US2794873A - Switching device with l-shaped contactor bars - Google Patents

Description

VJune 4, 1957 T. G. BANK SWITCHING DEVICE wrm L-SHAPED CoNTAcToR BARS Filed Oct. 28, 1954 United States Patent O SWITCHING DEVICE WITH L-SHAPED CONTACT R BARS Thor G. Bank, West Allis, Wis., assignor to Allis-ChaL mers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application ctober 28, 1954, Serial No. 465,240

4 Claims. v(Cl. 200-50) switching desired auxiliary circuits.

Switchgear is usually withdrawably mounted -by an extensible mounting carried by the-cubicle to facilitate mov- `ing the switch from an operating position'to a testing or a repair position. In an operating position primary con- 'tacts presented by the switch are connected with mating primary contacts rpresented .by the cubicle and are in sliding engagement with each other. The switching device, namely, the auxiliary contacts between the switch and cubicle, transmits the desired v.operating and control signals from the cubicle to the switch. It is necessary to test the responses of the various operating portions of the switch to predetermined control signals. The switching device provides the desired operating rand test position switching. The switch in its closed position receives through the switching device one set of control signals responsive tothe circuit conditions. In the test positionthe auxiliary contact of the switch is slidably moved to the test position along the auxiliary contact carried by the cubicle thereby effecting contact on a test contact portion. A set of testing signalsmay then be applied to test the reaction and operation of the switch in response to these signals.

As load'and line conditions change, the switch may be made responsiveV to a different set of control signals. This may be effected by changing the arrangement 'of the switching 'device contact portions in test and Voperation positionsfeifected--by removal of'portions -of the contact bar and reinsertion of bar and insulator spacers. Many desired arrangements may be so effected. This then eliminates the need for replacement of the entire switching device every time circuit parameters yor operating conditions change.

An object of this invention is to provide a switching device simple in design and manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switching device which conducts one set of desired signals in an operating position and may conduct another set of signals in a test position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switching device with L-shaped contactor bars for supporting themselves and an insulator body therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switching device in which the contactor bars are interchangeable with insulator spacers to effect various circuit arrangements.

Objects and advantages other than those set fort above will be apparent from the following 4description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmental view partly in section of a switch extensibly mounted in a cubicle embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged isometric fragmentary view showing the stationary or cubicle contacts of the switching device mounted in an insulator block;

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Fig. 3 is an enlarged section view of contacts of the switching device presenting two current carrying paths;

Fig. 4 is a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. y5 is a modification `of the structure shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

The switching device includes a switch or circuit breaker 10 which is extensibly mounted in a cubicle 11 by pantographs 12. Switch 10 is shown in Fig. 1 as having its primary contacts 13 connected with mating primary contacts 14 carried by cubicle 11. Mating primary contacts 14 may be connected by buses 15 to a circuit (not shown) in which protection is desired. Switch '10 may be yextended by `operation of screw 18 mounted by cubicle 11 for coacting with threaded lug 19 affixed to the switch. Rotation of screw 18 moves lug 19 alongscrew 18 and extends switch 10.

Auxiliary circuit connectors form a further part of the switching device and have first contacts 20 mounted on vand presented by switch 10 for sliding engagement with second contacts 21. Second contacts 21 are mounted in a contact block 22. Insulated contact block 22, a part of cubicle 11, mounts second contacts 21 by bolts 23. Bolts 23 are conductors and extend through contact block 22 to permit attachment of suitable auxiliary circuit conductors to effect operation of switch 10 infresponse to desired signals.

Second contacts 21 support and are spaced apart by an insulator body 24. Insulator` body 24 maintains a predetermined spacing between contacts 21.

Second contacts 21 comprise a pair of L-shaped contactor bars 28. Each of the `bars has a first part 29 and a second part 30. The rst part includes `an operating contact portion 31 and a test contact portion 32. Means, such as rivets 33 or screws 34, may be used to fasten first part 29 to body 24.

Second part y30 is fastened to block 22 by bolts `23, which block is in turn presented by cubicle 11. Second part 30 totally supports the entire assembly including second contacts 21 and body 24.

An insulating spacer 38 may be used in conjunction with operating contact portion 31 and test contact portion 32 to separate the portions thereby providing two separate circuits, one for operating position and one for test position of switch 10. Figs. 4 through 6 show various modifications effecting various circuit combinations by use of insulating spacer 38. Spacer 38 may be associated with either one or both of the bars 28. Fig. 4 illustrates the use of spacer 38 with the upper of the bars 28, separating operating contact portion 31 from test contact portion 32.

Fig. 5 shows one of the bars 28 having a long operating contact portion 31 and with insulating spacer 38 forming the test contact portion 32. Either one or both of bars 28 may be so constructed.

Fig. 6 shows a modification wherein both bars 28 have insulating spacers 38 separating operating contact portion 31 from test contact portion 32. Thus the spacer 38 is utilized to obtain another change of circuit through the bars 28.

Operation of the switching device is effected when it is desired to extend switch 10 from its operating position, as shown in Fig. 1 and by the solid fragments of rst contacts 20 in Figs. 3-6, to its test position shown by the dotted fragment of rst contacts 20 in Figs. 3-6.

As screw 18 is rotated, lug 19 follows therealong causing extension of switch 10 on pantographs 12 with respect to cubicle 11. Primary contacts 13 and 14 are disengaged from each other and the auxiliary contacts, namely, first contact 20 slidingly moves from engagement with operating contact portion 31 of second contact 21 to test and described herein is illustrative only and the invention includes suchother modications and equivalents as may readily appear to those skilled in the art and in the s scope of the appended claims. v VIt is claimed and desired to secure by vLetters Patent: 1. A switching device including a cubicle and a circuit 'breaker withdrawably mounted in said cubicle, said switching device including primary .contacts and auxiliary contacts, said auxiliary contacts including iii-st members presented by said circuit breaker and second members f presented by said cubicle and slidably engaging said rst members, one of'said members including means having operating portions and test portions, said circuit breaker Y, being selectively positionable in an operating position and a test position with respect to said cubicle, said operi ating portions of said one member electrically engaging said other member when said breaker is in operating position and said test portions electrically engaging said other member when said circuit breaker is in test position, said primary contact being electrically connected when said breaker is in said operating position and being disconnected when said breaker is in said test position. n

2. A switching device including a cubicle and a circuit Y breaker withdrawably mounted in said cubicle, said switching device including primary contacts and auxiliary contacts, said auxiliary contacts including a irst member presented by said circuit breaker and a second member presented by said cubicle and slidably engaging said irst -member, said second member including a pair of L- shaped contactor bars connectable to an electrical source,

' said bars having operating portions and test portions, in-

sulator means between Vsaid bars for maintaining said bars at a predetermined spacing, said circuit breaker being selectively positionable in an operating position and a test position with respect to said cubicle, said operating portions of said bars electrically engaging said first member when said breaker is in operating position and said test l portions electrically engaging said other member When said circuit breaker is in test position, said primary contact being electrically connected when said breaker is in said operating position and being disconnected when said breaker is in said test position.

3. A switching device including a cubicle and a circuit breaker withdrawably mounted in said cubicle, said switching device including primary contacts and auxiliary contacts, said auxiliary contacts including a first member presented by said circuit breaker and a second member presented by said cubicle and slidably engaging said rst member, said second member including a pair of L-shaped contactor bars connectable to an electrical source and including an insulator body between said bars for maintaining said bars at a predetermined spacing, said bars having operating portions and test portions, means electrically isolating the test portion of one of said bars from said source,-said operating portions of said bars electrically engaging said first member when said breaker is in operating position and said test portions engaging said rst memberv when said circuit breaker is in test position, said primary contact being electrically connected when said breaker is in said operating position and being disconnected When said breaker is in said test position.

4. A switching device including a cubicle and a circuit breaker withdrawably mounted in Vsaid cubicle and being selectively positionable in an operating position and a test position with respect to said cubicle, said switching device including primary contacts and auxiliary contacts, said auxiliary contacts including a first member presented by said circuit breaker and a second member presented by said cubicle and slidably engaging said rst member, said second member including a pair of L-shaped contactor bars connectable to an electrical source and including an insulator body between said bars for maintaining said bars at a predetermined spacing, said bars having operating portions and test portions, means electrically isolating the test portion of one of said bars from said source and electrically connecting said isolated portion to the other of said bars, said operating portions of said bars electrically engaging said rst member when said breaker is in operating position and said test portions engaging said first member when said circuit breaker is in test position, said primary contact being electrically connected when said breaker is in said operating position and being disconnected when said breaker is in said test position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,489 Murray Mar. 17, 1914 1,658,832 Brown Feb. 14, 1928 2,412,293 Schymik Dec. 10, 1946 2,699,534- Klostermann Ian. 1l, 1955 2,703,829 Lingal Mar. 8, 1955

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