US2026596A

US2026596A - Automatic controlling device

Info

Publication number: US2026596A
Application number: US111469A
Authority: US
Inventors: John D Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1926-05-24
Filing date: 1926-05-24
Publication date: 1936-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1953-01-07

Description

Jan. 7, 1936. J. D, ROSS AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 24, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 7, 1936. J. D. Ross 2,026,596

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE gvwemtoz I (luau wit Jan. 7, 1936. J. D. ROSS AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Shae: 5

Filed May 24, 1926 Jan. 7, 1936. J. D. ROSS 2,026,596

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May 24, 19 26 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 gvwcvwoz i W g g @5 61mm A 2 up; I 22. Y

Patented Jan. 7, 1936 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 32 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic controlling devices, and pertains more particularly to apparatus adapted to control the application of electric energy to a consumer element.

It is an object of this invention to provide a main circuit in which said consumer element is included, and a controlling circuit in which are included certain controlling elements, and to provide means including temperature and pressure sensitive elements adapted to cause said main circuit to be made or broken whenever certain predetermined conditions are attained.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- -.;.tion will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan view.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is a front elevation, part of the cover being broken away to better disclose the interior mechanism.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figures 6 and 7 are detail views.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a section on the line IIlI0 of Figure 5.

Figure Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a semi-diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical circuits.

Figure 14 is a detail perspective view.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the invention has been applied to the control of an electric heating element such as may be used in connection with electrically heated steam radiators, for example, and will be particularly described with reference thereto. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, however, the invention is susceptible of use in various other relations where it is desired to control the application of electric energy in accordance with predetermined temperature or pressure conditions. When used in connection with electrically heated steam radiators, the consumer element (shown diagrammatically in Figure 13) is inserted in the bottom of a radiator and is used to heat water contained therein to generate steam as will be understood.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to 11 is a section on the line II--II of 12 is a section on the line I2-I2 of Figure 13 thereof, thelead I from a suitable source of electric current is connected to the consumer or heating element 2 which is connected by the lead 3 to the contact 4. A second lead 5 from the source of current is connected 5 to the contact 6, so that when the rotary switch member I of the switch mechanism hereinafter described is rotated to bridge the

contacts

4 and 6, current passes through the heating element 2 to heat the same. This circuit may be called 10 the main circuit.

Also connected to contact 6 is a lead ID to the contact II which with contact I2 forms part of one of the controlling elements. Contacts II and I2 are normally open but may be closed as 15 hereinafter described. Lead I3 connects the contact I2 with electro-magnet I4 forming part of the switch operating mechanism hereinafter described, and lead I5 connects said magnet with contact I6 which with contact II forms part of 20 another controlling element. Contacts I6 and I! are normally closed but may be opened as hereinafter described. Contact I1 is connected by the lead I8 to contact 4. This circuit may be called the controlling circuit and is connected, as will be apparent, to the main circuit at points in one and the same side of said main circuit, and preferably on opposite sides of said switch.

If the parts are in the normal position shown in Figure 13, it will be observed that the main circuit I, 2, 3, 5 is open and the controlling circuit I0, I3, I4, I5, I8 is also open, contacts II and I2 being separated. If, under these conditions, contacts II and I2 are closed, the magnet I4 is energized to rotate the switch member I, in a manner hereinafter described, to bridge the

contacts

4 and 6, thereby closing the main circuit so that electrical energy is supplied to the consumer element 2. As will be understood, the resistance interposed by the consumer element materially reduces the voltage of the current passing through the controlling circuit before the switch member I closes, but after the switch I is closed, current ceases to pass through the controlling circuit, so that no arcing occurs between the contacts II and I2, even though these may be separated very gradually. Thus the current supplied to the controlling circuit is in the nature of a mere impulse which is started when contacts II and I2 are closed and which is terminated as soon as switch 1 is closed in response to the impulse.

Contacts II and I2 form part of a thermostatic control element best shown in Figures 2, 8 and 9, employing in the apparatus illustrated the tem- 55 perature sensitive diaphragm 2| which, as shown in Figure 8, is attached to the partition 22 of the casing by means of the bolt 23. The diaphragm may be filled with a readily expansible gas such as ether, and the free side of the diaphragm may be attached to the rod 24 pivoted to the partition 22 at 25. The lower end of the rod 24 carries a block of insulating material 26 into which the contact I2 is fitted. Positioned opposite to contact I2 is contact II which is carried on the rod 21 which is rotatably mounted in the

insulators

28 and 29, the insulator 29 being threaded to cooperate with the threaded end 30 of the rod in order that the contacts H and I2 may be adjusted, by turning the knurled head 3|, to close at any desired temperature. Closing of the contacts H and |2 energizes the electromagnet M to actuate the armature and the arm 36 to permit rotation of the switch member 1 to close the main circuit in a manner hereinafter described.

Carried in the partition 22 and the outer wall of the casing is a. shaft 40 (see Figures 4 and 8) to which is attached one end of the coil spring 4|, the other end of which is attached to a spring housing 42 loosely mounted on the shaft 46. Secured to the housing 42 by means of the screws 43 is a plate 44, the outer periphery of which (as shown in Figure 5) is provided with a series of projections 45, 45a, 45b and 450 to cooperate with the

detents

46 and 41 of the lever 48 secured to a rod 49 mounted in the partition 22 and the casing. Fixed to the shaft 40 (see Figures 4 and 8) is a ratchet wheel 50 which cooperates with the pawl 5| to hold the spring 4| under tension. The shaft 40 is provided with a squared end 52 so that by means of a key, the shaft 40 may be rotated to initially tension the spring 4 I.

Referring again to Figure 5, it will be apparent that if the electro-magnet I4 is energized the armature 35 will be drawn to the right and the arm 36 will be actuated to rotate the shaft 49 and lever 48 to release the engagement of the detent 46 with the projection 45, but at the same time to cause the detent 41 to be interposed into the path of the opposite projection 45b which is caused to rotate toward it by the tensioned spring 4|.

Reverting to Figure 4 and 8, there are also secured to the spring housing 42 disks of

insulating material

55 and 56, between which is secured, by means of the screws 51, the rotary switch member 1 before referred to. Thus, as the housing 42 and disk 44 rotate when the detent 46 is released, the switch member 1 is also rotated to bridge the

contacts

4 and 6 to close the main circuit.

As soon as the main circuit is closed the heating element begins to generate steam in the radiator, and continues to do so until the main circuit is broken. In order to break the circuit the steam pressure created within the radiator may be conveniently used. For this purpose (see Figures 5 and 10) the pipe may be provided having a threaded end for connection to the outer wall of the radiator. This pipe is connected to the interior of a sylphon bellows 6|, having a floating face 61a which is connected to the shaft 62. The other end of the shaft 62 is provided with rack teeth 63 which cooperate with the pinion 64 which carries a pawl 65 to engage the ratchet wheel 66 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 40. Between the floating end of the sylphon bellows 6| and the casing is mounted a spring 61 which normally compresses the bellows to collapse the same. As soon as sufiicient pressure is built up in the radiator to overcome the tension of the spring 61, however, the shaft 62 is thrust toward the left thus rotating the pinion 64 and the shaft 40 to rewind the spring 4|.

The shaft 62 also carries a dog 68 having a 5 bevelled face 69 adapted to engage the pin 10 carried by the lever 48 to lift the same to dis engage the detent 41 from projection 45b to permit rotation of the spring housing and switch member 1 to open the main circuit, and to cause 10 re-engagement of the detent 46 with the next successive projection 45 to hold the switch member 1 in open position. Also attached to the shaft 62 is the contact H which moves with the shaft away from contact l6, with which it is nor- 5 mally in engagement, to break the controlling circuit for purposes hereinafter described.

In order that the pressure static mechanism just described may be adjusted to permit the breaking of the main circuit at any desired pres- 20 sure, the rod 1| is connected to shaft 62 in any suitable manner and projects through the casing. Surrounding the rod 1| is a sleeve 12 having a knurled head and exterior threads Also surrounding the rod 1| and located between the 25 sleeve 12 and shaft 62 is a coil spring 13. As will be apparent by turning the sleeve 12 the compression on the spring 13 may be increased or decreased, thus increasing or decreasing the pressure necessary to expand the sylphon bellows 30 6| to break the main circuit.

Thus it will be observed that the normal condition of the apparatus with the room temperature at or above normal is as illustrated. Referring now to Figure 8, if the room temperature falls 35 below that for which the thermostatic control element is set, the diaphragm 2| collapses until the contacts II and I2 close, whereupon the electromagnet 4 is energized and the switch mechanism is rotated to bridge the

terminals

4 and 6. Energy 40 is then supplied to the consumer element until the steam pressure created in the radiator is sufficient to operate the bellows 6|, in which case the switch mechanism is again operated to break the circuit and at the same time the spring 42 is 45 rewound.

If the room temperature has been raised sufficiently to break the contacts H and |2, the main circuit remains broken until the room temperature is again lowered. On the other hand, 50 if the room temperature is still below normal, the contacts and |2 would remain closed. In order to prevent closing of the main circuit under these conditions, therefore, the contacts I6 and I1 are provided (see Figures 5 and 13) the contact 6 55 being mounted on the insulating block 14 and the contact |1 being mounted on the shaft 62. When the bellows 6| is collapsed, the contacts l6 and H are closed, but when the bellows 6| is expanded contacts l6 and H are open, and even though 60 contacts H and |2 may be closed, the controlling circuit cannot be closed to close the main circuit until the pressure within the radiator decreases sufliciently to permit contacts I6 and H to close.

Under certain conditions, it may be desirable 65 that the application of the electric energy to the consumer element be controlled entirely by temperature, and that the main circuit be broken by operation of the temperature sensitive element either as a substitute for the pressure means 70 previously described, or as an auxiliary thereto. Accordingly, the arm 15 (see Figure 8) is connected to the rod 24 and is pivoted at 16 to the partition 22 and extends therethrough to engage the cam 11 (see Figure 14) mounted on the shaft 18. Formed integrally with the cam 11 is a finger 19 (see Figures 5 and 14) adapted to cooperate with pin "III to trip the lever 48. As will be apparent,.whenever the diaphragm 2| is expanded sufiiciently, the arm 15 is moved to depress the cam 11 to cause the finger 19 to engage the pin 10 to trip the lever 48 thus breaking the main circuit.

In the preferred embodiment oi the invention disclosed and described herein the means just described serves as an auxiliary means in the nature of a safety device. Thus, ii for any reason the sylphon bellows 6| should fail to operate, as soon as the room temperature is raised above a predetermined degree the main circuit is broken and current ceases to be supplied to the consumer element. It will be apparent, however, that under certain conditions it might be desirable to dispense with the pressure element entirely, and to control the making and breaking of the main circuit simply by means of the temperature sensitive element. Thus it the temperature should drop below a predetermined minimum, the circuit would be made, while if the temperature is increased beyond a predetermined maximum the circuit would be broken.

It is to be understood that the invention may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanical moto for operating said switch, escapement mec anism interposed between said motor and said switch, means including a temperature-responsive element for controlling said escapement mechanism, and means including a pressure-responsive element for controlling said esca-pement mechanism.

2. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanical motor for operating said switch, escapement mechanism interposed between said motor and said switch, means including a temperature-responsive element for controlling said escapement mechanism, means including a pressure-responsive element for controlling said escapement mechanism, and means responsive to the actuation of one of said responsive elements for storing energy in said mechanical motor.

3. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a. main circuit, means for making and breaking said circuit, a controlling circuit, means in said controlling circuit for controlling said circuit making means, said circuits being so arranged that the closing of said main circuit entirely short circuits said controlling circuit.

4. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having a switch therein, and a controlling circuit having means therein to control s id switch, said controlling circuit being connected te said main circuit at points directly on each side of said switch.

5. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanical motor for operating said switch, escapement mec anism interposed between said motor and said switch, a coil shunted about the contacts of said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism, and a temperatureresponsive switch for controlling said coil.

6. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanical mic; for operating said switch, escapement mechanism interposed between said motor and said switch, a coil shunted about the contacts of said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism, a temperature-responsive switch for controlling said coil, and pressure-responsive means for controlling said escapement mechanism.

7. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a switch, a mechanical motor for operating said 5 switch, escapement me anism interposed between said motor and said switch, a coil shunted about the contacts of said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism, a temperature-responsive switch for controlling said coil, and pressure-responsive means for preventing said temperature-responsive means from causing actuation of said switch in circuit-closing direction.

8. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a mechanical motm: for operating said 15 switch, escapement mechanism interposed between said motor and said switch, a coil shunted about the contacts of said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism, a temperature-responsive switch for controlling said coil, pressure- 20 responsive means for controlling said escapement mechanism, and means under the control of said pressure-responsive means for controlling the circuit of said coil.

9. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, 25 a main circuit having a control switch therein, a controlling circuit connected ectly to opposite sides of said switch, a switch 1 d controlling circuit, and temperature sensitive means for operating said controlling circuit switch.

10. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having a control switch therein, a controlling circuit having a uralit o and an electro-magnet therein, means including a temperature sensitive element for operating one 35 of said controlling circuit switches, means operated by said electro-magnet to close said main circuit switch when said temperature sensitive element closes said controlling circuit, means including a pressure sensitive element to open said 40 main circuit switch, and means operated by said last named means to operate another of said controlling circuit switches.

11. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having a switch therein, a controlling circuit connected to said main circuit at points in one and the same side of said main circuit and on opposite sides of said switch, a plurality Wel es in said controlling circuit, an

eiec'tfo-magnet in said controlling circuit, means including a temperature sensitive element for operating one of said controlling circuit switches, means operated by said electro-magnet to close said main circuit switch when said temperature sensitive element closes said controlling circuit, means including a pressure sensitive element to open said main circuit switch, and means operated by said last named means to operate another of said controlling circuit switches.

12. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including a we said switch to open and close the same, an escapement mechanism to control the rotation of said switch, and means including temperature and pressure sensitive elements to operate said escapement 66 mechanism.

13. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including a we said switch to open and close the same, means to initially tension said spring, and means including 7 a pressure sensitive element to rewind the same.

14. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including a ggmmmate said switch to open and close the same, an escapement mechanism to control the rotation 01 said 75 switch, means to operate said escapement mechanism, and means including a pressure sensitive element to rewind said spring after operation of said escapement mechanism.

5 15. In a controlling apparatus, a rotatable switch, means including a sprinaio-mtate said switch to open and close the same, an escapement mechanism to control the rotation of said switch, means including a temperature sensitive element to actuate said escapement mechanism, and means including a pressure sensitive element to actuate said escapement mechanism.

16. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a main circuit having a control switch therein, a

controlling circuit having a switch therein, temperature sensitive means for opening and closing said controlling circuit switch, means whereby closing of said controlling circuit switch causes said main circuit switch to be closed, and means operating independently of said controlling circuit whereby movement of said temperature sensitive means in one direction beyond a predetermined limit causes said main circuit switch to be opened.

17. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a main circuit having a switch therein, a controlling circuit connected to said main circuit at points in one and the same side of said main circuit and on opposite sides of said switch, a switch in said controlling circuit, temperature sensitive means for operating said controlling circuit switch, means whereby closing of said controlling circuit switch gausgs said main circuit switch to be closed, and means operating independently of said controlling circuit whereby movement of said temperature sensitive means in one direction bey d a predetermined limit causes said main cirt switch to be opened.

\ In a controlling apparatus, a heating elementfmeans including a main circuit to connect said element to a source of electric energy, a

switch in said circuit, means including a temperature sensitive element and an electro-magnetic element to close said switch and circuit to heat said element, means including a latch to hold said switch in closed position, and means including a r s nsitive element responsive to pressures created by operation of said heating element to release said latch to open said switch and circuit.

19. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a control switch, means including a temperature element and an electro-magnet for controlling said switch, means distinct from the first mentioned means including a nressnrgsensitive element for additionally controlling said switch, and means including the temperature sensitive element supplementing said second mentioned means for additionally controlling said switch.

20. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a supply of releasable energy adapted when released to move said switch, means for controlling the release of the energy from said supply, prgssureaesponsive means for controlling said controlling means, and means for storing energy in said supply upon actuation of said pressure-responsive means.

21. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a supply of releasable energy adapted when released to move said switch, means for controlling the release of the energy from said supply, and means responsive to a condition resulting from the closure of said switch for controlling said controlling means.

22. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a switch, a supply of releas energy adapted when released to move said switch, means for controlling the release of the energy from said supply, means responsive to a condition resulting from the closure of said switch for control- 5 ling said controlling means, and means for storing energy in said supply and under the control of said responsive means.

23. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a supply of rclfiasable energy adapted 10 when released to move said switch, means for controlling the release of the energy from said supply, a coil for controlling said controlling means, a switch for controlling said coil, a tomperature-responsive element, and a pressure- 15 responsive element, one of said elements controlling said coil-controlling switch and the other of said elements controlling said first-mentioned controlling means.

24. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, 20 a switch, a supply of releasable energy adapted when released to move said switch, means for controlling the release of the energy from said supply, a coil bridged across the contacts of said switch for controlling said controlling 25 means, an element responsive to one extreme of a condition under the control of said switch for actuating said controlling means to cause released energy from said supply to open said switch, and a switch in the circuit of said coil, 30 said element closing said last-mentioned switch in response to the other extreme of said condition.

25. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a. switch, a spring IBM)! for operating said 35 switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling the operation of said motor, temperature-responsive means for controlling said escapement mechanism, and means responsive to a condition resulting from operation of said switch for wind- 40 ing said spring motor.

26. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motor for operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling the operation of said motor, and means respon- 45 sive to conditions controlled by said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism.

27. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motor for operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling 50 the operation of said motor, means responsive to conditions controlled by said switch for controlling said escapement mechanism, and means under the control of said main switch for rewinding said spring motor. 55

28. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motor for operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling the operation of said motor, a temperatureresponsive element, means responsive to actuation of said element in one direction for actuating said escapement mechanism, and means responsive to actuation of said element in the other direction for actuating said escapement mechanism.

29. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motor for operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling the operation of said mgtg, a coil and a controlling To switch therefore shunted about the contacts of said switch, temperature-responsive means adapted upon actuation in one direction to close said coil-controlling switch, means responsive to energization of said coil for actuating said es- 7 capement mechanism, and means responsive to actuation of said temperature-responsive element in its other direction for actuating said escapement mechanism.

30. In a controlling apparatus, in combination, a switch, a spring motor for operating said switch, an escapement mechanism for controlling the operation of said motor, a coil and a controlling switch therefore shunted about the contacts of said switch, temperature-responsive means adapted upon actuation in one direction to close said coil-controlling switch, means responsive to energization of said coil for actuating said escapement mechanism, means responsive to actuation of said temperature-responsive element in its other direction for actuating said escapement mechanism, and We means adapted in response to predetermined pressure conditions to prevent energization of said coil.

31. In a controlling apparatus, in combination,

a heating element, a switch for controlling the flow of electrical energy to said heating element, operating means for said switch, a coil bridged across the contacts of said switch, a switch controlling the circuit of said coil, a temperature- 5 responsive element upon a predetermined fall in temperature to close said coil-controlling switch and adapted upon a predetermined rise in temperature to affect said operating means to cause the latter to open said first-mentioned switch, 10 and press onsive means adapted upon a pred'fefin ifi d r igem pressure to prevent closure of the circuit of said coil.

32. In a switch of the type described, the com bination comprising an electromagnet, a switch 15 arm actuated by said magnet, means for holding the switch arm in actuated position, and pressure responsive means for actuating said means to release the switch arm.

JOHN D. ROSS. 20