USRE19588E

USRE19588E - High voltage electkicai

Info

Publication number: USRE19588E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1935-05-28

Description

y 28, 1935- F. G. BAUM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed July 24, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES:

May 28, 1935.

F. G. BAUM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed July24, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 \W, ATTORN Y May 28, 1935. F. G. BAUM Re. 19,588

HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed July 24. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 law/7222' WITNESSES:

May 28, 1935. F. e, BAUM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed July 24, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 plicable to both air and oil through insulating b Reiuued May 28, 1935 PA' l'ENT Y OFFICE HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Frank G. Baum, deceased, late or San Francisco,

Calif., by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., assignee Original No.

1,895,907, dated January 31, 1933, Serial No. 295,007, Jilly 24, 1928.

Application for reissue January 17, 1935, Serial No. 2,231

41 Claims. (Cl. 200-150) This invention relates to electric switches or circuit-breakers for use in high tension lines, and is adaptable either as a single or multiple break switch. In certain respects the invention is apswitches, and in other respects the improvements are confined to switches of the oil type. Y

One of the advantages of circuit-breakers embodying this invention is the fact that they are designed to be disposed in alinement and to operate in alinement with that portion of the power line in which they are inserted, thereby making for convenience in installation and effecting a substantial saving in size and space. While switching mechanisms for high tension circuits havebeen arranged in alinement with the power line, they have been of such a character that the moving parts have been heavy and cumbersome and their operation is seriously hampered by unfavorable weather conditions, especially by snow and ice or sleet.

These disadvantages ar vention. The moving parts have little inertia and they are protected so as to be unaffected by weather conditions. Both terminals may be moved in the general direction of the line to separate the terminals and the actuating mechanism for each movable "terminal is disposed immediately adjacent the moving part, as a consequence or which the maximum breaking speed is obtained.

Many features of the invention have especial utility with oil switches. Commonly in this type of switch the line terminals enter the oil tank 'ngs extending through the top of the tank, and the movable contact member, which is operated from a source outside the tank, bridges the two terminals which extend some distance beyond the inner ends of the bushings to protect the bushings from the arcs. Space must be provided in the tank to allow the bridging contact to be moved away from the terminals the requisite distance, which is considerable with the high voltages employed.

One of the features of the present invention is the iact that while the arcing distance from the bushing is maintained, the terminal itself is withdrawn into the bushing to break contact, and thus a considerable saving in space is efiected. The two terminals may be brought in through bushings in opposite ends of the tank and each be movable toward and from the other ,tomake and break the circuit, and this efiects a considerable increase of space efliciency not overcome by this inonly because both terminals move, but also bestruction employing break the circuit, and

the present invention.- They cause they are axially disposed in the tank and therefore greatly reduce the required the tank.

If desired, the terminals may enter vertically diameter 01 and the bridging contact be used, in which case both thelcontact and the terminals may move. Also other ways of effecting a multiple break of the circuit in the tank will be described.

This invention also includes improved actuating means for the movable terminals as will later appear. Still other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description.

The illustrated embodiments oi the invention will now be described and thereafter the invention will be pointed out in claims.

Figure l is a longitudinal section in detaiioi' an oil switch embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of an air switch'construction embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a switch station cona double disconnecting switch, one an oil switch and one an air switch, and each embodying the invention;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the outside automatic circuit breaker associated with tion;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a switch construction embodying the invention having a modified form of enclosure for the contact terminals:

Figs. 6.to 10, inclusive, are diagrams of modified forms of oilswitches embodying the invention. Q

The oil switch construction shown in'Flgs'l and 3 has a cylindrical metal tank I: with the

slidable contact rods

2 and 3 entering through bushings in opposite ends of the tank. On the inner ends of the

rods

2 and 3 are cooperative contacts which are adapted to' engage when the contacts occupy their inner positions, as shown in Fig. 1, and thus close the line circuit through connections which these contact'rods have with the oil switch construethe opposite line terminals, as will presently ap- H pear. The two bushings l are of a similar construotion which specifically forms no part of include ahead to or other insulating material, an 41) and an inner sleeve lo 0! like of porcelain outer sleeve material, the two sleeve members having asheet metal lining 4d, which flares outwardly and provides a conical axial air space. The inner sleeve member-4c extends through the head la and the portion of this sleeve within the tank has also a tapered axial bore with its largest diameter at its inner end. Between this tapered bore and 65 able pillar insulators from the platform the external conical is a restricted axial sheet metal Id and usual convolute leakage surface. The tank I has a lining in of insulating material and is provided with a suitable expansion chamber lb with a relief valve in its top. The tank is completely filled with oil, and preferably an annular space will be provided between the inner sleeve 4c and theouter members 4a and 4b, which space will be fllled with oil to assure of the elimination of any air space in the joints between the members.

The

rods

2 and 3 are reciprocated by any suit- .able actuating mechanism to make and break thecircuit. In the construction shown they are connected to a piston 5, which slides in a cylinder 8 disposed axially in the conical air space in the outer part of the bushing. The outer end of the bushing may be closed by a sheet metal head l which also serves to support the outer end of the cylinder 6. The piston is actuated by a spring I to open the contacts, and is preferably actuated inthe opposite direction to compress the spring by fluid pressure means suchas compressed air, and if desired, the air may operate the contact rods in both directions. The contact rod extends outwardly beyond the piston 5 for a considerable, distance, this outward extension beyond the piston being hollow and being of a suiilcient length to extend through the cylinder and outside oi the head 1 when the rod is in its inner or contact making position. A latch, 8 engages a locking finger'lll on the contact rod outside of the bushing to lock the rod in its contacting position against the tension of Any suitable manually or autounder the influence of the springs 8. If. desired,

the contacts may be operated in both directions by air.

While this oil switch position it will be understood that it may be disposed in any other position. For example, if

the portion of the line in which they are inserted is running vertically, the tank and the sliding contacts may be arranged'vertically since the moving parts are not of suiilcient weight to be effected by gravity in their movement. Since the 'springs 8 operate immediately upon the sliding contact =rods, the construction is calculated to effect a very the latch 9 is tripped.

The oil switch is shown in Fig. 3 disposed upon an elevated platform II by pillar insulators l2 line terminals l3 and II. 6o Compressed air is stored in the tank l5, which may be located in any convenient place. In the illustrated station construction of Fig. 3, the tank is supported upon a platform it over the oil switch, which platform is also supported by suit- Air from the tank I! is employed to actuate the

contact rods

2 and 3 to their closed contact position and store energy in the spring 8. A flexible hose 7o sion of each contact rod 2 and I, and each rod is provided with a small port :2 just back of the piston 5. A- two-way valve I8 is operated by any suitable means ID to admit air from the tank llthrough the hose II, the hollow rod and the 75 port .1: to the cylinder 8 behind the piston 5, and

.-by an inclined face on is shown in horizontal" quick opening of the contacts when I1 is connected to the outward extenmass air space of the sleeves there bearing portion lined by the serving as a bearing for the reciprocating contact rod. 'I'hebushing has the this serves to force the piston so as to slide the contact rod to its innermost position until the movable parts are locked by the latch 9.

The outer end of each sliding contact rod operates a pivoted contactcloser break connection with the power line outside of the oil switch. In theconstruction shown, the line terminals l3 and H are 2| to a. fixed contact 22. The circuit breakers 20 have a connection with the outer end of the contact rod, as shown in Fig. 4. The outer end of the rod is provided with a longitudinal slot 23, and an angular extension on the lower end of the circuit breaker 20 engagesin this slot. In the closed position of the contact controller, which is the position when the contact rod is in its innermost or contacting position, the bottom end of the circuit breaker 20 is in the outer end of the slot 23', as indicated in full line in Fig.- 3. This slotted connection assures that the oil switch will open the circuit before the circuit breaker 20 breaks contact with the member 22. In other words, when the latch 9 is tripped, the contact rod slides outwardly under the influence of the spring 8 for a distance equal to the length of the slot 23 before the circuit breaker 20 is caused to open its contact. The continued movement of the contact rod brings the parts into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and in full lines in Fig. 4. In this position, a pivoted latch 24 on the lower .side of the slotted extension of the contact rod catches back of the angular end of the circuit breaker 20 which rides in the slot 23, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4. This latching is permitted by reason of the fact that the latch is spring-pressed to its latching position and is caused to yield against the tension of the spring the outer end of the latch over which the end of the circuit breaker rides.

The lower end of the circuit breaker 20 is thus latched to the contact rod with the result that when the contact rod is moved inwardly by the compressed air in the cylinder 6 toward closing positionyth'e lower end of the circuit breaker 20 iscarried along with it and the circuit breaker is thus caused to close its contact with the mem-' ber. 22 during the first part of the inward movemerit of the contact rod. As soon as the circuit is closed, the latch 24 is released by a trip 25, at the point shown in Fig. 4 and thereafter the contact rod continues its inward movement without further movement of the circuit breaker 20, the lower end of which just reaches the outer end of the slot 23 when the contact rod closes the oil switch. In thisway, the parts operate to open the circuit in the oil switch before it is opened at the outer point, and to close the circuit at the outer point before it is closed in the oil switch.

As shown in Fig. 2, the same principles may be employed for an air switch,-which is in all substantial respects like the oil switch above described with the omission of the tank and bushings. The two cylinders 6 are supported upon pillar insulators 26. The leads 2'! and 28 from the line conductors make connection with the two contact rods 2' and 3', and air is supplied tothe cylinders 6 for operating the contact rods throughfiexiblehose members 29 from the air tank 30 by means of a two-way valve 3| operated through any suitable operating means (not shown). I

' In the station arrangement shown in Fig. 3 a bypass for the circuit is provided, as is usual." around the oil switch. As shown, this bypass may consist of an open air switch such asgshown 7s 2D to make and 5 shown one way in Fig. 2 and above described. The cylinders 6 are supported by pillar insulators 82 upon a platform'" above the platform It. The line conductors l3 and it are insulated with relation to this platform I. through dead end insulators 34. Air is supplied to the cylinders 6 for operating the contact rods 2 and I of the bypass switch through flexible hose members 35 from the tank I! by means of a two-way valve 38 also operated through suitable operating means it. Both of the two-way valves l8 and 38 will be' vented to the air at the conclusion of each movement to admit air to their respective cylinders.

Instead of leaving the bypass switch as an open air switch, the inner ends 01' the sliding contact rods 2' and 3 may be enclosed to protect the moving parts from the weather, and in Fig. 5 there is in which this may be done. The

' inner ends of the cylinders 8 are joined by a cylindrical member I1, which in the form shown has convolute heads 3B 01' porcelain or other insulating material, and a cylindrical body portion 39, which may well be made of a suitable insulating material, strengthened or reinforced by spaced circumferential bands or metal or other strong material. It the body. of the cylinder is formed of a composition, the reinforcing bands may be molded within them, as shown, or, if preferred, they may be disposed as hoops around the outer surface of the cylinder. Since they are disposed circumi'erentially, they will not impair the insulating character of the wall. The heads 38 serve. as bushings for the cylinders 6, and it the cylindrical wall be oi non-insulating material, a longer bushing will be employed, permissibly of the character shown in the oil switch construction of F18. 1.

The enclosure of the character shown in Fig. 5

' with its body formed of reinforced insulating mamatically modified types .In the the clearance between terial specifically forms no part of the present invention, but constitutes the subject matter of the copendlng application Serial No. 295,008, filed July 24, 1928.

I! desired, such an enclosure for the electrical terminals may be filled with oil, in which case the switch becomes an oil switch instead of an air switch.

In Figs. 6, 7 and'8, there are shown diagramof horizontal oil switches. form shown in Fig. 6, the sliding

contact rods

2 and 3 make contact through an.intermediate rotary conductive switch member I. This intermediate rotary switch is pivoted through an insulative support 42 in the bottom of the tank I and any suitable means may be employed to rotate the intermediate switch member 4| synchronously with the movement of the sliding contact rods land 3 to open and close the circuit. For example, the pivot rod a may be operated through another compressed air cylinder and piston construction (not shown) by means 01' a bell crank connection, the air being admitted to and exhausted from the cylinder by means of a valve operated in conjunction with the valves that control the admission of air to the cylinders 6 in the bushings l for operating the

contact rods

2 and 3. A multiple Kreak is thus effected in the circuit and the contacts is increased on open circuit position.

Another multiple break arrangement is indicated in Fig. '1 in which the central switch member, instead of being rotative, is composed of two sliding contact rods 2a. and to operated by pistons in two cylinders ta arranged in alinement with the cylinders t and supported by means of an insulating pillar upon the bottom of the tank I. Air will be admitted to thecylinders to by suitable means (not shown) in synchronism with the admission of air into the cylinders 6. In this way, two pairs of contacts are provided, with both contacts of each pair moving.

Another way of obtaining a double break switch with both contacts of each pair of contacts moving is shown in Fig. 8. Here centr'al contacts 20 and 3b are pivoted upon an insulating support so as to swing vertically. To eil'ect this movement of the intermediate contacts 2b and lb, they have their inner ends connected through pitmans to a piston rod 43 on a piston to sliding in the vertical cylinder to and disposed on the top of the expansion chamber. lb or the tank. .A spring Ia. actuates' the piston to open the contacts while air will be admitted through suitable connections (not shown) to close the contacts. The circuit'is completed through the contacts by a conductive connection 44 betweenthe pivots of the two swinging contact members 2!) and 3b.

In Figs. 9 and are shown diagrammatically two forms of oil switches with vertically moving contacts and in which a double break is effected and both contacts of each pair move. The two

contact rods

2 and 3 slide vertically through the bushings 4 and are operated by the cylinder construction previously described, The bridging contact member 45 is also vertically actuated in opposition to the rods 2' and 3 by means of the reciprocating piston rod 6 whose piston and piston and cylinder are in the insulative bushing la and operate as do the other piston and cylinder constructions.

The form shown in Fig. 1 0 is similar to that of Fig. 9 except that the bridging contact consists oi two swingingmembers 2c and 30 operating similarly to the corresponding members of Fig. 8. These pivoted contact members are actuated through a vertical actuating rod it operated by any suitable outside means in synchronism with the actuation of the

contact rods

2 and 3.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described within the principle and scope of the invention.

.What is claimed is:

1. A switching mechanism comprising a pair of alined conductive rods connectable to opposite line terminals and arranged to slide longitudinally through fixed insulating bushings toward and from each other to make and break electrical contact, and actuating means for moving each conductive rod to a point of engagement.

2. A switching mechanism comprising a pair of alined conductive rods connectable to oppo site line terminals and arranged to slide longitudinally toward and from each other to make and break electrical contact, actuating means for each rod including a cylinder and a piston and a fixed insulating'support for each cylinder.

3. A switching mechanism comprising a pair of alined conductive rods connectable to opposite line terminals and arranged to slide longitudinally toward and from each other to make and break electrical contact, actuating means for each rod including a cylinder and a piston and a fixed insulating bushing surrounding and supporting each cylinder.

a. longitudinal y slidable contact, means for actuof movable contacts, rod for operating each to reciprocate the respective rods to make and break the line circuit. 6.1! switching mechanism comprising an insulated, oil-containing tank supported in proximate relation to the line terminals with its axis horizontal, two posite ends of the tank and connectable to the opposing line terminals and arranged to make contact within the tank, means including a cylinder and piston {or reciprocatingeach rod to make and break the line circuit, andinsulating means ior supporting the cylinders upon the respective ends of the tank.

7. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising an oil-containing tank arranged with itsaxis parallel to the power line, an insulating bushing axially disposed in each end of the tank, a contact rod axially slidable in each bushing and connected to opposite terminals 01 the line and means for moving the rods into engagement within the tank.

8. For a power line. a switchingmechanism comprising an oil-containing tank arranged with its axis'parallel to the power line, an insulating bushing axially disposed in each end or the tank, a contact rod axially slidable in each bushing, the two rods being connectable to'opposite terminals of the line and being arranged to contact within the tank, and means to slide the rods simultaneously toward or from each other to make or breakthe line circuit.

- 9. A switching mechanism comprising an oilcontaining tank, one line terminal within the tank, an oscillatory contactdevice having one 4 part within the tank adapted to make and break contact with the said line terminal as the device oscillates and another part external 0! the tank adapted'to make and break contact with the other line terminal as the device oscillates, and means to cause the internal part 01" the contact device to act in advance of the external part on the contact-disengaging movement.

' 10. A switching mechanism comprising an oilcontaining tank, one line terminal within the tank, an oscillatory contact device having one 'part within the tank adapted to make and break contact with the said line terminal as the device oscillates and another part external 01 the tank adapted to make and break contact with the other line terminal as the device oscillates and means tocause the making of contact by the external part of the contact device to precede that by the internal partand the breaking of contactpby the external partto succeed that by the internal part.

, T11. Aswitehingmechanism comprising an oilcontaining tank, one line terminal within the tank,.a longitudinally reciprocative conductive rod extending through and slidable in a wall of the tank to bring its inner end into and out of contact with the :said line terminal, anda connector between theouterend 01 said rod and the other lineterminal arranged tovbe-operated by the insulating support for each of said rods slidable axially m the opcomprising an oilmovement oi the rod minal after the 12. A'switching mechanism containing tank, one line terminal within the tank. a longitudinally reciprocative' conductive rod extending through and slidable in a wall of the tank to bring its inner end into and out of contact with the-said line terminal, and a movable circuit breaker operative to connect the outer end or said rod with the other line terminal and having a loose connection with the rod for the first part of the outward movement and the-latter part of the inward movement 01 the rod and a fixed connection therewith for the latter part or its outward movement and the first part of its inward movement. I v

13. The combination in asliquid-immersed circuit interrupter. having the main conducting members movable in the liquid, means for bridging the said members for completinga circuit therewith and means for moving the said conducting members away from the bridging means as said means is moved away from said main conducting members.

14. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter having more than two independentmain current-carrying members arranged for connection in series in acircuit, of means for simultaneously moving each of the members into engagement to complete said circuit.

16. An oil switch tor-high tension lines comprising an oil-containing tank made of insulating material and surrounded at spaced intervals by circumferential reinforcing bands, two insulative bushings in the wall of the tank, line terminais entering the tank through said bushings and means for sliding the said terminals into engagement with-in the tank.

17. An oil switch for high tension lines comprising an oil-containing tank made of insulating material and surrounded at spaced intervals by reinforcing bands, insulative bushings in the wall of the tank, line terminals entering the tank through the bushings, and means for actuating said terminals through their bushings to make and break contact with each other within the tank. 7

18. An oil switch for high tension lines comprising an oil containing tank made of insulating material and surrounded at spaced intervals by reinforcing bands, insulative bushings in the wall of the tank, line terminals entering the tank through the bushings, the said. terminals being slidable through their bushings to make and break contact with each other within the tank and means external of the tank for actuating the slidable terminals.

19. A switching mechanism comprising a tank containing an insulating'liquid and having its opposite ends formed of insulating material, two alined rods slidable in the endsoi' the tank and arranged to make contact within the tank,- and means in the respective ends of the tank to reciprocate the respective rods to make and'break contact.

A switching meats e r se as containing an insulating liquid and having insu lating bushings supported in opposed positions thereon, two alined rods slidable in said bushings and arranged to make contact within the tank, and means mounted within said bushings to reciprocate the respective rods to make and break contact.

2L For'a power line, a switching mechanism an oil-containing tank arranged with -withinthetank.

22. For a power line, a switching mechanism an oil-containing tank arranged with its longitudinal axis parallel to the power line,

' aid oil-containing tank including a metal portiorri'orming the central part of the tank and a pair of axialhr aligned insulating bushings formingtheendportions otthe'tan'k, aline terminal at the outer end of each oi said insulator bushings, a contact rod axially slidable in each bushing and connectable with the line terminal at the end oi! the bushing, means movable in each bushing for moving said contact rods to open and close the circuit between said line terminals at the ends of the bushings, and an insulator column for supporting and insulating saidmetal central part of the tank from ground.

23. For a power line, a'switching mechanism comprising a liquid-containing tank arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontal, said liquid containing tank including a metal portion forming the central part of the tank and a pair of axially aligned insulator bushings forming the end portions oi the tank, line terminals at the opposite ends of said insulator bushings, a contact rod axially slidable in each bushing for opening, and closing the circuit between said line terminals, and a vertical insulator column for supporting and insulating said metal central part of the tankfrom ground.

24. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising a liquid-containing tank arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontal, said liquid containing tank including a metal portion form-, ing the central part of the tank and a pair of axially aligned insulator bushings forming the end portions of the tank, line terminals at the opposite ends 01 said insulator bushings, a contact rod axially slidable in each bushing for opening and closing the circuit between said line terminals, a vertical insulator column for supporting and insulating said metal central part of the tank from ground and avertical insulator column for supporting and insulating each of the opposite ends of said pair 01 insulator bushings from ground.

25. In a circuit interrupter, an outer container having a body of arc extinguishing fluid retained therein, said outer container having its opposite ends formed by a pair of axially aligned tubular members of insulating material, a line terminal adjacent the outer end of each of said pair of tubular members oi insulating material, a contact rod slidable axially in each of said pair of tubular members of insulating material for opening and closing the circuit between said line terminals, means movable in each 01' said tubular members of insulating material for actuating the contact rod slidable therein, and said slidable contact rods being brought to rest when actuated to closedcircuit position without the impact thereof being transmitted to said tubular members of insulating material.

26. In a circuit interrupter, an outer container having a body of arc extinguishing fluid'r'etained therein, said outer container having its opposite ends formed by a pair of axially aligned tubular members of insulating material, a line terminal adjacent the outer end or each of said pair of tubular members of insulating material, a contact rod slidable axially in each of said pair of tubular members of insulating material for opening and closing the circuit between said line terminals, a

spring in each of said tubular members of insulating material for biasing each of said contact rods to open-circuit position, means movable in each of said tubular members of insulating material for actuating the contact rod slidable therein to closed-circuit position against said springs and said slidable contact rods being brought to rest when actuated to closed-circuit position without the impact thereof being transmitted to ,said tubular members of insulating material.

27. In a circuit interrupter, a container having a,body of arc extinguishing fluid retained therein. said container having a central portion 01 metal and having its ends formed by a pair oi axially aligned tubular members of insulating mterial secured to opposite'sidesoi said central portion of metal, a line terminal at the outer end in each one of said pair of tubular members oi. insulating material, a contact rod slidable axially in each one or said pair of tubular members 01 insulating materialfand an insulator column for supporting and insulating the metal central portlon oi said container from ground.

28. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising an outer container having a body at arc-e fluid therein, said outer'container having its longitudinal axis positioned horizontally and including a metal portion forming the central part of the container and a pair 0! axially aligned tubular members oi insulating material forming the end portions oi the con-' tainer, a line terminal adjacent the outer end of each of said pair of tubular members of insulating material, a contact rod slidable horizontally in each or said pair of tubular members oi insulating material for opening and closing the circuit' between said lineoterminals, means movable in each of said tubular members of insulating material for actuating the contact rod slidable therein and said contact rods being brought to rest when actuated to closed-circuit position without the impact *thereoi being transmitted to said tubular members oi insulating material, and a vertical insulator column for supporting and insulating said metal central part 01' the tank from ground. 29. For a power. line, a switching mechanism comprising an outer container having a body 01 arc-extinguishing fluid therein, said outer container having its longitudinal axis positioned horizontally andincluding a metal portion torming the central part of the container and a pair of axially aligned tubular members of insulating material forming the end portions of the con-'- tainer, a line terminal adjacent the outer end of eachof said pair of tubular members oi. insulating material, a contact rod slidable horizontally in each of said pair of tubular members of insulating material for opening and closing the circuit between said line terminals. a spring in eachotsaidtubularmemberso! insulatingmaterial for biasing each of said contact rods to move more than two independent main current-,carrying members arrang d for connection in series in the circuit, said current carrying members including two aligned rods slidable in the ends of the tank, and means in the respective ends 01' the ,tank for simultaneously moving each of said aligned rods to make and break contact.

31. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, or a tank for the liquid having its opposite endsi'ormed oi. insulating material, a line terminal at each 01 said opposite ends of the tank, more than two movable current-carrying members arranged for connection in series between said line terminals, said current-carrying members including at least two aligned rods slidable in said ends of the tank of insulating material, and means in the respective ends of the tank for simultaneously moving each oi! said aligned rods to open the circuit between said line terminals at a plurality of points.

32. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, of a tank for the liquid having its opposite ends i'ormed of insulating material, a line terminal at each of said opposite ends of the tank, more than two movable current-carrying members arranged for connection in series between said line terminals, said current-carrying members including at least two aligned rods slidable in said ends of the tank of insulating material, means for simultaneously moving each of said current-carrying members to open the circuit between said line terminals at a plurality or points, and an insulator column for supporting and insulating said tank from ground.

33. The combinationin a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, of an outer tank for the liquid including tubular means oi. insulating material, more than two movable main current-carrying members arranged for connection in series in the circuit for opening and closing the circuit at a plurality of points, means tor moving each of said current-carrying members to simultaneously open the circuit at a plurality of points, and some 01. said current carrying members being movable within said tubular means of insulating material. 7

34. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, of an outer tank'tor the liquid including tubular means of insulating material, more than two movable main current-carrying members arranged for connection in series in the circuit for opening and closing the circuit at a plurality of points, means for moving each of said current-carrying members to simultaneously open the circuit at a plurality of points, and some of said current carrying members being movable within said tubular means of insulating material, and an insulator column for supporting and insulating said outer tank from cuit'interrupter, of an outer tank for the liquid including tubular means of insulating material. more than two movable maincurrent-carrying members arranged for connection in series in the circuit for opening and closing the circuit at a plurality of points, some oi. said current-carry,-

ing members being movable within said tubular means of insulating material, means within said tubular means of insulating material for biasing the current-carrying members movable therewithin to open-circuit.position, and means for causing all of said current-carrying members to move to simultaneously openthe circuit at aplurality of points.

36. A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breaker having a fluid-containing tank, said tank including an insulator bushing. a pair of separable contacts in said tank for opening and closing the circuitunder load, means for connecting one of said contacts in the tankto the power line including a pair of separable contacts outside of said tank and a conductor extending into said insulator bushing, an actuating member movable in said insulator bushing and said actuating member. being connected to actuate one of said separable contacts outside of the tank to connect and disconnect said circuitbreaker and the power line.

37; A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breaker having a container including a tubular'member of insulating material, a pair of contact members in .the container for opening and closing the circuit under load,

one of said contact members being movable in said tubular member oi insulating material, means for connecting one of said contacts in the container to the power line including a pair of contacts of a disconnecting switch outside of said container and 'a conductor extending therefrom into the end of said tubular member of insulating material, actuating means movable in said tubular member of insulating material, and

means mechanically connecting said actuating ing material, a contact within the container andconnectable to one terminal of the power line, a second contact movable in said tubular member of insulating material into and out of engagement with the first said contact, disconnecting switch means outside of said container and electrically connected in series with said contacts, 'said disconnecting switch means being connected at one end in circuit with said second contact at a point adjacent to the outer end or said tubular member of insulating material, and means for actuating said disconnecting switch means including an operating member through which-force is transmitted to said disconnecting switch means, said operating member being movable in said tubular member of insulating material.

39. A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breaker having a container including a tubular member of insulating material, a pair of contact members in the container for opening and closing the circuit under load.

one of said contact membersvbeing movable in said tubular member of insulating material. means for connecting one of said contacts in the container to the power line including a pair of contacts of a disconnecting switch outside oi said container and a conductor extending therefrom into the end said tubularmember of insulating material, actuating means movable in said tubular member of insulating material, and mea'ns mechanically connecting said actuating means to move said disconnecting switch to open and close the circuit between the power line and the circuit breaker and means for causing said disconnecting switch to be actuated to openand close the circuit to the circuit breaker only when the circuit breaker is in open-circuit position.

40. A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breaker having enclosing means including'a pair of tubular members of insulating material, a terminal adjacent one end of each oi. said tubular members of insulating material, a plurality 01' contact members within said enclosing means for opening and closing the circuit between said terminals under load, said plurality of contact members including a contact member movable in each 01 said pair oi. tubular members of insulating material, a pair oi disconnecting switch means outside of said enclosing means and electrically connected in series with the contact members within the enclosing means, each of said disconnecting switch means having one side thereof connected to one of said terminals for disconnecting each terminal of the circuit breaker from the circuit, and means for actuating said disconnecting switch means including an 'perating membe'r movable in each 0! saidtubular members of insulating material.

'41. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising a liquid-containing tank arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontal, said liquid containing tank including a metal portion forming the centralpart oi the tank and a pair 0! axially aligned insulator bushings forming the end portions 01' the tank, line terminals at the opposite ends of said insulator bushings. a contact rod axially slidable in each bushingior opening and closing the circuit between said line terminals, a pair of disconnecting switches outside of said liquid-containing tank and electrically WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC I:

MANUFACTURING COMIPABH', Assianee of Frank G. Baum, Deceased. W. S. RUGG,

Vice President.