US2627583A

US2627583A - Electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2627583A
Application number: US102120A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard B Clark
Original assignee: Bendix Aviation Corp
Current assignee: Bendix Aviation Corp
Priority date: 1949-06-29
Filing date: 1949-06-29
Publication date: 1953-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 1970-02-03

Description

Feb. 3, 1953 R, B CLARK 2,627,583

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Fles. L2' INVENTOR ATTORN EY Feb. 3, 1953 R. B. CLARK 2,527,583

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed June 29, 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 INVENTOR .mw/I, ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1953 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Richard B. Clark, Sidney, N. Y., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application June 29, 1949, Serial No. 102,120

(Cl. S-70) 7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to electrical apparatus and more particularly to electrical current generating and distributing means adapted for use in internal combustion engine ignition systems or the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novelly constructed magneto-generator and associated current distribution means.

Another object of the invention is to provide Va novel magneto-generator wherein high eiliciency is attained by materially reducing magnetic and electrical losses through eddy currents and the like.

Still another object is to provide a radioshielded device of the above character which is adapted in a novel manner for water-tight association with an engine.

A further obj ect is to provide a novel magnetogenerator and casing combination whereby the operating parts may be removed as a unit, and properly re-installed on the engine with utmost facility and without necessity for readjustment relative to the engine.

A still further object is to provide a magnetogenerator or the like which is so constructed as to insure maximum use of the available magnetic flux, whereby the space required for and the weight of a device of given output capacity are reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide novel water-tight means on a device of the above character for use in intermittently lubricating an internal part such as a circuit breaker cam.

The above and further objects and novel featurcs of the invention will more fully appear from the following detail description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a denition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, mostly in section and with parts broken away and parts removed, of one form magneto-generator embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. 3 and showing the stator portion of the magnetic path of the device Of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 2, the section being taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end View taken from the right side of Fig. 1 with the casing cover and distributor block removed;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the device of Fig. 1, the View being taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. l; and,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of an oiler for applying a lubricant to the circuit breaker cam of the device of Fig. 1.

The present invention is illustrated in the drawings, by way of example only, in the form of a magneto generator adapted to supply ignition energy for an eight-cylinder, four-stroke cycle engine when driven at one-half the speed of the engine crank shaft. As shown, the electrical energy creating portion of the device comprises a rotating magnetic ux distributor I0 and a cooperating magnetic ux conducting stator system wholly supported in a novel manner in a two-part housing made mostly of molded insulating material, such as Bakelite or hard rubber, which housing or support is in turn mounted in a water-tight radio shielding casing in such a manner as to render the same easily removable. Said housing comprises a hollow cylinder-like member II (Figs. 1 to 3) and an end plate or cover I2 therefor (Fig. 1) secured thereto by a plurality of set screws I4 (Fig. 4). Plate I2 may be made of metal, if desired, and may be provided with one or more holes for Ventilating purposes.

The stator poles of the magnetic flux conducting system comprise elongated laminated pole shoes I5 and IB (four in each set), molded into the walls of housing member I I withrone'edge surface of each being exposed at the inner periphery of said housing member for cooperation with rotor IG in a manner to be hereinafter described. The two sets of pole shoes I5 and I 5 extend axially of the rotor, those of one set alternating with and overlapping those of the other set, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The left ends of pole shoes I5 and the right ends of pole shoes I5 (as viewed in the drawing), are mechanically and magnetically connected by laminated rings I1 and I8, respectively, which are also embedded in the molded housing member II. Said rings have integral extensions I9 and 2D, respectively, that project radially from the molded housing and serve as seats for the core 2| of a coil 22 (Fig. 1) whereby the magnetic ilux circuit is closed or completed. Said coil and core may be suitably secured to rings II and I8 by spring clips 23 which engage the upper notched surfaces of the core and the flanges of brackets 24 attached to the sides of extensions I9 and 2D.

Rotatably supported in housing I I, I2 by

roller bearings

26 and 21 is the magnetic rotor I6. The latter is of the eight-pole type and comprises an axially magnetized cylindrical magnet 28 with the north and south poles thereof as indicated by the letters N and S or Vice versa. The magnet is positioned on a shaft 29 for rotation therewith by a pair of magnetic flux conducting end plates 3'! and 32 which are pinned or otherwise suitably secured to the shaft and have Vaxially extending circumferentially spaced

pole shoes

33 and 34, respectively, formed integrally'therewith. Pole shoes 33 alternate with and extend into overlapping relation with pole shoes 3e' asbest seen in Figs. 1 and 5. During rotationY ofthe rotor by the engine through splined coupling member 35, the sets of

rotor pole shoes

33 and 3,4? cooperate alternately and simultaneously with theV sets of stator pole shoes l and maximum use of the available magnetic iux. In

`thiswayv the direction of flow of magnetic. iiux through the magnetic circuit which includes coil core 2 I is reversed eight times during each revolution of the rotor, thereby providing for eight spark discharges.` The magnet and rotorV pole shoev assembly may be further secured to shaft Z9 by interposing the same between a shoulder on the shaft and a nut 36 threaded on the shaft.

Shaft bearing 26 and an oil seal 3'! oi any suitable known construction may be positioned in' molded housingmember l l by a ring 3e secured in place by a plurality of'threaded bolts 39 which threadedly engage a'nut member dit. Bearing 2i preferably has a drive t in a metal ring molded or cast in cover' l2'.

The right hander-1d of shaft 29 extends through bearing 21 and has a combined distributor rotor and circuit breaker cam mounted thereon for rotation therewith. As shown, a anged hub member 41 is keyed to the shaft and is secured thereon byl a nut '42. An insulating disk or cup-like member 43 of hard rubber or the like is secured to the flange of' member 4I by bolts 44. The outer `periphery of disk i3 is shaped to constitute an eight-lobe cam (Fig. 4) for opening the contacts of a circuit breaker eight times during each revolution of the rotor shaft, The circuit breaker; which is not shown in Fig. l in the interest of clarity, may be of any suitable known design and is adjustably mounted on a radially extending portion 45 (Fig. 4) of housing cover i2. In the form illustrated,'the breaker comprises a stationary contact 46 engageable by a movable contactv 41 mounted on a exible spring e3 which is actuated by cam i3 through the medium of a metallic cam follower e9 carried by the spring. Although only some of the electrical connections are shown, a condenser 5l is connected in the usual manner in shunt with contacts 4S and il?, one of which is connected to ground and the other to the primary winding of coil 22.

Cam member 43 also serves as the rotary element of an electrical current distributor which includes a distributor block 52 of suitable insulating material. Said block is provided with a center terminal 53' connected through conductors 5e and 55 to the high potential terminal 5S of the secondary winding of coil 22. When the distributory block is secured in position on housing I l, i2, '.as'illustra'ted, by means of bolts 5i, terminal 53 is: yielda-bly engaged by spring contact 5t oarried by rotating disk d'3. Said Contact engages an electrode 59 which moves into spark gap relation withl each of eight circumferentially spaced output electrodes 6l circularly arranged in distributor block 52. in a manner well 4understood l 5, therebyr makingin the art. In the interest of clarity only one of .the electrodes 6l is illustrated (Fig. 1).

The parts of the complete magneto-distributor 'unit described above, including housing Il, i2, rotor assembly Hi, 29s, 43, circuit breaker 46, lil, condenser 5i, and distributor block 52 are secured togetherV and removably mounted in a metallic casing member 62. The latter has an opening 63 in one end thereof which serves as a pilot and support for the cylindrical endportion 5410i housing member Il. A ring S5 of rubber or similar yieldable material is interposed between theinner wall of casing member 62 and a bevelled annular surface S6 on housing member Il and is'surrounded by an internal ange 6l on the: casing member. Ring Se is placed under compression during assembly of the parts and functions not only as a gasket but also "as a cushion between the magneto unit and the surrounding casing to absorb shock.` andivibraton.

The other end of themagneto distributor assembly or unit is' supported by a plural-ityl of bolts 68 (Fig. 4). which extendthrough-flanges on housing members ii and l2 and. threadedly engage tapped bosses 69v within casing member 62. That portion of the magneto unit not surroundedV by casing member 52 is covered by an intermediate casing section 'li and aV cover l2 both of which are; secured to: member 62 by a plurality of bolts 'i3A If desired, casingsection H maybe integral with. member E2;

Each output electrode El of the distributor terminates with a spring contact. id in a tapered recess 15. Resilient adaptor means 16 and a water-tight cover Ti (only'partially shown) `may be provided for connecting the contacts 'M1 to outgoing radio shieldedV spark plug leads 78 and for closing the opening i9 in cover 'l2 in a watertight manner. The left end of casing 62 may be adjustably secured to the engine casing4 (not shown) in a water-tight manner by means of bolts extending through. the slotted bosses SI. The water-tight casing thus enables the magneto to operate satisfactorily when the same is immersed in water, such as when the same are installed on submersible and amphibious military vehicles or the like.

Cover member 'l2 is provided with a receptacle or socket 82 for a radio shielded lead and terminal to connect the insulated side of the circuit breakerl and hence, the primary winding of coil 22 to ground through an ignition switch in a manner which is understoodin thezart. In order to guard against operation ofV the magneto when the terminal is removed' from socket 8.2, novel means are provided for effecting the electrical connections. Two leaf spring contacts 93 and et are mounted on the inner side of cover 72 with the fixed ends thereof insulated from the cover. When the cover i2 is installed spring 94 makes contact with a plate S3 which is connected to the insulated side of the circuit breaker. Spring 93 extends across socket 82 for contact with the terminal (not shown) of the ignition switch lead that extends through tting 32. When the terminal is removed, contact spring S3 engages cover l2, thereby grounding the coil 22 and rendering the device inoperative. The location of

springs

93 and 94 is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

Novel means are provided for applying a'lubricant in satisfactory'quantities to thesurface of cam Q3. In the form shown, said oiler is mounted in the wall of casing member Il in radial alignment with the cam, the same comprising a hollow nut 8d threadedly secured in an opening in casing member 1I. Slidably disposed within nut 84 is a cylindrical container 85 which is closed at one end by element 86 which may be integral therewith. Container 85 is substantially filled with a lubricant saturated Wick 31 which projects from the inner end thereof for actuation into contact with cam 43. Unitary means in the form of a bellows 83 are provided for both excluding water and for yieldably holding the parts in position with the wick out of contact with the surface of cam 43. The lower end of the bellows is attached, such as by soldering, tc nut 8d and the upper end thereof is similarly attached and mechanically secured to the end 86 of the container. When it is desired to apply a lubricant to the cam surface, it is merely necessary to apply manual pressure in the direction of the arrow, thereby compressing bellows 83 and moving the wick against the cam. Upon release of the pressure the bellows will withdraw the wick away from the cam. Means such as a pin 89 may be provided for holding the wick against movement relative to its container. If desired the space l!! may be lled or partially lled with liquid lubricant. When wick Si is saturated and pressed against the cam surface, it will leave a spot of lubricant on the latter which will in turn be spread over the surface of the cam by cam follower 49 during rotation of the former. If desired, the wick may be held against the cam while the latter is rotated.

There is thus provided a simple and enicient magneto-distributor of light weight construction which is novelly housed to exclude water even during complete submersion and to provide goed radio shielding. Additionally, the casing-magneto unit combination comprehended by the present invention provides for ready removal of the electrical unit from the casing without necessity for disturbing the adjustment of the casing and hence the unit itself relative to the engine and without necessity for access to fastening bolts or the like in the crowded space adjacent the engine.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the foregoing specication, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto. Various novel features of the illustrated construction could be used in combination with other types of specific elements. For example, other specic types of magnetic rotors or magnetic flux distributors could be emn ployed and other types of distributor constructions could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the broader aspects of the invention, Other changes could also be made in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts illustrated as well as in the kinds of materials suggested without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will now be understood by those skilled in the art. For a deiinition of the limits of the invention reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A magneto generator including a housing comprising a body of insulating material and a cover, magnetic flux conducting stator poles errbedded in said body and having extensions projecting from said body, a magnetic flux conducting core connecting said extensions, a coil wound on said core, a magnetic flux distributing rotor mounted in said housing and adapted to cooperate with said stator poles, a metallic casing adapted to be adjustably secured to an engine or the like, said casing having an opening in the end thereof adjacent the engine for slidably receiving an extension at one end of said housing, and means for supporting the other end of said housing in said casing and for securing the same in predetermined fixed relation within the casing.

2. For combination with an internal combustion engine or the like, a casing comprising a main body portion adapted to be adjustably secured lat one end to an engine and removable cover means for the other end of said body portion, an operable self-contained unit comprising an ignition distributor and a magneto generator removably mounted in said main body portion in a predetermined fixed position relative thereto, and means for drivably connecting the rotatable parts of said unit to a driving part of the engine when said unit is mounted in the casing on the engine, said unit being removable from the casing as an operable unit when the casing is mounted on the engine, one end of said casing having an opening of sufficient size to pass said connecting means and the other end being opened suiciently by r-emoval of said cover means to pass said unit.

3. For combination with an internal combustion engine or the like, a substantially watertight sectional casing adapted to be mounted for angular adjustment on the engine, a magneto generator unit in said casing, said unit including a mass of molded insulation in which metallic parts of the unit are embedded and one end of said unit being supported by a cylindrical extension of said mass slidably engaging an opening in the wall of said casing adjacent the engine, and means removable through the outer end of said casing for supporting the other end of said unit in the casing in a predetermined fixed position therein.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a casing adapted to be adjustably secured on an engine or the like, a unit comprising electrical current generating means removably mounted in said casing in a predetermined fixed position relative thereto, and means for drivably connecting said current generating means to the driving member of an engine, said unit being removable from the casing in operating condition when the casing is mounted on an engine and said casing having an opening in one wall of suiiicient size to pass said connecting means and a normally covered opening in another wall of sufficient size toV pass said unit.

5. Apparatus as deiined in claim 4 wherein said unit includes an electrical current distributor comprising a rotatable part secured to the rotor of the current generating means and a stationary terminal block mounted for cooperation with said rotatable part.

6. Apparatus as dened in claim 4 wherein said unit includes a circuit breaker and electrical current distributing means comprising a rotatable part carrying an electrode and a stationary contact block mounted for cooperation with said electrode, said rotatable part having a cam surface for periodically operating said circuit breaker.

7. For combination with an engine, a sectional casing adapted to be adjustably secured to the engine and including cover means forming the end of the casing remote from the engine, an electrical current generating unit removably mounted in said casing and including a circuit breaker having an insulated terminal, an opening in said cover means for receiving a removable terminal, a resilient contact member mounted on and insulated from said, cover means, adapted, to engage. said` insulated terminal when the cover means is in, casing-closing position, and resilient Contact means-having one end electrically connected to said resilient contact member and insulated from said cover means, the other end of said resilient Contact means being adapted to electrically engage said removable terminal when the latter is installed in said opening and to electrieally engage said cover means When said removable terminal is. Withdrawn.

RICHARD B. CLARK'.

REFERENCES CITED They iollowing references are. ofv record in the le of this patent:

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