IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WINDING UP AND REGULATING A NUMBER OF CLOCKS IN A CONNECTED SERIES
Year: 1884

page_text: I BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS of the firm of Harris and Mills of
23 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
WITH APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WINDING UP AND REGULATING A NUMBER
OF CLOCKS IN A CONNECTED SERIES, to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to provide means by which any number of
clocks, conveniently connected with each other, can be wound up and regulated
by hydro-pneumatic means every time an electric impulse emanates from a well
regulated central clock.
For this purpose, each electric impulse emanating at regular intervals from said
central clock causes a liquid under pressure to compress a quantity of air, sufficient
to produce the effect required for winding up and regulating the clocks of the -
entire system. Accordingly, electricity is used to give the first impulse which is
further transmitted by a liquid under pressure, whilst compressed air is the
medium that directly acts upon the mechanisms for winding up and regulating
the clocks.
The clocks forming parts of such a system may be of any desired construction.
The invention does not bear on their construction, but only on the means by
which to maintain them automatically in constant and regular working.
The following is a clear and complete description of the said invention.
By each central station a great number of line-clocks may be driven. The clock
of the central station may be itself a well regulated clock or may be regulated by
meaus of electricity, in accordance with another well regulated clock, an observatory-
clock or even one of the line clocks.
This central clock, which is fully described hereinafter is provided with organs
which at regular intervals, close an electric circuit by which the impulse upon
the relay is produced. Then the electro-magnet of this latter is magnetized and
attracts its armature fixed upon a small shaft which is thereby slightly rotated.
D1031

page_text: -
In consequence of this movement a trigger lever supporting a weighted arm
loses its support, which latter is also fixed upon the aforesaid small shaft, by means
of an arm.
The trigger lever is pivotted on an upright and its end near the pivot is provided
with a projection upon which rests a pin adjustably fixed on a lever arm which is
free to turn round its axis.
When the trigger lever falls down the weighted arm likewise slides down from
the projection and then is drawn down by a weight hanging on a rod fixed to the
weighted arm. Said weighted arm being tightly connected with a cross beam by
means of a slotted segment and binding screw, the trigger lever falling down causes
a radial weight to take a raised position.
The slotted segment and the binding screw allow the angle between the weighted
arm and radial weight to be regulated at pleasure.
The cross beam carries segments at both ends and each end of these segments
is provided with a projecting pin or tappet by means of which two arms tightly
connected with the plugs of two cocks are brought into one of two positions in
order to open one of the cocks while the other is closed.
At their upper part the said cocks are connected with each other by means of
a curved pipe, whilst at the lower part, one cock communicates by means of a pipe
with the main liquid conduit, and the other cock is connected by means of a pipe
with the main exit.
The curved pipe is connected by means of another pipe with the cock regulator.
Every time the trigger lever falls down, that is to say, every time the electric
circuit is closed by the clock of the central station one cock is opened and the
other closed.
In consequence of this, the water or other liquid employed flows from the main
liquid conduit into the aforesaid curved pipe from where it is conveyed to the other
cock, which, in its normal position is open.
This cock is connected by means of a pipe with a cylinder whose piston carries
a rack.
By the liquid entering the cylinder, the piston carrying the rack is raised and
rotates a pinion which has two series of teeth and turns downward a toothed
sector-wheel tightly fixed on the plug of a cock whilst at the same time it turns
upward another toothed sector wheel fixed on the plug of another cock. In this
way the first cock is closed and the second is opened. The pinion is provided on
its front side with a disk that covers the series of teeth in gear with the rack and
thereby guides this latter.
The small roller equally serves to guide said rack. By the lowering of the
toothed sector-wheel which is provided at each end of its arched portion with
a projecting pin or tappet, an arm fixed on the plug of a third cock is forced
downward and thereby said third cock is closed. When the sector wheel is raised
again said third cock is opened.
By the rising of the piston the water or other liquid employed is caused to flow
from the main conduit into a pipe connecting the two cocks, and from there it is
conveyed through another cock or through two similar cocks and pipes into two
air chambers to compress the air therein contained and to drive the same through
pipes and cocks into another pipe.
Before admitting the compressed air to the line clocks, it is made to pass into
a safety apparatus.
The second air chamber only is made use of when the quantity of air compressed
in the first chamber is not sufficient for winding up and regulating all the line
clocks.
Safety valves, a manometer and gauge glasses are used in connection with such
chambers.
The last named pipe conveys the compressed air into the cylinder of the safety
apparatus from where it passes into the main air conduit that communicates with
the line clocks. The cylinder of the safety apparatus contains a float that does not

page_text: hinder the passage of the air but is raised whenever liquid enters the cylinder.
The float carries an upright rod that passes through a small stuffing box and is
provided at its top with a disk, fork or button.
If the float is raised the button pushes upward one end of a two armed lever
tightly fixed to a small shaft which thereby is partly turned. Then a support
fixed upon said small shaft is withdrawn from under a pin of a weighted wheel
and in consequence thereof said wheel is rotated by its weight.
The axle of the wheel carries a pinion in gear with a toothed sector wheel
tightly fixed on the plug of a cock in consequence whereof the turning pinion
raises the sector wheel and thereby closes the cock, which prevents further influx
of liquid. In order to indicate such disturbances at the central station by a
convenient signal, for the purpose of causing any further winding up and regulating
of the line-clocks to be stopped until repairs have been made, an electric contact
device is placed in the path described by the last named sector-wheel when closing
the cock. In its normal position this contact-device constantly closes an electric
circuit, which is broken by the upward motion of the sector-wheel. To this effect
two hooks may be used, projecting from binding screws or terminals of the circuit-
wire, one of these hooks being provided with an elastic projecting arm, bearing
in its normal position upon the arm of the other hook. When the sector wheel
rises the elastic arm is forced away from the other arm so as to break the electric
circuit, whose interruption may be made visible at the central station in any
manner chosen. The connections of the different apparatus and clocks by con-
ducting wires and air and water conduits will be hereinafter described.
In order that disturbances in the working caused by a longer absence of water,
be likewise signalized at the central station, a small pipe leads from the main
liquid conduit to the cylinder the piston of which is maintained in its upper
position as long as the main conduit, containing the liquid under pressure is not
interrupted. If said conduit becomes leaky, the piston is forced down by a weight
which it carries and then this weight presses upon the opposite end of the two
ended lever, thereby bringing forth the same effect as the above described rising
of the button that is to say, the closing of a cock and the separation of the electric
contact pieces.
A flat gathering trough having in its middle a pot like hollow contains a float
which automatically cuts off the liquid supply, in the case of a pipe, gauge-glass
or other part having been broken. To this effect the float bears an upright rod
provided at its lower part with a collar-shaped tappet and if the water or other
liquid employed, that flows out in consequence of a liquid-pipe or gauge-glass
having become leaky and gathers to the receiver, raises the float, said tappet
pushes against the slotted end of a lever and thereby closes the cock of the main
liquid conduit.
H
At the same time the upper end of the rod pushes against the two ended lever,
this having the afore described effect of closing a cock and breaking an electric
circuit.
It is evident from the above, that if the central-clock is arranged to close and
break at regular intervals an electric circuit a current of water will stream at
equal intervals into the air chambers from where at the same intervals compressed
air is forced to the secondary or line-clocks to wind them up and regulate them as
hereinafter described. To produce this effect several cocks are opened or closed
and several levers and weights are brought into certain positions. In order that
all these parts after having accomplished their functions, be repelled into their
first positions and thereby made capable of repeating said functions, the main air-
conduit is connected, by means of branch pipe with the reverser. Said branch-
pipe leads to an air cylinder. As long as the pressure in the air conduits of the
line has not yet reached a certain intensity, the piston rests upon the bottom of
the cylinder, but as soon as the pressure is high enough to overcome the gravity
of the weight that acts upon the piston, an arm firmly fixed to the weight lifts one
end of a lever arm fastened on the plug of a cock.

page_text: By these means said cock is opened, and compressed air streams through a
similar branch pipe to the branch-pipe heretofore mentioned and through the cock
into the air cylinder herein first described in consequence whereof the weighted
lever arm is raised and turns the cross beam that brings the radial weight back
into its primitive position, thereby closing one cock and opening another.
To permit the trigger lever to be lifted again to its support upon which it ought
to rest until the next electric impulse a spring or weight draws back the supporting
arm while the trigger passes.
One cock being then opened, the water contained in the cylinder can discharge
itself.
To this effect a weight hangs on the toothed sector-wheel which thereby is drawn
down and carries with it the rack.
To control the regular function of all apparatuses and more especially to register
the number of electric iinpulses given a counter is connected by means of a branch
pipe with the main air conduit.
'
The compressed air entering a cylinder therein lifts a piston the reciprocating
motion of which is transmitted to a counter of any known construction not
claimed by the present application for a patent.
The intermittent current of compressed air, made in the manner heretofore
described to pass through the main air conduit and its branch pipes leading to the
line clocks, is used for winding up and regulating said clocks. An ordinary clock
is used which is provided with the devices for winding it up and for controlling the
position of the hands, by means of said intermittent current of compressed air.
For the sake of simplicity, the device by which the central clock is enabled to emit,
at regular intervals, the electric impulses by which the electro-magnet is made to
attract its armature, is employed in connection with the same clock. It is evident
with this, that each line clock can do the service of the central clock, if it is
provided with the hereinafter described electric contact device.
Every time an electric impulse emanates from the central clock, a current of
compressed air enters the cylinder of each line clock and thereby lifts a rod and the
end of the winding up lever connected with said rod. This upward motion of
the winding up lever causes to advance by some teeth, the ratchet wheel fixed upon
the main driving shaft of the clock, a pawl fixed upon the winding up lever taking
into said ratchet-wheel. The straight portion of the winding up lever bears a
projecting pin that moves the regulating lever for the hands. The top of this lever
is provided with a fork shaped appendage having divergent prongs.
A crank arm bearing a projecting pin is fixed on the shaft of the minute hand
and turns with the same. Now if said hand, and consequently the crank arm
connected therewith, are behind time or go too fast, the rectifying fork being in
consequence of the electric impulses emitted by the central clock, moved at regular
intervals against the last named pin, this pin is then brought into the position
corresponding to the true time, indicated by the central-clock.
In order to prevent a longer action of the rectifying fork upon the shaft of the
minute wheel, whereby the clock might be stopped, said fork is acted upon in such
a'manner as to perform its function considerably more rapidly than the winding up
lever, and so as to return immediately after into its normal position. To this effect
the regulating lever that bears the rectifying fork is not straight, but formed with
a broken portion, in oblique direction, furthermore a spring having a projection
near the broken portion of regulating lever is screwed on the upper straight portion
of this latter.
The pin of the winding up lever bears upon said projection and only forces the
regulating lever inwards as long as it slides along said projection; when it has
passed beyond, the regulating lever is pushed back into its former position by a
spring. Until this moment the winding up of the clock was not allowed, for a
small pin fixed on the back plate of the clock prevents the pawl from acting upon
the ratchet wheel while the winding up lever begins its upward motion which
motion, however is not bindered by said pin. The pawl is made to take into the

page_text: ratchet wheel by a small spring, when it has entirely passed beyond the pin, and
then the clock is wound up to a rate corresponding to the space between two
electric impulses.
If the clock does the service of a central clock, the shaft of its minute wheel or
a special shaft, making one turn in 60 minutes, is fitted with a contact wheel. The
same shaft carries a toothed wheel tightly connected with it and meshing with a
pinion, by the shaft of which another contact wheel is run at a speed about eight
times as great as the speed of contact wheel.
The two wheels are made of a conducting material and each is provided at its
circumference with a boss likewise made of conducting material. When these
wheels turn, said bosses touch at certain intervals the contact springs, arranged at
some distance from the circumference of the wheels and forming the poles of the
circuit of a local battery.
That the closing of said circuit might be obtained with certainty, although,
owing to the different speeds of the wheels it cannot last longer than a moment,
the contact spring which only once is touched by one boss, while the other boss
touches eight times its contact-spring is lengthened and thereby secures a longer
contact of the first named boss. This closing of the circuit has for its effect an
electric impulse actuating the electro-magnet. The gear between the said wheels
may be altered at pleasure, in order to make the electric impulses to follow more or
less rapidly one after the other.
Obviously the electric current may be furnished by a local battery or by any
other distant generator. An ordinary commutator or contact giver, a lightning
conductor for the line-wire and a local battery are employed. In the first case one
pole wire of the battery is led directly to one contact spring of the central clock.
From the second contact spring a wire leads to a plate of the commutator. By
means of an inserted pin said plate is in conducting connection with a cross plate.
from which a wire goes to the contact spring of the contact device. From the
contact spring the wire runs to the electro-magnet, and from the same to another
cross plate of the commutator, said cross plate being in communication with a plate
by means of an inserted pin. From said plate a conducting wire leads back to
the second pole of the battery.
If the current is not generated by a local battery but furnished by a distant
generator, one line wire leads to one point of the lightning conductor.
From there the current flows through a safety helix into a binding screw which
is in conducting connection with a plate of the commutator by means of a wire.
Said plate communicates by means of an inserted pin with a cross plate whose,
connections by means of a wire have already been described. Through a wire the
current flows back to another plate of the commutator, said plate being connected
for this purpose with a plate from which a wire leads to the second safety helix and
second point of the lightning conductor. From this latter the wire leads to the
line return.
MAI
T
1004

page_text: I BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS of the firm of Harris and Mills of
23 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
WITH APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WINDING UP AND REGULATING A NUMBER
OF CLOCKS IN A CONNECTED SERIES and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has for its object to provide means by which any number of
clocks, conveniently connected with each other, can be wound up and regulated by
hydro-pneumatic means every time an electric impulse emanates from a well
regulated central clock.
For this purpose, each electric impulse emanating at regular intervals from said
central clock causes a liquid under pressure to compress a quantity of air, sufficient
to produce the effect required for winding up and regulating the clocks of the
entire system. Accordingly, electricity is used to give the first impulse which is
further transmitted by a liquid under pressure, whilst compressed air is the
medium that directly acts upon the mechanisms for winding up and regulating the
clocks.
The clocks forming parts of such a system may be of any desired construction.
The invention does not bear on their construction but only on the means by which
to maintain them automatically in constant and regular working.
The following is a clear and complete description of the invention-reference
being had to the annexed drawings.
In the drawing Figure 1 is a diagram showing all the apparatus of a central
station and in what manner they are connected with each other.
Figure 2 is a view of the relay that receives the electric impulse and then
conveys a feeble current of liquid to the apparatus.
Figure 3 is the cock regulator by which two liquid cocks are conveniently
governed, to feed the air chamber.
Figure 4 shows two air chambers with their armature;
Figure 5 is a view of the safety apparatus that prevents the liquid from entering
into the air conduit, in the case of a disturbance.
Figure 6 shows the reverser which, after the relay and cock regulator having
performed their functions, automatically brings them into their first position.
Figure 7 is a controlling apparatus.
Figure 8 shows the back of a clock provided with both organs for conveying
electrical impulses to the line clocks and organs for being wound up and regulated
by means of compressed air.
By each central station, established as shown at Figure 1 a great number of
line clocks may be driven. The clock of the central station may be itself a well
regulated clock, or may be regulated by means of electricity, in accordance with
an other well regulated clock, an observatory clock or even one of the line clocks.
This central clock, which is fully described hereinafter, is provided with organs
which at regular intervals, close an electric circuit by which the impulse upon the
relay Figure 2 is produced. Then the electro-magnet B, of this latter is magnetized
and attracts its armature b fixed upon the small shaft b which is thereby slightly

page_text: rotated. In consequence of this movement, the trigger lever C, loses its support 6°
which is also fixed upon the small shaft 62 by means of an arm 65.
The trigger lever C, is pivotted on an upright c and its end near the pivot is
provided with a projection c¹, upon which rests the pin c³ adjustably fixed on the
lever arm which is free to turn round its axis d³. When the lever trigger C,
falls down, the weighted arm c³ likewise slides down from the projection c', and
then is drawn down by a weight hanging on a rod e fixed to the weighted arm c³.
Said weighted arm c³ being tightly connected with the cross beam D, by means
of the slotted segment d and the binding screw d², the trigger lever C, falling down
causes the radial weight d to take the position shown by dotted lines in the
drawing. The slotted segment d and the binding screw d² allow the angle
between the weighted arm c³ and radial weight d to be regulated at pleasure.
The cross beam D, carries segments at both ends and each end of these segments
is provided with a projecting pin or tappet e¹ el el el by means of which the
arms e and e³, tightly connected with the plugs of cocks D¹, and D³, are brought
either into the position shown in the drawing or into the position indicated by
dotted lines, in order to open one of the cocks D¹, and D³, while the other is
closed.
At their upper part the said cocks D¹, and D³, are connected with each other by
means of the curved pipe D³, whilst at the lower part, the cock D¹ communicates
by means of a pipe y with the main liquid conduit Y, and the cock D³, is connected
by means of a pipe y¹ with the main exit Y'; The curved pipe D³ is connected by
means of another pipe D' with the cock regulator Figure 3.
Every time the trigger lever C, falls down, that is to say, every time the electric
circuit is closed by the clock of the central station (see Figure 8) the cock D' is
opened and the cock D2 is closed. In consequence of this, the water or other
liquid employed, flows from the main liquid conduit Y through pipe y and cock D¹
into the aforesaid curved pipe D³, from where the pipe D', conveys it to the
cock E³ Figure 3, which in its normal position is open. This cock is connected
by means of a pipe f with a cylinder F, whose piston carries a rack F. By the
liquid entering the cylinder F, the piston carrying the rack F¹, is raised and
rotates the pinion F* which has two series of teeth and turns downward a toothed
sector wheel f¹ tightly fitted on the plug of a cock E, whilst at the same time it
turns upward the toothed sector wheel f³ fixed on the plug of cock E².
In this way the cock E¹, is closed and the cock E² is opened. The pinion F² is
provided on its front side with a disc that covers the series of teeth in gear with
the rack F¹ and thereby guides the latter.
The small roller g' equally serves to guide said rack.
By the lowering of the toothed sector wheel f' which as shown in the drawing,
is provided at each end of its arched portion with a projecting pin or tappet f³ the
arm f* fixed on the plug of cock E³, is forced downward and thereby said cock E³,
is closed. When the sector wheel f¹ is raised again said cock is opened.
In Figure 3, cock E¹ is closed and cocks E2 and E³ are opened. If now, the
liquid entering cylinder F raises the rack F1 which then opens cock E¹ and closes
cock E the water or other liquid employed is caused to flow from the main
conduit Y into the pipe y¹ connecting the cocks E' and E' and from there it is
conveyed through cock h¹ Figure 4 or through both cocks h¹ h¹ and pipes' h h into
the air chambers G, G, Figure 4, to compress the air therein contained and to drive
the same through pipes h³ h and cocks h³ h³ into the pipe z. Before admitting
the compressed air to the line cocks, it is yet made to pass into the safety
apparatus Figure 5. The second air chamber only is made use of, when the
quantity of air compressed in the first chamber is not sufficient for winding up
and regulating all the line clocks. hh' are safety valves, h³ is a manometer. and
he ho are gauge glasses.
The pipe z conveys the compressed air into the cylinder K' of the safety
apparatus Figure 5 from where it passes into the main air conduit Z that

page_text: communicates with the line 'clocks. The cylinder K¹, of the safety apparatus
contains a float K that does not hinder the passage of the air but is raised
whenever liquid enters the cylinder K¹.
The float K2 carries an upright rod that passes through a small stuffing box and
is provided at its top with a disc, fork or button K³. If the float K2 is raised, the
button Ks pushes upward one end of the two armed lever K tightly fixed to
the small shaft k which thereby is partly turned: When the support k¹ fixed
upon shaft is withdrawn from under the pin 3 of the weighted wheel i and in
consequence thereof said wheel is rotated in the direction of the arrow, by the
weight 2. The axle of the wheel i carries a pinion 12, in gear with a toothed
sector-wheel I', tightly fixed on the plug of cock I, in consequence whereof the
turning pinion 12 raises the sector wheel I' and thereby closes the cock I which
prevents further influx of liquid. In order to indicate such disturbances at the
central station by convenient signal for the purpose of causing any further winding
up and regulating of the line clocks to be stopped until repairs have been made,
an electric contact device i³ is placed in the path described by the sector wheel 11
when closing the cock I. In its normal position this contact device constantly
closes an electric circuit, which is broken by the upward motion of the sector.
wheel I. To this effect two hooks Is and I may be used, projecting from the
binding screws or terminals of the circuit wire, one of these hooks being provided
with an elastic projecting arm I bearing in its normal position upon the arm 13 of
the other hook. When the sector wheel I¹ rises, the elastic arm I is forced away
from arm 13 so as to break the electric circuit, whose interruption may be made
visible at the central station in any manner chosen. The connections of the
different apparatus and clocks by conducting wires and air and water conduits
will be hereinafter described.
In order that disturbances in the working, caused by a longer absence of water,
be likewise signalized at the central station, a small pipe leads from the main
liquid conduit Y to the cylinder L the piston of which is maintained in its upper
position as long as the main conduit containing the liquid under pressure, is not
interrupted. If said conduit becomes leaky, the piston is forced down by the
weight L' which it carries and then this weight presses upon the opposite end of
lever K thereby bringing forth the same effect as the above described rising of the
button Ks that is to say, the closing of cock I and the separation of the electric
contact pieces I and I³. Figure 5 shows a flat gathering trough M having in its
middle a pot-like hollow M³ which contains a float M². This device has for its purpose
the automatical cutting off of the liquid supply, in the case of a pipe, gauge glass
or other part having been broken. To this effect, the float- M2 bears an upright
rod m provided at its lower part with a collar shaped tappet m', and if the water
or other liquid employed, that flows out in consequence of a liquid pipe or gauge
glass having become leaky and gathers to the receiver M³, raises the float M2, said
tappet m pushes against the slotted end of lever m² and thereby closes the
cock M³ of the main liquid conduit Y. At the same time the upper end of rod m
pushes against the lever K, this having the afore described effect of closing cock I
and breaking an electric circuit.
It is evident from the above, that if the central clock is arranged to close and
break at regular intervals an electric circuit, a current of water will stream at
equal intervals into the air chambers from where at the same intervals compressed
air is forced to the secondary or line clocks to wind them up and regulate them as
hereinafter described. To produce this effect several cocks are opened or closed
and several levers and weights are brought into certain positions. In order that
all these parts after having accomplished their functions be repelled into their
first positions and thereby made capable of repeating said functions, the main air
conduit Z is connected by means of branch pipe z', with the reverser Figure 6.
Said branch pipe leads to the air cylinder N. As long as the pressure in the
air conduits of the line has not yet reached a certain intensity, the piston N¹ rests

page_text: upon the bottom of the cylinder N, but as soon as the pressure is high enough to
overcome the gravity of the weight N' that acts upon the piston N₁, the arm n'
firmly fixed to the weight N2, lifts one end of the lever arm n² fastened on the
plug of cock O'. By these means cock 01 is opened and compressed air streams
through a similar branch pipe z¹ like the branch pipe z¹ heretofore mentioned and
through cock O¹ into the air cylinder E¹ Figure 2 in consequence whereof lever
arm c³ is raised and turns the cross beam D that brings the radial weight & back
into its primitive position thereby closing cock D and opening cock D².
To permit the lever C to be lifted again to its support be upon which it ought
to rest until the next electric impulse a spring or weight draws back the arm 65
while lever C passes.
Cock D² being then opened, the water contained in the cylinder F Figure 3 can
discharge itself through f, E³, D'.
To this effect a weight g hangs on the toothed sector wheel ƒ which thereby is
drawn down and carries with it the rack F¹.
To control the regular function of all apparatuses, and more especially to register
the number of electric impulses given, a counter Figure 7 is connected by means
of a branch pipe z¹, with the main air conduit Z.
The compressed air entering the cylinder P therein lifts a piston the reciprocating
motion of which is transmitted to a counter of any known construction not claimed
by the present application for a patent.
The intermittent current of compressed air, made in the manner heretofore
described to pass through the main air conduit Z and its branch pipes leading to
the line clocks, is used for winding up and regulating said clocks. Figure 8 shows
in what manner this is performed, this Figure represents an ordinary clock,
provided with the devices for winding it up and for controlling the position of the
hands, by means of said intermittent current of compressed air. For the sake of
simplicity, the device by which the central clock is enabled to emit at regular
intervals, the electric impulse by which the electro magnet B Figure 2 is made to
attract its armature, is shown in connection with the same clock. Figure 8. It is.
evident with this, that cach line clock can do the service of the central clock, if it
is provided with the herein before described electric contact device.
Every time an electric impulse emanates from the central clock, a current of
compressed air enters the cylinder U of each line clock and thereby lifts rod b² and
the end of the winding up lever T connected with said rod. This upward motion
of lever T causes to advance by some teeth, in the direction of the arrow, the
ratchet wheel t fixed upon the main driving shaft S of the clock, a pawl t¹ fixed
upon the lever T, taking into said ratchet wheel. The straight portion of the
winding up lever T bears a projecting pin u that moves the regulating lever T¹ for
the hands.
The top of this lever T¹, is provided, as shown, with a fork shaped appendage s
having divergent prongs.
A crank arm bearing a projecting pin u³ is fixed on the shaft of the minute
hand, and therefore turns with the same. Now, if said hand, and consequently
the crank arm connected therewith, are behind its time or goes too fast,. the
rectifying fork 3 being in consequence of the electric impulses emitted by the
central clock, moved at regular intervals against pin u²; this pin is then brought
in the position corresponding to the true time, indicated by the central clock. In
order to prevent a longer action of the rectifying fork 3 upon the shaft of the
minute wheel, whereby the clock might be stopped, said fork is acted upon in such
a manner as to perform its function considerably more rapidly than the winding
up lever, and has to return immediately after into its normal position.
To this effect, lever T¹ that bears the rectifying fork is not straight, but is formed
with a broken portion, in oblique direction as shown in Figure 3; furthermore a
spring having a projection v¹ near the broken portion of lever T¹ is screwed on
the upper straight portion of this latter,
i

page_text: The pin u of the winding up lever T bears upon said projection and only forces
the lever T¹ inwards as long as it slides along said projection; when it has passed
beyond, T¹ is pushed back into its former position by spring v. Until this moment
the winding up of the clock was not allowed for a small pin v³ fixed on the back
plate of the clock prevents the pawlt' from acting upon the ratchet wheel, while
lever T begins its upward motion, which motion however is not hindered by said
pin. Pawl t¹ is made to take into the ratchet wheel by a small spring, not shown.
in the drawing, when it has entirely passed beyond pin v³ and then the clock is
wound up to a rate corresponding to the space between two electric impulses.
If the clock shown by Figure 8 shall do the service of a central clock, the shaft of
its minute wheel, or a special shaft, making one turn in 60 minutes, is fitted with
a contact wheel R. The same shaft carries a toothed wheel q tightly connected
with it and meshing with a pinion q¹ by the shaft of which another contact
wheel R¹ is run at a speed about eight times as great as the speed of contact
wheel R. The two wheels R and R¹ are made of a conducting material and each
is provided at its circumference with a boss r and r respectively, likewise made of
conducting material. When wheels R and R¹ turn, said bosses touch at certain
intervals the contact springs's and s¹ respectively arranged at some distance from
the circumference of the wheels and forming the poles of the circuit of local
battery X Figure 1. That the closing of said circuit might be obtained with
certainty although owing to the different speeds of wheels R and R¹ it cannot last
longer than a moment, the contact springs which only once is touched by the
boss r, while boss ¹ touches eight times its contact spring s¹ is lengthened and
thereby secures a longer contact of boss r. This closing of the circuit has for its
effect an electric impulsion actuating electro-magnet B Figure 2. The gear between
wheels R and R' may be altered at pleasure, in order to make the electric impulses
to follow more or less rapidly one after the other. Obviously the electric current.
may be furnished by a local battery as shown, or by any other distant generator.
In the diagram Figure 1 both cases have been paid regard to. V is an ordinary
commutator or contact giver, W is a lightning conductor for the line wire and X is
a local battery. In the first case one pole wire w of the battery is led directly to
one contact springs of the central clock.
From the second contact spring s¹ a wire w¹ leads to a plate v³ of the commutator V.
By means of an inserted pin said plate is in conducting connection with the cross
plate vs from which a wire w² goes to the contact spring I of the contact device I³.
Figure 5. From I the wire w runs to the electro-magnet B Figure 2 and from
the same to the cross-plate of the commutator V, said cross-plate being in
communication with plate by means of an inserted pin. From plate va
conducting wire w³ leads back to the second pole of the battery.
If the current is not generated by a local battery but furnished by a distant
generator, one line wire leads to one point W₁ of the lightning conductor W.
From there the current flows through a safety helix into a binding screw, which
is in conducting connection with plate 6 of the commutator, V, by means of wire x¹.
Plate communicates by means of an inserted pin with cross plate v8 whose
connections by means of wire w² have already been described. Through wire w
the current flows back to the plate v of the commutator, said plate being connected
for this purpose with plate from which a wire x2 leads to the second safety helix
and second point W2 of the lightning conductor W. From this latter the wire ³
leads to the line return.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
First: To work a number of clocks in such a manner, that by the closing of an
electric circuit at regular intervals electric impulses are exerted upon a relay, by
the actuating of which a liquid under pressure is allowed to compress a quantity of
air, which is led through pipes to the clocks for winding them up and rectifying
the position of their hands; essentially as set forth.

page_text: Second: The relay Figure 2 consisting of an electro-magnet B, which by attracting
its armature and by the aid of falling lever C, lever c³, beam D and weight e
and d, causes a cock D₁ communicating with the main liquid conduit Y, to be
opened in order to permit the liquid to enter cylinder F, Figure 3 whilst at the
same time cock D² Figure is closed, substantially as shown and described.
Third: The cock-regulator Figure 3 consisting of a rack F in combination with
a pinion F, which by the aid of two toothed sector wheels f¹ f', when said rack is
raised, opens a cock E of the main liquid conduit Y, closes a cock E2 of the main
exit Y, and at the same time closes cock E³ of the branch conduit f¹ the liquid
passing through cock E¹ entering one or more air-chambers and thereby compressing
the air therein contained, which compressed air works the device for winding up
the clocks and rectifying the position of their hands; substantially as shown and
described.
Fourth: The safety apparatus Figure 5 through the cylinder K₁ of which,
containing a float K² the compressed air can pass without hindrance whilst liquid
entering said cylinder raises the float whereby a cock I is closed and cuts off any
further supply of liquid substantially as shown and described.
Fifth In the safety apparatus Figure 5, the combination with float K³, bar K³,
lever K, shaft k and support k¹, of the weight 2 weighted wheel i, pinion I² and
toothed sector wheel I', this latter being tightly connected with the plug of cock I,
substantially as shown and described.
Sixth In the safety apparatus Figure 5 the flat trough M for collecting the
liquid accidentally flowing out from the apparatus above said liquid sinking into a
hollow of trough M and there raising a float M² which then by means of tappet m¹
and lever m² closes the cock M³ and further by means of rod m lever K supporting
piece wheel i pinion 12 and toothed sector wheel I also closes cock I substantially
as shown and described.
Seventh In the safety apparatus Figure 5 two contact springs I³ I' touching
each other in the normal state, whilst they are separated from each other by the
toothed sector wheel 1 if this latter closes cock I, an electric circuit being broken
by these means, substantially as shown and described.
Eighth In the safety apparatus Figure 5 the combination with a cylinder L
communicating by means of the small pipe l' with the main liquid conduit, of the
weight L' and lever K in order to cause cock I to be closed if weight L' sinks,
substantially as shown and described.
Ninth: The reverser Figure 6 communicating by means of a pipe with the
main air conduit Z and consisting of a cylinder N, with a weighted piston N¹ said
piston rising as soon as the pressure in the air conduit has attained a certain
intensity and thereby opening a cock O¹ of another pipe also branched from the
air conduit and communicating with cylinder E Figure 2, which is then entered
by compressed air that lifts its piston and thereby causes all parts to return into
their first position, substantially as shown and described.
Tenth: The combination with the device for winding up a line clock of the
device for regulating the same in such a manner that the compressed air entering
the cylinder U, Figure 8 first lifts the winding up lever T¹ only so high that the
rectifying pin u² connected by a crank with the shaft of the minute wheel can be
placed in its due position by the rectifying fork t³ whilst the winding up of the
driving shaft S by means of the ratchet wheel t and pawl t¹ begins after the
rectifying has been done, these combined motions being produced by means of a
broken portion formed in lever T¹ by means of a projection v¹, pin u of lever T,
and spring v² and in this manner the clocks being prevented from being stopped
by too long action of fork t³ upon the shaft of the minute wheel essentially as shown
as described. .
Eleventh: A central clock having two contact wheels R and R' geared together
in such a manner that the speed at which one wheel is run is several times as great
as the speed of the other, each wheel being provided with a contact boss r and 71

page_text: respectively, that touches at each turn a contact spring 8 and 81 respectively, and
the contact spring 8 of the slower running wheels boss 7 being lengthened to secure
a longer lasting contact, substantially as shown and described and for the purpose
set forth.