Patent GB-191422927-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Operating Electrical Devices at a Distance.
IPC: H04Q9/04
Filed: 1914-11-23
Granted: 1915-11-23
Abstract: 22,927. Siemens & Hatske Akt.-Ges. Nov. 21, 1913, [Convention date]. Type-printing telegraphs; synchronous movements; relays.-In systems involving synchronous distributors at distant stations, distributors are used which consist of pendulum or other freely-swinging systems which are simultaneously released at the commencement of each selective operation and are stopped automatically at the end of a half or whole oscillation until released again. Gravity pendulums of ordinary type, or spring pendulums which always swing in the same direction, one revolution at a time, may be employed. The invention is illustrated in its application to the control of distant lamp-group signals, but it may also be applied to type-printing telegraphs and other distant-control systems. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, use is made of gravity pendulums P', P<2> which are arrested at the end of each half-oscillation by catches 15, 28, 16, 36. The pendulums carry contacts 7, 8 which sweep over sets of contacts. The end contacts arc connected to starting-magnets 13, 29, &c. while the intermediate contacts are connected at the transmitter to keys T<1>, T<2>, &c. and at the receiver to relays R<1>, R<2>, &c. controlling lamps 19, 20. When a key or group of keys is depressed, the starting-magnets 13, 14 arc energized and release the pendulums, which swing over to the opposite positions, in which they are held by the catches 28, 36, and the receiver pendulum in the course of its movement energizes a group of lamps corresponding to the depressed keys. The complete movement of the pendulums up to their limiting positions is ensured by magnets 30, 32 or 26, 33, which are energized when the pendulums approach the ends of their strokes. At the transmitter, the magnets 30, 26 are energized by the charge and discharge currents of a condenser 25 controlled by the contacts 24, 31. In the alternative arrangement shown at the receiver, the magnets 32, 33 are energized directly by contacts made between the pendulum tip and the retaining-catches, the catches being backed with insulation so that the circuits are opened in the latched position of the pendulum. In the system shown in Fig. 2, the general arrangement and method of signalling is the same, but the pendulums are replaced by balance-wheel distributors which move in one direction only, making one revolution at each signal. The controlling-mechanism of the distributor is shown in Fig. 3. When a transmitter key is depressed, the magnet 50 is momentarily energized by the charging-current of a condenser 79, and releases the distributor shaft W by withdrawing a catch 47. The shaft W rotates) at first under the influence of a lightly-tensioned spring in a casing 43, and afterwards under the influence of a fly-wheel 51, until it has completed a revolution, whereupon it is stopped again by the catch 47. Just before the shaft W is arrested. the projection 45 trips a contact lever 46 to energize a magnet 77, which releases a shaft W<1> by withdrawing a catch 71, and the shaft W<1>, under the influence of a spring 54 in a casing 57, rotates through a revolution and is then again arrested. This operation is for the purpose of restoring the actuating-spring of the distributor shaft W to its original tension, the fly-wheel 73 on the shaft W<1> being coupled by a pin 48 to the spring casing 43. The driving- spring 54 of the shaft W<1> is kept at constant tension by a winding-motor 60, the circuit of which is controlled by the longitudinal movements of a sleeve 66, which is keyed non-rotatably on the shaft W<1> and is threaded to engage the barrel of the spring-casing 57. Reverse movement of the motor 60 is prevented by a jamming clutch 62. The movement of the winding shaft W<1> may control a contact 92 in the lamp circuit, so that the signal only appears at the termination of the selecting movement and the same contact, or another contact a content later, energizes a sluggish magnet 93 which unlatches the armatures of the relays R<1>, R<2>, &c.