US1909540A

US1909540A - Switching mechanism

Info

Publication number: US1909540A
Application number: US574064A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jensen Otto
Original assignee: ITE Circuit Breaker Co
Current assignee: ITE Circuit Breaker Co
Priority date: 1931-11-10
Filing date: 1931-11-10
Publication date: 1933-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 1950-05-16

Description

May 16, 1933.- o. JENSEN SWITCHING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY May. 16, 1933. o. JENSEN 1,909,540

SWITCHING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

INVENTOR (Qa; 8Y3

-ATTORNEY Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BREAKER COHPANY, JERSEY OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAN A CORPORATION 01' NEW SWITCHING MECHANISM Application filed November 10, 1931. Serial No. 574,064.

My invention relates to switching mechanisms, and particularly to auxiliary switch elements mechanically controlled by movement of a device having a plurality of positions, such as a switch or circuit breaker.

In accordance with my invention, auxiliary switch elements, as pallet switches, are actuated by the operating mechanism of a device, for example, an electromagnetically controlled circuit breaker, and the switches coact to control an auxiliary circuit, for example, an alarm or signal circuit, so that when the position of the device is changed, as when the circuit breaker is automatically tripped or opened, under abnormal conditions, an alarm or signal will be given, but which switches will not cause the alarm or signal to be given when the position of the device is changed under normal conditions, as when the circuit breaker is opened by hand or by a remote control circuit; more particularly, two pallet switches are connected in circuit with each other to control an auxiliar circuit, the first pallet switch is actuated y the operating mechanism of a circuit breaker, and the second pallet switch is biased to a given circuit controlling position, but is caused to move to another circuit controlling position by movement of the first pallet switch during the closing movement of the circuit breaker and is held in the latter position by latching mechanism until a circuit breaker tripping device is operated by hand or by a remote control circuit.

Specifically, the pallet switches are rotatably mounted adjacent each other, and the second pallet switch is resiliently biased, as by a spring, to a first circuit controlling position, but is forced into a second circuit controlling position by rotation of the first pallet switch in a given direction during the closing movement of the circuit breaker; when the circuit breaker is opened by an overload tripping coil the first switch is rotated in the opposite direction to another circuit controlling position, and the second switch is held in its second position by a latch connected to hand or remote control tripping mechanism, so that the condition of an auxiliary circuit is changed thereby and an alarm given, but if the tripping mechanism and latch are actuated by hand or by a remote control circuit, the second switch is released and returns to its first position under the influence of its biasing spring, thus preventing a change in the condition of the auxiliary circuit and no alarm is given.

In accordance with one modification, the pallet switches are electrically connected in series to control a normall open auxiliary circuit; in another modi cation they are connected in parallel to control a normally closed auxiliary circuit.

The invention resides in the features of construction, combination and arrangement hereinafter disclosed and claimed.

' For an understanding of the invention, and for illustration of some of the forms it may take, reference is bad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a circuit breaker and an auxiliary switch embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the auxiliary switch with its cover removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 show details of one of the rotatable contact elements of the auxiliary switch.

Fig. 6 is a plan view, artly in section, taken along the line 66 0 Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 show details of the shaft parts of the rotatable contact elements.

Figs. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate relative positions of the rotatable contact elements under difli'erent conditions.

Figs. 14 and 15 show two ways in which the auxiliary switch is connected in circuit relation.

Among various uses for auxiliary or pallet type of switches which are actuated in accordance with the position of a switching mechanism or circuit breaker, is to control auxiliary circuits for alarm or signal purposes so that when the main switch or circuit breaker is automatically tripped or opened under abnormal conditions, an alarm or signal will be given, but which will give no indication or alarm when the switch or circuit breaker is opened at will, either manually or by a tripping mechanism for remote control pu In the embodiment illustrated, the operation of the auxiliary switch is as follows:

The switch contains two movable contacts, preferably rotatable, electrically connected in series by an external connection. The

first of these contacts is mechanically connected with and operated by the circuit breaker mechanism so that it is opened when the circuit breaker is closed, and closed when the circuit breaker is open. The second contact is biased, as by a spring, toward its open position, but is forced into its closed position by the shaft of the first contact element during the closing movement of the circuit breaker. Therefore, when the breaker is closed, the first contact is open and the second contact is closed and held in that position by the shaft of the first contact, and also by a latch which may be released either by hand or by a tri ping coil for remote control purposes. In t is position of the switches, the auxiliary circuit is opened.

When the circuit breaker is tri ped under abnormal conditions, however, as y an overload relay, the first contact moves to closed position, its shaft releasing its control of the second contact, which, however, is held in closed position by the latch. With both contacts closed, the auxiliary circuit is completed, and the alarm or si nal continues until the circuit breaker is rec osed, or the latch on the second contact is released either by hand or by energizing the remote control tripping coil.

When the circuit is tripped by hand, or through its control circuit, the tri ping action releases the latch and the secon contact is rotated by its spring with the first contact as the circuit breaker o s. Thus, before the first contact is cl the second contact is opened, s that the auxiliary circuit is not completed and no alarm or signal is given.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a panel 1 on which is mounted a circuit breaker 2 and an auxiliary or pallet switch 3. The circuit breaker has a latch 4 and a trippin lever 5, and an overload solenoid 6 is provi ed to unlatch the breaker under abnormal conditions by its armature 7 striking the lugl 8' on the trip link 8. This link is supporte by a stud secured to the lever 9, the stud operatin in a slot at the bottom of the trip link 8 so t at the trip link may be raised independentl of lever 9, but if lever 9 is raised, the trip 8 will be raised thereby.

A tripping coil 10 is provided for remote control of the circuit breaker, and when energized will unlatch the breaker by its armature 11 striking the pin 12, which in turn strikes the lever 9 and thus actuates link 8 to unlatch the circuit breaker. A link 13 -is pinned at its upper end to the lever 9, and at its lower end to the latch and hand tri lever 14 of the auxiliar switch 3, which ever is lifted with the lin or, if the lever is lifted the link 13 will likewise be lifted. The operating arm 15 is connected to the auxiliary switch 3, and is also connected by a link 16 to the operating arm of the circuit breaker 2.

The opening and closing action of the circuit breaker and the movement of its operating arm causes the operating arm 15 of the auxiliary switch 3 to travel through an angle of approximately 90. This arm, toget er wit the latch ever 14, controls the ition of the two switch contact elements in the switch 3. If the lever 14 remains in its lower or latched position durin the opening movement of the circuit brea er, then the alarm circuit is closed. If, on the other hand, the lever 14 is lifted to trip the circuit breaker, the alarm circuit remains open and no signal is given.

Fi 2, 3, 6 and 7, are various views of the auxiliary switch 3 and its enclosing housing. F i 2 is a front elevational view of the switch, with its front cover removed, and shows a mounting base 17 of molded insulating material supporting two pairs of oppositely disposed

fixed contacts

18, 18 and 18', 18'. Cooperating with the fixed contacts aretwo rotatably mounted contact elements, comprising metal blades 19 and 19' respectively embedded in cylindrical bodies 20 and 20' of molded insulating material. When the metal blade of either contact element is in the position of blade 19', as shown in Fig. 2, a circuit is closed between the fixed contacts 18', 18', and when in the position of the blade 19, the

fixed contacts

18, 18 rest inst the insulating surface of 20, and the circuit between them is opened. The position of the contact 19 is controlled by the operating arm 15, and the position of the contact 19 is controlled by the contact 19, subject to the position of the lever 14 (extending through the housing 33), as hereinafter described. A barrier of insulation separates the contact elements from each other to prevent flashover between them.

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and shows the contact arrangement more clearly. The molded base 17 has threaded metal terminal inserts 26 supporting contact brackets 27. These brackets each have two lugs pierced to receive tilts of the contact piece 18', which is forced into engagement with the rotatable contact 19' by a spring 28. Terminals 29 are threaded into the inserts 26 for connection to the auxiliary circuit controlled by the switch. The arran ement of the contact and terminal assem ly of rotatable contact 19 and its fixed contacts 18 is the same as'that of contact 19. A cover 30, preferably made of molded insulating material, is held in position by screws 31 threaded into the insulating base 17 at the points 31, shown in Fig. 2. The cover also has the barrier 32 of insulation which,

when the cover is in position, cooperates with barrier to isolate the adjacent switch elements.

A view of one of the rotatable switch elements is shown by Fig. 4, and the contour of the metal contact blade 19. removed from its body 20, is shown by Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 66 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 6, to show the construction of the latching and operating mechanism of the rotatable contact element 19'.

A housing 33 is separately secured to the v panel 1, and enclosed the latch lever 14,

whichis pivotally mounted by means of a 4 pin 34 secured to the housing 33. The latch lever 14 is biased in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 7, by the spring 35. and is notched out at 36 to receive the latch plate 37 which is'secured to the return crank 24 mounted on the end of shaft 21, and which rotates with the contact element 19. A spring 38 is attached to a crank stud 39 of the crank 24, and tends to rotate the shaft in a clockwise direction. As shown in Fig. 7, this tendency is resisted by the notch 36 in the lever 14, the notch holding the latch plate 37 in position. The spring 35 maintains these surfaces in engagement, but a slight clockwise movement of lever 14 will release the latch.

The details of the shaft parts are shown in Figs. 8. 9 and 10. The outer end of the shaft 22 is square to receive the operating arm 15, and the outer end of shaft 21 is square to receive the crank member 24. An intermediate portion of each crank is round, as shown, for turning in hearings in the base 17, not shown. A section of each of the shafts is square, as at 21 and 22', to support and drive the rotatable contacts 19 and Fig. 4 shows the opening in the molded body 20 which fits over the square portion 22' of the shaft 22, the metal blade 19 being insulated from the shaft by reason of its contour and the insulating material of the body 20. The inner end of each shaft is drilled to receive the pivot pin 40 which maintains the shafts in alignment with each other. Lugs 23 and 23' are formed on the inner ends of the shafts, and overlap each other when the shafts are in their operating position, and are so designed with radial surfaces that a relative angular motionwof approximately 90 is permitted between them, so that although the lug 23' may engage lug 23 to cause shaft 21 to be rotated against the tension of the biasing spring 38, the shaft 22 may be rotated in the reverse direction through an angle of 90 by movement of the circuit breaker, while the shaft 21 remains in its former position are omitted to better show the position of contacts 18'.. In this position, the closing motion of the circuit breaker has rotated the arm 15 and the lug 23 on its shaft counterclockwise, the lug.23 forcing lug 23' ahead of it, tensioning the spring 38, not shown, and finally latching 37 in the notch 36. If the circuit breaker is automatically tripped due to abnormal conditions, the arm 15 is rotated clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 12, and in this position both contacts 19 and 19' are engaged with their complementary fixed contacts and close the auxiliary circuit, so that an alarm or other signal is given.

If, in the position of Fig. 12, the circuit breaker is tripped by hand, or by the tripping coil 10, then the latching lever 14 is raised, thus disengaging latch plate 37 from the notch 36, and the spring 38 will cause the contact 19-to be rotated to the position shown in Fig. 13, thus opening the auxiliary circuit. If, in the position of Fig. 11, the cir-' cuit breaker had been tripped by hand, or by the remote control tripping coil 10, then the latch plate 37 and latch lever 14 would have been released at the instant of unlatching thecircuit breaker, and the two contacts 19 and 19' would have rotated clockwise together, the contact 19' opening the circuit before the contact 19 would have closed the same.

Fig. 14 shows the manner of connecting the auxiliary switch above described in circuit relation with an alarnrbell A, and so arranged that the bell will ring when the circuit breaker is opened under abnormal conditions, but will not ring when the breaker is opened by hand or by a remote control circuit.

Fig. 15 shows an auxiliary arrangement of the closed circuit type, that is, a relay R is energized when the circuit breaker is closed, and thus maintains an alarm circuit normally open; when the circuit breaker is opened under abnormal conditions, the relay R is deenergized and its armature is pulled back by the action of a spring or gravity to close an auxiliary or alarm circuit. When the auxiliary switch is to be used with an auxiliary circuit of the closed circuit type, then the rotatable contact elements 19 and 19' must be placed on their shafts at an angle which is 90 to that in the modification disclosed in the drawings, so that the contact will close when the circuit breaker is closed and will en when the circuit breaker is opened; the ot er contact being opened when the circuit breaker is closed, and closed by action of its biasing spring when the latch mechanism is released. In this modification, the contact surface of the rotatable contacts should preferably subtend a sector sufiiciently large that there will be an overlap between the respective contact surfaces of the adjacent elements in order to prevent openin of the relay circuit when the circuit brea er is tripped by hand or by its remote control circuit.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a circuit breaker having means for automatically opening the breaker when abnormal conditions obtain and means for opening the breaker at will, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch comprising a pluralit of movable contacts and complementary xed contacts, and means for causing each of the movable contacts to move to a predetermined one of two circuit controlling positions when the circuit breaker is opened, dependent upon which of said opening means is operated.

2. In combination with a circuit breaker having means for automatically opening the breaker when abnormal conditions obtain and means for opening the breaker at will, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch having a plurality of rotatable contacts and complementary fixed contacts, and means for causing each of said rotatable contacts to rotate to a predetermined one of two circuit controlling positions when the circuit breaker is opened, dependent upon which of said opening means is operated.

3. In combination with a circuit breaker having means for automatically opening the breaker when abnormal conditions obtain and means for opening the breaker at will, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch having a plurality of rotatable contacts and complementary fixed contacts, and means for causing one of the rotatable contacts to rotate to closed position and another of said contacts to rotate to open position when a predetermined one of said opening means is operated.

4 In combination with a circuit breaker having a first means for automatically tripping the breaker when abnormal conditions obtain and a second means for tripping the breaker at will, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch comprisin two rotatable contact elements with comp ementary fixed contacts, and means for causing one of the contact elements to rotate to closed position and the other contact elementto rotate to the open position when the circuit breaker is opened by said second tripping of the contact elements to rotate to open position and the other contact element to rotate to closed position during closing movement of the circuit breaker.

6. In combination with a circuit breaker having a first means for automatically tripping the breaker when abnormal conditions obtain and a second means for tripping the breaker at will, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch comprising two rotatable contact elements with complementary fixed contacts, means for causing one of the contact elements to rotate to open position and the other contact element to rotate .to closed position during closing movement of the circuit breaker, and means for causing said other contact element to remain in closed position when the circuit breaker is opened y said first tripping means.

7. In combination with a circuit breaker having electromagnetic and manually operable control means, a pallet switch having two rotatable contact elements for controlling an auxiliary circuit, means for actuating one of said rotatable elements upon movement of the circuit breaker, and means for controlling the position of the other of said rotatable elements by the joint action of said control means and movement of the circuit breaker.

8. In combination with an electromagnetically controlled circuit breaker, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for cont-rolling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch having two movable contact elements with complementary fixed contacts connected to said auxiliary circuit, means for mechanically connecting one of the movable elements to the circuit breaker operating mechanism, said element being in closed position when the circuit breaker is open, means for biasing the second contact element towards its open position, and means actuated by closing movement of the circuit breaker for forcing the last-named element into closed position.

9. In combination with an electromagnetically controlled circuit breaker, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the clrcuit necting one of the movable elements to the contact element forces the second contact ele-.

circuit breaker operating mechanism, said element-being in open position when the circuit breaker is closed, means for continuous ly biasing the second contact element towards its open position, and means whereby the first ment into closed position during closing movement of the circuit breaker.

10. In combination with an electromagnetically controlled circuit breaker, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch having two movable contact elements with complementary fixed contacts connected to said auxiliar circuit, means for mechanically connectlng one of the movable elementsto the circuit breaker operating mechanism, so that it is closed when the circuit breaker is opened, and opened when the circuit breaker is closed, means for biasing the second contact element towards its open position, means carried by the first contact element for forcing the second contact element into closed position during closing movement of the circuit breaker, and latching means for holding the second contact element in closed position.

11. In combination with an electromagnetically controlled circuit breaker, a pallet switch mechanically actuated by the circuit breaker operating mechanism for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said pallet switch having two movable contact elements with complementary fixed contacts connected to said auxiliary circuit, one of the movable elements being mechanically connected to the circuit breaker operating mechanism, and opened when the circuit breaker is closed and closed when the circuit breaker is opened, means for biasing the second contact element to wards its open position, means whereby the first contact element forces the second contact element into closed position during closing movement of the circuit breaker, latching means for holding the second contact element in closed osition, and means for releasing said latcliing means when the circuit breaker is opened under normal operating conditions.

12. In combination with a circuit breaker, a two pole double break rotatable switch mechanically controlled by the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker, means for causing said circuit breaker to be opened automatically under abnormal circuit conditions, and means in said switch to revent circuit change when the circuit brea er is opened at will,

but to change from one circuit controlling position to another when the circuit breaker is opened under abnormal conditions.

13. In combination with a circuit breaker having a first tripping means for opening the breaker in response to abnormal circuit conditions and a second tripping means for opening the breaker at will, a switch having contact structure mechanically connected to the breaker mechanism and controlling an auxiliary circuit upon opening of the breaker by said first means, second contact structure normally held in one position and released upon opening of the breaker by. said second tripping means to preclude control of the auxiliary circuit b said first contact structure, and means or resetting said second contact structure concurrently with reclosing of the breaker.

14. The combination with a circuit breaker, a pallet switch for controlling an auxiliar circuit having a first contact structure an a second contact structure, a member for tripping said circuit breaker, means for actuating said member-and said first contact structure, means responsive to abnormal circuit conditions for actuating said member and said second contact structure, and means for reclosing the breaker and concurrently resetting said switch.

15. The combination with a circuit breaker, of a plurality of tripping means for operating said breaker, a switch for controlling an auxiliary circuit having a first contact structure movable to one position upon opening of the breaker and to another position upon closing of the breaker, and a second contact structure normally held in one position independently of opening or closing of the breaker and if displaced therefrom returned thereto upon closing of the breaker, and means for effecting release of said contact structure upon opening of the breakerby one of said tripping means.

16. The combination with a circuit breaker, of a plurality of tripping means, two switches for jointly controlling an auxiliary circuit, one of which is in open circuit position and the other of which is in closed circuit position when the breaker is closed, means for actuating one only of said switches upon opening of the breaker by one of said tripping means, and means for actuating both of said switches to closed and open position respectively upon opening of the breaker by another of said tripping means.

OTTO JENSEN.