GB435624A - Improvements in and relating to electric indicating or indicating and recording systems - Google Patents

Abstract

435,624. Indicating-apparatus; electric signalling systems. HONICK, F. A., 91, Carlton Road, Gidea Park, Essex. March 27, 1934, No. 9601. [Class 106 (iv)] [See also Group XXXVIII] Means for indicating or recording a time average comprise a circuit in which impulses are produced at predetermined time intervals to drive an indicating or recording member in one direction, and another circuit in which impulses are produced in accordance with the performance of certain operations to drive the member in the opposite direction, the time impulses and operation impulses acting alternately on the indicating or recording member. The indicating or recording member is driven in one direction by pawl and ratchet mechanism actuated by an electromagnet 3 and in the opposite direction by similar mechanism actuated by an electromagnet 2. A pendulum closes contacts 8, 7 alternately and a timecontrolled contact 6, synchronized with the pendulum, periodically completes the circuit 3. The circuit 2 is completed when the contacts 5 and 7 are closed, the former being actuated automatically or manually upon the performing of certain operations. The contact 5 may be arranged so that, if it be closed when the contact 7 is open, it remains closed until the contact 7 has been closed by the pendulum and an impulse passed to the indicating mechanism. Alternatively, visual or audible means may enable an operator to hold the contact 5 closed while the contact 7 causes the required number of impulses to be transmitted to the indicating mechanism. The contacts 11, 12 can be operated manually to reset the apparatus. In a modification, the coils 2, 3 are arranged in series and control a polarized armature, the contact 6 causing current to flow in one direction and actuate the indicator in one sense, the contact 5 causing the current to flow in the other direction and to actuate the indicator in the opposite sense. Several indicators may be arranged in series or parallel. In a further arrangement, Figs. 5 and 6, a seconds pendulum (not shown) has a mechanical impulse imparted. to it every half-minute by the falling of an arm 13. This also closes a contact 8 whereupon a restoring electromagnet 14 is energized. An electromagnet 15 is also energized to step forward a ratchet wheel 22 having pins 23 which can close the contact 6. When the contacts 6 and 8 are both closed the electromagnet 3 is energized and the indicating device is advanced one step. A contact 7 is closed by the seconds pendulum and, if a contact 5 is closed, the electromagnet 2 is energized to move the indicating device one step in the opposite direction. The contact 5 is maintained closed, while a predetermined number of impulses is transmitted by contact 7, by the means shown in Fig. 6. The number is first set by turning a finger dial 26, similar to those used in automatic telephony, against the action of a spring 28. The dial is retained by a ratchet wheel 29 engaged by an electromagneticallycontrolled pawl. A rod 31 is pressed inwards to close the contacts 5, the rod being held by a detent 35. At each impulse from the contact 7 the pawl allows the ratchet wheel 29 to move one step. When it has returned to its zero position the detent 35 is withdrawn and the contacts 5 open. In a further modification, the dial 26 returns to zero immediately after being operated. If the indicator is being actuated by a time impulse, the impulses originated by the dial are stored and then released after the time impulse.