US2039059A - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

MM M. J. @Mmmm Mmmm@ CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct. ll', 1934 5 Sheets-Sham: l

l 1 -rs WK l a l INVENTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct. ll, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WlTNEssEs gay/@ yp11-il 28, 1936., H. J. @NAES CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct. ll, 1934 .3 SheetSf-Sheel 3 ITNESSES; INVENTOR /ff//Jf u., BY f ATTORN Y atente prm B, il

Herbert Il', abba, Wi

lab., Wm assigner to Westinghouse Electric d: Manufacturing @ompany, hast Pittsburgh, lia., a corporation oi Perlmutt Application etober lll, liti, aerial lilo.. itllpti id mais. (hi. titi ll/ly invention relates to electrical switching equipment and. particularly to outdoor disconnecting switches for use with moderate and highvoltage transmission circuits.

Dlsconnecting switches of this type are ordinarily used for isolating or sectionalizlng portions of a distribution circuit, and their design presents a rather complex problem to the electrical art. Usually such switches are mounted outdoors and are, therefore, subjected to very severe weather conditions, especially inthe northern States due to ice and sleet formation. in ordinary service, the switches are operated comparatively infrequently, and this, in combination with their normal exposed condition provides an almost ideal condition for oxide and corrosion formation.

in theinterests of safety, the switches must include means for positively locking the blades in the 'closed-ircuit position, in order that the blades shall notobe blown open by the magnetic forces incident to abnormal overload conditions. Further, they must be capaple of reliable operation underthe most adverse conditions without unduly straining the supporting or actuating lnsulators. And lastly, to prevent welding of the contacts and undesirable heating of the cooperating contact parts, the contact mechanism must include means for cutting through corrosion during the circuitclosng operation.

in contrast to these enacting operational requlrements, commercially successful switches must be simple in design to facilitate maintenance worlr and must be comparatively low in cost, due to the large numbers which are used on even a small system. Ii/lost of the prior art devices have had to effect a compromise between operational characteristics and cost, and iew of them have been entirely satisfactory. ln my copendlng applications, Serial Nos. 697,6ll, 697,612 and 727,7i6, l1 have disclosed a switch which satisfactorily meets most ofthe above enumerated reduirements. Even this switch, however, has certain undesirable features and the principal object of the present invention is the overcoming of these dmculties.

The disconnecting switch of my invention pref-- erably utilizes a blade structure which includes vtwo (or more) blade members, at least one of which is movable relative to the other, a means for securing high contact pressure between the cooperating contact surfaces of the blade andv contact means during the circuit closing operation, and a switch actuating means which, during the switch closing operation. successively swings the blade structure into proidmity with the cooperating contact means and then moves one of the blade members relative to the other in order to actuate the contact pressure securing means This arrangement maires possiblea simple and 5 comparatively inexpensive switch which is eirtremely reliable in operation. Iihe contacts may be caused to engage with a wiping action, and by proper design of the operating mechanism, the stresses induced in the operating member may be 10 reduced to a very small magnitude. Further, it

is a sple matter, as pointed out in application Serial No. 727,lt6, to provide a switch of this type with means for rigidly connecting the spaced insulators in order to prevent the inducing of large is cantilever stresses in either of those insulators when the switch is being moved to either the open or the closed circuit position None of the previously developed switches of this multiple blade type have been provided with 2e means for positively controlling the movement of the blade assemblage during the circuit closing operation. in the vertical brealr switches (shown in applications ilerial rios. ttilm and 'l2'l,'li6) this is not important, since the force of all gravity would, in most instances, bias the blade members so as to assure that the circuit closing operation would taire place in two successive steps. in the side brealr and in certain applications of the vertical brealr structures, however, to it has been found desirable to provide a spring or other means for biasing the blade elements toward the open circuit position in order to assure that the normal successive operation shall taire place. auch arangements, however, do not posi- 35 tively determine the relative positionsiof the movable elements of the switch during im operation, and ii the blade assemblage strikes an obstruction, during the switch closing movement, the movable elements which actuate the contact le pressure securing means will be moved relative to one another and will thereby prevent the blade means from engaging the cooperating contacts. 'in the present invention one linlrage is utilized for swinging the bladev assemblage from one podo because of premature operation of the contact pressure securing means.

This linkage arrangement is applicable to other forms of switches and like equipment, and afurther object of my invention is to provide an lmproved actuating mechanism for use with electrical switches and similar devices generally.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved, simplifiedv operating mechanism which shall be capable of effecting the actuation of the controlled equipment in two successive steps, while at the same time permitting the use of a rotatable actuating member which moves at a substantially constant speed.

A further object of my invention is to provide an actuating mechanism for a multiple blade switch which shall include means for swinging the bladeassemblage from one position to the other and for moving one of the blade members relative to the blade assemblage, the two movements to take place in successive steps regardless of the position oi.' the switch.

These and other objects of my invention will be made more apparent by reference to the following drawings and description, wherein I have particularly set forth the structural features of a preferred embodiment of my invention. Refer- -ring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a vertical brake disconnecting switch wherein are embodied the principal features oi' my invention,

Fig, 2 is a plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 1,

' Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the switch shown in Figs. 1 and 2, showing the relative position of the several elements during the initial stages of the switch opening operation,

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the --position of the switch elements shortlyv before the blade has been moved to the fully open position,

Figs. 5, 6, and 'I are fragmentary perspective views showing various steps in the switch opening operation, and

Fig. B is a fragmentary plan view showing certainof the details of the switch operating mechanism.

The preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings is of the three-insulator, vertical break type. It includes a channel iron base I, a pair of spaced insulators 3 and 5 rigidly supported upon the base I, and a third insulator 1 rotatably supported upon the base, through a bearing 9, in order to permit the actuation of the switch. A metallic cap II is cemented to the top of each of the three insulators. A jaw member I3 is supported upon the cap II of the left-hand (Figs. 5 and 6) insulator 3; a cast double-crank member I5 is affixed to the cap member of the rotatable insulator 1, and the `blade assemblage I1 is pivotally supported upon a U-shaped support member I9 ailixed to the cap of the other stationary insulator 5.

The jaw contact I3 comprises a fiat central portion 2| for engaging the cooperating cap member II, and a pair of upstanding side members 23, which have flared outer ends ingorder to facilitate the engagement of the blade assemblage with the jaw contact. The inner contact surfaces of one of the upstanding side members terminates in a toothed portion 25, which is adapted to cooperate with the blade means I1 in order to permit the mechanical inter-connecting `of vthe insulators 3 and V5 during the operation of the switch, and the inner contactsurface 21 of the other member-,23 is machined to an arcuate form in order that it may engage the cooperating portion of the blade means with a high pressure line contact."The central portion 2l of the jaw terminates in a projecting section 29', cast integral therewith, which serves to support one of the two switch terminals 3|.

The blade assemblage I1 comprises a pair of tubular blade members 33 and 35 which are joined together adjacent their outer end by a linkage, which comprises two parallel link members 31, one end of' which linkage is pivotally joined to each of the blade members. At their inner end, the blade members are joined together by a second linkage, which comprises two similar link members 39, and thus take the form of a quadrilateral linkage. The outer end of each of the blade members is provided with a contact portion 4I', the one which is aiiixed to the inner blade member 39 having a toothed section 43 for cooperating with the toothed vportion 25 of the jaw I3, and the other contact portion being formed with a substantially flat contact ysurface 45 for cooperating with the other jaw contact portion 21.

A Y-shaped support member 41 is brazed or otherwise rigidly aflixed to the lower end of the inner blade member 33, and the bifurcated portion of this member engages a pin 49 which serves to pivotally support the entire blade assemblage upon the main U-shaped support member I9. A somewhat similar Y-shaped member 5I is affixed to the lower end of the outer blade member 35 and engages a pin 53 which serves to pivotally interconnect the outer blade member with one end of the links 39. The member 41 is provided with a pair of upstanding portions 55, cast integral therewith. These members are positioned so as to form a bell crank lever which is utilized for effecting the operation of the switch.

As is shown particularly in Figs. 2, 5, and '1, the disposition af the links 31 and 33 which connect the blade members at either end is such that the blades are skewed with respect to one another. 'I'his arrangement makes possible an extremely rigid structure and adds much to the reliability of operation of the device.

The switch actuating mechanism proper comprises a pair of offset crank members 51 and 59, and a pair of link members 6I and 63 which serve to connect each of the crank members with one of the two blade members. As mentioned above, the crank members are cast integral with each other in the member I5 which is rigidly bolted to the cap portion II of the rotatable insulator 1, and the .desired offset isobtained (see Fig. 2) by angularly displacing the holes for the associated pivot pins 65 and B1 which operatively connect the cranks with the link members BI and 63. Each of the link members engages its cooperating crank member, and the blade member which it is adapted to actuate through a universal joint 69, which is capable of accommodating itself to the normal relative movement of the several parts during the operation of the switch.

The quadrilateral linkage arrangement of the blade assemblage allows the outer blade member 35 to be moved longitudinal with respect to the other blade member during the operation'of the switch, and through the arrangement of the offset crank members 51 and 59 and the other elements of the actuating mechanism, the normal swingable motion of the entire blade assemblage is prevented, during the switch opening and during the switch closing operation, while the desired nosas relative movement of the two biade members is being effected. By this means, the switch closing and the switch opening operations are both caused to take place in two successive steps and, as will be described in some detail in subsequent paragraphs, the improved operation of the device is thereby made possible. The cranks El and 59 and the link members 6i and 63 which serve to conneet the cranks to the associated blades form a pair oi' toggle linkages, each oi which is moved through its dead center position during the final stages oi the circuit closing operation. Through this arrangement it is possible for the switch operating mechanism to exert extremely large iorces during the normal operation oi' the switch without unduly stressing the insulator columns or other parte oi the devices.

The cooperating tooth portions 43 and 25 of the inner blade member 33 and the contact law it are adapted to engage, during the switch closing operation, in such manner that the two spaced insulators 3 and 5 are rigidly interconnected, thereby distributing any stresses to wl'iich either insulator might be subjected equally between the two.V .d dat plate member ll, which is rigidly bolted to the central insulator b serves to mechanically connect that insulator with the rotatable insulator l, the base portion "it oi the cranlr assemblage l5, which is circular in outline and mounted concentric with the axis of rotation oi the rotatable insulator "l, being adapted to eirtend through a suitable opening it iormed in the plate il in order to provide a bearing suriace therewith. The other switch terminal di is bolted to the lower end oi theplate ll.

Llille combined effector mechanically interconnecting the'twospaced insulators il and t by the blade assemblage i'l, and oi then mechanically connecting those two vinsulators with the other end-crine toggle actuating linkage by the plate member li, maires pssible an almost complete elimination of any cantilever stresses on the insulator columns during the switch actuating operation. Danger of breakage oi the insulators is thus reduced' to a' minimum'iand/the safety factor of the switch is raised 'very considerably.

The switch is shown in the closed circuit position in Figs. i, 2 and t. To open the switch, the rotatable insulator l is turned in a counter cloclrwise direction. This movement ediately causes the center oi the pivot pin tb which connects the outer linlr 6l .with the outer crani; member tl to be moved from the dead center position shown in Fig. 2 to a position where it begins to eiiect a longitudinal pull upon the outer blade member it. The initial portion oi 'this rotatable movement has .no appreciable edect upon the other blade member 3i due to the iact that the center oi the pivot pin bl which connects the inner link bt with the inner cranlr member tu is being moved from an overcenter position through the dead center position. Thus, the effect of the initial portion oi the switch opening operation is to move the outer blade member 35 longitudinally with respect to the inner blade ember 3b, while holding that blade member and the blade assemblage as a whole substantially in the closed circuit position. The angular displacement oi the cranlrs and the arrangement oi the linkages are so correlated, with respect to one another', that sucient relative movement oi the outer blade member 3b is effected to produce a disengagement oi the cooperating contact surlaces db and lill ol the contact portion di and the law i3, which s norlly lengage with a wiping action, and to move the outer ends ol the two blade meers sciently close togetherto edect the removal of all pressure fro the cooperating toothed portions 4l and i5. This position is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6.

As the opening operation progresses. the entire blade assemblage il is sg out oi engagement with the jaw il, due to the lact that the passage ci the center line of the pivot pin di, which connects the inner lint: tt to the lower cranlr inember bt, over the dead center position results in the producing oi' a tensioning force upon the parallel, opstanding lever portions tb which are formed integral with the support di ior the inner blade member, there upstanding portions acting substantially as a bell cranlr lever. While a very slight amount oi relative movement ol the blade members di and iii may taire place during the remaining portions ci the circuit opening operation, the edect oi this movement is negligible, and as the angularity between the center line ol the switch and the cranks increases, this relative movement becomes progressively less.

Figs. 3 and 6 illustrate the position oi the blade members immediately following the movement oi the center oi the inner pin iii to the dead center position. it will be seen that the upper blade member has moved the desired amount longitudinally with respect to the lower blade member. d li'ig. il illustrates the position ol the blade and line members at a subsequent position during the circuit opening operation. ln this view, the blade assemblage has been sg completely out oi engagement with the contact jaw.

11 en the switch is in the lull open circuit position, the blade assemblage il is preierably moved to a substantially vertical position, this arrangement nimising the stresses upon the several portions oi the actuating mechanism.

During the switch closing operation, the rotatable insulator 'i is moved in a cloclrwise direction. The initial result ol' this movent is to cause the blade assemblage il to be sng irom the iull open circuit position to a position where the outer end oi' each ol the individual blade ernbers is in pro t 111.1 to the contact law ii. .at this point, the toggle linlrage which is iormed by the inner cranlr member til and the inner iinlrage member ti is adapted to be in the iully erstantially no swingable movement oi the inner blade member iii oi the blade assemblage il is produced. liihe toggle inltage iormed by the outer cranlr member lili and the outer linlr iii does not, however, reach the extended position as soon as the inner linlrage, simpatia-result, during the final portion ci the circuit closing operation, the outer blade member till 'is proved :longitudinally with respect to the inner blade member illiwhile that member is held substantially stationary.`

'This longitudinal movementvcauses the outer blade member-lib to move laterally with respect to the inner blade member il by virtue oi' the uuadrilateral linlrage arrangement. The toothed embers it and ill are thus pushed into engagement with'each other, and the other contact portions il and iii are caused to engage with a high pressure wiping engageent.

When the switch is in the closed circuit position, the linlrs it which pivotally ,loin the two blade chers at their outer ends are preierm ably in a position which is at right angles to the axes of the blades, in order that no force shall be exerted by the linkage biasing the switch in either direction. The inner toggle linkage, which effects the swingable movement of the blade assemblage, is in the overcenter position when the switch is closed, and the rotatable insulator 'I is preferably against a stop. This arrangement, and the positioning of the outer toggle linkage in substantially the extended position when the switch is closed, serves to provide an effective means for latching the blade assemblage in the closed position.

Since the links 39 which pivotally Join the blade members at their outer ends, are displaced some distance from the point of engagement of the contact portions 4I with the jaw member I3, these links serve to form a fulcrum point for each of the two blade members. Thus, as the outer blade 35 is moved longitudinally and laterally with respect to the other blade 33 during the switch closing operation, the resilience of each of the blade members is utilized for resiliently biasing the cooperating contact portions of the switch into engagement with one another, each blade acting in substantially the manner of a simple crowbar type lever. This arrangement greatly reduces the cost of the switch by allowing rigid contact portions to be utilized, and since a very considerable movement of the blade members may take place without eiecting any substantial reduction in the contact pressure, the device is practically self-compensating for wear. If it is desired that one of the blade members shall remain absolutely stationary while the other is being moved to effect the actuation of the contact pressure securing means, it is possible to introduce a small amount of play into the operating linkages. Ordinarily, however, any inaccuracies in manufacture or any slight relative movement of the twov blades will be taken up by the natural resilience of those members.

The main crank means, as is shown particularly in Figs. 2, 6 and '7, is cast with a pair of projecting lug members 19 which form a continuation of the inner crank portion 59 thereof. This is done in order that the pin 6l which connects the inner tie member 63 to the inner crank member may be positioned at either side of the center line of the switch, thereby making it possible to operate the switch by rotating the rotatable insulator 1 in either a clockwise or a counter clockwise direction.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have disclosed the features oi' a new form of disconnecting switch wherein a high contact pressure is securedbetween the cooperating contact surfaces of the blade assemblage and the contact means through the provision of a multiple blade structure, one of the blade members being movable relative to the other (or others) in order to effect the actuation of the Contact pressure securing means. Further, I have disclosed an improved operating mechanism suitable for switches of this type which is provided with a single rotatable actuating member, and means movable to successively cause the blade assemblage to be swung from the open to the closed circuit position and to then cause one of the blade members to be moved relative to the other in order to effect the actuation of the contact pressure securing device.

My improvedl operating mechanism utilizes ,a pair of toggle linkages for effecting the succes'- sive actuationy of the blade and the contact means, and it is so arranged that the movement of the blade assemblage and of the individual movable blade means is positively controlled at all times. Thus, any lateral movement ofthe blades which might tend to prevent the free movement of the switch to the closed circuit position is positively prevented, and the need for any biasing means whatsoever is eliminated. 'I'hrough this arrangement, the improved switch which I have disclosed is capable of operating equally Well in any position-vertically, horizontally or inverted.

In addition to the above, I have shown, in the preferred embodiment of my invention, how the novel principles disclosed may be utilized in a switch which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture despite its great reliability in operation. Among the desirable features disclosed is the provision of an arrangement wherein the natural inherent resilience of the blades is utilized for biasing the cooperating contact surfaces into engagement with one another, and an improved linkage and crank assemblage which is extremely simple in design.

While in the foregoing description the various portions of the switch have been specified as being mounted upon insulators, it is to be understood that the term insulator shall include insulators or any combination of such devices into a column or the like. In the claims theterm insulator column has been used, and it is my desire that this shall include either a single insulator or a multiplicity of insulators.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have disclosed, in the foregoing, the structural details of a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is to be understood, however, that many of these details are merely illustrative, and the broad principles of the invention may be applied to numerous other structures and to numerous devices other than disconnecting switches. It is my intention, therefore, that the language of the accompanying claims shall be accorded the broadest reasonable interpretation, and that my invention shall be limited only by what is expressly stated therein and by the prior art.

I claim the following as my invention:

1. In an electric switch, a contact means, a pair of blade members for cooperating therewith,

at least one of said blade members being movable longitudinally with respect to the other of said blade members during the operation of said switch, and actuating means for said switch, in cluding means operable during the circuit closing operation to move both of said blade members into proximity with said contact means and to then move said one of said blade members longitudinally relative to the other of said blade members, said actuating means including means for positively determining the relative positions of said blade members at all times during the operation of said switch.

2. In an electric switch, a single contact means, a pair of bladeA members for cooperating therewith, at least one of said blade members being longitudinally movable relative to the other of said blade members, and actuating means for said switch, including means operable during the circuit closing operation to move both of saidblade members into proximity with said contact meansand to then move one of said blade members longitudinally Vwith respect to the other oi said members, saidactuating means including rigid means for positively determining the rela-l lli titl

liti

ausente tive positions oi' said blade mebers during the operation oi said switch.

d. lin an electric switch, a single contact means, a pair oi blade members ior cooperating therewith, one oi'" said blade melders being longitudinally and laterally movable relative to the other oi said blade members, and actuating means tor said switch including means operable during the circuit closing operation to move both oi said blade members into proirimity with said single contact means and to then move said one oi said blade members longitudinally and laterally relative to the other oi said blade members, said longitudinal' and said lateral movement causing the cooperating contact portions oi said contact means and. said blade members to be moved into intimate engagement with one another, said actuating means positively preventing substantial relative longitudinally or lateral movement oi' said blade members except when those meinbers have been moved into proximity with said contact means.

f-i. lin an electric switch, a contact means, a

blade assemblage, including a pair oi blade meA bers, tor cooperating with said contact means, at least one oi said blade members being movable relative to the other oi said blade members, means lor supporting said blade assemblage ior swingable movement trom one position to the other, and actuating means lor said switch iricludirg means operable during the circuit closing operation to swing said blade assemblage into proximity with said contact means and to then move said one oi said blade members relative to the other while the said other blade member is held substantially stationary, said actuat-u ing means including rigid means ior positively determining the relative positions oi' said blade members at all times during thev operation oi said switch.

5. ln an electric switch, a contact jaw, a pair oi blade members, at least one oi which is longitudinally and laterally movable with respect to the other, tor cooperating with said contact jaw, and actuating means :tor said switch, in-n cluding means operable during each circuit closing operation to successively move said blade members into proximity with said contact law, and to then move said one oil/said blade mem bers longitudinally and laterally relative to the Y other in order to eiiect an intimate engagement between the cooperating contact portions oi" said jaw d said blade members, said actuating means positively preventing substantial, relative longitudinal or lateralmovement oi said blade members except when those members have been moved into proaimity with said contact means.

d. in an electric switch, a single contact means, a pair oi' generally parallel blade members, at least one oi which is longitudinally movable relative to the other, i'or cooperating with said contact means, means ior' producing a high pressure engagement between the cooperating contact .airiaces oi said blade members and said contact means when said switch m in the closed circuit position, and actuating means lor 'said switch including a pair oi cranlr members, means :lor mechanically connecting each oi said cr members to one oi said. blade members, and a single rotatable means lor actuating both oi said cranlr. members said cranlr mebers, said con-- neeting means, and said blade members being so correlated that, during each switch uw operation, said blade members are moved into promity to said contacteans thout sub@ sttial relative lotudinal ovement d are then moved longitudinally relative to one an other to edect the actuation oi' said contact pressure securing means..

'l'. in an electric switch, a single contact means, a blade assemblage, including a pair or general-Il ly parallel blade members, ior cooperating with said contact means, at least one oi said blade members being longitudinally movable relative to the other or said blade members, mes i'or supporting said blade assemblage ior swingable movement into and out oi engagement with said contact means, and actuating cans ior said switch including a separate operated linlrage ior engaging each oi said blade mem bers and a single rotatable means ior actuating said linkages, said linkages and said rotatable means being so correlated that, during each switch closing operation, said blade assemblage is rst swung into proximity with said contact means, without substantial relative longitudinal movement oi said blade members, and then, while the other oi said blade members is held substantially stationary, said one oi said blade members is moved longitudinally with respect to the said other blade member in order to ei'- iect an intimate engagement between the cooperating contact portion oi.' said blade members and said contact means, said actuating means positively determining the relative positions oi said blade'members all times during the oper--v ation oi the switch.

o. in an velectric switch, a contact eans, a

pair oi blade members, at least one ol which is movable longitudinally relative to the other, for cooperating with said contact means, and actuating means tor said switch, inclu a separate toggle linlrage lor engaging each oi said blade members, said ges being adapted to be in the collapsed position when said switch is in the normal open circuit position and being adapted to be moved to the extended position, at diderent times, rduring the switch closing operation, thereby causing both oi said blade mebers to be moved substantially simultaneously into proximity with said contact means and then causingsald one oi said blade members to be moved longitudinally relative to the other blade mber in order to eitect an intimate erigagernent between the cooperating contact portions oi saidblade members and said contact means.

d. in an electric switch, a contact means, a blade assemblage, including a pair ci blade members ior cooperating, with said contact means, at least one oi said blade members being movable longitudinally relative to the other ci said blade members, means i'or supporting said blade assemblage tor swingable motion, and actuating means tor said switch, including a separate toggle linlrage ior operatively engaging each oi said blade members and a single rotatable means ior actuating both oi said linlrages, both oi' said linkages being adapted to be in the collapsed position when said switch is in the open circuit position and being movedtoward the extended position by said rotatable means during the closing operation oi' the switch, and one oi' said linlrages being adapted, during the switch closing operation, to reach the iully entended position beiore the other in order that said bla-de assemblage may be sg to prorrty with said contact means during the tial,

stages oi' the switch closg operation and lli lid

btt

dit

blt

il il,

lili

held in that position while said one of said blade members is moved longitudinally relative to the other, in order to eect an intimate engagement between the cooperating contact position of said blade members and said contact means.

10. In an electric switch, a single contact means, a pair of blade members, at least one of which is movable relative to the other, a linkage for connecting said blade members adjacent the end which engages said contact means, and actuating means for said switch, including means operable during each circuit closing operation to move both of said blade members into proxunity with said contact means and to then move at least one of said blade members longitudinally relative to the other of said blade members, said relative longitudinal movement of said blade members, effecting the actuation of said linkage and thereby producing an intimate engagement between the cooperating contact surfaces of said blade members and said contact means, said actuating means including means for positively determining the relative positions of said blade members at all times during the operation of said switch.

11. In an electric switch, a contact means, a pair of blade members for cooperating therewith, at least one of said blade members being longitudinally movable relative to the other of said blade members, means, including a link member pivotally joined to each of said blade members adjacent the end which engages said contact means, for causing a high pressure engagement between the cooperating surfaces of said blade members and said contact means when said switch is in the closed circuit position, and actuating means for said switch, including means operable during each circuit closing operation to move both of said blade members into proximity with said contact means and to then move one of said blade members longitudinally relative to the other of said blademembers in order to elect the actuation of said pressure securing means, said actuating means including rigid means for positively determining the relative positions of said blade members at all times during the operation of said switch.

12. I n an electric switch, a unitary contact means, a blade assemblage, including a pair of blade members, for cooperating with said-contact means, at least one of said blade members being movable relative to the other of said blade members, means for supporting said blade assemblage for swingable movement from one position to another, means, including a link member pivotally joined to each of said blade members adjacent the end which engages said contact means, for causing a high pressure engagement between the cooperating surfaces of said blade members and said contact means when said switch is in the closed circuit position, and actuating means for said switch including means operable during the circuit closing operation to swing said blade assemblage into proximity with said contact means and to then move said one of said blade members relative to the other, while the said other blade member is held substantially stationary, in order to elect the actuation of said pressure securing means, said actuating means positively determining the relative positions of said blade members at all times during the operation of said switch.

13. Inan electric switch, a unitary contact means, a pair o! blade members for `cooperating therewith, at least one of said blade members being longitudinally movable relative to the other of said blade members, means, including a link member pivotally joined to each of said blade members adjacent the end which engages said contact means, for causing a high pressure engagement between the cooperating surfaces of said blade members and said contact means when said switch is in the closed circuit position, and actuating means for said switch including a separate linkage for engaging each of said blade members, said linkages being so correlated that, during the switch closing operation, said blade members are moved substantially simultaneously into proximity with said contact means and then said one of said blade members if moved longitudinally relative to the other of said blade members in order to effect an intimate engagement between the cooperating contact portions of said blade members and said contact means.

14. In an electric switch, a unitary contact means, a blade assemblage, including a pair of blade members, for cooperating with said contact means, at least one of said blade members being longitudinally movable relative to thev other of said blade members, means for supporting said blade assemblage for swingable motion, means, including a link member pivotally joined to each of said blade members adjacent the end which engages said contact means, for causing a high pressure engagement between the cooperating surfaces of said blade members and said contact means when said switch is in the closed circuit position, and actuating means for said switch including a separate, crank operated linkage for engaging' each of said blade members and a common rotatable means for actuating said linkages, said linkages and said rotatable means being so correlated that, during each switch closing operation, said blade assemblage is swung into proximity with said contact means, without substantial relative movement of said blade members, and then, while the other of said blade members is held substantially station ary, said one of said blade members is moved longitudinally with respect to the said other blade member in order to eifect the actuation of said pressure securing means.

15. In an electric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, conducting means mounted on each of said columns, a movable blade assemblage, including a pair of blade members, for bridging said conducting means to provide an electrical circuit therebetween, and actuating means for moving said blade assemblage to the open and to the closed circuit position, said blade assemblage and said conducting means including cooperating means operable to rigidly interconnect said insulator columns so as to prevent relative movement therebetween during at least a portion of the circuit closing operation, at least one of said blade members being movable longitudinally relative to the other during the circuit closing operation to effect the operation of said interconnecting means, said actuating means including means operable during the circuit closing operation to move both of said blade members into proximity with said contact means and to then move said one of said blade members longitudinally relative to the other of said blade members, said means positively ydetermining the relative positions of said blade members at all 'times during the operation of said switch.

16. in an electric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, conducting means mounted on each of said columns, a movable blade assemblage, including a pair of blade members, -ior bridging said conducting means to provide an electrical circuit therebetween, and actuating means for moving said blade assemblage to the open and to the closed circuit position, said blade assemblage and said conducting means including cooperating toothed members, capable of accommodating themselves to a considerable amount of relative movement of said insulator columns, for rigidly interconnecting said insulator columns so as to prevent relative movement therebetween during at least a portion of the circuit closing operation, at least one of said blade members being movable relative to the other, during the circuit closing operation to eiect the engagement of said cooperating toothed members, said actuating means including means operable during the circuit closing operation to move both of said blade members into proximity with said contact means and to then move said one of said blade members relative to the other of said blade.

members, said means positively determining the relative positions of said blade members at all times during the operation of said switch.

l'l'. In an electric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, conducting means supported upon one of said columns, a blade assemblage, means for supporting said blade assemblage upon the other of said columns for swingable movement into and out of engagement with said contact means to close and to open the electrical circuit through said switch, and actuating means for moving said blade assemblage to the open and to the closed. circuitposition, said blade assemblage and said conducting means including cooperating means operable to rigidly interconnect said insulator columns so as to prevent relative movement therebetween during at least a portion of the circuit closing operation, at least one of said blade members being movable relative to the other during the circuit closing operation to effect the operation of said interconnecting means, and actuating means for said switch including a plurality ci cooperating linkages so arranged and so correlated that, during 'the switch closing operation, said blade assemblage is swung into proximity with said contact means and then said one of said blade members is moved relative to the other of said blade members in order to effect the operation of said interconnecting means, said linkages positively determining the relative positions of said blade members at all times during the operation of saidswitch.

18. In an electric switch, a contact means, a blade assemblage which includes a pair of blade members and which is movable between two extreme positions for cooperating therewith, at least one of said blade members being movable longitudinally relative to the other blade member during the operation oi said switch, and actuating means for said switch, including means operable successively to move said blade assemblage from one position to the other and to then cause relative longitudinal movement between said blade members, said actuating means positively controlling the movement of said blade assemblage and the relative positions of said individual blade members at all times, in order that the movement of said blade assemblage and the relative movement of said blade members shall take place in successive steps.

19. In an electric switch, a contact means, a blade assemblage, including a pair of blade mem-u bers, for cooperating with said Contact means, at least one of said blade members being movable longitudinally relative to the other of said blade members, means for supporting said blade assemblage for swingable movement into and out oi engagement with said contact means, and actuating means for said switch including means operable successively to swing said blade assemblage from one position to the other and to then move said one of said blade members longitudi nally relative to the other, said actuating means positively determining the relative positions oi' said blade members at all times during the operation of said switch.

MRBERT J. CRABBS.

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