US1585318A - Time-controlled electric signaling device - Google Patents

Description

May 1% H9260 7 A. W. TUPPER TIME CONTROLLED ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Oct. 8, 1921 ,w mk f @5 e1 Patented May 18, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,585,318 PATENT OFFICE.

-ARTI-IUR 'W. TUPPER, OF BIVERDALE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO 3'. AUSTIN STONE, J. HANSON BOYDEN, AND WILLIAM G. PRENTISS, JOINTLY, ALL OF WASHINGTON,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TIME-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

.Application filed October 8, 1921. Serial No. 508,4.

This invention relates to electric signaling devices, and more especially to timing mechanism for controlling signals produced by a succession of electrical impulses of definite 6 duration.

For use along the coast as aids to navigation, on highways to indicate the presence of danger conditions, and for other purposes, it has heretofore been proposed to provide 10 signals in the nature of lights which are caused to flash continuously and periodically in a characteristic manner. Owing to the comparative inaccessibility of these signal stations, however, great difficulty has been experienced in producing a light flashing device of this nature in which the cost of attendance and maintenance would not be prohibitive. Attempts have been made to employ both liquid and gaseous fuel for such lights, but these have proven objectionable either on account of unreliability or excessive cost, and although the use of electricity has been suggested, no entirely satisfactory electrical device has so far'been produced.

The problem presented is to provide a flashing light which shall be reliable and dependable under all atmospheric conditions, reasonably low in first cost and in cost of operation, entirely self-contained, and requiring the minimum of attention. This problem I propose to-solve electrically.

To this end, the present invention seeks to provide a self-contained electrically oper- 85 ated flashing light, in which current both for supplying the light and for actuating the flashing mechanism is furnished by a relatively small battery, and which is so designed and constructed that a minimum of current is used by the flashing mechanism, whereby the device will continue to operate over long periods-of time without battery renewals. For example, my improved flashing light, located at an isolated station, can reasonably be made to run for a year or more, without attention of any kind, and without the necessity for an excessive outlay for batteries.

As heretofore constructed, flashing or occulting lights of. the class referred to have operated to produce simply alternate intervals of luminosity and darkness, the'relative lengths of these respective periods being varied as desired.

proved flashing mechanism by means of which different signal stations can be caused to emit characteristically difl'erent signals consisting of groups or a succession of groups of flashes in certain definite timed relation, these groups or succession of groups being produced in continuously recurring cycles. By arranging these groups of flashes and the intervals between them in accordance with a predetermined code, each statron can be made to emit signals indicative either of its exact position or location, or of the existence of some particular condition or danger.

With the above objects in view, my invention comprises the combination of time measuring mechanism, preferably electrically actuated, With circuit controlling devices operated by said mechanism in such a. manner that a succession of timed electrical impulses may be impressed upon a circuit, and means whereby various characteristic groups of impulses may be produced at will, and repeated in recurring cycles.

The invention further comprises certain improved construction and arrangement of parts, all as will hereinafter fully appear, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanymg drawing, forming a part of this specification, and illustrating, by way of example, one embodiment of the invention, in which drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved signal mechanism with the top plate re- 7 moved.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the circuit closer members and the adjustable cam for operating the same.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the armature for operating the timing device, parts being broken away.

improved mechanism is carried between top and bottom movement plates 1 and 2, separated by spacing rods 3, after the well known manner of clock work construction. Between the movement plates, is located a periodic, oscillatory timing device, shown as a balance wheel 4, secured to a shaft or arbor 5, having at its ends pintles journaled in the movement plates. Jeweled bearings (not shown) may, if desired, be employed. Associated with the balance wheel 4 is the usual spiral spring 6, secured at one end to the shaft 5, as indicated at 7, and anchored at its other end to a p1n 8 carried by the movement plate 1. It Wlll. thus be seen that the balance wheel is capable of free oscillation, and that the period, which is of course inherently constant, is dependent upon the size of the wheel and the strength of the spring. By way of example, a wheel having a period of approximately one second has been found suitable for many classes of work.

Set into the lower side of the wheel 4 is a depending pin 9 against which the free end of a leaf spring 10 is adapted to engage. The other end of the spring 10 is mechanically and rigidly attached to but insulated from a bell crank lever 11, mounted on a shaft 12, supported between the movement plates. One arm of the lever 11 is of relatively broad flat configuration as indicated at 13, and constitutes the armature for an electromagnet 14, supported on a fixed bracket 15. The armature 13 is provided with a portion 16, somewhat ofiset from the body of the armature and bent over upon itself as clearly shown in Fig. 5, so as to partially embrace the spring 10 intermediate its ends. The bent-over por tion 16 carries a contact point 17 mounted in an insulating bushing 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, and a co-operating contact 19 is carried by the spring 10.

The other arm 20 of the bell crank lever 11 is connected at its free end by means of a pivot 22 to one end of a pawl 21. This pawl is provided at its free end with a hook or shoulder 24 which is held in engagement with a ratchet wheel 25 by means of a leaf spring 23, carried by the arm 20 and arranged to bear against the pawl 21 in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

The ratchet wheel 25 is fast upon a shaft 27 journaled between the movement plates, and also secured to this shaft is a circuit controlling element which I will designate a code disc 26. This element has its periphery shaped to form raised portions a, b and c of different lengths, and cutaway portions such as indicated at d and 6. These will be hereinafter referred to in detail.

Bearing upon the edge. of the code disc 26 is a contact spring arm 30 carrying a contact 31 which is adapted to engage a similar contact 32 carried by a second spring arm 33, the arms 30 and 33 being suitably mounted on a block 34, the arm 33 being insulated from the movement plates as indicated at 34 in Fig. 1.

On a post 35 carried by the movement plate 2 adjacent the shaft of the balance wheel is pivotally mounted a contact arm 36. This arm or lever is provided with a rounded nose 37 which is adapted to bear against a cam lug 38 carried by a sleeve 39, adjustably secured to the shaft 5 of the balauce wheel by means of a set screw 40. (See Fig. 4.) The lever arm 36 is yieldingly held against the cam by means of a spring 41 set in a split post' 42 carried by the movement plate 2.

The rear end of the lever arm 36 is preferably in the form of a leaf spring 43, car rying at its free end a contact 44 ada ted to engage a similar contact 45, carried by another spring arm 46, mounted upon a block of insulation 47.

In order to supply the signal circuit with current, I employ abatter 48, which may be of any approved form, but is preferably of the closed circuit Edison type. From one side of this battery extends a wire 49 having two branches 50 and 54. The branch 50 is connected to one end of the winding of the electromagnet 14, while the other end of this winding is connected by a conductor 51 to the spring 10 adja cent the pivot 12 of the bell crank lever. The other branch 54 is connected to the contact spring 33.

From the other side of the battery extends a wire 53 having two branches 52 and 55. The branch 52 is secured directly, as by soldering, to the contact pin 17, while the branch 55 extends to one terminal of the signal device, shown as an electric lamp 56, the other terminal of this lamp being connected by a wire 57 with the contact spring 46.

The operation of my improved signaling device will now be described. Fig. 1 shows the normal or rest position of the parts, the balance wheel being held in the position shown by the tension of the spring 6, such tensionbeing great enough to flex the spring 10 until the contacts 17, 19 come together. This, of course, is due to the fact that the Wheel is arrested by the spring 10 before it has reached the limit of movement to which its natural free swing would bring it, so that the amplitude is slightly shortened by engagement with this spring. However, this shortening is so nearly negligible that the inherent period of oscillation may still be regarded as substantially constant. Current being supplied from a battery connected as shown, current will flow through the wire 50 andmagnet 14, thence see - over the wire 51 to the spring '10, wheiice' i t" will ass through the contact points 19*a'nd} the wire '52 to the other side of the battery.

pivot 12. As the armature 13. moves to;

ward the magnet, its spring 10, stifiened'by period.

virtue of the mechanical support afiorded-at. the contact points 17 and 19,-bearsaga1nst.

the pin 9 and swings the balance wheel on its pivots. The magnet will continue to be energized until the armature 13 has ceased to move, and the pin 9, due to the momentum of the balanced wheel, has swung around out of engagement with the spring 10. When this occurs, the contact 19 leaves the contact 17 and thus breaks the circuit of the electromagnet. An impulse having thus been given to the balance wheel, it continues to complete its oscillation, and on its inturn swing, the pin 9 again engages the spring 10, thus moving such spring and at: tached armature backinto the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the circuit to'the magnet is again closed. In this position the bell crank lever 11 is stopped by engagement with a stop pin 11' set into the plate 2. It will be noted that the end of spring.

10 is always disposed in the path of movement of the pin 9, and acts as a yielding buffer against which such pin impinges at each oscillation, thus bringing the wheel to rest, flexin the spring and storing up energy which is returned to the wheel when. the spring straightens out after the armature is operated. It will be observed, also,

that this operation of the armature serves to suddenly increase the tension of the spring 10, by further flexing it, and this increased tension" starts the wheel on its re turn swing. Thus it will be seen that at each oscillation of the balance wheel, a kick or impulse is imparted to it by the electromagnet, acting through spring 10, and that thus the/balance wheel'is maintained in continuous oscillation, completing each stroke, as is well known, in an inherently constant From the above it will be observed that my improved timing mechanism is absolutely self-starting, that is to say, it will begin to run as soon as connected to a source of current, and continue to run as long as current is supplied. .It cannot come to rest in an off or dead position, but-if the current fails, will stop in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the circuit of the magnet winding closed at contacts '17, 19, as described.

It will be noted that as the balance'wheel moves from the position shown in Fig. 1, the cam lug 38 will be shifted around and withdrawn from beneath the nose 37 of the lever 36,' a nd thi'silei er will thereforebe swung .-upon-i ts pivot-.35, under the influence of the 17,'w ch are in engagement, andthencefby spring 41, thu'sxseparating the contacts 44 ahd-45., When, however, the wheel returns This will energize the electromagnet" and 7 cause it to attract its armature 13, thueifi? will-ride up upon the cam lug '38 and thus swinging the bell crank lever 11 on-ifts to the position shown in Fig. 1, the nose closethe'contac'ts and 45. In other words,

timeduring" which this circuit closer re- -'mains closed is measured by the time re quired for the cam lug 38 to pass under the lever totheextent shown in Fig. 1, and then out again. In other words, the contacts and d5 remain closed during the last part of one stroke and the beginning of thesucceeding stroke. It will therefore be seen that the duration of engagement of the contacts 44: and 4.5 is dependent upon the length and position of the cam lug 38. In

order to vary the length or duration of con,- tact, I may angularly adjust the sleeve 39 and associated "cam lug 38 about the shaft 5, and ,secure it in adjusted position by means of the set screw 40.. Thus if the cam lug.38 be adjusted further around toward the right as viewed in Fig. 1, it will be evident that the effective length of the cam, and therefore the duration of closure of the contacts Will be shortened, while if the cam is displaced toward the left, it is apparent that the duration of contact will be lengthened.

Assuming the contacts 31 and 32 to be closed, it is apparent that each time the contacts 4d and 45 are brought together, a circuit will be established through the lamp 56 over the wires 55 and 57, and a path, indicated by the dotted line 58 in Fig. 1, formed through the frame of the instrument. Thus periodic electric impulses of definite durationwill be impressed upon the circuit 55 and 57, and the lamp 56 thus caused to flash.

Considering now the ratchet wheel 25 and code disc 26, it will be seen that these elements are rotated by a step-by-step movement by means of the pawl 21 attached to the arm 20 of the bell crank lever 11, the arrangement being such that the ratchet wheel is advanced one step for each oscillation of the balance wheel. The ratchet wheel is held against backward rotation by sponding to the angular distance occupied by a tooth on the ratchet wheel, or a multiple thereof. Thus in the particular construction illustrated in Fig. 1, a code disc is shown havingthree raised portions a, b and c, separated by depressed portions d and e. The raised portion 1) corresponds to the space of one ratchet'tooth, the portion a corresponds to two ratchet teeth, and the portion 0 is co-extensive with three ratchet teeth. During such interval of time as a raised portion is in engagement with the contact spring 30, the contacts 31 and 32 are held closed, while at all other times these contacts are open. From the above description, it will therefore be obvious that the contacts 31 and 32 will be closed by the raised portion a during two steps or oscillations of the balance wheel, by the portion 72 during one step and by the .portion 0 during three steps. Since the circuit closer, comprising the contacts 44 and 45, is operated at each oscillation of the balance wheel, and therefore at each step of the ratchet wheel, it is obvious that two operations of the circuit closer 44:. and 45 will take place while the portion a of the code disc is passing and holding the contacts 31 and 32 closed; one operation will take place while the portion Z) holds the contacts 31 and 32 closed, and three operations will take place While the portion a is passing. Thus the signal light 56 will be caused to emit two flashes, then after an interval, a single flash, and then after another interval, three flashes. Thus observers will be able to interpret these flashes as the characteristic number 21 3, which, according to a predetermined code, can be caused to convey any desired meaning.

It will, of course, be understood that the mechamsm operates continuously, and the ratchet wheel and code disc are constantlyrotated, thus repeating the signal indefinitely in recurring cycles. It will be seen that the signal consists of a succession of groups of flashes, three groups being shown by way of example. The groups are separated by time intervals corresponding to a relatively short depressed portion of the code disc, such as indicated by the letter (Z, such portion preferably corresponding to the space of one tooth on the ratchet wheel. The recurring signals are, however, separated by time intervals corresponding to a relatively long depressed portion on the code disc, such as indicated by the letter 0, such portion corresponding to a number of tooth spaces on the ratclr t wheel. Thus the longer interval enables the observer to clearly separate one signal from the next.

It is obvious that a code disc ofany desired profile or configuration may be employed, utilizing signals made up of a single group, or of two, three or more groups of electric impulses or flashes, and the possible combinations of groups and intervals is almost endless.

Instead of the sleeve 39 and cam lug 38 and associated parts shown in Fig. 4, I may in some cases employ the construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In this construction 1 provide a radial flange 58, shaped to form an axial cam face, carried by a sleeve 59 held by a set screw 60, and cause this cam sleeve to operate a circuit closer consisting of contacts 63 and (54 carried by leaf springs 61 and (32. These leaf springs are arranged in overlapping relation as shown in Fig. 8, a portion (55 of the spring 62 lying beneath the spring 61. Moreover the spring 61 carries at, its end an inturned lug 66 over which the cam flange 58 rides. This form is preferable in that it prevents any possibility of the improper double operation of the circuit closer in case the balance wheel is given too great an angular displacement.

From the above it will be clear that 1 provide a signal circuit having two pairs of contacts in series therein, one of these pairs being continuously, periodically closed at regular intervals, and the other pair being closed during a succession of time intervals varied in length, in accordance with a predetermined code, the result being that a succession of groups of electrical impulses is impressed upon the circuit, one set of contacts, which I will call the circuit closer, producing and measuring the impulses, while the other set of contacts, which form a part of what I shall call the circuit controller, determines the number and code grouping of the impulses which serve to produce the signal.

While I have shown and described an electric lamp as the signaling device operated by my improved timing mechanism, it will be perfectly clear that the same mechanism can equally well be employed for operating any other form of signal or translating device, such for example as a bell, horn, or the like, and wherever I have used the word flash in the specification and claims, it will be understood that I mean to include a signal impulse of any other character.

lVhile T have shown the signal circuit as directly controlled bythe contacts, it is obvious that a relay may be interposed between the contacts and signal, if desired.

It will also be understood that instead of a' code disc having a cam profile for operating contact springs, the same result can be achieved by substituting for the code disc a commutator having suitably spaced long andshort se ments against which the contact springs ear.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a pair of contacts, of an oscillatory momentum device, means for continuously oscillating said device at a constant rate, and cam mechanism associated with said device and arranged to close said contacts for a definite period of time during each oscillation of the device, said earn mechanism including adjustable s vaussugara".

I means, whereby the duration of said period may be varied as desired.

' 2. The combination -with an oscillatory momentum device of the balance wheel type, of a shaft to which said device is secured, pivot hearings in which said shaft is mounted, a spiral spring attached at one end to said shaft and at its other end to a fixed support, electromagnetic means including an armature separate from said momentum device for periodically imparting an impulse to said device so as to cause it and said shaft to oscillate freely ata constant rate, and a circuit closer operated by said shaft at each oscillation thereof.

8. The combination with an electric circuit, of periodic timing mechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a spring lever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as a yielding bufi'er against which said pin engages to arrest the movement of said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, and automatic means for suddenly increasing the tension of said spring after such engagement, whereby the energy stored in said spring bythe stopping of said device is returned to said device as it begins its swing in the opposite direction.

4. The combination with an electric circuit, of periodic timing mechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a spring lever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as a yielding bufier against which said pin engages to arrest the movement of said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, and automatic means for suddenly moving said spring after such en-' gagement in a direction to impart a reverse impulse to said momentum device.-

5.- The combination with an electric 'circuit, of periodic timing mechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a. spring lever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as a yielding bufi'er against which said pin engages to arrest the movement of said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, said spring lever being flexed thereby, an armature on which said spring lever is mounted, an electromagnet for moving said armature, and a circuit for said electromagnet-closed by the flexure of said spring lever. I

6. Periodic electric timing mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, an abutment element carried thereby, a spring strip arranged inthe path of travel of said element and serving as a yielding bufier against which said element engages to arrest the movement of said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, and means automatically brought into operation during such engagement for immediately returning to said device the energy stored in said spring by the stopping of the said device, and simultaneously imparting to said device an additional impulse sufi'icient to cause it to execute another oscillation.

7. The combination with an electric circuit, of periodic timing mechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a spring lever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as a yielding butter against which said pin engages to arrest the movement of said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, an armature on \which said spring lever is mounted, an electromagnet for moving said armature, a circuit for energizing said electromagnet, and means for automatically closing said circuit before said device reaches the extreme limit of its movement.

8; The combinatlon w than electric c rcult, of periodic timing mechanism for 0011-,

trolling the same, such mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, an abutment carried thereby, a spring arranged in the path of travel of said abutment and serving'as a yielding louder against which said abutment engages to arrest the movement of said device as it approaches the end of each oscillation, and to return to said device, as it begins its swing in the opposite direction, the energy stored in the spring by the stopping ofthe device, and automatic.

electromagnetic. means for imparting to said device, simultaneously with such. return of energy, an additional impulse suf ficient to cause it to execute another com plete' oscillation.

9. The combination with a shaft, andbearings in which said shaft is mounted to freely oscillate, of a, metallic mass secured to and substantially balanced on said shaft, saidshaft and mass constituting an oscilmovement of said momentum-device so as.

to be engaged and flexed thereby, a spring latory momentum device, electromagnetic secured at one end to said shaft and at the 7 other end to a fixed support, said sprin urging said momentum device toward an normally maintaining it in a position substantially at one limit of its oscillatory travel,

in which position said contacts are in en gagement, with the said strip flexed or deformed, and the circuit of said winding closed, the movement of the momentum device from this position toward the other limit of itsoscillating travel serving to sepa rate said contacts and open said circuit, thus permitting said fixed strip to straighten out.

10. The combination with a shaft, and hearings in which said shaft is mounted to freely oscillate, of a metallic mass secured to and substantially balanced on said shaft, said shaft and mass constituting an oscillatory momentum device, electromagnetic means for eontinously oscillating said device and comprising a Winding, an electric circuit including said winding and a pair of contacts, one of said contacts comprising a resilient strip anchored at one end and having its other end disposed in thev path of movement of said momentum device, so as to be engaged and flexed thereby said resilient stripconstituting a yielding buffer for arresting the movement of the momentum device as it approaches the end of each oscillation and returning to it the energy stored in said strip. by the stop-ping of said device, the engagement of the momentum device with said strip serving at the same time to bring said contacts together, and thus energize said winding, to cause said electromagnetic means to impart to said device an additional impulse sulficient to cause it to execute anotherioscillation.

11. The combination with an oscillatory momentum device comprising a metallic mass and a shaft on which said mass is mounted andsubstantially balanced, of electromagnetic means for oscillating the same including a winding and a pair of contacts controlling the current therethro'ugh, one of said contacts comprising a resilient leaf spring anchored at one end and mounted with its 'freeend in the path of movement of a portion of said momentum device so as to be flexed thereby, and a relatively stiff supporting member separate from said momentum device arran ed to engage said spring after the latter ias been so flexed to a certain degree, and thus limit the extent to which said spring may yield.

12. Periodic electric timing mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, a spring strip arranged in the path of travel of a part of said device and serving as a yielding buffer against which said momentum device engages to arrest its movement as it approaches the end of each oscillation, and to return to said device, as it begins its swing in the opposite direction, the energy stored in the spring by the stopping of the device, and automatic electromagnetic means the circuit of which includes said spring strip for imparting to said device, simultaneously with such return of energy, an additional impulse suffieient to cause it to execute another complete oscillation.

13. Periodic electric timing mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentum device, a spring strip anchored at one end and having its other end arranged in the path of travel of said device and serving as a yielding buffer to arrest the movement of said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, an electromagnet for simultaneously imparting to said momentum device a driving impulse, a circuit including said spring strip for energizing said electromagnet, and means for automatically closing said circuit before said device reaches the extreme limit of its movement.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

ARTHUR W. TUPPER.

iSEiLAilMER 1,585,318.-Arthur W. Tu per, Riverdale, Md. Trian-Conraominn ELnc'rRic SIGNALING Dnvion Patent dated May 18, 1926. Disclaimer filed February 20, 1941, by the assignee, Universal Neon Equipment Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 4, 6, 7 8, l2, and 13 of SH/1d Letters Patent.

[Qfiict'al Gazette March 18, Z 941

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