US1441744A

US1441744A - Circuit breaker

Info

Publication number: US1441744A
Application number: US381288A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne F Palmer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1920-05-13
Filing date: 1920-05-13
Publication date: 1923-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1940-01-09

Description

Jan. 9, 1923. 1,441,744. w. F. PALMER.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

' FILED MAY \3, 1920.

gm'uaw foz Patented Jan. 9, W23.

u N i s r s- WAYNE F. PALMER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 03: COLUMBIA.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

Application filed May 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WAYNE F. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVashington, District ofColumbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Circuit Breakers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates'to circuit breakers and will hereinafter be described with relation to its application to breaking the electrical circuit in a submarine mine in order to prevent countermining, although it is, of course, understood that it is applicable 3 to other uses, and with slight modifications, as will be hereinafter explained, could be adapted to affect mechanically the firing mechanism to prevent operation thereof under similar circumstances. 1

One of the objects of the present inven tion is to provide a reliable and efficient circuit breaker of the above character which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide a simple and practical circuit breaker of the above type which may be easily controlled, adjusted and set for predetermined requirements.

A further object is to provide certain safety features and safety devices to prevent countermining with more certainty than has heretofore been possible.

A further object is to provide an efficient circuit breaker which will be active over a long period and whose usefulness will not be determined by a spring mechanism or other exhaustible means.

A further object is to provide an efficient circuit breaker that will function continually through a series of countermining blows and whose protection will be additive.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.-

One of the various possible embodiments of the invention is shown in the annexed sheet of drawings, formin a part of this specification, wherein a single figure illustrates the complete circuit breaker in longitudinal section.

Referring now to this drawing in detail,

a main body member 1 of metal or other suitable material is adapted to be secured in any desired manner as by screw threads 2 into the shell of the main casing 3. This body member is provided at its lower part with a flange A on which a ring 5 is seated.

1920. Serial No. 381,288.

' This ring is provided with screw threads 6 forated spider 11 threadedly connected at 12with the body member 1 and carries a protecting casing 14: at the top. The spider member 11 is provided with a sleeve 15 through which slides the diaphragm supporting member 16 which in turn supports a flexible diaphragm 17 the outer edge of which is clamped between the spider 11 and body portion 1. A nut 18 holds the central part of the diaphragm in place. The upper part of the member 16 is 'threadedand pro-' vided with lock nuts 20 which permit a con venient adjustment for limiting the movement' of the member 16 when subjected to pressures. Likewise, the threaded sleeve 15 also permits an" adjustment of the diaphragm to the desired pressure corresponding to the estimated pressure which will be exerted upon themine when at a predetermined depth. At the top of the member 16 is a threaded screw or other plug 21" for filling the chamber beneath the diaphragm which is encompassed by a collapsible metallic bellows 22. The opposite ends of the tubular member are closed at one end by means of threaded-cap 23 which supports a valve member 24 normally held in closed position by spring 25 acting between the head of the valve and a seat 26. Secured to this member23 is a second metallic bellows member 27, the opposite end of which rests upon a ring 28 supported by a stem 30. This stem 30 passes through a cap 31 closing the lower end of the tubular member 7 and is provided with a central opening through which the outer end of the stem passes. This end carries a contact member 32 adapted to electrically connect two contact points 38 held in yielding engagement therewith by springs 34:. Opposite binding wardly to hold a tubular member of sleeve 'plos-ion of the mine.

of the two forces.

42 in engagement with the under side of the member 26 of the valve casing.

It will be understood that both metallic bellows or the chambers formed thereby are filled with any desired fluid, such as kerosene, which does not have'a corrosive I action upon the metals and which will not freeze at low temperatures.

Before going into a statement of the operation of the device, it may be stated that in countermining operations a relatively large charge is exploded in the vicinity of the mine and the disturbance resulting therefrom is transmitted to the'liring mechanism these forces is utilized by this invention to prevent premature firing due to the second In. other words, the detonating of a large mass 01 explosive be neath the water produces two independent effects, separated by a, small interval of time and it is during this interval of time that the electric circuit of the mine is broken, thereby ellminatmg any posslble action oi the detonator under such circumstances.

In operation the threaded sleeve 15 is screwed down upon the upper part or" the diaphragm backing member 16 to exert a compressive action on the fluid within the metallic bellows 22 corresponding substantially to the estimated hydrostatic pressure that will be exerted thereon when the mine is submerged to a predetermined depth. The adjusting nuts 20 are then moved to the proper position to PIOVhlJ a limited amount of play between this sleeve 15' and the lower nut 20. The pressure exerted on the liquid within the metallic bellows 22 will, of course, be transmitted through the spring actuated valve 24 to produce a corresponding pressure upon the liquid therein. The spring il, however, is so tensioned as to hold the stop member 4-2 in engagement with the under side of the valve member even at this adjusted compression. The small compression of spring ll due to errors in setting sleeve 15 and the resultant tendency of the bridge to break electric connection is absorbed by spring contacts 33. The ratio between the diaphragm 1'? and the diaphragm 27 may be varied as desired. It is preferred, however, that this ratio shouldv be about five to one so that moving of the diaphragm l7 downward one-tenth of an inch will proeanna 'duce a movement of the diaphragm .27 live times that amount or one-half of an inch.

'lVhen' a counterinining operation is undertaken the initial effect ot the explosion, or the first compressive action on the water around the mine, will move this diaphragm l7 (lGJVDWtLitl at least one-tenth of an inch thereby increasi the pressure on the liquid therein. This pressure is transmitted through the valve member 24: to the inner metallic bellows and causes a downward movement of the diaphragm 27 a proportional amount thus carrying the contact member orbridg'e piece out oi? engagement with the yielding contacts 33.

Should the mine now be sub'ected to any torcethat mighttend to lire it prematurely,

itwill be without effect. After the passing of the countermining disturbances, the pressure in the vicinity 01 the mine will return to the normal hydrostatic pressure. Diaphragm 17 will tend to return to the normal and the liquid in bellows and 27 will likewise tend to return to the external hydrostatic pressure. This return to a condition of equilibrium is, however, delayed for a predetermined time by seepage valve 24-. 'ihe bridging oitthe two electric contacts'33 by member 32 is delayed and the n'une con- ,tinuessafe'until normal conditions exist.

It is believed from the above that the construction, the method of use, and the operation will be clear to those skilled in the art will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowlreadily adapt it for various applications bout omitting certain features that, from the standpoint oi. the prior art, fairly constitute essential clniracteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency oi the following claims.

lVhat I claim is 1. In device of the character described, incombination, firing mechanism communicating chambers adapted to be filled with liquids, a diaphra associated with each of said chambers in suc ratio that a movement of one diaphragm will cause a corresponding movement of the other diaphragm and means associated with one or said diaphragms adapted to be moved thereby and l'li ' ment of said other diaphragm and the parts l-fldlfie I one having a collapsible 'diaphragm, theother rigid, and communicating one with the other, a member associated withone of said diaphragms and adapted to be moved thereby, said diaphragmsbeing so proportioned that a'relative movement-of one diaphragm will cause a corresponding increase moveconnected therewith.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, two chamberlike members arranged in operative relation to each other, each having a diaphragm and communicating one with the other, a member associated with one or said diaphragms and adapted to be movedthereby, saiddiaphragm being so proportioned that a relative movement of said other diaphragm and the parts connected therewith, and means for adjusting the extent of movement of one of said diaphragms.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, an electrical circuit having a movable circuit breaking member, two chamber-like members associated with each other, a diaphragm associated with each chamber, one of said diaphragms being connected with said circuit breaking member, said diaphragms being so proportioned that a slight movement of the larger diaphragm will cause a correspondingly increased movement of the second diaphragm and the circuit breaking member associated therewith.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, two chamber-like members associated one within the other, diaphragms associated with each member, collapsible metallic bellows connecting said diaphragms, a valve interposed between said members whereby a fluid may pass freely from one to,

the other in one direction, a circuit breaking member connected with one of said diaphragms whereby a movement of one diaphragm will cause a proportional movement of the other diaphragm and the circuit breaking member associated therewith.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, two chamber-like members associated one within the other, diaphragms associated with each member, collapsible metallic bellows connecting said diaphragms, a valve interposed between said members whereby a fluid may pass freely from one to the other in one direction, a circuitbreaking member connected with one of said diaphragms whereby a movement of one diaphragm will cause a proportional movement of the other diaphragm and the circuit breaking member associated therewith and means for rest ring said parts to normal condition.

1. in a device of the character described,

in combination, two chamber-likemembers associated one within the other, diaphragms associated with each member, collapsible metallic bellows connecting said diaphragms, valve interposed between said members whereby afiuid may pass "freely from one to the other in one direction, a circuit breale 'ing member connected with one of said diaphragms whereby-a movement of one diaphragm will cause a proportional movement of the other diaphragm and the circuit breaking member associated therewith and means tor ad usting the extent of movement of said 'diaphragms.

8: In a device of the character described,

in combination, two chamber-like members associated one within the'other, diaphragms associated with each member, collapsible metallic bellows connecting said diaphragms, a valve interposed between said members whereby a fluid may pass freely from one to the other in one direction, a'circuit breaking member connected with one of said diaphragms whereby a movement of one diaphragm will cause a proportional movement or" the other diaphragm and the circuit breaking member associated therewith and means for setting one of said diaphragms to a predetermined pressure.

9. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a firing mechanism, a body member forming a chamber, a metallic bellows and dlaphragm within said chamber adapted to be subjected to hydrostatic pres-' sures, a second chamber having a metallic bellows and diaphragm associated therewith, a valve connection between said chame bers through which pressure is transmitted from one to the other and a member adapted to be associated with a firing mechanism of a mine adapted to be moved on movement of said second diaphragm.

10. in a device of the character described, in combination, a firing mechanism, a body member forming a chamber, a metallic bellows and diaphragm within said chamber adapted to be subjected to hydrostatic pressures, a second chamber having a metallic bellows and diaphragm associated therewith, a valve connection between said chambers through which pressure is transmitted from one to the other and a member adapted to be associated with a firing mechanism of a mine adapted to be moved on movement of said second diaphragm, said diaphragm being of different size whereby the movement of said last mentioned member is proportional to the movement of said first mentioned diaphragm.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a body member forming a chamber, a metallic bellows and diaphragm within said chamber adapted to be subjected to hydrostatic pressures, a second chamber having a metallic bellows and diaphragm associated therewith, a valve connection between said chambers through which pressure is transmitted from one to the other and a member adapted to be associated wi h a firing mechanism of a mine adapted to be moved on movement of said second diaphragm, said diaphragm being of diiierent size whereby the movement of said last mentioned member is proportional to the movementv of said first mentioned diaphragm, and means for adjusting said disures, a second chamber having a metallic bellows and diaphragm associated therewith, a valve connection between said chamhere through which pressure is transmitted from one to the other and a member adapted to be associated with a firing mechanism of a mine adapted to be moved on movement of said second diaphragm, said diaphragm being of different size whereby the movement of said last mentioned member is proportional to the movement of said first mentioned diaphragm, and meansfor limiting the movement of said first mentioned diaphragm.

Signed at Washington, District of Columbia, this 9th day of December, 1919.

XVAYNE F. PALE 115R.