US1943576A

US1943576A - Two insulator high tension switch

Info

Publication number: US1943576A
Application number: US378848A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest E Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-07-17
Filing date: 1929-07-17
Publication date: 1934-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1951-01-16

Description

Jan. 16, 1934. E. E'. ANDERSON TWO INSULATORK HIGH TENSION SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 17. 1929 il il. a. 23| D. f

N 5| u W N 7m Jain. 163 1934. E E, ANDERSON 1,943,576

TWO INSULATOR HIGH TENSION SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1929 Jan. 16, 1934. E. E. ANDERSON 1,943,576

' TWOHINSULATOR HIGH TENSION SWITCH Filed July 17. 1929 4 sheets-sheet s.

Jan. 16, 19341 E. E. ANDERSON TWO INSULATOR HIGH TENSIO SWITCH Filed July 17. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lzVEr'z/Er" frnesl dnclesom Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE 28 Claims.

This invention relates in general to aswitch for opening and closing an electrical circuit, and more particularly to a vertical break, two insulator, high tension, disconnecting switch.

In the past, disconnecting switches for use in high tension switching have been supplied by manufacturers, for mounting with their bases vertical, or horizontal in which case the'insulators are either above the base or underslung below the base. With switches of this type the maintenance is very high as each type of mounting constitutes a different switch, which could not be adapted for a different mounting without the use of additional parts. In cases of emergency, this is a very undesirable condition as it is common practice to move electrical equipment from one locatio'n to another. For example, if a'switch were mounted in one position at a given location and it was desired to move it to another location where it would have to be mounted in a dierent position; it could not be mounted in the new location without the addition of new parts.

Another objection to disconnecting switches,

` as they are presently made, is to the construction of the contacts. In the usual form, the contact is made between ground surfaces which soon get out of alignment, with the result that the original surface contact becomes a line or point contact and the ampere carrying capacity is Vgreatly decreased. In order to adapt the usual contact for outdoor service, where extreme weather conditions are met with, it becomes necessary to provide sleet hoods or other means for protecting the contacts to assure the operation of the switch.

In the operation of high potential disconnecting switches, it often becomes necessary to open them under load. Due to the relatively small interrupting capacity of such switches and their slow speed of opening, the contacts become damaged from the arc which is established when the contacts begin to open.

Where the arc is broken between contacts in a hermetically sealed tube containing an arc extinguishing fluid, it has been a difcult problem to iind a satisfactory way of sealing the tube into the end ferrules and making a nal seal after the fluid is put into the tube. A tube of this type is subjected to extreme temperatures and pressure with the result that the glass either breaks where it is sealed into the ferrules or the tube leaks around the naLsealing plug.

It is an object of this invention to provide a disconnecting switch which is adapted for mounting in any position simply by a reassembly of the switch parts without the necessity of adding new parts.

It is. another object of this invention to provide a full iloating contact, which will be self aligning, have a multiplicity of positive contact points and maintain its ampere carrying capacity over a long period of time, and adapted for outdoor or indoor use.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a disconnecting switch which will open the 55 electrical circuit in a very short period of time; the circuit being initially opened by a switch blade which carries the main current, and finally by a fluid switching unit which carries the secondary current and is in parallel with the switch blade. A'

It is a further object of this invention to improve the method for sealing the container which encloses the contact mechanism and which is filled with an arc extinguishing fluid.

Other and important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention in a preferred form is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view including partial sections through the duid break switch.

Figure 2 is an elevational view showing the 85 switch mounted in a horizontal and vertical plane.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the switch.

Figure 4 is an elevational view showing the switch mounted in a horizontal plane with the insulators beneath the base.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the locking means and contact in section.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the fluid break switch having broken away sections showing the position of the contact elements when the switch is mounted in an underslung position.

Figure 'I is an elevational view of the fluid break switch having broken away sections showing the position of the contact elements when the switch is mounted in a vertical position.

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse section through the fluid break switch, line VIII- VIII in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse section 105 through the contact of the air break Switch taken on line IX-D in Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a view showing the concentric lgrooves around the sealing hole and on the sealing screw.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the final sealing means.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the Adetails of the iloating mounting of the switch blade contact support casting, taken substantially on line XII-XII of Figure 5.

As shown on the drawings:

The disconnecting switch, as a whole, is shown in Figure 1 mounted in a horizontal position with the insulators above a mounting base 1. Insulator pins 2, which support the-conventional type of high tension insulator 3, are secured to the top of the mounting base near its ends, by means of bolts 4 which extend through the base of the insulator pin, the mounting base, and a plate 5. This plate makes it possible to secure the cap end of the insulator to the mounting base,- by means of the cap bolts 6, when the disconnecting switch is mounted in the underslung position as shown in Figure 4. In the mounting shown in Figure 1, a hinge terminal casting 7 is secured to the insulator cap by the cap bolts 6, and includes a lug 8, which is drilled for terminal conection to the power line, and the stationary member 9 of the switch blade hinge. The movable member of the hinge comprises a casting 10, which is pivotally secured, by means of the pivot pin 11, to the stationary hinge member 9, and is bored and threaded to receive a blade bar, or tube 12, which is clamped therein, by means of a clamping bolt 13. 'I'he electrical circuit is completed around the hinge by the ilexible conductor 14 which is secured by the bolt 15 to the stationary member of the hinge and by the bolt 16 to the lug 17 forming an integral part of the casting 10. It is therefore apparent that by using this construction, blade bars of varying length may be used; the hinge terminal casting and the blade hinge casting with its fiexible connector being common to voltages from 7500 to 73000 volts. For higher voltages castings of heavier construction would be used. The blade bar 12 is shown as being circular in design, but may be of any shape or form depending upon the amount of current it must carry and the mechanical strength required.

The contact end of the blade bar 12 is threadedly secured to a forked casting 18 and securely clamped by means of a clamping bolt 19. This casting 18 carries a full oating contact support casting 20, Figure 5, and a switch lock 21 having a pull ring 22 on its upper endand a latch dog 23 on its lower end, which engages with a contact casting 24. 'Ihe switch lock 21 is pivotally secured to depending lugs 25 of the forked casting 18, by means of a pin 26. The switch blade end of the casting 18 is drilled to receive a cylindrical member 27 having inserted therein for longitudinal movement a plunger 28, which is forced outwardly by a spring 29, against the switch lock 21, which will be rotated in a clockwise direction until the stop pin 30 strikes against the lower edge of said casting 18. This switch lock will therefore lock the switch blade in a closed position and prevent the switch from being forced open by a short circuit.

The full floating contact support casting 20 is fioatingly supported in the forked casting 18, as shown in Figure 12, by means of pin 31 and the pin 32a, the ends of which extend into oversize holes in the prongs of the fork casting. The longitudinal movement of the pin 32a is limited by short bolts 32 which are threaded into the oversize holes and abut against the ends of said pin. The electrical circuit is completed from the contact support casting to the forked casting by means of a flexible conductor 33, which is solidly bolted to the respective castings by

bolts

34, 32 and 35. Integral with the contact support casting 20 is a projection 36 which is drilled and tapped to receive either the contact sheath 37 or the contact plunger 38. This interchangeability gives a contact, thoroughly housed against weather in all positions in which a switch is usually mounted. l 'Ihe contact casting 24 is secured to the insulator by the cap bolts 6 and is drilled and tapped to receive either the contact plunger 38 as shown in Figure 5 or the contact sheath 37. An integral lug 39, which is similar to the lug 8, is drilled for terminal connection to the power line.

The female member of the contact comprises a sheath 37 having a plurality of sockets 40 for receiving conducting spheres 4l, which are backed up by connector straps 42 solidly fastened to one end of the sheath by screws 43. These conductor straps are enclosed by a cylindrical close wound coil spring 44, which exerts spring pressure on the spheres, forcing them to the bot- .tom of their respective sockets where their further movement is arrested by an inturned edge of the socket. It will be noted that in this position the spheres project slightly past the inner wall of the sheath and make contact with the contact plunger 38. The entrance end of the contact sheath engages with an end member 37a containing a tapered orifice, which forms a guide for the contact plunger as it enters the female member of the contact. The contact sheath is enclosed by a cylindrical tube 45 which is securely fastened by means of the screws 46; at one end to the sheath and at the other to the end member 37a, thereby holding said end member in engagement with said sheath. This cylindrical tube therefore protects the contact mechanism from the weather elements. It is to be observed that when the contact plunger enters the contact sheath, it forces the conducting spheres outwardly against the connector straps, which in turn are forced firmly against the enclosing spring; this spring being free to weave or iioat together with the connector straps and spheres. The result is that each sphere is under spring pressure and forms a pressure contact between each sphere and the contact plunger as well as between each sphere and its connector strap. The spheres being free to roll or float in their respective sockets, a wiping contact is secured, thus insuring a multiplicity of clean contact points each of which has a deflnite current carrying capacity. The capacity of the contact is therefore proportional to the number of points of contact, and permits a definite current rating to be given the contact.

By the use of the full oating contact support, the plunger is reciprocally or laterally withdrawn from the contact sheath by the rotary motion of the switch blade about its hinge pivot. The full floating contact support permits the plunger to freely assume its position with reference to the full floating contact spheres, connector straps and the cylindrical close wound coil spring in the contact sheath. 'I'his feature compensates for any misalignment of the switch parts and the point of contact of each sphere is assured.

A iiuid switching unit is supported on one end by a projecting arm 46 which is integral with the hinge casting 10, and on the other by a rotatable link 47 pivotally secured by -a pin 47a to the contact casting 24. The respective ends of the Iiuid switching unit are designated by A and B. A supporting and terminal casting is provided at the A end of the fluid switching unit comprising an annular ring 48 and depending arm 49 pivotally secured to the arm 46 by means of a bolt 50. The B end of the fluid switching unit has a similar supporting and terminal casting consisting of an annular ring 51 with a similar depending arm 52 pivotally secured to the link47 by means of a bolt 53. Solidly bolted connections are provided at each end respectively by a flexible conductor 54 having one end secured to the arm 49 and the other to the arm 46 by the screw 55; and a flexible conductor 56 having one end secured to the arm 52 and'the other to the contact casting 24 by one of the cap bolts 6. The contact mechanism is hermetically sealed within a tube 57, preferably of a vitreous material but not necessarily, which is lled with an arc extinguishing fluid (not shown on the drawings). Each end of the tube is sealed into a ferrule 58, the outer end of which is closed, having an outwardly extending flange.

which engages the annular ring of its,a.ssociated supporting andlterminal casting and is secured thereto by means of screws 59. The ferrule on the end B is drilled and tapped to receive the hermetic sealing screw 60, Figure 11. The base and seat of this screw are provided with concentric grooves (Figure 10) so that when the screw is tightened against a soft metal washer 61 the grooves will cut into the washer and form a hermetic seal. A bracket 62 is secured by a screw 63 to the closed end of the ferrule 58 on the A end of the tube and by a screw 64 to an insulating bar 65 which supports a series of gaps in the arc extinguishing fluid; the bracket making electrical contact with the terminal side of the last gap. The other end of the insulating bar is free to move longitudinally on a guide pin 66 when expanded or contracted by a change in temperature. The guide pin is secured to the closed end of the ferrule 58 of the B end of the tube and slidably engages the end of the bar 65. A flexible connector 65a completes the electrical circuit from the terminal side of the last gap to the-closed end of the ferrule 58. A plurality of castings 67 made of a conducting material are secured to the insulating bar by the screws 68, Figure 8, and spaced so as to form a series of gaps. Conducting spheres 69 of a non-magnetic material are disposed for closing the gaps and are free to -move into sockets 70 parallel to the fix longitudinal axis of the tube or sockets 71 at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tube; such movement opening the gaps and consequently breaking the electrical circuit through the tube. DueA to the arc extinguishing uid in the tube, the spheres will move into and out of the sockets with plunger like action The spheres make a point contact with the contact surface of the ,gaps. In the closed position of the gaps the arc extinguishing uid closely surrounds the point contact and since a sphere may be moved thru a uid with the least amount of disturbance of the duid, it is evident that as the spheres begin to move away from the contact surfaces the `arc extinguishing fluid instantly lls the gaps and prevents any arc from forming.

While the drawings show only one hermetically sealed tube mounted upon the disconnect- ,ing switch, it is not proposed to limit this invention to the use of one tube as it is contemplated that a number of tubes having their contact points in series might be mounted in parallel or the tube might be constructed with several rows of contacts within vone tube, the contacts being arranged electrically, either in series or multiple depending upon the amount of current which it is desired to carry.

Figures 2 and 4 show the switch of my invention mounted in various positions upon a sus taining structure.` The various parts of the switch, which it would be necessary to reassemble in order to adapt the switch for operation in the respective positions, are clearly shown in these figures. For example, assuming the switch to be originally mounted in the horizontal position as shown in Figure 2, the switch parts are assembled as shown more clearly in Figure l. In this position, the tube 57 is mounted with its B end adjacent the blade contact and its A end adjacent the pivoted end of the blade. The iemale contact member is carried by the blade, and the male contact member mounted on insulator 3.

If it is now desired to transfer the horizontally mounted switch to a location wherein it will be in a vertical position as shown in Figure 2,

the only changes necessary to adapt the switch to the vertical mounting are to turn the tube 57 end for end so that the A end is adjacent the blade contact rather than the B end, and interchange the male and female contact members.

In changing from the vertical mounting shown in Figure 2 to the underslung mounting as shown in Figure 4, the insulators 3 3 are turned end for end and the tube 57 is rotated 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis. It is thus evident that the switch may be readily adapted for any mounting by simply reassembling a few parts. Enlarged views of the tube 57 are shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7 with cut-out portions, the tubes being disposed in their relative positions to correspond to the switch mountings as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The operation of the switch, when mounted in the horizontal position with the insulators above the base, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. from completely closed position to completely open, land from completely open to completely closed is as follows: The switch is opened by mserting a switch hook into the ring 22 of the switch lock. A rm'pull upwardly and toward the hinge end of the switch, will uniatch the switch lock and pull the switch blade out of contact, swinging the switch blade about the pivot pin 11 to the 90 degrees open position. To describe the movement of the luid switching unit, A

while the switch blade is being opened, it is best to divide the movement of the switch blade into two parts, that is, from the closed position tosubstantially 45 degrees open position, and from this position to fully open.

It will be observed that, when the switch blade is in circuit closed position, the tube 57 is downwardly inclined towards its B end and the spheres 69 occupy gap-closing positions, each sphere being in engagement with an upper con tact surface formed by the wall of a socket 71 and a lower contact surface formed by the wall of a socket 70. Since the sockets 70 are at this time inclined downwardly towards the gaps the spheres are held in gap-closing position by the action of gravity. Now, as-*the switch blade is swung to the 45 position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, the lever arm 46 is moved anticlockwise to a horizontal or dead center position, this movement causing the A end of the 4 K tube 57 to travel downwardly and to the left. Simultaneously with this movement of the A end of the tube, the B end is guided by the anticlockwise movement of link 47 so that this end moves 5 downwardly and to the left. It will be observed,

however, that at the 45 position the downward movement of the A end of the tube has been relatively greater than the downward movement of the B end of the tube; that the tube is still slightly downwardly inclined toward its B end; and that during the above described movement of the tube the spheres 69 have remained in gapclosing position, since no forces have acted to change their position. The circuit at this time is through the fluid switching unit, since the circuit through the switch blade has already been opened;

Immediately upon the passage of the switch blade through its 45 position, the arm 46 is moved below its horizontal or dead center position and continues to carry the A end of the tube still further in a downward direction and at the same time causes this end to move to the right instead of to the left as when the arm 46 was approaching its dead center position. Moreover, the link 47 is now moving ina clockwisev direction which causes the B end of the tube to move upwardly and to the right. As before, it will be observed that the downward movement of the A end of the tube is relatively greater than the upward movement of the B end of the tube.

As a result of this change in the direction of movement of the tube 57 from left to right as the lever arm 46 passes through its horizontal or dead center position, the upper contact surfaces formed by the walls of the sockets 71 are moved away from the spheres 69 with a snap action. At the same instant, the supports for the spheres have changed. Instead ofbeing supported on both the upper and lower contact surfaces as previously, the spheres are now supported only upon the lower contact' surfaces. The motion of the tube is now such, by virtue of moving the A end downwardly and to the right and the B end upwardly and to the right, that the lower contact surfaces cause the spheres to move into the sockets 70 leaving the` gapsl fully open. Moreover, during the movement of the switch blade from the 45 position to the fully open or 90 position, the sockets 70 are rapidly and increasingly downwardly inclined from the gaps, so that the speed of movementN of the spheres into the sockets 70 is augmented by the actionof gravity.

The switch is closed by inserting the switch hook into the ring 22, whereupon a firm quick thrust will swing the blade into closed position where it is automatically locked by the engagement of the latch dog with the contact casting 24. Since the movement of the fluid switching unit, whenclosing the switch blade, is just the reverse of its movement during the opening of the switch blade, a detailed description of the movements of the arm 46, the link 47 and the tube 57 is not deemed necessary.

When the switch blade is in the fully open or position, the spheres 69 are retained at the closed ends of the sockets 70 by the action of gravity, these sockets at this time being downwardly inclined away from the gaps. This condition prevails until the switch blade has passed through the 45 position, at which time the arm 46 has also passed through its horizontal or dead center position and reversed the movement of the tube 57 from left to right, the link 47 reversing its movement from left to right simultaneously therewith. This movement of the tube gives a snap action to the right which forces the closed ends of the sockets 70 against the spheres 69 and drives them into the gaps to initially close the electrical circuit through the liquid switching unit. As the switch blade continues to move from the 45 position, the sockets are rapidly and increasingly inclined downwardly towards the gaps, thereby enabling the force of gravity to augment the speed of movement of the spheres into the gaps. In the fully closed position of the switch blade, the spheres are again held in gap closing position by the action of gravity, and the switch blade now carries the main portion of the current.

Switches embodying the features of this invention have been found to be particularly desirable for interrupting circuits which carry a relatively high order of current. This will be more fully appreciated when the action of the spheres and contacts are considered during the interruption of the circuit. The fact that spheres have been used enables the contacts and spheres to be separated in the arc extinguishing liquid in which they are submerged with a minimum amount of resistance, thereby enabling the gap to be opened at a relatively high speed. The resulting high speed in opening the gap enables a high interrupting capacity to be obtained, as is well known in the art.

As soon as the sphere begins to open the gap a thin fllm of the arc extinguishing liquid is formed. This film at rst is of low resistance and gradually increases as the gap increases and the llm of fluid becomes thicker, the result being that when the gaps are fully opened the arc extinguishing fluid in the series of gaps forms a total resistance across which is a potential drop equal to the potential of the total circuit which is being interrupted. It is therefore apparent that by introducing a suilicient number of gaps the voltage to be handled can be divided so that the potential handled by each gap falls well within the physical, chemical and thermal capacity of the electrolytic iluid. Further, the use of spherical members is advantageous in that the members are not subject to electrical magnetic stress which would be present during the rupture of heavy current. Rebounding of the spheres either in opening or closing of the switch is prevented by the plunger action of the spheres in the sockets due to the displacement of the arc extinguishing fluid. Also the action of all the spheres will be simultaneous because of the parallel relationship of the sockets.

The operation of the switch, when mounted in a vertical position as shown in Figure 2, from completely closed to completely open position and from completely open to completely closed again is as follows: The switch is opened by inserting a switch hook into the ring 22 of the switch blade. A drm quick pull on the switch hook unlatches the switch lock and pulls the switch blade out of contact, the blade swinging' about the pivot pin 11 to 90 open position. In

order, however, that the operation of the fluid switching unit may be more readily understood, the movement of the switch blade will be considered in two parts, that is, from closed position to 45 open position and from this position to fully open position.

` Referring to Figures 2 and 7, it will be observed that, whenthe switch blade is in cir- 15C cuit closed position, the tube 57 is downwardly inclined toward its B end and the spheres 69 occupy gap closing positions, each sphere being in engagement with an upper contact surface formed by the wall of a socket 70, and a lower` contact surface formed by the wall of a socket 7l. Since the sockets 7l are at this time inclined downwardly toward the gaps, the spheres are held in gap closing position by the action of gravity. Now, as the switch blade is swung to the 45 position, thelever arm 46 is moved clockwise to a vertical or .dead center position, this movement causing the B end of the tube 57 to travel downwardly and to the left. Simultaneously with this movement of the B end of the tube, the A end is guided by the clockwise movement vof link 47 so that this end moves downwardly and to the left. It will be observed, however, that at the 45 position, the movement to the left of the B end of the tube has been relatively greater than the movement to the left of the A end of the tube; that the tube is still slightly inclined, having almost reached a vertical position; and that during the above described movement of the tube the' spheres 69 have remained in gap closing position, since no forces have acted to change their position. The circuit at this time is through the fluid switching unit, since the circuit through the switch blade has already been opened.

Immediately upon the passage oi the switch blade through its 45 position, the arm 46 is moved to the left of its vertical or dead center position and continues to carry the B end of the tube still further in a direction to the left,

and at the same time causes this end to move upwardly instead of downwardly as when the arm 46 was approaching its dead center posiytion. lMoreover, the link 47 is now moving in an anti-clockwise direction which causes the A end of the tube to move upwardly and to the right. As before, it will be observed that the movement of the B end of the tube to the left is relatively greater than the corresponding movement of the A end of the tube'.

As a result of this change in the direction of movement of the tube 57 from `a downward to an upward direction as the lever arm 46 passes through its vertical or dead center position, theupper contact surfaces formed by the walls of the sockets 70 are moved away from the spheres 69 with a snap action. At the same instant lthe supports for the spheres have changed. Instead of being supported on both the upper and lower contact surfaces as previously, the spheres are now supported only upon the lower contact sur--v faces. The motion of the tube is now such, by virtue of moving the B end upwardly and to the left and the A end upwardly and to the right, that the lower contact surfaces will cause the spheres to move into the sockets 7l, leaving the gaps fully open. Moreover, during the movement of the switch blade from the 45 position to the fully open or position the sockets 71 are rapidly and increasingly downwardly inclined away from the gaps, so that the speed of movement of the spheres into the sockets 71 is augmented by the action of gravity.

The switch is closed by inserting the switch hook into the ring 22, whereupon a rm quick thrust will swing the blade into closed position, where it is automatically locked by the engagement of the latch dog with the contact casting 24. Since the movement of the fluid switching unit, when closing the switch blade, is just the reverse of its 4movement during the opening of the switch blade, a detailed description of the movement of arm 46, link 47 and tube 57, is not deemed necessary.

When the switch blade is in the fully or 90 opened position, the spheres 69 are retained at the closed ends of the sockets 7l by the action of gravity, these sockets at this time being downwardly inclined away from the gaps. This condition prevails until the switch blade has passed through the 45 position, at which time the arm 46 has also passed through its vertical or dead center position and reversed the movement of the tube 57 from a downward direction to an upward direction, the link 47 reversing its movement from a downward to upward direction simultaneously therewith. This movement gives a snap action of the tube to the right which moves the sockets 71 away from the spheres and the upper. contact surfaces of the sockets 70 into engagement with the spheres. As the switch blade continues to-move from the 45 position th'sockets 71 are rapidly and increasingly inclined downwardly toward the gaps, thereby enabling the force of gravity to augment the speed of movement of the spheres into the gaps.` In the fully closed position of the switch blade, the spheres are again held in gap closing position by the action of gravity and the switch blade carries the main portion of the current.

The operation of the switch, when mounted in the underslung position, as shown in Figure 4, from completely closed positionto completely open, and from completely open to completely closed position is as follows: rlhe switch is opened by means of a switch hook in the same manner las the other mountings of the switch, and for purposes of description the switch blade is likewise considered as having its movement divided into two parts; that is, from fully closed position to the 45 position, and from the 45 position to the 90 or fully open position.

It will be observed, that when the switch bladev is in circuit closed position, the tube 57 is downwardly inclined towards lits B end and the spheres 69 occupy gap closing positions as shown in Figure 6, each sphere being in engagement with an upper contact surface formed by the wall of a socket 71 and a lower contact surface formed by the wall of a socket 70. Since the sockets 70 are at this time inclined downwardly towards the gaps, the spheres are held in gap closing position by the action of gravity. Now, as the switch blade is swung to the 45 position, the lever arm 46 is moved clockwise to a horizontal or dead center position, this movement causing the B end of the tube 57 to travel upwardly and to the left. Simultaneously, with this movement of the B end of the tube, the A end is guided by the clockwise movement of link 47 so that this end moves upwardly and to the left. It will be observed, however, that at the 45 position the upward movement of the B end of the tube has been relatively greater than the upward movement of the A end of the tube; that the tube is still slightly downwardly inclined toward its B end; and that during the above described movement of the tube the spheres 69 have remained in gap closing position since no forces have acted to change their position. The circuit at this time is through the fluid switching unit since the circuit through the switch blade has already been opened. i Immediately upon the passage of the switch blade through its position, the arm 46 is moved above its horizontal or dead center position and continues to carry the B end of the tube still further in an upwardly direction and at the same time causes this end to move to the right instead of to the left as when the arm 46 was approaching its dead center position. Moreover, the link ..47 is now moved in an anticlockwise direction which causes the A end of the tube to move downwardly and to the right. As before, it will be observed,` movement'of the B end of the tube is relatively greater than the downward movement of the A end of the tube.

As a result of this change of the direction of movement of the tube57 from left to right, as the lever arm 46 passes through its horizontal or dead center position, the upper contact surfaces formed by the walls of the sockets 'Il are forced against the spheres which are thereby driven into the sockets 70. At Athe same time the upper contact surfaces move away from the spheres and the lower contact surfaces swing upwardly to meet the spheres. At the same instant the supports for the spheres have changed. Instead of being supported on both the upper and lower contact surfaces as previously, the spheres are now supported only upon the lowercontact surfaces.

Moreover, during the movement of the switch blade from the 45 position to the fully open or 90 position, the sockets 70 are rapidly and increasingly downwardly inclined away from the gaps, so that the speed of movement of the spheres into the sockets is augmented by the action of gravity.

The switch is closed in the same manner as previously described, and since the 'movement of the arm 46, link 47 and tube 57 is just the reverse of their movement in opening the Switch, their movements will not again be describedin detail.

When the switch is in the fully or opened position, the spheres 69 are retained at the closed ends of the sockets 70 by the action of gravity, these sockets at this time being downwardly inclined away from the gaps. This condition prevails until the switch blade has passed through the 45 position, at which time the arm 46 has also passed through its horizontal or dead center position and reversed the movement of the tube 57 from left to right, the link 47 reversing its movement from left to right simultaneously therewith. This movement gives a snap action of the tube to the right, whichA brings the upper contact surfaces formed by the Walls of the sockets '7l into engagement with the spheres. As the switch blade continues to move from the 45 position, the sockets 70 are rapidly and increasingly inclined downwardly towards the gaps, thereby enabling the force of gravity to augment the speed of movement of the spheres into the gaps. In the fully closed position of the switch blade, the spheres are again held in gap closing position by gravity and the switch blade carries the main portion of the current.

It is therefore evident that by the use of this invention a disconnecting switch is obtained which is adapted for mounting in any position merely by reassembling of the switch parts.

The switch is provided with full oating contact members which are self aligning, having a multiplicity of positive contact points. This invention also includes a disconnecting switch which may be Vopened in a very short period of time,

air break switch mounted for arcuate movement, an auxiliary iluid break switch floatingly mounted and having a tilting and translatory movement, said latter switch having parts arranged` to open and close a circuit therethrough in response to said movement, and

means connecting said air break switch to said fluid break switch for imparting said movement thereto.

2. In a disconnecting switch, a sheath having a'plurality of sockets therein, contact members disposed in said sockets, resilient means encircling said sheath for retaining said members in said sockets, and a contact plunger for insertion into said said sheath for engaging said members.

3. In a disconnecting switch, a female contact member comprising a sheath having a plurality of sockets therein, balls disposed in said sockets and projecting past the inner wall of said sheath, current carrying lstrips secured to one end of said sheath and in engagement with said balls, resilient means surrounding said strips for forcing said strips and balls inwardly, and a male contact member for insertion into said sheath for engaging Said bmls.

4. In an electric switch, a female contact member comprising a sheath having a plurality of sockets therein, balls `disposed in said sockets and projecting past the inner wall of said sheath, current carrying strips secured to said sheath and engaging said balls, resilient means for forcing said strips and balls inwardly, and a male contact member for engaging said balls.

5. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade, a movable circuit making and breaking member, said member comprising a container, a plurality of insulated conducting members insaid container, means for electrically connecting said members when said container is moved in one direction and disconnecting said members when said container is moved in another direction, and movable connecting means between said switch blade and said container for moving said container when the switch blade is moved.

6. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade, a` movable circuit making and breaking member, said member comprising a container, a plurality of current carrying members having gaps therebetween, balls movable with respect to said members to close said gaps when said balls are moved in one direction and open said gaps when moved in another direction,l and means for moving said balls responsive to the movement of said blade.

7. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade, a movable circuit making and breaking member, said member comprising a container, a plurality of current carrying members having gaps therebetween, said members having sockets, freely moving balls in said sockets, and means responsive to the movement of said blade for moving said conrainer to cause the balls to bridge said gaps or move into said sockets.

8. In a disconnecting switch, the combination including a movable blade, a movable circuit making and breaking member, said member.

comprising a container, an arc extinguishing fluid sealed in the container, a plurality of current carrying members having gaps therebetween, said members having sockets communieating with said gaps, freely moving balls in said sockets, and means responsive to the movement of said blade for moving said container to cause the balls to bridge saidgaps or move into said sockets.

9. In a disconnecting switch including means for opening and closing a circuit, said means comprising a movable contact sheath having a plurality of sockets therein, balls disposed in said sockets, resilient means surrounding said sheath for retaining said balls in the sockets, and a stationary contact member arranged to receive the sheath thereover and make contact with said balls.

10. A circuit controlling device comprising a movable support, a series of spaced contact members secured to said support and electrically insulated relative to each other, and a plurality of members oatingly associated with said contact members and adapted to simultaneously occupy an open circuit or closed-circuit position relative to said contact members depending upon the movement of said support.

1l. A circuit controlling device comprising a movable support, a series of contact members secured in longitudinal alignment to said support in spaced-apart relationship, and movable Contact members for bridging the space between said contact members, said movable contact members being constrained for movement from the bridging position in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said support and at right angles to said axis, said movement depending upon the direction in which said support is moved.

l2. A circuit controlling device comprising a movable support, a series of current carrying members secured in longitudinal alignment to said support in spaced-apart relationship, movable contact members for bridging the space between said current carrying members, said current carrying members being constrained for movement from the bridging position in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said support and at right angles to said axis, said movement depending upon the position of said support, and means for moving said support in such a manner as to cause the contact members to move simultaneously.

13. A switch comprising a movable support, a plurality of spaced contact members secured to said support in end to end relationship and having sockets in the adjacent ends, the sockets in one set of corresponding adjacent ends being disposed at an angle to the sockets in the other set of corresponding adjacent ends, and balls at adjacent ends of the contact members to connect said members and establish an electric current therethrough when the support is in one position, and to open said circuit when the support is moved to another position by moving into either of said sets of sockets depending on the direction of motion of said supports.

14. A switch comprising a movable support, a plurality of spaced Contact members secured to said support in end to end relationship and having sockets in the adjacent ends, the sockets in one set of corresponding adjacent ends being disposed at an angle to the sockets in the other set of corresponding adjacent ends, balls at the adjacent ends of the contact members to connect said members and establish an electric circuit therethrough when the support is in one position, and to open said circuit when the support is moved to another position by moving into either of said sets of sockets depending on the direction of motion of said support, and means for moving said support in such a manner that the balls are moved to circuit opening and circuit closing positions with a snap action.

15. A switch comprising a hermetically sealed container mounted for translatory movement, a support within said container, a plurality of spaced contact members secured to said support in end to end relationship and having sockets in the adjacent ends, the sockets in one set of corresponding adjacent ends being disposed at an angle to thesockets in the other set of corresponding adjacent ends, and balls at the adjacent ends of the contact members to connect said members and establish an electric current therethrough when the container is in one position, and to open said circuit when the container is moved to another position by moving into either of said sets of sockets, depending upon the direction of motion of said container, the making and breaking of said circuit being out of contact with the atmosphere.

16. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced current carrying members secured to said support, one of said members having a socket, a ball in said socket movable into and out of engagement with the other of said current carrying members, an oscillatable arm connected to one end of said support, a swingable link connected to the other end of said support, said arm and link being relatively disposed in such a manner that movement of the arm thru its dead center position in cooperation with the movement of said link will force said ball into and out of engagement with both of said current carrying members.

17. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced current carrying members secured to said support, one-of said members having a socket, a ball in saidsocket movable into and out of engagement with the other of said current carrying members, an oscillatable arm connected to one end of -said support, a swingable link connected to the other end of said support, said arm and link being relatively disposed' in such a manner that movement of the arm thru its dead center position in cooperation with the movement of said link will force said ball into and out of engagement with both of said current carrying members and `tilt said current carrying members so that the movement of said ball in the socket is augmented by the action of gravity.

18. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced current carrying members secured to said support, one of said members having a socket, a ball in said socket movable into and out of engagement with the other of said current carrying members, an oscillatable arm connected to one end of said support, a swingable link connected to the other end of said support, said arm and link being arranged for movement in arcs which are substantially in quadrature, whereby said ball is caused to connect and disconnect said current carrying members.

19. A switch comprising a movable support, a pair of spaced current carrying members secured to said support, one of said members having a socket, a ball in said socket movable into and out of engagement with the other of said current carrying members, an oscillatable arm connected to one end of said support, a swingable link connected to'the other end of said support,

said arm and link being of such relative lengths that one end of said support is laterally moved a greater amount than the other end of said support.

20. A switch comprising a stationary contact member, a pivotally mounted switch blade having a forked free end, each leg of said fork having a plurality of spaced apertures, a movable contact member having a projecting portion extending between the legs of said fork, and pins extending transversely through said projecting portion, said pins having their ends loosely disposed in said apertures. 1'

21. In a disconnecting switch, a cylindrical sheath having a plurality of peripheral sockets, spherical contact members disposed in said sockets, a coiled spring surrounding said sheath for retaining said spherical contact members in said sockets, and a contact plunger insertable into said sheath for engagement-with said spherical contact members.

22. In a disconnecting switch, a cylindrical sheath having a plurality of peripheral sockets, spherical contact members disposed in said sockets, a coiled spring surrounding said sheath for retaining said spherical contact members in said sockets, and a contact plunger insel-table into said sheath for engagement with said spherical contact members, and means for relatively moving said contact sheath and plunger axially when engaged and in an arc when disengaged.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination including a movable blade, an arm swingable with said blade, an oscillatably mounted link, and means having parts arranged and positioned in such a manner as to open and close an electrical circuit therethrough in response to a translatory movement, saidlink and arm cooperating to support said means and move said means when the blade is moved.

24. In a disconnecting switch, a switch blade mounted for arcuate movement, a contact member at the free end of said blade, a stationary contact, said contacts being engageable and disengageable by relative axial movement thereof, and a floating connection between the first contact and blade to enable relative axial movement.-

the contacts are disengaged.

25. In a disconnecting switch, a switch blade mounted for arcuate movement, a plunger member forming a contact, a tubular member for axially receiving said plunger, one of saidmembers being carried by the blade and the other being xedly mounted to cooperate with said one of said members, and a oating connection between the blade and the member thereon, whereby the tubular member may axially receive the plunger member during an arcuate movement of the blade.

26. As an article of manufacture, a unitary replacement switching unit comprising a sealed tubular container, external contact members at the ends of the container, a support in the container, a series of spaced current-carrying members secured to the support and electrically insulated relative to each other, the outermost of said members being respectively connected to the contact members of the container, a plurality of members in the container operatively associated with the current-carrying members and adapted to bridge the current-carrying members, when the container is moved from one position to another.

27. As an article of manufacture, a unitary replacement switching unit comprising a sealed tubular container, external contact members at the ends of the container, a support in the container, a series of current-carrying members secured to said support in longitudinal alignment in spaced apart relationship and electrically insulated from each other, the outermost of said members being connected to the contact members of the container, movable members adapted to bridge the space between the current-carrying members, said current-carrying members being constrained -for movement from their bridging position in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container and at right angles to said axis in response to a predetermined movement of the container.

28. As an article of manufacture, a self-container-switching unit comprising a sealed tube having end contacts outside the tube, a support of insulating material in the tube, a plurality of current-carrying members secured to said support in a manner to form separating gaps therebetween, said members having sockets in communication with the gaps, freely moving balls disposed so as to bridge the gaps and move into the sockets, and connections from the end contacts of the tube to the outermost of the current-carrying members.

' ERNEST E. ANDERSON.