US1584733A - Disconnecting switch - Google Patents

Description

C. CHRISTENSEN DISGO-ENECTNG SWITCH May 18 1926. 1,584,733

Original Filed June 21, 192s 'z sheets-sheet 1 C749/ 5f 0/4 :fer

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May 1s', 192e. 1,584,733

C. CHRISTENSEN DISCONNECTING SWITCH t Original Filed June 21, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 |"I' rV/ l l C. CHRISTENSEN DISCOfNNECTING SWITCH May 18, 1926. 1,584,733

Original Filed June 21, 1923 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 18 1926.

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DIscoNNEcTING swITcH Original Filed June 21, 1923 7 sheets-sheet 5 Hfe/z @mie/26622 May 18 1926.

C. CHRISTENSN DISCONNEGTING SWITCH v7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 2l. 1923 l Il Cmlsen /gmlstemen May 18 1926.

C. CHRISTENSEN DISGONNECTING SWITCH Original Filed June 21, 1923 '7 sheets-sheet 7 222/622202* ralszen /znlsemen.

Patented May 18, 1926.

nire sixties- ATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTEN CI-IRISTENSEN, OF CHICAGOJ ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRICAL ENGI- NEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLI- NCIS.

DISCON'NECTING SWITCH.

Original application leri .Tune 21, 1923, Serial No. 646,750. Divided and this application filed October 17, 1924. Seriai'No. 744,117.

This application is a division of my prior application on disconnecting switches, Serial No. 646,750, filed June 21, 1923. One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide an improved electric switch which is so constructed that the operating mechanism is capable of imparting a strong initial force to the switch blade in order to cause it to break contact with the switch terminal or terminals as the case may be. n

Disconnecting switches of the type which I shall hereinafter describe in connection with the drawings, are commonly used in conjunction with oil switches in high tension work. In this work the practice is to use one of these switches in the-conductor leading from the bus bar to the oil switch and one in the conductor leading from the oil switch to the outside line. rIhis arrangement is necessary in order to permit repairs or necessary adjustments to be made on the oil switch. Hence, it is obvious that the switches used in conjunction with the oil switch may in many cases not be operated for long periods. The contact between engaging surfaces must be firm in order to eliminate resistance and also to secure a large area of engagement. The firm engagement required results in large static friction, making it necessary to apply a strong force on the switch blade to breakr it away from its corresponding contact terminal.

Another object is the provision of a novel, inexpensive and rugged switch operating vmechanism to impart a powerful initial force to the blade .toy break contact and thereafter to cause the switch blade to move with increased velocity to full open position. This additional feature of the iiivention makes this type of switch especially adaptable for low tension work where oil switches are not used. Y

More particularly, this application is confined to that species of switches in which the switch blade extends beyond the terminal with which it makes contact and is operated by means connected to its outer `or free end. ,The broad claims are retained in said parent case. When the operating mechanism is connected to the outer end of the switch blade, the initial force rebrought to the fulcrum or pivoting point of the blade. Hence, any force applied to the switch blade at its outer end by means of suitable operating mechanism connected thereto will be more effective in breaking away the blade from itscontact terminal than if the same force were' applied at any other point of the switch blade.

Other features residing in the construction and arrangement ofparts will be apparent from the following detailed description. Sonie of the improvements in the present application may be applied to switches of other types,and I do not, therefore, intend to limit'these improvements to the particular form of switch herein shown and described.

I shall now describe several embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part vof the present specification.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one` Fig. t is a side elevational view of an-` other embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4:;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal 'sectional View through an arrangement of switch cells or compartmentsshowing switches and switch operatingy means embodying my present invention in connection therewith; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

The switch illust-rated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is used in high tension circuits and is of the three phase gang type of vertical switch, and comprises six switch units, three of said units, for example the upper three units 5-5-5, being adapted for connection to one side and the lower three units 6-6-6 of a bracket 58. Villien operating handle 55 is in the upper position illustrated, pivotal connection 56 is in the vertical plane of pivot 57 or is thrown past said plane whereby the operating mechanism is locked against accidental opening. ln operating lever 55 the same is thrown or swung downward through approximately 180 degrees to the position shown indotted lines. By this motion pivot 56 is carried into or past the vertical plane of pivot 57 below said pivot so as to again lock the operating mechanism in its lower position and the switch units in their open position as will be hereinafter apparent.

vWith the switch units closed as shown, the operation of thisembodiment of the invention is as follows z- Gperating handle or lever 55 is thrown into dotted line position (Fig. l). Operating rod 53 is thereby drawn downwardly and common operating shaft 25 is revolved in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. l). Rotation of arms Set with shaft 25 draws operating links 3() toward their dotted line positions. j

rllhe adjustable mounting of bearing blocks 26 already referred to comprises a slidable mounting of said blocks in channel supports 27 at the outer ends of brackets 26 between set screws 60 through which set screws 60 the positions of blocks 26 may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly in channel supports 27 as desired. This adjustment permits adjustment of the operating shaft 25 toward or from wall 7 and thereby the operating vmechanism without adjusting the separate connectionsl with the switch blades. The point of rotation ofshaft 25 at which the switch units are opened and closed may be adjusted by adjusting the position of shaft 25 in this manner and play between shaft 25 and blades 10 may be eliminated or adjusted as desired without adjusting the various operating links themselves or the pivotal connections therebetween.

lhile the illustration and description of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 relate to three phase systems, the invention is equally as applicable to a single or any other number of phases. In the foregoing embodiment the units 5 and 6 are illustrated and described as opening and closing together. The operating mechanism may be applied to open one set of switch units and close the other and vice versa. The lower units instead of being inverted may be mounted in upright position as are the upper units or all of the switch units may be mounted in inverted position should that be desirable.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 independent operating shafts 65 and 66 are provided for each of the horizontal rows of switch units 67 and 68. As in the embodiment shown inlfgs. l, 2 and k3 the uppery and lower switch units 67 and 66 which are mounted on vertical wall 69 are staggered relative each other, upper units 67 being arranged in horizontal alignment and lower units 68 arranged in horizontal alignment parallel to units 67.

In this case each switch ,unit comprises a lower hinge terminal 70 and an upper contact terminal 7l adapted to be connected by a blade or movable switch member 72. Each of the terminals 7() and 7l consists of a tongue or terminal lug and each blade comprises a pair of parallel blades for embracing the terminal lugs of the contact terminals and pivoted on the tongues or lugs of hinge terminals 70 by pivot bolts 7 3, suitable spring washers being provided to resiliently press the blades into contact with the sides of the terminals. As before, supporting insulators 74C are mounted at their inner ends upon the face of wall 69 and project therefrom. rlhe outer ends of insulations 74 are provided with fittings 75 upon which terminals 70 and 7l are suitably mounted. Terminals 70 and 7l are electrically connected into the circuits or phases in which the respective units are arranged through conductors or leads 76. l

The horizontal switch operating shafts and 66 are rotatably journaled` in bearing blocks 7S which blocks 78 are as before, adjustably mounted in supporting channels 79 at the outer ends of vsupporting arms or brackets 80 between set screws 82 through which said blocks are adjusted forwardly orl rearwardly through channels 7 9 as desired. Supporting arms or brackets SO are suitably mounted at their inner ends upon wall 6i) and project therefrom.

Each of the blades or pivoted switch members 72 of upper switch units 67 is connected to operating shaft 65 through operating or connecting links 84 and S5. Links 84 are fixed at one end upon shaft 65 for rotation therewith and at their opposite ends said links Sil have pivotal connection at 86 with links 85. The opposite ends of links -65 pivotally connected at 87 with the free ends of bladesy 72 outwardly beyond contact terminals 71. The blades 72 of the lower switch units are similarly connected to shaft 66 through links 86 fixed upon said shaft 66 for rotation therewith and having pivotal connection at 89 with links 90 which links 90 are in turn pivot-ally connected at 91 with blades 72 outwardly beyond contact terminals 7l.

Links Sil-85 and 88-90 form straight or substantially i60` degree toggle connections between shafts 65 and 66 and the switch blades 72. These connections impart a strong initial opening force toy blades 72 upon initial rotation of shafts 65-66 in a clockwise direction to secure a positive breaking of contact and thereafter an ini-330 4:ses

creased velocity to secure quick movement ot' the blades to i'ull open position. rl`his powert'nl initial force is the result of the relatively slight movement ot blades 'T2 which accompanies relatively great initial rotation of shafts (35 and As the pivot ends 86--89 or' arms Slt-8S move toward a vertical plane through the axis of sha'lt -66, the ratio ot the amount ot' movement of blades 72 to the amount ot' rotation ot' shafts (S6-6T increases. This results in a multiplying action or increased velocity with a iesulting quick movement of the blades to 'tull open positions, which oiI course is highly desirable iii low tension work7 but is of no great advantage in high tension work where these switches are used in conjunction with oil switches.

Operating shafts 65 and G6 extend through a vertical wall or partition shown in Fig. 5, but omitted in Fig. d. Said wall or partition 92 is positioned substantially normal to wall or partition 69. At their outer ends, shafts (S5 and GG carry operating arms 93 and fixed thereon. Arm 93 has pivotal connection at 95 with the upper end of a relatively long operating rod 9G. Arm 91 has pivotal connection at 9T with the upper end ot' a relatively short operating rod 9S. The lower ends et rods 96 and 98 are pivotally connected through a pin 99 with a pair of lugs 10( projecting iti-om an operating lever 101. Operating lever 101 is pivotally supported on a pin 102 mounted in a bracket 103 which bracket 103 is mounted through an extension 101 upon wall G9. As explained in connection with operating handle 55 when operating handle 101 is in the uppe-r position illustrated, pivotal connections 99 are in the vertical plane of pivot 102 or are swung past said plane whereby the operating mechanism is locked against accidental opening 1n operating lever 101 the same is thrown or swung downward through approximately 180 degrees to the position shown in dotted lines. By this motion, pivot pin 99 is carried into or past the vertical plane ot pivot 102 below said pivot so as to again lock the operatingmechanism in its lower position and the switch units iii their open position.

rl"he operating of this embodiment ot the invention is as follows:-

lVith the switch units closed and the operating mechanism in the position shown, operating` handle lever 101 is thrown into dotted line position. Gperating rods and 9S are thereby drawn downwardly and operating shafts 65 and G6 are revolved or rotated in clockwise direction (Fig. 1). otation of arms S1 and 88 with shafts G5 and 66 draws or pulls blades 72 toward open position through links S5 and 90, first with an exceptionally strong torce tok break contact and thereafter at increased velocity to secure quick movement ot' the blades to full open position.

This embodiment ot the invention is equally as applicable to a single cr any other number ot' phases, and as betoie while the various units are illustrated and described as opening and closing together it is to be understood that the operating incchanisin may be applied to open one set ot switch units and close another and vice versa.

As before7 the adjustable mounting ot bearing blocks T8 in supporting journals T9 between set screws S2 permits adjustment oit the points in the rotation ol shafts 05 and 66 at which the switch units are opened and closed and also permits eliminating entirely or independently adjusting as desired any play between either oi shafts 05 or 00 and blades 72 without adjusting the various operating links themselves or the pivotal connections therebetween.

1n Figs. 6 and T, l have shown the enibodiinent ot 1 and 5 mounted in parallei vertical coinpartn'ients or switch cells 110. lCells or compartments are deiined by vertical partitions 111 and a back wall 112, upon which wall 112 the switch units are mounted in vertical aligned pairs. Each switch unit ot which there is an upper unit 113 and a vertically aligned lower unit 11-1C in each compartment, comprises hinge and contact terminals 115 and 110 adapted to be connected by a blade or movable switch member 117. Each terminal has a tongue or terminal lug and each blade comprises a pair ot' blade members for embracing the terminal lugs ot' the contact terminals and pivoted to the tongues or lugs of the hinge terminals by bolts 11S, suitable spring washers being provided before. rl`erminals 11.7 and 11G are mounted on i'ittings 119 on the outer ends o1 insulators 120. The inner ends of insulators ai'e mounted through suitable bases or fittings upon wall 112. rlerniinals 115 and 110 are connected into circuit through coiiductors, busses or leads 121.

Horizontal switch operating shaits 1;.v and 123 ez'tend through the cells or compartments 110 and the partit-ions defining saine and are rotatably oui'naled iii bearing blocks 12st. Bearing blocks 121 are mounted in vcr- Lical partitions 111 with their outer sui-laces practically llush with the outer edges ot said partitions. r1`he blades of the upper switch units are connected to operating shaft 122 through links 125 and 120. Links 120 ex'- tend between the tree ends ot blades 11T which extend outwardly beyond contact terminals 11G and are pivotally connected with the blades at that point. blades 117 o the lower units are similarly connected t0 shait 1213 through links 128 and 129.

' Operating shafts 122 and 1-3 project outiii.)

wardly through end wall 130 (Fig. 6) and at their outer ends' carry arms 131 and 132 fixed thereon. Arm 131 has pivotal connection at 133 with an operating link or rod 134 which may comprise alength of insulation or be otherwise formed as in other embodiments. The opposite end of link or rod 134 has pivotal connection with arm 132 at 135 and also at 135, arm 132 has pivotal connection with a second rod or link 136. rlhe lower end of link 136 is pivotally connected at 137 with lug 138 of operating lever 139. Lever 139 is pivotally supported on a pin 140 mounted in a bracket 141 which bracket is in turn mounted through a bracket 142 upon the outer surface of end wall 130. Compartments or cells 110 are closed by a cover or door 143.

In operation lever 139 is swung from its full to its dotted line position, drawing or pulling link 136 downwardly witha resulting counterclockwise rotation of shaft 123 and corresponding counterclockwise rotation of shaft 122 through link 134. Rot-ation of arms 125 and 128 with shafts 122 and 123 draws or pulls blades 117 into open position through links 126 and 129; first, with a strong force to positively break contact and then at increased velocity to secure quick movement to full open position. The provision for securing a strong initial opening force followed by an increased velocity in a cell or compartment of minimum size and in so simple a manner is a highly important aspect of my invention.

" I do not intend to be limited to the precise details illustrated and described.

1. In a switch, in combination, an operating shaft, a contact member, a swinging member extending beyond said contact member, and link mechanism connecting said shaft with the extended portion of said swinging member for actuating it into and out of engagement with said contact member. 2. In a switch, a contact member, a. swinging member extended beyond said contact member, an operating shaft, link mechanism connecting said shaft with said swinging member, said mechanism comprising a link fixed to said shaft and a link pivotally connected to the extended portion of said swinging member, and a link connected with said link mechanism and having stationary pivotal support.

3. In a switch, a shaft, a fixed member, a moving member extending Vbeyond and cooperating with said fixed member, and means connected to said shaft and to the extended portion of said moving member capable of exerting a maximum initial force in breaking away said moving member from said fixed member.

4. In combination, a pair of contact terminals, switch members co-operable with said terminals and having free ends extending beyond same, operating means for said switch members, and toggle mechanism connecting said operating means with the extended portions of each of said switch members.

5. In a switch, a rotatable operating shaft, link means thereon, swinging blade members having extended portions at their free ends, and link means pivotally connected to said first link means and to the extended portions of each of said blade members.

6. In a switch, a rotatable operating shaft, link means thereon, swinging blade members having extended portions, link means pivotally connected to said first link means and to the extended portion of each of said blade members, and arms having stationary pivotal support and connected to said connecting link means.

7. In a switch, a contact member, a plurality of swinging members having portions extending beyond said contact members, and link mechanism connected to the extended portions of said swinging members, said link mechanism being designed so that a strong initial force may first be applied to break away said swinging members from said contact members and thereafter an increased velocity to bring said swinging members to full open position. y

S. In a switch, a contact member, a swinging member extending beyond and adapted to engage with said Contact member, and a swinging arm connected to the extended portion of said swinging member, the effective length of said swinging arm being a minimum and the effective length of said swinging member being a maximum when said swinging member is engaged with said contact member. f

9. In a switch, a shaft, a fixed member, a swinging member cooperating with and extending beyond said fixed member, link mechanism connected to said shaft and to the extended portion of said swinging member, and means provided for actuating said shaft.

10. In a switch, a shaft, a fixed member, a swinging member cooperating with and extending beyond said fixed member, link mechanism connected to said shaft and to the extended portion of said swinging member, and means provided for actuating said shaft, said means comprising a link fixed to said shaft and a link mechanism connected to said fixed link for angularly moving said shaft.

11. In a switch, in combination, a bracket, a shaft mounted on said bracket, a fixed member, a swinging member movable into and out of co-operation with said fixed member and having a portion extending beyond said fixed member which co-operates therewith, and link mechanism connected to

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