In an electromagnetically moving device 100, a magnetic-flux variation measuring unit 3 is placed at a position which is outside a closed magnetic path established when a movable core 6 and a stationary core 5 are being attached to each other due to permanent magnets 7, and at which a leakage magnetic-flux variation due to movement of the movable core 6 can be measured, so that a behavior of a movable part in a switch, etc. is estimated such that an inflection point time is calculated from the measurement of time-series data of the magnetic-flux variation.

A device capable of operating as an electric switch and more particularly as an electric switch wherein the movable contacts of the switch are moved by magnetic fields and also where the switch contacts themselves are connected to the magnets, or are the magnets themselves, using electrically conductive contacts which may either be fastened to, but insulated from the magnets, or are directly attached to the magnets themselves and each contact attached to conductive wire. This switch device was originally designed for fast switching applications and to handle high voltage spikes and small current arcs in order to drive and provide timing for an Energy Efficient motor/fan and POV display where the LEDs for the display are powered solely by, traditionally wasted, high voltage back EMF energy. The scope of this invention, however, covers any motor, fan, engine or other apparatus which is capable of being driven by electrical current flowing through the electric switch device described herein.

Switch apparatus (54), designed to detect relative movement between first and second members (60, 62), includes a switch assembly (48) comprising a switch unit (20), a biasing element (50), and an operating member (52). The unit (20) has a conductive housing (22) with first, second, and third electrical pin contacts (36-40) and a shiftable body (46). The body (46) is magnetically correlated with both the element (50) and operating member (52). When the members (60, 62) are close, the operating member (52) maintains the shiftable body (46) in one switch position, whereas when the members (60, 62) are separated, the biasing element (50) magnetically moves body (46) to another switch position, thereby detecting the relative movement).

A magnetic switching arrangement including a first contact, a second contact, at least one of the first and second contacts including a magnetically responsive material, a biaser operably connected to one of the first and second contacts and biasing the one of the first and second contact into electrical connection with the other of the first and second contacts such that a closed circuit is achieved in the absence of an external force preventing closure of the first and second contacts, and a disconnector maintaining the first and second contacts spaced from one another, preventing formation of a circuit. A method for operating a tool including applying or removing a magnetic field configuration and causing a first and second contact within the tool to make electrical contact. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and disposed in the borehole.

A security switch for detecting an actuator comprises a magnetic field source, a magnetically susceptible object, and a circuit. The magnetic field source is configured to produce a magnetic field gradient. The magnetically susceptible object is suspended at a first position at least in part due to the magnetic field gradient and shiftable to a second position when the actuator affects the magnetic field gradient. The circuit is configured to detect when the object is in the second position.

A target magnet mechanism for a proximity switch. The target magnet mechanism includes a plurality of magnets disposed in an alternating magnetic pole configuration forming a narrowed, polarity reversing magnetic field. A center magnet has a magnetic polarity opposite the magnetic polarity of a sensing magnet of the proximity switch. A flanking magnet includes a magnetic polarity opposite the magnetic polarity of the center magnet and the same as the sensing magnet. So configured, the plurality of magnets trigger the proximity switch to an activated state by pulling on a magnetic field of the proximity switch via the opposed polarity of the center magnet and the sensing magnet. In addition, the plurality of magnets release the proximity switch back to an unactivated state by pushing on the magnetic field of the proximity switch via the same polarity of the flanking magnet and the sensing magnet.

An electronic seal includes a housing, a cover, at least one touch piece, and, a transmission mechanism. The housing has at least one through track, in which the through track is disposed on the bottom of the housing. The cover is disposed on the housing and covers the housing. The touch piece is movably disposed on the through track and is partially exposed out of the housing. The transmission mechanism includes a driving member, in which the driving member drives the touch piece to move along the through track when the driving member is actuated relative to the housing.

In an electromagnetically moving device 100, a magnetic-flux variation measuring unit 3 is placed at a position which is outside a closed magnetic path established when a movable core 6 and a stationary core 5 are being attached to each other due to permanent magnets 7, and at which a leakage magnetic-flux variation due to movement of the movable core 6 can be measured, so that a behavior of a movable part in a switch, etc. is estimated such that an inflection point time is calculated from the measurement of time-series data of the magnetic-flux variation.

An electronic seal includes a housing, a cover, at least one touch piece, and, a transmission mechanism. The housing has at least one through track, in which the through track is disposed on the bottom of the housing. The cover is disposed on the housing and covers the housing. The touch piece is movably disposed on the through track and is partially exposed out of the housing. The transmission mechanism includes a driving member, in which the driving member drives the touch piece to move along the through track when the driving member is actuated relative to the housing.

Switch apparatus (54), designed to detect relative movement between first and second members (60, 62), includes a switch assembly (48) comprising a switch unit (20), a biasing element (50), and an operating member (52). The unit (20) has a conductive housing (22) with first, second, and third electrical pin contacts (36-40) and a shiftable body (46). The body (46) is magnetically correlated with both the element (50) and operating member (52). When the members (60, 62) are close, the operating member (52) maintains the shiftable body (46) in one switch position, whereas when the members (60, 62) are separated, the biasing element (50) magnetically moves body (46) to another switch position, thereby detecting the relative movement).