US1618087A - Oil circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 15 1927.

J. D. HILVLIARD' on. cmcun: BREAKER Filed Aug. 15.1921

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Patented Feb. 15, 1927. I

UNITED STATES PAT JOHN ,D. HILLIARD, or SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, 'AssIoNon crocnivnnltnnnntiriirc COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

OIIi CIRCUIT BREAKER.

Application filed August 15, 1921. SerialNo. 492,322.

- which is formed when the contacts separate.

One object of the present invention is to provide a means to separate the ejected gas and 011 and to permit the ready escape of the gaseous material so as to prevent an undue rise of pressure within the oil vessel. Means is further provided exterior to the vessel whereby the material may be cooled so that a portion of the same is condensed and returned to the main body of oil within the vessel and the remainder has its temperature so reduced that it may be safely allowed to escape into the atmosphere.

A further object is to provide means whereby the are is extinguished by a separation of the electrodes in a large body of cool oil, provision being made whereby comparatively small quantity of oil will be ejected from the vessel. A further object of the invention is I to provide means whereby the highly heated products of the are are prevented from commg into contact with the oil vessel whereby the danger of a short circuit between the active electrodes and the metallic walls of the vessel is reduced to a minimum.

- In the particular embodiment of my invention here illustrated the oil vessel is provided with stationary electrodes extending through the top thereof, which electrodes are formed with suitable vent passages which lead to the cooling and condensing chambers. The contacts are separated within these passages, the stationary electrodes thus serving as a shield to prevent the highly heated material from being blown against and movable contacts, and Fig;

tional view through one o frthe stationary electrodes taken on theline33 of-1*ig: 1.-

In- Fig. 1 of the drawing, .10.-.-represents a vessel adapted to contain 011 01Sillll'lfiil't'lllsulating liquid and provlded wltha coverll.

Arranged to move through an E opening-12 formed in the cover 11 is an insulating rod 13 which carries a metallic bridging member 14 formed at its ends with contacts-15.. These contacts are each formed of two spring members 17 adapted to embrace a stationaryvcontact which is in the form of a bar 44 extend which extends into the enlargement and upwardly against its inner wall as-far as the stationary contacts.

. The tubes comprising the studs 27 extend some distance above the insulators an'dhave secured within their upper portions plates 32 arranged at right angles to one another and joined together at their center. The plates 32 carry at their upper end a hemispherical bafiie 33 and in addition carry conducting rods 34 which inturn carry a second bafiie 35 of a form similar to battle 33. Supported upon the insulators 29 and enclosing the baffles 33 and 35 are casin s 37 which.

are adapted to form cooling chambers 38 for the material escaping from the vessel 10. A third bafiie 40, which has an inverted frusto-conical surface, is secured to the easing 37 and lies intermediate the baflles 33 and 35. It will be seen that any oil Which condenses on the surface of the baffles or walls of the condensing chambers will flow to the bottom of the chambers and be re-v turned through openings 42 to the main body of oil within the tanks. Casings 37 are formed with over-hanging openings 42 for the discharge of the gases. These openings are formed at the sides most removed from the other casing so as to prevent the gases from bridging the space between the stationary electrodes. The conducting rods 34 extend upwardly through the top of the casing 37 and form terminals for the switch.

Current contacts 43 are secured tothe bridg ing member 14, while the cooperating contacts 44 are secured to the outer wall of the enlargement 28.

In ractice the switch is opened by lowering t e operating rod 13 and the bridging member 14. The contacts 43 and 44 separate first, transferring thecurrent to' the arcing contacts 15 and 44. When these separate, the movable arcing contacts ass down through a cool body of oil an the gases formed by the discharge are blown upwardly through the stud 27. Inasmuch as the contacts 15 and 44 are located near the surface of the oil but a small amount of oil is carriedwitlrthe ases upward into the chamber 38 and astlie opening in the tubular member is of large size this material passes freely into the chamber 38 without causing any great rise of pressure within the ves- As the ases ejected by the are are confined withm the studs 27 there is no opportunity for them to brid e the s ace between these electrodes and t e vesse 10 and there is, therefore little danger of arcing over to the walls 0 the vessel.

If desired, quartz gravel may be placed in the casing 37 in the ath of the material eg'lected by the arc'fort e purpose of cooling e gases and separating the oil therefrom.

A switch which employs gravel for this purpose is disclosed in my Patent Number 1,537,353, May 12, 1925, assigned to the same assignee as the present a p cation.

In certain cases it may vide cushioning means within the enlargement 28 to permit local expansion ofgas generated therein. This may take the form of an inverted cup on trough arranged within the enlargement 28 near the sides thereof, which on or trough is open at its bottom and is a apted to contain gas. The gas is compressibe and thus furnishes a cushion for theexpansion of the arc gases. I

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An electric switch comprising a closed vessel containing insulating liquid, relatively movable contacts-separable-in the liquid, and means comprising a tubular; member open at both ends for forming a circuit connection between one of said contacts and the exterior of the vessel and for forming a path for the quick discharge of gas from the vessel.

2. Anelectric switch comprisin a closed vessel containing insulating liqui stationcry and movable contacts se arable in the liquid, and a hollowtermina stud for the advisable to prostationary contact passing through the to of the vessel and open at both ends, sai stud providing a free path therethrough for the quick discharge from the vessel of ga formed therein.

3. An electric switch com rising a vessel containing insulating liquid: a stationary contact and a movable contact separable in lating liquid, the level of which is spaced below the cover, a stationa contact and a movable contact separable 1n the insulatin liquid, an insulator bushing mounted in sai cover, a terminal stud comprisin tube fitting in the insulator bus 'ng and having anenlargeinent at its inner end enclosing and connected with stationary contact, a coolin and separating chamber connected with t e outer end of said stud, t-h.

material ejected by an are between said contacts beingl collected and quickly discharged throughit e tube comprising said stud and the insulator bushing being protected from the pressure of said material by said tube.

5. An electric switch comprising a vessel having a cover thereon and containing insulating liquid, the level of which is spaced below the cover, a pair of insulator bushings mounted in the cover,'a tubular terminal stud supported in each insulator bushing and havlng an enlarged portion at its inner end, a stationary contact carried by said stud in the enlarged portion thereof, a movable bridging member having contacts at its ends for engaging the stationary contacts, an operating rod therefor, a metallic casing having cooling and se aratingmeans thereinv for gas and liqui ejected from an are formed between the contacts, said studs being constructed to quickly discharge the e'ected material from said vessel and relieve t e insulatorbushings of the pressure thereof.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of August, 1921.

JOHN D. HILLIARD.

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