US1821853A

US1821853A - Henby m

Info

Publication number: US1821853A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1931-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1948-09-01

Description

p a 1, 1931- H. M. S HO RT AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF SWITCK Filed Jan. 12, 1928 HM Short ATTORN EY WITNESS:

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES HENRY M. SHORT, OF PENN YAN, NEW YORK AUTOMATIC CUT OFF SWITCH Application filed January 12, 1928. Serial No. 246,354.

This invention relates to electrical control devices for use in connection with electric circuits and has for its object the provision of a novel cut-off switch device adapted to be interposed in an ignition circuit or the like and acting to cut-ofi' the flow of current or break the circuit upon excessive decrease of pressure in the lubricating system of the engine, motor, or other power device in connection with which the device is used, the advantage being that the power device will cease to operate, danger of burning out any bearings thereof on account of failure of lubrication being avoided.

The invention is particularly well adapted for use in connection with internal combustion engines having a forced feed lubricating system although it is not intended that there be any particular limitations as to the employment of the device for this particular purpose as it will be readily appreciated that it may be employed in conjunction with any kind of power device having a forced feed supply of lubricant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cut-off device of this character which is both thermostatically and pressure operated, the two actions being complementary.

An additional object is to provide a de- Vice of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, positive in action, eflicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention preferably consists in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed,'and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic view of the device showing itin association with a lubricant conducting pipe.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the numeral 10 designates a portion of a pipe forming part of a forced feed lubrication system, and 11 designates a source of current for an ignition circuit or the like. In carrying out the invention I provide a cut-off switch device comprising a substantially U-shaped tubular member 12, having one end in communication with the pipe 10 as for instance by being embedded within a suitable packing member 13 mounted within an out-standing nipple 14 on the pipe 10. The other end of the tubular member 12 is closed and carries a contact 15 located near but spaced from a contact 16 which is fixedly mounted in any desired manner and upon any suitable supporting means. The invention further contemplates the provision of a U-shaped thermostatic member 17 which has one arm fixedly mounted at 18 and which has its other arm free and carrying a contact 19 adapted to engage the contact 16 at certain times. 'ound upon the thermostatic member 17 is a coil 20 which is connected by a conductor 21 with one terminal of the source of current 11 and which is also connected by a conductor 22 with the free end of the. thermostatic member and electrically with the contact 15. I

The operation of the device is as follows: The relation of the tubular member 12 and thermostatic member 17 is such that when no current is flowing through the circuit the contact 15 is out of engagement with the contact 16 whereas the contact 19 is in engagement with the contact 16 as shown in the drawing. Assuming that the device is used in series with the ignition system of an automobile it is apparent that when the operator closes the circuit as by the starter switch and starts the motor (both of which are not shown), current will flow from the source 11 through the coil 20, conductor 22, free end of the thermostatic member 17, contact 19, contact 16. and conductor 23 connected with the contact 16 to and through the ignition system. After the motor has been in operation for a few minutes the heating effect of the coil 20 will operate to distort the thermostatic device 17 so that the free end thereof carrying the contact 19 will move toward the stationary end 18, thereby disengaging the contact 19 from the contact 16. This would of course break the ignition circuit, but the timing of the device is so formed that by the time that this occurs the pressure of the lubricant passing through the pipe 10 has caused the tubular member 12 to expand so Uzi) circulation of oil, have been made.

that the contact 15 carried by the free end thereof will be in engagement with the contact 16 so that the circuit will be completed through the

contacts

15 and 16 notwithstanding the disengagement of the contacts 16 and 19. If at any time pressure in the pipe or conduit 10 drops below normal the pressure within the tubular member 12 will be correspondingly reduced and the free end thereof will move toward the stationary end, bringing the contact 15 out of engagement with the contact 16 and breaking the ignition circuit so that the motor will cease to operate until the oil supply is replenished or until the repairs, necessary to proper supply and It is consequently apparent that by means of this device burning out the bearings of a motor on-acoount of insufficient lubrication will be entirely avoided. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

As shown in the figure of the drawing, the

conductor wire 23 is in circuit with a movable element 24 of a commutator and with the primary 25 of the coil of the usual ignition system commonly employed in connection with automobile engines, the secondary Winding of this coil being indicated by the numeral 26, and a spark plug in circuit therewith by the numeral 27, and acondenser 28 is interposed between the terminal of the primary coil 25 which is connected with the contact element 24 and the other terminal of the said primary winding.

Having thus described the invention I claim In a circuit controlling switch of the class described, the combination with a conductor for a fluid under pressure. an electro-thermostatic unit comprising a U-shaped core and a winding about the core, connected at one end with one end of the core, a contact in circuit with the said end of the winding and carried by the corresponding end of the core, a fixed contact in juxtaposition to the first mentioned contact and normally engaged thereby, a U-shaped tube connected at one end with the fluid conductor and closed at its other end, a contact upon the last mentioned end of the tube in juxtaposition to and nor mally spaced from the fixed contact,-a conductor wire connecting the last mentioned contact and the contact upon the core of the electro-thermostatic unit, and conductors leading from the fixed contact and, from the other terminal of the electro-thermostatic unit.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HENRY M. SHORT.