US3542987A - High-current switch with secondary contact pin coupled in offset relationship to principal contact - Google Patents

High-current switch with secondary contact pin coupled in offset relationship to principal contact Download PDF

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Publication number
US3542987A
US3542987A US713757A US3542987DA US3542987A US 3542987 A US3542987 A US 3542987A US 713757 A US713757 A US 713757A US 3542987D A US3542987D A US 3542987DA US 3542987 A US3542987 A US 3542987A
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United States
Prior art keywords
contact
switch
principal
free end
contacts
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
US713757A
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English (en)
Inventor
Sidney Levy
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.)
FCI USA LLC
Original Assignee
Burndy Corp
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Publication date
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Publication of US3542987A publication Critical patent/US3542987A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • 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
    • H01H33/002—Very heavy-current switches
    • 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
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/12—Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
    • H01R11/01—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts characterised by the form or arrangement of the conductive interconnection between the connecting locations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/02—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5822—Flexible connections between movable contact and terminal
    • H01H2001/5827—Laminated connections, i.e. the flexible conductor is composed of a plurality of thin flexible conducting layers

Definitions

  • a shunting switch for high-current applications in which a pair of readily replaceable secondary contact surfaces are provided to protect the main contact surfaces from electrical arcing damage.
  • the secondary contacts are resiliently mounted in position to direct and absorb electrical arc formation as the switch is opened and closed, so as to eliminate arcing damage to the main contact surfaces.
  • Pin couplings attach the secondary contacts to the principal contacts, and combined with the particular position at which the operating lever is connected to the secondary contacts, result in a wiping action between the principal contacts.
  • a flexible link between the input and output terminals of the switch accommodated expansion and contraction of external conductors.
  • This invention relates generally to electrical switches, and more particularly, to high-current shunting switches which include means for eliminating arcing damage to contact surfaces.
  • the manufacture of chlorine gas involves in one known process, the use of a plurality of electrolytic cells connected in electrical series circuits. Extremely high electrical currents, up to 300,000 or even 500,000 amperes, may be encountered in the operation of such cells. Since it is necessary for these series circuits to operate continuously (i.e., 24 hours a day, for several weeks at a time), means are required for separating an individual cell from its series circuit, for cleaning and maintenance purposes, without interrupting current flow through the remainder of the cells in the circuit.
  • switches of this type Another problem involved in the use of switches of this type is the thermal expansion of structural conductor members. Installation of these switches frequently requires fastening the switch terminals directly on to the ends of relatively long and inflexible conductors such as flat or tubular bus bars. Because these parts are fastened directly to one another, expansion or contraction of the bus bars causes relative movement of the switch elements which can render a switch inoperative due to jamming or separation of the contacts.
  • a further object of this invention is the provision of a shunting switch in which contact elements subject to arcing erosion are mounted for convenient removal and replacement, without aifecting the current-carrying capacity of the switch.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide a high-current shunting switch in which contact materials may. be selected separately for optimum conductivity and for optimum erosion-resistance parameters.
  • Still one more object of this invention is the provision of a shunting switch having internal means for accommodating expansion and contraction of conductors coupled to the switch terminals.
  • a feature of this invention is the use of a pair of resiliently mounted secondary contacts which are adapted to engage prior to engagement of the main contacts when the switch is being closed, and to part subsequent to parting of the main contacts when the switch is being opened. This feature provides significant arcing protection for the main contacts by forcing electrical arcing within the switch to occur only at the secondary contacts.
  • Another feature of this invention is the use of a flexible bow of conductive material, interposed between the switch frame and one switch terminal, which serves as a conductive and mechanical link for accommodating relative motion between the frame and terminal.
  • FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned front elevation view of a pair of switch units constructed in accordance with this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the switch units shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse section view taken in plane 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing the switch in closed position, as in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial view taken in the same plane as FIG. 3, showing opening of the switch
  • FIG. 5 is a detailed and partially sectioned view of the contact members of the illustrated switch, shown in fully-open position;
  • FIG. 6 is a view identical to FIG. 5, but showing the contact members in partly-open or partly-closed position.
  • FIG. 7 is a view identical to FIG. 5, but showing all of the contact members in fully-closed position.
  • the switch of this invention comprises a first conductor terminal plate 10 and a second conductor terminal plate 12 disposed in spaced apart relationship, with a flexible cantilever arm means 14 extending from the first plate 10 and having a free end portion 16 positioned in overlapping, spacedapart relationship with the second plate 12.
  • a principal contact subportion 18 is formed on the free end 16 of cantilever arm 14 and a principal mating contact surface 20 is defined on second conductor plate 12 to engage the opposed principal contact subportion 18 upon deflection of the cantilever arm.
  • the free end '16 of cantilever arm 14, carries, additionally, a secondary support arm 22 which overlaps and extends beyond the free end 16.
  • a secondary contact subportion 24 is electrically and mechanically carried on this extending support arm.
  • a secondary mating contact means 26 is electrically and mechanically carried by second conductor plate 12 in position to engage the opposed secondary contact 24 on support arm 22.
  • a frame or bracket 30 mounted to second conductor plate 12 is provided to support a lever assembly 32, which is operable to deflect free end 16 of cantilever 14 so as to bring the principal contacts 18, '20 and secondary contacts 24, 26 into mating engagement.
  • Cantilever arm 14 may be seen to comprise two oppositely bowed straps of laminated construction. This structure combines optimum flexibility with the necessary conductivity, to provide an electrical and mechanical coupling between the first terminal plate 10 and the principal contact 18. Free end portion 16, which carries contact 18, is fixed against longitudinalmotion relative to second plate 12 bythe construction of lever assembly 32, as described below. The provision of bowed cantilever arm 14 assures that a conductor coupled to terminal 10 will be able to move longitudinally relative to a conductor coupled to terminal 12, without disturbing alignment of the internal switch contacts, 18, 20 and 24, 26.
  • Level assembly 32 comprises, a rotary shaft 44 which is supported on bracket 30, an eccentric arm 46 mounted to the rotary shaft, a J-bar link member 48 coupled to the eccentric arm, and a sliding drive rod 50 coupled to the J-bar link. This assembly converts limited rotary motion of shaft 44 into limited rectilinear sliding motion of rod 50.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the relative position of lever assembly 32 when the switch of this invention is in open condition.
  • the figure shows that rotary shaft 44 has been rotated in a counter clockwise direction so as to move the coupling between ]-bar 48 and eccentric arm 46 from a position just slightly to the left of a vertical line through the central axis of 44, to a position which is well to the right of such a vertical line.
  • this coupling point is positioned to the left of the vertical line, as shown in FIG. 3, the coupling forces on shaft 50 will tend to urge shaft 44 into clockwise rotation, but such rotation will be prevented by engagement of J -bar 48 with the surface of shaft 44.
  • the assembly thus will be effectively locked in the position shown.
  • shaft 44 may be rotated in a counter clockwise direction into the position shown in FIG. 4 to open the switch. Limited rotary motion of shaft 44 thus will have been translated into upward sliding motion of shaft 50. Movement of free end portion '16 away from second conductor plate 20 under these circumstances as a result of the stored resilient forces in cantilever arm 14 aided by the upward force exerted by engagement of end portion 52 of shaft 50 with the opposed surface of free end portion 16.
  • the sliding drive rod is arranged to extend through the apertures 52, 54 and 56 in second plate 12, free end 16 and support arm 56, repsectively, so as to extend a short distance from both sides of these three elements.
  • rod 50 is coupled to J-bar 48.
  • this rod or shaft is coupled to a header member 60 by means of a coupling bolt 62, which is threaded into the shaft.
  • a helical compression spring 64 is captured between header 60 and extension arm 22 for transmission of compression forces generated by movement of rod 50. Compression spring 64 transmits force from rod 50 directly to the extension arm 22 which carries secondary contact 24.
  • Rod 62 is coupled to the extension arm 22, through compression spring 64 at a location which is between a coupling location (66, 68) and the secondary contact means '24.
  • another set of compression springs are captured between header 60 and the surface of free end portion 16 to transmit forces from the lever assembly 32 directly to the free end portion 16.
  • extension arm 22 has a certain amount of freedom of motion, permitting it to slide along coupling bolt 60 independently of free end portion 16.
  • the principal restraint on the motion of extension arm 22 is represented by alignment pin 66 which is captured to free end portion 16 and fits loosely within an aperture 68 in the extension arm. This prevents parallel relative motion between the engaging surfaces of the extension arm 22 and free end portion 16, and limits arm 22 to pivotal relative motion only.
  • the limited pivotal motion of arm '22 which occurs as the switch is closed produces a certain amount of relative wipe between secondary contacts 24, 26, thereby helping to eliminate insulating films or other obstacles which may have formed between the contacts in their open position.
  • extension arm 22 is deflected relative to the free end 16 of cantilever arm 14, so that the deflection forces produced by the lever means 48, 62 (and transmitted to free end 16 through extension arm 22) become generally concentrated at the extension arm end near coupling location 66, 68. Because the forces applied at this location are offset with respect to principal contact 18, there is a perceptible shifting (or wiping) of principal contact 18 relative to mating contact 20 upon engagement.
  • Secondary mating contact '26 may be provided simply with a threaded slide portion 70 which engages a threaded aperture 72 in second conductor plate 12, for convenient removal and replacement.
  • secondary contact 24 may be replaced with equal convenience, together with extension arm 22, by simple disassembly of coupling bolt 60 from sliding shaft 50.
  • a concomittant advantage is the provision of conveniently replaceable secondary contacts, is that the principal contacts require less frequent replacement and therefore may be securely mounted or integrally formed with free end portion 16 and second conductor plate 12.
  • FIG. 2 of the drawings illustrate the relative positions of free end portion 16 and extension arm 22 when the switch of this invention is in fully-closed position (i.e., principal contacts 18, 20 and secondary contacts 24, 26 are both in mating engagement). It may :be seen that extension arm 22 has been tilted upward relative to free end portion 16 under the force exerted on secondary contact 24 by secondary mating contact 26. This position of the contacts is achieved as a result of free end portion 16 being urged downward toward second plate 12 beyond the position at which the secondary contacts 24, 26 first engage (as shown in FIG. 6). The force for carrying free end portion 16 to this position is transmitted to the free end through compression springs.
  • FIG. 1 shows two switch units, mounted in side-'by-side relationship, and sharing a common rotary shaft 44. It is considered clear that a plurality of such units may be mounted similarly for operation by a common rotary shaft. It is clear also, that the ends of shafts 44 may be provided with coupling units 70 for joining to other, axially aligned shafts, or to operating levers (not shown) and the like.
  • FIG. illustrates the position of the respective contacts when the switch is in fully-open position. It may be seen that in this position the separation between secondary contacts 24, 26 is at a distance a which is a finite amount less than the distance b between principal contacts 18, 20.
  • An electrical switch for high-current electrical circuit applications comprising:
  • flexible and conductive cantilever arm means electrically coupled to said first conductor plate and having a free end disposed in overlapping, spacedapart relationship relative to said second conductor plate, said free end being movable from an undeflected to a deflected position upon deflection of said cantilever arm;
  • principal mating contact means mounted to said second conductor plate in opposed, spaced-apart relationship relative to the said principal contact means on said free end;
  • extension arm means having one end engaging said free end in overlapping relationship including a coupling location at said one end, and having another end extending beyond said free end into overlapping, spaced-apart relationship with said second conductor plate;
  • a lever means pivotally coupled to said support member and coupled to said extension arm means at a location between said secondary contact means and said coupling location for deflecting said cantilever arm means together with said extension arm means towards the respective principal and secondary mating contact means on said second terminal plate;
  • completion spring means interposed and forming a coupling between said extension arm means for transmitting deflection forces
  • the distance between said secondary contact means and said secondary mating contact means is less than the distance between said principal contact means and said principal mating contact means, such that upon engagement of the secondary contact and mating contact the said extension arm means is flected relative to the said free end of said cantilever arm means to apply added deflection force at said coupling location.
  • said lever means includes an eccentric arm pivotally coupled to said support member and a sliding drive rod having a first end portion operatively coupled to said eccentric arm and having an extending second end portion;
  • said second terminal plate, said free end of said cantilever arm, and said extension arm each include at least one through aperture, the said apertures being arranged in alignment with one another;
  • said sliding drive rod extends through each of the said apertures with the said second end of said drive rod being coupled to the said free end of said cantilever arm through said principal compression spring means and being coupled to the said extension arm through said secondary compression spring means.
  • said cantilever arm means comprises a bow of flexible conductive material adapted to permit longitudinal relative motion between said free end and said first conductor plate.

Landscapes

  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
US713757A 1968-03-18 1968-03-18 High-current switch with secondary contact pin coupled in offset relationship to principal contact Expired - Lifetime US3542987A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US71375768A 1968-03-18 1968-03-18

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US3542987A true US3542987A (en) 1970-11-24

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US713757A Expired - Lifetime US3542987A (en) 1968-03-18 1968-03-18 High-current switch with secondary contact pin coupled in offset relationship to principal contact

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US (1) US3542987A (it)
BE (1) BE729741A (it)
BR (1) BR6906321D0 (it)
CH (1) CH488273A (it)
DE (1) DE1913697A1 (it)
FR (1) FR2004117A1 (it)
GB (1) GB1249688A (it)
NL (2) NL6903863A (it)
SE (1) SE339708B (it)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2901916A1 (de) * 1978-02-01 1979-08-23 Norsk Hydro As Elektrische an einem hochstromschalter befestigte bruecke
US4801909A (en) * 1986-08-07 1989-01-31 Industrie Magneti Marelli S.R.L. Electromagnetic device for controlling current to a starter motor
CN101302626A (zh) * 2007-05-08 2008-11-12 贵阳铝镁设计研究院 铝电解系列不停电的铝电解槽电动式短路方法及装置
EP2485229A1 (en) * 2011-02-08 2012-08-08 LSIS Co., Ltd. Flexible shunt for vacuum circuit breaker

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2702129C2 (de) * 1977-01-20 1983-07-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Ladegerät zum Aufladen von elektrischen Sammlern
WO1979000670A1 (en) * 1978-03-01 1979-09-06 Forelec Short-circuiter for high direct currents
CN112467407B (zh) * 2020-11-17 2022-05-31 普晓电气科技有限公司 一种接续金具夹紧装置

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1901573A (en) * 1928-11-21 1933-03-14 Allen Bradley Co Electric switch
US2341931A (en) * 1941-04-24 1944-02-15 Gen Electric Circuit maker and breaker
US2352550A (en) * 1943-01-22 1944-06-27 Bendix Aviat Corp Power plant
AT177827B (de) * 1953-02-02 1954-03-10 Elin Ag Elek Ind Wien Prellarme Kontaktanordnung
US3137778A (en) * 1962-04-16 1964-06-16 Gen Electric Pivotally mounted disconnect switch contacts
FR1431326A (fr) * 1964-03-26 1966-03-11 Stotz Kontakt Gmbh Commutateur et en particulier contacteur à air pour extra-courants de fermeture
DE1237667B (de) * 1961-07-06 1967-03-30 Calor Emag Elek Zitaets Ag Elektromagnetisch betaetigtes Schaltgeraet, insbesondere Schuetz, bei dem die Zugkraft des Magneten ueber eine Kurvenbahn uebertagen wird

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1901573A (en) * 1928-11-21 1933-03-14 Allen Bradley Co Electric switch
US2341931A (en) * 1941-04-24 1944-02-15 Gen Electric Circuit maker and breaker
US2352550A (en) * 1943-01-22 1944-06-27 Bendix Aviat Corp Power plant
AT177827B (de) * 1953-02-02 1954-03-10 Elin Ag Elek Ind Wien Prellarme Kontaktanordnung
DE1237667B (de) * 1961-07-06 1967-03-30 Calor Emag Elek Zitaets Ag Elektromagnetisch betaetigtes Schaltgeraet, insbesondere Schuetz, bei dem die Zugkraft des Magneten ueber eine Kurvenbahn uebertagen wird
US3137778A (en) * 1962-04-16 1964-06-16 Gen Electric Pivotally mounted disconnect switch contacts
FR1431326A (fr) * 1964-03-26 1966-03-11 Stotz Kontakt Gmbh Commutateur et en particulier contacteur à air pour extra-courants de fermeture

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2901916A1 (de) * 1978-02-01 1979-08-23 Norsk Hydro As Elektrische an einem hochstromschalter befestigte bruecke
US4301339A (en) * 1978-02-01 1981-11-17 Norsk Hydro A.S. Electrical bridge attached to high current switch
US4801909A (en) * 1986-08-07 1989-01-31 Industrie Magneti Marelli S.R.L. Electromagnetic device for controlling current to a starter motor
CN101302626A (zh) * 2007-05-08 2008-11-12 贵阳铝镁设计研究院 铝电解系列不停电的铝电解槽电动式短路方法及装置
CN101302626B (zh) * 2007-05-08 2011-11-30 贵阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 铝电解系列不停电的铝电解槽电动式短路方法及装置
EP2485229A1 (en) * 2011-02-08 2012-08-08 LSIS Co., Ltd. Flexible shunt for vacuum circuit breaker
CN102637549A (zh) * 2011-02-08 2012-08-15 Ls产电株式会社 用于真空断路器的柔性分路器
RU2504855C2 (ru) * 2011-02-08 2014-01-20 ЭлЭсАйЭс КО., ЛТД. Гибкий шунт для вакуумного выключателя
CN102637549B (zh) * 2011-02-08 2015-04-01 Ls产电株式会社 用于真空断路器的柔性分路器
US9012801B2 (en) 2011-02-08 2015-04-21 Lsis Co., Ltd. Flexible shunt for vacuum circuit breaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH488273A (fr) 1970-03-31
BE729741A (it) 1969-08-18
FR2004117A1 (it) 1969-11-21
DE1913697A1 (de) 1969-11-06
DE1913697B2 (it) 1970-10-29
NL6903863A (it) 1969-09-22
SE339708B (it) 1971-10-18
BR6906321D0 (pt) 1973-02-20
GB1249688A (en) 1971-10-13
NL136434C (it)

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