US2769924A - Dual voltage control system - Google Patents

Dual voltage control system Download PDF

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US2769924A
US2769924A US528018A US52801855A US2769924A US 2769924 A US2769924 A US 2769924A US 528018 A US528018 A US 528018A US 52801855 A US52801855 A US 52801855A US 2769924 A US2769924 A US 2769924A
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contacts
relay
load
control device
conductor
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Virgil R Beery
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D23/00Control of temperature
    • G05D23/19Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
    • G05D23/275Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means with sensing element expanding, contracting, or fusing in response to changes of temperature

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  • This invention relates to a dual voltage control system and more particularly to an improved dual voltage control system comprising high and low voltage control devices and interlocking means associated therewith for rendering one control device inoperative in synchronism with the actuation of the other control device.
  • Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic, partially schematic view of a dual voltage control system characterized by the features of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a relay embodying the present invention
  • Fig 3 is a back elevational view of the relay shown in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the relay shown in Fig. 3.
  • the foregoing and other ObJBCiS are realized by interlocking the high and low voltage control relays in such manner as to render the low voltage relay inoperative when the high voltage relay is energized in response to demand for high heat by a thermo-responsive unit.
  • the interlocking means includes a pair of control contacts associated with and operable by the movable contact arm or pole of the high voltage relay, which control contacts are connected in the electrical circuit between the thermointerlock contacts are opened and energizing current for the low voltage relay is interrupted.
  • a dual voltage control system 10 including a load 11 which may be an electrical heating unit energized by either 240 volts (high heat) or volts (low heat), the particular voltage supplied to the load being determined by the control circuit 10 in a manner described more fully below.
  • the heating unit 11 is adapted to supply heat to a room or building or the like in response to a call for heat by a thermostat or temperature responsive device 13.
  • the thermostat demands a large amount of heat, i.
  • the control system 10 is adapted to apply a high voltage across the heater 11 and, correspondingly, when the thermostat calls for a small amount of heat, i. e., when its contacts AC are closed, the control system 10 supplies a low voltage across the load 11.
  • the 240 volt and 120 volt energizing potentials recited above are purely illustrative and other suitable high or low voltages may be employed in accordance with the requirements of the load.
  • the control system 10 comprises a low voltage control device or relay 14 and a high source (not shown) connected across conductors 10a and 10b, the latter being connected to the load 11 through conductor 13a and through a manually actuated on-oif switch 16 and the former being connected through the switch 16, through conductor 18b and through the high voltage control device 15 to the load.
  • the hi h voltage lines 16:: and 10b are also connected to input terminals 12a and 12b of a line transformer 12. As illustrated in Fig.
  • the conductors 10a and 10b may be further connected, if desired, through a manually operated switch 17 and through a control relay 19 to supply energizing potential for a water heater 20 or any other device of this nature.
  • the transformer 12 steps down the line voltage appearing across its input terminals 12a and 12b and develops a suitable and relatively low potential across its output from the transformer 12 is impressed across the heat responsive element or thermostat 13 which is of conventional two-stage, three-wire construction, the terminal 12d being connected to terminal A of the thermostat through conductor 13a and the terminal 120 being connected to contact C of the thermostat through conductor 12e, through actuating coil 14a of the low voltage relay 14, through conductor 13d, through contacts 22a and 22b of an interlock 22 to be described in detail hereinafter, and through conductor 130.
  • the low voltage relay 14 in addition to the operating coil 14a mentioned above, comprises a pair of stationary contacts 140 and 14d and a movable arm or pole 14b carrying spaced contacts 14c and 14, adapted to engage the stationary contacts 14c and 14d, respectively, only when the operating coil 14a is encrgized.
  • the movable arm 14b comprises an insulating layer 14g sandwiched between a pair of conducting plates or wafers 1411 and 14k, the lower plate 14h carrying the contacts Me and 14
  • the fixed contacts 14c and 14d are respectively mounted upon contact supports 32 and 33 extending parallel to each other and formed of electrically conducting material.
  • the high voltage relay 15 in addition to the operating coil 15a previously referred to, comprises a pair of spaced stationary contacts 150 and 15d, a second pair of spaced stationary contacts 15g and 15h and a movable arm or pole 15b.
  • the arm 15b like the arm 14b described above, includes a pair of conducting wafers or plates 15m and 1512 separated by an insulating member 15p.
  • the fixed contacts 15g and 1511 are respectively mounted upon spaced, parallel, contact supports 35 and 36 formed of conducting material, the support 35 being connected directly through conductor 29 to one side of the load 11 and the support 36 being connected to the conductor 18b.
  • the arm 15b carries on its underside a pair of spaced contacts 15c and 15f mounted on wafer 15m and on its upper side carries a pair of spaced contacts 15j and 15k mounted on water 15H.
  • the contacts 151' and 15k respectively engage fixed contacts 150 and 15d while, when the coil 15a is energized, the contacts 15c and 15 are moved into respective engagement with the fixed contacts 15g and 15h.
  • a bus bar 3%) electrically connects the fixed contacts 15c and 15g and, as indicated above, is in turn connected through conductor 29 to one side of the load 11.
  • a bus bar 31 electrically connects the fixed contact 15d of the high voltage relay with the fixed contact 140 of the low voltage relay.
  • the fixed contact 14d of the latter relay is connected directly to ground as indicated at 34.
  • the low voltage relay 14 is operated while the high voltage relay 15 is inoperative thereby connecting conductor 29 to ground 34 through the bus bar 31'), through closed contacts 15c-15j, through conducting plate 15n of the movable arm 15b, through closed contacts 15k-15d, through bus bar 31, through closed contacts 14c-14e, through the conducting plate 14h and through closed contacts 14f-14d.
  • the load 11 is energized by the voltage appearing between conductor 1% and ground which voltage in the described arrangement has a value of 120 volts with the result that low heat is delivered by the load.
  • the coil 15a is actuated with the result that the movable arm 15b breaks the circuit between the conductor 29 and ground and, at the same time, completes an electrical circuit between conductor 29 and conductor 1811 through the support 35, through closed contacts 15g-15e, through conducting plate 15m, through closed contacts 15f15h, and through contact support 36.
  • the latter circuit is completed the relatively large voltage appearing between conductors 10a and tlib is applied across the load and high heat is delivered.
  • the movement of the arm 15b has another very important effect in that it breaks the interlock contacts 22a and 22b and, hence, severs the energizing circuit for coil 14a.
  • the pole 14b is moved to the position shown in Fig. l and the application of high voltage across contacts 15; and 1511 is prevented thereby avoiding dangerous arcing across the pairs of contacts 15d-15k and 15c-15j with attendant pitting and corrosion.
  • the coil 14a would remain energized when thermostat 13 called for or demanded high heat.
  • the thermostat 13 again reverted to its low heat condition, i.
  • the am 1512 would draw away from the fixed contacts 15g and 1511 thus tending to draw an arc.
  • the arc current in many instances is of sufiicient magnitude to freeze the contacts of the relays 14 and 15 and prevent proper operation of the control circuit 10.
  • the control system shown in Fig. 1 such operation is initiated by manually closing the switches 16 and 17 which, as illustrated, may be ganged together for single throw actuation.
  • the line voltage applied between conductors 10a and 1% excites the transformer 12 and induces the latter to develop energizing potential for the control devices 14, 15 and 19.
  • the timingdevice 21 is connected in the circuit leading to both of the control devices 15 and 19 and, accordingly, functions to prevent the application of energizing voltage to either one of these devices until the timing circuit is properly conditioned.
  • the timing device 21 includes a clock or other timer 210 for automatically closing contacts 210. and 212 only during certain periods of a complete twenty-four hour operating cycle.
  • the timing of the device 2.1 is such that the switches 21d and 21:: will be open during all peak periods of current use and, as a result, the water heater 20 will not draw current during these peak periods nor will the load 11 be energized with high voltage.
  • Such a timing device is frequently employed in rural areas where a greater charge is made for power consumed during peak operating periods.
  • the switch 21 maintains control device 19 inoperative and, hence, prevents the water heater 21% from drawing current during peak periods.
  • these periods are generally of brief duration, the heat stored in the water is usually sufficient to supply the normal demands.
  • the switch21d is connected in series with the operating coil 15a of the control device 15 and, accordingly, prevents the application of high voltage to the load 11 during all of the peak periods.
  • the load 11 can be excited only with low voltage when the control device 14 is operated in the manner previously described.
  • the control device 19 is actuated to supply current from the conductors 119a and 19b through the switch 17 and through the closed contacts of the control device 19 to the water heater 20.
  • the switch 21d is effective to permit the application of control voltage to the coil 15a whenever the thermostat 13 is conditioned to demand high heat.
  • the operating coil 14a of the control device 14 When the thermostat 13 is in its low heat position with the contacts A-C closed and with the contacts A-B opened, the operating coil 14a of the control device 14 will be energized through conductor 12a and through the closed contacts 22:: and 22b of the interlock device 22 which contacts are closed whenever the control device 15 is not actuated.
  • the control device 14 when energized functions in the manner previously described to supply to the load 11 the low voltage appearing between conductor 18a and ground 34.
  • the thermostat 13 calls for high heat, its contacts AB are closed simultaneously with the contacts AC device 21 conditioned to close the switch 221), the operating coil 15a of the control relay 15 is energized. Energization of the control device 15 draws its movable arm 15b downwardly as viewed in Fig. l and at the same time breaks the interlock contacts 22a and 221). When the interlock contacts are broken the energizing circuit for the operating coil 14a is opened and the control device 14 is restored to its inoperative position illustrated in Fig. l with its movable arm 14b out of engagement with the fixed contacts 14c and 14d. As previously described, the interruption of the low voltage control circuit prevents arcing between the contacts of the control relay 14 and 15.
  • Fig. 2 an elevational view of these devices is illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • these devices are mounted upon a generally rectangular, thin blank 40 formed of fiber or other suitable insulating material which may be referred to as a base.
  • An elongated rail or block 41 also formed of insulating material, is suitably secured to the base 49 and is provided with transversely extending grooves 41a, 41b, 41c and 41d in its upper surface for receiving electrical conducting members to be described more fully hereinafter.
  • the electrical conducting contact support 33 of the relay 14 is connected at its lower end to a lug conductor 44 seated within the recess 41a of the rail 41.
  • the connector 44 includes suitable connecting ineans such as the terminal screw 44a for accommodating an electrical conductor leading to ground 34 as illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • contact supports 32, 33, 35 and 36 may be secured to the blank 45 and to the rail 41 by means of fasteners such as machine screws (not shown) inserted upwardly through aligned apertures in the base 40 and the rail 41 and into threaded engagement with an axially extending tapped bore in each of the contact supports.
  • fasteners such as machine screws (not shown) inserted upwardly through aligned apertures in the base 40 and the rail 41 and into threaded engagement with an axially extending tapped bore in each of the contact supports.
  • the contact supports, the rail and the base are held in assembly with the contacts 14c, 14d, 15g and 15h carried upon the top of the supports 32, 33, 35 and 36, respectively, being disposed at the same height and in spaced relationship with respect to each other.
  • the bus bar 31 interconnecting the support 32 and the fixed contact 15d of the relay 15 is seated within the recess 41]) and is held in position between the support 32 and the block 41 in the manner described above.
  • the movable arm relay 14 is adapted to provide electrical connection bemovable arm 14b, as previously described comprises an insulating arm 14g sandwiched between a pair of conducting strips or wafers 14h and 14k. Suitable rivets may be passed through these strips in order to hold the contacts 14c and 14 on the bottom of the arm 14b.
  • the movable arm 14b is drawn downwardly until the contact 14f engages the contact 14:! and the contact 14a engages the contact 140. Electrical connection will thus be completed between these engaged pairs of contacts through the bottom wafer 1411 with the results described above.
  • the connector 45 includes a terminal screw 45a for receiving the conductor 29 leading to one side of the load 11 as illustrated in Fig. l.
  • the connector 46 includes a terminal screw 46a for accommodating the conductor 18b in order to connect the conductor Illa as is also illustrated
  • the fixed contact of the control relay 15 is riveted or otherwise secured to the upper end portion control of the operating coil 15a.
  • a substantially U-shaped bracket 70 having its lower end portion secured to the base 40 surrounds 15a while a similar bracket vided for the coil 140.
  • a mounting means providing pivotal movement of the movable arms 14b and 15b is suitably secured to the upper end portion of one of the legs of each of the brackets 70 and 71.
  • the mounting means for the two movable arms are identical and, accordingly, only one will be described in detail.
  • This particular mounting means may include a somewhat channel-shaped member 63 having upwardly extending end portions 63a at its opposed sides.
  • the member 63 may be rigidly secured to its associated bracket 70 or 71 by suitable fastening means such as machine screws 62.
  • the end portions 63a extend parallel to each other and are provided with aligned apertures for accommodating the opposed ends of a pivot rod 64.
  • armature plate 65 Pivotally mounted on the rod 64 is an armature plate 65 having a generally L- shaped configuration as best shown in Fig. 4 wherein one of its leg portions 652 extends downwardly sub stantially parallel to the bracket 70 and the other leg portion 65a is adapted to overlie the coil 15a. To facilitate the attachment of the armature plate 65 to the rod 64, this plate is provided with a pair .of cars 65c extending upwardly and generally parallel to each other. The
  • the movable arm 15b "of the relay 71 is pro- 15: is. secured to the leg 65a of the armature plate by means of a stud 68 passing upwardly from the leg 65a and: through an opening in the insulating plate 15p of the movable arm.
  • a coil spring 69 is preferably inserted between the adjustable head 68a of the stud 63 and the insulating plate 15p effectively provides for overtravel of the plate 65 so that, upon energization of the relay 15 and corresponding downward movement of the armature plate 65, the latter is drawn into engagement with the iron core of the operating coil of the relay even though the contacts carried by the movable arm have engaged their associated fixed contacts.
  • the rearwardly disposed end portion of the insulating plate 15p is bifurcated to surround a stud 67 extending upwardly from the leg portion 65a of the plate 65.
  • the stud'67 is preferably provided with an enlarged head portion 67a for the purpose of retaining the insulating plate 15p in position.
  • the downwardly extending leg 65b of the armature plate 65 associated with the relay 14 is provided with an adjustable screw 72 which passes through a nut 73 welded or otherwise secured to the leg 65b.
  • the end portion of the screw 72 protruding inwardly beyond the leg 65b is adapted to engage the leg of the bracket 71 when the relay 14 is deenergized.
  • the amount of pivotal movement of the armature plate 65 and, hence, the separation between the movable and fixed contacts of the relay 14a may be altered by adjusting the screw 72.
  • this structure includes a relay indicated generally by the reference numeral 74 and secured to the bracket 70.
  • This relay as best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 includes a pair :of spaced contact arms 82 and 83 extending parallel to each other and carrying the normally closed interlock contacts 22a and 22b shown in Fig. l.
  • the contact arms 82 and 83 are separated by an insulating layer 85 while the arm 82 is separated from the bracket 70 by means of a plurality of stacked insulating laminations 84.
  • Other insulating layers 86 are assembled outwardly from the contact arm 82 and the stack is completed by a retaining plate 37.
  • Aligned apertures are provided in the plate 87, in the insulators 84, 85 and 86 and. in the contact plates 82 and 83 so that machine screws 88 shown in Fig. 3 may be passed therethrough and into threaded engagement with tapped openings in the bracket 70 for the purpose of holding the stack in assembly.
  • the conductor 13c interconnecting the thermostat 13 and the interlock device '22 may be secured to a suitable terminal 83a extending laterally of the contact plate 83.
  • conductor 13d interconnecting the interlock device 22 and the operating coil 14a of the relay 14 may be connected to a laterally extending terminal or car 82a on the contact plate 82.
  • the ends of the conductors 13c and 13d may, of course, be soldered or otherwise secured to their associated terminals.
  • the contact plate 82 In order to eifect the operation of the relay 74 in correlation with the operation of the control device 15, the contact plate 82 carries a cylindrical stud 89 formed of ceramic or other insulating material and having its free end in engagement with the leg 65b of the armature plate 65.
  • the relay 15 When the relay 15 is in its deenergized condition as shown in Fig. 4, the armature plate 65 is pivoted about the rod 64 to its extreme counterclockwise position and the contacts 22a and 22b of the interlock device are closed.
  • the leg 65b moves outwardly and forces the arm 82 to draw the contact 22a out of engagement with the contact 2211.
  • the energizing circuit for the operating coil 14a of the low voltage control relay 14 is broken with the results described above.
  • the interlock 22 functions to render the low voltage relay 14 inoperative at the same time as or slightly prior to completion of the high voltage circuit. Moreover, when the thermostat 13 no longer calls for high heat, that is, with only its contacts A-C closed, the interlock 22 provides a slight time delay before allowing the low voltage relay 14 to become energized. Specifically, when the coil. 15a is deenergized by the opening of thermostat contacts A-B, the low voltage relay will not become energized until the expiration of the brief time period required to bring the contacts 22a and 22b into engagement.
  • the length of the stud 89 may be varied in order to alter the time period between the deenergization of the high voltage control relay 15 and the energization of the low voltage relay 14 and conversely to affect the time relationship existing between the energization of the high voltage relay and the deenergization of the low voltage relay.
  • the present invention provides a practical solution to the problem of eliminating high voltage arc-overs in a dual voltage system of the type employing a twostage, three-wire thermostat.
  • this problem is solved in a simple and inexpensive manner by providing an interlock associated with the high voltage relay for breaking the energizing circuit to the low voltage relay in time correlation with the completion of the high voltage circuit.
  • a first control device for controlling the application of said low voltage to said load
  • a second control device for controlling the application of said high voltage to said load
  • means for energizing said control devices and means interlocking said first and second control devices todisconnect said low voltage from said load before the application of said high voltage to said load and to apply said low voltage to said load after a predetermined time delay subsequent to deenergization of said load with said high voltage 2.
  • a first control device for energizing said load by said low voltage
  • a second control device for energizing said load by said high voltage
  • means for energizing said control devices including an electrical circuit associated with each device
  • interlocking means associated with said first and second control devices for over-controlling said first control device to remove the low voltage from said load substantially simultaneously with the energization of said load by said high voltage
  • said interlocking means including switch means connected in the electrical circuit of said first control device and actuated by operation of said second control device.
  • An electrical control system for controlling the selective energization of a heating unit with relatively high and low voltages, means operably connected to said power source, a first control device for controlling application of said low voltage to said heating unit, a first electrical circuit inineffective to supply voltage to said load substantially the actuation of the other control a first relay including coil for controlling the nected in the e ectrical circuit for the operating coil of said second relay for controlling the operation of said second relay.
  • An electrical circuit for controlling the application of relatively high and operating coil to ing an operating circuit including a second relay for controlling the application of said high voltage to said load, said second relay including a solenoid, a movable switching arm for completing said third circuit, and resilient means normentioned arm to a low voltage including said heat re- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,289 Warner Oct. 7, 1952 2,654,824 Schroeder Oct. 6, 1953 2,727,975 Molyneaux et al Dec. 20, 1955

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Description

1956 v. R. BEERY 2,769,924
DUAL VOLTAGE CONTROL. SYSTEM Filed Aug. 12, 1955 g, 7'AAMSFORM. f
United States Pate'tit 'O 2,769,924 DUAL VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEM Virgil R. Beer-y, Springfield, Ill. Application August 12, 1955, Serial No. 528,018 6 Claims. (Cl. 307-34) This invention relates to a dual voltage control system and more particularly to an improved dual voltage control system comprising high and low voltage control devices and interlocking means associated therewith for rendering one control device inoperative in synchronism with the actuation of the other control device.
In heat control systems of the type employing dual voltage control devices such as relays actuatable by conventional two-stage, three wire thermostats the high voltage control device is customarily energized simultaneously with the low voltage control device whenever conditions demand the application of quick or high voltage heat. This condition exists because of the inherent characteristics of two-stage, three wire thermostats wherein both the high and low voltage control devices are energized in response to high heat requirements. Generally, in such systems, the contacts of the high voltage control device are effective in both the high heat and low heat circuits with the result that deenergizaion of the high voltage conrol device produces high voltage arcing across its contacts. In addition to the usual disadvantages with respect to pitting and burning of the surfaces and edges of the contacts, the described arcing across the contacts of the high voltage control device is frequently of sufiicient intensity to freeze the contacts of either or both of the voltage control devices, thereby rendering the control system completely ineffective to perform the desired control functions.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above described disadvantages of the control systems of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dual voltage control system which embodies a pair of interlocked voltage control devices wherein one of the dual voltage control devices is rendered inoperative substantially simultaneously with the operation of the other control device.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dual voltage control system wherein a high voltage control device and low voltage control device are interconnected by interlocking means adapted to disconnect the low voltage control device upon operation of the high voltage control device.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dual voltage control system of the type including a two-stage thermo-responsive device together with high and low voltage control relays operable by said therrno-responsive device, wherein said control devices are interconnected by an interlocking mechanism designed to deenergize the low voltage relay simultaneously with the energization of the high voltage relay and to energize the low voltage relay following a predetermined time delay after deenergization of the high voltage relay.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, in the course of which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
' Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic, partially schematic view of a dual voltage control system characterized by the features of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a relay embodying the present invention;
Fig 3 is a back elevational view of the relay shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the relay shown in Fig. 3.
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing and other ObJBCiS are realized by interlocking the high and low voltage control relays in such manner as to render the low voltage relay inoperative when the high voltage relay is energized in response to demand for high heat by a thermo-responsive unit. In particular, the interlocking means includes a pair of control contacts associated with and operable by the movable contact arm or pole of the high voltage relay, which control contacts are connected in the electrical circuit between the thermointerlock contacts are opened and energizing current for the low voltage relay is interrupted.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 1 thereof, there is illustrated a dual voltage control system 10 including a load 11 which may be an electrical heating unit energized by either 240 volts (high heat) or volts (low heat), the particular voltage supplied to the load being determined by the control circuit 10 in a manner described more fully below. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the heating unit 11 is adapted to supply heat to a room or building or the like in response to a call for heat by a thermostat or temperature responsive device 13. Thus, when the thermostat demands a large amount of heat, i. e., when its contacts A B and AC are simultaneously closed, the control system 10 is adapted to apply a high voltage across the heater 11 and, correspondingly, when the thermostat calls for a small amount of heat, i. e., when its contacts AC are closed, the control system 10 supplies a low voltage across the load 11. Obviously, the 240 volt and 120 volt energizing potentials recited above are purely illustrative and other suitable high or low voltages may be employed in accordance with the requirements of the load.
To control the selective application of these high and low voltages to the load 11, the control system 10 comprises a low voltage control device or relay 14 and a high source (not shown) connected across conductors 10a and 10b, the latter being connected to the load 11 through conductor 13a and through a manually actuated on-oif switch 16 and the former being connected through the switch 16, through conductor 18b and through the high voltage control device 15 to the load. The hi h voltage lines 16:: and 10b are also connected to input terminals 12a and 12b of a line transformer 12. As illustrated in Fig. l, the conductors 10a and 10b may be further connected, if desired, through a manually operated switch 17 and through a control relay 19 to supply energizing potential for a water heater 20 or any other device of this nature. The transformer 12 steps down the line voltage appearing across its input terminals 12a and 12b and develops a suitable and relatively low potential across its output from the transformer 12 is impressed across the heat responsive element or thermostat 13 which is of conventional two-stage, three-wire construction, the terminal 12d being connected to terminal A of the thermostat through conductor 13a and the terminal 120 being connected to contact C of the thermostat through conductor 12e, through actuating coil 14a of the low voltage relay 14, through conductor 13d, through contacts 22a and 22b of an interlock 22 to be described in detail hereinafter, and through conductor 130.
To supply energizing potential for the high voltage relay 15, the output terminal 12a of the transformer 12 is connected through conductor 25, through a suitable timing device 21, through conductor 21b, through the actuating coil 15a of the relay 15 through conductor 13/? through contacts B-A of the thermostat 13, and through conductor 13a to the output terminal 12d of the transformer 12. The low voltage relay 14., in addition to the operating coil 14a mentioned above, comprises a pair of stationary contacts 140 and 14d and a movable arm or pole 14b carrying spaced contacts 14c and 14, adapted to engage the stationary contacts 14c and 14d, respectively, only when the operating coil 14a is encrgized.
The movable arm 14b comprises an insulating layer 14g sandwiched between a pair of conducting plates or wafers 1411 and 14k, the lower plate 14h carrying the contacts Me and 14 The fixed contacts 14c and 14d are respectively mounted upon contact supports 32 and 33 extending parallel to each other and formed of electrically conducting material.
The high voltage relay 15, in addition to the operating coil 15a previously referred to, comprises a pair of spaced stationary contacts 150 and 15d, a second pair of spaced stationary contacts 15g and 15h and a movable arm or pole 15b. The arm 15b, like the arm 14b described above, includes a pair of conducting wafers or plates 15m and 1512 separated by an insulating member 15p. The fixed contacts 15g and 1511 are respectively mounted upon spaced, parallel, contact supports 35 and 36 formed of conducting material, the support 35 being connected directly through conductor 29 to one side of the load 11 and the support 36 being connected to the conductor 18b. The arm 15b carries on its underside a pair of spaced contacts 15c and 15f mounted on wafer 15m and on its upper side carries a pair of spaced contacts 15j and 15k mounted on water 15H. Thus, with the coil 15a in its deenergized condition as shown in Fig. 1, the contacts 151' and 15k respectively engage fixed contacts 150 and 15d while, when the coil 15a is energized, the contacts 15c and 15 are moved into respective engagement with the fixed contacts 15g and 15h. A bus bar 3%) electrically connects the fixed contacts 15c and 15g and, as indicated above, is in turn connected through conductor 29 to one side of the load 11. A bus bar 31 electrically connects the fixed contact 15d of the high voltage relay with the fixed contact 140 of the low voltage relay. The fixed contact 14d of the latter relay is connected directly to ground as indicated at 34.
From the foregoing description it will be observed that when the thermostat 13 calls for low heat by closing its contacts A-C, the low voltage relay 14 is operated while the high voltage relay 15 is inoperative thereby connecting conductor 29 to ground 34 through the bus bar 31'), through closed contacts 15c-15j, through conducting plate 15n of the movable arm 15b, through closed contacts 15k-15d, through bus bar 31, through closed contacts 14c-14e, through the conducting plate 14h and through closed contacts 14f-14d. When the latter circuit is completed the load 11 is energized by the voltage appearing between conductor 1% and ground which voltage in the described arrangement has a value of 120 volts with the result that low heat is delivered by the load.
When the thermostat 13 calls for rapid or high heat by simultaneously closing its contacts A-B and A-C in accordance with the normal operation of a two-stage, three-wire thermostat of the described construction, the coil 15a is actuated with the result that the movable arm 15b breaks the circuit between the conductor 29 and ground and, at the same time, completes an electrical circuit between conductor 29 and conductor 1811 through the support 35, through closed contacts 15g-15e, through conducting plate 15m, through closed contacts 15f15h, and through contact support 36. When the latter circuit is completed the relatively large voltage appearing between conductors 10a and tlib is applied across the load and high heat is delivered.
In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, the movement of the arm 15b has another very important effect in that it breaks the interlock contacts 22a and 22b and, hence, severs the energizing circuit for coil 14a. Obviously, with the coil 14a deenergized the pole 14b is moved to the position shown in Fig. l and the application of high voltage across contacts 15; and 1511 is prevented thereby avoiding dangerous arcing across the pairs of contacts 15d-15k and 15c-15j with attendant pitting and corrosion. Specifically, in the absence of the interlock contacts 22a and 22b, the coil 14a would remain energized when thermostat 13 called for or demanded high heat. As a result, when the thermostat 13 again reverted to its low heat condition, i. e., with only contacts A--C closed and the coil 15a deenergized, the am 1512 would draw away from the fixed contacts 15g and 1511 thus tending to draw an arc. In addition to the described disadvantages with respect to pitting and corrosion of the contacts of relay 15, the arc current in many instances is of sufiicient magnitude to freeze the contacts of the relays 14 and 15 and prevent proper operation of the control circuit 10.
Turning now to the operation of the control system shown in Fig. 1, such operation is initiated by manually closing the switches 16 and 17 which, as illustrated, may be ganged together for single throw actuation. The line voltage applied between conductors 10a and 1% excites the transformer 12 and induces the latter to develop energizing potential for the control devices 14, 15 and 19. The timingdevice 21 is connected in the circuit leading to both of the control devices 15 and 19 and, accordingly, functions to prevent the application of energizing voltage to either one of these devices until the timing circuit is properly conditioned. Specifically, the timing device 21 includes a clock or other timer 210 for automatically closing contacts 210. and 212 only during certain periods of a complete twenty-four hour operating cycle. Preferably, the timing of the device 2.1 is such that the switches 21d and 21:: will be open during all peak periods of current use and, as a result, the water heater 20 will not draw current during these peak periods nor will the load 11 be energized with high voltage. Such a timing device is frequently employed in rural areas where a greater charge is made for power consumed during peak operating periods. In these particular installations, the switch 21: maintains control device 19 inoperative and, hence, prevents the water heater 21% from drawing current during peak periods. However, since these periods are generally of brief duration, the heat stored in the water is usually sufficient to supply the normal demands. The switch21d, as indicated above, is connected in series with the operating coil 15a of the control device 15 and, accordingly, prevents the application of high voltage to the load 11 during all of the peak periods. Thus, during the peak periods of operation, the load 11 can be excited only with low voltage when the control device 14 is operated in the manner previously described. In any event, when the timing device 21 is conditioned to close its switches 21d and 212, the control device 19 is actuated to supply current from the conductors 119a and 19b through the switch 17 and through the closed contacts of the control device 19 to the water heater 20. At the same time, the switch 21d is effective to permit the application of control voltage to the coil 15a whenever the thermostat 13 is conditioned to demand high heat. When the thermostat 13 is in its low heat position with the contacts A-C closed and with the contacts A-B opened, the operating coil 14a of the control device 14 will be energized through conductor 12a and through the closed contacts 22:: and 22b of the interlock device 22 which contacts are closed whenever the control device 15 is not actuated. The control device 14 when energized functions in the manner previously described to supply to the load 11 the low voltage appearing between conductor 18a and ground 34.
When the thermostat 13 calls for high heat, its contacts AB are closed simultaneously with the contacts AC device 21 conditioned to close the switch 221), the operating coil 15a of the control relay 15 is energized. Energization of the control device 15 draws its movable arm 15b downwardly as viewed in Fig. l and at the same time breaks the interlock contacts 22a and 221). When the interlock contacts are broken the energizing circuit for the operating coil 14a is opened and the control device 14 is restored to its inoperative position illustrated in Fig. l with its movable arm 14b out of engagement with the fixed contacts 14c and 14d. As previously described, the interruption of the low voltage control circuit prevents arcing between the contacts of the control relay 14 and 15. In addition, when the movable arm 15b is drawn downwardly into engagement with the fixed contacts 15g and 1511 the high voltage existing between the conductors a and 10b is applied through conductors 18a and 18b and through the control device to energize the load 11 in the manner described above. Obviously, when the thermostat 13 no longer demands high heat the contacts AC are broken and the control device 15 is rendered inoperative. When this event takes place the movable arm 15]) is moved back to the position shown in Pig. 1 and the high voltage energizing circuit to the load ill is broken. At the same time, however, interlock contacts 22a and 22b are closed to again complete the energizing circuit for the low voltage control device 14 with the result that the low voltage appearing between conductor 18a and ground is again supplied to the load 11.
Referring now in greater detail to the construction of the low voltage and high voltage control devices or relays 14 and 15 and their associated interlock 22 to perform the functions described above, an elevational view of these devices is illustrated in Fig. 2. Specifically, these devices are mounted upon a generally rectangular, thin blank 40 formed of fiber or other suitable insulating material which may be referred to as a base. An elongated rail or block 41 also formed of insulating material, is suitably secured to the base 49 and is provided with transversely extending grooves 41a, 41b, 41c and 41d in its upper surface for receiving electrical conducting members to be described more fully hereinafter.
In order to correlate the description of the structural details of the control relays 14 and 15 with the control circuit 16 shown in Fig. 1, corresponding elements have, of course, been assigned the same reference characters. Thus, the electrical conducting contact support 33 of the relay 14 is connected at its lower end to a lug conductor 44 seated within the recess 41a of the rail 41. The connector 44 includes suitable connecting ineans such as the terminal screw 44a for accommodating an electrical conductor leading to ground 34 as illustrated in Fig. 1. contact supports 32, 33, 35 and 36 may be secured to the blank 45 and to the rail 41 by means of fasteners such as machine screws (not shown) inserted upwardly through aligned apertures in the base 40 and the rail 41 and into threaded engagement with an axially extending tapped bore in each of the contact supports. In this manner the contact supports, the rail and the base are held in assembly with the contacts 14c, 14d, 15g and 15h carried upon the top of the supports 32, 33, 35 and 36, respectively, being disposed at the same height and in spaced relationship with respect to each other. The bus bar 31 interconnecting the support 32 and the fixed contact 15d of the relay 15 is seated within the recess 41]) and is held in position between the support 32 and the block 41 in the manner described above.
As previously indicated, the movable arm relay 14 is adapted to provide electrical connection bemovable arm 14b, as previously described comprises an insulating arm 14g sandwiched between a pair of conducting strips or wafers 14h and 14k. Suitable rivets may be passed through these strips in order to hold the contacts 14c and 14 on the bottom of the arm 14b. when the operating coil 14a of the relay 14 is energized, the movable arm 14b is drawn downwardly until the contact 14f engages the contact 14:! and the contact 14a engages the contact 140. Electrical connection will thus be completed between these engaged pairs of contacts through the bottom wafer 1411 with the results described above.
in the recesses 41c and 41d and are held in position between the contact supports 35 and 36 and the rail 41 by the fastening means previously described. The connector and extending upwardly from the rail 41. The connector 45 includes a terminal screw 45a for receiving the conductor 29 leading to one side of the load 11 as illustrated in Fig. l. The connector 46 includes a terminal screw 46a for accommodating the conductor 18b in order to connect the conductor Illa as is also illustrated The fixed contact of the control relay 15 is riveted or otherwise secured to the upper end portion control of the operating coil 15a.
To partially enclose and protect the coils of the relays 14 and 15, a substantially U-shaped bracket 70 having its lower end portion secured to the base 40 surrounds 15a while a similar bracket vided for the coil 140. As is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a mounting means providing pivotal movement of the movable arms 14b and 15b is suitably secured to the upper end portion of one of the legs of each of the brackets 70 and 71. The mounting means for the two movable arms are identical and, accordingly, only one will be described in detail. This particular mounting means may include a somewhat channel-shaped member 63 having upwardly extending end portions 63a at its opposed sides. The member 63 may be rigidly secured to its associated bracket 70 or 71 by suitable fastening means such as machine screws 62. The end portions 63a extend parallel to each other and are provided with aligned apertures for accommodating the opposed ends of a pivot rod 64.
To retain the rod 64 in position on the member 63, the end portions thereof protruding beyond the depend ing portions 630 may be enlarged in any suitable manner as by peening or spinning. Pivotally mounted on the rod 64 is an armature plate 65 having a generally L- shaped configuration as best shown in Fig. 4 wherein one of its leg portions 652 extends downwardly sub stantially parallel to the bracket 70 and the other leg portion 65a is adapted to overlie the coil 15a. To facilitate the attachment of the armature plate 65 to the rod 64, this plate is provided with a pair .of cars 65c extending upwardly and generally parallel to each other. The
ears are provided with aligned apertures through which the rod 64 is passed. A pivot rod 64 and having one spring 66 wound about the end fastened to the armature plate 65 and the other end in engagement with the bracket 70 biases the L-shaped armature plate 65 so that it normally tends to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4. The movable arm 15b "of the relay 71 is pro- 15: is. secured to the leg 65a of the armature plate by means of a stud 68 passing upwardly from the leg 65a and: through an opening in the insulating plate 15p of the movable arm. A coil spring 69 is preferably inserted between the adjustable head 68a of the stud 63 and the insulating plate 15p effectively provides for overtravel of the plate 65 so that, upon energization of the relay 15 and corresponding downward movement of the armature plate 65, the latter is drawn into engagement with the iron core of the operating coil of the relay even though the contacts carried by the movable arm have engaged their associated fixed contacts. To prevent pivotal movement of the movable arm 15b about the stud 68, the rearwardly disposed end portion of the insulating plate 15p is bifurcated to surround a stud 67 extending upwardly from the leg portion 65a of the plate 65. The stud'67 is preferably provided with an enlarged head portion 67a for the purpose of retaining the insulating plate 15p in position.
From the foregoing description it will be readily understood that the magnetic force exerted by the relay coil 15a, when energized, upon the armature plate 65 is sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring 66 and to pivot the armature plate 65 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4 until the fixed contacts carried by the movable arm are brought into engagement with their associated fixed contacts. On the other hand, whenever the relay coil 15a is deenergized, the bias of the spring 66 is sufficient to move the leg portion 65a of the armature plate upwardly away from the contacts carried by the upright contact supports. The construction of the pivotal mounting means for the relays 14 and 15 are identical up to this point. However, in order to limit the movement of the arm 141) when the relay coil 14a is deenergized, the downwardly extending leg 65b of the armature plate 65 associated with the relay 14 is provided with an adjustable screw 72 which passes through a nut 73 welded or otherwise secured to the leg 65b. The end portion of the screw 72 protruding inwardly beyond the leg 65b is adapted to engage the leg of the bracket 71 when the relay 14 is deenergized. Obviously, the amount of pivotal movement of the armature plate 65 and, hence, the separation between the movable and fixed contacts of the relay 14a may be altered by adjusting the screw 72.
counterclockwise movement of the armature plate 65 associated with the relay 15 is, of course, limited by engagement of the contacts 15 and 15k with the fixed contacts 150 and 15d and, accordingly, the relay 15 need not be provided with a limiting screw.
Referring now to the interlocking means 22 associated with the movable arm 15b of the high voltage control device 15, this structure includes a relay indicated generally by the reference numeral 74 and secured to the bracket 70. This relay as best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 includes a pair :of spaced contact arms 82 and 83 extending parallel to each other and carrying the normally closed interlock contacts 22a and 22b shown in Fig. l. The contact arms 82 and 83 are separated by an insulating layer 85 while the arm 82 is separated from the bracket 70 by means of a plurality of stacked insulating laminations 84. Other insulating layers 86 are assembled outwardly from the contact arm 82 and the stack is completed by a retaining plate 37. Aligned apertures are provided in the plate 87, in the insulators 84, 85 and 86 and. in the contact plates 82 and 83 so that machine screws 88 shown in Fig. 3 may be passed therethrough and into threaded engagement with tapped openings in the bracket 70 for the purpose of holding the stack in assembly.
The conductor 13c interconnecting the thermostat 13 and the interlock device '22 may be secured to a suitable terminal 83a extending laterally of the contact plate 83. Similarly, conductor 13d interconnecting the interlock device 22 and the operating coil 14a of the relay 14 may be connected toa laterally extending terminal or car 82a on the contact plate 82. The ends of the conductors 13c and 13d may, of course, be soldered or otherwise secured to their associated terminals.
In order to eifect the operation of the relay 74 in correlation with the operation of the control device 15, the contact plate 82 carries a cylindrical stud 89 formed of ceramic or other insulating material and having its free end in engagement with the leg 65b of the armature plate 65. When the relay 15 is in its deenergized condition as shown in Fig. 4, the armature plate 65 is pivoted about the rod 64 to its extreme counterclockwise position and the contacts 22a and 22b of the interlock device are closed. Upon actuation of the relay 15 to pivot the armature plate 65 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, the leg 65b moves outwardly and forces the arm 82 to draw the contact 22a out of engagement with the contact 2211. When the contacts 22a and 22b are broken in the manner just described, the energizing circuit for the operating coil 14a of the low voltage control relay 14 is broken with the results described above.
From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the interlock 22 functions to render the low voltage relay 14 inoperative at the same time as or slightly prior to completion of the high voltage circuit. Moreover, when the thermostat 13 no longer calls for high heat, that is, with only its contacts A-C closed, the interlock 22 provides a slight time delay before allowing the low voltage relay 14 to become energized. Specifically, when the coil. 15a is deenergized by the opening of thermostat contacts A-B, the low voltage relay will not become energized until the expiration of the brief time period required to bring the contacts 22a and 22b into engagement.
The length of the stud 89 may be varied in order to alter the time period between the deenergization of the high voltage control relay 15 and the energization of the low voltage relay 14 and conversely to affect the time relationship existing between the energization of the high voltage relay and the deenergization of the low voltage relay.
In view of the foregoing description, it will be recognized that the present invention provides a practical solution to the problem of eliminating high voltage arc-overs in a dual voltage system of the type employing a twostage, three-wire thermostat. In accordance with the present invention this problem is solved in a simple and inexpensive manner by providing an interlock associated with the high voltage relay for breaking the energizing circuit to the low voltage relay in time correlation with the completion of the high voltage circuit.
While the details of the present invention have been described in connection with an illustrative embodiment thereof, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the invention since many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which, nevertheless, fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying. claims.
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
1. In an electrical control system for energizing a load with relatively high and low voltages, a first control device for controlling the application of said low voltage to said load, a second control device for controlling the application of said high voltage to said load, means for energizing said control devices, and means interlocking said first and second control devices todisconnect said low voltage from said load before the application of said high voltage to said load and to apply said low voltage to said load after a predetermined time delay subsequent to deenergization of said load with said high voltage 2. In an electrical control system for energizing a load by relatively high and low voltages, a first control device for energizing said load by said low voltage, a second control device for energizing said load by said high voltage, means for energizing said control devices including an electrical circuit associated with each device, interlocking means associated with said first and second control devices for over-controlling said first control device to remove the low voltage from said load substantially simultaneously with the energization of said load by said high voltage, said interlocking means including switch means connected in the electrical circuit of said first control device and actuated by operation of said second control device.
3. An electrical control system for controlling the selective energization of a heating unit with relatively high and low voltages, means operably connected to said power source, a first control device for controlling application of said low voltage to said heating unit, a first electrical circuit inineffective to supply voltage to said load substantially the actuation of the other control a first relay including coil for controlling the nected in the e ectrical circuit for the operating coil of said second relay for controlling the operation of said second relay.
5. An electrical circuit for controlling the application of relatively high and operating coil to ing an operating circuit including a second relay for controlling the application of said high voltage to said load, said second relay including a solenoid, a movable switching arm for completing said third circuit, and resilient means normentioned arm to a low voltage including said heat re- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,289 Warner Oct. 7, 1952 2,654,824 Schroeder Oct. 6, 1953 2,727,975 Molyneaux et al Dec. 20, 1955
US528018A 1955-08-12 1955-08-12 Dual voltage control system Expired - Lifetime US2769924A (en)

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2898514A (en) * 1956-03-13 1959-08-04 Ibm Voltage control system
US2904703A (en) * 1957-06-28 1959-09-15 Guy C Hall Combination service entrance protection and demand control
US3077542A (en) * 1959-06-08 1963-02-12 Robertshaw Fulton Controls Co Load control device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2613289A (en) * 1950-02-18 1952-10-07 Hotpoint Inc Switching apparatus for electric cooking appliances
US2654824A (en) * 1951-03-08 1953-10-06 Gen Electric Control for electric ovens
US2727975A (en) * 1953-12-14 1955-12-20 Gen Electric Electric heating apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2613289A (en) * 1950-02-18 1952-10-07 Hotpoint Inc Switching apparatus for electric cooking appliances
US2654824A (en) * 1951-03-08 1953-10-06 Gen Electric Control for electric ovens
US2727975A (en) * 1953-12-14 1955-12-20 Gen Electric Electric heating apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2898514A (en) * 1956-03-13 1959-08-04 Ibm Voltage control system
US2904703A (en) * 1957-06-28 1959-09-15 Guy C Hall Combination service entrance protection and demand control
US3077542A (en) * 1959-06-08 1963-02-12 Robertshaw Fulton Controls Co Load control device

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