US2165798A

US2165798A - Relay

Info

Publication number: US2165798A
Application number: US121600A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter F Kannenberg
Original assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1937-01-21
Filing date: 1937-01-21
Publication date: 1939-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1956-07-11

Description

July 1l, 1939. w, F, KANNENBERG 2,165,798

RELAY Filed Jan.` l21, 1957 s sheets-sheet 1 ATORNEV July 11 1939 w. F. KANNENBERG 2,165,798

RELAY Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ff (k12 F/c. 3

W F. KANNE NBE RG www ATTORNEY July 1.1, 1939. w. F. KANNENBERG 2,165,798

' ATTORNEY Patented July 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE RELAY Application January 21, 1937, Serial No. 121,600

10 Claims.

This invention relates to electromagnetic devices and more particularly to relays of the meter type.

The object of the invention is to provide a relay of the meter type which shall be sensitive and accurate and shall have very positive contact pressure.

The relay in accordance with the invention comprises a fixed permanent magnet supported along the diameter and within an annular eld yoke and an armature coil surrounding the permanent magnet and so mounted on spindles that it may swing between the poles of the magnet and the inner periphery of the yoke. Each spindle is pivoted in a fixed bearing and is provided with a helical restoring spring. One of the spindles carries a contact arm which in each of its eX- treme positions of movement engages with a xed terminal. The restoring springs are so arranged that the armature coil is normally held in a neutral position with respect to the permanent magnet and the contact arm is positioned at a point midway between the fixed terminals.

To insure a positive pressure between the contact arm and either of the xed terminals when the armature coil reaches the eXtreme of its movement in either direction, two split iron rings are adjustably positioned on the inner periphery of the yoke and serve to decrease the air-gaps between the yoke and the poles of the permanent magnet. These rings are so positioned that when the armature coil approaches a position in which the contact arm engages with one of the xed terminals, it enters the reduced air-gap areas be- 35 tween the ring and the poles of the permanent magnet and thus the magnetic pull on the coil is increased to thereby increase the contact pressure between the contact arm and the xed terminal with which it is engaged. Since the an- 40 nular rings are split like piston rings they may be readily moved along the inner periphery of the yoke to positions where they are most effective and then maintain themselves set in the positions to which they have been moved.

As alternative constructions, shoes may be placed on the poles of the permanent magnet in lieu of rings on the inner periphery of the yoke, or the permanent magnet may be laminated With the outer laminations extensible toward the inner periphery of the yoke thereby affording means for adjustably decreasing the width of the air-gaps through which the armature coil swings.

For a clearer understanding of the invention reference may be had to the. following' detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a relay embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is asectional view taken on line 2 2 of 5 Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the lefthand armature coil spindle and bearing as viewed in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the righthand armature coil spindle and bearing as viewed in Fig. 3; l

Fig. 6 is a sectional View corresponding to Fig. 2, with parts of the relay omitted, showing modified forms of the armature coil and adjustable yoke rings;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View corresponding to Fig. 2, with parts of the relay omitted, showing a further modiication of the yoke, permanent magnetl and adjustable magnet shoes;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modiiied form of the permanent magnet for use in the structure of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a side view of the permanent magnet shown in Fig. 8.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, Figs. l to 5 inclusive, illustrate one embodiment of the relay in accordance with the invention. The annular field yoke I is mounted on a base IBI of Bakelite or other suitable insulating material and is secured thereto by bolts it. which pass through the base and through the yoke. The base is annular in conformation and is provided with a web 03 having a centrally disposed cylindrical support HM on which are disposed a plurality of bar magnets 05 which form a permanent magnet assembly for the relay. The bar magnets may be made of cobalt steel or other suitable permanent magnet material having a high remanence and high coercive force.

The bar magnets are held in place in grooves in the upper surface of the cylindrical support |04 as most clearly shown in Fig. 3, by two clamping plates I of insulating material. These clamping plates are provided with grooves in which the terminal posts l'l are adjustably positioned. Bolts 08 extend through apertures in the bases of posts iol, plates |06 and the web 263 of base lil! for securing the bar magnets in place and for holding the terminal posts in adjusted position. The terminal posts |01 are electrically connected through the bolts |03 and straps i to binding posts lill which are secured in the 55 annular walls of the base IGI. Each of the terminal posts |571 has a terminal screw III, provided with a knurled adjusting head, threaded through the biiurcated upper end thereof. For clamping the biiurcated portions of the ends of each post together i'or holding the terminal screw III in its adjusted position, screws I|2 are provided.

The bar magnets 35 are provided With arcuate ends forming a composite arc about the center of yoke |35 about which the movable coil I3 swings. This coil consists of a plurality of convolutions of insulated wire wound on a channel-shaped frame I|4 of aluminum or other suitable material. The frame is of substantially the same configuration as the permanent magnet assembly and is cemented or otherwise secured at the centers of its parallel sides to spindles ||5 and IIS which carry pivot points adapted to be journalled in jewelled bearings carried by the bearing screws IVI and IIB. The bearing screws III and ||8 are threaded through the upper bifurcated ends of supports IIS and I2@ which are secured at their lower ends to the web |53 of base IBI by bolts I2I and |22. The bearing support IIS is electrically connected through the bolt |2| and strap I 23 to the binding post |24 which is secured in the annular wall of base IIII, as shown in Fig. 3. For holding each bearing screw IIT or IIS in adjusted position, screws |25 are provided for clamping the bifurcated ends of the supports IISi and |23 together. l

Surrounding the spindle I|5 isl a light helical restoring spring |25, the inner end of which is secured to a bracket Hl mounted on the spindle ||5 and the outer end of which is secured to an adjustable bracket |23 mounted on the bearing screw III. The bracket |23 is clamped against the bearing support ||3 by the lock nut |29 and may be rotated on the screw I |'|,when the nut |23 is loosened, to adjust the tension of the spring |26. The bracket |27, together with the contact arm |33, is clamped upon the spindle ||5 by the lock nut I 3|. The contact arm 35 is positioned in alignment with and between the contact ends of the terminal screws I I and is electrically connected through the spindle ||5, bearing screw III, support IIS, screw |2I and strap |23 to binding post |24. Thus, upon the movement of the coil I3 the contact arm |33 mayengageeither of the terminal screws III as the current in the coil II3 varies between predetermined limits.

Surrounding the spindle ||6 is a second light helical restoring spring |32 wound oppositely to spring |25, the inner end of which is secured to a bracket |33 mounted on the spindle ||6 and the outer end of which is secured to an adjustable bracket |34 mounted on the bearing screw H8. The bracket |34 is clamped against the bearing support |23 by the lock nut |35 and may be rotated on the screw H3, when lock nut |35 is loosened, to adjust the tension of spring |32. The bracket |33, together with washers |35 and |3'I', is clamped upon the spindle IE by the lock nut |33. The washers |33 and |3'I are insulated from each other and from the spindle ||6 by insulating washers |39 and insulating sleeve |45 as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. The washers |36 and |37 are electrically connected to the terminals of the coil ||3 and also by ilexible connections |4I and |42 to the upper ends of posts |43 and |44 which are in turn connected to the binding posts |45 and |45 mounted in the annular wall of the base Ii. The circuit for coil ||3 thus extends from the binding post |45 through post |43, flexible connection |4|, washer |36, through the coil, washer |31, iiexible connection |42, post |44 to binding post |45.

For adjusting the width of the air-gaps between the poles of the permanent magnet assembly and the inner peripheral surface of the field yoke IIB, two iron rings III'I and |43 are provided. Each ring is split like a piston ring, as shown at |43, and is so tensioned as to grip the inner surface of the yoke. The inner surfaces of the rings are bevelled on an arc concentric to the arcuate ends of the permanent magnet assembly. Due to their split construction the rings may be adjustably positioned on the inner surface of the yoke |30 at such points thereon that they afford reduced air-gaps between the yoke and the poles of the permanent magnet assembly into which the ends of the coil H3 move as the coil approaches the eXtreme of its swinging movement in either direction. With the airgaps thus reduced the force exerted on the coil I3 is increased as the coil approaches either extreme of its movement and thereby the contact arm |33, which follows the swinging movement of the coil, is brought into firm engagement with the terminal screw with which it engages.

In Fig. 6 modied forms of the coil and iron field rings are disclosed. In accordance with this modication, the iield yoke |33 is identical with that disclosed in Fig. 2, but the permanent magnet assembly |55 is made slightly shorter to accommodate a coil H3 wound in pancake form. The adjustable iron rings |4'I' and |43 are also changed in cross-section to present narrow or line surfaces |50 and I5| to the ends of coil H3 as the coil reaches the extreme of its swinging movement in either direction. To simplify the disclosure the other elements of the modified relay structure have not been illustrated, but would be identical with those disclosed in Figs. i to 5 inclusive.

Fig. 7 illustrates a further modication of the relay structure. In accordance with this modification the base ||3| is identical with that disclosed in Fig. 2, but the eld yoke |35 is slightly modified to provide a spherical inner surface |52 within which the coil II3 swings, there being a very narrow air-gap between the surface |52 and the ends of the coil. The permanent magnet assembly |05 is made shorter and with arcuate ends concentric to the inner surface |52 of the yoke Hifi. In this modication shoes |41 and |48 of magnetic material are adjustably mounted on the permanent magnet assembly and have their outer surfaces beveled on an arc concentric to the surface |52 of the yoke |00. The shoes may be adjustably positioned on the permanent magnet assembly at such points thereon that they afford reduced air-gaps between the surface |52 of the yoke and the poles of the permanent magnet assembly. To simplify the disclosure, the other elements of the modified relay structure have not been illustrated, but would be identical with those disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further modiiication. of the permanent magnet assembly suitable for use with the field yoke |30 and coil I3 of Fig. 7. In accordance with this modiiication, the permanent magnet assembly comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed bar magnets, two inside magnets |53 and two outside magnets each divided into two similar sections 54 and |55. Each of the sections |54 and |55 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot |55 aligned with holes in the inside magnets |53 through which the clamping bolts |08 pass for holding the magnet assembly on the cylindrical support |04 of the base The sections |54 an |55 are also provide with transversely extending cam slots |51 in which studs |58 and |59 carried by the discs |60 and il engage.

By means of the engagement of studs |58 and carried by the discs |60 and |6| in the cam slots |51', the magnet section |54 and |55 may be extended beyond the ends of magnets |53, as disclosed, or withdrawn toward each other into the positions indicated by the dotted lines of Fig. 8, through the rotation of discs |60 and I6| by the knob |65A The longitudinal slots |56 in the magnet sections |54 and |55 permit of this movement when the clamping bolts |08 and the central bolt |62 are loosened. By this construction of the permanent magnet assembly it is possible to widen or narrow the air-gaps between the pole ends of the permanent magnet assembly and the inside surface of the eld yoke at the points where the ends of the armature coils reach their extreme of movement in either direction.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a relay structure of the meter type is provided which is sensitive and accurate in, operation and in which a very positive engagement of the contacts is attained with no sacrifice to the sensitivity.

What is claimed is:

l. An electromagnetic device comprising a magnet, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet and forming air-gaps wish the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet and rotatable upon its energizatio-n through said air-gaps, and means for adjusting the width of said air-gaps at points adjacent to` the extremes of movement of said coil.

2. An electromagnetic device comprising a magnet, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet and forming air-gaps with the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet and rotatable upon its energization through said air-gaps, `and members of magnetic material adjustably supported in said air-gaps at points adjacent to the extremes of movement of said coil.

3. An electromagnetic device comprising a magnet, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet and forming air-gaps with the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet and rotatable upon its energization through said air-gaps, and split rings of magnetic material adjustably supported on the inner surface of said yoke for reducing the width of said air-gaps at points adjacent to the extremes ofmovement of said coil.

4. An electromagnetic device comprising a magnet, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet and forming air-gaps with the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet and rotatable upon its energization through said air-gaps, and rings of magnetic material adjustably supported on the inner surface of said yoke for reducing the width of said air-gaps at points adjacent to the extremes of movement of said coil.

5. An electromagnetic device comprising a magnet, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet and forming air-gaps with the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet and rotatable upon its energization through said air-gaps, said coil being wound in pancake form, and split rings of magnetic material adjustably supported on the inner surface of said yoke for reducing the width of said airgaps and of such cross-section as to present narrow air-gap surfaces to the edges of said coil at points adjacent to the extremes of movement of said coil.

6. An electromagnetic device comprising a magnet, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet and forming air-gaps with the pales thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet and rotatable upon its energization through said air-gaps, and shoes of magnetic material adjustably supported on the poles of said magnet for reducing the air-gaps at points adjacent to the extremes of movement of said coil.

7. An electromagnetic device comprising a plurality of bar magnets forming a permanent magnet assembly, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet assembly and forming airgaps with the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet assembly and rotatable upon its energization through said airgaps, and means for adjustably moving certain of said bar magnets for reducing the width of the air-gaps at points adjacent to the extremes of movement of said coil.

8. An electromagnetic device comprising a plurality of superimposed bar magnets forming a permanent magnet assembly, the outer ones of said bar magnets each being divided into two sections, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet assembly and forming air-gaps with the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet assembly and rotatable upon its energization through said air-gaps, and means for moving the sections of each of said outside magnets toward or away from each other for adjusting the width of the air-gaps at points adjacent to the extremes of movement of said coil.

9. An electromagnetic device comprising a plurality of superimposed bar magnets forming a permanent magnet assembly, the outer ones of said bar magnets each being divided into two slidable sections, a yoke of magnetic material surrounding said magnet assembly and forming airgaps with the poles thereof, a rotatably supported coil surrounding said magnet assembly and rotatable upon its energization through said airgaps, and means for sliding the sections of each of said outside magnets toward or away from each other for adjusting the width of the airgaps at points adjacent the extremes of movement of said coil, said means comprising rotatable cams.

10 air-gaps, and means for sliding the sections of each of said outside magnets toward or away from each other for adjusting the Width of the air-gaps at points adjacent to the extremes of movement of said coil, said means comprising two interconnected rotatable discs associated respectively with the two sections of each outside magnet, and studs carried by each disc and engaged in cam slots in the magnet sections with which said disc is associated.

WALTER F. KANNENBERG.