US1497300A - Signaling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June l0 ,l 1924.-

-P. H. MINTON .s IGNALING/ APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1922 INVENTOR. ZZ/W,

ATToRNEYs jwlH/Jf BY f Patented .lune l0, 1924.

raarste rrcE .PAUL H. MINTON, OF CHATHAM, NEW JERSEY.

sIGNAiING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 23, 1922. Serial. No. 579,434.

T0 all fw hom t may concern Be it known that I, PAUL H. MrNtroN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chatham, in the county of Morris and State of El ew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Signaling` Apparatus; and I do hereby declare 'the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates, generally, to electric signaling apparatus; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to an automatic annunciator for heating units, such as furnaces, etc., adapted to communicate an audible signal to denote the need of replenishing the fuel supply of said heating unit.

The invention has for its principal object to provide an automatic signaling apparatus which will `give a suitable warning to attendants when it is necessary to replenish the fuel supply of a heating unit with which the device is associated, thus rendering it unnecessary for attendants to keep close watch upon the heating unit, and making it impossible for the heating unit, without due warning, to lack proper attention, because of forgetfulness or neglect upon the part of attendants.

The inventionv has for a further object to provide a simple and automatically controlled audible signal, adapted to give its signals according to the condition ofthe heating unit` that is, the signal apparatus will give a signal if fuel is required by the heating unit after a period of idling under closed drafts, and will also give a signal if fuel is required during the effective working periods of the heating unit when under draft.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

lilith the various objects of the invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel automatic electricv signaling apparatus for the purposes set forth;l and, the invention consists, furthermore, in the novel mechanical and electrical arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification. and then finally embodied in the claims appended thereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a plan view of the bell signal devicesof .the apparatus; Figure 2 is a plan view of the draft damper controlled switch device; and Figure 3 is a planelevation of the thermostatic switch device; said Figures l, 2 and 3 being interconnect-ed by` a ,wiring diagram, illustrating the various circuits ofthe apparatus asa whole.

Figure Ll is a side elevation of the draft damper controlled switch device; and Fig ure 5 is a part top edge elevation and part section vthrough the same.

Figure 6 is a face view of the stationary contact carrying element of the thermostatic switch device.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the bell signal devices.

Similar characters of referenceare em ployed in all of the hereinafterdesf'ribed views. to indicate corresponding parts.

yReferring' now to saiddrawings, the reference character l indicates the base of the bell signal device. Mounted upon said base at its left hand upper side is a bell 2 supported upon a post 3; this' bell 2 serves as the signal which is operative-when' yfuel is needed by the heating unit during the working period of the latter, i. e., when `the same is working` .under open drafts'.

is a bell t supported upon a 'post 5; this bell it serves as the signal which is operative when fuel is needed by the heating unit during the idling period of the latter, i. e., when the same is idling under closed drafts. Mounted upon the base beneath the bell 2 is aleft hand electroanagnet 6, and beneath the bell et is a right hand lelectro-magnet 7. Secured to la suitable supporting post 8 is a flat' spring mounting strip 9, upon the upper end of which is fixed an arma-ture 10, which plays between the electro-magnets 6 and 7. 'Extending upwardly from the free end of said'armature 1() is a bell-clapper 11, having at its free end an upwardly projecting ar1n-12. Fixed on the base 1k is la bracket 13 in which is mounted an adjusting screw 1li. Interposed between said adjusting .screw le and, the @11d et .Seid 'arm l2 Mounted ,upon said base at its righthand upper side 1.1, b-fl is a U-shaped spring 15, which tends to hold the bell clapper 11 and associated parts to- Ward either one bell or the other according to the position or the armature 10, which is initially movable either toward the magnet 6 or magnet 7, as the case may be. Supported at one side of said bracket 13 is a circuit make and break means serving the bell 2, the same comprising a stationary contact arm 16 and a resilient movable contact arm 17, the latter having at its loiver end an ott-set projection 18 engageable by said arm 12 ot the bell-clapper 11. ln like manner, supported at the opposite side of said bracket 13 is a circuit make and break means serving the bell 4, the same also comprising a stationary contact arm 19 and a resilient movable contact arm 20` the latter having at its lovver end an off-set projection 21 engageable by said arm 12 ci' the bell clapper 11. The respective posts 3 and 5 for mounting the bells 2 and 4 are secured by oit-center or eccentrically related attaching screws, respectively 22 and 23, which enter the bottom ot said posts, so that by turning the posts the bells may be readily adjusted relative to the bell' clapper 11. Supported by a bracket 24, beneath the electro-magnet 6, is a magnet circuit make and break means serving said magnet 6, the same comprising a stationary contact arm 25 and a resilient movable contact arm 26, the latter having at its upper end an ottset projection 27 engageable by the armature 10. In like manner, supported by a bracket 28, beneath the electromagnct 7, is a magnet circuit make and break means serving said magnet 7, the same comprising a stationary contact arm 29 and a lresilient movable-contact arm 30, the latter having at its upper end an oli-set projection 31 engageable by the armature 10. At the lower end of the base 1 are arranged at one side a pair of binding posts 32 and 33, and at the other side are arranged another pair ot binding posts 34 and 35. Intermediate the above mentioned pairs of binding posts is a single binding post 36. The binding post 32 is connected by a suitable conductor 37 With the stationary arm 16 of the ma te and break device serving the bell 2, the circuit being completed at proper times through the movable arm 17 and its projection 18, the arm 12, bell clapper 11, armature 10, and thence through said movable arm y26 and its projection 27 by Way of a suitable conductor 38 to the magnet 6, and thence by the conductor 39 to the binding post 36. The binding post 33 is connected by a suitable conductor 40 Withv the stationary arm 25 ofthe make and break serving the niagnet 6, the circuit being completed through 'themovable arm 26, conductor 38, magnet 6 and kconductor 39 'back to the binding post 86. lThe bindingv post 34 is connectedby a suitabley conductor 41 with the stationary arm 19 of the make and break device serving the bell 4, the circuit being completed at proper times through the movable arm and its projection 21, the arm 12, bell clapper 11, armature 10, and thence through said movable arm 30 and its projection 31 by Way of a suitable conductor 42 to the magnet 7, and thence by the conductor 43 to the binding post 36. The binding post is connected by a suitable conductor 44 with the stationary arm 29 of the make and break device serving the magnet 7, the circuit being completed through the movable arm 30, conductor 42, magnet 7 and conductor 43 back to the binding post 36.

The thermostatic Switch device comprises a helical thermostat spring 45 adapted to expand or contract when subjected to a rise or tall ot temperature. Connected with said spring 45 is an arm 46 to the tree end ot which is fixed a resilient contact brush 47. i-trranged to cooperate with said contact brush 47 is the stationary circuit closing means, consist-ing ot a suitable base 48 provided with adjustable Contact snpporting blocks 49 and 50, which are adjustable toivard and away from each other by means ol the adjusting screws 51 associated with the sides of said base 48. The Contact supporting block 49 is provided with three insulated contact points 52, 53 and 54, rcspectively connected electrically With the binding posts 55, 56 and 57 mounted on said base 48. ln like manner the block is provided With a single contact point 58 electrically connected with the binding post 59. ln operation the expansion or contraction (as the case may be) ot the thermostat spring 45 will cause the contact brush 47 to travel across the contact points. thereby closing electrical circuits for actuating the signal device already above described.

The draft damper controlled switch comprises base 60 upon which is mounted a primary spring sivitch arm 61 and a secondary spring switch arm 62. the latter being spaced outwardly trom the tor-mer. and being provided at its tree end with a tip 63 of insulation material wherebyv it may be engaged by the primary switch arm so as to be actuated thereby at proper times, While being nevertheless electrically insulated therefrome Said primariY switch arin 6.1is electrically connected with a binding post 64 mounted on the base GO, and. in like manner, the secondary switch arm 62 is electrically connected With a bindingpost 65 mounted on the base 60. ll/[ounted on said base 60 in electrically insulated relation to each other are a pair of resilient contact arms 66 and a second pair ot resilient contact arms 67 the outer terminals ot the arms 66 being at the proper position to be engageable by' both the switch arm 61 and 62,

while the outer terminals of the arms 67 are only engageable by the switch arm 61. The switch arms 66 are electrically connected with a binding post 68 mounted on the base 60, while the switch arms 67 are electrically connected with a binding post 69 mounted on the base 60. A. normally open push button switch 70 is connected by circuit wires 7,1 between said binding post 64 and 69.

ln electrically interconnecting the several devices above described to establish operative circuits therefor, a source ot electrical energy, such as a battery 72, is provided. From the positive pole of the battery 72 cxtends a circuit wire 73 to the thermostat Extending from the binding post 55 of vthe thermostat contact device to the binding post 68 ot' the damper controlled switch device is a circuit wire 74; interconnecting the binding post 56 with the binding post l olf the signal device is a circuit wire 75; interconnecting the binding post 57 with the binding post 35 is a circuit wire 76, interconnecting the binding post 59 with the binding post of the signal device is a circuit wire 77; the circuit wire 73 is interconnected by the wire 78 with the binding post 64 or the damper controlled switch, while the binding post 69 of the latter is connected by the wire 79 with the circ-uit wire 7 6; the binding post 65 of the damper controlled switch is connected by the circuit wire 80 with the binding post 38 oli the signal device; and the binding post 36 ot the signal device is connected to the negative pole of the battery 72 by the circuit wire 81.

In arranging the apparatus for use the thermostat spring 45 is mounted so that it will be subjected to the temperature variations arising from the fire-box .of the heating unit, as, for example, by connecting the same adjacent to or within the smoke pipe ot said heating unit. The signal device maj,T be placed in any suitable location as remote from thc heating unit as may be desired, while the damper controlled switehis so placed as to be cooperatively associated with the usual automatic damper .regulating or opening and closing means with which the heating unit is equipped, preterably by interconnecting the tree end of the primary spring switch 61 to the damper actuating means by means oi a cord. pullwire or the like in such a manner that the switch 61 is in normal inwardly disposed position when the dampers ot the heating unit are open, but is automatically moved synchronously with the movement of the dampers to outwardly disposed position when the said dampers are closed.

In operation the apparatus works as fol-y lows:

Assuming that the ,heating Ulli@ is' verle ving, that is to say, the dempers are open and the 'fuel is burning, the thermostat spring 45 being then expanded by the heat generated, and the damper controlled switch being in normal position, that is with the primary switch 61 inwardly disposed. Under such circumstances, the fuel of the heating unit approaching exhaustion, the heat generated will be reduced, producing a tall or temperature operating to contract the thermostat spring 45, thus carrying the brush into circuit closing engagement with the contact 52. Upon this occurrence the current from the battery will flow and complete its circuit through the parts and wiring of the apparatus indicated by the reference numerals 73, 46, 47, 52, 55, 74, es, ce, c2, e5, so, sa, io, 25, 26, as, c, 39, 36, and 81, thereby energizes the magnet 6 which will operate to pull the armature 10 toward the left, to position the bell clapper l1, and the spring device 15 in operative ringing relation to the signal bell 2, provided the same do not already occupy such position. The circuit thus established is quickly brolien by the separation of the Contact arms 26 and 25, by reason of the movement of the armature 10 into operative engagement with the oil-set portion 27 of the Iarm 26, but the armature, bell-clapper and associated pa 'ts are thereafter maintained in operative rela-- tion to the signal bell 2, because the spring 15 has been swung past center to exert a thrust upon the bell-clapper toward the sig nal bell. Now, with the occurrence of a 'further con-traction of the thermostat spring 45, the brush 47 is carried on into engagement with the contact 53. When `this happens, the current from the battery will liow and complete its circuit through the parts and wiring .oit the lapparatus indicated by the reference numerals 56, 75, 32, 3 7, 16, i?, is, 12,11, io, 27, 2c, as, c, a9, se and S1, thereby energizing the magnet 6 which will operate to pull the armature 10 toward the magnet 6, thereby moving the bell clapper 11 into striking engagement with the bell 2, the malte and break device comprised by the arms 16 and 17 being operated by the vibration ot the arm 12 to cause the continued sounding of the signal bell 2.

Il it is desired to stop the ringing of the signal bell 2 by manual operation, the push button switch 70 is actuated, whereby a circuit is closed through the`battery 72, the current flowing through the parts and wiring ot the apparatus indicated by the reference numerals 73, 78, 64, 71, 70, 71, 69, 79, 76, 35, 44, 29, 30, 42, 7, 43, 36 and 81, thereby energizing the magnet 7, which will operate to pull the armature 10 toward the right, thus withdrawing the bell clapper 11 from ringing relation to the signal bell 2, the spring 15 being swung to the right, so as, JP01 retain ,the bell dapper in .ringing relallO tion to the signal bell 4. The circuit. thus established is quickly broken by the separation of the contact arms 29 and 30 by reason of the movement of the armature 10 into operative relation with the off-set portion 31 of the arm 30. This same result is obtained automatically by reason of a further drop in temperature of the heating unit, which causes the thermostat spring 45 to further contract, thereby carrying the brush 47 into Contact with the contact point 54 so that the battery circuit is closed through the wire 76 as aforesaid. Continued fall of tem` perature under such circumstances will cause further contraction of the thermostat spring 45, whereby the brush 47 will contact with the contact point thus closing the battery circuit through the parts and wires indicated by the reference numerals 59, 77, ai, 41, 19,20, el, ie, ii, i0, si, se, 42, 7, 43, 36 and 81, thereupon again energizing the magnet 7 to produce the ringing of the large signal bell 4, the make and break devices 19, 20, and 21 operating to cause continued ringing of the said signal bell.

If the dampers of the heating unit are closed either manually or by automat-ic operationy (so that the heating unit may be said to be idling, that is, the consumption of fuel while proceeding is taking place slowly), then the damper controlled switch device will be actuated in such a manner that the primary switch arm 61 will be moved or swung outward. In so moving outward said primary switch arm 61 contacts with the contact arms 66, at first without moving the secondary switch arm 62 out of engagement with the contact arms 66, thus closing a circuit through the battery by Way of the parts and wires indicated by the reference numerals 73, 78, 64, 61, 66, 62, 65, 80, 33, 40, 25, 26, 33, 6, 39, 36 and 81, thus energizing the magnet. 6 to bring the bell clapper into ringing relation to the bell 2, if not already so disposed; this would occur if the dampers of the heating unit were only partially closed. If the dampers of the heating unit are entirely closed, the primary switch arm 61 is swung out still farther, so that it will engage the insulation button 63 of the secondary switch arm 62 to swing the latter out, thus disengaging the secondary switch arm 62 as well as the primary switch arm 61 from' the contact arms 66, and bringing the primary switch arm 61 into engagement with the contact arms 67. When this occurs the circuit is closed by way of the parts and wires indicated by the reference characters 73, 7s, 64., 6i, 67, 69, 79, 76, 35, 44, 29, 3o, 42, 7, 43, 36 and 81, thus energizing the magnet 7 to bring the bell clapper into ringing relation to the bell 4. It will thus be apparent that the damper controlled switch will so control the signal mechanism, that it will automatically set the bell clapper to initially operate the signal bell 2, when the dampers are open and the heating unit required fuel, or will set the bell clapper in ringing relation to the signal bell 4, when the dampers are closed and the heating unit is idling but requires more fuel.

It will also be understood that when the dampers are closed, although the thermostat spring 45 is expanded, the damper controlled switch being in the last described position, the small signal bell will not ring upon contraction ot the thermostat spring, since the circuits leading from the contact points 53 is opened by the disengagement of the secondary switch arm 62 from the contact arms 66, and consequently the bell clap per will be retained or moved toward the right and only the large signal bell. 4 will be rung when the brush 47 engages the contact point 58.

From the above description it will be understood that my invention provides a means for automatically giving two distiuet audible signals eorreslvimiding to certain just-able toward and away from each other,

thereby permitting the apparatus to be adjusted for proper relation to the heating effects produced by the particular heating unit'with which itis associated.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the mechanical and electrical arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the foregoing specification, and as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact. arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as described in said specification, nor do I limit myself to the exact details of the construction of said parts, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. In an apparatus of the kind described, a pair of signal bells, an electromagnet corresponding to each bell, a common armature intermediate said electro-magnets, a bell clapper supported by said armature, a plurality of electric circuits through said electromagnets, certain of said circuits operl ating to selectively set the bell clapper in ringing relation to one or the other of said bells, other of said circuits serving as ringing circuits, automatic means for interrupting the setting circuits when the clapper attains a desired position, said ringing circuits including automatic make and break devices, and a thermostatic switch having fixed contact points respectively included in the several circuits whereby said. circuits are closed according to predetermined ei'- fects upon the movable element or" said thermostatic switch.

2. In an apparatus of. the kind described, a pair ot signal bells, an electromagnet corresponding' to each bell, a common armature intermediate said electromagnets, a bell clapper supported by said armature, a` plurality of electric circuits through said elec-- tromagnets, certain of said circuits operating to selectively set the bell clapper in ringing relation to one or the other ot said bells, other ot said circuits serving as ringing circuits, automatic means for interrupting the setting circuits when the clapper'attains a desired position, said ringing circuits including automatic make and break devices, a thermostatic switch having fined contact points respectively included in the several circuits whereby said circuits are closed according to predetermined effects upon the movable element of said thermostatic switch, and a damper controlled switch means connected in said setting circuits for selectivelv closing said setting circuits according to the damper position of a heating unit with which the apparatus is employed.

3. ln an apparatus of the kind described, a pair ot signal bells, an electromagnet corresponding to each bell, a common armature intermediate said electron'iagnets, a bell clapper supported by said armature, a plurality ot electric circuits through said electromagnets, certain of said circuits operating to selectively set the clapper in ringing relation to one or the other of said bells, other ot said circuits serving as ringing circuits` automatic means for interrupting the. setting circuits when the clapper attains a desired position, said ringing circuits including` automatic make and break devices` a. thermostatic switch having fixed contact points respectively included in the several. circuits whereby said circuits are closed according to predetermined e'ects upon the movable element of said thermostatic switch, a damper controlled switch means connected in said setting circuits for selectively closing sai-d setting circuits according to the damper position of a heating unit with which the apparatus is employed, and means for manually short circuiting one of said setting circuits.

4. ln an apparatus of the kind described, a pair of signal bells, an electromagnet corresponding to each bell, a common armature intermediate said magnets, a bell clapper carried by said armature, a bell ringing circuit including a make and break device for each bell and operating respectively through the respective magnets, a setting circuit for each bell also operating respectively through the respect-ive magnets, each setting circuit including means actuated by the mechanical engagement of said armature therewith for breaking the setting circuit upon the completion ci the setting move-ment ot' said armature, and a thermostatic switch means haring stationary contact points connected respectively in the setting and ringing circuits.

5. In an apparatus of the kind described, a pair of signal bells, an electromagnet corresponding to each bell, a common armature intermediate said magnets, a bell clapper carried by said armature, a bell ringing circuit including a make and break device or each bell and operating respectively through the respective magnets, a setting circuit for each bell also operating respectively through the respective magnets, each setting circuit including means actuated by the mechanical engagement of said armature therewith for breaking the setting circuit upon the completion of the setting movement of said armature, a thermostatic switch means having stationary contact points connected respectively in the setting and ringing circuits, and a damper controlled switch means for automatically and selectively closing one or the other of said setting circuits according to the open or closed position of the draft-s of a heatingv unit with which the apparatus is employed.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of June, 1922.

PAUL H. MINTON. Vrlit'n esses WILLIAM STEvnNsON, A. S. KrnKPATRrcK.

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