US2885512A - Switching apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1959 E. D. SMITH swncamc APPARATUS 2 SheetsShaeAt 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1954 SUPH? H54 TEE STE/W 707/? DEV/(IE B sum? HEATH? STEAM TEMP. DEV/CE A naunumnnm 13 7 y 1959 E. D. SMITH 2,885,512

SWITCHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1954 To UNIT SENSING smrzu SENS/N6 SWITCH 22.27 Zmb E210 D. SM! H United States Patent SWITCHING APPARATUS Eric D. Smith, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 23, 1954, Serial No. 411,626

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-98) This invention relates to annunciators or alarm devices, particularly such as are adapted for use in engine rooms, power plants, industrial plants, and the like, for giving a signal of the existence of an abnormal condition at a specific place of a machine, or part of a machine.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use where certainty of operation is of the utmost importance and where signals must indicate not only momentary alarms which can be reset at once, but also must indicate abnormal conditions which may remain for some time, and when such abnormal conditions have occurred the annunciator must indicate the continuance of the abnormal condition. When the abnormal condition has been cleared the annunciator must aflirmatively indicate that fact.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an annunciator which is of sufficient simplicity that an attendant of ordinary intelligence may be apprised immediately of the existence of a fault in the system, the fact that the fault is being corrected, and the moment when the correction of that fault occurs. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an annunciator system which includes a plurality of lights at each annunciator and an audible alarm which, by the different combinations of the energized states thereof, quickly will apprise an attendant of the existence or status of a fault in the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicating system utilizing a plurality of lights which cooperate together to provide a different color indication for each of a plurality of different conditions to be indicated. A further object of the invention is to provide an annunciator device utilizing two signal indicating lights to provide at least three different color indications.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an annunciator system of the above type wherein the electrical circuitry and the mechanical elements are simple and reliable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple and reliable switch actuating assembly where one actuating means operates a switch and another actuating means, in either direction of movement thereof, operates the switch into another switch position.

In accordance with one form of the invention, a number of annunciator devices are connected each to one machine, or one part of a machine, the annunciators being all mounted adjacent to one another on a switchboard or the like. When an abnormal condition occurs on any one of the machines or places that are to be protected, a pair of lights are energized on a particular annunciator and an audible alarm is given. The alarm calls the attendants attention to the annunciators, and the lights on the particular annunciator involved indicate the type of fault or other condition involved, and the location thereof. The attendant then operates a switch which deenergizes the audible alarm and one of the lights, leaving the other light energized to indicate that an abnormality still exists and that he will proceed to 2,885,512 I Patented May 5, 1952? correct the abnormality. When the abnormality is corrected, the audible alarm then becomes automatically energized, the light which was previously energized becomes deenergized and the other light of the pair of lights which was previously deenergized then becomes energized. The attendant then is aware of the correction of the condition. Although a common audible alarm is used for all the annunciators to indicate either a trouble or a correction of the trouble, the use of two lights on each annunciator device provides the attendant with an immediate indication as to which of these two conditions is present. He then operates a switch which deenergizes the audible alarm, and the remaining energized light, thereby returning the particular annunciator back to a normal, completely de-energized condition.

To further reduce the complexity of the annunciator system, an optical system is placed in front of the pair of indicating lights which projects both lights in overlapping relation on a common indicating surface. Each of the light sources is provided with a different color indication so that when both lights are energized the indication on the face of the common indicating surface will be of one color, which is the resultant combination of the two separate colors of the separate lights, and then, when either of the two lights is separately energized, two other different color indications will appear on the face of the common indicating surface. Thus, when the indicating surface is unlighted, the attendant is apprised of the fact that there is no trouble with the machine or part of the machine with which the annunciator is associated. When the attendant is attracted to the switchboard carrying the annunciator devices by the energization of an audible alarm, he immediately knows whether the audible alarm indicates the initiation of a fault in the system or the correction of a fault because of the particular color indication on the switchboard. Another color indication without the presence of an audible alarm indicates to the attendant that the fault is being corrected.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon making reference to the specification to follow and the drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a housing including a portion of the light and switching apparatus making up the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken along section line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section taken along section line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along section line 44 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical and mechanical elements making up an annunciator device and shows, in dotted lines, the alternate positions of the switching apparatus associated therewith;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 4 in an alternate position thereof;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 88 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 99 in Fig. 3.

Refer now to the drawings where like reference characters indicate similar elements throughout.

The annunciator system includes a number of annunciator units A, B, etc. (Fig. 5), associated with one or more devices, or parts of a device, not shown, the conditions of which are to be indicated by the respective annunciator units. For example, the devices may be steam turbines and the annunciator units may indicate the temperature conditions of the superheated steam fed thereto. Each of the annunciator units includes a pair of incandescent lights 2 and 4; a condition responsive or sensing switch 6 which, in the example where the temperature condition of a device is to be indicated, may be a thermocouple; a sensing relay s which is controlled by the sensing switch 6; a reset relay 1% and light switches 12 and 14, and bell switch 16 which are controlled by relays 8 and to turn the lights 2 and 4 and a hell or buzzer 18 on and ofi. The common bell 18 is utilized for all of the annunciator units. The ener' gization of the reset relay 10 is controlled by a reset switch 20 which is common to the relays of all of the annunciator units.

The relays 3 and 16, the electric lights 2 and 4, the switches 12, 14- and 16 of each annunciator unit, and a. mechanical linkage assembly 19, connected between the relays and switches for controlling the operation of the lights and hell, are mounted together on a common chassis 21, shown in Figs. 3 through 5. A pair of such chassis assemblies constituting parts of two separate annunciator units are shown mounted in se arate compartments of a common housing 22 and each is separately removable from the housing as a unit to facilitate the servicing or changing or" the components making up each assembly. The lights 2 and 4 of each assembly are supported from the front of a vertical panel 23 carried by each chassis 21 and are mounted behind a translucent indicating panel 24' carried by a removable, hinged housing cover 24-, which indicating panel displays the rays from the lights. The chassis assembly makes electrical contact with components exterior of the housing by means of a male plug connector 25 fixed to a vertical wall 21 at the rear of each chassis and received by a complementary socket connector 26 supported at the rear of the housing 22. A rear cover 27is secured to the rear of the housing 22 to cover the connectors 26 and the associated cables.

A detailed description of the electrical circuitry utilized in the preferred form of the invention and illustrated in Fig. 5 will now be described. Electric lights 2 and 4 are connected in series with light switches 12 and 14, respectively, by conductors 28 and St The unconnected terminals of the switches and electric lights are coupled across power lines 32 and 34, respectively, via conductors 36 and 38, contacts on the plug and socket connectors 25 and 26, and conductors 49 and 42. Closing the switches 12 and 14- 'wiil therefore energize the lights 2 and 4-.

The power lines 32 and 34 join respective terminal contacts 43 and 45 on a terminal strip 53. The power terminals 43 and 45 may be connected by a plug 47 into a power system.

One terminal of the bell 13 is connected to the ground terminal 45 and the other terminal of the bell connects with a terminal contact 52 also on the terminal strip 53. The terminal contact 52 connects with the other power terminal 43 via an alarm bell line 46, a conductor 50, contacts on the plug and socket connector assembly 2526, a conductor 43, bell switch 16, conductor 38 and power conductor 32. The bell 18 is thus energized when the switch 16 is closed.

One terminal of the coil of reset relay 1% is connected to a common reset line 66 which joins a terminal contact 62 on the terminal strip 53. The other terminal of the coil of relay 1% is connected to the power line 34 via the light switch 12, the conductor .36, contacts on the connectors 25 and 26, and the conductor 46. The reset switch 20, which is a spring biased switch urged to the open position, is connected between the reset terminal 62 and the power terminal 43. The coil of reset relay 19 will therefore be energized when both the reset switch 20 and the light switch 12 are closed.

The coil of sensing relay 8 is connected to a pair of ermi a 2 nd 6 an he rmin s p 53; by C0111 ductors 66 and 68, a pair of contacts on the connector assembly 2526, and the conductors "it? and 72. One terminal of the sensing switch 6 is connected to the terminal 64 on the strip 53 and the other terminal thereof is in series with a power plug 7d and the other terminal strip contact 62. Closing the sensing switch 6 will therefore energize the relay coil 8. The sensing switch of each annunciator unit is connected to a dififerent pair of terminals on the terminal strip 53. The power lines 32 and 34, the bell line 46 and the reset line 6%} are common to all of the annunciator units. It should be understood that the power source for the sensing relay may be separate from the power source for the lamp and bell circuits. Thus, without additional relays, the annunciator system can give an indication of a power failure to the devices 'whose conditions of operations are indicated by the annunciator system. Otherwise, a power failure to the devices would also render the annunciator system inoperative.

The mechanical linkage assembly 19 associated with the relays 3 and 1d and with the switches 12, 14 and 16 operate the switches in difierent combinations in response to the energization of the relays. The switching apparatus operates so that, upon the initial energizetion of relay 8 by the sensing switch 6, the light switches 12 and 14 and the bell switch 16 will be moved from their open to their closed positions, thereby turning the lights 2 and 4 and the hell 1% on. Due to the construction of the linkage assembly 19, the sensing relay 8 controls the closing of the light switches 12 and 14 and the bell switch 16 and the opening of the switch 14. The reset relay 16 controls only the opening of the light switch 12 and the bell switch 16. Thus, the sole function of the reset relay 10 is to turn oi? the light 2 and the bell 18 While the sensing relay turns on both lights and the bell and turns off the light 4.

1n the embodiment shown in the drawings, the switches 12, 14 and 16 are mercury type switches each having a pair of spaced contacts 88 in an envelope carrying a blob of mercury 89. When the switch is tilted in a direction such that the mercury 89 surrounds the pair of contacts 88, the switch is in a closed position. Conversely, when the switch is tilted so that the mercury is in the end of the envelope opposite to the pair of contacts 88, then the switches are in their open positions.

The electric light switch 12 and the bell switch 16 are supported on a common carrier plate 96 constituting a part of the linkage assembly 19 which 'will now be described. The plate 90 in turn is carried by a rotatable shaft 92 which is journalled in suitable apertures in hearing posts 94 and 96 supported on the chassis 211.

A rocker arm or plate 86 is pivotally supported at 82 to each chassis 21 and is connected by a screw 84 to the armature 86 of the sensing relay 8. When the relay 8 is energized, the armature 86 is drawn within the relay 8 and in so doing it pulls the rocker arm 80 toward the relay about the pivot 82. A cam bar 98 is secured to one end of the shaft 2 and it cooperates with an actuating arm 1% extending upwardly from the rocker plate 80. In the normal or open position of the contacts 12 and 16, the carrier plate is tilted forward so that contacts 12 and 16 are in their open position, with the mercury in the front end of the switch envelope and the contacts 88 at the rear of the envelope. In this position, the operating arm 100 abuts the inclined front face of a V-shaped protuberance 102 on the front and bottom of the cam bar 98. When the relay 8 is energized and the rocker arm 86 is pivoted to the position shown in dotted lines on the diagrammatic Fig. 6, the operating arm 100 slides from the front to the rear side of the V-shaped cam protuberance 102 and in so doing pushes the cam bar 98 and the attached plate 90 in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the dotted arrow 105 in Fig. 6. The switches 12 and 16 are then in a closed position with the mercury 89 bridging the contacts 88. In this position, the light 2 and the alarm bell 18 are energized.

The other light switch 14 is carried by a carrier member 107 freely journalled on the shaft 92 so that it can rotate relative to the shaft and straddling the bearing arm 94 to fix the axial position thereof. The carrier member 107 has a depending arm 109 which engages an extension 111 of the rocker arm 80. A tension spring 112 urges the carrier member 107 counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 8 to urge the extension 111 of the rocker arm 80 counterclockwise towards its forward position. The mercury switch 14 is so positioned on the carrier member 107 that when the arm 109 is in its forwardmost position the switch is open, with the mercury 89 in the rear of the switch envelope and the spaced switch contacts 88 at the front thereof. When the rocker arm 80 is pivoted rearwardly by the energization of the relay 8, the rocker arm extension 111 pushes against the carrier arm 109 and moves the carrier member clockwise about the shaft 92 so as to close the mercury switch 14 by tilting the same at an angle which will bring the mercury 89 between the switch contacts 88. The carrier plate 90 and the carrier member 107 are pivoted in opposite directions by the rearward movement of the rocker arm 80 and the mercury switches 12 and 16, on the one hand, and the switch 14, on the other hand, are therefore tilted and mounted in opposite relationship so that the switches will be simultaneously closed by the rocker arm 80.

The position of the carrier member 107 and the light switch 14 in its closed position is shown in dotted lines in the diagrammatic Fig. 6. When the relay 8 is deenergized, the light switch 14 is moved to its open position by the spring 112 which urges the carrier arm 109 to its forward position. Movement of the rocker arm 80 is limited by means of a stop screw 114.

Means is provided for actuating the carrier plate 90 in a direction which will tilt the mercury switches 12 and 16 forward so as to bring the mercury out of contact with the contacts 88 independently of the position of the rocker arm 80. This means comprises a C-shaped collar 116 which is fixedly connected to the shaft 92. The collar is urged against the bearing post 96 by a compression spring 117 extending between the bearing post and a pin 119 extending from the shaft 92. The collar 116 has a bottom leg 118 which is below the shaft 92 and extends forward into the path of movement of a rocker plate or arm 120. The rocker arm 120 is pivoted at 122 and is connected for movement with the armature 123 of the reset relay 10. The forward movement of the rocker arm 120 is limited by a stop screw 121. The bottom leg 118 of the collar 116 is moved rearward when the rocker arm 120 is pivoted to the rear by the energization of the relay which draws its armature 123 axially inward. Since the collar 116 is fixedly connected to the shaft 92, this movement of the collar 116 is coupled to the carrier plate 90 so as to move it in a clockwise direction where the switches 12 and 16 are tilted in a position to bring the mercury out of contact with the switch contacts 88. The alarm bell 18 and the electric light 4 are thereby deenergized.

The latter two elements may be re-energized by the forward or clockwise pivotal movement of the rocker arm 80 which results from the de-energizing of the sensing relay 8. Note that the mercury switches 12 and 16 were previously closed by the rearward or counter-clockwise movement of the rocker arm 80. With the relay 8 energized and the cam bar 98 pivoted to its forward position (see Fig. 7), the de-energization of the sensing relay 8 will pivot the rocker arm 80 forward and clockwise. In so doing, the actuating arm 100 thereof pushes against the rear face of the V-shaped protuberance 102 so as to pivot the carrier plate 90 counter-clockwise about the shaft 92, thereby closing the mercury contacts 12 and 16. The other light switch 14 is then returned to its open position by the spring 112 which may now urge the arm 109 of the carrier member 107 forward to tilt the metcury switch 14 to its open position. Thus, due to the shape of the cam bar 98 and the position of the operating arm 100 of the rocker arm with respect thereto, the switches 12 and 16 are moved to their closed position in either direction of movement of the rocker arm 80.

The complete operation of the relay and actuating mechanism associated with an annunciator unit, such as unit A, for example, is as follows: In the normal or deenergized state of the apparatus, the spring 112 urges the rocker arm 80 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 6 and 7 and the positions of the carrier members and 107 are such that the mercury switches 12, 14

and 16 are in their open position. The lights 2 and 4 and the alarm bell 18 are therefore de-energized. When the sensing switch 6 is closed, which occurs when a given condition, such as a temperature, has deviated from a desired value, the relay 8 is energized and the rearward movement of the rocker arm 80 imparts a counterclockwise movement of the carrier plate 90 and a clockwise movement of the carrier member 107 to thereby close the mercury switches 12, 14 and 16. The lights 2 and 4 and the alarm bell 18 are therefore energized. The attendant is attracted to the light panels 24' and from the energization of both lights 2 and 4 he is apprised of the fact that a fault exists with the device associated with the annunciator unit No. A. The reset button 20 is then momentarily depressed which energizes the reset relay 10 and causes the rocker arm 120 to pivot counter clockwise as seen in Figs. 6 and 9 and push the collar arm and the attached shaft 92 in a clockwise direction. This carries the attached carrier plate 90 and cam bar 98 clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 7 to open the light switch 12 and the bell contact 16 to turn the light 2 and bell off. The other light switch 14 remains unaffected since the rocker arm 80 remains held in its rearward position by the relay armature 86. Therefore the arm 109 is held in the switch closed position. Thus, only the light 4 remains energized. When the fault is corrected, the sensing switch 6 automatically opens which causes the sensing relay 8 to be de-energized. The rocker arm 80 therefore pivots clockwise and the operating arm 100 thereof pushes against the cam bar 98 and moves it in a counter-clockwise direction so as to close the switches 12 and 16 and energize the light 2 and the bell 18. At the same time, the carrier member 107 is released and it pivots counterclockwise under the force of the spring 112. This opens the switch 14 which de-energizes the light 4. The attendant is then again attracted to the light panel 24' by the alarm bell 18 and he is apprised of the fact that the fault has been corrected. He then depresses the reset button 20 momentarily which again energizes the reset relay 10. The rocker arm pushes against the collar leg 118 which moves the shaft 92 and the attached carrier plate 90 forward to open the contacts 12 and 16 and de-energize the light 2 and the alarm bell 18. In this condition, all of the lights and the alarm bell are de-energized and the annunciator device involved is in its quiescent condition.

It should be understood that, if desired, the sensing switch 6 may be arranged to open rather than to close the circuit associated with the sensing relay 8 if any fault occurs in the system. Under these conditions, the relay 8 would be energized during the quiescent or normal operation of the system and the occurrence of a fault would de-energize the relay 8. The only modification necessary to enable the system to operate in a manner similar to that previously described, is to orientate the mercury switch 14 so that, when the mercury switch 14 is in its rear position, it is open rather than closed and vice versa.

In order to simplify the indication produced on each indicating panel 24', each panel is associated with an optical prism 129. The prism is colored white and is front face 24' due to the red plate 137.

transl cen a the in i a n p n ns tut s h front face of the prism. The 'prisrn includes two rear faces 133 and 135, respectively, which converge rear- 'wardly fromthe outer extremities of the front face 24'.

A transparent red plate 137 may be secured to the prism face 133 and a transparent green plate may be secured to the other inclined prism face 135. The apex 140 of the prism assembly is located between the light bulbs 2 and 4 so that the light from each bulb strikes only the adjacent colored plate 137 or 139. The light from the bulbs 2 and 4 are displayed in overlapping relationship on the front face 24"of the prism. When the light 2 is lit, a green light will appear on the front face 24 of the prism due to the green plate 139. When the other light 2 is separately lit, a red light will appear on the When both lights are lit, a different color will appear on the front face 131 which is the resultant of the red and green colors of the light displayed in overlapping relationship 7 on the front face of the prism. In this'inanner, the condition being measured may be more readily determined. Four colors are effectively produced since the de-energized state of the lamps 2 and 4 appear as the color of the prism, which in the described embodiment is white.

adapted to move said first switching means into said first position thereof, and second switch actuating means adapted to actuate said second switching means into said first position thereof when it is moved in one direction and to actuate said second switching means into its second position when the latter actuating means is moved in the opposite direction, said second switch actuating means also being adapted to engage said first switching means when the first switching means is in said first position to move the same to said second position thereof,

in either direction of movement of the second switch actuating means.

2. Switching apparatus comprising a switching means, means for pivotally supporting the contact carrying portions of said switching means for movement into first and second angular positions to operate said switching means into first and second electric circuit changing positions, first rocker arm means adapted to move said switching means into said first angular position thereof, said switching means having a cam surface, and a second rocker arm means adapted to make engagement with said cam surface to pivot same from said first angular position to said second angular position when moved in either direction, said switching means being adapted to be moved from said second angular position to said first position by said first rocker arm means without disturbing the position of said second rocker arm means.

3. Switching apparatus comprising a switching means including movable contact carrying portions, means for pivotally supporting the contact carrying portions of said switching means for movement into first and second angular positions to operate said switching means into first and second electric circuit changing positions, first rocker arm means adapted to move said switching means into said first angular position thereof, said switching means having a projecting outer cam surface, a second rocker arm means movable between alternate opposition positions adapted in the two opposite positions thereof, respectively, to make camming engagement with said projecting cam surface when said switching means is in said first angular position and, in movement to either of said alternate positions said second rocker arm pushing said cam surface aside in the same direction to thereby position the switching means into said second angular position, said second rocker arm means being movable sufiiciently clear of said cam surface to enable said first rocker arm means to return said switching means into said first position thereof without interference from said second rocker arm means.

4. Switching apparatus comprising a first and second switching means, a pivot shaft, a first pivotally mounted carrier means carrying said first switching means, a second pivotally mounted carrier means carrying said second switching means, said first carrier means being adapted to move said first switching means into first and second angular positions to operate same respectively to first and second electric circuit changing positions, said second carrier means being adapted to move said second switching means into first and second angular positions where the second switching means is respectively actuated to first and second electric circuit changing positions, first rocker arm means being adapted to engage said first carrier means in only one direction of movement thereof to move said first switching means into said first position thereof, a second rocker arm means adapted to engage said second carrier means from the opposite extreme position thereof to eifect the pivoting of said second carrier means and the consequent movement of the second switching means to said respective angular positions thereof, a cam surface associated with said first carrier means and being adapted to be engaged and moved by said first rocker arm means to its second position from either of its extreme positions when said first switching means is in its first position, said second rocker arm means being ineffectual to move said first carrier means when the first switching means carried thereby is in its second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,701,398 Vickery Feb. 5, 1929 2,086,197 Warner July 6, 1937 2,161,614 Cunningham June ,6, 1939 2,428,096 Reavis Sept. 30, 1947 2,600,132 Seaton June 10, 1952 2,646,557 Smith July 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 176,342 Great Britain July 13, 1922

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