US2941097A - Selectively actuable multiple switches - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1960 F. a. STEELE SELECTIVELY ACTUABLE MULTIPLE SWITCHES Filed Oct. 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 14, 1960 F. G. STEELE 2,941,097

SELECTIVELY ACTUABLB MULTIPLE SWITCHES Filed Oct. 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 2,941,097 SELECTIVELY ACTUABLE MULTIPLE SWITCHES Floyd G. Steele, La Jolla, Calif., assignor to Litton Industnesof California, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Filed Oct. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 767,172 13 Claims. (Cl. 301-112) 'The present invention relates to apparatus for selectively switching a plurality of switches and more-particularly to apparatus for selectively switching a plurality of switches with a magnetic field generated by a moving actuator which successively passes adjacent each of the plurality of switches.

In the last few years, numerous systems have been developed for use in the fields of process control, tratfic control, and vehicle guidance wherein a number of operations must be performed insynchronism with some external variable. :--For example, it might be desired that a number of operations be performed in synchr'onism with real time or with movement, such as shaft rotation. Generally, the operations to be synchronously performed will be triggered and controlled by a number of relay switches which are synchronously actuated.

The most popular prior art methods of actuating the relay switches hereinbefore mentioned involve the use of a commutator, an actuating signal being applied to the common terminal of the commutator and a commutator armature being rotated in synchronism with, for example, a rotating shaft. Hence, the actuating signal will be applied to a plurality of independent terminals in synchronism with the rotation of the shaft. The independent terminals are then connected to the actuating terminals of a corresponding number of relay'switches so that upon application of the actuating signal to the independent terminals the corresponding relay switches are synchronously actuated to close or open.

Theuse of the commutator, however, to selectively and synchronously-actuate the relay switches has several serious disadvantages. Firstly, it should be noted that in most casesthe commutator armature must rotate at a fairly rapid rate and a large number of independent terminals must be utilized since in most applications a large set of independent terminals must-be-searched in a shortinterval. Insuch cases each independent terminals will .bein contact .with the common terminal of the commutatorfor-only a short-period of time.- Therefore, it is most ditficult totransfer to the independent terminal from the common terminal sufiicient current to actuate the corresponding relay without burning out the common terminal of the commutator.

This problem becomes even more acute in the case where latching or holding relay switches are to be utilized. This is the case since mechanical latching relays are most often used and substantially more energy must be utilized to actuate a mechanical latching relay than a non-latchingv relay because energy must be utilized to overcome the latching mechanism. If. it is attempted to minimize this problem by using prior art electrical latching relays another serious problem inherent in electrical latching relays of the prior art is encountered. Namely, the fact that a substantial amount of the relay output current must be fed back to the electrical latching mechanism of the relay to hold the relay closed, thereby limiting the current output of the relay. Therefore, it is .clear that prior art relay actuating devices 2,941,097 Patented June 14, 1960 possess inherent difiiculties which seriously limit their usefulness, especially in situations where a large number of relays must be monitored during a relatively short period of time. 7

The present invention provides apparatus wherein it is unnecessary to use a commutator in order to selectively and synchronously actuate a number of relays. Hence, the limitations of the prior art devices are not present in switching apparatus mechanized according to the basic concepts of the invention.

In accordance with one of the concepts of the invention the relay switches are positioned directly on a stator element and an actuator element is cyclically movable successively passed each of the relay switches, the actu ator element being moved in synchronism with an external moving element whose motion is indicative of the external variable with which the actuation of the relay switches is to be synchronized. The actuator element is responsive to an applied actuating signal for generating a magnetic field so that when the actuator element passes adjacent each relay switch the electromagnetic field is applied to the relay switch.

According to another concept of the invention the relay switch includes an armature and a pair of first and second contact terminals, the armature being positionable at first and second positions for electrically connecting the first and second contact terminals when at the first position and disconnecting the first and second contact terminals when at the-second position. The armature is movable to change position in response .to the application thereto of the magnetic field generated by the actuator element.

According to another concept of the invention, the relay switch includes material having remnant magnetic properties so that the armature remains at the first or second position after the magnetic field generated by the actuator element ceases to be applied thereto. Hence, the relay switch has locking characteristics without having the inherent limitations of prior art mechanical and electrical latching relaysj According to still another concept of the invention, the armature of the relay switch is enclosed within a housing. and surrounded with a fluid for cooling the armature and for isolating the armature from external shock and vibration. Further, in accordance with the invention, if the armature is shaped so as to have a circular cross-sectional area, the armature can be actuated to change positions by a minimum amount of energy.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a series of traffic control signals are selectively actuated in accordance with a repetitive program by utilization of a switching device mechanized in accordance with the teachings of the invention. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention a series of single pole, double throw latching relay switches are coupled to a stator ele-, ment. In addition, in a first and a second actuator element are coupled to the rotating shaft of a syn chronous motor and rotate therewith so that the actuator elements rotate past each of the relay switches in synchronism with the rotation of the synchronous motor. A memory device, such as a punched tape, rotated past a reproducing head by means of a geared mechanism coupled to the rotatable shaft of the synchronous motor generates a first and a second actuating signal in synchronism with the rotation of the motor shaft. The first and second actuating signals are then applied to the first and second actuator elements, respectively, for generating a first and a second magnetic field, respectively. The relay switch adjacent the actuator elements is re sponsive to the first and second magnetic fields applied thereto and generated by the actuator elements for being am er.

. 3 switched to a first position and a second position, respecnver ';'"EaH ortaetramcsr na1s is actuated andcontrolled by a corresponding relay switch so that the traffic signals are successively actuated and in the selective manner prescribed by the program recorded on therneni u r.-

anem- Therefore, it is an object of the invention to selectively actuate. a, plurality of relay switches.

' It is another' object of the. present invention to provide a, relay armaturefwhich is responsive to a magnetieffield forfmoving to electrically connect and disconnect terminals ofthe relay.

'It is a still'further object of the invention to. provide a movable actuator element which. is responsive to said actuating'signal for generating. a magnetic. field and is synchronously movable for being positionedsuccessively adjacent each of a plurality of relay switches.

It is a still further object of the invention to, provide a relay switch having, a circular cross-sectional shaped armature which is. submerged in a fluid in order to 'be easily cooled and to be isolated from external shocks and. vibrations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for selectively actuating a plurality of single pole double throw relay switches. I

It is;a further object of the presentinventionto provide a relayswitc h including, materialhaving'remnant magnetic when'the magnetic field is. not applied thereto.

The novelfe'atures which are believed to" be I character: istic of the invention, both asv to its. organization and method. of. operation, together'with further objects and advantagesthereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration anddescription only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Figure 1 isa schematic view of one embodiment of the invention. a

' Figure 1a is a fragmentary view of the mechanism.

Figures 2a and 2b are front and side views, respectively, of a multiple switching apparatus of the invention. Figure 3. isa front view of a'switching element ofthe invention.

Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c are views ofmodified forms of the switching elementshownin Fig. 3}

Figure Sis a front viewof another forrn of the multiple switchingv apparatus shown in Figure 2a.

' Referring now to the drawings,wherein like or corre sponding" parts are designated by the same reference character'throughout the several views, there is shown in Fig. '1 a trainee control system mechanized in accordanee with theconcepts of the"inve'nti'on'. A's shown'in Fig. 1, an actuating signal source generates apair'of aetiiating signals 12 and 14 which are applied to 'a "mirlti-j' ple'switching apparatus 16. The switching apparatus in turn is selectively "operable to switch a number of single pole, double throw latching switches contained therein in accordance with the application of the actuating signals for producing a plurality of current signals 18, 20, 22 and 24. As shown indicated in Fig. 1, the four current signals are applied over a plurality of four correspondingly'designed conductors to a traflic control display equipment'unit 26, the trafiic control display equipmentunit being responsive to the current signals to visually present stop and go commands which can be utilized to control the flow of traffic. (For purposes of facilitating and clarifying description, each conductorwill be hereinafter similarly designated in terms of the signal applied over the conductor.) a Referring now in more detail to actuating signal source 10,*the actuating signal source includes a memory device zszuponwhich. isv recorded a. program of:operation for prepertiesffor '1atching the relay. armature in position the trafiiC ntr l. di play. u i and a ernghr nnuamnmr 30 which is coupled to the memory unit.- A number of different ways in which memory unit 28 can be mechanized will be apparent to those skilled in the art; However, one suitable mechanization of the memory unit is shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a punched tape loop 32 is driven past a pair; ofgreproduction heads 34a an .1 by dri n wh e 36, he dr v n e l. being coupled to and rotated by synchronous'motor 30.

Referringv s. a,- hc e s. shcwn. a. fragmentary view of punch tape 32 which specifically reveals the nature of the tape and the manner in which. it is driven by driving wheel 36. As is shownin Fig. 1a, punch tape 32'has two columns of uniformly spaced holes thereon, the holes being engaged by the teeth of driving wheel 36 whereby motion of the driving wheel is imparted to the punch tape. As shown in Fig. 1a, punch tape 32 also has a pair of information. channels or columns thereon, one being-designated channel A and the other being designatedchannel B. 'It. will be noted that at predetermined points along the channels there are punched apertures or. holestherein, the =holeslin channels A and B passing adjacent reproducing heads 34a and 34b, respectively. Reproducing head 34a is'responsive to a hole in channel'A for-passing adjacent'thereto for generating actuating signal 12' and. reproducing. head: 34b is responsive to a punchedihole in channel B. passing adjacent thereto for. generating actuatingsignal' 14." After generation, actuating signalf12; is amplified. by an amplifier, 38 included; within. the. memory-unit and actuating signal 14 is amplified'by an amplifierv 40 also included withinthe memory unit; i

It is clear in viewof the foregoing that'actuating signal source 10 functions as follows. Synchronous motor 30 rotates at a predetermined speed which in turn moves punched tape 32 at a predeterminedor fixed velocity so that the actuating signals will be produced as directed by the programpunched on the punched-tape. As hereinbefore mentioned, the actuating signals are appliedto switching apparatus 16 which is responsive thereto for operating the trafiiccontrol display equipment unit;

Referring now in. detail to switching apparatusilfi, the switching apparatus includes a stator-element 42 having a first and a secondswitching element 44 thereon and a rotorelernent 46 whichis aflixed'to the rotating shaft of motor 30. In orderto more easily'desc'ribe the operation of switching apparatus 16, attention is directed; to Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b whereinfthere is shown a frofnt eleva tional' view ofswitching apparatus 1'6Ta'nd a side view'of stator element 42, respectively; 'Asshowii in Fig. 2a. rotor element 46'includes a'center shaft fii and'a pair of actuating bars 50 and 51 oupie'ateeentgarstart 48 by a pairoficonnecting shafts 52', center 48, bars 50 and 51, and shafts 52 being 'coiistruot'ed 'from low 'relucmaize materialf"'In'additioii} "th rater elementincludes a pair o'f counter weights"54.' A s shown in'fFig. 211,3 coil '56' is woundaroiindj'ceiitral shaft 8am afiixed to one side of stator element42 'whil e a coil 58 is'wound around central shaft 48 and aflixed to the opposite side of stator element 42 As furthersliown. in Fig, 2a, switching. elements 44 are also located on the. stator element such that a the butt: end of actuating shaft 51 will serially pass adjacentv to ofthe sides bffthe switch n e ment whi e th buttend of. anaemi .1, i11 pa a y i=isn o e nr sits id 111i? switch: ing elements. Inview. of'the'fforegoi discussion, the operation of switching} element. 151m. novv bejreadily understood V Referring nowv to the operation ofswitching element 16, actuating signal 12[is.applied'to coil 5.6Land actuating signal 14is applied to coi1w58; O n;applica tion. of actuat i signal. 12a m net c e iesner sd by. Qi156. w h travels through the. low. reluctance material of central ha t: 48,, connec n handa a d; ac uat n ha 1. .0.5

As shown in Fig. 2b, abar 58 made of low reluctance material is positioned in stator element 42 between one of the switching elements and the center of the stator element while a bar 60 is positioned between the other of the switching elements and the center so that when the butt end of actuating shaft 50 is adjacent one of the switching elements, the magnetic field will pass through the switching element and the low reluctance bar to central shaft 48 thereby closing the magnetic loop. As

will be hereinafter discussed switching element 44 is responsive to the passage of the magnetic field therethrough from actuating shaft 50 to the stator element for switching the switch to one of its two positions.

Referring now to actuating signal 14, when the signal is applied to coil 58 a magnetic field is generated which passes from actuating arm 51 through switching element 44 to central shaft 48 whenever switching element 44 is adjacent the actuating bar 51. As will be hereinafter fully described, the two switching elements are responsive to the magnetic field transmitted by actuating bar 51 for switching the element to a first switched position. In a like manner, the application of actuating signal 12 to coil 56 when actuating bar 50 passes adjacent one of the switching elements causes the switching element to be switched to a second switched position. Since rotor element 46 is rotated by the shaft of motor 30 as is the punched tape of memory element 28, the tape and the rotor element will always be in synchronism so that the actuating pulses generated in accordance with information stored on the punch tape will always be applied to switching apparatus 16 when actuating bars 50 and 51 are adjacent the switching element which is to be switched.

Directing attention to Fig. 2b, there is shown therein a view of the side of stator element 42 which is adjacent bar 50. As indicated in Fig. 2b, conductor 24 is coupled to a conductive plate in the side adjacent actuating bar 50 of one of switching elements 44 and conductor 20 is coupled to the corresponding side of the other of switching elements 44. Furthermore, conductor 18 is indicated as being coupled to a plate in the side adjacent actuating bar 51 of one switching element while conductor 22 is indicated as being coupled to the corresponding side of the other of switching elements 44. Referring again to Fig. 2b, it is apparent that a conductor 59 connects a conductive plate positioned in the side of the switching elements adjacent the other two sides having conductive terminals therein with a source of power. In order to further understand the structure of switching elements 44 attention is directed to Fig. 3.

' Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a side elevational view of switching element 44. As shown in Fig. 3, the particular switching element 44 shown therein includes a high reluctance and, non-conductive housing 58' having a cavity therein and a plurality of three blocks 5512, b and c positioned adjacent three of the four sides of housing 58 respectively, each of the blocks having low reluctance properties and exhibiting some remnant magnetism. The switching element further includes a circular cross-sectional armature 60 such as a cylinder positioned in the cavity. It should be noted that while in its preferred form armature 60 should have a configuration having a circular cross-section such as a spherical or cylindrical shape, the armature may take any shape and is not to be limited to armatures having circular cross-sections. As shown in Fig. 3, switching element 42 further includes a conductive plate or terminal mounted on a side 62 of the cavity, a conductive plate on an opposite side 64 of the cavity, and a conductive plate on a side 66 of the cavity which is adjacent to both sides 62 and 64. Directing attention now to the operation of switching element 44, if the switching element is positioned on stator element 42 so that side 62 is adjacent the butt end of actuating bar 50 and that side 64 is adjacent the butt end of actuating bar 51 during a portion of the cycle of rotation of rotorelement 46 it will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art that the magnetic field passing from actuating bar through the switching element from side 62 through side 66 will attract armature to sides 62 and 66. This is true since the armature is made from low reluctance ferromagnetic material and therefore provides a readily available path for the magnetic field to pass through. Furthermore, armature 60 will remain in contact with sides 62 and 66 even after the magnetic field generated by coil 56 has ceased since blocks 59 exhibit remnant magnetism suflicient to hold armature 60 in position. In accordance with the invention when armature 60 contacts sides 62 and 66, it provides a conductive path between the conductive plates thereon and thus between the conductor connected to the source of power and conductor 24 for one switching element and conductor 20 for the other switching element.

It, on the other hand, a magnetic field is generated by actuating bar 51 when it is adjacent one of the two switching elements, the magnetic field will pass from side 64 to side 66 thereby overcoming the remnant magnetic field holding the armature in position and attracting armature 60 so that it will contact the conductive plates on sides 64 and 66 hence providing a conductive path between the source of power and conductor 22 for one switching element and conductor 18 for the other switching element. It should be noted that a sizable current can be transferred by a switch of the type shown in Fig. 3 since the contact area between the conductive plates and the armature is relatively large. Specifically, if cylindrical shaped armatures are utilized the conductive plates contact the cylinder along the full length of the cylinder thereby providing an unusually large contact area. .-If a spherical shaped armature is utilized the contact surface is not as large as that of a cylindrical shaped armature, however, if the spherical armature is free to rotate in an um'estrained manner so that the ball cannot only turn about a given axis while performing its rolling action but can also gradually shift its axis of rotation a sizable current can be transferred since the wear on the surface of the armature can be equally distributed over the entire surfaces of the armature.

In order to further increase the magnitude of the switching current and to reduce the wear on the armature it is desirable to submerge the armature in a fluid, the floatation fluid having a density substantially equal to or a little less than the density of armature 60. Any number of non-conductive fluids suitable for use as a floatation fluid for armature 60 will be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the floatation fluid can be chosen from one of the fluids used in oil-cooled transformers or from one of the fluids utilized to float gyroscopes It should be herein noted that armature 60 is not limited in structure to a solid piece of iron or other ferromagnetic material but can be constructed as a hollow shell. Furthermore, it should be noted that armature 60 can be constructed from other than electrically conductive materials since the armature can be easily plated with materials having such properties.

It should be apparent from the foregoing discussion that armature 60 and housing 58 can be modified in many particulars without departing from the basic concepts of the invention. To further demonstrate this fact there are shown in Figs. 4a and 4b and 40 a trapezoidal, a rectangular, and an elliptical shaped housing 58 containing spherical armatures therein. In view of the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that while the configurations of the switching elements shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c are somewhat different than shown in Fig. 3 the operation of the switching elements when positioned on stator element 42 of Fig. 2a is identical with that of the switching element shown in Fig. 3.

In view of the foregoing discussion, it is clear that switching apparatus 16 is operable in the following manner. When actuating bars 50 and 51 are adjacent the switching element to which conductors 18 and 20 are coupled and; a magnetic field-1 is generated by coil 56 in respo se-to actuating signal. 1 2, current signal 2 0.is generatedl'v In; on the other hand, coil. 58 generates a mag netic field: in response to actuating signal 14 current signal: 18isgenerated instead of current signal 20. In a like manner, when actuating bars 50 and 51 are adjacent the other switching element current signals 22' and 24 are generated in response to actuating signals 14 and 12, re-

' specti vely. As is hereinbefore mentioned, the four current signals 13,20,22, and 24 are, after generation, applied to traffic control display unit 26 for directing the operation of the trafiic control display equipment unit.

Referringnow tofFig. 1 and to trafiic control display equipment'unit 26 particularly, it is clear that traliic control-display equipment unit 26 includes a traffic signal 64 and a traflic signal 66 and that current signals 18.and 20 are applied to traflic control signal 64 and current signal 2 2f sna es are applied to traiiic signal 66. Directing attention to traflic signal 64, the signal is responsive to c-urrent signal 1 8 to. raise a signal arm having the word GO printed thereon and to current signal 2% for lowering the signal arm to a position where it is out of view, Specifically, a motor 68 within traflic signal 64 is responsiveto current signal 13 to rotate the motor shaft in one direction which thereby raises the signal arm by meansiof' gear 753 until the signal arm is raised into position at which time a limit switch 72' stops the motor shaft rotation. in a similar manner application of currentfsignsl 2d a; motor 68- causes the motor shaft to be rotated in the opposite direction until the signal arm is .out of view at which time a limit switch 74 causes themotor shaft rotation to cease.

"As: shown in Fig. L traflic signal 66 is responsive to currentsignal 22 toilluminate a G signal indicator and 'to current 2 4 to illuminate a STOP signal indicator. It

shouldgbe noted that traffic signal 64. and 66 are only two of" many types of traflic signals known in the art and that any of such signals can be utilized in the present invention with equally successful results. Furthermore, it should be noted that only two traflic signals are shown in the present embodiment of the invention for ease of description only, and that any number of'traffic signals can be'controlled byapparatus mechanized in accordance with the'invention. Itshould' be apparent that it is only necessary to add: more switching elements on stator element 42. offswitching apparatus 16'to control moretraffic i n ls."

Referring now to the overall operation of the traflic control system shown in Fig. 1', it is clear from the fore, going that' the trafiic signals contained within trafiic control display equipment 26 can be actuated for indica-ting GO-orSflOPin any predetermined manner which is} recorded onpunched tape 32, a; complete cycle of commands bei ngapplied'to the trafiic signals during each complete cycle of movement of the punched tape. In a preferred manner of operation of thei-nvention switching apparatus 16 executes a plurality of complete rotations duringeach complete cycle of'movement of thepunched type sothat during each cycle of rotation of the switchingapparatus. each of the trafiic signals can change from a G0 to a STOP state or vice versa or can remain unchanged depending upon whether the punched tape is programmed to generate an actuating signalduring that cy le of. o at on oif ching ppar s- It sh uld be noted,.that'n1any. and varied modifications are possible in the traffic control systempresented in Fig. 1 and particularly many modifications can be made in switching apparatus, 16. For example, a modified form of switchingapparatus16 is shown in Fig. which is capable of actuating two switching elements simultaneously as we ll assuccessively.

Referring to. Fig. 5, thereis, shown a modified form of switching-apparatus 16 which has twov actuating bars 50 disposed "l80? frorn'eachother. In View of theforegoing discussion in connection with the operation of the i hitlse sme t sho n s-v 1 he. opera ion, ct he P s n di ed o m of e/sw t h ng appar tus o switch two switching elements simultaneously will be apparent, This embodimentoi the invention isparticularly useful where it is. desired to switch a particular switch element twice in one revolution ot the rotor elen the w h n ppa at 7 It is to be expressly understood, of course, that the basic concepts herein. disclosed can be embodied indiffer ent structure from the specific structure shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, armature); can be madef rorn almost any type, of material even non-ferromagnetic materials which do. not exhibit high, permeability. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the intended claims.

What is claimed as new is r 1. An apparatus for successively and; selectively actuate ing switches in response to a selectively applied electrical signal, said apparatus comprising: movable actuator means responsive to the application of the selectively applied electrical signal for generating a magnetic field; a plurality oi armature housings each having therein fi'rst and second conductive contacts and a conductive armat r p s o b at fir and; eco dp s t onss id rmature interconnecting said first and second contacts at a d first p i i n. and di onn ct ngsaidfi st nds 'nd contacts. at said 'second position, said armature being movable in response to the application of saidmagnetic field thereto for changing fro'mone of saidpositions, to the other of said positions; and means for moving said actuator successively past each of said armaturehousings' to apply saidimagnetic fijeld to each of said armaturessuc: cessively.

2. The combination defined in; claim 1 wherein said armature housing further includes material havingremnant magnetic properties whereby said armature will remain fined in position after said magnetic fields. cease to be applied. to said armature.

3". An apparatus for selectively and sequent ally actu ating eaoh ot a plurality of double throw switches, said apparatus comprising; a stator element having av plurality of switches substantially circumferentially positioned abouta predetermined point on said stator element, each ofsaid switches haying first, second, and third electrical contact terminals and an armature movable, inresponse to the application thereto of. first and second magnetic fields for electrically connecting said first andvsecond conductive terminals and said first'andthirdconductive terminals, respectively; first actuator means responsive tov application of a predetermined acua ing signal for generating the first magnetic; field; secondactuator means responsive toapplication of the predetermined actuating s gnal; for generating the second magnetic fieldg rotation means for rotatingv said first and second actuatormeanssuccessively adjacent each of said switches; a signal source, coupled, to said rotation means for selectively generating the predetermined actuating-signal when said first and second actuator means are adjacent predetermined ones of said switches and when said second actuator means is adjacent the predetermined'ones. of said switches; and actuating signal, application means for selectively applying-the predetermined actuating signal to said first actuator means to electrically connectsaid-"first andv second: conductive. terminals of the predetermined ones. of said switches and-to said second-actuator means to electrically-connect said first and third conductive terminalshof the predetermined ones of said switches.-

4. An apparatus for selectively and successively switching each switch of a plurality, of switches, saidap: parat-us comprising: a. stator element including a plural: ity. of switches, each of said switches including a house ing havingv first, second, and third, sideshavinga sub,- stantially plane surface,v said: first, and second sidesgacb, joining said third side at substantially opposite ends of said third side and said first and second sides being positioned with respect to said third side at a substantially acute angle, said first, said second, and third sides having first, second, and third conductive terminals mounted thereon, respectively, each of said switches further including an armature having a circular crosssection and movable in response to the applications thereto of first and second magnetic fields for electrically connecting said first and third conductive terminals and said second and third conductive terminals, respectively; a non-conductive fluid filling the interior of said housing of each of said switches for isolating said armature positioned therein from external shocks and vibrations; first actuator means responsive to application of a predetermined actuating signal for generating the first magnetic field; second actuator means responsiveto application of the predetermined actuating signal for generating the second magnetic field; rotation means for rotating first and second actuator means successively adjacent each of said switches; a signal source coupled to said rotation means for selectively generating the predetermined actuating signal when said first and second actuator means are adjacent predetermined ones of said switches and when said second actuator means is adjacent the predetermined ones of said switches; and actuating signal application means for selectively applying the predetermined actuating signal to said first actuating means to electrically connect said first and third conductive terminals of the predetermined ones of said switches and to said second actuator means to electrically connect said second and third conductive terminals of the predetermined ones of said switches.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said armatures have a spherical configuration.

6. The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said armature has a cylindrical configuration.

7. The combination comprising: first and second switches, each of said switches including a housing having first and second conductive terminals therein and including an armature selectively positionable in said housing in both a first and a second position, said armature being adapted when in said first position for electrically connecting said conductive terminals and adapted when in said second position for disconnecting said conductive terminals, said armature being movable in response to the application of a magnetic field thereto for changing positions; movable actuator means responsive to the application of a selectively applied electrical signal for generating the magnetic field; first means for cyclically moving said actuator means successively adjacent each of said switches; and second means coupled to said actuator means for selectively generating in synchronism with the movement of said actuator means the selectively applied electrical signal to move only predetermined ones of said armatures.

8. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein said armature has a circular cross-sectional area.

9. An apparatus for selectively and successively switching each switch of a plurality of switches, said apparatus comprising: a stator element including a plurality of switches, each of said switches including a housing having first and second adjacent sides and each side having a conductive terminal thereon, each of said switches further including an armature positioned in said housing, said armature being movable in response to the application of a magnetic field thereto for electrically connecting said conductive terminals; actuator means responsive to the application of an actuating signal for generating the magnetic field; first means for cyclically moving said actuator means successively past each of said switches; and second means for selectively generating the actuating signal when said actuator passes predetermined ones of said switches whereby said switches are selectively actuated.

10. An apparatus for sequentially actuating each of a plurality of double throw switches selectively, said epparatus comprising: a stator element having the plurality of switches established thereon, each of said switches including first, second, and third electric contact terminals in said first position and said first and third contact terminals in said second position; holding means for normally holding said armature in said first and second positions in the absence of the action of either of the magnetic fields on said armature; first actuator means responsive to the application of a predetermined actuating signal for generating said first magnetic field; second actuator means responsive to the predetermined actuating signal for generating said second magnetic field; means for cyclically moving said first and second actuator means successively past each of said switches substantially concurrently; a signal source coupled to said first means for selectively generating the actuating signal when said first and second actuator means are adjacent predeterminedones of said switches, said signal source including apparatus for selectively applying the actuating signal to said first actuator means for electrically connecting said first and second conductive points and for disconnecting said first and third conductive points and for selectively applying the actuating signal to said second actuator means for electrically connecting said first and third conductive points and for disconnecting said first and second conductive points.

11. An apparatus for sequentially actuating selectively each of a plurality of double throw switches, said apparatus comprising: a stator element having a plurality of switches established thereon, each of said switches including a housing having first, second, and third sides each having a substantially plane surface, said second and third sides adjoining said first side at substantially opposite ends of said first side and said second and third sides being positioned with respect to said first side at a substantially acute angle, said first, second, and third sidw having first, second, and third electric contact terminals thereon, respectively, each of said switches further including a cylindrical armature movable to first and second positions in response to the application thereto of first and second magnetic fields, respectively, said armature electrically connecting said first and second contact terminals in said first position and said first and third contact terminals in said second position, each of said switches further including material having remnant magnetic properties for holding said armature in position after said magnetic fields cease to be applied thereto;-

first and second actuator means each responsive to the application of a predetermined actuating signal for generating said first and second magnetic fields, respectively; a non-conductive fluid filling said housing of each of said switches for isolating said armature from external shocks and vibrations and for cooling said armature and said contact terminals; first means for cyclically moving said first and second actuator means successively adjacent each of said switches; first ferromagnetic means intercoupling said first actuator means and each of said switches for providing a low reluctance path between said first actuator means and each of said switches; third ferromagnetic means intercoupling said second actuator means and each of said switches for providing a low reluctance path between said second actuator means and each of said switches and for providing a low reluctance path between said first actuator means and each of said switches; a signal source coupled to said first means for selectively generating the predetermined actuating signal when said first and second actuator means are adjacent predetermined ones of said switches, said signal source including apparatus for selectively applying the predetermined actuating signal to said first actuator means for electrically connecting said first and second conductive points and for disconnecting said first and third conductive points and for selectively applying the actuating signal to said second actuator means for electrically connecting said first and "third conductive points nd fior disconnecting said first n s cond co duc ive Poi ts- 1'2. apparatus for sequentially actuating each of a t plu ality of double throw switches selectively, said apparatus wmprisin'gz a stator element having a plurality of switches established thereon, each of said switches including first, second, andthird elect-lie contact terminals and a circular cross-sectional armature movable to first 'andsecon'd positions in response to the application thereto of. first an'dsecond magnetic fields, respectively, said armature electrically connecting said first and second contact terminals in'said first position and said first and third contact terminals in said second position, each of said switches further including material having remnant magnetic properties for holding said armature in position after said magnetic fields cease to .be applied thereto;

first and second actuatormeans each responsive to the applicationof .a predeterminedactuating signal for generating-said first and second magnetic fields, respectively;

first means for cyclically moving said first and second actuator means successively adj acent each of said switches;

first ferromagnetic means intercoupling said first actuator means and each of said switches for the duration of time during whiohieachiof said switches is adjacent said first actuator means for providing a low reluctance path between saidfirst actuator-means and each of said switches;

second ferromagnetic means intercoupling said second actuator means and each of said switches for the duration of time during which each of saidswitches is adjacent said second actuator means forproviding a low reluctance path between said second actuatormeans and each of said-switches; a signal source coupled to said firstv means for selectively generating the predetermined "actuating signal when said "first and second actuator means are adjacent predetermined ones of said switches, saidsignal source including apparatus for selectively applying the predetermined actuating signal to said first actuator means for electrically connecting said first and second conductive points and for disconnecting said first and'third conductive po'ints and for selectively applying the actuating signal tosaid second actuator means for electrically connecting .saidfirst and third conductive points and for disconnecting said first and second conductive points.

,13. The combination comprising: first and second switches havingffirst and second modes of operation, each of said switches having a pair of electric terminals and including apparatus for electrically connecting said' terminals when said switch is operating in its first mode of operation and for electrically isolating said terminals when said switches is operating in its second mode of operation, said switch being responsive to the application of a predetermined actuating signal for changing .firom its first to its second mode of operation and for No references cited.

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