US1730504A - Synchronizing clock system - Google Patents

Description

8, L. s- HARRISON SYNCHRONI Z ING CLOCK SYSTEM Filed NOV. 29, 1924 5 Sheets-Shea? l @WM5/527W@ if @W5 OCt. 8, 1929. ,v L Q HARR|SQN y 1,730,504

SYNCHRONIZING CLOCK SYSTEM Filed NOV. 29, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 8, l 929.

L. s. HARRISON SYNCHRONIZING CLOCK SYSTEM Filed NOV. 29, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet Patented Oct. 8 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAURENCE S. HARRISON, F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO TNTERNATIONAL TIME RECORDING COMPANY OF NEW YORK, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SYNCHRONIZING CLOCK SYSTEM Application led November 29, 1924. Serial No. 753,008.

My invention relates to clock systems, and it has particular relation to such systems as may be energized from alternating-current sources.

One object of my invention is to provide an alternating-current clock system which shall not only reset automatically but which shall also be self-synchronizing.

Another object of my invention is to provide a synchronizing clock system, wherein an increased alternating-current voltage is employed to accelerate and reset all secondary clocks after a failure of the source of energy.

A further object of my invention is to provide a synchronizing clock system, wherein a single conductor common to al l the secondary clocks furnishes synchronizing currents at regular intervals to correct such secondary clocks as may have departed fr om synchronism with a main synchronizing clock. V

A still further object of my invention is to provide a secondary clock mechanism which shall be accelerated if slow and retarded if fast by the respective reversals of electric currents through a regulating coil.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a secondary clock movement having a time rate which may be varied by ad]usting the position of a permanent magnet with respect to a rotating member such as constitutes the actuating disk of an alternating-current watt-hour meter.

Vith these and other objects and applications in mind, my invention further consists in the details of construction and operation and circuit arrangement, hereinafter setforth in the accompanying description, claims and drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an alterhating-current, automatic resetting, selfsynchronizing clock system embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the actuating motor for the main synchronizing and secondary clocks;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective View of the structure of Fig. 2, showing the niinute shaft and associated switch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the mechanism interconnecting the main synchronizing clock and the master clock as well as certain switches actuated thereby;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the structure of Fig. 4 viewed from the right; and

Fig. 6 is a sequence chart illustrating the operating periods of the secondary and mainsynchronizing clock control-switches.

In the illustrated form of my invention shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, a source of alternatin -current energy (not shown) is connected y conductors 1 and 2 to the opposite terminals 3 and 4, respectively, of an auto-transformer vhaving an adjustable intermediate tap connection 6. A main power circuit 7 for a main synchronizing clock 8 and a plurality of secondary clocks 9, comprises a conductor 11, which extends from the terminal 3 of the auto-transformer 5, and a conductor 12. The conductor 12 may be connected either to the intermediate tap connection 6 or to the terminal connection 4 of the auto-transformer 5 through mechanically connected switches 13 and 14 and conductors 15 and 16, respectively.

My invention contemplates an actuating motor 17 for each of the secondary clocks 9 and the main synchronizing clock 8 of t-he construction shown in Fig. 2, wherein a potential coil 18 and a regulating coil 19 are mounted on a laminated core 21 in such manner as to establish magnetic fluxes which at electrical' degrees out of phase. The coils 18 and 19 are spaced suiliciently to provide an air gap 22, wherein a disk 23 may be positioned. The disk 23 is revolubly mounted on a vertical shaft 24 and it is connected to the usual clock gear train 25 of which only a worm-and-wheel are shown. The disk 23 is so positioned with respect to the windings 18 and 19 that edd currents are induced therein with the resu t that a torque is established tending to rotate the disk 23.

Aresistor 26 and a second regulating coil 27 may also be mounted on the core 21. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminals of the potential coil 18 are connected by conductors 28 and 29 to the terminals of the regulating coil 19, whereby the same may be connected in multiple-circuit relation, and the resistor 26 is inserted in the conductor 28.

The electrical constants of the coils 18 and 19 are such that the disk 23 operates at the rate of live to ten revolutions per'minute, corresponding to normal clock time rate. The disk 23 may rotate before a small aperture (not shown) whereby the'clocktime rate may be easily checked by noting the passage of a marker 31 across the aperture.

The rate of rotation of the disk 23 may be controlled by means of a damping magnet 32, the poles 33 of which may be adjusted radial'- ly over the disk 23 and secured in any desired position. The terminals of `the potential coil 18 may be connected by conductors 34 and 35 to the conductors 12 and 11, respectively, of the main power circuit 7.

` Should there be an interruption in the current supply to the transformer 5 or should the voltage or frequency of the alternating currents vary, resulting in a departure o1 the secondary clocks 9 and the main synchronizing clock 8 from their normal time rate, my invention embodies means for automatically advancing, at a relatively high rate, upon a resumption of normal current iow, the hands of the secondary and main synchronizing clocks to normal or correct time position. To this end, I provide a cooperating master clock 36, a driven shaft 37 of which is journaled on a frame 38.

A member 39 which is rigidly secured to a master clock shaft 37, is provided on one face 41 (Fig.v 5) with an insulating sleeve 42 having collector rings 43 and 44, the latter serving to connect electrically relatively movable contact members 45 and 46 to stationary brushes (not shown). The contact member 45 is rigidly secured to face 41 of the member 39 near the outer periphery thereof.

The co-acting movable contact member 46 is positioned on one end of an arm 47 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 48 extending from the face 41. A spring 49 cooperating with t-he operating arm 47 causes a.l quick make-and-break between the co-acting contact members 45 and 46. The arm 47 may be provided with a slot 51 adapted tonreceive one end' 52 of a pin 53,'an opposite end 54 of ,which extends through a slot 55 in the member 39 and is rigidly secured to an arm.

56 pivoted at 57. A spring 58 tends to cause an end portion 59 to engage an abutment 6l,

in which position the contactmembers 45 and 46 are disengaged, (Figs. 4 and 5). W'hen the arm 56 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 4, the movable contact member 46 is actuated into engagement with the contact member 45 against the force of the spring 58.

In order to cause the opening of the contact members 45 and 46 when the main synchronizing clock 8 departs from synchronism with the master clock 36, the following described mechanism is-provided. A driven shaft 62 of the main synchronizing clock 8 is j ournaled in the supporting bracket 38 and it is operatively associated by means of gearing 63 with a gear-wheel member 64 loosely mounted on the end of theA master clock shaft 37 between the supporting bracket 38 and the member 39. The gear-wheel member 64 is provided with oppositely extending. arms 65 and 66, the latter carrying a counter-balance and the former having a lateral eXtens'ion 67 providing a mounting for a latch 68.

The latch 68 is so disposed that it normally engages the shoulder 59 of the arm 56, causing the contact members 45 and 46 to be in engagement, but permitting shoulder 59 of arm 56 to pass ahead in advance of latch "68 when the main synchronizing clock departs from synchronism with the master clock 36. This, however, will not occur until main synchronizing clock 8 becomes later than the master clock -in time and the latch 68 is behind the shoulder 59 of arm 56. The normal engagement between "the latch 68 and the shoulder 59 while the main synchronizing Vclock and the master clock are in synchronism may be eiiected by so designing the regulating coil 19 of the main synchronizing' clock 8 that it rotates at a slightly higher time rate than the master clock 36.

As shown in Fig. 1, the contact member 45 is connected by a conductor 69 and a conductor 7 0, to the terminal 3 of the transformer 5. The contact member 46 is connected by a conductor 71 and a conductor 15 to the intermediate tap connection 6. The conductor 71 includes an actuating winding 72 for the mechanical switches 13 and 14 whereby the same may be actuated from their normal positions shown in the drawings.

When the main synchronizin clock 8 and the master clock 36 are in sync ronism, the latch 68 is in engagement with the shoulder 59 of the lever 56, causing the contact member 46 to engage the contact member 45. The closed circuit thus formed extends from the terminal connection 3 of the transformer 5 through vthe conductors andl 69, co-acting contact members 45 and 46, the conductor 71, the actuating winding 72 and the conductor 15 to the intermediate tap connection 6. The effect of energizing the actuating winding 72 is to cause the closing of switch 1 3 and the opening of switch 14, whereby the conductor 12, of the power supply circuit 7, may be connected to the intermediate tap connection 6. Thus currents of relatively low voltage are normally supplied to the main power circuit 7, thevoltage being just sufficient to cause the clock time rate of the secondary clocks 9 and the main synchronizing clock 8 stance, with a lowering of the voltage supply to the transformer 5, the rate of movement of the follow-up member 64 would not coincide with that of the member 39, with the result that shoulder 59 of the arm 56 would not engage the latch 68 and the pin 53,.under the orce of the spring 58, would cause the arm 47 to move so as to disengage the contact members and 46, whereupon the actuating winding 72 of the switches 13 and 14 would become deenergized. The switch 13 then opens by gravity, disconnecting the conductor 1.2 from the conductor 15, while the switch 14 closes to connect the conductor 12 to the 'conductor 16. The closing of the switch 14 thus causes an increased voltage to be impressed on the main power circuit conductors 11 and 12 which corresponds to the full voltage of the transformer 5. The effect of the increased voltage on the actuating motors 17 of the main synchronizing clock 8 and the secondary clocks 9 is to increase the rate of operation thereof, which continues until the main synchronizing clock 8 is in synchronism with the master clock 36, and, if the original 4 cause of the departure from synchronism has been removed, then the contact member 46 is held in engagement with the contact member 45 and currents of normal voltage are again supplied to the conductors 11 and 12 of the main power circuit 7.

Synchronsm of secondary clocks 'with maia synchronizing clock My invention further embodies means, whereby the secondary clocks 9 may be brought into synchronism with the main synn chronizing clock 8 upon a departure therefrom. To this end, I provide a synchronizing conductor 73 which is connected by relatively movable Contact members 74 and 7 5 of a relay 76 to movable contact members 77 and 78 of the switches 13 and 14. The cooperating contact members 79 and 81 of the switches 13 and 14 are respectively connected to the con- v ductors 15 and 16. The operation of the relay 76 may be controlled by means of switches 8 and 83. The switch 83, which comprises movabl contact members 84 85, and 86, may be embodied in the form shown in Fig. 4, wherein the several contact members are mounted on arms 87, 88 and 89 having a common pivot rod 91 supported in the bracket 38. These arms are so disposed as to engage the peripheries of actuating cams 92, 93 and 94, respectively, which are mounted on the shaft 62.

The parts just described are so designed that the switch 83 operates regularly at intervals of one-half hour to effect the energization of the synchronizing conductor 7 3 when contacts 85 and 86 are in contacting relation, the energization period or interval continuing for ten minutes. The energization period is concluded in a manner which will be deinterval is accurately determined, pre erably yby a switch, 82.

The switch 82 comprises movable contact members 96 and 97 which may be actuated by the main synchronizing clock 8 at one minute intervals in the same manner as the several contact members of the switch 83.

Referring to`Fig. 1, an actuating winding 98 of the relay 76 has one terminal 99 connected through a conductor 101, which includes a resistor 102, to the conductor 70 and transformer terminal connection 3. A remaining terminal 103 of the actuating Winding98 is connected through a conductor 104, the contact members 96 and 97, a conductor 105, the contact members 85 and 86 of the switch 83, a conductor 106, and the conductor 15, to the intermediate ta connection 6. Assuming the contact mem ers 85 and 86 just actuated into engagement, the actuating winding 98 is energized, causing the engagement of the contact members 74 and 75 and the resulting energization of the conductor 73 at a voltage depending upon whether theconductor 12 is connected to the terminal connection 4 or the intermediate tap connection 6 of the transformer 5. If the main synchronizingclock 8 and the master clock 36 are in synchronism, then the latter connection obtains.

The relay 76 also comprises contact members 107 and 108, the latter being mechanically connected to the contact member 75, whereby the switch 82 and Contact members 85, 86 of switch 83 may be shunted following the initial operation thereof to cause the energization of the relay actuating winding`98. To this end, the contact member 107 is connected to the terminal 103 of the actuating winding 98 and the contact member 108 is connected by a conductor 109 to the conductor 15. Hence, it may be seen that the contact members 85,

86 of switch 83 now exert no control over the energizing winding 98, since the currents traverse a circuit including the conductor 109 andthe contact members 107 and 108, rather than a circuit including conductor 106. the contact members 85 and 86, conductor 105, the switch 82, and the conductor 104.

When the conductor 73 has been vthus energized for a period of ten minutes corresponding to the interval m in Figf6, the movable contact member 85 is actuated into engage ment with the movable contact member 84 to complete a shunt circuit around the relay actuating winding 98,'said shunt circuit including the conductor 104, the switch 82, the conductor 105, contacts84 and 85 and a conductor 110, which extends from the movable i 1"' contact member 84 to the terminal 99- of the actuating winding 98. The consequent deenergization of the actuating winding 98 results in the opening ofthe relay 76 and the disengagement of the co-acting contact members 74, 75 and107, 108. Contacts 84 and .85 are then opened and the movable contact members of the switch 83 are maintained out of engagement with each other until the foregoing cycle is again repeated at the end of twenty minutes. l

As hereinbefore noted, each of the secondary clocks is provided with the correction coil 27 which has sufficient ampere-turns to produce a-torque three to four times as great as that established by the regulating coil 19. In order thatthe coil 27 may be energized when it is necessary to bring one of the secondary clocks 9 in synchronism with the main synchronizing clock 8, I provide a switch 111 which is directly actuated by the secondary clock mechanism. The switch mechanism 111 comprises a pair of mechanically interlocked switch - units 112 and 113.

The switch unit 112 comprises a movable arm 114 carrying contact members 115 and 116 on the respective ends thereof which coact with contact members 117 and 118, respectively. The switch unit 113 similarly comprises a movable arm 119 carrying contact members 121 and 122 which respectively engage co-acting contact members 123 and 124. The contact members 117 and 123 may be connected by a conductor 125 which extends to one terminal .of the accelerating and retarding coil 27. A remaining terminal of the latter is connected by a conductor 126 to the con-- tact members 12'4 and 118. The movable contact members 115 and 116 of the switch unit 112 may be connected by a conductor 127 .to the conductor 73 and the movable contact members 121 and 122 of the switch unit 113 may be connected by conductor 128 to the conductor 35. v

As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the mechanical design of the switch units V112 and 113 as well as the actuating means therefor is similar to that of the switch 83 shown in Fig. 4, the actuating means being aseries of cams 129 which are mounted on a minute shaft 131 of each secondary clock 9. The shaft 131 may be provided with a shoulder 132 adapted to cooperate with a locking pawl 133 in such manner as to prevent a reverse movement of the'clock mechanism as might possibly occur when the correction coil 27 is so f,contact arms 114 and 119 to assume the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing thereby completing a cycle of three successive positions.

Assuming the switch units 112 and 113 in the position shown in Fig. 1, a circuit extends from the synchronizing conductor 73 through the conductor 127, the co-acting Contact members 115 and 117, the conductor 125, the regulating coil 27, the conductor 126, the co-acting contactmembers 122 and 124, the conductor 128 and conductor 35 to the conductor-11, of the main power circuit 7, thus permitting currents to traverse the winding 27 so as to cause an increase in the effective flux. lVhen the switch units 112 and 113 are actuated into a position wherein the co-acting contact members 118, 116 and 121, 123 are in engagement, currents are caused to traverse the regulating cioil so as to cause a decrease in the elective As shown in Fig. 6, the operating periods and y of the switch units 112'and 113 are so related to the energizing period m of the synchronizing conductor 73 that if the secondary clocks 9 are in synchronism with the main synchronizing clock 8, the regulating coil 27 is connected to the conductor 73 only during the period of deenergization of the conductor 73. However, should one of the secondary clocks 9 be slow with respect to the main synchronizing clock 8, then the operation period ae during which the regulating coil 27 is connected the conductor 73 overlaps the energizing. period m so that the movement of said secondary clock is accelerated until it is in synchronism with the main synchronizing cloclc 8.

' Should the secondary clock 9 be fast, then the eperating period g/ of the switch units 112 and 113 overlaps the 'energization periodm of the conductor 73, thereby causing a reverse energization of the regulating coil 27 and hence an opposite or retarding effect on the secondary clock mechanism. Thus it is seen that when one of the secondary clocks 9 departs from synchronism with the main synchronizing clock 8, the regulating coil 27 thereof is energized by corrective currents operating to bring the two clocks into synchronism.

Attention is directed to the fact that the corrective eiect of the winding 27 of each secondary clock 9 is further increased when currents of relatively high potential are supplied to the line 73-as results when a diil'erence occurs in the rate of operation ofthe main synchronizing clock 8 and the master clock 36.

While I have shown only one form of embodiment of my invention, for the purpose of.

describing the same and illustrating its principles of construction and operation and circuit arrangement, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon, as are indicated in the appended claims or as are demanded by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A clock system comprising in combination, a master clock, a synchronizing clock, a main power circuit for actuating said synchronizing clock, said main power circuit being under low tension when said clocks are in synchronism, means for impressing high tension across said main power circuit, and means including an auxiliary circuit for controlling said first mentioned means when said synchronizing clock departs from synchronism 'with said master clock and when said synchronizing clock thereafter regains synchronism with said master clock.

2. A clock system comprising in combination, a master clock, a synchronizing clock, a main power circuit for actuating said synchronizing clock, follow-u mechanism controlled by said synchronizing clock, contacts rotatably mounted and driven by said master clock and ada ted to be kept closed by said follow-up mec anism when said synchronizing clock is in synchronism with said master clock, an auxiliary circuit controlled by said contacts, and a switch controlled by said auxiliary circuit for maintainin lowy tension across said main power circuit W en said contactsv are closed, and for maintaining high tension across said power circuit when said contacts are open.

3. A clock system comprising in combination, a synchronizing c1ock, a master clock controlling said synchronizing clock, a secondary clock, a main power circuit continuously actuating said synchronizing clock and said secondary clock, a secondary power circuit for said secondary clock, a source of power, and means controlled by said synchronizing clock for causing said secondary powercircuit to be connected to said source of power for a predetermined period of time whereby said secondary clock may receive power from both of said power circuits.

4. A clock system comprising in combination, a synchronizing clock, a secondary'clock,

a main power circuit for actuating said clocks, a secondary power circuit for saidsecondary clock, accelerating and retarding means in said secondary clock, means controlled by said secondary clock for connecting, disconnecting, and reversing the connection of said accelerating and retarding means to said secondar power circuit.

5. A c ook system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a clock operatively connected thereto, said clock including a unit comprising accelerating and retarding means, a secondary circuit, means for periodically energizing said secondary circuit, and means for operatively associating said unit and its accelerating and retarding means with said secondary circuit periodically for deiinite time intervals, said last named means including a switch for alternating the associated relation of said unit and its accelerating and retarding means with said secondary circuit.

6. A clock system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a secondary circuit, means for energizing said secondary circuitperiodically for intervals of definite duration, a clock normally actuated by energy derived from said main power circuit, accelerating and retarding means for said clock, said accelerating and retarding means comprising a single device, and means to periodically associate said accelerating and retarding means as a single device with said secondary line so as to periodically control acceleration and retardation of said clock only by electrical energy7 derived from said secondary line.

7. clock system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a clock adapted to be advanced at a substantially uniform rate by energy derived from said main power circuit, means or affecting the rate of a-dvancing movement of said clock, a secondary line adapted to be energized periodically for definite time intervals, and pole changing means controlled by said clock for connecting said first-named means to said secondary line periodically to cause either faster or slower movement of said clock.

8. A clock system comprising, .in combination, a main power circuit, a secondary circuit adapted to be energized for predetermined periods, a clock connected -so as to be driven continuously by energy derived from said main circuit, means capable of varying the rate of advancing movement -of saidA clock, and pole changing means to associate said last-named means with said secondary circuit whereby energy derived from said secondary circuit may cause a change in the rate of movement of said clock when said secondary circuit is energized.

9. A clock system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a clock, an induction disk motor therefor including a potential coil and a regulating coil deriving electrical energy from said main power circuit, a secondary circuit adapted to be periodically energized, a second regulating coil, and means for periodically connecting said second regulating coil to said secondary circuit.

10. A clock system comprising, in combination, a main power c1rcu1t, a clock, an mduction disk motor therefor including a potential coil and a regulating coil continuously connected to said main power circuit, a second regulating coil for aiecting the rate of advancing movement of said clock, a secondary circuit means for periodically energizing said secondary circuit, and switching means for periodically connecting, disconnecting and reversing the relation of said second regulat- 10 ing coil with said secondary circuit.

11. A clock system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a clock operatively connected thereto, said clock including a unit comprising accelerating and retarding means,

a synchronizing clock, a secondary circuit, an

auxiliaryd Cirguit controlled by said synchronizing clock for causing energizing of said secondary circuit periodically, and means for operatively associating said unit with 2o said secondary circuit periodically .for

definite time periods, said last named means inc luding a switch for reversing the associated relation of said unit with said secondary circuit.

l2. A clock system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a synchronizing clock, a secondary circuit, means controlled by said synchronizing clock for energizing said secondary circult periodically for intervals of definite duration, a clock normally actuated by energy derived by said main power circuit, accelerating and retarding means'for said clock, and pole changing means controlled by said clock whereby said accelerating land retarding-means are associated with said secondary circuit soas to periodically control the acceleration and retardation o f said clock only by electrical -energy derived from said secondary circuit.

13. A clock system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a clock adapted to be advanced at a substantially uniform rate by energy derived from said main power circuit, a secondary circuit, a synchronizing clock, electrically operated means for afecting the rate of advancing movement of said first named clock, means adapted to energize said secondary line periodically for definite time intervals, and pole changing means controlled by said first named clock for connecting said electrically operated means to said secondary circuit periodically to cause either. faster or slower movement of said clock.

14. A clock system comprising, in combination, a main power circuit, a synchronizing clock, ai@ secondary circuit, means controlled by said synchronizing clock for energizing said secondary circuit for predetermined periods, a clock connected so as to be driven continuously b y energy derived from said main circuit, means4 capable of varying the rate of advance movement of said clock, and pole changing means controlled by said clock to associate said lastx LAURENCE s. HARRISON. 7

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