Image: Reedswitch

Description: English: The reed switch is a device that is composed of aligned, flat cantilevered ferrous metal reeds spaced apart and placed one on top of another, surrounded by dry inert gas or a vacuum inside a hermetically sealed glass envelope and, between the overlapping members, there is a small air gap. Image cleaned up, rotated and condensed from patent drawing found in U.S. Patent 2,264,746, granted 2 December 1941. The drawing depicts a single-pole double throw (SPDT) switch with three terminals passing through the glass envelope. Descriptions from the patent text are as follows: Fig. 1 - device shown in nonoperated position Fig. 2 - device shown in operated position Fig. 3 - cross-section 1 - glass envelope 2 - terminal 3 - resilient magnetic member 4 - non-magnetic member 5 - conducting member 6 - magnetic member 7 - insulating piece
Title: Reedswitch
Credit: Walter B. Ellwood, U.S. Patent 2,264,746, Electromagnetic switch
Author: United States Patent and Trademark Office
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: PD
Attribution Required?: No