Patent GB-558231-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to electrical counting apparatus
IPC: H03K23/74
Filed: 1942-07-17
Abstract: 558,231. Electrical counters. SIEMENS BROS. & CO., Ltd., and HUMPHRIES, H. E. July 17, 1942, No. 9973. [Class 106 (i)] An electrical counting apparatus for counting electrical impulses comprises a chain of relays A,B,C,D less in number than the maximum number (ten) of impulses to be counted thereby, wherein the relays of the chain are adapted to be operated in repeated succession in response to the receipt of impulses and in each sequence of of said successive operations each relay on operation releases the relay previously operated in that sequence, the last relay operated in each sequence remaining locked, and wherein the relay D which is locked at the end of the first sequence is adapted forcibly to be released independently of the circuit over which it is locked when all of the other relays of the chain are in an operated condition at the same time. The invention is applied to winding a predetermined number of turns of wire on a bobbin, driven by an electric motor MO and periodically closing contacts INT. Operation of a start key ST energizes a relay K and contacts k1 supply current to the lower contact INT, to a relay J, and to a lamp EL to indicate that the apparatus is operative, while contacts k2 supply current through a resistance RE to the motor, which runs slowly. Contacts jl and f2 short-circuit the key ST which can be released. With the full-line connections shown, a relay Y sends an impulse to the counter at every second closure of contacts INT. At the first closure, a relay P energizes and locks up over contacts PI and the upper coil of a relay Q when contacts INT open. Contacts q1 open the original circuit to the relay P and at the second closure of contacts INT energize the lower coil of the relay Q and a relay R. Contacts r1 release relay P and the upper coil of Q so that relay Y energizes over contacts P1, and contacts y2 send an impulse to the primary register. When contacts INT open again, relays Q, R de-energize, and at the next closure, relay P energises and relay Y releases to terminate the impulse to the counter. Modification.-The full-line connection between INT and 1, 2 and between 3 and 4 can be omitted and the broken-line connections made between INT and 3, 4 so that relay Y energizes at each closure of contact INT so as to send an impulse to the counter at every closure. Relays P, Q, R remain dormant. Counter.-The closing of contacts j3 energizes a relay X and contacts x1 prepare a circuit for relays A-D. When contacts y2 close, parallel circuits are established through the lower coil of relay A and shunt resistance YC, and relay A locks up and short circuits relay X, which, having a quick action, releases. Contacts a2, a3 open to disconnect resistance YC and to prepare a circuit for relay B. When contacts y2 open, the original circuit for relay X is restored. When relay Y again operates, the lower coil of relay B energizes and relay X releases. Contacts b6 release the lower coil and energize the oppositely wound upper coil of relay A which consequently releases immediately. In the same manner, at the third impulse, relay C energizes and releases relay B, and at the fourth impulse, relay D(I) locks up and releases C. Contacts d3 open to remove the short circuit from relay L and contacts l2 short-circuit resistance RE, so that the motor now runs at full speed. Contacts d4 close to prepare a circuit to relay A. At the seventh impulse, the upper coil of relay C also locks up, at the ninth, B and at the tenth, A. When relay Y releases, a circuit through contacts a4, b4, c4 energizes the oppositely wound coil II of relay D and relay SDM of switch S. Relay D releases and by reversing the magnetic flux, releases relays C, B, A in turn. The opening of contacts sdm further ensures the release of these relays. Register.-The opening of one of contacts a4, b4, c4 releases SDM to step on the switch S of the register. This switch has four wipers, operating in pairs first over levels s1, s3 and then over s2, s4, whereby a count of up to 500 operations of relay Y can be obtained. Levels s1, s2 determine the hundreds and s3, s4 the tens in known manner, the appropriate jack springs H, T being connected by a cord DC. The units are determined by connecting springs XY and YX to two of the springs U1 - U6. For numbers 0 - 4, YX is connected to U6, and XY to one of the others, according to the value of the associated relay A - D, U5 representing zero. For the higher numbers, two of springs U1 - U4 are connected to springs XY, YX, A - C representing 8, B - D, 9. At the end of the impulse from relay Y, when the wiper of level s1 or s2 encounters the appropriate hundreds group, that of level s2 or s4 the appropriate tens group and the required combination of relays A - D energize, balanced currents flow through the two coils of shunt field relay F which operates contacts f1 to release relay K and therefore relay L and the motor stops. If start key ST has been released, contacts f2 release relay J, contacts j3 release relays A - D and contacts j4 - j7 complete a homing circuit for switch S. If key ST is held down, relay K releases but relay J is held and relay P energizes over f1, so that contacts p1 open to prevent operation of relay Y to prevent counting. The motor can be temporarily stopped and counting suspended in the middle of an operation by depressing stop key SP. This releases relays K, L and stops the motor, but relay J is held and the apparatus maintains its condition until key ST is operated to resume counting. Cancel key CA, by releasing relay J, cancels the registrations made and resets the apparatus. Edge key EK permits the running of the motor by operating relay K, but prevents counting by not energizing relay J. Test jack TJ tests the stepping of switch S. Switch TS runs the motor at high speed for any purpose Arrangement of apparatus.-The apparatus may be arranged as a number of separated units connected by jacks. The counter unit may be jacked out by breaking connections at 5, 7, 9, 13, connecting together points 5, 7 and 9, 11. Thus, operation of key ST energizes relay K to run the motor slowly. Releasing key ST energizes relay L to run the motor quickly. Operation of key SP releases both relays K, L. The device can be used as a time control for operating a device after a predetermined time.