US830537A - Time-element device. - Google Patents

Description

No. 830,537. PATENTED SEPT. 11, 1906.

J. G. STATTER.

TIME ELEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31, 1905.

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/////////////Illln UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN GRIUE S'lA'lTlER, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO W lLLlAM MAXWELL SCOTT, ()F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TIME-ELEMENT DEVlCE.--

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11,1906.

. Application filed July 31, 1905. Serial No. 272,066.

To all, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN Gnrcn STATTER, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland,residing at Cornwall Buildings, N ewhall street, Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Time-Element Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to time-element devices applicable to electric-circuit breakers and other apparatus, and has for its object to prevent. an apparatus or part from being actuated by a force immediately upon the application of that force, but to delay the actuation until the force has been applied'for a period of time.

My invention is particularly, thou h not "exclusively, applicable in the casec automatic circuit-breakers which are set to open a circuit when predetermined electrical conditions occur or exist in a circuit; and I shall describe my'invention with reference to such a circuit-breaker.

Circuit-breakers are for the most part in tended to interrupt a circuit to prevent the apparatussuch as motors, lamps, or other translating devicesin that circuit from being damaged by effects due to any abnormal electrical condition in that circuit, and very commonly they are arran ed to break the circuit when the current va ue in that circuit reaches or exceeds a given value. While an excessively-great current does damage to the apparatus if allowed to persist, such current does not as a rule damage the apparatus in circuit if it is of only very short duration. It

is therefore desirable in order to save needless resettings of the circuit-breaker by hand that the circuit-breaker should only be triped when the excess current has been passing or a period of time. T o attain this end, va-

rious arrangements of dash-pots have been employed; but they are not satisfactory for the reason that what a dash-pot does is not to postpone or delay the point of time at which an apparatus shall commence to act but to determine the rate at which it acts. It is therefore only in a secondary sense that a dash-pot can be said to delay the point of time at which an operation commences My invention consists, therefore, in adevice which for purposes of distinction I may term a start-delaying device, inasmuch as v by the application of a spring.

it is the point of time of starting the operaation (in the present r so the opening of the circuit) and not the more completing or other stage-reaching of the operation which is delayed.

More particularly my invention residesin a startdelaying device comprising a sucker, associated. with the tripping mechanism of a circuit-breaker or with any other controlling mechanism.

For an illustration of several of the forms my invention may take reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a solenoid-tripping mechanism with the time element device associated therewith. Fig. 2

is. an enlarged view showing the movable sucker-disk and attached parts, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of sucker-disk having channels therein. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sucker-disk shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in vertical section,

showing the arrangement of Fig. 1 modified Fig. 6 is a vertical view, partly in section, of a modified. form of sucker involving the use of a flexible dome-diaphragm.

Referring to Fig. l, the solenoid-winding 1 has the magnetizable core 2, which is adapted to be drawn up into the winding 1 by a magnetic action in the well-known manner. A casing 3 surrounds the solenoid and supports b its top wall a stationary core-piece 2, wit in which is mounted for vertical movement the pin 2, having the head 2 When the core 2 is drawn upwardly, it strikes the under side of the pin 2, causing the head 2 to strike the latch or the latch mechanism of a circuit-breaker in the well-known manner. In the lower wall of the casing 3 and directly' under the solenoid 1 is a circular opening threaded to receive the tube 4, of brass or non-magnetic material. The tube 4 instead of being screw-threaded for a length merely sufficient to prevent it from being securely held in the casing 3 is threaded throughout the whole of its length. A hollow cylinder 5 is threaded at its top opening to receive the The inside of the bottom wall 6 is depth at least with liquidsuch as oil, glycerin, 0r othersuitable material. Obviously the relative positions of the tube 4 and the cylinder 5- are easily adjustable. I The solenoid core 2 extends downwardly into the tube 4 and has an axial hole 7 drilled therein and screw-threaded to receive the screw-threaded rod 8, of non-magnetic-material. The length of the rod 8 below the core 2 is adjustable by screwing it into 'or out of the hole 7, and its position is maintained b means of the locknut 9. At the lower en of the rod 8 is a ball member 10, formin one part of a ball-andsoeket joint, the soc et of which is formed by a cap 11, which screws onto aboss or projection 12 on the sucker disk or plate 13, as will be readily understood from Fig. 2. The lower face of the disk 13 is approximate] truly lane as is also the up er face of the we 1 ,6 of t 1e cylinder 5 with w ch it makes contact. The weight ofthe solenoid-core 2 is sufficient to press the disk firmly upon the bottom wall 6.

The oil, glycerin, or other suitable material within the cylinder 5 is displaced by the disk 13 and the bottom wall 6.

The two surfaces or faces adhere together and are not easily separated by a sudden pull.

' The pull is, in fact, completely resisted and if continuing for a period of time is com letely yielded to. This is entirely different behavior from the case'of a dashot where the pull or force is yielded to from t e very beginning, although retarded throughout its duration. It will be seen then that the disk 13 and wall 6 act precisely on the principle of a sucker, as employed in the well-known childs toy of that name, or. in a well-known form of railway readin -lamp where such a device is used for attaching the lamp to the car-window. As the tube 4 and cylinder 5 are easily 'ad'ustable with relation to each other it is possible to adjust -the solenoid 2 to any desired position with respect to the winding 1, so that the core 2 would except for the time-element device immediately operate on the passage of any predetermined excess current to strike the pin 2 and trip the circuit-breaker. This adustment is made by rotating the c linder 5.

upon the tube 4, so as to raise or ower the core 2. The cylinder 5 has a pin or stud 14 projecting laterally from it, which pin orstud is engaged within a slot 15 in the spring 15, secured to the casing 3 at 16. The accidental or undesired rotation of the cylinder 5 under shock or vibration or for any other cause is thus obviated.

Instead of depending solel u on the weight of the core 2 to cause t e dlsk 13 to displace the liquid in the cylinder 5 a spring 17, as shown in Fig. 5, maymtervene between the top of the disk 13 and the bottom wall 4 of the tube 4.

In some cases the face of the disk 13 instead of being plane, as before described, may havedepressions therein. Such depressions may comprise concentric channels 18, as shownin Figs. 3 and 4, or in some cases the smear sucker ma be constructed as shown in Fig. 6, where t e ring-shaped sucker-plate 19 cogperates with theplate or wall 6. The flexie diaphragm 20, of leather, rubber, sheet metal, or other suitable material, is secured at its outeredge around its entire circumference to the ring 19 and has a small 0 ening at its center to permit the passage 0 the rod 21, which carries at its lower end an enlargement or the valve 22. The rod 21 extends also through the hub 23, in which converge the arms 24, secured upon the ring 19." A valveseat 25 isformed in the lower side of the hub 23, and onto this seat is forced the diaphragm 20 by the valve 22 when the rod 21 is drawnupwardly by the initial movement of the solenoid-core or the intervening mechamsm. When the diaphragm is held against the seat 25 by the valve 22, an air-tight joint is made.

Not until this position is reached is the start-.-

breaker is not tripped so long as the current is less than that value or exceeds that value for very short periods of time only. When the current does exceed the redctermined value, however, the magnetic orce acting on device the core 2 to draw it upwardly is transmitted throu h the ball-and-socket joint to the disk 13. gince the force ersists or continues, the disk 13, because '0 its sucker-like action, eventually suddenly leaves the plate 6, and the core 2 rises unretarded throu hout its entire movement and strikes the pin 2" to trip the circuit-breaker. If, however, the excess current does not persist for such len th of time, the parts remain'in the position shown. If,

however, a very heavy excess current occurs,

the force acting upon the core 2 will be sufficient to suddenly and practically instantane ously pullthe disk 13 away from the plate 6, so that the circuit-breaker will be tri ped immediately upon the occurrence of t e great excess of current. It thus appears that the start-delaying device is a device difi'erentiating between forces of different magnitudes to yield to moderate forces only after a certain interval of time, but to yield practically instantly to very great forces. It is seen that the parts do no,t move at all during the excess current until-the disk 13 leaves the late 6, and then the parts-move through their entire path Without any retardation. In the case of a dash-pot the movement starts as soon as the excess current exists before the movement is retarded. There is a further disadvantage with a dash-pot in that as the core 2 rises the force acting on it increases, so that the parts move faster and faster. With the start-delaying device, however, there is practically no movement of parts until the force has existed'l'or a periodoi time sufficient to pull the disk from the plate. 6. Furthermore, with this start-delaying device there is no backlash, a disadvantage common to dash-pot time-element devices. As an example o the mode of operation of this startdelaying dev ce I may cite the results ob-' taincd with a circuit-breaker of a capacity of and'ad usted for five hundred amperes. When the current value was five hundred and twenty-five 'amperes in the circuit, the circuit-breaker did not open at all. With a current of six hundred amperes the circuitseconds, and with two thousand amperes it 'was opened instantly.v These measurements were taken roughly; but they are sullicient to illustrate the-law of the device.

What I claim is 4 1. In controlling mechanism, the combination with a movable element, of a startdelaying device comprising'a sucker.

2. In controlling mechanism, the combination with a movable element, of a startdelaying device comprising juxtaposed surfaces, and liquid adhering to said surfaces.

3. In tripping mechanism, the combination with an electroresponsive device, of a sucker associated with a movable element of said device. a

4. In tripping mechanism, the combination with an electroresponsive device, of means associated with a movable element of said device operatin to prevent initial movement of said movabi e element and thereafter to allow unretarded movement thereof.

5. In tripping mechanism, a movable tripping member, and a sucker associated therewith, whereby said member is initially retarded and after starting moves without retardation.

6. In controlling mechanism, the combination with a movable member, of a sucker for delaying the start of said member.

7. In controlling mechanism, the combination of a magnetizing-winding, a member adapted to be moved by force produced by said magnetizing-winding, and a sucker associated with said member.

8. In controlling mechanism, the combination of a solenoid-winding, a core coeperating therewith, and a sucker associated with said core.

9. In controlling mechanism, the combination with a movable member, of a movable element of a sucker connected therewith, a relatively stationary sucker element, and means for adjusting the sucker with respect to said movable member.

10. In tripping mechanism, the combinationwith a solenoid and its core, of a relatively stationary surfaced member' adapted to a dhere-theretm and a coo eratingsurfaced member connected to the so enoid-core.

11. In tripping mechanism, the combination with a movable member, of a start-d. e laying device comprising relatively fixed and movable elements surfaced and fitting closely together.

12. In tripping mechanism, the combination witha movable member,of a start-delaying device comprising relatively fixed and movable 'eieinents surfaced and fitting together over considerable area.

13. In tripping mechanism, the combination with a' movable tripping member, of-a sucker, thdIilOVfi-blfl element ofsaid" sucker being connected to said trippingjmember, and means fbr ad usting said movable-sucker element with respect to saidtnpping member.

14. In tripping mechanism, the .combination with a tripping member, of relatively fixed and movable sucker elements, a m ov able sucker element being-connected to saidmovableniember through an,universal 'oint,

15. In. trippingmechanism, the com ination with a movable member, of relatively fixed and movable sucker elements, a m0v.- able sucker element connected to said movv able member, and means for permittingsaid sucker elements to adjust themselves to each other. i

16. The combination with a tripping mechanism of a circuit-breaker, of a sucker assoT ciated with the movable tripping member.

. 17. The 'combinationwitha tripping mechanism of a circuit-breaker, of means associated with the movable tripping member for delay ing the start thereof.

18. The combination with the tripping mechanism of a circuit-breaker, of means associated with the movable tri ping member for preventing the start thereo until after an interval of time and thereafter ermitting the start and subsequent unretar ed movement thereof.

19. In circuit-breaker tripping mechanism, the eombination with a movable member, of a time-element device comprising a sucker.

20. The combination with the tripping mechanism of a circuit-breaker, of means associated with the tri ping member for delaying the start thereo during the continuance of a redetermined electrical condition and yielding instantly upon the occurrence of a different electrical condition.

21. The combination with the tripping mechanism of a circuit-breaker, of means associated with the tri ping member for delay ing the start thereofi during the existence of an abnormal current-flow and instantly yielding u on the occurrence of still greater currentow.

22. In tripping mechanism, the combination with a tripping member, of means differentiating between forces of different magnitudes applied thereto to delay the start of said tripping member upon the application of a moderateforce and to yield instantly to substantially greater force. 23. In controllin mechanism, the combination with a mova 1e member, of a single device differentiating between forces of different magnitudes to delay the start of said member during the application of a moderate force thereto and to ieldinstantly under a substantially greater orce. r v 24. In controllin mechanism, the combination with a mova le member, of a time-element device consistin of a single means differentiating between cross of different magnitudes to retard said movable member during the application of a moderate force and to instantaneously release said member upon El e occurrence of a substantially greater oree.

25. In controlling mechanism, a movable member, a sucker element connected therewith, a stationary sucker element comprising a cup, and a film of liquid in said cup.

26. In controlling mechanism, a support, a movable member, a sucker element connected to said member, and a cooperating sucker element adjustable with respect to said support.

movable member, a sucker element connected with said movable member, a cooperating sucker element comprising a cup, means for adjusting said cup with respect to said su porting member, and means for locking said cup in adjusted position.

27. In controlling mechanism, a support, a

laying device comprismg juxtaposed surfaces,

and material adhering to said surfaces to oppose their separation.

29. In controlli mechanism, the combination with a mova is member, of a start-delaying device com rising juxtaposed surfaces,

and a thin la er 0 material between said surfaces and ad ering thereto.

30. In controllin mechanism, the combition with a movab e member, of a start-dela 'ng device comprising juxtaposed surfaces a apted to adhere to each other.

--31. In electrical controlling mechanism,

the combination with a movable member, of relativelyfixed and movable suck'er elements, a movable sucker element being connected to said movable member b'ya ball-and-socket oint. p

32. In electrical controlling mechanism, the combination with a movable member, of a relatively movable sucker element, and an universal 'oint between said sucker element and mova 1e member.

33. In controlling mechanism, the combination with a movable member,'of a start-delaying device comprising a sucker, an element of said sucker having a plurality .of depressions in its active surface.

In witness whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN GRIOE STATTER.

Witnesses:

ALFRED NUTTING, F. L. BAND.

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