US2488307A - Trolley section insulator - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15, 1949 s. s. MATTHES 2,488,307

TROLLEY SECTION INSULATOR Filed May 31, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I 28 27 I /6 Inventor SAMUEL" S mTTi-IEs Attorney Nev. 15, 1949 5.8. MATTHES 2,488,307

TROLLEY SECTION INSULATOR Filed May 31, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor SAMWL SmTTHEs Atlorney Patented Nov. 15, 1949 TROLLEY SECTION INSULATOR Samuel S. Matthes, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to The Ohio Brass Company, Mansfield, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 31, 1946, Serial No. 673,539

8 Claims.

My invention relates to devices for overhead trolley systems and has particular reference to devices for sectionalizing the trolley wire.

One object of my invention is to provide a section insulator for the purpose stated in which the members for conducting the current collector across the device provide a continuous path that is, unbroken by air gaps as with devices in the past. This is of particular importance at the present day in view of the use of fragile material in the current collector.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device in which an are which is formed as the current collector crosses the device with current on will be magnetically blown out or dissipated and this is of particular importance because the arc would be formed in contact with the insulating portion of the said path.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device in which the arc does not impinge upon the insulating portion at any point in the device.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a section insulator in which the means hold ing the end members in fixed insulated relation have parallel axes and the axes positioned in a vertical plane with means to magnetically blow any formed are downward away from the continuous path for the current collector.

These and other objects I attain by means illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of one form of my invention in partial section.

Fig. 2 is a right hand end view of Fig. 1 without the trolley wire holder.

Fig. 3 is a view in partial section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a portion of a modified form of my invention in which the balance of the device is as per Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top View of a portion of Fig. 4 showing the movable contactor.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig.4.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention I provide a pair of end members I of metal to which metal tips 2 may be secured to receive and hold the adjacent ends of the trolley wire 3.

The end members are held in fixed relation by the tension insulating member 4 and the compression insulating member 5. The member 4 is threaded at each end and each end entered in a threaded socket portion 6 and the ends 015 the member '5 being held in place by machine screws I. The longitudinal axes of the members 4 and 5 are parallel and in a common vertical plane.

Each end member is provided with a U-shaped metal clip 8 having a wear portion 9 contacted by the passing current collector and held to the associated end member by through bolt II] whereby the clip and end member are in secure electrical engagement.

Positioned below the member 4 and parallel to and in vertical alignment with the members 4 and 5 is a single or continuous guide II of insulating material extending between the clips 8 and having its ends I2 positioned in and supported by the clips, particularly the wear portion 9.

The guide I I is provided with a U-shaped contact member I3 which is spaced from the clip 8 by the insulation II forming the break A. The guide I I extends through the channel I I in the contact member and the two parts secured to.- gether by screws I5.

The contact member I3 is inserted in cut out portions in the guide II and the wear portion [3 extends along the guide I l with its contact surface flush with that of the guide.

The lower or wear surfaces of the clip 8 and the contact member I3 and the guide II and trolley wire 3 are in alignment and constitute an unbroken path for the current collector shoe. The space between the members 8 and I3 is usually an air gap but I avoid this open space as it is a hazard to the collector shoe using frangible material such as carbon.

Associated with the device is blow-out means M to create a magnetic flux at the point B where the shoe passes from the contact I3 unto the guide II and at which point an arc will be formed if the passage is made with current on."

The blow-out M comprises magnetizable core I6 and magnetizable poles l'l held together by the magnetizable bolt I8. These parts are mounted on the member 5 by the clamps l9 which grip the member 5 through the medium of the bolts I8 and 20 and which have arms 2| interposed between the poles I1 and bolt I8.

The blow-out means M is further supported and braced by the strut 22 which is positioned between the member 4 and 5 and has upper and lower bearing surfaces 23 and 24 respectively curved to that of the members 4 and 5 and bosses 25 to which the poles I! are secured by screws 26.

The core I6 is covered by insulation 21 and wound on th insulation is the coil 28 whereby the adjacent end casting I is connected to the contact member I3 thereby eliminating any areing at the break A but not at the point B, but as soon as the current collector passes onto the contact member I3 with current-on then the coil 28 is energized and the magnetizable parts energized and the are at B will be affected by the magnetic flux flowing from one pole to the other pole.

The poles I1 are bowed outward so as to concentrate the flux at the lower ends of the poles which are placed opposite the point B and adjacent thereto, leaving space for the collector shoe to safely pass along the guide.

The coil 28 may be so connected to the endmember I and the contact member I3 that the arc will be blown either upward or downward.

To protect the poles I! from thefla'me of the arc protecting plates 29 of insulating material arev interposed between the poles I1 and the break B and also form end plates for the coil 28 and are supportedby the studs 25. I V

The membersflfand '5 may be made from rod if more desirable; V

. In Fig; 4 aside view of one end portion of the device is shown and the balance of the device is according ,to the left hand portion of the device shown in Fig. 1. "Corresponding parts of Figs. 1 and 4 are designated by the same numerals.

In Fig. 4 the contact member I3 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a contact imeans D whereby any arc formed by a passing current collector takes place between the filangeoi the collector and an easily renewable 'pivotally mounted contact lever.

-- .Here the guide or insulated runner II is continuous as in Fig. 1 and supported by the end members I as in Fig. 1.

The contact means D comprises a U-shaped fixed contactiu which is set into the member I I so'as to providea smooth passage for the collector and is secured in place by'the screws I. The fixed contact 55 is spaced from the clip 8 and the space filled by a portion I I of the guide II.

V Frojecting outward from one side of the contact 50 and well above its lowerjedge are a pair of spaced lugs 52 (Fig. 7). Pivotally mounted between the lugs by means of a pintle 53 is a contact lever 54 witha contact tip 55 whichis en gaged bythe flange of a .passing. current collector whereby the contact lever is moved from its normal position thus assuring electrical engagement-with the current collector without obstructing its passage. v a

A spring 55 between the contact 50 and-a longitudinally projecting member 51 of the lever 54 yieldingly maintains the lever in its norrnal position against stop 58. a

To maintain dependable electrical connection between the'lever 54 andthe contact 50 a flexible conductor 59 connects thetwo.

Any arc formed betweenthe current collector and the contact lever ;;at 55 is acted upon by a magnetic; blow-out means-P a comprising a coil 28 wound on an insulated core I6 and supported gromthe member 5 by clamps I 9 and bolts I8 and The magnetic pole 60 is brought down to a point opposite' the contact between the current collector and the lever 54 (Fig. 6) so that'the are formed will be well within the influence of the magnetic flux and to'prevent the arc impinging on the pole 60 a shield BI of insulating material is interposed between the pole and lever. 4 The magnetic pole 62- is formed inwardly and 4 downwardly with a vertical portion 63 inserted in a cut-out portion 64 of the guide H. This permits bringing the effective ends of the poles closer together.

The poles are in close engagement with the magnetizable bolt I8 at their upper ends. The coil 28 in Fig. 4 as in Fig. 1 is connected to the contact means D and to the adjacent end member I.

In some respects the operation of the device of Fig. 4 is like that of Fig. 1. A current collector passes from the trolley wire 3 onto the clip 8 and ,then onto the member 50 and in doing so bridges the space 'therebetween which is filled with insulation II. Aslthe collector proceeds it passes entirely onto the member 50 which is connected to the end member I through the coil 28. If now thevehicle is drawing current the coil will be energized thus magnetically energizing the poles 6ll and 62. As thecollectorproceeds further its flange will engage the lever' -54 and IQIV'ICCQII? outward (Fig. (5) againstthe spring 56 and the collector will receive current through the lever '56; When the collector breaks engagement with the lever 54 and if, drawing'current an arc will be formed therebetween which will be dissipated either upward or downward depending upon the connection of the coilto thev members I and .50.

The various parts forminga contact path f'or the current collector presenta uniform and even surface so as not to injure the frangible insert of the collectorwhichmay be of carbon The device of Fig. 4 prevents the arcfro forming atthe junction of the ,contactfio and insulated guide I I as in. Fig. .1 and the lever. 54 .is easily renewed upon removing the pintle 53. It is apparent the pintle 53 may be placed horizontal instead of vertical in which case the lever 54 will pivot vertically.

My inventions'are intended for use on a trolley system using direct current therefore the magnetic flux or linesof force flow in one direction depending upon the direction of flow of current through the-001128.

The contact end 55 of the lever 54 is so shaped that a current collector may pass across the device in eitherdirection. The contact lever 54 and fixed contact 50 are so proportioned that'the collector flange will engage the lever' before the collector breaks contact with the member 50.

It should be noted that there is no air gap or insulated space between the contact or support member 8 and the adjacent end member I. The space at A in Figs. 1 and 41s filled with insulation II thereby giving a, smoother and uninterrupted path for the current collector. If however all metal collector shoes are used the space A may be an air gap or open space. I

As there are modifications which will be suggestive by my disclosure and which are within the scope of my invention and the appended claims, I do not limit myself to the precise ap lication nor the precise structure and arrangement of elements as shown and described.

I claim: V

1. In a trolley wire section insulator including spaced apart metallic end means and contact means having an end adjacent to one of said means and defining a gap therewith, electromagnetic means including a magnetizable core to produce a unidirectional flow of magnetic flux across the other endiof said contact means, a pair of spaced apart opposed magnetizable pole element'selectrically associatedwith and engag 5, me said core, said pole elements being disposed between and spaced apart from said metallic end means, electrical insulating means interposed between each of said elements and said other end of the contact means disposed between said elements, and a coil insulated from and wound around the core and electrically connected to said adjacent end means and contact means.

2. In a trolley wire section insulator including pac d apart metal i end means and c n a means having an end adjacent to one Of said means and defining a gap. therewith, electromagnetic means including a magnetizable core to produce a unidirectional flow of magnetic'tflux across the other end of. said contact means, a pair of spaced apart magnetizable pol elements electrically associated with and engaging said core and having free ends opposed to each other, said pole elements being disposed between and spaced apart from said metallic end means, and support means for said core and pole elements disposed above the contact means and extending transversely of the section insulator, said other end of the contact means being disposed between said ends, electrical insulating means interposed between each of said elements and said contact means, and a coil insulated from and wound around the core and electrically connected to said adjacent end means and contact means.

3. In a trolley wire section insulator including spaced apart metallic end means and contact means having an end adjacent to one of said means and defining a gap therewith, electromagnetic means including a magnetizable core to produce a unidirectional fiow of magnetic flux across the other end of said contact means, a pair of spaced apart magnetizable pole elements electrically associated with said core and having free ends disposed at difierent distances from the core, said other end of the contact means being disposed between said elements and adjacent to the end remotest from said core, electrical insulating means interposed between each of said elements and said contact means, and a coil insulated from and wound around the core and electrically connected to said adjacent end means and contact means.

4. In a trolley wire section insulator including spaced apart metallic end means and contact means having an end adjacent to one of said means and defining a gap therewith, electromagnetic means including a magnetizable core to produce a unidirectional flow of magnetic fiux across the other end of said contact means, a pair of spaced apart magnetizable pole elements, said pole elements comprising plates bearing against and depending from said core and having free, parallel, opposed lower ends and intermediate portions spaced farther apart than said ends, electrical insulating means interposed between each of said elements and said other end of the contact means disposed between said free ends, and a coil insulated from and wound around the core and electrically connected to said adjacent end means and contact means.

5. In a trolley wire section insulator including spaced apart metallic end means and contact means having an end adjacent to one of said means and defining a gap therewith, electromagnetic means including a magnetizable core to produce a unidirectional flow of magnetic fiux across the other end of said contact means, a pair of spaced apart magnetizable pole elements electrically associated with said core, said pole 6" elements having opposed, parallel, free ends and ends engaging the core and'intermediate portlons bowed outwardly to" concentrate magnetic flux at the said free ends, and said other end of the contact means being disposed between said iree ends, electrical insulating means comprising plates bearing against opposing surfaces of said free ends, and a coil insulated from and wound around the core and electrically connected to said adjacent end means and contact means.

6. In av trolley section insulator comprising a pair of'end members held in spaced and insulated relation by a pair of elongated members having spaced parallel axes in a common vertical plane, the combination with end members of guide means for a current collector, the said guide means comprising a guide member of insulating material supported by the end members and continuous between said end members, a contact member set into the guide member adjacent" to but spaced from one end member and to be engaged by a passing current collector, the lower surface of the guide member and contact member forming a smooth continuous unbroken path for the current collector, a pair of poles of magnetizable material positioned on either side of the contact member and having an end adjacent an end of the contact member where an arc may be formed, a coil positioned between the other ends of the poles and connectedto the contact member and to the adjacent end member, the coil positioned between the said pair of elongated members with its axis transversely disposed to the said vertical plane of the said parallel axes, means secured to the upper one of said pair of elongated members to support the said coil and poles in said positions and a support member extending between the said pair of elongated members and secured to the poles to maintain the said position of the poles relative to the contact member.

7. A trolley section insulator comprising a pair of end m'embers held in spaced and insulated relation by a pair of spaced and parallel elongated members with longitudinal axes in a common vertical plane, a renewable clip associated with each end member and supported thereby, a bridging member of insulating material extending from clip to clip and supported thereby to guide a current collector, metallic contact means associated with the bridging member adjacent to but engageable by a passing current collector, the bridging member and clip and contact means having aligned surfaces providing a smooth continuous uninterrupted path for the current collector, magnetic means comprising a coil electrically connecting the contact means to the said one end member and its associated clip, a pair of poles of magnetizable metal positioned on either side of the bridging member with one end of each pole positioned opposite the contact means and the coil positioned between the other ends of the poles whereby the poles are magnetically energized by the coil thereby extinguishing arcs formed between the contact means and the current collector, clamping means attached to the upper said elongated member and magnetizable means extending axially through the coil to secure the coil to the clamping means and the poles to the coil with the coil positioned between the said elongated members.

8. A trolley section insulator comprising a pair of end members held in fixed relation by a pair of spaced parallel and elongated insulating members positioned one above the other, a bridging member continuous between the end members one side of the device to the other side to control the; are formed between the end of the contact meansand the current collector, the said electromagnetic means comprising a coil connected across said gap tothe contact means and the adjacentgendmembernand pole members of magnetizableymetal, magnetically energized by the coil to force the are either upward or downward depending upon the direction of energization of the coil, support means secured to the upper elongated member to support the coil and pole members and means to secure the last said means to the core and pole members whereby the coil is held in a transverse position to and between the said elongated members.

SAMUEL S. MATTHES;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1 532,905 Potter Jan. 28, 1895 1,904,844 Wolf Apr. 18, 1933 2,053,964 Matthes Sept. 8, 1936 2,354,117 Hanna July 18, 1944 1. .Man

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