US2061347A

US2061347A - Electric relay

Info

Publication number: US2061347A
Application number: US756670A
Authority: US
Inventors: Coe Herbert Leon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-12-08
Filing date: 1934-12-08
Publication date: 1936-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 1953-11-17

Description

NOV. 17, 1936.r 4 H, L COE 2,061,347

ELECTRIC RELAY Filed DeC. 8, 1934 lweidot'; HERBERT LEO/v COE,

/7/5 ifa/Waff.

Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED. STATES PATENT GFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention is an electric relay that is se lectively responsive to grounding of either of two electric power lines.

An example of the relay is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 being a purely diagrammatic representation while Figure 2 goes more into the mechanical details.

Referring to these figures, A and B represent main power lines, while A and B represent branch power lines leading to the load. 'Ihe relay is applicable to the lines A and B' to indicate a grounded condition in either between it and the load, and also to indicate which line is grounded. Furthermore, it functions only in such instances, and remains inoperative when a ground occurs between it and the main power supply lines A and B. In addition, the relay functions even though none of the power lines are normally grounded.

The relay includes the combination of a solenoid I which is connected in series with the line A', a solenoid 2 which is connected in series with the line B', a solenoid 3 arrange'd to magnetically oppose the solenoid I and having one end connected to the load end of the solenoid 2, a solenoid 4 arranged to magnetically oppose the solenoid 2 and having one end connected to the load end of the solenoid I, the other ends of the

solenoids

3 and 4 being interconnected arranged to magnetically oppose the solenoid 2 and connected in series with the solenoids I and 3, a ground connected between the

solenoids

3 and 4, and a circuit closing means responsive to the relative magnetic forces of the solenoids I and 2 as respectively modified by the

solenoids

3 and 4.

The above named means includes the combination of an armature 5 associated with the solenoids I and 3, an armature 6 associated with the 'solenoids 2 and 4, a balancing beam I interconnecting the armatures 5 and v6, adjustable means 8 for urging the beam I to balancing position, and contacts 9 operable by movement of the beam 1.

To aid in describing the operation of the relay, the connection between the solenoids 3 and 2 is numbered III, that between the

solenoids

3 and 4 is numbered II, and that between the `solenoids 4 and I is numbered I2, while the connection from the ground I3 to the connection II between the solenoids'3 and 4 is numbered |35.

All of the solenoids have substantially the same electrical and magnetic characteristics, while the connections I0 and I2, and the branches of the connection II between the connection I3* and the

solenoids

3 and 4, respectively provide substantially the same electrical resistances.

When there is no ground in any of the lines the current flows from the line A through the line A', the solenoid I and the load, and returns to the line B by way of the line B and the solenoid 2. Since the solenoids I and 2 exert equal forces, the armatures 5 and 6 will pull equal amounts, and the beam 'I remains in balance.

If a ground occurs at any point in the lines A and B, or in the lines A' and B between the relay and the lines A and B, the relay will remain inoperative. As an example, let it be assumed that a ground occurs at the point Y. This will place this point and the ground I3 at the same potential, the ground circuit being considered as having no appreciable resistance. Then the current which will ilow from the ground I3 to the line B by way of the line B', will go through the connection II and solenoids 3 and 2. It follows that the solenoids 3 and 2 will respectively pull the armatures 5 and 6 equal amounts so that the beam 1 remains in balance and the relay does not operate. Furthermore, it is apparent that the same results cannot be obtained without the solenoids I and 2. That is to say, if only the

solenoids

3 and 4 are used a ground at the point Y will energize the solenoid 3 and result in operation of the relay because the solenoid 4 will not be energized to produce a balance.

However, if the ground occurs in any part of the lines A and B between the relay and the load, the relay will not only operate but will indicate in which of these lines the ground occurs. As an example of this operation, let it be assumed that a ground occurs in the line A' at the point X. 'I'hen the point X and the ground I3 will be placed in the same potential and the current will flow from the line A by way of the line A' through the solenoid I to the point X, from there to the ground I3 and through the connection I3- to the solenoid 3, and from there to the line B by way of the line B and solenoids 3 and 2.A The solenoid 3 opposes the solenoid I so that the magnetic force of the former is neutralized. However, the solenoid 4 is not energized, and the solenoid 2 can consequently exert a pull on the armature 6 which causes the beam 'I to be moved so that operation of the contacts 9 is eifected. If the ground had occurred in the line B between the relay and the load the operation would have been the same except that the beam 1 would swing in the opposite direction. Assuming the contacts 9 include a movable contact which is moved to one or another oi two fixed contacts, it is obviously possible to effect the closing of one or another of two circuits upon such grounding of one or another of the lines A' and B'. Thus the relay is selectively operated by such. grounding.

Referring to Figure 2, the solenoids I and 2 are illustrated as being split into three sections, while the

solenoids

3 and 4 are likewise split into three sections, the respective sections of the solenoids I and 3, and 2 and 4 being alternately arranged one above another in concentric relationship. The armatures 5 and 6 are both freely suspended from the balancing beam 1, while the adjustable means 8 consists of sensitive springs 8 provided with tension adjusting screw members 8b. Since the power carried by the lines A and B' will often be too large to be accommodated practically by the various solenoids, resistances I4 are illustrated as shunting the major portion of the current around the solenoids I and 2, While a resistance I5 is placed in the connection II.. The ground connection I i!a should then connect into this resistance I5 at a midpoint, or at such a point as is necessary to eiect a properly balanced arrangement. The contacts 9 are not specifically described for the reason that they may follow conventional practice.

-I claim: 1. A relay that is selectively responsive to grounding of either of two power lines and which includes the combination of a first solenoid adapted to be connected in series with one of said lines, a second solenoid adapted Pto be connected in series with the other of said lines, a third solenoid arranged to magnetically oppose said iirst solenoid and having one end connected to the load end of said second solenoid, a fourth solenoid arranged to magneticallyoppose said second solenoid and having one end connected to the load end of said first solenoid, the other ends of said third and fourth solenoids being interconnected, a ground connected between said third and fourth solenoids, and circuit closing means responsive to the relative magnetic forces of said first and second solenoids as respectively modified by said third and fourth solenoids.

2. A relay that is selectively responsive to grounding of either of two power lines and which includes the combination of a rst solenoid adapted to be connected in series with one of said lines, a second solenoid adapted to be connected in series with the other of said lines, a third solenoid arranged to magnetically oppose said first solenoid and having one end connected to the load end of said second solenoid, a fourth solenoid arranged to magnetically oppose said second solenoid and having one end connected to the load end of said iirst solenoid, the other ends of said third and fourth solenoids being interconnected, a ground connected between said third and fourth solenoids, a rst armature associated with said first and third solenoids, a second armature associated with said second and fourth solenoids, a balancing beam interconnecting said first and second armatures, adjustable means for urging said beam to balancing position and contacts operable by movement of said beam.

3. A relay that is selectively responsive to grounding of either of two power lines and which includes the combination of a first solenoid adapted to be connected in series with one of said lines, a second solenoid adapted to be connected in series with the other of said lines, a third solenoid arranged to magnetically oppose said rst solenoidl and having one end connected to the load end of said second solenoid, a fourth solenoid arranged to magnetically oppose said second solenoid and having one end connected to the load end of said rst solenoid, the other ends of said third and fourth solenoids being interconnected, a ground connected between said third and fourth solenoids, a rst armature associated with said first and third solenoids, a second armature associated with said second and fourth solenoids, a balancing beam interconnecting said first and second armatures, and contactsoperable by movement of said beam, all of said solenoids having substantially the being so associated that the electrical resistances from said ground to said third and fourth solenoids are substantially the same and so that the electrical resistances fromsaid third solenoid to said second solenoid and from said fourth solenoid to said first solenoid are substantially equal.

HERBERT LEON COE.

.40 same electrical and magnetic characteristics and