Inventors:
Jackie C. Sullivan - Wendell NC
Edwin R. Newell - Wake Forest NC
Keith D. Wheeler - Raleigh NC
Stanley H. Edwards - Raleigh NC
Assignee:
Square D Company - Palatine IL
International Classification:
G02B 600, G02B 636
Abstract:
The rotational optical switch of the present invention includes a switch enclosure, a light conductor, an optical shutter, a torsion spring biasing the shutter towards a bistable state, and a shutter actuator. The switch enclosure generally encloses the remaining components. The light conductor is received in the switch enclosure and extends between the enclosure and a transceiver, which provides a signal reflective of the state of the optical shutter. The optical shutter is pivotally mounted within the switch enclosure and is bistable between a reflective state which reflects light into the light conductor, and a nonreflective state which does not reflect light into the light conductor. The shutter pivots on arms to either end of a support cylinder which have knife edges. The shutter actuator is pivotally connected to the optical shutter by the torsion spring to cause the optical shutter to snap between the bistable states.