US1020698A - Electrolytic interrupter. - Google Patents

Description

J. R. KELLEY.

ELEGTRDLYTIO INTERRUPTER. APPLICATION FILED An. 21, 1911.

Patented Mar. 19,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

gmc/whom' SH01/neg Wifi/neme@ J. R. `KBLLEY.

ELBGTROLYTIO INTBRRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED 23.21, 1911.

Patented'mar. 19, 1912.'

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JOHN ROBERT KELLEY, or CovINGTomKETUc-:xa

ELECTROLYTIC INTERRUPTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

Application led April 2 1, 19,11. Serial N0. 622,447.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known thatI, JOHN ROBERT KELLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Interrupters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements inelectrical interrupters.

One of its objects is to provide an im-` proved cell for electrolytic 1nterrupters.

Another object is to provide an improved electrode for electrolytic interrupters in.

which the parts are arranged and combined to prevent rapid deterioration, and to provide for renewal of parts subject to wear.

Another object is to provide an improved form of electrode vadapted to be conveniently adjusted to or removed from operative position.

It further consists in certain details of form, combination and arrangement, all of which will scription of the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through one form of electrolytic interrupter cell employing my improved electrodes, section being on line a: :r'of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged central sectional view through one of the interrupter electrodes detached. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the lower portion of an electrode illustrating a modication. Fig.` 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating a modification. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the capsl or sleeves detached. Fig. 7 is a central vertical section through another form of ce l embodying my invention.v Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of a modification of the interru terV electrode. Fig. 9` is a sectional detail ilusltrating a modification of Fig. 7.

The accompanyin 4drawings lllustrate the preferred embo iments of my invention. Asillustrated in Figs. -1 to 4A represen'ts a metal lined box or container within which is located an electrolytic cell B of glass or other suitable` material. Within the cell and supported from above prefer ably by means of a clam `a 'on the lid A of the container A is an e ectrode C. of lead,

carbon, orY other chemically inert material.

The upwardly rejecting.supporting'stem of 'said electro e is preferably `protected be more fully set forth in the de from theelectrolyte in the cell by means' readily attacked or corroded, such as platinum or gold. The electrode D is fused or sealed into the wall of the stem d so as to project at opposite sides of the stem wall. On t-he outside of the stem wall: the elect-rode D is fitted with a cap or sleeve E preferably of the same metal as the electrode, which cap is made, to closely fit against the stem wall surrounding the point where the electrode passes through the wall. In Figs. 3 and Ltithe member E is illustrated as a sleeve or tube-threaded onto the electrode D, while in Fig. 5 the corresponding member E is illustrated as a cap closed at the outer end and held in place by frictional engagement with the electrode.

Leading upward withinythe stem d and in electrical cont-act at its lower end with the inner end of the electrode D is a lead wire on conductor F, which is sealed into position within the stem d by means of a sealing cement or material f, and is preferably bent at f to insure a firm joint Abetween the conductor and the cement. The upper end of the stem d is adapted to be detachably clamped in position between the jaws g g of the bracket G mounted upon the lid A. The upper end of-the conductor F is bent into loop shape so that when the stem d is adjusted and clamped to position, the free end of the conductor will enter a socket in a binding post g2 where it is adapted to be clamped by a` binding screw g. As illustratd in Figs. 3 and 5 electrical contacti's maintained between the electrode D andthe lower end of' conductor F by means of a in the lowerl end of stem` end of the conductor is provided with a j threaded lsocket f* which is screwed onto the threaded inner end of the electrode' D.' A series of iterrupter electrodes D sup- -ported'in indepentifeiitetems or insulators-,d 110 are preferably employed connected in pareI allel and theA exposed 'area 'of the electrodes through the ceu.

D and their caps E varied in separate or independent stems to provide for convenientvariation of the current volume to be passed A series of electrical switches H serve to control the electrical current from the lead wires 2, 3, through branch conductors f1, 5, and Gand the electrodes to the electrolyte of the cell B, and so as to permitemploying one or more of the electrodes D, or `any one of said electrodes D according to the volume of current desired to be passed through the cell.

My limproved interrupter is adapted to be employed to excite X-ray coils, and wherever an interrupted current is desired. VIn practice a Abody of cooling water is lcontained in or circulated through the container A and surrounding the cell B to prevent eX- cessive heating of the electrolyte of cell B. The electrolyte i in cell B may be of varied composition, a dilute sulfuric acid may be employed, and upon the passage of a current through the cell, due to the limited area of electrode D exposed to the electrolyte and the liberation of gases at the surfacev of the electrode or electrodes D, a rapid interruption of the current takes place, thus producing a rapidly interrupted unidirectional current through a circuuit in which said cell is included.

Heretofore electrodes of limited area employed to interrupt the current, and alsothe -material of the insulating stem through which they were loosely passed, in the neighborhood of the electrode, have both been subject to rapid deterioration due to local heat, chemical, electrical, or mechanical action, and consequently such apparatus hasbeen of short life. With my improvements whereby the electrode is fused or sealed into the stem and the electrolyte keptout of the interior of the stem, and the cap or sleeve employed to protect the face Iof the eleci trode exposed to the electrolyte, and to protect the joint where the electrode passes through the stein wall, the disintegrating action is confined to the surface or the cap or sleeve E and electrode D exposed to the electrolyte, and is reduced//to a minimum, while the cap or sleeve Ebeing detachable is readily renewable when required, thus enabling the apparatus to be maintained in operative condition for long periods of time.

As illustrated in Fig; 7 the cell 10 is preferably composed of lead glass, which is'impervious to X-rays, and with thick walls. A series Aof hollow porcelain stems or supports 11 are seated by means or ground j oints- 12 in perforations through the bottom of the. cell.` Thel interrupter electrodes 14 are fused or sealed into the wall of the stems 11 at their upper ends so as to project upwardly into the electrolyte from said stems, and are provided with caps or sleeves 15 corresponding to the members E, E of lTigs.

1 to 6, and which may be threaded or otherwise secured to said electrodes and adapted to protect the projecting portion of said electrodes and the joint between said electrodes and their stems. from deteriorating influences.

the stems 11, and at their lower ends are adapted to dip into mercury cups 17 secured to the base or support 18 by means of binding screws 19, from which circuit wires lead to a series of switches similar to the switches H of Figs. 1 and 2.'l The cell is preferably provided with an annular foot Lead'wires 16 either connected to or integral with the electrodes 15 project downwardly through the central opening of A or support 20 having a notch 23 to support at the top of the cell. The stopper 31 carries a binding screw 32 connected to the electrode 30 and by a lead wire 311, corresponding to the wire 6 of Fig. 2, to the line Wire 3. A vent 33 t rough the stopper 31 permits the escape o any gases generated in the cell. V

As illustrated in Fig. 7 the electrodes 14 being beneath the electrode 30 .and opposi-te its under face, the most energetic action occurs between the electrode faces nearest to each other, and therefore has less injurious e'ect on the joint where the electrode passes through the stem wall, and the heat and generation of gases at the interrupter electrodes tend to establish upward currents in the electrolyte in the neighborhood of said interrupter electrodes, which carry away the corrosive elements and bring resh quantities of-cool electrolyte Jfrom below into contact with the interrupter electrodes, 'thereby greatly reducing the deteriorating action on said electrodes and the joints where they pass through the stem walls, and alsoenable an increased current eiiciency to be attained. l

1n the modication Fig.- 9 tight joints between the perfoi'ations 61 of the cell 60 and' the electrode stems 62 are made by means of sleeves 63 of rubber or other suitable matef..

rial of similar nature, lwhich sleeves are n preferably fitted into annular recesses 64 in the outer face ot said stems, said recesses serving to [retain the sleeves 1n place with reference to said stems, said sleeves enabling said stems to be y interchangeably inserted' into diii'erent perorations in the bottom oit the cells, and to make tight joints therewith. 1n Fig. 8 is illustrated an interrupter.

electrode 40 and stem 41 adapted to be sup- I with Fig. 7. A lead wire l2 throughthe4 stem 41 and a body of mercury 44 serve to connect the electrode 40 with the line wire, and a cap i3 serves to protect the projecting portion of the electrode and its joint with the stem wall from deteriorating influences.

The apparatus herein illustrated and described is capable of considerable modilication without departing from the principle of my'invention. A

' Having described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In an electrolytic interrupter, an interrupting electrode comprising a stem of nonconduct'ing material, an electrode sealed into said stem and lexposing a limited surface to an electrolyte, and means to protect the material of said stem from disintegration due to the passage of a current.

2. In an electrolytic interrupter, an interrupting electrode comprising a stem of non# conducting material, an electrode sealed into saidstem and exposing a limited surface to an electrolyte, and means to protect said stem in close proximity to said electrode from disintegration due to the passage of a current.

3. In an electrolytic interrupter, an interrupter electrode comprising a hollow ,supporting member of non-conducting material,

an electrode sealed into the wall of said supporting member and exposing a limited surface to an electrolyte, an electrical conductor leading through said supporting member and in electrical contact with said to the end of said electrode within'said sup- A porting member, and a detachable member of conducting material encircling said elec? trode outside of said supporting member and closely tting-the outer face of said supporting member. I l

5. In an electrolytic interrupter, a cellhaving an opening at the topfand an openi`ng` through the bottom, a depending electrode having electrical' connection through the top opening of said cell, a supporting member of non-conducting material seated in and closing the opening through the bottom of said celland projecting into the electrolyte of said cell, and an interrupter electrode projecting through the Wall of said supporting member at its upper end and exposing a limited area to the electrolyte of said cell.

6. In an electrolytic interrupter, a cell. having an opening at the top and an opening through the bottom, a depending elec trode having electrical connection through the top opening of said cell, a supporting member of non-conductingV material seated in and` closing the opening through the bottom of said cell and projecting into the electrolyte of said cell, an interrupter electrode projecting through the Wall of said supporting member atits uppe'r end andl exposing a limited area to the electrolyte of saidcell, and a cap protecting said electrode and its joint with said supporting member from deteriorating influences.

7. In an' electrolytic interrupter, a cell having an opening through the bottom, a supporting member of non-conducting mav terial seated in and closing the opening through the bottom of said cell and projecting into the electrolyte of said cell, an interrupter electrode. projecting through t-he Wall of said supporting member at its upper end and exposing a limited area to the electrolyte of said cell, and an electrode immersed in the electrolyte of said cell and adapted to co-act with said intrrupter elec# trode. 8. In an electrolytic interrupter, a cell having a plurality of openings through the bottom, a plurality of supporting members of non-conducting material seated in and closing said openings through the bottom of the cell and projecting intol the electrolyte of said cell, a plurality of interrupter electrodes projected through and sealed into the Wall of said supporting members at their upper ends and exposing a limited areaA to the electrolyte of said cell, and an electrode immersed in the electrolyte of said celland v adapted to cQ-act with said interrupter elecy trodes.

9. In an electrolyt-ic interrupter, a cell j having a plurality of openings through the the wall 'of said supporting membersy at jecting portions of 'said electrodes, and an their' upper ends and exposing a limited `rupter electrodes.

electrode immersed in the electrolyte of said cell and adapted to co-act with said interl0 In an electrolytic interrupter, a cell having a Aplurality of openings through the bottom, a plurality of supporting members of non-conducting material seated in and closing said openings through the bottom oi'I the cell and projecting into the electrolyte of said cell, a plurality of interrupter electrodes projecting through and sealed into the wall of said supporting` members at their upper ends and exposing a limited area t0 the electrolyte of said cella plurality of protecting caps seated upon the projecting portions of said electrodes andexposed to the electrolyte, yan electrode immersed in the electrolyte of said cell and adapted to co-act with said interrupter elecv ing through the bottomof said cell, an introdes, and independent' switches controlling the current through said respective interrupter electrodes.

11. In an electrolyt-ic interrupter, a cell having an 'opening at the top and an opening through the bottom, a stop er seated in the opening at the top of saidI cell, an electrode carried by said stopper 'and projecting into the electrolyte of said cell, a hollow supporting member of non-conducting material seated in and closing the openterrupter electrode sealed into said support'- ing member and projecting from the upper end of said supporting member into the electrolyte @of said cell, so as to expose a limited area to said electrolyte. v A

12. In an electrolyt-ic interrupter, a ce1l. having an opening at the top and an opening through the bottom, a stopper seated in .i

upon the projecting the opening at the to of said cell, an elec` trolyte of said cell, so as to expose a limited arca to said elect-rolyte, and a 'cap seated ortion of said electrode and adapted to protect said electrode and its joint with said supporting member from deteriorating influences,

13. In an electrolyt-ic interrupter, a cell having a plurality of openings through the bottom, a plurality of supporting members of non-conducting material seated in and closingsaid openings through the bottom of the cell, a plurallty of interrupter elect-rodes sealed into said supportingmembers with a limited area projecting into the elecj trolyte of said cell and a portion projecting below'the bottom of said cell, aplurality of cups containing liquid conductors of electricitylocated beneath said cell in posit-ion to establish separate electrical connections withv said interrupter electrodes, and an elect-rode immersed in the electrolyte of said cell and adapted to co-act with said interrupter electrodes. p

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in resence of two witn'esses.v i j' JOHN RO ERT KELLEY.

Witnesses:

t C. W. MILES.,

W. THORNTON BOGERT.

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