US2268911A

US2268911A - Time delay reclosing fuse mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2268911A
Application number: US96928A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hugh A Triplett
Original assignee: Schweitzer & Conrad Inc
Current assignee: Schweitzer & Conrad Inc
Priority date: 1936-08-20
Filing date: 1936-08-20
Publication date: 1942-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 1959-01-06

Description

, H. A. TRIPLETT TIME DELAY RECLOSING FUSE MECHANISM Jan. 6, 1942.

Filed Aug. 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a z a i w r J Z q z: T W "A in Lia/W l1 10 \v 5 W fix {O Q L ww 9 M .IM/ 3 7% 6 o w m 0 WW pr, QTWhWm /w (IN/F GHQ 5 H tw 2 77 am 7/ 5 a 5 FMMZMMWN I AQA 3 5 E w M .,WM\ \V\M.i\ \n WW B W m W 1% |l||.ll IllllllllIlllllllllllllllllll W w H w m 0 Jan. 6,1942- H. A. TRIPLETT.

TIME DELAY RECLOS ING FUSE MECHANISM Filed Aug. 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J m/WW- filgglz 62 Trgylei,

Jan. 6, 1942.

MOVEMENT H. A. TRIPLETT TIMHDELAY REcLosiNG FUSE MECHANISM Filed Au 20, 19:56 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 RHP/O THHVEL OF FUSE TERM/NHL FIND SWITCH ROD 5THRT 0F RETHRDED MOVEMENT SLOW TRH VEL END OF RETHRDED MOVEMENT RHP/D 'TBHVEL TRHNSFEI? SWITCH 10555 T/ME- FUSE BLOW6 RHPID MOVEMENT OF FUSE TUBE.

FUSE TUBE ENGFIGES CHM SURFHCE ON DFISHPOT LEVER RETHHDED MOVEMENTOF FUSE TUBE FUSE TUBE LEHVES CHM ON DHSHPOT LEVER SWITCHER/"l IN OPEN POSITION RHHD'MOVEMENT OF FUSE TUBE FUSE TUBE PICK5 UP SWITCH HEM THHNSFEF? SWITCH CLOSES frzz/enirx flz giz CZ. Zrg'pZQZZE,

12y Want 7 Patented Jan. 6, 1942 TIME DELAY RECLOSING FUS MECHANISM Hugh A. Triplett, Wilmette, 111., assignor to.

Schweitzer & Conrad, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application August 20, 1936, Serial No. 96,928

35 Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to electric circuit control devices, and it has particular relation to repeating fuse devices operating under the control of time delay apparatus.

In my copending application,

Serial No.

694,584, filed October 21, 1933, now Patent NO.'

2,087,744, and assigned to the assignee of this application, I have disclosed a repeating cutout fuse device which is capable of restoring a circuit connection a predetermined time after one fuse device blows. In the particular embodiments of the invention illustrated, provision is made for reclosing the circuit twice after the first fuse device. blows. The first two fuse devices comprise cofnpletely enclosed fuse and transfer switch assemblies which are arranged for unitary mounting on a suitable base. Each of these fuse devices comprises a fusible element which is arranged to hold a switch contact out of engagement with a cooperating contact as biased into circuit closing'position by a tension. spring. As soon as the fusible element blows, the contact member is released for movement under the infiuence of the tension spring. Its movement at first is rapid in order to make certain that the arc is extinguished between the terminals of the fusible element. A liquid arc extinguishing'medium is provided for assisting in extinguishing the arc. After moving to a predetermined position a time delay mechanism is encountered which slows up the movement of the contact arm to provide an appreciable interval between the blowing of the fusible element and the connection of the next fuse device into the circuit. In one embodiment of the invention the contact member is arranged to pick up a piston which moves through a restricted portion of the fuse tube in the liquid, thus taking the form of an hydraulic escapement device. When the piston passes the constricted portion of the tube, it is free to move through the arc extinguishing liquid andconsequently the contact member is permitted to engage the fixed contact member with a quick action, under the influence of the tension spring.

In this fuse device a glass housing is provided which not only permits visual inspection of the condition of the fuse device but also provides a desirable dielectric between its terminals after it has blown. A casual inspection will then reveal whether or not the fuse device has operated and should be refused. Since the housing is of glass, there is little likelihood that a creepage path will be developed between the terminals a break down. The liquid dielectric in the housing also assists in preventing the formation of the creepage path.

In this same application I have also disclosed a reclosingfuse device of the air break type. In this device a solid arc extinguishing material may be employed for extinguishing the arc. However, no liquid dielectric is employed. In this device the housing is formed of fiber.

is opaque and therefore it is not possible to visibly inspect the interior of the fuse device as is the case when a glass housing is employed. Another disadvantage lies in the fact .that a creepage path is liable to develop between the terminals of a blown fuse device which is provided with a fiber housing. It is desirable to avoid these two disadvantages and to provide a means for indicating that a fuse device having a fiber housing has blown and also to remove it from the circuit so that a creepage path cannot develop.

Some power line operators require that the entire fuse housing be removed from the circuit in the event that it blows. Thus, the change in position of the fuse housing indicates at once that it has blown. Another advantage of this type of construction lies in the fact that no creepage path is left between the fuse terminals over which a flashover or breakdown might occur. In order to obtain these two advantages, together with certain other advantages in cost and ease in re-fusing, it has been proposed to rotatably mount the first two fuse devices, at

- least, and to release them for rotation on blow- 1 ing, either under the influence of gravity or under the influence of a spring, to clear the circult and at the same time operate a transfer switch for connecting the next fuse device in the 40 circuit.

In the copending application of Allan Ramsey, Serial No. 740,057, filed August 16, 1934, and assigned to the assignee of this application, a repeating or reclosing cutout of the drop out type W fuse device connected therein blows in the cus- Such a device has the disadvantage that the fiber housing diately reestablish the circuit.

the circuit. The blown fuse device is released at its upper end and rotates downwardly.

A rotatably mounted switch is provided at the base of the first and second fuse devices, each having an operating arm which is disposed in the path of the fuse device as it rotates after blowing. This switch is arranged to connect the next fuse device in the circuit in order to automatically restore the service. In like manner, if the second fuse device blows, it will operate the switch associated therewith to connect the third fuse device in the circuit. When the third fuse device operates, the circuit is completely cleared and no further automatic reestablishment thereof takes place. It is then necessary to refuse and manually reset the fuse apparatus before the circuit can be restored to normal operating conditions.

In many instances it is undesirable to imme- That is, the time which elapses after the first fuse device blows before the circuit is completed through the second fuse device may be insuflicient. Such operating conditions may occur where there is a temporary fault on the circuit caused, for example, by the accidental short circuiting of the conductors as a result of a high wind. Sometimes a branch will momentarily short circuit the conductors, but it may be immediately removed. In such instances, it is undesirable to reclose the circuit through a second fuse device whilethe fault condition still persists. would merely result in the blowing of the second fuse device immediately, with the result that the chances for automatically reestablishing the circuit are somewhat more limited.

In the copending application of Ramsey, no specific time delay is introduced between the operation of one fuse device and the connection of another in the circuit except that which is inherent in the time required for the blown fuse device to fall from its normal position through whatever frictional. resistance may be encountered. While the time interval, which is inherent in the falling of a fuse device, may be sufiflcient for ordinary purposes, there are some cases where it is desirable to provide a longer time interval.

Anytime delay mechanism which is employed to provide the desired time interval between the blowing of one fuse device and the connection of the next one in the circuit must be of such construction that its operatin characteristics will not be changed regardless of the length of time that it is in service. For example, a reclosing fuse device may be installed on a line and not called upon to operate for several months or even years. Nevertheless, after one month or after one year the time delay mecha- To reclose on the fault vide a predetermined time delaybetween the vide for delaying the operation of a transfer switch for connecting another fuse device in a circuit when one fuse device blows while not retarding the movement of the one fuse device to its operating position after it has been refused.

A further object of my invention is to provide a regulatable time interval after one fuse device has blown before the circuit is restored through another fuse device.

Still another object of my invention is to provide for hermetically sealing a time delay device arranged and constructed to provide a predetermined time delay between the blowing of one fuse device and the restoration of the circuit through another fuse device to assure permanency and reliability of operation.

A specific object of my invention is to provide a hydraulic escapement device hermetically sealed by a flexible bellows for delaying the reestablishment of an electric circuit through a second fuse device after a first fuse device has blown.

Other objects ofmy invention will, in part, be obvious and, in part, appear hereinafter.

My invention, accordingly, is disclosed in the embodiment hereof shown in the accompanying drawings, and it comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, illustrating a concrete embodiment of my invention, one of the fuse devices being shown in the position to which it rotates after it has blown;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken substantially along the line 38 of Figure 1, the details of construction of the transfer switch being omitted to more clearly illustrate the arrangement of the time delay mechanism;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, at an enlarged scale, showing the details of construction of the hydraulic escapement mechanism;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing a modified form of construction of the hydraulic escapement mechanism;

Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views illustrating other embodiments of the hydraulic escapement mechanism; and

Figures 8 and 9 show a number of curves which demonstrate the operating characteristics possessed by a reclosing fuse and switch device constructed in accordance with my copending application and' constructed in accordance with this application.

Reference will first be had to the curve shown in Figure 8 of'the drawings, in which units of time are plotted as abscissae and units of distance are plotted as ordinates. This curve illustrates, generally, the functioning of the fuse and transfer switch disclosed in my copending application, hereinbefore referred to, in which a straight line movement is employed from the blowing of the fusible element until the transfer switch is closed. Reference is made to this construction in order to indicate the similarities of fundamental operation between the device of my copending application and the device disclosed with the stationary contact member.

herein, and for the further purpose of making more clear the operation of the device forming the subject matter of this application.

As illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, at the time indicated at the point A some fault has occurred on the line, causing the fusible element to blow. The combined fuse terminal and switch rod is released for movement under the influence of the tension spring and it moves rapidly in order to extinguish the are which is formed as a result of the blowing of the fusible clement. Movement at a relatively high speed continues until the point B is reached, at which the time delay mechanism becomes effective to retard the movement of the switch rod or contact member. As indicated, this relatively slow travel continues until the point C is reached, when the time delay mechanism is no longer effective. The switch rod is then released for rapid movement again, and when the point D is reached the transfer switch is closed by engagement of the switch rod The circuit is then reestablished through the next fuse device.

According to my invention as herein disclosed, I have provided a hermetically sealed hydraulic escapement device for the first and second fuse devices of a three-unit repeating cutout, for providing a predetermined regulat'able time interval after one fuse device blows before the next fuse. device is connected to reestablish the circuit. The hydraulic escapement device comprises a cylinder which is fastened to a suitable support and a piston which is connected to a lever that is arranged to be engaged by a roller carried by a stop pawl on the fuse device. The cylinder is filled with a suitable non-freezing liquid and the piston is provided with a valve which, while opposing the movement of the piston in the cylinder in onedirection, readily permits movement thereof in the opposite direction. A needle valve is provided in the piston for regulating the speed of its movement into the cyl-.--

inder, thereby providing a regulatable time interval for the device. The stop pawl is rotatably mounted on the fuse tube clamps and cooperates with the hydraulic escapement device in such manner that the movement of the fuse device is retarded when it falls after having been blown, while no resistance to the movement of. the fuse device is offered when it is moved in the opposite direction to place it in service.

lay is introduced while the fuse device is operating the transfer switch to the closed position. Thus, the time of operation of the time delay device may overlap the time of operation of the transfer switch. However, it will be understood that the time delay may be introduced while the fuse device is falling and before it operatively engages the transfer switch operating arm.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, it will be observed that the reference character l0 designates, generally, a repeating fuse cutout comprising fuse devicesi I, I2 and I3, which are arranged to engage at their upper ends with contact assemblies l4. The contact assemblies i4 are commonly mounted on a suitable bus connector I! which has connected thereto a terminal It for connection with a circuit. The bus connector I! is mounted on an insulator II which, in turn, is mounted on a support channel I! that may be mounted on a cross arm or the like for installation purposes. The fuse devices H, H and 13 are individually rotatably mounted on insulators I! at the lower ends thereof, which are carried by a cross strap 20 mounted at the lower end of the channel ii. A suitable latching mechanism, illustrated gener'ally at 2|, is provided for latching the fuse devices in position and for manually removing them therefrom, if desired. Resilient bumpers 23, preferably formed of rubber, are provided for Y absorbing the impact of the fuse devices on falling thereof after they have been blown.

The fuse devices ii and I! are provided with transfer switches, shown generally at 24, for successively shifting the circuit from one fuse device to the next one in order to reestablish the circuit to provide continuity of service. Each of the transfer switches 24 comprises a stationary enclosed contact member 25 depending from a suitable arm 26 which is carried by the next fuse device, as illustrated. A switch arm 21, carried by a switch operating lever 28, is provided for engaging the stationary contact member 25. A

I transverse pin 25, carried by the switch operating arm 28, is provided in the pathof each of the fuse devices H' and if for operating the transfer switch 24 individual thereto on movement thereof from the normal circuit closing position. A connector 30 is provided for establishing the necessary connection to the electric circuit. A contact finger 3i is provided near the lower end of each of the fuse devices for engagement with spring fingers 32 carried by the insulators IQ for connection therewith. The spring fingers 32 may serve also to bias the fuse devices to the open position in, addition to the force of gravity when they are blown. Itwill be understood that the circuit extends from the connector Hi to the contact assemblies I4 and that nor'-' mally it extends through the fuse device H to the connector 39. On blowing of the fuse device ii in response to a fault, the circuit is reestablished through the fuse device i2on operation of the first transfer switch 24 by the fuse device II. In like manner, on operation of the fuse device I2, the circuit is extended to include the fuse device l3 on operation of the second transfer switch 24. The foregoing repeating fuse apparatus is essentially'as that disclosed in the copending application of Ramsey, referred to hereinbefore. Since a detailed description of the various parts of the apparatus is fully set forth in this copending application, and further, since it forms no part of my invention, a further description thereof will not be set forth herein.

As has been set forth hereinbefore, it is desirableto provide a regulatable time interval after one of the fuse devices blows, before the next fuse device is connected to reestablish the circuit. This time-delay may be introduced either to delay the movement of the fuse device from its normal position to the full open position, or the time delay may be introduced in conjunction with the operation of the transfer switch itself. According to the exemplification of the invention herein disclosed, I have provided for delaying the movement of the fuse device. However, it will be understood that the time delay may be applieddirectly to the functioning of position to another.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the fuse device I2 is provided with a tube clamp 35 near its lower end, on which is pivotally mounted a stop pawl 36 having an arm extending therefrom, the movement of which is limited by a stop pin 31. It will be understood that the fuse, device H is provided with a similar tube clamp 35and asso-- ciated time delay mechanism. A coil spring-38 is provided for normally biasing the stop pawl 36 to the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. At the lower end of the stop pawl 36 a roller 39 is carried for engaging with the upper cam surface of a check lever 46 which is pivotally mounted at its rear end on a mounting bracket 4| which may be mounted, by any suitable means, on the insulator 'l9. Mounted between a pin 42 carried by the check lever 40 and a pin 43 carried by the mounting bracket 4|, is a hermetically sealed hydraulic escapement device, illustrated generally at 44, The hydraulic escapement device 44 is arranged to retard the downward movement of the check lever 40 as it is moved downwardly by the falling of the fuse device I2, for example.

A slight movement of the fuse device l2 can take place without causing any downward movement of the check lever 40 because of the pro-' vision of the rotatably mounted stop pawl 36 and the stop pin 31. As soon as the fuse device blows it is released at its upper end and begins to rotate in a clockwise direction. The stop pawl 36 rotates with it until it engages the stop pin 31, at which time it is no longer free to rotate relative thereto. A downward thrust is then applied by the roller 39 to the check lever 40 to operate the hydraulic escapement device 44. The roller 39 as carried by the fuse device 12 follows the contour of the cam surface of the check lever 40.

Because of the provision of the rotatably mounted stop pawl 36 and the cam surface on the check lever 40, the retarding effect of the escapement device 44 is available only when the fuse device 12 rotates in a clockwise direction in response to the occurrence of a fault while, when it is moved in the opposite direction, as when it is replaced, no retarding force is provided. This action is due to the fact that the stop pawl 36 is capable of rotation when the fuse device I2 is rotated in. a counterclockwise direction, resulting in substantially no pressure being applied to the escapement device 44. This operation is desired because of the fact that relatively high pressures are developed in the hydraulic escapement device 44. When .the fuse device I2 is restored to its normal position by an operator, there is a tendency to push it quickly and positively. As a result, if the hydraulic escapement device 44 were effective to delay the movement of the fuse device l2 in both directions of movment, suflicientforce mightbe developed either to rupture the escapement device 44 when the apparatus is restored to its normal operating condition or to prevent prompt closing, or both.

The details of construction of the hydraulic escapement mechanism are shown more clearly in Figure 4 of the drawings, to which reference will now be had. As there illustrated, the device 44 is provided with a base 50 having a dethe transfer switch itself, without regard to the operation of the fuse device in moving from one pending ear,5l, with a suitable transverse aperture for connection to the pin 43. A cylinder 52 is centrally located in the upper surface of the base 50 and is secured thereto by pins 53.

Cooperating with the cylinder 52 is a piston 54' that is threadably mounted in a cap 55 having an upstanding ear 56 with a suitable aperture through which the pin 42 projects. The piston 54 is provided with a piston head 51 at its lower 7 inside walls of the cylinder 52.

end, having piston rings 58 to provide a seal between the outer periphery thereof and the In order toreadily permit movement of the piston 54 in the up direction, an aperture 59 is provided in the piston head 51 which is arranged to be closed by a valve member 60. A compression spring 6|, disposed between the valve member 60 and a retaining washer 62, secured by peening or otherwise to the piston head 51, is provided to close the aperture 59 when the piston 54 is moved downwardly and to permit its being opened when it is moved in an opposite direction. It will be understood that the cylinder 52 is filled with a suitable liquid, such as glycerine and alcohol, to the level indicated, and that by virtue of the downward movement of the piston 54 the biasing force of the spring 6| is aided by the liquid in causing the valve member to cover the aperture 59.

A second aperture 63 is provided in the piston head 51, as illustrated, the flow of liquid through which is regulated by a needle valve 64. By suitably adjusting the needle valve 64 it will be apparent that the speed of downward movement of the piston 54 may be varied, depending upon whether a large or small amount of the liquid is permitted to flow through the aperture 63.

With a view to hermetically sealing the cylinder 52 and the piston for the purpose of preventing escape of the. liquid regardless of the length of time the device is in service and for providing flexibility between the base 50 and the cap 55, a Sylphon bellows 65 is provided, the lower end of which is secured, by'soldering or otherwise, to the base 50. The upper end of the bellows 65 is secured to a collar 66 which depends from and is secured to the cap 55, as by screws, or any other suitable means. Surrounding the lower end of the bellows 65 is a lower housing member 68 which is secured by pins 69 to the base 50. An upper housing member 10, having a telescopic flt\with the lower housing 68, is provided around the upper portion of the bellows65. The upper housing 10 is secured by pins 1| to a ring 12, having a. pressed fit with the collar 66. A compression spring 13 is provided between the upper end of the lower housing 68 and the under surface of the ring 12 for normally biasing the piston 54 to the upper position as shown in the drawings.

A modified form of the hydraulic escapement device is shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. As there illustrated, the cap is secured to a suitable ring 15 that is secured by the pins 1| to the upper housing member 16 and to the underside of which the "Sylphon bellows is attached. Depending from the cap 55 is a piston 16 having at its lower end a piston head 11 provided with transverse apertures 18 which are covered by a movable ring 19 to retard the movement of the piston 16 when it is moved downwardly through the liquid in the cylinder 52. The washer 19 cooperating with the apertures 18 forms, in effect, a check valv which is closed when the piston "is moved downwardly, thereby retarding its movement in this direction, and which is open when it is moved in the opposite direction to permit free upward movement under the influence of the compression spring. 13. A small aperture 80 is centrally located in the piston head 11 and a needle valve, in the form of a sharp tipped screw BI, threadably mounted in the center of the piston 16, as illustrated, is arranged to control the flow of the liquid therethrough as the piston head 11 is moved downwardly. It will be observed that the liquid flows upwardly through the aperture 80, as controlled by the position of the needle valve BI, and out through a transverse aperture 82 which is located just above the piston head 11. I

In Figure 6 I have shown another embodiment of the hydraulic escapement mechanism which may be employed in practicing the present invention. As there illustrated the escapement device 44 is provided having essentially the same construction as shown in detail in Figure 4 of the drawings. In this instance, however, the check valve comprising the valve member 50 and the spring SI is omitted together with the needle valve 64 and the piston rings 58. The piston 54 and the piston head 51 serve merely as a guiding means in the cylinder 52.

Associated with the device 44 is a chamber, shown generally at 84, which comprises a flexible bellows 85 that is closed at its upper end by a cap 86 and at its lower end by a base member 81. It will be understood that the flexible bellows 85 is secured to the cap 85 and the base 81 by soldering or the like in order to provide a hermetically sealed chamber. The chamber 84 is mounted on a support member88which may be secured by bolts, not shown, to the base member 50 of the escapement device 44. The support member 88 is provided with a passageway 89 that connects with a passageway 90 in the base member 50, as illustrated. The base member 81 is provided with a restricted opening SI with which a needle valve 92 cooperates to con trol the flow of liquid therethrough. Both cham-.

bers formed by the flexible bellows 85 and 85 are filled with a suitable non-freezing liquid, such as a mixture of alcohol and glycerine.

In this embodiment of my invention when the lever 40 is moved downwardly by the falling of the fuse device II, for example, the cap 55 of the device 44 is moved downwardly, compressing the flexible bellows 65 and forcing the liquid to How through the passageways 90 and 89 and the restricted opening 9| into the chamber 84 formed by the flexible bellows 85. Since this chamber is filled with liquid, it expandsupwardly at a speed depending upon the size of the opening- SI as controlled by the'position of the needle valve 92. When the force causing the downward movement of the cap 55 is relieved, as by the roller 39 leaving the cam lever 40, the compression spring 13 biases the cap 55 upwardly and the air pressure on the chamber 84 causes this to contract and to force a part of the liquid back into the chamber formed by the flexible bellows 55. It will be observed that the cap 55 constitutes an end wall of the chamber formed bv the flexible bellows 65 and it is to this end wall that the force is applied by the fall ng fuse device. The cap 85 constitutes an end wall for the chamber 84 while the support member 88 constitutes an intermediate wall between the two Y In order to regulate the flow of liquid into the chamber 84 it is necessary to remove the cap 86 and rotate the needle valve 92 in the desired direction. It is desirable to provide for exterchambers through which the liquid flows as well Y as providing a common support therefor.

nally adjusting the time interval and for this purpose the construction illustrated in Figure '1 of the drawings may be employed in conjunction with the device 44 and the chamber 84.

As illustrated in Figure '1 the device 44 and the chamber 84 are mounted on a common support member 95 having a transverse passageway 96 therethrough which opens into the chamber 84. A boss 91 is integrally formed underneath the support member 95 and has an angularly disposed passageway 98 therein, the outer end of which is closed by a plug 99 to permit the introduction of the liquid into the chambers, as will be readily understood. The passageway 98 opens into a small chamber Hill which is formed by the downwardly extending lips of the boss 91, as illustrated. A needle valve iIlI is provided for regulating the flow of the liquid from the passageway in the base 56 at the bottom of the chamber formed by the flexible bellows 55 into the small chamber I00. A flexible diaphragm I02 is .suitably secured to the downwardly extending flanges of the boss 91 and to Y the needle valve IUI to hermetically seal the enclosure. An adjusting screw I03 permits external operation of the needle valve IIlI, thereby rendering unnecessary the dismantling of any of the sealed chambers to effect the adjustment.

With a view to permitting the restoration of the escapement device to its normal position without encountering the time delay provided by the needle valve II, a check valve, shown. generally at I05, is provided in the common support member 95. The check valve I 95 cooperates with a passageway I06 which extends through the base '50 and it comprises an externally threaded retaining member I01 which is provided with a ball I08 biased against a centrally located aperture by means of a compression spring I09. When the cam lever 40 is moved downwardly the pressure of the liquid in the bellows 85 forces the ball I08 to seal the small aperture in the retaining member I01, thus permitting the liquid to flow at a speed depending solely upon the adjustment of the needle valve IIlI. When the pressure applied to the cam lever fill is released, the liquid flows back to its normal condition. The pressure developed on the return flow is sufilcient to move the ball I98 upwardly against the biasing force of the spring I09 and, therefore, it returns to the flexible bellows 65 with a minimum of delay. In other words, the check valve I05 by-passes the needle valve IM to permit the restoration of the escapement'device to its normal condition with a minimum of delay. It will, of course, be obvious that the check valve I05 may be entirely dispensed with and the liquid will then be permitted to return to its normal condition after the elapse of a considerable interval, as controlled by the setting of the needle valve IIII.

Referring now particularly to the curve illustrated in Figure 9 or the drawings, it will be observed that the point E indicates the time at which the fusible element of the fuse device II, for example, blows. It is immediately released at its upper end and starts to rotate downwardly under the influence of gravity. This movement continues until the point F is reached, at which the stop pawl 36 engages the stop pin 31. The hydraulic escapement mechanism 44 then comes into play and retards the freely falling fuse device until thetime indicated by the point G is reached, at which the roller 39 leaves the cam surface 40. In the preferred embodimentof my invention the fuse device again falls freely, as indicated by the curve, to the point H, at' which time it engages the pin 29 of the switch operating arm 28 for operating the transfer switch 24 to connect the fuse device I2 into the circuit. At

' fuse device, as released by the blowing of its fusible element for rotation about its base corresponds to the movement of the switch rod of my copending application in effecting the operation of the transfer switch. Thus, the sequences of operation in either case leading up to the operation of the transfer switch are essentially the same. As soon as the fusible element blows in the device represented by the curve shown in Figure 8 there is a rapid movement at first in order to extinguish the are, then a time delay is encountered to prevent the immediate reestablishment of the circuit through the next fuse device, and finally, at the expiration of the time. interval, there is another period of rapid movement in which sufiicient momentum is attained to insure prompt and positive closure of 'the transfer switch. In like manner in the functioning of the device illustrated by the curve shown in Figure 9, the fusible element is blown and the fuse housing is released for rotation. It first moves rapidly to increase the creepage distance between its terminals and then its movement. is delayed by the time delay mechanism.

-After the interval has elapsed, the fuse housing falls freely, picks up the transfer switch lever 28 and closes the transfer'switch 24.

Since certain further changes may be made in the above construction, and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above descrip-- tion or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. Circuit control apparatus comprising, in combination, a fuse device normally disposed in one position to complete a circuit and to be moved to another position on blowing of the fuse therein, normally open switch means located at one end of said fuse device and disposed to complete a circuit between the terminals of said fuse device, means responsive to the movement of said fuse device for initiating the operation of said switch means, and time delay means located at said one end of said fuse device for delaying the movement of said fuse device and thereby pre- 5 timeinterval.

venting the immediate closure of said switch means.

2. Circuit control apparatus comprising, in combination, a first fuse device and a second fuse device rotatably mounted for movement from one position to another position in response to gravity; means for individually holding said fuse devices in said one position, said holding means being individually released on blowing of the fusible elements of said fuse devices; means for connecting said first fuse device in an electric circuit, switch means for connecting said second fuse device in said electric circuit, means for operating said switch means to the closed position on movement of said first fuse device toward said other position, and hydraulic escapement means arranged and adapted to delay the movement of said first fuse device and thereby the closure of said switch means for a predetermined interval after the fusible element of said first fuse device blows;

3. In reclosing fuse apparatus, in combination, a rotatably mounted fuse device, a rotatably mounted transfer switch device for shifting the circuit from said fuse device to another fuse device and adapted to move in cooperation with said fusedevice on blowing thereof, and a timing mechanism adapted to cooperate 'with said rotatably mounted fuse device for delaying the closure of said transfer-switch device.

4. The combination, with a pair of drop out fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the blowing of said one fuse device, of means disposed to cooperate with the movement of said one fuse device on blowing thereof for closing said transfer switch, and fiuid controlled time delay means disposed to prevent the closure of said transfer switch for a predetermined interval.

5. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse members and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse member to the other in response to the. rotation of said one member, of a lever member disposed to rotate in cooperation with'said one fuse member for closing said transfer switch, and hydraulic escape- "ment means disposed tocooperate with one of said' rotatable members for delaying the closure of said transfer switch for apredetermined inter-,

val.

6. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse members and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse member to the other in response to the rotation of said one member, of a lever member rotatable with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, and'hermetically sealedhydraulic escapement means disposed to cooperate with said one fuse member for delaying rotation thereof and thereby delaying the closure of said transfer switch for a regulatable mounted fuse devices anda transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one device, of a lever disposed to move cooperatively with said one fuse device for closing said transfer switch, dash pot means disposed to delay the movement of said lever after blowing of said one fuse device thereby delaying the closure of said transfer switch, and means for adjusting said delay means to vary the interval required to effect closure of said transfer switch.

8. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse members and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse member to the other in response to the rotation of said one member, of a rotatable lever member disposed to move in cooperation with said one fuse member for closing said transfer switch; externally operable hermetically" sealed hydraulic escapement means disposed to retard the movement of said one fuse member for delaying rotation thereof and thereby delaying the closure of said transfer switch to shift said circuit to said other fuse device, and adjusting means for said retarding means to change the interval required to effect closure of saidtransfer switch.

9. In circuit control. apparatus, in combination, a drop out fuse device mountedfor rotation on a trunnion pivot atlts lower end and disposed to complete an electriccircuit, a switch having a pivotally mounted contact arm disposed in the path of said fuse device and a stationary contact member, said contact arm being disposed to en gage said stationary contact member when said fuse device rotates to a predetermined position,

and time delay means operatively connected to,

said fuse device for retarding the rotation thereof before said contact arm engages said stationary contact member;

10. In combination, an upper contact member, a lower contact member, a fuse device having contact members for individually engaging said upper and lower contact members and hinged at its lower end to swing downwardly to open po sition, switch means in proximity to the lower end of said fuse device and actuated directly thereby on movement to said open position, and time delay means for retarding the closure of said switch means.

11. In combination, an upper contact member, a lower contact member, a fuse device having contact members for individually engaging said upper and lower contact members and hinged at its lower end to swingdownwardiy to open position, switch means in proximity to the lower end of said fuse device and actuated directly thereby on movement to said open position, and time dolay means disposed to retard the movement of said fuse device as it swings toward said open position thereby delaying the closure of said switch means. i

12. In combination, upper and lower contact members disposed in insulated spaced relation, a series of fuse devices having contact members engageable with said upper and lower contact members and hinged at their lower ends to swing downwardly to open position, reclosing contact means connected to the lower contact members of a plurality of said fuse devices, reclosing levers pivoted adjacent the lower ends of adjacent ones of said fuse devices and provided with contact members connected electrically with the corresponding lower contact members of said latter fuse devices and swingable into engagement with said reclosing contact members by direct engagement of the fuse devices with said levers, and time delay means for retarding the movement of said reclosing levers.

13. In combination, upper and lower contact members disposed in insulated spaced relation, 9. series of fuse devices having contact members engageable with said upper and lower contact members and hinged at their lower ends to swing downwardly to open position, reclosing contact said reclosing contact members by direct engagement of the fuse devices with said levers; and" time delay means, individual to each fuse device which is disposed to operate a reclosing lever, for retarding the movement of said fuse device as it swings toward said open position thereby delaying the operation of the 'reclosing contact means individual thereto.

14. In combination, upper and lower contact members disposed in insulated spaced relation, a series of fuse devices having contact members engageable with said upper and lower contact members and hinged at their lower ends to swing downwardly to open position, reclosing contact means connected to the lower contact members of a plurality of said fuse devices, recloslng levers pivoted adjacent the lower ends of adjacent ones of said fuse devices and provided with contact members connected electrically with the corresponding lower contact members of said latter fuse devices and swingable into engagement with said reclosing contact members by direct engagement of the fuse devices with said levers,

and hydraulic escapement means for retarding the movement of said reclosing levers after blowing of said fuse devices.

In combination, upper and lower contact members disposed in insulated spaced relation, a

pivoted. adjacent the lower ends of adjacent ones of'said fuse devices and provided with contact members connected electrically. with the corre sponding lower contact members of said latter devices and swingable into engagement with said. reclosing contact members by direct engagement or" fuse devices with said levers; and a hydraulic cscapement device, individual to each fuse device which is disposed to operate a re closing lever, for etarding the movement of said fuse device as it swings toward said open position thereby delaying the operation of the reclosing contact means hadividuai thereto.

16. combination, with a pair of fuse de vices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the movement of said one fuse device on blowing thereof, of operating means disposed to be engazed by said one fuse device during movement thereof for closing said transfer switch, and fluid controlled time delay means for preventing the closure of said transfer switch for a predetermined interval.

17. The combination, with a pair of fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the movement of said one fuse device, of operatlug means disposed to be engaged by said one fuse device during movement thereof for closing said transfer switch, and time delay means controlled by fluid flow and disposed to cooperate with said one fuse device for retarding the movement thereof thereby delaying the closure of said transfer switch.

' 18. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse members and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse member to the other in response to the rotation of said one member, of a lever member rotatable about substantialiy the same axis as said one fuse member and therewith during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, and hydraulic escapement meansvdisposed to cooperate with the other in response to the rotation of said one device, of a lever rotatable about substantially the same axis as said one fuse device and therewith during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, and hermetically sealed hydraulie escapement means disposed to cooperate with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for retarding the movement thereof thereby delaying the closure of said transfer switch.

20. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mountedfuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one device, of a lever disposed to be rotated by engagement with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, said 'lever being rotatable about substantially the same axis as said one fuse device, dash pot means disposed to delay the movement of said lever thereby delaying the closure of said transfer switch, and means for adjusting said delay means to vary the interval required to effect closure of said transfer switch.

21. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one device, of a lever disposed to be rotated by engagement with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch,

said lever being rotatable about substantially the same axis as said one fuse device, externally operable hermetically sealed hydraulic escapement means disposed to retard the movement of said lever for delaying the closure of said transtween said lever and said support means for de laying the movement of said one fuse device during a portion of its travel. 7

24. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a transfer switchfor shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one fuse device, of a switch operating arm disposed to be rotated by engagement with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, a lever having a cam surface pivotally mounted adjacent the axis of rotation of said one fuse device, a stop pawl pivotally mounted on said one fuse device, spring means for bia ing said pawl to a predetermined position, a stop for limiting the movement of said pawl relative to said one fuse device, a roller carried by said pawl and disposed to engage said cam surface, support means, a cylinder secured to said support means, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder and secured to said lever, a liquid in said cylinder, valve means in said piston disposed to retard the movement thereof in said -liquid in one direction to effect a corresponding delay in the movement of said fuse device during a portion of its travel and to offer relatively no opposition to movement of said piston in the opposite direction, and a flexible bellows hermetically sealing said cylinder and piston.

fer switch to shift said circuit to said other fuse device, and adjusting means for said escapement means to change the interval required to effect closure of said transfer switch.

22. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one fuse device, of a switch operating arm disposed to be rotated by engagement with said one fuse device durihg a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, a lever having a cam surface pivr otally mounted adjacent the axis of rotation of said one fuse device, a roller carried by said one fuse device and disposed to engage said cam surface, support means, and dash pot means interposed between said lever and said support means for delaying the movement of said one fuse device during a portion of itstravel.

. 23. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one fuse device, of a switch operating arm disposed to be rotated by engagement with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer-switch, a lever having a cam surface pivotally mounted adjacent the axis of rotation of said one fuse device, a stop pawl pivotally mounted on said one fuse device, a stop for limiting the movement of said pawl relative to said one fuse device, a roller carried by said pawl and disposed to engage said cam surface, support means. and a retarding device interposed be- 25. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one fuse device, of a switch operating arm disposed to be rotated by engagement with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, support means, a hydraulic es capement device secured to said support means, and connecting means between said one fuse device and said hydraulic escapement device whereby the rotation of said fuse device during a portion of its travel is retarded and is unimpeded when said fuse device is rotated in the opposite direction.

26.. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a'transfer switch for shifting a circuit from, one fuse device to the other in'response to the rotation of said one fuse device,of a switch operating arm disposed to be rotated by engagement with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch, support means, a hydraulic escapement device secured to said support means, and means for operatively connecting said one fuse device to said hydraulic escapement device after movement thereof from its initial position for retarding its rotation during a portion of its travel, said connecting means being arranged and adapted to permit movementof said one fuse device in a reverse direction unimpeded by the action of said hydraulic escapement device.

27. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one fuse device, of a switch operating arm disposed tobe rotated by engagement with said one fuse device during a portion of its travel for closing said transfer switch; a lever having a cam surface pivotally mounted adjacent the axis of rotation of said one fuse device and hydraulic escapement means so arranged and adapted as to re-. tard the movement of said one fuse device during a portion of its travel in one direction and to fuse, comprising a cylindrical housing having end walls and a dividing wall, the dividing wall being provided with a restricting passage through which a fluid is forced to flow by relative movement between the dividing wall and one end wall, a lever fulcrumed at one end andhaving a cam surface, said lever being movable with one of said end walls of said housing, and means cooperating with said cam surface and initiated in motion on blowing of said one fuse device for rendering said time delay device effective to delay the closure of said transfer switch.

29. Circuit control apparatus comprising, in combination, a fuse device normally disposed in member therebetween having a restricted opening, a liquid filling said bellows members, means for causing one of said rotatably mounted devices to opetatively engage the end wall of one of said bellows members during its rotation to force said liquid through said restricted opening into the other bellows member, and a compression spring disposed to cooperate with said one bellows member for biasing it against the movement thereof caused by one of said rotatably mounted devices .to restore it to its normal position when the force one position to complete a circuit and to be I moved to another position on blowing of the fuse therein, normally open switch means located at one end of said fuse device and disposed to complete a circuit between the terminals of said fuse device, switch actuating means responsive to the movement of said fuse device for initiating the operation of. said switch means, and time delay means located at said one end of said fuse device for preventing the immediate closureof said switch means, said switch actuating means being released from said time delay means in advance of the closure of said switch means to acquire sufficient momentum to close said switch 30. A repeating fuse cut-out comprising, in

combination; a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices disposed to be released for rotation on the other of said fuse devices, and a hydraulic escapement device for delaying the transfer of.

said circuit comprising a pair of flexible bellows members having end walls and a common support member therebetween having a restricted opening, a liquid filling said bellows members, and means for causing one of said rotatably mounted devices to operatively engagethe end wall of one of said bellows members during its rotation to force said liquid through said restricted opening into the other bellows member.

31. A repeating fuse cut-out comprising, in combination; a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices disposed to be released for rotation on blowing thereof, one of said fuse devices being normally connected ina circuit; a rotatably mounted switch device disposed to cooperate with said one fuse device on rotation thereof when it blows for transferring said circuit to the other of said fuse devices, and a hydraulic esmembers having end walls and a common support causing said movement is relieved.

32. In fuse apparatus for reclosing an electric circuit, in combination, a first fuse device including a fuse tube and a fusible element for connection in said circuit, said fuse tube being arranged and adapted to move from one position to another on blowing of said fusible element, time delay means positioned in the path of said fuse tubeto delay movement thereof along said path, switch means for transferring said circuit to another fuse device, and means positioned in said path of said fuse tube for operating said switch means after said time delay means has operated.-

33. In fuse apparatus for reclosing an electric circuit, incombination, a first fuse device including a fuse tube and a fusible element for connection in said circuit, said fuse tube being arranged and adapted to rotate from one position to another on blowing of said fusible element, and a time delay device for determining the time interval between the blowing of said fusible element and the reestablishment of said circuit through another fuse device including a time delay mechanism dependent for action upon substantially straight line movement and operable by said fuse tube asit rotates from one position to the other.

34. In fuse apparatus for reclosing an electric circuit, in combination, a first fuse device including a fuse tube and a fusible element for connection in said circuit, said fuse tube being arranged and adapted to move from one position to anotheron blowing of said fusible element and in said one position having energy stored therein, means for releasing said stored energy at a relatively high rate on blowing of said fusible element, means for decreasing the rate of energy release during a predetermined interval, switch means for transferring said circuit to another fuse device, and means for increasing the rate of energy release after expiration of said interval for thereupon effecting the operation of said switch means.

35. The combination, with a pair of rotatably mounted fuse devices and a transfer switch for shifting a circuit from one fuse device to the other in response to the rotation of said one fuse device after blowing thereof, of a dashpot disposed to prevent closure of said transfer switch for a predetermined interval after blowing of said one fuse device, and resilient means arranged and adapted to restore said das'npot to its initial position immediately upon completion of its time delay function.

HUGH A, TRI LET".