Improved Switch for Controlling from a distance Electrio Motors for Working Guns, Hoists, Projectors, Cranes, Capstans, or other Electrically Operated Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 10th May, 1898
Improved Switch for Controlling from a distance Electrio Motors for
Working Guns, Hoists, Projectors, Cranes, Capstans, or other
Electrically Operated Apparatus.
I, GIULIO MARTINEZ, of Viale Regina Vittoria, Florence, Italy, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to a switch applicable to various uses, such invention
consisting in the manner of operating from a distance by the effect of a special
switch the electric motors which actuate guns, hoists, projectors, cranes, capstans,
and generally any apparatus that may require quick or slow motion, and sudden
starting or sudden stopping at the will of the operator.
The control of a motor, from a distance, is obtained by an electromagnetic
reversing switch, similar to the ordinary reversing keys like those used in electric
measurements, but made for strong currents and acting through electromagnets.
As with the usual reversing key, two springs are in normal contact with a plate,
while one of them may be put in contact with another plate. The armature
terminals of the controlled motor are connected with the two springs, the wires of
the line with the two plates. When a series wound motor is used, the field coil
is placed between the first plate and the corresponding line wire; when a shunt
motor, the field coil is shunted at the two plates.
Two electromagnets attract two armatures fitted upon the springs, and therefore
by pressing or releasing a button, (from any distance) and making or breaking a
contact, the circuit is closed or opened, and the motor is set in motion in either
direction, or stopped.
When strong currents are used, the reversing switch is not only disposed for
breaking the circuit, at least at two points, but there is shunted on the main breaker,
a secondary one with carbon plates. The disposition is such that the circuit is
always broken, at least, at two points at a time, on carbon plates. When a sudden
starting or a sudden stopping is required (as for pointing guns, for capstans,
hoists, etc.) it is very convenient to keep alive the field of the series motor, by
adding two rheostats between the first spring and the second plate and the second
spring and second plate; the circuit is then never broken and the field is always
excited. Therefore, the starting is sudden and the stopping is immediate, since
the armature is short circuited in an excited field. There is, indeed, a slight loss
of effect owing to the resistance shunted on the armature, but that loss is of no
consequence.
The reversing switch is, therefore, made to act through two electromagnets, the
circuits of which, and no other, shall be under the control of the operator. And
as this can be effected by a flexible cord of three insulated wires of small section
(one of them for the common return), so every difficulty is avoided and any distance
may be chosen by the operator.
Further, the operator in throwing on the power to the motor, gives only issue
to a small current and can do this by pushing a button. Finally, as it is possible

page_text: to
press
for a very short time on the relative buttons, so the motor can operate for
a short interval of time and, practically, it is possible to have few revolutions and,
even, only a fraction of a revolution. These advantages can be appreciated either
for pointing guns, or in commanding projectors, hoists, etc.
With the above system, the operator on the switch has nothing to do with the
controlling apparatus; his whole performance being nothing more than a simple
mechanical operation and always the same: to push or release one or two buttons
of the board. This constitutes a great difference from other electric systems,
where the controlling man, while working the apparatus must take care of it, and
gradually insert rheostats when it may be required.
היתנגד
1041
1007
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improved Switch for Controlling from a distance Electric Motors for 1
Working Guns, Hoists, Projectors, Cranes, Capstans, or other
Electrically Operated Apparatus.
I, GIULIO MARTINEZ, of Viale Regina Vittoria, Florence, Italy, 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 2
statement:-
The present invention relates to a switch applicable to various uses, such invention
consisting in the manner of operating from a distance by the effect of a special
switch the electric motors which actuate guns, hoists, projectors, cranes, capstans,
and generally any apparatus that may require quick or slow motion, and sudden 2
starting or sudden stopping at the will of the operator.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing my invention applied in connection
with a series wound motor.
Fig. 2 a similar view showing same applied in connection with a shunt wound 3
motor, and
Fig. 3 a similar view when a compound motor is used.
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connections for operating from a
distance, a series wound motor being employed.
Fig. 5 shows the arrangement employed when a sudden starting or stopping is 3
required, and
Fig. 6 shows the complete arrangement when a shunt wound motor is employed.
The control of a motor, from_a_distance, is obtained by an electromagnetic
reversing switch, similar to the ordinary reversing keys like those used in electric
measurements, but made for strong currents and acting through electromagnets. 4
As with the usual reversing key, two springs A and B are in normal contact with
a plate C (Fig. 1), while either one of them may be put in contact with another
plate D. The armature terminals a and b of the controlled motor are connected
with the two springs A and B, and the wires of the line with the two plates C
and D. When a series-wound motor is used, the field coil S is placed between 4
one of the plates C or D and the corresponding line wire as in Fig. 1;
shunt motor is used, the field coil N is shunted at the two plates as in Fig. 2;
with a compound motor the two arrangements are combined as in Fig. 3.
when a
For operating at a distance two electromagnets E' and E³ (Fig. 4) attract two

page_text: armatures fitted upon the springs A and B, and therefore by pressing or releasing
a button I or II (from any distance) and making or breaking a contact, the circuit
is closed or opened, and the motor is set in motion in oither direction or stopped.
This arrangement is shown in Fig. 4 as applied in connection with a series motor;
the circuits of the electromagnets are shunted at C and D. In the same fig. the
switch is shown slightly varied, for obtaining a breaking of the main circuit at
two points at one time, at the points x and y.
When a sudden starting or a sudden stopping is required (as for pointing guns,
for capstans, hoists, etc.) and series motors must be used, it is very convenient to
be able to keep alive the field of the series motor, by adding two suitable rheostats R¹
and Rs (Fig. 5) between the first spring A and the second plate D and between the
spring B and the same second plate D. The main circuit is then never broken
and the field is always excited. Therefore the starting is sudden and the stopping
is immediate, since the motor armature is short circuited in an excited field. There
is, indeed, a slight loss of effect owing to the resistance shunted on the armature
during the motion, but that loss is of no consequence.
When strong currents are used, the reversing switch is as in Fig. 4 not only dis-
posed for breaking the circuit, at least at two points, but a secondary breaker
with carbon plates is shunted on the main breaker. The disposition is such that
the circuit is always broken, at least at two points at a time on carbon plates.
Fig. 6 shows the complete arrangement in the case of a shunt motor, and in
same it is easy to follow the partial arrangements before described.
The electromagnets E, E, act unon the lever arms L1, L2, by attracting the
armatures H1, H2; their action is counteracted by the springs v1, v2.
With the arm L¹ are connected the insulated metallic connecting pieces m¹¹
and with the arm L' the connecting pieces m² n², these connecting pieces establishing
connections between the contact pieces a¹ and s¹ and a² and s when the electro-
magnets E1 and E2 respectively act on the arms.
-
Suitable terminals D + D A¹ S¹ S² A² are connected to the contact
pieces a b c s¹ etc. for connecting the switch with the motor and the mains.
Suitable resistances R¹ R2 are shunted at the contact pieces as and a² ².
The circuits of the electromagnets are shunted at the inain terminals D + and D-,
and I and II are the two buttons for operating the switch.
When for instance the button I is pushed, a current flows from D + to the
button I and to the electromagnet which attracts the lever arm L'. A connection
is established from a¹ to s¹ and current flows through the armature in the direc-
tion A¹ A². In releasing the button and in returning the arm to its normal position
when the connecting piece m¹ has broken connection with the plates a¹ and s¹, and
connecting piece n¹ is not yet in contact with the plates 61 el current continues
to flow through the armature in the same direction for the period during which
the metallic contacts as are in connection with two other (preferably carbon)
contacts fe¹ (or fe² if the arm L2 is the one which has been actuated) through
a small resistance r¹ (or r²): the current is only broken when the carbon plate K¹
(or K2) leaves the contact plates fl and e¹ (or få and e²). This arrangement, which
is not a new one, is used for protecting the metallic contacts from burning.
The reversing switch is, therefore, made to act through two electromagnets, the
circuits of which, and no other, shall be under the control of the operator. And
as this can be effected by a flexible cord of three insulated wires of small section
(one of them for the common return), so every difficulty is avoided and any distance
may be chosen by the operator.
to
Further, the operator in throwing on the power to the motor, gives only issue
to a small current and can do this by pushing a button. Finally, as it is possible
press for a very short time on the relative buttons, so the motor can operate for
a short interval of time and, practically it is possible to have few revolutions and,
even, only a fraction of a revolution. These advantages can be appreciated either
for pointing guns, or in commanding projectors, hoists, etc.

page_text: With the above system, the operator on the switch has nothing to do with the
controlling apparatus; his whole performance being nothing more than a simple
mechanical operation and always the same: to push or release one or two buttons
of the board. This constitutes a great difference from other electric systems,
where the controlling man, while working the apparatus must take care of it, and 5
gradually insert rheostats when it may be required.
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 I
claim is:-
The improved switch for controlling from a distance electric motors for working
guns, hoists, projectors, cranes, capstans, or other electrically operated apparatus,
substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of February 1898.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 10th May, 1898
DIONAL DIECITICATION.
Application of Electricity to the Working of Artillery.
I, GIULIO MARTINEZ, of Viale Regina Vittoria, Florence, Italy, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This system is applicable to the turning of turrets and platforms carrying heavy
guns, and the switches that, as a part of it, are employed in controlling the motors
are those described in the Provisional Specification of my application of even date
herewith and bearing No. 11594.
A gear is fitted to transmit the motion, from the shaft of an electric motor,
to the revolving platform of the turret. Of course, nothing must hinder the hand
work of the turret, and that is easily attained, when the speed of the motor is not
high, without uncoupling it. But, if the motor has a high speed, the hand work
exacts its uncoupling. Therefore, it must be connected with the gear by a fric-
tion clutch, or, better, by an electromagnetic Bovet or similar clutch. If the
coil of the electromagnetic joint is in series with the series wound motor, the latter
is automatically connected to the gearing only when it is in motion, and does not
hinder the application of muscular power.
A second and less powerful motor, is employed to give the small movements that
are requisite for pointing, and transmits the power by means of other gearing
(that reduces its speed) to the last axle of the gear connected with the first motor.
An electromagnetic clutch connects the first and the second gear and its coil is in
series in the circuit of the second motor, which is also series wound. But if the
first motor is permanently coupled, the second and smaller one can transmit its
motion, directly to the shaft of the first and larger motor.
The power of the motors is properly calculated if the first motor can give the
maximum speed required, and the second a slow speed. The former is adapted for
large movements, the latter for pointing. This small one may be daily used for
effecting the work required for keeping in good order the whole apparatus.
The two motors however, fitted as above, would not be wholly useful, unless they
were furnished with a sure and simple means to control them from a distance.
The method herein generally described is perfectly suitable in the particular case
of working turrets.
The control of the motors, from a distance, is obtained by two electromagnetic
reversing switches, similar to the ordinary reversing keys like those used in
electric measurements, but made for strong currents and acting through electro-
magnets. As with the usual reversing key, two springs are in normal contact with
a plate, while one of them may be put in contact with another plate. The armature
terminals of the controlled motor are connected with the two springs, the wires of
the line with the two plates. When a series wound motor is used, the field coil
is placed between the first plate and the corresponding line wire; when a shunt
motor, the field coil is shunted at the two plates.
Two electromagnets attract two armatures fitted upon the springs, and therefore
by pressing or releasing a button (from any distance) and making or breaking a

page_text: contact, the circuit is closed or opened, and the motor is set in motion in either
direction, or stopped.
When strong currents are used, the reversing switch is, not only disposed for
breaking the circuit, at least at two points, but there is shunted on the main
breaker, a secondary one with carbon plates. The disposition is such that the
circuit is always broken, at least, at two points at a time, on carbon plates. When
a sudden starting or a sudden stopping, is required, (as for the small motor in our
case) it is very convenient to keep alive the field of the series motor, by adding two
rheostats between the first spring and the second plate and the second spring and
second plate the circuit is then never broken and the field is always excited.
Therefore, the starting is sudden and the stopping is immediate, since the armature
is short circuited in an excited field. There is, indeed, a slight loss of effect owing
to the resistance shunted on the armature, but that loss is of no consequence.
The above arrangement is useless for the larger motor, but as the making up of
the circuit would cause an excessive flow of current, a special regulator is added
in this circuit. This regulator consists of a suitable inductive rheostat that, added
to the other resistances of the circuit, enables the starting, even under the most
unfavourable conditions; but to prevent needlessly starting currents from flowing,
this rheostat is fractioned and totally inserted, by means of a solenoid in series
in the main circuit, while it is totally cut out, by means of another solenoid
shunted at the armature terminals. The result is that it is inserted in the circuit
at starting, or an instant after the current is established, and its inductive power
aids to lessen the strain caused on the gearing by the sudden closing of the circuit,
but it is gradually cut out with the increasing action of the shunt solenoid, in
consequence of the increased speed of the motor.
The two reversing switches of the motors are, therefore, made to act through four
electromagnets, the circuits of which, and no other, shall be under control of the
officer who is in command of the turret, or the guns. And as this can be effected
by a flexible cord of five insulated wires of small section, (one of them for the
common return), so the difficulty of fitting a portion of the main circuit to the
movable part of the turret is avoided, the main wires being all laid in the fixed part
of the ship.
Further, the operator in throwing on the power to one of the motors, gives only
issue to a small current and can do this by pushing a button. Finally, as it is
possible to press for a very short time on the relative buttons, so the small motor
can operate for a short interval of time and, practically, it is possible to have few
revolutions and as a consequence a very small, almost insensible, turning of the
platform, which is most convenient in pointing guns. For this, the speed of the
small motor must be as high as possible.
The keyboard, with four simple keys or buttons, would not ensure an absolute
safety because, though no harm would result from pushing both buttons of the
same motor, it would be dangerous to motors and gearing, if currents were esta-
blished together with the two motors, either in the same or in the opposite direction.
To avoid that, the four buttons may be mechanically connected to one another, in
such a way as to act only one at a time. But, to prevent any accident, it may
still be better to connect the buttons, two by two, so as to allow of only one of each.
couple being depressed, and to intend each couple for a separate object: the one
for closing or breaking the circuits, and the other for commutating them from the
one to the other switch (i.e.-from-the-one to the other motor). Thus, in order to
obtain either a quick or a slow motion in any direction, two buttons must be pushed
together, and that will give same confidence with the system, for it is not very easy
for an unskilful or light man to put the turret in motion.
With the above system, the captain of the turret has nothing to do with the con-
trolling apparatus; his whole performance being nothing more than a simple
mechanical operation and always the same; to push or release two buttons of the
board. This constitutes a great difference from other electric systems, where the
controlling man, while working the levers for starting, must take care to gradually

page_text: insert rheostats, when it may happen that he runs over the desired step, and is
forced to move back his handle.
Another advantage of this system is that the frequency of starting and stopping
takes place with the small motor; so the strains on the gear, the line and the
dynamos, are much less than if only one powerful motor were employed.
Dated this 25th day of June 1897.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, GIULIO MARTINEZ, of Viale Regina Vittoria, Florence, Italy, 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:
This system is applicable to the turning of turrets and platforms carrying heavy
guns, and the switches that, as a part of it, are employed in controlling the motors
are those described in the Complete Specification of my application of even date
herewith and bearing No. 11594.
This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the motors and the gearing by which same operate
the revolving turret.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits and connections by which the
motors are put into and out of circuit, and
Of
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the keyboard which may be used in connection therewith.
Gearing R, r, R, 7, Rill, ll, is employed to transmit the motion, from the
shaft SS of an electric motor I, to the revolving platform P of the turret.
course, nothing must hinder the hand work of the turret, (which may be effected
through the gearing G¹, gl, G", g) and that is easily attained, when the speed of
the motor is not high, without uncoupling it. But, if the motor has a high speed,
the hand work necessitates its uncoupling: therefore, it must be connected with the
gearing by a friction clutch e, c, or, better, by an electromagnetic Bovet or similar
clutch. If the coil of the electromagnetic joint is in series with the series wound
motor, the latter is automatically connected to the gearing only when it is in
motion, and does not hinder the application of muscular power.
A second and less powerful motor II is employed to give the small movements
that are requisite for pointing, and transmits the power by means of other gear-
ing V,, (which reduces its speed) to the last axle of the gearing connected with
the first motor, or to the shaft of motor I as in Fig. 1. An electromagnetic clutch E
connects the first and the second sets of gearing, and its coil is in series in the
circuit of the second motor, which is also series wound. But if the first motor is
permanently coupled, the second and smaller one can transmit its motion directly
to the shaft of the first and larger motor.
The power of the motors is properly calculated if the first motor can give the
maximum speed required, and the second a slow speed. The former is adapted
for large movements, the latter for pointing. This small one may be daily used
for effecting the work required for keeping the whole apparatus in good order.
The two motors however, fitted as above, would not be wholly useful, unless they
were furnished with a sure and simple means to control them from a distance. The
method herein generally described is perfectly suitable in the particular case of
working turrets.

page_text: The control of the motors, from a distance, is obtained by two electromagnetic
reversing switches, similar to the ordinary reversing keys like those used in
electric measurements, but made for strong currents and acting through electro-
magnets. As with the usual reversing key, two springs are in normal contact with
a plate, while one of them may be put in contact with another plate. The armature
terminals of the controlled motor are connected with the two springs, the wires of
the line with the two plates. When a series wound motor is used, the field coil
is placed between the first plate and the corresponding line wire; when a shunt
motor, the field coil is shunted at the two plates.
Two electromagnets E1, E2, attract two armatures fitted upon the springs, and
therefore by pressing or releasing a button (from any distance) and making or
breaking a contact, the circuit is closed or opened, and the motor is set in motion
in either direction, or stopped.
When strong currents are used, the reversing switch is not only disposed for
breaking the circuit, at least at two points, but there is shunted on the main
breaker, a secondary one with carbon plates. The disposition is such that the
circuit is always broken, at least, at two points at a time, on carbon plates. When
a sudden starting or a sudden stopping is required (as for the small motor in our
case) it is very convenient to be able to keep alive the field of the series motor, by
adding two rheostats between the first spring and the second plate and the second
spring and second plate; the circuit is then never broken and the field is always
excited. Therefore the starting is sudden and the stopping is immediate, since
the armature is short circuited in an excited field. There is, indeed, a slight loss
of effect owing to the resistance shunted on the armature, but that loss is of no
consequence.
This arrangement is substantially that fully described in the Complete Specifi-
cation of my application for Patent No. 11594 of 1897. But the arrangement as
described is useless for the larger motor, while the completion of the circuit would
cause an excessive flow of current; for this reason a special regulator is added in
this circuit. This regulator consists (see Fig. 2) of a special inductive rheostat P
that, added to the other resistances of the circuit, enables the starting, even under
the most unfavourable conditions; but to prevent needlessly starting currents from
Howing, this rheostat is fractioned and totally inserted, by means of a solenoid S
in series in the main circuit, while it is totally cut out, by means of another
solenoid N shunted at the armature terminals of the motor I. The result is that it
is inserted in the circuit at starting, or an instant after the current is established
and its inductive power aids to lessen the strain caused on the gearing by the
sudden closing of the circuit, but it is gradually cut out with the increasing action
of the shunt solenoid, in consequence of the increased speed of the motor.
The two reversing switches of the motors are, therefore, made to act through
four electromagnets E1, E2, el, e, the circuits of which, and no other, shall be under
control of the officer who is in command of the turret, or the guns. And as this
can be effected by a flexible cord F of five insulated wires of small section (one of
them for the common return) so the difficulty of fitting a portion of the main
circuit to the movable part of the turret is avoided, the main wires being all iaid in
the fixed part of the ship.
Further, the operator in throwing on the power to one of the motors, gives only
issue to a small current and can do this by pushing a button as 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Finally, as it is possible to press for a very short time on the relative buttons, so
the small motor II can operate for a short interval of time and, practically, it is
possible to have few revolutions and as a consequence a very small, almost imper-
ceptible, turning of the platform, which is most convenient in pointing guns. For
this, the speed of the small motor must be as high as possible. Fig. 2 shows the
whole electric arrangement.
The keyboard, with four simple keys or buttons as in Fig. 2, would not ensure
an absolute safety because, though no harm would result from pushing both
buttons of the same motor, it would be dangerous to motors and gearing, if currents

page_text: were established together through the two motors, either in the same or in the
opposite direction. To avoid that, the four buttons may be mechanically con-
nected to one another, in such a way as to act only one at a time. But, to prevent
any accident, it may be still better to connect the buttons two by two, so as to allow
of only one of each couple being depressed, and to intend each couple for a separate
object; the one for closing or breaking the circuits, and the other for com-
mutating them from the one to the other switch (i.e. from the one to the other
motor). Thus, in order to obtain either a quick or a slow motion in any direction,
two buttons must be pushed together, and that will give some confidence with
the system, for it is not very easy for an unskilful or light man to put the turret
in motion.
Fig. 3 shows a switch of this nature. The pushing of button 1 or 3 disposes the
circuits for quick or slow motion, the pushing of 2 or 4 for right or left movements;
a current is established in one of the four circuits of the electromagnets only
when 1 and 2, 3 and 2, 1 and 4, or 3 and 4 are pushed at a time.
With the above system, the captain of the turret has nothing to do with the con-
trolling apparatus; his whole performance being nothing more than a simple
mechanical operation and always the same; to push or release two buttons of the
board. This constitutes a great difference from other electric systems, where the
controlling man, while working the levers for starting, must take care to gradually
insert rheostats, when it may happen that he runs over the desired step, and is
forced to move back his handle.
Another advantage of this system is that the frequency of starting and stopping
takes place with the small motor; so the strains on the gear, the line and dynamos,
are much less than if only one powerful motor were employed.
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 I
claim is:-
-
The improved system for the application of electricity to the working of artillery
substantially as described.