GB622934A - Improvements in and relating to elements displaceable in a predetermined path and the electrical actuation of recording or other gear according to the displacements of the elements - Google Patents

Abstract

622,934. Electric selective signalling systems. DICK, A. W. H., and DELTA METAL CO., Ltd. June 6, 1946, No. 17245. [Class 40 (i)] A moving body traverses a series of contacts to complete the circuits of actuators controlling another body so that it follows the movement of the first body, the actuators being moved transversely of the second body to effect its step-by-step movement through the medium of a cam. As described, a mercury column 1, Fig. 4, traverses a series of contacts 2 connected to terminals 27 traversed by brushes 28, 29 attached to a carriage 4, Fig. 1, which is to move in accordance with the mercury column; brushes 24, 25, 26, also mounted on the carriage 4, traverse terminals 23 of solenoids 13; when the mercury column rises, relay 32 is actuated to energize solenoid 13c and cause the displacement upwards-of a cam 15, Fig. 1, which bears on a roller 9 and draws the carriage forward against the tension of weight 12 on cord 10; the carriage thus moves forward one step carrying its brushes so that brushes 28 and 25 move forward to energize relay 30 and hold solenoid 13c energized, brushes 29, 24 move forward to de-energize relay 32 and prepare the solenoid next adjacent solenoid 13c to be energized by relay 32, and brush 26 moves forward to energize the immediately preceding solenoid 13b. When the mercury column falls, relay 30 is de-energized to de-energize solenoid 13b and retract the corresponding wedge cam to allow the carriage to retract one step, carrying its brushes with it and causing the two immediately preceding solenoids to be energized. The carriage carries a rotating drum 3 upon which a stylus 5 records at each step, being actuated by relay 35; the solenoids 13 momentarily close contacts 38 to energize relays 35, 39; relay 39 short-circuits contacts 38 to maintain relays 35, 39 energized and when the stylus has completed its movement to mark (e.g. prick) the record, it opens contacts 40 to de-energize relays 35, 39; when the stylus returns to its non-marking position, contacts 40 are closed. The mercury column may be replaced by a non-conducting column having a conducting head, or by the needle of an ammeter moving over contacts.