US1700890A - Automatic switch - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 1929. 1,700,890

c. H. HoDGKlNs E1- AL AUTOMATIC swITcH Filed March 23. 1922 ATTORNEY Char/ea h. h'ody/rins and Patented Feb. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES maar@ PATENT: OFFICE.

vCHARLES H. H oDGKINs AND CHARLES MCL. Moss, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA,

AssreNoRs'To WESTINGHOUSE ELncTR-rc AND MANUFACTURING coMrANY, A con- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Application led March 23, 1922. Serial Ne. 546,108., 'Y

Our invention relatesto automaticelect-rie switches` and particularly .to those of the type wherein a protective means is employed to cause actuation thereof uponthe occur-- rence of predetermined' conditions in thecir- Ycuit that is controlled thereby.

The object of our invention is to -combine, with a switch, means for causing the same Ato be operated, either upon thefalling of the current in a circuit below a predetermined value or upon the occurrence of an overload on the circuit, and to embody such protective feature in a simple and compact form of construction. Y j

Our invention is-especially applicable for use in connection with electrically operated domestic appliances and may replace the ordinary push-button or'snap switches that vareusually incorporated insuch appliances` As shown in the'accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a View, partially'inside elevation and partially in-section, otra circuit interrupter embodying 'our invention, and

Fig. 2is a view taken onthe line AITV-1I T he Switch controls a supply circuit 3 for a motor 4 and is mountedupon a base 5 t0 which contact members 6 are.secured. A bridging contact member 7is secured to, and insulated from, a non-magnetic operating rod S that is provided, at. its' upper end, with a push button 5). The rod 8 is biased upward` ly by a compression spring 10, to normally maintain the bridging member 7 out of engagement with the Contact member (i.

An electron'iagnet 11 is connected in series with the circuit 3 and is provided with a core member 12, through which the rod 8 extends. A bracket 14- servesto p'ivotally support ar- .matures 15 and 16, the armature 15 being sufficiently small so that, when saturated by the fiux from the clectromagnet, the attraction thereof does not increase1 in proportion to the current How, to the extent of the increase in attraction of the armature 16.

The armature 15 is engaged, on its upper and lower sides, by thepins 18 and 19, respectively, that extend through the rod 8 and there is a tendency for it to be biased out. of operative engagement with the core 12 by the action of the spring 10.

Upon the depression of the button 9, th

jcircuit is closedfacrossl the contact members '6, and thearmature, 15 `fis broughtintoengft-gement with. the core-1 2 and maintained 55 in suchposition, against thefactionof the A.spring 10,-so long as the .current .in the circuit 3-does not fall below` a value sutcient .to maintain enough energyin the electromagnet to hold the.brid0ing- ;mem ber 7 in'closed 60 position. The switch` may .be. normally ,openedby depressing abutton 20, ,whereupon the electromagnet- 11 .v vi1lof course, be deenergized.

The coil 11 is 22 that. may consistof a brass or copper ring.

.The shading coil-,is necessary onlywhen used .in connection with ,a single-phase. alternating current. and functions; in the usual manner,

to provide. substantiallypsteady pullon the .n

armaturefl.

1- In ca se an overloadpccnrs n .thexcircuit ,3, the armature 15gwill becoinclsaturated. ,and the armature lbe energized? .totsuclrpoint that it willfbegactuated tirstgintofen age-r ment with afpinthatfextends{throug rthe .rod 8 :and `,th en finto, 'engagement withA the lower end olf'tliecoreneinber;12,. thus overcoming the force exerted. bythe armature 15 on the pin 19 and movingrth'e' rodA 8'v upward- 80 ly to interrupt theA cireuitf screw 24 is provided to regulate the .distancebetween the armature 16 andA the 'core 12for causing the actuation ofsuch armature tolanj,v

desired degree of overload in the circuit.

From vthe foregoing, it ivill be. seen that we provide a compact and e'liicient form of protective device that is automatically'operable to open a circuit-under abnormal or predetermined conditions of either overload or low voltage. l

Various changes in detail and general arrangement may be readily made Wit-hout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the accompanyingr o5 claims.

lVe claim as our invention 1 1. The combination witha. circuitinterrupter and an operatingr rod therefor, ofmeans for yicldingly maintaining the interruptor in open position, an electromagnet, an armature co-operating with one side of the said magnet and having engagement with the said rod to hold it in closed position, and a second provided coil 65 armature co-operating with the other side of the magnet and also having connection with the rod, to nieve the-first named armature out of engagement with the electromagnet upon.

the occurrence of an increase of current in the reci-mangue.'

2." The combii'iatio'n with a circuit interrupter and an operating rod therefor, of means for yieldingly maintaining'the inter;- rupter in open posit-ion, an electromagnet, an armature co-operatingwith one side of the said magnet and having engagement with the said rod, to' hold it in closed position. a second armature cooperating with the other side of the-magnet and also having connection w1lh the rod,I to move lthe first named armature out of engagement with the eleetromagnet upon the occurrence of an increase of current in the electromagnet, and means for adjustably supporting the second named armature in spaced relation to the magnet'.

3.Tlie combination with a circuit interrnpter'normallybiased to open position, of an electromagnet, an armature having connection `with theI interruptor to hold it in closed position'ivhen the current in the electromag 'net exceeds a predetermined value, and a second armature having connection With the interrupter to moveitto ope` position and to release the firstarmature upon the occurrence of a current flow in the electromagnet in eX- Vcess ofthe said predetermined value.

crrrence of 'a current flow in the clectroinag net in excess of a predetermined value.

5. The combination with a circuit interrupter, of actuating means therefor compris ing an electromagnet, an armature manually operable into and out of engagemen l1 with the electromagnet and having, connection with the interruptor to hold it closed during the presence of normal fioiv of current in the electromagnet and a second armature having lostmotion connect-ion with the first named armature and normally occupying an inoperative position, actuated to move the Erst-named armature to inoperative position to open the circuit interrupter upon the occurrence of an increase in current to a. predetermined amount.

6., The combination with al circuit interrupter, of actuating means therefor comprisin T an electromagnet, an armature manually operable into and out of engagement with the electro-magnet and' havingl connection with the interruptor to hold it closed during the presence of a normal flow of current, means for biasing the inter'rupter against the holding force of the electromagneta second armature havingflostmotioii connection' 'with the first. named armature and actuated by the electromagnet. u onzin, crease oi current ther'ento'noife t rst ""d'arrdait'nrend th' Circuit tiruiie Ltd slerat'postion.

l L Ihecombination With a circuit intering with the 'electromagnetlnd having' co'nnection Withthe intewu'pterto hold it closed during the presence of normal flow olfcn-rrent in the elec'trornaighet,l 'secondaimature having lost-motion connection 'the 'firstnamed armatune and 'normally occupying fan inoperative lposition adapted tofbe-att'rated upon theoceurrefiee of in the' e'Iecto inoperative position: i -V K 9. 'In SWitCiig-ppaiat, tli Cnbnatifn with a circuit ir'iterriptr," of means for; 'closing the" 'interi-tiptel', magneteineansf-forglioldingthe interruptor closed, and mearisfcen--- "trolled by" 'predetermined 'Conditions 'in the magnetic meansl for overcoming the magnetic for of the holdii1g'-nieans and'for' moving the circuit interrupte tov open: position.'

10. In 'switch-ing apparatugthe combination with a circuit interrupter, of means for closing the interruptor,fmagnetic means for holding the inte'u-p'ter closed and an armature actuated upon vthe occurrence of an overload in the magnetic means, for moving the interruptor t-oopen position after releasing the holding means.l

11. In switching apparatus, the combination with a circuit interrupt-er, of means for closing the interruptor, an electromagnet, an-

armature for holdin@ the interruptor closed and means controlled by predetermined conditions in the electromagnet for overcoming the magnetic force of the holding means and for moving the circuit interrupter to openA position.

12. In switching apparatus, the combination with a circuit interruptor, of mean-s normally biasing the switch to open position, electromagnetic means for holding the interrupter closed during the presen-ce of a predetermined current value, and electromagnetic means actuated upon the occurrence of llO an increase of current for neutralizing the force ot the said holding lneans causing its release.

13. The combination with a. circuit interruptor, ot' an electromagnet, an armature energized b v the electron'iagnet to hold the interruptor in one position, a second armature energized by the electromagnet tor causing movement of the iii-st said armature and the interruptor to another position when an increase in current flows through the magnet.

14. The combination with a. circuit interrupter, of an electromagnet, an armature energized by the electromagnetto hold the inrrrnpter in one position, a second armature energized by the elertromagnet for causing;l movement o t the irst said armature and the interrupter to another position, the iirstnamed armature beingr of such size that it becomes saturated upon an increase of current in the electromagnet.

15. The combination with a circuit interruptor, of an electromagnet, an armature energized by the electroinagnet to hold the interrupter in one position, a second armature energized by the electromagnet for causing' movement ot the iii-st said armature and the interrupter to another position, the tirati-named armature being of such size that it becomes saturated and released upon an increase of current in the electromagnet due to the .second named armature being more strongy attracted by such increase.

16. 'the combination with a circuit interrnpter, of an electroinaggnet, an armature energized by the electromagnet to hold the interruptor in one position, a second armature energized by the electromagnet for causing movement ot the first said armature and the interruptor to another position, the firstnamed armature being` oi such size that it becomes saturated upon an increase of current in the eiectromagnet, the two armatures being so connected that, upon movement of one ot' them toward the electromagnet, the other is moved away from said magnet.

l?. The combination with a magneticallyactuated circuit interrupter, of an arn'iature normally energized to hold the interrupter in one position, a second armature in position to be energized for causing movement of the iirst said armature and the interrupter to another position and means whereby, upon saturation oit' the tirst named armature, the said second armature is actuated.

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto subscribed our naines this 21st day ot March,

CHARLES H. HODGKINS. CHARLES MCL. MOSS.

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