EP0032331B1 - Switch with wetted contacts and magnetic operation, and electric relay comprising such a switch - Google Patents

Switch with wetted contacts and magnetic operation, and electric relay comprising such a switch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0032331B1
EP0032331B1 EP80401784A EP80401784A EP0032331B1 EP 0032331 B1 EP0032331 B1 EP 0032331B1 EP 80401784 A EP80401784 A EP 80401784A EP 80401784 A EP80401784 A EP 80401784A EP 0032331 B1 EP0032331 B1 EP 0032331B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
interrupter
electrode
base
accordance
liquid
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Expired
Application number
EP80401784A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0032331A1 (en
Inventor
Jacques Legrand
Gérard Holvoet
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Cessione Costructions Electriques Et Cie
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Socapex SA
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Publication of EP0032331A1 publication Critical patent/EP0032331A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H51/00—Electromagnetic relays
    • H01H51/28—Relays having both armature and contacts within a sealed casing outside which the operating coil is located, e.g. contact carried by a magnetic leaf spring or reed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/06—Contacts characterised by the shape or structure of the contact-making surface, e.g. grooved
    • H01H1/08—Contacts characterised by the shape or structure of the contact-making surface, e.g. grooved wetted with mercury

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electric switch with contacts wetted by conductive liquid and with magnetic control. It relates more particularly to a switch with contacts wetted by a conductive liquid comprising a housing in which are disposed a first electrode constituting the common contact of the switch and at least a second electrode constituting the second contact of said switch, each electrode being in magnetic material wettable by the conductive liquid, a movable part also wettable by said liquid pivoting around a liquid hinge connecting it, at one of its ends, by capillary action using the conductive liquid, to the first electrode, the other end of the moving part coming to bear against the second electrode when the electrical circuit between the first and the second electrode is closed.
  • ILM Mercury Wetted Switch
  • This category of electric switches is most generally constituted by a system of associated blades, at least one of which has a certain flexibility, sealed in a glass bulb inside which has been introduced a quantity of mercury sufficient to wet the blades .
  • the main advantage of this category of switches is that they offer very good electrical contact, without damaging the surfaces that come into contact since they are wetted by mercury.
  • it also has the disadvantage of using techniques for sealing the blades in the glass bulb which are delicate and expensive and cause pollution of the electrical contacts during the sealing in the glass.
  • the switch according to the invention makes it possible to solve all the problems posed above while retaining the use of the liquid hinge. It is characterized in that it comprises a housing consisting of a cover and a base, the internal walls of which are wettable by the conductive liquid and in that the movable part has the form of a pallet of magnetic material arranged substantially perpendicular to the internal surface of the base.
  • FIG. 1 represents a type of switch with wet contacts, as described in American patent 3 144 533.
  • the body 1 of this switch constitutes the common contact; it is pierced in its length by a cylindrical channel and obstructed at its two ends by two contact parts 2 and 3 which are held in the body and isolated by means of rings 4 or glass-metal sealing.
  • the moving part 5 is constituted by a cylinder which moves inside the perforated channel in the body 1, under the action of a magnetic field.
  • the electrical contact is ensured by a quantity of mercury 6 sufficient to establish a film between the moving part 5 and the body 1 and to establish capillary contact with one of the two end contacts 2 or 3.
  • the mercury film breaks on the first contact and is established with the second contact because there is not enough mercury for the electrical contact to be established at both ends of the moving part.
  • a magnet or control coil system 7 ensures the movements of the moving part inside the body of the switch.
  • This kind of switch effectively ensures wet contacts and operates independently of its position: however it requires machining precise enough so that the film of mercury which ensures contact between the moving part 5 and the body 1 is just thick enough to meet the capillary imperatives but under these conditions the moving part is blocked quite frequently; moreover, this technique is expensive.
  • FIG. 2 represents a switch according to the invention. Only the parts which make it possible to understand its operation have been represented in this figure.
  • a base 8 In a base 8 are sealed at least four electrodes 9, 10, 11 and 12.
  • the movable part is constituted by a pallet 13 held between electrodes wetted by a conductive liquid. Two of the electrodes 9 and 10 are sufficiently close together so that the pallet can be slid between these two electrodes and held by the mercury which wets the electrodes 9 and 10 and the surface of the pallet, thus constituting a liquid hinge 14; the two other electrodes 11 and 12 are placed in such a way that when the movable pallet 13 moves it comes to abut either against the electrode 11 or against the electrode 12.
  • the four electrodes 9, 10, 11 and 12 are sealed in the 'base 8 by means of electrical insulating passages 15, generally constituted by sintering based on glass powder.
  • the movable pallet 13 has a length slightly greater than the distance between the electrodes 9 and 10 on the one hand, 11 and 12 on the other hand. It is not mechanically linked to these electrodes and is only maintained by the surface tension forces of the conductive liquid, at one of its ends by the liquid hinge 14, at the other end by a surface tension with the electrode against which it rests. Under the action of the magnetic control field, this pallet is automatically re-centered with respect to the electrodes of the switch.
  • a base 8 of cylindrical shape which is constituted by the base of a housing TO 39 of discrete semiconductor.
  • the elongated base of a quartz encapsulation box is also suitable for producing the switch according to the invention.
  • the important thing for this base is to be made of a material allowing on the one hand the glass / metal sealing and on the other hand being able to be ferromagnetic.
  • the electrodes are sealed through the base in insulating glass beads and pass through the base so that one of their ends is accessible when the relay is finished and enclosed under a cover.
  • the four electrodes are made of a material also ferromagnetic so as to be able to close the control field, in accordance with the general operation of switches with magnetic control.
  • the cover which is welded to the base when the relay is finished and adjusted is itself made of a non-magnetic material.
  • this type of switch has two advantages. First, it is possible to reach the electrodes to adjust them mechanically, in particular because of the sensitivity which is required for the switch. Secondly, it is possible to chemically treat only the interior part of the relay, before welding of the cover, with a view to a subsequent treatment which takes place when the mercury has been introduced into the switch.
  • a switch wetted with mercury undergoes a heat treatment which ends its manufacture: the cover being sealed by electrical welding on the base, a quantity of mercury is introduced inside the switch previously chemically treated and a gas under pressure is also introduced inside the closed enclosure thus formed, to avoid the formation of an arc.
  • the hollow electrode which served as a conduit for introducing mercury and gas is then closed, then the switch is heated so as to form an amalgam between the mercury and the material deposited on the surface of the electrodes and of the moving pallet.
  • this wet contact switch highlights the absence of contact pollution during sealing since there is no longer any need to heat a glass bulb.
  • the cover being formed of a metal, the mercury can wet the internal surface and the switch thus comprises a high reserve of mercury compared to the contact surfaces which work, the cover recovering the mercury which vaporizes during contact breakdowns and this mercury being recycled.
  • the switch according to the invention operates without any jamming since the movable pallet no longer has to rub against a cylindrical body or between two ceramic flanges as is done.
  • an inverter has six fixed electrodes: this is the optical doubling of the switch shown in Figure 2.
  • the electrodes 9 and 10 on which the liquid hinge 14 is formed are sealed in the middle of the base 8, and they hold the movable pallet 13 which no longer pivots around one of its ends, but in its center.
  • Four electrodes are arranged symmetrically, 11 and 12 on one side of the axis of rotation, 11 'and 12' on the other side of the axis of rotation. They are sealed and adjusted so that, in a first position, the pallet rests on two electrodes, 11 and 11 'for example, and, in a second position, on two other electrodes 12 and 12'.
  • the electrodes 9 and 10 which serve as a hinge are not connected to the electrical network.
  • FIG. 3 represents a switch according to the invention, finished and seen in section.
  • FIG 3 there is a base 8 crossed by electrodes 9 and 10 on the one hand, 11 and 12 on the other hand, which are sealed in the base 8 by glass beads 15. At least one of these electrodes can advantageously be hollow, to allow the introduction of mercury and filling gas.
  • the movable blade 13 is held by a liquid mercury hinge 14.
  • a control coil 16 is placed under the switch and the field of this coil closes on itself by means of the electrodes 9 and 10 on the one hand , 10 and 11 on the other hand.
  • the non-magnetic cover 17 is sealed by electrical welding on the base 8 and a magnet 18, partially hidden in the figure, polarizes the contacts.
  • the assembly of the switch with wet contacts and moving blades polarized by a magnet outside or inside the cover and controlled by a coil 16 constitutes a relay.
  • this relay can also be ensured without a magnet 18 by means of two coils, each attracting the blade 13 in one position.
  • FIG. 4 represents the switch according to the invention according to a second embodiment.
  • the switch always includes a base 8 on which are welded two rods which constitute the hinge around which the movable blade pivots, these rods 19 and 20 then being welded and placed in a plane parallel to the upper plane of the base.
  • the movable blade 13 pivots around a liquid hinge 14 which is no longer perpendicular to the upper plane of the base but which is parallel to it, and the two electrodes 21 and 22 are bent so as to come into contact with the blade mobile 13 along generators also parallel to the upper face of the base.
  • the rest and working electrodes 21 and 22 are also sealed in the base by means of glass beads 15.
  • the polarization magnet 18 is held by any suitable means but can be fixed to the base by means of a welded rod.
  • the electrodes 21 and 22 pass through the base which also includes a third outlet rod 23, which electrically corresponds to the contacts with the pallet, that is to say the common contact.
  • the movable pallet 13 is held in space by the capillarity of the liquid hinge 14.
  • FIG. 5 represents a first improvement to the invention, which stabilizes the pallet against impacts. It has been said previously that the pallet, which is not mechanically linked to the electrodes, is automatically centered by the magnetic control field of the switch. However, in order to meet certain requirements of material having to withstand shocks, for example, the invention provides a first anti-shock improvement.
  • the pallet 13 is shown between two electrodes 9 and 10 against which it is held by a liquid hinge 14. The pallet is folded at 24 on one side of the electrodes, which prevents it from sliding along a first direction. In addition, on the other side of the electrodes, it has a tab 25 folded down substantially perpendicular to the movable pallet. The parts 24 and 25 of the pallet are at a spacing such that the pallet retains a sufficient degree of freedom to be maintained without requiring any adjustment of the assembly.
  • FIG. 6 represents a second improvement to the invention, which balances the pallet against shocks during operation.
  • FIG. 6 An improvement represented in FIG. 6 consists in balancing the mass of the blade 13 pivoting around a liquid hinge 14 by a stamped, welded or remelted mass 26 which is located on the other side of the hinge 14 relative to the mass main of the blade 13. This improvement constitutes an advantage against shocks during operation since the mass 26 prevents the blade 13 from sliding between the electrodes 19 and 20.
  • the liquid hinge 14 has been described as being formed by capillarity of the conductive liquid between two electrodes 9 and 10, or 19 and 20 according to the figures.
  • the liquid hinge 14 can be formed between the blade on the one hand and a single electrode constituted either by a rod bent on itself in the form of a hairpin, or by a machined part in the form of a fork.
  • the switch according to the invention and the relay produced from this switch have a certain number of advantages among which its high sensitivity, that is to say its operation under a low current, and on the contrary its insensitivity to shocks and to the operating position.
  • its high sensitivity that is to say its operation under a low current
  • the adjustment of the electrodes or of the sensitivity can be carried out on the switch during manufacture before closing it by a box. waterproof.
  • It is made up of bases which are readily available parts since they are bases of the same type as that used in semiconductor devices.
  • This type of mercury wet relay and switch finds many applications in industry and more particularly in the telephone industry and the production of electronic exchanges.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne un interrupteur électrique à contacts mouillés par liquide conducteur et à commande magnétique. Elle se rapporte plus particulièrement à un interrupteur à contacts mouillés par un liquide conducteur comportant un boîtier dans lequel sont disposées une première électrode constituant le contact commun de l'interrupteur et au moins une seconde électrode constituant le second contact dudit interrupteur, chaque électrode étant en matériau magnétique et mouillable par le liquide conducteur, une pièce mobile mouillable également par ledit liquide pivotant autour d'une charnière liquide la reliant, à l'une de ses extrémités, par capillarité à l'aide du liquide conducteur, à la première électrode, l'autre extrémité de la pièce mobile venant s'appuyer contre la seconde électrode lors de la fermeture du circuit électrique entre la première et la deuxième électrode.The invention relates to an electric switch with contacts wetted by conductive liquid and with magnetic control. It relates more particularly to a switch with contacts wetted by a conductive liquid comprising a housing in which are disposed a first electrode constituting the common contact of the switch and at least a second electrode constituting the second contact of said switch, each electrode being in magnetic material wettable by the conductive liquid, a movable part also wettable by said liquid pivoting around a liquid hinge connecting it, at one of its ends, by capillary action using the conductive liquid, to the first electrode, the other end of the moving part coming to bear against the second electrode when the electrical circuit between the first and the second electrode is closed.

Les interrupteurs à contacts mouillés par un liquide conducteur constitué le plus généralement par du mercure ou par un amalgame de mercure, sont connus dans la technique; ils sont fréquement dénommés ILM, Interrupteurs à Lames Mouillées par le mercure ou en anglais »Mercury Wetted Switch«. Cette catégorie d'interrupteurs électriques est le plus généralement constituée par un système de lames associées dont une au moins présente une certaine souplesse, scellées dans une ampoule de verre à l'intérieur de laquelle a été introduite une quantité de mercure suffisante pour mouiller les lames. Cette catégorie d'interrupteurs a pour principal avantage d'offrir un très bon contact électrique, sans détérioration des surfaces qui entrent en contact puisqu'elles sont mouillées par le mercure. Cependant, elle a également comme inconvénient d'utiliser des techniques de scellement des lames dans l'ampoule de verre qui sont délicates et onéreuses et amènent une pollution des contacts électriques au cours du scellement dans le verre. En outre, il faut usiner des lames souples et les dimensions nécessitées par les lames amènent à une dimension globale de l'interrupteur relativement importante; enfin, le fait que les lames soient scellées à l'intérieur d'une ampoule nécessite un réglage, en particulier de la sensibilité. A l'usage, le mercure se vaporise au cours des ruptures sur les contacts et se dépose partiellement à l'intérieur de l'ampoule de verre ce qui amène un appauvrissement des contacts en mercure et donc à la nécessité d'entretenir une réserve de mercure à l'intérieur de l'ampoule: cette réserve de mercure induit que le fonctionnement de l'interrupteur en ampoule doit être assuré dans une position bien déterminée pour que la réserve de mercure présente ne vienne pas court-circui- ter les contacts.Contact switches wetted by a conductive liquid most generally consisting of mercury or an amalgam of mercury are known in the art; they are frequently called ILM, Mercury Wetted Switch. This category of electric switches is most generally constituted by a system of associated blades, at least one of which has a certain flexibility, sealed in a glass bulb inside which has been introduced a quantity of mercury sufficient to wet the blades . The main advantage of this category of switches is that they offer very good electrical contact, without damaging the surfaces that come into contact since they are wetted by mercury. However, it also has the disadvantage of using techniques for sealing the blades in the glass bulb which are delicate and expensive and cause pollution of the electrical contacts during the sealing in the glass. In addition, flexible blades must be machined and the dimensions required by the blades lead to a relatively large overall dimension of the switch; finally, the fact that the blades are sealed inside a bulb requires an adjustment, in particular of the sensitivity. In use, the mercury vaporizes during the ruptures on the contacts and is partially deposited inside the glass bulb which leads to a depletion of the mercury contacts and therefore to the need to maintain a reserve of mercury inside the bulb: this reserve of mercury means that the operation of the bulb switch must be ensured in a well-defined position so that the reserve of mercury present does not come to short-circuit the contacts.

Il est connu du brevet français 2 392 485 de réaliser un interrupteur à contacts mouillés par le mercure comportant une pièce mobile magnétique se déplaçant entre les deux parois parallèles du boîtier, par pivotement autour d'une charnière liquide en mercure sous la commande d'un champ magnétique extérieur. Dans un tel interrupteur, le volume interne du boîtier est réduit au minimum de manière à réduire ainsi la quantité de mercure présente dans cette cavité. Les deux faces parallèles du boîtier sont donc très proches de la pièce mobile.It is known from French patent 2,392,485 to produce a switch with mercury wetted contacts comprising a moving magnetic part moving between the two parallel walls of the housing, by pivoting around a liquid mercury hinge under the control of a external magnetic field. In such a switch, the internal volume of the housing is reduced to a minimum so as to thereby reduce the amount of mercury present in this cavity. The two parallel faces of the housing are therefore very close to the moving part.

La Demanderesse a constaté qu'à l'usage, de tels interrupteurs présentaient des inconvénients qui perturbaient leur longévité de fonctionnement. En effet, la proximité de la partie mobile et des parois du boîtier nécessite l'utilisation d'un matériau isolant électriquement de manière à éviter les courts-circuits électriques qui pourraient être provoqués par la présence de gouttes de mercure sur lesdites parois. Ce matériau isolant possédant une bonne étanchéité est tout naturellement le verre, largement utilisé dans la technique des interrupteurs, matériau non mouillable par le mercure. Avec une telle structure, on constate qu'à l'usage, il se forme des cristaux métalliques résultant de l'amalgame formé par le mercure et les métaux constituant les électrodes et la pièce mobile de l'interrupteur. Ces cristaux se déposent en particulier sur les parois du boîtier et peuvent entraîner le blocage de la pièce mobile du fait de la très faible distance séparant celle-ci de la paroi. Enfin, le fait de mettre une très faible quantité de mercure dans le boîtier d'un tel interrupteur pour éviter en particulier les courts-circuits dans certaines positions de celui-ci est un inconvénient au cours des fabrications à grande série du fait de la précision nécessitée par le dosage de la goutte de mercure ce qui complique nécessairement l'appareillage utilisé.The Applicant has found that in use, such switches have drawbacks which disturb their longevity of operation. Indeed, the proximity of the movable part and the walls of the housing requires the use of an electrically insulating material so as to avoid electrical short circuits which could be caused by the presence of drops of mercury on said walls. This insulating material having a good seal is quite naturally glass, widely used in the technique of switches, material not wettable by mercury. With such a structure, it is found that in use, metallic crystals are formed resulting from the amalgamation formed by mercury and the metals constituting the electrodes and the moving part of the switch. These crystals are deposited in particular on the walls of the housing and can cause the moving part to block due to the very small distance separating it from the wall. Finally, the fact of putting a very small amount of mercury in the housing of such a switch in order to avoid in particular short-circuits in certain positions thereof is a drawback during mass production due to the precision required by the dosage of the drop of mercury which necessarily complicates the apparatus used.

L'interrupteur selon l'invention permet de résoudre tous les problèmes posés ci-dessus tout en conservant l'usage de la charnière liquide. Il est caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un boîtier constitué d'un capot et d'une embase dont les parois intérieures sont mouillables par le liquide conducteur et en ce que la pièce mobile a la forme d'une palette en matériau magnétique disposée sensiblement perpendiculairement à la surface interne de l'embase.The switch according to the invention makes it possible to solve all the problems posed above while retaining the use of the liquid hinge. It is characterized in that it comprises a housing consisting of a cover and a base, the internal walls of which are wettable by the conductive liquid and in that the movable part has the form of a pallet of magnetic material arranged substantially perpendicular to the internal surface of the base.

Du fait de cette structure en effet, on supprime le blocage de la pièce mobile par les cristaux métalliques tandis que la mouillabilité des parois internes du boîtier permet le recyclage du mercure dont la quantité dans celui-ci n'est pas critique pour éviter les courts-circuits.Because of this structure, in fact, the blocking of the moving part is eliminated by the metallic crystals, while the wettability of the internal walls of the housing allows the recycling of mercury, the quantity of which is not critical in order to avoid short -circuits.

L'invention sera mieux comprise et ses avantages ressortiront de la description qui suit de deux exemples de réalisation de l'interrupteur à contacts mouillés selon l'invention, lesquelles descriptions s'appuient sur les figures qui représentent:

  • figure 1 un interrupteur à contacts mouillés selon l'art connu;
  • figure 2 les éléments de base de l'interrupteur selon l'invention, les parties auxiliaires étant retirées pour permettre une simplification du dessin;
  • figure 3 un relais utilisant l'interrupteur à contacts mouillés selon l'invention dans une première réalisation;
  • figure 4 les éléments de base de l'interrupteur selon l'invention dans une seconde réalisation;
  • figure 5 un premier perfectionnement à l'invention;
  • figure 6 un second perfectionnement à l'invention.
The invention will be better understood and its advantages will emerge from the following description of two embodiments of the wet contact switch according to the invention, which descriptions are based on the figures which represent:
  • figure 1 a switch with wet contacts according to known art;
  • Figure 2 the basic elements of the switch according to the invention, the auxiliary parts being removed to allow simplification of the drawing;
  • Figure 3 a relay using the wet contact switch according to the invention in a first embodiment;
  • Figure 4 the basic elements of the switch according to the invention in a second embodiment;
  • Figure 5 a first improvement to the invention;
  • Figure 6 a second improvement to the invention.

La figure 1 représente un type d'interrupteur à contacts mouillés, tel que décrit dans le brevet américain 3 144 533.FIG. 1 represents a type of switch with wet contacts, as described in American patent 3 144 533.

Le corps 1 de cet interrupteur constitue le contact commun; il est percé dans sa longeur par un canal cylindrique et obstrué à ses deux extrémités par deux pièces de contacts 2 et 3 qui sont maintenues dans le corps et isolées au moyen d'anneaux 4 ou de scellement verre-métal. La pièce mobile 5 est constituée par un cylindre qui se déplace à l'intérieur du canal perforé dans le corps 1, sous l'action d'un champ magnétique. Le contact électrique est assuré par une quantité de mercure 6 suffisante pour établir un film entre la pièce mobile 5 et le corps 1 et établir le contact par capillarité avec l'un des deux contacts d'extrémités 2 ou 3. Lorsque la pièce mobile se déplace et quitte un contact pour aller s'appuyer contre l'autre contact, le film de mercure se rompt sur le premier contact et s'établit avec le second contact car il n'y a pas suffisamment de mercure pour que le contact électrique soit établi aux deux extrémités de la pièce mobile.The body 1 of this switch constitutes the common contact; it is pierced in its length by a cylindrical channel and obstructed at its two ends by two contact parts 2 and 3 which are held in the body and isolated by means of rings 4 or glass-metal sealing. The moving part 5 is constituted by a cylinder which moves inside the perforated channel in the body 1, under the action of a magnetic field. The electrical contact is ensured by a quantity of mercury 6 sufficient to establish a film between the moving part 5 and the body 1 and to establish capillary contact with one of the two end contacts 2 or 3. When the moving part moves and leaves a contact to go and lean against the other contact, the mercury film breaks on the first contact and is established with the second contact because there is not enough mercury for the electrical contact to be established at both ends of the moving part.

Un système d'aimant ou de bobinage de commande 7 assure les déplacements de la pièce mobile à l'intérieur du corps de l'interrupteur.A magnet or control coil system 7 ensures the movements of the moving part inside the body of the switch.

Ce genre d'interrupteur assure effectivement des contacts mouillés et fonctionne indépendamment de sa position: cependant il nécessite un usinage assez précis pour que le film de mercure qui assure le contact entre la pièce mobile 5 et le corps 1 soit juste suffisamment épais pour répondre aux impératifs de la capillarité mais dans ces conditions la pièce mobile se bloque assez fréquemment; en outre, cette technique est onéreuse.This kind of switch effectively ensures wet contacts and operates independently of its position: however it requires machining precise enough so that the film of mercury which ensures contact between the moving part 5 and the body 1 is just thick enough to meet the capillary imperatives but under these conditions the moving part is blocked quite frequently; moreover, this technique is expensive.

La figure 2 représente un interrupteur selon l'invention. Seules ont été représentées sur cette figure les pièces qui permettent d'en comprendre le fonctionnement.FIG. 2 represents a switch according to the invention. Only the parts which make it possible to understand its operation have been represented in this figure.

Dans une embase 8 sont scellées au moins quatre électrodes 9, 10, 11 et 12. La pièce mobile est constituée par une palette 13 maintenue entre des électrodes mouillées par un liquide conducteur. Deux des électrodes 9 et 10 sont suffisamment rapprochées entre elles pour que la palette puisse être glissée entre ces deux électrodes et maintenue par le mercure qui mouille les électrodes 9 et 10 et la surface de la palette, constituant ainsi une charnière liquide 14; les deux autres électrodes 11 et 12 sont placées de telle façon que lorsque la palette mobile 13 se déplace elle vienne buter soit contre l'électrode 11 soit contre l'éléctrode 12. Les quatre électrodes 9, 10, 11 et 12 sont scellées dans l'embase 8 au moyen de passages isolants électriques 15, généralement constitués par un frittage à base de poudre de verre.In a base 8 are sealed at least four electrodes 9, 10, 11 and 12. The movable part is constituted by a pallet 13 held between electrodes wetted by a conductive liquid. Two of the electrodes 9 and 10 are sufficiently close together so that the pallet can be slid between these two electrodes and held by the mercury which wets the electrodes 9 and 10 and the surface of the pallet, thus constituting a liquid hinge 14; the two other electrodes 11 and 12 are placed in such a way that when the movable pallet 13 moves it comes to abut either against the electrode 11 or against the electrode 12. The four electrodes 9, 10, 11 and 12 are sealed in the 'base 8 by means of electrical insulating passages 15, generally constituted by sintering based on glass powder.

La palette mobile 13 a une longueur légèrement supérieure à l'entraxe entre les électrodes 9 et 10 d'une part, 11 et 12 d'autre part. Elle n'est pas mécaniquement liée à ces électrodes et n'est maintenue que par les forces de tension superficielles du liquide conducteur, à l'une de ses extrémités par la charnière liquide 14, à l'autre extrémité par une tension superficielle avec l'électrode contre laquelle elle s'appuie. Sous l'action du champ magnétique de commande cette palette se trouve automatiquement recentrée par rapport aux électrodes de l'interrupteur.The movable pallet 13 has a length slightly greater than the distance between the electrodes 9 and 10 on the one hand, 11 and 12 on the other hand. It is not mechanically linked to these electrodes and is only maintained by the surface tension forces of the conductive liquid, at one of its ends by the liquid hinge 14, at the other end by a surface tension with the electrode against which it rests. Under the action of the magnetic control field, this pallet is automatically re-centered with respect to the electrodes of the switch.

Sur la figure 2 est représentée une embase 8 de forme cylindrique qui est constituée par l'embase d'un boîtier TO 39 de semiconducteur discret. Cependant, l'embase allongée d'un boîtier d'encapsulation de quartz convient également à la réalisation de l'interrupteur selon l'invention. L'important pour cette embase est d'être constituée d'un matériau permettant d'une part le scellement verre/métal et d'autre part pouvant être ferromagnétique. En effet, les électrodes sont scellées à travers l'embase dans des perles isolantes en verre et traversent l'embase de façon à ce que l'une de leurs extrémités soit accessible lorsque le relais est terminé et enfermé sous un capot.In Figure 2 is shown a base 8 of cylindrical shape which is constituted by the base of a housing TO 39 of discrete semiconductor. However, the elongated base of a quartz encapsulation box is also suitable for producing the switch according to the invention. The important thing for this base is to be made of a material allowing on the one hand the glass / metal sealing and on the other hand being able to be ferromagnetic. Indeed, the electrodes are sealed through the base in insulating glass beads and pass through the base so that one of their ends is accessible when the relay is finished and enclosed under a cover.

Les quatre électrodes sont réalisées en un matériau également ferromagnétique de façon à pouvoir refermer le champ de commande, conformément au fonctionnement général des interrupteurs à commande magnétique.The four electrodes are made of a material also ferromagnetic so as to be able to close the control field, in accordance with the general operation of switches with magnetic control.

Le capot qui est soudé sur l'embase lorsque le relais est terminé et réglé est, lui, en un matériau amagnétique.The cover which is welded to the base when the relay is finished and adjusted is itself made of a non-magnetic material.

Ce type d'interrupteur présente parmi d'autres deux avantages. En premier lieu, il est possible d'atteindre les électrodes pour les régler mécaniquement, en particulier en raison de la sensibilité qui est demandée pour l'interrupteur. En second lieu, il est possible de ne traiter chimiquement que la partie intérieure au relais, avant soudage du capot, en vue d'un traitement ultérieur qui a lieu lorsque le mercure a été introduit dans l'interrupteur. En effet, un interrupteur mouillé au mercure subit un traitement thermique qui en termine la fabrication: le capot étant scellé par soudure électrique sur l'embase, une quantité de mercure est introduite à l'intérieur de l'interrupteur préalablement traité chimiquement et un gaz sous pression est également introduit à l'intérieur de l'enceinte close ainsi formée, pour éviter la formation d'arc. L'électrode creuse qui a servi de queusot d'introduction du mercure et du gaz est alors fermée, puis l'interrupteur est chauffé de façon à former un amalgame entre le mercure et le matériau déposé à la surface des électrodes et de la palette mobile.Among other advantages, this type of switch has two advantages. First, it is possible to reach the electrodes to adjust them mechanically, in particular because of the sensitivity which is required for the switch. Secondly, it is possible to chemically treat only the interior part of the relay, before welding of the cover, with a view to a subsequent treatment which takes place when the mercury has been introduced into the switch. In fact, a switch wetted with mercury undergoes a heat treatment which ends its manufacture: the cover being sealed by electrical welding on the base, a quantity of mercury is introduced inside the switch previously chemically treated and a gas under pressure is also introduced inside the closed enclosure thus formed, to avoid the formation of an arc. The hollow electrode which served as a conduit for introducing mercury and gas is then closed, then the switch is heated so as to form an amalgam between the mercury and the material deposited on the surface of the electrodes and of the moving pallet.

La structure de cet interrupteur à contacts mouillés met en évidence l'absence de la pollution des contacts en cours du scellement puisqu'il n'y a plus à chauffer d'ampoule de verre. En outre, le capot étant formé d'un métal, le mercure peut en mouiller la surface interne et l'interrupteur comporte ainsi une forte réserve de mercure par rapport aux surfaces de contact qui travaillent, le capot récupérant le mercure qui se vaporise lors des ruptures de contacts et ce mercure étant recyclé. Enfin, par opposition aux interrupteurs à contacts mobiles qui sont connus, l'interrupteur selon l'invention fonctionne sans aucun coincement puisque la palette mobile n'a plus à frotter contre un corps cylindrique ou entre deux flasques de céramique comme cela se pratique.The structure of this wet contact switch highlights the absence of contact pollution during sealing since there is no longer any need to heat a glass bulb. In addition, the cover being formed of a metal, the mercury can wet the internal surface and the switch thus comprises a high reserve of mercury compared to the contact surfaces which work, the cover recovering the mercury which vaporizes during contact breakdowns and this mercury being recycled. Finally, in contrast to switches with movable contacts which are known, the switch according to the invention operates without any jamming since the movable pallet no longer has to rub against a cylindrical body or between two ceramic flanges as is done.

Sur la figure 2, n'a pas été représenté, intentionnellement, le petit aimant qui sert à polariser la lame et les contacts, de façon à en simplifier la représentation et à en permettre la compréhension plus aisée; de même le capot a été ôté.In FIG. 2, the small magnet which serves to polarize the blade and the contacts has not been shown intentionally, so as to simplify the representation and to allow it to be understood more easily; the cover was also removed.

Basé sur le même schéma de fonctionnement, un inverseur comporte six électrodes fixes: c'est le doublement optique de l'interrupteur représenté en figure 2.Based on the same operating diagram, an inverter has six fixed electrodes: this is the optical doubling of the switch shown in Figure 2.

Dans ce cas, les électrodes 9 et 10 sur lesquelles se forme la charnière liquide 14 sont scellées au milieu de l'embase 8, et elles maintiennent la palette mobile 13 qui pivote non plus autour de l'une de ses extrémités, mais en son centre. Quatre électrodes sont disposées symétriquement, 11 et 12 d'un premier côté de l'axe de rotation, 11' et 12' de l'autre côté de l'axe de rotation. Elles sont scellées et réglées de telle façon que, dans une première position, la palette s'appuie sur deux électrodes, 11 et 11' par exemple, et, dans une seconde position, sur deux autres électrodes 12 et 12'. Dans ce cas d'inverseur, il peut être préférable que les électrodes 9 et 10 qui servent de charnière ne soient pas connectées au réseau électrique.In this case, the electrodes 9 and 10 on which the liquid hinge 14 is formed are sealed in the middle of the base 8, and they hold the movable pallet 13 which no longer pivots around one of its ends, but in its center. Four electrodes are arranged symmetrically, 11 and 12 on one side of the axis of rotation, 11 'and 12' on the other side of the axis of rotation. They are sealed and adjusted so that, in a first position, the pallet rests on two electrodes, 11 and 11 'for example, and, in a second position, on two other electrodes 12 and 12'. In this case of an inverter, it may be preferable that the electrodes 9 and 10 which serve as a hinge are not connected to the electrical network.

La figure 3 représente un interrupteur selon l'invention, terminé et vu en coupe.FIG. 3 represents a switch according to the invention, finished and seen in section.

Sur cette figure 3, se retrouve une embase 8 traversée par des électrodes 9 et 10 d'une part, 11 et 12 d'autre part, qui sont scellées dans l'embase 8 par des perles de verre 15. L'une au moins de ces électrodes peut être avantageusement creuse, pour permettre l'introduction du mercure et du gaz de remplissage. La lame mobile 13 est maintenue par une charnière liquide de mercure 14. Une bobine de commande 16 est placée sous l'interrupteur et le champ de cette bobine se referme sur lui-même par l'intermédiaire des électrodes 9 et 10 d'une part, 10 et 11 d'autre part. Le capot amagnétique 17 est scellé par soudure électrique sur l'embase 8 et un aimant 18, partiellement caché sur la figure, polarise les contacts. L'ensemble de l'interrupteur à contacts mouillés et à lames mobiles polarisé par un aimant extérieur ou intérieur au capot et commandé par une bobine 16 constitue un relais.In this figure 3, there is a base 8 crossed by electrodes 9 and 10 on the one hand, 11 and 12 on the other hand, which are sealed in the base 8 by glass beads 15. At least one of these electrodes can advantageously be hollow, to allow the introduction of mercury and filling gas. The movable blade 13 is held by a liquid mercury hinge 14. A control coil 16 is placed under the switch and the field of this coil closes on itself by means of the electrodes 9 and 10 on the one hand , 10 and 11 on the other hand. The non-magnetic cover 17 is sealed by electrical welding on the base 8 and a magnet 18, partially hidden in the figure, polarizes the contacts. The assembly of the switch with wet contacts and moving blades polarized by a magnet outside or inside the cover and controlled by a coil 16 constitutes a relay.

Le fonctionnement de ce relais peut être assuré également sans aimant 18 au moyen de deux bobines, chacune attirant la lame 13 dans une position.The operation of this relay can also be ensured without a magnet 18 by means of two coils, each attracting the blade 13 in one position.

La figure 4 représente l'interrupteur selon l'invention selon une seconde forme de réalisation.FIG. 4 represents the switch according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

Dans cette réalisation, l'interrupteur comporte toujours une embase 8 sur laquelle sont soudées deux tiges qui constituent la charnière autour de laquelle pivote la lame mobile, ces tiges 19 et 20 étant alors soudées et placées selon un plan parallèle au plan supérieur de l'embase. La lame mobile 13 pivote autour d'une charnière liquide 14 qui n'est plus perpendiculaire au plan supérieur de l'embase mais qui lui est parallèle, et les deux électrodes 21 et 22 sont coudées de façon à venir assurer les contacts avec la lame mobile 13 selon des génératrices également parallèles à la face supérieure de l'embase. Les électrodes de repos et de travail 21 et 22 sont également scellées dans l'embase au moyen de perles de verre 15. L'aimant de polarisation 18 est maintenu par tous moyens convenables mais peut être fixé sur l'embase au moyen d'une tige soudée. Les électrodes 21 et 22 traversent l'embase qui comporte également une troisième tige de sortie 23, laquelle correspond électriquement aux contacts avec la palette c'est-à-dire le contact commun. La palette mobile 13 est maintenue dans l'espace par la capillarité de la charnière liquide 14.In this embodiment, the switch always includes a base 8 on which are welded two rods which constitute the hinge around which the movable blade pivots, these rods 19 and 20 then being welded and placed in a plane parallel to the upper plane of the base. The movable blade 13 pivots around a liquid hinge 14 which is no longer perpendicular to the upper plane of the base but which is parallel to it, and the two electrodes 21 and 22 are bent so as to come into contact with the blade mobile 13 along generators also parallel to the upper face of the base. The rest and working electrodes 21 and 22 are also sealed in the base by means of glass beads 15. The polarization magnet 18 is held by any suitable means but can be fixed to the base by means of a welded rod. The electrodes 21 and 22 pass through the base which also includes a third outlet rod 23, which electrically corresponds to the contacts with the pallet, that is to say the common contact. The movable pallet 13 is held in space by the capillarity of the liquid hinge 14.

La figure 5 représente un premier perfectionnement à l'invention, lequel stabilise la palette contre les chocs. Il a été dit précédemment que la palette, qui n'est pas liée mécanisquement aux électrodes, est recentrée de façon automatique par le champ de commande magnétique de l'interrupteur. Toutefois, afin de répondre à certains impératifs de matériel devant résister aux chocs par exemple, l'invention prévoit un premier perfectionnement anti-chocs. Sur la figure 5, la palette 13 est représentée entre deux électrodes 9 et 10 contre lesquelles elle est maintenue par une charnière liquide 14. La palette est repliée en 24 d'un côté des électrodes, ce qui l'empêche de glisser selon une première direction. De plus, de l'autre côté des électrodes, elle comporte une patte 25 rabattue sensiblement perpendiculairement à la palette mobile. Les parties 24 et 25 de la palette sont à un espacement tel que la palette conserve un degré de liberté suffisant pour être maintenue sans pour autant nécessiter un quelconque ajustement de l'assemblage.FIG. 5 represents a first improvement to the invention, which stabilizes the pallet against impacts. It has been said previously that the pallet, which is not mechanically linked to the electrodes, is automatically centered by the magnetic control field of the switch. However, in order to meet certain requirements of material having to withstand shocks, for example, the invention provides a first anti-shock improvement. In FIG. 5, the pallet 13 is shown between two electrodes 9 and 10 against which it is held by a liquid hinge 14. The pallet is folded at 24 on one side of the electrodes, which prevents it from sliding along a first direction. In addition, on the other side of the electrodes, it has a tab 25 folded down substantially perpendicular to the movable pallet. The parts 24 and 25 of the pallet are at a spacing such that the pallet retains a sufficient degree of freedom to be maintained without requiring any adjustment of the assembly.

La figure 6 représente un second perfectionnement à l'invention, lequel équilibre la palette contre les chocs en cours de fonctionnement.FIG. 6 represents a second improvement to the invention, which balances the pallet against shocks during operation.

L'un des problèmes avec les interrupteurs à lames souples classiques consiste en leur sensibilité aux chocs en cours de fonctionnement, sensibilité due à la dissymétrie des palettes. Dans l'interrupteur à lames mobiles selon l'invention, la majeure partie de la lame se trouve d'un même côté de la charnière liquide. Un perfectionnement représenté en figure 6 consiste à équilibrer la masse de la lame 13 pivotant autour d'une charnière liquide 14 par une masse matricée, soudée ou refondue 26 qui se trouve située de l'autre côté de la charnière 14 par rapport à la masse principale de la lame 13. Cette amélioration constitue un avantage contre les chocs en cours de fonctionnement puisque la masse 26 empêche la lame 13 de glisser entre les électrodes 19 et 20.One of the problems with conventional flexible reed switches is their sensitivity to shock during operation sensitivity due to the asymmetry of the pallets. In the movable blade switch according to the invention, most of the blade is on the same side of the liquid hinge. An improvement represented in FIG. 6 consists in balancing the mass of the blade 13 pivoting around a liquid hinge 14 by a stamped, welded or remelted mass 26 which is located on the other side of the hinge 14 relative to the mass main of the blade 13. This improvement constitutes an advantage against shocks during operation since the mass 26 prevents the blade 13 from sliding between the electrodes 19 and 20.

Dans tout ce qui précède la charnière liquide 14 a été décrite comme étant formée par capillarité du liquide conducteur entre deux électrodes 9 et 10, ou 19 et 20 selon les figures. En fait, la charnière liquide 14 peut être formée entre la lame d'une part et une électrode unique constituée soit par une tige recourbée sur elle-même en forme d'épingle à cheveux, soit par une pièce usinée en forme de fourche.In all of the above, the liquid hinge 14 has been described as being formed by capillarity of the conductive liquid between two electrodes 9 and 10, or 19 and 20 according to the figures. In fact, the liquid hinge 14 can be formed between the blade on the one hand and a single electrode constituted either by a rod bent on itself in the form of a hairpin, or by a machined part in the form of a fork.

L'interrupteur selon l'invention et le relais réalisé à partir de cet interrupteur présentent un certain nombre d'avantages parmi lesquels sa grande sensibilité, c'est-à-dire son fonctionnement sous un faible courant, et au contraire son insensibilité aux chocs et à la position de fonctionnement. De plus, il faut remarquer qu'il est facilement réalisable, sans nécessiter de grandes précisions dans la réalisation des pièces: le réglage des électrodes ou de la sensibilité peuvent être effectués sur l'interrupteur en cours de fabrication avant de le refermer par un boîtier étanche. Il est constitué à partir d'embases qui sont des pièces facilement disponibles puisque ce sont des embases du même type que celui utilisé dans les dispositifs semiconducteurs. Ce type de relais et d'interrupteur mouillés au mercure trouve de nombreuses applications dans l'industrie et plus particulièrement dans l'industrie téléphonique et la réalisation de centraux électroniques.The switch according to the invention and the relay produced from this switch have a certain number of advantages among which its high sensitivity, that is to say its operation under a low current, and on the contrary its insensitivity to shocks and to the operating position. In addition, it should be noted that it is easily achievable, without requiring great precision in the production of the parts: the adjustment of the electrodes or of the sensitivity can be carried out on the switch during manufacture before closing it by a box. waterproof. It is made up of bases which are readily available parts since they are bases of the same type as that used in semiconductor devices. This type of mercury wet relay and switch finds many applications in industry and more particularly in the telephone industry and the production of electronic exchanges.

Claims (11)

1. Magnetically controlled interrupter having contacts wetted by a conducting liquid, comprising a housing in which a first electrode (9, 10) forming the common contact of the interrupter and at least a second electrode (11, 12) forming the second contact of said interrupter are arranged, each electrode (9, 10, 11, 12) being formed of magnetic material adapted to be wetted by the conducting liquid, a movable member (13) which is also adapted to be wetted by said liquid and which is pivotally mounted by a first liquid hinge (14) connecting it at one of its ends, by capillarity through the conducting liquid, to the first electrode (9, 10), the other end of the movable member (13) engaging the second electrode (11, 12) when the electric circuit between the first (9, 10) and the second electrode (11, 12) is closed, characterized in that it comprises a housing formed of a cap (17) and a base (8) the interior walls of which are adapted to be wetted by the conducting liquid, and in that the movable member (13) has the shape of a blade (13) of magnetic material which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the inner surface of the base (8).
2. Interrupter in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the liquid hinge (14) is substantially vertical when the base (8) is substantially horizontal.
3. Interrupter in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the liquid hinge (14) is substantially horizontal and the base (8) is substantially horizontal, and close to said base.
4. Interrupter in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base is of magnetic material and that the cap is of non-magnetic material.
5. Interrupter in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base is of circular shape forming with the cap a cylindrical housing, each electrode traversing the base.
6. Interrupter in accordance with any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first electrode is formed of two rods (9, 10), the movable blade (13) being inserted therebetween.
7. Interrupter in accordance with any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the movable blade bears on its second end against a second electrode being maintained in engagement therewith by surface tension.
8. Interrupter in accordance with any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the movable blade (13) comprises, on the side of the liquid hinge (14) about which it pivots, two metallic lugs (24, 25) perpendicularly bent out of the plane of the blade (13) and arranged on both sides of the first electrode (9, 10) in a manner to reduce the shock sensitivity of the interrupter.
9. Interrupter in accordance with any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the blade (13) comprises a balancing weight on its first end.
10. Electromagnetic relay, characterized in that it comprises an interrupter in accordance with any of claims 1 to 9 and at least one electromagnetic control winding allowing to pivot the movable blade (13) about the liquid hinge (14).
11. Relay in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a polarizing magnet (18).
EP80401784A 1980-01-08 1980-12-12 Switch with wetted contacts and magnetic operation, and electric relay comprising such a switch Expired EP0032331B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8000308 1980-01-08
FR8000308A FR2473217A1 (en) 1980-01-08 1980-01-08 SWITCH WITH WET CONTACTS AND A MAGNETIC CONTROL, AND ELECTRIC RELAY HAVING SUCH A SWITCH

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0032331A1 EP0032331A1 (en) 1981-07-22
EP0032331B1 true EP0032331B1 (en) 1983-05-25

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP80401784A Expired EP0032331B1 (en) 1980-01-08 1980-12-12 Switch with wetted contacts and magnetic operation, and electric relay comprising such a switch

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US (1) US4400671A (en)
EP (1) EP0032331B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS56103829A (en)
DE (1) DE3063550D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2473217A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4091909A (en) * 1975-03-05 1978-05-30 Texas Instruments Incorporated Wire matrix printer printhead assembly
FR2498689A1 (en) * 1981-01-23 1982-07-30 Socapex SURFACE VOLTAGE RECOVERY DEVICE OF A LIQUID, SWITCH COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE AND ITS USE IN MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED RELAYS
FR2502392A1 (en) * 1981-03-20 1982-09-24 Socapex ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY WITH INDIFFERENT OPERATING POSITION
DE4302919C1 (en) * 1993-02-03 1994-05-05 Happich Gmbh Gebr Clip fastening hinge for sun visor in vehicle - has ratchet grip catch in hinge socket with finger pressure release
KR100755106B1 (en) * 2000-02-02 2007-09-04 레이던 컴퍼니 Microelectromechanical micro-relay with liquid metal contacts
US6876131B2 (en) * 2003-04-14 2005-04-05 Agilent Technologies, Inc. High-frequency, liquid metal, latching relay with face contact
WO2007146025A2 (en) * 2006-06-06 2007-12-21 University Of Virginia Patent Foundation Capillary force actuator device and related method of applications

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DE503602C (en) * 1928-02-09 1930-07-25 Marie Emile Alfred Baule Mercury contact apparatus
US2247493A (en) * 1939-11-02 1941-07-01 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Mercury contact relay
US2564081A (en) * 1946-05-23 1951-08-14 Babson Bros Co Mercury switch
US3144533A (en) * 1962-03-16 1964-08-11 Fifth Dimension Inc Mercury relay
NL137148C (en) * 1967-03-03
US3470502A (en) * 1967-10-11 1969-09-30 Clare & Co C P Mercury-wetted contact switch
DE1614671B2 (en) * 1967-12-04 1971-09-30 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin u. 8000 München INDEPENDENT MERCURY RELAY
DE2347471C3 (en) * 1973-09-20 1979-02-22 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen Polarized electromagnetic relay
FR2392485A1 (en) * 1977-05-27 1978-12-22 Orega Circuits & Commutation SWITCH WITH WET CONTACTS, AND MAGNETIC CONTROL
US4236129A (en) * 1979-06-20 1980-11-25 Gordos Corporation Mercury contact switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2473217A1 (en) 1981-07-10
US4400671A (en) 1983-08-23
EP0032331A1 (en) 1981-07-22
DE3063550D1 (en) 1983-07-07
JPS56103829A (en) 1981-08-19
FR2473217B1 (en) 1984-05-18

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