Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILHELM DOEHRING, Director of the Fire Brigade of the City of Leipzig, in
the Kingdom of Saxony, 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 has for its object to construct a system of apparatus, indicating
automatically during any desired space of time to a central station, whether a
person, charged with watching in an establishment, distant from the central station
has been at certain controlling points at a fixed time, and which at the same time
indicates automatically by audible and visible signals to the central station, when
no control has taken place. Thus it is possible to perceive if the watchman has
met with any accident preventing him from performing his duty. Further the
arrangement gives opportunity to announce to the central station any fire or other
danger.
Besides the apparatus indicates immediately any disturbance in the electrical
conduit.
These effects of the apparatus are produced by means of only one conducting
wire as follows:
Referring to the accompanying drawings, the current from the battery L B¹ at the
central station takes the following way:
From the upper pole C the galvanic current, entering at the body rail K of the
key T, runs through the lever of the same, proceeds through the contact R
(corresponding to the position of rest) to the electro-magnet-coils of the Morse-
apparatus M, provided with automatic releasing contrivance, from there to the
spring 1 of the fire-alarm-bell F over the point of contact 2 of the spring with the
armature of the electromagnet, to the coils of the latter, leaves the same at 3 and
proceeds to the screw 4, secured to the alarm bell S, from there over the point of
contact of the screw with the armature, through the latter to the electro-magnet,
contained in the clock U, entering at 5 and leaving at 6. From there the current.
continues its course into the conduit L L L to the automatic indicating con-
trivances A¹ A' A' or still farther. At the first indicator A¹ the current enters
through the terminal 7. This terminal or clip is connected with the fulcrum of
the crank 8.. Now the metallic way is open to the galvanic current over the
.

page_text: •
.
crank 8 to the lower rail contained in the indicators. From this rail the current
proceeds to the type-wheel q, from there over the contact spring F to the binding
post 10 and then over 11, 12, 13, F2, 14, 15, 16, 17, F³, 18 to the earth con-
nection E 2, wherefrom it runs through the soil to the earth connection of the
battery at the central station and then returns to the zinc pole Z of the line
battery L B¹.
The circuit of the line battery L B¹ being completely closed, all electro-magnet
coils contained in the circuit, are traversed by the current. The lever H of the
Morse apparatus M lays itself upon the working contact a, because the iron cores
of the electro-magnet attract the armature A u by the magnetism excited, in these
cores.
The electro-magnet of the fire alarm bell F is not so sensitive as that of the
Morse-apparatus M and therefore the galvanic current, from the line battery L B²,
is not able to provide the iron cores of F with sufficient magnetism for attracting
the armature, therefore the spring 1, 2 remains in continuous contact with the
The electro-
armature, so that no interruption of the circuit, takes place.
magnet 5, 6 of the clock U keeps its armature attracted, so that the catch S p,
situated at the other end of its lever, does not permit a movement of the wheel
sector Rd to the left, consequently the catch G turned by the clock work, is
allowed to shift the wheel sector Rd at each revolution to the right for the
distance of one of its teeth.
By any interruption of the said circuit, the magnetism of all electro-magnets
inserted into it, disappears. Then the lever H of the Morse-apparatus M will be set
on the contact r through its counter spring. Thereby a current of the local
battery OB is closed. The course of the galvanic current, originated by this
battery, is as follows:
From the zinc pole z of the local battery O B¹ to the spring 19 of the alarm
bell A 7, then over the contact point to the armature of Al, subsequently at 20 to
the coils of the electro-magnet, from which it proceeds at 21 to the (position of
rest) contact of the Morse apparatus M.
Against this contact abuts the lever H, which is in connection with the metallic
material of the whole Morse apparatus. Thus the current runs to the binding
screw 22 and from there back to the copper pole k of the local battery O B.
Therefore the alarm bell will indicate, when the conduit is anywhere interrupted.
Besides the going work of the Morse apparatus, M is released and the paper strip
rolled off will be marked with a sign in the shape of a blue line.
If the interruptions of the current are effected by means of the type-wheels,
placed at the control-indicators, and, turned by a crank, interrupting and closing
the circuit at certain intervals of time at their point of contact with F1 F2,F³ etc.,
certain signs of the Morse alphabet are produced on the paper of the Morse
apparatus M, which signs are provided for the different localities to be controlled..
The watchman is directed to execute his walks in the edifices to be watched
from one room to another in certain spaces of time. If he does not follow these
instructions and uses a longer time than prescribed for getting from one room to
the other, the wheel sector R d of the clock U is so far shifted forward by the clock
work, that it touches the spring N, contained in the clock, but insulated from the
metallic parts of the same. Thereby the circuit of the local battery Q B is closed.
From the latter a current proceeds from the zino pole Z to the spring 23 of the
signal bell S, then over the armature of the electro-magnet to the coils of the same,
enters at 24 and gets out at 25, wherefrom it continues to the spring N in the
clock U, then over the wheel sector Rd to the other metallic parts of the clock U
and from there back to the copper pole K of the local battery O B.
Therefore the bell S will be in action as long as the wheel sector Rd is in contact
with the spring N in the clock U.
This contact lasts, until a sign is given by the controlling apparatus, or by the
key T of the central station, whereby the line current is interrupted.. This inter-

page_text: ruption causes the cores of the electro-magnet 5, 6 in the clock U to lose their
magnetism, consequently they can no longer hold the armature, which lies over the
same and is now being lifted by the counter spring 26. The other extremity of
the lever 26, 27, furnished with the pawl Sp, is likewise lifted. While this occurs,
the wheel sector Rd is thrown from the right to the left by means of a leaf
spring 28, so as to cause the catch G to fall again into the last tooth at the right
extremity. Therefore the sound of the signal bell indicates, that
1) Either the watchman has neglected his duty, that is to say, he has used too
long a time, for getting from one pla e to the other, or
2) If the signal sounds for a longer time, than the watchman would have to use
for getting from the first to the third or from the second to the fourth place etc,
that the watchman has met with an accident.
3) That the watchman has executed his controlling walk in a shorter time, than
prescribed, in order to use some time of his night service for sleeping or any other
illegitimate purpose.
Every Morse sign of the type-wheels of the controlling appliances A¹ etc appears,
while the alarn-bell A is sounding, on the paper strips of the Morse apparatus M.
The latter is likewise set in action by the vibration of the armature of the signal
bell S, because an interruption of the line circuit is produced at the screw 4 of the
signal bell S. Therefore the central station receives a visible sign on the paper
strip by the arrangement in the clock and is enabled to judge from the length of
the sign, consisting of little points, how long the control at the instrument in the
locality to be watched has not taken place.
The watchman at the controlling instrument produces the Morse letters of the
type wheels by making several turns of a crank, which causes, that motion is
either directly transmitted to the type wheels by means of suitable gearing, or that
a spring or weight is wound, by the backward motion of which the type wheels
are turned in a uniform manner.
If the watchman of the central station intends to give a sign for indicating the
outbreak of fire or any other danger, he only need move upward the crank 8, 12, 16,
contained in every controlling apparatus A¹ etc., so as to cause the same to touch
one of the contacts 26, 27, or 28. In this position of the crank the conduit L L L
communicating with the saine is brought in connection with the zinc pole of the
line battery LB' and the circuit is completed in the following manner:
From the zinc pole Z of the line battery L B' the current flows to one of the
contacts 26, 27, or 28 of the controlling instruments, from there over the respective
lifted crank 8, 12, or 16 to the point 7 directly into the conduit, or from the
contact 27 at A to 12, 11, 10, from A¹ 9, 8, 7, into the conduit; or from the
contact 28 at A³ over 16, 15, to 14, from A 13, 12, 11 to 10, from A¹ 9, 8, 7 into
the conduit. From the conduit L L L the galvanic current proceeds to the coils of
the electro-magnet in the clock U to 6, 5, from there to the bell S at 4, then to the
coils of the electro-magnet of the fire bell F at 3; then viå 2 and 1 to the electro-
magnet E of the Morse apparatus M to the stationary rail R of the key T, from
there over the lever of the key to K and then to the copper pole C of the line
battery L B, through the battery to the zinc pole Z of the same and then to the
earth at E and through the soil to the earth connection E" of the line battery LB*
back to the copper pole K of the same.
Therefore no interruption of the general way of the current, as described at first,
will take place. Thus neither the Morse-apparatus M, nor the alarm bell A can
come into action, but the currents of the two line batteries L B' and L B¹ will be
united, and thus produce such a powerful current as to render the cores of the
electro-magnet of the fire alarm bell F sufficiently magnetic for attracting their
armature and thereby actuating the bell F.
Thus the central station can be informed by means of particular instruction, of
any fire or other danger.

page_text: Particularly simple is the new contrivance, adapted to be placed very easily in any
regulator clock, and consisting of a simple toothed sector lever Rd, which may, of
course, be replaced by any equivalent mechanism, rendered adjustable or otherwise,
movable. This contrivance produces by its forward movement, which may be
effected not only-through a regulator clock, but also by a clock work U of any con-
struction, a contact in certain intervals of time, to be chosen at pleasure, whereby
at the central station, an absolutely sure audible and visible alarm is automatically
produced. This alarm does not take place, if the prescribed control is made in due
time, as then the contrivance is brought back into its position of rest by a suitably
arranged electro-magnet. Equally simple is the peculiar connection of two line
batteries L B¹ (position of rest battery) and L B' (working current battery) effected
by only one wire conduit, in combination with the switches of the controlling
appliances (8, 12 or 16), by means of which a certain electric alarm work can be
brought in action separately, without the alarm bell A comprised in the same
circuit, or the Morse apparatus M, coming into action.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a plan of a whole system of controlling and alarm apparatus.
Fig. 2 shows the clock work and its connections in detail..
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the toothed sector R d.
Fig. 3 represents a system of controlling and alarm apparatus in combination
with a telephone station T S. The latter is connected with a factory A by a wire a,
factory B by a wire b, factories C, D, E and F by separate wires c, d, e and f, and
with the fire brigade office or fire engine house or police station by a wire g. S is
the switch rail at the telephone station, by which any telephonic conduits may be
put in communication with the police station or fire brigade office.
The drawing represents the controlling and alarm apparatus of the factory A,
T being the telephone transmitter, while the other appliances correspond to those
which are designated with similar letters in Fig. 1.
"
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and 7 show the construction of the transmitting controlling
apparatus or recording instrument A1, A2 or AS at the factory A. Figs. 8, 9 and 10
represent different details of this instrument.
The manner, in which the different axles I, II and III must be turned, to produce
the required signal or record, is indicated on a plate at the top of the casing
containing the transmitting or controlling apparatus A.
Fig. 9 indicates the position of the lever or switch a for giving a fire alarm,
Fig. 10 the same for telegraphing to the fire-brigade office.
The appliances hitherto in use, which are placed at certain points in streets,
edifices, farms etc. for the purpose of a regular control, answer their purpose but
in a very imperfect manner, by only indicating, if the watchman performs his duty
in the watching service.
But in the case of a fire-danger, the watchman, detecting the fire, does not
possess, by the apparatus, which controls him, a means to announce the danger
with surety and quickly to the fire-brigade. This drawback is chiefly felt in
certain factories lying distant from a fire-brigade station, as in these cases the main
point, viz: the possibility of an instantaneous announcement from the point of the
outbreak of the fire, is excluded.
To remove efficaciously this inconvenience, the apparatus, represented by Figs. 1
-5 of the annexed drawing, has been constructed, which allows not only the fire
to be indicated immediately, but also the watchman to telegraph to the fire-brigade
station or police stations.
The fire alarm, for being operated as quickly as possible, is arranged so as to
employ existing telephone conduits, which, although not in action at night, are
joined to the apparatus, and that in such a manner, that all factories or other
establishments, connected with the telephone exchange, are brought in direct
connection with the central fire station, or police station, when the telephone office
is closed,

page_text: The, telephone conduit is connected with the controlling apparatus and as soon
as the watchman is to indicate fire, he closes the circuit by means of a special key
to be put into the controlling apparatus, by mechanically switching out, (when
giving the fire alarm) the line current of the factory control, which is effected by
the action of the switch a, placed inside the controlling apparatus.
At outbreaks of fire it is very important to avoid any complication, for which
reason the telephone conduit is mechanically switched in at the time of giving the
alarm.
.
By means of the telephone conduit, switched in by the fire-alarm and controlling
apparatus, it is possible to telegraph immediately to the fire-brigade or central
police station, by turning the knob b with the same key, whereby signs can be
given surely and comprehensively.
In such cases the telephone is useless, as owing to geat noise the sounds, spoken
through the telephone, are not understood.
Therefore it is rendered possible, by a simple controlling apparatus, distant from
the fire-brigade or central police station, and arranged in a building, provided
with telephone connection, to give directly information about the place, room and
manner of the fire, without requiring a special wire conduit to the fire brigade
station.
This system, if a special wire-conduit shall not be newly established, may be
joined to any existing telegraph, telephone or electric bell-conduit, and by the aid
of the new apparatus it is then possible:
1) To control the course of the distant watchman, at the central station by
audible and visible signs (audible by a bell, visible by letters).
2) To know at once audibly and visibly, if the watchman has not performed his
duty and not been at the controlling point.
3) To prove the duration of his absence or of his inaction by automatically
given signs.
4) To give fire-alarm from any controlling point (by another, third bell).
5) To telegraph from any controlling point (by key).
6) To allow any telegraph or telephone-conduit, existing at any controlling
point, to be joined or switched in circuit by the watchman at the moment of fire
alarm, and
7) To perceive instantaneously at the central station-by audible signs, whether
the wire conduit has been destroyed.
For producing all these functions, only one key is applied.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim, is
1.) Apparatus or system, adapted to automatically indicate at a central station
at any desired intervals of time, whether a person charged with watching has
really been at certain points in the establishment (distant from the central station)
and at a certain predetermined time, and at the same time to automatically indicate
at the central station by visible and audible signals, if the due control has not
taken place.
2.) A toothed segment Rd or equivalent mechanism, adapted to form a contact
at predetermined but variable intervals of time, when moved forward by any
suitable clockwork U, thereby causing at the central station with certainty an
automatic alarm, the said alarm being avoided, if the prescribed control is performed
in due time, as in this case the mechanism is placed back in its position of rest by
an electromagnet (6, 5).
3.) The peculiar arrangement or method of operations of two line batteries,
namely LB (position of rest) and LB (working battery) obtained by a single wire
conduit, in combination with the switches of the controlling instruments (8, 12

page_text: or 16) adapted to operate a certain alarm bell separately, without setting in action
either alarm bell A, included in the same circuit, or the Morse instrument M.
4). The employment of a controlling apparatus, adapted to be switched into the
controlling conduit of a factory (or other establishment) and to be connected by
means of a switch a with the telephone-circuit, and further provided with a
telegraph-apparatus, adapted to be operated by a key X, for. the purpose of giving
fire alarm or other signals to a fire brigade or police station from any controlling
station (such as a factory, included in the general system of watchman detector),
by means of existing telephone-conduits.