US1557405A - Signaling system - Google Patents

Description

1,557,405 (3. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 7. 1920 a sheets-srieet 2 Oct. 13,1925- N VEN TOR 0a. 13,1925- c; E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM I filed Dec. 7.

1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 266M Oct. 13 19.25-

c. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fued Dec. 7.

C. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Dec 7 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,557,405 PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE E. BEACH, or mnennivrron, new year; Assrcnon o run ,GAMEWELL COMPANY, or NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, a oonronnr oiv or assacnusnms.

SIGNALING sys'rnm.

Application filed'Deceniber 7, 1920. Serial No. 428,969. a

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. BEACH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, county of Broome, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Systoms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signaling systems comprising a plurality of signalinitiating stations and signal responsive devices, and is particularly adapted for use in signaling systems having a plurality of code signal initiating stations and signal responsive' devices, some of which devices are responsive to all of the initiating stations, and other of which devices are responsive to only a certain one or more initiating stations. Such responsive devices as are responsive to all initiating stations will be hereinafter referred to as general responsive devices, and those responsive to only certain initiating stations will be hereinafter referred to as local responsive devices.

Signaling systems of certain types (such as, for example, automaticfire alarm sys: tems) ordinarily stand unused for long periods; and, on the other hand, several initiating stations of any such systems are likely to be called upon concurrently, when abnormal or dangerous conditions develop. When such systems are employed for the purpose of summoning assistance, it is of prime importance that code signals shall be intelligently manifested With utmost dispatch to those Whose assistance is to be summoned, even when a plurality of initiating stations are concurrently subjected to influences calculatedto cause them to transmit their respective code signals.

It is ordinarily deemed essential that all line wires and terminals of such systems shall, While in normal condition, be subjected to a continuous electrical test; such systems should, therefore, be of the closed circuit type; however, it is deemed undesirable, (and, in many instances, incurs a cost of upkeep which is deemed prohibitive) to maintain a current flow,'throughout long periods of non-use, as great as that which should be utilized during the activity of initiating stations. It is also Well recognized that the use of independent current sources at the scattered locations of the initiating stations is undesirable from considerations of cost ofinstallation and maintenan'ce, and of dependability of operation.

In various typesof automatic alarm service, suitably operable circuit adjusters are associated with transmitting mechanisms at variousinitiating stations so that, upon pro Cltel filllle'd operation Of any 0118 (if such adjusters, the associated transmitting mechanism will be caused toact. In the use of suchs'ystems it has been found amen-1'1- der certain circumstances, conditions may arise under which such adjusters will be operatedinomentarily or for a co paratively short period, and that under othercircumstances such adjusters will be maintained in operated condition for a comparativel long period. It is desirable that, under all circumstances, each signal shall be so transmitted as to indicate, by means of a suitable code, the station" from which it originated;

and itis further desirable that, when any adjuster is maintained in operated condition for a comparatively long period, the resultant code signal will distinctively dif for from that which will result from opera tion of an adjuster for a period of'commanifestation by certain general responsive devices. For example, in large institutions such as department stores andhospitals, it is desirable to provide" signaling systems operable in the eventiof fire or other emergency for summoning assistance and for warning the occupants in case of extreme emergency, but it is" highlyundesirable to alarm the occupants upon the occurrence of any minor emergency involving the development, for

a comparatively short period, ofsome con-- dition (such as a rapid rise of temperature) even ifsame would constitute a very definite hazard if continued for a longerpe'rio'di On the other hand, those in authorityshould be summoned to investigate and guard against the recurrence of gencies. j

It is obvious that s'ignalsshould be' given the right of way'in the'order" of their imeven such minor emerportanoe; and that, to this end, the clear manifestation, in an orderly sequence, of signals representing the operation of adjusters for periods of comparatively long duration should be assured, when adjusters are concurrently operated for periods ofvarying duration.

An object of this invention is to provide a system having transmitting mechanism whereby signals of acertain predetermined class will be given precedence over signals of any other classor classes, to the end that signals of less importance than those'of such preferred class will invariably give way to those of such preferred class; complete noninterference being assured between different signals of such preferred class.

A further object, of this invention is to provide, in a system having transmitting mechanism at initiating stations operable to transmit twoclasses of signals, means whereby signals of one of such classes will cause response of all general responsive devices and whereby signals of the other of such classes will cause response of only a predetermined one or more of such general responsive devices; a 1 1 A further object of this invention is to provide means at ,initiating stations of such a system whereby a desired number of repetitions of signals of one'of said classes will be assured, after the.transmissionthereof has progressed beyond a certain point, regardless of the continuance of the period during. which the adjuster of such astation is maintained in the operatedcondition intended to cause the transmission of, such signals. I

.A further object of this invention is to provide mechanism at initiating stations of such a system whereby signals of one of the classes which are transmitted by any or'certain ones of such initiating, stations will cause manifestation thereof by respective local responsive devices V A further object of this invention, is to provide such a system in which the line con ductors will be undercon'stant test at a current strength substantially less than that of impulses incident to the transmission of one class of signals. 1 I

- Anoher object is to provide construction 'and arrangement of parts whereby a com-' men or centralized current source will act, through the line wires provided for the transmission of intended code signals, to energize tripping magnets of widely scattered'transmitting mechanisms in response to the operation of circuit adjusterspassociated respectively therewith. a

Still further objects, together with their inherent advantages, will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter spe'cifically'set forth. The features of this invention may be variously cembined, in groups having all or less than all of said features, to meet diverse service conditions and requirements. In constructing a signaling system in accordance with all of the features of this in vention: r

A signal circuit is provided which comprises two parallel conductor loops, each of which passes through or communicates with each of a plurality of signal initiating stations; a current source is connected between one end of one loop and the opposite end of the other loop; a connection of comparative ly high resistance is provided between the remaining ends of said loops; and two classes of general responsive devices and a plurality of local responsive devices are suitably connected for desired response to said circuit.

One class of said general responsive devices is arranged to suitably manifest circuit interruptions occurring at any point in either of said loops, the other classof said general responsive devices is arranged for response to current flow increases such as would result from interconnecting the circuit loops at any initiating station; and the local responsive devices are included in normally ineffective interconnections at various initiating stations. i

As a matter of convenience, general responsive devices arranged so that they will manifestany circuit interruptions which oc-- cur at any point in either of the circuit loops, while the system is in normal inactive condition, will be hereinafter referred to as .primary responsive devices; and general responsive devices arranged to manifest current flow increases, such as result from the establishment of an interconnection of comparatively low resistance at any initiating station, will be hereinafter referred to as secondary responsive devices. a

. In cases when conditions are such that the primary responsive device should act with maximum dependability in serving both as a means of manifesting signals and as a means of giving warning in the even of impairment or ruptureof the signal circuit, the electromagnet winding of such device shouldconstitute part or all of the high re sistance connection hereinbefore referred to. In cases when conditions are not such that it is deemed important that the primary responsive device should act with maximum dependability in the event of impairment or rupture of the signal circuit, such primary device winding may be connected at any point in the normal current path of the system. In any event the primary responsive device should be so arranged that it will be responsive to current flow from the current source through the normal current path including the high resistance connec tion; and, when such winding consists or forms part of said high resistance connection, such winding may be of much higher resistance that When connected elsewhere in the normal current path of the system.

The electromagnet winding of the secondary responsive device should be so connected in the system that the excitation thereof will be increased in the event that the high resistance connection is shunted, as by the interconnection at any initiating station. To this end,the winding of said secondary device should be included between one terminal or the other of the current source and the nearest initiating station connectedtherewith; or, if connected between any two initiating stations, such winding should be divided, part being included in one circuit loop and the remainder in the other circuit loop.

The secondary responsive device should be so arranged that it will not act in response to current flow from the source through the high resistance connection, and so that said device will act in response to current flow from said source such as will result from the establishment of an interconnection of comparatively low resistance at anyone of the initiating stations.

The term circuit loops as herein used, is employed in a broad sense, and is not intended to necessarily imply a limitation to correspondingly or symmetrically disposed conductors; in view, however, of the fact that it is desirable to assure reasonably uniform current flow through the interconnections of all initiating stations, it is apparent that in cases Where the conductor resistance between initiating stations is comparatively great,-one of such loops shall provide a current path from one terminal of the source, through the initiating stations in desired sequence,.to one terminal of the high resistance connection; and that the other loop shall provide a current path from the other terminal of said source, through the initiating stations in reverse sequence, to the other terminal of said connection; thus assuring substantial uniformity of the con ductor lengths of the current paths established during the effectiveness of interconnections at the various initiating stations.

At each initiating station, means is provided for formulating a code signal by alternately interrupting and establishing current flow in one or the other of the circuit loops or current paths thereat; said means comprising contacts serially included in one or the other of such current paths and opera-ting means therefor.

Releasing means is provided for said formulating means,-such releasing means being variably operable to cause the formu lation of the code signal a greater or less number of times.

An elect-romagnet is provided for the actuation of such releasing means, said magnet being so connected to one of said circuit loops, through a suitable branch path as to be normally tie-energized.

A circuit adjuster responsive to external influences is arranged to suitably control said magnet, so that,when the signaling system is in normal condition,such circuit adjuster may act to cause effective energi- Zation of said magnet.

For the purpose of minimizing the expenditure of electrical energy employed for the maintenance of normal current flow in the system, such branch magnet paths should be normally open, and subject to closure by associated circuit adjusters to establish an interconnection between the respective loops; such magnet connections being 'of sufficient resistance so that the current flow from the source during the effec tive energization of any one of them will be insufficient to cause response of the secondary device.

Circuit controlling means, moved by .and during the operation of said formulating means, is provided for suitably governing the effectiveness of such branch magnet path. Such controlling means being periodically actuated to interrupt saidbranch path, regardless of the actuation of the ex ternally influenced circuit adjuster, during circuit breaks incident to each formulation of the code signal; and to permit closure of said branch path by said adjuster after the completion of each formulation of said signal. Said controlling means being also progressively actuated during uninterrupted operation of said formulating means, to the end that, after said means has acted to formulate said code signal a predetermined one or more times, the effective energization of the magnet will be accomplished, after each formulation of the code signal, regardless of the continuity of the action of the circuit adjuster in response to the influences to which it is subjected; and, to the further end that, after said means has acted to formulate such code signal a predetermined additional one or more times, further eifectiveenergization of said magnet will be prevented.

The progressive actuation of said circuit controlling means is so accomplished that the intermittent transmission of the code signal will not alter the responsiveness of said magnet to said circuit adjuster, even if suchsignal is transmitted such one or more times as would alter such responsiveness if occurring uninterruptedly. Thus, should the circuit adjuster be subjected to] influences causin it to repeatedly act for comparatively brief periods, the resulting intermittent actuation offthe formulating mechanism will not cumulatively effect the progressively operated functions of the circuitcontrolhng means. 7

Mechanical holding means is moved by and closures incident to the formulation of the code signal, and throughout all period: when the magnet branch current path is interrupted by the periodical actuation of the circuit controlling means. The joint action of said holding means and the periodic action of the circuit controlling means therefore provide a recurrent cycle in the action of said formulating means, so governed by the electromagnet that such cycle will be repeated a greater or less number of times as determined by the efiective ness of said magnet at the conclusion of each cycle.

As previously pointed out,normally ineffective interconnections are provided at the various initiating stations, associated responsive devices being included in such interconnections. The circuit controlling means at the various initiating stations are arranged to so govern the effectiveness of the interconnections thercat that, whenever the formulating mechanism of any station has uninterruptedly accomplished a predetermined cycle of action, the interconnection at such station will be rendered effective throughout circuit closures incident to subsequent formulations of the code signal of such station. Thus, should the circuit adjuster of any station be subjected to infiu-.

ences causing it to repeatedly act for comparatively brief periods,the consequent intermittent actuation of the formulating mechanism of such station will result in the formulation of circuit breaks and closures of corresponding repetitions of the code signal of such station, without such action of the circuit controlling mechanism of such station as would render effective the interconnection thereat; but should such formulating mechanism uninterruptedly act throughout a predetermined number of such code. signal cycles, such interconnection will be effective during succeeding code signal formulating closures, to the end that the secondary device and the associated local device will act in response thereto.

Means are provided at each of the initiating stations for facilitating manual restoration to normal position of the progressively actuated circuit controlling means thereat, whenever such circuit controlling means of any station has been moved by the actuation .of the formulating mechanism thereat to render the electromagnet of such station unresponsive to the circuit adjuster associated therewith.

In the interests of clearncss and briefness of" description,singular nouns are herein employed in reference to the circuit adjusters and the localresponsive devices of individual initiating stations, and in separately referring to either the primary or the secondary responsive devices; but it any station. In view of the foregoing, each such herein contained reference to such adjusters or devices should be understood to signify either a singular or plural number, as circumstances might require, as fully and as clearly as if such references were, in each instance, so expanded as to read adjuster or adjusters or Q device or devices as the case might be.

For the purpose of giving precedence to secondary signals, i. e., those in response to which the secondary device should act; and for the further purpose of preventing manifestation of such secondary signals the primary device ;--the circuit controllers ofthe various initiating stations are so ar ranged that when the controller of any stations acts'to render the interconnection ef fective thereat', such controller will also .interrupt the'portions of both of the parallel conductor loops which extend from that station to the comparatively high resistance connection which includes the primary device.

For the purpose of preventing interruption or mutilation of any signal to which secondary and local devices should be responsive, each transmitter is so arranged. and connected that two or more of the trans; mitters of anyone circuit will not simultaneously or concurrently establish their respective interconnections, and so that, when any transmitter has acted to establish its interconnection, the magnets of all other transmitters in the same circuit will be and remain (ls-energized until the completion. of the intended number of rounds of the signal of the station whose transmitter has so acted. Such arrangement and connection is accomplished by including the code signaling contacts of all of'the transmitters in a predetermined one of the signal :ircuit loops; so that the breaking of such loop by the code signaling contacts of any stat-ion will prevent current flow through ;he electromagnet of any other station, unless such other station is connected in the loop so broken between such break and the current source. When so connected, the electromagnets of stations connected to portions of such broken loop other than toward the current source from such break can be energized only during theclosed circuit periods incident to the running of the code signal formulating means of any operating station.

Ill)

The arrangement of the formulating mechanisms of the various Stations is such that the progressively actuated circuit controlling means forming part thereof will act to render the interconnection associated therewith effective only at the expiration of a test period longer than the longest closure incident to the transmission of any code signal, throughout which test period the electromagnet of such station remains energized.

Because of the duration of such test period, it is evident that if the formulating mechanism of a plurality of initiating stations start concurrently, interconnection between the circuit loops will be rendered effective only at the operating station which is connected to saidloop at such point that the energization of the electromagnet thereof will not be dependent upon the closure of the code signaling contacts of any of the other of such concurrently operating stations.

If it is desired that the primary device should be responsive to all signals, such device should be connected in the portion of one loop or the other which extends from a terminal of the current source to the near est initiating station; or. if such device is connected between any two initiating stations, the electromagnet winding of such device should be arranged in two parts, one part of such winding being connected in one loop and the other part of such winding being connected in the other loop.

If the interconnections of some initiating stations have local responsive devices connected therein, and those of other stations do not include such devices. it will be desirable to include resistances in the interconnections not having such devices therein (so as to prevent excessive current flow during the effectiveness of such interconnections) unless the resistance of the circuit conductors and general responsive device windings of that" current path from the source through such interconnections is sufiicient to prevent obj ectionable excessive current flow.

When the controlling electromagnets are not needed at initiating stations. as. for example, would be the case when the releasing means thereat is intended for direct manual actuation thereof, the electromagnets, magnet branch current paths and controlling mechanism therefor may be omitted from such stations. I v

If but one class of responsive devices are required, and electromagnets are not employed for the control of formulating mechaat initiating stations, the loop ends which otherwise should be connected through a comparatively high resistance may be connected without such resistance. It is evident that, when such high resistance connection is emitted, the normal current flow will be practically as great as that incident to signaling impulses. a j I l/Vhen systems are so arranged that the normal current flow is as great as that incident to any signaling impulses, the windings of the controlling electromagnets of initiating stations may be serially included in one loop or the other of the signal circuit. Such directly included magnet windings being controlledby circuit adjusters which, if of the normally closed type, may be arranged to short-circuit the winding at all times except when it is desired to cause elfectiveenergization of the electromagnet; and if such circuit adjusters are of the normally open type. a differential electromagnet winding should be provided, the adjusters beingarranged so as to short-circuit one of the windings of the associated magnet when actuation of the formulating mechanism is desired. The introduction into a signal circuit of a large number of such differentially wound magnets will be found to produce excessive circuit resistance,but a comparatively small number of such windings can be advantageously employed in many instances.

When series connected controlling electromagnets are employed, the arrangement of the circuit controlling means of the transmitting mechanism is correspondingly altered. When normally shunted windings are employed, the periodical actuation of the circuit controlling means may be arranged to short-circuit such windings during circuit closures incident to the formulation of the code signal, if general circuit conditions are such as to render suchshort-circuiting necessary or desirable. The progressive actuation of the circuit controlling means associated with such. series connected electromagnet windings should be arranged so that, after the formulating means has acted to transmit apredetermined signal one or more times, the circuit adjuster current path will be broken if normally closed circuit ad iusters are employed, and such current path will be short-circuited if normally open circuit adjusters are employed; to the end that the effective energization of the magnet will be accomplished after each succeeding formulationof the code signal regardless of the continuity of action ofthe circuit adjuster in response to the influences to which it is subjected. The circuit controlling means associated with such series connected windings should further be so arranged that, after an additional one or more formulations of the code signali such electromagnet winding will be short-circuitedso as to pre vent further effective energizationof the magnet.

Other rearrangements and applications of the various features of this invention will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in this art.-

Like reference characters denote similar parts throughout the accompanying drawings in which: 7

Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a system embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 shows details of certain features of the transmitting mechanism provided at the initiatingstations indicated by Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the theory of the circuit forming partof the system illustrated by Fig. 1, in which certain parts are repeatedly indicated so asto enabl parts cooperating therewith to be more clearly shown in the order of their sequence in the circuit;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation similar to Fig. 3, illustrating an alternative arrangement of the primary responsive device, and repeatedly indicating similar parts for like reason;

Figs. 5 and. 6 are schematic representations of circuit arrangements utilizing certain features of applicants invention, certain parts being repeatedly indicated by Fig. 5, for like reason.

Fig. 7 is another view of the transmitter shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1:the initiating stations Ni and N are included in a signal circuit in which the primary responsive device P, the secondary responsive mechanism S, and the current source or battery B are serially connected.

It will be noted that th signal circuit comprises two parallel loops each extending between the current source B and the primary responsive device P, through which opposite ends of said loops are interconnected.

Each initiating station is provided with signal transmitting mechanism comprising the circuit connections inclosed by dotted line rectangles in Fig. 1, and suitable operating mechanism therefor certain details of which are more fully illustrated by Fig. 2.

Each transmitter is provided with line conductor terminals 31, 32, 33, 34, '35. 36

and 37; a controlling magnet38; periodically actuated circuit controlling means comprising the cooperating contacts 39, 40 and 41 together with the operating arm 42 therefor; progressively actuated circuit controlling means comprising contacts 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 together with the operating cam 51 therefor; and code signal formulating means comprising'the contacts 52 and 53 and the code wheel 54 cooperating therewith." The transmitter line conductor terminalsare grouped in pairs as'follows: terminals 31 and 32 are provided for the conductors communicating with the associated local responsive device L; terminals 33 and 34 are provided for'receiving an end of one of the circuit loops leading to'the current source and an end of the other said current loops leading to the high resistance connection, respectively; the terminals 35 and 36 are provided for the remaining ends of said circuit loops, although one of said circuit loops may be completed through the terminal 37 instead of the terminal 36,during the closur of the contacts of any of the circuit adjusters C,C, C. The conductor 55 connects the'terminal 31 and the contact 41. The conductor 56 connects the terminal 32 and the contact 45. The conductor 57 connects the terminal 33 and the contact 44. The terminal 34 is connected to contacts 39 and 47 through conductors 58, 59 and 60. The terminal 35 is'connected to the contact 46 through conductor 61. The terminal 36 is connected to contacts 48 and 52 through conductors 62, 63 and 64. The terminal 37 is connected to contact 49 through conductor 65. The winding of the controlling electromagnet 38 is serially connected between contact 40 and contact50 through conductors 66 and 67. Conductor 68 connects contacts 43 and 53. I

As shown, the various parts of the transmitters are in their respective normal positions, the contact 39 being held in engagement with the contact 40 and away from the contact 41, by means of the arm 42; the contact 52 being held in engagement with the contact 53 by the code wheel 54; the contact 43 being permitted by the cam 51 to move into engagement with the contact 44 and away from the contact 45, said contact 45 being thus permitted to move into engagement with contacts 46 and 47 the contact 48 is permitted by the cam 51 to move away from the contact 49, and the contact 50 is likewise permitted to move into engagement with said contact 49.'

While the various'parts are in their respective normal positions, as thusindicated, two normally closed independent current paths are provided between respective termi- 'nals of two of the pairs of transmitter contacts. One of said paths extending from terminal33, through'conductor 57, contacts 44 and 43, conductor 68. code'signal formulating contacts 53 and '52, conductors 64 and 62 to terminal 36. The other of said paths extends from terminal 34, through conductors 58 and 60. through contacts 47, 45 and 46, and through conductor 61 to terminal 35.

A local responsive device L is associated with the initiating station N; said device being represented as a bell, one terminal of which'is connected through conductor 69 to transmitter terminal 31, and the other terminal of which is connected through conductor 70 to transmitter terminal 32. Circuit adjusting means comprising the circuit closers'C, C, C are associated with the initiating station N, one terminal of each of said circuit closers being connected through the conductor:71 to-the transmitterterminal 37, and the other terminal of each of said circuit closers being connected to conductor 121. i

t The initiating station N comprises terminals, contacts, contact operating means, a controlling electromagnet and conductors connecting said parts, all of which are similar to those provided at the initiating station N, andhereinbefore more fully de scribed; except that the code wheel 54 of station N is arranged to formulate a signal diifering from that for which the code wheel 54; of station N is arranged. The local r'esponsive device L and the circuit closers C, C, and C are associated with and connected to the initiating station N, in a manner similar to that hereinbefore more fully described in connection with the local responsive device L and the circuit closers C, C, C respectively.

The primary responsive device P comprises a relay having an electromagnet 81, the armature 82 of which is normally held in engagement with the front stop 83 associated therewith, said armature being arranged to move into engagement with the back stop 84 upon de-energization of the electromagn'et 81.

' The electromagnet 81 is wound to a comparatively high resistance, and the resist ance of such winding may be supplemented, as by the resistor R, under certain circumstances which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The battery 85 is connected between one terminal of the bell 86 and the armature 82, and the other terminal of the bell 86 is connected to the back stop 8%, so that, whenever said armature 82 moves to its retracted position, a current path including the battery 85 and the bell 8.6 will be established; thus causing said bell to sound so long as said armature remains in retracted position. i p

The secondary responsive device S comprises an electromagnet 91, the armature 92 of which normally rests against the back stop 93associated therewith; said armature being arranged to act in response to predetermined energization of the electroniagnet 91 to move away from the back stop 93 and into engagement with the front stop 94. One terminal of the battery 95 is connected to the armature 92, and the alarm bells 96, 96, are serially connected between the other terminal of said battery 95 and the relay front stop 94. It is thus evident that, whenever the armature 92 moves to its attraCte/Cl position, a current path from the battery 95 will be established through the bells 96, 96, thus causing these bells to sound in response to each energization of the magnet 91. In order to clearly manifest the code ignal o t-the in ia g t QnsN a in the system illustrated, it is desirable that the bells 96, 96 should be of the single stroke yr 3 A well-known form of reduced-current constant-test equipment is connected to the front and back contacts 9% and 93, and comprises the high resistance relay magnet 101, which may be supplemented, if desired, by the resistor 102. The relay armature 103 is responsive to the magnet 101 and controls a current path including the battery 105 and the bell 106, so that upon the deenergization of said magnet 101, said bell will be caused to sound; so that, in the event of any interruption of the current path including the bells 96, 96, or any impairment of the electromotive force of the current source 95 such as would decrease the current flow through the magnet 101 below a predetermined value, the armature 103 will act to close the circuit through the bell 106 and thereby give warning of such defective circuit conditions.

The parallel signal circuit loops, hereinbefore referred to, comprise current paths as follows:-one of said paths extends through conductor 110 from one terminal of source B to terminal 34 of station N, thence through conductors 58 and 60, contacts 47, 45and 46, and conductor 61 to terminal 85 of said station: thence through conductor 111 (including one winding of auxiliary responsive device Z, which will be hereinafter more fully referred to) to terminal 3 1 of initiating station N; thence correspondingly through conductors and contacts of said station to terminal 35 thereof thence through conductor 112 (including resistor R) to one end of the winding of the electromagn'et 81 of the primary responsive device P: the other of said parallel loops extends from the other terminal of said magnet 81 through conductor 120- to terminal 33 'of initiating station N, thence through conductor 57, contacts 44: and 18, conductor 68, contacts 53 and 52, and. conductors 64k and 62 to terminal 36 of said station; thence through conductor 121 (serially including one terminal of each of the circuit closers C, C, C and the other winding of auxiliary responsive device Z) to the terminal 33 of the initiating station N thence correspondingly through the conductors and contacts of said station to terminal 36 thereof; thence through conductor 122 (serially including one terminal of the circuit closers C G, C) to one end of the winding of electromagnet 91, through said winding, and conductor 123 to the other terminal of source B.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the primary device P and the resistor R are connected between one end of one of said loops and the opposite end of the other of said loo s, and that the secondary responsive device and the current source'B are connected between the remaining ends of said loops; thus providing one current path from one terminal of said source B, through the initiating stations N and N" in desired sequence, to one terminal of the primary responsive device P, and a second current path from the other terminal of said source B, through said stations N and N in reverse sequence, to the other terminal of said primary device; the secondary responsive device S being included in one of said paths between the source B and said stations.

It will further be seen that the auxiliary responsive device Z is included vin both of the current paths between stations N and N, and may therefore respond to current flow in either of said paths. The auxiliary responsive device Z may be employed in lieu of or in addition to either the primary responsive device P or the secondary responsive device S; although, for reasons which will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, an auxiliary responsive device included in the current paths in the manner indicated for the responsive device Z, should preferably be arranged for operation as a secondary device.

Inasmuch as the electromagnets of primary responsive devices should be effectively energized by the normal current flow through the comparatively high resistance connection between the conductors 112 and 120, it is evident that substantially higher resistance windings will be required for such magnets than would be needed to render them responsive to secondary signal closures, such as should cause the energization of magnet 91; for this reason, if windings of primary responsive devices are connected between initiating stations in the manner indicated for the device Z, the resistance of the current path for secondary signal closures will be substantially increased, and thus require the use of a current source B of greater electromotive force than would otherwise be necessary. On the other hand, if it is desired that any primary device should manifest both primary and secondary code signals, such device should be connected in the circuit in the manner shown for the device Z, so that one winding or the other of said device will form part of the current path of all secondary signal closures.

hen an auxiliary device, such as the device Z, is employed for the manifestation of secondary code signals only, it is desirable that the independent electromagnet windings thereof should be differentially connected in the respective circuit loops so as to decrease the effectiveness of the energization thereof in response to primary signal closures.

It should be noted that although the local responsive devices L and L and the auxiliary responsive device Z are represented as main line bells and the general responsive devices P and S are represented as comprising local circuit or relay controlled bells,such representations are employed simply for convenience in illustration, and form no part of this invention, as either main line or local relay circuit responsive devices may be employed,csuch devices may be of the so called direct-acting or the so called electro-mechanical type either single stroke or continuous-ringing, and arranged to provide any desired form of either visible or audible signal manifestations, without departing from the spirit of this invention. In view of the functioning of the bells 86 and 106 as so called troublebells it will probably be ordinarily preferable that same should be of the continuous-ringing type and, for convenience, supplied by local batteries or current sources independent of the sources B and 95. Suitable single stroke primary and secondary responsive devices, suchas bells or other responsive devices employed in place thereof, may be of the direct-acting type and.

directly included in the signal circuit loops. If duplication of primary or secondary responsive devices is required, same can be supplied either by extending local circuits such as those of relays 81 and 91, as suggested by the extension circuit provided for the alarm bells 96, 96; although additional primary responsive devices may be connected either in extensions of conductors 112 or 120, and additional secondary responsive devices may be connected in extensions of either conductors 110, 122 or 123; or such additional responsive devices may be connected in conductors extending from one initiating station to another (such as the conductors 111 and 121) in the manner in which the connections for auxiliary responsive device Z are shown.

If it is desired to associate a plurality of local responsive devices with any one sta tion, such devices may be serially connected in conductor 69 or 70. If one or more initiating stations have no local responsive devices associated therewith, the terminals 81 and 32 of such stations should be connected by a suitable conductor. If there are not a like number of local responsive devices associated with each of the initiating stations included in any one signal circuit, it will, under some circumstances, be found to be desirable to include suitableresistance in the current path between the terminals 31 and 32 of stations with which a lesser number of responsive devices are associated, in order to prevent excessive current flow during secondary signal closures, such as will be hereinafter more fully described. I

The current source B provides an electromotive force sufiicient to cause effective entweet a "current path including the Winding bf] said magnet, one .ot t e local: esppnsited vices L, .L (er agger number of s ch. .responsive devlces. if. operatmgcond t ons provide fer the concurrent inc'hlsion...of a

filhrelity f such devices in any secondary signal current path) and one of the Win ingsof each auxiliary responsive device- Z (if any ofsuch devices are employed).

Th enn t e between conductors 112.

and 12 houldbe f such sistance tha the current .t w f om the muse B therehreugh will he insuificie t t vceuse e fectiv energizletion of the electromagnet .91; said connect on. Will t elteiiere he hereinafter e med, for want ef better designation, e ee n etiQn-ot eemh ively high resi tehee Stit h. ,re st hee m y he pteitid d by the 'wind hg'cf the eleetremag et 8.1, by the -.:e ist0r It or joi tly hy seid Winding and said nesis et- The resistance of one o the other of the findings .Of any .eux l ery .respensive device i el ld din the ignal e i cuit' (such as h de ce Z) will take the place eta eerrespend ng tesis enee in th winding of t e magnet 1 .0 in he re stor 1R, esibe h f th windings .efysueh .a e'li eli devices ere inc uded in. the. cu ent pet. through the magn 1 end the iresi e It, while one for he other 1. uc fam lial-y device windi gs is excluded from the seeehd ry signal in piilse cur eht paths, a Wi lheh re- .inttt mere hil y .exp1eined-.

. In order to minimize thehermeldiseh rge from the sou e '1 the resist n e f-the rent path etween th ends ofieehdueters .ll2 en 2 m y be substantially greater than th at. .mere y' suff cien to :pxeireh current hew-threug e d. pa h o ueh int ntye t au e effec ive .QIIQ gi Q iQiOK- f the elect omegnet; but the res s ance of sa d path should not be so great as to require an unduly sensitive adjustment of primary responsive devices.

The responsive device P sh u d be so .jllfih as to g v the intended warning- :(es .by the ring ng o the he l 86) wheneyer the iormal current flow throughthe signal circui is-inter upted, o is decrea ed he w e predetermined strength; to the end that warning wil be gi n Whe er th he me signa it ir ui c rr n path is in e upted, either in ident t the t ens s ie iefeSig nal or because of an accidental rupture of some eenducte en thefh the jend th t suitab e warning w ll be g ve in the event th the .electromotive torce of the source 13 tails to e v lu deemed nsuficient to deguateily as u e the in ded .qperetion of the sig a ing system.

.Beferring now more particularly to Fig.

.-2.:the armature 1 l'i moun e in responsive relation to the poles of itheelectroinz gm tes, said! miniature being secured to. the

nermel y dispes dlihthe .pethl o he e e t ime :lihtwhieh erm-i mev dfby, some part. f the signalling s ream .(f s, fer exe p e; th esce ement lle Said ermet re, d tent ever," h s .ehld rah there-tore ehstit temegetaoipenet d ine ee ihg .meens, ter the sign titein which will he hereinaft r mere hil -y d seeibeid- Almost any well-known normally Wound ype Qi .eleekwoids suita le 1 use i s gnal lf'adlt mihtil g ttein we d, he .employedte operati g the code Wheel 54;, the detent arm 135 and the notched disc 186, which will he het hi ter eferre to in, gre ter de a The inding shaiit of. such it tra n i i d e edtet 1.8 suitable gearing (not sho n) aetihg thxough the intermediate ,sl12rftl 38 te drive th c d Wh h ft 139., h s apement heel shaft 140, and the pellet shaft lel- A e d ail of ei eheleekwork fo m no .partof this invemtiojgr, other .details there f er in; the in er s s ez it i y and c ea hess, emit ed ro the drawings end f m this specification.

The .disc 15.6. is secured to the Shaft. 139, and aid disc ha ehet le 2itermed he p si n t r ceive the f et 4: e 'the e e e er 18.2 when. th e e w e l 5e ende ni d2 r in their nespe tiv iienm p ti ns, as indic ted by Fig; fie e h is etsueh idt its to .pre h h ent anc 0f the f e 1.4. t erein other theni hile t e A2 i positionedto lift the contact 39 in e ngegement with th c tact e0 and aw y from th con ac e1 en hi the r tooth of the code Wheel 54 isholdingihe cee et. 5.2.in engag men w t th c nt :53. It will'thus be .se n he he dis Wri hiit .he e -.,1 t end t e. fee 143 e stitute mechanical holding means so moved bythe nunning .of the train shaft 139 .as to .h'eld the d t nt ug 1 L11 ope ated apesiti n mean .centeetswe d 3.; nd Will ur h be not h t said h d ng me nsessures 1e il'eeunrent cycle of the action of said train in that, when e .de ei t leg 1% s i hd awn from the path of the tdet eiit arm 135, the resu tehtii te e o he shaf 13. i ee y i said notch out of the pathof the foot 143, and ill thus prevent the j1ug 134being ,egelin e-rri i the pa o h ar 13. until the shaft 139 has turned fa r enough to again bring the notch 142 into the path of the foot 143; thus having. completed substantially one revolution of the disc 136, arm 42, code Wheel 54 and parts, rotating therewith. Inasmuch .as the notch. 142 is prcsentedto the foot '1i3at the conclusion of each rotation of the code wheel '54, it' is evident that such code wheel will'act to formulate a greater or less number of the cycles or rounds of its signal, as determined by the effectiveness of the magnet 38 after each of such cycles; and that the magnetoperated releasing means will cause the train to operate the periodically actuated circuit controlling means a greater or less number of times as determined by the effectiveness of said magnet 38 during the part of each cycle of said circuit controlling means during which the arm 42 of said means holds the contact 39 in engagement with the contact 40.

The electromagnet 38 is provided for operating the detent lever 132 so as to suitably trip and control the train. The winding of said magnet is connected in a branch current path, one end of which is connected through the conductor 66, contacts 40 and 39, and the conductors 59 and 58 to the terminal 34 of one of the circuit loops, and the other end of said branch path extends through the-conductor 67, to the contact 50 of the progressively operated'circuit controlling means, from which said branch path may be completed through contact 49, conductor 65, terminal 37, conductor 71, and any one of the circuit adjusters, C, C, C, to the conductor 121 of the other circuit loop. When the contact 48 is held in engagement with the contact 49, said branch magnet path is connected from the contact 49 to said other loop conductor 121 through said contact 48, conductors 63 and 62 and terminal 36; thus shunting the circuit adjusters C, 0,0.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the arm 42 and the cooperating contacts 39 and 40 provide means for rendering the magnet connection ineffective, by the interruption thereof, during formulating breaks.

The latch arm 144 is mounted upon the shaft 145 and turns freely thereon, said arm being provided with a face 146 adapted to cooperate with the projection 147 carried by the detent lever 132 so that when said projection occupies the position (as shown) which it assumes when the armature 131 is in retracted position, said arm 144 will be permitted to move in the direction of said projection a greater distance than when said projection is in the'position which it occupies when said armature is in its attracted position.

Although the diameter of the disc 136 is such as to hold the foot 143 high enough (except when the notch 142 is presented to said foot) to prevent the lug 1 34 from being brought into the path of the arm 135; the diameter of said disc is insufiicient to raise said foothigh enough to'bring the projection 147 into the path of the face 146. Hence said projection willbe held in the path of saidface only'during the energization of the magnet?) j The cam-51 is fixed upon the shaft 145, and is of insulating material. The toothed sector 148 is also fixed upon the shaft 145, and is mounted in suitable relation to the cam 51 so that said cam will be caused to operate the contacts '43, 48 and 50 in a suitable manner.

A suitable spring or gravity operated means (not shown) is provided for constantly applying a'tendency to the shaft 145 for clockwise rotation, and a stud 149 is carried by the sector 148; said stud being disposed in the path of the arm 144 and in such relation thereto as to engage said arm for the purpose of arresting the clockwise rotation of said sector. carried by the disc 136, and said pin is so positioned with relation to the sector 148 that, when said disc is in the position which presents the notch 142'to the foot 143, said pin150 will be out of the path of the teeth of said sector 148; and so that,'during the rotation of said disc 136, said pin will move through the path of the teeth of said sector, to the end that said pin may engage some one of said teeth and move said sector in counter-clockwise direction an angular distance somewhat in excess of that between adjacent tooth faces. Said pin 150 is further so positioned with relation to the arm 42 that the final part of the actuation of the sector 148 by said pin 150 will occur during the portion of the rotation of said arm 42 in which said arm holds the contact 39 in engagement with the contact 40.

A holding pawl 151 is mounted on the shaft 152 and is arranged to engage the teeth of the sector 148, so that it may retain movement imparted to said sector 148 by the pin 150, against the tendency to clockwise movement constantly imparted thereto. An ear 153', carried by the pawl 151, cooperates with the ledge 154 which is formed on the side of the arm 144 so that when said pawl is in holding relation with any tooth of the sector 148 said ear will prevent movement of the arm144 to such position as would bring the face 146 intothe path of the projection 147, and. so that, when the under side of said pawl is raised by engagement of any tooth fof thesector l48'therewith, said ear 153 will be raised high enough to permit the ledge 154 to pass thereunder.

' A suitable tendency is constantly imparted to move the arm 144 in the direction of the projection 147, so that when the sector 148 is moved counter-clockwise by the pin 150, if the projection 147 is not in its elevated position at the time when the pawl 151 is raised by the point of a tooth of the sector 148., the ledge 154 will pass under the ear 153 and thus support the pawl 151 insuch elevated position; thereby permitting the sector 148 The actuating pin 150 is memes 1i tic swing in clockwise tihtec'tion to its nor nial 'positi ona's-seenas'the pin 150 moves one at thepath of the teeth "of said sector; When these ctor 148 swings clockwise while the pawl 151' is "sapportedhy the "engagement of the nag-e 1 54- with the ear 1:53; the =s'tiid1 149 will he brml-ght againstthesiele of "the withdraw the ledge 1:54 imm-thepathof the ear before said arm strikes against the:

side of the shaft 152 and theiieby stops the clockwise movement of said and of the sector 14:8. 1

If the Fptojection 147is in. its eievatedpm sition While the point of any one of the teeth. of the sector 148 is ziassing nnderfithe end of thepawvlllfii, the engagementofthe face 1461 witlihsaid projection 147 will prevent the arm 144 tnom swingingtoea position which would carry the ledge 1:54 into theipath of theeat 153-, anti saifd pemtl M11121 therefore 'be permitte'dito in'ove into holtiiimg relation with such tooth the the sp-oint thereot has moved to the left -4 the ene of said .pawl.

From'the foregoing it will he apparent thiit if the=magneti38is deenengized' while thepoihtaof a toothofthe sector 148 is. passintg under the end of the pawl" jnst hefoi e the conclusion of any cycl'e of the transmitting mechanism, the sector 148 will restored to its normal position-,uat the ecnclns'ion 01? such cycle g. and? that if such magnet is energizedthroughotiteach occasion-When' the 'ear 153 is lifted hirgh e'nongh toipenmit the [ledge 154/to@asstiferehnder at the iconclnsion rof: each of e *phwalit y of the c yc tes of the rnxmingot said transmitter, the movement of the sector 1418 W111b6"61211ffllfl1il* ttvelyipi o'gressive.- r

If the nn'oveinem't imparted to the sector 1 48 is piegfQS'SiVeljl00117611111661Until The-17001711 "restsagainst*thewend' of the pawl: 151, it is ewidentvthat the animation next there+ al ter imparted to said sector by the'pin 150 wiillinot elevate thepaw1'151, as 'tl1e-1perip hery of said sector between. the hold i ng face of thertoothlfifiand the end 1.5 6 oit' said sector is substantiallyequidistant 111'011'1 the shacfit 145, and said apawl will therefore he permitted to drop into the: path of said enct 156 at the-conclusion ro t' the laststep ocf lthe actuation of'said sector by thepin 150, megarctiess of the action of :the =n1'agne't88 subsequenttothe passage ofithe tooth 1-55 to the left rof (the end of =theip awl 151 The pawl 151 is provideti wi'tha handle 157 which facilitates the manual disengagement ofsaid' pa iv l'tfrom the sector 1 48 when saitl sector has heen moved to-its extreme left hand position; :said parts therefo re "prowide manually operable. means for i'estoriing .the progressively aotuated rcirouit icontmh ling means to rnormml contiitionwafter said control-1i ng means rh'as ibee-n inninternmptediy epemee by the rtrain'fthr-onghout the maximum nninher 0 1% cycles for whiohthe train is: intended to act without manual restoration;

f'lhe its'e 158: 0ifi3he cal-n61 is "so positioned with-relation to the contact 59 thaltsatd wise wivlih pass under the end thereof Without moving said contact away fnoni theccone tact 492;: said is ais'onamranged with T8121- tionYto/the contact "48 so thatywhen bnonght by move said contaot away from the Icon tacts 46* an ch 4?; "and :sai-l ni'se 1:59 is further ai'rah gedt Be; that when brought into engagement with the contact 50; said rise with 'm'ofve the aconta'ct 50 away from the contact 1 49.. i i

The cam- 51 is so set with reiati'oni to the sector 148 that, Whenfisai d sector is in its extreme right haind' or fully restored est than, neither 1 of saiiil :ris'ss' WiH engagethe contacts which c'ofopenate therewith; rand so thatyrwhen said 'sector'is inovechto the left an angular "distance fcot responchng to that occupiedhythree of the teeth. thereof, the ri'selfoS W111 movethe contact 48 into engagemnent with the contact' tt). and the rise w'il hmeve theicontact 48razway from the contact 44 and into engagement with the contact '45:, thereby moving said con- .t act 4'5 away from the contacts- 46wand "4?. Aflthongh the Tise 158 is v shown as being so positton'ed W1th" I'61ZLUiFOI1 to the free "end the contact '48 as to move 'said Contact into engagement with the con"- tact-49 wvhie'nthe sector 14 8 is movech to the left a distance comespoin'cting to that-ooci't iethby three of the teeth thereof; it is evident that, "by altering the Teifitiofihip *of said *r'i'se enl said contact,- the pvegre'ssiveiy ep'eratect cen trolling means may he arranged so as 'tWIIIQVG the con-tact '48 into engagementwith "the "contact 49afte'r any tie'sired one or =1no'1' e cycles of the running of the ti -aha. The engagement "of the contact 43 by the wise 159, incidentto the step of the progressiveeetuationef the sector 148 which cahses the has 458 to actuate the contact-48 assures that the circuit adjusters -C, (I, C will shi l'nted when the signal train has u-ni nterruptjedly acted to and after 'the comfipleticn of three of'the' *forrnu-ia-ting' cycles 3 ofthe code Wheel 54. Such assurance a'i' i'ses horn the hat that, the insulatin cam 51 ef the circuit controlling means is actuated by the "cooperaft-ion of the pin-1'50 with'the sector 1'48,- a n-d such actuation render'ed accumulatively pmgves'sivegWhen the aim-1144 permits the holding pawl 451 "toenecttven engage said sector, so that the acetate 48 is nwved inteengwgement "with the contact 1 49 rmnd thetehy establishes a con nectionfibe tween the branch magnet path and the con-' ductor 62, which connection shunts thecir formulating cycle; to the end that, after the, train has uninterruptedly acted to accome plish the formulating cycle a predetermlned' one or more times, the timely energization of the electromagnet will not be dependent up on the continuity of the closure of the normally open contacts of any of the circuit adjusters C, C, C.

The angular movement of the rise 159, from the normal position thereof to such position as to enable said rise to move the contact 50 away from the contact 49, is substantially the same as the angular movement of the sector 148 from the normal position thereof to such position as will permit the end of the pawl 151 to engage with the end 156 of said sector.

The shoulder 160 of' the cam 51 is so positioned with relation to the contact 43 and the sector 148 that, when said sector is swung to the left far enough to permit the end of the pawl 151 to engage the end 156 of said sector, said shoulder will be withdrawn from the path of the contact 43, thereby permitting said contact to return to its normal position.

hen the contact 43 has been moved by the cam 51 so as to engage the contact 45, and the contact 39 rests upon the contact 41, an interconnection is provided between conductor 58 of one of the independent transmitter current paths and conductor 62 of the other of said paths. The interconnection thus established is so situated, with re lation to the code signal formulating contacts 52 and 53, that said contacts will be included in the portion of one loop extending from the interconnection to the current source B, and said interconnection comprises the following current path,from the conductor 62, through contacts 52 and 53, through conductor 68, through contacts 43 and 45, through conductor 56, terminal 32 and conductor to and through local responsive device L thence through conductor 69, terminal 31, conductor 55, contacts 41 and '39, and conductor 59, to conductor 58. It is evident that such interconnection is normally ineffective, and will be rendered effective only after a predetermined cycle of the operation of the signal transmitting train, which cycle comprises, in the arrangement shown, two complete revolutions of the code wheel 54; and that said interconnection will then be rendered effective only after such cycle has been uninterruptedly accomplishedl It is also evident that the interconnection is rendered effective only by the joint action of the periodically operated Although the progressively actuated mechanism shown is arranged so that the cam 51 is so controlled by the running of the train as to render said interconnection effective immediately following the conclusion of two revolutions of the code wheel shaft 139, it is evident that the free end of the contact 43 could readily be so positioned with relationto the rise 159 that said interconnection Would-be rendered effective by and during the running of the train vuninterruptedly continued to and lafter-any desired number of formulating cycles of the code wheel 54; it is also evident that the effectiveness of said-interconnection could be controlled by means operable independently of said'train; and the feature of this invention, whereby code signal mechanism is operable either with or without an interconnection in a circuit such as shown, is not limited to the control of such interconnection by the running of the train.

- The contacts 52 and 53 are effective for the control of the current flow from the source l3 regardless of the effectiveness of the interconnection; hence each signal initiating station comprises the code signal mechanism including said contacts, which 0011: tacts are operable for the formulation of code signals inthe signal circuit either with or without an interconnection, as determined by the position of the cam 51 during respec tive formulating cycles. Although the code signal formulating contacts 52 and 53 are shown as being connected in a particular one of the signal circuit loops, it is evident that, for the present purposes, these contacts may be serially includedin either of the loops but that said contacts should, in any event, be so connected as to be included in the portion of a loop'which is situated between the current source and the interconnection of the station of which such contacts form part.

While the interconnection of any initiating'station' is'eflfective, it provides a current path from the source B, including the code contacts 52 and 53 of such station, which path shunts the high resistance connection between conductors 112 and 120. It is likewise evident that when the train acts uninterruptedlyto and after the completion of such number of formulations of the code signal as to cause said interconnection to be established, both of the normally closed inther rotation of the shaft 139 will then withdraw the first tooth of the code wheel 54 from the path of the contact 52, and said contact will thereupon move away from the contact 53, thus interrupting the current flow in the signal circuit from the source 13. Such interruption of the currentflow from the source B will cause de-en'ergization of the electromagnet 8l,-whereupon the armature 82 will move into engagement with the back stop 84, and thereby close the circuit from battery 85 through bell 86, thus causing said bell to sound. During continued during such movement of said sector, the

arm 42 will move the contact 39 into engagement with the contact 40, so that the branch current path through the electromagnet 38may be rendered effectiveby any one ofthe adjusters C, G, C before and throughout such movement of the sector 148 as will-raise the end of the pawl 151 high enough to permit the ledge 154 of the arm 144 to pass under the ear 153 carried by said pawl.

If, when the contact 39 is brought into engagement. with the contact 40, as just described, the contactsof any of the circuit adjusters G, C, C are closed, the magnet 38 will be. energized, thereby causingcthe armature 131 to swing the lever 132 so as to bring the projection 147 into the path of the face 146. As a result of such energization of the electromagnet 38, the arm 144 will be prevented from; so swinging as to bring the .ledge 154 into the path of the car 153 when the engaging tooth of the sector passes'under the end ofthe pawl 151, so that the pawl 151 will be permitted to drop to the right of saidv tooth and prevent the restoration 'of the sector. Such energization of the electromagnet 38 will also prevent the foot 143 from dropping into the notch 142, and will therefore as sure continued operation of the signaling train fora second formulating cycle.

Had not the contacts of one or more of the 'circuitadjustersG, C, C been closed throughout the period while 'the engaging tooth of the sector 148supportedthe pawl 151 in a position which would permit the ledge 154 to pass under the ear 153, .the

resultant 'de-energization of the magnet 38 would have permitted the projection 147 to remain below the path of the face 146, and

said circuit adjusters.

'the arm 144 would have moved to the left and the ledge 154 would have passed under the ear 153, and would have thereby supported the pawl 151 when the pin 150 moved out of the path of the teeth of the sector 148. Said sector would have there upon returned to its normal position, C211- rying the pin 149 into engagement with the arm 144 and swinging said arm against the shaft 152. The various parts of the progressively operated circuit controlling mechanism would have thus been restored to their respective normal positions. Had

the magnet 38 become de-energized, as just described, the foot 143wouldhave dropped into the notch 142, when said notch was presented thereto, and the lug 134 would therefore have moved into th'epath of the arm 135' and brought the train to rest.

At the conclusion of succeeding formulating cycles, like determinations will be made as to retention of the accumulating steps of the sector 148 and as to the continued running of the train. Such formulating cycles may thereafter-be repeated and such accumulating action of the sector may be continued until the end 156 passes to the left of the pawl 151.

Upon the actuation of sector 148 for the second step thereof from the position shown in Fig. 2, the cam 51 will move the contact 48 into engagement with the contact 49 and thereby cause a shunt to be established through conductors 121, 62 and 63 around the previously effective current path through the contacts of the circuit adjusters C, C, C so as to assure'the continued running of the train regardless of any subsequent opening of the contacts of When the end 156 passes to the left of the end of the pawl 151, said cam will move the contact 50 away from the contact 49, and thus prevent further energization of the magnet 38.- The train will therefore come to rest when the notch 142 is presented to the foot 143. 'After the train has been so brought to rest, the sector 148 will remain in fully accumulated position, and the train will be unresponsive to closures of the circuit adjusters C, C, C until the pawl 151 has been manually moved out of the path of the teeth of the sector 148 (as by the handle 157), and said sector has thus been permitted to return to its normal position.

Whenever during the running of the train, as just described, the sector has been moved two accumulating steps thereof (i. e., one step to the left of theposition shown in Fig. 2), the cam 51 will move the contact 43 into engagement with the contact 45, and will thus establish a current path such as will cause the local device L and the secondary device S to act in response to each closure of the formulat-

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