Controllable electronic switch

• US 6,636,141 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yingco Electronic Incorporated
• Inventors: Ying, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/903,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20030011460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 337/16, 337/14, 337/36, 337/85, 337/86, 337/102, 337/105, 337/107, 337/113, 337/333, 337/362, 337/377
• US Class Current: 337/102
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 61/02 wherein the thermally-sensitive member is heated indirectly, e.g. resistively, inductively
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a bimetal member anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. An incoming power wire is connected to the bimetal member near the contact point with the electrical conductor. A heating element, such as a coil, is coupled to the bimetal member, and is controlled by a switch control signal. When the switch control signal is not asserted, the heating element is inactive, and power is delivered through the incoming power wire across the end of the bimetal member to the electrical conductor, from which it can be further distributed to the load. When the switch control signal is asserted, the heating element heats up causing the bimetal to bend until the contact with the electrical conductor is broken. The electrical path from the incoming power wire to the electrical conductor (and hence, to the load) is then broken. So long as the switch control signal is asserted, the heating element continues to keep the bimetal bent and the electrical path broken.

Claims

1. A controllable electronic switch, comprising:

a bimetal member having a first end and a second end, said bimetal member anchored at said first end and residing in contact with an electrical conductor at said second end;

an incoming power wire connected to the bimetal member at said second end near the electrical conductor, said incoming power wire being electrically connected to said electrical conductor when the bimetal member resides in contact with the electrical conductor;

a heating element coupled to the bimetal member; and

a switch control circuit connected to said heating element, whereby said heating element is caused to heat to a point sufficient to bend said bimetal member so as to break contact between the second end of the bimetal member and the electrical conductor when said switch control circuit asserts a switch control signal.

2. The controllable electronic switch of claim 1, wherein the second end of said bimetal member remains in contact with the electrical conductor when said switch control signal has not been asserted.

3. The controllable electronic switch of claim 2, wherein power is conveyed from the incoming power wire to a remote load through the electrical conductor when the second end of said bimetal member is in contact with the electrical conductor, and no power is conveyed to the remote load when the second end of said bimetal member has broken contact with the electrical conductor.

4. The controllable electronic switch of claim 1, wherein said heating element comprises a resistive coil.

5. The controllable electronic switch of claim 1, wherein manual activation of said switch control circuit causes said switch control signal to be asserted.

6. The controllable electronic switch of claim 1, wherein said switch control signal is asserted by said switch control circuit in response to an electronic command signal received from a remote source.

7. The controllable electronic switch of claim 1, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to said second end of said bimetal member.

8. The controllable electronic switch of claim 7, wherein said second end of said bimetal member has a top side comprised of a first metallic substance and a bottom side comprised of a second metallic substance, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to the top side of said second end of said bimetal member, and wherein the bottom side of said second end of said bimetal member resides in contact with the electrical conductor when the switch control signal is not asserted.

9. A controllable electronic switch, comprising:

a bimetal arm having a first end and a second end, said bimetal arm anchored at said first end and residing in contact with an electrical conductor at said second end when said bimetal arm is in an ambient state;

an incoming power wire connected to the bimetal arm at or near said second end near the electrical conductor, such that a power signal through said incoming power wire has an electrical path through the electrical conductor to a remote load when the bimetal arm resides in contact with the electrical conductor;

a heating element coupled to the bimetal arm; and

a switch control circuit connected to said heating element for controlling the opening of said bimetal arm, whereby said heating element is caused to heat to a point sufficient to bend said bimetal arm so as to break contact between the second end of the bimetal member and the electrical conductor when said switch control circuit asserts a switch control signal, thereby breaking the electrical path between the power signal and a remote load.

10. The controllable electronic switch of claim 9, wherein the second end of said bimetal arm remains in contact with the electrical conductor when said switch control signal has not been asserted.

11. The controllable electronic switch of claim 9, wherein said heating element comprises a resistive coil.

12. The controllable electronic switch of claim 11, wherein said resistive coil is wound around said bimetal arm.

13. The controllable electronic switch of claim 9, wherein manual activation of said switch control circuit causes said switch control signal to be asserted.

14. The controllable electronic switch of claim 9, wherein said switch control signal is asserted by said switch control circuit in response to an electronic command signal received from a remote source.

15. The controllable electronic switch of claim 9, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to said second end of said bimetal arm.

16. The controllable electronic switch of claim 15, wherein said second end of said bimetal arm has a top side comprised of a first metallic substance and a bottom side comprised of a second metallic substance, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to the top side of said second end of said bimetal arm, and wherein the bottom side of said second end of said bimetal arm resides in contact with the electrical conductor when the switch control signal is not asserted.

17. A method of controlling power delivery, comprising the steps of:

anchoring a first end of a bimetal arm;

positioning the bimetal arm such that a second end thereof resides in contact with an electrical conductor when the bimetal arm is in an ambient state and bends away from the electrical conductor when the bimetal arm is heated;

connecting an incoming power wire to the bimetal arm at the second end thereof near the electrical conductor, such that a power signal through said incoming power wire has an electrical path through the electrical conductor to a remote load when the bimetal arm resides in contact with the electrical conductor;

coupling a heating element to the bimetal arm;

connecting a switch control signal to said heating element; and

selectively applying and removing said switch control signal to control heating of said heating element and thereby opening and closing of said bimetal arm.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein applying said switch control signal causes heating of said heating element and, consequently, of said bimetal arm such that said bimetal arm bends away from the electrical conductor, and wherein removing said switch control signal causes said heating element to cool and, consequently, cooling of said bimetal arm such that it resumes contact with the electrical conductor.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of coupling a heating element to the bimetal arm comprises the step of winding a resistive coil around said bimetal arm.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of selectively applying and removing said switch control signal to control heating of said heating element comprises the step of manually activating and deactivating a switch control circuit which in turn applies and removes said switch control signal.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of selectively applying and removing said switch control signal to control heating of said heating element comprises the step of receiving an electronic command signal from a remote source and applying and removing said switch control signal in response thereto.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of connecting an incoming power wire to the bimetal arm at the second end thereof near the electrical conductor comprises the step of welding said incoming power wire to said second end of said bimetal arm.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said second end of said bimetal arm has a top side comprised of a first metallic substance and a bottom side comprised of a second metallic substance, and wherein said step of welding said incoming power wire to said second end of said bimetal arm further comprises the step of welding said incoming power wire to the top side of said second end of said bimetal arm, the bottom side of said second end of said bimetal member residing in contact with the electrical conductor when the switch control signal is not applied.

24. A controllable electronic switch, comprising:

a deformable member having a first end and a second end, said deformable member anchored at said first end and residing in contact with an electrical conductor at said second end;

an incoming power wire connected to the deformable member at said second end near the electrical conductor, said incoming power wire being electrically connected to said electrical conductor when the deformable member resides in contact with the electrical conductor;

a heating element in proximity with the deformable member; and

a switch control circuit connected to said heating element.

25. The controllable electronic switch of claim 24, wherein said switch control circuit outputs a switch control signal, wherein assertion of said switch control signal by said switch control circuit forces a current through said heating element causing said heating element to heat, thereby bending said deformable member so as to break contact between the second end of the deformable member and the electrical conductor, and wherein non-assertion of said switch control signal by said switch control circuit causes said heating element to remain unheated thereby allowing said deformable member to remain unbent and in contact with the electrical conductor.

26. The controllable electronic switch of claim 24, wherein said heating element comprises a resistive coil.

27. The controllable electronic switch of claim 24, wherein said switch control circuit is manually activated.

28. The controllable electronic switch of claim 24, wherein said switch control circuit is activated by an electronic command signal received from a remote source.

29. The controllable electronic switch of claim 24, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to said second end of said deformable member.

30. The controllable electronic switch of claim 24, wherein said deformable member comprises a bimetal member.

31. The controllable electronic switch of claim 30, wherein said second end of said bimetal member has a top side comprised of a first metallic substance and a bottom side comprised of a second metallic substance, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to the top side of said second end of said bimetal member, and wherein the bottom side of said second end of said bimetal member resides in contact with the electrical conductor when the switch control circuit is not activated.

32. A controllable electronic switch, comprising:

a deformable member having a first end and a second end, said deformable member anchored at said first end and residing in contact with an electrical conductor at said second end;

an incoming power wire connected to the deformable member at said second end near the electrical conductor, said incoming power wire being electrically connected to said electrical conductor when the deformable member resides in contact with the electrical conductor;

a heating element in proximity with the deformable member; and

a signal wire connected to said heating element, said signal wire conveying a switch control signal to said heating element.

33. The controllable electronic switch of claim 32, wherein assertion of said switch control signal forces a current through said heating element causing said heating element to heat, thereby bending said deformable member so as to break contact between the second end of the deformable member and the electrical conductor, and wherein non-assertion of said switch control signal causes said heating element to remain unheated thereby allowing said deformable member to remain unbent and in contact with the electrical conductor.

34. The controllable electronic switch of claim 32, wherein said heating element comprises a resistive coil.

35. The controllable electronic switch of claim 32, further comprising a switch control circuit outputting said switch control signal, wherein said switch control signal is asserted by manual activation of said switch control circuit.

36. The controllable electronic switch of claim 32, further comprising a switch control circuit outputting said switch control signal, wherein said switch control signal is asserted in response to an electronic command signal received from a remote source.

37. The controllable electronic switch of claim 32, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to said second end of said deformable member.

38. The controllable electronic switch of claim 32, wherein said deformable member comprises a bimetal member.

39. The controllable electronic switch of claim 38, wherein said second end of said bimetal member has a top side comprised of a first metallic substance and a bottom side comprised of a second metallic substance, wherein said incoming power wire is welded to the top side of said second end of said bimetal member, and wherein the bottom side of said second end of said bimetal member resides in contact with the electrical conductor when the switch control signal is not asserted.