US1612483A - Oil-switch-operating device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28,1926. 1,612,483

1 R. WILKINS- ET Al.

oIIJ SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE Filed May 18, 1925 3 sheets-sheet I HS'LJ. 6.

ATTORNEYS?.

lDec. 28 1926.

R.w1LK|Ns ET AL Y OIL SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE Filed May 18, 1925 5`Sheets-Shet 2 w u l /NVE/VT'ORS.

- ATTORNEYS.

N f] w QJULJ )Ik G 7bd) x 4 e) a .7 s 4 AL R. WILKINS ET AL.

OIL SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE Dec. 28 1926.

3 Sheets-Sheet S Filed May 18. 1925 /N VENTO/QS.

mi r R @JM m MWJK T A 9,5m

Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNITEDI STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROY WILKINS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, ALBERT T. CHURCH, OF-OAKLAND, AND ARTHUR K. INGRAHAM, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA; SAID CHURCH .AND SAID INGRAHA'M AssIGNo'ns 'ro SAID WILKINS.

OIL-swrrcH-OPERATING DEVICE.

Application filed May 18, 1925. Serial No. 30,904.v

This invention relates to switch operating mechanisms and particularly to anfimproved oil switch closing and opening mechanism operated by powermeans controlled from a distant point. It is well known that ele ctric circuits of high potentialand large current are controlled by switches in oil pots `located in iireproof cells.' The-closing and opening mechanism for such switches is usually carried on the cell structure and is' adapted in the switch closing and opening operations to vertically reciprocate the movable switch contacts. Heretofore the Aopening of the switches has quite commonly been' performed by gravity and the closing thereof by an electric motor. It is desirable, however, that these switches should be positively opened and closed with a very quick action. It is accordingly the primary object of our invention to provide animproved switch operating mechanism vcontrollable from a distant point and adapted-by a minimum of power to effect the rapid closing and opening of such switches.

lt is a furtherJ object of our invention to provide a switch operating mechanism of this type wherein a pair of springs are automatically wound up by a motor, are locked in such condition in a manner also locking theswitches iu either the closed or open position,'and operated by' tripl mechanism controlled from a distant point to close and open the switches by'a quick and powerful action. It will be understood that such a r mechanism requires the use of only a very small electric motor which operates automatically to store up energy in the` springs and which energy reacts in a relatively short -period of time to perform its switch-moving function.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, our invention consists in the features of construction and operation set fdrth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In such drawings, annexedherelto and forming a part of this specification, we have shown certain specific embodiments of our inventionbut it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied, and that the drawings are not -to be conthe invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Referring tothe figures of the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of our improved switch operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof showing the parts in the wound-up position wherein the switch is open;

Fig. 3 is a. like view showing one spring collapsed and wherein the switch is closed;

Fig. 4 is a like view showing both springs collapsed and wherein the switch is open;

Fig. 5 is an end view looking toward the .ings by reference characters, 1 indicates the base on whichf our improved switch-operating mechanism is mounted. Rock shafts 2 and 3 are respectively mounted in uprighls 4 and 5 at the ends of the base. The. shaft 2 carries an arm 6 at its rear end which is adapted to be connected to the switch or switches to be operated.

In Fig. 6 we have illustrated three switches, .each mounted in an oil pot 7. Each of these switches comprises two stationary contacts 8 and two co-operating movable contacts 9 carried on a vertically extending rod 10. Bell cranks 11 connect the rods 10 to a horizontal rod 12 connected to thearm 6.. It will be seen that rocking movement of the shaft 2 in one direction will close the switches and movement thereof in the opposite direction will open the switches.

Lever arms 13 and 14 are mounted respectively on the forward ends of the shafts 2 and 3. A bell crank lever 15 is pivote'd to the upper end of lever 14 at 16 in a man ner forming a compound lever. A pair of tension springs 17 and 18 respectively connoA nected at one end to adjustable screws 19 end of bell crank arm 24 at 25.

connected to pivot 25 has al slottedend 27 'and 2 0 have their opposite ends connected to the lower arms 21 and 22 of levers 14 and 15.. A link 23 connected to the upper end of lever 13 is pivotally connected tothe free A link 26 connected to a pivot pin 28 in the end of a crank 29 mounted for free rotation on a shaft30. Theshaft 30 is driven in the di-` rection of the arrow by a motor 31 through a pinion 32 meshing with a gear'33 on the shaft. Y A lug`34 0n the gear is adapted to engage and drive the crank 29.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4 it will be noted that rotation of the motor will operate through the gear 33 and lug 34 to move the parts to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby stretching the springs 17 and 18. We provide a pair of toggle levers to hold the springs in this position. As best shown in Fig. 3, onesuch lever comprises a bar 35 pivoted to the base at 36 and pivotally connected to aV link 37 rectly over the at 38, the link 37 being pivoted to the lower arlmof'lever 13 at 39. The downward movement of the bar is limited by`engaging an adjustable stop 40. This stop is adjusted pass its dead center, as illustrated lin Figs. 2 and 4.

'The toggle is adapted' to be tripped or broken, to rmit the spring to contract, by the following mechanism. y A set screw 41 is mounted in the free end of the bar dipivoted at 43. The longer end 44 of this lever extends beneath a bar 45 connectedl to the core 46 of a solenoid 47. Energizing of the solenoid is adapted to draw the core 46 downwardly in a manner to raise the bar 35 upwardly` beyond its dead center. A spring 48 is provided for thereafter raising the core upwardly to its normal position.

It will be understood that a like toggle mechanism including a bar 35 pivotedl to the base at 36 and connected to the lower arm of lever 14 at39 is provided on the other side ofthe shaft 30. Like tripping means, including a solenoid 47 ,is also provided for this mechanism.

The' motor circuit is automatically closed to I'rewind the device to its operative posi-` tion, the solenoids 47 and 47 are controlled from a distantpoint andthe position of the device indicate at such point by mechanism now. to be described. This mechanism is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7.

Two like v switch units 49 and50' are mounted on a plate 51 carried by the .up-l rights' 4 and 5. vA` block 52 of insulating material is slidably mounted in each 'unit and each block. has a pair ot' horizontal arms earring two contact elements '53 and 54 therein.l The block 52 in unit 49 in one.

ust permitting the toggle toshorter end 42 of a lever' position closes the contacts a and b and in the other position closes contacts c and d. The blocks 52 in unit 50 in one position closes contacts e and f and in the other position closes contacts g and h.

The contact block 52 is connected by a rod 55 to a pin 56 in the lever 13 in a manner to slide the block to its two positions when the lever moves to its'two positions. When the lever is inthe position of Fig. 2 the contacts d and f are closed and 'when in the position of Fig. 3 the con-' tacts g and h are closed.

The block 52 is connected to arod 57- slidably mounted in a bracket 58. The other end of the'rod is carriedby a pin 59 on the lever 14. vWhen the lever` is in the posi- 'manner preventing movementof the rod to the left. When the -lever moves to the position of Fig. 2 a 'springA 63 on the rod is pressed against a shoulder 64 thereon. The

spring is held thus Vcompressed until a'screw-A head 65 on the gear 33 engages against another arm 66 and against the latches 60.

The spring thereupon moves the rod and block to the left and closes contacts c and (l. A small buffer spring 67 is provided on the rod 57 at the opposite side of the pin 59.

In Fig. 7 is diagrammatically illustrated the electrical connections for controlling and operating the mechanism. -TWO positive and negative terminals are indicated respectively by P and N. The contact switches .for the. sol'enoids 47 and 47 are indicated by 68 and 68. G 'is a green electric bulb which is lighted when the switches 9 are open and thesprings 17 and 18 are expanded to their operative position as indicated at Fig. 2. R' is a red electric bulb which is lighted when the switches 9 are closed. The operation of the device is tially as follows:

It is assumed that vthe parts are in the` woundup position,- as illustrated in Figs. 1 `and 2, wherein the switches 9 are in the open position (Fig. 6). In such positionbf the parts, the-contacts c, b, e, and f are closed. This position is indicated bythe green light AGr which is lighted by a circuit` I )Grfchll (Fig. 7).

To close the switches 9,' the operator closes the switchv 68, whereupon the followingcircuit is established, N, 68, 47, et), P, thusv energizing the solenoid 47 and breaking the locking toggle. at 38. The spring 18 thereupon reacts to move the parts from the po- `substan- -in 3. In this movement the crank 15 rotates onA its piv'ot 16`and through the link 23 rotates the lever 13 in a direction to close the switches 9. It will be noted that this lil() "sitionshown in Fig. 2 to the position shown v movement is a simple harmonic motion wherein the beginning of the switch-closing operation is relatively rapid and gradually diminishes to a final slow but owerful closing of the switches thiough t 1e straightening out of the arm 24 and link' The switches 9 are thereby quickly andy powerfully closed but are not closed with a slamming action. The crank 29 which is loose on the shaft 30has rotated from the position ot' Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3 and the connecting rod has moved the switch block 52 to the left to open contacts e and f and close contacts f/ and la.. The position of the lever 14 has not been changed.

The opening ot' the Contact f has broken the circuit of the green light G and the closing of the contact It has made a circuit NRLP through the red light R. This red lightindicates that the switches 9 are closed.

To open the switches 9 the operator closes switch (38, whereupon the following circuit is established, N, (38', 47', g, P, thus energizing the solenoid 47 yand breaking the locking toggle at 238. The spring 17 thereupon reacts to, move the parts from the 'position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4. In this movement the lever 14 rotates on its pivot 3 and moves the lever 13 in a direction to open the switches 9. In this operation the levers 13 and 14 have both been rotated to the right and moved the blocks 52 and 52 into position to make contacts a, d, e, andy.

The closing of the contacts a and b establishes a circuitP, d, motor, a, N, through the motor 31. The motor thereupon operates to rotate the gear 33 in the direction of the arrow.- The lug 34 engages the crank 2S) and rotates the same therewith. Movement ot the switch block 52 with the level' 14 is prevented by the latch engaging the lug 62. lVhen the crank 29 passes its lowermott position, the springs 17 and 18 have been fullycxtendcd and locked in such position by the toggles at 38 and 38'. A screw-head (i5 on the gear 33 thereafter engages an arm (56 and trips the latch 60. The spring 63 thereupon moves the block 52 to the left and breaks the contacts a, d. The motor then stops, leavingr the parts in the fully woundup position tirst described above and ready to repeat the same cycle of operations.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch operating mechanism comprising the combination of a member adapted to be connected to a switch to close and open the same, spring means, operative connections between the s ring means and the member, an electric motor, operative connections between the motor and spring means whereby operation of the motor places the spring means under strain during such operopen the same, a pair of springs, operative vconnections between the springs and the member, an electric motor, operative connections between the motor and springs whereby operation of the motor places the springs under strain during such operation, locking means for holdingthe springs .in such position, trip means for releasing the locking means in two stages, whereby upon the tirst tripping one spring reacts to move the member to close the switch and thereafter upon the second tripping the other spring reacts toopen the switch, and means tor automatically closing the motor circuit to again place the springs under strain when the switch is thus opened.

2l. A switch operating mechanism comprising the combination of a member adapted to be connected to a switch to close and open the same, spring means, operative connections including a. compound lever between the spring means and the member, an electric motor, operative connections between 'the motor and spring means whereby operation of the motor places the spring means under strain during such operation, locking means for holding the spring means in such position, trip means for releasing the locking means in two stages, whereby upon the first. tripping the spring means reacts through the compound lever to move the member to close the switch and thereafter upon the second. tripping reacts through the compound lever to open the switch, and means for autoniatically closing 'the motor circuit to again place the spring means under strain when the switch is thus opened.

4. A switch operating mechanisml com prising the combination oi a member adapted to be connected to a switch to close and open the same, a pivoted lever, means including one arm of a second pivoted lever pivoted to one arm of the first lever for connecting the same with the member, a pair of springs connected respectively to the other arms of the levers, an electric motor adapted to pla-ce the springs under strain,

.locking means for holding the springs in auch position, trip means for releasing the locking means in two stages, whereb upon the first tripping one spring reacts through one lever to move ,the member rto close the switch and thereafter upon the second trip- A be connected to a switch to close and open the same, a pair of springs respectively adapted toclose' and open the switch, operative connections between the springs and the member whereby ,the reacting of the.

switch opening spring after .the closing spring has reacted -tends to place the closing spring under strain, an electric motor adapted to place the springs under strain, locking means for holding the springs in such position, trip means for Vreleasing' the locking means in two stages, whereby upon the first tripping one spring reacts to move the member to close the switch and thereafter upon the second'tripping the other spring reacts to open the switch, the end of such switch opening action being cushioned by the said straining action on the closing spring, and means for automatically closing the motor `circuit to again place the springs under strain when the switch is thus opened. -l

6. In combination, a switch, spring means, operative connections between the spring means and the switch, an electric motor,l

operative connections between the motor and spring means whereby operation of the motor places the spring means under strainduring such operation, locking means for holding the spring means in such position and the switch in either the open or closed position which it occupies,A trip means for re'- lea'sing the locking means .in twostages, whereby upon the first tripping the spring means reacts'to close the switch and lthereafter upon the second tripping reactsto open the switch, and means for automatically closingthe motor circuit to again place the spring means under strain when the switch is thus4 opened.

7. A switchoperatmg mechanism comprising the combination ofa ,member adapted to be connected to a switch to close and open thel same,spring means, operative connections between the springv means and the member and including a pivoted lever arm having its inner end operatively connected to the member, an electric motor,

operative connections between the motor and 'spring means whereby operation oi' the motor places the spring means understrain during such operation, locking means for holding the spring means insuch position, trip means forvreleasing certain of the locking means whereupon the spring means reacts to open the switch, the operative connection of the lever arm being such that it opensthe switch by a simple harmonic motion wherein the beginning of such operation is rela'- tively rapid and gradually diminishes to a iinal slow but. powerful operation, trip means for releasing other of the locking means whereupon the spring means reacts to open the switch, and means for automatically closing the motor .circuit to-again place the spring fmeans under strain.-

8. A switch-operating mechanism comprismg the combination of a member adapted to be connected to a switch to close the same, spring means, operative connections between the spring means and the member and including a pivoted lever arm having its free end operatively connected to the member, an electric motor, operative connections between the motor and spring means I whereby'operation or" the motor places the spring -means under strain during such 'operation, locking means for holding the spring means in such position, trip means Jfor releasing, the locking means whereupon the spring means reacts to close the switch, 'the operative connection of the lever arm being such that it closes the switch by a simple harmonic motion wherein the beginning ot such operation is relatively rapid and gradually diminishes to a final slow but powerful operation', and means for automatically closing the motor circuit to again place the spring means under strain.

ROY WILKINS.

ALBERT T. CHURCH.

lARTHUR K. INGRAHAM.

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