Controllable electronic switch

• US 8,981,891 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2011
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
• Original Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
• Inventors: Ying, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US13/103,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20120092122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 337/14, 337/16, 337/36, 337/102, 337/85, 337/107, 337/86, 337/105, 337/113, 337/140, 337/333, 337/362, 337/377, 337 9535- 41, 337/335, 337/336, 337/363, 337/370, 337/371
• US Class Current: 337/102
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/52 actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 61/02 wherein the thermally-sensitive member is heated indirectly, e.g. resistively, inductively
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/32 Insulating body insertable between contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• 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: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• 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 deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.

Claims

1. A controllable electronic switch, comprising:

a pair of opposing elongate deformable members for controllably separating a pair of electrical contacts by each being independently deformed under different conditions, and thereby connecting and disconnecting an incoming power signal from a load; and

a resting member disposed between said elongate deformable members, such that when either elongate deformable member bends, the opposing elongate deformable member is inhibited from following the bending elongate deformable member;

wherein the first of the pair of opposing elongate deformable members is deformed under an over-current condition while the second of the pair of opposing elongate deformable members remains stationary; and

wherein the second of the pair of opposing elongate deformable members is deformed by heating in response to a control signal while the first of the pair of opposing elongate deformable members remains stationary.

2. The controllable electronic switch of claim 1, wherein the resting member comprises a semi-circular rotatable cam having a first end and a second end, wherein when the rotatable cam is in a first unrotated position the opposing elongate deformable members are separated if either of them is deformed such that an electrical connection is broken between the pair of electrical contacts, and wherein when the rotatable cam is in a second rotated position the non-deformed elongate deformable member is permitted to bend towards the deformed elongate deformable member and re-establish the electrical connection between the pair of electrical contacts.