US2656434A - Time delay relay - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1953 T. B. JocHr-:M 2,656,434

TIME DELAY RELAY Filed July 30, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l O --I -L -74 I' H O 7 /z L? 7/ :i i l ,/75' 1| I! /Z f :E j i 1 O f 7i Oct. 20, 1953 T, B JQCHEM 2,656,434

TIME DELAY RELAY Filed July 30, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z4 77 INVENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 30 1951 m 5 my m3. /H p j f /M Afw 7 5 z 3 H M M sv Q Patented Oct. 20, 1953 TIME DELAY RELAY Theodore B. Jochem, Wauwatosa, Wis., assigner to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation of Delaware Application July 30, 1951, Serial No. 239,224

15 Claims. i

This invention relates to electromagnetically operated timing relays of the latching variety.

An object of the invention is to provide a rela tively simple and compact timing relay adapted to maintain predetermined standards of operation while subjected to high intensity percussion such as occurs in the vicinity of large explosions and the like.

Another object is to provide a latching relay which has a ihigh current carrying capacity and is satisfactorily operable l.by either direct or alternating current.

A further object is to provide a timing relay wherein the contact members may be readily adjusted to either normally open or normally closed positions, and wherein a plurality of said contact members are individually latched and ad justed for selective sequential operation at the desired points in the time delay interval.

The timing relay, in general, comprises a biased electromagnetically actuated plunger assembly which operates through an intermediate mem ber to normally hold a regulable time delay means in `a retracted position. When released by the plunger, the time delay means and intermediate member move at a predetermined rate to trip individual latching elements and thereby effect selective opening or closing of corresponding switch members, the latter being biased for snapacton movement upon tripping of the latch elements therefor. In order to reset the switch members and to cooperate with the latch elements in preventing undesired switching action, means are provided in the plunger assembly to bear directly on the various switch members and Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the device, with parts being broken away to show details of the plunger and guides;

Fig. s an enlarged detail View of thcvball valve assembly and actuating member; and

fi L) Fig. 7 is a detail view of a locked set screw and one of the latch levers.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 5 thereof, the components of the timing relay include a magnet frame and coil assembly l, a time delay assembly 2 `arranged beneath the assembly l and spaced a substantial distance therefrom, and various intermediate switch and switch operating elements the structure and functioning of which will be described in detail subsequently. All of the components of the relay are directly or indirectly supported by a vertically disposed rectangular mounting plate 3 which is adapted with bolt holes 4 for securing to a relay panel or the like.

The assembly I comprises a rectangular laminated magnet frame 5 having lower and upper pairs t and 1 of angle brackets secured thereto las by rivets extending transversely through the laminations. The outwardly extending or flange portions (i of the various angle brackets are arranged to straddle a pair of vertical bars 9 which are bolted to mounting plate 3, so that bolts Il! may be extended through the bars 9 and bracket fianges to rigidly support the magnet frame.

In completing the assembly I, a solenoid coil Il is disposed within the frame and electrically separated therefrom by insulating washers l2 mounted adjacent the ends of the coil. The coil may be held in position by a pair of spring clips I3, w-hich press between the lower washer l2 and angle brackets 6 and urge the coil and upper washer against the upper portion of the magnet frame.

Referring to Figs. l and 5, the magnet frame 5, angle brackets '6 and l, and coil Il are suitably apertured or recessed to receive a pair of channel-shaped guides i4 and a rectangular solenoid plunger l5 slidably mounted between the guides. In order to rigidly hold each of the guides I4 in position, an angle clip I5 at the bottom thereof is bolted to the corresponding flange 8 of a lower angle bracket 6, and a guide plate I1 at the top thereof is inserted into a recess in an upper angle bracket l, the angle clip and guide plate having been previously secured to the associated plunger guide I as by projection welding.

The plunger l5 is constructed of a plurality of soft steel laminations riveted between a pair of side plates I8 which extend a substantial distance below the laminations as best shown in Figs. l and 3. To complete the plunger assembly, a T- shaped spring support i9 and a pair of pressure plates 20 are riveted between the lower ends oi' the side plates I8, with the pressure plates being disposed outwardly of the spring support and extending therebeneath and to one side thereof for a purpose to be described subsequently.

The plunger assembly is biased downwardly by a pair of relatively strong coil compression springs 2i which are suitably seated between the horilrental arms of the spring support i9 and the underside of magnet frame 5. Because of the relatively strong downward bias exerted by springs 2i and by the weight of the plunger, the magnetic force necessary to elevate the plunger assembly is relatively7 large. The coil and plunger l5 are designed so that the required magnetic force may be created through use of either direct or alternating current, particularly since the structure or the relay permits the plunger to be of the laminated variety.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 3, the stem of the T-shaped spring support I9 bears downwardly against the cylindrically thickened bearing portion 22 of a horizontally disposed hinged plate 23 which serves as an intermediate member between the plunger assembly and the time delay means 2. A mounting for the plate 25, as well as for the time delay assembly, is provided in the form of a horizontal bracket 24 having vertically disposed hanged triangular end portions 25 bolted to the face of plate 3. The hinge connection between plate 23 and mounting bracket 24 may comprise a rod 25 which extends horizontally through the end portions 25 and through the upturned ends of a U-shaped bracket 2l, the latter being arranged along one edge of the plate and secured thereto as by riveting.

The time delay means 2 includes a casing hav- I' ing a generally rectangular base member 28 bolted to a horizontal portion of mounting bracket 24, and a cover member 29 secured to the underside of the base member by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 33. member and the cover member are preferably molded from a suitable phenolic molding compound.

As shown in Fig. 3, the assembled members 23 and E3 are shaped to define a chamber Vhaving upper and lower portions 3| and 32 divided by a flexible diaphragm 33. The diaphragm, which is inserted between the base and cover members and E3 and sealingly held in position by bolts is formed of a suitably huid-tight material such as rubber impregnated fabric or a plastic sheet.

In order to provide a means for the air or other huid contained within the upper chamber portion 3| to ow into the lower chamber' portion 32 when the diaphragm is elevated, a narrow passage is provided through the base and cover members 2S and 23 and through the diaphragm edge held thereby. The rate of fluid flow through the pasage is controlled by a needle valve member 35 which is adjustably threaded into a raised portion 35 of the cover member.

To permit quick return of the air to the. lower chamber portion 32 upon subsequent lowering of the diaphragm 33, a ball valve assembly 3l is suitably sealed into an aperture in the center of the diaphragm. As shown in Fig. 6, the assembly 3? comprises a casing 38 having upper and lower chambers 39 and 4Q separated by a relatively small cylindrical pasage 4|. A ball 42 is disposed in the lower chamber 4B and biased upwardly against the lower end of the passage by a helical compression spring 43 which is heldin place by a retaining ring 44 mounted at the lower end of the casing 33.

Both the base A The ball 42 is moved off its seat against the bias of spring 43 by a second and stronger helical spring 45 having its lower portion disposed in passage 4| and its upper portion secured in a corresponding recess in the lower end of a vertically disposed cylindrical actuating rod 46. The actuating rod 46, which extends upwardly through the base member 23, is provided at its upper end with a bearing bolt portion 4': having a wide head located directly beneath the cylindrical bearing portion 22 of the hinged plate 23. The portion 4l is internally threaded to fit over a reduced and threaded portion of the rod, with an overhanging shoulder being provided to permit seating against a washer disposed in a recess in the upper surface of base member 28.

In order to bias the actuating rod upwardly against the member 23, a compression spring 43 is coiled around the bolt 4l and seated against the wide head thereof and against the washer. The lower end of the actuating rod 4S being vertically movable in the upper chamber 33 of ball valve casing 33 but restrained from leaving the same by a iiange 49 at the bottom end of the rod and a correspondingly necked-down portion 53 at the top of casing 33, the actuating rod, ball valve assembly, diaphragm and hinged plate move upwardly under the bias of spring 48 when the solenoid plunger assembly is retracted.

The time delay assembly 2 is substantially the same as the ones shown and described in Kuhn, et al. Patent No. 2,556,225, issued May 2, 1950, and Jochem Patent No. 2,520,212, issued August 29, 1950. Reference is made to said patents for a more detailed description of the assembly.

In the operation of the elements thus far described, the parts are normally disposed in the position shown in Fig. 3 since the downward bias exerted by the springs 2| and solenoid plunger assembly is greater than the effective upward bias of spring 48. Upon energiz'etion of the solenoid coil l by either direct or alternating current, the plunger assembly is quickly moved upwardly and away from the bearing portion 22 of plate 23, with the Lipper end of the plunger l5 being seated against the top of the magnet frame 5.

The actuatirrT rod 46 is thus released for upward movement, and the intermediate hinged plate 23 is pivoted upwardly therewith under the lifting force exerted by the head of the bearing bolt portion 41 on the bearing portion 22 of the plate. This upward movement, however, is retarded by the drag action of the diaphragm 33 and associated parts, which action acts against the upward bias of spring 48.

When the actuating rod 46 starts to move upwardly upon retraction of the plunger assembly, the flange 49 (Fig. 6) at the lower end of the rod is seated against the necked-down portion 50 of the ball valve casing 38, so that the casing 38 and diaphragm 33 move upwardly with the actuating rod. During the interval, the ball 42 is seated by spring 43 on the lower end of passage 4| and consequently the narrow passage 34 (Fig. 3) through casing members 28 and 29 serves as the only means for air from the upper chamber portion 3| to ll the vacuum created in the lower chamber portion 32. Since the rate of air ow through passage 34 may be increased or decreased by adjustment of the needle valve member 35, the rate of upward movement of the actuating rod 46, and thus of the hinged plate 23, may thus be varied over a wide range.

The upward movement of actuating rod 46 continues until the upper portion 50 of ball valve casing 38 seats in a correspondingly recessed portion of the upper interior face of base member 25.

Upon the de-energization of coil I the plunger assembly snaps downwardly under the bias of springs 2|, so that the lower end of the spring support I9 engages the bearing portion 22 of hinged plate 2S and depresses the same together with the actuating rod 56 disposed therebeneath. During the initial portion of its downward move ment, the actuating rod 4.6 seats adjacent the upper end of passage 4| in the ball valve casing and causes the spring 45 to push the ball 42 off its seat against the bias of the relatively weak spring 43. The ball valve being thus opened, there is substantially no resistance to the now of air between the upper and lower chamber portions 3| and 32. The downward movement of the actuating rod 45 and hinged plate 23 is consequently a rapid one and continuous until the shoulder at the upper end of the actuating rod seats on the washer at the surface of base member 28.

According to the invention, the relatively slow upward pivot of the intermediate hinged plate 23 is employed to trip a pair of latch levers 5i arranged on opposite sides of the solenoid plunger assembly. The latch levers, when tripped, release correspondingly located switch levers 52 to cause snap-action circuit control as will next be described.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 2 wherein the parts are shown in both normal and actu ated positions, the latch and switch levers are mounted on the vertical portions of corresponding outwardly opening angle brackets 53 having their horizontal portions bolted opposite mount z.

portion 54 disposed above hinged plate 23 and a relatively short vertical portion 55 which converges downwardly to an edge above the associated switch lever. A suitabled ownwardly pointing set screw 56 is provided through the outer end of the horizontal portion 54 for actuation by the upwardly moving edge portion of hinged plate 23, which operates to pivot the latch lever in a clockwise direction about a horizontal mounting post 51 at the upper portion of bracket 53 and thus release the switch lever.

Each switch lever 52 is also of the bell crank type and is similarly mounted, as by a washer and cotter pin, on a post 58 at the lower end outer portion of the vertical bracket face. In the construction of each switch lever, inner and outer metal side plate portions 59 and 66 of right-angl lar shape are riveted to a vertical portion 6|, the latter being preferably formed of a suitable glassbased insulating materia-l to provide for the mounting cf contacts at the upper end thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a generally rectangular block 62 having a short cylindrical post 63 on its upper surface is riveted between the horizontal arms of each set of side plates 59 and 69 in such a position that the lower edge of the associated vertical latch portion 55 is normally a slight distance above the block. The post 63 then serves as a stop to prevent undesired counterclockwise pivot of latch lever 5| and as a bearing surface adapted to abut a small stop bracket 64 welded to angle bracket 53 and thus prevent unwanted clockwise pivot of the switch lever.

Each of the latch and switch levers is biased toward the stop therefor, the former by a spring v65 coiled around latch mounting post 51 and having its ends bearing against the upper surfaces of stop bracket 64 and horizontal latch portion 54, and the latter by a helical compression spring 66 seated between the underside of block 62 and the horizontal portion of angle bracket 53. Accordingly, each latch lever 5i tends to assume latching position over block 62, and each switch lever 52 tends to assume a position causing shifting of the contact assembly 61 at the upper end thereof.

The contact assemblies 61 each include a movable conducting contact plate 68 having its indented center portion slidably mounted on a con" tact screw 69 which extends through the nar rowed upper end 10 of the insulating lever portion 6|. A helical spring 1|, mounted between the head of screw 69 and the contact plate 68, serves to bias the ends of the plate toward a pair of vertically disposed conducting contact arms 12.

In order to provide an. insulating mounting for the pairs of contact arms 12, a rectangular contact board 13 is screwed to a pair of angle brackets 14 which are riveted on opposite sides of the outer vertical portion of magnet frame 5. As in the case of the vertical parts 6| of the switch levers, board 13 is preferably composed of a suitable glass-based insulating material.

The mounting means for each of the con tact arms 12 consists of a threaded contact post 15 and a corresponding nut 16, with the post exu tending forwardly from the mounting board to receive the ends of leadswith which 'the relay is adapted to be associated. As best shown in Fig. 1, the lower ends of the contact arms are offset inwardly from the upper ends thereof for better engagement with the correspon-ding contact plate 68.

' Inorder to adapt each of the contact assernn blies 61 for either normally closed or normally open operation, the lower ends of the contact arms 12 are provided on both sides with conduct ing contacts 11. Contact plate 58, however, is provided with contacts 18 only on the side op posite spring 1|. With this arrangement, when the members are in their normal positions a particular contact assembly will be closed the contact screw 69 is inserted into the narrow lever end 10 from the right and open if the screw is inserted from the left.

It is thus merely necessary, in order to change a set of contacts from normally open to normally closed to remove the mounting nut 15 at the end of each contact screw 63 and change the direction of insertion thereof and thus the side of conn tact arms 12 on which the contact plate is located. The difference between normally open and normally closed positions is best iliustrated in Fig. 4, and results from the spacing efi'ected by the narrow lever portions 16 and from the fact that the switch levers 52 pivot in an outward clockwise direction upon energization of the relay.

Once the switch levers 52 have been pivoted clockwise for shifting of the contact assemblies 61 thereon, resetting of the switch levers and conw tacts is effected by the pressure plates 25 which form part of the solenoid plunger assembly. For this purpose, the horizontal portion of the inner side plate 59 of each latch lever 5| is made relatively long, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and provided with a bearing roll S25 disposed directly beneath the lower end of the corresponding pres" sure plate. The bearing rolls are preferably riveted to the side plates 59 in such a manner that 6 the axes thereof are transverse to the pressure plates.

The pressure plates serve not only to reset the contacts as the plunger assembly snaps downwardly under the bias of springs 2l upon de-energization of solenoid coil H, but also to cooperate with the latch assemblies in maintaining the contacts in normal positions during the entire period of de-energization o1 the coil. Thus if a percussive shock, for example, tends to shift the contacts at an undesired time such shifting would be opposed by the downward bias of the plunger assembly and also by the latch assemblies.

Upon energization of coil ll and consequent retraction of the solenoid plunger assembly, including pressure plates 29, the times at which the various switch contacts are shifted depend partially upon the adjustments of set screws 5B on the latch levers 5|. The set screw for one latch lever is preferably adjusted so that the lower end thereof is locked in relatively elevated position near the limit of upward travel of the edge of hinged plate 23. Such a locking, which may be accomplished by a nut 3l and corresponding washer as shown in Fig. 7, makes the maximum time delay interval of the relay solely dependent upon the adjustment of the needle valve which controls the rate of movement of actuating rod 48 and thus of the hinged plate edge.

Referring to Fig. 1, the set screw 56 for the other latch lever is made readily adjustable for a variety of time delay intervals intermediate the interval determind by the setting of needle valve 35 and by the locked set screw of Fig. 7. Such adjustment may be provided for by a vertically disposed spring pawl 82 which is bolted to the horizontal latch lever portion 54 and has a horizontally bent pointed upper end 83 (Fig. 4) adapted to fit between serrations on the upper portion of the set screw. the set screw may be easily turned to the desired setting, after which it is held thereat by the resilience of the pawl which urges the point 83 between the serrations.

The operation of the latching and switching portions of the relay will next be described. Assume that the parts are in their normal positions (Fig. l) corresponding to de-energization of the solenoid coil il, with the pressure plates 20 of the solenoid plunger assembly holding the switch levers 52 in counterclockwise pivoted position. The blocks 62 of the switch levers are then disposed a slight distance below the lower edges of the vertical latch portions 55, and said edges are urged against the sides of posts 63 on the blocks by the springs 55. Where the contact assembly 61 on a particular switch lever 52 is adapted to be normally closed as in Fig. l, the contacts 78 of the plate 68 are biased against the corresponding outer contacts 'I'l of arms I2 by a spring li. Where, on the other hand, a contact assembly is normally open (Fig. 3) the plate 68 is biased against the narrow lever end 'l0 and the cooperating contacts T and 18 are spaced from each other.

Upon energiaaton of coil H by either direct or alternating current, the solenoidL plunger assembly is quickly retracted upwardly against the bias of springs 2l and remains in its elevated position until the coil is de-energized. The pressure plates 2Q are thus disengaged from the bearing rolls 3S of switch levers 52, and the edge of hinged plate is permitted to move upwardly under the force of the actuating rod 46 and biasing spring 4S therefor'. Such movement, however,

With this arrangement is retarded and made relatively slow by the time delay means 2 as previously described, with the speed of movement being controlled by the setting of needle valve 35.

As soon as the pressure plates 20 are moved upwardly, the switch lever biasing springs 6B become operative to pivot the switch levers 52 clockwise until the blocks 52 thereon engage the lower edges of vertical latch portions 55. Upon engagement of the upwardly moving edge of hinged plate 23 with the lower end of one of the set screws 55, the corresponding latch lever 5| is slowly pivoted in a clockwise direction. The relatively sharp lower edge of the vertical latch portion 55 is thus slid to the left along block 62 of the related switch lever 52 until the edge of the block is reached and passed. Thereupon, the switch lever 52 pivots clockwise in a snapaction manner under the bias of spring 66 and effects shitting of the contacts thereon. This actuated position is illustrated in Fig. 5 for a switch assembly 61 that is adapted to be normally closed. For an assembly that is normally open, the actuated position is the same except that the contact plate S8 is on the left side of the associated contact arms l2, and the contacts 'Il and 'I8 are in biased engagement. When operating in the described manner the hinged plate 23 may be regarded as a means for actuating the contacts, with the actuation taking effect via the various latch levers.

As previously stated, the set screws 56 are adjusted for actuation at diierent points in the time delay interval which is determined by the setting of needle valve 35 of the time delay assembly 2. For example, the locked set screw (Figs. 4 and '7) may be set for opening of the corresponding switch contacts at the end of the interval, whereas the readily adjustable set screw (Fig. l) may be set for contact shifting at an intermediate point. Because of this variety in the timer at which the various contacts may be shifted, and also because of the fact that any set of contacts may be made either normally open or normally closed, a wide range of circuit control may be easily achieved.

To illustrate but one type of circuit control which may be attained, assume that it is desired to close a circuit a predetermined period of time after energization of coil Il and open the same circuit a second and longer predetermined period of time after such energization. This may be accomplished by connecting the leads of the circuit to contact posts I5 in such a manner that the contacts operated by the respective sets of latch and switch levers 5l and 52 are in seriescircuit relation. The contact assembly B'l corresponding to the locked set screw 56 (Figs. 4 and '7) is then adjusted so as to be normally closed, and the needle valve 35 is set so that the associated contacts open at the expiration of the second and longer period of time. Thereafter, the contact assembly of the adjustable set screw 56 (Fig. 1) is made normally open, and the set screw is turned until the contacts close after the shorter period of time has elapsed. The desired circuit control is thus achieved in a minimum of time and with very little effort.

Upon de-energization of coil H, the contact assemblies are reset to their normal positions in a snap-action manner by the pressure plates 20 of the downwardly biased solenoid plunger assembly, which plates engage the bearing rolls on the switch lever side plates 59 and rapidly pivot the switch levers 52 in a counterclockwise Q direction. Such counterclockwise movement is opposed by springs GG and is terminated when the actuating rod portion 41 of the time delay assembly seats on the washer at the surface of the base member 28 (Fig. 3) and operates through the bearing portion 22 of hinged plate 23 to prevent further downward movement of the plunger assembly. Alternatively, the structure of the relay may be such that the counterclockwise movement switch levers 52 is stopped by engagement of inner side plate 59 with a stop ear 84 on the horizontal lower portion of angle bracket 53. When the switch levers 52 are thus pivoted, the latch levers I are free to pivot counterclockwise under the bias of springs 65 until the posts 63 on the switch lever blocks 62 are engaged.

The parts of the described timing relay are short and compact and are consequently relatively immune to bending and binding when subjected to high intensity percussion such as results from the firing of a large gun or from the exploding of a shell or bomb. In addition, snapaction opening and closing of the contacts, with consequent minimized arcing and contact wear, is attained with strong and rugged individualized parts which are well adapted to withstand shocks such as those enumerated. The fact that the switch levers are reset directly by the plunger assembly, instead of through intermediate members, decreases the possibility that the contacts will fail to return to normal positions. The structure of the relay permits the use of a relatively long hinged plate between the plunger and actuating rods, so that any number of latch elements and corresponding switches may be employed without fear of binding and failure under shock conditions.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a timing relay, electrical contact means, means to effect shifting of said Contact means from normal to shifted positions, said contact shifting means being biased to move in a contact shifting direction, means to introduce time delay into the contact shifting movement of said contact shifting means, and electromagnetic means including a movable portion biased to engagesaid contact shifting means to prevent shifting movement thereof and independently of said contact shifting means to engage and hold said Contact means in normal position, said movable portion being operable upon energization of the electromagnetic means to release said contact shifting means and contact means for shifting of said Contact means at the expiration of a time delay interval and upon de-energization of the electromagnetic means to reset said contact shifting means and contact means to their initial positions.

2. In a relay, electrical contact means biased when in a first circuit-controlling position to assume a shifted circuit-controlling position, latch means biased to hold said contact means in said iirst position, latch tripping means biased to move into tripping engagement with said latch means, and electromagnetic means operable when in a first electrical condition both to engage and hold said latch tripping means out of actuating engagement with said latch means and to engage and hold said contact means in said first position and when in a second electrical condition to release said latch tripping means and contact means for shifting of said Contact means, the holding and releasing action of said electromagnetic means on said contact means being independent of said latch tripping means.

3. In a timing relay, electrical contact means biased when in a first circuit-controlling position to assume a shifted circuit-controlling position, latch means to hold said contact means in said rst position, latch tripping means biased to move toward said latch means and operable upon engagement therewith to trip the same and thus effect shifting of said contact means, means to introduce time delay into the latch tripping movement of said latch tripping means, and electromagnetic means operable when in a iirst electrical condition both to engage and hold said latch tripping means out of tripping engagement with said latch means and to engage and hold said contact means in said first position, and when in a second electrical condition to release said latch tripping means and contact means for shiftinfr of said contact means at the expiration of a time delay interval, the holding and releasing action of said electromagnetic means on said contact means being independent of said latch tripping means.

4. In a timing relay, electrical Contact means biased for movement from normal position to a shifted position, latch means operable to hold said contact means in normal position against the bias thereon, latch tripping means biased for movement toward said latch means and operable upon engagement therewith to trip the same thus effect shifting of said contact means, regulable time delay means to retard the latch tripping movement of said latch tripping means, and electromagnetic means including a movable portion biased to engage and prevent movement of said latch tripping means toward said latch means and independently of said latch tripping means to engage and hold said contact means in normal position, said movable portion being operable upon energization of the electromagnetic means to release said latch tripping means and contact means for shifting of said Contact means at the expiration of a time delay interval and upon de-energization oi' the electromagnetic means to reset said latch tripping means and Contact means to the initial positions thereof.

5. In a timing relay, a switch assembly adapted to move between normal and shifted positions and biased towards the latter, a latch operably associated with said switch assembly to hold the same in normal position, a latch tripping member movable into tripping engagement with said latch to effect shifting of said switch assembly, a solenoid coil, a solenoid plunger retractable by said coil and biased in a direction to engage and hold said latch tripping member out of engagement with said latch, regulable time delay means operable at the end of a predetermined period oi' time after energization of said coil and conu sequent retraction of said plunger to release said latch tripping member to effect movement of said latch tripping member into tripping en gagement with Said latch for shifting of said switch assembly, and means on said plunger to engage said switch assembly and reset the same to cooperate with said latch in maintaining said switch assembly in normal position until said coil is subsequently re-energized.

6. In a timing relay, electrical contact means having a tendency when in a rst circuit-controlling position to assume a second circuit-controlling position, latch means to hold said conl1 tact means in said rst position, said latch means being biased in a latching direction, latch actuating means tending to move toward said latch means and to actuate the same against the bias thereon until said contact means is released for snap-action shifting thereof to said second position, time delay means to retard the movement of said latch actuating means toward said latch means, and electromagnetic means including a movable plunger assembly adapted to hold said latch actuating means out of engagement with said latch means and adapted independently of said latch actuating means to hold said contact means in said rst position, said movable plunger assembly being operable upon energization of the electromagnetic means to release said latch actuating means and contact means for shifting of said contact means at the expiration of a time delay interval and upon de-energization of the electromagnetic means to directly reset said latch actuating means and contact means and to permit resetting of said latch means to latching position.

7, In a timing relay, a plurality of electrical contact assemblies, a contact shifting device biased to sequentially engage said .assemblies and effect corresponding sequential movement thereof from normal to shifted positions, regulable time delay means to retard the contact shifting movement of said device to a predetermined speed, and electromagnetic means including a plunger assembly normally in biased engagement with said contact shifting device and with said contact assemblies to prevent shifting of said contact assemblies, said plunger assembly being v retractable through energization of the electromagnetic means to release said contact shifting device and contact assemblies and permit sequential shift of said contact assemblies at predetermined points in the time delay interval.

8. A timing relay, comprising a plurality of contact assemblies individu-ally biased for movement from normal to shifted positions, each of said contact assemblies having an adjustable latch assembly adapted to hold its associated contact assembly in normal position, a latch .actuating member biased to move towardsaid latch assembly and sequentially engage and trip the same at times determined by the individual adjustments of said latch assemblies and bythe rate of latch tripping movement of said member, regula'ble time delay means to control the rate of movement of said latch actuating member, and electromagnetic means including a retractable plunger adapted to hold said latch actuating member out of engagement with said latch assemblies until actuation of said movable plunger to a retracted position.

9. A timing relay, comprising a plurality of contact assemblies each biased for movement from normal position to a shifted position, a plurality of latch assemblies corresponding, respectively, with said contact assemblies and operable until tripped to engageably hold the same in normal positions, a latch actuating member biased for movement toward tripping engagement with said latch assemblies to individually engage and trip the same at times determined by the adjustments thereof and by the rate of movement of said member, timing means to control the rate of latch tripping movement of said member, a solenoid coil, and a solenoid plunger assembly operated by said coil and biased in a direction to engage and hold said latch actuating member out of engagement with said latch assemblies and to independently hold said contact assemblies in normal positions, said solenoid coil being operable to retract the plunger assembly and thus effect individualized contact shifting at the end of various time delay intervals and to release the plunger assembly and thereby effect resetting of said latch actuating member, said latch assemblies and said contact assemblies.

10. In a timing relay, a coil, a time delay assembly mounted in spaced relation from the coil, a plunger operated by the coil and normally held in a position relatively adjacent said time delay assembly, an actuating member movable by said time delay assembly and having a tendency to move toward the coil at a rate determined by the setting of the time delay assembly, another member movably mounted between said plunger and said actuating member and normally held in engagement therebetween, said other member having a tendency when released by said plunger' to rem-ain in engagement with said actuating member for movement thereby at said predetermined rate, and contact shifting means disposed in the path of said intermediate member and adapted to be shifted thereby at the expiration of a time delay interval.

l1. In a timing relay, a solenoid coil, a regulable time delay assembly spaced from said coil, an intermediate plate movably mounted between said coil and time delay assembly, a plunger assembly operated by said coil and biased toward an extended position in engagement with one side of said plate, an actuating member operable by said time delay assembly and biased toward an extended position in engagement with the other side of said plate, the effective bias on said actuating member being less than the effective bias on said plunger assembly to cause the actuating member to remain in retracted position until release of said intermediate plate through retraction of said plunger assembly, and a plurality of latch-action switch assemblies mounted between said time delay assembly and said coil and in the path of motion of said plate. said plate being moved at -a predetermined rate by said actuating member to individually engage and shift said switch `assemblies at various points in a time delay interval which commences with the release of said plate by said plunger assembly upon energization of said coil.

l2. A timing relay, which comprises a solenoid coil, a regulable time delay assembly mounted beneath said coil and spaced therefrom, a downwardly extending solenoid plunger mounted in said coil for vertical movement thereby, an upwardly extending actuating member operably associated with said time delay assembly and controlled in its upward movement by the setting thereof, a generally horizontal hinged plate mounted between said coil and time delay assembly and normally having its upper and lower surfaces engaged, respectively, by said plunger and actua-ting member, spring means biasing said plunging and actuating member towards each other, the effective downward bias of said spring means being greater than the effective upward bias thereof to cause said actuating member and hinged plate to remain in depressed position until retraction of said plunger through energization of said coil, a plurality of adjustable latch members having their actuating portions disposed in the path of upward pivot of said plate for tripping engagement thereby at points determined by the adjustment of said latch members, and a plurality of switch `assemblies corresponding, respectively, with said latch members and individually operated thereby, the contacts of said switch assemblies being shifted upon tripping of the corresponding latch members as the hinged plate is pivoted upwardly by said actuating member at a rate governed by the `setting of said time delay assembly.

13. In a timing relay, a coil, a time delay assembly mounted in spaced relation from the coil, a plunger operated by the coil and normally held in a position relatively adjacent said time delay assembly, an actuating member operably movable by said time delay assembly toward the coil at a rate determined by the setting of the time delay assembly, another member movably mounted between said plunger and actuating member and normally held in engagement therebetween, said other member having a tendency when released by said plunger to remain in engagement with said actuating member for movement thereby at said predetermined rate, contact means adapted to be shifted by said other at the expiration of a time delay interval, and a member mounted for movement with said plunger and acting independently of said actuating member and said other member to engage and reset said contact means to the initial position thereof.

14. In a timing relay, a support, an intermediate member pivotally connected to said support, a time delay assembly mounted on said support at one side of said intermediate member, a solenoid coil mounted on said support at the opposite side of said intermediate member, an actuating member biased against said one side of said intermediate member and movable from an initial position by said time delay assembly to pivot said intermediate member toward said coil at a rate determined by the setting of said time delay assembly, a laminated plunger operated by said coil and biased to an extended position against said opposite side of said intermediate member to maintain said actuating member in said initial position, a plurality of latch assemblies each having an actuating portion adjustably disposed along the path of said intermediate member, a like number of spring biased switch assemblies corresponding, respectively, to said latch assemblies and normally held in a first circuit-controlling position thereby, said biased switch assemblies being sequentially snappedto a second circuitcontrolling position upon tripping engagement of said latch assemblies and said intermediate member as the latter is pivoted toward said coil after retraction of said plunger through energization of said coil, and bearing means mounted on said plunger and shaped to engage and reset said switch assemblies to said first circuit-controlling position as said plunger is returned by its bias to extended position upon de-energization of said la coil, the operation of said time delay assembly being such that the return rate of said plunger and actuating member and the resulting rate of resetting of said switch assemblies is of a rapid snap-action variety for decreased arcing in said switch assemblies.

15. A timing relay, comprising a support, a generally horizontal intermediate plate hinged to said support, a diaphragm-type time delay assembly mounted on said support beneath said intermediate plate, a solenoid coil mounted on said support above said intermediate plate, a vertically disposed actuating rod having its lower end connected to said time delay assembly and its upper end bearing against the free edge of said intermediate plate, a spring biasing said actuating rod against said plate to pivot the same upwardly at a rate determined by the setting of said time delay assembly, a vertically disposed laminated solenoid plunger mounted in said coil, a spring biasing said plunger downwardly against the free edge of said intermediate plate opposite said actuating rod, the effective bias of said last named spring being sufficiently strong to maintain said actuating rod and intermediate plate in a depressed position until retraction of said plunger through energization of said coil, a pair of biased pivotally mounted latch levers having the actuating ends thereof disposed above said intermediate plate and in the path of movement thereof, one of said actuating ends being provided with a readily adjustable set screw to facilitate variation of the time at which the corresponding latch lever is tripped by said upwardly moving intermediate plate, the other of said actuating ends 'being provided with a locked set screw adjusted to cause trip-pings of the corresponding latch lever at approximately the end of the upward movement of said intermediate plate, a pair of pivotally mounted switch levers each biased toward shifted position but held in normal position by one of said latch levers, and a pair of contact assemblies mounted, respective- 1y, on said switch levers for actuation thereby as said switch levers are moved from normal to shifted positions, said contact assemblies being readily adjustable for either normally open or normally closed operation, and a pair of bearing plates mounted on said plunger to engage and reset said switch levers to normal positions as said plunger is biased downwardly upon de-energization of said coil and to thereby effect resetting of said levers.

THEODORE B. JOCHEM.

Name Date Kuhn et al. May 2, 1950 Number

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