US3093712A

US3093712A - Selective switch construction

Info

Publication number: US3093712A
Application number: US11672A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carroll H Walsh; Raymond W Toler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-02-29
Filing date: 1960-02-29
Publication date: 1963-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1980-06-11

Description

June 11, 1963 c. H. WALSH ET AL 3,

SELECTIVE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS June 11, 1963 c. H. WALSH EIAL 3,093,712

SELECTIVE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS United States Patent 3,093,712 SELECTIVE SWITCH CONSTRUCTIGN Carroll H. Walsh, P.0. Box 982, and Raymond W. Toler, Arkansas Power & Light Co., both of Pine Bluif,

Filed Feb. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 11,672 12 Claims. (Cl. 200-6) This invention relates generally to switchgear apparatus, and more particularly to an improved selective switch construction.

A general object of the invention is the provision of a switch construction for selectively connecting and disconnecting either of two normally energized source terminals respectively to and from a single load terminal and a single ground terminal, the construction being especially adapted for use in connection with single phase alternating current electrical distribution systems embodying underground high-voltage conductors.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a switch construction manually operable to either (1) connect a first source terminal to a load terminal or (2) connect a second source terminal to the load terminal or (3) connect the first source terminal directly to the second source terminal and by-pass the load terminal or (4) connect the first source terminal indirectly to the second source terminal or (5) connect the first source terminal to the load terminal and connect the second source terminal to a ground terminal or (6) connect the second source terminal to the load terminal and connect the first source terminal to a ground terminal.

A further object is to provide a selective switch construction embodying removable, swingable and rotatable bridging conducting switch members, which may be either in the form of solid metal switch blades or tubular fuse holders as may be desired.

Another object is the provision of a novel hinge-end switch construction for locking the bridging conducting members in closed position against rotation and removal and for unlocking the switch members when swung to the open position to permit optional rotation or removal.

Another object is the provision of a removable lightning arrester, the presence of which is required only under certain specific conditions as later described herein.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the presently preferred construction, with certain connections shown diagrammatically.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the construction.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view at the hinge contact of the device, taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a metal base 10 has mounted thereon, by means of the insulator-mounting cap screws 32, the forwardly extending line terminal insulators 11 and 12, and the load terminal insulator 13, the line terminal insulators 11 and 12 being laterally spaced apart with respect to each other, and the load terminal insulator 13 being centrally positioned and substantially equidistant from the line terminal insulators -11 and 12.

A load terminal 14, formed as a cross from flat metal plate, is secured at the top of the load terminal insulator 13 by the cap screw 21, and is provided with the first and second load contact clips 23; and 24 respectively, the clips being secured thereto at the laterally extended arms of the terminal cross 14 by the contact clip bolts 27. At the upper end of the plate 14 the load terminal connector 56 has connected thereto the load conductor 57, which is diagrammatically shown connecting a line-to-ground transformer 58 to the load terminal, the ground end of the 'ice transformer winding being connected to the ground symbolically indicated by the numeral 59. The ground 59 is also connected to the base plate 10 through the ground terminal 54 and the ground conductor 55.

'Otuwardly spaced from the

load contact clips

23 and 24, and in the same vertical plane, are located the first and second ground cont-

act clips

22 and 25 respectively, being fixed in spaced relationship with the base 10 by the sleeves 31 and fastened to the base 10' by the bolts 29 and the cooperating nuts 30.

The first switch member 17 is removably mounted in the slots 42 of the hinge contact 43 and swingably movable about the pivot 41 between open and closed position, an eye 18 (FIG. 2) being provided at the upper end of the switch member for facilitating these manipulations.

FIG. 3 illustrates in detail the hinge end construction for the switch members, the member 17 being here shown. The first line terminal 15, in the form of a flat metal plate, is rigidly fastened to the top of the insulator =11 by means of the cap screw 44, which extends downwardly in threaded engagement with the insulator insert 49, and between the latter and the head of the cap screw 44 is positioned the sleeve 45. The length of the sleeve 45 is made such that it slightly exceeds the combined thickness of the bottom of the hinge contact 43 and the spring washer 46, so that, when the point 47 of the cam-shaped end of the switch member 17 is rotated away from the top of the cap screw 44, the hinge contact 43 and the blade 17 may be freely rotated in a horizontal plane about the sleeve 45. When in the closed position illustrated by FIG. 3, the cam-point 47 has contacted the head of the cap screw 44 and moved slightly overcenter, thus locking the switch member 17 in the closed position and concurrently forcing the hinge 43 upwardly into engagement with the spring washer 46 to provide a low-resistance current path from the line terminal 15 to the hinge contact 43 and the switch member 17.

The line terminal 15, formed as a flat metal plate, extends downwardly and outwardly from the insulator 11, and at its lower end is provided with the first line terminal connector 50, to which is shown connected a first line conductor 51. At the outwardly extended portion of the plate forming the first line terminal 15 is mounted the line terminal contact clip 26, by means of the contact clip bolt 27.

The hinged end of the second switch member 19 is identical with that of the switch member 17, except that, as shown in FIG. 1, the plate forming the second line terminal 16 extends only downwardly to provide a suitable location for the terminal connector 52, to which is shown connected the second line conductor 53.

To conveniently and removably mount and connect the lightning arrester 20, which may be any one of several types of well known valve arresters, the lower terminal 35 of the arrester 20 is extended downwardly, and the transversely extending pintles 36 are rigidly attached in any suitable manner, such as press fit. The pintles 36 are disposed in the laterally spaced hooks 34, which extend forwardly from the base 10 and are attached thereto by the hook support bolt 33. At the upper end of the arrester 20 the line terminal 37 of the arrester is extended for removably engaging the load terminal arrester contact clip 28, the latter being secured by the bolt 39 and cooperating nut 40 to a rearwardly bent portion of the downwardly extending leg of the load contact terminal 14. An eye 38 is formed as a portion of the arrester line terminal 37 to enable manipulation of the arrester by means of an insulated switch stick.

A principal application of the invention is the connection of a load transformer, as indicated diagrammatically at the numeral 58, to either, or both, source conductors, as indicated by the

numerals

51 and 53,

with provision for grounding either of the source conductors to enable safe repair of one source conductor without interrupting supply to the transformer from the other source conductor.

Theswitch

members

17 and 19 may be either solid conducting switch blade members, or, if desired, may be fuse housings of any well known type for containing a fuse element responsive to a predetermined current. It may be noted that the switch .member 17 is rotatably and swingably movable from its engagement with the first ground contact clip 22, as. shown by the solid lines in FIG. 1 to the position in engagement with the first load contact clip 23, as shown by the dashed lines. Similiarly, the switch member 19 is rotatably and swingably movable to connect its hinged end to (1) the second load contact clip-24, as shown by the solid =lines in FIG. 1, (2) to the second ground contact clip 25 or (3) the line contact clip 26, the latter two positions being indicated by the dashed lines.

FIG. 1 illustratesby the solid lines that selection of switching in which the load transformer 58 is supplied from the second line conductor 53; the first line conductor 51 is grounded as it should be for the protection of repairmen working on the conductor; and the lightning arrester is connected to protect the transformer 58 from excessive line-to-ground voltages which might occur because of the open circuit surge reflection point created by the disconnection of the first source conductor .51 from the second. source conductor 53.

A number of other useful switching selections may be mentioned. First, with the switch member 19 formed as a solid switch blade and engaged with the line terminal contact clip 26 and'the switch member 17 formed as a fuse construction member and engaged with the first load contact clip 23, the source conductors 51 andv 53 are in series with the load tapped to the source conductors throughqa fuse element which,.may operate to disconnectthe transformenwithout affecting the energization of the source conductors. Second, should the source conductor 53 fault and require repair, that conductor may be grounded by moving the switch member 19 to .engagement .with the second ground conductor contact clip 25, and the load supplied by moving the switch member '17 to engagement with the first load contact clip 23. Third, by removing the switch member 17 bodily and placing the switch member 19 in engagement 'with the line terminal clip 26 the load transformer may be bypassed while maintaining the continuity of the source conductors. Fourth, by engaging the switch member 17 with the first ground contact clip 22 and the switch member 19 with the second ground contact clip 25, the

transformer is disconnected and both cables are separately grounded. Fifth, by engaging the .switch member 19 with the line contact clip 26 and the switch member 17 with the first ground contact clip 22, the transformer is disconnected and both cables are jointly grounded. Sixth, should it be desired to have a fuse ;moved from one selective switching location to another as required, one arrester serving any number of locations in a single loop energized from each end.

.Our selective switch construction is particularly useful in connection with underground conductors, for the reasonthat any faulted section of cable or a defective transformer can be quickly switched by a single troubleman to restore service by simply operating the switch members, and damaged equipment repaired as may be convenient, following which the system may be quickly switched back to the normal condition.

While we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without affecting the scope and true spirit thereof.

What we claim is:

1. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, a metal base, insulating means thereon supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal having mounted thereon a line terminal contact clip, a second line terminal and a load terminal having a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; a first ground contact clip and a second ground contact clip mounted on said base in spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; a first movable conducting switch member hinged at the first line terminal and, a second movable conducting member hinged at the second line terminal, said first switch member being selectively movable to engagement with said first load contact clip and said first ground contact clip, and said second switch member being selectively movable to engagement with said second load contact clip, said second ground contact clip and said line terminal contact clip.

2. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, a metal base, insulating means thereon supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal having mounted thereon a line terminal contact clip, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load terminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; a first ground contact clip and a second ground cont-act clip mounted on said base in spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; a first conducting switch member swingably and rotatably hinged at the first line terminal and a second conducting switch member swingably and rotatably hinged at the second line terminal, said first switch member being selectively movable to engagement among said first load contact clip and said first ground contact clip, and said second switch member being selectively movable to engagement among said second contact clip, said second ground contact clip and said line terminal contact clip.

3. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted thereon, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load terminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; first and second ground contact clips disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; first and second conducting switch members removably, swingably and rotatably hinged at said first and second line .terminals respectively, said first switch member being selectively movable to engagement among said first load contact clip and said first ground contact clip, and said second switch member being selectively movable to engagement among said second contact clip, said second ground contact clip and said line terminal contact clip.

4. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted thereon, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load terminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; first and second ground contact clips disposed in insulated spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; first and second conducting switch members removably, swingably and rotatably hinged at said first and second line terminals respectively and movable between open and closed positions, said first switch member being selectively movable to closed positions by engagement among said first load contact clip and said first ground contact clip, and said second switch member being selectively movable to closed positions by engagement among said second contact clip, said second ground contact clip and said line terminal contact clip, and means associated with the hinged end of said switch members for latching said switch members when in any closed position.

5. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted thereon, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load terminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; first and second ground contact clips disposed in insulated spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; first and second conducting switch members swingably and rotatably hinged at said first and second line terminals respectively'and movable between open and closed positions, said first switch member being selectively movable to closed positions by engagement among said first load contact clip and said first ground contact clip, said second switch member being selectively movable to closed positions by engagement among said second contact clip, said second ground contact clip and said line terminal contact clip, said switch members being disengagingly removable at their respective hinged ends only when in open position.

6. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted thereon, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load terminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; first and second ground contact clips disposed in insulated spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; first and second conducting switch members swingably and rotatably hinged at said first and second line termi- 118.415 respectively and movable between open and closed positions, said first switch member being optionally movable to one closed position in engagement with said first load contact clip and alternately to another closed position in engagement with said first ground contact clip and said second switch member being optionally movable to one closed position in engagement with said second contact clip and alternately to another closed position in engagement with said second ground contact clip and alternately to yet another closed position in engagement with said line terminal contact clip, and means associated with the hinged end of said switch members for latching said switch members when in any closed position, each of said switch members being bodily removable when in open position and interchangeable one with the other.

7. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted thereon, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load tenminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; first and second ground contact clip-s disposed in insulated spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; first and second conducting switch members swingably and rotatably hinged at said first and second line terminals respectively and movable between open and closed positions, said first switch member being optionally movable to one closed position in engagement with said first load contact clip and alternately to another closed position in engagement with said first ground contact clip and said second switch member being optionally movable to one closed position in engagement with said second contact clip and alternately to another closed position in engagement with said second ground contact clip and alternately to yet another closed position in engagement with said line terminal contact clip, each of said switch member-s being bodily removable when in open position and interchangeable one with the other.

8. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted thereon, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load terminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; first and second ground contact clips disposed in insulated spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; first and second conducting switch members swingably, rotatably and removably hinged at said first and second line terminals respectively and movable between open and closed positions, said first switch member being movable from a closed position in engagement with said first load contact clip to another closed position in engagement with said first ground contact clip, said second switch member being movable from a closed position in engagement with said second contact clip to another closed position in engagement with said second ground contact clip and to a further alternate closed position in engagement with said line terminal contact clip, and means for bodily removing said switch members when in open position.

9. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted thereon, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, said load terminal having mounted thereon a first load contact clip and a second load contact clip; first and second ground contact clips disposed in insulated spaced relationship with respect to the load contact clips; first and second conducting switch members swingably, rotatably and removably hinged at said first and second line terminals respectively and movable between open and closed positions, said first switch member being movable from a closed position in engagement with said first load contact clip to an alternate closed position in engagement with said first ground contact clip, said second switch member being movable from a closed position in engagement with said second contact clip to an alternate closed position in engagement with said second ground contact clip and to a further alternate closed position in engagement with said line terminal contact clip, releasing means enabling the bodily removal of said switch members when in open position, and latching means at the hinged ends of said switch members for holding said members in closed position.

10. A selective switch construction comprising, in combination, a metal base, insulating means supporting in insulated spaced relationship a first line terminal, a second line terminal, and a load terminal, a line terminal contact clip mounted on said first line terminal, a first load contact clip, a second load contact clip and a lightning arrester contact clip mounted on said load terminal; first and second ground contact clips disposed in insulated spaced relationship with respect to the line and load terminals; first and second conducting switch members movable between open and closed positions, a rotatable hinge releasably connecting said members to said first and second line terminals respectively, said first switch member having a first closed position in engagement with said first load contact clip and an alternate closed position in engagement with said first ground con tact clip, said second switch member having a first closed position in engagement with said second load contact clip, an alternate closed position in engagement with said second ground contact clip and a further closed position in engagement with said line terminal contact clip, releasing means enabling the bodily removal of said switch members when in open position, latching means at the hinged ends of said switch members for holding said members in closed position, and a removably mounted lightning arrester interposed between said lightning arrester contact clip and said metal base.

11. In a selective switch structure, spaced terminals including a line terminal, a load terminal and a ground terminal, a load terminal contact clip connected to said load terminal, a ground terminal contact clip connected to said ground terminal, a rotatable hinge mounted on .said line terminal, fastening means connecting said hinge to said line terminal, a switch member nemovalbly attached to said hinge and swingably and rotatably movable from an open position to afirst closed position in engagement with said loadterminal contact clip and to a second and alternate position in engagement with said ground terminal contact clip, and means for latching saidmember against removal from said hinge when said member is positioned in any closed position, said lastnamed means including a cam-shaped end portion of said switch member in engagement with said fastening means.

12. Ina selective'switch construction,spacedinsulated first and second line terminals, a first load contact mounted in spaced insulated relationship with the first line terminal and a second load contact mounted in spaced insulated relationship with the second .line terminal, a removably mounted first switch member and a removably 8 and rotatably mounted second switch member hinged respectivelyat said first and second line terminals, said members being swingably movable respectively to conlnect said first line terminal to said first load contact and said second line terminal to said second load contact, and means responsive to sequential swingable and rotary movement of said second switch member for bridging said line terminals.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 473,134 Soden Apr. 19, 1892 488,740 Pattison Dec. 27, 1892 1,379,162 Brown May 24, 1921 1,887,027 Lawton Nov. 8, 1932 2,094,779 Donaldson Oct. 5, 1937 2,137,270 Crump Nov. 22, 1938 2,200,509 Lindae May 14, 1940 20 2,251,115 Crabbs July 29, 1941

Claims

12. IN A SELECTIVE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION, SPACED INSULATED FIRST AND SECOND LINE TERMINALS, A FIRST LOAD CONTACT MOUNTED IN SPACED INSULATED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FIRST LINE TERMINAL AND A SECOND LOAD CONTACT MOUNTED IN SPACED INSULATED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SECOND LINE TERMINAL, A REMOVABLY MOUNTED FIRST SWITCH MEMBER AND A REMOVABLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED SECOND SWITCH MEMBER HINGED RESPECTIVELY AT SAID FIRST AND SECOND LINE TERMINALS, SAID MEMBERS BEING SWINGABLY MOVABLE RESPECTIVELY TO CONNECT SAID FIRST LINE TERMINAL TO SAID FIRST LOAD CONTACT AND SAID SECOND LINE TERMINAL TO SAID SECOND LOAD CONTACT, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SEQUENTIAL SWINGABLE AND ROTARY MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND SWITCH MEMBER FOR BRIDGING SAID LINE TERMINALS.