Improvements in Distributing Electricity and Switches therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 27th May, 1899
[Communicated from abroad by JACOB CLOOS, of 621, 21st Street, Milwaukee;
Wisconsin, United States of America.]
Improvements in Distributing Electricity and Switches therefor.
I, JOHN LIDDLE, of 154, St. Vincent Street, in the County of the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to switching apparatus for controlling the distribution
of electricity, and particularly to that class of switching apparatus whereby loop
circuits containing translating devices are associated with and dissociated from
feeders extending from generators of current.
My invention has for its object the improvement in switching apparatus of
this class, whereby certain objectionable features, especially in the distribution
of currents of high potential, are overcome, such, for example, as the interruption
of a circuit including the generator upon connecting or disconnecting the loop
circuit.
Generally speaking, an apparatus contructed in accordance with my invention
may be described as consisting of switch arts and circuit-changing portions for
including the mains of the loop circuit in series with the feeders, and removing
the mains from circuit with the feeders, the switching apparatus being so
constructed that when properly manipulated, the circuit through the feeders is
never broken.
The apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention may be generally
described as consisting of terminals for the feeders and loop circuit, a conducting
portion, means for connecting the conducting portion with all of said terminals
at the same time, switch parts for connecting the feeder terminals with the loop
terminals in series, the whole apparatus being constructed to permit of the
connection of the loop terminals with and disconnection of said terminals from
the feeder terminals while said portion is serving to connect the feeder terminals.
The switch parts are preferably disposed in a box containing oil, preferably
kerosene, whereby sparking at the contact parts is counteracted.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will explain the
same by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred
embodiment thereof.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a junction box and switching apparatus
constructed in accordance with the invention, on line 1-1 of Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a plan view thereof with the cover of the junction box removed.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections.
Like parts are indicated by like letters throughout the different views.
In the form of the invention illustrated, the feeders leading from a suitable
generator a (referring particularly to Figure 3) terminate in contact ter..
minals bb. The mains terminate in contact terminals c c. Contact plates d d,

page_text: arranged preferably beneath the contact plates b b, c c, are provided with apertures
or sockets at their ends, which register respectively with sockets in the plates
or terminals above the same. A third plate e is provided above the plates dd,
the ends of said plates being provided with sockets adapted to register with
sockets in the intermediate portions of the plates d d.
I preferably employ six plugs, four of which are constantly in service, the
remaining plugs normally out of service being supported by a shelf f formed
upon the interior of the box g.
The terminals b. b and c c, and the plate e, are mounted upon an insulating
base h. The plates d d are mounted upon an insulating base i. Distance
pieces kk are interposed between the bases and serve to maintain the proper
alignment of the contact parts. Additional distance pieces are provided for
supporting the base i and for insulating the entire structure from the surrounding
box g, made preferably of iron.
The sockets of the lower contact portions are preferably provided with
elongations dextending upwardly. The sockets of the upper contact por-
tions are provided with similar extensions which are directed downward.
Bolts are preferably passed through the distance pieces k and into the
bottom of the junction box g for rigidly uniting all of the fixed parts of the
apparatus. The conducting portions of the plugs are preferably slotted as shown
in Figure 1 to maintain a firm engagement between the same and the sockets.
The feeder and main conductors are led into the interior of the box and united
with their respective terminals, preferably by screws.
apparatus, we will first assume that the loop circuit is idle. In this condition
In manipulating the
of the system, the plugs n n and oo are in position to connect the sockets b b
and plate e with the plates d d, as shown in Figure 3. To connect the con-
ducting mains in series with the feeders, the plugs P P are manipulated to
connect the sockets c c with the plates d d. Upon withdrawing either or both
of the plugs o o, the mains will be included in series with the feeders, where-
upon, the translating devices in the loop circuit may be supplied with current.
In order to remove the loop circuit, the contact plate or portion e is first con-
nected with both plates d d by plugs, whereupon the plugs are withdrawn
to open the loop circuit, the circuit through the feeders being thus uninterrupted.
The portions and d d might be of other construction to secure the electrical
connection between the sockets thereof.
While I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodi-
ment of my invention, it is obvious that modifications of the apparatus shown
may be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is: :-
1. In a switch for controlling the series distribution of electricity, the com-
bination with feeder terminal sockets 6 6 of loop circuit terminal sockets cc, a
socketed contact portion e, socketed contact portions d d, the sockets whereof are 4
placed in alignment with the sockets in the portions b b, c c, and e, and plugs
adapted for insertion within the aligned sockets, said plates d d being each
adapted through the medium of the connecting plugs to
feeder terminal with one loop circuit. terminal to include
circuit in series with the feeders, the portion e being adapted for connection with 5
the plates d d and thereby with all of the feeder and loop circuit terminals
through the medium of the plugs, substantially as described.
connect
one
the loop
2. In a switch for controlling the series distribution of electricity, the com-
bination with feeder terminal sockets b b, of loop circuit terminal sockets cc, a
socket contact portion e, socketed contact portions dd, the sockets whereof are
placed in alignment with the sockets in the portions b b, c c and e, plugs adapted

page_text: for insertion within the aligned sockets, said plates d d being each adapted,
through the medium of the connecting plugs, to connect one feeder terminal with
one loop circuit terminal to include the loop circuit in series with the feeders,
the portion e being adapted for connection with the plates d d and thereby with
all of the feeder and loop circuit terminals through the medium of plugs, a box
containing the above described switching mechanism, and oil provided in the
box in which said mechanism is immersed, or partially immersed, substantially
as described.
3. In a system of distribution, the combination with a generator a con-
nected with feeders, of sockets forming terminals of the feeders, a loop con-
sumption circuit, sockets c forming terminals thereof, socketed contact por-
tions dd, the sockets whereof are placed in alignment with the sockets in contact
portions bb, cc, means for electrically connecting the contact portions d d and plugs
for insertion within the aligned sockets, said portions d d being each adapted through
the medium of the connecting plugs to connect one feeder terminal with one
loop circuit terminal to include the loop circuit in series with the feeders, the
aforesaid means serving through the medium of said plugs to connect all the
feeder and loop circuit terminals together, substantially as described.
4. In a system of series distribution, the combination with a generate con-
nected with feeders, of a loop consumption circuit, plug switching mechanism for
connecting the feeder and loop conductors in series, and means for simul neously
and directly connecting the feeder and loop circuit terminals toge er inde-
pendently of the feeder and loop conductors, substantially as described.
5. In a system of series distribution, the combination with a generator con-
nected with feeders, of a loop consumption circuit, plug switching mechanism for
connecting the feed and loop conductors in series, means for simultaneously and
directly connecting the feeder and loop circuit terminals together independently
of the feeder and loop conductors, and a box containing the plug switching
mechanism and oil in which the plug switching mechanism is immersed or par-
tially immersed, substantially as described.
6. In a system of distribution, the combination with a generator a connected
with feeders, of a loop consumption circuit, sockets c c forming terminals of the
loop consumption circuit, socketed contact portions d d connected or adapted to be
cor nected with the feeders, means for electrically connecting the contact por-
tions dd, and plugs for insertion within the sockets of terminals e cand
portions d d, said portions d d being each adapted, through the medium of the
connecting plugs, to connect one feeder with one loop circuit terminal to
include the loop circuit in series with the feeders, the aforesaid means serving,
through the medium of said plugs, to connect the feeders with the loop circuit
terminals independently of the loop conductors, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of April 1899.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.