GB143095A - Lamp signalling device particularly applicable to aeroplanes - Google Patents

Abstract

143,095. Balch, E. G. July 17, 1919. Lamp signals.-A device for giving coloured light signals, particularly suitable for use on aircraft, comprises a lamp in a casing provided with a number of windows so that light is simultaneously emitted in a corresponding number of directions, a colour-changing screen being situated between the lamp and each window. The apparatus is arranged to show the same colour through all the windows, and to change the colour, simultaneously. An electro-magnetic step-bystep device is described for controlling the colourchanging mechanism from a distance. As described, the casing 10 containing a lamp 16 has four windows 14 spaced round the sides, and a fifth window 15 on top. Between the lamp and the windows are corresponding rotatable disks 23, 28 provided with apertures carrying transparent material of the required colours. Condenser lenses 30 may be mounted between the lamp and disks. The disks are simultaneously rotated through gearing from a crown-wheel 19, on the spindle of which is a wheel 51 gearing with a wheel 50 secured to a rotatable arm 48, the outer end 47 of which acts as an armature attracted by one or other of a number of electro-magnets 43, corresponding with the coloured apertures in the disks. The electro-magnets are energized singly, the circuits being controlled by a handle 34 moving a contact-arm so as to bridge one or other of a number of pairs of fixed contacts 40, each pair being in circuit with a corresponding electro-magnet. The fixed contacts are within a casing having segments of transparent material corresponding in colour with the colour signals and bearing, if desired, suitable word indications. The desired signal is given by setting the pointer end of the handle 34 to the corresponding segment. The segments may be continuously illuminated by a lamp within the casing, and the lamp 16 may be illuminated continuously. Alternatively, arrangement may be made so that the lamps are lit only when a pair of contacts 40 is bridged. In this case, tell-tale lamps may be provided in the controller casing, so that only the segment corresponding with the order given is illuminated, and as the circuit of lamp 16 is broken when the handle 34 is midway between adjacent pairs of contacts 40, the signal lamp gives flashes as the colour is being changed, calling attention to the change.