US1760523A - Electric-switch-operating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

May 27, 1930. w. K. RANKIN ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed May 28 Inventor William K.R 1nkn,

'HLs Attornqy.

Patented May 27, 1930 UNETE STATES PATENT QF-FICE W'ILLIAIE K. RANKIN, OF SCOTIA, NEW YORK ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COM- PALTY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTEIC-STHITGH-OPERAIING, MECHANISM Application filed May 28,

My invention relates to electric switches and particularly to a power-actuated mechanism for operating an electric switch. An object of my invention is to provide a compact, self-contained and inexpensive enclosing and supporting structure for the operating mechanism of an outdoor switch whereby the operating mechanism will be protected from the weather without the provision of an additional protective structure built around it.

My invention will be better understood. from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with portions broken away, of a switch operating mechanism embodying my invention and Fig. 2 shows a three-phase outdoor oil switch including the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

In the drawing, Fig. 2, he three-phase switch 1 with which I have illustrated my invention comprises three spaced units 2, 3 and 4 supported in an elevated position by the framework 5. Each unit has its own paralleling mechanism enclosed. by the housing 6, the separate housings being connected to gether by pipes 7 through which an operating rod passes.

The switch operating mechanism 10, shown on a larger scale in Fig. 1, for operating the three units comprises in part the base plate 11 having the depending lug 12 and the hollow supporting member 13 secured to the under side of the base plate and having feet-- like projections 14 thereon. Mounted on the top of the base plate is the latching and trip ping mechanism 16 enclosed by the casing 17 also secured to the top of the base plate. For the actuation of the mechanism I have shown a solenoid device 18, the coils 19 of which raise the plunger or armature 20 when energized. The plunger passes through the opening 21 in the base plate with suitable clearance and carries at its upper end a guide rod, 22. The coils and plunger are covered by a weather-proof casing 24 which is bolted to the top of the base plate 11. The bushing 1926. Serial No. 112,411.

25 shown screw-tl1readed into the top of the casing 24 has a guide opening for the rod 22 and a shoulder 26 covered by a non-magnetic spacer for limiting the upward movement of the plunger. The cap 27 is shown threaded on the bushing 25 for covering the guide rod 22 and bushing 25. In accordance with this construction the casing 24 forms a weatherproof enclosure for the coils and plunger and, together with the bushing 25 and that portion of the base plate surrounding the opening 21, also forms the return path of the magnetic circuit or" the coils 19.

Within the hollow supporting member 13 are the operating members by which upward movement of the plunger, shown in Fig. l in its operated position, transmits upward movement to the main operating rod 30 which connects with the paralleling mechanism of the three switch units 2, 3 and 4. These op crating members, which are disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 62,642, filed October 15, 1925, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application, comprise the main lever 31 which is pivotally mounted on the lug 12 and to which is pivoted the operating rod 30, the floating lever. 32 which has roller and which is carried by the bell crank also supported by lug 12, and links 35, 36 and 37 by which connection is made between the plung er 20 and the floating lever 32 so as to give this lever the desired movement. The latch-. ing mechanism 16 by its connection with the lever 84 retains the main lever 31 in closed circuit position. Extending between the hollow supporting member 13 and the housing 6 of switch unit 4 and enclosing the main operating rod 30 is the tube or pipe 40. At the end of the member 13 opposite the pipe 40 I have shown a terminal box 41 at the bottom of which the cable 42 is shown entering For inspecting the operating parts in the hollow member 13 the side of the member is provided with a large opening which is normally covered by a tight fitting cover 42. Casing 17 is also provided with a side opening which is closed by a tight cover 43.

Access to the mechanism for the purpose of repair or replacement is readily had by merely lifting the base plate 11 off the hollow member 13, the main lever 31 having previously been disconnected from the rod 30 by reaching in through the opening covered by plate 42.

By the above described construction it will be seen that I have provided a switch operating mechanism whose structure is such as to completely enclose the moving parts, coils, etc., whereby the mechanism is protected from the weather and adapted for outdoor use without the necessity of providing any additional housing therefor. A considerable saving in the cost of the equipment is thereby effected and also a more compact arrangement is provided over former constructions which involved the use of a separately constructed housing for the operating mechanism.

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

1. A solenoid actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a hollow supporting member, a removable base plate forming a cover therefor and having openings therethrough, lever and link mechanism caaied thereby within the hollow member, a solenoid and a tripping mechanism on the base plate operatively connected through said openings with the lever and link mechanism, and protective coverings for said solenoid and said tripping mechanism fitting the base plate and covering the openings therein.

2. A solenoid-actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a base plate, an operating rod, a lever pivoted thereto and supported by said base plate, a solenoid having an enclosing casing forming a part of the return magnetic circuit thereof secured to said base plate and having a plunger conneeted with said lever, and means comprising a hollow member secured to said base plate and cooperating therewith and with the solenoid casing to form a weather-proof enclosure for the operating parts of the mechanism, said operating rod extending from said hollow member and provided with enclosing means coextensive therewith.

3. A solenoid-actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a base plate, lever mechanism pivoted thereto, an operating rod pivotally connected to the lever mechanism, a solenoid having a plunger connected with said lever mechanism and having an enclosing casing forming a part of its magnetic cirwit and secured on said base plate, a tubular casing for said operating rod, and a hollow supporting member for said base plate, said member in cooperation with said base plate, said solenoid casing and said rod casing forming a weatherproof housing for the operating parts of the mechanism.

4. A solenoid-actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a base plate having a depending lug, an operating rod, a tubular casing therefor, lever mechanism pivotally supported by said lug and connected to said rod, a solenoid mounted on the top of said base plate having a plunger therein connected with said lever mechanism and having an enclosing casing forming one part of the return magnetic circuit therefor, said base plate having an opening therein adapted to receive said plunger, the portion of the base plate surrounding said opening forming an other part of said return magnetic circuit, and a supporting casing for said lever mechanism secured to the under side of said base plate and connected with said tubular ca-s ing.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of May, 19:26.

WVILLIAM K. RANKIN.

Images