Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Switching systems – Repetitive make and break
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-12
2003-05-13
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Switching systems
Repetitive make and break
C200S341000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06563237
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electromechanical time switch intended to provide time-of-day control of lighting, heating, air-conditioning, pumps, motors or general electrical circuits. They are commonly used in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural facilities.
Such an electromechanical time switch is an electric motor driven clock mechanism which operates an electrical switch to automatically activate electrical devices or circuits at pre-selected times and intervals each day of the week (24 hour time switch) and/or on a different schedule each day of the week (7 day time switch). The electric motor driving the clock mechanism may be an alternating current synchronous motor or a direct current stepping motor pulsed by a quartz crystal oscillator. Synchronous motors are most widely used because of their low cost and greater accuracy. The switch may be Single Pole Single Throw, Single Pole Double Throw, Double Pole Single Throw, or Double Pole Double Throw.
In the prior art, a separate model of electromechanical time switch was required for each voltage (120 V, 240 V, 277 V, etc.) (V in this application refers to Volts AC). Because the electric motors operate reliably only within a narrow voltage range (100 V to 132 V is typical for a nominal 120 V motor.) This increases the inventory of manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers as well as necessitating that the purchaser know the voltage at which the time switch will be operated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-voltage time switch which offers economies in manufacturing and distribution as well as convenience to the installation service person.
According to the present invention, a compact 120 V synchronous or quartz motor driven time switch clock unit is employed which is mounted upon a printed circuit board which contains resistors and jumpers which enable the installer to select the proper voltage (120 V, 208/240 V, or 277 V) for the application. Furthermore, the compact time switch activates one or more relays with higher switch ratings to perform the load switching. Other voltages, or more than three voltage selections can be provided with additional resistors and jumpers.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1978581 (1934-10-01), Johnson
patent: 4258837 (1981-03-01), Manos et al.
patent: 4449832 (1984-05-01), Kammerer
patent: 4463617 (1984-08-01), Thoma
patent: 4506826 (1985-03-01), Kammerer
patent: 4507526 (1985-03-01), Thoma
patent: 4547689 (1985-10-01), Tsuchimoto et al.
patent: 4558192 (1985-12-01), Thoma
patent: 4564827 (1986-01-01), Kammerer et al.
patent: 4588304 (1986-05-01), Thoma
patent: 4681254 (1987-07-01), Kammerer
patent: 4733026 (1988-03-01), Wehrle
patent: 4878006 (1989-10-01), Kah, Jr.
patent: D325175 (1992-04-01), Tinz
patent: 5294047 (1994-03-01), Schwer et al.
patent: 6040646 (2000-03-01), Peters
patent: 6102749 (2000-08-01), Lynn et al.
patent: 6136085 (2000-10-01), Adams et al.
patent: 3740748 (1989-06-01), None
patent: 4240687 (1994-05-01), None
patent: 0727722 (1996-08-01), None
Reliance Controls Corporation, Heavy Duty 24-Hour Time Switches—http://reliancecontrols.com/timeswitches/500.htm copyright 1999.*
English translation of abstract of DE 3740748A1, Pub. date Jun. 1989.*
English translation of abstract of DE 4240687A1, Pub. date May 1994.*
English translation of abstract of EP 727722A2, Pub. date Aug. 1996.*
Intermatic Incorporated—Commercial/Industrial—T2 Series Time Switches, http://www.intermatic.com/comind/t2000.htm Copyright 1999.*
TimeMaster—GM Series Time Controls Operating Instructions—Grasslin—Oct. 1997.
Grasslin Controls Corporation
Polk Sharon A.
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
Sircus Brian
LandOfFree
Multi-voltage electromechanical time switch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Multi-voltage electromechanical time switch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multi-voltage electromechanical time switch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3037570