US2026373A - Operating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 31, 1955 bnx/enter:

Hahah R. Bush,

Hs Atto neg.

Patented Dec. 31, 1935 PATENTOFFICE 2,026373 OPERATINGMECHANISM Italph R.. Bush, Upper Darby, Pm, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application July 31, 1935, Serial No. 34,114

7 ClaimsQ My invention relates to Operating mechanisms, more particularly to Operating mechanisms of the trip-free type wherein the mechanism can be tripped at any time during the Operating stroke,

and has for its principal object the provision of an improved Operating mechanism which is simpie and rugged in Construction and efficient, positive and reliable in operation.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out With particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

1 Refe-rring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is an elevational View, partly in section, of Operating mechanism embodying my invention in the closed position; Fig. 2 is a 'similar View illustratng the tripping operation, and Fig. 3 illustrates the mechanism in the open and reset position in readiness for the closing operation. 4

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the operating mechanism comprises essentially actuating means, such as a solenoid l, a collapsible thrust-transmitting linkage 2, a. latching and tripping device 3 for holding the linkage 2 in thrust-transmitting position, and means to be actuated at 4. In a well known application for mechanisms of this type a circuit breaker (not shown) is closed by the Operating stroke of the mechanism and is permitted to open when the meehanism is tripped. The means to be actuated is suitably connected to the guiding member 5 which is in abutting engagement with the roller 6 and which forms a part of the thrust-transmitting structure.

As illustrated by Fig. 1, the mechanism is in the closed or restraining position preventing lowering or opening movement of the member 5. The thrust-transmitting or restraining structure comprises a link 7 pivotally mounted at 8 on a portion of the stationary mechanism frame and connected at its lower end at 9 to the tripping device 3. Pivotally carried on the link 1, at o, is a floating lever li having at its free end a roller !2 and a laterally protruding pin [3, and pivotally connected at its other end, at !4, to an intermediate link !5 which is in turn pivotally connected at Hi to the main actuating lever l'l. Lever l'l is pivotally 'mounted at l8 on a stationary portion of the mechanism frame and carries the roller 6 at its free end.

In addition to the tripping device 3, a restrain 6 Collapse of the toggle 5. The prop s is provided with a suitable stop at 22 for limiting further counterclockwise rotation under the infiuence of spring Zi.

The tripping device 3 comprises a link 23 connected at one end, at 9, to the link 'I and at the 5 other end, at 24, to a link 25 (Fig. 2) which is in turn pivotally connected at 26 to a portion of the stationary frame. It will, therefore, be noted (Fig. 1) that the links 23 and 25 form a toggie which may be either on dead-center or over- 10 center depending on the position of the pivot 24 with respect tor the line of centers of the pivot pins at 9 and 29. i In the dead-center and overcenter positions wherein the link 25 abuts an adjustable stop member 21 the link 'I is restrained so that the pivot o and the floating lever H are maintained fixed and the prep i9 serves to maintain rigid the toggle ll-l 5.

The tripping device 3 may be suitably actuated, such as by mechanical or electrical means, a tripping solenoid being illustrated by way of example at 28 and the plunger of the solenoid being beneath the free end of the link 25. For the purpose of latch'ng the toggle 23-25 so as to prevent; tripping thereof when the mechanism is subjected to jars or vibrations, such as due to the impact of the closing solenoid, the link 25 is bifurcated and is provided With a latch 29 piV-' otally connected thereto at the pin 29. The latch 29 is provided with a book extension at 39 arranged to engage a flange 3| forming a part of the adjustable stop 21.

The latch 29 is above and in alinement with the extension 28' of the tripping solenoid so' that when the solenoid is energized the latch is first released from the fixed stop 26 and then travels thorugh a short distance to throw the link 25 over center by impact. To this end,- the latch 25 is provided with a pin 32' which extends through an aperture 33 in thelatch 29. The aperture 33, as illustrated, is comparatively large so as to provide a certain ;degree of lost motion between the latch 29 and pin 32 so' that in tripping, the latch 29 is first released and is then carried upwards by the trip solenoid plunger a short distance before striking the link 25 and throwing over center the tripping toggle; Normally, the latch 29 is biased towards latching position by a spring 34 carried by the link 25.

Fig. 2 illustratesthe tripping operation, the 9 mechanism beingshown in an unstable state of equilibrium and in the process of collapsing and resetting. As above explained, when the tripping operation is initiated by energization ofthe trip coil 23, the latch 29 is first released to free the r toggle and subsequently the toggle is actuated over center so that it no longer restrains the lever 1. The means to be actuated at 5, which is constantly exerting a reactive force tending to move the mechanism to the open position, causes through the linkage clockwise movement O lever 'i so as to Shift the pin [3 ofi the restrainng edge of the prop IS. At this point the fioating lever ll is free to rotate clockwise for permitting the complete opening movement of the member 5.

For the purpose of speeding up collapse of the toggle Il-l5 in the tripping operation, thereby increasing the speed of the mechanism, a spring 35 is related to the pivot pins at lo, |4 and !6 so as to exert a collapsing bias on the toggle when it is straightened as in Fig. l. The spring which is connected to the pivot pin at !4 engages the pins at ID and !6 just prior to final straightening movement of the toggle and is then fiexed so that the collapsing bias is present at a time when it is most needed; that is, when the toggle is straight and the mechanical advantage comparatvely small. Also the "follow through action of the tripping solenoid likewise serves to speed up the opening operation. That is, any tripping force in excess of that necessary to release the toggle serves further to bias the toggle towards collapsed position.

Fig. 3 illustrates the mechanism in the completely open and reset position. When the roller I2 of the fioating lever drops to the position shown Where it abuts the extension I' of the solenoid plunger, the lever l drops back to its original position so that the toggle 23-25 falls to its reset and latched position. The mechanism is now in readiness for the closing operation by energization of the Operating solenoid l. The upward stroke of the solenoid plunger causes counter-clockwise rotation of fioating lever H about its rest'ained pivot I!! and resultant closing movement of the member 5. During the closing operation the pin !3 slides along the edge of the prop !9 and at the end of the stroke the prop IQ, under bias of spring 2l, moves underneath the pin to restrain the mechanism in the closed position. During the closing operation the toggle spring 35 is placed under tension. After the operating stroke the solenoid is deenergized and drops to the position shown.

It will be apparent that the mechanism is tripree at all positions of the Operating plunger during the closing stroke. That is, assuming application of the tripping force during the closing stroke, collapse of the tripping toggle Will cause the roller !2 to move ofi the solenoid plunger extension and the mechanism to collapse.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to specific details of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, and that changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Operating mechanism comprising actuating means and means to be actuated, a collapsible thrust-transmitting linkage interconnecting the aforesaid means, tripping means for maintaining said linkage in thrust-transmitting position, and a spring operatively connected to said linkage arranged so that in the thrust-transmitting positon a bias is applied directly to an intermediate point in said linkage tending to cause collapse of said linkage.

2. Operating mechanism comprising actuating means and means to be actuated, thrust-transmitting structure including a toggle interconnecting the aforesaid means, tripping means for maintaining said toggle in thrust-transmitting position, and a spring operatively connected to said toggle arranged so that in the thrust-transmitting position said spring is fiexed so as to bias the knee of said toggle in a direction tending to cause collapse of said toggle.

3. Operating mechanism comprising actuating means and means to be actuated, thrust-transmitting structure including a toggle interconnecting the aforesaid means, tripping means for holding said toggle in straightened thrust-transmitting position, and a spring operatively connected to the knee of said toggle and arranged to be flexed When said toggle is straightened for exerting a bias at said knee tending to cause collapse of said. to gle.

4. Operating mechanism comprising thrusttransmitting structure, means for holding said structure in thrust-transmitting position comprising a tripping toggle, a latch pivotally carried by a portion of said toggle, a fixed member, a spring normally biasing said latch into hooked engagement with said fixed member, and tripping means for releasing said latch, said latch having a lost motion connection with respect to said toggle for engaging by impact and moving said toggle towards releasing position.

5. Operating mechanism comprising thrusttransmitting structure, a tripping toggle for holding said structure in thrust-transmitting position, a latch pivotally carried by one link of said toggle, a pin and slot connection providing a lost motion connection between said latch and said link, an adjustable fixed member arranged to be engaged by said latch, and tripping means for releasing said latch and moving the same in such direction that said toggle link is moved by impact through said lost motion connection to releasing position.

6. Operating mechanism comprising actuating means and means to be actuated, thrust-transmitting structure including a toggle interconnecting said means, a spring operatively related to a knee of said toggle and arranged to be fiexed when said toggle is straightened so as to exert a bias tending to cause collapse of said toggle, a tripping toggle for holding said first named toggle in thrust-transmitting position, a latch pivotally carried by a link of said tripping toggle and having a limited lost motion connection therewith, a fixed member arranged to be en- 7. Operating mechanism comprising thrust-

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