US2660640A - Circuit interrupter - Google Patents

Circuit interrupter Download PDF

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Publication number
US2660640A
US2660640A US13139549A US2660640A US 2660640 A US2660640 A US 2660640A US 13139549 A US13139549 A US 13139549A US 2660640 A US2660640 A US 2660640A
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United States
Prior art keywords
magnetic field
particles
electrodes
chains
conductive
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Expired - Lifetime
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English (en)
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Wolf Samuel
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CBS Corp
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Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority to US13139549 priority Critical patent/US2660640A/en
Priority to FR1029122D priority patent/FR1029122A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2660640A publication Critical patent/US2660640A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/06—Contacts characterised by the shape or structure of the contact-making surface, e.g. grooved
    • H01H1/065—Contacts characterised by the shape or structure of the contact-making surface, e.g. grooved formed by freely suspended particles, e.g. magnetic dust or balls
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H01C10/10—Adjustable resistors adjustable by mechanical pressure or force
    • H01C10/103—Adjustable resistors adjustable by mechanical pressure or force by using means responding to magnetic or electric fields, e.g. by addition of magnetisable or piezoelectric particles to the resistive material, or by an electromagnetic actuator

Definitions

  • Non- Conductive Stote- WITNESSES INVENTOR m 5 Samuel Wolf.
  • Patented Nov. 24, 1953 were CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Samuel Wolf, Pittsburgh, Pa, assign-or to Westinghousc Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 5, 1949, Serial N 0. 131,395
  • a general object of my invention to provide an improved circuit interrupter which will more effectively interrupt the circuit therethrough than has been attained heretofore.
  • a more specific object is to provide an improved circuit interrupter of the type having a pair of electrodes between which is interposed an elastomeric matrix in which is embedded a plurality of magnetizable conductive particles, the conductance of which is responsive to impressed magnetic field.
  • FIG. l somewhat diagrammatically illustrates an improved circuit interrupter embodying invention and shown in the open circuit 330 "tion:
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing som what schematically the condition of the elastcineric matrix with the magnetizable particles initially disposed at random throughout the matrix, when no magnetic field is applied.
  • Fig. 3 is a View similar to that of Fig. 2 but indicating the condition ar sing when a magnetic field is appli d to the elastomeric matrix in the directions YY, as viewed in the drawing;
  • Fig. l. is view similar to i, that is with no impressed magnetic field, but with the maguetiz able particles disposed in having an initial orientation due to utilizing a magnetic field in either direction 55 during the time of initial formation of the material.
  • the reference numeral l designates a laminated soft iron frame, the two halves of which. also act as electrodes 3. lie" tween the electrodes is an elastic A in which are embedded a plurality of niagnetizable conductive particles (Fig. 2)..
  • the elastic i is preferably an elastomeric matrix or a ruleber-like material.
  • a block of insulating material is provided to insulate the two line terminals 2, 3.
  • material 5 may he an other mass the same as 4, so the two would be in parallel.
  • the particles i may constitute any suitable magnetizable conductive particles such as finely divided iron. nickel, netite and the like.
  • the particles 5 are initially dispersed through the mass t in r..ndorn posi tion. However, in some instances. it 1 ay be desirable to align the particles into chains, said chains extending in the directions X, indicated in Fig. 4., by applying a magnetic field during the initial formation of the matrix, so that all of the chains will be aligned in substantially the same direction along the fiux lines of the magnetic field during the initial formation process.
  • Fig. 1 is used in Fig. 1,. I preferably employ an axially directed magnetic field as indicated in Fig. 1. Although the field may be A.C. or D.-C., i prefer to use D.-C., since better results are achieved.
  • the material lA of Fig. 4 is employed in Fig. 1, that is with the chains 5 initially aligned in the directions X by application of a mag netic field in the initial formation process of the material All, then I prefer to use an externally impressed magnetic field that is substantially in the direction of a straight line extending between the line terminals 2, 3.
  • the field may be A.-C. or l3.-C., but preferably I use a D.-C. field.
  • the front contacts iii of a contactor H are provided to control the encrgization of the wine-- ing 1.
  • the circuit for energizing the coil 12 for closing the contaotor H extends from the control line Ll through the coil i2 to the coil l3 of a disconnect switch M, which when opened interrupts the passage of any residual cur'ent through the interrupter following removal of the magnetic field.
  • the disconnect switch M has a pair of front contacts 15 and a closed turn Hi, the latter insuring a slow opening of the contacts l during the opening operation of the interrupter, until after such a time at which the magnetic field has been removed and the particles 5 will have assumed the position shown in Fig. 2 or 4:. This will insure breaking the circuit within the mass 4 and not at the contacts [5.
  • An opening button H is provided in circuit with the windings l2, l3 and a closing button It is by-passed by front contacts H] of the contactor II.
  • the closing or the contactor H closes the front contacts l0 energizing the winding 1, and also closes the front contacts 19 by-passing the closing button 18, so that the latter may be mo mentarily operated.
  • the circuit interrupter When the physical alignment as idealized in Fig. 3 occurs, the circuit interrupter is closed by virtue of the closing of the delayed acting disconnect switch. and current passes therethrough.
  • the opening button ll is pressed to deenergize the windings l2, it.
  • the contactor H when deenergized, opens, breaking the circuit through the winding 1 to remove the magnetic field 5 and to thereby cause the particles 5 to be forced back into their original position as indicated in Fig; 2 where a non-conductive state exists.
  • the disconnect switch M. is slow in opening so that the non-conductive condition of Fig. 2 is sure to be in existence before opening of the disconnect contacts (5.
  • the opening of the disconnect contacts l5 insures the interruption of any residual current passing through the interrupter following removal of the magnetic field.
  • Suit able elastomeric materials for such use are natural rubber or synthetic elastomers such as polychloroprene, butadiene, styrene copolymers, butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers, silicone elastomers and the like.
  • a mixture was prepared from 20.8 parts of electrolytic iron particles of an average diameter of microns, 9 parts of a dimethyl silicone fluid of a viscosity of 10,000 centistokes and 0.4 part of butyl perbenzoate. The mixture was molded under a pressure of 500 p. s. l. and a temperature of C. for twenty minutes to produce an elastomeric resistance mass.
  • Another example was prepared by taking 49.5 parts by weight of electrolytic iron of a fineness of 230-270 mesh, 16.5 parts by weight of dimethyl silicone fluid of a viscosity of 10,000 centistokes and 0.33 part byweight of butyl perbenzoate. This mixture was molded under a pressure of 300-500 p. s. i. and a temperature of 150 C. for twenty minutes to produce an elastomeric resistance mass. A sample of the resultant material interrupted 20 amperes at 83 volts.
  • Another example was to take 26.6 parts by weight of electrolytic iron of a fineness of 230-270 mesh, 13.3 parts by weight of a dimethyl silicone fluid of a viscosity of 10,000 centistokes and 0.27 part by weight of butyl perbenzoate. The mixture was molded under a pressure of 500 p. s. i. and a temperature of 150 C. for twenty minutes to produce an elastomeric resistance mass.
  • I Having provided an improved circuit interrupter in which an elastomeric or rubber-like matrix is employed in which is embedded a plurality of magnetizable conductive particles 5.
  • the matrix extends between the electrodes 2, 3 and depending upon the existence of a magnetic field forms a conducting or non-conducting state between the electrodes 2, 3. hviously other control arrangements than that disclosed herein may be employed without departing from the scope of my invention.
  • a circuit interrupter including a pair of fixed electrodes, an elastic mass including finely divided iron particles disposed in chains em bedded in an elastomeric matrix with the chains generally aligned in an elastic direction. other than that assumed by a straight line extending between the electrodes, means for applying a magnetic field in a direction substantially parallel to the direction assumed by a straight line extending between the electrodes, the impressed magnetic field causing the chains to be stressed out of their original position to a position in which the elastic mass as a whole is rendered conductive, and means for removing the magnetic field to thereby cause said elastic mass to return to its non-conductive state relative to said electrodes.
  • a circuit interrupter including a pair of fixed electrodes, an elastic mass including finely divided magnetisable particles disposed in chains embedded in an elastomeric matrix with the chains generally aligned in a direction other than that assumed by a straight line extending between the electrodes, means for applying a magnetic field in a direction substantially parallel to the direction assumed by a straight line extending between the electrodes, the impressedmagnetic field causing the chains to be stressed out of their original position to a conductive position, and means for removing the magnetic field to thereby cause said elastic mass to return to its non-conductive state relative to said electrodes.
  • a circuit interrupter including a pair of spaced electrodes, an insulating elastic solid body interposed between said electrodes and having finely divided conducting magnetic particles interspersed therein, the conducting magnetic particles being spaced in substantially non-conductive relation so that the elastic body has a relatively high resistance between the electrodes, means for applying a magnetic field to the elastic body and the particles then being in good-conducting relation with respect to each other to form thereby conducting chains between the electrodes, said elastic solid body being stressed while the magnetic field is applied so that removal of the magnetic field causes, due to the elastic nature of the solid body, a return of the particles to their initially substantially non-conductive relation in which high resistance exists through the finely divided particles between the electrodes.
  • a circuit interrupter including a pair of spaced electrodes, a rubber-like solid insulating substance disposed between said electrodes and forming an elastomeric matrix having finely divided conducting magnetic particles interspersed therein, the finely divided conducting magnetic particles making relatively poor contact so that the interrupter carries no appreciable current from one electrode to the other, means for eX- ternally impressing a magnetic field to the solid substance to reorient the finely divided particles against the resiliency of the solid substance, said particles then being positioned in good-conducting relation with adjacent particles and permitting current flow between the electrodes, and removal of the magnetic field effecting a return of the finely divided particles to their initial nonconducting state due to the elasticity of the rubber-like solid substance.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
US13139549 1949-12-06 1949-12-06 Circuit interrupter Expired - Lifetime US2660640A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13139549 US2660640A (en) 1949-12-06 1949-12-06 Circuit interrupter
FR1029122D FR1029122A (fr) 1949-12-06 1950-12-05 Interrupteur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13139549 US2660640A (en) 1949-12-06 1949-12-06 Circuit interrupter

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US2660640A true US2660640A (en) 1953-11-24

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FR (1) FR1029122A (fr)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2792536A (en) * 1953-10-30 1957-05-14 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electro-magnetic solenoids and actuators
US2899657A (en) * 1955-10-28 1959-08-11 Multiple path coherer
US2903109A (en) * 1954-12-27 1959-09-08 Gen Electric Magnetic material force transmitting device
US2917599A (en) * 1958-04-07 1959-12-15 Tann Corp Signal responsive device
US2961511A (en) * 1958-04-07 1960-11-22 Taun Corp Circuit control device
US2971071A (en) * 1957-03-11 1961-02-07 Tann Corp Magnetic relay
US2972029A (en) * 1957-03-06 1961-02-14 Tann Corp Proximity switch
US3005069A (en) * 1961-01-27 1961-10-17 Hagan Chemicals & Controls Inc Reed relay for small voltages
US3327272A (en) * 1964-06-22 1967-06-20 Barry J Stern Negative resistance device
US3350776A (en) * 1965-08-02 1967-11-07 Ltv Aerospace Corp Method of making an electrical connection
US3375483A (en) * 1966-08-03 1968-03-26 Gray & Huleguard Electrical connector
US3386067A (en) * 1967-04-24 1968-05-28 Raphael J. Costanzo Pressure-sensitive electrical switch and application therefor
US3486156A (en) * 1965-08-02 1969-12-23 Ltv Aerospace Corp Electrical connection device
US4004261A (en) * 1975-04-11 1977-01-18 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Connection device
US4292261A (en) * 1976-06-30 1981-09-29 Japan Synthetic Rubber Company Limited Pressure sensitive conductor and method of manufacturing the same
EP0297793A2 (fr) * 1987-07-02 1989-01-04 AT&T Corp. Dispositif de conduction thermique
US20140266537A1 (en) * 2011-10-25 2014-09-18 Epcos Ag Electronic component for guiding a magnetic field

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1494070A (en) * 1922-05-26 1924-05-13 Macknight Harry Robert Core for electromagnetic apparatus
US1955248A (en) * 1928-04-18 1934-04-17 Messick Charies Magnetic movement
US1981468A (en) * 1929-11-30 1934-11-20 Automatic Electric Co Ltd Magnet core
US1982690A (en) * 1929-08-26 1934-12-04 Johnson Lab Inc Selective radio circuit
US1994534A (en) * 1932-04-23 1935-03-19 Rca Corp Inductance coil and method of manufacture thereof
US2011697A (en) * 1931-11-12 1935-08-20 Vogt Hans Method for producing magnet cores free from leakage
US2231160A (en) * 1937-04-17 1941-02-11 Siemens Ag Inductance core having low negative temperature coefficient of inductance and method of making it
US2238893A (en) * 1934-04-17 1941-04-22 Siemens Ag Subdivided magnetic core with polystyrene binder
US2500953A (en) * 1948-09-24 1950-03-21 Max L Libman Magnetoresistor
US2532876A (en) * 1946-12-19 1950-12-05 Asche Robert Electromagnetic artificial muscle

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1494070A (en) * 1922-05-26 1924-05-13 Macknight Harry Robert Core for electromagnetic apparatus
US1955248A (en) * 1928-04-18 1934-04-17 Messick Charies Magnetic movement
US1982690A (en) * 1929-08-26 1934-12-04 Johnson Lab Inc Selective radio circuit
US1981468A (en) * 1929-11-30 1934-11-20 Automatic Electric Co Ltd Magnet core
US2011697A (en) * 1931-11-12 1935-08-20 Vogt Hans Method for producing magnet cores free from leakage
US1994534A (en) * 1932-04-23 1935-03-19 Rca Corp Inductance coil and method of manufacture thereof
US2238893A (en) * 1934-04-17 1941-04-22 Siemens Ag Subdivided magnetic core with polystyrene binder
US2231160A (en) * 1937-04-17 1941-02-11 Siemens Ag Inductance core having low negative temperature coefficient of inductance and method of making it
US2532876A (en) * 1946-12-19 1950-12-05 Asche Robert Electromagnetic artificial muscle
US2500953A (en) * 1948-09-24 1950-03-21 Max L Libman Magnetoresistor

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2792536A (en) * 1953-10-30 1957-05-14 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electro-magnetic solenoids and actuators
US2903109A (en) * 1954-12-27 1959-09-08 Gen Electric Magnetic material force transmitting device
US2899657A (en) * 1955-10-28 1959-08-11 Multiple path coherer
US2972029A (en) * 1957-03-06 1961-02-14 Tann Corp Proximity switch
US2971071A (en) * 1957-03-11 1961-02-07 Tann Corp Magnetic relay
US2917599A (en) * 1958-04-07 1959-12-15 Tann Corp Signal responsive device
US2961511A (en) * 1958-04-07 1960-11-22 Taun Corp Circuit control device
US3005069A (en) * 1961-01-27 1961-10-17 Hagan Chemicals & Controls Inc Reed relay for small voltages
US3327272A (en) * 1964-06-22 1967-06-20 Barry J Stern Negative resistance device
US3350776A (en) * 1965-08-02 1967-11-07 Ltv Aerospace Corp Method of making an electrical connection
US3486156A (en) * 1965-08-02 1969-12-23 Ltv Aerospace Corp Electrical connection device
US3375483A (en) * 1966-08-03 1968-03-26 Gray & Huleguard Electrical connector
US3386067A (en) * 1967-04-24 1968-05-28 Raphael J. Costanzo Pressure-sensitive electrical switch and application therefor
US4004261A (en) * 1975-04-11 1977-01-18 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Connection device
US4292261A (en) * 1976-06-30 1981-09-29 Japan Synthetic Rubber Company Limited Pressure sensitive conductor and method of manufacturing the same
EP0297793A2 (fr) * 1987-07-02 1989-01-04 AT&T Corp. Dispositif de conduction thermique
EP0297793A3 (en) * 1987-07-02 1989-11-02 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Thermal conductor assembly
US20140266537A1 (en) * 2011-10-25 2014-09-18 Epcos Ag Electronic component for guiding a magnetic field
US9934900B2 (en) * 2011-10-25 2018-04-03 Epcos Ag Electronic component for guiding a magnetic field

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1029122A (fr) 1953-05-29

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