US3248497A - Drive mechanism for vacuum switches - Google Patents

Drive mechanism for vacuum switches Download PDF

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Publication number
US3248497A
US3248497A US143638A US14363861A US3248497A US 3248497 A US3248497 A US 3248497A US 143638 A US143638 A US 143638A US 14363861 A US14363861 A US 14363861A US 3248497 A US3248497 A US 3248497A
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United States
Prior art keywords
contact
spring
open
cam
mobile
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US143638A
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English (en)
Inventor
Wesley N Lindsay
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jennings Radio Manufacturing Corp
Original Assignee
Jennings Radio Manufacturing Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jennings Radio Manufacturing Corp filed Critical Jennings Radio Manufacturing Corp
Priority to US143638A priority Critical patent/US3248497A/en
Priority to FR35081A priority patent/FR1454621A/fr
Priority to AU67283/65A priority patent/AU6728365A/en
Priority to BE679974D priority patent/BE679974A/xx
Priority to NL6605539A priority patent/NL6605539A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3248497A publication Critical patent/US3248497A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
    • H01H33/666—Operating arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/32—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts
    • H01H3/42—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts using cam or eccentric
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/20—Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/28—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H33/38—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using electromagnet

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a drive mechanism for vacuum switches and has as its main object the provision of a drive mechanism which permits extremely fast opening and closing movement of the movable contact and which at the same time minimizes the undesirable effects nor-.
  • Another object of the invention is the provision of a drive mechanism for vacuum switches in which a relatively high holding force is developed to retain the movable contact in engagement with the fixed contact thereby minimizing the undesirable effects resulting from the movable contact bouncing away from the fixed contact.
  • This object is promoted by the additional provision of means for reducing the velocity of the movable contact just before contact with the fixed contact so as to reduce impact and the resulting bouncing efiect.
  • Another object of the invention is the provision of a relatively simple and inexpensive means for providing 'quick closing in a vacuum switch and which means remains effective throughout a relatively large number of actuations of the switch.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away for clarity, of a vacuum switch and drive mechanism incorporating the present invention. The parts are shown in a position intermediate the open and closed positions.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the holding means, taken in a plane indicated by the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the driving means, taken in a plane indicated by the line 33 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 showing the drive mechanism and switch contacts in closed position.
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 showing the drive mechanism and switch contacts in open position.
  • FIG. 1 the invention is illustrated in connection with a vacuum switch which includes an envelope 1, a fixed contact 2 and a movable contact 3.
  • the latter is carried by a rod 4 which extends to the outside of the envelope and is provided with a threaded portion 5.
  • bellows 6 is provided with one end secured "ice to rod 4 and the opposite end to mount 7, to which the envelope 1 is also secured.
  • the drive mechanism to be subsequently described may be conveniently arranged in a housing having a bottom wall 10, side walls 11, 12 and top wall 13.
  • the mount 7 for envelope 1 is secured to top wall 13 which may be suitably apertured to receive rod 4 thercthrough.
  • movable contact rod 4 Carried by the threaded portion 5 of movable contact rod 4.is an elongated clevis 18, including opposed plates 19, 20 between which extends a pin 21 for rotatably supporting a roller 22. Y
  • Roller 22 operates within a slot 25, formed in a generally triangular shaped cam plate 26, pivotally supported adjacent its lower end on a pin 27 which in turn is fixedly secured to an elongated lever 28, intermediate the ends of the latter.
  • Lever 28 is pivotally supported at one end on pin 29, carried by bracket 30, fixed to bottom wall 10.
  • the opposite end 31 of lever 28 is free; except that means, subsequently to be described, are provided for automatically holding this end in fixed position for a period during operation of the device.
  • Vertically extending elongated slots 17 are provided in plates 19, 20 of clevis 18 to permit vertical movement of clevis 18 relative to cam 26.
  • lever 28 The free end 31 of lever 28 is urged upwardly at all times by a compression spring 32 which is interposed between lever 28 and the bottom 10 of the housing. At this point it is noted that the pressure of spring 32 is imposed through lever 28, pin 27, cam plate 26, roller 22, clevis 18 and rod 4 to urgemovable contact point 3 into engagement with fixed contact 2.
  • slot 25 in carn plate 26, it will be noted that the shape of slot 25 is predetermined so that when cam plate 26 is swung to the right about pivot 27, to the position shown in FIG. 4, roller 22 is driven upwardly, thereby carrying movable contact 3 into engagement with fixed contact 2. If cam plate 26 is swung to the left from its position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 5, the movable contact 3 is moved away from fixed cotnact 2.
  • the lower ends of plates 19, 2t) of the clevis are provided with elongated slots 17 which provide slide bearings for the clevis on opposite ends of pin 27, which is fixed in the lever 28.
  • a tension spring 37 is provided, one end of which is secured to sidewall 11 and the other end to a pin 38 carried by cam plate 26.
  • a solenoid 40 is fixed on side wall 12; and its plung-- er 41 is secured to one end of a link 42, while the opposite end of the link is pivoted to pin 38 on cam plate 26. It will be apparent that when solenoid 40 is energized, the cam plate 26 swings to the right as in FIG. 4, to close the switch contacts 2, 3.
  • Solenoid 40 may be energized through leads 43, 44 connected respectively to power lines 45, 46.
  • a switch such as push button 47 in line 43, may be employed to control the actuation of solenoid 40.
  • This member includes a pair of upstanding lugs 51, 52; and lever 28 is arranged to lie alongside lug 51 as best seen in FIG. 2.
  • a locking plate 53 is movably arranged on the member 50 at the side of lever 28 opposite to lug 51, and is forceably urged into frictional engagement with lever 28 by one end of a strong compression spring 54 which at its opposite end abuts the lug 52.
  • a solenoid 55 is arranged within the coils of spring 54, and when energized, retracts pressure plate 53 from the free end of lever 28 so that the latter is released from its clamped engagement between the pressure plate and lug. Solenoid 55 may be energized through leads 56, 57 from power lines 45, 46.
  • solenoid 55 it is desirable to energize solenoid 55 to release the free end oflever 28 whenever the switch closing solenoid 40 is energized.
  • a switch 59 is provided having one switch arm 60 engageable by solenoid plunger 41 as the latter moves to its vacuum switch closing position. It is therefore apparent that when switch contacts 2, 3 are open and cam plate 26 is swung to the left by spring 37, the holding device shown in FIG. 2 clamps the free end of lever 28.
  • solenoid 40 is energized to close the vacuum switch
  • solenoid 55 is energized to release lever 28 and thereby permit the spring 32 to act on the movable switch contact 3, so that independent of the movement of the roller 22 in the cam slot, the slight amount of wasteage occurring at the contact points is compensated with each operation.
  • the above described structure permits the movable contact point 3 to move from an open position to a closed position with optimum speed, and at the same time the tendency of the movable contact to bounce clear of the fixed contact after impact is minimized.
  • bellows 6 should be designed so as to undergo very little strain during actuation of the switch and while it is at rest.
  • bellows 6 should be in an unstressed condition when the contacts are closed in which case it is under a small amount of compression when the switch is open and thus bellows 6 is always urging the contact 3 to closed position.
  • spring 16 is relatively strong and of course is compressed by plate to provide an initial compression even in its extended condition when the switch contacts are open.
  • the spring 16 may be of a size to provide a spring constant of 60. Assuming the total travel of mobile contact 3 to be A", the spring 16 r ng therefore be setto impose a load tending to open the contacts of 30 pounds when the contacts are in closed position and a load of 15 pounds when the contacts are open. If the spring constant of bellows 6 is 20 and it is unstressed when the switch is closed it will be under a loading of 5 pounds tending to close the contacts when the switch is open.
  • spring 32 acting on lever 28. Since said spring 32 dictates the force with which mobile contact 3 engages fixed contact 2 -while the switch is in closed position it also defines the 70- starting point from which the driving assembly moves during its cycle from closed to open and back to closed position. Despite deterioration of the contacts and Wear in the various parts, spring 32 therefore insures that all cycles are identical and, more important, that the terminal velocity of the contact 3 as it closes always remains the same even after many cycles have taken place. Also spring 32 effectively holds the contacts in closed position.
  • An important feature of the instant invention resides in the fact that a substantial portion of the work required to move the mobile contact through its opening and closing cycles comes from energy stored in the resilient system that includes bellows 6 and spring 16. This follows from the fact that the assembly tends to move with harmonic motion from one extreme position to the other.
  • the cam 26 and its actuators, that is spring 37 and solenoid 40, merely provide sufficient work to overcome the friction that is present in the system.
  • An actuator assembly for moving a mobile switch contact from full open position through an intermediate position and to closed position and vice versa and for selectively holding said mobile contact in one or the other of said open or closed positions comprising;
  • resilient means capable of harmonic oscillation connected to said mobile contact to move the same and said resilient means having no stored energy therein when said mobile switch contact is in intermediate position and static energy built up therein when said mobile contact is moved to either closed position or full open position, said built up energy upon release from either full open or closed positions moving the mobile contact toward the other position through the release of its built up static energy and conversion to kinetic energy,
  • cam means operatively connected to said mobile contact and movable therewith to hold said contact in one or the other of said open or closed positions
  • means including a motor operatively connected to said cam means to move said cam means to a holding position corresponding to one or the other of said fully open or closed positions of the mobile contact.
  • said resilient means includes a bellows responsive to atmospheric pressure urging said mobile contact toward closed position and a second resilient means urging said contact toward open position.
  • An actuator assembly for driving an element between first and second positions through an intermediate position comprising:
  • first and second driving means connected to said extension and operable to move said element toward said first or second positions, respectively, and
  • resilient means capable of harmonic oscillation connected to said extension and the memher and said resilient means having no stored energy therein when it and the extension and member are in intermediate position and having static energy built up therein when either said first or seconddriving means moves said extension and element toward said first or second positions, said built up energy upon release from either said first or second positions moving the extension and member toward the other position through the conversion of its built up static energy into kinetic energy.
  • a vacuumized envelope and a switch element in said envelope mounted for movement between open and closed positions, an extension integral with said switch element and mounted for movement with said element along a line of action to positions corresponding to said open and closed positions of said element, a pivot supported on said base at a point along said line of action, a cam member swingably mounted on said pivot for swinging movement in a direction transversely of said line of action, a cam follower on said extension cooperating with said cam member for moving said element to different positions along said line of action corresponding to said transverse swinging movementof said cam member, and opening and closing driving means operable respectively to swing said cam member to positions corresponding to open and closed positions of said element.
  • a switch operator for a vacuum switch responsive to atmospheric pressure comprising:

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  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
US143638A 1961-10-09 1961-10-09 Drive mechanism for vacuum switches Expired - Lifetime US3248497A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US143638A US3248497A (en) 1961-10-09 1961-10-09 Drive mechanism for vacuum switches
FR35081A FR1454621A (fr) 1961-10-09 1965-10-15 Mécanisme de commande pour des interrupteurs sous vide
AU67283/65A AU6728365A (en) 1961-10-09 1965-11-30 Drive mechanism for vacuum switches
BE679974D BE679974A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png) 1961-10-09 1966-04-25
NL6605539A NL6605539A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png) 1961-10-09 1966-04-25

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1454621T
US143638A US3248497A (en) 1961-10-09 1961-10-09 Drive mechanism for vacuum switches
AU67283/65A AU6728365A (en) 1961-10-09 1965-11-30 Drive mechanism for vacuum switches
NL6605539A NL6605539A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png) 1961-10-09 1966-04-25

Publications (1)

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US3248497A true US3248497A (en) 1966-04-26

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US143638A Expired - Lifetime US3248497A (en) 1961-10-09 1961-10-09 Drive mechanism for vacuum switches

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US (1) US3248497A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png)
AU (1) AU6728365A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png)
BE (1) BE679974A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png)
FR (1) FR1454621A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png)
NL (1) NL6605539A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3471814A (en) * 1966-08-04 1969-10-07 English Electric Co Ltd Magnetic actuators
US3624570A (en) * 1970-04-02 1971-11-30 Lory Electronics Inc Electromechanical relay
US3768052A (en) * 1971-04-26 1973-10-23 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Release device for electrical switches
US3787649A (en) * 1972-08-04 1974-01-22 Allis Chalmers Vacuum switch cam operating mechanism with contact loading compression spring
US3808387A (en) * 1971-10-26 1974-04-30 Deltrol Corp Spring charging means and linkage mechanism for preventing contact rebound in switches
US4203083A (en) * 1978-08-03 1980-05-13 S & C Electric Company Operating mechanism for a circuit interrupting device
US4381435A (en) * 1981-01-02 1983-04-26 General Electric Company Vacuum circuit breaker with means for selectively latching a wipe cage
US4849726A (en) * 1987-06-24 1989-07-18 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Circuit breaker
DE10326715B3 (de) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-16 Siemens Ag Verstelleinrichtung zum Verstellen eines beweglichen Kontaktes einer Schalteinrichtung
CN104718589A (zh) * 2012-10-18 2015-06-17 Abb技术有限公司 按照行程开关的带有延长的开关滞后的电气开关装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0547757B2 (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png) * 1979-12-03 1993-07-19 Maatein Gotsutosharu

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US681712A (en) * 1898-03-26 1901-09-03 American Railway Electric Light Co Means for controlling electric currents.
US735384A (en) * 1902-11-26 1903-08-04 Hutchison Acoustic Company Charging-switch.
US901668A (en) * 1908-03-18 1908-10-20 Maurice Adelson Safety apparatus for railways.
US1714085A (en) * 1927-09-22 1929-05-21 Trumbull Electric Mfg Co Electromagnetic switch
US2000185A (en) * 1931-12-28 1935-05-07 Mcbrien Alarm circuit
US2675506A (en) * 1951-04-18 1954-04-13 Kearney James R Corp Electrical protective device
US2782359A (en) * 1953-03-25 1957-02-19 Licentia Gmbh Adjustable contact converter
US2911494A (en) * 1958-03-13 1959-11-03 Mc Graw Edison Co Electromagnetically actuated switch construction
US2981817A (en) * 1958-08-20 1961-04-25 Basic Products Corp Switch
US3023290A (en) * 1958-08-18 1962-02-27 Jennings Radio Mfg Corp Relay

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US681712A (en) * 1898-03-26 1901-09-03 American Railway Electric Light Co Means for controlling electric currents.
US735384A (en) * 1902-11-26 1903-08-04 Hutchison Acoustic Company Charging-switch.
US901668A (en) * 1908-03-18 1908-10-20 Maurice Adelson Safety apparatus for railways.
US1714085A (en) * 1927-09-22 1929-05-21 Trumbull Electric Mfg Co Electromagnetic switch
US2000185A (en) * 1931-12-28 1935-05-07 Mcbrien Alarm circuit
US2675506A (en) * 1951-04-18 1954-04-13 Kearney James R Corp Electrical protective device
US2782359A (en) * 1953-03-25 1957-02-19 Licentia Gmbh Adjustable contact converter
US2911494A (en) * 1958-03-13 1959-11-03 Mc Graw Edison Co Electromagnetically actuated switch construction
US3023290A (en) * 1958-08-18 1962-02-27 Jennings Radio Mfg Corp Relay
US2981817A (en) * 1958-08-20 1961-04-25 Basic Products Corp Switch

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3471814A (en) * 1966-08-04 1969-10-07 English Electric Co Ltd Magnetic actuators
US3624570A (en) * 1970-04-02 1971-11-30 Lory Electronics Inc Electromechanical relay
US3768052A (en) * 1971-04-26 1973-10-23 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Release device for electrical switches
US3808387A (en) * 1971-10-26 1974-04-30 Deltrol Corp Spring charging means and linkage mechanism for preventing contact rebound in switches
US3787649A (en) * 1972-08-04 1974-01-22 Allis Chalmers Vacuum switch cam operating mechanism with contact loading compression spring
US4203083A (en) * 1978-08-03 1980-05-13 S & C Electric Company Operating mechanism for a circuit interrupting device
US4381435A (en) * 1981-01-02 1983-04-26 General Electric Company Vacuum circuit breaker with means for selectively latching a wipe cage
US4849726A (en) * 1987-06-24 1989-07-18 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Circuit breaker
DE10326715B3 (de) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-16 Siemens Ag Verstelleinrichtung zum Verstellen eines beweglichen Kontaktes einer Schalteinrichtung
WO2004109734A1 (de) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Verstelleinrichtung zum verstellen eines beweglichen kontaktes einer schalteinrichtung
CN104718589A (zh) * 2012-10-18 2015-06-17 Abb技术有限公司 按照行程开关的带有延长的开关滞后的电气开关装置
CN104718589B (zh) * 2012-10-18 2017-02-15 Abb瑞士股份有限公司 按照行程开关的带有延长的开关滞后的电气开关装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1454621A (fr) 1966-02-11
NL6605539A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png) 1967-10-26
BE679974A (US06623731-20030923-C00052.png) 1966-10-03
AU6728365A (en) 1967-06-01

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