Patent GB-536335-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to periodically recording measuring apparatus
IPC: G08C19/00
Filed: 1939-11-09
Abstract: 536,335. Counting apparatus. LANDIS & GYR AKT.-GES. Nov. 9, 1939, No. 29684. Convention date, Aug. 3. [Class 106 (i)] Apparatus which registers and periodically records measured values transmitted to it in the form of impulses, and which stores up impulses which arrive during the recording operation, such as that described in Specification 412,426, is provided with means which subsequent to the release of the recording mechanism delay the operation of the recording mechanism, should an impulse be in course of being received, until the impulse has been registered. The apparatus, diagrammetically shown, comprises a known accumulator mechanism 52 to which impulses are transmitted by the rotation of a crank 53, the recording of the impulses being periodically performed by printing mechanism operated by a rotation of a shaft 39 carrying cams 40. The shaft 39 is driven through bevel gears from a shaft 10 this shaft and the timing disc 12 which controls its operation being both driven through differential gearing (not shown) from clockwork mechanism 1. The disc 12 is driven by known mechanism comprising an escapement-controlled releasing cylinder 8 co-operating with a vane 9 driven by an energy-storing spring, the disc making one revolution in an hour by steps occurring, for example, every two & a half minutes. Four pins 14 projecting from the disc cause an operation of the recording mechanism every quarter of an hour by engaging and rocking a lever 16 so that it unlatches a bellcrank lever 20, 21 which is then rocked by a spring 22, its arm 21 entering a recess 21a in a disc 21b on the shaft 10. An abutment 34 on the arm 20 engages a lug 33 extending from the arm 24 of a three-armed lever and rocks it so that the end of one arm 23 is withdrawn from a notch in a disc 28 on the shaft 10, another arm 24 is disengaged from a notched disc 29, and the third arm 25 releases a detent finger 30. The shaft 10 is geared to the shafts carrying the disc 29 and the finger 30, the disc 29 making eleven and the finger 30 eighty-eight revolutions to one of the shaft 10. On release of the detent finger 30 as described the shaft 10 makes a partial rotation, and the arm 21 of the lever 20, 21 rides on to the periphery of the disc 21b, rocking the lever to its initial position so that it releases the three-armed lever ; the arm 24 of the latter then drops into the notch in the disc 29 after it has made one revolution, so re-locking the shaft 10. The small rotation transmitted during these operations to the shaft 39 is insufficient to effect the recording operation, but a detent finger 41 on this shaft releases a lever 45 which, should no impulse be in course of transmission, is then free to be rocked by a spring so that an arm 46 on it rocks connected levers 37, 36 the latter of which by means of a pin and slot comnection to the lug 33 causes the lever 23, 24, 25 to rock a second time. This again releases the shaft 10, and since the end of the arm 23 engages on the periphery of the disc 28 when the threearmed lever is released the return of this lever to the locking position is prevented until the shaft 10 has completed one revolution, causing the cams 40 on the shaft 39 to effect the recording operation. Should, however, registration of an impulse be occuring at the moment of the first release of the shaft 10 the arm 48 of a fourarmed lever is in position to engage a lug 47 on the lever 45, which is thus held when released by the detent 42. Thus the second release of the shaft, and consequently the recording operation, is delayed until the registration of the impulse is completed. The four-armed lever carries one of two brake blocks 54 acting on a drum 55 driven by the motor or the impulse accumulator and is pivotally connected to an arm 57 carrying the other brake block. As shown, no impulse is being recorded, the accumulator motor is at rest, the brake blocks engage the drum, and the arm 48 does not impede the movement of the lever 45. When an impulse is being recorded, however, a cam disc 61 which engages an arm 62 connected to the lever 57 is rotated and operates the linkage so as to remove the brake blocks from the drum, the four-armed lever being turned clockwise so that it prevents movement of the lever 47 and also allows the motor switch 69 to close. After one revolution of the disc 61, the parts return to the position shown, in which a recording operation is permitted. The spring motor is electrically wound. Should the current supply fail, subsequent unwinding of the clockwork causes a nut 3 to travel out of contact with a lever 4, which thereupon rocks and causes a lever 5 to rock so that its free end lies beside the hook 18 and prevents operation of the lever 20 to initiate recording until the current is restored and the spring re-wound.