Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Liquid contact – Tiltable or rotatable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-15
2001-10-16
Scott, J. R. (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Liquid contact
Tiltable or rotatable
C200S061470, C200S08000A, C200S224000, C200S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06303886
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electrical switches and, more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically switching an electrical circuit when a platter is rotated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many medical analytical techniques, such as blood and urine analysis, rely on centrifugation as part of the testing procedure. Generally, automated devices designed to perform these tests include a built-in centrifuge having a rotatable platter or carousel in which fluid samples are mounted. It is often desirable to separate the carousel rotating function from the analytical functions, in order to conserve resources such as power and/or computer time. Power conservation is especially important if the device is battery operated. To this end, it is attractive to include switching means in the rotatable platter capable of switching on the analytical functions only after the platter has achieved a predetermined rotational rate.
One way of performing this switching function is to rely on the user to activate the analytical function when the platter is rotating at the proper speed. This switching method suffers from the disadvantages of requiring the user to spend valuable time and attention manually actuating the analytical functions of the device. Moreover, manual actuation is not as reliable as an automatic switching means.
One automatic switching means involves the connection of a mechanical switch to the platter. While more reliable than manual switching, mechanical switches are prone to error arising from dirty electrical contacts, broken or worn springs, and broken or worn actuators. Moreover, mechanical switches rely on moving parts with lifetimes adversely affected by the rotational forces generated by the rotating platter.
There is therefore a need for a non-mechanical switch usable with a rotatable platter capable of actuating an electrically connected device, such as an analytical device, upon rotation of the platter to a predetermined speed. The present invention addresses this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical switch including an arcuate cavity partially filled with an electrically conducting fluid. The fluid is adapted to move into electrical contact with a pair of electrodes positioned within the cavity in response to a rotational force acting thereupon. The switch is electrically connectable to a rotatable platter. When connected to the platter, the switch is positioned radially outward from the platter's axis of rotation, such that the forces generated by the platter upon rotation urge the electrically conducting fluid into contact with the electrodes and thus complete a circuit.
One form of the present invention relates to an electrical switch including a cavity partially filled with an electrically conducting fluid adapted to move into electrical contact with a pair of electrodes positioned within the cavity in response to a rotational force acting thereupon. The switch is adapted to be operationally connected to a rotatable platter and spaced radially from the platter's axis of rotation, such that the forces generated upon rotation of the platter urge the electrically conducting fluid into contact with the electrodes, thus completing a circuit.
Another form of the present invention relates to an electrical switch formed as part of a modular cartridge and including a cavity formed in the cartridge and partially filled with an electrically conducting fluid. The electrically conducting fluid is adapted to move in response to a rotational force acting thereon and into electrical contact with a pair of electrodes positioned within the cavity. The cartridge is operationally connectable to a rotatable platter through matable electrical contacts positioned in both the cartridge and the platter. Rotation of the platter urges the electrically conducting fluid into contact with the pair of electrodes, thus completing a circuit.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for electrical switching in response to a change in angular momentum. Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 892576 (1908-07-01), Brown
patent: 923129 (1909-05-01), Schweitzer et al.
patent: 1638133 (1927-08-01), Walker
patent: 1711689 (1929-05-01), Pierce et al.
patent: 1900080 (1933-03-01), Snavely
patent: 2895330 (1959-07-01), Erisman
patent: 3778803 (1973-12-01), Jahn
patent: 3935669 (1976-02-01), Potrzuski et al.
patent: 4122334 (1978-10-01), Owens
patent: 4221278 (1980-09-01), Ponzo
patent: 4434337 (1984-02-01), Becker
patent: 4497118 (1985-02-01), Byrum
patent: 5034582 (1991-07-01), DiMaggio
patent: 5751074 (1998-05-01), Prior et al.
Scott J. R.
UMM Electronics
Woodard, Emhardt, Naughton, Moriarty & M
LandOfFree
Power management sensing rotating platter with liquid... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Power management sensing rotating platter with liquid..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Power management sensing rotating platter with liquid... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559591