US3553412A

US3553412A - High voltage switch assembly

Info

Publication number: US3553412A
Application number: US796529A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles E Kerr Jr
Original assignee: Eltec Inc
Current assignee: Eltec Inc
Priority date: 1969-02-04
Filing date: 1969-02-04
Publication date: 1971-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-05

Abstract

A high voltage switch assembly including a base, elongated insulators mounted on and diverging from the base, with the insulators occupying a common vertical plane, and a switch mounted adjacent the ends of the insulators which are remote from the base. The switch includes a blade pivoted for swinging in the common plane of the insulators. One of the insulators in the assembly is supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and is interconnected with the blade in such a fashion that rotation of the insulator produces swinging of the blade.

Description

United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor Charles E. Kerr,.]r.

Hillsboro,0reg.

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Lake Oswego, Oreg. Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer a corporation of Oregon Assistant Examiner-H. J Hohauser Attorney- Kolisch & Hartwell rging from the base, g a common vertical plane, and a e ends of the insulators which are remote from the base. The switch includes a blade pivoted for swinging in sulators in ABSTRACT: A high voltage switch assembly including a base, elongated insulators mounted on and dive with the insulators occupyin switch mounted adjacent th the common plane of the insulators. One of the inthe assembly is supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and is interconnected with the blade in such a fashion that rotation of the insulator produces swinging of the blade.

[54] HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int.

[50} Field ol'Search..

(lnsul Digest) PATENTED JAN 519?! INVENTOR. Charles E Kengdr.

KOLI SCH and HARTWELL AT TO RNEYS HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH ASSEMBLY This invention pertains to a'hig'h voltage switch assembly. For the purpose of illustration, the invention is described in conjunction with an electrical power'system having a voltage of about 115 kilovolts.

A typical high voltage switch includes spaced-apart contacts, and a blade swingable into and out of engagement with the contacts. Usually, such a switch is placed outdoors, with the contacts and blade mounted on elongated insulators, and the insulators in turn supported above the ground on a supporting framework.

Prior switch assemblies of this type have been characterized by various disadvantages. In many, for example, the blades in the switches are mounted for swinging ing'enerally horizontal planes, and such construction prevents close lateral spacing of switches in a multiple switch installation. This can be a costly drawback where an installation occupies valuable ground space. Another problem isthat many known switch assemblies lack compactness, and require relatively large and complicated (and hence expensive) structures for supporting them above the ground. g

A general object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a novel high voltage switch assembly which takes care of the above-mentioneddifficulties in a practical and satisfactory manner.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide such an assembly which is compact, and which requires only a relatively simple structure to support it above the ground.

Another object is to provide such a switch assembly that includes a switch having a blade mounted for swinging in a verti- .cal plane. v I I According to one'embodimerlt ofthe invention, the switch assemblyincludes aibase and a pair of fixed elongated insulators having a set ofadjacent ends anchored to the base, with the insulators diverging from the base in a common vertical plane. Mounted on the'insulators ends which are remote from the base is a switch witha blade pivoted for swinging inthe vertical plane of the insulators. Also provided in the assembly is a third elongated insulator occupying the common vertical plane of the other insulators and disposed parallel to one of the other insulators. The third insulator is journaled on the base for rotation about its own longitudinal axis. Interconnect- I ing the third, insulator and blade is actuator mechanism which produces swinging of the blade with rotation of the insulator.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel compact high voltage switch assembly which includes multiple switches, each having a blade pivoted for swinging in a common vertical plane, with the switches mounted on a common drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a simplified fragmentary perspective view illustrating a multiple-switch installation employing switch assemblies of one form constructed'according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation, illustrating one of the switch assemblies in the installation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, on a larger scale than FIG. 2, and with certain portions broken away, illustrating details of construction of the switch assembly of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are simplified side elevations, on a smaller scale than FIG. 2, illustrating different modified forms of switch assemblies.

Turning now to the drawings, and referring first to FIG. 1, indicated generally at 7 is a multiple-switch installation which forms part of a three-phase high voltage power distribution system. A typical voltage in such a system might be about 1 l5 kilovolts. Installation 7 includes three switch assemblies 8, 9,

l0 constructed according to one embodiment of the invention. In general tenns, assemblies 8, 9, 10 are to make or break electrical connections between pairs of power lines in each of the three phases of the system. Thus, switch assembly 8 is interposed between lines 11a 11b in one phase, switch assembly 9 between lines 13b in another phase, and switch assembly 10 between lines 15a 15b in the third phase.

Assemblies 8, 9, 10 are suitably anchored to a substantially horizontal platfon'n 17 which is supported above the ground by a pair of upright spaced-

apart posts

19, 21.

Considering the construction of switch assembly 10 (the other two assemblies being similar), and referring to FIG. 2, the assembly includes a base 12, insulators l4, l6, l8, and a switch 20. Also included in assembly 10 is actuator mechanism shown generally at 22 which is employed, as will be more fully explained, to produce swinging of a blade in switch 20. Y

Base 12 includes a pair of upright spaced-

apart side plates

24, 25 having the side outlines shown in FIG. 2. The side plates are spaced apart about 6 or 7 inches, and are joined through transverse pieces 26, 27 disposed between the plates. Mounted on and extending between plates 24 are

planar decks

28, 30, 32 occupying planes disposed normal to a vertical plane. In FIG. 2, deck 28 slopes downwardly and to the left at an angle of about 30 to the horizontal.

Decks

30, 32 slope downwardly and to the right, each at an angle of about 30 to the horizontal. The various parts making up the base preferably are formed of a material such as steel.

Insulators

14, 16, 18 are formed from axial stacks of conventional ceramic insulator dishes, such as dishes 23.

Insulators

14, 16 are substantially the same size, and may be formed from dishes having a diameter of about 7 or 8 inches. Insulator I8 is slightly smaller in diameter than insulators I4, 16, and may be formed from dishes about 6 inches in diameter. The lower end of insulator 14 in FIG. 2 is suitably anchored to deck 28, with the insulator extending upwardly therefrom. The longitudinal axis of insulator l4 occupies a vertical plane, and is disposed normal to the plane of the deck. Insulator 16 is similarly mounted on deck 30, with its longitudinal axis occupying the same vertical plane as that occupied by the axis of insulator 14. It will be noted that the lower ends of

insulators

14, 16 in FIG. 2 are positioned closely adjacent one another and that the insulators diverge progressing upwardly in the FIG.

Insulator 18 is disposed closely adjacent and substantially parallel to insulator 16. The longitudinal axis of insulator I8 occupies the same vertical plane occupied by the axes of insulators l4, l6. Suitably fastened to the lower end of insulator 18 in FIG. 2 is a shaft 33 aligned axially with the axis of the insulator. Shaft 33 is journaled in a bearing 34 suitably mounted on deck 32. This journal mounting for insulator I8 accommodates rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis. A crank 36 is fastened to the lower end of insulator 18 for rotating the same. Any suitable means may be provided for operating crank 36.

Secured to the upper end of insulator 16 in FIG. 2 is a mounting 38. Mounting 38 includes a pair of elongated laterally spaced struts 40 joined adjacent their tight ends in FIG. 2 through a collar section 42, and joined adjacent their left ends through a foot section 44. Formed on the left ends of the struts in FIG. 2 are cars, such as car 46, which project upwardly from the struts in the FIG. Joined to and extending to the right of collar section 42 in FIG. 2 is a terminal pad 48. Preferably, the various parts in mounting 38 just described are formed integrally from copper.

Collar section 42 in the mounting; provides support for the upper end of rotatable insulator 18. More specifically, extending through the collar section is a bore 50 whose axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of insulator l8. rotatably received within the bore is a shaft 54, the lower end of which in FIG. 2 is joined through a member 55 to insulator 18. The upper end of shaft 54 extends above the top end of bore 50 in FIG. 2.

Secured to the upper end of insulator 14 in FIG. 2 is a mounting 56 including a terminal pad 58. Preferably, mounting 56 is also formed from copper. The spacing between

terminal pads

48, 58 might be about 86 inches.

Switch 20 includes a pair of

contact assemblies

60, 62, and an elongated blade 64. Contact assembly 60 is fastened to mounting 56, and includes a plurality of spaced-apart opposing fingers, or contacts, such as those shown at 66, disposed on opposite sides of the plane containing insulators l4, 16, 18. The spacing between opposing fingers might be about 2 or 3 inches. Contact assembly 62 is fastened to foot section 44 in mounting 38, and is similar in construction to assembly 60. The fingers in the contact assemblies preferably are made of material such as copper with a tungsten-silver overcoat.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 together, blade 64 includes an elongated tube 65 and a pair of

fittings

67, 69 mounted on the opposite ends of tube. Fitting 67 is suitably fastened to the left end of tube 65 in FIG. 2, with the fitting extending axially to the left of the tube. Fitting 67 includes a pair of elongated lateral projections, such as the one shown at 67a in FIG. 2, which project laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the fitting. Projections 67a are adapted to engage fingers 66 in contact assembly 60 with the blade occupying its solid outline (lowered) position in FIG. 2.

Fitting 69 includes a tubular body 69a secured to the outside of the right end of tube 65 in FIGS. 2 andl9c 3. A lug 69b projects radially upwardly from the body in FIGS. 2 and 3. Projecting laterally outwardly from diametrically opposite sides of body 690 are elongated lateral projections, such as the one shown at 69c, which are similar to projections 67a in fitting 67. Projections 69c engage the fingers in contact assembly 62 with the blade in its lowered position. Preferably, tube 65 and

fittings

67, 69 are made of copper.

Blade 64 is mounted for swinging in the vertical

plane containing insulators

14, 16, 18, and for swiveling about the longitudinal axis of tube 65, through a swing member 70 and a swivel pin 72 (see FIG. 3). Further explaining, and referring particularly to FIG. 3, swing member 70 is pivoted to ears 46 in mounting 38 through a pivot pin 74. Pin 74 permits member 70 to swing about an axis normal to the plane of

insulators

14, 16, 18. The right end of swivel pin 72 in FIG. 3 is suitably joined to member 70, and the pin extends from such right end axially into the right end of tube 65 in FIG. 3. The left end of pin' 72 is threaded, and is screwed into a ring 76 which is disposed within the right end of tube 65. Ring 76 is anchored to tube 65 through screws 78.

Previously mentioned actuator mechanism 22 (see FIG. 2)comprises a crank 82 joined to the upper end of shaft 54, and a member 84 interconnecting fitting 69 and crank 82.

Member 84 includes a socket portion 84a, and a pair of elongated laterally spaced arms 84b joined adjacent their right ends in FIG. 2 to the socket portion. The left ends of arms 84b in FIG. 2 straddle lug 69b, and are pivoted thereto by a pin 86. Pin 86 accommodates relative pivotal movement of arms 84); and fitting 69 about an axis spaced from and disposed at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of tube 65. Socket portion 84a in member 84 is connected to crank 82 through a ball 88 which is received within a suitable accommodating socket provided in portion 84a.The connection between socket portion 840 and ball 88 accommodates limited relative universal movement between member 84 and crank 82.

Indicated generally at 90 in FIG. 2 is a spring bias mechanism which acts between mount 38 and swing member 70. Mechanism 90 is disposed between struts 40, and includes a cylinder 92 pivoted at 94 to the struts, and a plunger 96 pivoted at 98 to member 70. A spring (concealed within the cylinder) acts between the cylinder and plunger in a direction tending to urge plunger 96 outwardly of cylinder 92. Mechanism 90 produces a bias on member 70 tending to swing the member (and hence blade 64) in a clockwise direction in FIG. 2 about pin 74.

Indicated at 100, 102 in FIG. 2 are the arms of a conventional arcing horn employed to minimize arcing problems with opening and closing of switch 20. Arm 100 is suitably anchored to mounting 56, and arm 102 is suitably anchored adjacent the left end of fitting 67 in FIG. 2.

Previously mentioned line a has its right end in FIG. 2 anchored to terminal pad 58. Line 15b has its left end in FIG. 2 anchored to terminal pad 48.

Explaining now how switch assembly 10 performs, with switch blade 64 in its lowered position, an electrical connection exists between lines 15a, 15b. Progressing from line 15a, this connection is through mounting 56, contact assembly 60, blade 64, contact assembly 62 and mounting 38. With blade 64 in its lowered position, insulators 14, 16 and the blade bound a generally triangular zone (see FIG. 2), one apex of which is adjacent base 12.

To open the switch, crank 36 is operated to rotate insulator 18 in a counterclockwise direction viewing the same upwardly along its longitudinal axis in FIG. 2. With such rotation of the insulator, mechanism 84 causes blade 64 to swivel about pin 72, and to swing upwardly about pin 74. Mechanism assists in lifting the blade. The blade swivels in a counterclockwise direction viewing the same along the axis of tube 65 and from the left end thereof in FIG. 2. Such swiveling causes projections 670, 69c to disengage the fingers in

contact assemblies

60, 62, respectively, substantially simultaneously. The blade swings upwardly in the vertical

plane containing insulators

14, 16, 18. In the construction illustrated, rotation of insulator 18 through an angle of about 120 causes swiveling of the blade through an angle of about 30, and upward swinging of the blade (to the dash-dot position shown therefor at 64A) through an angle of about 90.

To reclose the switch, crank 36 is operated in the reverse direction.

It will be noted that switch assembly 10 is a relatively compact organization. With

insulators

14, 16, 18, and switch blade 64, occupying a common vertical plane, the overall lateral dimension of the assembly (measured normal to the plane of FIG. 2) is about 7 or 8 inches. Further contributing to compactness is the relative positioning of insulators l4, 16, 18. With this organization, base 12 may be relatively small. I

With swinging of the switch blade in the assembly confined to the vertical plane of the insulators, a relatively close lateral pacing is possible between adjacent switch assemblies in a multiple switch installation. For example, assemblies 8, 9, 10 in FIG. 1 might be spaced as close as about 84 inches.

FIG. 4 illustrates at 119 a modified switch assembly including a pair of

switches

104, 106 supported on a base 108 through

insulators

110, 112, 114, 116, 118. This type of assembly might be employed to connect a power line, such as line 120, to either one of two other lines, such as lines 122, 124.

A comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4 will indicate that assembly 119 is similar in many respects to assembly 10. Thus, base 108 comprises a pair of upright laterally spaced side plates, such as side plate 126, joined through suitable transverse pieces disposed between the side plates. Mounted on the side plates are five planar decks indicated at 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 which occupy planes disposed normal to a vertical plane. Deck 128 occupies a substantially horizontal plane. Decks 130, 132 slope downwardly and to the left in FIG. 4 at angles of about 60 to the horizontal. Decks 134, 136 slope downwardly and to the right in FIG. 4, also at angles of about 60 to the horizontal. Base 108 is supported above the ground on top ofan upright post 138.

The insulators in switch assembly 119 are substantially th same in construction as those in assembly 10 described above, and occupy a common vertical plane. insulator is anchored to deck 128, and corresponds to insulator 14 in switch assembly 10.

Insulators

112, 116 are anchored to decks 130, 134, respectively, and each corresponds to insulator 16 in assembly 10.

Insulators

114, 116 are journaled for rotation about their respective longitudinal axes on decksl32, 136, respectively, and each corresponds to insulator 18 in assembly 10.

Fastened to the top of insulator 110 is a mounting 140 which is somewhat similar to mounting 56 in assembly 10. Fastened to the tops ofinsulators 112, 116 are

mountings

142, 144, respectively, which correspond to mounting 38 in assembly 10. Mounting 140 is provided with an upright terminal pad 146 to which an end of line is attached. Mountings 142, 144' include

terminal pads

148, 150, respectively, to which ends of lines 122, 124, respectively, are attached.

Switches

104, 106 are substantially the same in construction as previously described switch 20. Thus, switch 104 includes contact assemblies 152, 154 secured to

mountings

140, 142, respectively, and a blade 156. Switch 106 includes

contact assemblies

158, 160 secured to

mountings

140, 144, respectively, and a blade 162. The blades in

switches

104, 106 are each mounted for movement in substantially the same manner as is blade 64 in switch 20. In addition,

blades

156, 162 are inter connected with

insulators

114, 118, respectively, through actuator mechanisms 164, 166, respectively, which correspond to actuator mechanism 22. Bias mechanisms (omitted from the drawing in order to obtain clarity) correspondingto bias mechanism 90 may be provided for

switches

104, 106.

Explaining how assembly 119 performs, with

switch blades

156, 162 in their solid outline positions, line 120 is connected to line l22and disconnected from line 12 4. To reverse this situation,

insulators

114, 118 may be revolved (in a manner similar to that described earlier for insulator 18) to swing the blades counterclockwise in FlG. 4 to their dashed outline positions.

. As in the case of assembly 10, assembly 119 has a relatively small lateral dimension (about the same as assembly and because of this and the orientations of insulators, is relatively compact. in addition, because

blades

156, 162 are mounted for swinging in the common vertical plane containing the insulators, closelateral spacing of adjacent assemblies is possible in a multiple-switch installation.

Indicated generally at 168 in FIG. 5 is still another modified form of a switch assembly as contemplated herein. Assembly i 168 includes three switches indicated-at 170, 172, 174

mounted on a base 176 through seven

insulators

178, 180,

Assembly 168 is similar in many respects to

assemblies

10, 119. Thus, base 176 includes a pair upright spaced side plates, such as plate 173, to which are secured seven decks 175, 177,

v 179, 181, 183, 185, 187. These decks occupy planes disposed normal to a vertical plane. Decks 177, 179, 185, 187 are disposed upright. Decks 181, 183 slope downwardly and to i the right in FIG. 5 at an angle of about 30 to the horizontal. Deck 175 slopes downwardly and to the left in the F10. also at base.

Insulators

182, 186, 190 each have an outside diameter of about 6 inches, and are disposed closely adjacent and substantially parallel to

insulators

180, 184, 188, respectively, and are joumaled on decks 179, 183, 187, respectively, for rotation about their longitudinal axes.

Secured adjacent the outer ends of

insulators

180, 184, 188 are

mountings

194, 196, 198 which are similar to mounting 38 in assembly 10. Secured adjacent the outer end of insulator 178 is a mounting 200 which is similar to mounting 140 in assembly 119.

Mountings

194, 196, 198 include terminal pads 194a, 196a, 198a, respectively. A pad extension 199 is mounted on pad 196a. Mounting 200 includes a terminal pad 200a.

Switches

170, 172, 174 are substantially the same as switch 20. Thus, switch 170 includes a blade 202, and

contact assemblies

204, 206 fastened to mountings 196, 200, respectively. Switch 172 includes a blade 208, and

contact assemblies

210, 212 fastened to

mountings

194, 200, respectively. Switch 174 includes a blade 214, and

contact assemblies

216, 218 fastened to mountings 196, 198, respectively

Blades

2, 208, 214 are mounted for movement in substantially the same plane as blade 64in assembly 10.

Actuator mechanisms

219, 221, 223 are provided which

interconnect blades

202, 208, 214, respectively, and

insulators

186, 182, 190, respectively. These actuator mechanisms correspond to previously described mechanism 22.

A suitable spring bias mechanism (not shown) similar to mechanism may be provided for assisting in opening switch 170. Because of the orientations of

switches

172, 174, such biasing mechanisms would not ordinarily be required for them.

An assembly such as assembly 'might typically be employed to permit selective bypassing and disconnection of a piece of equipment such as a transformer to facilitate servicing thereof. Explaining how the assembly might be connected and utilized for this purpose, ends of a pair of main power lines, such as

lines

220, 222 might be connected to pad extension 199 and terminal pad 200a, respectively. Terminal pads 194a, 198a be connected through lines, such as those shown partially at 224, 226, respectively, to a pair of terminals in a transformer (not illustrated).

With

blades

202, 208, 214 in their solid outline positions, switch 170 is open, switches 172,174-are closed, and the terminals in the transformer are connected to

lines

220, 222. To bypass the terminals in the transformer, and to disconnect the latter from the main power lines, the blades in the three switches may be shifted to their dashed outline positions through rotation of

insulators

182, 186, 190. With the blades in these positions, switch 170 is closed and establishes a bypass connection between lines 120, 122, and switches 172, 174 are open resulting in disconnection of the transformer terminals from the main powerlines.

Like

switch assemblies

10, 119, assembly 170 is characterized by compactness and a relatively small lateral dimension. In addition, because

blades

202, 204, 206 are mounted for swinging in a common vertical plane, close lateral spacing of a multiple number of such assemblies is possible.

Thus, the invention provides a practical solution to the difficulties mentioned earlier. The various modifications of switch assemblies described are relatively compact, and, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, can easily be supported above the ground on fairly simple support structures which require little ground space. An important feature contributing to compactness in the assemblies is that the insulators supporting a switch on a base diverge toward opposite ends of the switch from a set of closely spaced ends mounted on the base. Another contributing factor is that the insulators in an assembly occupy a common vertical plane.

Close grouping of switch assemblies in a multiple switch installation is possible because the switch blades in the assemblies are mounted for swinging in the same vertical planes containing the insulators in the respective assemblies.

Dimensions set forth herein are representative of those which may be employed in a power system having the voltage indicated. Different dimensions, of course, would be used where different voltages are present.

' -While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A high voltage switch assembly comprising:

a base;

a pair of elongated insulators occupying a common vertical plane having a set of adjacent ends anchored to said base and a set of spaced-apart free ends remote from said base, said insulators diverging progressing away from said base;

a switch including a contact mounted on the free end of one of said insulators and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent the free end of the other insulator for swinging in said common vertical plane, said blade being swingable into and out of engagement with said contact;

said insulators and said blade, with the latter engaging said contact, bounding a generally triangular zone, one apex of which is adjacent said base;

athird elongated insulator occupying said common vertical plane disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said other insulator, said third insulator being journaled on said-base for rotation about its own longitudinal axis; and

actuator mechanism operatively interconnecting said third insulator and said blade producing swinging of the latter with rotation of the former.

2. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein said insulators are arranged with said other insulator between said one and said third insulators.

3. The switch mechanism of claim 1 which further comprises fourth and fifth elongated insulators mounted on said base corresponding to said other and third insulators, respectively, and occupying said common vertical plane, said fourth and fifth insulators being disposed on the opposite side of said one insulator from said other and third insulators and diverging from the one insulator progressing away from the base, said fifth insulator being supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, another switch including a contact mounted on the free end of said one insulator and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent the free end of said fourth insulator for swinging in said common vertical plane, said blade in said other switch being swingable into and out of engagement with the contact in the other switch, and another actuator mechanism operatively' interconnecting said fifth insulator and said blade in said other switch producing swinging of the latter with rotation of the former.

4. The switch mechanism of claim 3 which further comprises sixth and seventh elongated insulators mounted on said base corresponding to said other and third insulators, respectively, and occupying said common vertical plane, said sixth and seventh insulators being disposed on the opposite side of said other and third insulators from said one insulator and diverging from said other and third insulators progressing from the-base, said seventh insulator being supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a third switch including a contact mounted on the free end of said other insulator and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent the free end of said sixth insulator for swinging in said common vertical plane, said blade being swingable into and out of engagement with the contact of said third switch, and a third actuator mechanism operatively interconnecting said seventh insulator and said arm of said third switch producing swinging of the arm with rotation ofthe insulator. 4 I

5. A high voltage switch assembly a base; V a plurality of switches each including 'aconftact, and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent one end at a pointspaced from said contact for swinging into and in of engagement with the contact; and

means mounting said switches on said base with the blades in the switches disposed for swinging in a common vertical plane, said mounting means comprising, for each switch, a pair of elongated diverging insulators occupying said common vertical plane having a set of adjacent ends anchored to said base, and a set of spaced-apart ends remote from the base, one of said spaced-apart ends supporting the contact in the switch, and the other supporting the pivoted end of the arm in the switch.

6. The switch assembly of claim 5, wherein at least one of said insulators provides support for parts in a pair of said switches.

7. The switch mechanism of claim 5 which further comprises for each switch another elongated insulator occupying said common vertical plane and disposed adjacent and sub stantially parallel to one of said first-mentioned insulators, said other insulator being journaled on said base for rotation about its own longitudinal axis, and actuator mechanism operatively interconnecting said other insulator and the arm in the switch producing swinging of the arm with rotation of the other insulator.

comp n

Claims

1. A high voltage switch assembly comprising: a base; a pair of elongated insulators occupying a common vertical plane having a set of adjacent ends anchored to said base and a set of spaced-apart free ends remote from said base, said insulators diverging progressing away from said base; a switch including a contact mounted on the free end of one of said insulators and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent the free end of the other insulator for swinging in said common vertical plane, said blade being swingable into and out of engagement with said contact; said insulators and said blade, with the latter engaging said contact, bounding a generally triangular zone, one apex of which is adjacent said base; a third elongated insulator occupying said common vertical plane disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said other insulator, said third insulator being journaled on said base for rotation about its own longitudinal axis; and actuator mechanism operatively interconnecting said third insulator and said blade producing swinging of the latter with rotation of the former.

3. The switch mechanism of claim 1 which further comprises fourth and fifth elongated insulators mounted on said base corresponding to said other and third insulators, respectively, and occupying said common vertical plane, said fourth and fifth insulators being disposed on the opposite side of said one insulator from said other and third insulators and diverging from the one insulator progressing away from the base, said fifth insulator being supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, another switch including a contact mounted on the free end of said one insulator and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent the free end of said fourth insulator for swinging in said common vertical plane, said blade in said other switch being swingable into and out of engagement with the contact in the other switch, and another actuator mechanism operatively interconnecting said fifth insulator and said blade in said other switch producing swinging of the latter with roTation of the former.

4. The switch mechanism of claim 3 which further comprises sixth and seventh elongated insulators mounted on said base corresponding to said other and third insulators, respectively, and occupying said common vertical plane, said sixth and seventh insulators being disposed on the opposite side of said other and third insulators from said one insulator and diverging from said other and third insulators progressing from the base, said seventh insulator being supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a third switch including a contact mounted on the free end of said other insulator and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent the free end of said sixth insulator for swinging in said common vertical plane, said blade being swingable into and out of engagement with the contact of said third switch, and a third actuator mechanism operatively interconnecting said seventh insulator and said arm of said third switch producing swinging of the arm with rotation of the insulator.

5. A high voltage switch assembly comprising: a base; a plurality of switches each including a contact, and an elongated blade pivoted adjacent one end at a point spaced from said contact for swinging into and out of engagement with the contact; and means mounting said switches on said base with the blades in the switches disposed for swinging in a common vertical plane, said mounting means comprising, for each switch, a pair of elongated diverging insulators occupying said common vertical plane having a set of adjacent ends anchored to said base, and a set of spaced-apart ends remote from the base, one of said spaced-apart ends supporting the contact in the switch, and the other supporting the pivoted end of the arm in the switch.

7. The switch mechanism of claim 5 which further comprises for each switch another elongated insulator occupying said common vertical plane and disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to one of said first-mentioned insulators, said other insulator being journaled on said base for rotation about its own longitudinal axis, and actuator mechanism operatively interconnecting said other insulator and the arm in the switch producing swinging of the arm with rotation of the other insulator.