US1096681A - Time-control element for electric clocks. - Google Patents

Description

B. B. CLEMENT.

TIME CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC GLOGKS.

APPLICATION FILEDJUNE 29, I910.

Patented May 12, 1914.

3 SHEETSSI HEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPN co ,wASHINflTON, D. c.

E. E. CLEMENT.

TIME CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC GLOGKS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1910.

1 ,096,681. Patented May 12,1914.

3 SHEET8SHEET 2.

coLUMBlA ELANOGRAPH 00., WASHINGTO D-c.

E. E. CLEMENT.

TIME CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC CLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1910.

1,096,681. MM May 12, 1914.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

El 1% iiiii EDWARD E. CLEMENT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TIME-CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC CLOCKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1914.

Original application filed April 18, 1910, Serial No. 556,213. Divided and this application filed. June 29,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD E. CLEMENT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Im provements in Time- Control Elements for Electric Clocks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to electric clocks and has for its object theprovision of an improved time element controller therefor.

Briefly stated, the invention comprises a pendulum or balance wheel with means to actuate it positively in opposite directions at periodic recurring intervals, the length of which is determined by the movement of the device itself. The application of power in each direction is continuous and automatic, and means are provided for accurate adjustment and calibration when necessary.

This application is a division of my prior application Serial No. 556,213, filed April 18, 1910.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a front view of the pendulum with actuating and testing mechanism. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail figures of parts thereof. Fig. 4 is a diagram of the actuating circuits. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bridge. -Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line az-w of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a face view. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line g of Fig. 7,

and Fig. 9 is a rear elevation. Figs. 10 and 11 are front and side elevations respectively, of the upper portion of the pendulum.

Referring to the drawings the control element therein illustrated is supposed to be a standard seconds pendulum generally designated by the letter P, and mounted to swing upon a knife edge p in a bridge P secured upon a back plate P In Figs. 1 and ft R and R are relays controlled by the pendulum in its swing which in turn controls the working electromagnets E and E, whose armature levers e and c act upon opposite lever arms 79 and p attached to a rocking plate 79 carrying a spring 79 which at its lower end is fitted with oppositely projecting lugs 79 and 79 carrying studs 19 and p which straddle the pendulum rod 19", also carrying contacts p and 79 which cooperate with contact springs p and p respectively mounted upon adjustable legs 39 and Serial No. 569,607.

72 which are pivoted at p in a recess 19 behind the bridge P, and carry at their ex tremities lugs 79 and p with adjusting slots playing on set screws 72 and 79 by means of which the contacts 79 and p can be set at any desired angle to the pendulum and there locked.

In order to fully understand the mounting of the pendulum, it should be observed that Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the upper part of the pendulum and the bridge. This figure shows the pendulum rod 7?, terminal portions of the spring 79 (the middle part of which is broken away to show the contact spring 72 also the ad'- justing leg 79 the head of the twin leg 39 the recess 79" in which they are pivoted, and the pivot screw p by which they are secured. This figure also shows the bridge P, having a central depression to receive the prism 79, whose lower edge constitutes the knife edge upon which the pendulum swings. The arrangement of the rocking plate 19 alsoappears in Fig. 3 as well as in Fig. 2, the latter figure being a side view of the same parts shown in section in Fig. 4 but looking from the other side, that is to say looking toward the left in Fig. 1. This rocking plate has a body 29 bent under the bridge at p and carrying ears p which are riveted together through the upper end of the spring 79, so as to hold the latter rigidly in line with the plate. This plate is centrally pivoted to rock on the shoulder screw 77 and it should be observed that the two screws 79 and 29 are so located in the opposite faces of the bridge, that a line drawn through the rocking knife edge 79 exactly coincides with the axes of both screws, whereby the legs 79 and 79 the levers 79 and W, the plate 79 and the pendulum P all turn upon precisely the same center. This coincidence of centers is intended to secure perfect adjustment, lack of friction or lost motion, and accuracy of movement. In order to render the pendulum still more accurate, I have provided for balancing up the entire plate P For this purpose leveling screws 9, g are held in brackets Q, Q, and receive upon their upper points the ears or lugs 79, p on opposite sides of the plate P These ears extend forwardly as well as outwardly over the edges of the plate from which it will be observed I preferably mount the relays and working magnets as already stated.

to facilitate the mechanical association of.

the magnets E, E and the pendulum, I prefer the mounting shown. By raising and lowering the screws g, the plate P may be angularly shifted in opposite directions, so as to secure equidistance between the opposite contacts and therefore an equal travel in both directions, but for adjusting the plate perpendicularly to the plane in which the pendulum swings, I provide a counterweight W provided with a locknut w and mounted on a threaded stud projecting perpendicularly to the plate P In order topermit the pendulum always to swing in an absolutely vertical plane, I may provide an auxiliary knife edge at p, by suitably forming the edges of the opening through the metal head 79 of the pendulum rod, which receives the prism 79. Crossed knife edges thus being provided, the pendulum is practically hung in gimbals, and can swing with perfect freedom.

In order to render adjustment easier, a scale 79 may be provided in connection with the pendulum if desired, and this scale should be rigidly connected to the plate I as by an extension or drop arm thereon. The detailed construction of the bridge is well shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The pendulum head 79 passes up through the opening p in the bridge, and the knife edge rocks in the depression 79 which may be of any desired shape and may be fitted with one or more jewels, or with a hardened bed plate or otherwise arranged as good practice may dictate.

Referring now to Fig. 4, showing the circuit, it is to be understood that in the parent case of which this is a division, I have shown and described step by step switches driven by the pendulum, but for the purposes of my present description, electrical current impulses may be supplied by the pendulum for any purpose through the wires 57 and 59. In the parent case the first switch of the set which partly controlled the circuits of the seconds indicators on the clock, was driven from the wire 57. The actuating magnet of this switch is controlled by the relay R which receives current when the pendulum swings in one direction, and locks itself on a circuit controlled by the relay 1. which receives current as the pendulum rocks in the opposite direction and opens the locking circuit so as to cut off the relay R and instantly open the circuit through wire 57. Thus the operation of this magnet is made positive as the relay R remains energized during the entire period of a half swing of the pendulum. The spring 72 and the contacts 39 p 0 and 79 can readily be identified by comparison with Fig. 2. The spring 79 is connected through wire 33 to the main battery B, or other suitable source of current, connected on the other side as shown through wire 44 to ground or a common return. Contact 79 is connected by wire 34 to the relay R which on the other side is connected through wire 35 to the ground or common return. The wire 34 and contact 79 are connected by a branch 36 to normally open contacts 37, 38 of the relay R, thence by wire 39 to the normally closed contacts 40 and 41 of the relay R, and thence by the wire 42 to the battery B, which constitutes a holding or locking circuit for relay R. Contact 72 on the other hand, is connected by wire '43 to the relay R which on the other side goes to ground or common return. From the wire 43 and contact 29 a branch wire 45 leads to normally open contacts 46 and 47 of relay R thence by wire 48 to the normally closed contacts 49 and 50 of the relay R and thence by wire 51 to battery. This latter circuit constitutes a locking circuit for relay R.

In operation, when the pendulum swings to the left, contacts 39 and p are closed and the relay R and magnet E are simultaneously energized. Relay R by opening the contacts 49 and 50 will break the locking circuit of relay R which will break the locking circuit of relay R which thereupon becomes deenergized and makes another opening in its locking circuit at contacts td-47. This locking circuit may be traced as follows: conductor 45, contacts 4647, conductor 48, contacts 4950, conductor 51 to battery lead 33. Simultaneously with the opening of contacts 4647, the contacts 40-41 are closed completing the locking circuit of relay B. This latter locking circuit of relay R includes conductor 34, 36, 37 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42 which connects to bat tery lead 33. When the pendulum swings to the right, contacts 29 -79 are closed and relay R and magnet E are energized in multiple. Relay R upon energization opens the locking circuit of relay R at contacts 4041 and partially closes its own locking circuit at contacts 46-47. The relay R, upon deenergization, completes the locking circuit of relay B through contacts 49 50. When the pendulum again swings to the left the relay R is again energized and the relay R deenergized in the same manner as before, and thus the cycle of operations as described is indefinitely repeated. Thus each relay and its associated magnet remains energized during the entire half swing of the pendulum, whereby energy is constantly applied. The relays R and R which as already stated control the first switch magnet, are connected respectively through wires 52 and 53 to the branch wires 36 and 45,

that is to say to the contacts 37 and 46, f

whereby they receive current at opposite ends of the stroke of the pendulum also. The Working magnets E, E, are shown in parallel with the relays R, R included in branch wires 54 and 55, but of course they can be controlled by the said relays through local circuits if desired. Further if desired the relays R B may be made of sufficient size to themselves actuate the pendulum as well as the interlocking contacts associated with them, and the relay controlled actuating magnets E E may be omitted.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A time control element for electric clock systems comprising a support, a bridge thereon, a pendulum mounted to swing in said bridge, a pair of oppositely arranged actuating magnets for the pendulum, additional mechanical means adapted to be positively placed under tension in opposite directions by said magnets when alternately energized, and to communicate said tension to the pendulum during its entire swing, and adjustable contact devices connected to said magnets and adapted to be closed by the pendulum at opposite extreme points in its travel.

2. A time control element for electric clock systems comprising a pendulum, a pair of oppositely disposed contacts controlled thereby, a pair of interlocking relays separately connected to the opposite contacts, and a pair of oppositely arranged actuating magnets controlled by said relays.

8. A time control element for electric clock systems comprising a support, a pendulum hung to swing thereon, a pair of oppositely disposed pendulum contacts carried thereon, a pair of oppositely disposed magnets, a pair of oppositely extending radial actuating arms secured at the head of the pendulum rod, a pair of levers carrying armatures for said electromagnets and adapted when the same are attracted to act positively upon the opposite pendulum arms, and connections between said radial actuating arms and said pendulum through which energy from the clectro-magnets is transmitted to the pendulum.

4. In a time control element for electric clock systems, a swinging pendulum, a pair of pivoted contact supports pivoted in proximity to the center of oscillation of the pendulum, contacts fixed thereon, and adjustable means moving with the pendulum to cooperate with said contacts and close the same in alternate succession.

A controlling device for electric clocks comprising a mechanical element having a determinate natural period of movement, and electromagnetic actuating means automatically controlled in the periodic movement and adapted to communicate energy to said moving element during the period of its energization, which includes the period of retarding action of gravity on said element to counteract the retarding effect on said element of gravity and other external causes.

6. A controlling device for electric clocks comprising a moving element having a determinate natural period, electromagnetic means for directly applying energy to the moving element at one extreme of its movement, and means for maintaining said application during a definite period of time thereafter, said means controlled in the operation of the electromagnetic actuating means.

7. Controlling means for electric clocks comprising an oscillating element having a determinate natural period, electromagnetic means energized at the end of each oscillation of said element for applying energy to a said oscillating element at the end of each oscillation and during the period 0]": the immediately succeeding oscillation, and means for maintaining each application of energy to render it effective during the entire succeeding oscillation.

8. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising the following instrumentalities: a base or support, a bridge secured thereto, a pendulum hung on said bridge so as to oscillate with respect to the support, electro magnetic actuating means for the pendulum, and controlling contacts for said electromagnetic means, each contact mounted on a rigid and positively adjustable arm pivoted at the center of oscillation of thependulum, and cooperating contacts moving with the pendulum, whereby adjustment of the contacts may be effected angularly with respect to the are of oscillation.

9. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising the following instrumentalities: a support, a bridge rigidly secured thereto, a pendulum pivoted on said bridge, electromagnetic actuating means for the pendulum, and controlling contacts for said actuating means comprising swinging contacts moving with the pendulum and relatively fixed contacts angularly adjustable with respect to the arc of oscillation.

10. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising the following instrumentalities; a support, a bridge, a pendulum pivoted to swing freely 011 said bridge, a contact as moving with the pendulum, and a cooperating contact, a supporting arm carrying said latter contact and pivoted in the axis of oscillationof the pendulum, together with means to secure said arm in relatively fixed position with respect to the pendulum when adjusted angularly around the pivot to secure a determinate travel betweenthe contacts 37 and 70 11. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising the following" instrumentalities: a support, a pendulum pivoted thereon, a rocking plate pivoted in the axis of oscillation of the pendulum, a spring secured to the rocking plate and carrying means to engage the pendulum rod, a pair of radial arms secured'to the rocking plate, and a pair of actuating electromagnets adapted to act on said armsso as to impart opposite motion to the pendulum.

12. Controlling meansfor electric clocks comprising an oscillating element having a determinate natural period, oppositely disposed electro-magnetic means adapted while energized to apply energy to said oscillating element in opposite directions, and holding means associated with each electro-magnetic means operable upon energization of its associated electro-magnetic means to maintain said"energization and disable the holding means associated with the other electro-mag netic means, whereby a constant application of energy is maintained. I

13. Control-ling means'for electric clocks comprising an oscillating element having a determinate natural period, oppositely arranged electro -magnetic means adapted while energized to apply energy to said oscillating element 1n opposite directions, means operablemt'the' end of each oscillation of said oscillating element'to initially energize oneofsaid electro-magneticmeans, and holding means associated with electro-magnetic means and each operable upon energization of its associated electro-magnetic means to maintain saidenergization and disable the holding means associated with the other electro-magnetic means.

14:. Controlling means for electric clocks comprising an oscillating element having a determinate natural period, oppositely arranged -electro -magnetic means adapted while energized to apply energy to said oscillating element in opposite directions, means operable at the end of each oscillation of said oscillating element to initially energize one of said electro-magnetic means, and a locking circuit for each electro-magnetic means adapted to be closed upon the energization of its associated electro-magnetic means and to be opened upon the actuation of the other electromagnetic means.

15. h Ieans for imparting movement to an oscillating element comprising driving means operating upon said oscillating element in opposite directions, controlling relays for each of said driving means alternately energized through the movement of said oscillating element, and a locking circuit for each relay adapted to be closed upon the energization of its associated relay and to be opened upon the energization of the other relay.

16. A time control element for electric clock'systems comprising an adjustable supportya bridge thereon, a pendulum mounted to swing in'said' bridge, a pair of oppositely.

arranged =actuating magnets for the pendulum each having a l'ocki'ngcircuit adapted to be opened uponthe energlzatlon of the other magnet, mechanical means adapted to dulum at opposite points in its travel, Whereby the magnets are alternately energized and each "magnet remains energized until the energization of the other.

17 A time control element for electric clocks comprising a endulum, a pair of oppositely arranged e ectr'o-ma gnets for imparting energy'thereto in opposite directions, and a resilient transmitter lever common to b'oth'magnets'and adapted to transmit 'ower therefrom to the pendulum alternate yin opposite directions,whereby retentiv'eness in the resilient lever is'counteracted.

'18.'A time control element for electric clocksystems comprising a'support, a pendulum inounted to swing thereon and interlocking electro-magnets acting oppositely on said pendulum whereby through the actuation of one electlo-magnet the other is deenergized.

19. A time control element for electric clock systems comprising a support, a pendulummounted to swing thereon and interlocking electro-magnets \alcting oppositely on said pendulum whereby through the actuation of one electromagnet the other is deenergized, together with circuit controllingmeans governing the actuation of said electro-magnets operable approximately at the end of each oscillation of the pendulum whereby each actuating magnet is rendered eflfective throughout the entire oscillation of said pendulum.

20. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising thefollowing instrumentalities: fixed supports, a swinging support adjustably carried thereon, a pendulum pivoted on said swinging support, a rocking plate with anactuating spring and radial arms pivoted in the axis of oscillation of the pendulum, a pair of contact arms also pivoted approximately in said axis of oscillation, locking means as therefore, contacts moving with the pendulum, and cooperating contacts carried on said pivoted arms, together with actuating magnets also carried on the swinging support and adapted to act oppositely on the arms 79 79 21. A time control element for electric systems comprising a support, a pendulum mounted to swing thereon, a plurality of electromagnetically actuated means adapted one to'apply energy to the pendulum during oscillation in one direct-ion, and the other to apply energy during oscillation in the other direction, control devices for said electromagnetically actuated means actuated one at each extreme point of oscillation of said pendulum, said controlling devices comprising means to simultaneously enable one of said electromagnetically actuated means to apply energy to the said pendulum, and disable the other, whereby the supply of energy to said pendulum in one direction is cut off and a supply of energy in the other out on 10 precisely at the extreme points of oscillation of said pendulum.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDlVARD E. CLEMENT.

lVit-nesses:

THOMAS DURANT, H. F. LoWENsTEIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C.

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