GB905606A - Improvements in measuring systems - Google Patents

Abstract

905,606. Selective printing. FAIRBANKS, MORSE & CO. Feb. 11, 1960, No. 4864/60. Class 100 (4). [Also in Groups XXXVI and XXXVIII] A circuit for printing the weight of a moving railway truck (see Group XXXVIII) is initiated by a track switch which closes contacts 300c (Fig. 5) as the truck leaves the weighing platform. These contacts energize a relay 358 whose contacts 358a operate the coil 374 of a stepping switch 266, whose wipers then move to position 2. A further relay 360 is energized to control the insertion of a limiting resistor 378 in series with the coil; a switch 352 operated by a cam on the shaft of the stepping switch de-energizes relay 360 to insert the resistor while the current pulse is flowing. The information for operating the printer is supplied by wipers 170d-170j (Fig. 6) which indicate the multiples of 30,000 pounds and by a shaft (Fig. 7) fitted with discs 381-383 to represent the intermediate values, as in Specification 466,798. These discs, together with disc 380 which establishes a datum position, are engaged by spring-loaded fingers 392-395 in such a way that the lateral displacements of fingers. 393-395 relative to that of finger 392 indicate the hundreds, thousands and ten thousands figures of the weight. These displacements are measured by rack-andpinion devices which drive rotary switches 426, 428 and 430 respectively. A solenoid-controlled latch 412 holds the fingers out of engagement with the discs while the shaft is rotating. Printing is achieved as a result of successive energization of solenoids 440-449 (Fig. 6) which store the corresponding digits in preparation for printing. The various terminals marked B0-B9 are connected respectively in parallel, so that, for example, if a voltage is applied to any one of the four terminals marked B0 the " 0 " solenoid 440 will be operated. When the stepping switch 266 moves to position 2 wiper 266b (Fig. 5) energizes a solenoid 475 which releases the latch 412 (Fig. 7) to engage the fingers with the discs. Switches 426, 428 and 430 are thus rotated to positions which represent the corresponding digits of the weight value. The stepping switch then advances to positions 3 (blank) and 4, where wiper 266b (Fig. 5) applies voltage via line 437 to the moving contact of switch 430 (Fig. 6) and hence to one of the relays 460-465 according to the ten thousands figure of the weight. At position 5 of the stepping switch this relay is held, and at the same time wiper 266c applies voltage via line 478 to wiper 170d which engages one of its contacts according to the multiple of 30,000 pounds present. Voltage is then applied to one of the terminals B0-B3 to print the hundred thousands figure of the weight in accordance with the position of wiper 170d, modified by one of the contacts of relays 460-465 if it is necessary to " carry one " from the ten thousands figure. Contacts 360b (Fig. 5) open during stepping of the switch, to prevent false actuation of the printer. At position 6 of the stepping switch the appropriate relay 460-465 is still held and wiper 266c applies voltage via line 480 to a matrix 471, where the closure of the appropriate relay contact 460a-465a and the position of the wiper arms 170e-170j ensures that the correct terminal of B0-B9 is energized to print the ten thousands figure. At position 7 of the stepping switch the relay 460-465 is de-energized, but wiper 266c applies voltage via line 436 to the moving contact of switch 428 to energize one of the solenoids 440-449 to print the thousands figure. Similarly, at position 8 wiper 266c energizes the appropriate solenoid via switch 426 to print the hundreds figure. The discrimination of the apparatus is not sufficient to evaluate any more significant figures so that at positions 9 and 10 of the stepping switch terminal B0 is energized via line 481 to print a zero in the tens and units columns. Position 11 is blank, and at position 12 wiper 266b (Fig. 5) energizes relay 485 whose contacts 485a operate a solenoid 490 to move the fingers 392-395 out of engagement with the discs. Wiper 266c at position 12 energizes a solenoid 500 via line 501 to print on a medium, e.g. tape or card, the digits accumulated by operation of the solenoids 440-449. Stepping switch 266 now advances to position 1 and stops, since contact 346 is no longer energized.