US1969575A

US1969575A - High tension cut-out

Info

Publication number: US1969575A
Application number: US445165A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric N Nordhem
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1930-04-17
Filing date: 1930-04-17
Publication date: 1934-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1951-08-07

Description

Original Filed April 17. 1930 Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application April 1'7, 1930, Serial No. 445,165 Renewed December 30, 1933 5 Claims. (Cl; 175-294) This invention has to do with an improved high tension cut-out or the like. The invention has to do with improvements in arrangements for opening high tension circuits. The arrangements 5 herein disclosed are such that the high tension circuit can be opened by the operator by the use of a knife or other air gap switch, the arrangement being such that the high tension are so created will be immediately-and effectively extinguished, by the high tension cut-out device.

Another feature of my invention relates to the provision of an arrangement which is very well adapted for use in connection with horn or other air gap type lightning arresters. The high tension cut-out when used in this arrangement serves to immediately extinguish any power current which may follow the static discharge so as to thereby restore the lightning arrester to its normal functioning condition.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of an arrangement such that the high tension cut-out is self setting after operation. That is to say, after each circuit opening operation, the high tension cut-out automatically resets itself in proper condition for another circuit opening operation. To this extent, the circuit opening operation of the device is momentary and is followed by a prompt restoration of the parts and circuit back to their normal functioning condition.

Another feature of the invention relates to the incorporation of the foregoing features within a device in which an oil bath is or may be used for quenching the are.

More specifically the device includes an electromagnet circuit opener including a power solenoid which when energized serves to actuate the movable contact to open the circuit. The arrangement is such that this solenoid is only subjected to current of appreciable magnitude momentarily and for a sufficient interval to insure opening of the circuit. Immediately after the momentary impression of operating current on this solenoid, the solenoid is again short circuited or cut out so that practically the entire volume of current is diverted away from it.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a sealed chamber or container within which the actuating mechanisms are contained, said chamber being provided with one or more vent openings through which gases and vapors may be discharged when the pressure within the device becomes abnormal. These vent openings are normally closed in gas-tight manner to maintain the interior of the chamber fully sealed so that there will be no loss of the quenching oil or liquid by evaporation. The vent openings are protected by safety valves or seals which will relieve the excessive pressure and immediately thereafter seal themselves against further loss by avaporation.

It is a further object in connection with the foregoing to provide an arrangement whereby a safety or vent valve will be automatically opened momentarily by the impact of the moving member which is projected upwards at the instant of opening the circuit.

Another object is to provide a device of rugged construction and one which will effectively perform its service over a long interval of .time with little or no special attention.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a high tension cut-out embodying the features of the present invention, sections of the upper and lower portions thereof being broken away so as to shorten up the figure;

Figure 2 shows a cross section on the line 2--2 of Figure l, on enlarged scale;

Figure 3 shows a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the ar rows;

Figure 4 shows a fragmentary detail View of the lower stationary contact, being taken sub-- stantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking so in the direction of the arrows, but on enlarged scale;

Figure 5 shows a top plan View corresponding to Figure 4. Figure 5 is also a fragmentary section on the line 5--5 of Figure 1, looking in the $5 direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 shows diagrammatically a wiring diagram of the electric connections of the high tension cut-out itself;

Figure 7 shows diagrammatically a wiring dia- 109 gram of one manner in which the high tension cut-out may be used in connection with an air brake knife switch; and v Figure 8 shows diagrammatically a wiring diagram of connections .whereby the high tension cut-out may be used in connection with a horn gap type lightning arrester.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the construction therein illustrated includes a tubular chamber or shell 9 of insulating material. 110

Usually this shell will be made of a suitable grade of glass having sufflcient mechanical strength for the purpose. The lower end of the shell is closed by a cap 10 which has a ferrule or flange which can be readily set into suitable clips in the well understood manner. The lower portion of the shell 9 is sealed into the ferrule of the cap 10 by lead or other suitable material 11 in the well understood manner. Preferably, also, a gas ket 12 is placed between the cap and the extreme end of the shell.

Likewise, there is a ferrule 13 secured to the upper end of the shell 9. This is done by inserting the upper end of said shell within said ferrule and sealing the same in place by lead or other suitable material 14, a gasket 15 being preferably located the section 23 firmly into place.

between the upper end of the shell and an inwardly reaching shoulder 18 which is formed on the ferrule.

The upper end of the ferrule 13 is closed by a removable cap I! normally secured in place by screws 18.

The lower cap 10 has an upwardly extending central boss 19. A lower contact member comprises a block 20 having a stud 21 which threads down into the boss 19. This block 20 is provided with a central bore 22, the upper end of which is preferably of enlarged or tapered size as shown in Figure 1. At one side the block 20 is cut away and a movable section 23 is set into such cut away portion so as to complete the block at that point. A leaf spring 24 has its lower end rigidly connected to the block 20 and its upper end bearing against the section 23. This leaf spring has its upper end engaged with a cross slot 24 in the section 23. .This spring therefore serves to press The movable contact comprises a rod 25, the lower end of which sets down into the bore 22 and is engaged by the movable contact section 23 under the impulse of the spring 24.

There is a block 26 set into the upper portion of the device. This block has an enlarged head portion 27 which is of tapered form so as to seat against the upwardly tapered seat 28 of the shoulder 16. One or more vent openings such as 29 are formed in this enlarged and tapered portion so as to allow a free movement of gases upwardly past the head portion 27.

A fairly still spring 30 is placed between the head portion 27 and the cap 1'7, said spring serving to retain the head portion well seated at all times in normal service.

A sleeve 31 has its upper end threaded on to the lower portion of the block 26, and said sleeve carries at its lower end a solenoid member including a solenoid 32. Said solenoid is wound upon a sleeve 33. The upper end of said sleeve is connected to: the lower end of the sleeve 31 by a block of bakelite or other insulating material 34 which is preferably molded into place between these parts. The lower end of the solenoid is established by an insulating block 35 mounted upon the sleeve 33. Preferably a series of set screws 36 are set into this block 35 at different points around the periphery and serve to space the same from the shell 9.

The upper end of the rod 25 carries an enlargement or button 37; and the upper end of the sleeve 33 is slightly tapered as shown in Figure 1. When the rod 25 is in the lowered or working position, the button 37 engages this tapered upper end of the sleeve 33 to establish electrical connection therewith as shown in-Figure 1.

The rod 25 carries a collar 38 at a point close to the lower end of the sleeve 33, and an armature or'block of magnetic material 39 is slidably mounted upon the rod 25. This armature is located above the collar 38 and below the button 3'7. Upon energizing the solenoid 32, the armature is vigorously drawn upwards and delivers a heavy impact against the lower portion of the button 37. This causes the rod 25 to be vigorously jerked away from the lower contact block 20.

The block 26 is provided with a downwardly depending sleeve 40 which reaches to a point somewhat above the upper end of the sleeve 33. This sleeve 40 has its lower end slotted at a number of points around the periphery as shown at 41. The movable contact leaves 42 reach through these slotted openings and project slightly beyond the inner surface of the bore 43 of the block 26. These contact members 42 are suspended by the flexible pig-tails 44, which also thereby establish electrical connection to the sleeve 40.

Leaf springs 45 have their upper ends rigidly connected to the collar 40 and their lower ends bear against the outer portions of the contact members 42. It will be noted that said outer portions are of enlarged size as compared to the slots 41 so that the leaf springs 45 can not press them inwardly more than a slight amount. This is, however, sufficient to establish momentary contact with the button 37 on the upper end of the rod 25 as the same rises.

At the upper end of the bore 43 there is provided a movable head member 46 which is carried by the lower end of a stem 47, said stem reaching up through the upper end of the block 26. A resilient block 48 made of felt, fibre, leather, lead, or the like is placed in the upper end of the bore 43 and above the block 46 just referred to. The button 37 will strikeagainst the block 46 which in turn will come to bearing against the resilient block 43. Thus the impact of the rod 25 and connected parts is delivered to the head 27 of the block 26. Said head is resiliently retained by the spring 30 so that an excessive impact causes the entire block 26 including the head 27 to rise slightly against the force of the spring 30 and be thereafter immediately reseated.

The cap 17 is provided with an enlargement 49 which has a central bore 50. A poppet valve member 51 reaches down through this bore and to a point close to the upper end of the stem 47 already referred to. The upper end of the poppet valve is of conical form as shown at '52 and bears against a companion upwardly facing seat of the cap member 17. A removable cap 53 is threaded down on to 2. lug 54 which reaches up from the cap 17; and a spring 55 is placed between the cap 53 and the poppet valve and normally retains said valve in the seated position. For this purpose, the poppet valve is preferably drilled as shown in Figure l, to receive the lower portion of the spring. The poppet valve also has the fins 51 on its lower end to guide it in its movements in the bore 50.

The upper portion of the block 26 is provided with a series of radially extending ports 56 which serve to vent the bore 43 to the space outside of the block 26 at a point somewhat below the block 46. l

One end of the solenoid 32 is electrically connected to the lower portion of the sleeve 31 and the other end oi. the said solenoid is electrically connected to the sleeve 33. The operation of the device will be readily understood. Current entering through the. ferrule 13 flows down 15.

will immediately cease.

through the

blocks

26 and 31 and into one end of the solenoid 32. The current then flows through the shell 33 to the button 3'7 and thence through the rod 25 down to the lower ferrule 10. This current energizes the solenoid and causes the device to operate in the manner already apparent.

It will be noticed that no provision has been illustrated for latching the rod and button in the raised position. Consequently, the parts may drop back to the closed circuit position assuming that the flow of current through the solenoid is only momentary. This will cause the device to be reset ready for another operation.

Figure 7 shows one method of application of this device. In this case the device is shown in its entirety by the numeral 57. It is bridged between the

contacts

58 and 59 of one blade 60 of a double blade air brake switch. The other blade 61 of said switch works between the contacts 62 and 63. Normally, the switch is in the closed position and the entire volume of current flows through the

blades

60 and 61 and the current flowing through the solenoid 32 is negligible. Upon commencing to open the air brake switch, the disengagement of the blade 60 from the contact 58 will divert the entire flow of current through the solenoid 32, which will thereupon be vigorously energized and will raise the rod 25 to open the circuit. This will cause the high tension cut-out device to actuate and open the circuit and the are at the air brake contacts When the switch is again closed, the device will be in condition for a subsequent opening operation because the movable contact rod 25 will have dropped back into the closed circuit position.

In the diagram of Figure 8, the device is shown in its entirety by the numeral 57. In this case there is a horn lightning arrester 64 with one of its horns connected to the high tension line 65. The other end of the lightning arrester connects to the terminal 66 of an air brake switch having the blade 6'? and the terminal 68. There is another blade 69 of said switch working between the terminals 70 and '71. The blades of the switch are connected in series; and the terminal 70 is connected to ground by a lead 72 together with the resistances '73 and 74.

There is a solenoid '75 bridged across the resistance 73, the solenoid '75 being a portion of a magnetic circuit opening device for opening the knife switch in the customary manner under overload condition. With this arrangement, in case the power current follows a static discharge across the horns, there will be created a momentary flow of current through the solenoid 75 sufficient in volume to trip the air brake switch. The same will then open and divert the current through the high tension cut-out which will then function in the manner already explained to extinguish the arc.

It will be understood that normally the lower portion of the shell 9 is sealed with a suitable arc extinguishing liquid so that the device constitutes in effect an oil brake device.

In the particular construction herein illustrated, the device will remain in open circuit condition when it has once been actuated to open the circuit. It will be understood that if desired suitable latch mechanism might be provided for States on improvements in High tension cut-outs and the like, Serial No. 441,256, filed April 3,

It will also be understood that if desired a suitable trip device may be provided in conjunc-' tion with such latch mechanism so as toenable the operator to place the cut-out device again in service and close the circuit by disengaging the latch mechanism and allowing the movable contact rod 25 to move into the closed circuit position.

While I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments of the features of my present invention, still I do not intend to limit myself thereby except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with an electric circuit, including power supply and delivery portions, of a double blade air-break switch, a connection between the two blades of said switch, connections from the incoming and outgoing portions of the electric circuit to the stationary contacts for the two blades of the switch, and means for automatically extinguishing the arc incident to the opening of the blades of said switch, said are extinguishing means including end members connected respectively to the stationary contact and movable blade of the switch at the delivery circuit side thereof, said member including a movable contact adapted to momentarily extinguish the circuit in a liquid bath said contact again moving to circuit closing position and also including a solenoid operated by the flow of current through said device for moving said contact to the open circuit position, substantially as described.

2. The combination with an electric circuit, including power supply and delivery portions, of a double blade air-break switch, a connection between the two blades of said switch, connections from the incoming and outgoing portions of the electric circuit to the stationary contacts for the two blades of the switch, and means for automatically extinguishing the arc incident to the opening of the blades of said switch, said are extinguishing means including end members connected respectively to the stationary contact and movable blade of the switch at the delivery circuit side thereof and also including means for automatically momentarily opening the circuit and extinguishing the arc in a liquid bath upon the flow of a substantial volume of current through said device, said means immediately thereafter moving to circuit closing position substantially as described.

3. The combination with an electric circuit, including power supply and delivery portions, of a double blade air-break switch, a connection between the two blades of said switch, connections from the incoming and outgoing portions of the electric circuit to the stationary contacts for the two blades of the switch, and means for auto matically extinguishing the arc incident to the opening of the blades of said switch, said are extinguishing means connected respectively to the stationary contact and movable blade of the switch at the de- .livery circuit side thereof, together with means for automatically momentarily opening and extinguishing the circuit upon the flow of a substantial volume of current through said device, substantially as described.

4. Means for opening a high tension circuit and extinguishing the are incident to opening said circuit, said means comprising an air-break including end members" together with an oil-break switch in parallel therewith, said oil brake switch having a movable contact which is normally in the closed circuit position and automatically moves to said closed circuit position, the oil-brake switch including a solenoid operating to momentarily move the oil-break contact to the open circuit position upon the flow 01 a substantial volume oi current through said solenoid, substantially as described.

ERIC N. NORDHEM.