Patent GB-471349-A (GB)
Abstract: 471,349. Epicyclic gearing. BOREL, C, Oct. 27, 1936, No. 29194. Convention date, Oct. 28, 1935, [Class 80 (i)] [Also in Group XIX] A device for forming the sum of more than two values includes at least one counting mechanism comprising a pair of pinions rotatable independently about a common displaceable axis and each meshing with two of a number of toothed members, some of the members receiving movements corresponding in amplitude and direction to the magnitude and sign of the values whereby one of the members is displaced in proportion to the algebraic sum of the values. In its simplest form, the mechanism comprises four racks a, b, c, x meshing, as shown in Fig. 1, with a pair of pinions R, r independently rotatable about a free axis o. In use, the racks a, b, c, are each moved in accordance with the magnitude and sign of one of the values to be summed, the positive direction of racks a, b being to the right and of rack c to the left. The resultant displacement of rack x is equal to the algebraic sum of the displacements of racks a, b, c, and hence proportional to the algebraic sum of the values represented by those displacements. The displacements of the racks may be effected consecutively or simultaneously. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the racks are replaced by concentric gears and three pairs of pinions are provided. The peripheral displacement of the gear x will in this case be equal to the algebraic sum of the peripheral movements of the gears a, b, c. When it is desired to form the sum of more than three values simultaneously, a plurality of counting mechanisms are arranged in series. As shown in Fig. 11, the displacement of gear x due to movements of gears a, b, c is communicated by an idle wheel P to the outer gear y of a second counting mechanism. Additional values are added and subtracted by the movement of gears d, e and the result is given by the displacement of a gear z. The invention is described as applied to a statistical machine for summing values recorded by perforations in a strip. The perforations are read electrically and, for each denomination, control four magnets each of which when energized causes the rotation of one of four coaxial wheels H<1>, H<2>, H<4>, H<8>, Fig. 14, the former two through one step of movement and the latter two through four steps. The movements of the wheels are summed by a twofold counting mechanism, Fig. 14, similar in principle to those previously described and comprising two pairs of pinions R<1>, R<2> and R<1>1, R<2>2 of the same diameter and rotatable about common displaceable axes A<1>, A<2>. The pinion R<1> meshes with teeth D', D<2> on the wheels H<8>, H<4>, respectively, while the pinion R<1>2 meshes with the teeth D7, D<8> on the wheels H<2>, H<1>, respectively, the movements of the wheels H<2>, H' having double the effect of similar movements of wheels H<1>, H<4> owing to the larger pitch circles of the teeth D<1>, D<7>. The pinion R2 meshes with a fixed wheel Hf and with a gear N common to both counting mechanisms, while the pinion R<1>1 meshes with the gear N and with a wheel Hs carrying a resultant gear T<1>. Specification 301,803, [Class 106 (i)], is referred to.