US2338823A - Cutout construction - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 11, 1944. w. o. scHULTz r AL 2,338,823

CUT-OUT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 8, 1936 asheets-sheet 2.

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. Jan. 11, 1944.. w. o. SCHUL-rz ETAL CUT-OUT CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 8, 1936 ww A i Patented Jan. 11, 1944 CUroU'r CONSTRUCTION William 0. Schultz, South Milwaukee, and Alwin G. Steinmayer, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application July 8, 1936, Serial No. 89,552 22 claims. (ol. zoo- 114) This invention relates to a cut-out construc- Ation and is particularly directed to a fuse type of cut-out. Fuse types of cut-outs are frequently mounted in exposed positions on poles, for instance, where they are subjected to severe weather conditions and frequently ice and sleet form on the housings. Objects of this invention are to provide a novel form of cut-out in which a housing is provided with a door adapted to drop open after the fuse blows, in which a movably mounted fusetube is carried within the housingv and is adapted to drop downwardly after the fuse blows, in which a fuse link is carried within the tube and is adapted to be severed upon overload, the construction being such that when the fuse link blows, the circuit through the device is interrupted and when the fuse tube slides downwardly, at least one of the contacts of the fuse tube is thereby mechanically spaced a distance from the stationary contact of the housing, thus providing additional separation or break in the circuit, and in which when the fuse door drops open, the contact of the fuse tube and its associated parts are bodily carried a considerable distance away from the stationary contacts of the housing, the device thereby providing means which will insure interruption of the circuit upon overload under all conditions of operation and one in which normally all three of the above listed functions occur.

In other words, objects of this invention are to provide a fuse type of cut-out in which the normal interruption of the circuit by the severing of the fuse link is obtained. Additionally sepa ration of at least one of the contacts of the fuse tube and its associated structure from the corresponding stationary` contact of the housing is obtained whether the door freezes closed or not, and in which under normal operations additional protection is afforded by the outward dropping of the door so that the contact of the fuse tube and its associated structure are moved outwardly from the stationary contacts of the housing, thereby providing what may be called triple safety of operation and insuring adequate operation under even the most adverse conditions.

Further objects are to provide a fuse construction in which the downward thrust of the fuse tube is not borne directly by the fuse link but is borne by a releasing mechanism which also serves as a fuse link extractor to quickly remove any remaining portions of the link after the fuse has blown, in which the upward thrust of the fuse tube and door assembly is borne by rigid members and transmitted to the housing, in

which means are provided for prevent AAgathe door from being blown open in the eventfthatgas pressure is suddenly generated within thefliouslng by latch means which also constitutes jmeans for providing an adequate contact engagement between the contact at the closed end of the fuse tube and the stationary contact of the` housing, in which this contact means assists in the downward motion of the fuse tube when the fuse' tube is released, and to provide additional latch means to more denitely insureagainst the door vibrating open if the device is located in a` position where it is subject to vibrations.

Further objects are to provide a construction in which one of the contacts, for example the lower contact, always pushes outwardly to assist in opening the door when the fuse tube is released, in which a simple type of contact construction is employed, and in which the door may 4be opened or closed without straining the fuse link while the fuse link is intact.

Further objects are to provide a novel method of attaching the retaining pin to the lower ferrule of the fuse tube and 'for locking `the pin and the lower ferrule or sleeve of the fuse tube'to the fuse tube, and in which a novel construction of combined thumb nut and washer is provided for locking the outer end of the fuse link in place vithout danger of cutting or tearing the fuse ink.

Embodiments of lthe inventionl are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a sectional elevation through the device. y

Figure 2 is a sectional View on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure l showing a modified form of construction.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail showing the manner in which the retaining pin is attached.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 'l is an enlarged sectional View through the combined thumb nut and washer for securing the free end of the fuse link.

Figure 8 is a face view of the structure shown in Figure 7, with parts broken away.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of the notched projecting lug of the door against which the upper end of the fuse tube bears.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that a casing I and a door 2 have been provided and formed of insulating material, the casing usually being formed of porcelain or similar material and the door of phenolic condensation product or other suitable insulatingV material. The door is hinged adjacent its lower ends by means of trunnions 3 carried thereby which engage in hook like members l carried by the casing and out of any electrical connection whatsoever with the contacts of the device.

The casing is provided with an upper terminal member 5 and a lower terminal member 6 and mayhave an intermediate barrier 1 in accordance with the usual practice.

The upper terminal member 5 has a pair of spaced arms 8 projecting therefrom between which is pivotally mounted the upper contact member 9 which may be in the form of a lever with a rounded lower face adapted to engage the upper cap or contact I0 of the fuse tube Il, the contact member 9 being urged into intimate engagement with the contact I0 by means of a spring I2. It may be of bell crank shape and one of the arms |3 thereof is adapted to engage a stop I4 when the fuse tube is removed to arrest counterclockwise rotation of the contact member 9 after it has moved to a predetermined distance.

This arm |3 may also carry a looped spring I5 provided with a rounded or eye portion i6 engaging over the endof the upper contact I0 of the fuse tube and tending to assist in locking the fuse tube against outward rocking motion, the spring, however, yielding when the door is pulled open, as will appear hereinafter, as the fuse tube is carried by the door.

The door may be provided with an inwardly projecting lug l1 which is notched, as may be seen from Figure 9, to form a rest for the upper end, for example the contact l0 of the fuse tube structure.

Sometimes the devices are positioned in places where they are subject to considerable vibration and to prevent the door from vibrating, or jarring open, a pair of spr-ing arms I8 are provided and equipped with cur/ed ends I9 which fit aroundthe upper contact I0 of the fuse tube. However, the door may be pulled open or pushed closed as these spring arms yield. I

The door is provided adjacent its lower end with a metal guide member 20 which is securely attached to the door and through which the fuse tube ii may slide. I t is preferable to equip the fuse tube with a metal sleeve or ferrule 2i rigid with the fuse .tube which slides throughv the guide member 20 and it is also preferable to bevel the ends of this ferrule 2|. ber 2li is provided with a rigid bevelled ear or lug 22 which fits beneath an upwardly bent stop 23 r1? gidly carried by the lower terminal member ii, to thus limit any recoil of the fuse tube and door assembly.

The lower terminal member i3 is provided with a pair of spring arms or contacts 2t which, as may be seen from Figure 3, are provided with outwardly turned ends 23 which form a .butt or wedge contact with the guiding member 2li. The fuse tube is provided with an expulsible conductor which is current responsive andr expelled upon overload. This may take the form of a fuse link which may consist of a reduced fusible portion 26 provided with a button head clamped by the upper contact or cap lil and with a leader 21 which extends downwardly through the open lower end of the fuse tube, the fuse tube being of the expulsion type, and through a notch 28 in the lower end of the fuse tube. The free or outer end of the leader is clamped beneath the thumb nut 29 carried by the contact or guide member 20.

The thumb nut is preferably provided with a permanently attached, swivelly mounted washer 30, see particularly Figures 7 and 8. This washer is provided with inwardly turned lugs or arms 3| at spaced points which loosely engage over the flange 32 of the thumb nut. Thus it is possible to tighten the thumb nut without cutting or tearing any portion of the fuse link.

The metal sleeve or ferrule 2| iits over the fuse tube and is locked thereto by forming a notch in the ierrule and in the fuse tube and positioning a transverse pin 33 therein, as shown particularly in Figures 5 and 6.

'I'his pin is held in place by forming a pair of slots 34 on opposite sides of the notch in the ferrule 2| to thereby provide a pair of arms 35 in the ferrule. These arms are thereafter bent inwardly, as shown in Figure 5, and thus grip the pin 33 and prevent its outward movement radially from the ferrule. The pin 33 is prevented from sliding endwise by turning its ends inwardly and -locating them within the notch 36 of the ferrule 2|. This provides a very simple and ei'- fective way of locking the ferrule to the fuse tube and at the same time locking the pin to both of these members.

The pin 33 constitutes a stop member, as may be seen from Figure 1, and is positioned below the lower edge of the sleeve 20, thus restraining the fuse tube against upward sliding motion under recoil conditions. The pin is also used to prevent the fuse tube from dropping outwardly by providing a locking means 31 in the form of a spring U-shaped member whose bight portion or bail portion 38 is positioned between the fuse tube Il and the leader 21 and is held in place by the leader until the fuse link is ruptured. WhenA the fuse link is ruptured, the locking member 31 rocks in a clockwise direction and its upper shoulders are moved from beneath the pin 33, thus allowing the fuse tube to slide downwardly.

This latching spring like member also acts in the capacity of a fuse link extractor for when the fuse is severed, it rocks in a clockwise direction and thus withdraws any remaining unburned portion of the fuse link. Thus if the fuse link has been severed by a small overload notv sufficient to cause a full expulsion action of the fuse tube, nevertheless the fuse link is suddenly pulled from the fuse tube by the fuse link extractor and latching member.

This combined latching member and fuse link extractor may have inwardly turned end portions 35i which are pivoted in a lug formed on the contact or guide member 20, as shown in Figure l, and the normally horizontally directed arms may slide upon downwardly bevelled faces or ears lll also formed on the guiding member 2t. The upper arms 31 of the springy fuse extractor and locking member tend to approach each other and thus slide along downwardly bevelled faces i0 and cause the fuse extractor to tend to rock in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. This construction istnore fully described and is claimed in the patent to William O. Schultz No. 2,098,433 of November 9, 1937, for Fuse, and is chosen as one form of locking member that may be employed with this invention. If desired ears 40 may be provided and constitute stops to limit the outward rocking motion of the fuse extractor and latching member.

The operationl of the apparatus is as follows: When an overload occurs, the fuse link is ruptured and immediately the member 31 swings in a clockwise direction, thus extracting any unburned portion of the fuse link Also the member 31 when so rocked has moved out of the path of travel of the pins 33 and the fuse tube II may slide downwardly clear of the latching means at the upper.

end of the fuse tube. It slides freely between the arms I 8 as these do not grip the fuse tube and also it slides free of the eye I6 of the spring I5. Additionallyy the upper-contact 9, which is spring pressed downwardly, provides spring pressure for assisting the fuse tube in its downward motion. The fuse tube, as soon as it moves` clear of the upper latching means, releases the fuse door and consequently the fuse door rocks outwardly and downwardly. The housing is provided with a cut-out or channel like portion 4I which accommodates the projecting end of the fuse tube when the door rocks outwardly and the fuse tube is extended. As a matter of fact, the door rocks outwardly and the fuse tube thereafter slides back downwardly with respect to the then reversed door, as the door at the last portion of its stroke hangs vertically downwardly.

This construction also insures clearing of the fuse tube before the motion of the fuse tube and the subsequent motion of the door occurs. This is due to the fact that recoil holds the fuse tube in its uppermost position until after the fuse tube has cleared itself and thereafter when the recoil force dies out, which occurs in a very brief interval, the fuse tube slides downwardly and the door drops open.

The guiding member may, if desired, be provided with inwardly projecting feet 42 located on opposite sides of the sleeve or ferrule 2| of the fuse tube.

The slight upward motion that may be permitted the fuse tube upon recoil presses the lupper contact 9 upwardly a'slight distance and thus increases the pressure exerted by the eye I6 of the spring Ii against the upper contact I0 of the fuse tube to increase the grip of this portion of the apparatus upon the fuse tube during recoil there? of. This feature, however, is more fully disclosed y and is claimed in the copending application of William O. Schultz for Cut-outs, Serial No. '70,206 filed March 23, 1936.

It is obvious that the spring I5and the eye I6 may be omitted, as shown in Figure 4. However', the same upper contact S may be employed and may be spring urged by the spring I2 in identically the same manner as for the form shown in Figure 1. In both cases the upper contact is joined to the upper terminal member by a flexible leader 43. In the form of the invention shown in Figure 4 the entire reliance for holding the door closed is placed upon the latching action of the spring arms I8, which are formed as described in connection with Figures l and 2.

It will be seen from the disclosure that a novel form of fuse cut-out has been provided which insures the mechanical separation of at least one of the contacts of the fuse tube from the corresponding Vstationary contact of the housing under all conditions, even if the door should freeze tight under, unusual conditions, and that even under these conditions the fuse tube, which is completely housed, freely slides downwardly and provides the mechanical separation of the contacts hereinabove referred to when the fuse link hasrbeen severed. Normally, however, the device provides triple safety in opening the electric line through the device upon overload, for, in the y rst place, the rupture of the fuse link with its subsequent quick withdrawal from the fuse tube,

either by expulsion action of the fuse tube or through the action of the fuse link extractor, provides a break in the electric circuit which is subsequently followed by the mechanical motion of at least one contact of the fuse tube from the corresponding stationary contact, and this last is followed also by the motion of the door outwardly and downwardly, which removes both contacts of the fuse tube from the stationary contacts. It is to be noted particularly that the contacts 24, see Figure 3, tend to urge the door outwardly, and that the contact 9 tends to urge the fuse tube downwardly, thus providing positive means for initiating the motion of these two members.

lt is to be noted that thisl invention provides for an appreciable downward or vertical travel of the fuse tube whether the door sticks closed or not. Thus adequate separation at least between the upper contact of the fuse tube and the corresponding stationary contact of the housing is assured, thus precluding any possibility of arcing over within the housing after the fuse has blown. The downward motionof the fuse tube, therefore, not only releases the door but also provides one of the multiple safety features of'the device.

It will be seen further that the device may be freely opened and closed without placing a strain upon the fuse link, that it will give a visual indication of the fact that the fuse has blown by the position of the door under normal conditions, and in the event the door does not open under abnormal conditions, will still give a visual indication of the fact that the fuse has blown by the projecting of the fuse tube below the bottom portion of the device.

It will be seen further that although these 4several functions are obtained by the device, that nevertheless it is very simple in construction and may be cheaply made.

It Vwill be seen further that the device may be re-fused with ease and with safety as the door may be detached from the hook like supports 4, see Figure l, when the door is open. After refusing, the door is rocked closed and the device is again placed in service. l

Although this invention has been described in considerable dctail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

We claim: l. A\cutout construction comprising a casing, a door movably supported by said casing and biased towards open position, a tube movably carried by said door and normally biased to-.

wards movement with respect to said door, latching means holding said door closed and released when said tube moves with respect to said door, said casing and said tube having normally electrically connected contact means, said contact means separating when said tube moves from normal position with reference to said door, a current controlled expulsible conductor normally holding said tube against motion with respect to said door, said conductor normally completing an electric circuit through said tube and interrupting said circuit within said tube upon overload, and biasing means assisting in the extraction of said conductor.

2. A cut-out construction comprising a casing, a door movably supported by said casing and biased towards open position, a tube movably carried by said door and normally biased towards movement with respect to said door, latching means holding said door closed and released when said tube moves with respect to said door, said casing and said tube having normally electrically connected contact means, said contact means separating when said tube moves from normal position with reference to said door, a current controlled expulsible conductor normally holding said tube against motion with respect to said door, said conductor normally completing anv electric circuit through said tube and interrupting said circuit within said tube upon overload, and biasing means assisting in the extraction of said conductor, said biasing means interlocking with said tube and releasing said tube when said expulsible conductor is expelled.

3. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door for said housing adapted to move to open position, a fuse tube movable with respect to said door from operative to inoperative position and holding said door closed when in operative position and releasing said door when in inoperative position, and a fuse link within said tube normally holding said tube against motion with respect to said door and releasing. said tube when said fuse link is severed, whereby when said fuse link is severed said fuse tube and said door are successively released.

releasing position, a fuse link within said fuse tube restraining said tube against door-releasing motion, and a fuse link extractor tending to withdraw said fuse link from said fuse tube.

6. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door biased towards open position, a fuse tube normally holding said door closed, said fuse tube being movable with respect to said door to doorreleasing position and being biased towards doorf releasing position, a fuse link within saidfuse tube restraining said tube against door-releasing motion, and recoil resisting means carried jointly by said fuse tube and said housing.

7. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door movably carried by said housing and biased towards opening motion, a fuse tube supported wlthinsaid housing, said fuse tube normally holding said door latched to said housing and being movable with respect to said door to door-releasing position and being biased towards doorreleasing motion, cooperating contact means carried jointly by said housing and fuse tube and separable' when said fuse tube movesto doorreleasing position, and a fuse link within said fuse tube restraining said fuse tube against doorreleasing motion.

8. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door movably carried by said housing and biased towards opening motion, a fuse tube carried by said door, said fuse tube normally holding said door latched to said housing and being movable with respect to said door to door-releasing position and being biased towards door-releasing motion, cooperating contact means carried jointly by said housing and fuse tube and separable a material distance when said fuse tube moves to door-releasing position, and a fuse link within said lfuse tube restraining said fuse tube against door-releasing motion.

9. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door pivoted with respect to said housing and biased towards open position, a fuse tube carried by said door, means cooperating with said fuse tube for normally holding said door latched to said housing, said fuse tube'being movable with respect to said door to door-releasing position and being biased towards door-releasing position, and a fuse link normally restraining the fuse tube against door-releasing movement.

l0. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door pivoted with respect to said housing and biased towards open position, a fuse tube carried by said door, means cooperating with said fuse tube for normally holding said door latched to said housing, said fuse tube being movable with respect to said door to door-releasing position and being biased towards door-releasing position, contact means located within said housing, contact means carried by said fuse tube and normally engaging the said contact means within said housing and movable a material distance from the contact means Within said housing when said fuse tube moves to door-releasing position, and a fuse link normally restraining the fuse tube against door-releasing movement.

11. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door pivoted adjacent its lower end to said housing, a fuse tube slidably carried by said door and normally occupying an upper operative position and slidable downwardly to inoperative position, a pair of stationary contacts carried by said housing, a fuse link carried by said fuse tube and normally electrically connecting the stationary contacts of said housing, lsaid. fuse link preventing downward sliding motion of said fuse tube and releasing said fuse tube when said fuse link is severed, and latch means carried by said housing and operatively connected to said door when said fuse tube is in operative position, said fuse tube interruptin'g the operative connection between said latch means and said door when said fuse tube slides downwardly.

12. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door pivoted adjacent its lower end to said housing, a fuse tube slidably carried by said door and .normally occupying an upper operative position and slidable downwardly to inoperative position,

a, pair of stationary contacts carried by said housing, a fuse link carried by said fuse tube and normally electrically connecting the stationary contacts of said housing, said fuse link preventing downward sliding motion of said fuse tube and releasing said fuse tube when said fuse link is severed, and latch means carried by said housing and normally interlocking with said fuse tube when said fuse tube is in operative position, said fuse tube disengaging itself from said latch means when said fuse tube moves downwardly to inoperative position upon rupture of said fuse link.

13. A fuse construction comprising a housing, a door pivoted adjacent its lower end to said housing, a fuse tube slidably carried by said door and normally occupying an upper operative position and slidable downwardly to inoperative position, a pair of stationary contacts carried by said housing, a fuse link carried by said fuse tube and normally electrically connecting the stationary contacts of said housing, said fuse link preventing downward slidi.\g motion of said fuse tube and releasing said fuse tube when said fuse link is severed, and a pair of spring arms carried by said housing and between which said fuse tube passes when said door is closed and said fuse link is intact, said spring arms being laterally expanded when said fuse tube passes therebetween, said fuse tube sliding downwardly a material distance from said spring arms and releasing said door when said fuse link is severed.

14. In a fuse construction, a fuse tube, a metal ferrule surrounding a portion of said fuse tube, said ferrule and said fuse tube having a transverse slot cut therein, and a pin located within said slot and locking said ferrule to said fuse tube, said ferrule having a part thereof extending over said pin to hold said pin.

15. In a fuse construction, a fuse tube, a metal ferrule surrounding a portion of said fuse tube, said ferrule and said fuse tube having a transverse slot cut therein, and a pin located within said slot and locking said ferrule to said fuse tube, said vferrule having a part thereof extending over said pin to hold said pin and said pin having inturned ends to prevent displacement of said pin transversely of said fuse tube.

16. In a cut-out construction, a cut-out member comprising an elongated insulating body por tion, a metal ferrule surrounding a part of said body portion, said ferrule and said body portion having a transverse slot, a pin located within said slot and locking said ferrule to said body portion, said ferrule having slots therein on pposite sides of said first mentioned slot forming transverse bars integral with said ferrule,` said bars extending towards each other over said pin to hold said pin in place.

1'7. In a cut-out construction, a cut-out member comprising an elongated insulating body portion, a metal ferrule surrounding a part of said body portion, said ferrule and said body portion having a transverse slot, a pin located within said slot and locking said ferrule to said body portion, said ferrule having slots thereinv on opposite sides of said first mentioned slot forming transverse bars integral with s aid ferrule, said bars extending towards each other over said pin to hold said pin in place, said pin having inturned ends directed towards said body portion toprevent displacement of said pin transversely of said body portion.

18. A fuse construction comprising a housing having stationary contacts, a door for said housing biased towards open position, a fuse tube within said housing normally holding said door closed, said fuse tube being movable with respect to said door to door-releasing position and being biased towards door-releasing position, said fuse tube having contacts normally engaging said f stationary contacts, at least one contact of said fuse tube moving away from the corresponding stationary contact a material distance upon blowing of the fuse, and a fuse link within said fuse tube restraining said fuse tube against doorreleasing motion and electrically connecting the contacts of said fuse tube.

fuse tube moving downwardly away from the corresponding stationary contact a material distance upon blowing of the fuse, and a fuse link within said fuse tube restraining said fuse tube against door-releasing motion and electrically connecting the contacts of said fuse tube.

20. A fuse construction comprising a housing having stationary contacts, a door for said housing biased towards open position, a fuse tube within said housing normally holding said door closed, said fuse tube lbeing movable with respect to said door to door-releasing position and being biased towards door-releasing position, said fuse tube having contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, at least one Contact of said fuse tube moving away from the corresponding stationary contact a material distance upon -blowing of the fuse, a fuse link within said fuse tube restraining said fuse tube against door-releasing motion and electrically connecting the contacts of said fuse tube, and a fuse link extractor tending to withdraw said fuse link from said fuse tube.

21. A fuse con-struction comprising a housing having stationary contacts, a door for said housing, a fuse tube carried by said door and normally holding said door closed, said fuse tube having contacts normally electrically connecting said stationary contacts and said fuse tube being movable with respect to said door to door-releasing position and being biased towards door-releasing motion, and a fuse link electrically connecting the contacts of said fuse tube and restraining said fuse tube against door-releasing motion, said fuse tube having a material substantially vertical motion upon rupture of the fuse link,` whereby a contact of said fuse tube is separated a material distance from the corresponding stationary ecntact of said housing upon rupture of the fuse link, `sfaid door and said fuse tube thereafter rocking outwardly away from said housing.

22. In a drop-out fuse dev-ice, in combination,l

a sleeve, means for rotatably mounting said sleeve, a fuse tube slidably mounted at one end in said sleeve, a spring biasing said tube for movement relative to said sleeve, a fuse link in said tube tensioned by said spring and restraining said tube from movement in said sleeve, a terminal carried by the other end of said tube, a stationary terminal adjacent said other end of said tube, and contact means electrically interconnecting said terminals and arranged and adapted to maintain substantially constant contact pressure with one of them while said tube moves through said sleeve after said fuse link blows.

WILLIAM 0. SCHULTZ. ALWIN G. STEINMAYER,

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