Patent GB-806744-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to energy accumulators
IPC: F16H33/02
Filed: 1955-04-06
Abstract: 806,744. Spring power-storing mechanisms. ETABLISSEMENTS MERLIN & GERIN S.A. April 6, 1955 [April 7, 1954 (2)], No.10044/55. Class 10. Energy is stored in a helical spring 15 by a rotary movement which, through the interengagement of two cam surfaces, is translated into a linear movement which compresses the spring. The device illustrated is used to switch " on " an electric circuit-breaker, energy stored in the spring being released to rotate a shaft 9 for this purpose. It comprises the shaft 9, Figs. 2, 4, upon which is mounted the spring 15, bearings 16, a cam block 12, a sleeve 53 supporting on stub axles 11 rollers 10a, 10b, a cam block 8, a toothed wheel 9, a plate 75, bearings 19 and a sleeve 20, the shaft being mounted in a framework 70. The spring 15 and cam block 12 are constrained to move only longitudinally of the shaft whilst the cam block 8, wheel 7 and plate 75 rotate. The cam 8, wheel 7 and plate 75 are secured together and rotate as a unit. The sleeve 20 is secured to the shaft and carries an arm 29, Fig. 3, pivotally mounting a lever 31, one end of which carries a roller 35 whilst the other end is formed with an abutment 32. The plate 75 carries abutments 22, 23. A driving device comprising electromagnetic means 1, Fig. 1, lever 3 and spring- held pawl 5 mounted on the frame 70 rotates the wheel 7, plate 75 and cam block 8 unit in the direction F, a spring-held pawl 26 preventing back-slip. The frame 70 also mounts a spring- loaded lever 24 formed with an abutment 23 which, at the " spring-loaded " position of plate 75 engages the stop 22 thereon. A frame mounted abutment member 36, Fig. 2, engages the roller 35 after de-energization of the spring 15. The cam surfaces on blocks 12, 8, are shaped so that a wheel 7 rotation of 240 degrees ensures a roller 10a, 10b, rotation of 120 degrees to fully compress the spring 15, Fig. 11. Subsequent wheel movement through 120 degrees in the same direction allows spring expansion and the rollers and cam blocks to take the positions shown in Fig. 10, thus effecting complete compression and release of the spring in one wheel revolution. In operation, rotation through 240 degrees of the wheel 7, cam block 8 and plate 75 from the position of Figs. 1, 2, compresses the spring 15 so that release thereof rotates the shaft 9 to actuate the breaker. At " spring-loaded " position, abutment 22 engages lever abutment 23 and the abutment 33 is in engagement with abutment 32. To release the stored energy, lever 24 is moved against its spring thus allowing, by disengagement of abutments 22, 23, further movement in the direction F of cam block 8, wheel 7 and plate 75. There-. upon the spring 15 moves cam block 12 effecting through the rollers 10a, 10b, cam block 8, wheel 7 and plate 75 rotational movement of the abutment 33 which through abutment 32, lever 31, arm 29 and sleeve 20 rotates the shaft 9 until the roller 35 abuts the abutment 36. This surface abutting rocks the lever 31, causing the disengagement of abutments 32, 33, and the rotational cessation of both shaft and cam block 8. Any energy excess prolonging cam block 8 rotation is utilized to partly re-load the spring 15, the engagement of the pawl 26 with the wheel 7 preventing possible back-slip. In a modification, the fixed abutment 36 is eliminated and the disconnection of block 8 and plate 75 &c. from the shaft 9 is effected automatically as the breaker terminates its switching operation and the energy stored in the spring cannot be released as long as the breaker is not switched off. The apparatus comprises a sleeve 20, Fig. 12, modified to include a recess 45 which accommodates, when necessary, a roller 49 carried at one end of a lever 42 pivotally mounted on the plate 75 at 41 and carrying, at its other end, an inertia piece 50.