US2748213A

US2748213A - Disconecting switch with operating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2748213A
Application number: US316043A
Authority: US
Inventors: James B Owens
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1952-10-21
Filing date: 1952-10-21
Publication date: 1956-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 1973-05-29

Description

May 29, 1956 J. B. OWENS DISCONNECTING SWITCH WITH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 21, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l s Rm W .0 mam \t M MW J. B. OWENS May 29, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed 001.. 21, 1952 mm 1 I .qn n

m u AmW H if? 0 h 1.... II Ii 9 N m: m \m. 2 U 44F mm mm mm 3 \L Q Q Ill! ,\|l1 mm mm INVEN TOR James B.Owens.

ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

J. B. OWENS May 29, 1956 DISCONNECTING SWITCH WITH OPERATING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 21, 1952 INVENTOR WITNESSES:

domes B.Owens. BY

ATTORNEY May 29, 1956 J. B. OWEN-S 2,748,213

I DISCONNECTING SWITCH WITH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 21, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 klgill li WITNESSES:

5%747f/ James BOwens ATTORNEY INVENTOR United States Patent DISCONNEfITWG SWITCH WITH OPERATWG MECHANESM James B. (bwens, East McKeesport, Pan, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 21, 1952, Serial No. 316,043

7 Claims. (Cl. zen-4s My invention relates, generally, to disconnecting switches having mechanisms for operating them from the ground and, more particularly, to mechanisms for operating disconnecting switches of the outdoor type which are mounted at a height such as on a pole top.

Outdoor switches are usually mounted on a structure which supports them near the level of the transmission or distribution circuit conductors, safely out of reach from the ground. Many such switches are provided with a mechanism to enable operation of the switch by means of a handle near the ground. Such mechanisms are usually arranged to gang operate two or more switch or pole units to accomplish simultaneous switching of conductors in single and polyphase circuits.

In an outdoor switch construction of one type the motion of the remote operating mechanism is transmitted to the electrically energized portions of the switch through a rotating insulator column. In such a construction either one of two insulators may be rotated to actuate the switch blade.

In one type of switch, the end insulator is rotated to actuate the switch blade. The rotating insulator is connected to the switch blade through a three-part linkage which opens the blade as the insulator is rotated. In this construction the driving linkage is mounted on the top of the switch where it may become covered with ice which interferes with the operation of the switch.

In another type of switch the center insulator is rotated to actuate the switch blade. This construction permits a more direct connection between the rotating insulator and the blade and eliminates the exposed linkage which might collect ice. However, rotating the center insulator complicates the problem of connecting the operating mechanism to the driving insulator when three switches are mounted on a single wooden pole having crossarms secured thereto.

It will be seen that if three switches are mounted on the pole structure in balanced relation, the rotating insulator of the center switch is substantially above the pole or crossarm so that a shaft cannot be brought directly down the pole from under the center insulator to the operating handle. The center switch may be shifted to one side to permit the use of a straight operating shaft. However, this places an unbalanced mechanical load on the crossarms and pole, and detracts from the appearance of the installation.

Another possible solution of the problem is to balance the three switches on the pole and drive one of the insulators of one of the outside pole units through a pair of universal joints in the driving shaft to obtain the necessary offset. The universal joints are expensive and have an internal friction which increases the effort required to operate the switch. Thus, the problem has not heretofore been entirely satisfactorily solved.

An object of my invention, generally stated, is to provide a switch operating mechanism which shall be simple and eflicient in operation and which may be economically manufactured and installed.

ice

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a mechanism for operating three disconnecting switches of the rotating center insulator type which are mounted in balanced relation on a pole structure.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch operating mechanism which is protected from the weather and cannot accumulate ice.

A further object of my invention is to provide for driving the switch operating mechanism by a straight shaft mounted on the pole which supports the switch structure.

Other objects of my invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, three disconnecting switches or pole units of the rotating center insulator type are mounted in balanced relation on a pole and supporting structure. The rotating insulator of the center pole unit is driven by a linkage disposed underneath the channel base for that unit. The linkage is connected to a crank arm on a shaft mounted in an auxiliary bearing under the end insulator. This shaft is, in turn, connected to a vertical shaft driven by an operating handle. The vertical shaft is supported by bearing brackets attached to the pole. The rotating insulator of the center unit is connected to the rotating insulators of the two outer units by a suitable linkage.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference may be, had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a switch structure embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in side elevation, of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, in end elevation, of the structure;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view, in bottom plan, of the connecting linkage for the operating mechanism, and

Fig. 5 is a view, in section, taken along the line VV of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings and particularly, to Figs. 1 and 2, the structure shown therein comprises three disconnecting switch or pole units 10 which are mounted upon a supporting framework 11 in substantially equally spaced relation. Each disconnecting switch unit may be of the type described in Patent 2,363,360, issued November 21, 1944, to H. L. Rawlins and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3 each switch unit structure comprises three spaced

insulator stacks

12, 13 and 14 which are mounted upon a base 15. The base 15 is preferably a metal channel having angle members 16 secured to the sides of'the channel. Each insulator stack comprises insulators 17 which are preferably composed of porcelain or some similar material. It will be understood that the number of insulators required in each stack depends upon the voltage of the system in which the switch structure is utilized. The stacks 12 and 14- are mounted upon fixed pedestals 18 which may be secured to the top of the base 15. The stack 13 is mounted upon a shaft 19 which is rotatably mounted in a housing 21 which is secured to the base 15.

An insulator bracing member and blade support 22 spans the insulator stacks 13 and 14. A housing 23 is pivotally mounted on the support 22 by means of pivot 24. As described in the aforesaid patent, a disconnecting switch blade 25 may be actuated into and out of engagement with spaced contact jaws 26 by rotating the insulator stack 13 in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter. The insulator stacks 13 for the three switch units are connected together for simultaneous operation by tie rods 28 which are connected to lever arms 29, one

of which is secured to the base of each one of the rotating insulator stacks 13.

As shown, the supporting framework 11 comprises cross members 31 which are attached to a vertical pole 32 and longitudinal members 33 which are secured to the ends of the cross members 31. Angularly disposed braces 34 may be attached to the pole 32 and the framework 11 in the manner shown to strengthen the supporting structure.

As shown in Fig. 1 when the three switch units are mounted in balanced relation on the framework 11, the rotating insulator 13 for the center switch unit is disposed substantially directly above the pole 32, thereby making it impossible to connect an operating shaft 35 directly to the lower end of shaft 19 for the rotating insulator 13 of the center switch unit. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the shaft 35 is supported by

brackets

36 and 37 which are attached to the pole 32. The shaft 35 may be rotated by a handle 38 which is pivotally attached to the shaft 35. The handle 38 may be locked in either the open or the closed position of the switch units by means of a padlock (not shown) which may be inserted into locking members 39 secured to the bracket 37.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the operating shaft 35 is connected to a stub shaft 41 which is mounted in a bearing housing 42 disposed underneath the base 18 for the end insulator unit 14 of the center switch unit. The stub shaft 41 drives a crank arm 43 which is secured to the shaft 41 by means of a pin 44 which extends through the

shafts

35 and 41 and a sleeve 45 to which the crank arm 43 is secured. The crank arm 43 is connected to a similar crank arm 46 by means of a tie bar 47. The crank arm 46 is secured to a sleeve 48 which in turn is secured to the shaft 19 by means of a pin 49. Thus the shaft 19 is driven by the operating shaft 35 through the connecting linkage, thereby operating the switch units 10.

Since the connecting linkage is disposed underneath the channel shaped base 15, it is shielded from the weather, and ice cannot accumulate on the linkage to interfere with the operation of the mechanism. Furthermore, the switch units may be mounted upon the supporting structure in balanced relation and the vertically disposed operating shaft 35 may be supported from the pole 32 in the most simple manner.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that I have provided a mechanism for operating disconnecting switch units of the center rotating insulator type. The present mechanism permits three switch units to be mounted in balanced relation on a supporting framework which, in turn, is mounted upon a single vertically disposed pole, thereby equally distributing the load upon the supporting framework. The present mechanism is simple in structure and operates with a minimum amount of friction in the moving parts.

Since numerous changes may be made in the abovedescribed construction, and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top of the pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrally disposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal members attached to the cross member, three switch units mounted on the frame in substantially equally spaced relation, each switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit being rotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting the rotatable insulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the center unit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole to drive said insulators, said shaft being otfset from the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantially in alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, a first crank arm driven by the shaft, a second crank arm secured to the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit, bearing means in the base of the center switch unit for said crank arms, the bearing means for the first crank arm being underneath the end insulator of the center switch unit, the bearing means for the second crank arm being underneath the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit, and a tie bar connecting said crank arms, said crank arms and said tie bar being underneath the base of the center switch unit.

2. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top of the pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrally disposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal members attached to the cross member, three switch units mounted in the frame in substantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit being disposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit being rotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting the rotatable insulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the center unit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaft extending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for said shaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the center unit, a shaft for mouting vertically on the pole to drive said insulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantially in alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, and a linkage mechanism disposed underneath the base of the center switch unit for connecting said vertical shaft to the shaft of the rotatable insulator of said center switch unit.

3. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top of the pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrally disposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal members attached to the cross member, three switch units mounted in the frame in substantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit being disposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit being rotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting the rotatable insulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the center unit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaft extending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for said shaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the center unit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole to drive said insulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantially in alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, a stub shaft rotatably mounted in the base of the center switch unit, bearing means for said stub shaft in said base underneath said end insulator for the center switch unit, said stub shaft being coaxial with and connected-to the vertical shaft, and a linkage mechanism disposed underneath the base of the center switch unit for connecting said stub shaft to the shaft of the rotatable insulator of said center switch unit.

4. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top of the pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrally disposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal members attached tov the cross member, three switch units mounted in the frame in substantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit being disposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit being rotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting the rotatable in sulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the center unit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaft extending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for said shaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the center unit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole to drive said insulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantially .in alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, a stub shaft rotatably mounted in the base of the center switch unit, bearing means for said stub shaft in said base undernea'th said end insulator for the center switch unit, said stub shaft being coaxial with and connected to the vertical shaft, a linkage mechanism disposed underneath the base of the center switch unit for connecting said stub shaft :to the shaft of the rotatable insulator of said center switch unit, and a manually operable handle for rotating said vertical shaft.

5. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top of the pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrally disposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal members attached to the cross member, three switch units mounted in the frame in substantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit being disposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit being rotatable for actuating the switch tie rods connecting the rotatable insulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the center unit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaft extending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for said shaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the center unit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole :to drive said insulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantially in alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, a stub sh aft rotatably mounted in the base of the center switch unit, bearing means for said stub shaft in said base underneath said end insulator for the center switch unit, said stub shaft being coaxial with and connected to the vertical shaft, a crank arm secured to the stub shaft, another crank arm secured to the shaft of the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit, and a tie bar connecting said crank arms, said crank arms and said tie bar being disposed underneath the base of the center switch unit.

6. in :a switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator being rotatable for actuating the switch and having a shaft extending through said base, bearing means for said shaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator, a vertically disposed shaft for driving said insulator, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatable insulator to be underneath and substantially in alignment with one of the end insulators of the switch unit, a stub shaft rota-tably mounted in the base of the switch unit, bearing means for said stub shaft in said base underneath said end insulator, said stub shaft being coaxial with and conneoted to the vertical shaft, and a linkage mechanism disposed underneath the base of the switch unit for connecting said stub shaft to the shaft of the rotatable insulator.

7. In a switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator being rotatable for actuating the switch and having a shaft extending through said base, bearing means for said shaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator, a vertically disposed shaft for driving said insulator, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatable insulaitor to be underneath and substantially in alignment with one of the end insulators of the switch unit, a stub shaft r0- =tatably mounted in the base of the switch unit, bearing means for said stub shaft in said base underneath said end insulator, said stub shaft being coaxial with and connected to the vertical shaft, a crank arm secured to the stub shaft, another crank arm secured to the shaft of the rotatable insulator underneath said base, and a tie bar connecting said .crank arms, said crank arms and said tie bar being disposed underneath the base of the switch unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,275,919 Hewlett Aug. 13, 1918 2,514,263 Seaman et val July 4, 1950 2,527,924- Fjellstcdt et a1 Oct. 31, 1950 2,560,472 Pollock et al. July 10, 1951