Patent GB-390996-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to tube conveyor systems
IPC: B65G51/42
Filed: 1932-08-04
Abstract: 390,996. Pneumatic dispatch apparatus. TELEPHON-APPARATFABRIK E. ZWEITUSCH & CO., GES., 6, Salzufer, Charlottenburg, Berlin. Aug. 4, 1932, No. 21945. Convention date, March 11. [Class 116.] In order to compensate for accidental rotation of a carrier during transit in a pneumatic dispatch apparatus of the type in which a reading unit located at a control station engages rotatably adjustable members on the carrier for controlling the destination, the reading unit is adapted to initiate the appropriate controlling operations irrespective of the position taken up by the carrier within the tube. The unit may comprise a series of contact wipers which are effective to complete circuits controlling the destination. A carrier, Fig. 2, is provided with adjustable members in the form of setting rings ER1, ER2, comprising contact segments N1, N2, each equal in length to one-eighth of the circumference of the ring, and each movable to occupy any of eight positions 0 .. 7 around the appropriate fixed conducting ring SR2, SR3, which respectively serve to define the group of stations and the particular station in the selected group to which the carrier is to be sent. A contact segment M is rigidly attached to a further fixed conducting ring SR1 in a position corresponding to that marked " O " on the rings SR2, SR3. On arrival of the carrier at the control station, the rings are brushed by members K1, K2, K3, Figs 2 and 3, and the segments M, N1, N2 each by one member of the appropriate group A1 .. A8, B1 .. B8, C1 .. C8, the corresponding members of each group lying in a plane through the longitudinal axis of the carrier. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, it is assumed that the segments N1, N2 are set at positions 4, 1 respectively, but the rotation of the carrier was such that the segment M contacts with brush A2, and segments N1, N2, therefore with brushes B6, C3. A circuit is completed over brushes K1, A2, for relays R2, H, relay R2 only being energized, and a group-switch relay G4 pulls up over a circuit including brushes K2, B6, a contact 6r<2> and the windings of relays G4 and V. A relay U now energizes and locks up over a contact 1k, which is closed on the arrival of the carrier. A station-switch-relay S1 is actuated over brushes K3, C3, and a contact 3r<2>. Relays R2 and U de-energize when the carrier leaves the station, but relays S1, G4 lock-up over secondary windings (not shown), and are released when the carrier actuates contacts in traversing the appropriate switch points. In another form, Fig. 4, in which only the stationswitch relays are shown, segments M, N are in contact with brushes A3, B6 respectively On the arrival of a carrier a contact 2k closes, and a rotary magnet 1D is energized by an interrupter contact U, stepping wipers 1d1 .. 1d5. When contact 3 is reached, a relay P pulls up over a circuit comprising wiper 1d3, and brushes A3, K1, locking and preparing a circuit for a relay T which is completed when wiper 1d1 reaches step 6, through wipers B6, K2. Meanwhile a further rotary magnet 20 energizes over a contact p and steps wipers 2d1, 2d2. The third contact is reached on wiper 2d1 at the moment when wiper 1d1 reaches step 6 and a circuit is accordingly closed for relay S3. When the carrier leaves the tube, relays P, T fall away through contact 1k and the wipers are restored by the re-energization of magnets 1D, 2D over back contact of T. In order to ensure efficient working of the apparatus when the setting members assume an unfavourable position in the contact station with respect to the reading units, the relays H, Figs. 3 and 4, are caused to complete operative circuits through auxiliary brushes BP .. B8<1>, C1<1> .. C8<1>, which are disposed intermediately of the main brushes. In the form corresponding to that shown in Fig. 3, the segments M, N1, N2 are respectively slightly greater and shorter in length than the circumferential distance between two main brushes. Accordingly, segment M is assumed to contact with brushes A2, A3 and segments N1, N2 to lie between brushes B6, B7 and C3, C4, engaging respectively brushes B6<1>, C6<1>. A circuit is completed through brushes K<1>, A2, A3, with relays R2, R3 in parallel with relay H, which is accordingly energized and remains so when relay R3 falls away on the actuation of contact 9r2. The group-switch-relay G4 pulls up over brushes K2, B6<1>, contact 6r2 and the windings of G4 and V. The station-switchmagnet S2 is actuated over brushes K3, C3<1>, and contact 3r2. In the form corresponding to that shown in Fig. 4, the segment M is slightly shorter in length than the circumferential distance between two main brushes, and the segments are assumed to contact respectively with brushes A3<1>, B6<1>. When the magnet 1D is energized and steps wiper 1d3 to contact 9, a circuit is completed for relays H, P, of which H only is energized and locks up over its own contact ; wipers 1d1 .. 1d5 are again stepped, and at contact 3 a circuit is completed for relay P through brushes K1, A3<1> and wiper 1d4, thus locking and preparing a circuit for relay T, which is completed when wiper 1d2 reaches contact 6, through wipers B6<1>, K2. A circuit is then closed for stationswitch-relay S3 as previously described. In each form, the dispatch of the carrier from the control station is initiated by the movement of the switch-point or by means under the control of a timing device. In a further form, Fig. 5, the brushes A1 .. A8, B1 .. B8, are carried by a cylindrical member J formed of insulating material, and when the relay H is energized in the manner described with reference to Fig. 4, an armature H1 engages a projection Z, to rotate the member J and to move the brushes into a suitable position with respect to the carrier. The member J is locked in position by means of a pawl L, which is released when the carrier leaves the station, the member J then returning under the action of a spring F.