US1666904A - Time switch - Google Patents

Description

April 24, 1928. 1,666,904

R. D. MAILEY TIME SWITCH Filed Oct. 30, 1923 INVENTOR "HIS ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 24, 1 928. I

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Thisv invention relates to electric switches in which theicircuit is completed through av conducting liquid and more particularly to that type in'which a'liquid. flowingwithin a switch for a definite periodof time isiused to predetermine by means of this/definite period the time when the circuit; is1to ibe" made or broken. It relates furtheri to' jadevice of this character through fwhich the liquid flows slowly in (one, direction but quickly in another, undonegjW hich'f can be quickly restored to itsnormal' condition.

In my devicethe construction'is similar to that of an hour glass exceptfthatthere. 1s-

provid'ed an additional passageway between the bulbs thereof. additional passage way is not flowre'strictirig. asflis the-other but is of comparatively much larger cross section soas to provide a way for the rapid passage of the material flowing from one bulb or reservoir to the other. The flowing material is preferably mercury but may be any suitable mobile material. And the switch is so constructed that when the liquid has substantially reached an equilibrium after flowing through the smaller of the two passages that an electric circuit is closed.

As a means of securing a slow and predetermined period of flow in one direction through my device, the construction thereof is not limited, however, to one having one passageway oi small cross section. The same result may be attained by having a device with two reservoirs connected through two passageways of comparable size but in one" of which are inserted. valves for controlling thetime of flow of the liquid intone direction.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. .1 shows an embodiment 'of 'my invention in which are two reservoirs of substantially the same capacity which areconnected by two tubes one of which is of very small cross section and the other of a comparatively much larger cross. sectionJI f Fig. 2 shows" another form of my invention in which the two connecting tubes areand 6 respectively. The top of 1' is con-,

nected into a tube 3 which extends upwarddownwardly-andis connected into the bottom of 1 through side tube 12. There is sufficient mercury 13 in the device to be at a level above the lower end of wire 6 when the device is substantially in the circuit closmg position.-

In Fig. 2 parts 4 and 7 connect the bottom of reservoir 2 to the bottom of reservoir 1. Tube 4 has a constriction 10, the opening 9 of which is of quite small cross section.

In the operation of my device for closing a circuit'at a deferred time or after a predetermined period of time theswitch is inverted from the position shownin Fig. 1. In such position the mercury will have flowed to theother end ofthe device from which place when the switch is righted the mercury is returned through tube 11 to reservoir 1 for'closing the switch within a definite interval after mercury flow commences. To insure that all the liquid passesinto reservoir 2 the device should be returned to the original position by a clock wise motion in substantially the plane of tubes 3 and 11..

The mercury 13, or whatever material is used, now being in reservoir 2 and the device having been returned to the original osition as shown in Fig. 1, the liquid ows downwardly throughtube 11. But as the bore of said tube 11 is of quite small cross section .a predetermined appreciable time will elapse before there is sufiicient liquid in reservoir 1 to complete the circuit between conductors 5 and 6.

.It may sometimes be desired to have the switch function in dilferent periods of time. This may be done by setting the switch in the operating, position at different angles Y varying from. substantially the vertical to approaching the horizontal position. The location of the terminals of conductors 5 and 6 and the quantity of liquid in the device of;

. course if such as to insure the closing of the circuitat any of the positions desired. For some purposes I vary the time flow through tube 11 by using tubes of various diameters or lengths.

Another way ofv varying the 'operatmg time of a given switch is to tip it not into the inverted vertical position hut to tip it at on angle between that end he normal vertical. Such e, position might he substantially horieontal with the tube ll helow tube 3 in evertical plane. As in this position 0; port; of the liquid will flow into reservoir 2 throughtnbe 3 and e pert through tube 11 it will take a, definite amount of time for the liqniolto completely flow into reservoir 2 or to come to equilibrium. l the switch is returned to the operating position before this time has elapsed the deierred or operating, time of the switch from the horizontal will he different varying according to the emonnt oi liquid that got into the reservoir 2. How ever since the liquid ows slowly through tube 11 as compared to tube 3 these variations may well he within limits suitable for most purposes, 7

ll claim as my invention:

1. In an electric switch comprising o. sealed glass envelope, in combination, two reservoirs one placed shove end to one side of .ie other, a tube suhstentielly L shaped connecting the top of one reservoirto the top of the other, soother shaped tnhe oil eooeoe considerohly smaller cross section connecting the bottoms of the two reservoirs, end e pair of electrical conductors sealed into send} envelope end terminating within said lower reservoir, and a liquid conductor in snllicient quantity to make connection between the two said conductors. c

1 v2,, ln on electric switch comprising e sealed glass envelope, incomhinetion, two

reservoirs one placed above and to one side bottom of the lower of the two reservoirs, and e liquid conductorin suflioi'ent quantity to mslre connection. between the two seid conductors. V Signed et Hohoken, in the county of Hod son end Stole oil Newslersey, this 29th day oi @ctohenih D, L923.

s REY D, MARLEY,

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