US1290700A - Auxiliary alarm system. - Google Patents

Description

C. E. BEACH.

AUXILMRY ALARM SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED sEPT.24, 1914. RENEWED NOV. 23. 191B.

1 ,29 O,700. Patented J an. 7, 1919.

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CLARENCE E. BEACH, OF IBIN'GHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENT-S, TO THE GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUXILIARY ALARM SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. '7, 1919.

Application filed September 24,1914, Serial No. 863,322. Renewed November 23, 1918. Serial No. 263,926.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. BEACH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broomeand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auxiliary Alarm Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to alarm systems and particularly to fire alarm systems having signal boxes connected in a general circuit and each adapted to transmit a signal identifying that particular signal box and having one or more groups of so-called auxiliary stations, a different one of said signal boxes being connected to each group of auxiliary stations whereby the operation of any one of the auxiliary stations will cause its connected signal box to be so influenced by the batteries associated with said signal box and its connected group of auxiliary stations that said box will be'adjusted for the transmission of its signal.

Auxiliary signaling systems have, in the past, been devised having two sets of batteries associated with each auxiliarized signal box and its connected group of auxiliary stations, and in such systems provision has been made whereby one battery set and a part of the wiring have been under constant test for their continuity, and the other battery set and a further-portion of the wiring whose continuity is vital to the effective operation of the signal box from any auxiliary station have not been kept under test in such previous systems, but provision has been made whereby a test of the continuity of such additional battery set and wiring could be manually effected.

In such earlier forms of auxiliary systems an answer back or return signal has been provided at each auxiliary station whereby the responsive action of the signal box may be automatically announced or 1n dicated at an auxiliary station which has been operated, and in such prior systems local alarm means has been provided, for indicating a cross between certain wires connecting the various auxiliary stations, and for indicating a break in the conductors and battery which are under constant test. A

separate local alarm has also been provided for'indicating when an auxiliary station has been operated. In such earlier systems the conductors between the two sets of batteries, the signal box and the auxiliary stations were so arranged that the signal box would not be set in motion on account of the breakage of any wire or of a cross between any two wires.

Such earlier systems were so organized that when a manual test was made of certain conductors and the battery set not under normal test, it was necessary to disable the signal box during such test so as to avoid the likelihood of the signal box bein unintentionally set in motion as the re su t of such test.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary alarm system, having all of the advantages possessed by such systems as have been heretofore constructed, and havin the additional advantage of keeping un er constant test all current sup ply mechanism and conductors whose condition is vital to causing the operation of the signal box from anyauxiliary station, so that warning will be immediately given of a break in the conductors or of a weakening of current supply mechanism such as might render the operation of an auxiliary station ineffective to set the signal box in motion.

Another object of this invention is to so construct and arrange the current indicating mechanism, employed for testing the continuity of the conductors vital to the ad justment of the signal box from an auxiliary station and the strength of the current supply mechanism, that such a test may be obtalned, without either disabling the operative relation between the auxiliary stations and the signal box, and without causing any likelihood of the signal box being set in motion astheresult of such test.

Other objects of this invention are referred to in the following specification and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In constructing this invention, any well known form of signal box may be employed, which is provided with electro-magnetic mechanism adapted to cause the signal box to be set in motion whenever the magnet thereof is sufliciently energized, and, if desired, comprising means for breaking the circuit connected to said magnet as a result of the operation of said signal box.

Any well known form of auxiliary sta- Conductors are provided serially including.

the normally closed terminals of the auxiliary stations, relay mechanism controlling a suitable alarm, the controlling magnet and circuit breaking contacts (if used) of the signal box to be controlled, and current supply mechanism so applied as to provide a normal current flow therethrough to maintain the relay mechanism in such condition that. any

material decrease in said current flow will render said suitable alarm operative, such normal current flow being insuflicient to cause efiective energization of the starting magnet of the signal box.

Other conductors are provided serially in.- cluding relay mechanism, normally open terminals of the auxiliary stations, a. resistance, and current supply mechanism of such strength that when the relay mechanism, the answer back magnet of any auxiliary station, (if used), and the starting magnet of the signal box, are connected in series, the result ant current flow through said box starting magnet will be capable of adjusting said signal box for the transmission of its signal. Said resistance is such that it will provide such a normal current flow through said relay mechanism as to maintain said relay mechanism in such condition that any material decrease in said current flow will render said suitable alarm operative.

When it is desired to provide facilities for current flow measurements, current indicating mechanism is provided together with an improved system of connections, between said indicating mechanism and the current paths vital to causing the operation of the signal box from any auxiliary station, wherebyreadings may be obtained without either disabling the operative relation between the auxiliary stations and the signal box or creating any likelihood of the signal box be ing set in motion.

When it is desired to render the operation of this improved auxiliary alarm system effective in spite of breaks in any conductor connected; to a normally open terminal of an auxiliary station, a comparatlvely low res stance shunt is provided, from the terminal of the current supply mechanism connected to one end of the loop including the relay mechanism and open circuit terminals of all ituxiliary stations, to the other end of said oop.

Various features of my invention are adapted for use either separately or in combination with each other with many auxiliary alarm systems and I do not limit myself to the particular arrangements shown in the accompanying drawing and described in this specification, as many changes. in construction and arrangement and the insertion or omission of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

For the purpose of more clearly illustrating my invention, 1 have shown its application to a well known auxiliary alarm system in the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 shows said auxiliary alarm system as it has been ordinarily constructed;

Fig. 2 shows the alarm system of Fig. 1

with my invention so applied thereto as to keep all conductors vital to the intended control of the signal box under constant test; and I Fig. 3 shows the alarm system of Fig. 1 with my invention so applied thereto as to not only keep the conductors vital to the intended control of the signal box under. constant test, but to further render the operation of anyauxiliary station effective in spite of a break in the operating loop.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout.

A well known auxiliary alarm system is shown in Fig. 1 in which 1 is a starting magnet associated with a suitable signal box and adapted when properly energized to cause the adjustment of said box for the transmission of a signal therefrom. 2 and 3 are contacts included in the circuit connected to the starting magnet 1 and controlled by the signal box associated therewith so that said contacts will be separated as a result of the run. ning of the signal box mechanism for the transmission of a signal;

A and B are auxiliary stations each having circuit adjusting means consisting of a switch arm 4: pivoted at 5 and the free end of which is adapted to engage and connect with the separately insulated contacts 6, 7 and 8.

A buzzer or answer back means is also shown at each auxiliary station comprisingthe magnet 9, the terminals of which are connected to the contacts 7 and 8, and an armature 10 connected with the pivot 5 of the switch arm 4. A back-stop 11 is provided in the path of the armature 10 but normally out of contact therewith saidlback-stop being connected to the contact 6.

In suitable relation to the starting magnet 1 a terminal set is shown comprisingtesting battery. G, operating battery-D, galvano'meter G, test switch H, resistance I, alarm controlling mechanism comprising trip relay E and cross relay F, and suitable local alarm mechanism J controlled by said alarm controlling mechanism.

One terminal of the testing battery C is connected with one terminal of the operating battery D by the conductor 12 so that it may serially cooperate therewith. The other terminal of the testing battery C is connected through the conductor 13 to one terminal of the magnet 14 of trip relay E. The other terminal of the magnet 14 is connected through the conductor 15 to one terminal of the starting magnet 1. The other terminal of the starting magnet is connected to the contact 2, and contact 3 is connected through conductor 16 to flexible contact 17 forming part of switch H, and to one terminal of galvanomcter G. The pivot of the movable arm 20 of the switch H is connected to the other terminal of the galvanometer G, and said arm 20 is adapted to be moved so as to connect with either contact 21 or contact 22.

Flexible contact 18 of switch H is con.- nected through conductor 19 to conductor 15.

. The flexible contacts 17 and 18 are so associated with the switch H that when said switch is in one position these contacts will be brought together so as to form a shunt around the starting magnet 1, while these contacts will be separated when the mechanism of switch H is in its normal position.

The conductor 23 connects the contact 21 with the pivot 5 of the switch arm 4 of the adjusting means forming part of auxiliary station A.

The conductor 24 connects normally closed contact 6, of the circuit adjusting means forming part of auxiliary station A, with the pivot5, of the circuit adjusting means forming part of auxiliary station E, and conductor 25 connects contact 6, forming part of the circuit adjusting means of auxiliary station E, with conductor 12.

Restoring mechanism should be provided for the arm 20 of the switch H so that when released said arm will always rest upon the contact 21, and for this purpose the flexible contact 18 may be arranged to constantly exert a tendency to move the arm 20 away from the contact 22 in the direction of the contact 21, or other restoring means for said arm may be provided, but it is important in the use of the system shown in Fig. 1 that this arm shall always occupy the position there shown when not actually used for making a test, as the auxiliary alarm system represented by this figure is rendered inoperative when this switch arm is moved oflt' from contact 21.

The current path from testing battery C through conductor 13, magnet 14, conductor 15,starting magnet l, contacts2and 3, conductor" 16, galvano-meter G, switch arm 20, contact 21, conductor 23, switch arm 4 and contact 6 of auxiliary station A, conductor 24, switch arm 4 and contact 6 of auxiliar station B, and conductor 25 forms a testing circuit, one end of which is connectedto the battery C through the conductor 12, and the other end of which is directly connected to said battery, so that the testing current may normally pass over said circuit, and the strength of the battery C is such that the current flow through the circuit indicated will be sufficient to hold the armature of the magnet 14 in the partially attract-ed position hereinafter more fully described, but said current flow will be insufficient to draw the armatures of the magnet 14 or the starting magnet 1 to their attracted positions, and said current path therefore forms a circuit Tuch as I will hereinafter refer to as a test oop.

The conductor 27 connects one terminal of the operating battery D with one terminal of the magnet 28 of cross relay F, and the other terminal of said magnet 28 is connected through the conductor 29 to contact 7 of the circuit adjusting means of auxiliary station B. The contacts 7 of auxiliary stations A and B are connected by the conductor 30.

The conductor 27, magnet 28, and conductors 29 and 30 form a current path from the operating battery D to the circuit adjusting means of the auxiliary stations B and A whereby starting magnet l of the signal box may be operatively affected and thereby form a current path such as I will hereinafter refer to as an operating loop.

It will be noted that the operating loop is so arranged as to form an alternative path to the starting magnet 1 from the conductor 12 and is arranged to connect the various auxiliary stations in the same order as they are included in the end of the test loop which is connected to said conductor 12, whereby the resistance of the current path when the testing battery and operating battery are acting in series is substantially the same, regardless of which auxiliary station is actuated.

The cross relay F comprises the magnet 28 and its associated pivoted armature structure 31 having back stop 32 against which it is normally held by retractile spring 33 and having front stop 34 into contact with which it may be moved when the magnet 28 is sufficiently energized.

The trip relay E comprises the magnet 14 and its associated pivoted armature strwture 35 having retractile spring 36 which is adapted to hold the armature structure in contact with back stop 37 when the magnet 14 is denergized.

The insulating .button38 is provided near the end of the armature structure 35 and. is so positioned with relation to the arm 39 as to be adapted to move said arm around its pivot 40 when the armature structure moves toward the magnet 14.

The spring 41 is so applied to the arm 39 as to resist the movement imparted to said arm by the armature structure 35, and the lower end of the arm 39 is cut away on the side toward the armature structure 35 so as to form a shoulder and a stop.

The trip arm 42, pivoted at 43, has connected thereto a spring 44 tending to raise the free end of said arm, and a contact pin 45 is provided in such position, nzar the free end of said arm, that it may be so engaged by the shoulder at the lower end of the arm 39, that the movement of the trip arm 42, in response to the spring 44, may be arrested by said shoulder, and. so engaged by the stop that the pin 45 will act to limit the movement of the arm 39 in the dir ction of the armature structure 35.

The contact spring 46 is mounted in the path of the trip arm 42 in such position that when said arm is being held by the engage ment of the pin 45 with the shoulder at the end of the arm 39, said arm 42 will be in contact with the contact spring 46, and that when the arm 39 is disengaged from the pin 45, so as to permit the trip arm 42 to move in response to spring 44, said arm 42 will move out of contact withv the contact spring 46.

The contact spring 47 is mounted in such relation to the pin 45 that the free end of said contact spring 47 will lie in the path of movement of said pin 45, so that said pin 45 will be brought against said contact spring 47, when the trip arm 42 is raised,

after the disengagement of the shoulder at the free end of the arm 39, from said pin 45.

From the foregoing description of this relay, it is apparent that when the magnet 14 is denergized and the trip arm 42 is manually depressed, the cut away end of the arm 39 will move into the path of the pin 45 and retain the trip arm 42 in its depressed position, and thereafter, when the magnet 14 is suffi iently energized, the armature structure 35 will move the end of the arm 39 out of the path of the pin 45, and the trip arm 42 will move to su h position as to break its connection with contact spring 46 and establish connection between contact pin 45 and contact spring 47. This relay is therefore arranged, to trip a contact upon complete attraction of the armature, and in this sense is herein referred to as a trip relay.

It will further be seen from the foregoing that the trip relay E is so organized that, under predetermined conditions of the circuit connected to the magnet 14, the armaturev structure 35 may occupy any one of three definite positions; first, the position where it is in contact with back stop 37,

where it holds the cut away end of the arm 39 out of the path of the pin 45, and thereby operatively affects the relation of the trip arm 42 with contact springs 46 and 47 which position it will occupy whenever the magnet 14 is sufficiently energized to move the armature structure 35 against both the tension of spring 36 and the tension of spring 41 acting through the arm 39, and the friction incid"nt to pin 45 pressing against the shoulder at the end of said arm 39.

This relay is therefore not only a trip relay, but is arranged to maintain any one of three sets of local contact conditions, and

in this sense is herein referred to as a threeposition relay.

The terminal set also embodies the local alarm me hanism J which comprises the batterv 48, the disturbance bell 49 and the fire bell 50. The conductor 51 connects one terminal of the battery 48 with the trip arm 42 through its pivot 43; the conductor 52 connects the other terminal of the battery 48 with one terminal of the fire bell 50; the condu tor 53 connects the other terminal of said fire bell with the contact spring 47; the conductor 54 connects the terminal of the fire bell 50, which is connected by the wire 52 with the batt ry 48, with one terminal of the disturbance bell 49, the other terminal of said disturbance bell 49 is connected through the wire 55 with the armature structure 31 of cross relay F and through the wire 56 with the armature structure 35 of the trip relay E; the conductor 57 conne ts the back stop 37 of trip relay E with the front stop 34 of cross relay F, and said conductor is connected by the conductor 58 with contact spring 46.

-From the foregoing, it is evident that whenever the armature structure 35 is moved to its extreme attracted position, and the trip arm 42 is thereupon raised by the spring 44, a circuit will be established from the battery 48 through conductor 51, trip arm 42, pin 45, contact spring 47, conductor 53, fire bell 50 and conductor 52 to the other side of the battery 48, thereby causing the fire bell 50 to sound.

It is further evidentthat, while the trip arm 42 is in such elevated position, the battery 48 will be disconnected from the conductor 57, because of the separation between said trip arm 42 and the contact spring46, and therefore the movement of the armature structure 31 of the cross relay F into conment of the armature structure 31 to its attracted position, on account of the establishmentof a-current path frombattery. 48, throughconductor 51, trip arm 42, contact spring 46, conductor 58, the portion of conductor 57 leading therefrom to front stop 34, thence through armature structure 31,

conductor 55, disturbance bell 49, conductor 54, and conductor 52, to the other terminal of the battery 48; or upon the movement of the armature structure 35 of trip relay E to retracted position, on account of the estab lishment-of a current path from battery 48,

through conductor 51, trip arm 42, contact spring 46, conductor 58,the portion of conductor 57 leading therefrom to back stop 37, armature structure 35, conductor 56, disturbance bell 49, conductor 54, and conductor 52, to the other terminal of the battery 48.

The three-position feature of the trip relay E is utilized by' employing this relay as a test relay, so long as the trip arm 42 is in depressed position, to cause the disturbance .bell 49 to act whenever the current flow through the magnet 14 is less than a predetermined value, and as a trip relay, acting whenever the magnet 14 has been abnormally energizedboth to cause the operation of the fire bell 50 and to open the connection between the battery 48 and the contacts controlling the disturbance bell 49.

The cross relay F operatively alfects the disturbance bell 49 as a result of a cross developing between the test loop and the operating loop, only when the test loop is not broken between said cross and the end of said test loop which is connected to conductor 12; for,in the event of a cross so occurring, for instance between conductor 30 and conductor 24, the energization of the magnet 14 of trip relay E will not be materially increased, and therefore said relay will not open the connection between the battery 48 and the disturbance bell 49, but a current path from the operating battery D will be established through conductor 12, conductor 25, contact 6 of auxiliary station B. switch arm 4 of said station, conductor 24, and through said cross to conductor 30, thence through conductor 29, magnet 28 and conductor 27 to the other terminal of the op crating battery D; and in view of the comparatively low resistance of this current path it is evident that the magnet 28 will be strongly energized and the armature structure 31 will be moved into contact with its front stop 34.

For the purpose of enabling the condition of the vital current path through the operating battery and operating loop to be manually determined, the operating loop is extended from contact 7, of the circuit actuating meansof auxiliarystation A, through the conductor 59, to a terminal of the resist ance I, and the other terminal of said re-. sistance is connected through conductor 61 with the normally open contact 22 ofthe switch H.

The operation of the system shown in Fig. i 1 is as follows: 7 Under normal conditions, the parts occupy the positions shown and there is no current flow from theoperating battery D. but the magnet 14 of'trip' relay E is sufliciently energizedby the curernt flow from testing battery C, through the test loop already described, to move and retain the armature structure 35 in-its intermediate position, so; that any interruption in the current path' through said test circuit (including the starting magnet 1 and contacts 2 and 3) will be indicated by the "disturbance bell 49, which will be rendered efiective through the retraction of the armature structure 35 into contact with its associated back stop constantly indicated by the galvanometer G.

If, now, it is desired to'secure an indica-,

tion of the condition of the operating battery and the operating loop connected therewith, the switch structure H must be manually operated so as to bring the arm 20 into contact with the contact 22 and out of contact with the contact 21.

The first result of such movement of the switch arm 20 is to connect the flexible contacts 17 and 18, and thereby short circuit the starting magnet 1 and contacts 2 and 3, and the further movement of the arm 20 will establish a connection between said arm and the contact 22 and break the connection between said arm and the contact 21.

When the switch arm 20 is in the position just described, a current path is established from the operating battery D.

through conductor 12, testing battery (7, conductor 13, magnet 14. conductors 15 and 19,

' contacts 18 and 17, galvanometer G, switch arm 20. contact 22. conductor 61, resistance 7 comparison with a similar reading previously obtained through the same operating loop, the effectiveness of operating battery D may be judged.

.It is evident that when the switch arm 20 has been moved to contact 22 as just described, the movement of the switch arm 4 of an auxiliary station would not operatively affect the starting magnet 1: first, because said starting magnet is short-circuited through the (011118 tion established between the contacts 17 and 18; and second, because the portion of the test loop, which is connected to the operating loop through the action of any auxiliary station switch arm, stands open at contact 21 so that the operation of such switch arm "would not aifect the current flow through the starting magnet 1 even if the contact springs 17 and 18 were not employed.

The operation of this system to cause the signal box to be set in motion is as follows: The switch arm '4 of one of the auxiliary stations (for instance, the station A) should be moved from conta t 6 until it rests upon contact "8 of said station.

When the switch arm 4 touches the contact 7, hile still touching contact 6, a current path will be established from the operating battery D through conductor 12 to junction with conductor 2.5; from this junction two parallel paths will exist to contact '7 of station A; first, through conductor 25, contact 6 and switch arm 4 of auxiliary station B, conductor 24 to contact 6 of auxiliary station A, thence through switch arm 4 to contact 7 of said station, which path will be referred to as the path through conductor 2'5; and second, from the junction of conductor 25 with conductor 12, through battery C, conductor 13, magnet 14, conductor 15, starting magnet 1 of the signal box, contacts 2 and 3, conductor 16, galvanometer Gr, arm 20 and contact 21 of switch H, condurtor 23 and switch arm 4 to contact 7 of auxiliary station A, which path will be referred to as the path through starting magnet 1, but the resistance of this path through starting magnet 1 is so great in comparison with the path through conductor 25 that substantially all the current from the operating battery D will pass through the path through conductor 25. From the junction of the two parallel current paths at contact 7, the current path continues through conductor 30, contact 7 of station B, conductor '29, magnet 28 of cross relay F and conductor 27 to the other terminal of operating battery D, which path will be referred to as the path through magnet 28.

Upon the establishment of the current paths just described, magnet 28 will be powerfully energized, and armature structure .31 will move against the tension of spring 33 into contact with front stop 34 and, if the switch arm 4 is moved slowly enough, the disturbance bell 49 will be caused to act. 7

When the switch arm 4 ceases to touch the contact 6, the current path through conduc'tor 25 will be interrupted, and therefore the current flow through the path through startingmagnet'l will be greatly increased and will be sufficient to operatively afiect the starting magnet 1 and to cause the magnet 14 acting through the armature structure 35 to disengage the cut away end of the arm "39 from the pin 45, so that the trip arm 42 will be permitted to move in response to the spring 44, and thus silence the .local disturbance bell 49 and render active the local fire bell 50, and if the signal box is set, in condition to be responsive'to' the efiective energization of the'magnet 1, said signal box would be adjusted for the transmission of its signal.

After said switch arm 4 is moved from.

contact 7 to contact 8, the magnet 9, of'the' buzzer or answer bark means associated therewith, will be serially included in the path through the starting magnet 1 to contact 7, so that the current passing through said path will cause said magnet 9 to draw its armature 10 an abnormal distance from its ba"k stop 11.

When the connectlon between contacts 2 and 3 is interrupted (as it should be by the running of the signal box) the path through magnet 1 will be broken and the magnet 9 will therefore bev deenergized, and the armature 10 will thus be permitted to move away from said magnet, but said armature in moving away from its magnet will ac quire sufficient momentum to carry it against its back stop 11, so as to renergize the magnet 9, through establishing a connection from the path through condu'tor 25, through contact 6, back stop 11, armature 10, switch arm 4, contact 8, magnet 9, and conta t 7, to the current path through magnet 28.

Upon such renergization of the magnet 9, the armature 10 will be again attracted, breaking its conne'tion with its back stop 11 and setting up a buzzing operation which will continue so long as said switch arm 4 remains on contact 8, and the path through starting magnet 1 is open.

It has been shown that when the switch arm 4 of the auxiliary station E is moved from its contact 6 to its contact 8, the armature 10 of said auxiliary station will move to its attracted position, and thereafter if the current path through the magnet 1 remains closed at the contacts 2 and 3 (through the signal box failing to act) said armature will be held in attracted position while the arm 4 of said station is held in connection with its contact ,8, however if the arm 4 of some other station (as for instance, station A) is moved from its contact 6 to its contact 8, the buzzer or answer back means of said station B will act as if the contacts 2 and 3 of the signal box had been separated by the running of said box.

Should the test battery or the continuity of the test loop be impaired, such impairment will permit retraction of the armature structure 35, and thereupon if an effective connection is established between said armature structure 35 and its associated backstop 37, and battery 48 and disturbance bell 49 are inoperative condition, said disturbance bell 49 will be rendered operative until either the current flow through the magnet 14 is restored or the motive power of the bell 49 or the battery 48 is exhausted, and if a vibrating bell is provided M49 and a battery of ample capacity is provided at 48, the period of operation might easily be such as would bridge any eriod when there would be no one on the premises to act upon the signal of the bell 49 (as for instance on Sundays or holidays). r In the event of the impairment of the op erating battery D, or of either the connection between the cells of said battery, or of the continuity-of the operating loop, no local alarm warning would be given and such impairment would only be disclosed through the use of the testing switch H. a

In the event of a cross or short circuit between the operating loop and the test loop, the magnet 28 will cause its armature structure 31 to move into contact with its front stop 34, to close the circuit of the disturbance bell 49, and said bell 49 will thereafter continue to act until the cross is removed, the operative power'for the bell 49 is exhausted, or thebattery D is so weakened as to no longer maintain the armature structure 31 in attracted position.

Owing to the fact that said battery D is practically short-circuited by such a cross, it is evident that if such a cross occurred at a time when there was no one present to act romptly upon the signal of the disturbance bell 49, said battery D might become so exhausted as to release the armature structure 31 from the attraction of its magnet, and thereby cease to sound the disturbance bell. I11 such an event the system would stand completely disabled, without giving any warning signal thereof tothose arriving after such exhaustion of battery D, and furthermore in the event of such a cross existing for a time and then disappearing, no indication would remain to give warning of the fact that the operating battery had been thus run down. although its discharge might have been so heavy that there would remain insuflicient power to effectively energize the starting magnet 1.

Fig. 2 shows my invention so applied to the auxiliary alarm system of .Fig. l as to maintain a constant test of the operating battery and operating loop, and to sound the disturbance bell upon said operating bat tery or operating loop becoming so impaired as to jeopardize the transmission of a signal, and at the same time roviding means whereby the galvanometer may be connected in' series with either the testing battery'or the operating battery or cut out, without impairing theeifectiveness of the signaling system as the result. of any opera tion of said means.

The construction and arrangement of the system shown in Fig. 1 applies equally to Fig. 2 except in the following respects The conductor 19 and the flexible contacts 17 and 18 for shunting the starting magnet 1 are omitted, and the conductor 23" is connected directly to contact 3. The conductor 12 between batteries C and Dis replaced by the conductor 12 connecting the battery C with contact 21- of switch me hanism H, and conductor 12 connecting the terminal of operating battery D with contact 22' of switch mechanismI-I. I

The terminals of the galvanometer G are connected to the contacts 21 and 22. The switch arm 20 of the switch mechanism H is provided at its free end with two prongs adapted to form a connection between the contacts 21 and 22' when said switch is in a certain position; i

The conductor 61 connects a terminal of the resistance I with the pivot of the switch arm 20, the conductor 25 being also con.-

nected to the pivot of said switch arm 20'.

Thecross relay F has its backstop 37-' connected through conductor 62 with conductor 57, and the arm 39 pivoted at 40 having stop 63 and spring 41, rendering said relay F a three-position relay through said parts acting like corresponding parts in trip relay E as already described.

In the operation of the system shown in Fig. 2, the parts normally stand in the positions shown, a current path being established from the testing battery C, through conductor 13, magnet 14, conductor 15, starting magnet 1, contacts 2 and 3, conductor 23, switch arm 4 and contact 6 of auxiliary station A, conductor 24, switch arm 4 and contact 6 of auxiliary station B, conductor 25 left-hand prong of switch arm 20, contact 21, and conductor 12, to the other terminal of battery 0, thereby maintaining the armature structure 35 of the trip relay E in its normal or intermediate position.

A second current path is established from the operating battery D through'conductor 12", contact 22, right-hand prong of switch arm 20', conductor 61, resistance I, conductor 59, contact 7 of stat-ion A, conductor 80, contact 7 of station B, conductor 29, magnet 28, and conductor 27, to the opposite terminal of battery D, the resistance I being such that when'the battery D is at normal strength, the current passing through magnet 28 will be barely sutiicient to keep the armature structure 35" in its normal or intermediate position.

If it is desired to employ the galvanome ter G to indicate the strength of the current flow from the'testing battery C, the switch arm 20 sh uld be moved to the right, and'if it is desired to indicate the strength of the current flow from the o erating battery D said switch arm 20 should be moved to the left, but it is evident that neither of said movements of the switch arm 20 will impair the operative relation between the starting magnet 1 and its associated auxiliary stations A and B. I

' It vwill furthermore be seen. that an impairment of the operating battery D, or of the continuity of the operating loop, will result in the retraction of the armature structure 35' of therelay F, and the conseouent establishm nt of a connection from the battery 48, through conductor 57, 'con ductor 62 and back stop 37', to the disturb aneebell 49'. i

The operation of the system shown in Fig. 2, in response to breaks in the test loop, impairment of the testing battery, crosses between the operating loop and test loop, and op ration of auxiliarv stations, will be the same as that described in connection with Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 shows my invention soapplied to the auxiliary alarm system of Fig. 1 as, not only tosecnre const nt. test of the operating battery andoperating loop, and the sounding of a disturbance alarm upon said operating battery or operating loop becoming so impaired as to jeopard e the transmission of a s gnal, but in addition thereto, to secure the effective energization of the starting magnet upon the operation of any auxiliary stat on. even if there is a break in the operating loop. and to secure the continued sounding of the disturbance alarm, in response to a cross between the operating loop and the test loop, even if the operating batterv becomes so weakened or impaired. as a result of such cross. that it ceases to retain the ar ature of the cross relay in fully at tracted position. v

The construction of the auxiliary alarm s stem sho n in Fi 3. tters from that shown in Fig. 1 in the following respects.

Conductor 61" connects a terminal of resista ce I wi h cond ctor 12 betwe n the junction of said conductor 12 with the condu or 25" and the battery C.

Two galvanometers are provided, the galvanomet r G being seria ly included in the conductor 13, and the galvanometer G' being serially included in the conductor 27 One terminal of a relatively low resist- The cross relay F is provided with trip structure corresponding to the trip relay E,

whereby said relay F", in addition to be- Iinga three-position relay, -has the trip arm :42 and the'contact spring 47 cooperating therewith, so that upon the abnormal energization of the magnet 28, the trip arm 42' will be released'and a connection will be established between said trip arm and the contact spring 1-71 In the operation of the system shown in Fig. 3, the parts normally stand in the positions shown, a current path being established from the testing battery C, through galvanometer G, conductor 13, magnet 141, conductor 15, starting magnet 1, contacts 2 and 3, conductor 23, switch arm 4 and contact 6 ofauxiliarv station A. conductor 24, switch arm 1 and contact 6 of auxiliary station B, conductor 25", and conductor 12 to the othenterminal of battery C, thereby maintaining the armature structure 35, of

the trip relay E, in its normal or intermediate position.

A second current path is normally established from the operating battery D, through conductor 12, conductor 61". comparatively high resistance 1, a portion of conductor 59, to junction 67, from which two parallel current paths exist. as follows: first, through conductor 65, relatively low resistance 64:. and conductor 66, to i ction 68; and second, through the remainder of conductor 59'. contact 7 of station A, conductor 30. contact 7 of station B. conductor 29, magnet 28, conductor 27', and galvanometer G, to junction 68, where the two paths join and connect with operating battery D through a portion of conductor 97.

The resistance of the shunt, between junction 67 and junction 68, comprising the relatively low resistan e 6 1 and the conductors 65 and 66, should be approximately equal to the resistance of the path between junction 67 and junction 68 through conduc ors 59. 80. 29. and 27, mannet 28, and galvanometer G, so that in the event of a break in the current path through magnet 28. between junction 68 and the contact 7 of any auxiliary station, upon the opera tion of such auxiliary station the current flow to the contact 7, through the shunt resistance 6 1. will always be sufiicient to assure the effective energization of the starting magnet 1. Owing to the fact that the resistance 64 forms a shunt around the magnet 28, it is evident that the higher this resistance may be made, without errdangering the eifective energization of starting magnet 1 under the broken circuit condition just described, the less drain it will be upon the operating battery D, to maintain sufficient current flow through the operating loop, to enable magnet 28 to hold its armature structure 35 in its normal or intermediate position. 7

It will be seen from the foregoing that the galvanometer G", connected as shown in Fig. 3, constantly indicates the current flow through the test loop from testing battery C, and the galvanometer G constantly indicates the current flow through the operating loop from the operating battery D, and that the use of these galvanometers for indicating such current flows will not impair the operative relation between the starting magnet 1 and its associated auxiliary stations A and B.

It will furthermore be seen that an impairment of operating battery D, or of the operative conditions of the operating loop, will result in the retraction of the armature structure 35 of the relay F, and the consequent establishment of a connection from the battery 48, through conductor 57, conductor 62, and back stop 37, through the disturbance indicator 49, and alarm bell 26. The operation of the system shown in Fig. 3, in response to breaks in the test loop, impairment of the testing battery, breaks in the operating loop, impairment ofv the operating battery, and crosses between the operating loop and the test loop, and operation of auxiliary stations, will be the same as that described in connection with Fig. 2, except in the following respects: V

Whenever the armature structure 35 of the relay F moves to attracted position, the trip arm 42 will move to the position where its pin 45 connects with contact 47, so that if such movement of the armature structure 35 is the result of an accidental cross between the test loop and the operating loop, the disturbance indicator 49 and alarm bell 26 will continue to act in spite of any subsequent retraction of said armature structure 35.

In the event of the operation of one of the auxiliary stations shown in Fig. 3, the operation of the disturbance indicator 4L9 will be cut off by the action of trip relay E, but after such action, when trip relay E is manually restored it will also be necessary to manually'restore relay F;

In the event of a break in the operating loop, of the auxiliary system shown in Fig. 3, it is evident that the starting magnet 1 will still be responsive to the operation of any auxiliary station connected thereto, as two. current paths are provided, from the junction 68 near one terminal of the operating battery D, to contact 7 of each auxiliary station, and abreak'in either path will still leave the system operative through the other path.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop and a testing battery therefor, and an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, in combination with a shunt connected between two points in the operating loop and having a resistance at least equal to the total resistance of the operating loop between the said two points.

2. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop and a testing battery therefor, an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, a connection of nominal resistance between two points of the operatingloop, and a relatively high resistance connection between one end of the operating loop and the test loop.

3. In an auxiliary alarm system a test loop and a testing battery therefor, an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, an alarm mechanism so connected to said loops as to be rendered active upon interruption of the normal current flow in either or both of said loops, or upon the establishment of an abnormal connection between said loops.

4. In an auxiliary alarm system a test loop and a testing battery therefor, an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, a connection of nominal resistance be tween two points of the operating loop, a

.connection of comparatively high resistance separately connected between one end of the operating loop and the test loop, and means for indicating current interruptions in either of said loops.

5. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remaining ends of said loops being connected to each other through points in said third circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarm controlling mechanism responsive to current interruptions in either loop.

6. In an auxiliary alarmsystem, a test loop, an operating loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remaining ends of said loops being connected to each other through points in said third circuit separated by one of said resistances, an alarm controlling rclay for the test loop, and an alarm controlling relay for the operatingv loop.

7. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remaining ends of said loops being connected to each other through points in said third circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarm control.- ling mechanism connected to each loop and responsive both to abnormal increases and abnormal decreases in'the current strength in said loops.

8. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, a box starting magnet included in said test loop, an operating loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remaining ends of said loops being connected to each other through points in said third circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarm controlling mechanism connected to each loop and responsive both to abnormal increases and abnormal decreases in the current strength in said loops.

9. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, one or more auxiliary stations connected to said loops, a box starting magnet included in said test loop between said auxiliary stations and an end of said loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remaining ends of said loops being connected to each other through points in said third circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarm controlling mechanism connected to each loop and responsive both to abnormal increases and abnormal decreases in the current strength in said loops.

10. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, one or more auxiliary stations connected to said loops, a box starting magnet included in said test loop between said auxiliary stations and an end of said loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistances in series and said'current supply mechanism, the remaining-ends of said loops being connected to each other. through points in said third circuit separated by one of said resistances, an alarm controlling relay included in the portion of the test loop which includes'the box starting magnet, and an alarm controlling relay included in the portion of-the operating loop which is directly connected to the current supply mechanism.

11. In an auxiliary alarm system, a'test loop, a box starting magnet included in said test loop, an operating loop, one or more auxiliary stations so connected to said loops 7 that the operation of an auxiliary station will break said test loop and connect that portion of the test loop including the starting magnet to the operating loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistancesin series and said current supply mechanism, the remaining ends of said loops being connected to each other through points in said third circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarm controlling mechanism connected to each loop and re sponsive both to abnormal increases and abnormal decreases in the current strength in said loops.

12 A box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, adjusting means at each station for the circuit connections thereof, a testing battery, circuit connections forming a test loop connecting said auxiliary stations and including the testing battery and the box starting magnet, alarm controlling mechanism for said test loop, an operating loop connected to said auxiliary stations, a resistance connected between one end of the operating loop and the test loop, an operating battery separately connected between the other end of the operating loop and the controlled by saidoperating loop.

13. A box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, adjusting means at each station for the circuit connections thereof, a testing battery, circuit connections form ing a test loop connecting said auxiliary stations and including the testing battery and the box starting magnet, alarm controlling mechanism'for said test loop, other alarmcontrolling mechanism, an operating loop including the auxiliary stations and said other alarm controlling mechanism, a relatively low resistance shunt between the ends of the operating loop, a relatively high resistance connected between one end of the operating loop and the test loop, and an operating battery separately connected between the other end of the operating loo-p andthe test loop.

14. A box startingmagnet, a plurality of vauxiliary stations, adjusting means at each station for the circuit connections thereof, a testing battery, circuit connections formthe operating battery through said-other alarm controlling mechanism to the auxiliary stations whereby the operation of the adjusting means at any auxiliary station will break the test loop and connect the testing battery, operating battery, box starting magnet, and said test loop alarm controlling mechanism in series, whereby the operative condition of the operating battery and said connections is under constant test.

15. A series of auxiliary stations, each having a common terminal and two selective terminals, a box starting magnet, a relay, a current source, a conductor connecting a terminal of said current source through said relay and box starting magnet with the common terminal of one. of said auxiliary stations, conductors each connecting a selective terminal of an auxiliary station to the common terminal of the next auxiliary station in the series, a conductor connecting a selective terminal of the last auxiliary station in the series to the other terminal of said current source, a second current source having one terminal connected to the terminal of the first current source which is connected to the selective contact, of said last auxiliary station in the series, a second relay, a conductor connecting the remaining terminal of said second current source through said second relay and through the remaining selective terminal of each auxiliary station to one terminal of a resistance, a conductor connecting the other terminal of said resistance to the conductor connecting a selective terminal of the last auxiliary station in the series to one terminal of said first current source, local alarm mechanism, a current source therefor, and contacts so controlled by both relays as to render the local alarm mechanism operative upon the deenergization of either relay.

16. A series of auxiliary stations, each having a common terminal and two selective terminals, a box starting magnet, a relay, a current source, a conductor connecting a terminal of said current source through said relay and box starting magnet with the common terminal of one of said auxiliary stations, conductors each connecting a selective .the other terminal of said resistance to the conductor connecting a selective terminal of the last auxiliary station in the series to one terminal of said first current source, local alarm mechanism, a current source therefor, and contacts so controlled by both relays as to render the local alarm mechanism 0perative upon the denergization of either relay.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 22nd day of September, A. D.,

C. E. BEACH.

Witnesses:

M. L. THoM'As, D. W; FOSTER.

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

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