US1576143A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

March 9 1926.

C. F. SCHWENNKER ELECTRIC SWITCH 'Filed June 17 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I7 Inventor; Ch arLe$F SchwennKer; bid

March 9 1926.

C. F. SCHWENNKER ELECTRIC SWITCH Flled June 1 7, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventow C'harlesF'fichwennKerg Hi Attohneg Patented -Mar. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' CHARLES 1. SCHWENNKER, OI SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

.ELECTBIC SWITCH.

Application filed June 17, 1924. Serial m1. 720,686.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES F. SCHWENNKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to circuit controlling means and particularly to means for the control of high potential circuits comprising a main switch which for example may be of the fluid break type, and an isolating or disconnectin switch.

One object o my invention is to provide an improved actuating mechanism for said switches whereby they may be caused to close and open in a definite manner relative to each other.

' Another object is to provide an improved construction of isolatin or disconnecting switch inwhich no flexi le connections are required for connecting it with the main switch. 7

A'further object is the provision of improved means whereby the disconnecting switch may be locked either in closed position or in open position without affecting the normal operation of the main switch.

' My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in con- I nection with the accompanying drawing, and

its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is anelevation of the main switch and the disconnecting switch together with the operating mechanism there; for according to my invention, the switches being shown in open circuit position; Fig. 2 is a similar view .with the switches in closed circuit position; and Fig. '3 is a de-- tail of' the disconnecting switch.

The main switch '1 is illustrated, for example as a common form of oil break switch, the tank of which is indicated only .by dotted lines. The cover 2 carries the insulator bushings 3 which support the stationary contacts 4 at their lower ends. The yoke 5 which carries the movable contacts is mounted on thelowerend of the operating rod -6 which slides through the cover 2 and to which is pivoted the operating lever 7. This lever is connected' by' links 8 to "bell crank 9 whose actuation'i-s'efiected by means which will be described later.

The conductors which pass up through the cover 2 within the insulator bushings 3 terminate in. blocks 12 to which are firmly secured extensions 13 in the form of straight rods or bars of copper or other good conducting material forming fixed contact members. Above the oil switch extends a support 14 for the two stationary'contacts 15 of the disconnecting switch. Each of these contacts, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, has a tapering or wedge-shaped lower :portion, the upper portion being secured to the support 14 by a bolt 16. For convenience in attaching leads thereto the contacts are shown provided with terminals 17. The movable portion of the disconnecting switch comprises a crosshead 18 made up of two strips 19 and 20 preferably of'insulating material which are rigidl-y securedto gether and to which is pivoted the bifurcated operating lever 21. Each strip 19 and 20 .carries'on its inner face a plate 22 having ears 23 and on these cars are pivotally mounted the contact members 24, suitable stops 25 being provided to limit the pivotal-movement of these members for the purpose hereinafter explained. The contact members themselves each comprise a plate 26 having a contact ti 27 at each end thereof. Agood electrica i connection between the tips of each plate is provided by a flexible current carrying conductor or pigtail 28, and a sprin 29 at the opposite side of each plate provi' es the nee essary resilience. When the switch is in its closed position as shown by Figs. 2 and 3 the upper ends of two opposed cont-act members are spread apart by their engagement downwardly out of engagement with the contacts 15. The contact members are now free torock on their pivots by gravity until checked by'the stops 25, sufficient movements being thereby permitted to "avoid frictionalcontact between the extensions 13 and the lower "tips 27'. Guide members 30 secured to the'strips lSand 20 at each end of'the crosshead 18 slide against the' extensions 13. 1

The lever 21 is pivoted to the frame 31 by pin 32 and connected also between this lever and the frame are the spring 33 and the dashpot 34. Both the oil switch and the a link pivoted at its upper end to lever 21 and having a slot 38 for the'pin 39 atits lower end. Link 37 is pivoted to the frame at 40 and is provided with one arm 41 carrying a roller 42 at its extremity and with another arm 43 to which are operatlvely connected toggles'44 and 45. Toggle45 is retained slightly overset when the switches are closed and is adapted to be struck a sharp blow by the plunger 46 of a solenoid when the switch is to be tripped. A switch operating solenoid raises the plunger 48 and in-engaging the roller 42 shifts the toggle links 36 and 37. The tripping mechanism comprising the toggles 44 and 45 and the operating solenoid is that in common use and further explanation thereof will therefore not be given.

Connected, with the pivot pin 39 between links 36 and 37 is the adjustable link 50 having a slot 51 through which passes the pin 52 carried by the bell crank 9. A link 53 having a slot to receive the pin 52 is attached to one end of a tension spring 54 whose opposite end is pivotally connected to the frame. This spring is tensioned when the switches are closed and is provided for the purpose of giving the oil switch a quick initial opening movement.

It will be noted that in accordance with this construction the main or oil switch is operatively connected with the common connection 39 between the toggle links 36 and 37 and the disconnecting switch is operatively connected with the opposite end of toggle link 36. It will also be seen that as a result of this toggle arrangement and the pin and slot connection between the toggle links, the oil switch when tripped opens with a rapid movement while the disconnecting switch under the retarding influence of the dashpot 34 moves toopen position relatively slowly, thereby insuring the complete opening of the circuit by the oil switch before the contacts' of the disconnecting switch separate. In the closing of the switch as the dashpot is not effective andby reason of the buckled relation of the toggle links 36 and 37 the initial upward movement of the link 36 is comparatively rapid. The disconnecting switch thus moves to closed circuit position first and subsequently upon further movement of the ggle links the circuitis finally and completely closed by the oil switch.

Occasion sometimes arises, as for instance, when the oil switch isto be inspected or re pairedgwhen it is desirable to be able to lock the disconneoting' s v v itchin open circuit -position without afi'ecting the normal operation of the oil switch. I have provided means for so looking the disconnecting switch in open circuit position which comprises a separate opening 56 for the reception of pin 32 by which the lever 21 is fulcrumed. By removing pin 32, raising lever 21, and inserting the pin in the opening 56 and through the lever, the fulcrum point of the lever is raised to such an extent that the switch closing operation of the toggle links will not causethe disconnecting switch to close. Furthermore a stop pin 57 will engage lever 21 and prevent it being raised by hand to close the switch controlled thereby when the fulcrum pin has been transferred to the upper opening. Suitable key controlled locking means, as for example a padlock, may of course be provided for preventing the unauthorized removal of the pivot pin 32 from either opening. I have also provided means for locking the disconneoting switch in closed circuit position. 1

This comprises a projection 58 on lever 21 and a member 59 loosely pivoted on the frame at 60. Member 59 has a portion adapted to engage the projection 58 and has two openings therein, either one of which my receive the pin 61 whereby it may be held either in the position illustrated where it does not interfere with the free movement of lever 21 or in its other position, not illustrated, whereby engagement with the projection 58, lever 21 will be held against dewnward movement. Pin 61. may also be secured in either position by suitable key controlled locking means, such'as a padlock, to prevent unauthorized removal thereof.

While I have described only one embodiment of my invention,I do not wish to be limited to the particular form shown and described as it will be apparent that many modifications therein may be made without departing from the scope of. my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure byv Letters Patent of the'United States 1s:

1. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising a main switch, a disconnecting switch, and common actuating means for said switches, said means comprising togg e links, means connecting said main switch with the common connection between said links, means for-operatively connecting the 7 outer end of the other of said links with said disconnecting switch, means for operativ ely connecting the common connection between said links with said main switch and means for moving said pivotally mounted link. i

' 3., A circuit controlling mechanism comprising a main switch, a disconnecting switch, a lever for moving said disconnecting switch, a pair of toggle links having the outer end of one link pivoted to said lever and havinga pin and'slot connection at their adjacent ends, means operatively connecting said main switch to said links at said pin and slot connection, and means whereby the fulcrum of said lever may be shifted to render said lever non-responsive to the operation of said toggle links,

4. In combination, a main switch, fixed contact members secured to the terminals thereof, fixed contacts spaced tromsaid contact members, anda movab e member having contacts adapted to slide on the fixed contact members and to engage the spaced fixed contacts.

5. In combination, a main switch of the fluid breaktype, having terminals projecting therefrom, conducting extensions secured to said terminals, and a disconnecting switch comprising fixed contacts, a crosshead having resilient members slidably engagingsaid extensions and having contacts adapted to engage said fixed contacts.

6. Incombmation, an oil switch having terminals extending from the cover thereof, a conducting rod secured to each of said terminals, and a disconnecting switch comprising stationary contacts, a crosshead, an

operating .lever pivoted thereto, arms carried at opposite ends of said crosshead for slidably engaging said rods, and contacts carried by said crosshead for engaging said stationary contacts and said rods.

I 7. In a switch, a tapering fixed contact, a conducting rod spaced therefrom, a movable contact member pivotally mounted at a point intermediate its'ends and means for moving said contact, member longitudinaliy of saidrod whereby ,the engagement of one end of said member with saidtapering fixed contact rocks said member to cause the opposite end thereof to engage said rod. 7

8. In a switch, a tapering fixed contact, a fixed conducting rod spaced from and in alinement with said contact, a contact supporting member, 'a plurality of movable contact members pivoted to said supporting member and arranged on opposite sides of said tapering contact and said rod whereby when said supporting member is moved in a direction to cause one end of'each of said movable contact members to engage said tapering contact, the opposite ends of said contact members are caused to engage said rod and when said supporting member is moved in the opposite direction said contact members release their engagement with both the tapering contact and the rod.

9. A circuit controlling device comprising a main switch having terminals provided with extensions, a disconnecting switch comprising a crosshead having contact members adapted to make sliding contact with said extensions, fixed contacts also engaged by said contact members, an operating lever pivotally connected to said crosshead, com mon operating means for said main switch and said disconnecting switch comprising toggle links, said main switch being operatively connected to the common connection between said toggle links and the operating lever of said disconnecting switch being connected to the opposite end of one of said links, and switch-actuating means for mov ing the other of said links. Y 10. A circuit controlling device comprising a main switch. a disconnecting switch associated therewith and comprising a slidably mounted crosshea'd, an actuating lever pivoted thereto. a toggle mechanism for actuating both of said switches comprising a. pair of links having a pin and slot connection therebetween, means operatively connecting said main switch and the connection between said toggle links, said actuating lever being connected to the opposite end of one of said links, and an adjustably mounted member adapted to be secured in a position to engage said lever to prevent opening of said disconnecting switch, said pin and slot connection between the toggle links serving to permit independent operation of said main switch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of June, 1924;

CHARLES F. SCHWENNKER.

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