Patent GB-191110943-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Recording the Amount of Time during which a Machine is in Operation.
Inventor: BOULT ALFRED JULIUS
IPC: G07C1/08
Filed: 1911-05-05
Granted: 1912-04-04
Abstract: 10,943. Boult, A. J., [National Machine Recorder Co.]. May 5. Recording time of working of machines.- A series of markers recording on a clock-driven drum are connected electrically with the various machines, and each marker is deflected laterally from a previously ruled obscuring line when the corresponding machine is idle. The electromagnets controlling the markers are combined with switches which provide open circuits, and switches are so arranged on the machines that recording of working time only occurs when the machine is running productively. A time switch may also be added to provide for cases where it is necessary to stop the machine temporarily for change of work &c., the recording of idle time not taking place unless such stoppage is prolonged. The working times are totalled on time-wheels, normally driven from the clock but braked when the machines are idle. Recording-drum. The drum 13 is driven by a spring and its movements are controlled by a clock escapement. The drum is loosely mounted on its shaft, but after adjustment it is secured thereto by means of a nut 16 which, when screwed up, forces a flange fixed to the shaft against a collar attached to the drum. The record-paper is fixed on the drum by means of spring-held pins 17, Fig. 17, provided with elongated heads 18 adapted to press on the overlapping perforated edges of the paper. Operation of the markers. The markers and their operating - mechanism are carried in a frame pivoted at 57<1> and oscillated to bring the markers into and out of contact with the drum. The metal tip of each marker is screwed into a spring-pressed sliding tube carried by a lever pivoted on a plate 29. The lower end of each lever is formed as an armature, and each armature is arranged between two electro-magnets, one, R, excited when the machine commences to work and the other, I, when it ceases. The levers are of varying lengths and their armature ends are alternately in front of and behind the plate 29. Each armature is connected by a pin 39 with a pair of levers 35, 36, Fig. 8, having a spring 38 secured to their outer ends. When an electro-magnet is energized, for example, when the machine commences work, its armature is attracted and simultaneously the pin 39 causes the levers 35, 36 to snap over to the opposite side of the line joining their pivots. This breaks circuit between the contact 37 carried bv the lever 35 and a fixed contact r, and makes it between the lever-contact 37 and a fixed contact i. The result is that the current only passes momentarily and the consequent movement of the armature breaks the circuit but closes the alternative circuit preparatory to its excitation when the machine is idle. The machine switches. Fig. 18 shows the application to a sawing-machine. A switch 40 provided with idle and running contacts i<1>, r<1> is operated by the strike gear and is in series with a switch 41 which makes circuit through contacts r<2>, i<2> according as work is or is not in position on the machine. Unless both switches are in working position, idle time is being recorded. The time switch is shown in Fig. 19 and comprises an electro-magnet 107 which is energized while the machine is working, and so holds a spring-controlled lever 108<a> in such a position that a knife contact 111 is separated from a pair of contacts 113 in circuit with an " idle " electro-magnet in the recorder. When the machine stops working, the electromagnet 107 is de-energized, and its armature lever 108<a> released. The lever is however prevented from making circuit at 113 by a ratchetwheel 118 which is driven at a constant speed and engages a spring pawl 110 on the lever. If the cessation of work is inordinately long the ratchet - wheel will rotate sufficiently to allow contact to be made, and the marker is consequently shifted to record idle time. Totalling-mechanism. A shaft 60, Fig. 13, mounted in the frame supporting the markers, carries a series of wheels 77 which are loose on the shaft but are caused normally to rotate therewith by means of resilient plates inserted between the faces of the wheels and disks fixed to the shaft. The shaft 60 is driven from the drum through a sleeve 70 and a clutch 72. When a machine stops working and the corresponding marker is deflected, a cam projection 86 on its lever operates a lever 83 so as to depress its end against the corresponding totalling wheel 77 which is thereupon held stationary. The wheels are graduated on their peripheries in hours and quarter-hours and show at the end of the day the total time of working for each machine. To reset the wheels a bar 88 is oscillated to raise all the brake levers 83, whereupon the shaft 60 is rotated by hand until a pin 93 on each wheel engages a fixed plate 92.