US1129263A - Mechanical time-switch for x-ray systems. - Google Patents

Description

W. A. WINTER & R. KLETT. MECHANICAL TIME SWITGH FOR X- Y SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2'], 1914.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

, l/Vl/E/VTORS 0 WAWINTEP x WITNESSES v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A.

WINTER, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, AND ROBERT KLETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR-S TO KNY-SCHEERER COMPANY.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. as, rare.

Application filed March 27, 1914'. Serial No. 827,620.

To all whom it may concern .Be it known that we, WILLIAM A. WIN',

man, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of East Orange, New Jersey, and R BERT KLETT, a resident of 1680 Clay avenue, in the borough of the Bronx, New York, N. Y., a' subject of the Emperor of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Time- Switches for X-Ray Systems, as set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to time switches and especially to those of a type serviceable in timing the length of exposure in X-ray work. Much more accurate and reliable results in X-ray photography can be obtained by exposures throughout definite time-intervals, which are accurately measured instead of throughout time intervals subject to guess.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a time switch fulfilling the needs in connection with X-ray work and providing for the closing of the circuit at the will of the operator and the breaking of the said circuit after a predetermined time interval, which may be varied at the will of the operator.

In furtherance of the general object of' the invention there is contemplated a cooperating pointer and scale divided into time graduations, through the medium of which the time switch maybe set to fix the duration of circuit closure to, the time interval designated on the scale by the pointer. In the makeup of the mechanism there is also provision for setting the time switch for the predetermined time interval independently of the means actually employed for closing the circuit.

The objects and general advantages of the invention will be set forth more. fully in the following claims, which claims should be read in connection with the illustrative embodiment of the invention described in the following specification and shown inthe accompanyingdrawmgs-which form a part of this application in which like characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation ofthe switch; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig.3 is a vertical section along the line IIIIII of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a similar section along the line IV-IV of Fig.2, and Fig. 5

is an enlarged section through the line V-V of Fig. 1. I

Referring now more in detail to the drawings of the illustrative embodiment, a base is indicated by A in the form of a slab of suitable insulating material such as slate or transite. Four spacing legs B suitably secured to the base A serve to mount a face plateC, the face plate being shown secured to the legs B by screw D. A dial E is formed on the face plate C and is graduated into suitable time intervals. The graduations shown are from 0.1 to 2.0 seconds in space of one-tenth second. The pointer F,

operated by the handle 1 is mounted to rotate about the stud 2, concentric withthe dial E. Through the medium of the stud 2, which works in the bearing 3 mounted on the face plate C, the pointer F is'rigidly connected with the forked arm 4 10-, cated back of the face plate C and con strained to rotate commensurately with the pointer F- Mounted upon the base A in a suitable manner is a frame G which serves as the mounting for a gear train H. The gear train H is driven by the spring. motor I the tension of which may be adjusted through the medium of the winding spindle J upon which the spring I is wound and which carries a ratchet 4 cooperating with the pawl 5, fixed to the gear 6. The gear 6 meshes with the pinion 7 fastened on the shaft 8 and through the mediumof the shaft 8' rigidly connected to drive the gearn9. The gear 9 drives an escapement 10 through the medium of the pinion '11. Suitably keyed to a forward extension of the shaft 8 is a disk K provided with notches L at its periphery, and serving as a time element of the switch.

Mounted on the forward portion 13 of the frame G through the medium'of the p vot hinge 14 is a bell cranklever 15 the right angular offset arm 16 of which is in the path of the pin 17 fixed to the time element or notched disk .K. The pressure of the pm 17 againstlthearm 16 is sufficient to hold the end of the arm 16 against the stop 18 and to overcome the tension of the spring 19, which tends to close the contact 20 against the contact 21 so that their silver tips 22 and 23 make electrical connection one with another. Thecontact 21 is electrically connected with the terminal post24 which 1s suitably insulated from the metallic frame G. These parts 15, 16, 19, 20, 21 and 24 constitute a circuit closer M.

An ,electrically conductive post 25 has N pivoted to it the lever 26 which is normally spring operated by the tension spring 27 to force the trigger 28 against the rear face of the notched disk K or into one of the notches L. Fixedalso to the same end of the lever 26 is a silver contact disk 29 which cooperates with the similar contact. disk 30 electrically connected with the terminal post 31 which is mounted upon but insulated from the plate 13 of the frame G. Later- 5 ally offset from the lever arm 26 is a lip 32 head 37 to retain the parts.

The lever 26, contact 29, contact and terminalpost 31 constitute a second circuit closer which is electrically connected with the first circuit closer M through the medium of'the frame G to which the post 25 is 30 secured.

Connection between the operating handle 1 and the notched disk K is provided though the medium of the stud P which is fixed to the disk K and is straddled by the $5 forked end of the arm 4.

With all parts innormal position and the pointer F pointing to zero the circuit between the two terminal posts 24 and 31 is .broken at two'points, z. 6., at each of the 40 open circuit closers M and O. The rotation of the pointer F in a clockwise direction causes the disk K to travel in a similar direction. The stud 17 is withdrawn from the lever arm whereupon the circuit closer M closes. The trigger 28 is progressively pressed into the notches L which correspond to the graduations on the dial E, until no' further rotation is given to the pointer F- by'the operator. Th'ereupon the trigger 28 comes to rest in one of the notches L in which position it is held by the spring 27. The switch is now set to maintain a circuit closure for the predetermined interval at the will of the operator. The rear walls of the notches L form detents which coiiperate with the trigger 28 to hold the time element set ready to be released by pressure on the push button N.

When it is desired actually to make the exposure the push button N is-pushed in.

The spring 34 is designed to yield considerably before disengagement of trigger 28 from the disk is'efl'ected. As soon as the trigger ,u-s 28. disengages the disk K the spring 34 causes an instantaneous closure between the contacts 29 and"3 .fa11d- ,so' that the circuit closer O isheld closedas long as the push button N is pressed in by the operator.

The second and-final closure in the circuit through the switch-is therefore efifectedcontemporaneously with the release of the time element K. When the time element has completed its predetermined travel the pin 17, striking the am 16, opens the. first circuit closer M to-break the circuit and terminate the period of exposure. As soon as the ;pu sh'button N is released the second opening in the operating circuit is again made. By the reason of the two openings at the two circuit closures-in the exposure circuit, premature. exposures. are prevented. and moreli efiicient" electrical control is obtained.' 1Q r l, The. .clockwisenrotation of thedisk K. drives the gear train. H'jaga'inst the force of". the spring'I-andTwhen the disk K is releasedthe spring I ieturns the diskK to its "normal position. The escapemehti 10 serves as .a

, governor more a' cc irat ely toccntrolthe tim ing of the movingfparts. I

\Vhat is claimedand what is desired to be secured by United 'States LettersgPatent is:

1 In a time-switch, two normally open y circuit-closers series connection; a mov able time element; means for'setting said time element to operate, whenlreleased,

through any one of various time-intervals,- comprising a series of detents and an engage ing trigger, each detent corresponding' to one of said various time-intervals; means operable upon the setting of said time element for closing one of said circuit-closers; means for simultaneously releasing said time-element and closing said second circuit closer;.and means for opening said first circuit closer after a predetermined time interval through the medium of said time element.

2. In a time-switch, a movable time element capable of being set to travel, when released, through any one of various predetermined time intervals and having a series of detents,- one for each time-interval; an elec tric circuit; means for simultaneously releasing said time element and closing said circuit; and means automatically operated at the "completion of the movement of said time element for opening said circuit.

3. In a; time-switch, a. rotary time-ele ment; a motor for rotating said time element; a governor for controlling the rate of rotation of said time-element; a graduated dial for indicating the timed displacementof said time-element; a trigger for holding said time-element set in displacement in any one of variously timed positions; an electric circuit normally open; means operating rotation of said time-element to open said circuit.

4:. In a time-switch, a rotary time-element; a motor for rotating said time element; a governor for controlling the rate of rotation of said time-element; a graduated dialfor indicating the timed displacement of said time-element; a trigger for holding said time-element set in displacement in any one of variously timed positions; an electric circuit normally open; means operating upon the actuation of said trigger in releasing said time element to close said circuit; and means automatically operated upon the rotation of said time-element to open said circuit at a second point.

5. In an adjustable time switch, an escapernent gear train; a spring motor for driving said gear train; a notched disk mechanically connected with said gear train and operable to place said spring motor under tension when rotated in one direction and when released to rotate with said gear train; a pointer and graduated dial indicating the rotary position of said disk; releasable means oooperating with said notched disk for holding it against rotation in any one'of various positions corresponding to said notches; and circuit controlling means operable upon the complete rotation of said disk by said spring motor.

6'. An adjustable time-switch for closing a circuit at the instant of actuation and for opening it at the expiration of accurately measured small time-intervals comprising so two normally open circuit-closers; a timemeasurer; a means for causing one circuitcloser to close and for predetermining among any one of various time-intervals the time interval throughout which said circuit is-to be closed, comprising a trigger for gripping said time-measurer and holding it set for operation throughout the particular predetermined time-interval; means for releasing said trigger and for simultaneously closing said second circuit-closer; and means operated upon the completion of the predetermined time-interval for opening said first circuit-closer.

7. In a time-switch a time-element; means tending to drive said time-element; one or more detents each corresponding to a distinct time-interval; a trigger for engaging one of said detents at a time; a switch arm associated with said trigger; and means for giving a quick movement to said arm and trigger comprising a manual actuator, and resilient means interposed between said actuator and said arm.

in witness whereof, we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. A. WINTER. ROBERT KLETT. Witnesses ALEXANDER KAsnNnz, liiIGHAEL J. FLYNN.

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