US1172080A - Means for closing and opening electric circuits. - Google Patents

Description

H. VOIGT. MEANS FOR-CLOSINGAND OPENING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. I913.

Patented Feb. 15,1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET I- THE COLUMBIA PLAI luuuAPH cu., WASHINGTON, D. c.

H. VOIGT.

MEANS FOR CLOSING AND OPENING ELECTRIC cmcuns.

r, APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28,1913. 1,172,080. v Patented Feb. 15,1916. 1

V 1 1 a SHE ssssss EH 2. I

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Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.28, I913.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA C- UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN VOIGT, OFNONNENDAMM, NEAR BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO SIEMENS & HALSKE, A. G., OF BERLIN, GERMANY, A CORPORATION OF GERMANY.

M ANs For. CLOSING AND OPENING ELnc'rnIc CInCUI'rs,

Specification. of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

Application filed'March 28, 1913. Serial No. 757,394.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it, known that I, HNRMANN VoI T, a citizen of the German Empire, and residing at Nonnendamm, near Berlin, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMeans for Closing and Opening Electric Circuits, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to apparatus for antomatically operating devices for closing and opening electric circuits at predeterminable times, for example, for operating devices for switching on and off electric bells, signaling lamps; or circuits adapted to carry out mechanical operations of any desired kind at prearranged and regulatable times. In apparatus of this kind known heretofore the desired end is obtained by providing a disk or drum continuously driven by clockwork and having rows of holes, into which are inserted pins for influencing switching or connecting devices, these pins corresponding in each case with desired times of disengagement. These known devices have, however, the disadvantage that they are very large, when a number of electriccircuits have to be influenced and when only very small intervals'oftime have to elapse betweenthe consecutive operations of clos-.

ing such circuits. When, for example, it is desired to be able at any specified minute to close only one circuit, it is necessary to provide in the disk or drum 1440. holes in a row. l/Vhen several circuitsare to be Closed and the sequence and character of the signals are to be different on different days, a correspondingly large number ofthe very large perforated disks must be employed. The large size of devices of this kind is a drawback in thatthe masses to be-moved by the clockwork are too great and consequently reliability in working cannot be depended on. A

A primary object of my invention is to provide improved apparatus of the type described to which these defects are not attached. To this end I arrange that the circuit to be connected is led over two'groups of onnecting members which are influenced by two automatically fed, rotary switching or change-over mechanisms. One of these change-overmechanisms is sodriven that it produces in ,a prearranged order within, for example, one day, continually varying combinations in the positions of the connecting members of the group associated with it;

the other change-over mechanism comprises,

a drum fitted'with projecting pins or the the connecting membersv of the second, the

electric circuit is closed and the desired effect is therefore obtained. For setting out the pins onthe drum it is therefore necessary only to take into account the order of the continually changing positions of the first change-over mechanism, which may be called a combination switching or changeover mechanism. The second changeover mechanism is preferably driven each time the electric circuit is closed, a feed mechanism of any desired suitable kind being then electroma'gnetically operated. The combination change-over mechanism on the other hand is preferably either mechanically or electrically driven by clockwork. In order to be able to connect up the various electric circuits at different intervals of time, c. g. on each day of a week, additional connecting devices may be providedwhich are suited to those divergences from the normal periods of closing the circuits which correspond with the different intervals of time desired. Also, by providing additional connecting members it is-possible to arrange that various electric circuits are closed for carrying out operations at various places. pared with known apparatus, my improved apparatus therefor not only has a much smaller pindrum, but also permits almost unlimited freedom of action in delivering various signals orthe like at predetermined times and places.

,Several illustrative embodiments of my invention are represented by way of example in the accompanying drawing showing preferred forms of my apparatus partly in perspective, partly in elevation, and partly diagrammatically.

In these drawings: Figure. 1 illustrates one form of apparatus wherein a pin-drum is comprised in the time change-over de vice; Fig. 2 illustrates amodified form of As'comapparatus comprising a retarding device,-

and Fig. 3 illustrates another form of apparatus wherein a perforated band is comprised in the time change-over device.

Referring to Fig. 1, the adjustable switching or change-over mechanism comprises a drum 1 having in its periphery a large number of rows of holes, wherein pins 2, 361, 28 can be inserted as desired. Above these rows of holes or pins are arranged three groups of levers. The first group consists of four levers 3 able to rock about an axle l, each of their free ends being movable between two contactbridges 5, 6. At the other side of these contact-bridges there are arranged, rotatable about a second axle 8, four additional levers 7 which on the one hand can also move between the bridges 5, 6 and on the other hand bear on four notched disks 9 mounted insulated on an axle 10. This axle is continuously driven by a synchronously controlled, auxiliary clock mechanism 11 which, like an auxiliary clock 12, is connected to an electric time-service system. The four disks each have eight notches which, however, are arranged in each disk to come into action in a diiferent order, so that to each angular position of the axle 10 and the disks 9 there corresponds a different position of the four levers 7. I arrange that the axle 10 rotates one revolution per day. The circuit of a battery 13 comprises all the levers 7 and 3 able to be connected in series by means of the bridges 5, 6. In this circuit is also connected an electromagnet 14:, whose armature 15 is under the influence of a powerful spring 16 and actuates by means of a pawl 17 a ratchet wheel 18 connected with the drum 1.

Assuming, firstly, for the sake of an explanation of the mode of operation of the system of levers 3 and 7, that the battery circuit comprises a connection 19 shown in dotted lines, which could be formed 6. g. by a switch, this circuit would be closed as soon as the position of the levers 7 at the combination change-over mechanism 7, 9 relative to the contact-bridges 5, 6 is the same as that of the levers 3 relative thereto in consequence of the disposition of the pins 2 on the drum 1. Let it be assumed for instance that by means of the holes 2 on the drum 1 the levers 3 be brought in contact with the upper bridges 5 and 6. The uppermost of the levers 3 is in contact with the connecting bridge 5, the second lever from the top with the connecting bridge 6, also the following lever with the connecting bridge 6 and the undermost lever with bridge 5 In order now to enable a circuit to be closed for the magnet 14 the levers 7 must be brought into a position corresponding to that of the levers 3 by means of the notched disks 9. The following circuit will thus be established: battery 13, conductor 41, uppermost lever 7, bridge 5, uppermost lever 3, connection to the second lever 3, lower bridge 6, second lever 7, connection to the third lever 7, lower bridge 6, third lever 3, connection to undermost lever 3, upper bridge 5, undermost lever 7, conductor 1-1, short-circuit conductor 19, conductor 20, electro-magnet 1% and back to battery 13. The magnet 14 will then be energized, attract its armature and, consequently move the pawl 17 one tooth. The bell indicated by dotted lines at could simultaneously be sounded. As soon as the position of the lever 7 is changed owing to the disks 9 being rotated further, the circuit is broken and the pin-drum 1 rotated one unit by means of the tensioned spring 16 and the feed-mechanism 17, 18, whereby the switchlevers 3 are brought by pins arranged in a different manner into a position corresponding to the next time for closing the circuit. The drum then remains in this position until. the combination switching mechanism 9 has brought its switch-levers 7 into the corresponding position, whereupon the circuit is again closed and a similar cycle of operations takes place as before.

Secondly, it will now be assumed that owing to the circuit of the battery 13 being closed, not one single bell 15 only, but several thereof are to be rung at various places and that the times when such ringing occurs shall be different on different days of the week. For this purpose the one battery line 20 is led by way of cuttingout switches 24 to a number of bells 21, 22, which are assumed to be fixed at various places. From there the current passes by means of the lines 25 associated with the various bells to several levers 27 which are mounted to rock about an axle 26 and are so influenced at one end by pins, also arranged on the drum 1, that when these levers are rocked over they come into contact with a common contact-bar 29 and thus close at this place the circuit of one or more bells. The contact-bar 29 is connected by a lead 30 with a second similar bar 31, over which seven levers are mounted to rock about an axle 33 in a manner exactly similar to that described with reference to the levers 27; they contact with the lever 31 when they are rocked by a third group of pins on the drum 1. Each of these levers 32 represents a predetermined day of the week, and in order that it alone may be actuated for the particular day, a connection is made by means of leads 35 between each of these levers 32 and brushes 36 which slide on a disk 37 of insulation containing at one place a contact-piece 38. This disk 37 acts as a daily commutating device and is likewise driven by the time-service system, either continuously or intermittently, by means of synchronized mechanism 39, in such manswitch-levers3 and 7 in succession tothe battery. In one position of the levers 3 and 7 it will be seen that in this illustrative embodiment the complete circuit of the switching apparatus is as follows from "one pole of the battery 13, over the drum actuating magnet 14, the lead 20., the bells 23 and 22, the corresponding levers 27, contact-bar 29, lead 30, bar31, 'first lever 32, lead 35, brush 36, contact-piece 38, brush 40, lead 41, the levers 7, bridges 5 and levers 3, lead 41, and back to the other poleof the battery 13.' When this circuit is broken,

. the drum 1 is rotated by means of the pawlmechanismpreviously held tensioned by the magnet 14, whereby all the three groups of levers 3, 32, 27'are given positions preparatory to the next circuit-closing operation, this being brought about as soon as the com bination changeover mechanism gives that position to the switch-levers 7 which corresponds with that of the levers 3. The day levers 32 and the local-circuit levers 27 may be arranged in a modified manner. Namely, they may normally contact with the bars 29, '31 and be raised therefrom only by the action of thepins34, 28, respectively, when one of the circuit-closing operations as prearranged by the drum 1 and the pins 2 is not to take placeon a predetermined day or at predetermined place. In every case it is necessaryto takeinto' account at the drum 1 and the pin 2 all the connecting operations necessaryin' the course of the week, and to prevent these occurring by opening the circuit in one day or the other by means of the other levers 32, 27.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the adjustment of the connecting members is maintained, as mentioned above, until the notched disks 9 again rock the levers 7, whereupon the pin-drum '1 is driven.

Fig. 2 illustrates .a modified apparatus, wherein, when the current impulse is given, the magnet 14 by attracting its armature, 15 drives the pin-drum 1 by means of the pawl 17. Since nowhowever, at the moment of the current impulse, the adjustment of the levers 3 is also changed by the pin-drum 1, the signal of the bell 45, which was actuated simultaneously with the magnet 14, would also immediately cease. In order therefore that the signal or other operation started by the closure of the circuit shall be maintained for a desired length of time, the fol lowing retarding device is employed: In series with the magnet 14 are two additional magnets'46, 47. The first of these. when energized closes by means of its armature 48 a circuit 70, which bridges over the con- .one roll 56 and onto a second roll 56.

tact-bridges 5, '6 and the groups of levers 3, 7, and would accordingly continually maintain a circuit once formed at the said bridges. In order to be able to open the bridging circuit after a desired predetermined time, a contact device 49 is interpolated, this being influenced by the hooklike armature 50 of the magnet 47. When attracted this armature drives" an escapement 52 by means of a wheel-train 51, which escapement can be adjusted-by regulating the weighted lever 52, and accordingly permits the armature 50 to be completely attracted only after a longer or a shorter period of time, whereby the hook of the armature finally opens the contact 49, and consequently breaks the circuit of the bridging winding.

For the sake of simplicity Fig. 2 does not show the additional devices for making pro-' vision, when signaling, both for the various days of the week and for the different places in which the signals are desired to be operated. Such devices would here exactly correspond with those shown in Fig. 1. Under some circumstances the retarding device is of course advantageous in systems of the kind'represented in Fig. 1 wherein, when the armature is attracted,.the pawl moves idly.

By increasing the number of levers in all or in some of the above mentioned three [allow the connecting-levers to be successively influenced in a manner similar to that describedabove with reference to the rows of pins on the .drum. Fig. 3 illustrates by way of example one form of apparatus of this kind. Referring to this figure, the

vers 7, whose free ends come alternately into contact with the upper and lower contactpieces 5 or 6.; The levers3 however no longer influence the contact-pieces 5, 6, but

close the circuit over a special row of conmounted in a guide 55 over which passes a perforated band 57, which is wound on" from V 4 The endless band 57 is driven by a drum 58 pronotched disks 9 here also influence the levided at both ends with sprockets 58 which engage in corresponding perforations in the band; Each of the resilient pointers 8 mounted in a bar 59, carries at its free end two contact-pins 60, 61, which are respectively located above the contact-pins 53, 5 1 of the guide 55, whereby as soon as a hole in the perforated band arrives at one of these places the corresponding contact-pins 60, 61 and 53, 5s touch one another. The perforations are so arranged that either the contact-pin 61 and the contact-pin 5 1, or the contact-pin 60 and the contact-pin 53, touch one another, so as to provide the combination of closed contacts to which the combination of the levers 7 will correspond. The guide 55 which, together with a portion of the perforated band, is shown in the figure broken away in order to represent clearly the manner of fastening the contact-pins 53, carries in addition a contact-bar 62 which, owing to additional rows of holes in the perforated band 57, can come into contact with resilient pointers 27, likewise mounted in the bar 59. The contact-bar 62 thus closes the circuit of the battery 13 over the contact-pieces 5 or 6, the contact-pins 53 or 54., the lead 30 and one or more of the bells 21, 22, 23 arranged at different places. The arrangement of the levers 27 therefore exactly corresponds with the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 for selecting a signaling clevice at a predetermined place. Since when employing a perforated band it is not necessary to arrange adjusting devices for the signals on the surface of a drum, but it is possible on the other hand to successively represent on a band of any desired length the various combinations by means of perforated symbols, it is not necessary in an arrangement of the kind just described to use those contacting devices for the various days of a week which are shown in Fig. 1. Such devices are now replaced by arranging the signals afresh for each successive day on the perforated band. The perforated band has moreover the advantage that the number of signals to be given or of other operations to be carried out within a predetermined period of time is not limited as with the pindrum, in which the holes in its periphery for receiving the pins limit the number of operations which can be carried out in a given time.

All the devices illustrated and described are only diagrammatically represented and can be modified, both with regard to their arrangement and to the form of the various parts in order to suit desired purposes of employment, without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim 1. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of two groups of an equal numlei-e98 ber of connecting members each displaceable into different positions, a tune changeover device and a combination change-over mechanism each adapted to displace the members of one of said groups from one position into another, automatic means for driving said time change-over device, automatic means for driving said combination change-over mechanism, and means constituting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled for connecting all of said connecting members in series when the members of both said groups are in correspond ing positions.

2. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of two groups of an equal number of connecting members each displaceable into different positions, a time changeover device and a combination change-over mechanism each adapted to displace the members of one of said groups from one position into another, automatic means comprising an elcctromagnet in the circuit to be controlled for driving said time change-over device, automatic means comprising clockwork for driving said combination changeover mechanism, and means constituting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled for connecting all of said connecting members in series and with said electromagmet when the memliiers of both said groups are in corresponding positions.

3. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined. times, the combination of two groups of an equal number of connecting members each displaceable into different positions, a time change-over device and a combination change-over mechanism each adapted to displace the members of one of said groups from one position into another, automatic means comprising an electromagnet in the circuit to be controlled for driving said time change-over device, automatic electric means comprising clockwork for driving said combination change over mechanism, and means constituting portions of the electric circuitto be controlled for connecting all of said connecting members in series and with said electroma net when the members of both said groups are in corresponding positions.

4. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of two groups of an equal number of connecting members, and a third group of connecting members corresponding in number to the units of a predetermined cycle of time, said members being each displaceable into two positions, a time changeover device adapted to displace the members of one of said two groups and of the third group, automatic means for driving said time change-over device, a combination change-over mechanism adapted to displace the members of the remaining group, automatic means for driving said combination change-over mechanism, means for connecting all the members of said two groups in series when the same have corresponding positions, and means for connecting in series with the. latter means the members of said third group, the two latter means constitutingportions of the electric circuit to be controlled. V 7

5. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of two groups of an equal number of connecting members, and a third group of connecting members corresponding in number to the units of a predetermined cycle of time, said members being each displaceable into two positions, a time changeover device adapted to displace the members of one of said two groups and of the third group, automatic means for driving said time change-over device, a combination change-over mechanism adapted to displace the members of the remaining group, automatic means for driving said combination change-over mechanism, a commutator common to all of the connecting membersrof said third group, means for uniformlyrotating said commutator once during each cycle of time, means for connecting all the members of said two groups in series when the same have corresponding positions, and means for connecting in series with the latter means the members of said third group, and said commutator, the two latter means constituting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled.

6. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of two groups of an equal number of connecting members, and a third group of connecting members corresponding in number to the electric circuits to be controlled, said members being each displacev able into different positions, a time changeover device adapted to displace the members of one of said two groups and of the third group, automatic means for driving said time change-over device, a combination change-over mechanism adapted to displace the members of the remaining group, automatic means for driving said combination change-over mechanism, means for connecting all the members of said two groups in series when the same have corresponding positions, and means for connecting in series with the latter means the members of said third group, the two latter means constituting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled.

7 In means for automatically controlling electric circuits atpredetermined times, the combination. of two groups of an equal number of connecting members, a third group of connecting members corresponding in groups and of the third and fourth groups,

automatic means for driving said time change-over device, a combination change over mechanism adapted to displace the members of the remaining group, automatic means for driving said combination changeover mechanism, means for connecting all a the members of said two groups in series when the same have corresponding positions, and means for connecting in series with the latter means the members of said third and fourth groups, the two latter means constituting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled.

8. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of two groups of an equal number of connecting members each displaceablej into two positions, a time change-over device comprising a drum having eXchangeable pins therein, a combination changeover mechanism, said device and said mechanism being each adapted to displace the members of one of said groups from one position into the other, automatic means for driving said time change-over device, automatic means for driving said combination change-over mechanism, and means consti tuting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled for connecting all of said connecting members in series when the members of both said groups are in corresponding positions.

9. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of two groups of an equal number of connecting members, a third group of connecting members corresponding in number to the units of a predetermined cycle of time, and a fourth group of connecting members corresponding in number to the electric circuits to be controlled, said members being each displaceable into different positions, a time changeover device adapted to displace the members of one of said two groups and of the third and fourth groups, said time change-over device comprising a drum having exchangeable pins therein, automatic means for driving said time change-over device, a combination change-over mechanism adapted to displace the members of the remaining group automatic means for driving said combination change-over mechanism, means for connecting all the members of said two groups in series when the same have corresponding positions, and, means for connecting in series with the latter means the members of said third and fourth groups, the two latter means constituting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled.-

10. In means for automatically controlling electric circuits at predetermined times, the combination of tWo groups of an equal number of connecting members each displaceable into different positions, a time change-over device and a combination change over mechanism each adapted to displace the members'of one of said groups from one position into another, automatic means for driving said time change-over device, automatic means for driving said combination change-over mechanism, and connecting means constituting portions of the electric circuit to be controlled for connecting all of said connecting members in series When the members of both said groups are in corresponding positions; and retarding means associated With the electric circuit and adapted to maintain closed for a predetermined time the circuit closed by said connecting means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two Witnesses.

HERMANN VOIGT.

VitnesseS VOLDEMAR HAUPT, HENRY :HASPER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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