GB546486A - Time directed pneumatic tube conveyor system - Google Patents

Abstract

546,486. Pneumatic conveyers. HAMERSCHLAG, G. March 17, 1941, No. 3603. [Class 78 (i)] A pneumatic tube conveyer system in which the despatch apparatus at the central station includes, for each despatch tube serving a group of sub-stations, a plurality of terminal fittings 9 corresponding each to a sub-station, each fitting being adapted to receive and retain carriers ready for despatch, has means for automatically releasing the carriers for entry into the despatch tube 1 in pre-determined succession. In the form shown the carrier when inserted in the fitting 9 rests on a pivoted projection 16 and presses inward a spring biased pivoted lever 22 which thus allows contacts 26; 27 to touch. A circuit through battery 47, earth, and a relay 37 is by this means completed and three switches 34, 35, 36 are closed. One side of each of these switches is connected respectively to discs 30, 31 and 32 mounted on a common shaft 28 rotated at constant speed, through brushes 41, 42, 43 bearing on the discs. The rims of the discs are made up partly of non-conducting portions and in part of conductors 38, 39,40, connected each electrically to the shaft 28 and battery 47. Making of the switch 34 maintains current through the relay 37, after the carrier has dropped and allowed switch 26, 27 to open, for nearly a full revolution of the shaft 28. Making of switch 35 retracts momentarily the projection 16 by means of a solenoid 50, so allowing the carrier to fall. Making of switch 36 excites a solenoid 52 which shunts over a track flap 14 at the particular sub-station and also opens. the valve in the branch tube 10. In the case of the furthest sub-station. no flap 14 is provided, and the solenoid 52 acts directly on the air valve. All groups of discs 30, 31, 32 may be mounted on one shaft 28, both for the sub-stations of any one route, and for all routes. Alternatively each disc may carry a plurality of conductors to function successively in the required order. The " sending " sub-stations may be connected by long branches to the main return route pipe, which is preferably of the suction type.