Electronic timer switch
AssigneeArthur D. Little, Inc.
InventorsDwain Aidala, Albert W. Welz, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic timer switch adapted for installation in a standard switch receptacle and operative in response to applied AC power to provide a manually selectable operative duration. The timer switch is manually actuable to select an intended time interval and employs electronic circuitry for counting pulses derived from the input power frequency and to cause activation of a power switch during the selected interval. The switch can include indicators denoting selected and remaining time intervals and can include circuitry providing a warning indication of the approaching end of a selected interval.
Claims6
A timer switch adapted for electrical connection to an alternating current source and comprising:
- a manually actuable input control switch;
- first electronic circuit means operative in response to alternating current from said source to provide a count representative of the number of alternating current cycles received from a reference time, and including
- clock means operative to provide clock pulses in response to and at the frequency of said alternating current;
- and
- counter means operative in response to said clock pulses to provide a first signal upon receipt of a predetermined number thereof;
- control circuit means for providing a timing interval for duration selectable in successive discrete increments in response to the number of manual actuations of said control switch and including
- interval counter means operative in response to each actuation of said control switch to provide a second signal of duration corresponding to a discrete increment;
- second electronic circuit means operative in response to said first signal from said counter means and said second signal from said interval counter means to provide an output signal for the duration of said selected timing interval;
- and
- switch means operative in response to and for the duration of said output signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.