Mercury contact switch

Details Mercury contact switch Mercury contact switch

1979-06-20

1980-11-25

Harris, George

Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr

Electromagnetically actuated switches

Utilizing conductive liquid

335 58, H01H 2900

Patent

active

042361290

ABSTRACT:
A mercury switch has two spaced apart electrical contacts mechanically supported by its glass envelope and electrically connected to external terminals. A third conductor passes through the glass envelope at the opposite end. A housing for mercury is formed by divergent plates supported on the third conductor, which housing extends into the mercury reservoir near its support so as to draw mercury into the space between the divergent plates. A magnetic partition is supported from the third conductor by a flexible hinge which allows the partition to move back and forth between the divergent plates of the housing alternately into each of a pair of stops between said two spaced apart electrical contacts. Whichever wall of the housing the partition is closest to, the space is narrowed so that the mercury rises under capillary attraction and contacts the electrical contact between the wall and the partition. As the mercury rises in this narrow area, it lowers in the space between the partition and the other wall as it widens causing contact to be broken between the mercury and the other one of the pair of electrical contacts. The situation is reversed as the partition moves to the other position. One position is preferably the stable or normal condition of the switch. The other position is the energized position in which magnetic field is applied to move the armature on the position and change switch condition.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2609464 (1952-09-01), Brown et al.
patent: 3114811 (1963-12-01), Kohman
patent: 3331037 (1967-07-01), Hempel
patent: 4085392 (1978-04-01), Lacis et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Mercury contact 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 Mercury contact switch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mercury contact switch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1132035