Patent GB-556850-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to devices responsive to electric impulses
Filed: 1942-09-24
Abstract: 556,850. Selective signalling. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES, Ltd. (Western Electric Co. Inc.). Sept. 24, 1942, No. 13431. [Class 40 (i) [Also in Groups XXXIX and XIX] Selecting apparatus comprises a chain of balls or similar members forming a magnetic circuit and means for delivering mechanical impulses to one end of the chain whereby a corresponding number of balls detach themselves or are moved transversely from the other end and are held magnetically in their alternative position. Six digit decimal register, Figs. 8 and 9.- Impulse magnet 210 acts on a separate impulsing ball 212 for each register but is only. able to attract one of them because the remaining five are obstructed by the balls of a sequence chain 216. At each release of the impulse magnet, the operative ball 112 strikes the pole-piece at one side of the register balls, and a ball at the other end of the register detaches itself operates contact springs and is held by the pole piece at the other end. At the end of each digit, magnet 218 is released to allow ball 220 to strike the end of the sequence chain. A ball at the other end then detaches itself, locks the register most recently set and prepares the next register for operation. Eight digit code register, Figs. 10 and 12.- Four relays 101 104 each have eight pairs of armatures such as 131 all of which are attracted when the magnet is energized. Just before each code signal, a sequence magnet 120 is energized and when the code relays are energized the magnet is released and gives an impulse to two chains of cylinders 113 connected by locking bars 115. As a result the end pair of cylinders detaches itself from the chains and the locking bar holds the corresponding pairs of armatures in their attracted position. The register relays are then relaesed in readiness for the next digit which similarly affects all armatures corresponding to the digit place being locked by the transfer of a further pair of members 113. Indicator. -Instead of controlling contacts, the displaced balls may uncover windows to enable the appropriate numeral to be seen. Counting arrangement applicable to time measurement Figs. 15, 16 and 17.-This arrangement differs from that previously described in that the ball at the end of the chain does not detach itself in response to the impulse but is knocked off the chain transversely by an auxiliary member. The impulse magnet controls two hammers 76, 75. The former of these acts on a loop 70 provided in a springy frame carrying auxiliary hammers 83, 84 which normally rest against pole-pieces 152, 151 of a broad magnet 154, in the neighbourhood of the first of a chain of balls 80. Each impulse to the loop 70 causes the auxiliary hammers to leave the pole-pieces and then snap-back so that the ball 80 is moved over to the other pole-piece. The second hammer acts on a chain of balls and frames similar to that controlling the auxiliary hammers, 83, 84 the arrangement being such that the frame preceding the first ball in a displaced position (ball 86 in Fig. 15) is operated and causes the displacement of the next ball. If the impulses are given at regular intervals as from a source of alternating current, the device can be used for time measurement. Repeated operations after equal predetermined time intervals can be controlled by causing the device to reset itself when a ball of a selected rank is reached.