Magnetically actuated mercury switch
AssigneeGulf & Western Manufacturing Company
InventorsAlvin A. Snaper, Gary B. Zulauf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a switching device having first and second conductor elements and an operating mechanism shiftable to and from a first position wherein the conductor elements are electrically connected to each other to establish a conductive path therebetween. The device includes a body of mercury, and a mercury wettable porous member between the mercury body and the first conductor element so that the mercury from the body may be forced through the porous body to establish the above-mentioned electrical connection. When the shiftable mechanism is shifted into the first position, the mercury is withdrawn from the first conductor element by the wettable porous member to disconnect the electrical circuit.
Claims25
In a switching device having first and second conductor elements and an operating means for shifting between a first position with said conductor elements electrically isolated and a second position with said conductor elements electrically connected to establish a conductive path therebetween, the improvement comprising:
- means forming a passage having an opening facing said first conductor element;
- a mercury wettable porous member blocking said passage and adjacent said opening;
- a body of mercury;
- means for connecting said body of mercury to said second conductor element;
- and means responsive to said operating means being in said second position for forcing said mercury through said porous member and into electrical contact with said first conductor element.
In a switching device having first and second conductor elements and an operating mechanism shiftable between a first position with said conductor elements electrically isolated and a second position with said conductor elements electrically connected to establish a conductive path therebetween, the improvement comprising:
- a body of mercury, a mercury wettable porous member between said body of mercury and said first conductor element;
- means electrically connecting said mercury body to said second conductor element;
- means responsive to said second position of said operating mechanism for forcing said mercury through said member into engagement with said first conductive element;
- and means responsive to said first position of said operating mechanism for allowing said mercury body to be withdrawn from said first conductor element by the wetting action of said porous member.
In a switching device having first and second conductor elements and an operated mechanism shiftable between a first position with said conductor elements electrically isolated and a second position with said conductor elements electrically connected to establish a conductive path therebetween, the improvement comprising:
- means forming an elongated passage having a first end, a second end and an opening facing and spaced from said first conductor element;
- and a mercury wettable porous plug blocking said passage and adjacent said opening;
- operating means for holding a body of mercury in communication with said passage;
- means electrically connecting said body of mercury with said second conductor element;
- and, said operating means including means for pressurizing said mercury body when said mechanism is shifted into said second position whereby mercury from said mercury body is forced through said plug into electrical contact with said first conductive element and means for releasing said pressure from said mercury body when said mechanism is shifted into said first position whereby mercury is drawn into said passage by said plug and out of electrical contact with said first conductor element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.