US819787A - Controller for synchronizing switches. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

APPLICATION FILED APR, 10, 1 905.

2 SHEETSSHEBT 1.

{VI A V ma 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY No. 819,787. PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

' H. J. MGMAHAN.

CONTROLLER FOR SYNGHRONIZING SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.10, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2 WITNESSES: L g 57 lNVENTO zfizw/ 58 ATTO j No. $19,787.

'nnrrnn s'rarns 'ArEN HUGH J, MoMAI-IAN, OF MONESSEN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO -WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC 8: MAEUFACTURING QCQM PANY, CORPORATION 9F PENNSYLVANIA v cow-mouse oe 'svflon'so m ziwe SWHTCHEQ.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application meridi n 10. 1905. Serial No. 254,792.

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH J. MCMAHAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Monessen, in the county of Westm'oreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Controllers for Synchronizing Switches, of which the following is a specification.

, My invention relates to electrical apparatus, and particularly to means for controlling .the operation of switches that are utilized for coupling electrical machines in parallel Whei f they attain synchronous operation.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, compact, and reliable means for so governing the operation of a coupling-switch that it shall connect a corresponding elec trical machine in parallel with one or more Y other machines substantially at the instant when synchronous operation is reached.

In order to efliect the desirediresult, I provide means for automatically timing the operation of the switch-governing means in accordance with the rate at which the machines approach synchronism, In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, partially in'front elevation and partially in section, of the principal controlling features of my invention, the cover being re-- moved. Fig; 2 is a plan view of the apparathe shown in Fig. 1, the casing being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a diagram of apparatus and circuits, illustrating the electrical. connections and mode of operation of my invention;

and Fig. his a diagram similar to that shown in Fig.3, but illustrating a modification.

The controller 1, which constitutes the principal element of, my invention, comprises a number of cooperating elements which may be variously modified as to form and number and relation of parts and which may be mounted in a variety of ways; but, as here shown, the operating parts are mounted upon a back plate or base 2 and are inclosed and rotected by a coverj3', which may be suite ly fastened to the base 2% ,Projecting forwardly'from the base 2 are a plurality of posts 4, to the outer ends of which is ms tened a frame-plate 5, by meanspf screws 6. The frame late 5 is also provided with a pluraIity" o posts '7,' -'to the outer ends of which is fastened a plate or bar any means of 7 screws'Q The parts thusjar described conto'the frame-pie re 5, is a shaft 10,'upon'wl1ich eetin 8, 1906..

ag age of is rigidly mounted an arm or, bar 11,- which projects therefrom in both directions" and which is provided with a hub or collar "12,

that is admstahly clamped to the'shaft 10 by 1 means of set-screws or otherwise. The outer ends of the arm or bar 11 are respectively connec ed to the cores 13 and 14 of two solen ward by the action of its solenoid the corresponding end of the arm or bar 11' willbe. lowered to correspondingly rockthe shuttlein its bearings. The end of the barll that is connected to the solenoid-core 14- is provide wit h an angular bracket-arm 19, the free end of which is pivotally connected to the upper en/d of a dash-pot cylinder 20 and'which is also provided'with a contactbrush-21E; that nl'ojects inwardly substantially parallel to the base 2 toward the rock-shaft 10; The

'oids 15v and 16, by means of coil- springs 17 and 18/, so that as either core is drawn down pnd of the bar 11 that is connected to the so-' alcnoid-corelii is provided with a suitable weight 22 to'counterbalance the "dash pot cylinder and the other parts which are iupported by corresponding end of the The rod 23 or" the dash-pot iston 24 is pivotally connected to one-end o a lever 25, that is supported intermediate its ends 'on a Short shaft or pivot 26,"tha has its'bearings in the;

plates 5 and 8. The end of the lever 25. to

which the piston-rod 3 is connectedis' also connected to a post 27 that projects from'the' base 2, by means of a coil-spring 28, ascrewv,

29 being provided for, adjusting the amount of pull exerted by'the pring. The other end of the lever is con ected, by ineans of-a link 30, to the outer e; d of anarin 31 ,which is loosely mounted u on a short shaft 32,,the

respective ends of w 'ch are journaled-in'the frame plate 5 and the plate 8. I

The portion of the arm.31 adj acent-to shaft 32 is provided with a fork 33. Bi

5 and 8 is a segmental block'34, referably' formed of insulating'hiaterial an provided with a pin 35, that sgso located between the: Pr -1 s the ee latte be si se r airmounted upon the shaft 32 between thep ates y from left to right, and consequently set into a corresponding recess, so as to fit 'erence has already been made, makes enmeans of aslot-and-scrcw connection 42 with shoulder 39".

of the segmental hlocl; 34, and a simi a1" brushas indicative of any number of generators,

energy, arerespectively provided with douv sw1tch46 are snnue a bar 46; connected, by n'icans or tion by reason of the en one or the other of them, according to the d irection and relation. of movement oil the parts. The pin. is connected to hub 36 of thc'arm 31 by means oi a spiral sprii which tends to move the segmental hioclrS to hold the pin 35 in engagement with the 1 prong of the fork The pcriph segmental block 34 is provided ducting plate or strip 38, the outer sue ace ol which is substantially flush with the periphcral surface of the block at one end, and at the other end the block is cut away to pro vide an offset. At the ollset end of the block 84' a small insulating hlcclr 39, having a slightly-inclined surface at its outer end, is

against the end of the plate 38 and provide a The brush-contact member 21, to which refgagement at its free end with the eriphery contact member 40 is mounted in an. arm 41, which in turn 1s adyustably suyiported hy the frame-plate 5, so that it be adjusted to vary the position of the free end of the brush 40 with reference to the contact strip or plate 38, with which the segmental block 3d is provided.

Referring now to Fig, 8 in connection with the receding figures,two alternating-current mac u'nes 4:3 and 44, which may he assumed rotary converters, or synchronous motors which It may he d eslred to. connect in parallel to either supply or utilize alternat1ng-current here this i mean hers of the l ngis. i shown, the movable contact switch l5 are connected togelhcrhy u oar l,

and the con nondi the members of Each pair r.v

weight 50, the l 'th catch or cg;

titled, and supported by a sdital s switches are norxnallv held "gem catch 51 of a project? 21 or a solenoid 55, this such as a battery 58.

, spective machines 43 and 4d.

drawn to permit the weight SO'to close the switch when the solenoid is energized to raise its core. The solenoids 55 are connected in parallel to a normally open. circuit 5s 57, that is supplied with energy from a suitable so urcc, The brushes 3]. and 40 of the controller constitute the te'rinirm s of the battery-circuit, and that circuit fore closed only Wnen both brushes are in ccn-- tactwith the strip orplatc 38 of the segmental block 34. This condition is at aincd when and only when the machines 45 and as! atta' chronous operation, and this conditio brought about by any one of various arrangements and connections of circuits.

For the purpose of illustration 1 have shown the solenoids 15 and 16 having their upper terminals connected, res 'ectively, to the outer terminals of the seconrlhry' winding 59 of transformer 60, the primary Wllitllilg of which is connected to the bus-bars l7 and 48, and as having their lower terminals connccted together and to one terminal of the secondary winding 62 of each of two trans formers {33, the primary Windi 84 of which are connected across the terniil' is of the reis other terininals oi the secondary windings S2 of the transformers 63 are connected to the middle point oi the secondary Winding 59 of the transformer 60..

For convenience of description I have shown the switch 45 as closed, so that the machine is connected to the bus-bars 47 "1'0 and 4-8, and it will he assumed. that it is operating normal speed and that the other parts of the apparatus are in the positions indicated in. the drzwrings.

i1 th machine it is to be connected to the lms-l ars 47 and 453 to o erate in parallel with the machine 48, it wil be started withthe switch 15 open, and so long as its periodicity is (litlerent from that of the machine 43 the current induced in the secondary Winding 62 of the transformer 63, corresponding to the machine 44, will traverse the two halves of the secondary winding 59 or the transformer 60 in opposite directions and will also traverse both of the solenoids 15 and 16. Since the current is not in ep with that induced in the contrary by current derived from the do generator 43, there will be substantial uniforinity in the pull exerted by the two solenoids until the frog ucncy of alternations supplied by the marhiine 44 becomes approxinnitcly the same as that supplied by the machine When this condition is reached, the current in the half of the transformer sec- -v 59 that is connected to the solenoid Vill oppose that induced in the said half u t" c primary Winding, and the current sup plied to the other hah will be added to that induced therein, and consequently the solenoid 15 will he so energized as to cxert a pull in excess of that exerted by the solenoid eraser 3 switch ea ed, thus connect the machine {id to" the bus-bars. I Y 1 so Fin case the approach-to synchronism is 1 slow and gradual the leakage, of air into the dash=pot cylinder 26 will be snchgas to permit the cylinder to move independently of the piston 24, and consequently the brush2l. will r 5 be moved into contact with the strip 38 with.-

;,out any appreciable movement or the seg-' mental block 34, lfl'howeve'r, the approach to synchronism is rapid, the, pull upon the core 13 of the solenoid 15 will be correspondzo in ly strong and the bar 11 will be rocked :11 with 'suificient rapidity to preclude the entrance of an ap reciable amount ofair into he dash-potcylmder. The piston will thereere-be moved with the cylinder and against the; actionof the spring 28, and the lever 25,

fhrough one prong of its forkupo'nthe in villser've to turn the segmental b ock 34. rornjrightv to left at the sametime that the ;on ushZIisbeing moved in the opposite direc- 1 ,tion; operation closes the battery-eircuit more uickly than would be the case if thebrush 2-1 only'were moved, the result he- Ding that the main switch will be released at 5' such early period as compared with what would be the if this provision for the clos- 5 ingot the batterycircuit were not provided .ithat the main switch will be closed at the in- ,stant when synchrenisrn occurs, whereas ex.- 4e cept for this prot ion the closing of the *switchwould be delayed and would not take place until after the occurrence of synchronism, and possibly in some cases not until the machines had reached such condition of nonsynchronous operation that they could not .besafely connected in parallel.

' In case there is occasional phase eoincidance, of the currents from the two machines when they are operating under such con/di- "ons thatthey generate currents of widely d fferent, frequencies the occasional coinci- "dence of phase will so energize the solenoid 1 5 as tocause it to exert such; a sudden viodent pull upon its core as to rock the block- 5'5 ;segment- 34 from right to left a distance greater than that through which it ordinarily ,imbv'es, thus permitting the contact end of thebrnsh'dO to drop behind, the shoulder 39*, therebyinterrupting or preventing the closoo of the auxiliary batterycircuit, This engagement ofthe contact end of the brush with the shoulder 39 serves to lock the segmental block in that position until the descentcf the dashpot plunger moves the fork Q5 "33 i h ifeugh the distance {represented by the he linkfimandthe arm 31'the latter actingdifiierence between the diameter of the pin 35 and the space between the prongs of the fork. Further movement of the fork will force the shoulder 39 from its locking position, and the spring 37 will quickly move the block 34 a 7b sufficient distance tobreak the contact between the strip 38 and the finger '21. Referring now to Fig. 4, the several devices and circuitsthere shown are the same as those illustrated in Fig. 3 and already de- 7 5 scribed, except as regards one feature of the controller 1 and the connections between the same and the secondary winding 59 of the transformer 60.. The parts to which no specific reference is made are'. given the same ref-- erence characters as inthe preceding figures, and the description already given may therefore be read in connection with what is here shown. Instead of emplo ing two solenoids 15 and 16, which normally counterbalance each other, I have here substituted a coilspring 65 .for the solenoid 16 of the structure before described. 'Tl1is spring is of such strength and is so adjusted as to counterbalance the'pull exerted by the solenoid 15, exo cept when the machines approach synchronisrn, in'which case the current supplied directly to the secondary winding 59 supple-- ments that induced therein by the primary winding, which isconnected to the bus-bars, 5 andthen the pull of the solenoid 15 overcomes that ofthe spring'65 and the apparatus 0 crates in themanner above described to re ease the main switch in order that it may be'automaticall closed to connect the loo corres ending machine in parallel circuit with t e machine or'machines already in op eration, a

The structural details and the combinetionsand arrangements of circuits and (1011- I05 nections which I have shown and described may be varied in many particulars without departing from my invention, and I therefore desire to include within the scope of my claims all such variations and modlfications as do not materially change the mode of oporation or result.

I claim as my invention v 1. In a synchronizer for alternating-current. dynammelectric machines, a switch for I I 5 coupling the machines, means for automatically elosing the switch when the machines come into synchronism, a normally open governing-circuit having relatively movable contact-terminals, and an .electromagnetically- 12o actuated means for operating said contactterminals, said means com rising a time-elc -ment-cont1fol-ling device-w -ch revents closure of the 'g overning-circuit w on the electromotive forces occasionally coincide in, 12 5 phase but are of materiall different fre-' uency anfd which adjusts lie time of such c osure in ..accordance-with the rate at which the machines. are approaching synchronism.

2. In a eyfnchiomzer for alternating cur- 1 o rent dynamo-elec ric machines,-a switch for coupling the machines, a normally'open switclngoverning circuit,.tnieans actuated by the main circuits when the machines are synchronized to close the said switch-gm/erning circuit, said means comprising time-elemcn tcontrolling devices which serve to prevent closure of said switch-governing circuit when coincidence in phase occurs at intervals and the elcctromotive-force frequencies are materially unlike, and which also serve to in sure closure of the switch-governing circuit at a time that corresponds to the rate at which the machines approach synchronism.

3. In a synchronizer for alternating-can rent dynamo-electric machines, a switch for coupling the machines, a normally open switch-governin circuit, an elcctromagnet that is energi-zec by the main circuits when synchronism occurs, relatively movable contact members that are actuated by saidmagnet, when energized,-to close said switchgoverning circuit, and a time element for automatical ly varying the movement of said contact members in accordance with the ireq uency and phase relations of said machines.

a. in a synchronizer for alternatingwnn rent machines, a switch for coupling the machines, means for controlling the switch, and means for actuating the switch-controlling means earlier when the dynamos approach synchronism faster than a predetermined rate. 1

5. In a synchronizer for alternating-cue rent machines, a switch for coupling the ma chines, means for governing the switch, a second switch for controlling the closing of the first switch, and means whereby the second switch will be closed earlier when the dvnamos are approaching synchronism faster than a predetermined rate.

6. In a synchronizer for alternating-current machines, a switch for coupling the ma chines, means for closing the switch, 9, normally open circuit having means for energizing the switch-closing means when the machmesfapproach synchronism, and means for closing the normally open circuit which embodies a variable time element device to prevent, such closure when the electromotive l forces of the machines have occasional phase rent dynammelectric machines, a switch for coupling the machines, means for governing sirens? the switch, a second switch fcircontrolling the closing of the first switch, and means for automatically timing the operation of vthe SGCO'IMLSl/VlbCli in accordance with the rateat which the machines are approaching synehronisni.

.9. In a synchronizer for alternating-cur rent dynamo-electric machines, a switch for coupling the machines, means for governing the operation of the switch, comprisin a normally open circuit, relatively mova le circuit -closing members, operating magnets, and dash-pot mechanism that regulates the movement of thecircuit-closing members in accordance with the rate at which the ma chines approach synchronism.

10, Means for connecting a dynamo-ales trio machine in "parallelcircuit with oneoi more other similar machinesat the instant when synchronism occurs, com rising anactom atic switch and a governing evice therefor having a stationary contact memberandtwo sting-coils, and a time element that cooper- .ates with said coil or coils to, controlthe operation of said movable contact members in accordance with the rate at which the machines approach synchronism.

11. Means for connecting a dynamo-electric machine in parallel circuit with oneor more other similar machines when synchronous operation is attained, comprising a main switch, means for closing the same, and a governing device for said closing means havinga stationary contact member and two movable contact members, actuating coils for said movable contact members and a variable, lost-n1 otion connection between said movable contact members, the amount of lost motion being dependent u on the rate at which the machines approac synchronism.

12. The combination with an alternatingcurrent circuit and one or more, dynamo-electric machines connected thereto, of another similar machine, a switch for connecting said machines in parallel when synchronous openfor said switch comprising an electromagnet and a norm ally open auxiliarycircuit there/ for, relatively movable contact-terminals for said auxiliary circuit, actuating-coils for said movable contact members, one or more aqtu-- ation is reached, a releasing and closing-means terminals that are-so connected to the matoo ' circuit and to the disconnected machineas'to be responsive to phase coincidence of the two.

current-waves, and an. automatic governor for the contact-terminals that regulates their relative movementvto'cireuit closing posing? preach of synchronism.-

- 14. A synchronizing governor for auto-- matic coupling-switches, comprising a mov' ablememberhaving a conducting -strip, a terminal finger thatnormally engages said strip, a pivoted bar having a terminal fingerthat is norm allyheld out of engagement W-ltl'l said strip, a dash-pot, one memberof which is supported by said pivoted bar and the other member ofgwhich is connected to the movable member having'the conducting-strip, a magnet-coil and an armature therefor that is connected tothe pivoted bar.

: 15.-A synchro'nizinggovernor for auto-' i natic coupling-switches, comprising a switch iinember having a limited range of movement, stationary terminal finger that normally engages a conducting portion of said member, a pivoted bar having a terminal finger th at normally engages anon-conducting portion of said switch member, adash-pot, one member of which is supported by said pivoted bar, a link-and-lever mechanism connecting the other member of said dash-pot with the movable switch member, a magnet-coil and an armature therefor that is connected to the pivoted-bar. 4

-16. A synchronizin governor for automatic coupling-switches, comprising a switch member having a conducting'portion and a non-conducting portion and mounted to have a limited pivotalmovement, a stationary terminal finger, a pivoted bar having a terminal finger, a dash-pot, one member of -.which is supported by said pivoted bar, a

linlr-and-lever mechanism connected to the other member of said dash-pot and having a lost-motion connection with said switch member, a magnet-coll and an armature therefor that is connected to said pivoted bar.

17. A synchronizing-governog for automatic coupling-switches, comprising a movable member having conducting and nonconducting contact portions, two cooperating terminal fingers, a stationary support for one of said fingers, a pivoted barupon which the other finger is mounted, a dash-pot, one member of which is attached to said pivoted bar, a link-and-lerfer mechanism, connected to the other member of said dash pot, a spring and a slot-and-pin connection between said lmk-and-lever mechanism and the movable switch member, a magnet-coil and an armature therefor that is connected to said pivoted bar.

A synchronizing governor for automaticcoupling-switches, comprising a segmental insulating-block, having-"a surface conducting-strip, and pivotally mounted to. i

have a limited range of movement, two eo.

operating contact-fingers, one'ofwhich is adjustableup'ona stationary support, a piv oted I v. ,bar 11 on'which the other fin er is mounted,v i or positions in accordance with the rate of a a das -'pot, one member'of w nehi 'su'ppora connect'edto the othermember'of said dash.-

to saidjpivotedbarp .7, -19. synchronizing-g'overnorfor automatic coupling-switches; comprising a seg mental insulating switch member having a ed by said bar,- a link-and lever mechanism -pot,'and having a slot-and pin and spring connection with said switch member, a-mag-- net-coil and an armature therefor connected Y a surface contact-strip and a shoulder adj acent to one end thereof, two contact-fingers, one of which normally engages the conductingstrip adjacent to said shoulder, a pivotallymounted bar upon which the other finger is mounted to'normally engage the insulatng' portion of the switch member, a dash-pot, one member of which is supported by said bar, a link-and-lever mechanism connected to the other member of said dash-pot-, and having a slot-andpin and spring connection with a movable switch member, a magnet coil and an armature therefor which is-connectedto said bar.

20. A, 7 synchronizIng governor for auto-- matic coupling-switches, comprising a segmental switch memberhaving an arc-shaped contact-surface, a portion of which'is conducting and another portion of which is nonconducting, a contact-finger with which the conducting ortion'of the segmental switch member ma (es and breaks contact, a 'plvoted bar having a second contact-finger that also makes and breaks contact with the conducting portion of said switch member, a dash-pot, one member of which'is, supported by said pivoted bar, a link-and-lever mechanism inter osed between the other member of the dasl 0t and the segmental switch IIO member and. aving a slot-and-pinand spring connection with the latter, two magnet-coils and armatures therefor that are respectively connected to the opposite ends of tlie pivoted bar. i

21 A synchronizing governor for automatic coupling-switches, comprisin a nonconducting segment having a su aceconductin strip, a stationary conducting-finger norma y in engagement withsaid conducting-strip, a pivoted bar, a second contact-finger supported by said bar, and normally engaging a non-conducting portion of said segment, a dash-pot, one member of which is supported by said bar, a link-and-lever mechanism interposed between the other member of said dash-pot and said segment and having contact-finger nori'nali v' engaging said cenductin -stri) :id'ncent to said shoulder H, D I pivoted bar, a, contuct-iinger support-1%] of,

' said her and nornmlly engaging the insulnting-surtace of the segmcni :il switch member adjacent to the other end of the cmulucti' strip, a dash-pot, one member of which issu, pended from. one end of the g'wim iink-mid-hwcr mechanism inth'nosetl h tween the other member of said Lid 4 i the segmental switch nicn'iher, and having lost-motion spring connection therewith spring tending to separate the (la i-pet bers, a solenoid and a core thereior which is attached to the end of the pivoted Lever opposite that which supports the GODULCt-filb ger and the dash-pot member.

A. 'nchiionizing-gove1'nor {or enter lflEtlIiC coupling-switchcs, ceinprisin: a pivotally-mmmtixl switch n'icinhci', h iz'n; an nrc-shuped surfac L portion onig, oi whit is formed oi -nm1ccing materiel, m. adjust-- able, stai'ioinn con ctih that normally engages the vomit: ting poi Uions of the piv otecl switch inmnhcz, e {l*.*0h1ll \fll'ifl1 hsihnving contzn t-fiiiger that in the noii-conmhicting sul'i'i M: oi the pivoted switch member, a (in :ot, one i'iir-mher of which is suppmted l one and of said her, a link-und-lcvcr mechanism connected to the other member of said. dash-pot, and hii a lost-motion spring connection to the pi oted switch member, a spring tending to normclly separate the clash-pot members, a so lcnoid and a core therefor, that is suspended from the end of the pivoted hm which is op- 1e coniaet finger and tcched.

Moon.

. I n'werni on, e pivoted inn, said is moved 3 p0 Lion of the p ot, one member of which is atmeirecr, a lintnand-levor anism connected to the other member of said dash-pot, and having a lost-motion spring commotion to said pivoted switch mem er, means tcndi to sepia-rate the dashp et members, a solenoid nd a core therefor mm is attached to sand pivoted her.

25. The combination with a main switch, and i1 noi'n'mily open gov 'rni & circuit there for, of meets for controllin the fn'filifil of said ovcrningcircuit, compi' h :1 segmental itch m ibcr that is mounted to have a lin'iitcri (1 c of rotativc movement, two cooperating tiOnm'fv' mid the other movz'i-hle, one or more magnet-coils arranged to fiiCiI'illilO the movable (Wiltflfi nger mui n ccsltpot mechanism that is interposed tween said finger and said segmental swit i i ember and has a limited lost-motion coml gut-ion with the latter.

in testimony wh reef I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of April, 1905.

J. M 0M1 KHAN gm, .119 the conch ng por iiion of nu, but EiiiflUhGd to en a' e 1 1 a L 1 iom' enema-er trio switch mhicbhngers, one of which is sta-

Images