Improvements in and relating to Electric Circuit Controlling Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Electric Circuit Controlling
Apparatus.
I, EDWIN RUTHVEN GILL Junior, residing at Kansas City, in the County of
Jackson and State of Missouri, one of the United States of America, Electrician, 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:-
Upon telegraph, telephone and other lines having a number of instruments
connected in series, a call addressed to any one of the stations upon the line passes
through all the instruments in the circuit actuating all the call bells or sounders as
the case may be and producing noise which is not only annoying, in itself, but a
serious interruption, at times, to the attendants or operators, who must give
sufficient attention to each call to ascertain if it is addressed to their particular
station.
In operating electric signals, also from a main or central station, it is essential
to provide an automatic electrical apparatus at each point, having such organi-
zation that it will respond to a given call or combination of electrical pulsations,
but will be inactive or fail to respond in an operative sense to any and all other
calls sent over the line.
It is evident that in apparatus of this type, means should be provided whereby,
after each call is sent over the line, the parts shall immediately and automatically
be restored to normal position in readiness for further operation. It is also essential
to provide for the similar restoration to normal position of those instruments upon the
line which are responsive to some one or more of the impulses constituting the com-
bination addressed to any particular point or station.
It is the purpose of my invention to provide an escapement device controlled by
electro-magnets and provided with electro contacts arranged at different distances
apart for operating circuits according to the duration of electric pulsations by simple
and accurately responding mechanism of the character indicated, so organized that by
a simple permutation of the electrical impulses sent over the line in which a series of
such instruments are connected any one of the series may be completely operated to
effect any mechanical result capable of accomplishment by electrical devices, or by
mechanical means which are brought into action by such device. It is my purpose
also to so construct and combine the parts of an electrical mechanism of this character
as to render the same capable of operation in any position, the operative parts having
the required equilibrium under all possible conditions thereby rendering the invention
applicable to submarine torpedo systems.
These purposes I accomplish by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
and hereinafter fully described.
Referring to the Drawings:
Figure 1, is a side elevation with the casing in section, showing the parts composing
my station apparatus ;
Figure 2, is a plan view of my station apparatus represented in Figure 1;
Figure 3, is a detail side elevation of the inertia wheel of the escapement shaft and
shows the manner of connecting the same to said shaft ;
Figure 4, is a detail of the escapement device, partially by sections showing the
electrical contacts and their connections;
Figure 5, is an edge elevation of the parts shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6, is a detail end elevation of one pole of the restoring electro-magnet
showing the auxiliary armature for maintaining the circuit of said restoring electro-
magnet after the latter is broken at the escapement;

page_text: Figure 7, is a diagrammatic view representing in elementary form, the equipment
and several circuits of any one of a series of stations arranged with any apparatus
upon a line, together with the possible adjuncts of said station, two further stations
being also indicated in the diagram by one of the main parts of the apparatus showing
the electrical contacts arranged in harmony with the individual call, or signal, for
each station;
Figure 8, is a detail elevation showing a modified form of escapement mechanism;
Figure 9, is a side view of the equilibrium armature.
In describing my invention, an intelligent conception thereof will be more easily
gained by first explaining the construction and organization of the apparatus common
to each station or point, and subsequently pointing out the several adjuncts thereof
together with the local circuits at each station.
or
Referring to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the reference numeral, 1, denotes any
suitable base-plate, upon which is seated an electro-magnet, 2. Upon a standard, 3,
rising from the plate or base, is pivotally mounted an armature lever, 4, having its
rearward end so weighted as to produce substantially equilibrium, which is normally
overcome by a spring, 5, connected to the tail of the lever and to the standard. The
opposite extremity of said lever arm is divided or forked forming two arms
branches, 6, and, 7. Upon one of these arms, at its extremity, is pivoted a short
limit pawl, 8, thrown toward the opposite branch by a spring, 9, and limited in such
inward movement by a stop, 10, on the arm (Figure 4) engaging with a similar stop
on the pawl. Upon the arm or branch, 7, at its extremity is formed a recess or
opening, 12, having limiting points or stops, 13, and, 13ª, and pivoted thereon
centrally with relation to said points, is a long limited pawl, 14, arranged to
vibrate between the stops, 13, and, 13, and thrown normally against the latter by
a spring, 15.
Journaled upon suitable standards, 16, is a horizontal shaft, 17, upon which is
mounted an escapement device, 18, of insulating material having its surface or parts
theroof divided into equal parts, from each of which, projects a tooth or other similar
detent, 19. Winding upon the shaft is a cord, 20, connected with a spring, 21, by
the tension of which the shaft is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1,
upon the same shaft, 17, is mounted an equilibrium armature, 22, having substantially
the form of a letter, S, or in other words composed of a straight centrally mounted
bar, 23, having two equal and similar opposite curved arms, 24. Seated upon the
base-plate, 1, upon opposite sides of the shaft, 17, and armature, 22, are electro-
magnets, 25, between the cores of which the said armature turns. Upon another part
of the shaft, 17, outside the electro-magnets, 25, is mounted an inertia wheel, 26, the
object of which is to prevent the escapement mechanism from responding too quickly
to the action of the spring, 21, and thereby prevent the wheel, 18, from revolving the
space of more than one tooth before it could be arrested by said escapement. But to
prevent the momentum of said wheel giving further impetus to the shaft, 17, and
damaging the contacts, 28, or the pawls when the mechanism is returned to normal
position, the wheel, 26, is loosely mounted on its shaft and provided with a spring, 27,
as shown in Figure 3, which gives the desired frictional connection with the shaft for
the purpose herein described.
It will readily be seen by Figures 1 and 2, that the electro-magnet, 25, when
emerging will throw the shaft, 17, in the direction contrary to that produced by
the action of the spring, 21. It will also be seen that by these instrumentalities
provision is made for the rotation of the shaft, 17, in opposite direction.
Upon the surface of the escapement, 18, at intervals that are varied in the manner
bereinafter set forth, I mount (Figure 4) contacts, 28, the number thereof, as here
shown, being four. These contacts are all electrically connected together and to the
shaft, 17. The several contacts, 28, may be on the teeth or projections on the discs, 18,
or they may be otherwise disposed, the only essential condition being that they shall
be accessible to contact with the pawl, 8, upon the escapement lever, 4. When the
escapement mechanism comprises a disc, I prefer to arrange the contacts upon
a separate peripheral portion thereof (as shown in Figure 5). The last contact, 48,

page_text: after explained.
BULTACO UL மாடு
a purpose
Upon one of the restoring electromagnets, 25, is mounted an armature, 29, shown
in detail in Figure 6. This armature is carried by a spring, 30, the free end of
which extends over a contact, 31, on the end of the electro-magnet, both being
insulated therefrom.
From the construction and organization of parts thus far described it will be seen
that, if the electro-magnet, 2. is energized for a relatively short time the armature
lever, 4, will be drawn downward thereby releasing it from engagement with the pro-
jection on the escapement device and returning in time to engage with the next
projection. If the electro-magnet, 2, is energized for a relatively long time, the
armature lever, 4, will be drawn downward and held for a longer time, the tension of
the spring, 21, acting on the shaft, rotates the escapement mechanism, and causes it to
engage with the long limit pawl, 14, and carries the same against the stop, 13, and
thereby allowing the escapement mechanism to move far enough to allow the short
limit pawl, 8, to engage with the next projection but one, on the escapemer.t
mechanism when the armature lever, 4, returns to its normal position. And it will
be readily seen that the degree of movement of the escapement mechanism caused by
the spring, 21, and governed by the escapement part of armature lever, 4, depends
upon a long or a short amount of time during which the electro-magnet, 2, is
energized.
A pin, 32, projects from the side of the escapement device for engagement with a
contact plate, 33, hereinafter described.
Referring now, to the diagram, Figure 7, the letter, L, denotes the main line,
having a main or central station at, S2, with battery, B, and key, K. The arrange-
ment of the parts thus far described is shown in this figure and in connection therewith
is shown an ordinary sounder, S, a call-bell, CB, and an ordinary visual signal, V.S.
These parts may, or may not, be adjuncts of any one or more of the line stations, or
any one or more of the same may be connected therein, and switched into or out of
circuit, as required. L B represent the local battery and, S K, the station key.
Mounted upon any suitable support is a flexible or elastic contact plate, 33, lying
beside the escapement device, 18, in such manner as to engage, at the proper time,
with the pin, 32, as the escapement moves. The plate normally engages with a
contact, 34.
It being understood that the lever, 4, is of conducting material, as also is its short
limit pawl, 8, the connection with the local battery, L B, is as follows: Starting from
one pole of the battery, the wire, 36, leads to the coil of the restoring electro-
magnet, 25, thence to the shaft, 17, through any one of the contacts, 28, and the
short limit pawl, 8, to the lever 4, thence by way of contact, 34, and plate, 33, back
to the other pole of the battery. When the restoring electro-magnet, 2, is energized
however, the circuit will be from, L B, through the coil of said magnet, 25, then by
wire, 35, through the auxiliary armature, 29, spring, 30, contact, 31, then to wire, 36,
and through contacts, 34, and plate, 33, back to the battery.
The main line circuit will be from the main or central station as follows: Starting
from one pole of the battery, B, the line wire passes through the station key, SK,
through a relay, R, and thence to station, 2 and 3.
The armature, 37, of the relay is connected as follows: From the local battery by
wire, 38, to contact, 39, armature, 37, then by wire, 38, to a drop contact, 41, then
through said contact to electro-magnet, 2, and thence to the other pole of the battery
energizing the electro-magnet, 2, and causing a single vibration of the armature
lever, 4.
The contacts, 28, on the escapement, 18, are arranged at stated intervals, and in
such manner that when the parts are in normal position, and a predetermined com-
bination of pulsations is sent over the main line, such movement will be given to the
escapement device that the short limited pawl, 8, will jump, or escape engagement
with each of the contacts, 28, on the escapement device until the last contact, 28", is
brought into such position by the successive impulses that upon the last thereof it will

page_text: engage the pawl, 8. The circuit will then be from the local battery by wire 36, to
contact plate, 33, contact, 34, wire, 36, armature lever, 4, short limit pawl, 8,
contact, 28, thence by wire, 42, to magnet, 43, which attracts lever, 44, and thence
by wire, 42. back to battery. The magnet, 43, being energized, the detent lover, 45,
is lifted and the drop contact, 41, is allowed to fall breaking the circuit at contact, 38",
and making a new circuit at contact, 46". This new circuit will be as follows: From
local battery by wire, 38, contact, 39, armature, 37, wire, 38, drop contact, 41, and
contact, 46, through a wire, 46, which may be carried through the operating coils of
any signalling or other apparatus as, V S, or, CB, which are shown in the diagram
as switched into circuit.
I have shown a cominon visual signal, V S, an ordinary call bell, CB, in the
drawings as being connected in the circuit last described, but it is evident that I may
substitute for either or both, any form of apparatus, the mechanical or electrical action
of which is either initiated or sustained by niy apparatus, as herein described, or by
other means.
The contacts, 28, are shown for station number, 1, as arranged for the combination
of short and long impulses represented below. Figure 7, consisting of a short
impulse followed by two long, then one short, and finally two long impulses. When
this combination is sent over the main line, I, the escapement, 18, is moved or
advanced, a step at each impulse, each movement will place the pawl, 8, in the next
succeeding space of the escapement, or in the next space but one, according to the
length of the impulse. If the latter is short, the escapement will move only so far as
to permit the short limit pawl, 8, to engage the projection on the escapement which is
adjacent to the one it engaged when the impulse was transmitted. On the other
hand, if the key at, K, is held for any time more than is sufficient to transmit a
relatively long impulse of the combination, the long limit pawl, 14, will permit a
movement sufficient to carry the pawl, 8, into engagement with the next detent save
one on the escapement. This will cause said pawl, 8, to jump or pass over the first
contact, 28. The next succeeding impulse, being a relatively long one, carries it
over the second contact also; the next being a relatively short impulse the pawl
engages between the second and third contacts and is carried over the latter by the
fifth impulse. By the last impulse, the short limit pawl, 8, makes engagement with
last contact, 28, on the escapement, closing the local operating circuit already
described.
After the proper combination of electrical impulses has thus been transmitted
over the line, and the local operating circuit has been rendered operative as already
described it is necessary to restore the parts of said apparatus to normal position.
The drop contact, 41, having been operated to render the local circuit operative
the electro-magnet, 43, should be rendered inoperative as soon as it has attracted
its armature, 45, and dropped the contact, 41, since as long as the electro-
magnet, 43, is operative the local operator cannot restore the drop contact, 41.
In order to effect this, I connect wire, 42, from contact, 28, to a contact, 42",
on the tail of the drop contact, 41, and insulated from contact, 38", on the same
part. The wire, 42, leading from contact, 42", is carried by the tail of the drop, 41,
whereby the circuit of the electro-magnet, 43, is broken as soon as the drop, 41, is
operated. The drop may now be restored to position by the local operator leaving
the local operating circuit inactive.
The signalling or other apparatus having now been rendered operative the parts
are restored to normal position in the following manner: Adjacent to the last
contact, 28, is a contact, 48, projecting from the escapement, and connected up
with the several contacts, 28.
Connecting with wire, 4, leading from the operating electro-magnet, 2, to
contact, 38, is a branch wire, 4", leading to switch, 51.
A wire, 52, also leads from wire, 38, to a contact button, 53, at which point
the circuit of electro-magnet, 2, may be closed by a tap upon the switch, 51.
This sends a single impulse over the circuit including the operative electro-
inagnet, 2, thereby bringing the projecting contact, 48, against the pawl, 8. The

page_text: circuit is now from, L B, by wire, 36, to contact plate, 33, contact, 34, wire, 36,
armature lever, 4, pawl, 8, contact, 48, shaft, 17, and wire, 36, to reversing
magnet, 25, and thence to the other pole of the battery. This immediately attracts
the armature, 22, and restores the escapement to its normal position. Upon this
movement the pin, 32, on the escapement strikes the contact plate, 33, and breaks
the local circuit at the point, 34, leaving the parts in normal position. The
operator at the local station can now raise the drop contact, 41, leaving all the
parts in position for the next succeeding call over the main line. If impulses are
transmitted over the line in a combination different from the combination necessary
to properly operate my instrument as here arranged the pawl, 8, will after one or
more movements of the escapement, close the circuit of the restoring electro-
magnet, 25, through the first second, or some successive contact, 28, and the parts
are at once returned in the manner herein described.
It will be seen that owing to its less weight and proximity to the core of the
restoring electro-magnet, 25, the auxiliary armature, 29, will act before the equilibrium
armature, 22, operates, thereby closing the circuit through contact, 31. Now as the
restoring armature, 22, moves, the escapement being drawn back by the attraction
thereof the circuit of said magnet is instantly broken by the pawl, 8, leaving the
contact, 28, and the electro-magnet, 25, would have its circuit broken before its
function was accomplished. By means of the auxiliary armature, 29, however, the
circuit of the restoring electro-magnet is made from one pole of the battery through
wire, 36, through the coil, by wire, 35, spring, 30, armature, 29, contact, 31, wire, 35,
wire, 36, contact, 34, contact plate, 33, and wire, 36, back to the other pole of the
battery. As the escapement, 18, reaches normal position, the pin, 32, breaks the
circuit last described at the contact, 34, and releases the armature, 29.
It is evident that in place of the circular escapement, 18, shown in the drawings I
may use any form capable of operation in conjunction with an arimature lever, having
substantially the functions of the lever, 4. For example, I have shown in Figure 8, a
bar escapement, having detents upon its edges or sides, for the engagement of the
pawls of the armature lever. This form of escapement may be drawn in one direction
by a spring, 49, and restored to normal position by the pull of the restoring electro-
magnet, 25, acting upon an armature lever, 50, connected directly or otherwise,
to the bar. In short, any suitable form of escapement may be used in place of either
of the forms shown, the conditions being that it shall be capable of co-operating with
a lever the arms of which engage alternately therewith.
The escapement is preferably made as shown in Figure 5, the contacts, 28, being
arranged upon one side. By giving a lateral deflection to the upper arm of the
lever, 4, the long limit pawl, 14, will make no engagement with the contacts, 28, and
it will be unnecessary to insulate the said arm and its pawl.
Beneath each designation of the line stations in Figure 7, I have indicated the
signal or combination consisting of relatively short and long pulsations, addressed to
each station and in accordance with which the contacts, 28, upon each local instrument
are arranged. It is evident that these combinations may be indefinitely permitted and
any number of instruments may be arranged and connected upon any line. It is also
evident that any one of the line stations may call any other station by simply
transmitting the proper signal or combination through, S K.
By weighting the end of the armature lever, 4, to produce equilibrium thereof,
which is overcome by the spring, 5, I render the apparatus capable of use in various
positions.
This invention can be used in connection with a great range of electrical and
mechanical means, and I contemplate using it in connection with all forms of electrical
communication, whether telegraphic or telephonic, in operating signals of all kinds,
and in submarine torpedo systems its value will be readily apparent, as well as for a
vast number of purposes not necessary to be mentioned here.
The electro-magnet, 2, operating the armature lever, 4, may be made operative by
the main line circuit without intervention of other devices. I prefer, however, to

page_text: place said electro-magnets in the local circuit and render said circuit operative in
substantially the manner set forth.
It should be distinctly understood that, although I have chosen to illustrate my
invention as operated by a closed circuit, I may without material change, or departure
therefrom, operate it by an open circuit, or by any one of the well known forms in which
electrical power is applied to the movement of mechanical parts.
For example, by closing an open circuit, by breaking a closed circuit, by reinforcing
a closed current, by diminishing a closed circuit by reversing direction of current and
thereby subjecting the line to electrical pulsations for the purpose stated. It should
also be understood that, although it is shown that the movement of the escapement is
produced by a spring and reversed by electro-maguetism, it may be produced by
electro-magnetism and reversed by a spring, and that in either case a weight may take
the place of a spring.
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―
1. An escapement device consisting of a wheel having a pre-determined combination
of electric contacts, all of which are for reversing it except one, in combination with
a pawl mounted upon an armature lever, and an electro-magnet whereby the direct
action of said electro-magnet causes said escapement device to be restored to normal
position when a wrong combination of pulsations is caused to be made by the clectro-
magnet, substantially as described.
2. An escapement device consisting of a wheel having pre-determined electrical
contacts at irregular intervals and provided with detents at intervals, in combination
with an armature lever having a long limit and a short limit pawl alternately engaging
the escapement device, an electro-magnet operating the lever, an electro-magnet,
an S-shaped armature upon the shaft of the escapement device, restoring the escape-
ment device to normal position, a circuit for the actuating electro magnet and a circuit
for the restoring electro-magnet in which is included the contacts on the escapement
device, substantially as described.
3. An escapement device having electrical contacts at irregular intervals and
provided with detents at intervals, long limit and short limit pawls having alternate
engagement with the escapement device, a lever carrying said pawls, an electro-
magnet operating the lever, a cord wound under tension upon the shaft of the
escapement device, an electro-magnet restoring the latter to normal position, a circuit
for the operating electro-magnet, including all save one of the contacts on the
escapement, and a local circuit made operative by the engagement of the last
contact on the escapement device with one of the pawls, substantially as described.
4. An escapement device having contacts at pre-determined intervals and detents
at intervals, a lever having long and short limit pawls alternately engaging the
detents, an electro-magnet operating said lever, a cord wound under tension upon
the shaft of the escapement device for giving progressive movement to the escapement
device, an electro-magnet restoring it to normal position, a local circuit for the
operating electro-magnet in which is included an armature of a relay and a main
circuit for said relay, substantially as described.
5. An escapement device having contacts arranged with reference to a pre-
determined combination of electrical pulsations, a lever carrying a long and a short
limit pawl, engaging alternately with the escapement device, a final contact but one, 28ª,
upon said escapement device, lying in a separate circuit and the latter circuit
operating the drop contact, 41, said circuit being made operative by the engagement
of the contact, 28, with one of the pawls of the lever, substantially as described.
6. An escapement device having intermittent progressive movement varied in degree
by the character of the electrical impulses sent over the line, said device having
contacts arranged in accordance with a predetermined combination of such impulses
and electrically connected together, a final but one contact, 28, in a separate circuit,

page_text: said circuit made operative by the final impulse of said combination and a restoring
contact, 48, also carried by the escapement device by which the restoring circuit
passing through the restoring electro-magnet, 25, is made operative to restore the
parts to normal position, substantially as described.
7. A main line circuit, a relay operating the local circuit, an escapement is
allowed to advance, (by a cord wound under tension upon the shaft of the escapement
device) by successive steps, varied in length by the length of the impulses, and
operating circuit made operative only by the last but one advance movement of the
escapement device, and a restoring circuit acting directly and operated by the final
advance movement of the escapement, substantially as described.
8. An escapement device, having a series of contacts arranged with reference to a
certain combination of electrical impulses, a circuit operating said escapement device,
a local operating circuit made operative by one of the contacts of a series, a restoring
or reversing circuit made operative by a separate contact on the escapement
connected electrically with all but the last contact of the series and a contact plate
adjacent to the escapement by which the circuit of the restoring electro-magnet is
rendered inoperative upon the escapement device reaching normal position, sub-
stantially as described.
9. An escapement device provided with electrical contacts some of which are
arranged to close a circuit through the restoring electro-magnet, 25, in combination
with an auxiliary circuit contact connection, 29, and, 31, whereby said circuit is
retained by the electro-magnet, 25, until the mechanism is restored to normal position
by said electro-magnet, 25, substantially as described.
10. An electric circuit embracing a restoring electro-magnet, an auxiliary armature,
its metallic point, 31, the armature lever, 4, its pawl, 8, the shaft, 17, and its escape-
ment device having metallic points, 28, and, 48, contact plate, 33, and its contact, 34,
said circuit being rendered active by any one of said metallic points upon the
escapement device when brought in contact with pawl, 8, whereby the circuit is
established by the escapement device and is retained until the mechanism is restored
to normal position and then broken, as herein described.
Dated this 24th day of J... 1000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.