CA1059194A - Disconnect switch with high pressure contacts - Google Patents
Disconnect switch with high pressure contactsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1059194A CA1059194A CA230,750A CA230750A CA1059194A CA 1059194 A CA1059194 A CA 1059194A CA 230750 A CA230750 A CA 230750A CA 1059194 A CA1059194 A CA 1059194A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- main contacts
- contacts
- contact
- contact arms
- switch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H1/00—Contacts
- H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
- H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
- H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
- H01H1/2025—Bridging contacts comprising two-parallel bridges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H1/00—Contacts
- H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
- H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
- H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
- H01H1/2025—Bridging contacts comprising two-parallel bridges
- H01H2001/2033—Bridging contacts comprising two-parallel bridges with a contact bridge on both opposite sides of a fixed contact pair, each contact bridge being moved to close or open the circuit
Landscapes
- Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A disconnect switch has two parallel, spaced apart, elongated main contacts. A movable contact arm is positioned on each side of the main contacts, and each contact arm carries a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts arranged so that each secondary contact is able to straddle or bridge the main contacts. A mechanism moves both contact arms towards the main contacts to a closed position where each secondary contact is in engagement with the two main contacts and to an open position where each secondary contact is spaced from the main contacts.
A disconnect switch has two parallel, spaced apart, elongated main contacts. A movable contact arm is positioned on each side of the main contacts, and each contact arm carries a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts arranged so that each secondary contact is able to straddle or bridge the main contacts. A mechanism moves both contact arms towards the main contacts to a closed position where each secondary contact is in engagement with the two main contacts and to an open position where each secondary contact is spaced from the main contacts.
Description
~ ^ Case 2428 .__,.\
lOS9194 This invention relates generally to disconnect switches, ; and in particular to disconnect switches having high pressure contacts.
Disconnect switches employed previously have utilized a pivotal switch blade contact, hinged at one end to a base and moveably at the other end into and out of engagement with a jaw type contact. One requirement for switches of this type is that they have high contact pressure to ensure a good connection between the contacts and thereby minimize any arcing or similar faults when the switch is closed.
To provide high contact pressure in switches employing a pivotal switch blade contact, the jaw type contacts are usually made to exert a high pressure on the blade contact when the switch is closed. This results in the disadvantage that large forces must be employed when opening or closing the switch, in order to overcome the frictional resistance provided by the jaw contacts against the blade contact.
The present invention overcomes this frictional resis-tance problem by providing two main cylindrical or elongated contacts which are bridged, in the closed position, by secondary cortacts. In the open position of the switch, the secondary contacts are held out of contact with the main contacts by the switch mechanism.
The switch mechanism may have two contact arm members, one located on either side of the plane defined by the laterally spaced apart axes of the two main cylindrical or elongated contacts. The contact arm members each carry a plurality of secondary contacts. The second contacts consist of conducting members held straddling the two main contacts (i.e. in a position for bridging the main contacts) and having their contacting surfaces generally parallel to the plane defined by the axes of the main contacts. The contact arm members move the secondary contacts into engagement with the main contacts so that each ~ .
~ Case 2428 1059~94 secondary contact touches both main contacts when the switch is in the closed position. In the open position of the switch, the secondary contacts are held away from the main contacts, but the same relative orientation exists between the main and the secondary contacts in the open position, as in the closed position. The contact arm members are pivotally connected to a pair of actuator arm members in such a fashion that moving the actuator arm members together causes the contact arm members to move together, maintaining the same relative orientation; similarly, moving the actuator arm members apart causes the contact arm members to move apart.
One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an electrical switch with high pressure contacts. The switch includes: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; at least one contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts extending generally transversely to the main contacts in a position for bridging the main contacts; and a mechanism for moving each contact arm between an open position where the secondary contacts are remote from the main contacts and a closed position ,~
where each secondary contact is in contact with both the main contacts to provide a plurality of electrically conductive paths between the main contacts.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, in more detail, with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a switch made according to the present invention, shown in the open circuit position; -Figure 2 is a side view of the switch shown in Figure 1, also shown in the open circuit position, but including more details;
Figure 3 is the same as Figure 2, but shows the switch in the closed circuit position.
1059194 Case 2428 , ,.
Figure 1 depicts switch 10 in its open circuit position; the driving mechanism for opening and closing switch 10 has been excluded from this Figure in order to show more ; clearly the ~ain parts of switch 10. The driving mechanism ; for opening and closing switch 10 will be discussed later.
SWitch 10 has two main cylindrical contacts 11 and 12 as shown in Figure 1. Contacts 11 and 12 are identical to each other and are made of good electrically conductive material such as copper or aluminum; if necessary, they can be water cooled, as is well known in the art. The longitudinal axis of contact 11 is indicated by the numeral 13; the longitudinal axis of contact 12 is indicated by the numeral 14. The axes 13 and 14 are parallel to one another and the contacts 11 and 12 are located directly opposite one another (opposed) and spaced apart from one another so as to define a space or gap indicated generally by the numeral 15. The gap 15 between contacts 11 and 12 is large enough to prevent any arcing or current flow from one contact to another when switch 10 is in the open circuit position; determining t~e size of gap 15 for a given maximum voltage rating of switch 10 is well known in the art and will not be discussed herein.
Terminals (not shown) for connecting switch 10 into an electric circuit are placed on the side of cylindrical contact 11 generally farthest from contact 12. Similarly terminals (not shown) are placed on the side of cylindrical contact 12 generally farthest from contact 11. That is, the terminals (not ~hown) for both contacts 11 and 12 are attached to said contacts generally in the plane defined by the axes 13 and 14.
Switch 10 is shown in Figure 1 in its open circuit position. When switch 10 is in its closed circuit position, Case 2428 .- t secondary contacts 16, spaced apart from one another and positioned on either side of the plane defined by the axes 13 and 14 and straddling said contacts 11 and 12 are each forced into contact with both contacts 11 and 12. In the closed circuit position of switch 10, each secondary contact 16 touches both main cylindrical contacts 11 and 12, thereby providing electrically conductive paths between contacts 11 and 12. Each contact 16 is supported by a leaf spring 17.
The springs 17 are supported by a steel sheet 18; one sheet 18 is located each side of the plane defined by axes 13 and 14. Each sheet 18 is in turn supported by a sheet of insulation 19 which insulates the contacts 16, springs 17 .-and steel sheet 18 from the remainder of the switch mechanism, yet to be described.
The support mechanism, shown in Figure 1, to enable : .
switch 10 to move between its open circuit position and its ~ :
closed circuit position comprises contact arms 20, 21, 22 and 23, actuator members 24, 25, 26 and 27 and link members 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35, positioned and interconnected as shown generally in Figure 1. Link members 28 to 35 inclusive are connected to the contact arms 20-23 inclusive by pivotal connectors 26; link members 28 to 35 inclusive are similarly connected to actuator members 24-27 inclusive, by ;~ : ;
pivotal connectors 37. One sheet of insulation 19 is fastened to contact arms 20 and 21 and another sheet of insulation 19 is fastened to contact arms 22 and 23. Each pivotal connector 36 is simply a solid rod passing through both a pair of link members 28 to 35 and a pair of contact arms 20 to 23; pivotal connectors 36 are secured at their ~:
extrem~ties by washers and cotter pins (not shown) as is well known. As a typical example, link members 32 and 33 and contact arms 22 and 23 are all pivotally joined by . lOS9194 Case 2428 pivotal connector 36. Each pivotal connector 37 is similar to connector 36, but larger in size. Connectors 37 pivotally connect both a pair of link members 28 to 35 and a pair of actuator member 24 to 27 as can be seen in Figure 1.
In operation, actuator members 24 and 26 move toward each other, and simultaneously actuator members 25 and 27 also move toward each other. The result of this action is to cause link members 28 to 35 to force the contact arms 20 to 23 towards the main contacts 11 and 12. During this movement, the contacts 11 and 12 are held still. The contact arms 20 to 23 are supported in such a fashion so as to prevent them from moving in any direction except perpendicular to the plane defined by the axes 13 and 14;
this will be explained in more detail later.
Due to the mechanical arrangement between actuator members 24 to 27 and contact arms 20 to 23, if the actuator members 24 to 27 are moved together at a constant velocity, the contact arms 20 to 23 will approach the contacts 11 and 12 at a decreasing rate of velocity, until zero velocity is attained when all pivotal connectors 36 and 37 on link members 28 to 35 are aligned into two straight lines perpendicular to the plane defined by axes 13 and 14. At that point in time each secondary contact 16 is in contact with both the main contacts 11 and 12. It can further be seen that this provides a great mechanical advantage. If this movement is continued just a small distance further (i.e.
until the pivotal connectors 37 are closer together, in a direction parallel to either axis 13 or 14, than are the pivotal connectors 36, in the same direction) it will be seen that the switch 10 is "locked" into the closed circuit position. In other words, no force need longer be applied to _ 5 ~ . ~
1~59194 Case 2428 `:
actuator members 24 to 27 to force them together, and at the same time, any force exerted by contact arms 20 to 23 in a direction away from the main contacts 11 and 12 will only tend to force the actuator members 24 to 27 closer together, thereby maintaining switch 10 in the closed circuit position.
As stated previously, Figure 1 shows switch 10 in j~ the open circuit position. In the open circuit position, contacts 16 are positioned sufficiently distant from , contacts 11 and 12 to prevent any arcing. Since contact arms 20 and 21 move simul~neously and retain the same relative position to each other (as do also contact arms 22 and 23) ! the longitudinal axes of secondary contacts 16 are held approximately parallel to the plane defined by axes 13 and -~
14 at all times.
Figure 2 is a side view of switch 10 in the open circuit position. As can be seen from the Figure, there is a frame 38 surrounding switch 10. Supports 39 and 40 are -attached securely to frame 38 at opposite sides, and are used to support switch 10. Support 39 fits, in a sliding relation-ship, into a recess 41 between contact arms 22 and 23 (in this view, arm 23 is directly behind arm 22 and cannot be seen) formed by blocks 42 and 43. Similarly, support 40 fits, in a sliding relationship, into a recess 44 between contact arms 20 and 21 formed by blocks 45 and 46. The function of supports 39 and 40 is to allow the contact arms 20 to 23 to move in a direction toward, and away from, contacts 11 and 12, yet prevent contact arms 20 to 23 from moving in any other direction.
In addition to what has already been describPd in conjunction with Figure 1, Figure 2 shows the driving mechanism which is employed to open and close switch 10. This -` - 1059194 case 2428 driving mechanism consists of electric motor 47, securely fastened to both , actuator members 26 and 27 by means of a motor support 48. Connected to motor ,~
: 47, and driven by motor 47, is a threaded rod 49 which passes between actuator arms 26 and 27, through nut 53 mounted to an insulator 51, through gap lS
between the main cylindrical contacts 11 and 12, and into a nut 50 securely ` fastened to the actuator arms 24 and 25 and located between them. Insulators 51 and 52 are mounted at respective ends of contacts 11 and 12. The insulators 51 and 52 extend outwardly to make a loose engagement with the outer surfaces of the respective end ones of contacts 16. The insulators 51 and 52 help ensure that the contacts 16 do not move (in a direction parallel to axes 13 and 14) to a position where the end ones are not entirely opposite contacts 11 and 12. The rod 49 passes through gap 15 without touching any contacts.
Although it is not a critical factor, rod 49 in this embodiment is 1.25 inches in diameter and approximately 29.0 inches long. Nut 53 is size 14 - 8 - and nut 50 is size 14 - 4. This relationship between nuts 50 and 53 is a necessary requirement for the proper operation of this embodiment; i.e. the ~ -pitch of the threads on nuts 53 and 50 must be in a ratio of two to one. It will be apparent that if in moving from an open switch position to a closed switch position requires nut 53 to move a distance x then nut 50 must move a distance x to maintain the same spacing between the nuts and must move an additional distance x to keep contact arms 22, 23 parallel to contact arms 20, 21 and to keep contacts 16 parallel to the plane defined by axes 13 and 14. `
It should be noted that rod 49 is threaded with 4 turns per inch for approxi-mately half its length, and with 8 turns per inch for the remainder of its length. Nut 50 engages that portion of rod 49 having 4 turns per inch; nut 53 engages the portion of rod 49 having 8 turns per inch.
In the embodiment being described, the actuator members 24 to 27 are approximately 24.0 inches long, the contact arms 20 to 23 are approximately 20.0 inches long, the contacts 11 and 12 are each approximately 3.0 inches in diameter and 13.0 inches long and are water cooled. Contacts 11 and 12 are spaced approximately 7.0 inches apart (center to center); contacts 16 are approximately 8.0 inches long, 2.0 inches high and 1.0 inches wide and are water cooled.
1059~94 Case 2428 The universal motor 47 is 3/4 horsepower and turns at approximately 200 revolutions per minute. This produces a switch that can open or close in approximately 10 seconds and can carry a maximum current of 50,000 amperes at a voltage rating of either 1,000 volts DC or 750 volts AC.
: Switch 10 is for off load operation and can be made to ; handle various maximum currents and voltages and operate at different speeds by changing its physical dimensions. The component values given herein are for illustrative purposes only, and should not be considered as a limitation of the invention in any manner whatsoever.
Figure 3 shows essentially the same view as Figure
lOS9194 This invention relates generally to disconnect switches, ; and in particular to disconnect switches having high pressure contacts.
Disconnect switches employed previously have utilized a pivotal switch blade contact, hinged at one end to a base and moveably at the other end into and out of engagement with a jaw type contact. One requirement for switches of this type is that they have high contact pressure to ensure a good connection between the contacts and thereby minimize any arcing or similar faults when the switch is closed.
To provide high contact pressure in switches employing a pivotal switch blade contact, the jaw type contacts are usually made to exert a high pressure on the blade contact when the switch is closed. This results in the disadvantage that large forces must be employed when opening or closing the switch, in order to overcome the frictional resistance provided by the jaw contacts against the blade contact.
The present invention overcomes this frictional resis-tance problem by providing two main cylindrical or elongated contacts which are bridged, in the closed position, by secondary cortacts. In the open position of the switch, the secondary contacts are held out of contact with the main contacts by the switch mechanism.
The switch mechanism may have two contact arm members, one located on either side of the plane defined by the laterally spaced apart axes of the two main cylindrical or elongated contacts. The contact arm members each carry a plurality of secondary contacts. The second contacts consist of conducting members held straddling the two main contacts (i.e. in a position for bridging the main contacts) and having their contacting surfaces generally parallel to the plane defined by the axes of the main contacts. The contact arm members move the secondary contacts into engagement with the main contacts so that each ~ .
~ Case 2428 1059~94 secondary contact touches both main contacts when the switch is in the closed position. In the open position of the switch, the secondary contacts are held away from the main contacts, but the same relative orientation exists between the main and the secondary contacts in the open position, as in the closed position. The contact arm members are pivotally connected to a pair of actuator arm members in such a fashion that moving the actuator arm members together causes the contact arm members to move together, maintaining the same relative orientation; similarly, moving the actuator arm members apart causes the contact arm members to move apart.
One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an electrical switch with high pressure contacts. The switch includes: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; at least one contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts extending generally transversely to the main contacts in a position for bridging the main contacts; and a mechanism for moving each contact arm between an open position where the secondary contacts are remote from the main contacts and a closed position ,~
where each secondary contact is in contact with both the main contacts to provide a plurality of electrically conductive paths between the main contacts.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, in more detail, with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a switch made according to the present invention, shown in the open circuit position; -Figure 2 is a side view of the switch shown in Figure 1, also shown in the open circuit position, but including more details;
Figure 3 is the same as Figure 2, but shows the switch in the closed circuit position.
1059194 Case 2428 , ,.
Figure 1 depicts switch 10 in its open circuit position; the driving mechanism for opening and closing switch 10 has been excluded from this Figure in order to show more ; clearly the ~ain parts of switch 10. The driving mechanism ; for opening and closing switch 10 will be discussed later.
SWitch 10 has two main cylindrical contacts 11 and 12 as shown in Figure 1. Contacts 11 and 12 are identical to each other and are made of good electrically conductive material such as copper or aluminum; if necessary, they can be water cooled, as is well known in the art. The longitudinal axis of contact 11 is indicated by the numeral 13; the longitudinal axis of contact 12 is indicated by the numeral 14. The axes 13 and 14 are parallel to one another and the contacts 11 and 12 are located directly opposite one another (opposed) and spaced apart from one another so as to define a space or gap indicated generally by the numeral 15. The gap 15 between contacts 11 and 12 is large enough to prevent any arcing or current flow from one contact to another when switch 10 is in the open circuit position; determining t~e size of gap 15 for a given maximum voltage rating of switch 10 is well known in the art and will not be discussed herein.
Terminals (not shown) for connecting switch 10 into an electric circuit are placed on the side of cylindrical contact 11 generally farthest from contact 12. Similarly terminals (not shown) are placed on the side of cylindrical contact 12 generally farthest from contact 11. That is, the terminals (not ~hown) for both contacts 11 and 12 are attached to said contacts generally in the plane defined by the axes 13 and 14.
Switch 10 is shown in Figure 1 in its open circuit position. When switch 10 is in its closed circuit position, Case 2428 .- t secondary contacts 16, spaced apart from one another and positioned on either side of the plane defined by the axes 13 and 14 and straddling said contacts 11 and 12 are each forced into contact with both contacts 11 and 12. In the closed circuit position of switch 10, each secondary contact 16 touches both main cylindrical contacts 11 and 12, thereby providing electrically conductive paths between contacts 11 and 12. Each contact 16 is supported by a leaf spring 17.
The springs 17 are supported by a steel sheet 18; one sheet 18 is located each side of the plane defined by axes 13 and 14. Each sheet 18 is in turn supported by a sheet of insulation 19 which insulates the contacts 16, springs 17 .-and steel sheet 18 from the remainder of the switch mechanism, yet to be described.
The support mechanism, shown in Figure 1, to enable : .
switch 10 to move between its open circuit position and its ~ :
closed circuit position comprises contact arms 20, 21, 22 and 23, actuator members 24, 25, 26 and 27 and link members 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35, positioned and interconnected as shown generally in Figure 1. Link members 28 to 35 inclusive are connected to the contact arms 20-23 inclusive by pivotal connectors 26; link members 28 to 35 inclusive are similarly connected to actuator members 24-27 inclusive, by ;~ : ;
pivotal connectors 37. One sheet of insulation 19 is fastened to contact arms 20 and 21 and another sheet of insulation 19 is fastened to contact arms 22 and 23. Each pivotal connector 36 is simply a solid rod passing through both a pair of link members 28 to 35 and a pair of contact arms 20 to 23; pivotal connectors 36 are secured at their ~:
extrem~ties by washers and cotter pins (not shown) as is well known. As a typical example, link members 32 and 33 and contact arms 22 and 23 are all pivotally joined by . lOS9194 Case 2428 pivotal connector 36. Each pivotal connector 37 is similar to connector 36, but larger in size. Connectors 37 pivotally connect both a pair of link members 28 to 35 and a pair of actuator member 24 to 27 as can be seen in Figure 1.
In operation, actuator members 24 and 26 move toward each other, and simultaneously actuator members 25 and 27 also move toward each other. The result of this action is to cause link members 28 to 35 to force the contact arms 20 to 23 towards the main contacts 11 and 12. During this movement, the contacts 11 and 12 are held still. The contact arms 20 to 23 are supported in such a fashion so as to prevent them from moving in any direction except perpendicular to the plane defined by the axes 13 and 14;
this will be explained in more detail later.
Due to the mechanical arrangement between actuator members 24 to 27 and contact arms 20 to 23, if the actuator members 24 to 27 are moved together at a constant velocity, the contact arms 20 to 23 will approach the contacts 11 and 12 at a decreasing rate of velocity, until zero velocity is attained when all pivotal connectors 36 and 37 on link members 28 to 35 are aligned into two straight lines perpendicular to the plane defined by axes 13 and 14. At that point in time each secondary contact 16 is in contact with both the main contacts 11 and 12. It can further be seen that this provides a great mechanical advantage. If this movement is continued just a small distance further (i.e.
until the pivotal connectors 37 are closer together, in a direction parallel to either axis 13 or 14, than are the pivotal connectors 36, in the same direction) it will be seen that the switch 10 is "locked" into the closed circuit position. In other words, no force need longer be applied to _ 5 ~ . ~
1~59194 Case 2428 `:
actuator members 24 to 27 to force them together, and at the same time, any force exerted by contact arms 20 to 23 in a direction away from the main contacts 11 and 12 will only tend to force the actuator members 24 to 27 closer together, thereby maintaining switch 10 in the closed circuit position.
As stated previously, Figure 1 shows switch 10 in j~ the open circuit position. In the open circuit position, contacts 16 are positioned sufficiently distant from , contacts 11 and 12 to prevent any arcing. Since contact arms 20 and 21 move simul~neously and retain the same relative position to each other (as do also contact arms 22 and 23) ! the longitudinal axes of secondary contacts 16 are held approximately parallel to the plane defined by axes 13 and -~
14 at all times.
Figure 2 is a side view of switch 10 in the open circuit position. As can be seen from the Figure, there is a frame 38 surrounding switch 10. Supports 39 and 40 are -attached securely to frame 38 at opposite sides, and are used to support switch 10. Support 39 fits, in a sliding relation-ship, into a recess 41 between contact arms 22 and 23 (in this view, arm 23 is directly behind arm 22 and cannot be seen) formed by blocks 42 and 43. Similarly, support 40 fits, in a sliding relationship, into a recess 44 between contact arms 20 and 21 formed by blocks 45 and 46. The function of supports 39 and 40 is to allow the contact arms 20 to 23 to move in a direction toward, and away from, contacts 11 and 12, yet prevent contact arms 20 to 23 from moving in any other direction.
In addition to what has already been describPd in conjunction with Figure 1, Figure 2 shows the driving mechanism which is employed to open and close switch 10. This -` - 1059194 case 2428 driving mechanism consists of electric motor 47, securely fastened to both , actuator members 26 and 27 by means of a motor support 48. Connected to motor ,~
: 47, and driven by motor 47, is a threaded rod 49 which passes between actuator arms 26 and 27, through nut 53 mounted to an insulator 51, through gap lS
between the main cylindrical contacts 11 and 12, and into a nut 50 securely ` fastened to the actuator arms 24 and 25 and located between them. Insulators 51 and 52 are mounted at respective ends of contacts 11 and 12. The insulators 51 and 52 extend outwardly to make a loose engagement with the outer surfaces of the respective end ones of contacts 16. The insulators 51 and 52 help ensure that the contacts 16 do not move (in a direction parallel to axes 13 and 14) to a position where the end ones are not entirely opposite contacts 11 and 12. The rod 49 passes through gap 15 without touching any contacts.
Although it is not a critical factor, rod 49 in this embodiment is 1.25 inches in diameter and approximately 29.0 inches long. Nut 53 is size 14 - 8 - and nut 50 is size 14 - 4. This relationship between nuts 50 and 53 is a necessary requirement for the proper operation of this embodiment; i.e. the ~ -pitch of the threads on nuts 53 and 50 must be in a ratio of two to one. It will be apparent that if in moving from an open switch position to a closed switch position requires nut 53 to move a distance x then nut 50 must move a distance x to maintain the same spacing between the nuts and must move an additional distance x to keep contact arms 22, 23 parallel to contact arms 20, 21 and to keep contacts 16 parallel to the plane defined by axes 13 and 14. `
It should be noted that rod 49 is threaded with 4 turns per inch for approxi-mately half its length, and with 8 turns per inch for the remainder of its length. Nut 50 engages that portion of rod 49 having 4 turns per inch; nut 53 engages the portion of rod 49 having 8 turns per inch.
In the embodiment being described, the actuator members 24 to 27 are approximately 24.0 inches long, the contact arms 20 to 23 are approximately 20.0 inches long, the contacts 11 and 12 are each approximately 3.0 inches in diameter and 13.0 inches long and are water cooled. Contacts 11 and 12 are spaced approximately 7.0 inches apart (center to center); contacts 16 are approximately 8.0 inches long, 2.0 inches high and 1.0 inches wide and are water cooled.
1059~94 Case 2428 The universal motor 47 is 3/4 horsepower and turns at approximately 200 revolutions per minute. This produces a switch that can open or close in approximately 10 seconds and can carry a maximum current of 50,000 amperes at a voltage rating of either 1,000 volts DC or 750 volts AC.
: Switch 10 is for off load operation and can be made to ; handle various maximum currents and voltages and operate at different speeds by changing its physical dimensions. The component values given herein are for illustrative purposes only, and should not be considered as a limitation of the invention in any manner whatsoever.
Figure 3 shows essentially the same view as Figure
2, but switch 10 is in the closed circuit position in Figure
3. In Figure 3, actuator members 26 and 24 are shown moved closer to each other, than in Figure 2 and contact arms 20 and 22 are shown, also closer together than in Figure 2.
In Figure 3, the secondary contacts 16 are shown touching the main cylindrical contact 11, of course they are also `
touching contact 12 (not shown in this Figure) to complete ~ :
an electrical circuit between contacts 11 and 12 and thus `
allow a flow of current between contacts 11 and 12 via contacts 16.
Switch 10 is shown in its "locked" position in :-`
Figure 3. That is, actuator members 24 and 26 are shown ~
moved sufficiently close to one another that the pivotal . .
connectors 37 of link members 29 to 35 are closer to one another than are the pivotal connectors 36 of link members 29 and 35. A similar situation exists, of course, between all the pivotal connectors 36 and 37 on the rest of the link members 28 and 30 to 34. As explained previously, this "locked" position makes it virtually impossible for switch 10 to move due to forces applied to the contact arms 20 to 23.
`" ,, '.' ' ' ', ", ',, ' `.... : :
In Figure 3, the secondary contacts 16 are shown touching the main cylindrical contact 11, of course they are also `
touching contact 12 (not shown in this Figure) to complete ~ :
an electrical circuit between contacts 11 and 12 and thus `
allow a flow of current between contacts 11 and 12 via contacts 16.
Switch 10 is shown in its "locked" position in :-`
Figure 3. That is, actuator members 24 and 26 are shown ~
moved sufficiently close to one another that the pivotal . .
connectors 37 of link members 29 to 35 are closer to one another than are the pivotal connectors 36 of link members 29 and 35. A similar situation exists, of course, between all the pivotal connectors 36 and 37 on the rest of the link members 28 and 30 to 34. As explained previously, this "locked" position makes it virtually impossible for switch 10 to move due to forces applied to the contact arms 20 to 23.
`" ,, '.' ' ' ', ", ',, ' `.... : :
Claims (12)
1. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts, said switch comprising: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; at least one contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts extending generally transversely to said main contacts in a position for bridging said main contacts; a mechanism for moving each contact arm between an open position where said secondary contacts are remote from said main contacts and a closed position where each said secondary contact is in contact with both said main contacts to provide a plurality of electrically conductive paths between said main contacts.
2. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts, said switch comprising: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; a first pair of moveable contact arms supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on one side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts; a second pair of moveable contact arms supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on the other side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, remote from said first pair of moveable contact arms; a mechanism for allowing said contact arms to move between an open circuit position, defined by said secondary contacts being remote from said main contacts, and a closed circuit position, defined by each said secondary contact being in contact with both said main contacts thereby providing a plurality of electrically conductive paths between said main contacts.
3. The switch of claim 2 in which said mechanism comprises a pair of actuating members at both ends of the said pairs of contact arms, the longitudinal axes of said actuating members being approximately parallel to each other and being approximately perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, the ends of said actuating members being connected to the corresponding adjacent ends of said contact arms by link members pivotally connected to both said actuating members and said contact arms.
4. The switch of claim 3 further including means connecting said two pairs of actuating members and operable to draw said two pairs of actuating members toward each other, causing said contact arms to move toward said main contacts until said pairs of actuator members have moved toward each other sufficiently that the pivotal connectors in each actuator member are closer together, in a direction parallel to the axes of said main contacts, than are the pivotal connectors of said contact arms, in the same direction, so that said actuator members and said contact arms are locked in position and said secondary and main contact are contacting.
5. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts, said switch comprising: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; a first pair of moveable contact arms supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on one side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts; a second pair of moveable contact arms supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on the other side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, remote from said first pair of moveable contact
5. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts, said switch comprising: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; a first pair of moveable contact arms supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on one side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts; a second pair of moveable contact arms supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on the other side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, remote from said first pair of moveable contact
Claim 5, continued arms; a mechanism for allowing said contact arms to move between an open circuit position, defined by said secondary contacts being remote from said main contacts, and a closed circuit position, defined by each said secondary contact being in contact with both said main contacts thereby providing a plurality of electrically conductive paths between said main contacts; said mechanism comprising a pair of actuating members at both ends of the said pairs of contact arms, the longitudinal axes of said actuating members being approximately parallel to each other and being approximately perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, the ends of said actuating members being connected to the corresponding adjacent ends of said contact arms by link members pivotally connected to both said actuating members and said contact arms; a driving mechanism comprising a threaded rod connecting said two pairs of actuating members so that turning said rod in one direction about its longitudinal axis draws said two pairs of actuating members toward each other, causing said contact arms to move toward said main contacts until said pairs of actuator members have moved toward each other sufficiently that the pivotal connectors in each actuator member are closer together, in a direction parallel to the axes of said main contacts, than are the pivotal connectors of said contact arms, in the same direction, so that said actuator members and said contact arms are locked in position and said secondary and main contacts are contacting; turning said rod in the reverse direction moves said pairs of actuator members away from each other thereby causing said pairs of contact arms to also move away from each other and thereby move said secondary contacts away from Raid main contacts.
6. The switch of claim 5 wherein said rod is turned by a motor secured to one said actuator arm; said main contacts support, by insulated means, a first nut through which said rod passes and is in engagement therewith; a second nut carried by the other actuator arm through which said rod also passes and is in engagement; the pitch of the threads on the first nut relative to the second nut is 2:1.
7. The switch of claim 6 wherein said main contacts are approximately cylindrical.
8. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts, said switch comprising: two opposed, cylindrical main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; a support mechanism comprising a first set of moveable contact arms, a second set of moveable contact arms, a first and a second set of actuating members, and link members; said first set of contact arms support a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on one side of the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of said main contacts; said second set of moveable contact arms support a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on the other side of the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, remote from said first set of contact arms; said first set of actuating members are located at one end of the said sets of contact arms, the longitudinal axes of said first set of actuating members being approximately parallel to each other and being approximately perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of said main contacts; a second set of actuating members being similarly located at the opposite end of said sets of contact arms; said link members pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said contact arms to said actuating members; a driving mechanism to move said support mechanism between an open circuit position, defined by said secondary contacts being remote from said main contacts, and a closed circuit position, defined by each said secondary contact being in contact with both said main contacts, thereby providing a plurality of electrically conductive paths between said main contacts;
said driving mechanism comprising a threaded rod connecting said two sets of actuating members so that turning said rod in one direction about its longitudinal axis draws said two sets of actuating members toward each other, causing said contact arms to move toward said main contacts until said sets of actuator members have moved toward each other sufficiently that the pivotal connectors in each actuator member are closer together, in a direction parallel to the axes of said main contacts, than are the pivotal connectors of said contact arms, in the same direction, so that said actuator members and said contact arms are locked in position and said secondary and said main contacts are contacting; turning said rod in the opposite direction causes said sets of actuator members to move away from each other and thereby cause said sets of contact arms to move away from each other and thereby move said secondary contacts out of contact with said main contacts.
said driving mechanism comprising a threaded rod connecting said two sets of actuating members so that turning said rod in one direction about its longitudinal axis draws said two sets of actuating members toward each other, causing said contact arms to move toward said main contacts until said sets of actuator members have moved toward each other sufficiently that the pivotal connectors in each actuator member are closer together, in a direction parallel to the axes of said main contacts, than are the pivotal connectors of said contact arms, in the same direction, so that said actuator members and said contact arms are locked in position and said secondary and said main contacts are contacting; turning said rod in the opposite direction causes said sets of actuator members to move away from each other and thereby cause said sets of contact arms to move away from each other and thereby move said secondary contacts out of contact with said main contacts.
9. The switch of claim 8 wherein said first and second set of moveable contact arms and said first and second set of actuating members are each two in number; said link members are eight in number.
10. The switch of claim 8 or 9 wherein said threaded rod is connected to said main contacts by a first nut means; said threaded rod is connected to said second set of actuating members by a second nut means; said threaded rod is turned by a motor secured to said first set of actuator members; the pitch of the threads on said first nut means is twice that of the pitch of the threads on said second nut means;
said rod is threaded with two different pitches so as to mesh with the nut means it is in contact with.
said rod is threaded with two different pitches so as to mesh with the nut means it is in contact with.
11. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts said switch comprising: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced apart and parallel to one another; at least one contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts extending generally transversely to said main contacts in a position for bridging said main contacts on one side of a plane containing the longitudinal axis of said main contacts; a mechanism for moving each contact arm between an open position where said secondary contacts are remote from said main contacts and a closed position where each said secondary contact is in contact with both said main contacts to provide a plurality of electrically conductive paths between said main contacts.
12. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts, said switch comprising: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced and parallel to one another; a first moveable contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on one side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts; a second moveable contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on the other side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, remote from said first pair of moveable contact arms; a mechanism for allowing said contact arms to move between an open circuit position, defined by said secondary contacts being remote from said main contacts, and a closed circuit position, defined by each said secondary contact being
12. An electrical switch with high pressure contacts, said switch comprising: two opposed, elongated main contacts, having their longitudinal axes laterally spaced and parallel to one another; a first moveable contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on one side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts; a second moveable contact arm supporting a plurality of spaced apart secondary contacts straddling said main contacts on the other side of the plane containing the longitudinal axes of said main contacts, remote from said first pair of moveable contact arms; a mechanism for allowing said contact arms to move between an open circuit position, defined by said secondary contacts being remote from said main contacts, and a closed circuit position, defined by each said secondary contact being
Claim 12 continued:
in contact with both said main contacts thereby providing a plurality of electrically conductive paths between said main contacts.
in contact with both said main contacts thereby providing a plurality of electrically conductive paths between said main contacts.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA230,750A CA1059194A (en) | 1975-06-26 | 1975-06-26 | Disconnect switch with high pressure contacts |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA230,750A CA1059194A (en) | 1975-06-26 | 1975-06-26 | Disconnect switch with high pressure contacts |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1059194A true CA1059194A (en) | 1979-07-24 |
Family
ID=4103525
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA230,750A Expired CA1059194A (en) | 1975-06-26 | 1975-06-26 | Disconnect switch with high pressure contacts |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1059194A (en) |
-
1975
- 1975-06-26 CA CA230,750A patent/CA1059194A/en not_active Expired
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