Electrical resistors – Mechanically variable – Movable contact electrically adjustable over length of...
Patent
1975-04-25
1976-04-06
Albritton, C. L.
Electrical resistors
Mechanically variable
Movable contact electrically adjustable over length of...
200156, 200153LA, 338173, 338191, 338200, 338202, H01C 502
Patent
active
039493474
ABSTRACT:
A control unit, for example, a light dimming unit for controlling the intensity of brightness of a lamp load connected in series with the unit, includes a switching potentiometer for serially connecting the unit between a supply line and the load and for selectively adjusting the current delivered to the load. The switching potentiometer in the unit includes a shaft mounted for both rectilinear and rotary movement. The shaft is normally urged by a spring in a first axial direction, to urge a wiper mounted on the shaft resiliently into electrical contact with a resistive strip. A ratchet means carried on one end of the shaft actuates a snap-action switch which includes an armature, movable between first and second stable positions by the ratchet means when the shaft is moved in a second opposite axial direction to disengage the wiper from the resistive strip. This establishes a maximum controlling resistance in the unit just prior to each switching operation to prevent current surges through the unit and the load and minimizes arching at the switch contacts and the wiper, resulting in longer unit life as well as extended load life. The ratchet means is provided with camming surfaces which cooperate with the armature to provide a self-cocking or reset capability for setting the ratchet prior to each actuation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2836686 (1958-05-01), Barden et al.
patent: 2836691 (1958-05-01), Girolamo et al.
patent: 2844676 (1958-07-01), Barden et al.
patent: 2999991 (1961-09-01), Bender
Albritton C. L.
Clegg, Jr. Giles C.
Hunt Electronics Co.
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