US978030A - Electric contact device. - Google Patents

Description

A. A. KENT.

ELEGTRIG CONTACT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 16, 1905.

978,030. Patented Dec. 6,1910.

2 8HEETS8HEET 1.

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wan-1m dcidf KM A. A. KENT.

ELECTRIC CONTACT DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 16, 1905.

978,030. v Patented Dec.6,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

amoentoz ARTHUR .AEWATER KENT, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC CONTACT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

,a ncaaonaieaaugust -16, .1205. .Serial No. 274,361. a

To all wlwm v it may concern:

{Be it known that l, Anrmm A'nWA'raR KENT, .a citizen of the United :States, res ding in the-city and county of Philadelphia,

State of .1 -ennsylvania,.-have invented a :new

and useful Electric Contact-Device of which the following is .a specification.

'lnfgas' engine work and ;in many other places where an electric circuit .must be rapidly madeiand broken, speed, {reliability and uniformity of this circuit closing and breaking ;mechanism .are quite important. In obtaining=these advantages, I .have produceda novelrconstructionof a-circuit controller .ortimer, which is :adapted for both a.jump.and a make and break spark and in which the contact is both :made and :broken by a singlesnapof aspring andthetime of contact is the .same for all speeds of .the engine.

A further object of my invention .is to -eliminate the speed of .the engine as a factor ;in determining .the time of contact duration.

In imy novel construction a spring .is brought to tension 1 by the {revolution I of {the engine and the contact is not madeuntil the spring is released so lt-hat .the time of contact .is independent of the speed .of .-the engine and depends primarily upon the speed of return ofthe springato its.original position. I

It 3 further consists of other :novel features of construction .all .as will .be hereinafter fully set forth.

.F'gure 1 ,represents a frontaelevation ofan electric .contact device lembodying :my invention. r ljig. 2 represents aside eleva tiomthoreof showing the initial positionof the arts. xFig. 3-represents-aside. elevation simi ante .Fig. 2 lbuttshowin the position the parts assume .on Ithe -furt er revolution of tiet cam-emp'lo ed. Fig.4-represents a side elevationrsimi ar to Fig. 2 showinglthe position the ,parts assume "after the roller has. been -released and is moving I back i to its originaLpOSition. Fig. 5 represents-an application of miy ,invention adapted :for a makemnd break spark inside thecylinder. Fig. 6 represents a sectional .view on:.1ine

m-.:c,1Fjg..5. 'Fig. 7;represents'an0ther embodiment of my invention, l inside. elevation. Similar -.numerals .of preference indicate corresponding parts inlthe figures.

Referring tothe-drawings: -1 designates a shaft suitab y journaled .andhaving fixedly mounted thereon a disk or plate 2 having-an operative cam surface 3, the latter belng made up of a preferably nearly radial leading face 15, atop 16 and arelease face 17. 4 designates a stationary cam loosely mounted on said shaft, said cam being composed of a .preferably non-radial curved face 18, operating in conjunction with-the face 15 as a wedge,.an intermediate portion 19 and a .seat or stop 20 against which the rollerwnormally rests.

.5 designates a roller or pm which constitutes the actuating member of my device and which is .held in its normal position in conjunction .with the face 20.of;the cam 4 by means of springs 6 securedto the ends there of, the other ends of said springs being suitably secured to any fixed point 7 .which is located in such a position thatthe tend encyof the springs 6 is to cause "the roller 5 to be retracted over the faces 16 and 17 to its initial position against the seat or stop 20.

-8 designates the circuit closing member which comprises the movable contact point support and is preferably a iresilient arm suit ably secured .at one end to. any desired point and at-the other end provided with a cam sface 9; having the :frontface 10, :the

bottom face 11 and. the release 'face :12.

21designa-tes aconductor ileading toxthe screw 14 and 22 designates a conductor from the other. end of the circuit to thearnr-S.

:T he operation is as follows :-lls:thecam 2,-which is:fixed on the shaft 1 revolves,-its face 15 initially engages the roller 5 .and moves said roller forwardlyalong the face 19 of the stationary cam 4 against the-tension of the springs-.6. When the roller 5 reachesthe inclined faced-8. of the fixed cam 4' the roller will'travel outwardly until it passes-beyond therface 15, as indicated :in .ig. 3, whereupon lthe springs 6 will cause said .roller rto be quickly z-retnacted, =-said rollermoving along thezface-l6 of themovable camuntil it engagesthe :face :10 upon LLO the arm 8. The roller will then come into I quickly made and broken. -On thev further revolution ofthe cam 2, the" cam 3 will engage the roller 5 and the operation will be repeated. While I have shown the stationary cam as being mounted on the revolving shaft, it is apparent that this can be suit-' ably secured to any convenient support and that the result will be the same. By varying the operative surface of the cam face 9 the duratlon of the cont-act may be increased or diminished as desired. By slightly changing the contour of the faces 10 and 12 so that the same incline downwardly in -the form of a V-shape, it will be readily apparent that the contact will be almost instantly made and broken while if the lower surface of said cam is faced off the duration of the contact will be increased; -It is ap parent that the contact in my novel construction is not made until the spring is released audit will be readily understood by. .those' skilled in the-art'ithat the time of contact will be'limited: to the time which is necessary for the ,rollerto travel ffromithe point at which it is released to its initial position and .is practically. independent of the speed of the en ine. It will also be apparent that the ro er or actuating-member .5- --by being advanced by the cam 3- and returned by the spring 6 is given a substantially 'reciprocatory movement although the cam itself'has a rotary move ment,'and that on the return movement of the member 5 it is displaced or forced laterally or transversely from the path of its advanced movement by the cam surface 18 and the face 16 of the cam 3- into atposition such that it returns into a slightly different path from that in which it was advanced, to bring it into engagement with the circuit closing member and that its speed on its return movement is constant; t at is to say, the time which lapses from its release'to its return to its original position is constant irrespective of the speed of the advancing means, and that inasmuch as the spring preferably exerts considerable tension, comparatively speaking, upon the member 5 its return movement is ractically instantaneous. I employ an inc ined face 17 on the cam 3 for the reason that if the engine kicks backwardly the roller 5 will be wedged outwardly thus preventing any breakage of the mechanism and it willalso be noted that if this occurs the roller will not produce a contact. I

face 35.

Inthe embodiment shown in 5 the de vieejs' shown as being adapted or a make and. break spark. The arm 8 is secured at 'one'end to a rock shaft 23 which is provided with an arm 24 at the end of which is the contact, said shaft 23 being journaled in a bearing25 in the cylinder 26. 27 desi ates a stationary contact which is insulate y from the cylinder as M28 and provided with a suitable connection 29. 30 designates the ground connection which is connected with the cylinder at any suitable point. As the spring arm 8 is actuated b the cams, the shaft 23 will be rocked an the contact on the arm 24 will engage the stationary contact 27 and make a contact.

In the embodiment shown in .Fig. 7, 31 designates a cam mounted on a shaft'32 and having an o erative cam surface 33 rovided with a eading face 34 and an inclined 36 designates a leverarm pivoted at 37 and one end of which is adapted to be engaged by the cam 33. 38 designates an arm pivoted at 39 to the other end of the lever 36. 40 designates a spring secured to the arm 36 and engaging a pin 41 on the arm 38 whereby said arm 38 is normally retained in alinement with the arm 36. 42 designates a bevel at the end of the arm 38. 43 designates a springarm suitablysupported and having secured thereto a'contact. adapted to co-act with a" contact' 45, the endLof-said arm engaging thebeveled end of'thesarm 38 during the operation. 46 designates a stop for the springarm'43. '47 designates a tension spring for the arm 36.

The operation will be as follows: As the cam 32 revolves the leadin face 34 of the cam 33 will engage theen of the lever 36 and cause said lever to be turned on its pivotal point 37 which will cause the other end of said arm 36 tobe moved downwardly. The arm 38 which is hinged at 39 will be moved only slightly downward but will turn on its hinge 39 and the bevel 42will pass under the end of the arm 43, it being understood that the tension of the s ring 43 is normally in the direction ofe stop 46 which revents the arm 43 from being moved ownwardly by the arm 38. As the arm 36 returnsto'dts initial position, due

to the spring 47 the end of the arm 38 will engage the end of the spring 43 and cause said spring to be moved upwardly and the contact 44 will engage the other contact 45 thus. completin e circuit, it being seen that, owing to t e point at which the arm 38 is hinged, said arm will'be substantially in alinement with the arm 36 as said arm 36 returns to its normal position.

It will be notedthat in my novel construction the contact is made positivel and that I do not rely upon momentum. wish .to callspecial attention to the movement of the'pin or wedging device 5 since the same the circuit closing member.

does not move rearwardly over the same path in which it is brought to tension and this wcdging'device on its return movement both makes and breaks the contact. This provides a certain and positive {operation of The movable member 5 operates between two fixed points located at each end of its path of movement. It normally rests against the shoulder or stop 20 but is intermittently moved to the opposite end of its path against the shoulder 18 by which it is released. This movable member 5 contacts or engages with the circuit closing member or sup ort 8 intermediate of the ends of its pat of movement,

or, in other words, intermediate the points between which it is moved by the cam or moving member 2. a

I have deemed it unnecessary to show and describe various details or accessories adapted to co-act with my invention, as the construction of the same will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they form, per 86, no partof my present invention. It will be further apparent that the manner of supporting and assembling the springs 6 with respect to the pin 5 and themanner of supporting the'arm 8 and its adjuncts may be varied according to requirements and I may also vary the contour of the various cam faces according to the exigencies of the case without departing from the spirit of my invention and I do not therefore desire to be limited in every instance to the exact construction herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, means for advancing said member to increase the tension thereon, separate means for releasing said member, and a contact member disconnected from and co-acti ng with said movable member on its return move ment to both make and break the circuit.

2. In a contact device, the combination of a movable member, a tension device therefor, a movable cam for advancing said member, and acting in conjunction with a stationary cam to effect the release and return of said member and means disconnected from said member and co-acting therewith on the return movement of said member to both make and break the circuit.

3. In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting the release and return of said member in a different path from that in which it was advanced and means coactiug with said member on the return move-.

ment thereof to both make and break the circuit.

4. In a contact device, the combination of amovable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting the release and return of said member, and a-spring' contact arm independent of and disconnected from said movable member and co-acting therewith on the return movement of said member to both make and break the circuit before said member reaches its initial position.

5. In a contact device, a movable member, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, means for advancing said member, means for returning said member to said stop in a different path from that in which it was advanced, and a contact member disconnected from and co-acting with said movable member on its return movement. and intermediate the points be tween which it was advanced to both make and break the circuit.

6. In a contact device, a movable member,

a tension device therefor, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, means for advancing said member to increase the tension thereon, separate means for releasing said member, said member returning to the stop in a different path from that in which it was advanced, and a contact member disconnected from and co-acting with said movable member on its return movement to both make and break the circuit.

7. In a contact device, the combination of a movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancin said member, a resilient contact arm independent of said movable member, means disconnected from said arm for effecting the release and return of said member, and means carried by said arm and 'co-acting with said member on its return movement to cause said arm to hold-the circuit closed for a definite uniform length of time and to then break the circuit.

8.. In a contact device, the combination of a movable member, a tension device therefor. means for advancing said member, a resilient contact armindependent of said movable member, means engaged by said movable member for effecting the release of said member, said member returning in a different path from that in which it was advanced, and a stationary contact co-acting with the contact on said contact arm on the return movement of saidmovable member to both make and break the circuit.

9. In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancingsaid member, separate "means engaged by saidmovable member for effecting the release of the same, means to force said member on its return into a path different from that in which it was ad- 'vanced, and means disconnected from said -member and coacting therewith on-the rewith which said movable member co-acts to make and break the circuit on the return movement of the latter.

11. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, a stationary releasing member with which the movable member co-acts, a movable cam member having a leading face, top face and release face, said movable cam member co-acting with the movable member and the stationary release member to effect the release and return of said movable member, the latter being in the path'of the leading face of the movable cam member, and a contact member coacting with said movable member on its return movement to both make and break the circuit.

-12. In a contact device, a. movable member, a tension device therefor, a stationary member having a non-radial cam face thereon with which the movable member coacts, a movable cam member co-acting with said movable member and said non-radial cam face to effect the release and return of said movable member in a different path from that in which it was advanced, and a contact member with which said movable member coacts on its return movement to cause a contact to be both made and broken.

13. In a contact device a movable member and a tension device therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means engaged by said movable member for effecting the release of the same, means for guiding said movable member on its return in a path different from that in which it was advanced, a second movable member co-acting with the return movement of said first movable member, a contact carried by said second member, and a second contact with which said first contact co-acts to make and break the circuit.

14. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting the release and return of said member in a different path from that in which it was advanced, a second movable member co-acting with the return of said first movable member, a contact carried by said sec- .ond member, a stationary contact co-acting therewith to make and break the circuit, and means for preventing a contact being made if the means for advancing said movable member travels in a reverse direction.

15. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting the release and return of said member, a second movable member coacting with the return of said first movable member, a contact carried by said second member, a stationary contact co-acting therewith to make and break the circuit, and means for preventing a contact being made if the means for advancin said movable member travels in a reverse direction.

16. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, a movable cam for advancing said member, separate means for effecting the release of said member, a stop for said member, an adjustable stationary contact, and a movable contact carrying member coacting therewith -to make and break the circuit on the return movement of said movable member, said movable .cam when moved in a reverse direction coacting with said movable member and said stop to prevent a contact being made.

17. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancing said member, separate means for effecting the release of said member, means disconnected from and coacting with the movable member on its return movement to cause a contact to be both made and broken, and means for preventing said movable member engaging with said contact forming means when the advancing means travels in a reverse direction.

18. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, means for advancing said member to increase the tension thereon, separate means for releasing said member, and means for preventing said movable member engaging with said contact member when the advancing means for said member travels in a reverse direction.

19. In a contact device, a movable member, a tension device therefor, an advancing member to advance said movable member against said tension device, means engaged by said movable member for releasing the same to allow it to return in a reverse direction to the movement of said advancing member, and a contact member disconnected from and coacting with the return movement of said first movable member to both make and break the circuit.

20. In a contact device a movable member and a tension device therefor, a rotating advancing member, means for effecting the release of said movable member, means for guiding said movable member on its return movement in a path different, from that in which it was advanced and in a reversed direction to the rotation of the rotating advancing member, and a contact member disconnected from and co-acting with the return movement of said movable member to both make-and break the circuit. I

21. In a .contac'tdevice, a movable mem ber, a tension device therefor, means for increasing the tension on said member by a displacement thereof, and separate means engaged by said member for releasing the same from said tension increasing means.

In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a tension device therefor, a cam adapted to advance said member, separate means engaged by said member for effecting a release and return of the same, andmeans positively operated by the return movement of said member to first close and then open a circuit.

23. In a contact device the combination of a stationary member, a movable member, a tension device therefor, and means for advancing said movable member, said advancing means acting in conjunction with said stationary member to effect the release and return of the said movable member.

24. In a contact device the combination of a relatively stationary member, a relatively movable member, a tension device therefor, means for advancing said movable member, said advancing means acting in conjunction with said stationary member to effectthe release and return of the said movable member, and means positively operated by the movable member on its return movement for first holding a circuit closed for a uniform length of time and then breaking said clrcuit.

25. In a contact device the combination of a movable member under tension, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, means for advancing said member against theaction of said tension, separate means for releasing said member from said advancing means, and means to cause said member to return to said stop in a different path fromthat in which it was (advanced.

26. In a contact device the combination of a movable member under tension, a stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, means for bodily advancing said member against the action of said tension, means to cause said member to return to said stop in a different path from that in which it was advanced, and means positively operated by said movable member on its return movement for first holding a circuit closed for a definite length of time, and then to rapidly break said circuit.

27,111 a contact device the combination of a movable member, means for advancing said member, means for returning said member, and means intermediate of the points between which said movablemember is actually moved by said advancing means and operated by said movable member on its return movement, to both make and break a circuit.

28. In a contact device a contact member, a movable member normally at one end of its path, means for advancing said member to the opposite end of its path, means for returning .said member to its original position, and forpositively forcing s'ald member during its return movement into and out of engagement with said contact member intermediate the points between which it is moved by said advancing means. v

29. In a contact device, a movable member normally at one end of its path, means to advance said member to the opposite end of its path and means operatively engaged by said member on its return movement/and intermediate the points between which it is moved by said advancing means to open and close-a circuit. p

30. In a contact device, a movable member adapted to be-Inoved between two points and normally located at one of saidpoints, a contact member situated between said points, means to move said movable member from one point to the other without operating said contact device and means to cause said member to operate said contact member on its return movement to make and break the circuit.

31. In a contact device a movable cont-act arm, a movable member under tension and normally at one end of its path, means for moving said member to the opposite of its path, means for returning said member to its original position, and means for laterally displacing said member during its return movement and intermediate the ends of its path into andout of contact with said contact arm.

32. In a contact device a yielding contact arm, a movable member normally atone end of its path, means for advancing said member at a variable speed, separate means cooperating with said advancing means for releasing said member, means for returning said member when released to its original position and at a uniform rate of speed, and means to positively move said movable member into operative engagement with said yielding contact arm intermediate the point of its release and its original position. V

33. In acontact device a movable contact arm, a movable member under tension normally at one end of its path, means for moving said member to the opposite end of. its path against the action of said tension, and means to positively move said movable mem ber vwhen released into and out of contact with said movable arm intermediate the points between which it is moved by said, first mentioned means.

34. In a contact'device a movable member normally held under tension against a stop, means to move said member away from said stop to increase the tension thereon, separate means to release said member to allow said tension to return it tos'aid stop, and a contact arm ositively engagedand' moved by said mem r on 1ts return movement and before the same engages said stop.

35. In a contact device, acontact arm, a movable member, means to advance said member in one direction, independent means to return it to its original position in a uniform length of time and means to laterally displace said member to force the same into engagement with said contact arm and before said member reaches its original position.

'36; In a contact device, a contact member, a movable member under tension normally at one end of its path, advancing means for moving said movable member to the opposite end of its path against the action of said tension, and means to positively move said movable member when released into and out of oJerative engagement with said contact member intermediate the points between which it'is actually moved by said advancing means. 7

37. In a contact device, a contact member, a movable member under tension normally "at one end of its path, means for moving said movable member to the opposite end of its path means for returning said member to its original position and means for laterally displacing said member during its return movement and intermediate the ends of its path into and out of operative engagement with said contact member.

38. A movable member normally situated at one extreme end of its path, means to move said member to the opposite end of'its path and means engaged by said member on its return movement and intermediate .the

points between which it is moved by said moving means for making and breaking a circui 39. In a contactdevice a contact member a movable member normally situated at one end of its path, means to give said movable member a substantially reciprocatory movement and means engaged by said movable member on its movement in oneidirection and intermediate the pointsbe'tween which it is actually moved by said first mentioned means to close and open a circuit. a

40. A movable member normallysituated at one end of its path, means to advance said member to the other end of its path, and means operated by said member on its return movement and intermediatethe points between which it is moved by said advancing member for making and breaking a circuit.

41. In a contact device a contact member,

a movable member under tension normally at one end of its path, means for moving said member to the opposite end of its path and before ber, and means to cause said reciprocatory member to traverse that portion 0 its path in which it operates said circuit closing member in a substantially constant interval of time irrespective of the speed at which said reciprocatory member traverses other portions of its path.

43. In a contact device a reciprocatory member, and a circuit closing memberadapted to be engaged by said reclprocatory member at apre-determined point intermediate the ends of the path-of said reciprocatory member, and means to cause said reciprocatory member to traverse that portion of its path in which it engages said circuit closing member at a substantially instantaneous speed irrespective of the speed at which said reciprocatory member traverses the other portions of its path.

HuIn a contact device a movable circuit closing member and an actuating member under tensionnormally at one end of its path, means for moving said actuating memher to the other end of its path and for returning it to its original position, and vmeans for laterally displacing said actuati' member during its return movement an inter- .mediate the ends of its path into-and out ofoperative engagement with said circuit closing member.

45. In a contact device a stationary contact point, driving means, a movable contact point, and a support therefor, a reciprocatory actuating means and means to move "said actuating means in a slightly looped path to -momentarily bring said contact points into engagement with each other.

46. In a contact device the combination of a movable member, a st-o against which said member is normally hel means to advance.

said member, means to return said member against said stop in' a substantially constant interval of time, and a circuit closi member o )eratively engaged and moved fiy said mova le member on its return movement the return of said member to said ARTHUR ATYVATER KENT. Witnesses: H. SrocKwELL FAIRBANKS,

C. D. MCVAY.

stop.

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