Patent GB-190512999-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Means for Ensuring the Continuity of Movements Derived from Electric Energy.
Filed: 1905-06-23
Granted: 1906-08-23
Abstract: 12,999. Webber, A. B., and Standard Time Co. June 23. Electric clocks.-Relates to an improvement upon Hipp's method of maintaining electrically the movement of a pendulum, an auxiliary source being automatically introduced should the main source of electric supply fail. The pendulum rod a carries an armature b acted upon by an electromagnet c, which by an arrangement of switches actuated by the pendulum is energized to attract the armature only when the pendulum is approaching the electro-magnet. The device comprises a toggle i upon the pendulum arranged to engage with a pallet h upon a pivoted lever d provided with a contact e. The arrangement is such that the link rides over the pallet h when the pendulum is executing its normal awing, but, when the amplitude of motion is reduced, the extremity of the toggle engages the pallet. The contact e engages a contact f upon a second pivoted lever, which is itself provided with the second contact j engaging with a contact k upon a third pivoted lever. The toggle causes all these contacts to be depressed one upon another consecutively. When the lever d is depressed, the contact-points e, f first come together, completing the primary circuit through the electro-magnet c and the coil of the electro-magnetic switch n. If electric energy is available from the main source, the armature o will be drawn against the action of a spring out of contact with the point p, so that, when immediately afterwards the contacts j, k come together, the electro-magnet c will be energized and the swing of the pendulum augmented. If the primary source is not available, the electro-magnetic switch is not actuated, and the alternative source m supplies the energy. By introducing a fourth contact-lever, a second alternative supply source may be introduced. An alternative method of applying Hipp's device is shown in Fig. 3. The toggle-link i, when the pendulum acquires a certain minimum angle of swing, displaces a three-armed lever d mounted on a knife-edge and provided with pallets h, h<1>. One arm of the lever d extends vertically downwards, and is provided with two contacts e, e', which, when the lever d is rocked, engage with one or other of the contacts f, f<1>. When the toggle i trips upon the pallet h<1>, the lever d is inclined, so that the contacts e, f come together and energize the electro-magnet c from the primary source g, and when the toggle trips upon the other pallet h<1>, the lever d is inclined in the other direction, the contacts e', f<1> come together, and the electro-magnet is energized from the alternative source m. By means of the adjusting-screws 5, the pallet h' is moved slightly from the centre line of swing, so that, as the swing of the pendulum diminishes, the toggle first trips upon the pallet h<1>, causing an impulse from the source g, and, if that source fails, the swing becomes less, and the toggle engages with the other pallet h<1>, drawing an impulse from the alternative source m. Screws adjust the positions of the contact-surfaces f, f<1>.