GB1239063A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,239,063. Electric selectors. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. Ltd. 6 Nov., 1969 [8 Nov., 1968], No. 53060/68. Heading H1L. The crossbar switch generally described in Specification 1,216,186 is modified by making the interposers of magnetic material instead of nylon whereby repeated movements of a select bar do not strain the coupling between the bar and an operated interposer since this coupling is now only magnetic and not mechanical. In Fig. 1 the interposers 205 consist of hollow ferromagnetic boxes which normally rest on magnetized portions of the select bars 208. Operation of a select magnet 193 (in fact two such magnets since the switch provides a 10 x 30 matrix with level switching) causes the associated bar 208 and interposers 205 to move longitudinally below a set of combs 4 whereupon operation of a bridge magnet 183 causes an interposer to lift the required comb so as to close the selected cross point. The bridge magnet holds the crosspoint on, the select magnet being released so as to restore the select bar 208. At the end of the call the bridge magnet is turned off and the interposer returns to its home position by magnetic attraction. Either (but not both) the interposer or the bar portions may be magnetized. The portions may be permanent magnets embedded in a non-magnetic bar or magnetized stripes of a magnetic bar. Mechanical stops for the interposers may be provided on the bar. If the interposers are of dumb-bell shape, the neck, of the dumb-bell maybe trapped in a slot in the bar thereby providing a mechanical stop without hindering the essentially magnetic coupling.