Patent GB-132265-A (GB)
IPC: G05D3/10
Abstract: 132,265. Weismann, C. Aug. 10, 1917, [Convention date]. Automatic exchange systems.-The synchronous operation of the shafts of two mechanisms is obtained by the employment in each of two electromagnets or one electro-magnet and a spring which control the oscillation of a contact-arm, while the magnets and contact-arms are inter-connected in such a manner that the movement of one arm is immediately followed by a similar movement of the other arm. The contact-arm is connected to the anchor of an escapement, the ratchet-wheel of which is connected to the shaft of the controlled mechanism. When reversal of rotation is desired, two escapements are provided the shafts of which are connected to the operated shaft through a differential gear, and one escapement is locked automatically while the other is operated. Each apparatus may be used either as a transmitter or a receiver, and the movement is determined by a hunting switch. To increase the precision of the arrangement, two or three hunting switches may be provided the elements of which are geared together. The apparatus may be employed in automatic telephone systems. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, each station comprises an escapement mechanism a<1>, g<1>, operating electro-magnets b<1>, a two-position switch d<1>, and a battery i<1> connected to a conducting-segment e<1> mounted upon an insulating-disk f<1> and provided with an opening upon which a conducting control lever h' normally rests. Contacts c' are placed upon each side of a lever attached to the anchor a<1>, and these contacts are connected to the operating-magnets of the distant mechanism. The other terminals of the magnets are connected through the anchor a<1> to the lever of the switch d<1>. To transmit a predetermined movement of the lever h<1> to a distant mechanism, the lever of the switch d<1> is moved to engage the contact T<1>, the lever of the switch d<2> is moved to engage the contact R<2>, and lever h<1> is given an annular displacement equal to the desired movement. The following circuit is then established : battery i<1>, brush B, contact segment e<1>, lever h', switch d<1>, lower magnet b', upper contact c<2>, anchor a<2>, and switch d<2>, to earth. A second circuit is also established from the switch d<1>, lower contact c<1>, lower magnet b<2>, and switch d<2> to earth. The energization of the lower magnet b<2> causes the lever attached to the anchor a<2> to engage the lower contact c<2> and to oscillate the anchor a<2>. A circuit is then completed through the upper magnet b<1>, and the circuit of the lower magnet b<1> is broken. The lever attached to the anchor a<1> is caused to engage its upper contact c<1>, and the anchor a<1> is oscillated. This operation is repeated until the opening in the conducting-segment c' is under the displaced lever h<1>. In the modification shown in Fig. 5, one of the electro-magnets b<1>, Fig. 2, is replaced by a spring b<10>, and the circuits of the magnets are controlled by a forked lever j<1> which is urged into its limiting positions by a spring k<1>. In the modification shown in Figs. 12, 13, and 14, reversal of rotation of the operated mechanism is obtained by the provision of a second escapement mechanism a", g<11> and by connecting the shafts of the mechanism through differential gear. The conducting-segment of the control switch is divided into two parts e<1>, e<11> separated by a stop e<0> and a gap upon which the control lever h<1> normally rests. A polarized spring-controlled member q<1> is adapted to lock one escapement mechanism while the other is operative, and each station is provided with a divided battery i<1>. When the control lever h' is given a clockwise movement, the operating-magnets b<1>, b<2> at the transmitting and distant stations and the locking-magnets q<1>, q<2> are energized with current of one polarity, thereby locking the escapements a<11>, g<11> and a<22>, g<22> and operating the escapements a<1>, g<1> and a<2>, g<2> in the manner described with reference to Fig. 2. When the control lever h<1> is moved in the opposite direction, the escapements a', g<1> and a<2>, g<2> are locked, and the escapements a<11>, g<11> and a<22>, g<22> are operated. To increase the period of operation of the escapement mechanism when the direction of rotation of the control lever is reversed, the carrier p<1>, Fig. 18, of the planetwheels of the differential gear is connected to the disk f<1> through a pin r<1> engaging a slot in the disk f<1>, thereby forming a lost-motion device. To increase the precision of the apparatus, two or three controlling-levers and two or three insulating-disks carrying conducting-segments may be provided. The levers and disks are geared together respectively and connected in parallel to the contact T<1> and battery i<1> as shown in Fig. 15. In order that a single lead with an earth return may be employed between two stations, each apparatus is provided with a three-pole switch d<1>, Fig. 6, mechanically connected to a detent m<1>, a magnet l<1> controlling the detent m<1>, and a second detent o<1> controlled by the anchor a<1> and adapted to engage the detent m<1> when in its retracted position. To operate the escapement mechanism a<2>, g<2> from the control lever h<1>, the switches d', d<2> are placed in the positions shown, in which case the detent m<2> is moved away from the path of the anchor a<2>. The lever h<1> is then operated to complete the following circuit : battery i<1>, conducting-ring e<1>, lever h', contact T<1>, operating-magnet b<1>, lever j<1>, lower contact c<1>, contact R<1>, to earth. The anchor a<1> is operated by the magnet b<1> and is held in its operated position by the detent m<1>. The lever j<1> is also operated to engage the upper contact c<1> to complete the following circuit : battery i', conducting-ring e<1>, lever h<1>, contact T', operating-magnet b<1>, lever j<1>, upper contact c<1>, magnet m<1>, contact T<10>, line L, contact T<20>, lower contact c<2>, lever j<2>, operating-magnet b<2>, contact R<2>, to earth. The anchor a<2> is operated and released and the anchor a<1> released to assume the position shown when the above operation is repeated. The detent m<1> is held in its attracted position by the detent o<1> and is released when the anchor a<1> reaches its upper position.