Abstract:
RF switching system (100, 200) formed from a structure (102, 202) comprised of dielectric material. The structure can have two or more faces (104, 204) , with at least one face located in a plane exclusive of at least a second one of the faces. For example, the structure can define a geometric shape that is a polyhedron. RF switches (106, 206) can be disposed on two or more of the faces. Conductive RF feed stubs (110, 210) are provided for each RF switch extending from an interconnection point (114, 214) to electrical contact terminals (116, 216) that are respectively connected to the RF switches. The interconnection point is located within the structure at a location generally medial to the two or more of terminals.
Abstract:
A microwave switch employing at least two actuators (71-73); normally three cantilevered leaf springs (51) mounted in different parallel planes. Respective ones of the actuators (71-73) are displaced by the rocking action of a wobble plate (80) movable by repelling and attraction forces provided by a series of spaced magnetic coils (74). Integral pusher arms (87) of various lengths extend from the bottom of the wobble plate (80) with their distal ends termination variously at the same different levels in which the leaf springs (51) extend. Rocking of the wobble plate (80) to one of three selected positions displaces a particular leaf spring (51) which in turn depresses one or two selected reeds (51) into bridging contact with a pair (12b) of microwave contacts.
Abstract:
A relay control circuit for use with a relay having a coil voltage input. The relay control circuit includes a first input to receive a first voltage capable of energizing the relay from a de-energized state, a second input to receive a second voltage, less than the first voltage, that is capable of maintaining the relay in an energized state, and means, responsive to a relay control signal having one of a first state and a second state, for switchably coupling the coil voltage input to the first input for a period of time sufficient to energize the relay in response to the relay control signal having the first state, and for switchably coupling the coil voltage input to the second input in response to expiration of the period of time.
Abstract:
A microwave multi-port switch (25) has three operating positions and three RF paths (J3-J4, J2-J5, J1-J6). Six contact junctions (J1-J6) are provided adjacent corners of a hexagonal cavity (26) in an RF body (27) and a common contact (17) provided at the cavity center (36). Six reeds (15a-f) bridge over in and out of contact with adjacent ones of the peripheral contacts (J1-6) and six reeds (19a-f) extend between and in and out of contact with the peripheral contacts (J1-6) and the common contact (17). Reeds (15a-f) are actuated by movement of a coil-driven rocker (80) through three actuating mechanisms (44), including a center post (36), at three levels above the body (27). The mechanisms (44) include radially extending leaf springs (35), an actuator (50) loosely keyed to the center post (36) and a pivoted leaf spring (35) movable by rocker (80a) tilting depressing the actuator (50), the leaf springs (35) and fixed dielectric posts (43) extending upwardly from the reeds (15a-f).
Abstract:
A contactor includes a contact portion and an actuation portion. The actuation portion includes a capacitor structure (21) and uses an electrostatic force between capacitor plates (22, 23) of the capacitor structure to drive the contact portion to implement switching of the contact portion between a contact state and a disconnection state. By using the contactor, low energy consumption is achieved, and reliable state switching of the contactor is ensured. Moreover, the contactor has the advantages of low manufacturing cost and easy implementation.
Abstract:
An electromechanical relay that includes a frame and a header assembly (20) having a plurality of contacts (24, 26, 28). The relay also includes a core assembly having an end engaging the frame. The relay further includes an armature assembly pivotally connected to the core assembly. The armature assembly has at least one actuator engaging one of the contacts. The relay also includes a shield (16) connected to the header assembly and defining a cavity in which the contacts are disposed.
Abstract:
A multipole, multiposition switching relay (10) is provided. The switching relay (10) includes an electromagnetic drive coil (14) having a spring-biased plunger (32) slidably mounted therein. The plunger (32) is operably connected to a switching apparatus (70) for connecting and disconnecting terminals of coaxial connectors (76). The drive coil (14) pulls the plunger (32) into its hollow center when an electric current is applied to the drive coil (14). A magnet (54) located near the drive coil (14) creates a magnetic field which maintains the plunger (32) in the drive coil (14) after the electric current has been disconnected from the drive coil (14), and the switching relay (10) will remain in the chosen state. A second drive coil (16) may be provided which shunts, or reverses, the magnetic field, allowing the plunger (32) to return to its original position due to the biasing force provided by the spring (34). Energizing the second drive coil (16) automatically resets any previously selected position of the first drive coil (14) to its original position. The second drive coil (16) may be a second electromagnetic coil (16) and plunger (32) assembly like the first, or may be a simple reset solenoid having no switching apparatus associated therewith.
Abstract:
A hermetically sealed contactor (10) of the magnetic blowout type is provided utilizing a novel arc chute design (14). The fins (60) of the arc chute (14) include an angled leading edge (67) and a tapered body (38) for slowing and confining the arc in the chute (14) until extinction. The housing (16) is back pressurized with a highly thermally conductive gas to assist in removing heat from the arc, permitting the use of a smaller and simpler contactor (10) arrangement, while maintaining the performance realized in larger devices.