US1891702A - Electrical apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 20, 1932.

.1. w. ALLEN EIJEGTRICAL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 50, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 20, 1932. J. w. ALLEN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 30, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH WILLIAM ALLEN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BENDTX AVIATION CORPORATION, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Application filed October 30, 1931. Serial No. 572,187.

regulators of the vibratory type heretofore provided have been somewhat erratic in operation and of such construction as to be unreliable when subjected to hard usage. These difiiculties are attributable to various causes among which is the tendency of certain of the parts, such as the core, to expand when heated to such an extent as to interfere with the initial setting and hence disturb the regulating factors.

An object of the present invention is to providea novel regulator in which the parts subjected to heating are so arranged that expansion or elongation thereof will have no appreciable effect on the predetermined adjustment and setting of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel regulator which is of sturdy construction, is extremely accurate in operation and involves a minimum number of component parts, the manufacture and assembly of which may be effected without entailing any excessive expense.

A further object of the invention is to provide a regulator of the type embodying a swinging armature which is so arranged and controlled that the pivotal axis for the armature remains in a fixed predetermined position regardless of the setting.

A further object of the invention is to provide a regulator embodying a solenoid of the fixed core type, which is so constructed that any variations in the length of the core resulting from absorption of heat will have no effect upon the accuracy of the regulation obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for yieldably supporting the solenoid core and maintainmg it in position without the use of any rigid fastemng means.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means of simple construction for adjusting the setting of the vibrating armature.

These and other objects and features of theinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for such a definition.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1' is a view in elevation with parts in section of the device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device with parts in section along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation taken at right angles to the viewpoint of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section view taken along the line 4 4: of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a second embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a view taken at right angles to the viewpoint of Fig. 5. I

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the invention is embodied in a mechanism adapted to be mounted as a unit on a suitable panel (not shown) by means of a substantially rectangular frame 5 which is preferably of ferrous material and which is of solid construction on one side only, the other sides having openings for the positioning of the various parts to be described. The frame 5 is adapted to receive an electromagnet 7 constituted by the usual coil of relatively low resistance wire wound on a sleeve 8 tightly fitting about the core 9. Near the upper end of core 9 there is provided a portion of larger diameter, forming a flange 10 adapted to rest on the apertured disc 11, which in turn rests on the insulating disc 12. Thus the core 9 is immovable relatively to the coil 7 and any movement of either in an upward direction is prevented by engagement of the flange 10 with the transversely disposed. member 13, the latter being secured to the frame by through pins 14. Mounted above the member 13 is an armature 15 hav- .armature 15 may swing in response to the mechanical and magnetic forces exerted thereupon in opposite directions.

The armature is provided with a counterbalance 22 in order to bring the center of gravity of said armature to the line passing through the knife-edge 18. Extending .through the counter-balance 22 is an anchor member 23 which, as shown, consists of an enlargement on the straightened end of a coil spring 24, the opposite end of which is hooked into an appropriate opening (Fig. 3) in a lever 25 pivotally secured in a boss 26 held in the frame 6 by provision of the set screw 27 (Fig. 1). The tension of spring 24 may be varied to modify the movement of armature 15 by means of the adjusting screw 28 on which is threadedly mounted a nut 29 adapted to bear against the rounded end 30 of the angle-piece 31 which is integral with or otherwise may be aifixed to the lever 25.

The inner end of the screw 28 is adapted to be supported and held in position by means 33 and the vertically disposed bracket member 34, as shown best in Fig. 3. Interposed between the outer bracket 34 and the knurled head 35 of the screw is a flexible bowed disc 36 which through its resiliency acts to maintain firm contact between the nut 29 and the lever end 30. Turning of the nut 29 with the screw 28 is prevented by the provision of a guide block 37 riveted or otherwise secured to the frame 6 as indicated at 38, the said guide block presenting its upper' surface in the path of the nut 29 and thus restricting the said nut to non-rotary movement along the threads of the screw 28, when it is desired to adjust tension of spring 24. A set screw 39 serves to hold the counterbalance in the adjusted position.

The contact 16 normally engages a stationary contact 45 carried-by the end of a screw 46 which extends through and is in threaded engagement with an arm 47 extending from the rear surface of the frame 5 to which it is secured b suitable means 48 (Fig. 3). As shown, t e contact 45 is insulated by the provision of insulating strips 50 and 51.

When the electrical output of the generator or current supply means (not shown) exceeds the desired amount, which amount is predetermined in accordance with the adj ustment of spring 24, a sufiiciently strong magnetic field is set up by the solenoid 7 to draw the free end of armature 15 downwardly whereby the circuit through contacts 16 and .45 is broken. The opening of the circuit may serve to place a resistance, not shown, in circuit with the field windings of the generator or other unit whose electrical output is to be controlled. The resulting decrease in the strength of the magnetic field of the solenoid, permits spring 24 to again close contacts 16 and 45. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the swinging movement of the armature 15 is a rapid, vibratory one.

The novel means for yieldably supporting the core 9 and at the same time permitting its elongation in a downward direction in response to absorption of heat, without producing any material elongation in a direction which would interfere with the regulating action, preferably comprises the provision of a flat spring 53 having a normally bowed disposition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and operatively engaging a disc 55 fixed to the core 9 as indicated at 54, the spring being flexed so as to normally bear against the lower surface of disc 55. The spring thus constitutes a resilient support for the core 9 and permits, in conjunction with the aperture 56 in the base 6 of the frame, a downward elongation of the core 9 in response to absorption of heat therein, an expansion in the upward direction being prevented by the engagement of the flange 10 with the transverse member 13. On a rise in tem rature, the core 9 will of course elongate at oth its ends, but the elongation above the flange 10 will be negli 'ble since the portion above the flange 1O isliut a very small fraction of the length below the flange.

Thus it is apparent'that the expansion in a downward direction cannot be suflicient to interfere with the regulating'action of the armature, as in the case of constructions wherein the core is fixed at its lower end or otherwise disposed so as to cause all the elongation to occur at the armature end.

The embodiment shown in Fi 5 and 6 differs from that of Figs. 1 to 4 lnclusive in including means for obtaining a finer ad ustment of the tension on spring 24, such means comprising a fine toothed sector 60 pivoted to the support by suitable means 61 having a second pivot means 62 for attachment to the end of the spring 24. The teeth of the sector 60 are in mesh with the threads of the adjusting screw 28 and are operative to vary the tension on the spring in response torotation of the screw by manipulation of the head 63. The construction shown in this embodiment also differs from ,the preferred embodiment in the manner of pivoting the armature 15. In place of the fulcrum 18 (Fig. 1), this embodiment employs a pin 65 passing through and having its bearing in theapertured upper ends 66 and 67 of the frame, the armature 15 being suspended from the pin by the provision of suitable bearings 68 and 69, to which bearings is secured a U-shaped member 70, the horizontal portion of which is aflixed to the armature.

Various other changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of the apparatus in ways which will occur to those skilled in the art on examination of the foregoing specification, and such changes as are within the limits of the invention herein disclosed are to be considered as embraced in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for regulating changes in the overall length of a solenoid core comprising a flange on said core near one end thereof, a frame surrounding said solenoid, said frame including a transversely disposed plate apertured to receive one end of said core, and resilient means engaging said core near the other end thereof and acting to urge said flange into engagement with said plate, said resilient means also acting to yieldably support the solenoid.

2. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated thereby, said armature being normally held in' predetermined spaced relation to the .core of said electro-magnet, and means" including a transversely disposed plate apertured to receive the armature end of said core for preventing any appreciable heat responsive elongation of said core in a direction approaching said armature, said core being free to expand independently of said transversely disposed plate.

,3. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated thereby, said armature being norm ally held in predetermined spaced relation to the core of said electro-magnet, and means for preventing any appreciable heat responsive elongation of said core in a direction approaching said armature, said means comprising a resilient member engaging said core near its end remote from said armature.

4. In a device of the class described, a solenoid, a substantially rectangular support for said solenoid, an armature pivotally mounted on said support and adapted to be attracted toward the core of said solenoid in response to energization of the latter, and means interposed between said solenoid and said support for preventing any appreciable heat responsive elongation of said core in a direction approaching said armature.

5. In a device of the class described, a

solenoid, a substantially rectangular support for said solenoid, an armature pivotally mounted on said support and adapted to be attracted toward the core of said solenoid in response to energization of the latter, and means interposed between said solenoid and said support for preventing any appreciable heat responsive elongation of said core in a direction approaching said armature, said means comprising a resilient member engaging said core near the end remote from said armature, said member also engaging said solenoid.

6. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated thereby, means normally maintaining said armature in predetermined spaced relation to said electro-magnet, and means for preventing any appreciable variation in said spaced relation except that produced by the magnetic field resulting from energization of said electro-magnet, said means comprising a relatively stationary member engaging the core of said electro-magnet and thus preventing any appreciable elongation thereof in a direction approaching said armature, and means for supporting said core near its opposite end, said supporting means being capable of movement in response to thermal expansion of said core at said latter end.

7. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated thereby, means normally maintaining said armature in predetermined spaced relation to said electro-magnet, and means for preventing any appreciable variation in said spaced relation except that produced by the magnetic field resulting from energization of said electro-magnet, said means comprising a relatively stationary member engaging the core of said electro-magnet and thus preventing any appreciable elongation thereof in a direction approaching said armature, and resilient means engaging said core near the other end thereof, said resilient meansalso acting to yieldably support the electro-magnet.

8. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, a substantially rectangular member having vertically disposed sides enclosing said electro-magnet and a base extending beneath said electro-magnet in a plane spaced from the plane of the base of the electro-magnet, means extending from said vertically disposed sides into engagement with a part of said electro-magnet to restrain heat responsive expansion thereof in an upward direction, and means interposed between said base and said electro-magnet for determining the direction of heat responsive expansion.

9. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, a substantially rectangular member having vertically disposed sides enclosing said electro-magnet and a base extending beneath said electro-magnet in a plane spaced from the plane of the base of the electro-magnet, means extending from said vertically disposed sides into engagement with apart of said electro-magnet to restrain heat responsive expansion thereof in an upward direction, and means interposed betweensaid base and said electro-magnet 10. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an' armature actuated thereby, said armature being normally held in predetermined spaced relation to the core of said electro-magnet, a tension spring having operative connection with said armature for maintaining said spaced relation, and means for varying the tension in said spring comprising a member pivoted near one edge thereof and connected to the end of said spring remote from said armature, a stop normally maintaining said pivoted member in predetermined position, and means for moving said stop transversely of said spring to oscillate said pivoted member and thereby vary the effective length of said spring.

11. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated thereby, said armature being normally held in predetermined spaced relation to the core of said electro-magnet, and means for maintaining said spaced relation, said means comprising a tension spring having operative connection with said armature, a pivoted member connected to the end of said spring remote from said armature, a threaded nut normally maintaining said pivoted member in predetermined position, and a transversely disposed screw engageable with said nut to oscillate said pivoted member and thereby vary the effective length of said spring. I

12. In apparatus of the class described, an elect'ro-magnet,an armature actuatedthereby, said armature being normally held in predetermined spaced relation to the core of said electromagnet, and means for maintaining said spaced relation, said means comprising a tension spring having operative connection with said armature, a pivoted member connected to the end of said spring remote from said armature, a threaded nut normally maintaining said pivoted member in predetermined position, a transversely disposed screw engageable with said nut to oscillate said pivoted member and thereby vary the effective length of said spring, and bearing means for said pivoted member connected to the supporting frame of said electro-magnet.

- 13. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated there by, said armature being normally held in predetermined spaced relation to the core of said electro-magnet, and means for maintaining said spaced relation, said means comprising a tension spring having operative connection with said armature, a toothed sector connected to the end of said spring remote from said armature, a stop normally maintaining said toothed sector in predetermined position, and means for moving said stop laterall to oscillate said toothed sector and there y vary the effective length of said spring.

14. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated thereby, said armature being normally held in predetermined spaced relation to the core of said electro-ma net, and means for maintaining said spaced relation, said means comprising a tension spring having operative connection with said armature, a toothed sector connected to the end of said spring remote from said armature, a screw normally maintaining said toothed sector in predetermined position, means for turning said screw about an axis transverse to the axis of said core to oscillate said toothed sector and thereby vary the effective length of said spring.

15. In apparatus of the class described, an electro-magnet, an armature actuated thereby, said armature being normlly held in predetermined spaced relation to the core of said electro-magnet, and means for maintaining said spaced relation, said means comprising a tension spring having operative connection with said armature, a toothed section connected to the end of said spring remote from said armature, a screw normally maintaining said toothed sector in predetermined position, means for turning said screw about an axis transverse to the axis of said core to oscillate said toothed sector and thereby vary the ef fective len th of said spring, and means connected to t e supporting frame of said electro-magnet to provide a bearing for said toothed sector.

In testimony whereof I-have signed this specification.

JOSEPH WILLIAM ALLEN.

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