US1749537A - High-tension switch - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1930. -r. F. JOHNSON. JR 1,749,537

HIGH TENSION SWITCH Filed 001". 4, 1926 j Patented Mar. 4, 1930 TOMLINSON FORT J'OHNSON, JR-, ATLANTA, GEORGIA HIGH-TENSION SWITCH Application filed October 4,1926. Serial No. 139,459.

This invention relates to a switch adapted for use in high tension transmission lines, and particularly 'to the contact jaws and means for mounting the same. Among other objects, it aims to provide improved selfali'gning spring pressed jaws capable of be ing'made and assembled very cheaply and which maybe dismantled very easily for the I purpose of cleaning thecontact faces.

The invention also embodies various other improved features of construction and combinatio'ns ofelements, the purpose of which will be more particularly explained in the following detailed description, in which ref- 'erenoe is made tothe accompanying drawing illustrating the same.

" In the drawing:

' Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of spring jaws embodying'the invention. a

Figure 2 is a view looking from the left ofFigure 1, and showing the jaws partly in end elevation and partly in section.

The structure to which the invention relates is mounted on a bracket 5, secured to and supported by a collar 6, which is adapted to be mounted on the usual insulator (not shown). A. socket 7, secured to the bracket 5, is adapted toreceive and support the line wire.

' Thebracket 5 is connected by flexible con- -ductors 8 to the respectiveijaws 9, which are .adapted to receive the switch blade 10 between them. Each of the jaws 9 is loosely mounted on a spring plate 11,which is preferably made of heavy phosphor bronze. In the present example, the plates 11 are sub 'stantially channel-shaped, presenting short flanges at the upper edges. Each plate 11 has at its lower end an outwardly extending foot or lower flange 12, which fits in a channel 13'formed in the bracket 5, and is formed at its ends with laterally extending lugs 14;, engaging within slots or grooves cut in the edges of the bracket to limit the inward adjus'tmentof the plate. These flanges, after they are slid in their channels and the groove seats, are thus interlocked with the base without any separate securing means. The two plates 11 are thus mounted in the bracket :5, and/are. drawn inwardly andsecured by a single bolt 15 in position to support the jaws k e In order to hold the jaws 9 against displacement laterally of the plates 11, each jaw is formed with outwardly projecting ears 16 adapted to engage the side edges of the plate by which it is supported. The plate is also formed at its upper end with an outwardly turned flange 17, on which the upper part or shoulder of the jaw rests. The outer face of each jaw has a curved flange 18 extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom, leaving sufi'icient space between the flange and the shoulder of the jaw, as indicated at 19, so that the jaw may have considerable play vertically, as well as in a direction toward'and from the switch blade 10. The jaw, where it engages the inner face of the plate 11, is formed with a rounded knob 20, so that the jaw may rock in any direction about the knob as a fulcrum, and thereby aline itself to make a full contact with the surface of the switch blade whenever the latter is closed.

In the operation of the switch, the nut of the b0lt15 is adjusted to draw the plates 11 inwardly, so that the jaws willbe held tightly against the switch blade. The jaws have 'suflicient play on the plates 11 to make the jaws absolutely self-alining, so that they will make a close fit against the blade. As a consequence, the grinding of the contacting surfaces of the jaws does not require close machine work, and they can be made quickly and cheaply. The jaws are held in assembled relation by a single bolt, thus making it easy to take the same apart for inspection and repair. The rounded knob 20 makes a onepoint contact between the jaw and the plate 11, thus leaving plenty of air space for cooling. The main part of the current passes through the conductors 8, and not through the plates 11. Whatever heat is taken by the spring plates'll is mainly the result of radiation, rather than conduction. The plates, therefore, will not'become heated sufliciently to take out their temper even when a considerable overload is carried.

While I- have shown and described in detail the preferred form of the invention, it isto be understood that this is merely for the purpose of illustration, and that various modifications may be made in the same without any material departure from the salient features of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switch, the combinationof a pair of opposed spring plates, and a pair of contact jaws loosely and wholly supported by the respective plates to permit limited up and down movement, ofthe jaws and adapted'to receive a switch blade between them, each of said jaws having a rounded knob on its outer face engaging the inner face of its supporting plate, and constituting a fulcrum about which the'jaw may rock transversely of'the plate to aline itself with the surface of the switch blade.

2. In a switch, the combination of a pair of opposed spring plates, a pair of contact jaws loosely and wholly supported by the respective plates to permit limited up and down movement of the jaws and adapted to receive a switch blade between them, each of said aws having a protuberance on its outer face forming, a one-point contact with the inner face of its supporting plate, and flexible conductors connecting the jaws with'the line so that a comparatively small portion of the current will pass through the onepoint contacts, said aws being freely removable from the plates only when the plates are separated. a V

3. In a switch, the combination of .a pair of resilient members, means for supporting said resilient members .in spaced relation to each other, and a pair of jaws wholly supported by said members and. adapted to receive a switch blade between them, each of said jaws having a knob on its outer face engaging the inner face of the respective resilient member and constituting a fulcrum about which the jaw may rock to aline itself with the surface of the blade,xsaid 'jaws being movable upwardlywith respect to said members and having means to prevent disengagement from said members and to limit the upward movement thereof. w 4. In a switch, the combination ofia pair of resilient members, a base on which said members are supported in spaced relation to each other, and a pair of jaws wholly supportedby said members and adapted to receive :a switch blade between them, each of said jaws having a knob on its outer face to form a one point contact with the inner face of the respective resilient member, and flexible conductors connecting the aws with the base so that acomparatively small portion of the current will passthrough the one-point contacts, said jaws interlocking with said resilient members and having-provision to be moved slidably therefrom with the switch lblade when itis opened.

5. In "-a switch, the combination ofa pair of opposed resilient members, a base having opposed channels in which the lower ends of 1 said members are removably seated, means for drawing the upper portions of said memrock to aline itself with thesurface of the switch blade.

6. In a switch, the combination of a pair {of opposed resilient members, a basehaving alined channels in which the lower ends of 'lie said members are removably seated, adjust.

able means for drawing the upper portions of said members inwardly, a pair of contact jaws loosely supported by the respective members and adapted to receive switch blade between them, each ofsai-d jaws having a knob on its outer face to form a one-point contact with the inner face of therespec'tive member, and flexible conductors connecting the jaws with the base so that a comparatively small portion of the current will pass through the one-point contacts.

7. In a switch, the combination ofa pair of opposed upright plates having their upper ends turned outwardly, a pair of jaws disposed between the plates and having shoulders abutting said outturned upper ends and downwardly and inwardly curved flanges embracing the same, ears formed on the jaws and engaging the side edgesof the upright plates, each, of said jaws having a projection on its outer face engaging the inner face of the respective plate, and constituting a fulcrum aboutwhich the jaw may rock to aline itself with the surface of the switch blade.

= 8. In a switch, the combination of a pair of opposed upright plates having their upper ends-turned outwardly, ap'air of jaws between the plates and having flanges projecting from their outer faces downwardly and inwardly about the upper ends of the plates, and ears projecting from the jaws engaging the side edges of the respective plates, each of said jaws having a knob on its outer face to forma one-pointconta'ct with the inner face of the respective plate, and flexible 'conductors connecting the jaws with the line so that a comparatively small portion of the our- 1 rent will passthrough the one-point contacts. 9. In combination with a switch .for high tension transmission lines, a pair of jaws; :up-

standing spring plates supportingthe jaws and d'etachably engageable therewith; a base member having interlocking connection with said upstanding springpl'ates; means for adjusting the tension of said spring plates;

and means on the jaws engageable with the ingplates to permit rocking movement iso of the jaws when the switch blade is engaged therewith whereby to insure close contact of the jaws with the blade.

10. In combination with a switch of the character described, a bracket adapted to be "secured to an insulator; a base on the bracket having channels therein; extending through opposed edges thereof; a pair of spring plates, each having a flange adapted to be seated in one of said channels; said base having slots in its edges on opposite sides of said channel and said flanges having extensions adapted to slide into and be seated therein whereby to provide an interlocking connection; switch jaws supported on and loosely connected to said spring plates; and means to secure said plates in their seats and also to adjust the spring tension.

11. In a knife switch of the character described, a supporting bracket; upstanding jaw supports mounted on the bracket; jaws mounted on said supports and presenting blade-engaging faces between the supports; means providing a loose interlocking connection between the jaws and supports to permit limited free movement of the jaws with the blade when the switch opens; said jaws also being free to rock transversely on said supports whereby to insure good electrical contact with the blade; and spaced, outwardly extending flanges on each jaw straddling the respective supports.

12. In a knife switch of the character described, substantially rectangular, spring jaw supporting plates; a pair of jaws loosely mounted on and between said plates; and outwardly extending flanges on the jaws co-operating with the plates to hold them assembled on the plates without any special securing means, said flanges permitting rocking and sliding movements of the jaws on the plates.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

TOMLINSON FORT JOHNSON, JR.

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