Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 15th May, 1897-4ccepted. 19th June. 1897
I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON, of "Don Villa," Penistone, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to apparatus for counting and in licating the
revolutions of an engine or the like, or any movements that are required to be
accurately ascertained and indicated.
The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-
I provide in a suitable case or box a number of electro-magnets whose armatures
engage at one end in the teeth of a corresponding number of toothed wheels each
of which has, say, (for the purpose of illustration) 10 teeth. Each of the toothed
wheels is provided with a projection or pin which when the said wheel has
performed a complete revolution operates a suitable contact maker for the purpose
hereinafter described. On the opposite end of each of the spindles which carries
a toothed wheel is a disc or dial marked with the requisite figures for indicating
purposes, which, according as the toothed wheels are revolved by the action
of the electro-magnets, show through apertures in the side of the box containing
the apparatus.
I will now describe the operation of my invention with reference to counting and
indicating the revolutions of an engine.
Assuming that there are 7 electro-magnets whose armatures engage in the teeth of
and operate a corresponding number of toothed wheels each having 10 teeth (the
number of electro-magnets may be more or less and the number of teeth in the
wheels may also be varied to suit different circumstances), the first magnet would be
connected through an electric battery to a suitable switch or contact operated by
the axle or wheel of the engine in its revolution, so that for every revolution of the
engine the armature of the first electro-magnet would be attracted and would move
its corresponding toothed wheel one tooth. When the toothed wheel operated by the
first electro-magnet has performed one complete revolution (that is moved 10 teeth)
it operates a contact (by means of the projection or pin herein before referred to)
which sends a current through the second electro-magnet attracting its armature
and operating its corresponding toothed wheel one tooth, the action being that for
every complete revolution of the first toothed wheel the second would only move
one tooth, or, in other words, the axle or wheel of the engine would revolve
100 times and the toothed wheel operated by the first electro-magnet would revolve
10 times for every one revolution of the toothed wheel operated by the second
electro-magnet. When the toothed wheel operated by the second electro-magnet
has made one complete revolution (through the first having made ten complete
revolutions), it operates another contact which sends a current through the third
electro-magnet attracting its armature and moving its corresponding toothed wheel
one tooth. This action of each succeeding toothed wheel being only operated one
tooth for every complete revolution (movement of 10 teeth) of the preceding one
takes place throughout the series so that, assuming that there are 7 toothed wheels
each with 10 teeth, when the last toothed wheel of the series has made one complete
revolution (movement of 10 teeth) the first one will have made 1,0 .0,000 revolutions
(movement of 10,000,000 teeth) and as the first toothed whel moves one tooth for
every revolution of the engine this will indicate that the engine has made
10, 00,000 revolutions.
When the toothed wheel operated by the armature of the first electro-magnet has

page_text: moved one tooth through the engine having performed one revolution as hereinbefore
described, the figure "1" on the dial attached to the spindle of the first toothed
wheel will appear in the first aperture in the box or case of the instrument, thus
indicating that one revolution has taken place, and when the first toothed wheel has
performed a complete revolution (moved 10 teeth) and set up a current through the
second electro-magnet attracting its armature and operating its toothed wheel one
tooth "O" will be shown in the second aperture in the box by means of the dial on
the spindle of the second toothed wheel, thus giving an indication of 10 revolutions.
Again, when the toothed wheel operated by the second electro-magnet has performed
one complete revolution through the toothed wheel operated by the first electro-
magnet having made 10 revolutions (movement of 100 teeth) thereby setting up
a current through the third electro-magnet, attracting its armature and moving its
toothed wheel one tooth "0" on the dial attached to the spindle of the third
toothed wheel will appear in the third aperture in the box or case, thus indicating
100 revolutions. The operation of the fourth electro-magnet and toothed wheel one
tooth, through the third having made a complete revolution, would show "0" in
the fourth aperture, thus indicating 1000 revolutions, and so on throughout the
series.
It is obvious that although I have described my invention with regard to the
revolutions of an engine, yet it is applicable as a counter for any purpose.
Dated this 15th day of July 1896
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
70 and 71 Palace Chambers, Westminster, London, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.
I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON, of "Don Villa," Penistone, in the County of York,
Engineer, 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:-
My invention has reference to apparatus for counting and indicating the
revolutions of an engine or the like, or any movements that are required to be
accurately ascertained and indicated.
The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-
1 provide in a suitable case or box a number of electro-magnets whose armatures
engage at one end in the teeth of a corresponding number of toothed wheels each of
which has, say, (for the purpose of illustration) 10 teeth. Each of the toothed wheels
is provided with a projection or pin which, when the said wheel has performed a
complete revolution makes contact and sets up a current, as hereinafter described,
energizing the next pair of electro-magnets and moving the next toothed wheel of the
series forward one tooth. The pin for setting up the current from one pair of
magnets to the next as described is preferably arranged in a ebonite or other disc
of insulating material keyed to the spindle of each toothed wheel, pivoted contact
arms operating thereon as hereinafter described. On the opposite end of each of the
spindles which carries a toothed wheel is a disc or dial marked with the requisite
figures for indicating purposes, which, according as the toothed wheels are revolved
by the action of the electro-magnets, show through apertures in the side or front of
the box containing the apparatus. The ends of the armatures of the electro-magnets
which engage and operate the toothed wheels are formed as pallets.
In order that my invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect I will now proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying
drawings

page_text: Figure 1 is an elevation of the instrument with the front cover removed showing
my improved apparatus, a portion of the left hand of the front plate being cut away
to more clearly show the electro-magnets and toothed wheels and the indicating dials
operated thereby.
Figure 2 is a vertical cross section on line A-B Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a diagram of the electro-magnets and ebonite bar or strip carrying the
pivoted contact arms hereinafter described and shows the electrical connections to a
shaft and wheel, the revolutions of which it may be desired to count also showing
a method of making electrical contact at each revolution.
Figure 4 is a view of one of the contact arms and the ebonite disc on the spindle
of one of the toothed wheels with contact making pin.
The same letters refer to the saine parts in the several figures of the drawings:-
a is the box or case containing my improved apparatus of which is the front
plate having apertures through which the figures on the indicating dials or
discs d are visible. e are projections or pins on such plate to which the armatures
of the electro-magnets are pivoted by centre screws or pins e'; fare the armatures of
the magnets having upright projections f¹ formed as pallets f, g are the toothed
wheels, having any desired number of teeth, connected to the spindles h carrying
the indicating dials or discs d, the said spindles h being centred at one end, in the
front plate band at the other end in the bar or strip i preferably of brass which
is supported by pins or projectionsj (Figure 1) on said plate b. k Figure 2 is a
strip or plate of brass or other suitable metal supported by projections on the
front plate b, said plate k supporting the electro-magnets 1, 11, 12, 13, and 1.
m (Figures 1, 2 and 3) is a strip of ebonite or other suitable insulating material
supported by projections m' at the top of the plate b. n are discs of ebonite or other
suitable insulating material on the spindles of the toothed wheels having contact making
pins n'. o are contact making arms, pivoted to the ebonite strip m, which comes in contact
with pins n' on the complete revolution of the respective toothed wheel setting up a
current to the next pair of magnets of the series as described hereafter. Referring to
Figure 3, which illustrates one method of making contact to set up an electrical current
on the revolution of a shaft or axle, p is a shaft or axle. p¹ is insulating material on the
said axle. p is a strip of brass or other suitable conducting metal and q q' are
contact making strips which on each revolution of the axle come in contact with
the brass strips p and close the electric circuit through the first pair of electro-
magnets of the series. ', Figure 2, are springs bearing against the upright
extension of the armatures of the electro-magnets 1, 1, and so on, for returning
them to the normal position out of contact with the cores of the magnets every
time the circuit is broken.
I will now describe the operation of my invention with reference to counting the
revolutions of an engine.
In this application of my invention the indicating discs or dials are proferably
marked from "0" to "9," said indicating dises normally showing "0." Referring
to Figure 1 the indicating dial at the extreme right of the instrument is the first
to be operated, the indications of figures being read from left to right in the ordinary
way. Assuming the engine not to be working, referring to Figure 3, no current
is flowing, the strip 2 not being in contact with the strips 9 g which latter are
connected to the battery ", and the first pair of electro-magnets of the series by
wires 1, 2 and 3. Assuming the engine to have started running (the rotation being
in the direction away from the strips q g'), when one revolution has been made and
the metal strip p comes in contact with the ends of strips 9 q' current is set up
from battery through wire 1, contact sirips 99', wire 2, through the first pair
of electro-magnets 1, through wire 3 back to the battery. This current energizes
magnets attracting armature the pallet f at the upper end of which engages the
toothed wheel on the spindle of the indicating disc and moves or rotates it a distance
of one tooth thereby moving the dial or disc from its normal position showing "0" to
show "1," thus indicating one revolution of the engine, the pallet being moved by
the attraction of the armature into gear with the toothed wheel and then returned

page_text: again to its normal position by spring s, Figure 2, to give the movement of the
indicating dial to show the figures in the apertures in the front of the instrument case;
the next revolution of the engine, setting up. a current in a similar manner, would
indicate "2" in the aperture at the extreme right of the instrument case, and so on for
every revolution, the toothed wheel. and. disc being moved or rotated every time a
current is set up.. When the engine has made 10 revolutions and consequently
10 contacts have been made and, the first toothed wheel of the series moved, on a
distance. of 10 teeth the figure "0" again appears in the aperture in the right hand of
the instrument (Figure 1) and. immediately afterwards (almost at the same moment)
the pin n, Figure 4,. in the insulating disc on: the spindle. of the second toothed wheel
and dial of the series comes in contact with the contact arms "0" thereby setting up an
electrical, current from battery s through wires 3 4 and 5 to the second pair of electro-
magnets of the series the armature of which is operated in.a.similar manner to that
above described rotating the second toothed wheel, the indicating, disc on the same
spindle-being, moved to show. "1" in the second, aperture. from the right hand end of
the instrument thus indicating that 10 revolutions have been made by the engine.
Every time the first toothed wheel and indicating disc. of the. series makes a complete
revolution (movement of 10 teeth effected by 10 revolutions of the engine) the second
toothed wheel and indicating dial move one space or tooth,,and when this second
toothed wheel and dial have moved one. complete. revolution (the second indicating
dial.again showing "0" in the second aperture on the face of the instrument) contact
is made by the pin n in the ebonite disc on the spindle of. said. second, toothed wheel
and dial and a current is set up through another battery to the third pair of
magnets of the series in a similar manner to that above described and effects
a movement of the armature, toothed wheel and dial in connection therewith, the said
third indicating dial showing "1" in the third aperture from the right hand end of
the instrument, thus indicating 100 revolutions, and so on throughout the series, that
is to say, the first dial of the series. indicates units, the second. tens, the third hundreds,
the fourth thousands, and so on to any desired extent.
(
A separate battery is provided in connection with each pair of magnets and
indicating dial..
Means may be provided if desired for returning the dials or discs to show "0.".
Although I have described my invention in connection with indicating the revolutions
of an engine, yet I do not confine myself to this application as it may be employed for
counting, and indicating various operations and movements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I am aware that an electrical counter comprising indicating dials and toothed
wheels operated by electro-magnets has been done before, and I therefore do not wish
to claim such a device broadly, but what I do claim is :-
1. Improved electrically operated counting and indicating mechanism consisting of
the combination with indicating dials, toothed wheels and discs carrying contact
making pins on the spindles of said dials, of electro-magnets the armatures of which
are extended the ends of said extensions being formed as pallets and engaging said.
toothed wheels and contact making arms-pivoted to an insulating strip above the dial
spindles, the whole arranged and operating as. herein described and as illustrated in
the accompanying.drawings..
2. The improved electrical counter herein described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings:
ay
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
70 and 71 Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.