US2638003A - Operating mechanism for high voltage electric circuit interrupting devices - Google Patents

Description

May 12, 1953 s. 1. LINDELL 2,638,003

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES Filed Feb. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

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May 12, 1953 s. 1. LINDELL 2,533,003

' OPERATING MECHANISM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1950 IN VENT0R. fi gard [.ZLIZM, W

y 12, 1953 s. l. LINDELL OPERATING MECHANISM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES Filed Feb. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 s. I. LINDELL 2,638,003 HANISM OR HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC T INT RUP DEVICES F ER TING May 12, 1953 OPERATING M CIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15 1950 INVENTOR.

yardffazakll, BY W Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Sigurd I. Lindell, Chicago, 111., assignor to S & C Electric Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application February 15, 1950, Serial No. 144,297

This invention relates, generally, to operating mechanisms for translating motion to efiect certain operations, and it has particular relation to snap acting devices for operating high voltage electric power switches and the like.

When disconnecting type electric power switches are provided with load interrupter devices to effect the final load current interruption on opening and to effect the initial circuit completion on closing, the functioning of the load interrupter device should take place at high speed. This reduces arcing time to a minimum with a consequent decrease in erosion of the contacts and associated arc extinguishing material. There is then a corresponding increase in the operating life of the interruptin deviceand a reduction in the cost of maintaining it in proper operating condition. This is particularly the case where relatively high load currents are interrupted and also where there is a high inrush current and arcing between the contacts of the load. interrupter device when the circuit voltage is of the order of several thousand volts.

Among the objects of this invention are: To operate a driven member connected to an electric switch or the like for moving the same with a snap action on operation of a driving member without regard to its speed of movement; to interconnect the driven and driving members through a spring; to hold the driven member against movement while the driving member is moved to tension the spring; to pretension the spring so that movement of the driving member additionally tensions it; to release the driven member for movement when the driving member reaches a predetermined position; to provide a positive rigid connection between the driven and driving members under certain operating condiditions; to mount the driven member for rotation in such manner that its movement is unimpeded by friction engendered by operation of the driving member; to accomplish this by journalling the driven and driving members independently of each other; to transmit torque between the driven and driving members through a torsion spring; to employ a hollow operating shaft for the driven member and mount the driving member at one end to rock about the same axis; and to position the torsion spring within the hollow operating shaft and connect it at one end to the driving member and at the other end to the shaft at the end away from the driving member.

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

This invention is disclosed in the embodiment 9 Claims. (Cl. 74-100) thereof 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 this invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a View in front elevation of a three phase interrupter switch arranged for remote manual operation in which the present invention is incorporated;

Figure 2 is a view, in side elevation, of the switch and operating mechanism illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view, at an enlarged scale, of the right hand end of the snap acting operating mechanism, as viewed in Figure 1, the connection thereto by the remote manually operable mechanism being omitted;

Figure 4 is a view at an enlarged scale, showing the arrangement of the latch at the right hand end of the operating shaft as viewed in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of Figure 3, the details of the latch mechanism being omitted;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken generally along the line 66 of Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 6, but showing the latch mechanism in the latch released position.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be observed that the reference character Ill designates, generally, a three phase interrupter switch assembly which may include three interrupter switch units, each of which is indicated, generally, at H. The details of construction of the interrupter switch units i I form no part of the present invention. Each interrupter switch unit may be constructed in accordance with the disclosure of Patent No. 2,351,826, issued June 20, 1944. However, it will be understood that other switch constructions can be employed in practicing the present invention.

The interrupter switch units II are separated from each other and from associated apparatus by insulating barriers I2. Each of the switch units tincludes insulators 13 which support line terminals !4 at their outer ends. A switch blade I5 is hinged on a hinge boss It to the lower line terminal 24 and is arranged to engage "a stationary contact H carried by the upper line terminal I4. Each of the switch units H includes a load interrupter device, indicated generally at I8, the details of construction or" which are set forth in the patent above referred to. A flexible shunt contact [9 is carried by the switch blade i5 and is arranged to complete the circuit through the load interrupter device l8 while the switch unit H is being operated to interrupt load current or to close the circuit and permit load current to flow.

The interrupter switch units 1 i may be mounted on a frame, indicated generally at 22, that may be formed of angle iron. For example, the frame 22 may include side angles 23 and cross angles 24 which are welded together to provide a unitary construction. The frame 22 may be mounted on cross members 25 which, in turn, are carried by suitable uprights 26.

Provision is made for gang operation of the interrupter switch units 1 I. For this purpose an insulating link 21 is pivotally connected at 28 to each of the switch blades I5. At its other end the insulating link 2'! is pivotally connected to an arm 30 which is fast on a hollow operating shaft -31. It will be understood that three arms 30 are clamped to the hollow operating shaft 31 one for each of the switch units 1 l. The hollow operating shaft 3| is journalled near its ends on bearing plates 32 which are welded to the inner edges of the side angles 23.

Any suitable mechanism can be provided for operating the interrupter switch units l I from a remote point. If desired, in accordance with the present invention, a motor operating mechanism can be used such as an electric or a fluid motor. For simplicity a manual operating mechanism is disclosed herein. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 this mechanism includes an operating handle 35 which is pivoted at 36 on a suitable support 31. An adjustable link 38 is pivoted at 39 to the operat handle 35 at one end and at the other end it is pivoted at 40 to an arm 4| which extends from a coupling member 42 that is clamped to an extension of an operating member, to be described hereinafter, which forms a part of the snap acting operating mechanism constituting the present invention.

In Figure 5 there are shown more clearly the details of construction of the hollow operating shaft 3|, its mounting in the frame 22 on the bearing plates 32 and the manner in which torque is transmitted thereto. As there illustrated, a sleeve 46 is secured to the right hand end of the hollow operating shaft 3i. This may be done by keying or by welding as may be desired. The sleeve 46 abuts a bearing 47 which is carried by one of the bearing plates 32. Near the left hand end the hollow operating shaft 3i is mounted on a bearing 48 which is secured thereto by a bolt 48, The bearing 48 is journalled in the other bearing plate 32, as shown. At the outer or left hand end of the hollow operating shaft 3| a spring anchor 53 is secured thereto by a bolt 5!. The spring anchor at has a kerf 52 in its outer end for receiving a suitable tool to permit pretensioning of a spring which is engaged by the other end of the spring anchor 50. At its other end the spring anchor 59 has a slot 53 for receiving a torsion bar spring 54. While the spring 54 is illustrated as being rectangular in cross section, it will be understood that other shapes, such as a circular torsion bar spring, can be employed if desired.

It will be observed that the torsion bar spring 54 extends substantially the full length of the 4 hollow operating shaft 3| and that it is guided therein by fibre spacers 55 which facilitate assembling the torsion spring 54 and the anchor 53 in the hollow shaft 3!.

At its other or outer end the torsion bar spring ,54 extends into a slot 543 of an pperating mel her 5?. The operating member 5? is arranged to be rotated by the operating mechanism, such as the operating handle 35, to transmit torque to the hollow operating shaft 3! and move the switch blades 15 "of the interrupter switch units it to and from the switch closed position. The inanner in which this is accomplished will be dcscribed presently.

As shown more clearly in Figure 5 the oper ating member 51 is journalled in a bearing 53 that is carried by the upstanding flange of the right hand side angle 23 and secured thereto by bolts '59. It is noted here that the operating member 5'! is journalled entirely independently of the bearing support for the hollow operating shaft 31. There is then no friction drag on the movement of the hollow operating shaft 31 resulting from pressure which exists between the operating member 57 and its bearing 53 when the spring 54 is tensioned or further tensioned during the operation of the switch units 1 l. The operating member 57 has a hollow extension 60 which projects beyond the right hand side angle 23 to permit mechanical attachment of the coupling member 42 so that the operating member 5? can be rocked on movement of the operating handle 35.

With a view to permitting some degree of movement of the operating member 57 while the hollow operating shaft 3! is held stationary for the purpose of tensionin-g or additionally tensioning the torsion bar spring 54, the sleeve 46 is provided with a radial aperture 53, Figures 6 and '7, for receiving a detent 64 that is carried by a latch member 55. The latch member 55 is pivoted on a bolt 66 which extends through the upstanding flange of the right hand side angle 23 and the adjacent bearing plate as shown more clearly in Figure 4. Surrounding the bolt 6E a latch spring 61 one end of which bears against the fiat portion of the right hand side angle 23 and the other end bears against the latch member 65 to bias it in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 6 and 7 and to hold the detent 64 in the aperture 63.

In order to lift the latch member 35 so as to withdraw the detent 64 carried thereby from the aperture 63 and permit the hollow operating shaft 3| to rotate with a snap action for opening the switch blades IS, the latch member is provided with cam followers 68. Two are provided to permit the use of the same latch member 55 for mounting on the opposite side of the frame 22. The latch member 65 is arranged to be rocked in a clockwise direction by a cam 69 which is formed integrally with the operating member 57. As shown in Figure 6 the cam 69 has a fiat cam surface 10 which, in the position that is shown, permits the spring 61 to hold the detent 34 in the aperture 63.

Now, when the operating member 51 and the cam 69 are rocked in a counterclockwise directron as indicated by the arrow H. Figure 7, on movement of the operating handle 35 in a similar direction as indicated by the arrow 12, Figure 2, the fiat cam surface 10 is rocked to the position shown in Figure 7. In this movement of the cam surface 10, the cam follower 68 in engagement therewith is rocked outwardly so as to lift the detent 54 out of the aperture 63. the detent 64, by its being positioned in the apering shaft 3 Previously ture 53, had prevented the rocking movement of the hollow operating shaft 3| while the spring 54 was being tensioned or further tensioned by rotation of the operating member 51 on movement of the operating handle 35.

It is desirable that provision be made for moving the switch blades I5 conjointly with the movement of the operating handle 35 toward the spaced shoulders I3 and 74 are provided on the sleeve 45 as illustrated more clearly in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Cooperating with these shoulders is a boss '15, Figure 3, that is formed integrally with the operating member 51'.

When the switch blades I5 are to be moved to the closed position, the ends of the boss I5 are in engagement with the shoulders I3, as shown in Figure 3. Then when the operating handle 35 is rocked in a clockwise direction, the hollow operating shaft 3I moves with the operating member 51 as a unit to swing the switch blades I5 to the closed position.

In the event that, when the switch blades I5 are being opened, they should be retarded for any reason such as corrosion or sleet or ice conditions, there is the possibility that, even when the detent 54 is withdrawn from the aperture 53, the torsion spring 54 may not have sufficient strength to break the switch blades it loose.

Accordingly, when this occurs, the ends of the boss engage the shoulders M and establish a direct interconnection between the operating member 5! and the hollow operating shaft 3!. Then, as Soon as the switch blades I5 are broken loose, the torsion spring 54 normally will have sufficient power to effect continued movement .of the switch blades 15 with a snap action and spring 5d so that it is additionally tensioned when the operating member 51 is rocked while the hollow operating shaft is restrained from movement by engagement of the detent 64 with the sleeve 45 which is fast on the hollow operatof the operating handle 35, the torison bar spring 5 i 1s tensioned additionally to perform its subsequent snap action in rocking the hollow operating shaft 3I and swinging the switch blades i5 toward the open position.

It will be understood, however, that the present invention may be practiced without pretensioning the torsion bar spring 54. Likewise, if desired, a second latch or its equivalent then can be provided similar to the latch member 65 together with a suitable cam actuator therefor on It is for this purpose that the 6 the operating member 51. In such case the snap action can be obtained for both closing and opening of the switch blades I5.

As indicated hereinbefore, the construction shown in the drawings is arranged for either right hand or left hand mounting. For this reason two apertures 53 are provided in the sleeve 46 as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Also, as indicated hereinbefore, two cam followers 58 are provided on the latch member 55 to permit opposite hand mounting. Since the flat cam surface it is symmetrical with respect to the detent 64, as viewed in Figure 6, it can be employed Without change for left hand mounting. The left hand side angle 63 is constructed so as to receive the hearing 58 for the left hand mounting.

Since certain changes can be made in the foregoing construction and different embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings and. described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A snap acting device comprising. in combination, a rockably mounted driving member, a driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said driven member about the axis of rotation of said driving member and independently thereof so that each member is freely mov able with respect to the other member, a main spring interconnecting said members, a latch member pivotally mounted to rock about an axis parallel to said axis of rotation and acting to prevent movement of said driven member, a cam on said driving member, a cam follower on said latch member, and a latch spring cooperating with said latch member and biasing said cam follower into engagement with said cam, said driving member being rockable through a predetermined arc to tension said main spring while said driven member is restrained by said latch member until said cam operates said latch member out of engagement with said driven member whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said main spring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked; and arcuately spaced shoulders on one of said members, and a cooperating boss on the other of said members whereby direct driving engagement therebetween is had when said driving member has rocked through said are and said. latch means no longer prevents movement of said driven member and direct driving engagement therebetween also is had when said driving memher is rocked in the opposite direction.

2. A snap acting device comprising, incombination, a rockably mounted driving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said driven member free of said driving member about its axis of rotation, a torsion spring extending from said driving member in the same direction that said driving member was rocked.

3. A snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounted driving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said driven member free of said driving member about its axis of rotation, a torsion spring extending from said driving member into said tubular driven member and constituting a driving connection therebetween, latch means acting to prevent movement of said driven member, a cam on said driving member for operating said latch means, said driving member being rockable through a predetermined arc to tension said torsion spring while said driven member is restrained by said latch means until said cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said torsion spring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked; and arcuately spaced shoulders on one of said members, and acooperating boss on the other of said members whereby direct driving engagement therebetwcen is had when said driving member has rocked through said are and said latch means no longer prevents movement of said driven member and direct driving engage ment therebetween also is had when said driving member is rocked in the opposite direction.

4. A snap acting device comprising, in com bination, a rockably mounted driving member, a

tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said driven member free of said driving member about its axis of rotation, a torsion spring extending from said driving member axially into said tubular driven member and connected thereto at a point remote from said 01 'iving member to provide a driving connection therebetween, a latch member rockably mounted about an axis parallel to said axis of rotation of said driving and driven members, a latch spring biasing said latch member into latching engagement with said driven member, and a cam on said driving member for operating said latch men.- ber, said driving member being rockabl through a predetermined arc to tension said torsion spring while said driven member is restrained by said latch member until said cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said torsion spring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked.

5. A snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounted driving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said driven member free of said driving member about its axis of rotation, a tor sion spring extending from said driving memher into said tubular driven member and con stituting a driving connection therebetween, a latch member rockably mounted about an axis parallel to said axis of, rotation of said driving and driven members, a latch spring biasing said latch member into latching engagement with said driven member, a cam on said driving member for operating said latch member, said driving member being rockable through a predetermined arc to tension said torsion spring While said driven member is restrained by said latch member until said cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said torsion spring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked; and arcuately spaced shoulders on one of said members, and a cooperating boss on the other of said members whereby direct driving engagement therebetween is had when said driving member has rocked through said arc and said latch means no longer prevents movement of said driven member and direct driving engagement therebetween also is had when said driving member is rocked in the opposite direction.

6. A snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounted driving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said driven member free of said d iving member about its axis of rotation, a torsion spring extending from said driving member axially into said tubular driven member and connected thereto at a point remote from said driving member to provide a driving connection therebetween, a latch member rockably mounted about an axis parallel to said axis of said driving and driven members, a detent carried by said latch member for insertion into an aperture in said driven member, a latch spring biasing said latch member to hold said detent in latching position in said aperture, and a cam on said driving member for operating said latch memher to withdraw said detent from said aperture, said driving member being rockable through a predetermined are to tension said torsion spring while said driven member is restrained by said latch member until said cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said torstion spring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked.

'7. snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounted driving member, a tubular driven member, bearing means rockabl'y mounting said driven member free of said driving member about its axis of rotation with one end juxtaposed thereto, a torsion spring secured at one end to and extending from said driving member axially into said tubular driven member and secured thereto near its other end at a point remote from said driving member to provide a driving connection between said driving and driven members, latch means acting to prevent movement of said driven member, and a cam on said driving member for operat ing said latch means, said driving member being rockable through a predetermined arc to tension said torsion spring while said driven member is restrained by said latch means until said cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said torsion spring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked.

8. A snap acting mechanism for interconnection between a switch and an operating memher to operate the former with a snap action when the latter is operated comprising, in 0mm bination, a rockably mounted driving member adapted to be connected to said operating memher, a tubular driven member, an arm fast on said tubular driven member adapted to be connected to said switch, bearing means rockably -mounting said driven member free of said driving member about its axis of rotation, a torsion spring extending from said. driving member axially into said tubular driven member and connected thereto at a point remote from said driving member to provide a driving connection therebetween, latch means acting to prevent movement of said driven member, and a cam on said driving member for operating said latch means, said driving member being rockable through a predetermined arc to tension said torsion spring while said driven member is restrained by said latch means until said cam operatesthe same whereupon said driven member is rocked with a snap action by said torsion spring in the same direction that said driving member was rocked.

9. A. snap acting device comprising, in combination, a rockably mounted driving member, a driven member, bearing means rockably mounting said driven member about the axis of rotation or said driving member and independently thereof so that each member is freely movable with respect to the other member, a spring interconnectingsaid members, latch means acting to prevent movement of said driven member in either direction, cam means on said driving member for operating said latch means, said driving member being rockable in either direction through a predetermined arc to tension said spring while said driven member is restrained by said latch means until said cam operates the same whereupon said driven member is rocked said are and said latch means no longer prevents movement of said driven member.

SIGUR-D I. L-INDELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 635,373 Downes Oct. 24, 1899 665,514 Ely Jan. 8, 1901 1,760,547 Fisher May 27, 1939 Rowe Apr. 26, 1949

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