US1192397A - Oil-switch and fuse. - Google Patents

Description

L. W. DOWNES & A. W. FAXON.

OIL SWITCH AND FUSE.

APPUCATIQN f1LED1uN25.191 -1.

Patented July 25, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Inni-sgg L. W. DOWNES & A. W. FAXON.

OIL SWITCH AND FUSE.

APPLlcArxoN FILED JUNE 25.1914.

Patented July 25, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 me/whom UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS W. DOWNES AND ALFRED W. FAXON, F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND; SAID FAXON ASSIGNOR TO D & W FUSE CO., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPO- RATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

OIL-SWITCH AND FUSE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1916.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, Louis W. DowNEs and ALFRED W. FAxoN, citizens of the United States of America, and residents of Providence, Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oil-Switches and Fuses, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to electric switches and fuses.

Among the objects attained thereby are the following The provision of a structure in which the fuselink is adapted upon disruption by excessive current to break the circuit in an arc-suppressing liquid, such as oil, the structure being at the same time operable as a switch to open the circuit at terminals submerged in the arc-suppressing liquid. The structure is thus operable from the exterior of an inclosing casing without opening said casing. The fuse-link is connected between contacts or terminals which are moved into and out of engagement with relatively fixed circuit terminals when the structure is operated as a switch or for the insertion of a new fuse-link. The cover 0f the inclosing casing must be fully and tightly closed before the terminals between which the fuselink is connected can be engaged with the circuit terminals. The cover is automatically locked tightly closed by movement of the fuse-link or switch terminals into engagement with the circuit terminals and remains so locked unt-il after such terminals are disengaged, whereby the fuse cannot possibly be disrupted with the cover open, or with it closed and unlocked, hence avoiding any discharge of oil from the structure upon blowing of the fuse. These and other objects are realized in the structure of the present invention.

lVhat is now regarded as the preferred mechanical expression or embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view; Fig. 2 is a similar view approximately at right angles to the plane of section of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, in elevation and section, of the upper portion of the structure Ashowing the fuse/dink carrier and.

associated movable elements swung upward to a position to open the switch, with the cover of the casing closed; Fig. 4L is a similar view with the cover partly open and illustrating the action of means which prevent the closing of the cover with the parts out of correct position for closing with safety; this figure also illustrates gas venting means on the cover not shown in other figures; Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the insulating frame on which the circuit terminals are mounted; and Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on line (3*6 of Fig. 1.

10 is a cup-like casing, preferably of cast metal, having at one side notched lugs or ears 11, 11 for fastening the structure to a building, pole, or other support. Terminal conductors 12, 13 enter said casing by passing upward through bushings 14 (only one of which shows in the drawings), the joint between the conductors, bushings and casing being sealed liquid-tight in any suitable way.

15 is an insulating base, frame or support of approximate E-shape of any suitable insulating material, preferably such as that commercially known as molded insulation, composed of a fibrous base of ingredients of powdered substances, such as ground asbestos, and a binding compound, such as rubber or bakelite. The support 15 has thereon three exterior lugs 16, 16, 16 which rest against (with interposed packing) a ledge 17 extending around three sides of the interior of the casing 10. A screw 18 passes through each lug 16 into the ledge 17, as illustrated in Fig. 2, thus securing the sup-v port 15 rigidly in place. The end wings 19 and 20 of the support 15 are formed with inwardly projecting lugs 21 and 22, respectively, each lug having therethrough two vertical perforations. 23 is a terminal brush riveted to the depending arm 21.1. of a horizontally disposed plate 25 which bears against the upper surface of the lug 21 (Fig. 1). A metal strip 26 lits against the plate 25 and another metal .strip 27 iits against the under edge of the lug 21. A screw 28 (Fig. 6) passes downward through the plates 25, 26, one of the perforations in the lug 21, and into screw-threaded engagement with an opening ot plate 27. Another screw 2S) passes upward through plate Q7, the other perforation in lug 2l, through plate 2; and into screw-tln'eaded engagement with plate 2b, and then into an elongated nut 30. 'the inner end ot conductor l2 is electrically oined in any suitable way to the upper end ot nut 3U. luplicates ot these parts terminal brush plates 25, 2G, 2T, screws 28, it), and nut ltare associated with the lug and the inner end ot conductor 13, the terminal brush in this instance being designated by the numeral 3l.

lie casing it) has a cover 50 hinged thereto a Cil and adapted to be clamped in its closed position by the usual torni of swinging bolt having a wing nut for enga gement over projecting lugs on the cover.

SI5 and are horizontal parallel shafts extending across the interior of the cover and iournaled in bearings in the opposite side walls thereof. in operating lever or handle 55 is tastened to one end ot the sha'lit Ii-t outside of the casing. A fuse-carrier and movable switch member (SO is clamped about and thus rigdly secured to the shaft 5st by a bolt (5l, and is forked or slotted at G2 whereby in its normal vertically depending lon position it straddles the middle wing (lil ot the E-shaped Ytrame 15, said wing G3 depending considerably7 below the end wings if) and 2O und constituting an insulating partition or barrier between the circuit terminals 23 and 3l disposed on oppositeisides thereof'. rthe Yt'irse-carrier 60 is made ot any suitable insulating material. but preferably hard wood. such as birch, impregnated (in vacuum) with a suitable oil, such for eX- ample as the well-known transformer oil.

iS-l is an integrally formed enlargement at one side ot the carrier (SO providing an overhanging ledge against the under side of whit a `tuse terminal piece (l5 is secured by a screw (3o, the outer surface ot said terminal (35 being adapted to make electrical engagement with the terminal brush Q3 when the partsl ot the structure are in the position shown in Figs. l and Q. An arm G7 depending trom the terminal piece (S5 has a screw (3H with a clamping nut (if) positioned on the inner end thereof between the depending arm (i7 and the opposing tace of the carrier (it). it t the other side ot the carrier G0 there is a similar enlargement (Si and associated therewith a similar Ytuse terminal piece G5, screw (3G. arm il?. screw GS and nut G9. A

inse-link bent around the lower end ot the' fuse carrier (S0 and across the lower end of the barrier (33. when the parts are in the p0- sition shown in Figs. l and Q. is composed ot two end sections and 71. notched or hooked as shown in dotted lines (Fig. et) for engagement with the screws (38. G8. and a connecting middle section 'TQ which may overlap and be soldered to the end sections,

as illustrated in Fig. l. T he end sections T0 and Tl may be ot copper and the middle section T2 of readily `tusible metal.

T5 is an inwardly projecting ilange along the edge of one side or' the upper open end of the casing lt); there a similar` llange at the opposite side ot the casing. liach ot these flanges is eut away or notched at 7G and TT (Fig. l). The shait carries at its opposite ends, inside oi the cover, two arms 'To' and T9. each having at its lower end an outwardly projecting cylindrical knob or extension. rlhe shaft similarly carries at its opposite ends, inside the cover, two arms t() and 8l, each having at its lower end an outwardly projecting cylindrical knob or extension. A link S2 joins the arms '79 and S0, whereby the shafts and --land their arms move in unison when the operating lever or handle 55 is actuatet ln the normal closed or on position ot the switch, shown in vFigs. l. and E2', with the circuit brush terminals 23 and 3l in engagement with the fuse link terminals (55, (55, the operatingl handle 55 and the arms 80, 8l on the shafts and 5l stand in an approximately vert-ical position, with the knobs or extensions ot the arms 78 and 7S) engaging under the inwardly projecting flanges 15, 75 at opposite sides ot the casing and thus securely locking the cover in its closed position.

It is intended that the casingl shall be filled with an arc-suppressing liquid. such as oil, approximately to the oil-level" indicated on the drawings, thus submerging not only the fuse-link but also the circuit and fuse-link terminals, when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. l and Q. To open the switchwboth when the structure is being operated merely as a switch and preparatory to opening the cover tor the insertion ot a new fuse-link in place ot one which has been disrupted-the operating handle 55 is actuated to rotate the sha tts and swing the parts associated therewith to the approximately horizontal oil 'position shown in Fig. 3. ln such movement the circuit and 'use terminals a re disengaged below the level ot' the liquid, which latter is thus enabled to suppress any arc which n'ray tend to Jform upon the separation of the terminals. .fitter the terminals have thus been disengaged and near the end o'l the movement which brings the parts to the position shown in Fig. 3, the knobs at the lower ends of the arms 7S and 7) pass out trom under the edge oi" the over-hanging flanges To. T5 and upward through the notches 7G. thereby unlocking the cover which may thereupon be opened it desired. Assuming the cover to have been opened tor the insertion of a new fuse-link or for other purpose. the cover can only again be closed with the parts brought to the position shown in Fig. 3; and

Slo

lll)

Liv)

.form of disks, cups, or spirals.

in such position when the operating lever is actuated to swing the fuse carrier downward to engage its terminals with the circuit terminals, the knobs on the arms 7 8 and 79 are automatically swung downward through the notches 76 and under the overhanging flanges 75, 75, thus automatically lockingthe cover in its closed position before the terminals become ree-nga ged. Therefore, the cover can only be closed with the parts in the proper position to afford the desired protection. As illustrated. in Fig. 4, for eX- ample, the parts are in an incorrect position and hence the knobs at the lower ends of the arms SO and S1 contact the flanges 7 5, 75 and prevent the closing of the cover; whereas were the parts in the correct position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, said knobs would pass downwardly through the notches 77 of the flanges As is well known, the disruption of a fuselink by an excessive current is accompanied by the instantaneous formation of pressuregenerating gases. In Fig. 4 (though not in other figures of the drawings because of lack of space), the casing is provided with a suitable vent for the ready escape of such gases to thereby prevent internal pressure which might become dangerous and destructive. A cup-like member 90 has a tubular stem 91 tapped and screw-threaded through the cover 50. A cap 92 covers the upper end of the cup-like part and has a flange 93 depending about the upwardly projecting flange 94 which latter constitute the side walls of the cup-like member. There is sufficient clearance between the flanges to constitute a vent passage or space for the escape of gas. A shorter flange 95 depends from the cap 92 inside of the upper edge of the flange 94. The parts thus described inclose a vented chamber 96 with which the main chamber of the structure communicates through the tubular stem 91 and a tube 97 preferably brass. Tube 97 terminates at its upper end under a dome-like downwardly deflecting surface 98 of the cap 92 and has a filling 99 of reticulated material, preferably line wire gauze, either in the Upon disruption or blowing of the fuse-link in the main chamber, gas and oil in a finely divided commingled state are forced upward into the tube 97 where the gauze acts to arrest `the particles of oil, though permitting the gas to pass on upward and out of the chamber 96 to the atmosphere. Such small partcles of oil as may, in eXtreme cases, be carried upward and out of the tube 97 into the chamber 96 will contact with the dome-like surface 98 and be deflected to the bottom of said chamber' and thence drain back into the main chamber through perforations 100, 100 in the side wall of the brass tube 97 just above the bottom of chamber 96.

The gas-vent means thus described, and illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, are not claimed in this application but are claimed in our application filed May 27, 1914, Serial No. 841,335.

What is claimed is 1. The combination of a casing, circuit terminal contacts therein, a cover for said casing, an oscillating insulating member on said cover adapted in normal position to depend below said terminal contacts, contacts on said oscillating member adapted to engage said terminal contacts, and a fuse membei` connecting the contacts on said oscillating member and extending around the portion thereof adapted to depend below the terminal contacts.

2. In an oil switch, a casing containing oil, circuit terminal contacts located in said casing below the surface of the oil, a cover for said casing, an oscillating member on said cover adapted to depend below said terminal contacts when in normal position, contacts on the sides of said oscillating member adapted to engage said terminal contacts, and a fuse member connecting said contacts and adapted to be located below the terminal contacts when the switch is in on position.

3. In an oil switch, a casing containing oil, an insulating block in said casing, terminal contacts associated with said block, a cover forsaid casing, rotating shafts in said cover, a two-legged insulator having side projections thereon and mounted on one of said shafts and adapted to move therewith, electrical contacts attached to said projections and adapted to engage said terminal contacts, and a fuse member connecting said electrical contacts and adapted to pass below the ends of said insulator, said insulator straddling a portion of the non-conducting member when in vertical position.

4. In anoil switch containing a fuse, the combination of a casing with oil therein, an insulating block in said casing, terminal contacts mounted on said block, a cover for said casing, a shaft in said cover adapted to be moved by a member extending outside said cover, an insulating member carrying electrical contacts associated with said shaft, said contacts engaging said' terminal contacts, and a fuse joining said electrical contacts and movable with said insulating member into the lower part of said casing.

5. In an oil switch containing a fuse, the combination of a casing with oil therein, an insulating block in said casing, terminal contacts mounted on said block, a cover foi` said casing carrying shafts adapted to be l moved by an external member, an insulating member carrying electrical contacts associated with one of said shafts, said contacts adapted to engage the terminal contacts, a fuse joining .electrical contacts and movllo Cir

able with said insulatingmember into the lower part of said casing7 and lugs mounted on the other of said shafts adapted to interlock with inward projections on said casing when the contacts are closed on each other.

G. In an oil switch containing a fuse, the combination of a casing having oil therein, an insulating` block in said casing, terminal contacts mounted on said block, a cover for said casing carrying' shafts adapted to be moved by an external member, an insulating member not in normal open position.

7. rlhe combination of a two-part casing, one of said parts being a cover; circuit terminals in the casing; a switch member in the casing' and movable from an on to an oil position with relation to said terminals; a fuse connecting parts of said switch member and adapted to depend below said terminals when in on position; means extendine` to the exterior of the casingto actuate said switch member; and a pivotal locking device attached to one casingy part and actuated upon movement ot' the switch member to lock the cover closed in the on position of said member and to unlock the cover in the oli position of said member.

S. rlhe combination of a two-part casing` including a main casing' part and a cover; circuit terminals in the casing; a switch member within the casing pivotally attached to and movable with the cover when the latter opened and adapted to be swung on its pivot from an on position in engagement with the terminals to an oil7 position out of engagement with said terminals; a fuse joining; parts of said switch member and adapted to depend below said terminals when in on position; means extending from said switch-member to the exterior of the casing for actuatincv the same; and a locking` device pivoted to the cover and actuatel upon movement of the switch member to lock the cover in the on7 position of said member and to unlock the cover in the olf position of said member.

S). The combination of a two-part casingincludiirc` a main casing' part and a cover; circuit terminals in the casing: a switch member within the casing` pivotallv7 attached to and movable with the cover when the lattcr is opened and adapted to be swung on its pivot from an on7 position in engagement with the terminals to an oft position out of engagement with said terminals; a fuse joining, parts of said switch member and adapted to depeml below said terminals when in on7 position; means extendingl from said switch member to the exterior of the easing for actuating the same; and means pivoted to the cover and movable with the switch member to a position to prevent closing of the cover with said switch member in its on position.

lO. rfhe combination of a two-part casing including a main casing part and a cover; circuit terminals in the casing; a switch member within the casin pi'votally attached to and movable with the cover when the latter is opened and adapted to be swung on its pivot from an on position in engagement with the terminals to an oli|77 position out of engagement with said terminals; a fuse joining parts of said switch member and adapted to depend below said terminals when in on position; means extending from said switch member to the exterior of the casing for actuating` the same; a locking' device pivoted to the cover and'actuatcd upon movement of the switch member to lock the cover in the on position of said member and to unlock the cover in the ott position of said member; and means pivoted to the cover and actuated upon movement of the switch member to assume a position to prevent closingv of the cover with said switch member in its on position.

ll. The combination of a two-part casino' including` a main casingl part and a cove circuit-terminals inthe casing; two shafts journaled in the cover; a switch member within the casing on one of said shafts; means ou the exterior of the casing' to rotate said shaft and swingthe switch member to on and ott positions with relation to the terminals; connections from said shaft to the other shaft for rotatingY the latter; locking means on one shaft actuated by rotation thereotl to lock the cover closed in the on position of the switch member and to unlock the cover in the olf position of said member; and means carried bv the other shaft preventing closing' of the cover with the switch member in its on position.

12. The combination of a casing; a cover therefor; an insulatingframe or support open at one side; circuit terminals mounted upon said frame: a movable switch member mounted on said cover for engaging said terminals and adapted to move into and out of the open side of said frame in shiftingto its on and oft positions and a fuse positioned below said terminals.

18. The combination of fixed circuit terminals; an insulating barrier or partition between said terminals; a slotted switch member movable from an off position to an on7 position astride of said insulating barrier and in engagement with said termi- Cri nals, and a fuse on said switch membei` adapted to depend below said member and said barrier.

14. The combination of an E-shaped insulating frame the middle wing thereof Constituting an insulating barrier or partition; circuit terminals on the end branches of said frame respectively; a slotted switch membei' movable from an off position to an on position astride of said insulating bai riei and in engagement with said terminals,

and a fuse connecting parts of said switch member.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribl5 ing witnesses.

LOUIS W. DOWNES. ALFRED W. FAXON.

Witnesses P. O. BAKER, GEORGE W. STEERE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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