Electrical switch and circuitry for appliance
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for disconnecting a power source from an appliance, comprising:
- a normally closed switch means for connecting an appliance to a power source;
means forming a breakable enclosure that can be fragmented;
detonator means connected to cause said breakable enclosure to be fragmented when actuated;
sensor means connected to actuate said detonator means in response to fault current flow;
said enclosure is distinct from said switch means and holds said switch means closed until said detonator means is actuated by said sensor means to thereby move said switch means to the open position whereupon current flow through said switch means is interrupted.
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Abstract
A safety device for disconnecting an electrical appliance from a power supply, and thereby preventing electrical shock hazards. A normally closed switch connects the appliance to the power supply. A frangible device, such as a flash bulb, maintains the switch in the closed position. A sensor detects a dangerous condition and actuates the flash bulb, which action fragments the envelope of the bulb, whereupon the switch assumes the open position, thereby disconnecting the appliance from the power supply.
30 Citations
17 Claims
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1. Apparatus for disconnecting a power source from an appliance, comprising:
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a normally closed switch means for connecting an appliance to a power source;
means forming a breakable enclosure that can be fragmented;
detonator means connected to cause said breakable enclosure to be fragmented when actuated;
sensor means connected to actuate said detonator means in response to fault current flow;said enclosure is distinct from said switch means and holds said switch means closed until said detonator means is actuated by said sensor means to thereby move said switch means to the open position whereupon current flow through said switch means is interrupted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An electrical device connected directly to a hand held domestic appliance for discontinuing the flow of electrical power to the domestic appliance, said device comprising:
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circuit means, including a switch means, for connecting the appliance to a power source;
said switch means can be moved from a conducting into a non-conducting configuration;a frangible body;
means, including a detonator, for exploding said frangible body;
means by which said switch means is actuated from the conducting into the non-conducting configuration in response to said frangible body being exploded;
said switch means is distinct from said frangible body;and a sensor means connected to actuate said detonator in response to a fault current flowing at said switch means. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for electrical shock hazard protection by disconnecting a power source from a portable appliance, whenever the appliance is immersed in water comprising:
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switch means for disconnecting the appliance from a power source;
a neon bulb, circuit means by which said bulb is connected to a suitable ballast;
sensor means for sensing fault current and short circuiting said ballast when said fault current is sensed, thereby causing said neon bulb to be fragmented;said switch means being connected to be actuated to the open position in response to fragmentation of said neon bulb.
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10. Apparatus for shock hazard protection by disconnecting a portable appliance from a power source whenever the appliance is immersed in water, comprising;
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switch means for disconnecting the appliance from a power source;
a flash bulb having an envelop which becomes fragmented when the flash bulb is detonated;sensor means for sensing fault current flow from said switch means to ground, said sensor means being connected for detonating said flash bulb in response to the fault current flow; means by which said switch means disconnects the portable appliance from a power source in response to fragmentation of said flash bulb;
whereby,when said portable appliance is brought into contact with water to cause a fault current to flow, said sensor means detects the fault current and causes the flash bulb to detonate and thereby fragment the envelop thereof, whereupon said switch means assumes the non-conducting configuration and disconnects said portable appliance from a power source.
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11. Method of disconnecting a load from a power source in response to a fault current flowing between the load and ground, comprising the steps of:
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connecting a switch means between the load and the power source and flowing current from the source, through the switch means, and to the load; mounting a frangible device adjacent to said switch means with said frangible device holding said switch means in the conducting configuration; selecting a destructive means having the capability of fragmenting said frangible device sufficiently to cause said switch means to assume the non-conducting configuration; connecting circuit means and a fault current sensor means to cause said destructive means to fragment said frangible device upon a fault current flowing from said switch means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification