Actuator/wedge improvements to embedded meter switch
First Claim
1. A wedge shaped actuator device configured to provide separation of spring supported electrical contacts in an electrical switch, comprising an insulated wedge configured with plural contoured contact separating surfaces corresponding to a relatively lower and a relatively higher slope to maximize transfer of energy from a drive solenoid to the contact carrying springs,whereby each of said plural contoured contact separating surfaces applies contact separating force corresponding to differences in pulling capacity as said drive solenoid traverses its travel path.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a wedge shaped actuator device configured to provide separation of spring supported electrical contacts in an electrical switch. The wedge is configured with dual contour sides to maximize transfer of energy from a drive solenoid to the contact carrying springs. Portions of the wedge are relieved to allow for uninhibited movement of the wedge over side surfaces of the contact carrying springs to avoid digging in of any rough materials from the side edges of the spring as may be occasioned due to stamping techniques used to form the springs.
107 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A wedge shaped actuator device configured to provide separation of spring supported electrical contacts in an electrical switch, comprising an insulated wedge configured with plural contoured contact separating surfaces corresponding to a relatively lower and a relatively higher slope to maximize transfer of energy from a drive solenoid to the contact carrying springs,
whereby each of said plural contoured contact separating surfaces applies contact separating force corresponding to differences in pulling capacity as said drive solenoid traverses its travel path.
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8. A utility meter having a service disconnect switch integrated into the base thereof, said meter comprising:
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a metrology board; a base integrally including high current circuit elements corresponding to a line side terminal assembly and a load side terminal assembly, each respectively configured for insertion into a utility meter socket; contacts associated with said line side terminal assembly; at least two pairs of spring elements respectively connected at one end thereof to the meter load terminal, with the opposite ends of said spring elements carrying contacts configured for cooperation with said line side terminal assembly contacts, so as to form contact pairs of a switch; a solenoid having a movable actuator; and an insulative wedge configured to be moved by said movable actuator for travel between portions of the spring element pairs to thereby separate corresponding contact pairs, for interrupting any current flow through said high current circuit elements, said insulative wedge having plural contact separating surfaces which comprise plural sloped portions such that a first portion is provided with a relatively lower slope while a second portion is provided with a relatively higher slope, for maximizing transfer of energy from said solenoid to said contact carrying springs, whereby each of said plural contoured contact separating surfaces applies contact separating force corresponding to differences in pulling capacity as said movable actuator traverses its travel path. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of providing a utility meter with a service disconnect switch integrated into the base thereof, such method comprising:
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providing a meter having; a metrology board; a base integrally including high current circuit elements corresponding to a line side terminal assembly and a load side terminal assembly, each respectively configured for insertion into a utility meter socket; contacts associated with such line side terminal assembly; at least two pairs of spring elements respectively connected at one end thereof to the meter load terminal, with the opposite ends of such spring elements carrying contacts configured for cooperation with such line side terminal assembly contacts, so as to form contact pairs of a switch; a solenoid having a movable actuator; and an insulative wedge configured to be moved by such movable actuator for travel between portions of the spring element pairs to thereby separate corresponding contact pairs, for interrupting any current flow through such high current circuit elements; and forming such insulative wedge with plural contact separating surfaces which comprise plural sloped portions such that a first portion is provided with a relatively lower slope while a second portion is provided with a relatively higher slope, with such slopes selected so as to maximize transfer of energy from such solenoid to such contact carrying springs based on drive characteristics of such solenoid, whereby each of said plural contoured contact separating surfaces applies contact separating force corresponding to differences in pulling capacity as said movable actuator traverses its travel path. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification