US3264438A - Positive action circuit breaking switch - Google Patents

Positive action circuit breaking switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3264438A
US3264438A US363417A US36341764A US3264438A US 3264438 A US3264438 A US 3264438A US 363417 A US363417 A US 363417A US 36341764 A US36341764 A US 36341764A US 3264438 A US3264438 A US 3264438A
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Prior art keywords
conductors
spring means
connecting bar
circuit breaking
bar
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Expired - Lifetime
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US363417A
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Benjamin A Gay
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Zeneca Inc
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Atlas Chemical Industries Inc
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Priority to US363417A priority Critical patent/US3264438A/en
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    • 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
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/32—Insulating body insertable between contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H39/00—Switching devices actuated by an explosion produced within the device and initiated by an electric current

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to a heavy duty circuit breaking switch adapted to be powered by expanding gas.
  • the circuit breaking switch of the present invention comprises in combination a pair of conductors, a connecting bar, a spring means and a driving or propelling means.
  • the connecting bar connects the pair of conductors, and is movable from a position of engagement with the conductors to a position of disengagement with the conductors.
  • the spring means has an active posi tion wherein the spring means urges the connecting bar into engagement with the conductors and an inactive position wherein the spring means is maintained in a compressed position along the stem section of the connecting bar and does not urge engagement of the connecting bar and conductors.
  • the driving or propelling means is adapted to force the connecting bar into a position of disengagement with the conductors and simultaneously forcing the spring means from an active position to .an inactive position.
  • the connecting bar has a stem section extending therefrom and the spring means is positioned around the stem section of the connecting bar.
  • the stem section of the connecting bar is notched and is adapted to catch and hold said spring in a compressed position freeing the connecting bar from being urged into engagement with the conductors.
  • FIGURE 1 is a front elevation, partly in section showing the internal arrangement of the operating elements of a preferred embodiment of the present circuit breaking switch prior to the time the switch performs a circuit breaking operation.
  • FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 except the operating elements are shown in a position after the circuit breaking operation has been accomplished. Similar elements are denoted by the same reference number in each of the drawings.
  • a casing 11, which for purposes of assembly is suitably comprised of sections 13 and 15, is fabricated out of a non-conducting material such as solidified phenol resin or nylon.
  • a pair of conductors 17 and 19 enter casing 11.
  • the conductors are connected at a point within the confines of casing 11 by connecting bar 21.
  • Connecting bar 21 has stern section 23 thereon which extends into hollowed portion 22 of easing section 15.
  • a spring means which is shown comprised of spring 25 and spring 27 separated by washer 28 is positioned within hollowed portion 22 and coiled around stem section 23. The spring means urges connecting bar 21 into engagement with conductors 17 and 19.
  • Stem section 23 has a notched portion 29 thereon and is adapted to catch and hold a coil of spring 27 in a compressed position upon downward movement of the stern section into casing section 15.
  • a driving means such as a one-shot piston motor 33 is positioned in section 13 of the switch casing. Piston motor 33 is adapted to be activated through electrical connections 35 and 37. Connections 35 and 37 enter motor 33 through sealing plug 32 and terminate in ignition means 34.
  • piston 39 is positioned in the end opposite entering connections 35 and 37, and is maintained in gas-tight relation to the inside wall of the motor by retaining ring 36.
  • an explosive or gas-forming charge 38 is positioned between piston 39 and ignition means 34 and in a firing position to ignition means 34.
  • Connecting bar 21 is in tight contact with conductors 17 and 19 and maintained in such contact by the urging of the spring means.
  • a non-conducting spacer such as 41, for example, of solidified polyethylene, neoprene, nylon or rubber, is positioned between piston 39 and connecting bar 21, giving a rigid assembly of the movable parts of the present switch.
  • the spring means of the present invention has at least one coil which tightly encompasses stem section 23 at a point near surface 24 of hollowed portion 22 of casing section 15.
  • a frustoconical spring positioned with the narrowed diameter of the spring adjacent surface 24 is particularly suited to use in the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 shows the switch of FIGURE 1 in a circuit broken position.
  • the actuation of piston motor 33 forces piston 39 rapidly toward connecting bar 21.
  • the movement of piston 39 acting through spacer 41 in turn drives connecting bar 21 into hollowed portion 22 of casing section 15 and out of engagement with conductors 17 and 19.
  • Hollow portion 22 is preferably sized to wedgedly receive connecting bar 21.
  • the spring means is inactivated by the bottom coil 43 of spring 27 being caught and held in notch 29 of stem section 23.
  • Switches of the present invention are designed to give positive circuit breaking action regardless of the position of the switch.
  • the present switches are particularly useful as circuit breaking switches in heavy duty circuits wherein bars of metal are utilized as conductors rather than the normal, easily shearable, wire conductor.
  • a circuit breaking switch comprising a pair of conductors
  • said notched portion on said stem section of said bar adapted to catch and hold said spring means in a compressed position freeing said bar from further urging from said spring means.
  • a circuit breaking switch comprising a casing having disposed therein, a pair of conductors, a connecting bar connecting said pair of conductors, said connecting bar having a notched stern section extending therefrom, a washer positioned around said stem in the area of said notched stem, a first frustoconical spring positioned around said notched stem between said connecting bar and said washer so that its broadest diameter end portion abuts said washer, a second frustoconical spring positioned around said notched stem between said washer and said casing so that its broadest diameter end portion abuts said Washer, and its narrowest end portion abuts said casing, a driving means for forcing said connecting bar against the said first and second springs to compress said springs whereby when first and second frustoconical springs are compressed said notched stem catches on the narrowest diameter end portion of said second frustoconical spring in holding contact.

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Description

Aug. 2, 1966 B. A. GAY 3,264,438
POSITIVE ACTION CIRCUIT BREAKING SWITCH Filed April 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l l3 u I? I l9 m-cu flmmm.
FIG. I
INVENTOR.
BENJAMIN A. GAY
Aug. 2, 1966 B. A. GAY 3,264,438
POSITIVE ACTION CIRCUIT BREAKING SWITCH Filed April 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I9 H... E
FIG. 2
INVENTOR.
BENJAMIN A. GAY
United States Patent 3,264,438 POSITIVE ACTION CIRCUIT BREAKING SWITCH Benjamin A. Gay, Phoenixville, Pa., assignor to Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc., Wilmington, Del., :1 corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 363,417 5 Claims. (Cl. 200-142) The present invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to a heavy duty circuit breaking switch adapted to be powered by expanding gas.
The circuit breaking switch of the present invention comprises in combination a pair of conductors, a connecting bar, a spring means and a driving or propelling means. The connecting bar connects the pair of conductors, and is movable from a position of engagement with the conductors to a position of disengagement with the conductors. The spring means has an active posi tion wherein the spring means urges the connecting bar into engagement with the conductors and an inactive position wherein the spring means is maintained in a compressed position along the stem section of the connecting bar and does not urge engagement of the connecting bar and conductors. The driving or propelling means is adapted to force the connecting bar into a position of disengagement with the conductors and simultaneously forcing the spring means from an active position to .an inactive position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the connecting bar has a stem section extending therefrom and the spring means is positioned around the stem section of the connecting bar. Preferably, the stem section of the connecting bar is notched and is adapted to catch and hold said spring in a compressed position freeing the connecting bar from being urged into engagement with the conductors.
The advantages and improvements of the circuit break ing switch of the present invention will be apparent from the following illustrative description of one embodiment of the invention considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a front elevation, partly in section showing the internal arrangement of the operating elements of a preferred embodiment of the present circuit breaking switch prior to the time the switch performs a circuit breaking operation.
FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 except the operating elements are shown in a position after the circuit breaking operation has been accomplished. Similar elements are denoted by the same reference number in each of the drawings.
Looking now at the drawings in detail, a casing 11, which for purposes of assembly is suitably comprised of sections 13 and 15, is fabricated out of a non-conducting material such as solidified phenol resin or nylon. A pair of conductors 17 and 19 enter casing 11. The conductors are connected at a point within the confines of casing 11 by connecting bar 21. Connecting bar 21 has stern section 23 thereon which extends into hollowed portion 22 of easing section 15. A spring means which is shown comprised of spring 25 and spring 27 separated by washer 28 is positioned within hollowed portion 22 and coiled around stem section 23. The spring means urges connecting bar 21 into engagement with conductors 17 and 19. Stem section 23 has a notched portion 29 thereon and is adapted to catch and hold a coil of spring 27 in a compressed position upon downward movement of the stern section into casing section 15. A driving means such as a one-shot piston motor 33 is positioned in section 13 of the switch casing. Piston motor 33 is adapted to be activated through electrical connections 35 and 37. Connections 35 and 37 enter motor 33 through sealing plug 32 and terminate in ignition means 34. A
"ice
piston 39 is positioned in the end opposite entering connections 35 and 37, and is maintained in gas-tight relation to the inside wall of the motor by retaining ring 36. Preferably, an explosive or gas-forming charge 38 is positioned between piston 39 and ignition means 34 and in a firing position to ignition means 34. Connecting bar 21 is in tight contact with conductors 17 and 19 and maintained in such contact by the urging of the spring means. Upon actuation of piston motor 33 the expanding gases within motor 33 force piston 39 rapidly toward connecting bar 21. Preferably a non-conducting spacer such as 41, for example, of solidified polyethylene, neoprene, nylon or rubber, is positioned between piston 39 and connecting bar 21, giving a rigid assembly of the movable parts of the present switch. The rapid movement of piston 39 toward connecting bar 21 consequently causes bar 21 to be driven out of contact with conductors 17 and 19. Preferably the spring means of the present invention has at least one coil which tightly encompasses stem section 23 at a point near surface 24 of hollowed portion 22 of casing section 15. A frustoconical spring positioned with the narrowed diameter of the spring adjacent surface 24 is particularly suited to use in the present invention.
FIGURE 2 shows the switch of FIGURE 1 in a circuit broken position. The actuation of piston motor 33 forces piston 39 rapidly toward connecting bar 21. The movement of piston 39 acting through spacer 41 in turn drives connecting bar 21 into hollowed portion 22 of casing section 15 and out of engagement with conductors 17 and 19. Hollow portion 22 is preferably sized to wedgedly receive connecting bar 21. The spring means is inactivated by the bottom coil 43 of spring 27 being caught and held in notch 29 of stem section 23.
Switches of the present invention are designed to give positive circuit breaking action regardless of the position of the switch. The present switches are particularly useful as circuit breaking switches in heavy duty circuits wherein bars of metal are utilized as conductors rather than the normal, easily shearable, wire conductor.
What is claimed is:
1. A circuit breaking switch comprising a pair of conductors,
a connecting bar connecting said pair of conductors,
said connecting bar having a notched stem section thereon,
said notched stem section positioned within the coils of a spring means,
said spring means urging said bar into a position of contact, with said pair of conductors,
a driving means positioned to force said bar against the urging of said spring means to compress said spring means, and
said notched portion on said stem section of said bar adapted to catch and hold said spring means in a compressed position freeing said bar from further urging from said spring means.
2. The circuit breaking switch of claim 1 wherein the said driving means is a piston motor.
3. The circuit breaking switch of claim 1 wherein a non-conducting spacer is positioned between said driving means and said connecting bar.
4. A circuit breaking switch comprising a casing having disposed therein, a pair of conductors, a connecting bar connecting said pair of conductors, said connecting bar having a notched stern section extending therefrom, a washer positioned around said stem in the area of said notched stem, a first frustoconical spring positioned around said notched stem between said connecting bar and said washer so that its broadest diameter end portion abuts said washer, a second frustoconical spring positioned around said notched stem between said washer and said casing so that its broadest diameter end portion abuts said Washer, and its narrowest end portion abuts said casing, a driving means for forcing said connecting bar against the said first and second springs to compress said springs whereby when first and second frustoconical springs are compressed said notched stem catches on the narrowest diameter end portion of said second frustoconical spring in holding contact.
5. The circuit breaking switch of claim 4 wherein the driving means is a piston motor.
References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Hopkinson 200-142 West 20061.61
Kiel 200-142 X Massar et a1 200-142 Gay et a1. 200142 X BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.
H. B. GILSON, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CIRCUIT BREAKING SWITCH COMPRISING A PAIR OF CONDUCTORS, A CONNECTING BAR CONNECTING SAID PAIR OF CONDUCTORS, SAID CONNECTING BAR HAVING A NOTCHED STEM SECTION THEREON, SAID NOTCHED STEM SECTION POSITIONED WITHIN THE COILS OF A SPRING MEANS, SAID SPRING MEANS URGING SAID BAR INTO A POSITION OF CONTACT WITH SAID PAIR OF CONDUCTORS, A DRIVING MEANS POSITIONED TO FORCE SAID BAR AGAINST THE URGING OF SAID SPRING MEANS TO COMPRESS SAID SPRING MEANS, AND SAID NOTCHED PORTION ON SAID STEM SECTION OF SAID BAR ADAPTED TO CATCH AND HOLD SAID SPRING MEANS IN A COMPRESSED POSITION FREEING SAID BAR FROM FURTHER URGING FROM SAID SPRING MEANS.
US363417A 1964-04-29 1964-04-29 Positive action circuit breaking switch Expired - Lifetime US3264438A (en)

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Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3477054A (en) * 1967-10-02 1969-11-04 United Carr Inc Fuse actuator switch
US3793501A (en) * 1972-12-04 1974-02-19 Ici America Inc Explosive switch
US3848099A (en) * 1971-06-03 1974-11-12 Anvar Circuit breakers for heavy currents
US4224491A (en) * 1978-03-16 1980-09-23 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Chemically activated switch
US4250365A (en) * 1978-03-22 1981-02-10 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Current interrupter for fault current limiter and method
US4354072A (en) * 1979-10-22 1982-10-12 General Electric Company Pyrolytic cartridge interruption assistance actuator for puffer breaker
US4385216A (en) * 1979-12-12 1983-05-24 Lucien Ferraz & Cie Circuit breaker devices with a pyrotechnically destructible conductor having a fuse system in parallel
WO1985004515A1 (en) * 1984-03-28 1985-10-10 Michel Goldstein Internal combustion circuit breaker
EP0220837A2 (en) * 1985-10-25 1987-05-06 S & C ELECTRIC COMPANY Improved switch for a high-voltage interrupting module
US5070787A (en) * 1988-06-24 1991-12-10 The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Texas System Method and apparatus for switching an electrical circuit
US5808253A (en) * 1995-04-06 1998-09-15 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Circuit-breaking apparatus
EP0910104A1 (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-04-21 Alcatel Security device for an electrochemical battery
DE19817133A1 (en) * 1998-04-19 1999-10-28 Lell Peter Power disconnecting switch for emergency use in high current circuits, especially vehicles
WO2001009908A1 (en) * 1999-07-30 2001-02-08 W.W. Grew & Company Limited Electrical circuit breakers
US8362380B2 (en) 2011-01-31 2013-01-29 Bren-Tronics Batteries International, L.L.C. Current isolation contactor
US20130263715A1 (en) * 2010-12-27 2013-10-10 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Cutter
CN111868870A (en) * 2018-03-20 2020-10-30 松下知识产权经营株式会社 Circuit breaker
US20220262587A1 (en) * 2019-07-25 2022-08-18 Arianegroup Sas Pyrotechnic cut-off device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US769824A (en) * 1904-04-15 1904-09-13 Amos Coe Hopkinson Electric fire-alarm.
US2511955A (en) * 1948-01-28 1950-06-20 Austin W West Burglar alarm switch
US2712575A (en) * 1948-02-27 1955-07-05 Kenneth M Kiel Squib switch
US2934628A (en) * 1958-08-25 1960-04-26 Networks Electronic Corp Hermetically sealed temperature sensitive non-resettable relay
US3178540A (en) * 1961-04-17 1965-04-13 Atlas Chem Ind Electrical switch having deformable contact members

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US769824A (en) * 1904-04-15 1904-09-13 Amos Coe Hopkinson Electric fire-alarm.
US2511955A (en) * 1948-01-28 1950-06-20 Austin W West Burglar alarm switch
US2712575A (en) * 1948-02-27 1955-07-05 Kenneth M Kiel Squib switch
US2934628A (en) * 1958-08-25 1960-04-26 Networks Electronic Corp Hermetically sealed temperature sensitive non-resettable relay
US3178540A (en) * 1961-04-17 1965-04-13 Atlas Chem Ind Electrical switch having deformable contact members

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3477054A (en) * 1967-10-02 1969-11-04 United Carr Inc Fuse actuator switch
US3848099A (en) * 1971-06-03 1974-11-12 Anvar Circuit breakers for heavy currents
US3793501A (en) * 1972-12-04 1974-02-19 Ici America Inc Explosive switch
US4224491A (en) * 1978-03-16 1980-09-23 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Chemically activated switch
US4250365A (en) * 1978-03-22 1981-02-10 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Current interrupter for fault current limiter and method
US4354072A (en) * 1979-10-22 1982-10-12 General Electric Company Pyrolytic cartridge interruption assistance actuator for puffer breaker
US4385216A (en) * 1979-12-12 1983-05-24 Lucien Ferraz & Cie Circuit breaker devices with a pyrotechnically destructible conductor having a fuse system in parallel
WO1985004515A1 (en) * 1984-03-28 1985-10-10 Michel Goldstein Internal combustion circuit breaker
EP0158482A1 (en) * 1984-03-28 1985-10-16 Michel Goldstein Internal combustion circuit breaker
EP0220837A2 (en) * 1985-10-25 1987-05-06 S & C ELECTRIC COMPANY Improved switch for a high-voltage interrupting module
EP0220837A3 (en) * 1985-10-25 1989-08-02 S & C Electric Company Improved switch for a high-voltage interrupting module improved switch for a high-voltage interrupting module
US5070787A (en) * 1988-06-24 1991-12-10 The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Texas System Method and apparatus for switching an electrical circuit
US5808253A (en) * 1995-04-06 1998-09-15 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Circuit-breaking apparatus
EP0910104A1 (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-04-21 Alcatel Security device for an electrochemical battery
FR2770050A1 (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-04-23 Alsthom Cge Alcatel SAFETY DEVICE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL ACCUMULATOR
US6090501A (en) * 1997-10-16 2000-07-18 Alcatel Safety device for an electrochemical storage cell
DE19817133A1 (en) * 1998-04-19 1999-10-28 Lell Peter Power disconnecting switch for emergency use in high current circuits, especially vehicles
WO2001009908A1 (en) * 1999-07-30 2001-02-08 W.W. Grew & Company Limited Electrical circuit breakers
US20130263715A1 (en) * 2010-12-27 2013-10-10 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Cutter
US8362380B2 (en) 2011-01-31 2013-01-29 Bren-Tronics Batteries International, L.L.C. Current isolation contactor
CN111868870A (en) * 2018-03-20 2020-10-30 松下知识产权经营株式会社 Circuit breaker
EP3770939A4 (en) * 2018-03-20 2021-05-19 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Circuit interrupter
US11594383B2 (en) 2018-03-20 2023-02-28 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Circuit interrupter
US20220262587A1 (en) * 2019-07-25 2022-08-18 Arianegroup Sas Pyrotechnic cut-off device
US11482391B2 (en) * 2019-07-25 2022-10-25 Arianegroup Sas Pyrotechnic cut-off device

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