Relay matrix switching assembly
AssigneeKeithley Instruments, LLC
InventorWilliam Knauer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A matrix of three pole, high speed, low current relays for connecting test equipment to a device under test is provided with improved interconnect buses. The relays are mounted in rows and columns with their three pairs of leads extending vertically. An input interconnect bar having three conductors extends horizontally along each row of relays, each conductor being connected to a respective one of each pair of leads. A bottom interconnect bar having three buses extends perpendicular to the top interconnect bars along each column of relays, each bus being connected to a respective one of the leads. The ends of the leads are aligned at a 45.degree. angle with respect to the interconnects. The interconnect bars are enclosed in shielding guard tubes and are removable to permit replacement of the relays.
Claims30
A relay matrix, comprising:
- a plurality of controlled switches arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each switch having first and second leads extending therefrom;
- a plurality of input conductors, each corresponding to one of the columns and removably connected to the first leads of the switches in the corresponding column;
- a plurality of pathway conductors, each corresponding to one of the rows and removably connected to the second leads of the switches in the corresponding row;
- and
- said switches being controlled to selectively interconnect corresponding input and pathway conductors, and said switches being disposed between the corresponding input and pathway conductors.
A relay matrix, comprising:
- a plurality of controlled switches arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each switch having first and second leads extending therefrom;
- a plurality of input conductors, each corresponding to one of the columns and connected to the first leads of the switches in the corresponding column;
- a plurality of pathway conductors, each corresponding to one of the rows and connected to the second leads of the switches in the corresponding row;
- said switches being controlled to selectively interconnect corresponding input and pathway conductors, and said switches being disposed between the corresponding input and pathway conductors;
- and
- shielding provided around the conductors.
A relay matrix, comprising:
- a plurality of relays, each relay including a switching element having first and second leads;
- a plurality of first conductors, each connectable with the first leads of corresponding switching elements;
- a plurality of first interconnect bars each supporting one of the first conductors;
- a plurality of second conductors, each connectable with the second leads of corresponding switching elements;
- and
- a plurality of second interconnect bars each supporting one of the second conductors, so as to permit connection of a selected one of said first conductors with a selected one of said second conductors by operation of the relays.
An improved relay matrix, including a board;
- a plurality of relays mounted on the board, switching elements of each of the relays having first and second leads;
- a plurality of input connectors;
- a plurality of input circuits connecting columns of the first leads to corresponding input connectors;
- a plurality of pathway connectors;
- a plurality of pathway circuits connecting rows of the second leads to corresponding pathway connectors, so as to permit interconnection of selected input connectors and pathway connectors by operation of the relays, wherein the improvement comprises:
- the relays being disposed between the input circuits and the pathway circuits;
- the first leads being removably connected to the input circuits;
- and
- the second leads being removably connected to the pathway circuits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.