Patent GB-762295-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic recording apparatus
Inventor: WHELAN DENIS TERENCE
Filed: 1954-02-15
Abstract: 762,295. Selective signalling. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Feb. 15, 1964, No. 4354/54. Class 40 (1). [Also in Groups XVI, XIX and XL (b)] The angular displacement of a shaft from a datum position is measured by generating pulses for each unit of shaft angular movement and counting these from the datum position. The measurement is recorded under the control of means responsive at a predetermined speed of angular movement. The invention is described as applied to dispensing predetermined quantities by weight and recording the weights dispensed on a power-operated typewriter, e.g. as described in Specification 662,278, [Group XVI], or on a punched record card. Weight sensing device, Figs. 1, 2. A " weighing " shaft 1 carries an opaque dial 2 bearing concentric scales 3, 4 having transparent portions illuminated by a lamp 5 and slot 6. A photo-cell 7 illuminated through the trans. parent portions of scale 3 generates a strain of positive pulses corresponding in number to the angular displacement of the shaft 1 and hence to the weight. These pulses are passed through a cathode follower V1 and amplifier stages V2, V3 over a line 15 to a decimal counter, and are also fed over stages V6, V7 to operate a relay R1, this relay being held by the charge on a condenser 28 so long as the dial 2 is moving above a predetermined speed, and falling off as the dial 2 comes to rest. The photo-cell 8 is pulsed in the zero-weight position only of dial 2 (through scale 4) and through a cathode follower and amplifier stage operates a relay R2, Fig. 3 (not shown). Weighing by counting, Fig. 4. The positive pulses over line 15 are fed over a pulse shaper stage V8, V9 in which V9 normally conducts. Each positive pulse causes V8 to conduct, the consequential drop in anode voltage thereof being fed over a capacitor 44 to one guide electrode 49 and over an integrating circuit 47- 48 to a second guide electrode 50 of a knowndecimal unit counter tube 51. Transfer is effected to the tens counter tube 54 by way of a pulse-shaper circuit V10-V11 pulsed as the glow discharge in counter tube 51 advances to the zero cathode 52(0) and similarly for the higher counter denominational tubes. Dispensing predetermined quantities, Figs. 4, 9. The weight to be dispensed into each container is set up manually on switches 62 (units), 62<SP>1</SP> (tens), Fig. 4, and similar switches associated with the higher denominational counter tubes. Similarly, the weight at which the material feed is to be switched from coarse to fine is set up on switches 58 (units), 58<SP>1</SP> (tens), &c. Normally, with the weighing platform in its zero position, relay R2, Fig. 3 (not shown), is operated, and in turn operates R3, R8, Fig. 9. Where a container is placed on the platform relay R1 operates and locks R3. When the weighing machine reaches equilibrium (the datum position), R1 falls off and de-energizes R3 which, for fully automatic operation (switch 32 closed), now initiates the feeding of material into the container by energizing a coarse feed magnet 23 through a relay R21, and at contacts R3e passes the impulses from line 15 to the counter tubes so that the weighing count starts with the material feed. When the weight dispensed and registered on the counter tubes 51, 54 ... equals that set on the switches 58, 58<SP>1</SP> ... a relay R6 is operated by a " coincidence " circuit, Fig. 5 (not shown), and switches the material feed from coarse to fine by operating relays R22, R24. When the weight dispensed is equal to that set on the switches 62, 62<SP>1</SP> ... a relay R7 is actuated by a further " coincidence " circuit, Fig. 5 (not shown) and de-energizer R22, R24 to cut-off the feed. Recording. For each weighing, a batch number, a serial number and the weight registered are typed on a single line in three zones with intervening gaps of three " spaces " (see Group XIX). Specification 744,321 also is referred to.