US1676752A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

w. R. WALKER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet w. R. WALKER ELECTRIC SWITCH July 10, 1928. 1,676,752

Filed Nov. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ms ATTORNE Patented July 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

WARREN R. WALKER, OF GREAT KILLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO COOPER HEWITT ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC swrrcn.

Applicatibn filed November 25, 1924. Serial No. 752,099.

My present invention relates to switches of' the liquid flow type. lIt relates particularly to the construction of an auxiliary cup for the end of one or more of the terminals 6 ofsuch a switch which cup serves to hold a quantity of the conducting liquid at such terminal end at all positions the switch whereby circuit is made and broken in the switch between two bodies of the conducting l0 liquid and whereb switch are protecte from any arcing whlch might occur in the operation of the switch. My invention further relates to the method of making the switch of the present invention.

I have discovered that such a protecting cup is for some purposes advantageously mounted in the switch by mounting it on the end of a supporting arm which in turn is mounted to the interior wall of the switch envelope such as are commonly known in the art. This arm may be of varying length from a very short'stub of almost negligible length to one reaching substantially the entire length of the interior of the switch envelope. according to the particular needs and conditions for which the switch is made. In the embodiment of my invention as shown in the accompanying drawings said supporting arm is made of the same'material as the switch envelope and said protccting cup, which are of glass, and has extending therethrough from the outside of the switch envelope wall to the interior of the protecting on the electrode whose end is to be protectec by the liquid to be held in said cup. By this arrangement said arm serves both as a support for the cup and as means for insulating said electrode from the conducting liquid in the switch envelope other than that contained within the said cup. In the drawings,

Fig. l, is a vertical elevation view in longitud'nal section of a mercury switch showinga switch envelope of an insulating material such is glass having mounted therein a glass cup in the walls of the envelope and mounted thereto by an arm of glass through which extends an electrode so from the exterior envelope into said cup, another electrode is shown sealed through the envelope wall and terminating within the terminals of the the envelope, a quantity of conducting liquid is shown in the envelope and another quantity in said cup, the switch being shown 65 in the open circuit position.

Fig. 2, is a sectional view of the switch of Fig. 1 shown as being tilted into the closed circuit position,

Fig. 3, is a longitudinal sectional view in elevation of a modified form of the switch of Fig. 1 and in the closed circuit position,

Fig. 4, is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 showing the same switch in the open circuit position,

Fig. 5, is a longitudinal sectional view in elevation of a timedelay closing switch embodying the cup structure of the switch of Fig. 1 andshown in the open circuit position,

Fig. 6, is a View similar to that of Fig. 5 showing the same switch as being tilted into the closed circuit position and with the conducting liquid thereof as flowing from the open circuit position into the closed circuit position,

Fig. 7, is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the conducting liquid as having completely flowed and the switch being in the closed circuit position, i

Fig. 8, is a sectional view along the line 88 of Fig. 7, showing details of the time lag producing element of the switch,

Fig. 9, is a longitudinal sectional view in elevation of a switch similar to that of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 in which the baflle is formed in two parts, one hinged to the other for I movement from the normal position across the envelope in the direction away from the electrode cup but not movable from the normal position in the opposite, direction. In this form of my invention the swinging in one direction of the lower part of the baflie permits a rapid and practically ina stantaneous flow of the mercury from the circuit making side of the bafile to the other side thereof; in the circuit making movement the fiow of mercury will quickly close or move the baflie into its normal position across the switch envelope to inject the time lag element in the performance of the switch,

Fig. 10, is a sectional view taken along .ably of the same material as that of said below said rim 5 of cup the line 10-10 of Fig. 9. and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. ll, isa view similar to that of Fig. 9 with the switch in the closed circuit position, and

Fig. 12 is an embodiment of the cup and arm of my invention in the switch having some of the features of the switches of Figs. 1 and 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing the sealed vitreous envelope 1 carries at one end the electrode 2 sealed through the wall thereof and terminating within the main body of the switch. At the opposite end of the envelope 1 from electrode 2 the arm 3 preferenvelope 1 is sealed to said envelope 1 and extends inwardl toward said termlnal 2 and supports at its end the cup 4 also preferably of the same niaterial as envelope 1 and arm-3. Said cup 4 has its rim formed to overhang the interior of the cup. The. electrode 6 extends from the exterior of said envelope ,1, longitudinally through said support member 3, and terminates in the interior of said cup 4, said arm 3 serving to completely insulate that portion of electrode 6 within envelope 1 from the conducting liquid 7 of said envelope except at that portion thereof which is within said cup 4. This portion or end of the electrode 6 which is within said cup 4 connects to the main body of conducting liquid 7 in the closed circuit position of the switch through the conducting liquid held within said cup 4 as shown in Fig. 2. In the open circuit position of the switch as shown in Fig. 1 a part 7' of the conducting liquid 7 is held within said cup 4, the level of said body of liquid 7 having fallen, in this position, to a level.

In the use and operation of the embodiment of my invention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for closing the circuit therethrough the switch is tilted from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2 whereby an electrical conducting path is established between said electrodes 2 and 6 in the manner well known in the liquid switch art. For opening the circuit through the switch it is tilted from the position shown in Fig.

2 to the position in which the two bodies 7 and 7'. separate as is shown in Fig. 1.

In the manufacture of the switch of my invention the glass supporting and insulating arm 3 is first formed about the electrode 6 and extending substantially throughout that portion about the length of said electrode 6 that is covered with glass in the finished switch. The cup 4 also is formed about.the inner end of electrode 6 and fused to said support arm 3. The envelope 1 is formed in tubular shape with a tubulatlon at one end thereof large enough to admit said cup 4 which is passed therethrough and the said tabulation and the outer end of arm 3 fused together, the tubulation being, in one method, flattened out to form a seal in which is incorporated the fused portion of arm 3 or a part thereof. This seal is indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 at the flattened portion 8. This method is adapted for economical and rapid performance by machine. Electrode 2 is then (or before this operation) sealed into the opposite end of envelope 1 in a position axially aligned therewith. The fact that the cup 4 and electrode 2 are centrally positioned axially in envelope 1 permits these to be assembled without having to regard whether they are other than axially aligned permit a rapidity of operation that results in a great saving I of time and in the use of simple and comparatively cheap assembling machinery. The envelope 1 is then supplied with a proper quantity of conducting liquid 7 such as mercury and when desired an atmosphere of a spark quenching gas such as hydrogen and the envelope sealed-off as at the sealoff 9. The seal-ofl' 9' is formed directly over the outer edge of the cup 4 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in those cases when minimum size is desired, this for the purpose of providing an increased distance from the point of liquid make and break to the envelope wall in order to prevent as much as possible the impinging of any such are on said envelope wall.

In the modified form of my invention as shown in 3 and 4 is shown a switch similar in all respects to that of Figs. 1 and 2 except that arm 3, cup 4, and electrode 8 are mounted lower on the switch envelope than these parts in Figs. 1 and 2 and that the straight electrode 12 is replaced by a bent electrode 12 which extends downwardly into the mercury 7 and permits of the use of a smaller quantity of mercury than may be necessary in that of Figs. 1 and 2. By extending electrode 12 in close proximity and preferably to a point under cup 4 the amount of mercury 7 in the switch is, when desired, cut down. The operation of this form is substantially the same as that of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In other forms of my invention I drop the cup 4, or the cup 4 electrode 6 and arm 3 down nearer the bottom of the switch envelope to allow more space above the cup 4. In still other forms I make electrode 6 substantially of the shape of electrode 12 and the arm 3 shaped accordingly. This permits of the advantages of rapid machine manufacture as above described for the first form and at the same time permits of a greater space above cup 4, and alsoof'the use of a.minimumquantity of mercury in the switch.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 is shown my invention as embodied in a time lag make I cuit position and the actual establishmentof a. current path in the switch. This form .is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2 with the exception that there issubstituted for elec- .trode 2 an electrode 2 which is shorter than (ill electrode 2 and whichsupports and connects with the battle 1.0 which is of conducting material and the electrode extension 11 which also is of conducting material and which extends from baffle along and close to the bottom of envelope 1 to a point-near and preferably under cup 4.. Battle 10 carries near its upper edge the air port 12 and in its lower edge the mercury port 13, the' latter to allow the mercury to flow at a restricted rate of flow from the open circuit position to the closed circuit position thereof and the former to permit the passage of gas in the switch from one side of the bafiie to the other to equalize the pressure thereat as said mercury flows. The space between bafile 10 and the point 01'' sealin of electrode 2' is provided of such size as to hold all or substantially all of the mercury 7 when the switch is in the open circuit position.

In the use and operation of this embodiment of my invention to closca circuit therethrough with a time lag between the moving of the switch from the open circuit position to closed circuit position the switch is tilted from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. (i in which position mercury 7 flows at an impeded rate through opening 13 until it attains equilibrium in the now lower end of-the envelope. Upon reaching above the level of the rim of cup 4' mercury 7 joins and unites with mercury 7 thereby completing a current path between electrode 1l122 and electrode 6 and thereby through the switch. The time required for the establishment of current path through the switch in this manner may be controlled by varying the amount of mercury 7 in the switch, the size of opening 13, or opening 12, or both openings 12 and 13, or the position of baffle 10 with respect to the ends of the switch, the size of one or both of the two chambers into which bafiie 10 divides envelope 1, or the position of 'cup 4. or any combination of these variations and disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 734.184 to which reference is hereby made. When the switch is tilted from the position of Fig. 7 to that of Fig. 5 the mercury 7 immediately flows from connection with mercury 7 thereby breaking the current path through the switch.

By placing baffle 10 in such a position with respect to the cup 4 that the mercury 7 is held above the level of the edge thereof for an appreciable length of time during its flow throughport 13 from the closed to the I open circuit position a time lag break and time lag make switch is obtained.

In Fig, 12 is shown a form of my invention embodying features of switches of Figs. 1 and 3. In this switch the electrode 6' and the electrode supporting arm 3' are bent so that they enter the interior of the switch envelope 1 at substantially the middlethereof and extend downwardly toward the bottom of the wall of said envelope. This central position of the arm 3' and electrode 6" permits of rapid manufacture of the switch and, assembly of the switch parts in a machine. Further the position of the cup 4 near the bottom of the envelope allows sufiicient arcing space between the top-of the cup and the envelope wall with the result of the permitting of the construction of a switch which will occupy a minimum amount of space at a Very low cost and having all the operational advantages of the switches of Figs. 1 and '3. The electrode 12 of this switch like that of Fig.3 is centrally sealed into the switch and extends downwardly into the body of mercury 7. The dashed line in this figure indicates the position of the mercury in the closed circuit position of the switch. The operation of the switch of these figures is substantially the same as that of Figs. 1 and 3.

In Figs. 9. 10 and 11 is showna switch whose envelope 1 supports at one end the insulating arm 3 which supports at its inner end-the cup 4 and through the length of which extends, from the exterior of the envelope, the electrode 6. Through the opposite end of the switch is sealed the elcctrodc 16 which carries thereon the battle 1()14 which extends substantially across the interior of said envelope 1, the two parts 10-14 thereof being, joined at the horizontal hinge 1:"), The said electrode 16 extends through said part 10' of said battle substantially horizontally and then on the cup side of said battle part 10 turns directly downward in the part 17 thereof which serves to prevent movement of the battle part 14 from the normal position across the switch envelope in the direction of said cup 4, the said electrode 16 being extended from said part 17 horizontally in the part 18 into proximity with said cup 4. The hinge construction permits the movement of the lower bathe part 14. away from the normal position across the interior of the envelope 1 in the direction away from said cup 4.

In the use and operation of this embodiment of my invention and starting from the closed circuit position as shown in Fig. 11 the switch is tilted in a count-er clockwise direction to permit the mercury body 7 to flow from the circuit making position. On said tilting the weight of the said mercury body 7 opens or swings the battle part 14 on lit) I said hinge 15 to permit of ra id flow of the mercury into that portion 0 the envelope 1 which is on the side of the bafile away from said cup 4 and therefore ready almost instantaneously after movement. from the circuit making position into the circuit breaking position for movement back into the circuit making position and with the normal time lag element is said circuit making operation due to the restricted flow of the mercury body 7 by the small opening 13 in the bafile part 14. On the tilting from the open circuit position of the switch into the closed circuit position of the switch the flow of mercury will move said batlle part 14 into its normal position across the switch envelope 1 and the narrow passage 13 will restrict the mercury flow into the circuit closing position and. inject. a time lag into that part of its operation.

I claim:

1. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed envelope of glass, a support,

arm in said envelope and unitary therewith, a cup formed on said arm, the opening of said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, and electrode sealed into said envelope and terminating therein and another electrode sealed into the envelope and terminating in said cup, and a body-of mercury in said envelope in quantity sullicient to extend into said cup and to connect said electrodes in a closed circuit position of the switch and to form separate pools about said electrodes in an open circuit position thereof. Q

2. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, an envelope, a support arm carried by the wall of said envelope and formed unitary therewith, a cup on the end of said support arm, the opening of said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, conducting liquid in said envelope, and in said cup, electrodes terminating in said onvelope and in said cup and one of said electrodes extending from the outside of the switch longitudinally through said arm and terminating within said cup.

3. In an electric switch of theliquid flow type, a sealed envelope of vitreous material, an arm in said envelope formed unitary with and carried by the wall thereof, a cup on the end of said arm, the opening of said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, conducting liquid in said envelope and in said cup and electrodes sealed through the wall of said envelope and terminating within said envelope and said cup, respectively.

4. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed envelope of vitreous material, an arm in said envelope formed unitary with and carried by the wall thereof, a cup on the end of said arm, the opening of said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, conducting liquid in said envelope and in said cup, electrodes sealed through the wall of said envelope and terminating within said envelop and said cup respectively, and an atmospheie of hydrogen in said envelope.

5. In an'electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed envelope of vitreous material,

a support arm mounted within said envelope and formed unitary therewith, a cup carried by said arm, the opening of said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube,

aconducting liquid in saidenvelope and in.

said. cup, an eleetrode'sealed through the wall of said envelope and terminating in said conducting liquid at normal operating a supgaort arm mounted within said envelope ormed unitarywith and mounted to the wall thereof, a cup carried by said arm,

the opening of said on being parallel to the longitudinal axis of t e tube, a conducting liquid in said envelope and in said cup, an electrode sealed through the wall of said envelope and terminating in said conductng liquid at normal operating positions of the switch and an electrode extendin outside the switch longitudinally tlirough said arm and terminating within said cup, and a filling of spark quenching gas in said envelope.

7. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope, a baffle mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope dividing it into two chambers, said baflle being separate from the said envelope and being formed to admit the passage of fluent conducting material thereby,

an electrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrode sealed therethrough,a wall of vitreous material sealed to said envelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury in said envelope connecting with first said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall about second said electrode and connecting with said second electrode in the closed circuit position of the switch, and inan open circuit position of the switch positioned at a level below that of the upper limit of said wall about said second electrode, said bafile being hinged to permit its movement in one direction only from its normal position across said envelope.

8. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope, a. baflie mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chainbers, a restricted opening near the bottom of said bafile and connecting the two chambers, an electrode sealed through the wall of from saidenvelope, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed to saidenvelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury in said envelope connecting with first said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall about second said electrode and connecting with saidsecond electrode in a closed circuit, positionot' the switch and in an open circuit osition of the switch positioned at a level elow that of the upper limit of said wall about second said electrode, said battle bein hinged for movement in the line of liquid flow in the switchand means comprising an extension of said electrode to prevent movement of said battle on its hin e from its normal position across the envelope in the direction of said wall about said second electrode.

9. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope having mercury therein, a bafile mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said baflle being cut away near its bottom to provide a restricted opening for the flow of said mercury therethrough and being cut away near its top to provide a restricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough to attain equilibrium in said switch, an electrode sealed through the wall of said envelope, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed to said envelope and about and terminating above said second electrode, said mercury connecting with first said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall about said second electrode and connecting with said second electrode in a closed circuit position of the switch and in an open circuit position of the switch positioned at a level below that of the upper limit of said wall about said electrode, said baffle being hinged to permit movement in the line of flow of mercury in the switch in one direction only.

10. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope having mercury therein, a bafile mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said bafile being cut away near its bottom to provide a restricted opening for the flow of said mercury therethrough and being cut away near its top to provide a restricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough to attain equilibrium in said switch, an electrode sealed through the wall of said envelope, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed to said envelope and about and terminating above said second electrode. said mercury connecting with first said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall about said second electrode and connecting with said second electrode in a closed circuit posian electrodesealed into said envelope and terminating therein and another electrode sealed into the envelope and terminating in said cup, and a body or mercury in said envelope in quantity sufiicient to extend into said cup and to connect said electrodes in a closed circuit position of the switch and to form separate pools about said electrode in an open circuit position thereof.

12. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope, a battle formed separate from the envelope and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope dividing it into two chambers, said battle having formed therein a restricted opening near the bottom to connect the two chum bers. an electrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed to said envelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury in said envelope connecting with first said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall about second said electrode and connccting'with said second electrode in a closed circuit position of the switch, and in an open circuit position of the switch positioned at a level below that of the upper limit of said Wall about said second electrode said battle being hinged to permit its movement in one direction only from its normal position across said envelope.

'13. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope, :1 batlle formed separate from the envelope and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across the interior of said'envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said baflie having formed therein a restricted opening near the bottom to, connect the two chambers. an electrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material scaled to said envelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury in said envelope connecting with firstsaid electrode and extending between the limits of said wall about second said electrode and connecting with said second electrode in a closed circuitposition of the of the switch and in an open circuitv switch and in an open circuit position of the switch positione at a level below that of the upper limit of said wall about second 'said electrode said bafile being hinged to osit1ontype, a sealed vitreous envelope, a baflie switch and in an 0 formed separate from the envelope and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said baflie having formed therein a restricted opening near the bottom to connect the two chambers, an electrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous materlal' sealed to said envelope about and terminating above said second 'electrode, mercury in said envelope connecting with first said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall about second said electrode and connecting with said second electrode in a closed circuit position of the n circuit position of the switch positione at a level below that of the upper limit of said wall about second said electrode and means comprising an extension across said electrode to prevent movement of said battle and said hinge from its normal position across the envelope in the direction of said wall about said second electrode.

15. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope having mercury therein, a baflie formed separate from the envelo e and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said ba-fiie being cut away near. its bottom to provide a restricted opening for the flow of said mercury therethrough and being cut away near its top to provide a restricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough to attain equilibrium in sald switch, an electrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed to said envelope and about and terminating above said second electrode, said being hinged to permit movement in .the

line of flow of mercury in the switch in one'direction only.

16. in an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreous envelope having mercury therein, a baflie formed separate from the envelope and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across the interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said bafile being cut away near its bottom to provide a restricted opening for the flow of said mercury therethrough and being cut away near its top to provide a restricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough to attain equilibrium in said switch, an electrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed-to said envelope and about and terminating above said second electrode, said mercury connecting with first said electrode and extending between the limits of said Wall about said second electrode and connecting with said second electrode in a closed circuit position of the switch and in an open circuit position of the switch positioned at a level below that ofthe upper limit of said wall about said electrode, said bafllc being hinged to permit movement in the line of flow of mercury inthe switch in the circuit making direction only.

Signed at Hoboken, in the county of llud son and State of New Jersey, this 24th day of November, A. D. 1924.

WARREN R. WALKER.

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