Thermal power sustaining switch

• US 4,117,346 A
• Filed: 12/02/1976
• Issued: 09/26/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eldon W. Burgess
• Original Assignee: Eldon W. Burgess
• Inventors: Burgess, Eldon W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hix, L. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schreyer, S. D.
• Application Number:
  US05/746,849
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 307/141.4, 307/116, 307/117, 307/125, 307/126, 307/131, 307/132 T, 307/141, 307/10 LS, 337/14, 337/15, 337/16, 337/35, 337/36, 337/37, 337/39, 337/113, 361/164, 361/195, 361/211
• US Class Current: 307/117
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 43/30 with timing of actuation of contacts due to thermal action

Abstract

A power sustaining thermal switch placed in shunt with an existing electrical switch results in the flow of electricity through the thermal switch for a predetermined period of time after the existing switch has been turned off. Thus sustaining power in the thermal switch circuit for supply to an electrical device.

Claims

1. A thermal power sustaining switch having a divided circuit consisting of two branches connectable to an existing switch as an appendage thereto comprising:

(a) A first branch of the divided circuit containing a heating element connectable in series between the existing switch and an electrical device and adapted to heat the thermal power sustaining switch and provide a flow of electricity through said first branch when the existing switch is in a closed position, and

(b) a second branch of the divided circuit connectable in parallel with the first branch and the existing switch between the power input line to the existing switch and an electrical device, said second branch containing, in series an isolating device consisting of one or more diodes and a thermal switch such that when the thermal switch is closed electricity will flow through said second branch.

2. A thermal power sustaining switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the thermal switch is a bimetallic switch.

3. A power sustaining switch according to claim 2 wherein the full current drawn by the electrical device flows through the first branch of the divided circuit until the power sustaining device is sufficiently heated to close the bimetallic thermal switch in the second branch of the divided circuit.

4. A power sustaining switch according to claim 2 wherein current flows through both branches of the divided circuit to the electrical device when the existing switch is in a closed position and the bimetallic thermal switch is closed.

5. A power sustaining switch according to claim 2 wherein current flows through the second branch of the divided circuit to the electrical device as long as the bimetallic thermal switch is closed and the existing switch is open.

6. A power sustaining switch according to claim 5 wherein the diode allows only a partial flow of current to the electrical device reducing the power to the electrical device in a sustained mode of operation.

7. A combination consisting of an on-off switch and a thermal power sustaining switch having a divided circuit consisting of two branches connected to said on-off switch wherein:

(a) the first branch of the divided circuit contains a heating element connected in series between the existing switch and an electrical device and adapted to heat the thermal power sustaining switch and provide a flow of electricity through said first branch when the existing switch is in an on position, and

(b) the second branch of the divided circuit is connected in parallel with the first branch and the existing switch between the power input line to the existing switch and an electrical device said second branch containing, in series, an isolating device consisting of one or more diodes and a thermal switch such that when the thermal switch is closed electricity will flow through said second branch.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein the thermal switch is a bimetallic switch.