US1524911A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3. 1925.

C. CHRISTENSE N SWITCH Filed Nov 20, 1920 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 1,524,911

' c. CHRISTENSEN SWITCH Filed Nov. 20, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet z Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRICAL ENGI- PATENT OFFICE.

NEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY. OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, A CORPORATON OF ILLI- NOIS.

SWITCH.

Application filed November 20, 1920. Serial No, 425,325.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRIsTEN CHRISTEN- SEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to switches, and embodies improvements upon the type of switch disclosed in my co-pending appli cation, Serial No. 301,718, filed J une 4, 1919, which has resulted in Patent No. 1,394,968 of October 25, 1921, and in the co-pending application of'Ernest H. Jacobs, Serial No.

381,235, filed May 14, 1920.

The present switch is particularly adapted for outdoor work and it operates on the air-brake principle.

This means that the switch must be capahie of withstanding weather conditions and the rough usage incidental to this type of mechanism. The contacts are subject to greater wear and punishment than is the case of oil switches. In order to carry a heavy current large areas of contact must he provided and the parts become quite heavy and are often difiicult to start, because of the large static friction.

However, an air-brake switch should be operated rapidly to insure breaking of the are as soon as possible.

The present type of mechanism is designed to meet these contradictory requirements.

In my co-pending application above referred to, I have disclosed a novel form of switch operating mechanism comp-rising a series of links embodied in a closed polygonal figure and designed to impart a varying ratio of force and velocity to the switch blades in their actuating motion. The

' theory of this variable ratio motion is to exert, during the initial opening motion of the switch blades, a powerful leverage of large force moment on the switch blades to overcome the static friction of the switch, and to impart, during the remaining pormechanism has been shown as devised for the operation of double throw switches."

In the present invention I have disclosed a modified arrangement of this principle of switch operating mechanism, this arrangement being particularly designed for certain situations wherein a particular degree and character-of switch opening motion is desired. More specifically, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a construction of switch operating-mechanism which will produce a maximum length of stroke of the switch blade in its switch openingmotion. A further object is to provide a construction of switch operating mechanism which will produce a constant or a continuously, accelcrating motion of the switch blade, at a relatively high velocity, from the moment the switch blade breaks contact with its contact terminal until it reaches the outer limit of its arc-extinguishing throw. This increased stroke of the switch bladeand the constant or continuously accelerating character of its motion are of particular advantage inthat they tend to more quickly and effectively quench the are which is drawn. In this regard, they are of particular importance in double throw switches inasmuch as they afford greater assurance that in throwing the movable switch element from one set contact terminals to the other the are which is drawn from the first set of terminals will be completely extinguished before the movable switch element makes electrical connection with the other set of terminals. These characteristics of greater throw of the switch blades and constant or continuously accelerating'motion thereof are attained in the present arrangement of the links without reducing in any degree theleverage or mechanical advantage of the mechanism in the opening actuation of the switch blades.

A further object in'the present invention is to provide an improvedconstruction of high tension double throw switch in cooperative association with the above switch operating mechanism.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which an illustrated embodiment of my invention is shown:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved switch;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the same;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the polygonal series of links; and

Figure 4 is a similar view of a modified arrangement of the links.

The switch-'llustrated is of the horizontal type of. double throw switch, but it will of course be obvious that the invention has applicability to a vertical type of switch as well. The switch is of triple pole or three phase construction and is mounted upon three parallel channel irons 5 which are mounted horizontally on the, pole or switching tower, or which may comprise part of the switching tower structure. The three individual units on the three channels 5 are identical in construction and operation, and I shall therefore describe only one of these units in detail. I

Referring to Figure 1, at the ends of the channel 5 are supported vertical insulators 6 and 7 which have their bases mounted in insulator clamps 8 and 9 which are secured to mounting pedestals 10 and 11 on the channel member. Insulator clamps 12 and 13 are secured upon the upper ends of the insulators 6 and 7 and upon these .clamps are sup orted the contactt- erminals 14 and 15. Re erring particularly to the left hand terminal 14,-each contact terminal comprises a horizontal plate 16 having an upstanding terminal lug 17 on each side of which is provided a guid the cooperating, switch blade into over the terminal 17. The outer en osition of the plate 16 is bent upwardly to support the inj clined arcing horn 19. The ends of the transmission lines have connection with.

Midway between the insulators 6 and .7, is mounted a central insulator 23, which has support in an insulator clamp 24 secured to a mounting pedestal 25, as described of the other insulators. The insulator clamp 26 on the upper end of the central insulator 23 supports the hinge terminal 27 to which are hinged the two switch blades 28 and 29. The blade 28 is arranged to contact only with its individual contact terminal 14 and the blade 29 with its individual terminal 15; as a result of which the'angular throw required in swinging the movable switch element from one set of terminals to the other is considerably reduced. Each blade illustrated e member 18 for guiding eeann 28 29 is preferably built up of a pair of spacedblades which are trussed for greater strength and rigidity. The two lateral blades of the blade unit 28 have pivotal mounting between a pair of spaced pivot lugs constituting the upper end of the hinge terminal 27 and the two lateral blades of the blade unit 29 have concentric pivotal mounting with the blade unit 28 on theoutsides of these spaced pivot lugs. ()n the outer ends of the blades 28 and 29 are -mounted sleet hoods 33, which are adapted burning of the terminal lugs Jand" blades. The outer end of each arcing tip 34"is;.conformed to embrace and haveguiding engagement. with its corresponding arcing horn while the switch .bladeismbving into position, the tip beingyieldably pivoted so that it may fold upwardly into the position when the blade is in closed position.

The three poles ofj' the switch are simultaneously operablef from za point at the base of the switching'tower' or.pole through the medium of anoperatingjdever 36 which is pivoted in the slot of afforked bracket 37 mounted on;- the tower structure or pole,

The lever-'36, has pivotalicon'nection to a vertical operating rod 38 {through a link 39. The link 39 is curved. in siicha manner as to .enableflit flto. engage aroundthe pivotal centerof thei operating lever 36 when the sameis swung .4downwardly', "whereby the operating leveremay be swung through approximately 180 degrees of motion. In this mannerthe operating lever 36 is made self locking in either its upper or lgwer position by virtue ofthe fact that it revolves the pivotal connection with the rod, 38 over center, e. into or past the vertical plane extending through the rod. The upper end ing tip 34 and horn 19 sothat there is no of the operating rod 38 has pivotal connectio'n through a link 41 with'the end of an arm 42 which is. rigidly mounted on a horizontahoperating shaft 43. The shaft 43 extends transversely of the switch mechanism across the tops of the channels 5, and has bearing support in bearings 44 on these chan- I nels. Mounted uponthe shaft 43, substantially in the planeof each pole unit of the switch are arms-45 which have pivotal con- ,nection with .upwardly extending stems-46.

Each stem 46 supports a separate operating insulator 47 for operating the movable switch element of its individual pole. The insulator 47 has mechanical connection at, its upper end with the improved link mecha- .nism of its particular pole unit through "pivot center 53 is situated below the pivot an insulator clamp 48 which is provided with a projecting pivot lug 49. The improved link mechanism has pivotal connec-' (ion with this pivot lug for operation, thereby, in a manner'which I shall now describe.

The link mechanism comprises a curved lever or arm 51 which is widened outwardly and slotted centrally as indicated at 52 to engage over the hinge terminal lug 27. The lever 51 is pivoted to this hinge terminal upon a pivot pin 53 which is extended through the hinge terminal and throughthe sides of thelever which embrace the terminal. It should be particularly noted that this pin 50 on which the blades 28'and-29 are pivoted. The extending ends of the curved lev'er'51 form coo-peratlng arms 54 and 57, one arm for each of the switch blades 28 and 29. The right-hand arm 54. of the lever is formed with an upturned, end 55. whichf is rounded and so positioned with respect to the switch blade 29 that it will be operable to engage said switch blade and func tion as ablade opening shoe in the initial; motion of the link mechanism. The pivot lug 49 on the top of the insulator clamp 48 has pivotal connectionfwiththis right hand arm below-the curved end. 55 ';at the pivot 56. The, left-hand arm 57.."ofthe curved lever 51 is "provided with a similarly upturned end 58 at substantially the same radius as the end-"'55, for "engaging with theunder side of the Switchblade 28 for initiatingits opening movement. The two' i ot the diagonal. strut or link '61, which is blades 28 and 29 are rigidly connected together at the angle illustrated so astoform a unitary switch "element by the provision represents substantially the etfective lever;

arm through which the arcextinguishing' motion will be imparted to the switch blades, and it should be particularlynoted that, by reason of the raised positiou'of the-pivot above the plane of the switch blade 29, this effective lever arm will either remain constant or diminish rather than increase 'withthe upward stroke of the switch blade.

Whether the effective lever arm; will remain constant or willdim'inish will be dependent upon the position of thepivot 65 along the diagonal strut 61, as will be presently apparent."

I shall now describe the operation of the switch, making-particular reference to Figurej3 to diagrammatically illustrate the action-fofthe'link mechanism, Upon swin 'ing the operating lever 36 downward it will be apparent that the leverage of the .lever 36 willbe directly effective against the under side of 'theswitch blade 29fthrough' the'en gagement of the shoe" end 55 therewith.

,7 During this part of the motion the lever arm '45 on the operating shaft43' oper ating through (a comparatively short, powcrful lever arml' "Similarly, *the leverage. of

paratively short, powerful lever arm. The

. the lever 36 is operating through a commaximum mechanical advantage; of the operating-mechanism is thus immediately effective during the initiaLpart of the blade ,1noven1ent, and as a consequence the static friction and inertia of the. movable switch element areeasily overcome. It isfonly necessarythat'this maximum efiort be exerted on the movable switch, element during such time as the movable switch element is breaking triction'al contact with the terminal lug,

and [during this'part of the, throw .the multiplying action: of the link, mechanism ,is.

substantially non-effective, by reasori of the r slight play which 'willfalwa'ys} exist between the pivoted links. If desired, additionalplay maybe provided for by slotting certain It will ,be noted that. the system of each oflthese polygonal figures, there are two' moving j. pivots and: two stationary ipi'vots', the link mechanism having its sittingg. motion .abbht-fthese. two stationary.

of,.the pivot connections, such as at the pivot 65.

links for each of the switch blades defines 1 a four-sided polygonal figure, as indicated 105 bytheldash' and dot lines in Figure 3. In

pivots. Inf-the'jsystem of links for the righthand side of the switch, the two pivots 50 pivots of thev gure,-'and the pivot-"pins 56 and 65 correspond to the two 'moving pivots.

The .portionjofjhinge terminal between the stationary pivots 50 and 53 corresponds to a stationary link a; the curved arm between the ivots .53 and 56. corresponds to ajfirst togg e linkb; the link 64 bet-ween .the now' ing pivots'56 and 65 corresponds'to-ajsee I on'd toggle jlink '0; and the 'radial -linelbetween the pivots '65 and 50 correspondsito a-switch operating'link or lever arm-r. The

ivot 65 moves through the are 8. "As hereinbefore remarked, it is of v particular note that the pivot 'l 65 is located at an ele'vated point above the lane of the switch blade 29,611 such .positlon thatfwhen the switch" blade is in closed position the lever arm 1' is Thus an endwise thrust is imparted to the link 0." To this is added the toggle motion incident in bringing the lower end of the link 64 up into more'of a horizontal position, the two thrusting the pivot 65 to the left with a rapid motion of considerable amplitude. At the beginning of the arc extinguishing throw the pivot 65 is in position corresponding to substantially maximum length of lever arm 1', with respect to this directiontof endwise thrust from the link '0. However, as the pivot 65 revolves to the left anddown on the other side of the vertical center line, the effective lever arm through which the linkc imparts its motion to the switch blades decreases to a slight extent. The present embodiment illustrates this decrease I in lever arm as being comparatively small, and if desired, the position of the pivot65 may be so adjusted as to maintain the effective lever arm substantially constant throughout the entire stroke of the switch blade. This question of having a decreasing or substantially constant lever arm is dependent upon certain conditions such as the desired stroke or throw of the switch, the weight of the movable switch element, the speed of throw, etc. These conditions may be met by the proper location of the pivotal centers of the inner ends of the links 64 and 67 along the strut 61. For example, if a more constant length of efiective lever arm is desired for a substantially uniform velocity of arc-extinguishing throw this is obtained by pivotally mounting the inner ends of the links 64 and 67 on independent pivots which are spaced sufficiently apart along the strut 61 to maintain a substantially uniform length of lever arm between the limits of the throw.' On the other hand, if a continuous, rapid decrease of lever arm is desired for a continu ous, rapidly accelerating, arc-extinguishing throw, this is obtained by overlapping the ends of the links 64 and67 and pivoting these ends at remote points along the strut 61, such as even at the points 62-62 as I shall presently describe. It is within the scope of my invention to so pivot the ends of these links as to obtain any of these desired characteristics of switch blade motion. Referring again to the operation of the arrangement illustrated, it will be apparent that concurrently with the decrease in efi'ective lever arm of the link or arm 1 the horizontal component of motion of the pivot 56 (represented in the entirety at it) continuously increases, and as a result of this increasing rate of motion of the link 0 and'the decreasing length of'effective lever arm through which it works on the switch blades, a .continuously accelerating motion of the switch blades is obtained, this continuing until the blades are arrested by the "beforecontact ismade with the other set of terminals. The are interrupting action is also assisted by the large extent of blade opening which is secured by the present arrangement of the links. The location of the pivot 65 above the plane of the switch blade 29 and comparatively close to the pivot permits of a relatively long link (2, and the stroke ofthe blade is thus increased by the more effective toggle action of the links 6 and c. Referring again to the operation, when the multiplying motion of the links begins to accelerate the switch blade 29, the latter 1 moves away from engagement with the switch opening. shoe so that the shoe 55 does not assist any further in the opening motion but merely trails the blade into open position, as illustrated of the'shoe 58 and blade 28. As the one blade 29 moves into open position, the other blade 28 moves concurrently into closed position into contact with the contact terminal 14. The link mechanism for this side of the switch then assumes the relation just described of the right-hand link mechanism and upon the downward motion of the operating insulator 4'8 in making a return throw'of the switch, this link mechanism on the left side of the switch will exert a large opening force on the switch blade 28 and will thereafter accelerate the arc interrupting throw of the switch blade 28 in the identical manner just described of the blade 29. It will be noted that the weight of each switch blade decreases as the blade rises to open position, and that the blades tend to balance each other to a certain extent. This. assists the switch operating mechanism in producing the high speed motion above described.

As I have hereinbefore stated, it is within illustrated the links 64 and 67' as having; their innerends overlapped and'pivotally connected to the pins62-62. This arrange:

'- lever arm at the beginning of the stroke is ment is designed to give a rapidly decreasing length of effective lever arm with the result hat the arc-extinguishin throw has a rapidly accelerating action. he initial effective indicated at r. and at the end of'the stroke is indicated at r". From'this it will be seen that by the proper location of the pivots for the inner ends of the linksf64 and 67 any desired action-ofleve'r arm maybe obtained for any desired-character of arc extinguishing throw.

tails herein shown and described except as they are defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In anelectrical switch," the combination i of contact terminals, a movable, switch" element, and switch operating'mechanism com prising means exerting 'arelatively large force upon said movable switch elementfdu'ring'tlie initial part of its motion, and a relatively large velocity during the remainingpart of its motion, said j switch operating mechanism imparting a high'velocity motion to said movable switch element through an eflective lever arm of'non-increasin length.

2. In an electrical switch, the com ination of contact terminals,a" movable switch ele:

ment cooperating therewith, and switch operating mechanism comprising a series of links operating to exert an opening efi'ort on said movable switch element of large force and small velocity and to impart an arc extinguishing motion of relatively high velocity to said movable switch element after said opening motion, said series of links imparting said are extinguishing motion to said movable switch element through a lever arm of non-increasing efi'ectivelength.

3. In an electrical switch,- the combination of contact terminals, a movable switch element, a switch operating member, means for imparting the operating motion of said" member directly to said movable switch element during theinitial motion of breaking contact, and a series of links connecting sald switch operating member and said movable switch element, said series of links thereafter imparting a multiplied motion to said movable switch element, said series of links impartin 4. In an electrical switch, the combine motion to said movableflswitchelement t rough a lever arm of diminishing for producing a continuously of links comprising a ifirst link connected to said operating member ;and' having. station Y ary pivotalsupport eccentric to the: pivotal mountingof said: switch blade, "a-second link pivotall'y' ,connectedat one end, to said. operatingmemb'er, and means pivotally connecting.

the other endfof said second link'tosaid. .switch,blades,fsaid se'cond link'being pivoted. g

to Said n c i g f Bans at a point laterally of said Switchblade, Y

5. In an nea s-a1 switch, aisasham- I of a contact terminal, .afswitch blade 00- I operating therewith, a first stationary pivot about which said switch'blade. is adapted to swing, a second stationary fpivot, ,a link I p pivotally mounted thereo-ma first',-movin .I do not intend to be limited to the .de-'

pivot moving with said link, ajs'econd l' pivotally. mountedon said [first moving pivot, a second moving pivot pivotally jcon- -necting said second link with said switch blade, operating. means for actuating 1 said links, said second moving pivot substantially defining the lever armflfor transmitting motion to said switch blade,,said second moving pivot being disposed whereby said leverrarm will decrease in effective length during open ing motion of said switch blade.

6. In a-double throw switch, the combi-i nation of a pair of contact terminals, an in-' dependent switch blade cooperating with each of'said contact. terminals, each of said switch blades havingconcentric pivotal mounting, said switchbl'ades being' rigidlyconnected together at an angle, switch operating mechanism comprising -means for exerting: a relatively large efi'ort upon said switch bladesduring the initial. part of their opening motion and a relatively lar e velocity durin the remaining part of. their. are extinguishin' 'motion, said switch operating mechanism aving operative connection-with said switchblades at a point 7 intermediate the two of said blades.

7. In a double throw switch, the combination of a pair of contact terminals, an intermediate 1 hinge terminal, a pair of switch blades pivoted to saidhinge terminal,a diagonal member rigidly connecting said blades together at an angle, aswitch operating member adapted to exert a large opening etl'ort directly upon said switch blades in breaking contact with said contact.

terminals, link mechanism operatively connecting said switch operating memberwith said blades for multiplying'the. further motion of said switch operatlng tmember, said links comprising a first link lvoted'eccensaid switch operating'member, and a sectrio to said switch blades an connected to.

first link and said diagonal member between the switchbla'des.

8.In a double throwswitch, the combination of a pair of contact terminals, an intermediate hinge terminal, a first stationary center in said hinge terminal, a pair of 'switch blades pivoted on said center, a

diagonal member rigidly connecting said blades together at a V-anglep a second stationary center below saidfirststationary center, a lever pivoted centrally on said second stationary center, a pair of links each pivoted at one end tothe ends of said lever,

the other ends of said linksha'ving pivotal connection with said diagonal member betweensaid switch blades, said lever comprising means adapted to engage directly with said switch blades for exerting a relativelylarge opening effort on said blades while breakingcontact with said contact terminals, and aswitch operating member for actuating said lever.

9'. In an electrical switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a switch blade cooperable therewith, a' stationary pivot switch blade operative -to"connect said ter-' minals, a'switch" operating member adapted to apply a relatively slowpowerful effort to the switch blade 1n the contact-breaking motion thereoffall inkfor transmitting an accelerated arc-eXtinguishing motion to 'nal for contact with said contact terminal,

said switch blade thereafter, a pivot swinging with said switch blade, said link being; connected to said pivot at one end and 'having operative connection at the other end with said switch operating member, said" pivot being disposed whereby the effective radius line from the pivotal centerofsaid switch blade to the force line through said link is of non-increasing length.

11. In an electrical switch, the combina tion of a hinge terminal,a contact terminal, a switch blade pivoted on said hinge termia switch operating member adapted to exert a relatively powerful opening force upon said switch blade during the contact-breaking mot-ion thereof, means for transmitting an accelerated arc-extinguishing throw from said member to said switch blade after breaking contact, said means compris ing a switch operating pivot swinging con centrically with said switch blade, a second pivot moving with said switch operating member, a link extending between said pivots, said switch operating pivot being disposed whereby the radius arm from the force line between said pivots tothe pivotal center of said switchblade is of diminishing radius during a predetermined part of the arc-extinguishing throw.

12. In an electrical switch, the combinationof a contact terminal, a blade cooperable therewith, a pivot for said blade, blade operating means including-an arm pivoted eccentric to the blade pivot, and a pair of links pivoted to the'blade and said arm, respectively, and to each other laterally of the blade.

In witness whereof I hereuntosubscribe my name this 22nd day of October, 1920.

CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN.

Images