GB514505A - Improvements relating to time-operated prepayment mechanism for use with electricity - Google Patents

Abstract

514,505. Delivery of electricity by timecontrolled prepayment apparatus. UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES, Ltd., CHRISTIAN, A. C. A. J., ANGOLD, H. E., and SMITH, N. L. and SMITH, D. G., [Representatives of Smith, E. W.]. May 7, 1938, No. 13714. [Class 27] A time-controlled prepayment mechanism for controlling the supply of electricity comprises a constant speed drive, such as a synchronous motor, for returning a crediting mechanism set forward by prepayment and a change speed gear in the drive from the motor to the crediting mechanism, which change speed gear is controlled by a setting member, such as a local switch, adjusted at the will of the consumer and determining the rate of consumption of electricity. The mechanism is particularly applicable in connection with an electric fire having two heating elements that may be brought into use at will, the switch for switching on the second element adjusting the change-speed gear according to the increased rate of consumption. The differential quantity mechanism o, Fig. 2, controlling the crediting supply actuating element h is set forward by prepayment through a wheel b' and returned by a synchromous motor i through reduction gearing i<2>, i<3>, i<5> and change speed gearing j. The change-speed gear comprises a cradle j, Fig. 1, having wheels j<4>, j<5> which are alternatively brought into gear with concentric wheels k<1>, k<2> respectively to transmit the drive. The cradle is rocked to change gear by actuating a switch handle d on the spindle d' of which is loosely mounted a plate l having pins l<1> to be engaged by a peg d<2>, on the spindle, the plate l being connected to shaft m by a rod l' pivoted to the plate and slidable through a hole m<1> in the shaft. The shaft m has a fork e<3> which engages a pin j<6> to rock the cradle j. The gears are changed according as the switch handle d is turned to the high rate of consumption or the low rate by the disposition of the pins l<1> and the peg d<2>. The spindle 0<2> of the quantity mechanism o has a wheel p driving a wheel q,on an indicator spindle. The wheel q serves to operate an excess payment stop as described in Specification 510,549. The quantity mechanism may be zeroized as described in Specification 445,260. Specifications 400,636, 405,302, 426,953 and 431,771 are also referred to.