US2150053A - Mercury contactor - Google Patents

Mercury contactor Download PDF

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Publication number
US2150053A
US2150053A US143489A US14348937A US2150053A US 2150053 A US2150053 A US 2150053A US 143489 A US143489 A US 143489A US 14348937 A US14348937 A US 14348937A US 2150053 A US2150053 A US 2150053A
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Prior art keywords
tube
mercury
column
plug
tube elements
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Expired - Lifetime
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US143489A
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English (en)
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Chilowsky Constantin
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Individual
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Individual
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H29/00—Switches having at least one liquid contact

Definitions

  • the invention is shown es spoiled to o olioto-relov oi the type descrihed in my French Potent No. 795,681, oi September 7, ices.
  • Fin. 1 dingrticslly shows n photo-relay devised occordinu to the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows, on on enlarged scale, s detail oi A cold relish
  • Fig. l shows as contector system in which mercury coin moves in n linear tuhe
  • Fig. t shows soother comment in which n rectilinear is nrovioled with two mercury @01 to ill 3 i Fin.
  • 9 is e iront view of still another emhodi inent oi the invention.
  • Fig. ii is o sectional view on the e li it of Fig. 9,
  • This tube II is provided at each end with a plug of a porous material which permits gases to flow therethrough but prevents the passage of mercury.
  • These plugs I2 and I2" carry respective contacts I3 and I3".
  • I have shown at H and I4 two mercury columns of relatively large section ,(for instance from 3 to 4 mm.). The two portions of mercury column are connected together by means of two tubes of small sectionIB and I6", open at their upper ends, the lower ends of these last mentioned tubes being connected together by the narrow passage ll of a capillary tube I8.
  • tubes I6 and I 6" are located in the middle part of the mercury masses, respectively, at I4 and I4.
  • the apparatus is completed by a lamp I9 which is switched on when the meniscus of column I4 reaches contact I 3".
  • the plug proper is constituted by a porous mass, for instance of a refractory matter, 22, located in a metallic envelope which may be welded in the glass, and made for instance of platinum or an alloy capable of being welded.
  • a metallic contact consisting for instance of a thin extension oi the metallic wall of the plug.
  • 23 is a metallic contact extending through the wall of the glass tube.
  • Tube 20 may also be made of a matter such as steatite, which is also capable of being welded to glass.
  • the plug also may be made of a matter capable of being welded.
  • a metallic wire 25 extends through a wall 25 of the glass tube and also through the wall of plug 22.
  • the spiral wound end of this wire is housed in a recess 21 of the plug, filled with a suitable cement, and
  • Fig. 4 I have shown a modification in which the communication between the two portions I4 and I4 0! the mercury column is ensured through a small size metallic tube 4 I, which replaces the capillary tube I8 of Fig. 1.
  • extend inside the mass of mercury I4 and I4. These ends'oi tube 4
  • might also, according to the invention, stop at these center points of the mass, in the same manner as tubes I6 and IE" of Fig. 1.
  • the glass tubes I I and II are provided with bulging portions in the middle, in such manner as to further increase the safety and to prevent penetration of the gases into the orifice 29', in the unlikely case of a breaking of the mercury mass.
  • the invention includes an embodiment permitting of making use of columns of a diameter smaller than 3 millimeters.
  • I establish in any suitable manner a communication along the mercury column between the space located above the meniscus and the bottom of the tube.
  • the gases might escape through this communication in an upward direction, thus permitting the column to move down.
  • This communication between the top and the bottom can be created through any suitable means.
  • a simple arrangement is shown by way of example in Fig. 6.
  • the communication between the top and the bottom of the chamber containing the mercury mass is established through a wire or tube 30 disposed along the inner wall of the tube.
  • This wire may be dis- I- posed as indicated or again in spiral, winding around the mercury column.
  • Another arrangement consists in providing channels in the tube wall or in giving said tube a non-circular section, for instance a polygonal section with sharp angles. It is also possible, in order to obtain this result, to give a rough surface to the inside of the tube.
  • Fig. 7 have shown another embodiment in which the mercury column is located in a rectilinear tube, being also disposed between two plugs in such manner that it cannotbreals.
  • this figure l have shown a diagram oi a photo-relay similar, as a rule, to that shown by Fig. l, the contactor being used, by way of example, in combination with such a device.
  • Thermercury col umn shown at 30 is located, as just above stated, between two plugs Eli? and 33.
  • This column may have a diameter substantially smaller than that oi the preceding example, ior instance from some tenths of a millimeter to one millimeter.
  • the height or the mercury column is also relatively small, for instance lower than one centimeter.
  • the distance between plugs 32 and i3 is such that the mercury column has no room for breaking under the shoot either of shoclss or a capillary sticking oil a mercury drop or of a portion of the mercury column to the glass wall.
  • the column has a tendency to bear against one of the plugs and cannot break into separate portions. in the case of the section or a portion, the latter is immediately absorbed by the column when it comes to bear against one of the plugs.
  • the plugs shown by Fig. 7 are made, for instance, of a refractory terial surrounded by a metallic sheath, welded in the glass, each of these sheaths being connected through a wire welded in the wall with the remainder of the circuit.
  • Fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment in which the metallic sheaths are bevelshaped at their inner ends, the points of the bevels forming the two electric contacts. In the median position, the column touches both contacts, whereas in each of its extreme position, it leaves one or the other of these contacts. It will be readily understood that with this embodiment also, the dimensions of the column are chosen in such manner, with respect to the dimensions of the tube containing this column, that the column cot break and the gases cannot pass through the column.
  • the mercury column is preferably oil a relatively small diameter.
  • the two portions of the column are separated by a porous plug bl through which the gas pressure from element d, transmitted through tube 3d, acts on the inside of tube
  • the increases and decreases or this pressure produce displacements of both columns til and ti", which move simultaneously in such manner as to get nearer to, oriarther from, plug 3i, provided between them.
  • a porous plug 39' substantially of a section equal to that oi column M.
  • This plug a so acts as an electric contact.
  • a second plug 39 which also plays the separate recess dd forming the electric contact.
  • col 3 l starts moving only when the pressure reaches 15, a certain value higher than that'necessary for producing a. displacement oi column 3 l Contact dd" therefore closes at a pressure higher than that corresponding to the closing of contact Jill.
  • this arrangement given as an example of the up various possibilities or" operation of a contactor according to the invention is intended to ensure the working of a photo-relay intended to switch on and oil lamp Ill as a function of the varia tions or the illnation.
  • the elec-- trolysls chamber corresponding to the bulb at 55 the preceding examples, and designated by reiterence character 8, is formed in suitably shaped glass plate welded under pressure to plate 5.
  • chamber dd which is connected through a conduit lid with chamber dd, provided with a w
  • the second branch of the. mercurycoln is formed by a chamber ltd which is connected through a. hole lid with the space adjoining the flexible membrane t, made of glass.
  • Chambers 70 db and ltd are widened at the bottom so as to f spherical recesses ltd and Mt filled with mercury, and which are in communication with each other through a tube l5! iormed in the mass of glass and the ends in and ll! of whichvopen g5 into the centers of the two respective mercury masses present in chambers I30 and I40.
  • the glass flexible membrane i2 is welded on the periphery between the two systems of glass plates above mentioned, constituted one by plates 50 and I, and the other by plates 5
  • Passages l0 and H0 correspond to slots of a height of about one hundredth of a millimeter, which permit gas to how easily therethrough but practically stop mercury.
  • Conduits 80 and I00 for the displacement of the mercury column, and also recess 90, formed by the welding together of two glass plates, preferably have a triangular section, the edges of said glass plates along which they are welded together for forming these conduits making relatively sharp angles.
  • mercury cannot penetrate into these angles, which remain filled with the gas. Owing to this arrangement, the mercury column, under the influence of gravity returns automatically to its normal position and has a mobility which prevents any wedging thereof.
  • the metallic tube I50 is sufiiciently close to the peripheral zone to be in the welded part of the periphery, which improves the fluid tightness of its fixation in the glass elements.
  • the invention is applicable to all kinds of mercury contactors for preventing the breaking of the mercury column and the passage of gases through said mercury column.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a U-shaped hollow structure including two parallel tube elements of relatively large section and a conduit of small section forming the bottom of the U, extending to a distance upwardly in said tube elements, electric contacts in said tube elements, a plug at the upper part of each of these tube elements capable of allowing gases to flow therethrough but of stopping the passage of mercury, and a mercury column present in said tube elements and said conduit.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a U-shaped hollow structure including two parallel tube elements of relatively large section and a conduit of small section forming the bottom of the U, extending to a distance inside said tube elements, plugs in the upper parts of said tube elements respectively including a porous central portion and a metal sheath surrounding said porous portion, said metal sheath being provided with two projections, one extending through the wall of the tube element and the other extending downwardly from said plug, so as to form electric contacts, and a mercury column present in said tube elements below said plugs and in said conduit, said mercury column being adapted to cooperate with the last mentioned projections of said metal sheaths.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a U-shaped hollow structure including two parallel tube elements of relatively large' section, a. capillary tube forming the bottom of the U and interconnecting said tube elements and short metallic tubes of small section prolonging s'aid capillary tube to a distance inside said tube elements, respectively, a mercury column present in said tube elements and said capillary tube so that said metallic tubes open into the central parts of the mercury masses in each of said tube elements respectively, a plug at the upper part of each of these tube elements capable of allowing gases to flow therethrough but adapted to stop the flow of mercury, and electric contacts in said tube elements adapted to cooperate with said mercury column.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a U-shaped hollow structure including two parallel glass tube elements of relatively large section and a conduit of small section forming the bottom of the U and extending to a distance inside said tube elements, plugs in the upper parts of said tube elements respectively, including each a core of a refractory porous material provided with a recess, a metallic conductor fixed in said recess projecting, on the one hand, laterally through the glass wall of the corresponding tube element, and, on the other hand, downwardly from the under face of said plug so as to form an electric contact, and a mercury column present in said tube elements below said plugs and in said conduits, said mercury column being adapted to cooperate with the last mentioned projections of said metallic conductors.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a U-shaped hollow structure including two parallel glass tube elements of relatively large section and a conduit of small section forming the bot tom of the U and extending to a distance inside said tube elements, said tube elements having bulging portions at the levels of the orifices of said conduit, a plug at the upper part'of each of said tube elements capable of allowing gases to flow therethrough but adapted to prevent the passage of mercury, electric contacts in the upper parts of said tube elements below said plugs, and a mercury column present in said tube elements and said conduit adapted to cooperate with said contacts.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a U-shaped hollow structure including two paral lel tube elements of relatively large section, a capillary tube forming the bottom of the U and consisting of a metallic tube the branches of which extend upwardly to a distance inside said tube elements respectively, a plug at the upper part of each of said tube elements capable of allowing gases to flow therethrough but adapted to prevent the passage of mercury, electric contacts in the upper parts of said tube elements below said plugs, and a mercury column present in said tube elements in said metallic tube adapted to cooperate with said contacts, the branches of said metallic tube opening respectively in the middle of the mercury masses present in said tube elements.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a U-shaped hollow structure including two parallel tube elements of relatively large section, and a conduit of small section forming the bottom of the U and extending to a distance inside said tube elements, means in each of said tube elements for ensuring between the top and bottom thereof a. connection which cannot be cut oil by capillary adhesion of mercury to the walls of said tube elements, a plug at the upper part of each of said tube elements capable of allowing ases to flow therethrough but adapted to prevent the passage oi mercury, electric contacts in the upper parts 01' said tube elements below said plugs, and a mercury column present in said tube elements and said conduit adapted to cooperate with said contacts.
  • a device in which said means for ensuring a connection between the top and bottom of the tube elements consists of an elongated metal element of small section disposed along the wall of said tube element.
  • branches of said metallic tube are closed at the top, said branches being provided with apertures in their lateral walls corresponding to the respective centers of the masses of mercury present in said tube elements.
  • a device which comprises, in combination, a rectilinear tube, a plug at each end of said tube adapted to allow gases to flow therethrough but capable of stopping mercury, electric contacts in the ends of said tube, respectively, and a mass of mercury in said column, said plugs being so shaped and spaced apart that, in the central position said mercury mass is in contact with both of the contacts but leaves one of them when it is pushed in one direction or the other.
  • a device includin metallic tubes surrounding said plugs, said plugs, and the metallic tubes surrounding them being bevel-shaped, the contacts being formed by the ends of said metallic tubes.
  • a device which comprises, in combination,
  • a rectilinear tube a plug in the central part of said tube, said tube being ofcrestricted section at one end thereof, a porous plug at each end of said tube adapted to permit the flow of gases therethrough but capable of stopping mercury, a contact at each end of said tube, so that one of said contacts is in said part of restricted section,
  • a U-shaped CONSTAN'I'IN CHILOWSKY In combination with a photo-relay of the monoblock type comprising a plurality of glass plates assembled together by welding, a U-shaped CONSTAN'I'IN CHILOWSKY.

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  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
US143489A 1936-12-12 1937-05-19 Mercury contactor Expired - Lifetime US2150053A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR826315T 1936-12-12

Publications (1)

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US2150053A true US2150053A (en) 1939-03-07

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US143489A Expired - Lifetime US2150053A (en) 1936-12-12 1937-05-19 Mercury contactor

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US (1) US2150053A (en:Method)
BE (1) BE425170A (en:Method)
CH (1) CH202950A (en:Method)
FR (1) FR826315A (en:Method)
GB (1) GB494059A (en:Method)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2673270A (en) * 1952-11-18 1954-03-23 Hunt Manpoh And Company Fire alarm
US2695938A (en) * 1951-06-25 1954-11-30 Northrop Aircraft Inc Electrical switch

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016533485A (ja) * 2013-10-03 2016-10-27 プレシフレックス エスアー 液体が充填されたベローズによって作動するスイッチおよびそれからなる電圧源、およびそれに関する方法および時計

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2695938A (en) * 1951-06-25 1954-11-30 Northrop Aircraft Inc Electrical switch
US2673270A (en) * 1952-11-18 1954-03-23 Hunt Manpoh And Company Fire alarm

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH202950A (fr) 1939-02-15
BE425170A (en:Method)
GB494059A (en) 1938-10-19
FR826315A (fr) 1938-03-29

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