US1611779A

US1611779A - Circuit-interrupter mechanism

Info

Publication number: US1611779A
Application number: US643149A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest K Read
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1923-06-04
Filing date: 1923-06-04
Publication date: 1926-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1943-12-21

Description

Dec. 21 1926.

E. K. READ CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER MECHANI SM.

Filed June 4, 1923 -4 Sheets-Sheet L..2..... .1T-T

INVENTOR fmesf A. Read ATTORNEY gig-N25551: M;.W

Dec. 21 1926.

' E. READ CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER MECHANISM INVENTOR [rnesf ff. Read 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 "llillt Filed June 4.

ATTORNEY E. K. READ CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER MECHANISM Dec. 21 1926.

Filed June 4, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lll II I INVENTOR fr/vesf/x. Read 1/ TTOYQNEY Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST K. READ, OF EAST PITTSBURGH, FENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING CUIXEIANY, A. CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER ME6E-IANISM.

Application filed June 4,

My invention relates to circuit interrupters and more particularly to operating mechanisms therefor that are actuated by a member common to several circuit interrupters.

One object of my invention is to provide a plurality of circuit interrupters with a common actuating member, each of the circuit interrupters being provided with a mechanism for selectively engaging or dis engaging such common member.

Another object of my invention is to provide a plurality of circuit interruptcrs with a common shaft to which any one or all of the circuit interrupters may be connected.

A further object of my invention is to provide a circuit interrupter with certain mechanical and electrical details for selective connection on to, or disconnection from, a driving mei iber.

The circuit interrupter shown in my invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with the circuit-interrupter system shown and described in the application of A. J. A. Peterson. Serial No. 681,785, filed Dec. 20, 1923, and which is assigned to the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a three-pole circuit interrupter embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof,

Fig. 3 is a viev, partially in perspective and partially in section. of the controlling mechanism in its operative position when the circuit interrupter is in closed position.

Fig. 1 is a similar view of the controlling mechanism when the circuit interrupter is in open position and the controlling mechauism is about to close the circuit interrupter, and,

5 is a similar view of the controlling mechanism when the circuit interrupter is locked in open position.

In the several figures of the drawings similar reference characters indicate like parts.

Figs. 1 an'dEZ I haveshown a'plurality of dined circuit interrupters land their associated signal switches 52. lVh'ile I have shown three circuit interrupters for controlling a threaphase electrical circuit, it is to 1923. Serial No. 643,149.

be understood that my invention is applicable to any number of alined circuit interrupters or to any polyphasc circuit. These features may be of any preferred construction as they form no part of the present in vention.

A controlling mechanism 3 is associated with each circuit interrupter 1, and is actuated from a shaft 1 which extends adiacent to, and is common to, all the alined circuit interrupters 1. Shaft 1- is secured in juxtaposition to the circuit interrupters 1 by a series of brackets 5 that are bolted to a frame 6. A pair of electromagnets 7 and 8 are secured beneath the frame 6 for each circuit interrupter 1, the electromagnet 7 being placed in front of the electromagnet 8. Each electromagnet comprises a'core memher 9 of inverted U-shape and a pivoted ari ature 11 having a projecting portion 12 that is adapted to complete the magnetic circuitthrough the core member 9 upon the ener gization of the electromagnet. A

As is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. the shaft 1 is given a rocking motion by means of a lever 13 clamped thereto and a linkage mech anism 1 1 actuated from any source of power (not shown). Clamped to the shaft 1 in ahnement with each circuit interrupter 1, is a curved driving cam 15 which extends outwardly from, and parallel to, the shaft l. The lev r 13 and the cam 15 may be formed as a unit, if desired. As shown in Fig. 2, a lever 16 having a link 17 connected to the signal switch. 2, is pivoted on the frame 6, for co-operation with a link mechanism 18 which terminates in a rod 19. Rod 19 is actuated by the mechanism 3 to open and close the associated circuit interrupter 1, in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

Rod 19 is pivotally attached to an arm of a hell crank 21 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 41, the other arm of which car ries a roller 22 and is provided with a cam face 23.

A second bell crank is loosely mounted on the shaft 4, one arm being provided with a face 25 for engagement with the driving cam 15. As is shown in'Fig. 5, the other arm of the crank 24 terminates in a hardened steel insert 26 and an enlarged hearing surface 27 forthe attachment of parts hereinafter described. It is to be observed that the bell crank, :21 is mounted on shaft st between the driving cam and the crank 24. A spring 28 is secured between the .trame 6 and the crank 2a to balance the latter in a counter-clockwise direction in order to normally keep the cam 15 and face in co-operative relation.

A lever 31 which is pivotec to the bracket 5, :32, terminates in a face 33 which is adapted for engagement with the cam 23 on the crank 21. Mid-way of the length of lever 31, there is mounted a roller 3a which adapted to engage the insert 26 on the crank 24. A coiled spring which is carried on the under surface of the frame 6, bears against the lever 31. By reference to Figs. 3, and it will be observed that over-trave of the lever 81 is prevented by reason of the tact that it is always in engagement with one or both of the cranks 21 and v Bearing 27 on the crank 23% carries a latch 6, pivoted as at 3?, and which is biased in counterclockwise direction by the spring Latch 36 is provided with an enlarged .il-piece S9 for enga ement with the hill 2 of either electromagnet 7 or 8.

As shown in Fig. 5, in the open position of the circuit interrupter, crank 24 is kept in engagement with the driving cam 15 by the tension in the spring 28, and the shaft st, to which any number oi riving cams 15 may be attached, may be given a rocking movement tor an indefinite peri d. Accordingly, the cranks 2 a of all the open circuit interrupters are rocking or oscillating with the shaft 4-.

Assuming the circuit interrupter is in the open position shown in Fig. 5, it can not be closed as long as the electromagnet 7 remains in an energized condition, as the projection 12 or" the energized electromagnet 7 engages the tail-piece 39 of the latch 36 thereby preventing engagement between the latch and the roller 22 when they approach during the rocking movement of the crank 24-.

After de-energization ot the electromagnet 7, the latch 36 engages the roller 22 upon the next forward movement of the crank 2 as is shown in Fig. 0n the reverse movement of the cranlt 2st, or the upward move ment of the cam 15, thecranh 21 is drawn to the closed pos'tion of the circuit interrupter, shown in Fig. 3. During the closing movement of the cruel: 21, rod 19 actuates the link mechanism 18, the operating lever 160i the circuit interruoter, and the s gnal switch 2 to their closed positions. At the end of the reverse stroke of the crank 2%, roller 3% drops behind the insert 26 and holds the crank 2% in closed position.

It is to be observed that, in the closed position of the circuit interrupter, the associated operating mechanism is out of operative engagement with the shaft it.

on c: o:

In order to open the circuit interrupter, the clectromagnet 8 is energized, whereupon associated projection 12 engages the tailpiece 39 of the latch 36 to cause the latter to turn about the pivot 37, which operation releases the roller 22 from engagement therewith. The crank arm 21 returns to its forward position under the influence ot the force of gravity acting upon rod 19 and the mechanism 18 attached thereto. When the rank 21 nears the end of its forward stroke, the cam 23 engages the surface 33 of the lever 31 whereby the latter is given a clockwise movement a out its pivot point This turning movement is sufiicient to re lease the insert 26 from under the roller 34, whereupon the crank 24 moves into its forward position by reason of the tension in the spring 28. So long as the crank 21 remains in its forward position, roller 3% is held out of engagement with the insert on the oscillating crank 24: by reason ot the engagement between the cam 23 and the surface 88 oi the lever 31. i

It will accordingly be seen that 1 Ave provided a circuit-interrupter inecha; .sm

which permits the selective engagement or disengagement of any one or all of a p urality ot circuit interrupters with a COL: men c riving member. l have also provided suitable electrical and mechanical operating details for accomplishing this result. L

While I have shown and described inv invention in its preferred form, it is apparent that modifications may be made in the arrangement ot the mechanism for controlling the positions of the circuit i; ruptcrs without departing from the spirit or" my invention. I desire, therefore, to be limited only to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim. as my invention:

1. in combination, an osciilatahle shaft. a plurality of circui interrupteis, a plural ity of members loosely mounted on d shaft, and means for selectively and in-dc pendently controlling the connection hetw-een said shaft and said circuit i11ii01'lUl)t ers through said members. A

2. In combination, on oscil atable sl 2. a circuit interrupter, a plurality loosely mounted on said shatt, and electro responsive means for select rely controlling the connection between said shaft and said circuit interrupter through s' 3. In combination. o. l circuit interrupter, a plui loosely mounted on sa d shaft responsive means com l net for selectively controlling tee CUH'EMH between said shaft and said circuit inter rupter through said members.

4.. In combination, an oscillita circuit interrupter, plura i J loosely mount-ed on said shaft, an i a pair ct electromagnets for selectively controlling the connection between said shaft and said circuit interrupter through said members.

5. In a circuit interrupter structure, an oscillatable shaft, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, a driving connection between said shaft and one of said cranks, an operating connection between one of said cranks and a circuit interrupter, and means carried by the first of said cranks for engaging the second of said cranks.

c. In a circuit interrupter structure, an oscillatable shaft, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, a driving connection between said shaft and one of said cranks, an operating connection between one of said cranks and a circuit interrupter, and means comprising a latch carried by the first of said cranks for engaging the second of said cranks.

7. In a circuit interrupter structure, an oscillatable shaft, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, a driving conmotion between said shaft and one of said cranks, an operating connection between one of said cranks and a circuit interrupter and means comprising an electrically controlled latch carried by the first of said cranks for engaging the second of said cranks.

8. In a circuit interrupter structure, an oscillatable shaft, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, 1 driving connection between said shaft and one of said cranks, an operating connection between one of said cranks and a circuit interrupter, and means carried by one of said cranks for engaging another of said cranks.

9. In a circuit interrupter structure, an oscillatable shaft, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, a driving connection between said shaft and one of said cranks, an operating connection between one of said cranks and a circuit interrupter, and electroresponsive means for controlling the engagement between said cranks.

10. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, a plurality of cranks mounted on said shaft, means mounted on said shaft for driving one of said. cranks, and men is for connecting said cranks whereby the driven crank is held from co-operative relation with said shaft when said circuit interrupter is in closed position.

11. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for actuating one of said cranks from said shaft, and means normally oiasing said crank into engagement with said actuating means,

12. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for actuating one of said cranks from said shaft, means normally biasing said crank into engagement with said actuating means and means adapted for holding said crank out of operative engagement with said shaft when said circuit interrupter is in closed position.

18. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for actuating one of said cranks from said shaft, means normally biasing said crank into engagement with said actuating means, means adapted for holding said crank out of operative engagement with said shaft when said circuit interrupter is in closed position, and means for controlling said holding means.

14. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for actuating one of said cranks from said shaft, means normally biasing said crank into en gagement With said actuating means, means adapted for holding said crank out of oper tive engagement with said shaft when said circuit interrupter is in closed position, and means comprising an electromagnet for controlling said holding means.

15. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for actuating one of said cranks from said shaft, means normally biasing said crank into engagement with said actuating means, means adapted for holding said crank out of operative engagement with said shaft when said circuit interrupter is in closed position, and means comprising a second crank for controlling said holding means.

16. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for actuating one of said cranks from said shaft, means normally biasing said crank into engagement with said actuating means, means adapted for holding said crank out of operative engagement with said shaft when said circuit interrupter is in closed position, and means comprising a second crank and an electromagnet for controlling said holding means.

17. In combination, an oscillatory shaft, a circuit interrupter, a plurality of cranks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for actuating one of said cranks from said shaft, means normally biasing said crank into engagement with said actuating means, means adapted for holding said crank out of opera tive engagement with said shaft when said circuit interrupter is in closed position, and means comprising a second crank for coir trolling said holding means, said second named crank having operative connection to said circuit interrupter.

In testimony whereof, I. have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of May, 1923.

ERNEST K. READ.