Patent GB-638066-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electronic switching means and commutators
IPC: H04J3/04
Filed: 1946-12-06
Abstract: 638,066. Pulse counting circuits. INTER NATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Dec. 6, 1946, No. 36127. Convention date, Dec. 21, 1945. [Class 40 (vi)] In an electronic commutator which comprises a closed chain of trigger circuits of the type described in Specification 593,577, the operating sequence is reversible. The trigger circuits C1 &c. have two stable states and are successively switched to the one or on status by positive-going "advancing" impulses derived from a multivibrator M over line 68a ; they are returned to the other or off status by subsequent "restoring" impulses from line 68b which is connected to the multivibrator via a phasereverser 77. The operating sequence depends upon the screen potentials of pentode elements 65a, 65b, in the trigger circuits, which are derived from resistances in the cathode circuits of corresponding "conditioning" valves 1a, 1b, &c. Each ''conditioning" valve comprises an element F giving forward operation of the commutator, i.e. the switching order C3, C2, Cl, and a second element R for the reverse sequence ; conduction in either element of a pair raises the potential of the common cathode sufficiently to "condition" the corresponding pentode element 65a or 65b. When so "conditioned" a trigger circuit in off status is switched to on and a circuit in on to off by the next succeeding pulse on the line 68a or 68b respectively. Conduction in the valves 1a, 1b, &c. is determined by the grid potentials, which are derived from a number of pairs of potentiometers, each pair comprising a forward element 1F &c., connected between the point 66b in the corresponding trigger circuit and line FF, and a reverse element 1R &c. connected between point 66b and the line RR. For any of the valves F, R to be conductive, both ends of the potentiometer to which its grid is connected must be at high potential. The potential of the one end of each potentiometer is determined by the instantaneous status of the corresponding trigger circuit, while the potential of the other is determined according to the position taken up by a reversing circuit FR. The reversing circuit comprises a pair of crossconnected valves having two stable states, and is reversible under the control of positive impulses applied over condensers 59a and 59b ; forward operation of the commutator occurs with valve 64a conductive, which depresses the potential of the line RR and reverse operation with valve 64b conductive and the line FF at low potential. Interrupting and starting means. On reversal of switch 88 the application of "advancing" impulses to the line 68a ceases ; a subsequent "restoring" pulse brings to off the trigger circuit last so conditioned, and operation of the commutator then stops until the switch is restored. Upon the initial switching on the trigger circuits set at random, and to place the commutator in the starting condition, switches 88, 82a are reversed and the switch 82b opened. With 82b open, the circuit C3 takes up on status, while reversal of the switch 82a causes pulses from the multivibrator M to be applied in addition to an outer grid of the valve 77 ; "restoring" pulses of increased amplitude are then developed in the line 68a and cause the remaining circuits C2, C1 to assume off status irrespective of the screen potentials applied to the pentode elements 65a, 65b.