US2641669A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1953 M. NpGLKlKMAN 2,641,669

ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Aug. 31, 1948 Q 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

MANNES N. GLICKMAN ATTORNEY June 9, 1953 'M. N. GLICKMAN ELECTRIC SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 31, 1948 B G H ""Fl G. 10

'FIG.15

FIG.14

INVENTOR.

MANNES N. GLICKMAN ATTORNEY Patented June 9, 1953 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH Mannes Glickman, Nutley, N. J.

Original application August 31., 104.8,, Serial. No. 47,050, now Patent No. 2,597,080, datedM'ay 20,

1952. Divided and this application December 15, 1951, Serial No. 261,808

7- Claims. 1

This invention relates to electric switches of the liquid contact, mercury type. This applicatijon is a division of application Ser. No. 47,050, filed August 31, 1948, now Patent No. 2,597,080, May 20; 1952. 7

An object of this invention is to provide an electric switch which includes a movable circuit clos ing element and a switch housing for mounting such element.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch construction including a housing and a. switch body mounted for movement in the housing and comprising exteriorly projecting terminals, the housing having contact strips which are slidablyengaged by the terminals as the switch body is moved between its on and" off posi tions.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch construction including a housing and a switch body of the mercury contact type, the switch body being rotatable about a transverse axis and including eccentrically disposed terminals which are adapted to move from positions. below and above the level of the mercury as the body is rotated, the housing being provided with arcuatecontact strips which are slidably engaged by exterior portions of the switch body as the same is rotated.

Yet-a further object of this invention is to pro videa switch housing which may be fabricated from a minimum number of component. parts, is economical to produce and; is highly eflicient when used in combination with a movable switch body particularly adapted therefor.

Otherobjects of this invention will in part, be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafterdescribed, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the claims following,

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. I is a vertical section of a switch body embodying the invention; Fig. 2- is a side elevationalview thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a switch body embodying the invention and illustrating a modification thereof; Figs. 4 and 5 are side elevational views, showing different rotated positions thereof;

Fig. 6- is a vertical section of another modified form of switch body; Fig; '1 is a. sideelevational viewthereof Fig. 3 is a side elevational view'of a switch hous- 2- ingembodying the invention and a switch body mounted therein; Fig. 9. is a. transverse sectional view thereof;

Fig. 10. is a side elevational View of a contact member of the switch housing shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 1'1 is, a vertical section of a switch body showing modified form of terminals; Fig. 12 is, a side elevational view thereof; Fig. 13 is. a top plan View of a contact. member for use with the switch body shown in Fig.11;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section of still a further modified form of switch body;

Fig; 15 is a side: elevational view of a switch body showing means for rotating the same; and

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of the switch body shown in Fig. '7- and' rotated to its 01f position.

Referring in detail to the drawing and particu-. larly to. Figs. 1 and 2, I0 designates a switch body embodying the invention. The same comprises a pair of similar, juxtaposed walled members II which are secured together to. form a hermetically sealed chamber l2 between the members.

Each of the members I l comprises a dished circular wall I 31 from which there extends outwardly a peripheral portion M. The members. II' are formed of a molded vitreous material such as glass. The members H are readily bonded together by fusion of the opposed faces of the. peripheral portions. [4.

The members: I l are provided with aligned terminal pins t5 hermetically sealed into. walls l3 and disposed transversely thereof. The inner end of pins l5 extend to the chamber l2 while the outer ends of: the pins project exteriorlyof the walls [3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pins [5 are eccentricall-y related to the axis of the circular walls I 3. One ofthe pins 1 5 may be hollow to permit. the exhaustion of the chamber l2, following the introduction of a small amount of mercury I1 into the chamber. The exhausted air is replaced by gas such as helium, nitrogen, car bon dioxide, or the like. The hollow pin is: then suitably-sealed;

A radially extending handle It may be fixed to the body [:0 by having its inner end suitably secured to a selected portion thereof. The handIe may be of metal and fused to the vitreous members or it maybe of anon-metallic material, such as plastic or the like, in which case it may be cemented or otherwise secured to the vitreous members.

The switch body I0 may be mounted in a suitable housing provided with opposed contacts cuit and which may be engaged by the terminals l while said body is rotated through a predetermined angle by means of handle I8 which is adapted to project exteriorly of the housing. It is understood that in one position of the body, the pins l5 are immersed in the pool of mercury l1, thereby electrically interconnecting the same to complete the circuit, while in another position of the body, the pins will be disposed above the level of the mercury pool ll, as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2, thereby electrically disconnecting the terminals and breaking the circuit. Y

To reduce arcing efiects within chamber 12, the pins I5 may be in offset relation to each other, whereby, on rotation of the body Ill, only one of the pins 15 emerges from the mercury pool IT, to break the circuit.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 is shown a switch body illustrating a modification of the invention. The same comprises a pair of similar, juxtaposed circular vitreous members 2|. Each of these members includes a wall 22 formed with a recess 23 on one face thereof, disposed eccentrically of the transverse axis of the wall. The members 2| further include oppositely disposed face portions 24. The members 2! are readily fused together at the opposed faces of the portions 24. The opposed recesses 23 will thus form a hermetically sealed chamber 25. Metal alloy pins 26 are hermetically seal-ed into the walls 22 transversely thereof to provide terminals. The terminals are disposed at the transverse axis of rotation of the body 20 and extend to the lower portion of chamber 25 as shown in Figs. 3, 4.

The chamber 25 has a small amount of mercury 21 introduced therein through one of the pins 26 in the manner previously described. On rotating the body 20 about its terminals 26 as an axis, by means of a handle 28 extending from the body, from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5, the terminals will maintain their axial position while the mercury level will change from a position covering the inner ends of the terminals to a position uncovering the terminals, thereby electrically disconnecting the same.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a switch body 30 similar to that shown in Figs. 1, 2, except as hereinafter described. The dished members ll enclose a ceramic barrier disc 3!. The disc 3| is of a thickness substantially equal to that of chamber l2 between the members II and is formed on its opposite faces with recesses 32 which are interconnected by a transverse opening 33. The terminals l5 in walls I3 are disposed slightly out of alignment with opening 33. In one position of the body 3! the mercury I! extends on either side of the disc 3| as well as in the opening 33 therein so as to electrically interconnect the terminals l5. On rotating the body 30 through a predetermined angle by means of handle [8, the opening 33 in disc 3! will be above the level of the mercury IT, as shown in Fig. 16, thereby dividing the mercury pool into two separated portions and breaking the circuit between the terminals.

The switch bodies l0 and 3 may be mounted for rotation in a switch housing- 48 which comprises a pair of walledmembers 4! in opposed relation, as shown in Figs. 8, 9. The members 4! may be formed with suitable recesses 42 to receive the switch body. The members 4! are further formed on their inner surfaces with arcuate grooves 43. Disposed within the grooves 43 are arcuate strips 44 of contact metal formed with arcuate grooves 45 for receiving the terminal pins l5 and guiding the same during their arcuate movement upon rotation of the switch body. Extensions 46 of the strips 44 project outwardly of the housin and are provided with screws 41 to form terminal connectors. The handle l8 on the switch body projects through an opening 48 in the housing to permit rotation of the switch body through a predetermined angle. The rotation of the switch body makes or breaks the circuit in which the switch is connected, in the manner previously described.

The angular extent of the arcuate grooves 45 in contacts 44 will determine the limits of rotation of the switch body and form stops to establish on and off positions of the switch.

In Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are shown a further embodiment of the invention. The same comprises a switch body 50 which includes dished vitreous members II and a sealed mercury chamber l2, as previously described. Each of the members H has secured to the outer face thereof, a terminal 5!. The terminal 51 includes a portion 52 extending through the walls of member II and projecting into chamber 12. Each of the terminals 5| is further formed with a pair of curved, concentric flanges 53 connected at their opposite ends to form an arcuate guideway 54.

The switch body 58 may be mounted for retational movement in a switch housing similar to housing 40 except as hereinafter described. The housing walls are formed to receive contact members 6|. As shown in Fig. 13, members 6! include pins 62 at right angles thereto, such pins being receivable in guideway 54 of terminals 5! and making sliding contact therewith upon rotation of the switch body 59. The contact members 5| may be of spring metal, suitably biased toward each other to resiliently press the pins 62 against members 5! of the switch body 50. The members 6| also include terminal screws 63 for making suitable connections with the wiring with which the switch is associated.

In Fig. 14 is shown a switch body Ill which includes a pair of dished vitreous members ll which are fused together to form a hermetically sealed chamber 72. Interposed between the members H is an annular metallic member 73 of T shaped transverse section. The member 73 becomes sealed between the fused members H and provides an outer rim portion 14. The rim portion 74 may be used to secure a handle thereto for rotating the switch body. Also, the rim portion may provide a bearing surface for the switch body relative to the housing in which the switch body is mounted.

The dished vitreous bodied used in making the liquid contact switches, referred to hereinabove, may be of glass or glassy material of a suitable fusing point. The terminals fused into the dished members are made of suitable metals or metal alloys well known in the art and selected in terms of the particular glass used in making the vitreous members, to insure the proper hermetic seal therebetween.

The switch bodies may be provided with one or more notches on peripheral portions thereof, to attach handles having portions removably engaged in said notches. Since the bodies are of insulating vitreous material, the notch engaging portions of the handle may be of spring metal suitably flanged toengage the notches. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 15 wherein the peripheral portion of switch body' it is formed with notches 80. A handle [8a includes a spring metal portion 8| with flanges 82 at opposite ends thereof which may be snapped into notches 80.

It will thus be seen that there is provided electric switches in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments set forth, it is understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. A switch comprising a housing including a pair of opposed walls, opposed facing contact means on said walls, a rotatable circuit closer located between said contact means and including terminals respectively associated with each of said contact means, each pair of associated contact means and terminals having relative slidable engagement in a predetermined arcuate path.

2. A switch as in claim 1, wherein said termi nals are eccentrically disposed relative to the transverse axis of said circuit closer and said contact means comprises arcuate strips.

3. A switch as in claim 1, wherein said contact means are eccentrically disposed relative to the transverse axis of said housing and said terminals comprise arcuate strips.

4. A switch comprising a housing including a pair of opposed walls, arcuate contact strips on said walls in opposed facing relation to each other, a rotatable liquid contact closer between said 6 strips, said closer having outwardly projecting terminals eccentrically related to the axis of rotation of said closer, each of said terminals slidably engaging one of said contact strips respectively, and means for rotating said closer.

5. A switch as in claim 4, wherein said contact strips include means for limiting the extent of rotation of said closer. I

6. A switch comprising a housing and a rotatable circuit closer mounted therein, said closer including a pair of terminal members eccentri cally located relative to the rotational axis thereof and movable in an arcuate path upon rotation oi! said closer and contact members on said housing respectively engageabl with said terminal mem- MANNES N. GLICKMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,101,092 Payne Dec. '7, 1937 2,434,065 Courtney Jan. 6, 1948 2,572,505 Miller Oct. 23, 1951

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