US3177327A - Fluid switch construction having a sealed deformable container partially filled withan electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid - Google Patents

Fluid switch construction having a sealed deformable container partially filled withan electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid Download PDF

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US3177327A
US3177327A US238486A US23848662A US3177327A US 3177327 A US3177327 A US 3177327A US 238486 A US238486 A US 238486A US 23848662 A US23848662 A US 23848662A US 3177327 A US3177327 A US 3177327A
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Prior art keywords
fluid
tube
container
switch
terminals
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US238486A
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Erwin M Weiss
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Beltone Electronics Corp
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Beltone Electronics Corp
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Priority to NL133830D priority Critical patent/NL133830C/xx
Priority to DENDAT1199847D priority patent/DE1199847B/de
Priority to NL300650D priority patent/NL300650A/xx
Application filed by Beltone Electronics Corp filed Critical Beltone Electronics Corp
Priority to US238486A priority patent/US3177327A/en
Priority to GB45708/63A priority patent/GB1071669A/en
Priority to FR954294A priority patent/FR1382367A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3177327A publication Critical patent/US3177327A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/36—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using flexing of blade springs
    • H01H13/46—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using flexing of blade springs two separate blade springs forming a toggle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/04—Cases; Covers
    • H01H13/06—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H29/00—Switches having at least one liquid contact
    • H01H29/004—Operated by deformation of container

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to electrical switching apparatus, and more particularly to a unique fluid switch construction which is not position sensitive and has the further advantage of eliminating the contact oscillation problem common to prior art mechanical switches.
  • FIGURE 1 is a chart illustrating the resistance versus force characteristics of a novel fluid switch embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 5 are transverse cross-sectional views of a fluid switch constructed in accordance with the present invention and progressively illustrating the sharply discontinuous switch action as a result of the deformation of the fluid containing tube;
  • FIGURE 6 is a view, partially broken away and in cross-section of a single pole, double throw switch embodying the invention and in an open switch-closed switch condition;
  • FIGURE 7 is another view of the single pole, double throw switch of FIGURE 6 in its closed switch-closed switch condition
  • FIGURE 8 is another view of the single pole, double throw switch of FIGURE 6, partially broken and in cross-section, in a closed switch-open switch condition;
  • FIGURE 9 is a detailed cross-section view of one sharply discontinuous manner.
  • FIGURE 12 is another perspective view of the fluid switch construction of FIGURE 11 shown in a closed switch condition
  • FIGURE-13 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid switch construction taken substantially as shown along line 1313 of FIGURE 12;"
  • FIGURES 14 and 15 illustrate still another embodi-' ment of a single pole, double throw switch asparticularly adapted to relay or panel switch applications and shown in its closed switch-closed switch, and its closed switchopen switch conditions, respectively;
  • FIGURE '16 is'a plan view of still another illustrative embodiment of the fluid switch comprising the present invention.
  • FIGURES 17, 18 and 19 are views, partly in crosssection, of the illustrative embodiment of FIGURE 16, taken along lines'17-17, 18'18 and 19-19, respectively;
  • FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of still another illustrative embodiment of the invention wherein the novel fluid'switch is embodied in a hermetically sealed housing for use under conditions of severe environmental stress.
  • the invention comprises a deformable tube partially filled with an electricaly conductive, non-wetting fluid establishing an electrical path between the terminals extending through the tube.
  • the application of force to deform the tube at points between the terminals results in a sudden rupturezof' the fluid to provide a high resistance, open circuit.
  • the required force and deformation are less than that required to cause the internal opposing peripheral surfaces of the tube to abut each other.
  • FIGURE 1 is a curve of the resistance versus force characteristics of] one emobdiment of the inventio'mwhcrein the values of R/Ro represent resistance ratio betwene the fluid switch terminals with indicated deformation'force over the resistance with the zero deformation force.
  • the .invention primarily comprises ;a hollow envelope or tube It advantageously formed of a visco-elastic deformable material which preferably, is chemically inert. Ithas been found desirable in the construction of the hollowtube 1 9 to utilize elastomer materials, such as silicone rubber, and other similar deformable materials. As explained in reater detail hereinbelow, the viscoelasticdeformable material comprising the hollow tube :10 is closed at its ends so as to be hermetically sealed for enclosing an electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid 12 therewithin.
  • the tube 10 is partially filled with the nonwetting electrically conductive fluid 12, with the remaining volume of tube ltibeing filled with a non-conductive fluid, as illustrated by the reference numeralflS shown in FIGURES 2 through 5.
  • the fluid 12 it has been found desirable to form the fluid 12 of mercurly, or any other electrically conductive fluid which does not wet the internal peripheral surface of the tube'lt);
  • a plurality of spacedapart electrical terminals are positioned through'the viscoelastic deformable. material of the hollow tube 19 soas to be in contact with the conductive fluid ,12 within the tube envelope. While two terminals may be used to provide 1 a single, pole, single throw switch, it is a feature of the present invention that any number of terminals can be used 7 in the switch, to provide the number of poles required for a desired switching function.
  • v I V In a two terminal, single pole, single throw switch, a
  • the shape which the non-wetting conductive fluid 12 takes within the tube depends on the shape of the tube envelope, on the adhesion between the conductive fluid I2 and the walls 20 and 22 of the tube, on the pressure within the conductive fluid 12, and on the surface tension of the conductive fluid 12.
  • the high interfacial tension between the fluid and internal walls or non-wetting property of the conducting fluid causes the fluid to conform to the internal peripheral shape of the tube except at those points Where the forces due to surface tension pull the conductive fluid 12 away from the walls 20 and 22 of the tube.
  • the fluid surface forms a radius r, surface tension forces try to enlarge this radius, with the size of the radius being inversely proportional to the effect of the surface tension forces.
  • the smaller the radius of the fluid surface the larger will be the force tending to enlarge the radius.
  • the radius will be such that the surface tension force exactly balances the force due to pressure within the fluid.
  • the angle a which the fluid surface makes with the internal wall depends on the adhesion of the fluid to the container walls and on the surface tension forces.
  • FIGURE 2 of the drawing illustrates a cross-sectional view of a deformable tube envelope 10 comprised of the opposing Walls 20 and 22 and having a non-Wetting, electrically conductive fluid 12, such as mercury, provided therewithin.
  • a non-Wetting, electrically conductive fluid 12 such as mercury
  • the tube envelope 1% is shown as positioned between a fixed base member 24 and a movable switch arm 18.
  • base member 24 may be planar as shown, or it may be raised or shaped as desired to facilitate the switch action of switch arm 18.
  • the movable switch arm 18 is'progressively depressed further and further against the tube envelope 14 in a direction towards the fixed base member 24. If, as in the simplest case, it is assumed that the fluid internal pressure and adhesion is the same in each case, the radius of the electrically conductive non-wetting fluid surface and the angle at which it makes with the tube envelope walls will be the same in all cases (illustratively shown as 60 in FIGURES 2, 3, and 4).
  • the net effect of altering the shape of the tube envelope 16 at the point of depression by the movable switch member 18 is to cause the electrically conductive fluid boundary to move inwardly towards the center of the tube from the outer edges as defined by the junction of the tube walls 20 and 22. This movement results since it is the only way that the angle of fluid contact 06 and the fluid radius r can be maintained, as shown above.
  • the fluid boundary has moved inwardly from the original boundary shown in FIGURE 2 as a result of the deformation of the envelope provided by the depressed movable switch arm 18. If, as shown in FIGURE 4, themovable switch arm 18 is depressed still further, the fluid boundary will move even closer towards the'center of the tube envelope, and at a certain degree of deformation of the tube envelope, as illustrated in FIG- URES of the drawing, the spacing in the center of the tube envelope will reach a point Where it will be physically impossible for the fluid radius r to be maintained. At this point, the fluid geometry becomes unstable and abruptly ruptures to create a low pressure volume at the point of separation. Those skilled in the art now will appreciate that this rapid action creates a positive make-break switch characteristic that occurs very rapidly. Thus, there will be a sharp discontinuity in the electrical resistance on the electrical conductive path between the terminals 14 and 16 to provide a highly desirable switching action.
  • the dynamic stress in the deformable material forming the tube envelope 10 should be held to a minimum in order to reduce the degree to which the deformable tube envelope will take a permanent set. Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention that in order to achieve such low dynamic stresses, and to cause the fluid column to break abruptly and in a uniform manner after repeated depressions, it has been found particularly desirable to form the tube envelope It ⁇ with a crosssectional configuration Such as that shown in FIGURES 2 through 5 wherein the tube has an internal peripheral surface defined by at least two arcuate sections contiguous with each other and meeting at a junction forming a geometric surface discontinuity.
  • FIGURES 2 through 5 wherein the tube has an internal peripheral surface defined by at least two arcuate sections contiguous with each other and meeting at a junction forming a geometric surface discontinuity.
  • other crosssectional configurations may be utilized to achieve the desired compromise between low dynamic stress of the tube envelope and high reliability of the abrupt breaking action of the fluid column.
  • One highly desirable advantage which accrues from the use of the present invention resides in the low force which is required to maintain the reliable on-olf switching action of the fluid column within the tube envelope.
  • a typical value of fluid breaking force equaled only .35 ounce of switch arm deformation pressure against the deformable tube envelope, which relatively low force resulted from the highly desirable feature that the internal opposing wall surfaces of the tube envelope did not have to be placed into abutting contact with each other.
  • certain materials such as titanium oxide or tin oxide may be deposited on the internal peripheralsurfa-ce of the tube 10. This serves to improve a and enhance the maintenance of a high interfacial tension or non-wetting property between the conductive fluid and the internal peripheral surface of the tube.
  • themevableswitoh arm 18 may be coupled to a suitable mechanical actuator such as a leaf spring forming a part of .a mechanical or electromagnetic switch structure.
  • a suitable mechanical actuator such as a leaf spring forming a part of .a mechanical or electromagnetic switch structure.
  • this coupling of the viscous damping action tends to reduce any tendency of arnechanicalsystem coupled to the fluid switch to oscillate or bounce and thereby cause erroneous signals to be created; It further can be seen that if the movable switch arm 18 is subjected to a sudden high acceleration, such as might be present under-the environmental conditions associated with high speed devices such as space vehicles, the viscous damping effect provided by the displacement of the conductive fluid 12 withinthe tube envelope Will serve to materially reduce the tendency forthe fluid to come together and cause false contact, in sharp contrast to the operation of a conventional metallic contact switch structure.
  • FIGURES 1 through 5 may be utilized in a single pole, double throw switch ,by incorporating three terminals within the .tube envelope and by using two pivotally inounted'switch arms for deformingthe tube envelope.
  • the tube envelope 10 is partially filled with the electrically conductive fluid 12 and is hermetically sealed, as
  • Electric terminals are positioned through the tube envelope at each end thereof and are electrically connected to the conductor 30 and 32*
  • a third electric terminal is respectively. positioned through the tube envelope at a point intermediate its length, and is connected to the conductor 34. 1
  • the movable switch arm comprises the oppositely disposed switch operators 36 and 38 pivo-tally mounted by the cross arm 40 on the fulcrum 42.
  • the switch arm operator 36 is pivoted downwardly for depressing the tube envelope 10, the deformation of the tube wall 22 described hereinabove, for opening the circuit between the electrical conductors 39 and 34, At this time, the elec-.
  • FIGURES 9 and 10 of the drawing illustrate a bounceless miniature switch construction.
  • the fluid switch construction comprises a switch housing formed of a suitable insulating material, such as plastic or the like, comprised of a switch cover portion 36 and a switchbody portion 48.
  • the switch body portion 43 is formed with the-laterally extending post which advantageously comprises an arcuate outer peripheral surface around which the sealed hollow tube 10 of viscoelastic, deformable material is positioned.
  • the switch support members 52and 54 are provided on'opposite sides of thedeformable tube It? and the fixedpost 50, and are spaced from the deformable tube 10 a. sufficient distance such that the tube is not deformed to provide an electrical circuit switching function except as a result of the operation of a movable switch arm 56 in the manner described hereinbelow.
  • the movable switch arm 56 is secured to a pivotable leaf spring 58 which is pivoted at its remote end to a fixed terminal post 60, securely attached. to the switch body portion 48 of the switch housing.
  • a hoop-like over-center: spring, 62. is secured at one the leaf spring operator 70 and the'lower' portion of the causes the fluid 12 to abruptly rupture, in themanner.
  • ductors 30 and 34 and also betweenthe conductors 34 and 32 ductors 30 and 34 and also betweenthe conductors 34 and 32.
  • the pivoted switch arm is operated to depress the switch operator 38 for defonming the wall 22 ,at the opposite portion of the tube envelope It the conductive fiuid 12 therewithin ruptures at the point of deformation to open the, electrical circuit between the' conductors-34 and 32.
  • the electrical circuit between the conductor 30 and 34 remains: closed, thereby providing a highly desirable single pole-double throw switch action.v
  • viscous damping which serves to facilitate the switching action. If desired, this additional viscous damping may push-button 68.
  • the leaf. spring 58 will be maintained in the position shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 until such time as the manually operable pushbutton 68 is depressed against the force of the. return spring 72 to cause the leaf spring operator 70 to pivot the leaf spring 58-downwardly from the position shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.
  • the return spring 72 Uponrelease of the-manually operable push button 68, the return spring 72 causes thepush-button 68 to return to its initial position, at which timethe leaf spring 58 also is'pivoted. upwardly to return to its initial position.
  • the sealed deformable tube 10 may be provided with the'terminal conductors 3i) and 32 at I itsrespective ends and the. terminal conductor'34 at an intermediate position, such terminal conductors being extended into the interior portion of the deformable tube selectively be increased or decreased by adjusting the,
  • the leaf spring operator 70 moves the pivotable leaf spring 58 downwardly carrying the movable switch arm 56 and the over-center spring 62 with it.
  • the junction of the leaf spring 58 and over-center spring 62, identified at 80 moves downwardly below the center point of the overcenter spring 62, the net force on the leaf spring 58 and switch arm 56 is downward with the result that the switch arm '6 snaps into position to deform the lower section of the partially filled, deformable fluid containing tube 10.
  • this causes the electrical circuit path in the lower tube portion to abruptly rupture so as to open the electrical circuit path between the terminal conductors 32 and 34. Also, at this time, the upper portion of the deformable tube will return to its normal, undeformed condition to provide a closed circuit path between the terminal conductors 30 and 34. This return action is provided by the elastic restoring properties of the viscoelastic material forming the tube 10 and by the natural attraction which the non-wettable conducting fluid, such as mercury, has for itself when the deformation of the tube is removed.
  • the post 50 around which the deformable tube 10 is supported may selectively be adjusted to increase or decrease the cross-sectional area at the neck of the tube 16 such that the additional viscous damping provided by the movement of the nonwetting fluid back and forth through the tube may be selectively increased or decreased, as desired.
  • the selective adjustability of the post 50 is illustrated by the arrows 51 shown in FIGURE 10.
  • FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 of the drawing which illustrate a fluid switch having a pivotable operation of the deformable, fluid containing tube for effecting the switching function.
  • the viscoelastic deformable tube 10 is partially filled with a non-wetting, electrically-conductive fluid as hereinabove discussed.
  • the movable switch arm which heretofore has been described as deforming the tube to effect a switching function has been eliminated.
  • the deformable tube 10 is formed in a V-shape having an acute angle e, defined between the arms of the V-shaped tube.
  • the tube 10 is attached to a fixed member 82, while the other end of the deformable tube 10 is attached to a hinged, or pivotable, member 84.
  • the members 82 and 84 may be suitable clamps or any other holding devices suitable for receiving and securely supporting the ends of the deformable tube 10 therewithin.
  • the hinged or pivotable support member 84 may, in some applications, be a pivotable leaf spring, relay armature, or other member responsive to a mechanical or electromagnetic actuation.
  • FIGURES 14 and 15 of the drawing which illustrates the invention as particularly applied to a relay or panel switch.
  • the switch takes the form of a single pole, double throw switch comprising a support member 90 having a plurality of leaf springs extending therefrom.
  • Leaf springs 92 and 94 extend for a smaller distance than the center leaf spring 96, which may be terminated by a suitable opening finger 98.
  • a pair of deformable tubes partially filled with electrically conductive fluid is used in this embodiment with the first deformable tube being generally V-shaped and positioned around the leaf spring 92, and with the second deformable tube 102 being generally V-shaped and positioned around the leaf spring 94.
  • the elongated center leaf spring 96 extends between the one arm. of each of the V-shaped tubes 1% and 102, as illustrated in the drawing.
  • FIGURE 14 illustrates this embodiment of the invention in the normal, or unactuated, condition wherein an electrical path is completed through each of the deformable tubes 100 and 102 such that a closed electrical circuit exists between the terminals 30 and 34, and between the terminals 32 and 34.
  • a force F is applied to the operating finger 98 of the center leaf spring 96, as illustrated in FIGURE 15, it causes the center leaf spring 96 to bend downwardly to compress the deformable tube 102 and to reduce the thickness at its apex at the center of the deformable tube. In a manner described heretofore, this causes the electrically conductive fluid within tube 102 to abruptly rupture and thereby break the electrical circuit path between the terminals 32 and 34.
  • deforming force F may be generated manually through a panel button, or if desired, electromagnetically as by nreans of a magnetic armature and coil assembly.
  • deforming force F may be generated manually through a panel button, or if desired, electromagnetically as by nreans of a magnetic armature and coil assembly.
  • the invention is not restricted to the use of two or three terminals, as illustratedtin the illustrative embodiments described herein, but rather that the invention may incorporate any number of contacts, leaf springs, and deformable tubes, such as might be incorporated in a multi-channel sampling switch, for example.
  • One of the features of the present invention is that the addition of such terminals can be effected without unduly complicating the switch construction, operation, or cost.
  • this form of the inventive fluid switch comprises a deformable tube 10, partially filled 1 1 with a non-wetting conductive fluid, as described above, and having three spaced conductors 30,v 34, and 36 positioned therethrough into contact with the fluid within the tube.
  • a pair of U-shaped spring arms 100 and 112 of resilient material are positioned upon the deformable tube-1i) so as to normally provide an open circuit between conductors 30 and 36,. and between conductors 36 and 34, respectively.
  • the deformable tube is positioned on ⁇ the base plate 196 of an L-shaped support member 104 having an upstanding flange 106.
  • One end of each of the U-shaped spring arms 110 and 112 is securely fastened to an edge portion of the support member 1114 as shown in FIGURES 16 and 17 such that the resilient action of thespring arms causes their remaining free ends to be biased downwardly against the tube 16 for northe basic partially-filled, deformable, fluid containing tube It? is positioned within a gas-tight metal container 130.
  • Container 130 advantageously is formed with the base latter may be a buckled plate or corrugated diaphragm mally deforming the latter. to provide the circuit opening a switch function described above.
  • a cam member 118 is adjustably mounted to selectively raise or lower the free ends of spring arms 110 and 112 for effecting circuit opening and 7 closing switch functions.
  • this desirable result is achieved by means of a manually actuatable slide knob 120 which is coupled to the cam ,member 118 by means of a linking arm 116 slidably positioned through the slot 114 in the flange 108 7 of support member 1114.
  • Asparticul arly shown in FIG- URES 16 and 17 the cam member 118 is formed with two oppositely. inclined upper cam surfaces 122 and 126 separated by a flat cam surface 124 generally parallel to the V base-plate 106 of support member 104.
  • the slidable knob 129 may be moved to a central locationin the slot 114 to cause the free ends of both spring arms to be raised by the inclined cam surfaces 122 and 126 to closeithe circuit paths between conductors 30 and 36, and between conductors 36 and 34.
  • the slide knob 12i) may be moved to its other extremity in slot 114 to cause the free end of spring arm 11!) to be raised by .cam surface 124 and tocause the free end of spring arm 126 to be positioned into deforming contacts with the 1 shown in FIGURES 16 through 19 of the drawing.,Due
  • this switch embodiment is readily adaptable to miniaturized electrical 1 devices, such as hearing aids, transistor radios, and the Astill further embodiment of the. invention is illuswhich advantageously can beultrasonically Welded to the flange 136 to provide the desired'gas-tight seal.
  • glass seals 142' may beprovided in the wall 132 of the container 1341 for enabling the conductors 30 and 32m be suitably connected to the deformable tubep10.
  • aswitch arm member 140 is mounted within the container between the'deformable tube 10 and the diaphragm 138.
  • the switch arm member, 140 is secured to thediaphragm 138'such' that the raising of the latter removes the member 14$ from, a circuit opening deforming engagement with tube 10 and the lowering of diaphragm 138 places the member that the switch of the present invention is relatively shockproof due to its high internal damping and therefore, can be dropped or subjected to shock without probability of switch damage.
  • afluid switch construction comprising the combination of a sealed, hollow'container formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material, a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending through said container into its interior hollow portion, an electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid par-v tially filling the interior hollowportion of said container and in contact with only portions of theperipheral surface thereof, said fluid being in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a low resistance electrical circuit, the internal periphery ofsaid container being de-.
  • FIGURE 20 of the drawing There are many applications in which an electrical switch must operate under very severe environmental stress, such as in an en vironment of concentrated sulfuric or nitric acid, or surrounded by cetain rocket or jet fuels. Under suchadverse conditions, hermetic sealing of the switch often is required.
  • a fluid switch construction comprising the combination .of a sealed, hollow container formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material, a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending through saidc-ontainer'into its interior hollow por-' tion, an electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid partially filling the interiorhol'low portion of said container and in contact with only portions of the inner peripheral surface thereof, the smallest radius of the inner peripheral surface of said container being less than the radius of the conductive fluid therewithin such that a cross-section of said partially filled container comprises three separate phases, namely, a non-wetting electrically conductive fluid phase, a relatively non-conductive fluid phase defining the interspace between the non-wetting electrically conductive fluid and the inner peripheral surface of the container, and a solid phase comprised of the inner surface of said container, said fluid being in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a low resistance electrical circuit path between said terminals when the container is'not deformed, and means adapted to engage the
  • a fluid switch construction comprising the combination of a sealed, hollow container formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material, a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending through said container into its interior hollow portion, an electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid partially filling the interior hollow portion of said container and in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a closed electrical path between said terminals when the container is not deformed, and switch arm means engaging the outer surface of said container for deforming the tube by an amount less than that required to place the internal opposing faces of the container in complete abutment to cause said fluid to be ruptured and the closed electrical path between the terminals to be opened, said switch arm means being pivotally mounted for pivotal movement between two spaced-apart points on the outer surface of said container, whereby the deformation of said container by said switch arm means at one of said points causes the electrical path between one pair of said terminals to be abruptly opened and the deformation of said container at the other point causes the electrical path between another pair of said terminals to
  • a fluid switch construction co prising the combination of a sealed, hollow container formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material, said container being generally V-shaped and having a pair of arm portions extending from an apex portion to define an acute angle therebetween, a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending through said container into its interior hollow portion, an electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid partially filling the interior hollow portion of said container and in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a closed electrical path between said terminals, and a pair of support members secured to spaced-apart points on said portions of said V-shaped container, said support members being movable relative to each other to increase or decrease the size of the acute angle between said arm portions, the decrease of said acute angle between said arm portions serving to effect a sharply discontinuous electrical circuit prising the combination of a plurality of scaled, hollow containers, each formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material; each of said containers comprising a plurality of electrical terminals space
  • a fluid switch construction comprising the combination of a plurality of V-shaped sealed, hollow tubes, each formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material and including a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending through said tube into its interior hollow portion, and an electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid partially filling the interior hollow portion of said tube and in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a closed electrical path between said terminals; and movable switch actuation means positioned between a pair of said tubes and adapted to selectively be moved against the adjacent arm of each V-sh-aped tube for selectively deforming the engaged tube to cause the included angles between the V-shaped arms of the tube to be reduced, such that a sharply discontinuous electrical circuit switching function can be effected between the terminals of the deformed tube as a result of the deformation of said tube for an amount less than the deformation required to cause the internal opposing peripheral surfaces at the apex of the V-shaped arms of the tube to completely abut each other
  • a fluid switch construction comprising the combinationof a sealed, hollow tube formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material, a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending through said tube into its interior hollow portion, an electrically conductive non-wetting fluid partially fllling the interior hollow portion of said tube and in contact with only portions of the peripheral surface thereof, said fluid also being in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a closed electrical circuit path between said terminals when the tube is not deformed, and means engaging the outer surface of said tube for deforming the tube to cause the closed electrical path between the terminals to be abruptly opened such that a sharply discontinuous electrioal circuit switching function is effected between the terminals as .a result of the deformation of said tube for an amount less than the deformation required to cause the internal opposing peripheral surfaces of the tube to completely abut each other.
  • a fluid switch construction comprising the combination of a sealed, hollow container formed of a viscoelastic, deformable material, a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending through said container into its interior hollow portion, an electrically conductive non-Wetting fluid partially filling the interior hollow port-ion of said container and in contact with only portions of the inner peripheral surface thereof, the smallest radius of said inner peripheral surface of said container being less than the radius of the conductive fluid therewithin such that the conductive fluid is spaced from the inner surface of the container at some portion thereof, said fluid also being in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a closed electrical cir cuit path between said terminals when the tube is not deformed, a resilient member biased into deforming engagement with said container, and multiposi-tion cam means adapted in one position to permit the resilient member to engage the outer surface of said container for deforming the container to cause the closed electrical path between the terminals to be abruptly opened, and furtheradapted in a second position toraise the resilient member from the container to
  • a fluidfswitch construction comprising .the combination of a sealed, hollow tube formed of a visooelastic, deformable material, a plurality of electrical terminals spaced from each other and exthereof, said internal peripheral surface being coated with material to provide a higher interfacial tension between the tube and 'thefluid, said fluid also being in contact with said electrical terminals so as to provide a closed electrical circuit path between said terminals when the tube is not deformed, and means adapted to engage the outer surface of said tube for deforming the tube to cause the closed electrical path between the terminals to be abruptly opened suchtha't a sharply discontinuous electrical circuit switching, function is effected between the terminals as a result of the deformation of said tube for an amount less than the deformation required to cause the internal opposing peripheral surfaces of the tube to completely abut each other.

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US238486A 1962-11-19 1962-11-19 Fluid switch construction having a sealed deformable container partially filled withan electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid Expired - Lifetime US3177327A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL133830D NL133830C (cs) 1962-11-19
DENDAT1199847D DE1199847B (cs) 1962-11-19
NL300650D NL300650A (cs) 1962-11-19
US238486A US3177327A (en) 1962-11-19 1962-11-19 Fluid switch construction having a sealed deformable container partially filled withan electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid
GB45708/63A GB1071669A (en) 1962-11-19 1963-11-19 Fluid type electrical switches
FR954294A FR1382367A (fr) 1962-11-19 1963-11-19 Commutateur à fluide

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US238486A US3177327A (en) 1962-11-19 1962-11-19 Fluid switch construction having a sealed deformable container partially filled withan electrically conductive, non-wetting fluid

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US3177327A true US3177327A (en) 1965-04-06

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Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3301982A (en) * 1964-12-04 1967-01-31 Amp Inc Fluid switch having deformable envelope and envelope closure means of matched configuration
US3341676A (en) * 1965-12-29 1967-09-12 Beltone Electronics Corp Fluid switch
US3360625A (en) * 1966-09-12 1967-12-26 Beltone Electronics Corp Fluid switching device
US3459908A (en) * 1966-10-12 1969-08-05 John E Eichenlaub Deformation responsive indicating panel
US3470342A (en) * 1968-01-26 1969-09-30 Webb James E Electrical switching device
US3600537A (en) * 1969-04-15 1971-08-17 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Switch
US3707611A (en) * 1969-10-15 1972-12-26 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Coding keyboard and electrical switch therefor
US3845264A (en) * 1973-04-09 1974-10-29 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Switch with liquid containing tube for keyboard use
US5471185A (en) * 1994-12-06 1995-11-28 Eaton Corporation Electrical circuit protection devices comprising conductive liquid compositions
US20040201320A1 (en) * 2003-04-14 2004-10-14 Carson Paul Thomas Inserting-finger liquid metal relay
US20040201314A1 (en) * 2003-04-14 2004-10-14 Wong Marvin Glenn Wetting finger latching piezoelectric relay
FR2924266A1 (fr) * 2007-11-27 2009-05-29 Legrand France Appareil electrique tel qu'un interrupteur
US20100201475A1 (en) * 2007-10-26 2010-08-12 Kowalik Daniel P Micro-Fluidic Bubble Fuse
CN114388294A (zh) * 2020-10-16 2022-04-22 中国科学院理化技术研究所 液态电路的开关机构及多层并联的液态电路开关

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2195199A (en) * 1937-10-11 1940-03-26 Amalgamated Engineering And Re Apparatus for controlling electric circuits
US2720562A (en) * 1952-11-22 1955-10-11 William I Mclaughlin Mercury type circuit breaker

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2195199A (en) * 1937-10-11 1940-03-26 Amalgamated Engineering And Re Apparatus for controlling electric circuits
US2720562A (en) * 1952-11-22 1955-10-11 William I Mclaughlin Mercury type circuit breaker

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3301982A (en) * 1964-12-04 1967-01-31 Amp Inc Fluid switch having deformable envelope and envelope closure means of matched configuration
US3341676A (en) * 1965-12-29 1967-09-12 Beltone Electronics Corp Fluid switch
US3360625A (en) * 1966-09-12 1967-12-26 Beltone Electronics Corp Fluid switching device
US3459908A (en) * 1966-10-12 1969-08-05 John E Eichenlaub Deformation responsive indicating panel
US3470342A (en) * 1968-01-26 1969-09-30 Webb James E Electrical switching device
US3600537A (en) * 1969-04-15 1971-08-17 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Switch
US3707611A (en) * 1969-10-15 1972-12-26 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Coding keyboard and electrical switch therefor
US3845264A (en) * 1973-04-09 1974-10-29 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Switch with liquid containing tube for keyboard use
US5471185A (en) * 1994-12-06 1995-11-28 Eaton Corporation Electrical circuit protection devices comprising conductive liquid compositions
US20040201314A1 (en) * 2003-04-14 2004-10-14 Wong Marvin Glenn Wetting finger latching piezoelectric relay
US20040201320A1 (en) * 2003-04-14 2004-10-14 Carson Paul Thomas Inserting-finger liquid metal relay
WO2004095489A1 (en) * 2003-04-14 2004-11-04 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Inserting-finger liquid metal relay
WO2004095483A3 (en) * 2003-04-14 2004-12-23 Agilent Technologies Inc Wetting finger latching piezoelectric relay
US6903493B2 (en) * 2003-04-14 2005-06-07 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Inserting-finger liquid metal relay
US6903492B2 (en) * 2003-04-14 2005-06-07 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Wetting finger latching piezoelectric relay
US20100201475A1 (en) * 2007-10-26 2010-08-12 Kowalik Daniel P Micro-Fluidic Bubble Fuse
US8143990B2 (en) * 2007-10-26 2012-03-27 Daniel Kowalik Micro-fluidic bubble fuse
FR2924266A1 (fr) * 2007-11-27 2009-05-29 Legrand France Appareil electrique tel qu'un interrupteur
WO2009098397A3 (fr) * 2007-11-27 2009-10-08 Legrand France Appareil electrique tel qu'un interrupteur
CN101971279B (zh) * 2007-11-27 2013-09-04 罗格朗法国公司 例如开关的电气设备
CN114388294A (zh) * 2020-10-16 2022-04-22 中国科学院理化技术研究所 液态电路的开关机构及多层并联的液态电路开关
CN114388294B (zh) * 2020-10-16 2024-04-19 中国科学院理化技术研究所 液态电路的开关机构及多层并联的液态电路开关

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NL300650A (cs)
NL133830C (cs)
GB1071669A (en) 1967-06-14

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