US2155537A - High frequency electrical switch - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1939. 4 F] FRESE 2,155,537

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH DETAIL Original Filed Aug. 5, 1935 INVENTOR.

PATENT OFFICE HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH DETAIL Joseph F. Frese, Baltimore, Md.,, assignor to Monitor Controller Company, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Original application August 5, 1933, Serial No.

5 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to electrical switches and more particularly to a construction of switch arm for use in high frequency switch systems.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial Number 683,861, filed August 5, 1933, for High frequency electrical switch and contactor system, now Patent Number 2,080,861, issued May 18, 1937.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of electrical switch arm offering minimum electrical capacity and subject to minimum losses when employed in high frequency circuits.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of switch arm affording a broad contact area at the contact surfaces thereof, and a low-loss connection at the pivoted end thereof.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a switch arm constituted by a tubular conductor having a flattened portion at one end affording contact mounting means, the tubular construction of the switch arm being particularly meritorious in high frequency electrical,

circuits.

A further object of my invention is to provide a switch arm constituted by a tubular conductor adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof, and having a flexible connector secured at the pivoted end thereof for effecting a low-loss connection thereto.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction and adaptation of the switch arm hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the switch arm of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same; Fig. 3 is a detailed vertical section taken adjacent the pivotal end of the switch arm and shows the flexible connector secured in the tubular switch arm; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the switch arm of my invention, looking in the direction of the line 5-5 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a general view of the switch arm of my invention as mounted for operation in a high frequency electrical switch.

The switch arm in a high frequency switch system is a critical unit. The other elements of a high frequency electrical system may be more or less easily designed for eflicient operation at high frequencies, but the switch arm, because of the mechanical considerations attending its mounting and its actuation, presents particular problems affecting its efficient operation in a high frequency electrical system. The tubular switch arm of my invention is highly efficient in operation, carrying high frequency currents with minimum loss and capacity effects.

Divided and this application July 23, 1936, Serial No. 92,261

Referring to the drawing in more detail the switch arm of my invention comprises a tubular member 16, substantially elliptical in cross-section, adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent one end, and having contacts on the other end. I provide means intermediate the pivoted end and the end carrying the contacts for the connection of actuating means to shift the switch arm to selected positions. The tubular member I6 is provided at one end with a plug l8, as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, and an aperture I1 is formed in the tubular member l6 and the plug l8 to provide a journal for pivotally mounting the switch arm. The tubular member has a flexible connector I 9 secured in positive contact therewith by means of the plug l8, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The flexible conductor is prevented from being pulled out by the knots shown, or other suitable enlargements on the conductor l9. or welded in place in order to secure the flexible conductor permanently in place; or the plug may have only a force fit in the tubular member whereby it may be removed for replacement of the flexible conductor.

The other end of the tubular member I6 is flattened in the direction of the major axis of the elliptical cross-section, forming flat faces in planes parallel to the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section as shown at 2| in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, and contacts 22 are mounted thereon in any convenient manner. The form of switch arm shown is intended for operation in a doublethrow switch system, such as shown in Fig. 6, and accordingly two contacts are shown, one on each side of the flattened portion ii. The broad faces of the flattened portion afford adequate space for the mounting of contacts having large contact areas for reducing the contactlosses in the switch. I

As noted, the tubular member [6 is substantially elliptical in cross-section, as shown particularly in Fig. 4, and the rigid mounting of the plug l8 therein is thus facilitated. Further-= more, the pivotal mounting of the switch arm at the aperture I1 is also improved therebyyas addition, the switch'arrn is apertured, as at 20,

between the ends and in the direction of the minor axis of the elliptical tubular member, to

The plug 18 may be brazedprovide a journal for the pivotal connection of throw, high frequency electrical switch assem-f bly, employing the switch arm of my invention.

Reference character I designates the base on which the parts of the high frequency switchwhich minimum dielectric losses'occur by reason of the arrangement of the contact and pivot fittings with respect to the standards. It will be noted that all mechanical stresses on the'dielec trio standards are produced longitudinally of the standards so thatm'ec'hanical sheer stresses are "reduced toa minimum. The sockets 6 are maintained in position with"'respect to base I by bolt members 1. a V

The dielectric standard 8 is mounted in one of the"'s'ocketsw5 and provides a dielectric support for the pivot of the high frequency switch arm. The dielectric standard 9 is carried in the otherjof the socket supports and provides a mounting means for stationary contacts engageable by'the contacts on the switch arm.

'A'fltting'lll is mountedon the extremity of the dielectric standard 8 by means of bolt II. The fl'tting I0 supports the pivot pin I5 which passes through the aperture [1 in the tubular member l6. 4 The flexible conductor I9 is held between the lug I2 and fitting l0 by'the bolt H which extends into the lug l2. Conductor Hi, from the high frequency circuit, forms a positive'connection'throughthe lug l2 and the flexible connector l9 with the tubular conductor I6, thereby avoiding the loss of high frequency energy incident to connection through the pivotal mounting.

Stationary contact systems are mounted in V spaced, selectively operative positions on the dielectric standard}. 7 eludes a contact 10' yieldably carried on anarm 66 and connected through a flexible conductor H. Lugs 5 1 and are connected tothefiexible conductors H, and to their respective circuits through'conductors 58- and' 60 respectively. The contacts 22 on either side of the flattened portion 2| of the arm [6 are adapted toengage either of'the contacts 10. The switch arm is pivotally connected with insulation member 24 by means of' pin 23 extending through the aperture 20 in the tubular member I6. The insulationmember' 24' constitutes actuating means and may be automatically or manually operated. The apparatus shown connected-with the actuating member It is part of" the automatiqmotor'op erated, switch control system forming the subject matter of my copending 'ap'plication serial No, 683,861, supra, of which this application is a division.

The switch construction of my invention has been found highly practical in production and efficient in operation, and while I have described my invention in certain preferred em'-' bodiments, I desire th'atj'it be understoo'dfthat modificationsmay be made and that no limitations upon my inventionare intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

-Wha't I claim as new; and desire to secureby letters Patent of the'United States, is as 'fol The" I employ, a

Each contact system in-i ,1. In, a high frequency electrical switch, a switch arm comprising a tubular conductor, a flexible connectorexte'nding within one end of said tubular conductor, a plug disposed in said tubular conductor at the said end thereof and adapted to secure said flexible connector in positive connection with said tubular conductor, and .a contact on the other end of said switch arm,

said tubular conductor and said plug being apertured ior pivotally mounting said tubular conductor.

2; In a high frequency electrical switch, a switch arm comprising a tubular conductor of substantially elliptical cross-section, the walls of one end of said tubular conductor being flattened into intimate contact on a line parallel to the minorax'is of the elliptical cross-section of said tubular conductor, contacts mounted on the facesof the flattened end of said conductorysaid conductor having apertures therethrough' on'the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section there of, one of's'aidapertures affording 'a pivotal mounting for said switch arm, and'the other of said apertures affording a connection for actuating means for said switch arm, anda flexible connector secured to said-tubular conductor for making positive electrical contact therewith.

3.111 a high frequency electrical switch, a movable switch arm for conducting high fre quency currents comprising a hollow tubular conductor having a large surface area for the distribution of high frequency currents transmitted by said member, a braided flexible con- 4. In an electrical switch, a switch arm'coi'n prising a tubular conductor of substantially elliptical cross-section, opposite sides of said tubular conductor being flattened into contact with each other'at one 'endof" said conductor, a flexible connector looped and' having the end 'por nu s thereof disposed in the" opposite end of said conductorin the recesses at opposite ends of the major axis-of the elliptical cross-section of said conductor, a' plug having recesses for said connecto'r andshaped to fitwithin the open end of said'conductor between the end portions of said connector, conductor and saidplug being centrally ape'rtured on the minor axis of the ellipticalcross-section of said conductor, and a pin member mounted in the aperture for maintaining said" plug in'positi'on and pivotally' mounting said tubular conductor for movement in the direction of themajor'axis of the substantially elliptical cross-section thereof.

5. In an electrical switch, a switch arm as set forth in'claim 4 wherein the ends of said flexible connector are knotted within said tubular conductor for 'coaction with said plug'in securing said connector in position.

JOSEPH F. FRESE.

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