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Patent US3629590A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3629590A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photoelectric relay using optical couples
Assignee: VERSITRON Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-21
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-01-21
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an isolator switch or relay for isolating an electrical input and output. It comprises a pair of optical source-detector couples in which the sources are alternately overdriven over a low duty cycle to provide a rapid response. Input and output logic elements are connected to the couples, the former providing alternate time-spaced signals to the couples and the latter recovering the polarity of the input signal. Improved electromagnetic isolation between opposite sides of the couple as well as strobing and termination circuits are provided. The switch is adapted for use in all types of digital data communication circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred L Case
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L25/00; H04L25/02; H04L25/20; H04L25/26; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/78; H03K17/795
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples, an input logic element having a signal input and complementary outputs, respective outputs being connected to respective optical couples, and a logic output element connected to both said optical couples for recovering the signal at the input of said input logic element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples, an input logic element having a signal input and complementary outputs, respective outputs being connected to respective optical couples, and a logic output element connected to both said optical couples for recovering the signal at the input of said input logic element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A switch according to claim 1 in which said logic elements are both bistables.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples, an input bistable, means connecting said input bistable to said optical couples for alternately energizing said couples in accordance with a change in state of said input bistable, and an output bistable, said optical couples being respectively connected to the set and reset terminals of said output bistable whereby said output bistable changes state in response to energization of said couples.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples, an input bistable, means connecting said input bistable to said optical couples for alternately energizing said couples in accordance with a change in state of said input bistable, and an output bistable, said optical couples being respectively connected to the set and reset terminals of said output bistable whereby said output bistable changes state in response to energization of said couples.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switch according to claim 3 wherein said means connecting said input bistable optical couples comprises means for supplying high-energy, short duration impulses to said optical couples.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A switch according to claim 4 including an amplifier and differentiator connecting complementary outputs of said input bistable to respective optical couples.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples each including a photon source and a photodetector, an input bistable, means coupling said input bistable to said photon sources for alternately overdriving said sources in response to a change in state of said input bistable, an output bistable having set and reset terminals, and means coupling said terminals to respective photodetectors whereby said output bistable changes state in response to alternate energization of said sources.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples each including a photon source and a photodetector, an input bistable, means coupling said input bistable to said photon sources for alternately overdriving said sources in response to a change in state of said input bistable, an output bistable having set and reset terminals, and means coupling said terminals to respective photodetectors whereby said output bistable changes state in response to alternate energization of said sources.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A switch according to claim 6 wherein said sources and photodetectors are all solid-state elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A switch according to claim 6 including separate light guides coupling respective sources and photodetectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of solid-state photon sources, a pair of photodetectors, a separate light guide coupling respective sources and detectors, an input terminal, a first bistable having its input connected to said input terminal and having a pair of complementary outputs, a first amplifier and differentiator connecting one of said outputs to one of said sources, a second amplifier and differentiator connecting the other of said outputs to the other of said sources, a second bistable having an output terminal and set and reset inputs, means coupling one of said detectors to said set input, and means coupling the other of said detectors to said reset input.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of solid-state photon sources, a pair of photodetectors, a separate light guide coupling respective sources and detectors, an input terminal, a first bistable having its input connected to said input terminal and having a pair of complementary outputs, a first amplifier and differentiator connecting one of said outputs to one of said sources, a second amplifier and differentiator connecting the other of said outputs to the other of said sources, a second bistable having an output terminal and set and reset inputs, means coupling one of said detectors to said set input, and means coupling the other of said detectors to said reset input.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A switch according to claim 9 wherein said detectors are coupled to said second bistable through amplifiers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A switch according to claim 9 wherein said light guides are rigid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
A switch according to claim 9 wherein said light guides are flexible.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
An isolator switch comprising an input shield casing, a pair of photon sources in said input casing, a bistable in said input casing having complementary outputs coupled to respective sources, an output shield casing, a pair of photodetectors in said output casing, a bistable in said output casing having set and reset terminals coupled to respective detectors, a ground plane between said casings, and a pair of light guides passing through said ground plane and optically coupling respective sources and detectors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
An isolator switch comprising an input shield casing, a pair of photon sources in said input casing, a bistable in said input casing having complementary outputs coupled to respective sources, an output shield casing, a pair of photodetectors in said output casing, a bistable in said output casing having set and reset terminals coupled to respective detectors, a ground plane between said casings, and a pair of light guides passing through said ground plane and optically coupling respective sources and detectors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A switch according to claim 13 including a pair of waveguides surrounding said light guides, said waveguides being dimensioned to operate below cutoff for the highest electromagnetic frequency to be isolated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
83 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples, an input bistable, means connecting said input bistable to said optical couples for alternately energizing said couples in accordance with a change in state of said input bistable, an output bistable, said optical couples being respectively connected to the set and reset terminals of said output bistable whereby said output bistable changes state in response to energization of said couples, and means coupled to said switch for strobing at least one of said bistables.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
An isolator switch comprising a pair of optical couples, an input bistable, means connecting said input bistable to said optical couples for alternately energizing said couples in accordance with a change in state of said input bistable, an output bistable, said optical couples being respectively connected to the set and reset terminals of said output bistable whereby said output bistable changes state in response to energization of said couples, and means coupled to said switch for strobing at least one of said bistables.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A switch according to claim 15 wherein said strobing means comprises means for coupling at least one of said bistables to a clock source having a frequency twice the rate of the input signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A switch according to claim 15 including a cable termination network coupled to said input bistable and a cable driver network coupled to said output bistable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |