Patent GB-582942-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electric signalling systems
IPC: H04Q1/446
Filed: 1944-02-11
Abstract: 582,942. Automatic exchange systems. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES, Ltd., BRAY, F. H., and BROWN, L. R. Feb. 11, 1944, No. 2539. [Class 40 (iv)] A circuit for repeating A.C. impulses as interruptions of a loop comprises a pair of coldcathode tubes which are operative alternately according as signal current is or is not being received and a third tube which, in co-operation with a condenser with alternative charging circuits, prepares the circuit for effective operation if a prefix signal of the required duration is received and limits the duration of the outgoing break impulses. Three arrangements are described. As shown in Fig. 2, the tube A is normally conducting and the relay A energized. 'When a signal arrives, it reduces the control potential of tube A and breaks down tube B which gives a releasing kick to tube A. If the signal terminates prematurely, the original condition is restored. If, however, condenser C4, which began to charge on the operation of B, reaches a potential sufficient to break down tube C, the associated relay C energizes the impulse relay AA, which bridges the outgoing loop, and the relay CA which alters the charging rate of C4 to match the duration of subsequent impulses. At the end of the prefix signal, A operates and B releases, discharging C4, but C, AA remain operated. On the arrival of an A.C. impulse, B operates, condenser C4 begins to charge at the new rate and A falls giving a releasing kick to tube C whereupon AA falls to break the outgoing loop and IP pulls up followed by CD and D, these three relays with CA remaining operated throughout the train. After a predetermined time, the charge on C4 is sufficient for tube C to fire and AA terminates the repeated impulse before the end of the A.C. pulse. When A re-operates and B falls at the end of the pulse, C remains operated, although C4 is discharged by the relapse of B, until tube C receives a releasing kick on the relapse of A at the beginning of the next impulse. At the end of the train, therefore, C remains energized long enough for IP to fall and release CA, C, D and AA, CD remaining operated over a front contact of A to maintain the outgoing loop. Each train is preceded by a prefix signal to cause the re-operation of C, AA, CA and D. The clearing signal consists of a prolonged burst of A.C. following such a prefix signal. At the beginning, C, AA fall as before and reoperate when C4 is charged. In this case, however, C remains operated long enough to release IP and, since A is back and D up, CD falls as well as CA, C and AA. At the end of the clearing signal, D falls also. In a modified system, Fig. 3, the end of a train is marked by prolonging the last impulse.. In this case, the tube A is normally extinguished. The prefix impulse energizes B which allows C4 to charge over R5 to time the prefix. In due course, tube C fires and relays C, CA, AA are operated. CA quenches tube B to release B and connects up tube A which fires at the end of the impulse, to energize A, and quenches tube C to release C, AA, and start the first repeated impulse. The operation of A brings up B to enable C4 to charge over R6. After the proper interval, tube C strikes, quenching tube A and operating relay C, whereupon AA remakes the loop. At the end of each A.C. pulse, tube A fires as before, tube B remaining disconnected. At the end of the train, since the prolonged final impulse delays the striking of tube A, IP falls, followed by CA. At the end of the impulse, tube. A strikes, quenching tube C. Tube B then strikes, energizing B to hold D, relay A quenches tube B and B and D fall back. When the long clearing signal is received, tube C strikes as before and IP and CA fall as at the end of a train. In this case, however, C remains operated long enough for CD to fall and open the outgoing loop. In a further modification, Fig. 4, CD is normally operated to hold open the outgoing loop and tube A is normally quenched as well as tube B. The prefix signal fires tube B and relay B allows C4 to charge over R5. In due course tube C fires and relay C energizes AA, CA to bridge the outgoing circuit, disable tube B and change the charging circuit of C4. When the prefix ends, tube A strikes, operates A and quenches tube C. C falls releasing AA to open the loop and allowing D to pull up. A allows C4 to charge over R6 and in due course tube C terminates the break impulse, energizing C, which is followed by AA, and quenching tube A. On the next A.C. pulse, at the end of the signal, tube A strikes again, quenching tube C and starting a new timing period. When the prolonged final impulse is received, a condenser C5 which begins to charge over resistance R11 when C terminates the repeated impulse, reaches a potential sufficient to cause tube B to strike, whereupon IP pulls up and CA falls. When the impulse is removed, tube A fires and quenches tube C, whereupon all operated relays fall back. Other digits are repeated similarly. When the clear down signal is received, IP operates as when a final digit impulse is received and C5, which in these circumstances charges over R12, is able to reach a potential sufficient to cause tube B to strike and relays B, CD are operated. At the end of the signal, tube A fires, quenching tubes C and B. Relays C and IP release leaving CD operated.