configured to move relative to the switch body housing, the shaft including: a moveable contact; and a first magnet; and a movable support member including a second magnet. The moveable contact and the first magnet are configured to move with the shaft. Moving the movable support member moves the second magnet relative to the first magnet, and a magnetic interaction between the second magnet and the first magnet moves the moveable contact relative to the stationary contact to thereby change a state of the switch assembly.
Claims16
A magnetic electrical switch apparatus comprising:
- a switch assembly comprising:
- a switch body housing comprising a stationary contact;
- a shaft configured to move relative to the switch body housing, the shaft comprising:
- a moveable contact;
- and
- a first magnet, wherein the moveable contact and the first magnet are configured to move with the shaft;
- and
- a movable support member comprising a second magnet, wherein moving the movable support member moves the second magnet relative to the first magnet, and a magnetic interaction between the second magnet and the first magnet moves the moveable contact relative to the stationary contact to thereby change a state of the switch assembly.
A disconnect system for a power distribution system, the disconnect system comprising:
- a first switch assembly comprising:
- a first plurality of double break contact switches, each double break contact switch comprising a contact assembly and a plurality of stationary contacts;
- and
- a first moveable member that holds a first permanent magnet and the contact assemblies of the first plurality of double break contact switches;
- a second switch assembly comprising:
- a second plurality of double break contact switches, each double break contact switch comprising a contact assembly and a plurality of stationary contacts;
- and
- a second moveable member that holds a second permanent magnet and the contact assemblies of the second plurality of double break contact switches;
- and
- a third magnet configured to move relative to the first switch assembly and the second switch assembly, wherein, in operational use,
- the third magnet does not mechanically contact the first switch assembly or the second switch assembly,
- the first switch assembly is in an actuated state and the disconnect system is in a fully off status when the third magnet is aligned with the first permanent magnet, and
- the second switch assembly is in an actuated state and the disconnect system is in a service status when the third magnet is aligned with the second permanent magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.