US2111542A - Time delay relay - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1938- G. c. ARMSTRONG 2,111,542

TIME DELAY RELAY I Original Filed Oct, 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR .f Gear eC/Z'msfron 9' 9' BY March 22, 1938.

G. C. ARMsTRONG TIME DELAY RELAY Original Filed Oct. 25, 1935 WITNESSES:

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR George C. flkwsfrmg:

l M ATTdRNEY Patented Mar. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,111,542 TIME DELAY RELAY of Pennsylvania Application October 23, 1935, Serial No. 46,289 Renewed January 21, 1938 6 Claims.

This invention relates to delayed-action relays.

It makes use of a new electric motor which has been described in companion application, Serial No. 46,287, filed October 23, 1935.

5 It is an object of this invention to provide a more dependable delay mechanism in such relays.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a relay in which the motor for measuring the time and the mechanism for controlling the contacts are energized from one magnetic circuit. 5

It is a further object of my invention to provide a lock-out by which the completion of the 15 motion of one of the contact operating members is prevented until a certain time has elapsed and then permitted.

Other objects of the invention and details of the construction will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of one form of my device in, the deenergized position.

25 Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in a position which it has at one time during the action of the device.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the device upon completion of the operation of closing contacts.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view partly in section of another form of the device in a position which it assumes at one time during the operation.

a Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the same device in the same stage of operation.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the device in a later stage of its 'operation, and

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating one use of the device in a circuit.

In Fig. 1, the relay has a magnetic circuit including a part I separated by a gap 2 from a second part 3. The magnetic circuit also includes an armature 4 which is pivoted at 5 to cheek plates 6. A coil 1 energizes this magnetic circuit with periodic flux, the coil being usually supplied with alternating current.

The air gap 2 has a pole face 8 on the member 3 of the magnetic circuit, and one portion 9 of its opposite pole face is bevelled. The bevelled portion 9 and the face 8 cooperate with a cylindrical member III. In the interior of the cylinder ill, a shaft II is located which is mounted in bearings fixed in the cheek plates. A spiral spring l2 connects the cylinder Ill and the shaft ill. This spring permits the lateral movement of the cylinder l and yet unites the shaft II to the cylinder it) for driving purposes. The lateral movement is sufficient to permit the member ID to contact faces 8 and 9 or to assume the position shown in Fig. 1.

A pinion I3 is mounted on the shaft II. It is adapted to mesh with segmented gear M which is on a link l pivoted to the armature 4 at IS. A projection l! at the bottom of the sector I4 is integral with the link l5. The armature 4 has a portion l8 at an angle to the main body of the armature carrying a contact l9. Between the portion l8 and the link IS, a spring 20 is inserted.

A pressure block 2| bears against the cylinder it). It and the arm 23 are pivoted to each other and to the cheek plates 6' at 22. The arm 23 has a foot 24, which affords a bearing for a spring 25, which acts upon the block 2|. The lower end of the arm 23 is received in a notch in a latch 26 which has an up-standing abutment 21. The latch 26 is also provided with a tail piece 28 which cooperates with a spring 29, the other end of which rests against an abutment 30 on the cheek plates. A contact 3| is supported in any suitable manner in position to cooperate with the contact l9.

In the operation of the device, when the magnet 1 is energized by alternating current, the

, armature 4 is attracted which moves the link I5 to the left as illustrated in Fig. 2 and brings the sector l4 into mesh with the pinionl3.

At the same time, the flux through the magnetic circuit attracts the cylinder l0 into a position in which it engages the pole face 8. The pole face 9 also attracts the cylinder l0 and tends to cause it to roll upward along the face 8. This motion is opposed by the pressure of the block 2| caused by the spring 25. The cylinder I0 is subjected to several influences, an alternating flux because the current in coil 1 is alternating, friction between itself and the pole face, and the influence of the spring 25. Also the hysteresis of the material of cylinder l0 enters into the action as explained in greater detail in my aboveidentified copending application. The result is that the cylinder tends to rotate in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Irregularities of motion of the cylinder are absorbed by the spring I2 so that the pinion I3 is steadily driven.

The pinion having been brought into mesh with the sector l4 causes the sector to move downward, which motion continues until the pro-' jection I! is in a position adjacent the stop 21.

The link l then is against the stop 21 and the spring compressed.

During the motion of the link l5, the armatur 4 has not approached any nearer the pole piece than it did at the first movement of the armature, because the contact of the sector H with the pinion I3 has prevented such further movement. When the pinion 13 reaches the end of the sector I4 and runs off the sector, the armature is free to move under the influence of the attraction at the pole piece I. The armature now completes its travel thrusting the link l5 to the left and closing the contacts l9 and 3|. The movement of the link |5 to the left causes the projection H to actuate the stop 21 and move the latch 26 to unlatching position, compressing the spring 29. This releases the arm 23 leaving spring 25 without restraint at its upper end. Arm 23 then moves to the position shown in Fig. 3 and the spring 25 ceases to exert any force on cylinder Ill. The cylinder therefore moves upward, and contacts the surface 9. This stops the rotation of the motor. The magnetic reluctance in the gap 2 is also greatly diminished by this action with the result that the armature 4 is more firmly held against the pole face I, the magnetizing current is reduced, and the contacts l9'and 3| are firmly held together.

The relay continues in the position shown in Fig. 3 until the coil 1 is deenergized. When this happens, the armature 4 drops out, opening the contacts l9 and 3| and pushing through the spring 20 against the arm l5, moving it to its original position. At the same time, the cessation of flux in the gap 2 releases the cylinder l0 and it returns to the position shown in Fig.1. The arm 2| follows the cylinder l0 until it is stopped by the abutment 33 on the arm 23. The spring 25 is then without influence upon the arm 23 and the arm returns under gravity to the position shown in Fig. 1. The departure of the projection l1 from contact with the stop 21 permits the spring 29 to return the latch 26 to its position in which it again locks the arm 23. The spring l2 returns the cylinder III to its original position while the arm 23 is returning. Thus, all the parts are brought to the position illustrated in Fig. l and the relay is ready for another operation.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 to 6 the coil 40 is mounted on a member 4| of a magnetic circuit which has two air gaps, one of which is at 43 between the pole piece 44 and a portion of a member 45 pivoted at 46. The member 4| has a pole 48. From the pole 48 a bail 49 is dependent, against which the member 45 rests in its outermost-position. The bail is attached to the pole as shown at 50 in Fig. 5. It extends laterally as indicated at 5|, giving it a greater width than the pole face. At the back 52 it thus is considerably wider than the portion of member 45 attracted by it. The side members of the bail are thus far enough from member 45 to be without sensible effect on it. A spring 41 around the pivot 46 normally maintains the member 45 in a position differing from that illustrated in Fig. 4, by being slightly separated from the back 52 of the bail. One end of the spring 41 is lifted out of engagement with the member 45 by a stop 90 when the end of the member 45 comes past its neutral position toward the back 52 of the bail. The other end of the spring is lifted out of engagement with member 45 by the edge of the cheek plate extending toward the pivot 46 whenever the member 45 passes its neutral position in. the opposite direction. Thus only in the neutral position of member 45 are both ends of the spring 41 against stops. A shading coil 53 is inserted in the end of the member 45 enclosed by the bail.

On the other side of the pivot 46 from the shading coil 53, the member 45 has an arcuate edge 54 which is concentric with the pivot 46. The member 45 extends beyond the edge 54 forming an arm 55 which carries a contact 56. A hollow cylinder 51 is located between the pole piece 44 and the edge 54, so that the flux in the gap 43 acts upon this cylinder. A shaft 58 is mounted in cheek plates 6 through the interior of the cylinder 51 and a pinion 59 is fixed on the end of this shaft. A spiral spring 60 connects the cylinder with the shaft.

In the member 45 there is mounted a shaftcarrying gear 6|, which has a toothed cam 62 from one portion of the periphery. A spring 63 wound on the same shaft as gear 6| is secured at one end to the shaft and the other end is prolonged and secured to a rod 64 also extending through the member 45. An arm 65 secured to the same shaft as the gear 6| contacts against the rod 64 to afford a stop for the action of the spring.

A block 66 is mounted in the cheek plates by being pivoted to a rod 61. A second rod 69 acts as a stop for the block 66. A spring 69 presses against the upper surface of this block, being adjustably secured by a screw mounted in a shell 10 between the cheek plates.

In the normal position with the coil 49 de-energized, the spring 41 holds the member 45 slightly away from the back 52 of the bail 49. This position of the member 45 locates the gear 6| just out of mesh with the pinion 59. When the coil 40 is energized, the member 45 is attracted by the flux between its upper end and the back 52 of the ball 49. This brings it into the position illustrated in Fig. 4.

The flux in the gap 43 also exerts an attraction on the cylinder 51 which brings it into contact with the edge 54. There is an attraction between this cylinder and the pole face 44 which is opposed by the pressure exerted by the spring 69 through the block 66. The cylinder 51 is now subjected to the varying force of the periodic flux in the gap 43 and the biasing force of the spring 69. It is of magnetic material and possesses a certain hysteresis. The action of the varying flux, the biasing force and the hysteresis as explained in my above-identified copending application tends to set up a rotationof the cylinder 51, clockwise as seen in Fig. 4. For the reasons explained in said case, the curved edge 54 has, at times, the same polarity as the adjacent portion of the cylinder 51. During such times there is little or no friction between the cylinder and the edge. This is the situation during at least a part of the time when the cylinder is moving away from the pole face 44 under the influence of the spring 59. During the time that the cylinder is moving toward the pole face 44, it is attracted to- Ward the edge 54 and moves by rolling along this edge. The rotation incident to this rolling accumulates into a fairly steady rotation of the cylinder.

Under the influence of the rotation of the cylinder 51, the spring 60 is tightened and causes the shaft 58, and, therefore, the pinion 69 to rotate. This drives the gear 6| and when the cam 62 reaches the position to cooperate with the pinion, the gear 6| will force the lower end of the member 5 away from the pinion and the upper end of this member will thus be forced away from the back 52 of the bail 49. By the time that the point of the cam has reached the pinion, the member 45 will be more under the infiuence of the pole 48 than of the back 52. When this condition prevails, the member 45 will move into contact with the pole 48 and the contact 56 will be brought against its cooperating contact II.

When the coil 40 is deenergized, the member 45 returns to its original position under the influence of the spring 41 and the cylinder 51 returns to its original position under the influence of gravity and the spring 69.

It Will'be observed that in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the prevention of the complete closing of the armature is accomplished by a mechanical obstacle but in the form shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the obstacle is magnetic. When the cam 82 has lifted the end of the member 45 far enough away from-the back 52 of the bail 49 to overcome the obstacle presented by the magnetic attraction between them, the member 45 moves under the influence of the pole 48 without further hinderance.

By adjusting arm 65 on its shaft and securing it in place with its lock nut 9|, the position to which the gear 6| will move under the action of spring 63 is determined. This determines the amount of rotation of pinion 59 required to move member 45 past its neutral position. It thus determines the time used by the delay mechanism before contact 56-'|l 'will close.

In Fig. 7, I have illustrated a circuit to show one use of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 or of that shown in Figs. 4 to 6. A motor Bil is connected to a line 81 through a switch 82. This connection is accomplished by P push-button 83 which energizes the pull-in magnet of the switch 82. Looking contacts 84 maintain the switch closed. Current is thus supplied to the motor and the resistors 85 are in circuit with the secondary of the motor. Current is also supplied to the coil 86 of the time delay relay, acting like the coil 1 of Fig. 1 or 40 of Fig. 4. The coil causes the contacts 81 to close after a lapse of time. When these contacts have closed the coil 88 is energized closing contacts to shunt out the resistors 85, opening contacts to deenergize the coil 86 and closing locking contacts for the coil 88.

The motor is thus first energized and after a suflicient time has elapsed for it to get up to speed the secondary resistors are cut out. When the motor is to be stopped, the button 89 is pushed, deenergizing the magnet of switch 82 and restoring all parts to normal.

This is an illustration of only'one situation in which the time delay relay which I have illustrated is of use. Many other illustrations will occur to those skilled in the art. Modifications of the details of the structure come within the scope of this invention. What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is shown by the accompanying claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a time-delay relay, an armature biased to open position and having an extension at an angle to the rest of said armature, contacts operated by said extension and open when the armature is in open position, a magnetic circuit including said armature, a coil supplied with alternating current energizing said magnetic circuit, an air gap in said magnetic circuit, a hollow cylinder of magnetic material occupying a portion of said air gap, a shaft mounted through said cylinder, a spring connecting said cylinder to said shaft, a pinion mounted on said shaft, an arm pivoted to said armature and carrying a geared sector, said geared sector engaging said pinion when the magnetic circuit is energized, and by said engagement preventing the armature from completing its closing movement, cheek plates in which said armature and shaft are-mounted, a second arm pivoted in said cheek plates, a pressure block pivoted at the same point in said second arm, a spring acting between said second arm and said pressure block to cause said pressure block to bear against said hollow cylinder, whereby the combined influence of the pressure and of the flux in said air gap will cause said pinion to rotate and drive said geared sector, a lock for said second arm, a projection on said first arm brought into position to actuate said lock to unlock position, when said pinion has driven said sector out of engagement therewith, whereby the movement of the armature when the sector is free of the pinion unlocks said second arm and releases the pressure of the pressure block on the cylinder, and a spring connection between the sector-bearing arm and the armature.

2. In a time-delay relay, a magnetic circuit comprising a coil-carrying portion having a pole, an armature, a bail extending from said pole and surrounding one end of said armature, air gaps between said coil-carrying portion and said armature and between said bail and said armature, a coil energized by alternating current on said coil-carrying portion, cheek plates, a pivot for said armature mounted in said cheek plates, the one of said air gaps remote from said bail being on the opposite side of said pivot from the bail, a hollow cylinder of magnetic material occupying a portion of said last-mentioned air gap, a shaft through said cylinder rotatably mounted in said cheek plates, a pinion carried by said shaft, said armature having a portion of its edge arcuate and concentric with the pivot of the armature in position to en age said cylinder when said magnetic circuit is energized, a spring connecting said cylinder to said. shaft, a pressure block pivotally mounted in said cheek plates, a spring pressing said pressure block against said cylinder, whereby the cylinder will rotate when influenced by the pressure of said block and the flux in said gap and the trio tion against said edge, a gear rotatably mounted in said armature in position to engage said pinion when said armature is attracted, a geared projection on said gear, the gearing on said projection being continuous with the gearing on said gear, whereby when the pinion meshes with the geared projection the distance between the mounting of said gear and the shaft through the cylinder will be increased, a spring mounted around the pivot of said armature and stops on the cheek plates cooperating with said spring to provide a bias for biasing the armature to a position out of contact with the bail and with the coil-carrying portion, whereby when the mag netic circuit is first energized the armature will be attracted to the part of the bail remote from the pole and the pinion will rotate driving the gear and then the geared projection until it moves the armature past the position where the attraction of the bail equals the attraction of the pole and then the armature will move under the attraction of said pole, and contacts closed by said last-named movement of the armature.

3. A relay comprising an armature, a magnetic circuit including said armature and having an air gap, a cylinder structure of magnetic mate:- rial occupying a portion of said air gap, a mov able sector engaging a. part of said cylinder structure when the magnetic circuit is energized to arrest movement of said armature, and a pressure block bearing against said cylinder structure, whereby the combined influence of such pressure and of the flux in said air gap will cause said cylinder structure to rotate and actuate said sector.

4. A relay comprising an armature, a magnetic circuit including said armature and having an air gap, a hollow cylinder of magnetic material occupying a portion of said air gap, a pinion movable with said cylinder, a geared sector engaging said pinion when the magnetic circuit is energized to arrest movement of said armature, and a pressure block bearing against said cylinder, whereby the combined influence of such pressure and 01' the flux in said air gap will cause said cylinder to rotate and drive said geared sector.

5. A relay comprising a coil-carrying portion having a pole, an armature, a bail extending from said pole and surrounding one end of said armature, air gaps between said coil-carrying portion and said armature and between said ball and said armature, a cylinder structure of magnetic material occupying a portion of the first-named air gap, a pressure block bearing against said cylinder structure, whereby the combined influence of such pressure and of the flux in said firstnamed air gap will cause said cylinder structure to rotate, a movable sector engaging a part of said cylinder structure when said armature is energized, means for biasing said armature to a position out of contact with the ball and with the coil-carrying portion, whereby when the magnetic circuit is first energized, the armature will be attracted to the part of the bail remote from the pole and the cylinder structure will actuate the sector until-it moves the armature past the position where the attraction of the bail equals the attraction of the pole and then the armature will move under the attraction of said pole.

6. A relay comprising a coil-carrying portion having a pole, an armature, a ball extending from said pole and surrounding one end 0! said armature, air gaps between said coil-carrying portion and said armature and between said ball and said armature, a hollow cylinder of magnetic material occupying a portion 01' the first-named air gap, a pressure block bearing against said hollow cylinder, whereby the combined influence of such I pressure and of the flux in said first-named air gap will cause said hollow cylinder to rotate, a pinion movable with said cylinder, a geared sector engaging said pinion when the armature is energized, means for biasing said armature to a position out of contact with the bail and with the coil-carrying portion, whereby when the magnetic circuit is first energized, the armature will be attracted to the part of the bail remote from the pole and the pinion will drive the geared sector until it moves the armature past the position where the attraction of the bail equals the attraction of the pole and then the armature will move under the attraction of said pole.

GEORGE C. ARMSTRONG.

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