Patent GB-801786-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to punch mechanisms
Inventor: WILLIAMS PETER FRANCIS
IPC: G06F3/08
Filed: 1956-01-17
Abstract: 801,786. Digital electric calculating-apparatus. POWERS - SAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. Dec. 11, 1956 [Jan. 17, 1956], No. 1623/56. Class 106 (1). A punch mechanism, e.g. for an electronic computer, having columns of punch-conditioning elements, corresponding to the data-indicating positions in a record card and associated actuating units each including a push-rod for each element in a column, the units being simultaneously stepped to position the push-rods for sequential co-operation with adjoining columns of elements, is controlled by apparatus comprising a column of solenoids and associated gates for each unit, one solenoid for each push-rod, and gate-control selector means to effect selective energization of the solenoids in response to digit-representing triggering potentials. Punch mechanism. Fig. 1 shows a mechanism, similar to that disclosed in Specification 788,518, [Group VIII], in which the elements comprise set pins 1, one column for each of the 80 columns VC of a record card, Fig. 2. Ten actuating units P1 to P10 (only two shown), each comprises a column of push-rods 2 carried by a plate 3, the plates being simultaneously swung step-by-step about pivots 4 by bar 6 whereby the push-rods may successively register with eight adjoining columns of pins (e.g. 80 to 73 for P10). The solenoid 27 for each rod 2, if energized, holds its armature 28 in the position shown, whereby when common operating bar 24 is moved downward, the cam 31 causes trigger 22 to rotate counter-clockwise to engage with notch 21 of latching member 17, thus actuating the rod through transmission 14, 12, 7. Punch control circuits; computer. Each solenoid 27, Figs. 1 and 4, is energized by triggering an associated thyratron gate 37. The solenoids and gates are arranged in ten columns corresponding to units P1-P10 (see Fig. 3), and each gate is triggered if it receives simultaneously a conditioning potential on its screen grid from column line T1-T10, and a digit-representing potetial on its control grid from decoder 70, Fig. 9. The digits to be punched are obtained from a magnetic drum store output " track " OT2, each " track " comprising four parallel track sections corresponding to the elements of the 1, 2, 4, 8 code. Each " track " comprises 40 locations, each divided into 20 digit positions DT1-DT20, Fig. 8, within which a decimal or sterling amount may be recorded. The digit positions (DT2-DT18) and track locations (NT1-NT40) are marked by the decoded outputs of counters C1, C2, Fig. 9, respectively, stepped by drum-derived clock pulses ACP. These outputs are applied through selective control units DTP, NTP, e.g. comprising manually settable electric contacts, punched cards or printed connections, to gates CCG, Figs. 16A and16B, two for each card column whose outputs (e.g. NC1, OC1) correspond respectively to number-digit positions HR1 and over-punch-digit positions HR2, Fig. 2. The NC and OC outputs of those gates CCG corresponding to adjoining card columns (such as 1-8) associated with a single unit P1-P10 are connected via two groups of selector gates (such as SG1) to common lines (N1, OP1) which are combined in mixer 108 to supply the corresponding line T1-T10, Fig. 4. The lines N1, OP1, &c., and complementary output lines NN1 &c. also are separately applied to gates for decoder 70 connected between decoded outputs representing 1 to 3, 10, 11 and 0 and the digit lines such as D1/1, D10/A for card positions 1 to 3, A, B and O, the decoded outputs for digits 4 to 9 being applied directly to digit lines D4 (not shown) to D9. For each punching cycle, 24 revolutions occur which are marked by counter 47, Fig. 9, and the decoded counter outputs 98-105, Fig. 16A, corresponding to even revolutions 2 to 16, each condition a different gate SG in each group, to enable gates 37, Fig. 4, to be energized in accordance with the card columns in which data is next to be punched (see Fig. 3), punching being effected and units P1-P10 being stepped on during odd revolutions 3-17. The thyratrons are reset between successive punching operations, by cam-operated switch 38. The signals obtained by a read head RH2 from a track section of OT2 (e.g. the " 8 " section) are applied via an amplifying circuit 65, Fig. 14, to a bistable flip-flop circuit 67 which is reset at the end of each digit period by a clock signal on line 68, both the normal and complementary flip-flop outputs being applied to decoder 70. The data on a track OT1, associated with an arithmetic unit, may be transferred to OT2 during drum revolution 1, via a circuit (Fig. 11, not shown), controlled by counter 47 and by clock pulses on line 46. Reference is made to forms of storage other than a drum, e.g. a " static store ". Example of operation. Suppose the amount ú91: 15: 11d in digit positions DT9-13 of track location NT9 is to be transferred to card columns 48 to 51, Fig. 2. Units DTP, NTP, Figs. 16A and 16B, are so set that during the corresponding digit times DT9-13 of NT9 outputs appear on lines NC51, NC50, OC50, NC49 and NC48 respectively. Thus during drum revolution 2 solenoid 27/9 for unit P6 (see Fig. 3) is energized to punch the digit in DT13, Fig. 8, viz. " 9," Fig. 2, in card column 48. During drum revolutions 12, 14 and 16, unit P7 is actuated similarly to punch in columns 51, 50 and 49 respectively; the 11d. in DT9, Fig. 8, is represented by a hole in position B of column 51, and the amounts " 5 " and " 1 " in DT10 and DT12 are represented by corresponding numerical, punchings in columns 50 and 49. However, the 10s. in DT11, owing to the corresponding output on line OC50, is represented by an over-punching in position A of column 50.