Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 29th Oct., 1892
Figs. 11 and 12 show details.
What I herein term the observatory, see Figs. 1, 2, 3, includes an astronomical
clock A, meantime clock B, transmitting clock C, chronograph D, and electric
circuits as at 1, 1; 2, 2; 3, 3; 4, 43, 4, 4*; the first three having a common
battery E', and the last a battery G.
Clock A is used by the observer, and is in circuit with chronograph D by
wires 1, 1, 1, there being a switch at a, and a short circuit 1, with a key a'. Switch a
being closed, the impulses from clock A will be indicated by the chronograph.
The mean time clock B is, through circuit 2, 2, 2 also connected with chrono-
graph D, there being a short circuit 2 and key at . When the circuit 2, 2, is
closed, clock B indicates its impulses in the chronograph. If both clocks A
and B are in circuit, their impulses when synchronized will make the same set
of marks on chronograph D. But if not synchronous, each will exhibit its own
indications, and the difference between their beats can be ascertained by micrometer
measurement on the chronograph.
Transmitting clock C has two sets of devices for opening and closing an electric
circuit, one having the parts 4, 4, 4, and the other the parts 4, 4, 4*, there
being a common battery G, and a relay or repeater F. The first set is used
to transmit certain predetermined impulses or preliminary time signals, and
the second set transmits a final, longer signal or impulse to synchronize clocks at
a distance. Refer to Figs. 3, 4, 5. Clock C has an ordinary pendulum and gearing
at C, with seconds, minute and hour hands. C₁ is a wheel on the seconds hand
arbor, having some of its teeth removed, and with a pin c projecting laterally.
C is a spring strip, and C a bar with a screw c³ touching C². C3 and C are also
a spring and a bar with a screw c. Parts C C are insulated from C³ C³. The
teeth on wheel C¹ separates C' and C₁ every second, except at the twenty-ninth
TD 077

page_text: and those from the fiftieth to the sixtieth. Pin separates C and C' at the
sixtieth second.
Turn switch to the left and current passes from battery G through
circuit 4, 4, 4%, spring C, bar C, and repeater magnet F, but is interrupted
by wheel C Turn switch c to the right, and the current passes through
circuit 4, 4, 43, spring C³ and bar C³, but is interrupted when pin c separates
C and C which occurs at the sixtieth second, and gives the final signalling
synchronizing or controlling impulse.
Repeater F has two points f, f1 (arranged vertically as in Fig. 3, or horizontally,
as in Fig. 6) point f closing circuit 3, 3, through battery E and chronograph D.
When switch c¹ is closed, the seconds beats of clock C will be indicated on the
chronograph.
Chronographic comparison can be made between any two or more of the
clocks A, B and C. Ordinarily clocks A and B are first compared, to find the
error of B, which clock is never changed or corrected although its daily variations
are noted.
Then, after A and B have been compared on the chronograph,
B and C are compared through the circuits 2, 2, and 3, 3. If clock C is slow or
fast, it is accelerated or retarded (by hand or otherwise) until it indicates correct
time. After clock C is thus corrected, it transmits calling or warning signals as
follows:
Point of relay or repeater F is in a circuit 11, 11, having battery H, relay or
repeater I, and switch h. Relay I has as many contacts i, i, 2, as there are main
lines for carrying the signal or impulses. Opposite i, i, are contacts j, j', j, each
with an earth connection j³, j, j³, and each in an outgoing main line as 5, 5, 5;
6, 6, 6; and 7, 7, 7.
Suppose that circuit 5, 5, 5, is solely for carrying time signals or clock con-
trolling impulses; that circuit 6, 6, 6, extends along a railway for ordinary
telegraph purposes; and that circuit 7, 7, 7, is the main circuit of an ordinary
commercial telegraph line.
I will describe first the parts connected to the railway telegraph line 6, 6, 6,
extending from station to station as O', P', distant from the observatory or trans-
mitting station. This railway telegraph line 6, 6, 6 has a battery R, as is now
common, independent of the observatory or transmitting station.
But at there is a switch, (preferably in or near the first railroad station) to
connect line 6, 6, to the ground or to the observatory branch 6. This branch 6*
runs to contact arm it.
I is the ordinary relay at station O. As shown its armature closes a local
circuit having two loops 12, 12 and 12, 12%, the first including battery R₁ and
sounder R2, and the other including a battery R³ and clock Q, there being a
switch at for these loops. Battery R' is stronger than battery R¹. At all other
stations on line 6, 6, (as at P¹) there is an apparatus similar to that described at O¹.
When telegraphing in the ordinary way, the operators all have their switches >
turned to points, the sounders R2 being in circuit and the clocks Q out.
Now, at a predetermined time, say three minutes before 12 M. (noon) ordinary
telegraphing over line 6, 6, is suspended, and the operator at the first station Qturns
his switch to point . Immediately thereafter the preliminary signals (caused
by the wheel C) are received from the observatory, each signal being shown by
each sounder R2. At the end of the preliminary signals (about ten seconds before
12 M.) each operator moves his switch to point (thus cutting out sounder R2
and bringing in clock Q) and the observatory attendant moves switch c to the right.
Then, the next, the final signal (caused by pin c³) is transmitted to clocks Q and
their hands are moved to make them synchronous with clock C. After that the
operators all move switches back to points ; and line 6. 6, is again ready for
ordinary telegraphing, the operator at the first station O' moving also the
switch to 7-8
K is an indicator of suitable character as a bell in the observatory, to show the
attendant whether the signals are going over line 6, 6.

page_text: I will now refer to line 5, 5, which is used solely for time signals, or controlling
clocks. This circuit includes actually or possibly earth connection ³, contacts i, j,
switch k, pole-changing switch L, battery K, galvanometer M, polarised relay N,
and switch n, all in the observatory or transmitting station, and, then line
wire 5, 5, extending to clock stations O and P and to earth at E. At each clock
Switch m short circuits
station O, P, etc., etc., there is a polarized relay N.
galvanometer M. Polarized relay N opens and closes local circuit 8, 8, working a
bell or indicator N', and having battery n¹, switch n³, and armature n².
At each clock station O, P, etc., etc., armature n' of polar relay N' closes local
circuit 9, 9, working repeater or relay Q³, and having battery no, and switch 7³.
Repeater Q closes clock circuits 10, 10, 10", 10", etc., each having a signal
receiving or a synchronizing mechanism as at Q1, Q2. Now if switches h, k, n'o,
and are closed, an impulse in circuit 4, 4*, 4%, will be experienced in clock
circuits 10, 10%, etc., etc., at each station Q, P. But it is only the final impulse
(caused by the pin 2) transmitted by clock C that is sent over a clock wire
like 5, 5. Otherwise, the clocks would be disarranged. While the preliminary
signals (caused by wheel C¹) are going out from clock C to other lines, as 6, 6, 7, 7,
switch k, in line 5, 5, is left open, it not being closed till just before the last signal
occurs.
I will here describe the peculiar mechanism in the receiving or controlled
clocks Q, Q, Q², etc. Refer to Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The spring, or
pendulum, the train of wheels, arbors, and other parts may be similar to those in
use. A is the hour hand, A' the minute hand, As the seconds hand. A dial train
connects the arbors of the several hands to have them move simultaneously.
A and A' are loops around the arbors with bar a joining them, bar a above them,
and bar a below. a is a screw in slot a in bar a', and a" is a guide for bar as.
all is another slot in bar a', and A' is a spring bearing upward on the
parts a', A', a®, A.
B³ is a magnet with its legs horizontal and at right angles to the clock face.
Armature B is behind it and B is a crank lever pivoted at 6 and secured to
armature B. Arm of lever B lies in slot a¹¹ in bar a'. When magnet B³ is
energized, arm 66 pushes down the parts A', A', a®, and A.
a is a heart-shaped cam on the seconds hand arbor, and b is a disk on the other
arbor, there being a section of a few degrees removed. 6' is a cam projection on
bar a', and another on bar a³.
When
During a few moments each day, namely, when the recess part of disk bis
under cam, the latter can slide down and engage with the inclined edges of
disk, and, at the same time cam ¹ can engage with the edge of cam a".
this occurs cams & will turn the seconds hands to a predetermined point, and will
turn the hour hand, and, through the dial train move the minute hand. Magnet 13³
in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 is in circuit 10, 10, see Figs. 1 and 2, but the clock may be
any other than that at Q. It is this magnet B' which is affected when pin c² opens
the circuit in clock C.
Breaks and leaks will occur in such circuits as 5, 5, I test it as follows: by
apparatus preferably in the observatory or the transmitting station.
When clock C is working over line 5, 5, a positive current passes from battery K,
pole-changing switch L, being properly turned for this. Hence armatures n' of
polar relays N, are drawn toward contacts n of circuits 9, 9.
I test line 5 when it is idle. First, switch L is moved to throw a negative
current to line. This moves armatures n' away from contacts n, and holds all
local clock circuits open. Then switch m is opened and galvanometer M put in
circuit. If it indicates the proper resistance the circuit is in working condition.
But if it, or anything else shows a break or leak, its place is found as follows: A
man goes to a station, say O, opens switch 93 to prevent the clocks there from being
affected, and then by switch L, see Fig. 2, or otherwise changes the line terminals
in polar relay N'. Thereupon armature n' moves toward contact n°, just as it does
when in operation, because, although a negative current is on line 5 it is now

page_text: traversing the coils at N¹, at this particular station in the reverse direction. There-
fore all other armatures n remain away from their contact ne, and their clocks are
safe. Now this last described movement of armature n' at station shows the
circuit should be complete from there to the battery. So he replaces switch L
(whereupon armature n' leaves contact n), closes switch q³, and then goes to some
other station more remote from the battery, and repeats these steps. He continues
until he finds an armature n' which does not move after its magnet terminals
have been shifted. The break or leak is between that station and the last one
tested.
During all this each clock Q', Q' has been moving normally without its hands
being affected.
Bell or indicator N2, tells the observatory attendant when the circuit 5, 5, is
being opened and closed at different points.
The above shows that this circuit 5, 5, can, when not transmitting time signals
be employed for other telegraphic or telephonic purposes, if a current of another
polarity is used. Repeaters differing from those at N₁ and Q3 can be used.
Switch L also serves as a safe guard in connection with the polar relays, for it
can be turned so that even if battery K should by accident, be connected to line 5,
a negative current will go out, which will hold armatures n' away from their
contacts n, and thus accident will be prevented.
It will now be seen that I can operate several circuits of different sorts from
one observatory or transmitting station.
Moreover, some of the parts connected with line 5, 5, may be combined with
such as are on line 6, 6. The third main line 7, 7, 7, shown as such combinations
connected with it. The part 7, 7, is one of the long lines used for commercial
telegraphing 7 being a branch running to the observatory or transmitting
station. The main offices are indicated by S', S, S6, and suppose each to be many
miles from the observatory. At the first S, there is a switch to connect the
circuit 7, 7, either to the observatory branch 7 or to ground at 7. Circuit 7, 7,
includes relay or repeater 12 adapted to close a local circuit with two loops 13, 13*,
and 13, 13, one loop having sounder R2, and the other having a relay or repeater I³,
and clock Q. This local circuit and its loops are substantially similar to that
at O', above described, and the operator here uses his switches r and in the way
above set forth.
The repeater 13 sends the final impulse or signal from the observatory over a
number of local circuits, as at 14, 14, and 15, 15, each including one or more clock
stations equipped and operated in a way to make them similar to those above
described at O and P. And, these clock circuits have at the main office, or
sub-transmitting-station S such apparatus, as a galvanometer M, polar relay N,
pole-changing switch L, bell, or indicator N, similar to those in the main observa-
tory, or transmitting station, to be used for testing the clock circuits 14, 14, 15, 15,
and otherwise. In this case there are switches n' and ns, and a branch circuit 15",
by which either clock circuit 14, 14, 15, 15, can be connected to the polar relay,
the galvanometer, etc., when testing.
Any number of clock circuits may be taken out from such a station as St.
At S a station is indicated by dotted lines which if distant may have the same
apparatus, or any suitable, for the same purpose.
At S there is indicated another station on line 7, 7. Here is shown an ordinary
central telegraphic station having a number of the devices that are, in the
stations S and O¹, but those intended for distributing the time signals, are
removed to another sub-station, as at 0 in the same city. At office Se there is
a repeater I, which send the last of the series of signals to station O*, whence
it is repeated to all the clock stations, as at 0, 0% in the way above described.
16, 16, indicate the circuit from the telegraph station S to the clock station O*;
17, 17, the local circuit at station 0%, and 18, 18, and 19, 19, the clock circuits,
similar to those above described at 14, 14, and 15, 15. The battery, pole-
changing devices, galvanometer, polarized relay, etc., in station 01, for testing

page_text: the clock circuits are substantially similar to those in the observatory and in
station St.
I herein mention "sounders," "telegraphic or telephonic circuits," "main line
repeaters,' relays," etc., and mean to be understood as referring to the circuits
and the instruments used in telegraphing or telephoning during the greater part
of the day for sending messages from place to place, and which or some of which
I utilize during short intervals for time signals. But use may be made of any of
the various forms of telegraphic apparatus without departing from my invention,
as, for instance, a "Morse register instead of the "sounder" k, which receives a
part of the signals, the remainder being received by a clock or other instrument.
Other devices than the clocks herein shown can receive the signals, such as
telephone bells, electric call bells etc.
If at the signalling time the connection with the observatory as branch 6* or 7*
should be broken or if there should be break at other points in line 6, 6, or 7, 7,
the signals can still be sent by some one of the operators at O' P1, or at S1, S³, S*,
along his line. To do this he should note the daily errors of his clocks, and then at
the time of sending the signal, he can (allowing for the daily error) use his telegraph-
ing key, or other equivalent device, not only to send preliminary signals along
line 6, 6, or 7, 7, but he can adjust the clock hands along the line by the key, if
switches are properly turned. So, too, such a clock as that at Q, or at O' can
be provided with transmitting apparatus as in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and can be used to
govern the local stations.
Preferably the circuit having loops 4, 4, 4, and 4, 4, 43, is normally closed,
as the electric impulses can be thus advantageously transmitted, whereas, the
circuit 11, 11, is preferably normally open.
In the earlier Patents 5047 of October 23, 1883, and 14,267 of October 28, 1884,
I provide means of one sort for sending out signals from observatories, and for
receiving them. But the subject matter herein relates to improvements not
contemplated in said earlier Patents, and by which I can, by means of a simplified
apparatus at the observatory, send out the signals over several similar or differing
inain line circuits, and from each of them in turn at successive points can transmit
said signals over one or more local circuits, or series of circuits.
Said earlier Patents can be referred to for ascertaining the details of such devices
as the transmitting clock C in the observatory, and the receiving clocks at the
more or less distant receiving stations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. In an observatory, or time transmitting station, an automatic time signal
transmitter opening and closing a primary local electric circuit containing a
repeater, a secondary local electric circuit opened and closed by the primary and
containing a multiple repeater, opening and closing several outgoing lines, sub-
stantially as set forth.
2. The herein described method of transmitting and receiving time signals,
consisting in sending from a transmitting station, a series of electric impulses of a
predetermined number over the main line of an electric telegraph circuit and
through a main line repeater to a local circuit, receiving a part of the said impulses
in a telegraphic sounder or equivalent instrument in said local circuit, and then
receiving the remainder of said impulses in one or more clocks or equivalent time
signal receiving instruments, substantially as set forth.
3. The herein described method of transmitting and receiving time signals by
sending from a transmitting station, a series of electric impulses of a predetermined
number over a main line and through a main line repeater to a local circuit,
receiving part of said impulses in an electro-magnetic instrument in a local circuit
of low electro-motive force, and then receiving the remaining impulse or impulses

page_text: of the series in another instrument in a local electric circuit of higher electro-
motive force, substantially as set forth.
4. The herein described method of operating and testing the electric circuits of
a time signalling system, consisting in imparting electric impulses to a main line
by a current of given polarity and causing said impulses to close local circuits ench
through a polarized relay when sending time signals, and in testing such main line
by imparting thereto a current of opposite polarity and reversing the direction in
which the last said current traverses the magnets successively of the polarized
relays, substantially as set forth.
5. For transmitting time signals, a transmitting station an electric circuit
extending therefrom to a receiving station, a polarized relay at the receiving
station and means for reversing the direction of the current through the relay
or repeater without affecting the direction of the current over the main line,
substantially as set forth.
6. In a time distributing system, a receiving station having a series of two or
more electric circuits, as at 10, 10, 10", 10", one or more clocks or time signal
receiving devices in each of said circuits, a multiple repeater opening and closing
all of said circuits simultaneously, an electric circuit including said multiple
repeater and independent of the aforesaid circuits, a main electric circuit as at 5, 5,
electro-magnetic devices in said main circuit for opening and closing the aforesaid
repeater circuit; and a time signal transmitting station having automatic signal
transmitting devices which open and close the aforesaid main line, substantially as
set forth.
7. In a time signalling system, a telegraphic or telephonic main line circuit,
devices for transmitting time signals adapted to be connected therewith, a series
of main line repeaters in said circuit, a series of telegraph or telephone stations
respectively containing said repeaters, telegraphic or telephonic signal receiving
devices in each of said stations, a series of two or more local electric circuits
extending from each of said stations, and each except the last opening and closing
a succeeding circuit, and one or more clocks or time signal receiving devices in the
Baid series of local circuits, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination of the clock Q, the electric circuit 12, 12, 12%, the
sounder R, or equivalent instrument in the said circuit or a part thereof, a main
line as at 6, 6, the repeater I¹ in said main line, and the time signal transmitting
apparatus at a transmitting station adapted to be connected by the main line with
the repeater I, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination of the clock Q, the circuit 12, 12, 12, the sounder R³, the
battery R', the battery R³, the switch r, a main line as at 6, 6, adapted to
receive time signals, and the repeater I¹, in the main line, substantially as
set forth.
10. The combination of the time signal transmitting apparatus in the observatory
or central station including a multiple pointed repeater I, a series of two or more
main electric circuits as at 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7 extending from the repeater, a time
signal receiving station, as at S with a local electric circuit containing a multiple
pointed repeater from which extend two or more electric circuits to a series of clock
stations as at 03, 03, substantially as set forth.
11. In mechanism for receiving time signals, the combination with the minute
hand, the hour hand, and the second hand, of means substantially as described for
simultaneously setting all these hands to a predetermined point, and a stop which
prevents the action of the setting mechanism until a predetermined moment,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 0th of Aman 1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.