Patent GB-673473-A (GB)
Title: Improved control device for electric motors
IPC: H01H61/00
Filed: 1949-07-02
Abstract: 673,473. Control of A.C. motors; thermal switches. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. July 2, 1949. [July 20, 1948] No. 17535/49. Classes 38 (iii) and 38 (v). [Also in Group XIII] An electric motor 20 has a running winding 22 and a starting winding 24 with which a capacitor 32 may be connected in series. A starting and overload device comprises two cantilever bimetal strips 46, 66, forming part of a U-shaped strip 45, and two separate cantilever bimetal strips 48, 76, having their free ends each connected by a compression toggle spring 50 or 78 with one of the free ends of the strip 45. As shown, both ends of the strip 45 are biassed to the closed position. The starter strip 46 is maintained in the open position through a heater 64 which is connected in series with the main winding and is supported and moved by a bimetal strip 54, also connected in series with the main winding, in such a manner as to move the heater away from or towards the starter strip and thereby regulate the heat applied to the starter to control its re-closing at the end of the running period. When the main switch 28 is closed current flows through winding 24 and starter strip 46, also passing through winding 22, member 54, and heater 64. Both the starting and main winding currents flow through the overload bimetal 66. The starter strip quickly becomes sufficiently heated to open contacts 36, 47, and move against stop 68, in which position it is near the upper part of the heater 64 which prevents re-closure of the starter contacts as long as the main winding is energized. Under excessive current conditions the member 54 carries the heater 64 away from the starter strip, so preventing over-heating thereof, the end of arm 63 moving downwardly away from a clearance notch. After the overload contacts are tripped the starter strip is closed by movement of arm 63 before the overload contacts reclose. The effect of changes of ambient temperature upon the strips 46 and 66 are compensated by bimetals 48 and 76, respectively. A heater may be provided which is de-energized during the starting period since it is shunted by the starter contacts and the starter strip, Figs. 15, 16 (not shown). After the starting period the heater is energized to hold the starter strip in the open position. An induction heating coil may be mounted on or around the starting strip, this coil carrying little current during the starting period, but increased current during running operation to prevent re-closure of the starter contacts, Figs. 17, 18 (not shown). The induction heater may be controlled as described with reference to Figs. 15 and 16. A heater may be energized, when the overload or main switch is open, to heat the compensator for the starter strip and move the latter to its closed position. The heater is de-energized during the starting period after which the starter strip 'is retained in the open position by its own bias. Figs. 21, 22 (not shown). A heater may be associated with the compensator for the overload bimetal so that the overload contacts will be closed only if the supply voltage is sufficient, Figs. 23-25 (not shown). The Specification, as open to inspection under Sect. 91, comprises also references to the starter strip being retained in the open position by a hook-shaped bimetallic member. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.