US284715A

US284715A - Electric switch or circuit controller

Info

Publication number: US284715A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1883-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 1900-09-11

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

A. BERNSTEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH 0R CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

A. BBRNSTEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH 0R CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

No. 284,715. Patented Sept. 11, 1883 w'fin/e 6566. Jme W260 7.

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Fnuwbmo n hen WashingYon. \7. C.

If UNITED STATES lers, of which the following is aspecification.

I PATENT OFFICE.

ALEX. BERNSTEIN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH on CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 284,715, dated September 11, 1883.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEX. BERNSTEIN, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improve ments in Electric Switches or Circuit Control- This invention relates to electric switches, circuit controllers, or circuit changers. Its object is the construction of an electric-circuit controlling switch adapted particularly and especially for use in connection with in candescent electric lamps, but which is suitable and equally applicable for use with other systems of electric lighting, or, in fact, with electric circuits of any description.

The especial form of circuitcontroller which I have devised and shall hereinafter describe has been designed, mainly, for the purpose of preventing or avoiding the arcs betweenthe two separated portions of the circuit, which invariably occur when an electric circuit in which strong currents circulate is broken. These arcs are constituted under the same conditions in which they are purposely produced in the so-called electric-arc lamps. The two ends of the circuit, which normally forma perfect contact with one another, are

ing aided therein by minute portions of. the

volatilized substance of the two contact-pieces, until the distance between the original two portions of the circuit is too large in proportion to the electro-motive force of the passing current. Vhen this occurs in an electric switch or circuit changer, the surfaces of the two contact-pieces become slightly oxidized, and when the switch is again closed theconnection is frequently found to be imperfect.

Experience has demonstrated that in order to avoid the formation of arcs as much as possible, and thus obviate these defects at their source, it is desirable to open the circuit in an extremely quick and prompt manner, as when so accomplished the air between the two contact-surfaces has not time to be suiiiciently heated. I have also found that when switches or circuit-changers are employed with incandescent electric lamps another difficulty arises. In this and similar cases these switches must necessarily be handled by persons nnacquainted with the operation of electric instruments, and instead of breaking the circuit entirely this operation is very imperfectly effected, a' defective contact being often made or retained when the circuit is supposed to be completely broken. This is due to the action of the manipulator, who continues to hold the hands, with which such switches are generally provided, in a halfway position. Under such circumstances the contact-pieces are liable to burn off, or in other ways to sustain damage. In order to avoid these difficulties in operation, and at the same time to prevent the formation of arcs, my invention consists, broadly, in a switch in which the circuit is broken by mechanical force, independent of the volition of the ope 'ator. This force is stored up by the act of closing the circuit, and is expended or utilized in opening the circuit. To speak more specifically, I use for this purpose a spring which is compressed by the operation of closing the circuit, and which,when released, opens the circuit quickly, promptly, and effectively, and by means of devices which are beyond the control of the manipulator.

I shall now proceed to describe the various details of this switch, reference being made to the drawings which accompany and illustrate this specification.

proved circuit-controller, showing the circuit open. Fig. 2 is a similar sectionaldrawing, showing the circuit closed. Fig; 3 represents a side elevation, in which but one contact spring is used, the metal portion of the circuit-controller itself being employed as the opposite contact'tace. Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the operating parts. Fig. 5 represents a modification of Fig. 3, adapted, especially, for use in circuits tr. versed by electric currents of great strength or high intensity; and Fig. '6 is a detail of the same.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the apparatus is represented as being attached to any suitable base, frame, or piece of non-conducting material, B. At-

tached to the opposite side of such insulated piece are two contact springs or plates, a and b, and to these contact-springs the circuitwires w and w are attached. 10" represents in Fig. 1 a return-wire, and the wires w and at are supposed to loop into any suitable apparatus by means of the binding-screws 1 and 2. 3 and at are the main binding-screws or circuit terminals, by which the entire device may be connected with the main circuit. The switch. itself consists, mainly, of three piecestl1e two shafts or spindles w and D and the socket or inclosing-case A, the said socket inclosing the operating parts and containing suitable bearings, wherein the shafts are adapted to slide. All these parts are made of metal, and thus adapted to conduct electricity. The inner end, d, of the spindle or shaft .10 is tapered off, and adapted, when the said shaft is pushed in by means of the button 0, to slide and fit between the two contact springs or plates to and b, and in this position, as shown in Fig. 2, the circuit is closed. This shaft has two collars, c and z, and as the inner one, 0, is larger in diameter than the second one, the projection t of the large collar over the diameter of the small one, and the projection a" between the small collar 2 and the shaft :10, limit the sliding motionof the shaft, as will be hereinafter described. The inner side of the collar 0 presses against the spiral spring j, which is inclosed in the chamber E of the case A, between the base of the said chamber and the said inner side of the collar 0. This spiral spring is shown in Fig. 1. as being expanded, and thus with a slight but constant pressure holding the shaft away from the circuit-closing springs; but as represented in Fig. 2 it is compressed or in tension by the forward positi on of the shaft. The. said shaft xis supported in place by the bearing of the circumferential surface of the larger collar 0 against the internal surface of the casing-chamber E, and also by the bearing of its inner end in the hole a, by which the base of the said chamberis perforated. The purpose of the other shaft, D, which crosses the shaft as at right angles, is to control and regulate the motion of the said first shaft, :10. The shaft D slides in the chamber F, which crosses the chamber E also at right angles. At one end of the chamberF the shaft D is supported in the bearing G, and at the other end a small hole is bored, through which the smaller part of the said shaft slides. The same shaft, 1), at its lower end, is formed with a shoulder, y, and from thence to the extreme end is much smaller in diameter, the small part 1 being surrounded by a spiral spring, k, which, like the spring f of the; other shaft, serves to press the shaft outwardly. The shaft at its upper end is provided with a press-button, P, and is, furthermore, perforated at its center with an oval hole, m. The specific construction of this shaft is clearly shown in'Fi .4, wherein D represents the main body of the spindle, provided at the top by the button I, extending below into the smaller spindle g and pierced through its center by the oval holem.

This hole is large enough for the collar z to.

' of the spindle or shaft 00, which, when pushed in, tends to connect these springs through its substance, is withdrawn from them by the re siliency or expansibility of the spiral spring f. It is prevented, however, from moving any farther away from the contact-spri n gs or from being withdrawn any farther than is desired by ineans of the engagement of the flange or projection 77 of the large collar c,when forced outward by the spiral spriugfiwith the edge of the oval hole on in the cross-shaft D, the spring f, when expanded, being still capable of exerting a slight outward pressure on the said collar. The spiral spring in the cross-chamber F,which acts upon the other shaft or spindle, D, is, however, at this time in a state of tension, pressing the said shaft upward, and thus maintaining the lower edge of hole m in contact with the shoulder or projection of the collar 0. If, now, the circuit-springs a. and b are to be brought into contact, and the circuit is to be thereby closed, the button C must be pressed, and the force exerted by such pressure has several results: First, the small end d is thrust between the contactsprings a and b, electrically uniting them; second, the spiral spring f is compressed between the lower edge of the collar 0 and the bottom of the chamber in which such collar works; third, the small collar 2 is pushed out of the oval hole m of the other cross-shaft, D, its place beingtaken by the much smaller shank of the shaft This relieves the pressure of the shoulder 7 of the cross-shaft D upon the spiral spring 7;, and by virtue of the resiliency of said spring the shaft D is forced upward, allowing the lower surface of the hole at to engage with the shoulder z" of the small collar z of the shaft :0, the entire result of the complex operation being to close the circuit between the contact-springs,to compress the spiral spring 1, and thus store up energy, and the establishment of an engagement between the shoulder t" of the collar .2 and the.

lower edge of the hole m through the crossshaft c,whereby the spiral springf is prevented from immediately expanding, and thus again opening the circuit before such opening is desired. This condition is clearly shown in Fig. 2, wherein the spring f is shown as compressed and as being retained in a compressed condition by the contact of the lower edge of the hole at with the shoulder l of the collar z. It is perfectly evident that the circuit cannot now be broken between the contact springs or plates a and 1) unless the engagement between ITO.

the small collar 2 and the lower edge of the hole on be first disestablished, permitting the spiral spring f, by virtue of its resiliency, to throw the shaft an outwardly, thus withdrawing the small end (I from the said contact-spring. Let it now be supposed that the circuit is to be again opened or changed. All that is requisite is to exert a pressure upon the button P of the shaft D, and thus to compress the spring k. This brings the lower edge of the hole on below the shoulder i of the small collar 2, permittingthe said collar to pass into the said hole under the expanding influence of the spring f, of course contemporaneously withdrawing the small end (1 of the shaft 00 from the contact-springs and opening the circuit. This backward motion is accomplished in a very quick, positive, and efficient manner un (ler the influence of the expansion of the spiral springf, and terminates as positively as soon as the shaft comes into the position shown in Fig. 1. It is therefore obvious that the object for which I have invented this switch or circuitcontroller is fully accomplished. The breaking of the circuit is done with the utmost rapidity, and the operation itself once started is not in any manner controlled by the will or by the hesitation of the manipulator, so that partial and objectionable contacts are entirely avoided.

I may of course, if I so desire, instead of using two contact-springs, a and I), employ but one, a, utilizing the metal part of the shaft m and the contiguous parts thereof as the complementary electrode of the circuit, the small end (I of the said shaft 00 being in this case adapted to come into contact with the single contact spring or plate a, as shown in Fig. 3. In this case one of the wires, 10, is fastened to any suitable portion of the bodyof the instru-- ment by a suitable screw, 8, or in any other well-understood manner. Fig. 3 also represents the appearance of the entireinstrument. Although the modificationthus described is perfectly adapted for use in connection with currents of low tension, such as those employed in incandescent electric lighting, and although such use is perfectly safe and innocuous in such a connection,it is possible that when used in connection with wires or circuits conveying high tension or abnormally-strong cur.- rents, a shock might be given to the manipulator. To prevent any such contingency I provide a button or knob, R, of suitable non-conducting material, and affix the same perma nently to the metal buttons or handles 0 and P, as shown in Fig. 5.

It will be seen that since all that is requisite. in order to close the circuit is a pressure upon the button 0, and since, furthermore, all that is requisite in order to open the circuit is a similar pressure upon the other button, P, the entire circuit controlling device is not only simple in its construction, but the method of operation is well adapted to be put into the hands of inexperienced persons for use.

Although I have shown and described my invention as applied to establishing and breakcontact plates or springs, a conducting shaft or spindle provided with a retracting-spring acting to withdraw the said shaft from the said contact-springs, means for bringing the said shaft into contact with the said contactsprings and for compressing the said retracting-spring, a device for maintaining the said contact against the expansive force of the said retracting-spring, and other means for releas ing the said shaft from said maintaining devices, whereby the compressed spring may be permitted to exert its expansive force upon said shaft, and forcibly and rapidly withdraw the same from the contact-springs, for the purposes specified.

2. A circuitcontrolling switch consisting, substantially as hereinbefore described, of one or more contact plates or springs, a conducting shaft or spindle provided with a retracting-spring acting to withdraw the said shaft from the said contact-springs, means for bring ing the said shaft into contact with the said contact spring or springs and for simultaneously compressing the said retracting-spring, and other means for maintaining the said contact against the expansive force'of the said retracting-spring.

3. In a device for breaking or closing .electric circuits, the combination of the containing-socket, a circuit-controlling shaft sliding therein, a spring adapted to exert an outward pressure on the said shaft, suitable means, as

indicated, for limiting the range of outward movement of said shaft, an extension-shank and press-button attached thereto, whereby the said shaft may be manipulated and advanced inwardly against the outward pressure of the spring, and an abutment adapted, when the shaft is pushed in, to compress the said spring and increase the said outward pressure, other devices for locking the said shaft in position when so advanced, and means, substantially as described, for unlocking the said shaft, and for permitting it to be acted upon by the compressed spring and positively forced outwardly, for the purposes specified.

4. The combination, with an electric circuit, of a controller therefor, consisting of a metal shaft or spindle adapted to complete or interrupt the said circuit by making or breaking contact with contact springs or plates attached thereto, the said shaft being provided with a retracting-spring with shoulders or abutments, and with means for bringing it into contact with ing-spring of the locking-shaft, and whereby the compression of the spring of the lockingshaft may be caused to release the spring of the former shaft and effect a sudden opening of the circuit, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. In an electric switch or circuit controller, the combination of the containing socket or chamber, a locking-shaft centrally perforated with a hole or vslot, and provided with a retracting-spring and a button, whereby it may be forced inwardly against the expansive force of said spring, and a circuit-controlling shaft arranged transversely to the locking shaft and passing through the hole thereof, the said circuit-controlling shaft being provided with a retracting-spring therefor, adapted to exercise an outward pressure thereon, a button whereby it may be forced inwardly, and two collars of different diameters, forming shouldeis, one of which is adapted to engage with the edge of the hole or slot of the lockingshaft when the button of the circuit-controlling shaft is pressed inwardly, the other being adapted to similarly engage the said edge of the said hole when the circuit-controlling sh aft, influenced by its retracting-spring, reaches its extreme outward limit, substantially as hereinbefore described.

6. In an electric switch or circuit controller, the combination of the locking shaft or spindle, having an oval hole or slot of suitable size, with a circuit-controlling shaft or'spindle passing through the said hole in the lockingshaft, and having twoprojecting parts fixed thereon, one of which is adapted to slide in the saidhole, and both forming shoulders adapted to abut against the edge of the said hole, the said two shafts being transversely disposed with reference to one another, both being provided with buttons, whereby they may be pushed inwardly, and with retractingsprings adapted to exert an outward pressure, whereby when the retracting-spring of the circuit-controlling shaft is compressed by the pressure of the button the retractingspring of the lockingshaft is released, and when the retracting-spring of the locking-shaft is compressed the retracting-spring of the circuitcontrolling shaft is released, as described.

, 7. The combination of an electric circuit controller adapted to be manually operated to close a'circuit, a locking-shaft for the circuitcontroller, adapted to engage therewith and to maintain it in place, a spring capable of ALEX. BERNSTEIN.

\Vitnesses:

FRED J. F. SCHWARTZ, GEO. \VILLIs PIERCE.