US1420801A - Rotary annunciator - Google Patents

Description

F. W. WOOD.

ROTARY ANNUNCIATOR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1919.

1,420,801, Patented June 27, 1922 E] wvamtoz QMK LM M Farm FRANK w- WOOD, OF MONT-CLAIR, JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T CHARLES CORY & SON,

mcoaroaarnn, "or NEW YORK, N,

' no'rAaY ANNUNdIATOR.

Application filed October 24, 1919.

To all whom it may concern.-

and useful Improvements in Rotary An-v nunciators, of ich theyfollowing is a specification.

' My invention relates to annunciators and particularly to electrically operated indicating means therefor.

.The usual annunciator includes a casing having awindow and an indicator reciproeating between active position in reglster with the window and inactive position, ordinarily above the window, in which a signal" on the indicator is not visible through the window." Electrical means is customarily "employed to drop the indicator from inactive to active position; but as the return of the indicator requires the direct lifting thereof, mechanical means is ordinarily provided for the return shift, as electrical means sufficiently powerful for this purpose would ordinarily be so bulky as to increase the size of the annunciator to a substantial extent.

Indicators for annunciators are furthermore mounted asymmetrically upon a pivot; and consequently jars, shocks, continued vibration, or substantial changes in the position of the annunciator tends to shift the indicator, rendering its operation uncertain and its signal unreliable under such conditions.

The object of my invention is to rovide an indicator that is symmetrically and evenly balanced about its pivot and shiftable in either direction between operative and inoperative positions with equal facility, and without overcoming the effect of gravity.

I also provide a construction which is adaptedto be located at any angle whatever, and which will operate with equal facility regardless of its position. Consequently, it is particularly adapted for use where a permanent horizontal mounting-is not available or convenient, and in locations where the relation of the annunciator to the horizontal is subject to considerable changes from time to time, as on shipboard, in railroad trains, airships, and the like.

I have also disclosed a construction which, due to its symmetrical arrangement, does not Specification of- Itetters ljflmt.

Y, A; CORPORATION OE NEW YORK.

Patented June 27, 1922 mi No. 382,985.

tend to shift between operative and inoperative position under vibration or blows. It will be noted that the combination of immunity from derangement caused by tilting and by vibration renders this annunciator ships where the combined rollin of the ship and the detonation of guns ren er the ordinary annunciator uncertain in its operation.

I have, furthermore, provided a type of annunciator whioh'is shiftable with great rapldity, and which if desired can be used to dis la either. of two difi'erent signals throug t e usual window at the will of the operator, thus enlarging its field of useful.- ness.

My annunciator provides signals of the maximum s1ze for the space taken up thereby. It is also particularly adapted for use where a series of signals in vertical alinement is desired, as the usual annunciator drop having a vertical reciprocating indicator must be considerably spaced from the adjoining drops above and below it.

Furthermore, I have provided a very simple, compact andcheap construction adapted to withstand constant and arduous service and not liable to get out of order, and one in which the magnets are protected from accident.

Other objects and advantages of m construction W111 be apparent from the flillowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an annunciator element in operative position, frag 'ments of a conventional base and casing be; -1n%1nd1cated,

ig. 2 is a top plan view, part of me drum being broken away,

Fig. '3 is a sectional Fig.2, and j Fig. 4 is a bottom elevation of the element detached from its mounting.

In the preferred form, my-invention includes a drum 10 having a flat top 11 and an apron 12, the latter preferabl vided with stiffening means, such about the lower edge thereof. Drum 10 is mounted to enclose and rotate about a pluview on line a of rality of magnets 14 mounted on base plate 15, and preferably provided with a spacer plate 16 engaging the outer ends of magnets 14 to retain them in proper position. Ana desired pivotal mounting for drum 10 may being pro- 1 as bead 13 66 most especially adaptable to use on battlebe provided, such as shaft 17 journaled in if desired, 'to strengthen the connection.

Either two or four magnets may be employed; but in the preferred form I have disclosed four magnets symmetrically arranged about shaft 17. Armature 18 is so constructed that the portions thereoi on opposite sides of shaft 17 counterbalance each other, and preferably is symmetrlcal with respect to said shaft. I

One end of said armature is preferably so formed that when thecentral portion thereof is in register with a magnet which has.

been energized, an extension, such as wing 20, will lie adjacent a non-energized magnet,

so as to reduce the reluctance of the magnetic circuit when the latter is energized, and consequently increase the speed of operation. When four magnets are used, as illustrated, it will be apparent that diametrically located pairs of magnets are simultaneously energized, each pair being preferably connected in series with a separate switch, such as a push button. It will be evident, however, that the construction will be equally operative with asingle pair of magnets selectively operated to shift the armature and the drum in the proper direction.

As it is desirable to energize the magnets for only a short period of time, means may be provided for arresting and holding the drum in either of its two positions. Various devices for this purpose may be employed, preferably including an element mounted on the rotating part of the unit engaging suitable elements mounted on the fixed part or support therefor. A great variety of check elements may obviously be utilized, and the specific form disclosed is merely illustrative. I have shown a cam 'stop plate 21 mountedon the end of shaft 17 opposite to the armature, which end is preferably reduced in size to provide a shoulder resting on base plate 15, and this shoulder together with cam plate 21 prevent shaft 17 from sliding to any great extent in either direction, permitting the rotation of the drum regardless of the position of the unit; though when it is desired to position the unit with the armature end of the shaft lower than the base plate end, a suitable bearing at said base plate end should be provided. In the preferred form, cam

plate 21 is provided with two intersecting stop faces 22, a stop spring 23, which may be mounted on base plate 15, having a portion pressing against said stop member 21 and adapted to engage either face 22 to hold the drum positively and accurately in either to asymmetrically position the opposite wings 20 located on each side of the shaft 17 with respect to the magnet poles so as to determine the direction in which the armature and drum will swing when said magnets adjacent to the wings are both simultaneously energized. A; convenient way of-accomplishing this consistsin arranging the magnets as shown inthe drawings so that they are positioned in two pairs of diametrically opposite magnets'with a magnet of'each pair located nearer toonemagnet of the second pair than to the othermagnet of the said second pair. When an armature having symmetrically arranged wings is used, as shown in the drawings, it becomes necessary to provide stop faces 22 inclined to each other at 'an angle slightly greater than 90 so as'to only permit shifting of the armature for an angle less than 90, since the adjacent magnets cooperating with a pair of wings 20 on one side of shaft 17 embraces an angle which is less than 90. It will be apparent, however, that proper proportioning of wings 20 will accomplish the same result.

Any desired form of mounting for the indicator unit may be provided. I have disclosed a conventional type including a bracket 24 on which base plate 15 is mounted, the bracket being attached to a rear wall 25. i

I have also shown a conventional front casing 26 having a window 27 adjacent to drum 10. It will be apparent'that a signal may be carried by the face of drum 10 and shifted into or out of view of window 27 by suitable energizing of selected magnets 14; or if desired two adjacent signals may be carried by said drum, either of which may be shifted into View in register with window 27.

It will be apparent that I have provided a construction in which the symmetrical arrangement of the drum about the shaft renders shocks and vibration ineffective to shift tended to-be used with said shaft in vertical position. Moreover, when a plurality of units is mounted in vertical alinement, as the 1,42o,eo1

While I have described only two positions of the drum in the preferred form, it will be I apparent that obvious variations in the number of magnets, the method of energizing them, and the arrangement of the armature may be-made to provide more than two positions, and I consider such variations to be within the scope of-my invention.

While I have describeda preferred form of my invention and certain modifications thereof, my invention is not limited thereto,

but includes such changes in construction as come within the scope of my invention as set forth in this specification.

I claim:

1. In a signalling apparatus,-a plurality of magnets having their axes parallel, the magnets bein provided with pole pieces the faces of whic ie in a plane normal to such axes, anarmature lying and movablein a plane parallel to said first mentioned plane; said armature being rotatableabout an axis parallelin the axes of the magnets and being provided with wing means overlying and cooperating with the magnet pole pieces, and a signal element comprising a drum having an open bottom, the top of the drum carrying the armature and the cylindrical walls of the drum encircling and housing the mag nets, the armature and the drum being movable by selective energization of the magnets.

2. In a si nalling apparatus, a plurality of magnets aving their axes parallel, the magnets bein provided with pole pieces the faces of which lie in a plane normal to such axes, an armature lying and movable in a plane parallel to said first mentioned plane; said armature being oscillatable about an axis paralleling the axes of the magnets and being provided with .oppositely disposed wing means overlying andcooperating with the magnet pole pieces, and a signal element comprising a drum having an open bottom, the top of the drum carrying the armature and the cylindrical walls of the drum encircling and housing the magnets, the armature and the drum being movable by selective ener ization of the magnets.

3. In a signaling apparatus, a plurality of magnets having their axes parallel, the magnets being provided with pole pieces the faces of which lie in a plane normal to such axes, an armature lying and movable in aplane parallel to said first mentioned plane; said armature being rotatable about an axis parallelin the axes of the magnets and be- 1ng provi ed with wing means overlying and cooperating with the magnet pole pieces, a signal element comprising a drum having an open bottom, the top of the drum carrying the armature and the cylindrical walls of the drum encircling and housing the magnets,

\ the armature and the drum being movable by selective energization of the magnets, and means for retainin the-drum an armature in the selected pos1tions when the magnets are deenergized.

4. In a slgnalling apparatus, an armature mounted for oscillation, two pairs of magnets having their pole pieces arranged around the axis of oscillation of the armature, the

faces of the pole pieces lying in a plane nor:

mal to such axes, the armature lying and movable in a plane parallel to said first mentioned plane and being provided with opposite] disposed wing members on the opposite si es of the axis thereof, the win members overlying and cooperating wlth the magnet pole pieces and a signal element comprlsing a rum having an open bottom, the top of the drum carrying the armature and the cylindrical walls of the drum encircling and housing the magnets, the armature and the drum being movable by selective ener ization of the magnets.

5. a signalling apparatus, an armature mounted for oscillation, two pairs of magnets havin their pole pieces arranged around the axis 0 oscillation of the armature, the faces of the pole pieces lying in a plane normal to such axes, the armature l in and movable in a plane parallel to said rst mentioned plane and being provided with oppositely disposed wing members on the opposite sides of the axis thereof, the wing members overlying and cooperating with the magnet pole pieces, and a signal element comprising a drum having an open bottom, the top of the drum carrying the armature and the cylindrical walls of the drum encirclin and housing the magnets the armature an the drum being movable by selective energization of the magnets, the oppositely disposed wing members on both sides of the axis asymmetrically overlying diametrically opposed magnet poles whereby upon magnet energization the direction of oscillation of the armature may be predetermined.

6. In a signallin apparatus, an armature mounted for osci ation into two predetermined positions, two pairsof magnets having them poles arranged around the axis 'of oscillation of the armature, the magnets being adapted to be energized in pairs of diametrically opposed magnets, the armature being provided with oppositely disposed wing members on the opposite sides of the axis thereof, the oppositely disposed wing members on both sides of the axis asymmetrically overlying the poles of a pair of diametrically opposed magnets whereby upon magnet energization the direction of osclllation of the armature into either of the two predetermined positions may be controlled.

7. In a signaling apparatus, an armature mounted for oscillation, two pairs of magof the armature in sufiiciently imity to the path of movement of the armature to influence the latter when energized, the magnets being adapted to be energized in 5 pairs-0f diametrlcall opposite magnets and each magnet of eac pair having its pole located nearer to the pole of one magnet of the other pair than to the pole of the other magnet of the. latter pair, the said armature 10 including symmetrical portions extending on diametrically opposite sides of its axis and close proxmaaeor Wings projecting oppositely from each of the said portions in the path of movement of the same, and a signal element connected with the armature and adapted to be shifted 15 into two predetermined positions upon movement of the armature.

Si ed at New York city in the county of N. and State of N. Y. this 22nd day of Oct, A. D. 1919. a

FRANK W. WOOD.

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