US3893055A - High gain relays and systems - Google Patents

High gain relays and systems Download PDF

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Publication number
US3893055A
US3893055A US351683A US35168373A US3893055A US 3893055 A US3893055 A US 3893055A US 351683 A US351683 A US 351683A US 35168373 A US35168373 A US 35168373A US 3893055 A US3893055 A US 3893055A
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United States
Prior art keywords
relay
wire
base
spring
movable contact
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Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US351683A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ernest M Jost
Jr Lyle E Mcbride
Teuvo J Santala
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Texas Instruments Inc
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Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Texas Instruments Inc filed Critical Texas Instruments Inc
Priority to US351683A priority Critical patent/US3893055A/en
Priority to US00431461A priority patent/US3846679A/en
Priority to US05/431,539 priority patent/US3968380A/en
Priority to CA195,834A priority patent/CA1010547A/en
Priority to AU67281/74A priority patent/AU6728174A/en
Priority to NL7404967A priority patent/NL7404967A/xx
Priority to DE19742417954 priority patent/DE2417954A1/de
Priority to IT5037374A priority patent/IT1004244B/it
Priority to ES425302A priority patent/ES425302A1/es
Priority to BR297974A priority patent/BR7402979D0/pt
Priority to DD17790774A priority patent/DD114881A5/xx
Priority to JP4208474A priority patent/JPS508048A/ja
Priority to DD18731274A priority patent/DD120094A5/xx
Priority to FR7413191A priority patent/FR2225828B1/fr
Priority to GB1668074A priority patent/GB1468404A/en
Priority to AR25329774A priority patent/AR202126A1/es
Priority to US05/567,152 priority patent/US4007404A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3893055A publication Critical patent/US3893055A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H61/00—Electrothermal relays
    • H01H61/01—Details
    • H01H61/0107—Details making use of shape memory materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/01—Connections using shape memory materials, e.g. shape memory metal

Definitions

  • the relays utilize nick- [22] Filed: 1973 el-titanium alloy wires which are conditioned and arg L N 351, 33 ranged to display sharp, reversible changes in shape and modulus of elasticity as the wires are heated and cooled through a temperature transition range, the [52] US. Cl. 337/140 alloy wires being di d, f rably with impedance [5i] Int. Cl.
  • H0lh 61/06 matching means between the wires and energizing [58] Field of Search 337/140 power sources to be heated through the noted transi tion temperature range by directing current from such [56] References C'ted low power sources through the wires, thereby to initi- UNITED STATES PATENTS ate relay operation.
  • the relay construction provides 3,516,082 6/1970 Cooper 337/140 unusually high gain so that relay operation from such 3,634,803 1/1972 Willson et al 337/140 low power sources is effective for regulating operation Primary Examiner-Harold Broome Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James P. McAndrews; John A. Haug; Russell E. Baumann of various types of components used in electrical apparatus.
  • the novel and improved relay of this invention employs a wire of a nickeltitanium alloy which has been conditioned and arranged so that the wire displays a sharp but reversible change in length and a sharp or abrupt increase in modulus of elasticity as the wire is heated to a relatively low transition temperature.
  • the wire is provided with significant length and with a very fine cross-sectional size and is arranged within the relay so that wire is adapted to be heated to its transition temperature with a very small input of electrical energy and so that, as the wire is heated to its transition temperature, the wire is adapted to display its change of length and increase in modulus of elasticity and to apply a very substantial force and motion to a switching element.
  • the high gain relay is combined with means matching the impedance of the fine alloy wire to a low power source such as is used in energizing integrated circuits.
  • FIG. I is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the high gain relay provided by this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the high gain relay shown in FIG. I and including diagrammatic illustration of use of the relay in a relay system;
  • FIG. 3 is a section view along ling 3-3 of FIG. I;
  • FIG. 4 is a section view along the central axis of an other alternate embodiment of the relay of this inventron;
  • FIG. 5 is a section view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating another alternate embodiment of the relay of this invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a section view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating another alternate embodiment of the relay of this invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of the relay of this invention as a relay system of this inventron
  • FIGS. 8-16 are schematic diagrams similar to FIG. 7 illustrating uses of relays of this invention in other alternate embodiments of relay systems of this invention.
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of the relays of this invention in an appliance timer relay system.
  • a preferred embodiment of the high gain relay 10 of this invention is shown to include a base member 12 which is formed of a rigid, strong, electrically insulating material such as a molded phenolic resin and which has a central bore 12.1 extending through the base member.
  • the base member is provided with four bosses 12.2 of hook-like configuration spaced on the upper surface of the base member as shown.
  • An upstanding rod 14 of the same insulating material is then secured within the base member bore 12.1 in any conventional manner along with a pair of upstanding, L-shaped, electricallyconductive contact arms 16, each of which has a terminal portion 16.1 extending from the bottom of the base member and each of which extends upwardly to support a fixed contact 18 above the base member.
  • each of the contact arms 16 has wing portions fitted around the rod 14 for securing the contact arms in spaced, electrically insulated relation to each other.
  • a helical coil compression spring 20 is fitted within the counterbore, and a movable, bridging contact arm 22 formed of electrically conductive material is disposed on top of the compression spring to support a pair of movable contacts 24 to be engaged and disengaged with respective fixed contacts 18.
  • a relay cap member 26 of the previously noted insulating material is positioned as shown in the drawings to bear against the movable contact arm 22 and a threaded bolt 28 is fitted through an aperture 26.1 in the relay cap member and through an aperture 22.1 in the movable contact arm to extend through the counterbore 14.2 into threaded engagement with the rod 14.
  • the relay cap member 26 is also provided with a pair of bosses 26.4 disposed on opposite sides of the cap member.
  • a pair of input or energizing terminals 30 are secured in any conventional manner within respective slots 12.3 in the relay base member.
  • Each of the terminals 30 is formed of a stiff but deformable, electrically conductive metal material and is provided with a terminal portion 30.1 extending from the bottom of the relay base member and with a tang portion 30.2 extending above the base member. Both terminal portions 30.] of the input terminals are shown in FIG. 2 for clarity of illustration.
  • a thermally responsive metal actuator wire 32 is then secured at one end to a tang 30.2 of one of the input terminals and is arranged to extend tautly over the bosses 12.2 on the relay base member and over the bosses 26.4 on the cap member as shown in H6. 3 to be attached at its other end to the tang 30.2 of the other input terminal.
  • a metal relay cover 33 or the like (shown only in FIG. 2) having an adjusting aperture 33.1 is mounted on the relay base.
  • the thermally responsive wire 32 is formed of a nickel-titanium alloy commonly called Nitinol, the alloy preferably having a composition, by weight, of from about 54 to 56 percent nickel and the balance titanium.
  • Nitinol nickel-titanium alloy
  • this material is characterized in that, as the material is heated through a short transition temperature range, the material undergoes a crystalline transformation and displays a very sharp or abrupt change in physical prop erties including a very substantial increase in modulus of elasticity, these changes being reversible as the material is again cooled below its transition temperature range.
  • the material is also adapted to display remarkable shape memory properties as the material is heated through its transition temperature range.
  • the wire 32 is formed of a nickel-titanium alloy comprising about 55 percent nickel, by weight, and the balance titanium, this alloy having a transition temperature at about 60C. and having other physical properties as follows:
  • the compression spring is selected so that, with the material of the wire 32 below its transition temperature, the compression spring applies sufficient force to the wire to deform the wire to increase the wire length, preferably by at least about 4 percent, and to normally bias the movable contact arm 22 to the position shown in FIGS. l-3 to hold the movable contacts 24 disengaged from the fixed contacts 18 of the relay.
  • electrical current is adapted to be directed through the wire 32 between the input terminals for electrically self-heating the material of wire 32 above its transition temperature so that the wire is sharply shortened in length and sharply increased in modulus of elasticity for moving the relay cap member 26 and the bridging contact arm 22 against the bias of the compression spring 20 to engage the movable contacts 24 with the fixed contacts 18 for closing a circuit between the fixed contacts.
  • the compression spring 20 again deforms the wire 32 to increase the wire length and to return the bridging contact arm to its open circuit position as shown in FIGS. 1-3.
  • the threaded bolt 28 is adjustable for varying the spacing between the movable and fixed contacts in the relay when the contact arm 22 is in open circuit position.
  • the input terminals 30 are also adapted to be deformed for adjusting tension in the wire 32 for adjusting contact pressure between the fixed and movable contacts when the contact arm 22 is in closed circuit position.
  • the relay cap member 26 has sloping surfaces 26.2 and has flange portions 26.3 extending on either side of the contact arm 22 for assuring that the movable contact arm is maintained in proper alignment to bridge the fixed contacts 18.
  • the nickeltitanium material of the wire 32 is adapted to display very high strength when the wire is above its transition temperature and, accordingly, the wire used in the relay 10 is of very small cross-sectional area on the order of 1.5 X 10 square inches or less.
  • the wire is provided with a relatively very long length. Typically, for example, the wire has a diameter of about 0.002 inches and a length of about 4 inches.
  • the material of the wire is adapted to be heated to its transition temperature with a very small input of electrical energy at low current levels and the wire is adapted to be heated to its transition temperature from a very low power source and, in preferred embodiments of this invention, the wire is proportioned as described so that the relays are operable at power levels of about 2 watts or less or even at about 0.5 watts or less.
  • a number of lengths of the wire 32 are preferably arranged between the base and cap members of the relay so that, when the wire is heated to its transition temperature, substantial force is developed in the wire in the high strength state of the wire and a significant multiple of the force, at least about 15 grams and preferably on the order of 160 grams, is applied to the relay cap so that the relay contacts are held together with substantial contact pressure and are adapted to switch very substantial currents.
  • the relays of the invention are adapted to provide a gain of at least about 500 to 1 so that, although operable at the low power levels described above, are adapted to regulate operation of conventional components in various types of electrical apparatus.
  • the wire 32 has a diameter of 0.002 inches and a length of 4 inches as above described
  • the wire is adapted to be heated through its transition temperature in less than a second with milliamperes of current at 5 volts
  • the relay 10 is adapted to switch 50 amperes at volts between the terminals indicated at 34 in FIG. 2.
  • the relay is adapted to be operated from low power sources such as are used in energizing conventional bipolar integrated circuits and, with suitable impedance matching, is adapted to be powered from sources used in energizing the very low powered MOS integrated circuits.
  • the gain achieved by the relay is on the order of ten thousandto-one and the relay is adapted to directly regulate operation of a variety of components used in various types of electrical apparatus.
  • the relay 10 of this invention is utilized in a relay system with impedance matching means 36 between the input terminals 30 of the relay and the relay energizing source 38.
  • the impedance matching means 36 comprises a transformer 40 arranged with its secondary winding 40.2 connected across the relay input terminals and with its primary winding 40.1 connected to an alternat' ing current, relay energizing, power source represented in FIG. 2 by the integrated circuit device 42, (or to the power source used in energizing the integrated circuit device), thereby to match the impedance of the integrated circuit to the wire 32 in the relay.
  • This relay 44 includes a movable spring contact assembly 46 which is cantilever mounted at one end to an electrically insulating header 48 and which carries a movable relay contact 50 at its opposite end.
  • the relay also includes a similarly mounted spring contact assembly 52 supporting a stationary contact 54 for engagement with the movable contact to close a relay input circuit.
  • an insulator 56 is also mounted at the distal end of the contact assembly 46 and a thermally-responsive actuator wire 58 is connected at one end to the insulator 56 and at its opposite end to an input or energizing terminal 60 mounted on the header 48.
  • a flexible wire conductor 62 is connected to the actuator wire and to a second input terminal 62 as shown.
  • the relay is then encased in an inert-gas-filled tube 66 hermetically sealed to the header, the input terminals 60 and 64 as well as terminal portions of the two spring contact assemblies also being hermetically sealed to the header in passing to the exterior through the header.
  • the input terminals and the wires 58 and 62 form a relay energizing circuit for receiving power from the secondary of an impedance matching transformer 68.
  • the actuator wire used in the relay 44 has been conditioned to display characteristics similar to the wire 32 discussed with reference to FIGS.
  • the contact spring assembly 46 is normally biased for engaging the fixed and movable relay contacts while the material of the actuator wire 58 is below its transition temperature and under stress applied by the spring assembly. However, when sufficient current appears at the secondary of the transformer, the wire 58 is heated to its transition temperature so that the wire abruptly shortens in length and pulls the contact assembly 46 upwardly to open the relay output circuit.
  • the spring contact assembly 72 is formed in a monometallic snap-acting disc configuration so that, when the contact 74 carried by this spring assembly is disengaged and engaged with the stationary contact 76 carried by the other spring assembly 78, the contact separation or engagement occurs with improved snap-action.
  • the thermally responsive actuator wire 80 formed of the nickel-titanium alloy previously described is attached at one end to the input terminal 82 and at its opposite end to the input terminal 84, the wire extending from the input terminals through a hook-shaped insulator 86 on the spring assembly 72 and through a similar hook-shaped boss 88 mounted on the header 90.
  • the wire displays greater electrical resistance and is adapted to apply substantially greater force in moving the spring assembly 72 when the wire is heated to its transition temperature.
  • a spring contact assembly 94 carrying a movable contact 96 for engagement with a stationary contact 98 carried by a second spring assembly 100 has its distal end secured in electrically conductive relation to a thermally responsive actuator wire 102 of the noted nickel-titanium alloy, the opposite end of the actuator wire being attached to an input terminal 104.
  • current in the relay output circuit formed by the two contacts and spring assemblies is also directed through the actuator wire 102.
  • the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 7 comprises a control system 106 for an electric blanket or the like utilizing a switching device 108 having a physical structure generally corresponding to the device 92 previously described with reference to FIG. 6 and utilizing current-regulating temperature-sensing elements that are particularly compatible with the switching device.
  • the control 106 includes a variable resistor 110 and a resistance heater 112 arranged in series across terminals 114 and 116. The terminal 114 is also connected through the normally closed relay contacts 118 of the switching device 108 to the load 120.
  • thermally-responsive actuator wire 122 in the switching device 108 is arranged in series with a resistor 124 of negative temperature coefficient of resistivity (NTC) and with a resistor 126 of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) as shown in FIG. 7, the NTC resistor being disposed in heat-transfer to the load as indicated by the broken line 128 and the PT C resistor being in heat-transfer relation to the resistance heater 112 as indicated by the broken line 130.
  • NTC negative temperature coefficient of resistivity
  • PTC positive temperature coefficient of resistivity
  • FIG. 8 there is shown a second embodiment 105 of a control device similar to the device as set forth in FIG. 7, corresponding elements being identified by the reference numerals used with regard to FIG. 7.
  • the switch 108 is normally closed and supplies current to load 120.
  • Current also passes through the series circuit of actuator wire I22, variable resistor 132 and NTC resistor 134.
  • the point at which switch 108 opens and closes is determined by the setting of variable resistor 132.
  • This embodiment of the invention could be utilized, for example, as a fry pan control.
  • FIG. 9 there is shown a third embodiment 107 of a control device similar to the devices as set forth in FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the switch 108 is normally closed.
  • Current therefore passes through switch 108 and load 120 and through the series circuit of actuator wire 122, the additional series resistor 137 incorporated in the switch 108, and variable resistor 138 as well as through PTC resistor 140 and the resistor 142.
  • resistor 140 When the temperature at the load increases, it heats resistor 140 as indicated at 144, thereby increas ing the resistance and passing less current through the PTC resistor. This causes more current to pass through wire 122 until the wire shortens and opens switch contacts 118.
  • variable resistor 138 determines the temperature of operation of the switch 108. This embodiment of this invention could be used in an oven control.
  • FIG. 10 there is shown a fourth embodiment 146 of a control device similar to the devices as set forth in FIGS. 7 to 9.
  • the switch 108 incorporating the additional resistor 137 is normally open.
  • the resistance of the FTC resistor 150 decreases while the resistance of the NTC resistor 152 increases. This causes more current to pass through the actuator wire 122 and, upon reaching the transition temperature, closes the switch contacts 118 and connects power to the load 120.
  • Increase of temperature now causes more current to be shunted through resistor 142 and NTC resistor 152 and less current through resistor 150, thereby causing the switch 108 to open due to lengthening of wire 122.
  • a device of this type has application as a refrigerator defrost control wherein buildup of ice causes the switch 108 to close and connect power to a heater, thereby allowing the refrigerator to defrost until sufficient frost is removed from the refrigerator to alter the cooling rate of resistors I50 and 152 and thus to change the cycle.
  • FIG. 11 there is set forth a circuit system 154 for utilizing a low power relay such as the relay previously described with reference to FIGS. I-3 with a high voltage'low current source such as an MOS type of integrated circuit device 156 without requiring use of a transformer.
  • a low power relay such as the relay previously described with reference to FIGS. I-3
  • a high voltage'low current source such as an MOS type of integrated circuit device 156 without requiring use of a transformer.
  • the MOS integrated circuit device 156 which typically has an output of about 3 milliamps at 30 volts, is arranged to charge the capacitor 158 in about 60 milliseconds. for example, while the MOS integrated circuit device is arranged to apply a control pulse to the transistor 160 after the capacitor is charged for discharging the capacitor 158 through the actuator wire 32 of the relay 10 previously described. In this arrangement, the current directed through the wire 32 at 30 volts during capacitor discharge is adequate to heat the wire to its transition temperature for opening the contacts of the relay as indicated at 162.
  • the relay may then be latched open in any conventional manner, or, if desired, the control pulses are applied to the transistor 160 by the integrated circuit device at selected intervals for providing the relay with a selected duty cycle as will be understood.
  • the very low power MOS type of integrated circuit is arranged to operate the low power high gain relay of this invention.
  • the MOS integrated circuit device 156 is arranged as shown in FIG. 12 to charge capacitors 166 and 168 while also being adapted to periodically apply control pulses to the transistor 170 and to the transistor 172 for periodically rendering the transistors conductive to discharge the capacitors through respective actuator wires 174 and 176 in a relay 178.
  • the relay 178 comprises a single-pole, double-throw latching type of relay otherwise similar to the relays of this invention as previously described, having any conventional means releasably retaining the relay contacts in either of its two stable positions.
  • the relay 178 typically has one pair of relay contacts 180 which are normally closed and another pair of normally open relay contacts 182.
  • elec trical energy accumulated in the capacitor 166 is periodically applied to an actuator wire 174 in the relay 178 in response to a control pulse from the integrated circuit device 156 for opening the relay contacts 180 and closing the relay contacts 182 for moving the relay from one of its stable positions to its second stable position as will be understood.
  • a subsequent control pulse from the integrated circuit device is then adapted to discharge the capacitor 168 through the other actuator wire 176 in the relay for returning the relay to its original stable position.
  • circuit system 184 is generally similar to the circuit system 154 except that the capacitor 158 is charged from the power source, indicated by terminals 186 and 188 in FIG. 13, used in energizing the integrated circuit device 156.
  • a relay 10 such as has been previously described with reference to FIGS. I3, and which is preferably energized from a 6 volt source, is arranged to be operated from a 30 volt power source or the like such as is used in energizing the MOS integrated circuit device for operating the relay without excessive power loss.
  • the integrated circuit device 192 is adapted in any conventional manner to provide a series of control pulses to the transistor 194 so that current from the 30 volt power source or the like indicated by the line terminals 196 and 198 is rapidly switched on and off to provide an effective (rms.) voltage of about 6 volts to the wire 32 in the relay 10 for heating the wire to its transistion temperature for opening the relay contacts. While this circuit system is adapted for use with various line voltages, greatest economy and efficiency is achieved where the line voltage is on the order of 24 to 30 volts.
  • the circuit system is arranged to match the impedance of a higher voltage power source such as a 1 volt a.c. line as indicated by the terminals 202 and 203 to the relay by phase modulation. That is, the MOS integrated circuit device 204 is arranged to be energized from a 30 volt a.c.
  • the integrated circuit device being adapted in any conventional manner to apply gating pulses to the SCR 210 only as the alternating line voltage and current approach zero, thereby to reduce the rms voltage applied to the actuator wire 32 in the relay 10 to about onefifth of line voltage as required for heating the wire 32 to its transition temperature for opening the contacts of the relay 10.
  • a relatively inexpensive circuit component 210 is adapted to be used even though the relay is being impedance matched to a I ll) volt line.
  • a triac can be substituted for the SCR 210 for providing operation during both halves of the circuit cycle.
  • the relay 10 of this invention is impedance matched to a dc. power source by use of an inductance coil 214. That is, as is shown in FIG. 16, an inductance coil 214 is arranged in series with the actuator wire 32 of the relay 10 and with a 30 volt dc. power source or the like indicated by the terminals 216 and 218 whereas an MOS integrated circuit device 220 is adapted in any conventional manner to apply brief control pulses to the transistor 222 for periodically rendering the transistor conductive.
  • the inductive coil is selected to provide a selected phase relationship as the transistor is being briefly rendered conductive, thereby to apply significantly less than peak line current and voltage to the actuator wire 32 as required for heating the wire to its transition temperature for opening the contacts of the relay 10.
  • the high gain relays 10 of this invention are arranged for use with a low voltage, low power appliance timer 226 of otherwise conventional design, whereby the timer contacts are adapted to be of very light construction while displaying a long service life. That is, as is shown in FIG. 17, a low voltage low power appliance timer of conventional design is shown to include a synchronous motor 228 which rotates a drum 232 on a shaft 230 so that timer contacts 234 disposed at different locations on the surface of the drum 232 are sequentially engaged with respective wiping contacts 236.
  • a slide 238 is typically arranged for moving the wiping contacts 236 to engage other sets of timer contacts 240 or 242 for changing the program provided by the drum.
  • a 110 volt ac. power supply indicated by the terminals 244 and 246 is arranged to energize various electrical components such as the solenoids 248, 250 and the motor 252 through contacts of the respective relays 10.
  • a transformer 254 is connected across the line terminals and the transformer secondary 254.1 is arranged to energize a timer motor 228 at 12 volts for example.
  • the actuator wires 32 of the relays 10 are then arranged to be sequentially connected to the transformer secondary through the timer drum contacts 234 and the wiping contacts 236 as the timer drum is rotated as will be understood.
  • a low voltage low power timer mechanism 226 which can be of very light construction in sequentially operating a variety of electrical components such as the solenoids 248, 250 and the motor 252.
  • a resistor 256 of negative temperature coefficient of resistivity is arranged in series with the wire 32 to serve as a limit control.
  • a relay comprising an electrically insulating base, stationary contact means mounted on said base, movable contact means mounted on said base for movement between a closed circuit position engaging said stationary contact means and an open circuit position spaced from said stationary contact means, spring means mounted on said base biasing said movable contact means from one of said positions to the other of said positions, and a metal wire secured between said movable contact means and said base, said wire being of a selected metal alloy to be deformed from an original length to a second length by said spring bias as said movable contact means is moved from said one position to said other position by said spring bias while said alloy displays a relatively low modulus of elasticity below a transition temperature and to abruptly return to said original length and to display a relatively higher modulus of elasticity to move said movable contact means back to said one position against said spring bias with a force of at least l5 grams when said wire is heated to said transition temperature, said wire having a selected cross-sectional size and length to be heated from room temperature to said transition temperature by passing electrical current through said wire with
  • a high gain electrical relay operable at the low power levels used in energizing integrated circuits comprising an insulating base, a pair of stationary electrical contact means mounted on said base to stand above said base in electrically insulated relation to each other, movable electrical contact means movable between a closed circuit position engaging and bridging said stationary contact means and an open circuit position spaced from said stationary contact means, spring means mounted on said base biasing said movable contact means away from said base to said open circuit position, electrically insulating cap means movably secured to said base and in engagement with said movable contact means for limiting movement of said movable contact means away from said base in response to said spring bias, and a wire ofa selected nickel-titanium alloy secured between said cap means and base to be deformed from an original length to a greater length by said spring bias as said movable contact means is moved to said open circuit position by said spring bias while said alloy displays a low modulus of elasticity below a transition temperature and to abruptly return to said original length and to display a relatively higher modul
  • said mov able contact means comprises an electrically conductive bridging contact arm having electrical contacts mounted on opposite ends of said arm and wherein said cap means comprises a body of insulating material having a surface engaging said movable contact arm, and a threaded member extending through said insulating body into threaded, adjustable engagement with said base.
  • a relay as set forth in claim 8 having multiple lengths of said wire extending between said additional terminals and bosses on said base and bosses on said insulating body of said cap means.
  • a high gain electrical relay operable at the low power levels used in energizing integrated circuits comprising an insulating header, a stationary contact member cantilever mounted on said header to support a stationary contact at the distal end thereof, a spring contact member cantilever mounted on said header to support a movable contact at the distal end thereof and to bias said movable contact to closed circuit position engaging said stationary contact, and a wire of a selected nickel-titanium secured between said distal end of said spring contact member and said header to be deformed from an original length to a greater length by said spring member bias as said spring member moves said movable contact to said closed circuit position while said alloy displays a relatively low modulus of elasticity below a transition temperature and to abruptly return to said original length and to display a relatively higher modulus of elasticity to move said movable contact out of engagement with said stationary contact to an open circuit position against said spring member bias with a force of at least about 15 grams when said wire is heated to said transition temperature, said wire having a diameter less than about 0.004
  • said spring contact member comprises a metal member having a dished portion intermediate its ends having one end of said member fixed to said header and having said movable contact mounted at its opposite end so that said spring member biases said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contact with snap action.
  • a relay as set forth in claim 10 having a pair of terminals mounted on said header, having an insulating member secured to said distal end of said spring contact member, having said wire of said nickeltitanium alloy with one end secured to one of said terminals and its other end secured to said insulating member, and having a flexible wire conductor connected at one end to said other end of said nickeltitanium alloy wire and at its opposite end to said other terminal.
  • a relay as set forth in claim 10 having a pair of terminals mounted on said header, having an insulating member secured to said distal end of said spring contact member, and having said wire of said nickeltitanium alloy secured at its opposite ends to said respective terminals and secured intermediate its ends to said insulating member.
  • a relay as set forth in claim 14 having a boss secured to said header and having multiple lengths of said wire extending between said terminals, said boss and said insulating member.

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  • Control Of Resistance Heating (AREA)
US351683A 1973-04-16 1973-04-16 High gain relays and systems Expired - Lifetime US3893055A (en)

Priority Applications (17)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US351683A US3893055A (en) 1973-04-16 1973-04-16 High gain relays and systems
US00431461A US3846679A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-01-07 High gain relays and systems
US05/431,539 US3968380A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-01-07 High gain relays and systems
CA195,834A CA1010547A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-03-25 High gain relays and systems
AU67281/74A AU6728174A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-03-28 Relays and systems
NL7404967A NL7404967A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-04-16 1974-04-11
DE19742417954 DE2417954A1 (de) 1973-04-16 1974-04-11 Relais
IT5037374A IT1004244B (it) 1973-04-16 1974-04-12 Perfezionamento nei rele elettro meccanici ad alto guadagno
ES425302A ES425302A1 (es) 1973-04-16 1974-04-13 Perfeccionamientos introducidos en reles.
BR297974A BR7402979D0 (pt) 1973-04-16 1974-04-15 Rele eletrico, conjunto de rele, sistema de controle de tempo e dispositivo de controle eletrico
DD17790774A DD114881A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-04-16 1974-04-15
JP4208474A JPS508048A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-04-16 1974-04-15
DD18731274A DD120094A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-04-16 1974-04-15
FR7413191A FR2225828B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-04-16 1974-04-16
GB1668074A GB1468404A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-04-16 Electrical switching devices relays and systems incorporating same
AR25329774A AR202126A1 (es) 1973-04-16 1974-04-16 Dispositivo de control electrico, operable a bajos niveles de energia
US05/567,152 US4007404A (en) 1973-04-16 1975-04-11 High gain relays and systems

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US351683A US3893055A (en) 1973-04-16 1973-04-16 High gain relays and systems
US00431461A US3846679A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-01-07 High gain relays and systems
US05/431,539 US3968380A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-01-07 High gain relays and systems
US05/567,152 US4007404A (en) 1973-04-16 1975-04-11 High gain relays and systems

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US00431461A Expired - Lifetime US3846679A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-01-07 High gain relays and systems
US05/431,539 Expired - Lifetime US3968380A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-01-07 High gain relays and systems
US05/567,152 Expired - Lifetime US4007404A (en) 1973-04-16 1975-04-11 High gain relays and systems

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US05/567,152 Expired - Lifetime US4007404A (en) 1973-04-16 1975-04-11 High gain relays and systems

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US (4) US3893055A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU6728174A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1010547A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2417954A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2225828B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1468404A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL7404967A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

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US5990777A (en) * 1998-08-05 1999-11-23 The Whitaker Corporation Shape-memory wire actuated switch
US6239686B1 (en) * 1999-08-06 2001-05-29 Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated Temperature responsive switch with shape memory actuator
US6917276B1 (en) * 2000-06-19 2005-07-12 Simpler Networks Bistable switch with shape memory metal
US20050253680A1 (en) * 2002-04-04 2005-11-17 Mathews Eric D Temperature-controlled actuator
US20070050796A1 (en) * 2003-08-28 2007-03-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Operating device, position-switching device, and magneto-optical recording/reproducing device
US7852190B1 (en) * 2007-04-17 2010-12-14 Rockwell Collins, Inc. Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation mechanism for electrical switching device
US10607798B2 (en) * 2018-05-14 2020-03-31 Te Connectivity Corporation Power switch device with shape memory alloy actuator

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US4553393A (en) * 1983-08-26 1985-11-19 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Memory metal actuator
EP0145204A1 (en) * 1983-10-27 1985-06-19 Armada Corporation Bistable shape memory effect electrothermal transducers
US4544988A (en) * 1983-10-27 1985-10-01 Armada Corporation Bistable shape memory effect thermal transducers
US5420561A (en) * 1994-01-21 1995-05-30 Littlefuse, Inc. Breaker or resettable fuse device
US5685148A (en) * 1994-11-14 1997-11-11 Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation Ag Drive apparatus
US5990777A (en) * 1998-08-05 1999-11-23 The Whitaker Corporation Shape-memory wire actuated switch
US6239686B1 (en) * 1999-08-06 2001-05-29 Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated Temperature responsive switch with shape memory actuator
US6917276B1 (en) * 2000-06-19 2005-07-12 Simpler Networks Bistable switch with shape memory metal
US20050253680A1 (en) * 2002-04-04 2005-11-17 Mathews Eric D Temperature-controlled actuator
US20070050796A1 (en) * 2003-08-28 2007-03-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Operating device, position-switching device, and magneto-optical recording/reproducing device
US7414512B2 (en) * 2003-08-28 2008-08-19 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Operating device, position-switching device, and magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus
US7852190B1 (en) * 2007-04-17 2010-12-14 Rockwell Collins, Inc. Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation mechanism for electrical switching device
US10607798B2 (en) * 2018-05-14 2020-03-31 Te Connectivity Corporation Power switch device with shape memory alloy actuator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US3968380A (en) 1976-07-06
FR2225828A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-11-08
US3846679A (en) 1974-11-05
DE2417954A1 (de) 1974-10-31
US4007404A (en) 1977-02-08
NL7404967A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-10-18
CA1010547A (en) 1977-05-17
AU6728174A (en) 1975-10-02
GB1468404A (en) 1977-03-23
FR2225828B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1978-12-01

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