Improvements in or relating to Electro-mechanical Indicating and Recording Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electro-mechanical Indicating
and Recording Apparatus.
We, CHARLES EDWARD VERNON, of "Tresco," 727, Barking Road, Plaistow, in
the County of Essex, Engineer, and ARTHUR Ross, of St. Clements, Carshalton Road,
Sutton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to electro-mechanical indicating and recording apparatus
suited for employment with weighing or measuring apparatus or with other indicators
or the like its object being the construction of apparatus whereby the indication of a
weighing or measuring machine or indicating-device for pressure temperature depth
of water or other measurement, can be transmitted from the place at which the
device is in action to a central or other station at which the indication will be
repeated and also, if desired, automatically recorded.
The invention is hereinafter described by way of example in its application to.
a group of weighing-apparatus each member of the group having an hydraulic
indicator of a well-known type; but it is to be clearly understood that the invention
is applicable with equal facility and advantage to one, two or more devices (whether.
bydraulic or not) giving indications of pressure or temperature or depth of water or
other readings which it is desirable to supervise from or record at a central station.
According to the example above referred to there is provided in combination
with each of the hydraulic indicators of the weighing devices, a Bourdon tube
with its interior in communication with the weighing-cylinders, in which latter
and in the tube the pressure will vary in proportion to the load; the free end of
the Bourdon tube carries or controls an armature in proximity to which an
electro-magnet is fixed. The gap between the pole of the electro-magnet and
that armature is a small one; its width is varied according to the pressure set
up in the Bourdon tube by the load. Now as the quantity of current required to
set up magnetic action sufficient to draw the armature across the gap into contact
with the pole of the electro-magnet depends upon the width of the gap, the
amperage of the current will afford a measure of the load inasmuch as width of
the gap is determined by the load as aforesaid.
Electrically connected with the electro-magnet is a source of electric energy, a
variable resistance or a dynamotor giving a gradually increasing current, and an
ammeter or a galvanometer or equivalent electric indicator, (the two latter being
as the central station), and in a normally-interrupted shunt with this circuit is
an automatic cut-out and the armature before referred to. To take a reading,
the resistance in line which preferably is arranged so that it has a maximum
value when left to itself, is lowered until sufficient current flows through the electro-
magnet to draw the armature against the pole-piece and move the ammeter or

page_text: galvanometer needle to give a proportionate indication. The needle is provided with
means to prevent it from moving back when the current ceases, until it is purposely
released, in order that its position shall not alter until its reading is recorded.
As soon as the armature makes contact with the pole piece it completes the shunt
circuit through the automatic cut-out; this latter can be arranged to interrupt the
path for current through the apparatus until it and the indicator are restored to their
normal positions thus guarding against possible waste of current, and can also serve
to give the weighing apparatus electrically or otherwise a signal to show that the
indication has been duly transmitted therefrom and that further weighing may be
done.
If desired, small printing-cylinders or equivalent, with suitable types thereon, may
be employed, in combination with such apparatus, being rotated or otherwise moved
to the desired extent by the central-station indicator or by the resistance in accor-
dance with the extent of movement of either, to bring the proper characters or
numerals to a printing point at which they are impressed, by the operation of the
cut-out, upon a paper strip automatically fed forward between each record. Instead
of taking a single indication at a time, a counter or other device may be adopted
whereby the indication will be made cumulative.
Instead of an armature acted upon by an electro-magnet a solenoid may be
employed to act on a movable core, the movement of the latter varying in amplitude
with the amount of current transmitted and its indications being taken or recorded
singly or cumulatively as desired.
Such devices as are hereinbefore descd. are applicable to cranes wherein the
hydraulic indicator is replaced by a steel-yard and moving weights.
It is not necessary that at the central station there should be a galvanometer or
indicator for each crane or the like, for the apparatus may be so arranged that one
indicator or recording device serves for all the weighing-apparatus of a group, there
being in combination with such indicators a device operated from each crane, to
indicate, or both indicate and record to which one the indication at any moment
given is applicable; and the number or characteristic applied to the individual crane
can be caused electro-magnetically to make a record at the same time that the weight
is recorded.
Instead of a galvanometer or current-measurer of the kind before referred to a
motor-indicator may be employed the speed of which will vary with the current
supplied and therefore with the weight or value of the indication by which the
amount of current is determined, the indications being given by the movement of a
"governor" or the like the amount of which movement is dependent upon the speed
of the small motor.
The contacts between which the armature operated by the Bourdon tube or
its equivalent moves are preferably made adjustable, for purposes of calibration, by
screws, or otherwise.
As herein before suggested, it is not essential to this invention that the automatic
recording devices should be used with the central-station indicators although they
form a valuable adjunct thereto.
Apparatus such as is described in the Specifications of prior Letters Patent
No. 14170/95 granted to us can be adapted to the purposes of the present inven-
tion by causing the needles C described therein to move under the influence of
variations other than those produced by temperature changes.
Dated this 30th day of November 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Electro-mechanical Indicating
and Recording Apparatus.
We, CHARLES EDWARD VERNON, of "Tresco," 727, Barking Road, Plaistow, in the
County of Essex, Engineer, and ARTHUR Ross, of St. Clements, Carshalton Road,
Sutton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to electro-mechanical indicating and recording apparatus
suited for employment with weighing or measuring apparatus or with other indicators
or the like, its object being the construction of apparatus whereby the indication of a
weighing or measuring machine or indicating-device for pressures, temperature,
depth of water or other measurement, can be transmitted from the place at which
the device is in action to a central or other station at which the indication will be
repeated and also if desired, automatically recorded.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the application of this invention to a group of
weighing-apparatus, each member of the group having a steelyard or equivalent to
which an electro-magnetic circuit-closing device is applied for the obtainment of an
indication of weight in a manner hereinafter explained;
Figure 2 is a view, similar in character to Figure 1, but illustrating the employment
of a form of circuit-closing device operated by a Bourdon tube to control a series of
circuits, and alternative to the forms comprised in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a central-station indicator and circuit-closing
device hereinafter again referred to in a detailed description of Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a perspective elevation of a gravity annunciator which forms a detail
of Figure 2.
.
Figure 5 is an elevation of a recording apparatus forming part of this invention;
Figure 6 is a vertical section on the line 6--6 of Figure 5.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate, diagrammatically, arrangements alternative to those
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
Figure 9 is an elevation, partly in section, of a solenoid employed in conjunction
with the Bourdon-tube circuit-closing device herein before referred to.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of a "damping" device for the Bourdon tube.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
With reference first to Fig. 1, the apparatus at the left-hand and lower portions of
the figure is to be regarded as situated at a central-station A at which indications
of weight transmitted from distant stations are to be read. The distant stations at
the
which the weight-indications originate are lettered B, Bb, B, and Bd, respectively,
there being four such stations in the present example; the apparatus at each distant
station is preferably mounted on the weighing-apparatus there, it being assumed for
è purposes of this specification that a crane is the type of apparatus employed.
The central-station apparatus comprises an annunciator C by which the attention
of the central-station attendant is directed to any one of the distant stations at which
a weight is ready for indication, circuit-closing appliances D by which the attendant
directs current from a battery E or other source of electric energy through that
distant station, a variable-resistance apparatus F by which the amount of that current
is varied until it bears the desired ratio to the load upon the crane at the distant
station, and an automatic-locking-device G by which movement of the variable-
resistance apparatus F is stopped at the instant that it has removed sufficient resistance
from live to bring up the current to the ratio referred to. By thus combining the

page_text: variable-resistance apparatus F with the automatic-locking device G the movement
of the former affords a measure of the load. If desired an ampére meter H can be
employed in conjunction with the apparatus I to afford a check on the indications of
the latter; if such a meter be used it should be so arranged that the needle in order
to afford time for booking the reading will not return to zero after it is moved to give
an indication, until specially released.
Each section of the annunciator C is preferably combined with one of the
circuit-closers D in a single apparatus of the kind illustrated in Figure 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
The apparatus at each of the distant stations B and B comprises an automatic
circuit-closer J of any suitable type, which operates, on the "luffing" or lifting of
the crane jib K to move the load into a position in which it is ready for measurement,
or which otherwise comes into action upon or during the elevation of the load itself
to a predetermined position, and completes momentarily a circuit comprising the
central-station annunciator C, a steel-yard L controlled by the load in a manner well
understood and held by the load against a stop M with more or less force corresponding
to the magnitude of the load at any moment, and an electro-magnet N disposed in
proximity to an armature L on the longer arm of the steelyard. The illustration of
the crane at the station B and of the steelyard gear thereon is merely diagrammatic,
being so drawn to facilitate comprehension of the manner in which they operate.
The gap between the pole of each electro-magnet N and its armature is a small one,
and the quantity of current required to set up magnetic action sufficient to draw the
armature across the gap into contact with the pole of the electro-magnet depends
upon the force holding the steelyard against the stop M and consequently upon the
load, thus the ampérage of the current will afford a measure of the load.
In the apparatus at the distant stations B and B a Bourdon tube O is substituted
for the steelyard; its interior is in communication with a weighing cylinder P of the
usual or other convenient type, in which and in the tube the pressure will vary in
proportion to the load on the crane. The free end of the Bourdon tube carries or
controls an armature L' in proximity to an electro-magnet N. The width of the gap
hetween the armature and the electro-magnet is varied according to the variation of
curvature of the Bourdon tube by the pressure set up within it by the action of the
load, and as the quantity of current required to set up magnetic action sufficient to
draw the armature across the gap into contact with the pole of the electro-magnet
depends upon the width of the gap, the ampérage of the current will, in this instance
also, afford the measure of the load, the width of the gap being determined by the
load as aforesaid.
The details of the central-station and distant-station apparatus will now be
described together with the manner in which they are electrically connected :-
B1 B2 are the terminals on each crane, each of the terminals B¹ being carried for
instance by the jib K so as to move therewith, whilst the terminals B are stationary
on the crane post. These contacts should be so arranged that they only operate to
transinit current as the jib is raised and not when it is lowered. From the
terminals B leads 1, 2, 3, 4, proceed respectively to the annunciator electro-magnets
C, 0, 0, 0, individually allotted to the distant stations as indicated by the
corresponding suffixes; from the electro-magnets Ca, C, C, Ca, a conductor 5, in
which is a bell Q, extends to the battery E whence a conductor 6 extends to the
terminals B. To each annunciator electro-magnet is allotted a push rod R, which is
arranged to restore the indicating-disc S to its normal position after each exposure
thereof by the adjacent electro-magnet, and also to close gaps which normally exist
between the ends R' of pivotted levers R R2 in the annunciator and fixed contacts T
therein, these levers and the contacts T being included in one or other of the
circuits 7, 8, 9, or 10, 11, 12, 9 or 13, 14, 15, 12, 9 or 16, 17, 15, 12, 9, in which
variable resistance coils F1 of the apparatus F, and one or other of the electro-
magnets N are included. The coils F1 are connected to one side of the battery E
through one or other of the insulated sections F* of a sliding bar F3 by way of a
spring contact F and lead 18 in which an ampére meter H may be inserted. From

page_text: the opposite side of the battery a lead 6, 19 extends to the stationary annunciator
terminals T.
From the drawing it will be seen that the bar F3 is adapted to slide in fixed
guides V, through a hole VI in one of which the numbers marked on the bar F3 are
exposed in turn as the bar is moved up or down; on the upper end of the bar are
ratchet teeth FS corresponding with the insulated sections at the central portion
of the bar and adapted to be engaged by one end of an armature W, so formed as to
serve the purpose of a pawl, the armature being controlled by an electro-magnet Wi
inserted in the lead 21. From the leads 7, 10, 13, 16, respectively extend shunt
circuits 20, 21, or 22, 23, 21 or 24, 25, 28, 21, or 26, 27, 25, 23, 21 each comprising
a bell U and interrupted between terminals B B, one on the steelyard or Bourdon
tube and the other on a fixed support with which the steelyard or tube makes contact
when the current energizing the adjacent electro-magnet Ñ is sufficiently strong to
cause the gap beneath the corresponding armature to close.
From the foregoing it will be seen that by moving the bar Fs downward in its
guides V its insulated sections F2 will remove more and more of the resistance F¹
from the circuits containing the electro-magnets N and so vary the amount of current
therein, such variation and consequently (as has been hereinbefore explained) the
load being indicated by the numeral exposed at the opening Vi in the guide V.
As soon as the electro-magnet W is energized it operates the armature W to
engage with that one of the teeth F5 which may happen to be opposite to it
and so prevents the further descent of the bar F3; this locking of the bar occurs,
as will hereinafter appear, immediately upon the drawing down of the armature Li
of the electro-magnet N at the distant station. The ampere meter H if used
should have a damping device which would release the needle of the meter when
the latter moved to give an indication but which would lock the needle as soon
as the current ceased and hold it whilst the reading was taken, this could be
done electro-magnetically. Preferably the bar should, in its descent be "braked "
to prevent it from running down too fast. A portion of it could be extended for
this purpose into an air-cylinder, in which it could act as a piston compressing in
its descent air confined below it."
The upper end of the bar F3 can be extended as shown to form a rack F which by
means of a pinion 17 operating a pawl F drives the driving wheel of a counter
such as a Harding counter or the like, which totals the indications of weight afforded
by successive operations of the bar F
The operation of these devices occurs as follows:-
Assuming that the jib of the crane at the distant station B, for instance, is luffed,
the contact B rubs over the contact B momentarily closing the eircuit E, 6, B2, B¹,
1, C, 5, Q, 5, E, thus ringing the bell Q and causing the annunciator-dise S of the
electro-magnet C to be exposed to the view of the central-station attendant so that
he may know that the crane at B has lifted a weight which requires indicating.
Upon receipt of this signal the attendant pushes the rod R appropriated to section C
of the annunciator (incidentally returning the annunciator disc to its normal.
position) and closing the circuit E, 6, 19, T, R¹, 7, 8, N, 9, F, F, F, 18, H, 18, E.
It is to be understood that before the weighing is taken the bar F is always put
at the higher limit of its tmvel, that is to say, the position in which it is shown in
Fig. 1; this being so during the operation just explained, the completion by way of
the electro-magnet N of the circuit referred to, will primarily, have but little effect
as the whole of the resistance F1 will be included therein. Next the bar F3 is drawn
down thereby removing successive sections of the resistance F¹ from that circuit and
increasing the amount of current flowing through the electro-magnet N until the
latter becomes sufficiently energised to draw down the armature L' above it; upon
this the contact B' coming down with the armature immediately closes the
cireuit E, 6, 19, T, R', 7, 20, U, 20, B', B, 20, 21, W, 21, E, energising the electro-
magnet W' and causing it to prevent by the armature-pawl W any further descent of
the bar whose indication can then be read off at V and checked by the ampére
meter H if the latter be used.

page_text: Simultaneously with the operation of the armature W by the electro-magnet W¹
the crane bell U in the same circuit is sounded and intimates to the crane-man that
he may dispose of the lond.
The bar is moved up to its normal position upon the completion of the operation,
thus returning the whole of the resistance F into line and restoring by the inclined
faces of the teeth 5 the armature W to a position of readiness for further service.
If desired the crane bells U may be independently controlled by a distinct circuit
and series of pushes, in order that they may not as in the example just described be
sounded automatically upon the first operation of the steel-yard or Bourdon tube by
the electro-magnet N; the provision of this separate circuit will consequently enable
the accuracy of the reading of the apparatus to be tested by operating the bar Fa
more than once, for the crane man will keep the load in position for weighing until
he receives a bell-signal given manually as soon as the central-station attendant is
satisfied and independently of the action of the tube or steelyard. After the bar F
has been finally raised, the push-rod R adjacent to the electro-magnet will be
restored to its original position in which it is shown in the drawings, thus cutting off
the current in the circuit E, 6, 19, T, R¹, 7, 20, U, 20, B4, B5, 21, W, 21, E.
With further reference to the annunciator C one of the sections of which is shown
in Figure 3 to a larger scale than in the other views a disc S (seen in edge view in
the figure) is carried upon the longer arm of a two-armed lever St Se, pivotted within
the casing of the apparatus above the electro-magnet C and so disposed that it tends
always to fall into a position in which the disc will be visible from the exterior
through a sight-hole. Normally the disc is held clear of the sight hole and prevented
from falling by an armature C held in the path of the dise S by gravity except when
the electro magnet O is energised to withdraw it from beneath the disc and allow
the latter to fall. The shorter arm S of the disc-lever S1 S2 is so disposed relatively
to the pivotted lever R¹ R², to which reference has hereinbefore been made, that
when the latter is operated by the push rod R to effect the closure of the gap
between T and R', the end R2 of the lever acts upon the shorter arm S2 (which will
be in its path when the disc is down) and causes the arm S¹ to raise the disc S clear
of the armature C which, assuming that the momentary current supplied to the
electro magnet. C has ceased, will move outward under the influence of gravity and
retain the dise S in its raised position.
The alternative arrangement of pressure indicating apparatus illustrated in
Figure 2 resembles the temperature indicating apparatus described in the Specification
of prior British Letters Patent No. 14170 of 1895 granted to us except in respect of the
Bourdon tube O, the employment of a combined annunciator and contact maker C
such as is illustrated in Figure 3 and the contacts and circuits controlled by the jib
of the crane or otherwise operated directly or indirectly by the load. The distant
stations Ba, Bb, Be, Bd, are provided with instruments in which pressure is
indicated by means of a Bourdon tube O linked to an index 0¹. In proximity to each
hand or index is an electric contact Y comprising (see Fig. 5) parts YY
insulated from each other and allotted respectively to the several annunciators
ZZ forming a weight indicator Z at the central station, one of the several
annunciators being shown separately to a larger scale in Figure 4. Over. these parts
when the pressure alters, the index passes without actually touching them until
caused to do so in the manner hereinafter explained, in order that none of the
indexes O' may make a connection with its contact Y except at such times as it is
caused to do so by electro magnetic devices as herein after explained.
As only one of the electro magnetic devices is operated at a time no. two of the
indexes will close circuits simultaneously so that confusion of indication at the
weight indicator Z, from different distant stations is avoided and the use of a single
common main or series of mains instead of separate mains or series of mains
appropriated to each individual distant station is rendered practicable.
Moreover the arrangement of indexes and contact so that they normally do not
touch, prevents the sensitiveness of the instrument from being impaired by
unnecessary friction. A detailed description of the construction and operation of the

page_text: Bourdon indicating-device forming part of Figure 2 will hereinafter be given with
reference to Figures 5 & 6.
E is a source of electric energy for the installation a battery being indicated; N is
an electro magnet adjacent to the hand or index 0 in each Bourdon device, each
hand and each electro magnet being in two battery circuits herein after described
which however are normally interrupted. C is an annunciator and circuit closing
apparatus of the kind hereinbefore referred to with regard to Figure 1; the push
buttons or rods R controlling circuits by which the central station is connected with
the instruments at the distant stations and the annunciator electro magnets Ca, Cb, Ce, Cd
being included in a battery circuit interrupted at contacts B1 B which are controlled
automatically by the cranes, those contacts and the annunciator apparatus being
arranged and operated in conjunction with a central station bell Q substantially as
and for the purpose described with reference to the devices correspondingly lettered
in Figure 1.
The several electro-magnets N are in parallel with the battery E and controllable
individually by the push rods R of the annunciator C; any of the indexes O¹ caused
by its electro magnet N to approach one of the parts Y¹.... Yo (Fig. 5) puts that
part and the corresponding section of the weight indicating device Z in parallel with
that electro magnet. The circuits are arranged as follows;-
e is a lead from the battery E to all the annunciators in the series Z; y¹
are leads connecting the weight annunciators Z¹. . . . Z respectively with the
correspondingly numbered parts Y... Y of the contacts Y of all the
devices Ba Bb Be Bd there being normally an interruption of circuit at those parts
until the gap between them and the adjacent indexes is bridged as hereinafter
explained.
nnn nnd are leads connecting the lead e in parallel with the electro magnets N;
a bell U giving at each crane an audible indication that the weight has been taken by
the central station is inserted in the leads na no no nd.
7, 10, 13, 16 are leads which connect the electro magnets N with the indexes 01 by
way of their supports and pivots and also with the push rods such as R which in turn
are connected by the lead 19 to the battery E there being normally a gap at the
terminals T R to interrupt the continuity of the leads until such time as one or
other of the indicators S of the annunciator C shows that one of the gaps should be
closed. Let it be desired, for instance, to ascertain at the central station the pressure
prevailing at the station B; assuming that the load at that station has been so
operated as to transmit by the operation of the crane contacts B1 B2 current to the
central station to operate the section C of the annunciator C and indicate to the
central station attendant that the load is in readiness for weighing. The push rod R
of that section is pushed in and completes the circuit E, 19, T, R, 7, N, ne, n, e, E
energising the electro magnet N of the Bourdon device at the station B" which electro
magnet then moves the index O' of that instrument into actual contact with that one
of the contact parts Y'. . . . Yo (Fig. 5) over which the action of the Bourdon
tube operated by the weight of the load has placed it (say the part Y2 in
Fig. 5) thus completing a shunt from the previously completed battery circuit
through the index 0 and also through the corresponding device 7 of the
central-station weight-indicator Z, thereby giving a corresponding weight-indication
at the central station. For example if the index made contact with the part Y² of
the contact Y in Fig. 5 the circuit completed by closure of the gap between the
parts 0 Y would be from the battery E by way of leads 19, T, R, 7, O, y, through
the shunt O¹, y², to the indicator section Z2 and thence by way of the lead e back to
the battery E.
When the indexes of the distant station weight-measuring devices close in any
one instrument such as that at B two circuits simultaneously to the central station
weight-indicator, two of the weight indicating annunciators Z¹. . . . Zo will be
operated and the weight must be considered as lying between the two indications.
Thus it becomes possible with a given number of weight-annunciators Z'. . . . Zo
o obtain not only a reading from each annunciator but also a reading from each pair.

page_text: of annunciators whereby the number of annunciators required for a given number
of readings is reduced to nearly one half. The numerals 16 to 26 on the indicator Z
in the present example show that it is adapted to give eleven indications by means of
six annunciators.
Figure 4 illustrates one of the sections of the annunciator Z, from which it will
be seen that the arm S³ carrying the disc S extends from an armature S¹ pivotted
at S³, which armature and the surfaces of the adjacent poles X of the electro-
magnet Zare curved so that they not only nearly meet when the apparatus is idle
but approach each other closer when the armature upward against gravity moves
under the action of the electro-magnet, the face of the armature being made
slightly eccentric to the centre or pivot at S5 about which it turns. By this
arrangement a considerable range of movement of the armature is obtainable in
spite of the smallness of the air-gap which latter feature reduces very materially the
amount of current required to operate the device, and assures certainty of operation.
Moreover by making the pall of the electro-magnet act against gravity the disc and
armature drop automatically on cessation of the flow of current, without needing
any "clearing" or releasing device.
With reference now to Figures 5 and 6 which show one of the Bourdon electro-
magnetic circuit-closing devices such as is installed at each of the stations B, B,
B, B, it will be seen that its index 0 which is slightly flexible is supported by
pivots on a plate 02 its lower end being linked by a link 03 to a Bourdon tube Ŏ
such for example as is employed in a pressure or vacuum gauge.
One end of the link Os is arranged so that the point at which it is connected to
the index 0¹ is readily adjustable by a screw O to effect a suitable initial adjustment
of the index; when the curvature of the tube O alters with changes of pressure the
index 0¹ is so moved that its upper end, in proximity to, but norinally not touching
the contact Y, and between the latter and the armature N' of the electro magnet N,
moves across the sections Y¹ . . . . Y of the former which are insulated from each
other. The armature N is supported by springs N so as normally to be clear of the
poles of the magnet and the index 0.
When the electro magnet N becomes energised in the manner hereinbefore
described it draws the armature N¹ towards the poles and thereby brings the index O¹
into contact with one or other or a pair of the parts Y¹. . . . Y" of the contact Y
to bridge the gap previously existing between them and the index. The index thus
becomes part of the circuit 7 O' Y2 y2 the path of the current in the instrument
itself (when the index closes the circuit) being indicated by a chain line in
Figure 5.
Preferably the upper end of the index 01 carries a small bevelled or rounded
projection 0+ (Figure 6) and the several sections Y¹. . . . Y of the contact Y are
bevelled or otherwise formed so that gaps exist between them (see Figure 5) into
which the projection 0 enters. If the upper end of the index 0¹ does not happen
to be opposite the middle of any one of the contacts when attracted by the electro
magnet N the rounded projection enters one of the gaps and ensures the
establishment of good electrical contact with the two sections at each side of
the gap.
The face of the contact Y opposed to the index is preferably flattened to ensure
good electrical contact between it and the index whenever they come together.
The device illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 as thus far described is sufficiently
complete to operate in the manner specified with reference to Figure 2, but if
desired an automatic recording apparatus such as will now be described may be
added to it.
Paper-carrying drums or rollers pl pt are mounted in the framing of the apparatus.
23 is a paper ribbon led from the upper drum 21 over an intermediate drum p into
close proximity to a small marking point or scriber 0 carried by the index O' and
thence over a guide pulley po on to the lower paper drum p. N³ is a pawl arm which
by means of a pawl N operates a ratchet toothed wheel po secured to the lower
paper drum whereby the paper ribbon is given a step-by-step movement from one

page_text: drum to the other. The pawl arm is operated by a link No extending between it
and the armature N¹ of the electro magnet N so that at the completion of each
movement of the armature N¹ the marking point 06 will make a mark on the paper
ribbon. The movement of the paper ribbon in the direction of its own length
between each operation of the armature causes the successive markings to succeed
one another in the length of the ribbon and the position of these markings with
regard to the width or transverse dimension of the ribbon, being determined by
the position of the index 0¹ at each operation of the device, is an indication of the
weight each mark is intended to signify. Various other automatic devices for
recording the indications of weighing apparatus according to this invention might
be employed; for instance the electro magnets of the central station annunciator Z
might be arranged to operate type-levers such as those of a type writing machine so
as to record the weight indications upon a ribbon of paper automatically fed forward
by some such device as is described with reference to Figure 6, and the push rods R
or their equivalent could be caused to operate type levers or stamping devices to
record the number of the distant station to which any reading of weight applied.
Or small printing cylinders or equivalent with suitable types thereon may be employed
in combination with the sliding bar F of Figure 1, being rotated or otherwise moved
by it to the desired extent to bring the proper characters or numerals to a printing
point at which they are impressed by the operation of the electromagnet W¹ for
instance upon a paper strip automatically fed forward between each record.
In Figure 7 is indicated diagrammatically the substitution for the series of
indicators Z in Figure 2 of a galvanometer having different resistances in the leads
taken from the different contacts Y¹. . . . Y at the distant stations to a single
main, so that for each pressure a different current goes to the central station and
the different currents are indicated by different degrees of movement of the
galvanometer needle.
In the figure g is the galvanometer and gare resistances inserted in the
leads, no two resistances being of like electrical value. y is the single main to which
all resistances are connected. Otherwise the system illustrated in Figure 7 is the
same as that shown in Figure 2.
As a further alternative each of the distant station contact parts Y¹ . . . . Y can
separately be electrically connected with the corresponding parts of a similar series
provided at the central station, a switch of any convenient or well-known type being
arranged to complete the electrical connection of any one of the distant station
instruments at a time with the battery. Therewith is used a central station switch
to close circuit to each central station contact in succession and the central station
bell, the latter ringing as soon as the switch adjustment at the central station
(effected by hand) corresponds with the index adjustment at the distant
station (effected by the Bourdon pressure device) and is thereby enabled to complete
the circuit. For the bell some other indicator may be substituted if desired. This
further alternative is indicated diagrammatically in Figure 8 wherein Z is the central
station switch provided with a pivotted arm adapted to make contact with each of
the sections z¹. . . . in turn and connected by the lead e (which in this instance
includes the bell Q) to the battery and a spring-jack e¹ by which the circuit in the
lead may be completed or interrupted. The sections ¹ .. 26 are each connected
as shown to the corresponding parts of the contact Y of the instrument at Bª by
leads yy, and the apparatus is otherwise similar to that illustrated in
Figure 2.
When the instrument Z and that at B are in circuit and the spring jack e¹ is
inserted the bell Q rings as soon as the arm inakes contact with that one of the
parts z¹.. corresponding to the particular section of the contact Y with
which the index O engages.
0¹
Figure 9 illustrates diagrammatically the employment in a distant-station Bourdon
device such as is shown at B in Figure 2 of a solenoid N operating a core L¹ in
substitution for the arrangement of electro-magnet N and armature L' shown in

page_text: Figure 1. The bottom of the core is provided with a bridge piece L2 for closing
the gap in a circuit such as the circuit 7, U, 20, B4, B5, 20, 21 of Figure 1.
In Figure 10 is illustrated diagrammatically a damping device for checking violent
oscillations of the Bourdon tube in the indicating device, which oscillations if not
"damped" would render the indications of the apparatus unreliable; it comprises a
small cylinder o in communication with the pipe o¹ by which pressure is led to the
Bourdon tube, there being a piston or diaphragm o2 in the cylinder loaded by a
spring o³ in compression between it and the cover. Shocks which would otherwise
be communicated to the Bourdon tube and make it vibrate violently are taken up by
this spring-loaded piston.
It is to be clearly understood that although this invention has hereinbefore been
described mainly in connection with steel-yard and hydraulic weighing-apparatus it
is applicable with equal facility and advantage to one two or more devices (whether of
the types previously referred to or not) giving indications of pressure, whether such
pressure be that produced by a weight of goods on a crane or weighing table,
a depth of water, or otherwise. For example with its aid the indications of
barometric apparatus may readily be supervised from and recorded at a central
station.
For the variable resistance apparatus F herein before referred to a dynamotor
giving a greatly increasing current in a circuit such as E, 6, 19, T, 7, 8, N, 9, E¹, F,
18, E (Figure 1) may be substituted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is -
1. In the electrical indication of weights or pressures procuring at one station
an indication from a weight operated or pressure operated appliance at another
station.
2. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with an
indicating or testing instrument such as F or Z of a weight-operated or pressure
operated appliance such as that at Ba and means substantially as described whereby the
indications of that appliance are obtainable electrically at the indicating or testing
instrument.
5. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with a weight
operated or pressure operated appliance comprising a steel-yard Bourdon tube or the
like of an electro-magnet N or equivalent and an instrument to vary and measure the
current passing to the electro-magnet for the purpose described.
4. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with the
apparatus described in Claim 3 of a circuit controlled by the steel-yard Bourdon tube
or equivalent and comprising an electro-magnetic locking device such as W' automati-
cally energised by the operation of the said steel-yard or Bourdon tube to stop the
action of the instrument by which the current is varied and measured substantially
as and for the purpose described.
5. In apparatus such as described, circuit closing devices which automatically
signal the readiness of the distant station apparatus for the taking of a reading
substantially as described..
6. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with a central
station indicator of apparatus by which a record of its indications is obtained.
7. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures automatic recording apparatus
arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated
in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
8. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures variable resistance indicator
apparatus such as F arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose
described with or without an automatic locking device W₁ or an air cylinder or other
retarder.
9. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures an annunciator with the magnet

page_text: poles and armature constructed and operating substantially as described or illustrated
in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
10. In Bourdon apparatus for the indication of weights or pressures a damping
device for the Bourdon tube substantially as described.
11. In apparatus wherein weights or pressures are indicated by an index or needle,
a damping device for the index or needle substantially as described.
12. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with a central
station indicating apparatus of a Bourdon tube appliance having a moving index 0¹
a divided contact such as Y normally clear of the index and electro-magnetic apparatus
to cause a circuit through the index O' and contact Y to be completed when desired
substantially as described.
13. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with a
galvanometer g and resistances g¹.... g of a pressure indicating and circuit
completing device to control the galvanometer substantially as described.
14. In an apparatus such as described for indicating weights or pressures
indicating devices arranged to be used both singly and in pairs to reduce the
number of parts required for a given number of indications substantially as
described.
15. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures an electro-magnetic circuit
closing device such as that at B (Figure 2) wherein mechanical contact of the
circuit closing parts does not occur whilst the device electrically is idle.
16. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures an instrument such as that
at B (Figures 2 or 5) wherein an index O¹ and the parts of the contact Y are so
constructed and arranged relatively to each other that the index can complete single
or duplex circuits substantially as and for the purpose described.
17. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with an index
such as O¹ of a divided contact such as Y the adjacent sections of which have gaps
between them substantially as and for the purpose described.
18. In apparatus for indicating weights or pressures the combination with a central
station indicating device of a circuit closing device such as that at B (Figure 2)
electrically connected and operating substantially as and for the purpose described
with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
19. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting a complete apparatus
for indicating weights or pressures substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of September 1897
CHAS. E. VERNON.
ARTHUR ROSS.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicants.