US3801759A - Water pressure actuated electric switch for cable cutter - Google Patents

Water pressure actuated electric switch for cable cutter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3801759A
US3801759A US00338995A US3801759DA US3801759A US 3801759 A US3801759 A US 3801759A US 00338995 A US00338995 A US 00338995A US 3801759D A US3801759D A US 3801759DA US 3801759 A US3801759 A US 3801759A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
capsule
outer end
cap
housing
contact
Prior art date
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
US00338995A
Inventor
E Temple
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MSA Safety Inc
Original Assignee
Mine Safety Appliances Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mine Safety Appliances Co filed Critical Mine Safety Appliances Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3801759A publication Critical patent/US3801759A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00Switches operated by change of a physical condition
    • H01H35/24Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/56Towing or pushing equipment
    • B63B21/58Adaptations of hooks for towing; Towing-hook mountings
    • B63B21/60Quick releases
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00Switches operated by change of a physical condition

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A sealed hollow capsule having inner and outer ends and a side wall contains a pair of electric contacts spaced lengthwise of the capsule, the outer end of which supports one of the contacts.
  • the side wall has an annular groove in it reducing the thickness at that point to a thin band that is compressible to reduce its' width when a predetermined pressure is exerted against the outer end of the capsule so that one contact will engage the other contact.
  • the switch is especially suitable for closing an electric circuit connected with electrical firing means in an explosively actuated cable cutter.
  • FIG. 1 is an enlarged vertical section of the switch; and Y FIG. 2 is a similar view, partly the switch closed.
  • a pair of electric switch contacts 1 and 2 are rigidly mounted inside of a sealed capsule 3- having inner and outer ends con' nected by a side wall.
  • the inner contact 2 may be supported by the capsule in any suitable manner, such as by an insulating plug 4 sealed in an axial opening in the inner end of the capsule.
  • the other contact is supported by'the outer end of the capsule a predetermined distance from the inner contact.
  • the outer end'of the capsule includes a screw 5- that supports the outer contact. By turning that screw, the gap can be adjusted.
  • the side wall of the capsule is provided with an annular groove 6 that reduces the thickness of the wall in that area to a thin band that is easily deformed in a manner to be described presently.
  • the capsule-3 is mounted in an axial socket 10 in the outer end of a metal housing 11.
  • the inner end of the capsule is encircled by a sealing ring 12.
  • a short passage 13 extends into an axial bore 14 in the inner end of the housing.
  • This bore contains an insulating ring 16 engaged by a rubber flange 17 on the end of an electric cord 18 connected with a battery (not shown).
  • the inner contact 2 is connected with one of the wires 19 in the cord.
  • the other wire 20 is soldered to a split metal ring 21 encircling the cord between flange 1 7 and a second rubber flange 22; The ring engages the encircling housing and is pressed tightly against it by the portion of the cord inside the ring.
  • That portion expands when the two rubber flanges are clamped tightly between insulating ring 16 and a flanged bushing 23 that is held in place by a nut 24 screwed onto the inner end of the housing.
  • the outer contact 1 is electrically connected through the metal capsule 3 and housing 11 with the metal ring 21 and wire 20.
  • a cup-like pressure cap 26 is slidably mounted on the outer or lower end of housing 11 around the capsule. The end wall of the cap is spaced from the end of the housing, having the capsule project from the housing, or in an equivalent manner by providing the cap with a central projection small enough to enter the housing socket 10.
  • the cap is held against the capsule by means of circumferentially spaced headed pins 27 screwed into the cap and slidably mounted in holes through a flange 28 encircling the housing and spaced from the inner or upper end of the cap. Water is prevented from entering the space between the outer end of the housing and the cap by a sealing ring 29 mounted in a groove, such as in the periphery of the housing. It will be seen that water pressure against the outer end face of the cap sufficient to overcome the resistance of the thin band in the capsulewall will push the outer end of the capsule inwardly, causing the thin band to collapse and thereby allowing the two contacts to engage each other.
  • the electric switch disclosed herein can be used for various purposes, it is especially suitable for firing an explosively actuated cable cutter.
  • the cable cutter would carry the battery connected to electric cord 18.
  • the electric cord could be made much longer and be connected to a battery located above the water.
  • a water pressure actuated electric switch comprising a sealed hollow capsule having inner and outer ends and a side wall,,and a pair of electric contacts in the capsule spaced lengthwise thereof, one of the contacts being supported by the outer end of the capsule, said side wall having an annular groove therein reducing the thickness of a portion of the side wall to form a thin band in the wall, and said band being compressible to reduce its width when a predetermined water pressure is exerted against said outer end of the capsule, whereby to permit said one contact to engage the other contact.
  • a switch according to claim 1 in which said capsule includes a screw secured to said one contact and threaded in and forming part of said outer end of the capsule to permit the space between said contacts to be adjusted.
  • a switch according to claim 1 including a housing containing said capsule with the outer end of the capsule projecting from the housing, and a cup-like pressure cap engaging said outer end and slidably mounted on said housing in sealing engagement therewith.
  • a switch according to claim 3 in which said housing is provided with radially projecting means spaced preferably by 3,801,759 3 4 from the cap and provided with openings parallel to the 5.

Abstract

A sealed hollow capsule having inner and outer ends and a side wall contains a pair of electric contacts spaced lengthwise of the capsule, the outer end of which supports one of the contacts. the side wall has an annular groove in it reducing the thickness at that point to a thin band that is compressible to reduce its width when a predetermined pressure is exerted against the outer end of the capsule so that one contact will engage the other contact. The switch is especially suitable for closing an electric circuit connected with electrical firing means in an explosively actuated cable cutter.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Temple 1 WATER PRESSURE ACTUATED ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR CABLE CUTTER [75] Inventor: Ernest E. Temple, Murrysville, Pa
[73] Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
22 Filed: Mar. 7, 1973 [211 Appl. 190.; 338,995
Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 217,116, Jan. 12, 1972, Pat. No.
[52] U.S. Cl. ZOO/61.08, 200/81 R [51] Int. Cl. Htllh 35/24 [58] Field of Search..., zoo/61.08, 81 R 5 6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,721,913 10/1955 Kent 200/81 R x 2,787,681 4 1957 Roeser 200/81'R x Apr.2, 1974 Fowler ZOO/61.08 X Kilmer ZOO/61.08 X
Primary Examiner-George Harris Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrown, Murray, Flick & Peckham [57] ABSTRACT A sealed hollow capsule having inner and outer ends and a side wall contains a pair of electric contacts spaced lengthwise of the capsule, the outer end of which supports one of the contacts. the side wall has an annular groove in it reducing the thickness at that point to a thin band that is compressible to reduce its' width when a predetermined pressure is exerted against the outer end of the capsule so that one contact will engage the other contact. The switch is especially suitable for closing an electric circuit connected with electrical firing means in an explosively actuated cable cutter.
5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures WATER PRESSURE ACTUATED ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR CABLE CUTTER This application is a division of my copending patent application, Ser. No. 217,116, filed Jan. 12, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,739,673.
There are situations in which a ship is being towed or held in position by another ship, where it is desirable to cut the tow cable immediately upon the occurrence of a nearby underwater explosion. If this is not done, the force of the explosion may cause the ships to put such tension on the cable as to cause it to break and snap back toward the ships, where it may cause damage or injury. In other situations it is desirable to lower an object through deep water by means of a'cable, and to release the cable from the object after it has reached the desired depth so that the cable can be recovered. This has been difficult to do heretofore.
It is among the objects of this invention to provide an electric switch which is closed by water pressure, which can operate a cable cutter, which will be closed by surge pressure caused by an underwater explosion, or which can be calibrated to close at a specified water depth if allowed to sink through the water.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an enlarged vertical section of the switch; and Y FIG. 2 is a similar view, partly the switch closed.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pair of electric switch contacts 1 and 2 are rigidly mounted inside of a sealed capsule 3- having inner and outer ends con' nected by a side wall. The inner contact 2 may be supported by the capsule in any suitable manner, such as by an insulating plug 4 sealed in an axial opening in the inner end of the capsule. The other contact is supported by'the outer end of the capsule a predetermined distance from the inner contact. To allow this distance or gap to be adjusted, the outer end'of the capsule includes a screw 5- that supports the outer contact. By turning that screw, the gap can be adjusted. The side wall of the capsule is provided with an annular groove 6 that reduces the thickness of the wall in that area to a thin band that is easily deformed in a manner to be described presently.
The capsule-3 is mounted in an axial socket 10 in the outer end of a metal housing 11. The inner end of the capsule is encircled by a sealing ring 12. From the inner end of the socket a short passage 13 extends into an axial bore 14 in the inner end of the housing. This bore contains an insulating ring 16 engaged by a rubber flange 17 on the end of an electric cord 18 connected with a battery (not shown). In this flange the inner contact 2 is connected with one of the wires 19 in the cord. The other wire 20 is soldered to a split metal ring 21 encircling the cord between flange 1 7 and a second rubber flange 22; The ring engages the encircling housing and is pressed tightly against it by the portion of the cord inside the ring. That portion expands when the two rubber flanges are clamped tightly between insulating ring 16 and a flanged bushing 23 that is held in place by a nut 24 screwed onto the inner end of the housing. The outer contact 1 is electrically connected through the metal capsule 3 and housing 11 with the metal ring 21 and wire 20.
When this switch is submerged in water and the water pressure against the outer end of the capsule becomes in elevation, showing great enough, the water will move the outer end of the capsule inwardly to cause the thin metal band of its side wall to compress, as shown in FIG.2. The band compresses by bending radially inwardly or outwardupon itself. When this occurs, the outer contact 1 moves into engagement with the inner contact 2 to close the switch. In order to increase the effective area against which the water pressure acts, a cup-like pressure cap 26 is slidably mounted on the outer or lower end of housing 11 around the capsule. The end wall of the cap is spaced from the end of the housing, having the capsule project from the housing, or in an equivalent manner by providing the cap with a central projection small enough to enter the housing socket 10. The cap is held against the capsule by means of circumferentially spaced headed pins 27 screwed into the cap and slidably mounted in holes through a flange 28 encircling the housing and spaced from the inner or upper end of the cap. Water is prevented from entering the space between the outer end of the housing and the cap by a sealing ring 29 mounted in a groove, such as in the periphery of the housing. It will be seen that water pressure against the outer end face of the cap sufficient to overcome the resistance of the thin band in the capsulewall will push the outer end of the capsule inwardly, causing the thin band to collapse and thereby allowing the two contacts to engage each other.
Although the electric switch disclosed herein can be used for various purposes, it is especially suitable for firing an explosively actuated cable cutter. In such a case the cable cutter would carry the battery connected to electric cord 18. On the other hand,-instead of the cable cutter being provided with its own battery, the electric cord could be made much longer and be connected to a battery located above the water.
According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I
have explained the principle of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
I claim:
1. A water pressure actuated electric switch comprising a sealed hollow capsule having inner and outer ends and a side wall,,and a pair of electric contacts in the capsule spaced lengthwise thereof, one of the contacts being supported by the outer end of the capsule, said side wall having an annular groove therein reducing the thickness of a portion of the side wall to form a thin band in the wall, and said band being compressible to reduce its width when a predetermined water pressure is exerted against said outer end of the capsule, whereby to permit said one contact to engage the other contact.
2. A switch according to claim 1, in which said capsule includes a screw secured to said one contact and threaded in and forming part of said outer end of the capsule to permit the space between said contacts to be adjusted.
3. A switch according to claim 1, including a housing containing said capsule with the outer end of the capsule projecting from the housing, and a cup-like pressure cap engaging said outer end and slidably mounted on said housing in sealing engagement therewith.
4. A switch according to claim 3, in which said housing is provided with radially projecting means spaced preferably by 3,801,759 3 4 from the cap and provided with openings parallel to the 5. A switch according to claim 3, including a sealing axis of the cap, the switch including pins slidably disposed in said openings and secured to the cap, thepins having heads normally engaging said projecting means and mounted m a groove m one of them to hold the cap against the outer end of the capsule. 5 v
ring surrounding said housing between it and the cap

Claims (5)

1. A water pressure actuated electric switch comprising a sealed hollow capsule having inner and outer ends and a side wall, and a pair of electric contacts in the capsule spaced lengthwise thereof, one of the contacts being supported by the outer end of the capsule, said side wall having an annular groove therein reducing the thickness of a portion of the side wall to form a thin band in the wall, and said band being compressible to reduce its width when a predetermined water pressure is exerted against said outer end of the capsule, whereby to permit said one contact to engage the other contact.
2. A switch according to claim 1, in which said capsule includes a screw secured to said one contact and threaded in and forming part of said outer end of the capsule to permit the space between said contacts to be adjusted.
3. A switch according to claim 1, including a housing containing said capsule with the outer end of the capsule projecting from the housing, and a cup-like pressure cap engaging said outer end and slidably mounted on said housing in sealing engagement therewith.
4. A switch according to claim 3, in which said housing is provided with radiallY projecting means spaced from the cap and provided with openings parallel to the axis of the cap, the switch including pins slidably disposed in said openings and secured to the cap, the pins having heads normally engaging said projecting means to hold the cap against the outer end of the capsule.
5. A switch according to claim 3, including a sealing ring surrounding said housing between it and the cap and mounted in a groove in one of them.
US00338995A 1972-01-12 1973-03-07 Water pressure actuated electric switch for cable cutter Expired - Lifetime US3801759A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21711672A 1972-01-12 1972-01-12
US33899573A 1973-03-07 1973-03-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3801759A true US3801759A (en) 1974-04-02

Family

ID=26911634

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00338995A Expired - Lifetime US3801759A (en) 1972-01-12 1973-03-07 Water pressure actuated electric switch for cable cutter

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3801759A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1981000496A1 (en) * 1979-08-08 1981-02-19 S Moisen Automatic man overboard sensor and diver rescue system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2721913A (en) * 1950-07-17 1955-10-25 Jr Raymond C Kent Shock and static pressure discriminating switch
US2787681A (en) * 1952-09-11 1957-04-02 Electro Snap Switch & Mfg Co Pressure actuated switches
US2806915A (en) * 1956-06-08 1957-09-17 James M Fowler Collision responsive switch
US3161131A (en) * 1963-07-01 1964-12-15 Earl E Kilmer Explosive means for cutting an electric cable

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2721913A (en) * 1950-07-17 1955-10-25 Jr Raymond C Kent Shock and static pressure discriminating switch
US2787681A (en) * 1952-09-11 1957-04-02 Electro Snap Switch & Mfg Co Pressure actuated switches
US2806915A (en) * 1956-06-08 1957-09-17 James M Fowler Collision responsive switch
US3161131A (en) * 1963-07-01 1964-12-15 Earl E Kilmer Explosive means for cutting an electric cable

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1981000496A1 (en) * 1979-08-08 1981-02-19 S Moisen Automatic man overboard sensor and diver rescue system
US4305143A (en) * 1979-08-08 1981-12-08 Simms Larry L Automatic man overboard sensor and rescue system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3963320A (en) Cable connector for solid-insulation coaxial cables
US3124405A (en) Underwater separable connector
GB1140749A (en) Improvements in coaxial connectors
US3643208A (en) Underwater separable connector
US3539972A (en) Electrical connector for high voltage electrical systems
US6113420A (en) Tension-relieving arrangement for the electrical and/or optical conductors of a cable
US1997081A (en) Electrical connection
GB1129233A (en) Electrical connector
GB1325720A (en) Cable shield termination for electrical connectors
US3634815A (en) Connector assembly adapted for use with a coaxial cable
EP0197688A3 (en) Solderless connector for semi-rigid coaxial cable
MX166042B (en) ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE RELIEF OF EFFORTS
GB1309033A (en) Connection to a flat cable
GB1305809A (en)
GB1183687A (en) Coaxial Cable Connector.
EP3553893A1 (en) Electrical connection device
ES2051860T3 (en) VOICE / DATA COMMUNICATION TERMINATION CONNECTOR.
US3801759A (en) Water pressure actuated electric switch for cable cutter
US3621413A (en) Strain relief for electrical connectors
US3739673A (en) Water pressure actuated electric switch for cable cutter
EP3097617B1 (en) Lightning arrester
GB1009926A (en) Sealed semiconductor device
US3665368A (en) Electrical connector
US3710307A (en) Electrical connector
GB1487348A (en) Electrical cable separable connector