US918086A - Circuit-controlling device. - Google Patents

Description

I R. B. PATTERSON. CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE. 4PPLIOA'1'IOH Hum JULY a, 190g. 4 I 918,086; Patented Apr; 13, 1909. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES ROBERT B. PATTERSON,

OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT'OF COLUMBIA.

GIRCUlT-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 13, 1909.

Application filed July 3,1906. Serial N0. 324,600.

* terrupting, o of establishing and interrupting an electric circuit, preferably at predetermined times.

In its preferred embodiment the device comprises a clock mechanism, adjustable contacts adapted to be closed by a device operated by said clock mechanism, and electromagnetic means controlled through said clock-operated contacts and serving to establish or interrupt the electric circuit;

-,- Means are also provided whereby the circuit through the said electro-magnetic means is broken after such impulse has been imparted as is sufficient either for the establishment or the interruption of the main circuit. a

The circuit-controlling device is adapted, among other uses, for controlling arc lamp circuits, and in such use may conveniently be inserted in a lamp -supporting pole or standard and arranged in circuit with such number of lamps as it may be desired to light or extinguish at one time. The apparatus is designed particularly for such use, and while capable of controlling circuits carrying relatively heavycurrents, it may be of small size and adapted in exterior dimensions for insertion in standard types of poles; it is moreover simple in construction, capable of minute adjustment as to the time of establishing or interrupting the circuit, is not liable to derangement owing to changes of temperature or other causes, and does not require skilled labor for its maintenance or adjustment.

For a full understanding of my invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation'of a preferred form of circuit-controlling device, the cover of the switch-casing being removed, and the circuit connections omitted; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View showing the circuit connections; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a device for interrupting the electromagnetic circuit atpredetermined intervals and for predeter mined times;'Fig. 4 is a face view of the will, the arms being ada same partly broken away; and Fig. 5 is a detail View of one form of device for controlling the electromagnetic circuit.

Referring to the ures, 1 represents a casing adapted for insertion in a standard pole, 1;"

the exterior dimensions of the casing preferably not exceeding 4-}; by e by 12 inches; 2- represents the face of a rotatable clock dial the clock train being suitably incased and being preferably adapted to give one revolution of the dial in eachtwenty-four hours; this dial 2 is rotatable with a pinion 3 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, said pinion havin double" the number of teeth of the usuatwelve-houtpinion'i of the clock-train. In the form illustrated the dial 2 is of metal, and is divided into hour periods and convenient subdivisions thereof, the subdivisions indicated being fifteen-minute periodsv The clock dial may be shaded or colored in part to indicate the night hours.

5 and 6 represent. conductive arms, the angular position of which is adjustable at ted to be clamped together and to the dia 2 by means of a milled clam iin nut 7. The armo is ada ted at each revolution to engage a spring contact 8 secured to the casing as shown at 9, said spring contact being included in the electromagnetic circuit as hereinafter described. The arms 5and 6, being in electrical contact with the dial 2, are also included in said circuit. The arm 6 is shown as somewhat longer than the arm 5 and is adapted at each revolution to engage a spring contact 10, shown in dotted lines in F1 1. The spring contacts 8 and 10 are suitably insulated from each other. I

In its preferred form each of the arms 5, 6 is turned outwardly at its end as shown at 11, and. to the inner face of this outwardly turned portion is secured with interposed insulation a metal strip having an upturned end 12 which projects beyond the outer face of the arm, in line with a portion 13 of the latter which is radial with. respect to the dial 2. The purpose of this arrangement is to secure accuracy in time of contact as follows: The portion 13 of each arm being set to register with any of the radial lines on the face of the dial 2 as may be desired, the s ring contact will be first engaged by the insu atd strip 12 and will be pressed outwardly thereby, without, however, closing-the circuit; as the strip 12 passes beyond the end of "the spring-the in a lower extension 31 of the core 16.

' shown in Fig. 2.

' latter will strike the upturned end of the arm .circuit, the'terminals 18, 20 and 19, 21, re-

spectively, being adapted to be spanned by bridges 22, 23 shown as of the laminated copper type. These bridges are carried by curved arms 24, 25, pivotally mounted upon the casing 1 at 26 and 27, respectively. These arms are connected by a toggle lever 28, the toggle pin 29 passing through a slot 30 A spring 32 extends between the arms 24, 25

and serves to assist the break on the upward movement of the core and to retain the parts in the open position during such time as the main circuit is interrupted.

33, 34 represent fixed terminals adapted to be bridged by a spring contact 35 pivotally mounted on the terminal 33, as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. In the upper position of the core 16 this contact is closed by the action of a spring 36, but on its downward movement the lower insulated end 37 of the extension 31 depresses about portion 38 of the contact 35 and-interrupts the circuit, the circuit being broken so long as the core remains in its lower position, that is. to say, so long as the switch is closed.

The operation of the device as above described Will be readily understood by reference to the diagrammatic circuit connections 39 represents a source of direct or alternating current connected to the terminalslS, 19 res ectively; the terminal 18 is also in direct e ectrical connection with the moving arms 5, 6 through the dial The contact 8 serves for closing the switch andis connected through lead 40, contacts 33 and Stand the upper solenoid 1 1-, with the supply terminal 19. Contact 10 serves for opening the switch and is directly connected through the lower solenoid 15 with the load terminal 21. In both figures the mechanism is shown in full lines in the on position, the arm 6 progressing toward the contact 10, upon reaching which the main circuit will be opened through the switch. It

- will be noted that no current traverses either solenoid in either position of the switch.

;When the arm 6 reaches the contact 10 the electroma metic circuit will 'be closed through the lo 'er solenoid 15 and the bridge 23, and the consequent upward movement of the core will open the main circu t, thereby interrupting the electromagnetic circuit.

at the bridge 23. The switch will remain open until the arm 5 is brought again into contact with the spring 8, whereupon the by extending the toggle lever 28; by said downward movement the bent portion 38 ol the contact 35is depressed, thereby breaking the circuit of the solenoid 14 at this point. It will be noted that in the case of either solenoid the closing of the-switcl1opcrating circuit is momentary, and does not endure for the full period required for the arms 5 or 6 to pass the contacts '8 or 10.

, It is often desirable to provide supplemental arms, corresponding inform to 5 and 6, respectively, but set at convenient intervals,say one hour, after said arms 5 and'6, the purpose of these supplemental arms being toinsure the opening or closing of the switch in case the first contact should fail to operate for any reason, as, for instance, because of an interruption of the current atthe 1 particular time when the arms were traversing the contacts. It will be further understood that any number of arms corresponding in form to arms 5 and 6 may be supplied, and setas desired with relation to the dial, thereby opening and closing the circuit as many. times and at such intervals as may be desirable.

In addition to serving as a guide for the core the slot 30 serves in opening the 'switch to permit a certain free movement of the core beforev the end of the slot strikes the toggle pin 29, whereby a definite blow is deliver-ed upon the latter and the operation is rendered more certain.

It will be understood that the circuit through the solenoids may be closed by hand or by means other than the clock movement, and such closing may be effected a central station or other point remote from the switch; and my invention is not restricted to the use of a clock movement for controlling the switch.- It will, be further understood that even when control is effected by a clock movement the clock may be situated at a point remote from the switch, and that one clock may control any desired number of switches. V1" hen the clock is placed in the lamp standard as above described I prefer to mount in proximity thereto .a heating de vice, usually consisting. of an incandescent lamp, the circuit of which is controlled by a thermostat adapted to close the same when the temperature falls to such low point as might interfere with the operation of the clock: such device forms no part of my pres-. ent invention and need not be further described herein. I

In the use of the switch for controlling illuminated signcircuits and certain powertedlines at 52 in Fig. 2.

' mg seven or other desired number of teeth and secured to a bushing 42 which is rotatable on an arbor 43 projecting. outwardly from a fixed plate 44L in the rear of the rotary dial'Z; this wheel is adapted to be moved through one-seventh of its circumference by an insulated pin 45 carried by the dial 2 at each complete revolution of the latter. The bushing .42 carries also conductive disks 46, 47' upon the periphery of which ,bear respective l spring contacts or brushes 48, 49, the

brus1 48 having a rearward extension 50 making electrical contact with the rearl'ace oi the dial 2. The contact 49 is electrically connected with a binding post 51 secured to the plate 44. The conductive disk 46 has a noneonductive section 53 extending over one-seventh of its circumference. This device is in use interposed in the electromagnetic fcircnit, preferably between the terminal 18 and the dial'2, as indicated in dot- It will be obvious that the electromagnetic circuit will be normally established through this device so long as the brush 48 bears upon the conductive portion of the periphery of disk 46, but is definitely interrupted whenever the brush "bears upon the nonconductive portion. or

cam-mg .of the disk, that is to say, in the construction shown for one-seventh of thc total time. During such time engagement of the arms 5 or 6 with the contacts 8 or 10 does, not operate the switch.

I claim:

1.. A circuit controlli a; device comprising two solenoids each provided with a core, a main switch comprising-two oppositely disposed pairs of fixed contacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanism between said pairs of contacts for simultaneously operating said bridge pieces, connections whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by the'movement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement of the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid.'

2. A circuit controllmp; device comprising two ahned solenoids each provided with a core, a non-magnetic section, between said cores, a main switch comprising two opposite'ly disposed pairs of fixed contacts,

bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanism between said pairs of cont-acts for simultaneously operating said bridge pieces, connections whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by the movement of the cores .of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement of the core interrupts the'circuit of the actuating solenoid.

3. A circuit controllingdevice comprising two solenoids each provided with a core, a

main switch com 'n'ising two oppositely disposed pairs of contacts, bridge nodes for said'contacts, toggle mechanism lor simultaneously operating said bridge pieces, said toggle mechanism comprising pivoted arms attached to said bridge pieces and toggle levers connecting said arms, connections whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by the movement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement of the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating; solenoid.

4. A circuitcontrolling device comprising two solenoids each provided with a core, a main switch comprising two oppositely dis posed pairs of contacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanism for simultaneously operating, said bridge pieces, said toggle mechanism comprising pivoted arms attached to said bridr e iieces to' le levers O 7 Ct) movement of the cores of said solenoids, and

moans whcreby the movement of the core interrupts-the circuit of the actuating solenoid.

5. A circuit controlling-1 dcvicc'comprising two solenoids each provided with a core, a main switch comprising two oppositely disposed pairs of fixed contacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanism between said pairs of contacts for simultaneously operating said bridge pieces, connect-ions whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by the movement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement of the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid, said means comprising a pair of terminals and a movable bridge piece adapted to span said terminals, said bridge piccc actuated by the movement of said core.

(5. A circuit controlling device comprising two solenoids each provided with a core, a main switch comprising: two oppositely disposed nairs of fixed contacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mecna'nism between said pairs of contacts for sinniltaneously operating: said bridge pieces, connections whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by the movement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement oi the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid, said means comprising a pair of fixed terminals and a bridge piece pivotally mounted on one of said terminals and adapted to span said terminals, said bridge.

piece actuated by the movement of said core. I

7 A circuit controlling devlce comprising two solenoids each provided wlth a core a main switch comprising two 0 positely isposed (pairs of fixed contacts,- ridge pieces for sai contacts, toggle mechanism between said pairs of contacts for simultaneously 0 erating said bridge ieces, connections I w ereby the toggle meo anism is actuated by the movement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement of the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid said means comprising a pair of fixed terminals, and a spring-controlled bridge piece pivotally mounted on one of said terminals and adapted to span said terminsls, said bridge piece actuated by the movement of said core. In testimony whereof, I affix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.

% ROBERT B. PATTERSON.

Witnesses:

CLINTON P. TowNsENn,

l J. B. HILL.

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