US2830160A - Control switches - Google Patents

Control switches Download PDF

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Publication number
US2830160A
US2830160A US441878A US44187854A US2830160A US 2830160 A US2830160 A US 2830160A US 441878 A US441878 A US 441878A US 44187854 A US44187854 A US 44187854A US 2830160 A US2830160 A US 2830160A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrodes
tube
switch
envelope
control
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US441878A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ernest E O Engel
Francis W G Gibbs
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Engel & Gibbs Ltd
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Engel & Gibbs Ltd
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H29/00—Switches having at least one liquid contact
    • H01H29/20—Switches having at least one liquid contact operated by tilting contact-liquid container
    • H01H29/22—Switches having at least one liquid contact operated by tilting contact-liquid container wherein contact is made and broken between liquid and solid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C19/00—Gyroscopes; Turn-sensitive devices using vibrating masses; Turn-sensitive devices without moving masses; Measuring angular rate using gyroscopic effects
    • G01C19/02—Rotary gyroscopes
    • G01C19/44—Rotary gyroscopes for indicating the vertical
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
    • G01C9/18—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/12—Gyroscopes
    • Y10T74/1229—Gyroscope control
    • Y10T74/1232—Erecting
    • Y10T74/1254—Erecting by motor torque

Definitions

  • the invention relates in particular to the 'so-called mercury type control switches in which an'electrical conductive 'substa'ncein 'fluid.form,"such as mercury, is contained in a sealed tube under vacuum or other desired conditions such as an inert gas.
  • an'electrical conductive 'substa'ncein 'fluid.form such as mercury
  • Two o'r'more electrodes projecting into the tube are usually provided and the the region of tendegrees.
  • This lackof extreme sensitivity does not affect the normal industrial application of'the switches as the tilting movement is usually greatly in excess of ten degrees.
  • the applicants have-realised however, that the switches couldbe morefgenerally used on specialised apparatus if the sensitiviity of theswitches could be increased. It is an important object.
  • mercury switches are control of electrically operated gyroscopes. It has been suggested that mercury level switches-may be mounted on each gimbal of the gyro so that any tendency of the gyro axis to wander will tilt the corresponding switch to complete an electrical circuit operating the torque motors or other erection system of the gyro so that the wander of the gyro is counteracted.
  • a control switch comprising a sealed envelope, two or more electrodes projecting therein, and an electrical conductive substance ingfiuid form insaid envelope and movable-to complete or breakfel'ectrical continuity between the electrodes, wherein-the envelope is formedwith a matte or non-shiny track on its inner surface for the electrical conductivegsubstance.
  • the tub'e is roughened or ground and this may be obtained by the longitudinal rubbing of the surface of the tube by a dia- It is believed that the assist the smooth and even running ofthe mercury;
  • acontrol switch comprising a sealed envelope, two or' more electrodes projecting therein, and an electrical conductive substance in liquid form-in ,saidenvelope and movable to complete or break electrical continuity betweenthe electrodes, wherein the electrical conductive liquid mercury and a substance amalgamated therewith whereby the melting point of the amalgam is lower than 'that'of'pure mercury.
  • the electrodes projecting into --the envelope are forrned with pointed contact portions to give a good electricalconne'ct'ion with the electrical conductive material.
  • the electrodes are preferably of tungsten and the pointed ends are conveniently formed by grinding or by an electrolytic process in'which' the ends eaten away.
  • the envelope is providedwitha' rod electrode extending substantially along its lengthand there is an electrode at each end of'the switch. If desired one or more additional electrodes may bepositioned alon'g'the length of the rod electrode.
  • the envelope is'provided with apair of electrodes at each of its ends. 7 j
  • the envelope has a pair of spaced rods extending along its length, one of the rods being an electrode,-and the other being formed of an insulating material'and having a resistance wound thereon.
  • the envelope may be' a straight or curved glass tube.
  • control switches may be used for the control of gyroscopic units and the invention particularly provides an artificial horizon having two control switches, one responsive to movement of theunit in the pitching plane and the other to movement of the unit in the rolling plane.
  • control switches are connected to the corresponding torque motors of the erection system.
  • Figure l is a perspective view of a typical controlswitch according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a similar view partly in-section to show are gradually the matte ornon-shiny track on the inner surface of the EPatented Apr. 8, 1958 section ofza further embodiment;
  • a control switch comprising a glass tube 11 about an inch long and a quarter of an inch in'diameter.
  • Thetube 11 is preferably straight in its longitudinal direction as shown in Figures 1 to 3, but if desired, it may be curved as shown in Figure 4 to suit various requirements regarding sensitivity and range of angular movement. 1
  • thetube 11 is roughened or ground throughout its length on one half of itsinner surface 12. This renders the lower half of the tube opaque as shown at 13a in Figure, 1.
  • This roughened surface 12 forms a running surface for an electrical conductive liquid 14 (to be hereinafter described) and is formedduring the manufacture of the switch by means of adiamond file which is rubbed upon the internalsurface of the tube 11.
  • the roughened surface 12 includes minute'longitudinal scratches 13 and it is believed that these greatly assist in the production of the surface which will ensure the smooth and even running of the liquid 14.
  • the electrical conductive liquid 14 comprises an amalgam of mercury and thallium.
  • the amounfof thallium is preferably about 8% and the mercury is triple distilled under vacuum-
  • the amalgam so .formed is fluid at normal temperatures and solidifies 'at'about 58 C. which is well below that for pure fmercury (about -.-39 C.) and well below the operational requirements of most military andcivil equipment.
  • The' desired quantity of amalgam 14 is inserted in the tube 11 and'the tube is then evacuated and sealed, great.
  • the tube 11 is provided with a rod electrode. 15 extending the length or substantially the length of the tube 11 approximately along its longitudinal axis.
  • This electrode 15 is conveniently connected at its outer end to a source of electrical energy by a wire 16.
  • the electrodes 15, 17 and 18 are made from tungsten and the two lower electrodes 17 and 18 have contact portions 21, 22 in the form of sharply pointed ends. Such contacts 21, 22 ensure a good connection with the moving mass of amalgam 14 and are produced by treatment in an electrolyticbath or by grinding.
  • the amount of amalgam'14 in the tube 11 is such that with the tube level ( Figure 3) the mass of amalgam 14 is spaced from the two pointed electrodes 17, 18 but is in contact with the rod electrode 15.
  • the two pointed electrodes 17, 18 are connected by wires 23, 24, into various control circuits? as desired and in operation any tilt of the tube 11 in one direction or the other will cause the mass of amalgam14 to run into one of the pointed electrodes 17, 18 and so complete the corresponding circuit.
  • the amalgam 14 is of course, at all. times in running contact with the rod electrode l5.
  • the preferred use of the switch is for the control of 4 gyroscopic units, such as directional gyros, and artificial horizons on aircraft.
  • Figure 9 One such application of the invention is shown in Figure 9 in which the control switches control the operation of the erection system of an artificial horizon.
  • the artificial horizon includes a vertical gyro mounted in a support which includes an inner gimbal 31 and an outer gimbal 32.
  • An erector system precesses the gyroscope axis to the vertical and includes a pitch precessing motor 33 with its axis extending fore and aft of the crafton which the gyroscope is mounted, that is on the gyroscopes bank axis, and a bank precessing motor 34 with its axis extending transversely of the craft, that is on the gyroscopes pitch axis.
  • the gyroscope is housed within a casing 35 and is connected with an electrical supply by leads 36, 37.
  • Two control switches 38,39 are mounted on the inner gimbal 31 and are connected to the electrical supply by leads 40, 41 respectively.
  • the leads 40, 41 are connected to the rod electrodes 15 of the switches.
  • the electrodes 17, 18 ofthe' switch 38 are connected by leads 42, 43 to the motor 33 so that the motor 33 will be energised in one orthe other direction of rotation depending upon I the tilting of switch 38.
  • the switch 38 is mounted on the gimbal 31 along the fore and aft of the craft and any deviation of the gyro from thevertical'in the fore and aft direction will therefore operate the switch 38 to close the circuit to the motor 33.
  • the motor 33 applies the correct couple to the gyro axis to cause it to precess and return to its vertical position.
  • the elec trodes 17, 18 of the switch 39 are connected by the leads 44, 45 to the torque motor 34 so that the motor will be energised by the switch upon a deviation of the gyro from the vertical in the transverse direction.
  • the switches 38, 39 will therefore operate to correct any tendency ofthe gyroscope axis to wander from the true vertical due to the effect of the earths rotation, fric- .tion etc..
  • the switches are extremely sensitive and a tilttached to the outer gimbal 32.
  • the switch 39 mounted parallel with the pitch axis of the aircraft issubject to the action of centrifugal force and thus may operate to give errors in the control of the gyro. These errors may be avoided by means of the known pitch-bank systems of erection switchingin which control of the torque motor 33 operating on the roll axis is transferred to the pitch axis control system.
  • the simple control switches as described above may in some circumstances sutfer the disadvantage of hunting of the gyro under control.
  • This defect can be corrected by providing the tube 11 as shown in Figure 5 which has a plurality, for example four, additional pointed electrodes 46, 47, 48, 49 extending downwardly from the upper surface 50 of the tube at the side of the rod electrode 15 and to a point just below it.
  • the additional pointed electrodes 46 to 49 are spaced along the length of the tube and are arranged so that movement of the amalgam along the tube in one direction progressively brings the series of electrodes into electrical connection one after the other with the rod electrode 15.
  • the electrodes can be connected in circuits with the same torque motor, each circuit including a resistance of different value so that successive electrodes from the centre of the tube will produce currents of decreasing value for loading the motor to produce a more accurate and gradual control.
  • the multiple electrode switch of Figure 5 and its resistances are mounted in a panel so that the device can be fitted as a unit.
  • a cover plate for example of plastic, can be fitted to the panel to prevent damage and the entry of dirt.
  • the panels are provided with a series of recesses adapted to take two switches or more at right angles to each other together with their resistances.
  • the resistances are provided internally of the tube.
  • the tube 11 has two rods 15a, 51 extending along its length parallel to each other, one of the rods being the same as the rod electrode 15 referred to above.
  • the other rod 51 which may be of any suitable insulating material is connected with the torque motors by the.
  • a tube 11 can be produced without the rod electrode.
  • the tube is provided with a pair of pointed electrodes 54, 55 at each end, one electrode say 54, of each pair being connected to the source of electrical energy.
  • a still further form of switch shown in Figure 8 provides means for the insertion of a higher current into a completed circuit as is required, for example, for the rapid erection of a gyro under certain operational requirements.
  • the gyro is conveniently provided with a rapid erection button at the side of the unit and depression of this button is arranged to complete a circuit which connects a rapid erection electrode 56 in the switch tube 11 with an electrical supply source of greater voltage or current.
  • the rapid erection electrode is pointed at 57 as shown and depends from the upper surface of the tube at approximately its mid-point. If desired the rod electrode 15 (if fitted) can be split at this point but the electrodes must of course all be positioned so that contact can be made with both the rapid erection electrode 56 and one of the circuit electrodes 17, 18 by the amalgam-14 during at least a certain range of tilt of the tube.
  • control switch described above have of course industrial applications too numerous to mention but it will be appreciated that their use is invaluable where an ex tremely sensitive and accurate electrical control is required. Due to the particular amalgam used the control switches are not subject to errors due to temperature variation and they are in fact fully and accurately operational in a temperature range starting at the abnormally low value of 58 C.
  • a control switch comprising a tubular glass envelope, said envelope sealed at each end and under vacuum, a plurality of sharply pointed electrodes projecting into said envelope, an electrical conductive substance in fluid form in said envelope and movable to complete or break the electrical continuity between the electrodes, and a plurality of longitudinal scratches on the lower half of the inner surface of said glass envelope extending the length thereof to form a track for said conductive substance whereby the smooth and even running of the electrical substance is insured.
  • a control switch comprising a tubular glass envelope, said envelope sealed at both ends and under vacuum, a plurality of electrodes projecting into said envelope, at least one electrode being sharply pointed, at least one electrode being of rod-like form, an electrical conductive substance in fluid form in said envelope and movable to complete or break electrical continuity between said rod-like and sharply pointed electrodes, and a plurality of minute longitudinal scratches on the lower half of the inner surface of said glass envelope extending the length thereof to form a track for said conductive substance.
  • a control switch comprising a tubular glass envelope, said envelope being sealed at both ends and under vacuum, a pair of spaced rods extending the length of the envelope, one of the rods being an electrode the other rod being formed of insulating material and having a resistance wound thereon, an electrical conductive substance in fluid form in said envelope and movable to complete or break electrical continuity between said electrode and wound resistance, and a plurality of minute longitudinal scratches on the lower half of the inner surface of said glass envelope extending the length thereof to form a track for said conductive substance.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
US441878A 1953-07-17 1954-07-07 Control switches Expired - Lifetime US2830160A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2830160X 1953-07-17

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US (1) US2830160A (de)
CH (1) CH348740A (de)
FR (1) FR1111536A (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2907970A (en) * 1957-11-04 1959-10-06 Hollingsworth R Lee Variable resistor
US2947177A (en) * 1960-08-02 Attorne
US3014704A (en) * 1958-04-21 1961-12-26 Lennox Ind Inc Thermostat and control circuit for heating, air conditioning and ventilating system
US3051007A (en) * 1960-09-26 1962-08-28 Gen Precision Inc Vertical sensing device
DE1141358B (de) * 1958-06-02 1962-12-20 Gen Elek C Company Quecksilber-Drehkapselschalter mit einer in einem metallischen Gehaeuse angeordneten Isolierstoff-Zwischenwand
US3160019A (en) * 1960-12-19 1964-12-08 Collins Radio Co Compensation for gyro pitch signal velocity change errors
US3198919A (en) * 1962-08-01 1965-08-03 Bendix Corp Mercury switch
US3351726A (en) * 1966-01-20 1967-11-07 Gen Electric Low power mercury switch
US3755643A (en) * 1970-04-23 1973-08-28 Honeywell Inc Tilt actuated liquid metal switch having a negative break angle
US4445011A (en) * 1981-10-13 1984-04-24 Hansen Ronald E Freestanding multidirectional electrical control device

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US898766A (en) * 1907-02-02 1908-09-15 Joseph Varnum Mott Electric switch and system of control.
US1144973A (en) * 1910-07-27 1915-06-29 Warren Clock Co Electric apparatus for driving clocks or similar mechanism.
US1871177A (en) * 1930-07-02 1932-08-09 Held Siegfried Mercury switch and the like
US2033372A (en) * 1933-04-12 1936-03-10 Bear Switch
US2232590A (en) * 1937-10-07 1941-02-18 Honeywell Regulator Co Electric switch
US2348950A (en) * 1941-09-30 1944-05-16 Clayton G Anderson Draft control means for furnaces
US2376377A (en) * 1943-07-19 1945-05-22 Sperry Gyroscope Co Inc Liquid level switch
US2626997A (en) * 1950-10-13 1953-01-27 Russell W Fuller Ignition timer
US2768259A (en) * 1952-01-15 1956-10-23 Charles F Bild Inertia switch

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US898766A (en) * 1907-02-02 1908-09-15 Joseph Varnum Mott Electric switch and system of control.
US1144973A (en) * 1910-07-27 1915-06-29 Warren Clock Co Electric apparatus for driving clocks or similar mechanism.
US1871177A (en) * 1930-07-02 1932-08-09 Held Siegfried Mercury switch and the like
US2033372A (en) * 1933-04-12 1936-03-10 Bear Switch
US2232590A (en) * 1937-10-07 1941-02-18 Honeywell Regulator Co Electric switch
US2348950A (en) * 1941-09-30 1944-05-16 Clayton G Anderson Draft control means for furnaces
US2376377A (en) * 1943-07-19 1945-05-22 Sperry Gyroscope Co Inc Liquid level switch
US2626997A (en) * 1950-10-13 1953-01-27 Russell W Fuller Ignition timer
US2768259A (en) * 1952-01-15 1956-10-23 Charles F Bild Inertia switch

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2947177A (en) * 1960-08-02 Attorne
US2907970A (en) * 1957-11-04 1959-10-06 Hollingsworth R Lee Variable resistor
US3014704A (en) * 1958-04-21 1961-12-26 Lennox Ind Inc Thermostat and control circuit for heating, air conditioning and ventilating system
DE1141358B (de) * 1958-06-02 1962-12-20 Gen Elek C Company Quecksilber-Drehkapselschalter mit einer in einem metallischen Gehaeuse angeordneten Isolierstoff-Zwischenwand
US3051007A (en) * 1960-09-26 1962-08-28 Gen Precision Inc Vertical sensing device
US3160019A (en) * 1960-12-19 1964-12-08 Collins Radio Co Compensation for gyro pitch signal velocity change errors
US3198919A (en) * 1962-08-01 1965-08-03 Bendix Corp Mercury switch
US3351726A (en) * 1966-01-20 1967-11-07 Gen Electric Low power mercury switch
US3755643A (en) * 1970-04-23 1973-08-28 Honeywell Inc Tilt actuated liquid metal switch having a negative break angle
US4445011A (en) * 1981-10-13 1984-04-24 Hansen Ronald E Freestanding multidirectional electrical control device

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Publication number Publication date
CH348740A (de) 1960-09-15
FR1111536A (fr) 1956-03-01

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