US3590178A

US3590178A - Disconnecting switch having improved operating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3590178A
Application number: US796719A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edmund W Kuhn; Samuel J Parsons
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1969-02-05
Filing date: 1969-02-05
Publication date: 1971-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-29

Abstract

An electric switch comprising a plurality of switch units mounted on a supporting frame and actuated between open and closed positions by a common drive means which is operatively connected to said plurality of switch units or pole units.

Description

United States atent Edmund W. Kuhn Pittsburgh;

Samuel J. Parsons, Irwin, both of, Pa. 796,719

Feb. 5, 1969 June 29, 1971 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa.

[72] inventors [2i Appl. No. [22] Filed [4S] Patented [73] Assignee [54] DISCONNECTING SWITCH HAVING IMPROVED OPERATING MECHANISM 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 200/48, 287/5202 [5i] lnt.Cl ..H0lb3l/00 [50] Field of Search ZOO/ 48; 287/5202, 52.03, 53 S [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,710.897 6/1955 Lindell 200/48 X 2,857,l87 10/1958 Comery et aL, 287/52102 Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant ExaminerA. J. Hohauser A!l0rneysA. T. Stratton and Clement L. McHale ABSTRACT: An electric switch comprising a plurality of switch units mounted on a supporting frame and actuated between open and closed positions by a common drive means which is operatively connected to said plurality of switch units or pole units.

PATENTED JUNZEHQYI SHEET 1 0F 2 PATENIED JUN29 [9n sum 2 0; 2

INVENTORS Edmund W. Kuhn and muel J. Persons c736 We Afp- BY M ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electric switches including a plurality of switch or pole units and more particularly to means for actuating the operation of a plurality ofswitch units by a common drive means.

In certaintypes of polyphase, outdoor high-voltage disconnecting switches, a pluralityof switch units or pole units is mounted on a supporting framework with each switch unit having an insulator stack which is mounted on a rotatable shaft. In order to gang operate a plurality of switch units, levers are mounted on the shafts of the respective switch units and operatively connected by tie rods. A common drive means for a plurality of switch units may then be operatively connected to the shaft of one of the associated switch units and the plurality of switch units maybe gang or simultaneously operated by a common drivemeans through the associated levers and tie rods. For proper operation of a plurality of switch units such as described, the levers of the respective switch units must be initially assembled or mounted on the associated shafts in predetermined angular positions, such, for

example as to be substantially parallel with respect to each other or at substantially the same angular positions with respect to the associated shafts and must remain so during long periods of operation in service without shifting or changing positions on the associated shafts.

Disconnecting switch constructions of the type described are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,669,614, 2,669,622 and 2,748,213 which are all assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Known switch constructions of the above type have been found to have certain disadvantages in that they either do not readily permit the levers of the different switch units which are to be gang operated to be initially positioned precisely with respect to one another or else the levers may tend to shift in position with respect to one another after being placed in service. It is therefore desirable to provide an improved switch construction of the type described which will overcome the last-mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a disconnecting switch having a plurality of switch units or pole units is mounted on a supporting frame with the switch units in side-by-side spaced relation. Each of the switch units includes an insulator stack mounted upon a rotatable shaft having a portion with a plurality of teeth disposed substantially around its periphery. In order to permit a plurality of switch units to be actuated between operating positions by a common drive means which is operatively connected to the shaft of one of the switch units, a lever is disposed on the shaft of each switch unit and includes a generally smooth, arcuate portion which bears against or engages only a portion of the teeth on the associated shaft. A clamping member is also disposed on the shaft of each switch unit and has a generally arcuate portion with a plurality of teeth which engage a portion of the teeth on the associated shaft. In order to secure each lever and the associated clamping member together on the shaft of each switch unit, a pair of fastening means, more specifically a pair of bolt and nut assemblies, is disposed on the opposite sides of said shaft with the fastening means engaging or bearing against substantially flat, planar surfaces provided on both said lever and the associated clamping member. The levers of the respective switch units are then operatively connected by tie rods which extend laterally between the switch units. The forces required to actuate the different switch units in a gang operation are then transmitted from a common drive means which is operatively connected to the shaft of one of the switch units through the respective levers and associated tie rods.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a switch construction including improved means for operativelycom necting a plurality of switch units which are to be actuated by a common drive means;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial top plan view of a switch structure embodying the principal features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial view, in front elevation, of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view, in section, taken along the line III-Ill in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view, in side elevation, taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view, partly in section and partly cutaway, taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, the switch structure 10 shown therein comprises three disconnecting switch or pole units 20 which are mounted side by side upon a supporting framework 40 in substantially equally spaced relation. Each of the disconnecting switch units 20 may be of the type which is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,474 which issued Feb. 26, 1963 to E. F. Beach et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,905 which issued July 13, 1965 to F. W. Jewell et al. and in copending application, Ser. No. 772,715 filed Nov. 1, 1968 and issued Mar. 10, 1970 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,006, which are all assigned to the same assignee as this application.

As best shown in FIG. I, each switch unit 20 comprises three spaced

insulator stacks

24, 26 and 28 which are mounted upon a common base 22. The base 22 may be in the form of a metal channel member which is secured to the supporting framework 40 and which may have angle members secured to the sides of the channel member. Each of the insulator stacks 24, 26 and 28 of each of the switch units 20 comprises a plurality of insulators which are preferably composed of porcelain or some similar electrically insulating material. It will be understood that the number of insulators required in each stack depends upon the voltage of the system in which the switch structure 10 is utilized. The insulators stacks 26 and 28 of each switch unit 20, as illustrated, are mounted upon fixed pedestals not shown) which may be secured to the top of the base 22. The insulator stack 24 of each of the switch units 20 is mounted upon a shaft 25 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing assembly 23 which is secured to the base 22.

As described in detail in the above-mentioned patents and application, each of the switch units 20 includes a disconnecting switch blade 19 which may be actuated into and out of engagement with an associated stationary contact assembly 21 by rotating the associated insulator stack 24 which is operatively connected to the switch blade 19 through a crank arm 15 and a link member 17. In order to permit the simultaneous or gang operation of the switch units 20, the insulator stacks 24 of the switch units 20 are operatively connected together by the tie rods 42 which are pivotally connected to the lever arms 27 which are mounted on the respective shafts 25, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

In order to actuate the gang operation of the switch units 20, a common drive means 30 is operatively connected to the shaft 25 of one of the switch units 20. As illustrated, the manual drive means 30 includes a lever arm 47 which is mounted on the shaft 25 of the switch unit 20 at the right of the switch structure 10, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lever arm 47 is operatively connected to the crank arm 137 by the operating rod 52 which is pivotally connected at one end to the lever arm 47 by the pivot pin 139 through the clevis member 54 and which is pivotally connected at the other end to the crank arm I37 by the pivot pin 13$. The crank arm H37, in turn, is mounted on an operating shaft 132 for rotation therewith. The upper end of the shaft R32 is rotatably supported by an outboard bearing assembly M4 which, in turn, is supported on the framework db. T he lower end of the shaft 132 is coupled to a handcrank 146 through a suitable gearbox 142. It is to be understood that, where desired, the common drive means which actuates the operation of the switch units may include an electric or other drive motor rather than being of the manual type,as illustrated.

It is to be noted that for proper simultaneous or gang operation of the switch units 2i by the common drive means 30 to thereby obtain a desired synchronized or sequential operation of the switch units 20 during opening and closing operations, the levers 27 which are operatively connected by the tie rods 42 must be disposed at predetermined angular positions with respect to the associated shafts on which said levers are disposed for rotation therewith. As illustrated, if it is desired that all three of the switch units 20 should open and close simultaneously, the levers 27 must be disposed substantially parallel with respect to one another at all times during opening and closing operations or the levers 27 must be simultaneously disposed at substantially the same angular positions with respect to the associated shafts 25. In other words, it is essential that all of the levers 27 may be initially positioned or assembled on the associated shafts 25 and that the levers 27 remain at said predetermined angular positions during long periods of service without shifting or changing position with respect to one another or with respect to the associated shafts 25 on which said levers are disposed.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the shafts 25 on which the rotatable insulator stacks 24 of the switch units 20 are mounted includes a portion as indicated at 25B in FIG. 41 having a plurality of teeth 25A which are disposed substantially around the periphery of the shaft 25. The lever arm 47 which is operatively connected to the common drive means 30 by the operating rod 52 includes a generally arcuate portion 47A at one end having a plurality of teeth 473 which engage only a portion of the teeth on the associated shaft 25 when the lever arm 47 is assembled on the shaft 25. In order to secure the lever arm 47 to the shaft 25 for rotation therewith, a clamping member 49 is disposed on the shaft 25 opposite the end of the lever arm 47 which includes the arcuate portion 47A. The clamping member d9 also includes a generally arcuate portion 49A having a plurality of teeth 49B which also engage only a portion of the teeth on the shaft 25. In order to secure the lever arm 47 and the clamping member d9 together on the associated shaft 25, as best shown in FIG. 3, a pair of fastening means, more specifically a pair of bolts I82 are disposed on opposite sides of the shaft 25 and pass through corresponding openings provided in the clamping member 49 and the lever arm 47. It is to be noted that the heads of the bolts 182 bear against substantially flat planar surfaces provided on the clamping member 49 through associated lockwashers and that the associated nuts 1183 which are disposed on the opposite ends of the bolts I22 bear against substantially flat, planar surfaces provided on the lever arm 47. Since both the lever arm 37 and the associated clamping member 49 include a plurality of teeth which engage different portions of the teeth provided on the shaft 25, it is important to note that the angular position of the lever arm 47 with respect to the shaft 25 may be adjusted in angular steps which correspond to the angular positions of the teeth 25A which are provided on the shaft 25. It is also important to note that once the lever arm 47 and the associated clamping member 39 are assembled on the associated shaft 25, the angular position of the lever arm 47 with respect to the shaft 25 will remain at the same angular position due to the engagement of the teeth on the lever arm 47 with those on the shaft 25 and the engagement of the teeth on the clamping member 59 with those on the shaft 25 which will substantially prevent any relative movement of the lever arm 47 and the clamping member 49 with respect to the shaft 25.

As previously mentioned, the operating rod 52 operatively connects the lever arm 47 to the common drive means Slil. More specifically, a clevis member 54 may be provided which includes a pair of spaced arms having substantially aligned openings through which the pivot pin 139 passes with the outer end of the lever arm 47 being disposed between the arms of the clevis member 54 and including an opening through which the pivot pin 139 also passes as shown in H65. 3 and 4. Suitable means, such as a pair of cotter pins (not shown) may be disposed at the opposite ends of the pivot pin 139 to retain the assembled parts together. The clevis member 54 also includes a slotted tubular portion which is adapted to receive one end of the operating rod 52. The latter end of the rod 52 may then be clamped to the clevis member 54 by tightening one or more clamping bolts 55 which draw the parts of the clevis member 54 together around the associated end of the operating rod 52. The other end of the operating rod 52 may be also secured to a similar clevis member which is pivotally connected to the crank arm 137 by a pivot pin 13%}.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the levers 27 includes a generally smooth, arcuate portion 27A which partially encircles the associated shaft 25 and is engaged by only a portion of the teeth 25A on the associated shaft 25, as best shown in FIG. 5. In order to secure each of the lovers 27 to the associated shaft 25 as shown in FIG. 5, a clamping member 29 is disposed on the shaft 25 opposite the end of the associated lever 27 which includes the arcuate portion 278. The clamping member 29 includes a generally arcuate portion 29A having a plurality of teeth 291) which engage only a portion of the teeth 25A on the associated shaft 25 when the parts are assembled as shown in FIG. 5. In order to secure the lever 27 ofeach of the switch units 20 and the associated clamping member 29 together on the associated shaft 25, a pair of fastening means, more specifically a pair of bolts 32 are disposed on opposite sides of the associated shaft 25 as shown in FIG. 5. The bolts 82 pass through corresponding openings provided in the lever 27 and the associated clamping member 29 with the heads of the bolts 82 bearing against a pair of spaced, substantially flat

planar surfaces

29B and 29C through the associated lockwashers. The nuts 84 which are disposed on the ends of the bolts 32 away from the heads thereof also bear against a pair of spaced, substantially flat, planar surfaces 27 B provided on the lever 27.

In the assembly of the levers 27 on the associated shafts 25, it is important to note that since the arcuate portion 27A of each of the levers 27 is generally smooth, each of the levers 27 may be precisely positioned at any angular position desired with respect to the associated shaft 25 since the arcuate portion 27A of the lever 27 does not include any teeth which will engage those provided on the shaft 25. After the lever 27 of each of the switch units 2th is precisely positioned at the desired angular position with respect to the associated shaft 25, the associated clamping member 29 and the bolts 82 may be then assembled and tightened to secure each of the levers 27 to its associated shaft 25. It is to be noted that when the bolts 82 and the associated nuts 84 are tightened in their assembled positions as shown in FIG. 5, the teeth 25A provided on the shaft 25 will tend to engage or bear against the arcuate portion 27A and substantially prevent any shifting of positions of the levers 27 on the associated shafts 25.

it is to be noted that since the position of the clamping member 29 associated with each of the levers 27 can only be shifted in angular steps which correspond to the positions of the teeth 25A on the shaft 25, the bolts 82 may be mechanically stressed or even slightly bent when each of the levers 27 is secured to the associated shaft as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, depending upon the relative positions of each lever 27 and its associated clamping member 29 when assembled in a particular angular position with respect to the associated shaft 25, the pair of associated bolts 82 are mechanically stressed when the nuts 84 on said bolts are tightened down against the substantially flat planar surfaces provided on the lever 87 and the heads of the bolts 82 bear against the substantially flat planar surfaces provided on the clamping member 29. The

stressing of the bolts 82 is assisted by the substantially flat planar surfaces provided on each of the levers 27 and its associated clamping member 29 and the bolts 82 are preferably formed from a material having sufficient structural strength to withstand such stresses, such as steel. it has been found that the construction of the levers 27 and the associated clamping members 29 as shown in FIG. 5 results in a substantially rigid connection of the levers 27 to the associated shafts 25 and that the levers 27 will remain in substantially the same angular positions as those in which they are originally or initially assembled on the shafts 25 without shifting in relative position with respect to the shafts 25 during long periods of service.

As illustrated the construction of the levers 27 and the associated clamping members 29 permits the assembly of the levers 27 as illustrated in substantially predetermined angular positions with respect to the associated shafts which may be substantially parallel, as illustrated, with each of the levers 27 being disposed at substantially the same angular position with respect to the associated shafts 25. it is to be understood that the levers 27 in particular applications may be positioned in different angular positions with respect to one another where a different sequence of operation is desired for the associated switch units 20.

It is to be noted that the tie rods 42 may be pivotally connected to the associated levers 27 by means of one or a pair of clevis members similarly to the manner in which the lever arm 47 is connected to the operating rod 52 by the .clevis member 54. More specifically, as shown in H68. 3 and 4, the clevis member 34 includes a pair of spaced arms which are disposed on opposite sides of the outer end of the lever 27 and includes a pair of substantially aligned openings through which the associated pivot pin 62 passes with the lever 27 also including an opening at its outer end through which the pivot pin 62 passes. The clevis member 34 may also include a slotted tubular portion which is adapted to receive one end of one of the associated tie rods 42 and-may be clamped thereto by one or more suitable clamping bolts 35 which draw the slotted parts of the clevis member 34 toward one another as indicated in FIG. 3.

In the operation of the switch structure as described, when the lever arm 47 is rotated by the common drive means 30, all of the levers 27 are simultaneously rotated by the torques which are transmitted from the shaft 25 at the right end of the switch structure 10 through the different levers 27 and the associated tie rods 42 to thereby simultaneously actuate the switch units between open and closed operating positions.

As previously explained, the switch units 20 which are included in the switch structure 10 are illustrated as being of the type in which all of the switch units simultaneously open and close together with the levers 27 of the different switch units remaining at all times during opening and closing movements in substantially the same corresponding angular positions with respect to the associated shafts 25. It is to be understood that the teachings of the invention may also be applied to switch structures in which the different switch units may operate in sequence or in synchronism as determined by the relative angular positions of the different levers which correspond to the levers 27 of the disclosed switch structure. In other words, a switch structure as disclosed may include a plurality of levers corresponding to the levers 27 which are disposed at different angular positions with respect to the associated shafts in order to actuate the different switch units in a predetermined operating sequence. In addition, it is to be noted that in certain applications the shaft may be of the axially fluted type rather than having a portion with a plurality of teeth substantially around its periphery as disclosed.

The apparatus embodying the teachings of this invention has several advantages. For example, a switch structure as disclosed readily lends itself to assembly with the levers 27 of the different switch units being adjustable to precisely a predetermined angular position with respect to the different shafts 25 of the switch units 20. As illustrated, the levers 27 of the switch units may be initially assembled to be substantially parallel or at substantially the same angular positions with respect to the associated shafts and will remain substantially parallel or at the same angular positions during long periods of continuous service due to the clamping action which is provided by the construction of the levers 27 and the associated clamping members 29 as disclosed. In other words, the disclosed switch structure readily lends itself to a positioning of the different levers 27 at substantially predetermined angular positions with respect to the associated shafts which will be maintained during long periods of service by the clamping action which is exerted on the levers 27 by the disclosed construction. it is to be noted that the construction of the levers 27 and the associated clamping members readily lends itself to a combination with an associated lever arm such as the lever arm 47 whose angular position is not as critical as that of the different levers 27 since it is not necessary for the lever arm 47 to track or move in synchronism with corresponding lever arms in the other switch units of the overall switch structure it). In addition, the applicants construction has the advantage that while permitting a precise positioning of the levers 27, the levers 27 are prevented from shifting or changing relative positions with respect to the associated shafts 25 after being installed or with respect to each other during long periods of service of the overall switch structure 10.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described apparatus and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all the matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

l. A switch structure comprising a supporting frame, a plurality of switch units mounted on said frame in side-by-side spaced relation, each of said switch units having a plurality of spaced insulators mounted on a common base, one of the insulators of each switch unit being mounted on a shaft which is rotatable to actuate said switch unit between operating positions, said shaft of each switch unit including a portion having a plurality of teeth disposed substantially around its periphery, a lever disposed on the shaft of each switch unit in a predetermined angular position with respect to said shaft and having a generally smooth arcuate portion at one end corresponding in curvature to said shaft and which bears against the tips of the teeth on said shaft opposed to said arcuate portion, a clamping member disposed on the shaft of each switch unit opposite the arcuate portion at said one end of said lever and having a generally arcuate portion corresponding in curvature to said shaft and having a plurality of teeth which mesh with only a portion of the teeth on said shaft, a pair of adjustable fastening means spaced apart and disposed, respectively, on opposite sides of the shaft of each switch unit for securing opposite adjacent ends of the arcuate portions of said lever and said clamping member together on the associated shaft, said lever and said clamping member of each switch unit each including substantially fiat, planar surfaces which are engaged by the associated pair of fastening means, and tie rods connecting the levers of said plurality of switch units.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein a common drive means is connected to the shaft of one of the switch units for simultaneously rotating the rotatable insulators of said plurality of switch units between positions corresponding to the operating positions of said switch units.

3. The combination as claimed in claim ll wherein said pair of fastening means comprises a pair of bolts having nuts disposed thereon.

-3. The combination as claimed in claim l wherein the shafts of said plurality of said switch units are disposed substantially parallel to one another and the associated levers of said plurality of switch units are disposed subs antially parallel to one another in all operating positions of said levers.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lever of each of said switch units and its associated clamping 7. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the shafts of said plurality of switch units are disposed substantially parallel to one another and the associated levers of said plurality of switch units are disposed substantially parallel to one another in all operating positions of said levers, and the plurality of teeth on said shaft is disposed parallel to the axis of said shaft.

Claims

1. A switch structure comprising a supporting frame, a plurality of switch units mounted on said frame in side-by-side spaced relation, each of said switch units having a plurality of spaced insuLators mounted on a common base, one of the insulators of each switch unit being mounted on a shaft which is rotatable to actuate said switch unit between operating positions, said shaft of each switch unit including a portion having a plurality of teeth disposed substantially around its periphery, a lever disposed on the shaft of each switch unit in a predetermined angular position with respect to said shaft and having a generally smooth arcuate portion at one end corresponding in curvature to said shaft and which bears against the tips of the teeth on said shaft opposed to said arcuate portion, a clamping member disposed on the shaft of each switch unit opposite the arcuate portion at said one end of said lever and having a generally arcuate portion corresponding in curvature to said shaft and having a plurality of teeth which mesh with only a portion of the teeth on said shaft, a pair of adjustable fastening means spaced apart and disposed, respectively, on opposite sides of the shaft of each switch unit for securing opposite adjacent ends of the arcuate portions of said lever and said clamping member together on the associated shaft, said lever and said clamping member of each switch unit each including substantially flat, planar surfaces which are engaged by the associated pair of fastening means, and tie rods connecting the levers of said plurality of switch units.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pair of fastening means comprises a pair of bolts having nuts disposed thereon.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shafts of said plurality of said switch units are disposed substantially parallel to one another and the associated levers of said plurality of switch units are disposed substantially parallel to one another in all operating positions of said levers.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lever of each of said switch units and its associated clamping member both include a pair of spaced openings through which the associated pair of fastening means passes, and the plurality of teeth on said shaft is disposed parallel to the axis of said shaft.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lever of each of said switch units and its associated clamping member both include a pair of spaced openings through which the associated pair of fastening means passes.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the shafts of said plurality of switch units are disposed substantially parallel to one another and the associated levers of said plurality of switch units are disposed substantially parallel to one another in all operating positions of said levers, and the plurality of teeth on said shaft is disposed parallel to the axis of said shaft.