US595887A

US595887A - Hermann muller

Info

Publication number: US595887A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1897-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1914-12-21

Description

UNITED STATES aTnNT FFICE.,

HERMANN MLLER, OF NUREMBERG, GERBIANY.

HlGll-TENSlGN SWiTCH..

SPECIFICATION forming part ofl Letters Eatent No. 595,887, dated December 21, 1897.

Application fled June 2, 1897. Serial llo. 643,216. (No model-l To all whom zit may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN MLLER, a citizen of the Empire of Germany, residing in Nuremberg, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in High-Tension Switches, of which the following is a specification. n

This invention relates to certain improvements in high-tension switches in which the oxidation of the contacting parts and the consequent objectionable insulation of these parts can be to a great extent prevented and neutralized and a high-tension switch of superior properties and durability is obtained.

It has been found in lightning-protectors that the passage of a spark of a high-tension current can be readily prevented when two conditions are present, as follows: First,when the contacting parts by which the circuit is closed are formed of an easily-oXidiZin g metal and the oXid of which is a good non-conductor of electricitythat is to say, composed of a non-arcing metal; second, when the distance between the contacting parts is very small, as when the distances between the contacting parts are large, in consequence of the greater heating and the consequent evaporation of the metal, an arc may be formed as described by Wurts in his papers. lt was therefore proposed to form the contacting parts of balls or rollers arranged in a row, so that when these balls or rollers are pressed together the circuit is closed, while the circuit is interrupted by separating the balls or rollers or the formation of small spaces between the contacting parts when the pressure on the parts is removed. The small sparks which are formed on the separation of the contacting` parts are, in consequence of the oXid, quickly extinguished, as before described. The insulating` property of the resulting oXid, however, has the disadvantage that after a comparatively short use of such a switch the circuit cannot be entirely and reliably closed.

The object of my invention, therefore, is to obviate these objections and provide a switch for high-tension currents, in. which the objectionable interference of the oxidation of the contacting parts is avoided; and the invention consists of a high-tension switch composed of aserics of roller-shaped contactpieces arranged in a row, which are made of easily-oxidizing non-arcing metal and of a mechanism by which said rollers can be either pressed together or separated from each other in such a manner that by the closing and opening, respectively, of the circuit aturnin g motion is imparted to said contact-pieces, as will be fully described hereinafter, and finally pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a front elevation, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation, of my improved switch for high-tension currents.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a plate of non-conducting material on which a series of contact-pieces formed in the shape of rollers a are arranged in line with each other. The roller-shaped contact-pieces a are made to turn easily on their axes, which are mounted on flat springs b. The contactrollers o are divided into two groups, an upper and lower, and between said groups eccentric cams dare a1ranged,wl1ich are mounted on a shaft d', that is turned by a hand-lever d2. The eccentric cams d are in contact with the adjacent rollers of each group and produce the pressing;` together of the contactrollers of each group when the hand-lever die is moved in the direction of the arrows into position for closing the circuit. Then the hand-lever is returned into its normal position, the eccentric cams release the rollers and produce the interruption of the contact of the same. The contact-rollers a at the end of each group are mounted on heavy metallic plates e, so that they can change their position but little, even when the intermediate rollers are forced in contact with each other.

lt is obvious from a cursory examination of the construction described that during the closing as well as during the opening of the circuit a turning motion is imparted to all the contact-rollers a up to CLG. As, furthermore,

the friction of the different contact-rollers on their shafts differs slightly it follows that after each use of the switch new contact portions of the cylindrical surface of the rollers are placed adjacent to each other, so that thereby a greater durability and usefulness Lal of the switch is obtained. Another advantage is that by the friction of the rollers any oXid that is formed on the same is removed by the friction of the rollers With each other. Owing to these two facts the switch can be used for a much greater length of time without requiring repairs, which is of considerable importance in high-tension switches, owing to the danger connected with the touching of their parts.

The liereinbefore-described disposition of the rollers can also be used for commutators. V'Vith electric currents of great strength it is preferable to arrange the switch in a shuntcircuit of an ordinary cut-out, so that a connection With comparatively small resistance for the passage of the current is obtained.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-'- l. A switch for high-'tension currents, consisting of groups of contact rollers made from easily-oxidizable non-arcing metal, said groups of rollers being mounted on springarms, each roller being normally out of contact with the others, and means for forcing the rollers into Contact with each other, While simultaneously a turning motion is imparted to the same, substantially as set forth.

2. A switch for high tension currents, formed of a group of contact-rollers made of easily-oxidizable non-arcing metal, said rollers being mounted on spring-arms and normally out of contact with each other, intermediate ecccntric cams operated by a handlever and adapted to place the contact-rollers of each group in contact With each other, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my invention l have signed my name in presence of two .subscribing witnesses.

HERMANN M'ULLniii.

Witnesses:

FRANZ B. W. KING, OSCAR BooK.