Improved Pneumatic Transmission System.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1899-Accepted, 29th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Pneumatic Transmission System.
I. BIRNEY CLARK BATCHELLER, of 1518, North 15th Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Mechanical 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 relates to the construction of mechanism used in connection
with and as a part of a pneumatic transmission system having for its object to
provide improved means for actuating a system of switches, gates, or other devices
controlling the passage of a carrier through the system, and also improvements
in what may properly he called a signal system by which an operator can deter-
mine whether or not the controlling devices have moved in accordance with his
wishes, and in such a way as to place the system as a whole in the condition
desired.
My invention can be applied with advantage in many different arrangements
and modifications of the system, but is primarily designed in connection with
a pneumatic tube system having a loop branch and arranged with appropriate
mechanism for throwing the said loop either into or out of the operative circuit
of the system, and I have accordingly illustrated this application of my invention
in the drawings to which reference is now made and in which
Figure 1 is a plan view, illustrating in a condensed form the application of
my improved mechanism to a transmission tube system having a loop circuit
and for the purpose of throwing the said loop into and out of the main circuit, as
may be desired.
Figure is a sectional plan view through the junction of two tubes showing
the switch by which the path of the carrier at such junction is determined.
Figure is a cross-section on the line of Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line y-y of Fig. 2.
Figure is a longitudinal section through one of the switch controlling
cylinders, as for instance, the cylinder E in Fig. 1.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through the cylinder F controlling the gate
in the main tube of the system, the section being extended to take in a portion
of the main tube containing the gate.
Figure 7 is a cross section on the line of Fig. 6.
Figure S is a longitudinal section through one of the valve casings, its valve,
etc., used in connection with each cylinder of the system.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section through the valve casing and valve by which
the motive fluid is directed to and exhausted from the various evlinders of the
system, showing to the left a front elevation of the valve actuating mechanism
by which said valve is controlled.
Figure 10 is a cross section on the line r-r of Fiz. 9.

page_text: or substantially so, the movement of each of the switches, the gate. or other
device by which the motion of a carrier in the system is controlled. Such valve
is therefore a controlling valve for each of the individual separate parts of the
system and I will note here that while I prefer the construction involving the
individual and separate cylinders and the use of pressure fluid governed by a
controlling valve to actuate them and through them the immediate controlling
devices operating upon the carrier, my invention, in a broad sense, is not depen-
dent on the particular mechanism by which the controlling devices of the system
are shifted and may be embodied in other substantially equivalent constructions
in which the controlling devices are actuated by other mechanical means so long
as said means are in turn operative by a common controlling device having the
function and substantially the mode of operation of the valves G and GS.
My preferred means for operating the controlling valve of the system are
those indicated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. valve stem being connected with a
piston moving in a cylinder H, H and 113 being ports leading into the opposite
ends of said cylinders from chambers and I and H being an adjustable stop
device for regulating the motion of the piston in one direction and, in the plan
shown, for also regulating the motion of the controlling valve. The chambers I
and I are as shown of cylindrical section and formed in a casting P the upper
part of each of said chambers being closed by a plug F through which is formed
a passage or channel leading into the top of the respective chambers and con-
nected by branch pipes K and K (see Fig. 16) with a pipe K leading to a source
of fluid pressure which may be the tubes of the system or any other desired
source. Jis a device serving the double purpose of a magnetic armature and a
piston moving in the cylinder and centrally connected with a rod J which
has at its upper end a valve adapted to close the port and at its lower end a
valve Jadapted to close the port 11 which is the exhaust port of the chamber I
and connected therewith as will be hereafter described. As shown, I arrange an
electromagnetic coil J around the rod and in position to net upon the arma-
ture and in the same casting 12 I form below the electromagnets the chambers I
and from which lead the exhaust ports 11 11 and which chambers are
respectively connected with the chambers 1 and 1 by means of the channels 15
and 1 indicates adjusting nuts screwing on the lower parts of the rod
and serving as abutments for the spring ♬ the function of which is to normally
thrust the rod upward so as to force the valve J2 to seat itself on the admission
port and at the same time to lift the valve opening the corresponding ex-
haust are plugs closing the chambers 17 and 18 and in which are formed
the exhaust ports 10 and 1" is a tube through which the circuit wires are intro-
duced and lead to the magnets 1º ji
The
The operation of the above described actuating mechanism is as follows:
admission ports 11 are normally closed by the valves J and owing to the
upward pressure of the springs and consequently the exhaust ports 110110
leading from both chambers are normally open and no pressure exists in either
chambers or at either end of the cylinders II with which the chambers are con-
nected. When one of the electromagnets or j is energised its corresponding
armature or is attracted and owing to its connection with the spindle or
rod or j. as the case may be, opens the admission valve and simultaneously
closes the exhaust port from which said chamber the pressure fluid from pipe K
then flows through the open admission port and the chamber into which it opens
and through such chamber into the ports Hand Has the case may be, into one end
of the cylinder H. the other end being freely connected with the open exhaust
leading from the other chamber the fluid, if any, can escape therefrom and the
piston II is moved with a corresponding motion of its connected controlling valve.
It is of course contemplated that the electromagnets J and shall be alternately
and not simultaneously actuated and obviously, as will be understood from the
description above given, the alternate energising of the electromagnets will
accomplish a reciprocation of the piston II' and the controlling valve.

page_text: The special arrangement of electromagnets, valves, etc., hereinabove described
embodies certain features which I believe to be novel and valuable but is obviously
empable of very material modification and so far as my broad claims not specifi
enlly referring to the particular mechanism of this part of my apparatus are
concerned. I do not wish to be understood as making this particular construction
an essential part of my invention.
The mechanism for alternately energising the electromagnets 16 and ♬ and
which also is designed to perform other functions, to be hereafter described, is
illustrated in Fig. 16 of the drawings and in some of its details in Fig. 17, 18
and 19. In these Figures 1. and L' indicate two contact springs secured to a
switch board, and 12 and 12 two other contart springs also secured to the
board. L' and L' being switch arms pivoted at 16 and 17 to the board and joined
at their free ends by a non-conducting junction L to which is attached a
handle 1, the arrangement being such that in one position of the switch the
arms and are in contact respectively with the switch springs Land
while in the other position they are in contact respectively with the switch
springs 12 and 1 As shown the pivotal support 17 of the arm 1.' is constructed,
as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, with a slot formed between portions M' and M² of
the support in which the switch arm is received and a cylindrical extension M
formed with a slot like opening Mat its top and closed as shown, by a head M
having at its centre a bearing M, an enlarged bearing M being provided at the
centre of the opposite end of the cylinder and another hearing M being provided
in the arm Mas shown. The switch arm 1. is, as shown, secured on a portion M³
of a stud which passes through the bearing MS and is secured on the outside
thereof as by nuts, while, on the other side, it has first an enlarged cylindrical
section Miting in the bearing M' and beyond this a segmental ex-
tension which, as shown, is about semi-cylindrical and indicated at 3, a
bearing M being formed in this piece as shown to receive the end M of
a shaft or stud, the other end of which is held in the bearing M
and upon which is formed or to which is attached, by means of a web Ma
eylindrical or segmental portion M, upon the periphery of which may be
conveniently placed the words "in" and out," as shown in Fig. 16, MF is a
pin secured to the web MD as shown and adapted to be engaged by the respective
ends of the segment " as such segment is turned with the switch arm M is a
spring situated as shown in the cylindrical shell M and having for its function
simply to hold the parts together with sufficient friction to prevent their
adventitious movement.
LO
The operation of the above described device can be readily followed. The
switch arm being in the position, for instance, shown in Fig. 16, the word "out
is brought to register with slotted opening M13, the switch arm being now turned
downward the word out will remain exhibited until the motion of the seg
ment M has amounted to nearly a semi-circular movement whereupon the end
or edge of the segment will come in contact with the pin M and move it and
the cylindrical shell 6 into position to exhibit the word "in at the slot. 35.
this change in the signal occurring only when the switch arms make contact
with the springs LP and L
!?
The circuit wiring exhibited in Fig. 16 may be described as follows : N
is a wire leading from a battery not shown and connecting with a pivotal sup-
port which of course must be an insulated conductor and from which the
current passes to the switch arm L. thence in the position of the switch shown
it passes to the spring and thence through the line wire N through a switch
contact and lever P P to be hereafter described to the line wire N connected
with one end of the windings on the electromagnet, the other end of the
windings connecting by the line wire № with a wire which leads to and
through a signal O which may conveniently be a lamp. to the spring contact L
though which the current passes to the switch arm L through the insulated

page_text: pivoted support L to the line wire № which leads to the other pole of the battery
not shown. When the switch arm is thrown to the alternate position the current
passes from the switch arm L to the spring contact. I thence through the
wire and the spring and switch lever P and P to the wire N connected with
one end of the windings to the electromagnet. Jo the other end of which windings
connects by the wire with the wire N the current passing through said wire
and the signal as before and through the branch connection N to the spring
contact thence through the switch arm and line wire No to the opposite
pole of the battery as before. It will be seen that by the circuit windings
described the shifting of the switch lever or levers alternately energises the two
electromagnets with the results already described upon the controlling valve of
the system, and it will also be obvious that the in and out signal described, parti-
cularly in connection with Figs. 18 and 19, is not an essential or even important
means of indicating the position of the switch where, as in the plan shown, the
switch lever is changed in position because such change in position would be a
quite sufficient indication of the intended shifting of the controlling valve and
of the parts controlled thereby. In cases however where the switching device
is not actually changed in apparent position an indicating device other than
the position of the switch has obvious value. It will also be observed that in
the system of wiring or circuits described the signal 0, whether it be a lamp or
other device actuated by the current, is similarly actuated no matter through
which electromagnet the current passes because it is situated in a common return
wire.
r
In the particular arrangement illustrated in the drawings the safety signal
after each manipulation of the switch or other device regulating the position of
the controlling valve or mechanism is given by the extinguishment of the lamp 0,
but whether this particular signal or another is used an important feature of my
invention is the provision in connection with the various independent actuating
devices operating upon the switches, gates, etc., of the system of means operated
and dependent for operation upon the designed movement of each of the governing
devices and so arranged in connection with a signal as to actuate it only upon
the completion of the designed movement of each part of the system. My pre-
ferred mechanism for effecting this is that illustrated in the drawings and in
which each actuating cylinder is provided with two valve casings such as
illustrated in connection with the cylinders E and e and R'' illustrated in con-
nection with the cylinder F. the detailed construction of these valve casings and
the valves operating in connection therewith being that illustrated in Fig. S of
the drawings, the casing being divided, as shown, into two main chambers R
and R3 between which is situated the valve seat R; an additional chamber R³
is provided above the chamber R2 leading into the atmosphere through channels R
and having at its top a cylindrical extension R. Conduits as Q' and Q. Fig. S,
lead into the chambers and R respectively, and preferably one of these
casings is secured to each head of the cylinder as indicated in Figs. 1, 5 and 6.
S is a valve stem the upper end of which is made hollow as indicated at S. A
valve $3 is secured to the stem and arranged to operate in connection with the
seat apertures S² extending through or below the valve from the hollow
portion St of the stem into the chamber R. The solid end of the valve extends
through the head of the cylinder to which it is attached as shown in position to
be moved by the piston working in the cylinder as it approaches the end of its
stroke. The outer or hollow end of the valve stem passes through the wall
separating the chambers R and R³ making a fit therewith, as indicated at R³,
and the construction is as shown such that when the valve S is seated the
chamber R is in communication with the chamber R³ through the hollow valve
stem and thus in communication with the atmosphere through the passages R
When however the valve S' is raised from its seat the hollow end of the valve
stem passes into the cylindrical portion R7 closing connection between either the
chambers R or R³ and the atmosphere. It will thus be seen that the hollow

page_text: stem St serves as a valve controlling the connection between chamber 183 through
chamber B to the atmosphere.
Qand are supply pipes leading from a source of fluid pressure, as indicated,
from the pipe & and connecting respectively with the chambers R of the valve
usings I and attached to the opposite heads of the cylinder c. From the
chamber of the easing R leads the conduit Q connecting again with the
chamber of the casing R' attached to the upper head of the cylinder F, and
from the chamber R' of this casing the conduit leads to the chamber R of the
casing Rattached to the outer head of the cylinder E, and from the chamber
of this easing the conduit Q2' leads into the lower end of the cylinder P, (sec
Figs. Band H. From the chamber Rof the easing r the conduit q' leads to
the chamber R2 of the casing and from the chamber R of this casing the
conduit leads to the chamber of the casing attached to the inner head of
the cylinder E from the chamber R of which the conduit q leads to the lower
end of the cylinder P, (see Fig. B). The cylinders P and P2 are formed in or
secured to a bracket casting P having conveniently a box like easing secured
to its top, as shown in Figs. B. 14 and 15. Pistons P and P are situated in the
cylinders P and 12 and held normally at the bottom of said cylinders by the
action of springs P. The piston rods P and P7 of the respective pistons are
connected, as shown, with the free ends of pivoted switch levers 1 and 1 pivoted
at in the box easing and arranged to make contact with the circuit
springs P and P when the pistons are in their depressed position and to break
such contact when the pistons are forced upward. PB indicates a conduit for
the circuit wires leading into the easing P
The operation of the devices last described is as follows: The valves S. are
normally held to their seats as by a spring such as indicated in Fig. 8 and in
this position as already described the chambers R' of the various casings are in
free communication with the atmosphere. In practice however this communi-
cation with the atmosphere or exhaust is determined entirely by the movement
of the various controlling devices in the system as shown by the position of the
pistons in the netuating cylinders. Thus when the controlling valve is moved
to place the supply pipe E' in communication with a source of fluid pressure the
motive fluid flows to the outer ends of the cylinders E and e and the upper end
of the cylinder F and with the result, if the parts move as indicated, that the
switches D and d are moved to the position chown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and
the gate controlled by the cylinder closed. The piston in the cylinder at the
end of its stroke comes in contact with the valve stem S working in the casing r
raising the valve 3 from its seat and forcing the upper end of the piston rod S
into the cylinder R' cutting off the exhaust passage and opening a free course
for pressure fluid from the supply pipe y into the conduit pipe from which
it flows into the chamber 122 of the casing attached to the lower end of the
cylinder F. The piston in this cylinder at the end of its downward stroke moves
the valve stem S of the casing placing in the manner described the conduit
into communication with the conduit so that the pressure fluid flows freely into
the chamber R2 of the casing on the cylinder E and the valve stem S of this
casing being moved by the inward strike of the piston in the cylinder in turn
place the conduit in communication with the conduit q' and through it with
the lower part of the cylinder 1. On the other hand the movement of each of
the pistons away from the outer heads of the cylinder E and c and of the cylinder F
permits the valves in the casings RR and 10 to close opening the exhaust from
each easing and permitting through the casing R, attached to the outer head of
the cylinder E, the exhaust of any pressure fluid which may be in the cylinder Pa
while, at the same time, the closing of the valve S in the easing Rattached to
the outer head of the cylinder e cuts off all communication between the supply
pipe and the pipe Q. It will be understood of course that the reversal of
the movements of the various controlling pistons will open the other of the two
conduits and permit the first to exhaust and obviously if any one of the pistons
r

page_text: does not make its full motion but stops at a point intermediate of the full extent
of its stroke it will not act on either of the valve rods connected with the heads
of the cylinder and the pressure fluid from the supply pipes Q and q cannot find
its way to either of the cylinders or 12 both of which will be open to the
exhaust through the two valve casings attached to the cylinder, the piston in
which has not made its complete movement.
Returning now to the diagram Fig. 16 and supposing the switch to have been
just turned to the position indicated in said figure the battery current will, as
already described, pass through the circuit connections to the magnet j and on
the return line through the signal lighting a lamp, as indicated, if a lump
is used for a signal. The energising of the magnet will, in the manner already
described, cause pressure fluid to be admitted from the chamber and ports f
to the left hand side of the piston H', as shown in Fig. 10, and the resulting
motion of said piston will move the controlling valve GGS to the right admitting
pressure fluid to the supply pipe E and permitting it to exhaust from the supply
pipe E. From the supply pipe E the pressure fluid is admitted to the outer ends
of the cylinders E and and the upper end of the cylinder F tending to raise
the switches to the position indicated in Fig. I and to close the gate in the main
tube A. As the pistons in the cylinders E and e and F move outward they permit
the valves to close in the casings R R and R' permitting any pressure Huid
beneath the piston to exhaust and said piston to move down, carrying with it
the switch lever P until it makes contact with the springs P. The further
movement of the pistons EE and F brings them in contact with the
valve rods projecting into the inner and lower heads of the cylinders
thereby raising the connected valves as described, and, in case all the
pistons move as desired, permitting the pressure fluid from the supply pipe 7
to flow into the cylinder Praising the piston and through it the switch
lever PS breaking contact with the springs P and opening the circuit leading
to the electromagnet with the result of cutting off the free supply of motive
fluid to the left hand end of the cylinder H and also of opening the circuit leading
to the signal which, by reason of the breaking of the circuit in the plan shown,
by the cutting out of the lamp gives notice to the operator that all the parts
of the system have attained the desired position.
The reverse movement of the switch of course reverses the action through the
different parts described effecting precisely the same sequence of acts in the
opposite direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination of a series of devices
for governing the motion of a carrier through the same with a series of separate
actuating mechanisms for actuating the individual carrier governing devices.
a signal and means governed only by the motion of each and all of the entire
system of separate actuating devices for operating said signal.
2. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination of a series of devices
for governing the motion of a carrier through the same with a series of separate
actuating mechanisms for actuating the individual carrier governing devices, a
governing device whereby an operator can simultaneously act upon each of the
separate actuating mechanisms to regulate the passage of a carrier through the
system, a signal and means governed only by the motion of each and all of the
entire system of separate actuating devices for operating said signal.
3. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination with a main line of
tubes and a loop extending from and to said line, of a gate arranged to close
and open the main line intermediate of the ends of the loop, switches at the june-
tion of the ends of the loop with the main line, separate means for shifting the

page_text: device to show the designed shift in the position of the controlled parts, and a
signal system arranged as described in connection with the shifting devices to
show whether they have all made their designed movements.
9. In a pneumatic transmission system a series of switches or other movable
devices controlling the path of a carrier through the system, means for moving
said devices located in close proximity thereto, a movable common controlling device
for simultaneously acting on said means to shift the position of the parts they
control, electromagnetic means for actuating said controlling device, circuit wires,
a switch arranged in connection with said wires to close the circuits to actuate
the electromagnetic devices and through them the controlling device as desired,
a signal situated in and actuated by the circuit wires aforesaid said means governed
and actuated by the devices governing the path of the carrier as specified and
whereby the circuit is opened when the desired shift in their position is made.
10. In a pneumatic transmission system a series of switches or other movable
devices controlling the path of a carrier through the system, means for moving
said devices located in close proximity thereto, a movable common controlling
device as O for simultaneously acting on said means to shift the position of the
parts they control, a cylinder and piston for moving said controlling device,
chambers as IP connected to the opposite ends of said cylinder and each having
a connection, as K', with a source of fluid pressure, and a connection, as 11,
to exhaust, valves as moving together and arranged to alternatively open and
close the said admission and exhaust ports, means holding said valves normally
in position to close the admission ports and open the exhaust ports,
two electromagnets, one arranged in connection with each set of valves
and so as to open the admission and close the exhaust port when energised, electric
circuits arranged as specified in connection with said electromagnets, and a
switch in said "circuits adapted to close the circuits through either magnet at will.
11. In a pneumatic transmission system a series of switches or other movable
devices controlling the path of a carrier through the system, means for moving
said devices located in close proximity thereto, a movable common controlling
device as G for simultaneously acting on said means to shift the position of the parts
they control, a cylinder Hand piston H' for moving said controlling device,
chambers as connected to the opposite ends of said cylinder and each having
a connection, as K', with a source of fluid pressure and a connection as 1
exhaust, valves as JJ moving together and arranged to alternatively open and
close the said admission and exhaust ports, means holding said valves normally in
position to close the admission ports and open the exhaust ports, two electro-
magnets, one arranged in connection with each set of valves and so as to open
the admission and close the exhaust port when energised, electric circuits
arranged as specified in connection with said electromagnets, a switch in said
circuits adapted to close the circuit through either magnet at will, a signal
arranged to lie always in the circuit branch opened by the switch and means
for opening said circuit actuated by the shifting of the carrier controlling
mechanism.
to
12. In a pneumatic transmission system, substantially as specified, the combina-
tion with a series of independent cylinders arranged to actuate carrier controlling
mechanism, of a series of valve casings as Rr having two chambers as R R and
conduits leading from each chamber connecting said casings together in two sets
and as a whole with a source of pressure fluid and an actuating device, valves
as SS arranged to control the communication between the chambers R and Rª
and the exhaust from chamber R as described and valve rods as S projecting
into the cylinders and arranged to be moved by the piston moving therein.
1. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination with a cylinder
arranged to actuate carrier controlling mechanism, of a valve casing, as It, having
two chambers, as R. and conduits leading from each chamber, the one leading
from chamber R2 connecting with a source of fluid pressure and the one leading
from chamber R with a device to be actuated by such pressure, valves as R³ R

page_text: arranged to control the communication between the chambers RR and the
exhaust from chamber as described and a valve actunting rod, as S. projecting
into the cylinder and arranged to be moved by the piston in said cylinder.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1899.
EDWARDS AND CO..
Chartered Patent Agents, 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.