US1100832A

US1100832A - Electric flat-rate controller.

Info

Publication number: US1100832A
Application number: US78383913A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank Kraemer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1913-08-08
Filing date: 1913-08-08
Publication date: 1914-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 1931-06-23

Description

F. KRAEMER. ELECTRIC FLAT RATE CONTROLLER.

APPLIOAT'ION :FILED MAR-14, 1907. RBNEWBD AUG. s, 191s. 1, 1 00,83% Patented June 23, 1914.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.- llllllllll I'. KRABMBR.

ELECTRIC FLAT RATE CONTROLLER.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR.14, 1907. RENEWED AUG. 8, 1913. 1, 1 00,832. Patented June 2s, 191

2 SHEETS-SEEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.;

FRANK KRAEMER, OF CHICAGO, IlLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

l MAX HARRIS, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC FLAT-RATE CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1914.

Application filed March 14, 1907, Serial No. 362,398. Renewed August 8, 1913. l Serial No. 783,839.

To IZ 107mm, t may concern Be it known that I, FRANK KRAEMER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Flat-Rate l Controllers, of which the following is a full,

` which the lamps, motors or translating devices oi a plant, building or apartment are located, whenever it is attempted to add fraudulently7 or illicitly tothe authorized number; such persistent intermittence of the currentsupply being continued until the illicit userthereot is abandoned," either by the cutting out or absolute removal of the extra current consumer.- To this end, the current supplying the derived or work cir cuit is passed through a series magnet, which when the current is rendered excessive by the demands of the 'additional load imposed by extra and illegitimate consumingl devices, overcomes a mechanical resist-v ance and closes a switch that energizes another magnet that cuts oit the supply ot' current to the lights, etc., from the leads or mains, all as will be fully explained in the specification, and the novel elements and combinations of elements employed therein particularly pointed out in the claims.

To illustrate my invention, I annex heretor two sheets of dra-wings, in which the same reference characters are used to designateidentical parts in all the iigures, of Which,-

Figurc'l is a front elevation'of the appa# ratus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is va sideelevation of the same; Fig. 3 .is a verti- .Cal section on the line A-A of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top plan view showing the adjusting mechanism for regulating the number of power-:consuming units to be controlled; and Fig. 5 isa diagrammatic view showing the currents in the apparatus under normal conditions in full lines,and under abnormal .conditions in dotted. lines.

nection. 11 in any customary manner. From n this post, the current is `preferably passed by the wire 12 to the clips 13 and 14 adapted to receive the fuse 15. vFrom the upper clip 14, the current passes through the wire 16 into the coils 17 oftheseries magnet 18, l

which is attached to the base by ears 19 secured to the top disk 20 of the spool, and by `ears 2l secured to the bottom 'disk 22 of the spool, the tWo disks being connected by the tube 23, which serves as a guide or channel for the cores ot the ampere magnet 18 and the circuit-breaking magnet 24; both of these magnets preferably taking the form of solenoids mounted in axial alinement With each other, and, as seen, arranged upon a single spool, the t-Wo magnets bein separated by 'the disk 25. The

disks

26, 27, 28 and 29 are, of course, of insulating material.

From the coils 17 of the. ampere magnet, the

current passes by the wire 30 to the binding post 31, through the lower portion of the conductor strip 32to the Abinding post 83, and the-nce by the wire 34 to the bracketshaped contact and binding post 85. From here it passes by the metallic switch bar 36` to the similar passes by the Wire 38 to one side of the'Wrk circuit indicated in Fig. 5 by the lamps 39, and thence it returns by the Wire 40 to the binding post 41, whence. .it passesI by the wire 42 to the binding post- 43, whence it passes by the wire dat back to the other side of theggenerator or mains. .`When,. however, the number of lam s or other translating devices in the Work circuit is increased above the allowed number, so that the:., demands thereof increase the current necessary, all of which must pass through the ampere magnet, the pull of themagnet. on its core inding post 37,' Whence itl the switch lever 47L by the link 48 of insulatin materiaD" is .1 suiiicient, to overcome.`

hold the core in the elevated position shown in full lines.

For the purposes of accurate adjustment, as is necessary for-allowable variations in the number of lamps or other units to be employed, means are provided for carefully adjusting the tension of the spring, and, for this purpose, the forward end of the spring is secured to the lug projecting downwardly from the bottom of the adjustable bar 5l, which is slotted. at 52, so that by cooperating with the pin 53 projecting up-' ber of lamps or translating units to another.

Another adjustment employed at the time the apparatus is assembled in the shop, consists of the set screw 55, which is threaded through thesupporting ear 5G extending l from the standard 57, in which the lever47 is pivoted, as at 5S. After the screw has been adjusted to secure the desired tension, the lock nuts 5S) are tightened up to secure it rigidly. It will he apparent that as the screw is lowered from the position shown, the tension of the spring 49 is increased. 7 hen the solenoid Acore 45 is pulled down against the resistance ot' the spring 49, the contact end of the lever 47 engages the contact piece or bracket (i0, which projects from the base, and is 'electrically connected with the upper end of the strip 32. The current now passes from.` the strip 32 through the contact (50, through the lever 47, thence through the conducting strip G1 electrically connected with the supporting bracket 57 of the lever 47, to the binding screw (52, thence to the coils 63 o'f the switch-breaking magnet, through said coils and through the wire 64 `tori'ning a continuation thereof,'to

the binding screw 65, thence through the strip (3G to the binding screw 67, thence through the wire 68 to the binding post 41,

thence through therwire 42 to the binding post 43, and thence by the wire 44 to the generator or other side of the main, thus completing the circuit in shunt with the work circuit, through the circuit-breaking magnet. This, of course, energizes the solenoid circuit-breaking switch-magnet 24, and draws up the core (if) of said magnet, and also draws down thc auxiliary core 70, which is adjustably supported from the core 45 of the ampere magnet by the rod 7l connected thereto and threaded into the core 45. The object of this supplemrmtal core 70 is to completely and more firmly operate the switch lever 47, which is provided at its outer end with the preliminary contact member 72, which consists of a strip of thin brass of the shape shown, which stripcontacts with the rounded edge of the contact member as soon as the core 45' is drawn do'wn. When the magnet 24 is energized, the additional pull of the core serves to bend the curved portion of the contact member 72 outward enough so that the lever 47 can be drawn all the way down so that the body of the lever rests directly onthe top of the contact GO, so that the circuit is closed directly through the lever without the intermediate contact member 72. One object of this construction is to insure a clean contact between the lever 47 and the Contact bracket 60. When the circuit is opened or closed at this point, any sparking that occurs must necessarily occur between the spring contact vmember r72 and that portion of the contact bracket .6() with which it engages. Now when the lever 47 is drawn the rest,0f the way down, so that the body of the lever contacts directly with the bracket G0, the spring member 72 wipes over the ortion of the bracket 60 on which the sparking occurs, and automatically cleans both contacts from the effect of such sparking. Of course, no sparking occurs between the main body of the lever 47 and the contact 60.

The lower end of the core 69 carries the switch bar 3G, and this switch bar 3G is provided on each end with the spring contact members 73, which correspond in shape to and cooperate with the

contact brackets

35 and 37 in just the same manner and for the same purpose as the contact 72 cooperates with the contact bracket 60. .Vhen the switch bar 36 is raised by the rising of the core 69, of course, the circuit throu'h the lamps or work circuit is broken, and t e entire circuit through the a paratus is as indicated diagrammatically iiy the dotted lilies in Fig. 5. The upward movement of the core G9 is resisted and thetime of said movement lengthened by reasonof the piston 74 carried by the stem 7 5, which stem is supported and moved by the core 69, with which it is adjustably connected having the reduced portion G threaded into an aperture in the lower portion of the core. The piston 74 is prefer: bly made up of a rubber disk 77 secured between washers 78 and 7 9, and an apertu 80 opening into the dashpot 81 at the bot .om thereof serves to retard the speed of the ascent of the pist-on. If it is desired to regulate the speed of the ascent, this can be effected by means of the set-screw valve 82 threaded into a lug on the dashpot barrel so to partly close the aperture 80. The dashpot is supported from the base 9 by the bracket 83 secured to said base.

Substantially at the end of the upward movement .of the core C9, its upper end strikes the lower end of the supplemental core 70, as indicated in the dotted-line position of said cores in Fig. 3, and positively preferably by.,

A ffl lpresent consider best adapted to carry out its 2 apparatus, the circuit through the main khrahch being broken by reason of the bar being raised, and the circuit through the shunt branch being broken by reason of the ing, gravity comes into play and causes the reclusi descent of the core e9 and the assotoets. T3 strilre the contact vbr clrets 35 necessary to maire the desired quick contact of the switch bar 86

witlrthe brackets

35 and 37 to prevent sparking.

9i of liber or other insulating material, ill,

` and 2.

'eiiicient construction by which the amount secure byy Letters Patent of 'theflilnited States, is,-

lifts suidcore against the pull ci the magnet Qlshso as topositively raise the switch lever e? yeruit break the circuit at that pointu The circuit is new broken throughout the entire lever heing raised. This condition existciated switch bar 36 and piston 79, the descent being; slowed up by the resistance oiiered by the deshpot until the springrcou and B7, this time, the dish: 77. of the piston reeches the enlarged lower portion formed by 'the annular offset Se, so that the piston and its connected parte can descend for the rest'ot the movement, es is is desirable to have guiding` means to prevent the rotation of said switch bar, and, for this purpose, I provide vertical strips which are secured to the front ci the brach ets and 37, as clearly shown in Figs. 1

'lfroni the foregoing; descriptionit will be apparent that so long as an overload continues, the work circuit will be opened and close at intervals, producingA an annoyance to the consumer that will. cause him remedy the diiliculty at once by turning oil tue entre light or other translating unit which. has been added.

llt will also be apparent 'to those skilled in the art, that l have produced a simple and .of current used can be very'. accurately regulated, and which in practice has been found to be extremely eflicicnt and free from liability to get out of order or necessitate repairs.

While have shown my novel switch mechanism arrane'ed speciiically for use es a flat rate controller, it will be understood that it is capable of other uses, and that Where the claims are not limited to a flat rate controller, intend to cover the switch applied to any use desired.

'While l have shown and described my insoutien as embodied in the form which l at purposes, it Will be understood it is el le et modilications, und l do not be li sited the interpretation ci oiving'cleinisexccpt es may be neby thee* of the prior art.

That lwhich lv claire-es new, and desire to i. lgs ietrstef-nontrcller, thecombua- Work circuit only, and means operated by said second magnet to open said switch and permit the automatic restoration of the current through the work circuit, said means comprising amember interposed between, and carriedby one of the armatures of said magnets so that through said member the armature of the second magnet operates by its movement to move the armature of the series magnet to positively open the switch closed by the attraction of said armature.

2. ln a dat rate controller, the combination of e series solenoid magnet, a, main leading thereto, a work circuit fed through the series magnet, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the Work circuit, a switch connected With-the core of the series magnet and, closed by an abnormal load or current through said magnet, a second s0le noid magnet in alinemcnt with the series magnet connected up by the closing of the Switch to cut out the work circuit only, and a supplementary core 'for the second magnet carried by and forming' a physical extension oi. the core of the serios magnet, the main core of the second solenoid being adapted to engage its supplementary core and thereby open said switch positively and permit the automatic restoration of current through the Work circuit.

3. ln a flat rato controller, the combination of the series solenoid magnet, a main leading thereto, a Work circuit fed through the series magnet, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a' switch connected with thc corev of the series magnet and closed by the abnormal load or current through said magnet, a second solenoid magnet in ulinement with the series magnet connectedup the closing of the switch to cut out the work circuit only, a supplementary core for the second magnet carried by and forming a'physical extension lof the core of the series magnet, and mechanisni for adjusting the position of the sup plementary core of the second magnet, the main core of the second solenoid being adapted to engage its supplementary core to open said switch positively and permit the automatic restoration of current through the worlr circuit.

4. 'in a `dat rate controller, the combination of' a series solenoid magnet, a main leading thereto, a 'Work circuit fed through series magnet, an outgoing main leading ,from the second side of the Work circuit, a switch connected with the core of the series magnet and closed by an abnormal load or current through said magnet, a second solenoid magnet in alinement with the series magnet connected u by the closing of the Vswitch to cut out t e work circuit, and a supplementary core for the second magnet carried by and forming a physical extension of the core of the series magnet, said switch having a preliminary closure effected by the series magnet, the filial closure being effected by the action of the second magnet on the supplementary core, the main core of the second magnet being adapted to engage its supplementary core to open said switch positively.

`5. In a fiat rate controller, the combination of a series solenoid magnet, a main leadn ing thereto, a Work circuit fed through the series magnet, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a switch connected with the core of the series magnet and closed by an abnormal load or current through said magnet, a second solenoid magnet in alinenient with the series magnet connected up by the closing of the switch to cut out the work circuit, anda suplib plementary core for the second magnet carried by aud forming a physical extension of the core of the series magnet, said switch having a yielding spring contact which lcngages the opposed contact under the action of the series magnet and which yields under the action of the second magnet on the supplementary core to permit the switch proper to engage the contact, and the main core of the second solenoid magnet. being adapted to engage its supplemei/itary core to open said switch.

6. In a flat rate controller, the combination of a series solenoid magnet, a main leading thereto, a work circuit fed through the series 1 (met, an outgoing main leading from the seaond side'of the work circuit, a switch connected with the core of' the series magnetand closed by an abnormal loa'd or current through said magnet, a second solenoid magnet in alinement with the series magnet connected up by closing the switch to cut out the work circuit, and a supplementary corefor the second magnet carried by and forming a physical extension of the core of the sci-ics magnet, said switch having a yielding spring contact having an engag# ing curled end which engages the opposed contact under flic action of the. series magnet and which yields under the action of the second magnet of the supplementary core to permit the switch pro )er to engage the contact, and the core o the second solenoid magnet being adapted to engage its supplementary core to open said switch.

7. rIn an automatic electric switch, the combination of a solenoid magnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a switch connected with the core of the solenoid magnet and closed thereby, a second solenoid magnet in alinement with the first ina t connected up by the closing of the switc to affect the work circuit, and a. supplementa core for the second magnet carried by an forming a physical'extension of the core of the first magnet, the main core of the second solenoid magnet being ada ted to engage its supplementary core and t ereby open said switch positively.

8. In an automatic electric switch, the combination of a. solenoid magnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main, an out oing main leading from the second side of t e work circuit, a switch connected with the core of the solenoid magnet and closed thereby, a second solenoid magnet in alineiiieiit with the first solenoid magnet connected up by the closing of the switch to affect the work circuit, a supplementary core for the second magnet carried by and foi-ming a physical extension of the coreof the first magnet, and mechanism for adjustin the position of. the supplementary core of tie second magnet, the main core of the second solenoid being adapted to engage its supplementary core to open said switch positively.

9. In an automatic electric switch, the oombination of a Solenoid magnet, a main conliu nected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a switch connected with cthe core of the magnet and closed thereby, a second solenoid magnet in alinement with the first magnet connected up by the closing of the switch to affect the work circuit, and a supplementary core for the second ,magnet carried by and forming a physical extension of the core of the first magnet, said switch having a preliminary closure effected by the first magnet, the final closure being effected by the action of the second magnet on the supplementary core, the main core of the second magnet being adapted to engage its supplementary core to open said switch positively.

10. In an automatic electric switch, the combination of a solenoid magnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main, an outgoing main leading from thc lsecond side of the work circuit, a switch connected with the core of the solenoid magnet and closed thereby, a second solenoid Amagnet in alinement with the first magnet connected up by the closing of the switch to atl'ect the work circuit, and-a supplementary core. for the second magnet carried by and forming a physical extension of the core of the first magnet, said switch having a yielding spring contact which engages the op.

posed contact under the action of the first magnet and which yields under the action izo.

o the second magnet on the supplementary y core to permit the switch proper to engage the contact, and the second core of the secondYV vsecond side of the/"work circuit, a switch closed by said magnet, a second magnet connected up by the closing of the switch to affect the work circuit, and means operated by said magnet to open said'switch positively and mechanically and permit the automatic i hrestoration of the current through the work ,ci'rcnit.

l "12. In' an automatic electric switch, the

combinatlon of a solenold magnet, a mam connected thereto, a Work circuit connected vto the main, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a switch connected with the core of said magnet and closed by the movement thereof, a second solenoid magnet in `alinement with the iirst magnet connected .up by the closing of the switch, a shunt circuit including said switch and second magnet, a second switch operated by the second magnet to open the work circuit, the core of the second solenoid being adapted to engage the core of the lirst solenoid to open said first switch positively and permit the restoration ofthe current through the work circuit.

13. In an automatic electric switch, the combination of a solenoid magnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a switch connected with the core of the solenoid and closed by the movement thereof, ra second solenoid magnet in alincment with theiirst solenoid magnet connected up by the closing of the switch, a 'shunt circuit including said switch and second magnet, and a second switch operated by the second magnet to open the work circuit, the core of the second solenoid magnet being adapted to engage the core of the first solenoid magnet to open said first switch positively and permit the restoration of the current through the work circuit, a dashpot in alinement with the cores of the magnets, and a piston for said dashlpot carried by the fore of the second solecombination of a solenoid magnet, a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected to the main, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the work circuit, a switch closed by said solenoid magnet, and a second solenoid' magnet with its core in axial alinement with the first solenoid magnet so that when the core of the second magnet is moved it will at the end of. its movement engage the core of the first magnet to open the switch.

15. In an automatic electric switch, the combination with a solenoid magnet, of a main connected thereto, a work circuit connected vto the main, an outgoing main leading from the second side of the Work circuit, a. switch closed by the action of said magnet, a second solenoid magnet with its core in axial alinement with the core of the first magnet, a member adjustably threaded into one of said cores so that the time of the striking of the core of the first magnet by the core of the second magnet to open the first switch can be regulated, and mechanism for regulating the rate of separation of said cores when the circuit is broken through both of said magnets.

1G. In an automatic electric switch, the

magnet in a shunt circuit closed by the g switch, and a second switch connected tothe. armature ol the second magnetserving to' open and close the work circuit, said arma-.y

tures being so relatively located .that they armature ot'the first magnet is engaged by the armature of the second lnagnet to open the lirst switch ositively.

In witness w iercof, I

of March, A. D. 1907.

FRANK KRAEMER. [It 8.]l

lVitnesses:

JOHN H. McELnoY, M. S. REEDER.

have hereunto set my hand and alixed my sea-l, -this`12th day 100