US1863627A - Circuit control system - Google Patents

Description

June 21, 1932. P GRAY 1,863,627

C IRCUIT CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan. 26, 1929 INVENToR.

n ZZ-224% l ATTORNEY.

a circuit for effecting energiaation of saidv YPatented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESLEY GRAY, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOB T0 I-T-E CIRCUIT BREAKEB COMPANY, 0F IPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY cmc'U-rr CONTROL SYSTEM Application med January 26, 1929. Serial No. 335,248.

My invention relates to a control system, and more particularly to a system for controlling operation or actuation of electric switches, especially automatic circuit breaku In accordance with my invention, a main switch, as an automatic circuit breaker responsive to abnormal circuit conditions, is moved to normal position, as circuit-closing g position, by an electro-motive device energized through contacts actuated or controlled by movable structure, which is independently biased, toward position for energizing said motive device, and which is locked, as by a j latch or equivalent, in position corresponding with de-energization of said motive device, upon substantial completion of movement of said main switch or breaker to normal position; and more particularly, said latch or o equivalent is biased, as by electro-magnetic means, toward position for locking said structure, during the movement of said `main switch toward normal position, and said latch or equivalent continues to be so biased until 5 substantial com letion of movement of the main switch or Ibreaker to normal position;

more particularly, said latch or equivalent,

while biased as aforesaid, is prevented from attaining position to lock said structure in its position aforesaid, and upon substantial completion of movement of said main switch or breaker to normal position, said structure v is moved to position corresponding with deencrgization of said motive device and said latch or equivalent then moves to position to lock said structure in its said last-named position; and more particularly, the means for biasing said latch or equalent is controlled by a control switch, and, more particularly, said control switch must return to neutral position, to remove the bias on said latch or equivalent, before said motive device may again be energized.

Further and more particularly in accordance with my invention, the aforesaid movable structure comprises a movable. contact normally biased, by means independent of the main switch or breaker to closed position for completing, together with the. control switch,

motive device; and means actuated substantially upon completion of circuit closing movement of the main switch, is adapted to move said contact to de-energizing position,

`whereupon the lock-out member or latch,

ig. 3 isan illustration of the relay structure of Fig. 1, with parts in another position. Fig. 4 is a generally similar viewl of the same relay structure, with parts in another position.

=Fig. 5 is an electrical diagram illustrative of mode and connection in the use of structure such as that illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of latch structure and an electro-magnetic trip therefor.

Referring to Fig. 1, to the base 1 of slate or other insulating material there are secured main terminal blocks 2 and 3 which are adapted to be bridged by the movable contact member 4, here representing a laminated bridging member supported by and mounted upon the arm 5 which is pivoted to the housing or bracket 6 secured upon base 1. Contacts 2, 3 and 4, comprising a main switch,

are adapted to control a circuit (not shown) preferably a load circuit as yfor motor and lighting supply. l Secured upon and in electrical contact with the terminal block 2 are the intermediate stationary metallic shunt contact 7 and the stationary shunt carbon contact 8,- pivoted at 9 to` the bracket 10. Cooperating with the shunt contact 7 is the movable shunt contact 11, and with the carbon shunt contact 8 cooperates the movable carbonshunt contact 12, the contacts 11 and12 being supported by the arm 5.

Pivoted, as at 13, to the bracket 6 is a switch-actuating 'lever 14 having arms disposed on either side of the pivot point and to one end of which there is pivoted, as at 15, a link 16 whose other end is pivoted on the switch arm 5. To the other end of the lever, as at 17, there is pivoted a downwardly extending operating rod 18 suitably pivoted at its lower extremity to an arm 19 pivoted at 19a which is operated through pivoted link 195 by the core C (Fig. 2) vof a solenoid or closing coil 20 disposed within the casing 21 which is preferably of magnetic material.

Pivoted to the ear 22, on the housing 6, at

23 is the latch 24 adapted to enga e the roller 25 carried in the extension 26 o the switch actuating lever 14 to lock the parts in circuitclosed position. In Fig. 1 the parts are in the position which they assume when in the fully closed circuit position. The upper end of a connecting rod or link 27 is pivoted, preferably with lost motion in a slot, as at 28, to the latch 24 and the lower-end thereof is pivoted to a projection 28a extending upwardly from the upper surface of and near one end of a pivoted armature member 29 biased upwardly against a stop member 295 to the position shown by a. spring 29a (Fig. 2) or other suitable means. Upon energization of a tripping coil 30 disposed within the upper end of the housing or casing 21, the armature 29 rotates about its pivot 31 to retract the latch member 24 from its restraining engagement with roller 25, permittingr the switch arm 5 to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, under the infiuence of a spring or other suitable means, not shown, to the open-circuit position and simultaneously therewith the switch-actuating arm 14 connected thereto by the link 16 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, effecting like movement of the arm 32 fastened to the arm 14 and rotating therewith about the shaft 13. The free end-of the arm 32 is connected through link 35 to the end of a movable switch member 33 pivoted at 34 toa terminal member fastened in any desired manner to the base 1. The latch 24 may also be actuated by pushing towards base 1, the manually-operable finger 24 which is connected to or engages the latch 24 to eifeet rotation thereof in a clockwise direction. The latch 24 may also be, and preferably is, provided with a tail extension 24a, movement of which may be elected by changes in degree of energization of a tripping coil T connected in series with the main terminals 2 and 3 as shown in Fig. 6 or in any other desired relation.

Mounted upon the lower front side of panel 1 is a relay R comprising a base 36 of suitable insulating material secured to panel 1 by the conducting studs 37 extending therethrough. A U-shaped bracket or support 38 of magnetic material is secured, as by the outwardly turning flanges 38a to base 36, and comprises a support, as well as a portion of the magnetic circuit, for a coil 39. A U-shaped arm 40 is pivotally mounted at 41 upon a pair of lugs (not shown) carried by the lower side of bracket 38, and has secured to its free ends a cross-member 42 of insulating material. The front portion of arm 40 is provided with a vertically extending member 43 which is rigidly secured thereto, and carries at its upper end a contact arm 44 having a Contact element 45 and insulated from member 43 by a block 46 of lsuitable insulating material, such as canvas impregnated with a phenol condensation product, for example. The upper end of member 43 is offset to form a iiange or lug 47 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Bracket 38 is provided with a stud 48, threaded at its outer end, and having mounted 'thereon a disc or pin 49 to serve as a seat for one end of a s ring 50 whose other end seats against member 43, tending to bias it and the arm 40 in a counter-clockwise direction.

A core 51 of magnetizable material is adapted to move longitudinally within coil 39 and comprises an upper conical portion 52 (Fig. 3) from which extends a rod 53 screwthreaded at its upper end to receive a nut 54. A guide member 55 secured to the upper portion of bracket 38, as by screw-threaded engagement at 55a, extends within coil 39 and comprises a recess 56 corresponding in shape with the conical core portion 52 so that the same is adapted to seat within the said recess. Recess 56 communicates with longitudinally extending bore 57 through which rod 53 extends. Portion 52 comprises a shoulder 52a' adjacent the face of rod 53 upon which a spring 58 is adapted to seat,

the other end of which bears against a latch member 59 pivotally mounted as at 60 upon a lug 61 secured to the upper side of bracket 38 Latch 59 comprises a lug 62 formed upon the upper side of the latch and having a shoulder 62a adapted to abuttingly engage the end of member 47. In the position illustrated in Fig. 3, coil 39 is de-energized, permitting core 51 to rest in its lowerinost position. Core 51 is freely slidable within coil 39 and is suspended by rod 53 which in turn is supported by latch 59. Accordingly, when coil 39 is de-energized, the weight of core 5l tends to drag the latch 59 downwardly, or in a clockwise direction, until its outer end rests upon bracket 38. In this position, lug 62 of the latch is disposed beneath the extremity of extension 47, and so is not in abutting relation therewith.

Upon energization of coil 39, core 51 is urged upwardly, effecting compression of spring 58 due to the fact that latch 59 remains substantially stationary, being held in such position by the overlying extension 47 of the contact supporting member 43. Rod 53, however, is adapted to move freely through an opening in latch 59, thereby raising nut 54 out of engagement with the up er surface of the latch. If now, coil 39 still eing energized, tlie'contact arm 43 is moved through a small angle in a clockwise direction, the extension 47 will be moved out of engagement with the upper surface of lug 62, permitting the compression spring 58 to bias the latch 59 in a counter-clockwise direction so that the end of extension 47 is in substantially abutting relation with shoulder 62a of lug 62. In this position, contact 45 is out of engagement with contact 45a, the latter being secured to conducting lug 63 and in turn supted by conducting arm 64, secured by one the bolts 37 upon base 36. It is evident, therefore, that with the parts in this position the contacts 45a and 45 are ,locked or restrained in opendposition as long as coil 39 remains energize The relay structure above described is suitably enclosed by housing 65 within which base 36 extends, and is ri idly mounted with respect to panel 1 by the securing knob 66 extending through an opening in the front side of the housing, and having an interiorly threaded bore within a reduced portion 66a to receive the threaded end of stud 48. Housing 65 may therefore be readily removed from the apparatus by rotating knob 66 out of en agement with stud 48.

ivotally mounted upon the lower portion of casing 21 as at 19a, is an arm 71 having a depending portion 72 adapted to be engaged by a pin or lugl 73 carried by the solenoidactuated arm 19. The lower edge of arm 71 is adapted to engage a stop member 74 secured to the casing 21 for limiting counterclockwise movement of said arm. The outer extremity of arm 71 comprises a pair of ofiset flanges 75 forming barred poi-tions for a rod or pin 76 which extends therethrough. Pin 76 is urged upwardly by a spring 77 having one end thereof seating upon the lower flange 75, and the other end thereof bearing against a pin or lug carried by member 76. The upper end of pin 76 terminates in a shoulder or collar 78 adapted to engage the under side of cross member 42 for a purpose hereinafter described.

open position and trip coil 30 is consequently lay R1. Coil 68 is energized directly across line L through the remote switch S and contacts 45 and 45a, which are normally biased to closed position. Energization of relay R1 causes contacts 69 and 70 to be bridged for completing the circuit through the main operating coil 20.

Core C is thereupon drawn upwardly, rotating arm 19 in a clockwise direction to effeet closing of main switch 4 through interconnecting structurc 18, etc. X

As arm 19 approaches completion of its clockwise movement, pin 73 secured thereto engages the extension 72 of arm 71, tendin to rotate arm 71 in a clockwise direction and to engage, through the medium of pin 7 6, the under side of cross member 42.

Spring 77 serves as a buffer or shock absorber, so that the comparatively rapid upward movement of pin 76 will not cause damagevthrough its percussive effect to member 40. As illustrated in Fig. 1, arm 40 has been rotated in a clockwise direction by arm 71 to effect opening of contacts 45 and 45a. The relative position of the said contacts and core 55 when the main switch 4 has just completed its closing movement isbest illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the coil 39 is still energized and urges core 51 against the top stop or guide member 55. The compression spring 58 accordingly biases latch 59 upwardly againstthe underside of extension 47 so that lug 62 abuts the end of said extension to prevent closure of contacts 45 and 45a. Disengagement of contacts 45 and 45a by the tripping arm 71 effects de-energization of relay R1, and accordingly de-energization of the main operating coil 20. It is evident, however, that as long as switch S remains in engagement with contact a, the coil 39 of relay R will remain energized to bias latch 59 upwardly to lock out the contact carrying arm 43.

Assuming now that the main switch 4 trips open due to some abnormal condition in the circuit associated therewith, arm 19 will have rotated to a position shown in Fig. 2 whereby pin 73 is no longer adjacent the extension of arm 71. Arm 71 accordingly is biased by gravity, or other suitable mea-ns, in a counterclockwise direction to rest upon the stop membei` 74. In spite of the fact that the remote switch S is still in engagement with contact a, the main operating coil 20 remains de-energized, thereby preventing the main switch 4 from rapidly re-closing or pumping, and will remain so de-energized until the remote switch S has been moved out of engagement with Contact a to diz-energize coil 39 and permit the core 5l to drop to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, where the nut 54 carried by the stem or rod 53 engages the top of latch 59 to move shoulder 62a out of engagement with extension 47. The contact-supporting arm 43 is now biased by compression spring 50 to effect engagement of contacts 45 and 45a. The circuit through coil 68 of relay Rl may now be completed by moving switch S from its neutral position back into its initial circuit-closing position as by engagement with contact a. Relay R1 is accordingly energized, as is the main operating coil 20, and the above described cycle of operation may be repeated.

It will be noted that closure of the main switch is at all times under the control of theA remote operator who may eiiect a single closing operation of the switch only by individual operation of the remote switch S. In other words, when the remote operator has moved switch S into engagement with contact a to eiect initial closure of the main switch, the main switch is precluded from reclosing after it has tripped out due to some abnormal condition in the circuit associated therewith, even though the remote switch S remains in its initial circuit closing position. In order to accomplish reclosure of the main switch, it is necessary that the remote operator perform an individual and separate remote switching operation, as by iirst moving the switch S to its neutral position and thereafter back into engagement with contact a.

` It will further be noted that contacts 45 and 45a which are in series with the remote switch S for controlling energization of relay R are positively locked out of engagement with each other by latch arm 59 substantially upon completion of the circuit closing movement of the main switch and as long as the remote switch remains in its initial circuitclosing position. In other words, contacts 45 and 45a are positively locked out of engagement with each other as long as relay R remains energized.

The lock-out system above described is generally of the character of that disclosed in the Patent No. 1,106,126 to Ytterberg, and constitutes an improvement thereover.

What I claim is:

1.. In a circuit-controlling system, a main switch, an electro-motive device for actuating the same to a given position, and means for controlling the energization of said electro-motive device comprising a switch independently biased towards a position adapted to eiiiect energization of said electro-motive device, a second control switch, and means controlled solely by said second control switch for restraining salu first control switch in another position.

2. In acircuitcontrolling system, a main switch, an electro-motive device for actuating control v the same to a given position, a control switch l independently biased towards a closed position, a second control switch o rable conjointly with said first control switch to eiIect energization of said electro-motive device, and means controlled by said second switch for restraining said first control switch in open position.

3. In a circuit-controlling system, a main switch, an electro-motive device for actuating the same to a given position, a control switch independently biased towards a given position, a second control switch operable conjointly with said first control switch to effeet energization of said electro-motive device, means actuated substantally upon completion of movement of said main switch to said given position thereof to eiect movement of said first-named control switch against its biasing means to another position, and means controlled by said second switch for restrafnin said first-named control switch in said ot er position thereof.

4. In a circuit-controlling system, a main switch, an electro-motive device for actuatin the same to a given position, n. contro switch independently biased towards a given position, a second control switch operable conjointly with said first control switch to ei'ect energization of said electro-motive device, and electro-magnetic means controlled by said second s witch for lockin said firstnamed control switch out of sai given position thereof substantially upon completlon of movement of said main switch to said given position thereof.

5. In a circuit-closing switch, an electro-motive device for actuating the same to a given position, a control switch independently biased towards a closed position, a second control switch operable conjointly with said first control switch to eiect energization of said electromotive device, means actuated substantialv ly upon completion of movement of said main switch to given position to effect movement of said control switch against its biasing means to a. deenergizing position, locking means operable to hold said first control switch in its de-energizing position, and electro-magnetic means controlled by said second control switch for actuating said locking means to hold said first control switch in its de-energizing position.

6. In a circuit-controlling system, a main switch, electro-magnetic means for actuating system, a main' the same to a given position, a switch controlling energization of said electro-magnetic' means and independently biased towards close doors circuit position, means actuated substantially upon completion of movement of said main switch to said given position to actuate said control swotch to de-ener zing position in opposition to the biasin in uence thereon, and electro-magnetica y biased 'means for engagingand locking said control erable conjointly with said first control"l switch when the latter is in said given pos tion to permit energization of said electromagnetic means, means actuated substantial- 1y upon completion of circuit-closing movement of said main switch to actuate said first control switch to de-energizing position in oppositionto the biasing influence thereon, and electro-magnetically-biased means controlledsolely by said second control switch for engaging and locking said first control switch in its de-energized position to preclude movement thereof to energizing position.

I 8. In a circuit-controlling system, a main switch, electro-magnetic means for actuating the same to circuit closing position, a switch controlling energization of said electromagnetic means and continuously biased towards closed circuit position, means actuated substantially upon completion of circuit-closing movement of said main switch to actuate said control switch to open circuit position in opposition to the biasing influence thereon, electro-magnetically-biased means for engagin and locking said control switch in its e-ener ized position to preclude movement thereo to energizing positlon, tripping means for said main switch and a second control switch for controlling said electro-magnetically-biased means.

9. Circuit-controlling apparatus comprising a base, a main switch mounted thereon, operating means for moving said switch to a given position, a relay controlling said operating means and comprising a coil and contacts normally biased to energizing position, a latch actuated by said relay to lock said contacts in de-energizing position, and means actuated substantially upon completion of movement of said maiii switch to said given position to actuate said relay contacts to latch-engaging position.

10. Circuit-controlling apparatus comprising a base, a main switch mounted thereon, operating means for moving said switch to a given position, a relay controlling said operating means .comprising a c'oil and contacts normally biased to energizing position, a latch actuated by said coil to lock said contacts in de-energizing position, means actuated substantially upon conipletion of movement of said main switch to said given position to actuate said relay contacts tolatchengaging position, and tri ping means for permitting said main switc to move to another position, said llatch precluding movement of the relay contacts to energizin positilon during continued energization o said coi i l1. Circuit-controlling apparatus comprising a base,a main switch mounted thereon, operating means for moving said switch to a given position, a relay controlling said operating means comprising a coil and contacts normally biased to energizing position, a latcli acta-ated by said coil to lock said l'nta'ct-s in fle-energizing position, and means poinprising a disengageable mechanical connection between said operating means and said relay actuated substantially upon completion of circuit-closing movement of said main switch to actuate said relay contacts to latch-engaging position.

12. In circuit-control apparatus,a circuit breaker, a circuit for controlling closing action of said breaker and including switch means biased to closed position, means operable to effect opening action of said switch means responsive to closing action of said breaker, a latch operable to lock said switch means in open position, relay means operable when energized to eifect'movement of said latch into locking position and operable when deenergized to effect movement of said latch out of locking position, and connection means providing for energization and deenergization of said relay means independently of said control circuit.

13. In circuit-control apparatus, a circuit breaker, a circuit for controlling closing action of said breaker and 'including switch means biased to closed position, means operable to effect opening action of said switch means responsive to closing action of said breaker, a latch operable to lock said switch means in open position, relay means operable when energized to effect movement of said latch into locking positioii and operable when deenergized to effect movement of said latch out of locking position, connection means providing for energization and deenergization of said relay means independently of said control circuit, and a control switch common with respect to said control circuit and said connection means.

14. In a circuit-controlling system, a main switch, electro-motive operating meanstherefor, and a control relay comprising contact structure for controlling energization of said means continuously biased toward closed circuit position, and locking mechanism biased during energization of said relay to position for holding said contact structure in open circuit position, and means for causing said,

Contact structure to remain in closed circuit Vposition untilv closure of said main switch by said operating means and thereafter to be held in open circuit position by said latching mechanism until (le-energization of said relay.

15. In a circuit-con'trolling system, a main switch, electro-motive means for actuating the same to a given position, and means for controlling said electro-motive means comprisino` a control switch continuously biased towards closed-circuit position, electro-magnetic means for locking said control switch in another position, and means adapted to energize said electro-magnetic means irrespective of the position of said control switch.

16. In a circuit-controlling system, a main switch, electro-motive means for actuating the same to a given position, and means for controlling said electro-motive means comprising a control switch independently biased towards closed circuit position, means actuated substantially upon completion of movement of said main switch to said given position to move said control switch to another position, electro-magnetic means for enga ing said control switch and locking it in said last named position, and means for controlling said electro-magnetic means independently of said control switch.

17. In a circuit-.controlling system, a main switch, electro-motive means for actuating the same to a given position, and means for controlling said electro-motive means comprising a control switch independently biased towards closed-circuit position, means actuated substantially upon completion of movement of said main switch to said given position to move said control switch to another position, electro-magnetic means for abutting said control switch to hold it in said last named position, and means for controlling said electromagnetic means independently of said control switch.

PRESLEY GRAY.

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