US1071807A - Electrical interlocking mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

J. L. SGHUREMAN. ELECTRICAL INTERLOGKING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.21, 1908.

1,071,807, Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

2 SHEETBSHEET l.

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J. L. SOHUREMAN.

ELECTRICAL INTERLOCKING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

2 SHBETS-SHEET 2.

g- M j== UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB L. SCHUREMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. 00., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRICAL INTERLOCKING MECHANISM.

Application filed August 21, 1908.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Jaoon L. SGHUREMAN, a citizenof the Unit-ed States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of trolled resistance, or a series thereof, until.

the resistance, when but one is used, or all or a part of the said resistances, when more than one is used, have been cut into the circuit, thereby to prevent overload upon the electrical apparatus in circuit with the resistance or resistances.

My object is to provide a novel and simple form of interlock for the above stated purpose of the mechanically operated type, to the end of rendering positive the interlocking of the circuit-closing switch.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a face View of an electrical starting apparatus illustrating my invention in connection therewith, the form of 'ap paratus shown being of a well-known type comprising a main line switch, and accelerated switches for controlling the series of resistance groups; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sec tion taken at line 2 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, illustrating the normal position of the accelerating switch adapted to be first operated for cutting out the resistances; Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken at the line 3 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, and Fig. at is a section taken at the line i on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

In the oarticular apparatus for controlling gradual cutting out of resistances in a circuit to be supplied including a motor or other electrical device, in connection with which apparatus I have chosen to illustrate my invention, the supporting part, or plate, is indicated at 5, and as is usual in constructions of this kind, is intended to be secured on a support to extend in upright position. Mounted on the face of this plate is a series of subsidiary switches 6, 7 and 8, which may be of any suitable construction, those illustrated each comprising a bracket Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Serial No. 449,581.

9 secured to the plate 5 as by bolts 10 and provided with spaced arms 11; an arm 12 in the nature of a bell-crank lever fulcrumed near its angle as indicated at 13, to the arms 11 of the bracket 9; a pair of carbon electrodes 14 slidably confined in the slotted upper end-portion of the arm 12 and each yieldingly pressed in a rearward direction by a spring 15; a link sect-ion16 pivoted near its upper end as indicated at 17, to the short arm 18 of the bell crank 12 and having its lower end expanded and recessed as illustrated to provide a shoulder 19 and clearances for a shaft hereinafter described; and a block 20 secured to the plate 5, as by bolts 21, immediately below the switch in a position adapting it to be engaged by a finger 22 carried by the link 16 at its lower end.

Secured to the front of the plate 5 are contacts 23 to 28 inclusive, which are arranged in two horizontal series, as represented, to be engaged by the respective pairs of electrodes carried by the switches 6, 7 and 8, these contacts having plates 29 to 34 inclusive, respectively, to which bindingpcsts (not shown) may be connected.

The means illustrated in the apparatus shown for producing operation of the switches 6, 7 and 8 in succession, comprises a shaft 35 journaled in bearings 36, 36 to extend through the recesses in the lower eX- panded portions of the link sections 16, this shaft carrying a series of crank- pins 37, 38 and 39 spaced apart and each occupying a different position about the circumference of the shaft, as represented in Fig. 1. These crank-pins are so arranged on the shaft- 35 as to causethe pin 37 to rest normally against the shoulder'19 carried by the link sect-ion16 of the switch 6; the pin 38 to be spaced a slight distance away from the shoulder- 19 of the switch 7; and the pin 39 to extend still farther away from the shoulder 19 of the switch 8, so that when the shaft 35 is turned, as hereinafter described, it will cause the switches 6, 7 and 8 to be successively operated to closed position and thereby successively cut out portions of the resistances controlled thereby, as is well understood in the art.

The means for rotating the shaft 35 are of the electrically-controlled solenoid type comprising a coil 40 adapted to be energized in any suitable manner, and a core 41 op crating in the coil 40 and in adash-pot 42. The core may operatively engage the shaft 35, to rotate it, in any suitable manner, as

for instance by 1'ackand-pinion connection,

as is well known in the art, whereby when i the core is drawn up into the coil, when the latter is energized, the .shaft 35 will he;

turned in its journals 36.

Secured t0 the front side of the plate is a main line switch l3 comprising two spaced arms 4%, ll of general bell crank shape fulcrumed on bra'cl'rets l5 carried the plate 5; an electrode 46 slidingly mounted in the upper free end of each arm ll and 1 yieldingly pressed rcarwardly by a spring: 47; a yolre shaped frame member 48 jo-urnaled on a shaft 459 secured to the plate 5 the shaft 49; an arm extending centrally 5 from the yoke 48; and an arm 56 pivotally;

connected with the outer end of the arm 55 as indicated at '57, and connected at its uppe-ri end with the core '58 of the solenoid 59.

The electrodes 46 are designed to be movedff into and out of engagement with contactsi (one only of which is shown), secu-rcdi iOI' other device in the circuit and thus overload, with the well known disastrous reon the front side of the board 5. In the operation of the apparatus described, assuming the parts to be in the normal position as illustrated in the draw-- ings, a current caused to pass through the coil of the solenoid 59 energizes it, thereby drawing up the core 58 and arm 56, with the result of moving the electrodes 46 into engagement with the opposed contacts 60 and closing the circuit through the coil 49 and the resistance groups (not shown) controlled by the switches 6, 7 and 8.7 The effect of thus causing current to pass through the coils l0 energizes it thereby drawing up'the core 41 with the result of rotating the shaft 35 and successively throwing in the switches 6, 7 and'8 by reason of the engagement of the crank-pins 3'7, 38 and 39 with the shoulders 19 on the respective switches, and successively cutting out the resistances controlled thereby, thus producing acceleration of the electric-motor or other device in the In the normal i I i f 74 1s sec-ured, th1s rod 74, when the member circuit with the resistances. open condition of the switches 6, 7 and 8,

the respective fingers 22 carried thereby are caused to bear against surfaces 61 on the blocks 20, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

with a surface '62 on the bloclc, and thus The en- 3 ga-gement of the crank-pins with the shoulders 19 of the respective switches causes the l latter to be closed with the result of carryafter the crank-pins have left the shoulders with which they engage, the switch is prevented from dropping open. As means for preventing the accidental dropping out of the switches or manual openingthereof, I provide interlocking fingers 63 on the shaft 35, one of each of these fingers being disposed at .a point diametrically opposite to each crank-pin 37, 38 and .39. 'Thus by the shaft 35, under the weight of the core 41,

turns in the opposite direction, thereby causing the cranks"37,-38 and '39 to successively throw the last referred to switches to open position and successively cut into circuit the various resistance-groups controlled thereby. It is manifest that this operation of returning the switches to normal condition in which all of the resistances cont-rolled thereby are cut into circuit, is

relatively slow, and thus if the main line switch after heing opened is again closed before all of the switches 6, 7 and 8 have been returned to normal position, it will cause a rush of current through the motor sults. To prevent the occurrence of over loading as described, I provide an interloclc i-ng device adapted to be controlled by the operation of the shaft for preventing the main "line switch from being operated to close it when any of the switches t 7 and 8 are closed, the construction of which is as follows.

Journal ed in r-earwardly extending bearings 65, 65 on the rear side of the plate 5 is a yoke-shaped rocking member 66, the v free enter rod-ends '67 and =68 of which extend through elongated relatively large openings 69in the plate 5. The member 66 is so positioned as to cause the extreme outer end-portion of the rod 67 to normally bear, under the influence of a spring 79, against the 'face of a cam 71 carried on a disk 72 on the shaft 35. The rod-end 68 has a sleeve '73 of insulating material secured to it in the outer end-portion of which a rod 66 is in normal position as described, extending to one side of the adjacent switch arm 44 and thus out of its path of movement. Thus the normal position of the member 66 is that in which its end-portion 67 rests against the cam 71 and the rod 74 is out of the path of movement of the adjaccnt switch arm 4d.

When the main line switch 43 is closed as described, the shaft 35 immediately commences to turn to the left in Fig. 2, thereby the switch 6, the cam has been turned out of engagement with the rod-end 67 of the member 66 and the latter, under the influence of the spring 70, thereby turns in its bearing to a position in which its rod 74 yieldingly bears against the side of the adjacent switch arm 44, the member 66 remaining thus spring-pressed so long as the cam 71 is out of engagement with the rod end 67 Thus when the main line switch L3 is opened to break the circuit through the switches 6, 7 and 8 and the solenoid-coil 40, the arms 44 of the main line switch swing out sufficiently far to permit the rod 74 to swing to a position immediately under it, under the influence of the spring 70. The effect of this operation is to prevent the switch 43 from again being closed until the shaft 35 has turned to the right in Fig. 2 to a position in which the cam 71 again engages with the end 67 of the member 66 for moving the latter against the tension of its spring 7 0 and swinging the rod 74 out of the path of movement of the adjacent switch arm 44, this last referred to operation not taking place until all the switches 6, 7 and 8 have been opened.

It will thus bereadily apparent that by so constructing the interlocking device its operation is rendered positive and reliable in preventing the closing of the circuit through the motor or other electrical device interposed in the circuit controlled by theswitches 6, 7 and 8, until all of the resistances are interposed in the circuit.

lVhile I have illustrated and described my invention as embodied in a starting device, the resistance-controlling switches of which are operated through the medium of a rotary shaft carrying cranks, I do not wish to be understood as limiting my invention to its use in connection with an apparatus in which said switches are operated in this manner, as any other suitable means may be employed for effecting the operation of the resistance-controlling switches. It is also to be understood that my invention is applicable to an apparatus in which but one switch controlling a resistance is employed or in which any other suitable number than that illustrated and described can be used, depending on the number of resistances to be controlled.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.-

1. In combination with an electricallyoperated main-line switch, a series of subsidiary switches, and electrical means for operating the subsidiary switches in succession, of a mechanical interlocking device constructed and arranged to prevent the operation of said main line switch to close it while a predetermined number of said subsidiary switches are closed.

2. In combination with a main-line switch, a subsidiary switch, a rotary shaft, means on said shaft for operating said subsidiary switch, and means for rotating said shaft, of an interlocking device operated through the medium of said shaft and constructed and arranged to prevent the operation of said main line switch to close it while said subsidiary switch is closed.

3. In combination with a main-line switch, a subsidiary switch,and a movable member carrying means for engaging the subsidiary switch, when the member is moved,

for closing said subsidiary switch, of an interlocking device constructed and arranged when actuated to prevent the operation of said main line switch to close it while said subsidiary switch isclosed, andcam mechanism carried by said movable member and engaging with said interlockinggdevice, for the purpose set forth.

4. In combination with a main-line switch, a subsidiary switch, and a movable member carrying means for engaging with the subsidiary switch, when said member is operated, of an interlocking device normally extending out of the path of said main-line switch and constructed and ar ranged to be moved into interlocking position through the medium of said movable member when said subsidiary switch is closed.

5. In combination with a main-line switch, a subsidiary switch, and a movable member carrying means for engaging the subsidiary switch to operate it when said mem her is moved, of an interlocking device mounted in a manner permitting it to be rocked and constructed and arranged to be operated through the medium of said movable member to prevent the operation of said main-line switch to close it when said subsidiary switch is closed.

6. In combination with a main-line switch, a subsidiary switch, and a movable member carrying means for operatively engaging said subsidiary switch to close it when said member is moved, of an interlocking device for the main-line switch constructed and arranged to be held out of interlocking engagement with said main-line switch when said movable member occupies a position in which said subsidiary switch is open and to be moved into interlocking position when said movable member is moved to close said subsidiary switch.

7. The combination of a main-line switch, a subsidiary switch, a rotary shaft, means on said shaft for operating said subsidiary switch, means for rotating said shaft, a main-line switch interlocking device con structed and arranged to be moved into and out of switch-interlocking position, and

means on said shaft constructed and arranged to cause said interlocking device to be out of interlocking engagement when said shaft is in a position. in which said subsidiary switch is open, and to move said interlocking device into interlocking position when the shaft operated to close said last referred to switch. v e I The combination of :a main-line switch,

subsidiary switch, a rotary shaft, means on said shaft for operating said subsidiary switch, means for rotating the shaft, .a cam on said sh aft, and an interlocking device for said main-line switch constructed and arrange to be engaged by said cam for holding it outaoflocking position when said subsidiary switch is iopen, and to be moved to "locking position when said last referred to switch is closed.

"9, The combination of a main-l-ineswitch 'a subsidiary switch, a rotary shaft, means on said shaft for operating said subsidiary switch, an interlocking device comprising a rocking member adapted to be engaged at one end for-moving its other end into'an-d out of interlocking position, and means operated by said shaft for controlling the operation of said interlocking device, for. ,the purpose set forth.

move said interlockingdevice into a posi tion in which it engages with said maincarried by said shaft constructed and arranged to hold said interlocking .devlce out line switch for holding it open, and means of locking engagement with said main-line switch when said shaft is in a position which said subsidiary switch is open and; permit said interlocking device to be moved i to locking position when the shaft is in a position in which the said subsidiary switch is closed.

l1. The combination of a main-line;

switch, a subsidiary switch, a rotary shaft, means :on said shaft for operating said subsidia-ry switch, means for rotating said j shaft, an interlocking device comprising a f two-armed member, one of which farms eX- tends ad acent :to said shaft and the other adjacent to said main-line switch, means tending to move said interlocking device; rnto a position in which one of its armsj interlocks with said main-line switch, and a shoulder on said shaft constructed and arranged to hold said main-line-switch-engag- 5 ing arm out of interlocking position when the shaft is in a position which said subsidiary switch is open, and to permit said last referred to arm to be moved into interlocking position when said subsidiary switch is closed. 7

12. The combination of a main-line switch, a subsidiary switch, a rotary shaft, means on said shaft for operating said subsidiary switch, means for rotating said shaft, a yoke-shaped member constructed and arranged to be rocked, to move into and out of locking engagement with said mainline switch, means tending normally to move said interlocking device intolocking position with said main-line switch, and means on said shaft constructed and arranged to cause said interlocking device to be out of engagement with said main-line switch when the shaft is in a position in which said subsidiary switch is open, and to permit said interlocking device to be moved into interlocking position when said last refer-red to switch is closed.

13. In combination, an electro-responsive main switch, an electro-responsive subsidiary switch arranged substantially parallel thereto, and a mechanical interlock between said switches necessitating opening of said subsidiary switch prior to closure of said main switch but permitting said main switch :to open regardless of the position of 5 said subsidiary switch. I I

ll. Incombination, a supporting panel, a main switch, and a subsidiary switch mounted upon said panel andmovable in substantially parallel planes, and an interlocking device mounted on the rear of said panel and having portions projecting theretlrrough, said interlocking device being controlled. by said subsidiary switch to necessitate opening of the same prior to closure 5 of said main switch.

, 15, In combination, a main switch, a rheostat-operating member, an interlocking device normally biased to a position to prevent closure ofsaid main switch, and a rev-oluble cam movable with said rheostat-opcrating member for operating said interlocking device to permit closure of said main switch, but necessitating the return .of said operating member to full off position prior thereto.

16. In combination, a main line switch, a subsidiary switch, an interlocking device biased to a position in the path of said main switch to prevent closure thereof, and a revoluble cam movable with said subsidiary switch for moving said device out of the path 'of said main switch when said subsidiary switch is opened. V

17. In combination, a main line switch, a controlling device having a plurality of switch membersi-nterlocked to operate in a definite sequence, and a mechanical interlock between said main switch and one of said switch members for necessitating opening of the latter prior to closure of the former.

18. In combination, an electro-responsive main line switch, an electromagnetically-operated controlling device having a plurality of switch-members arranged to be operated in a definite sequence, and a mechanical interlocking device controlled by said controlling device for necessitating opening of a predetermined number of said switch- 10 members prior to the closure of said main Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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