US1208775A

US1208775A - Electric-circuit controller or switch.

Info

Publication number: US1208775A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1915-05-22
Filing date: 1915-05-22
Publication date: 1916-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 1933-12-19

Description

I. HAMILTON.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER 0R SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED HAY22,19I5- Patented Dec. 19,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- J. HAMILTON.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER 0R SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, I9I5.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.l. HAMILTON.

ELECTRIC/CIRCUIT CONTROLLER OR SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1915.

1,208,775; Patented Dec.19,1916.

3 SH EFTSSHEET 3.

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ummhmlllllillll JOHN HAMILTON, OI BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC-CIRCUIT CONTROLLER OR SWITCH.

Application filed May 22, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HAMILTON, residing at 140 Bellevue street, West Roxbury, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Circuit Controllers or Switches, of which'the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement upon what are commonly called double throw knife blade or lever type electric switches which are ordinarily used in electric power stations on switchboards or at other centers of distribution of electrlcal energy for the purpose of transferring by manual operation, electric wires or connections from one set of contacts to another.

Upon the failure or loss of power, accidental or otherwise, at any center of distribution of electrical energy it is most always requisite that distribution mains or feed wires carrying power to consumers or points of consumption, be capable of quick transfer from one set of contacts which have become denergized to another or alternate set of contacts which are yet alive and this transfer is usually effected by means .of double throw knife blade or lever typ' switches as referred to above. The operation of these double throw switches requires the presence of an attendant to make the transfer and in the interval which may be greater or less between the loss of power on one set of. contacts, and the completion of .the switching transfer to the alternate set of contacts, serious results may happen at the points of consumption, due to a loss of light in crowded inclosures, or a loss of power on elevators, cranes, &c., at critical moments.

The objects of' my invention are first to I guarantee substantial continuity of electrical service at the points of consumption, by automatically effecting this switching transfer immediately upon the loss or failure of power from the normal points of contact; second'to restore this switch automatically to its normal or preferred position, immediatelv upon the reenergizing of the normal. or preferred contacts, and to hold the switch in this position ready to repeat the action upon subsequent failures of power. Also my invention may be made to automatically effect these switching transfers whenthe electrical pressure or voltage .at the normal or pre- Speclflcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

Serial No. 29,907.

ferred points in the first instance, falls below a predetermined value, and in the second instance rises again to that value.

In the accompanying drawings Figure #1 shows a front view and Fig. #2 shows an end view of a single pole switch, while Fig. #3 shows a front view of a double pole switch and identical letters indicate identical parts in all views. Fig. #3 also shows the connections to both the normal and emergency sources of supply as well as the connections to a single set of consuming devices which may be transferred by the action of the switch from the normal to the emergency source, and vice versa.

A represents a trunnion or shaft free to revolve about its own axis and supported by the bearing blocks B, B; D is a spring motor or other source of power which by means of the geared wheels G and H causes the shaft A. to revolve; C is a lever or switch blade rigidly mounted upon the shaft A (but in, the case of the double pole switch insulated from it) and having a compression spring contact S removably mounted upon its free or contact making end.

f and f are stationary contacts made up of copper and carbon and presenting a rounded copper edge to the approaching spring contact S and an easily renewable c a'bon contact on the breaking or leaving s1 c.

J is a contact wheel or ring rigidly mounted upon the shaft A and preferably made of one piece with the switch lever C as illustrated in Fig. #3; K is a stationary wiping spring brush contact, bearing upon J and mounted upon the case W at L; M is the distributing main or electrical feed wire carrying energy from the contact wheel J to-the points of consumption.

N is a brake wheel or disk rigidly mounted upon the shaft A and recessed at N to receive the stop pins or detents C and C which project from the magnetic core or plunger Q, which in turn is raised or lowered by the energizing or deenergizing of the solenoid coil P which is rigidly mounted at the-point R.

the containing box or case which may; ,-:made of any suitable material while mamas of the mechanism which are fastened to the inside of the case W are insulated from the latter by insulating blocks I.

Feed wires or mains from independent sources of electrical supply such as those marked normal and emergency in Fig.

and the duplication of parts rendered necessary by the additional pole, are indicated by identical letters preceded by the negative sign to distinguish them from the corresponding positive parts.

In the slngle pole device (Figs. 1 and 2) only one side of the circuit is controlled by the device, the other side going to a common wire or ground as in the case of the ordinary street railway circuit. In the double pole device (Fig. 3) both sides of the circuit are controlled by the device, thus illustrating the application of the device to an all metallic or multiphase circuit.

In the accompanying drawings the stationary contact point f is treated as the normal or preferred point and the switch blade C is shown as making contact with the alternate or emergency contact f, the normal point f having become dead or deenergized. Since the solenoid coil P is con- .nected to and takes its energy from the normal point f it follows that the coil P is also dead or denergized and this is brought out in the accompanying drawings by the fact that the magnetic core or plunger C is shown as having dropped down thus allowing the stop pin or detent to engage with the recess N on the brake wheel N.

The stop pin or detent O is by the same process put out of action, and with the brake wheel held in this position the switch blade C is also held in contact with the alternate or emergency point. of supply f. This is the condition that obtains when for any reason the power is off at the normal point of supply and motors, lights, or other consuming devices would be dead and idle but for the automatic releasing of the shaft A and the consequent connectingof the switch blade C to the alternate source of power at The device remains in this condition until power is restored on the normal point 7 when the solenoid coil P will pull up the magnetic core or plunger Q releasing the brake wheel N from the stop pin 0 and pulling the stop pin 0 into the recess N on the brake wheel N, when the switch blade 0 shall have come into electrical connection with the normal or preferred point P. The switch will be held in this position so long as power remains on the normal point f and the process of substituting the alternate source at f and restoring again to normal may be carried on indefinitely.

naoema V represents a device for preventing injury to the apparatus by the formation of electric arcs at the openin of the circuit.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire. to secure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. In an electric switch the combination of one or more levers of conducting material) der; one or'more stationary spring brushes or arms of conducting material bearing or rubbing upon friction contacts revolving with and attached to said';levers; pawls or detents mounted independently of said trunnion or axle but so disposed that they will in certain positions prevent the revolving of said trunnion or axle, and an electro magnetic means for controlling said pawls or detents in their relationship with said trunnion or axle.

2. In an electric circuit the combination of one or more contact levers mounted upon a revoluble shaft and so disposed upon said shaft as to come into electrical connection I with certain stationary electrically energized contacts, and pawls or dogs in close proximity to said revoluble shaft but independent of it but so disposed as to engage with said revoluble shaft in such manner and position as to prevent said shaft from revolving farther when the said contact levers or blades shall have come into electrical connection with one or more of the stationary electrically energized contacts; suitable friction or rubbing devices to conduct electrical energy off and from said contact levers or blades, and a means for causing said revoluble shaft to revolve.

3. In an electrical distribution system the combination of contact levers mounted upon a revoluble shaft and so disposed upon said shaft as to come into electrical connection with one or more stationary electrical contacts in a predetermined order; one or more stationary spring brushes or frictional contacts bearing upon said contact levers or some substantial part thereof; one or more pawls or detents engaging said shaft for the. purpose of stopping the same and an electro-magnetic means for maintaining said pawls or detents in positions of action or inaction in relation to said shaft, and a means for causing said shaft to revolve.

ary elements so di osed as to electrically engage said movab e element or elements in a predetermined sequence; stationary slipping or brushing contacts bearing upon said movable element or elements; one or more electrically controlled detents or pawls so disposed and controlled. that they will either permit or prevent the revolving of said revoluble shaft according to the electrical potential of the circuit from which they are controlled, and a means for retarding arcing at the breaking'of the circuit.

5. In an electrical transmission system the combination of a revoluble shaft and a means for causing said shaft to revolve; one or more switch levers mounted upon said shaft; stationary electrical contacts mounted independently of said shaft and so disposed as to engage said switch levers; one or more stationary wiping or brushing contacts bearing upon said switch levers or some attachment thereto; one or more detents or pawls mounted independently of said shaft and so disposed as to engage said shaft or some substantial part thereof and a means for controlling said detents or pawls in their engaging said shaft.

6. In an electrical distribution system the combination of a distribution main or wire controlled by a circuit interrupter or switch having its movable element actuated by a revoluble shaft and a means for causing said shaft to revolve; one or more stationary contact elements so mounted and disposed as to in a pre-determined sequence electrically engage said movable contact element; electrical connection between each stationary con tact element and a different or independent source of electrical supply; means for maintaining said movable contact element in electrical connection with the normal or preferred one of the stationary contact elements so long as the latter remains energized up to a predetermined potential; also for releasing said movable contact element and for locking the same in electrical connection with another or alternate stationary contact element as soon as the electrical pressure on the normal or preferred stationary contact element drops below a predetermined pressure; also for again releasing said movable contact element and restoring same to electrical connection with the said normal or preferred stationary contact element as soon as the electrical pressure or potential on the latter is raised to a predetermined value and means for rupturing or reducing any arc which may be formed at the break of the circuit.

7. The combination with devices which consume electrical energy of wires carrying energy to said devices; a mechanical means electromagnetically controlled for automatically disconnecting said wires from the normal or preferred point of supply when the electrical pressure at said point falls below a predetermined value and for connecting said wires to an auxiliary 'or alternate point of supply; also for automatically disconnecting said wires from said auxiliary or alternate point of supply and for reestablishing electrical connection between said wires and the said normal or preferred point of supply when the electrical pressure upon the latter rises above a predetermined value and means for reducing injury to the apparatus due to an arc at the circuit break.

8. In an electric switch the combination of a revoluble shaft and a means for causing said shaft to revolve; movable contact elements so mounted and disposed that they are actuated or propelled by said revoluble shaft; stationary contact elements so mounted and disposed as to in a prearranged se quence electrically engage with said movable contact elements; electrically controlled detents or pawls adapted to prevent the revolving of said shaft and so disposed and controlled that the said movable contact elements are held in electrical connection with preferred stationary contact elements so long as the electrical potential on the latter remains above a predetermined value; said detents or pawls further so disposed and controlled that they will allow said shaft to revolve when the electrical pressure on said preferred stationary contact elements falls below a predetermined value, and will again stop said shaft from revolving when said' movable contact elements shall electrically engageother or alternate stationary contact elements; said detents or pawls further so disposed and controlled that they will allow said shaft to again-revolve when the electrical pressure on said preferred stationary contact elements rises to a predetermined value and will stop said shaft from farther revolving when said movable contact elements shall again electrically engage said preferred stationary contact elements; a means for transferring electrical energy from said movable contact elements to points of consumption, and a means for breaking up any are which may be formed at each. of the stationary contact elements.

9. The combination of a wire carrying electrical energy to points of consumption controlled by a switch whose movable element is actuated or propelled by a revoluble shaft; a means for causing said shaft to revolve; one or more fixed contact elements so mounted and disposed as to in a prearranged sequence electrically engage said movable contact element; electrical connection between each fixed contact element and a different or independent source of electrical supply; a means for preventing further motion of said shaft when said movable contact element becomes energized from contact with a preferred one of the fixed contact elements; also for releasing said shaft and for again blocking and locking the same when said preferred fixed contact element shall have become dead or deenergized and said movable contact element shall have been transferred to electrical connection with another or alternate fixed contact element; also for again releasing said shaft when said preferred fixed contact element shall again become alive or reenergized and for again locking said shaft when said movable contact element shall again engage said preferred fixed contact element.

10. lhe combination with devices which consume electrical energy of wires carrying energy to said devices; a mechanical means electro-magnetically controlled for automatically disconnecting said wires from the normal point of supply when said normal point of supply becomes dead or deenergized; also for connecting said wires to another or alternate point of supply, and for automatically disconnecting said wires from said alternate point of supply and reestablishing electrical connection between said wires and the said normal point of supply when the latter again becomes alive or re'e'nergized.

11. In an electric switch the combination of a revoluble shaft and a means for causing said shaft to revolve movable contact elements so mounted and attached that they are actuated and controlled by said revoluble shaft; stationary contact elements so mounted and disposed as to in a prearranged I sequence electrically engage with said movable contact elements; electrically controlled detents or pawls so adapted and controlled that they will hold said movable contact elements in electrical connection with preferred stationary contact elements so long as the latter remain alive or energized; said electrically controlled detents or pawls further so adapted and controlled that they will allow said movable contact elements to move when said preferred stationary contact elements become dead or deenergized and shall prevent further motion when said movable contact elements shall electrically engage other or alternate stationary contact elements; said electrically controlled detents or pawls further so adapted and controlled that they will again allow said movable contact elementsto move when said preferred stationary contact elements again become alive or reenergized and shall prevent further motion when said movable contact elements shall again electrically engage said preferred stationary contact elements and means for conducting electrical energy from moat rt said movable contact elements to points of consumption. 7

12. In an electric switch the combination of a revoluble shaft and a means for causing said shaft to revolve; one or more movable switch blades or levers so mounted and connected that they are actuated by said revoluble shaft; one or more stationary contacts so mounted and located that they will engage said movable switch blades or levers in a predetermined order; a means for stopping and releasing the motion of said revolubleshaft, and a means for transferring electrical energy from said movable switch blades or levers to points of consumption.

13. The combination with devices which consume electrical energy of wires carrying energy to said devices and ameans for automatically disconnecting said wires from the normal or preferred point of supply'when the electrical pressure at the latter point falls below apredetermined value and for connecting said wires to an auxiliary or alternate point of supply, also for disconnecting said wires from said auxiliary or alternate point of supply and for again connecting said wires to said preferred or normal po nt of supply when the electrical pressure at the latter point rises above a predetermined value, and a means for reducing the injury to the apparatus from any are formed at the break of the circuit.

14. In an electrical circuit the combination with devices which consume electrical energy of a selective switching device having a plurality of independently energized contacts; a means for automatically establishing electrical connection between said consuming devices and any particular set of said independently energized contacts; a means for selecting that particular set of contacts which remain energized up to a predetermined potential and a means for reducing the arcing at the breaking of the circuit.

15. In an electric circuit the combination with devices which consume electrical energy of an automatic means for transferring said devices from one source of supply to another; a means for making the action of said automatic means for transferring dependent npon the failure to maintain or the restablishing of a predetermined potential at the normal point of supply and a means for reducing arcing in the operation of transferring.

In testimony whereof I have aliixed my signature.

JOHN HAMILTON.