US1819904A

US1819904A - Antenna regulator

Info

Publication number: US1819904A
Application number: US212574A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph E Love
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1927-08-12
Filing date: 1927-08-12
Publication date: 1931-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1948-08-18
Also published as: FR660719A

Description

Augu i931,

J. E. LOVE ANTENNA REGULATOR Filed Aug. 12, 1927 Invento: Joseph E. Love,

H iS Attorrwe Patented Aug. 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l JOSEPH E. LOVE, F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR l110i(ErElQ'lilCl.AL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATIONtOF NEW YORK ANTENNA REGULATOR Application led August 12, 1927. Serial No. 212,574.

My present invention relates to means for controlling the resonant wave length' of an antenna system. Y

In my United States Patent No. 1,684,235

issued September 11, 1928, entitled Automatic antenna regulator, and which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application, I have disclosed a system forithe purpose indicated wherein the energization of a magnetic amplifier which is associated with the antenna is controlled responsively to impedance variations in the antenna. To accomplish this the excitation of the generator which supplies control current to the magnetic amplifier is varied by a vibratory member, the action of which is modilied responsively to impedance variations in said antenna.

My present application, which is a continuation in part of my above-mentioned patent has for its purpose to provide further means for automatically controlling the timing of the antenna in response to changes of the antenna impedance.

Vfhile my above-mentioned patent discloses a very satisfactory means for accomplishing the desired result my present inventionhas for its purpose to provide means which may be more economically constructed and which at the same time is sufliciently `rapid in its operation to effect the desired adjustment of the antenna in response to sudden impedance changes such as occur during stormy weather conditions.

In carrying my present invention into effect I propose to controlan antenna regulating means such as a variometer, which is usually employed in the antenna circuit, by mechanical means such as a clutch7 or, in a I-still more economical construction, by means of a motor, the operation of either of which may be electrically controlled in accordance with antenna impedance variations as indicated by the modified action of the vibratory men'iber of my former application. I further provide means whereby the mechanical means are rendered unresponsive to normal action of the vibratory member, or to impedance variations of the antenna resulting from intentional detuning thereof, as, for

example, in cases where the keying operation is effect-ed by detuning of the antenna.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention will be set forth with particularity in thev appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a representation of one form of my invention; Fig. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a preferred form of clutch which I employ in connection therewith. VThe `form of my invention shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 represents a modification.

Referring to the drawings I have indicated at 1 a well-known type of high frequency inductor alternator having a plurality of stationary armature windings 2 and a rotary inductor 3, the latter being driven by a constant speed machine 4. Certain of the armature windings 2 are connected to the primary windings of a transformer 5, the secondary winding of which is connected in series relation with an antenna 6. Ineluded in circuit with the antenna 6 are a variable impedance 7, which may comprise thek impedance of a variometer such as is usually employed in systems of this kind, and a pair of primary transformer windings 8 and 9 which are inductively related to a pair of secondary transformer windings 10 and 1l. i

For Ythe purpose of interrupting in accordance with desired signals, the radiation of currents supplied to the antenna 6 from the alternator 1, a saturated core regulator or magnetic amplilier 12 l,is employed. This magnetic amplifier is of well-known construction and comprises a pair of high frequency windings 13 which are connected through condensers 14 and 15 to a coil 16 which is in inductive relation to a portion of the antenna circuit. If desired this coil may constitute a third winding upon the transformer 5. A winding18, in inductive relation with the windings 13 upon the magnetic amplilier, is supplied with direct cur- -rent from a source 19 through a Contact engagement with the contacts 52 and 53 during this normal vibration of the member 39, with the result that the coils 3l and 32 of -the magnetic clutch remain deenergized during this period. n

To control the operation of the vibratory arm 39 in accordance with variations in the antenna impedance a pair of electron discharge devices 47 and 50, each comprising the usual anode, cathode and grid are employed. The anodes or plate member of the two discharge devices are connected to the secondary windings l0 and 11 in such a Way that the electromotive forces supplied to the two anodes will be in phase with each other. The plate circuit of each discharge devife is comnleted through one of the

windings

46 or 49. The grid elements of the discharge devices are connected to one ofthe armature windings of the inductor alternator l. A resistor 56 and

condensers

57 and 58 are connected in circuit with the armature winding of the alternator so that the phase relation of the electromotive forces supplied to the two grids may be adjusted relatively to one another and relatively to the plate electromotive fo ree as desired. Normaly with the antenna in tune withthe electromotive force of the alternator l, the electromotive force supplied to the plate member of each dischargedevice 47 and 50 many differ in phase from the electromotive force supplied to the associated grid member by an amount less than 90 degrees and the difference in phase between the grid and plate electromotive forces of the twodischarge devices may be equal. As thus arranged if the antenna is in tune with the .high frequency electromotive force of the alternator l equal amounts of current will he supplied from the discharge devices 47 and'() to coils 46 and 49. Energization of

coils

46 and 49, however, will not affect the operation of the vibrator-y member 39 as long as the

coils

46 and 49 are supplied with current for equal periods of time. Vhen the impedance of the antenna'varies from normal, the phase relation of the electromotive forces supplied to the grids and plates of the discharge devices will vary, and as a result the current supplied in any one cycle from one discharge device will iiow for a longer period of time than from the other discharge device. This will cause one of the

relay coils

46 or 49, as the case may be, to be supplied with current impulses of longer duration than those supplied to the other relay and as a result vibratory arm 39 will lag for a longer time at the pole piece 4() or 4l which is supplied with a greater amount of current.

If the capacitance of the antenna is, for example, decreased below normal coil 49 will be energized for a longer period and at a higher value than coil 46. Member39 will, therefore, lag longer at pole piece 4l than at 40. Thus the relay 37 will be energized with currents of one. polarity for longer periods than with the other polarity. This causes the armature of the relay 37 to engage its contact 52, thereby energizing the coil 3l which in turn attracts the disk 27 into frictional engagement with the disk 23 and causes the shaft 2l to rotate in a direction to cor'- rect the antenna impedance. Likewise if the capacitance of the antenna is increased above normal then the vibratory member 39 will lag against pole piece 46 and the armature of the relay 3l' will be mov-ed into engagement with the contacts 53. The coil 32 of the magnetic clutch 22 will then be energized thereby moving the disk 28 into frictional engagement with the disk 24 and causing the shaft y21 to rotate in the opposite direction, thereby correcting the impedance of the antenna.

It will thus be seen that by the insertion of the relay 37 having an armature of compara tively large inertia between the magnetic clutch 22 and the relay 36, the magnetic clutch is rendered unresponsive to normal action of the vibratory member 39 but responsive to that member only as its action is modified by impedance variations in the antenna. Tn cases where the transmitted signals are effected by means of detuning the antenna responsively to operation of the transmitter, means` are provided in accordance with my invention to prevent response of the magnetic clutch to this detuning effect. This means comprises the relay 38 having its contacts connected in circuit with the actuating coil of the relay 37 and the vibratory member 39. The actuating coil of the relay 38 is con nected in circuit with the transmitting key 20 and with the source of potential 35. Thus when the ley 20 is moved to the right as dur ingV periods when high frequency waves are being radiated by the ant-enna the actuating coil of the relay 38 will be energized and the clutch mechanism will respond to the action y of the member 39. `When the transmitting key 2O is mo ved to the left the contacts of the relay 38 open and the magnetic clutching device 22 will no longer respond.

ln Fig. 2 I have shown a further illustration of a magnetic clutch which is employed in connection with my invention. In this lf represents a shaft which is adapted to be driven at a constant speed by means of a motor 25 and 6l is a balance wheel of large inertia which is employed for the purpose of maintaining a constant speed. The sleeves 29 and 30 are each shown loosely mounted upon the shaft 21 and having connected therewith mitre gears 62 and 63. These gears are shown in mesh with the mitre gear 64 which is mounted. upon the shaft 60. By this arrangement the sleeve 29 and 30 are driven at a constant speed in opposite directions, whereas normally the shaft 21 does not rotate. The

disks

27 and 28 are mountedupon the shaft 2l and are adapted for slight lateral movement with respect thereto. r)The

coils

31 and 32 which are suitably enclosed in insulating material together with the cooperating disks are all enclosed in a suitable housing 65, the coils being suspended out of contact with the rotating members and circumfercntially about sleeves 29 and 30.

I have found that with an arrangement of this kind ivherein all of the parts having substantial inertia, including the rotor of the motor, are maintained in continuous rotation, very rapid positive action may be had. This is particularly `desirable during stormy Weather conditions when the capacitance of the antenna is subject to veryrapid variations. However, in transmitting stations Where the antenna is not subjected to rapid capacitance changes the magnetic clutch 2n may be replaced by the device Which is shown in Fig. 3. in this figure it Will be seen that the shaft 21 of the. variometer 7 is driven directly by the armature of the motor Burng n rinal conditions the armature of this motor does not revolve but is short circuited nl i through a. circuit including conductor 33, normally closed contacts of relay 3l, armature of the motor ano normally closed contacts of relay 3Q. rEhe actuating coils of the relays 3l and 32 correspond to the actual:- ing coils 3l and 32 of the magnetic clutch shown in Fig. l, and are similarly controlled from the relay 37 of Fig. l. rThe energizing circuit conductors 33, 3st and 55 and contacts 52 and 53 for purposes of clearness, are similarly numbered in both figures. lf, due to a change in antenna impedance. the armature of the relay 37 engages the contacts 52, relay 3l Will be energized, thereby open ing its normally closed contacts and closing its normally open contacts. A circuit Will then be completed leading from the negative side of the source of potential 35, of Fig. l, through conductor 34, lower contacts of the relay 3l, field Wind 6G of the motor 25, back through conductor 33 to the po 'tive side of the source of potential and likewise a circuit Will be completed from conductor 34 through the upper contacts of the relay 3l, armature of the motor 25, normally closed contacts of the relay 32 back through the conductor 33 to the positive side of the source of potent'al he motor will then be energized in a manner to rotate the variometer shaft 2l in a direction to overcome the antenna impedance. Willen the antenna impedance has been corrected the armature of the relay 37 Will interrupt the circuit of the relay This relay will then return to its normal position, thereby short circuiting' the armature of the motor and causing the motor to stop. lf the relay 37 engages its contact 53 then the relay 32 will be energized which opens its normally closed contacts and closes a` circuit leading from the negative side of the source of potential through conductor 3d, lower contacts of the relay 32, field Winding 66 and conduct r 33 back to the opposite side of the'source of potential 35. Likewise a circuit isclosed leading from the negative'side of the source of potential through the conductor '34, upper contact of the relay 32, armature of the motor 25, normally-closed contacts of the relay 3l baci; through conductor 33 to the positive side of the source of potential 35. The motor Will then be energized for rotation in the opposite direction to correct the antenna impedance.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention it will, of course, be understood that I do not Wish to be limited thereto since many modifications, both in the circuit arrangement and in the instrumentalities employed, may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

l/hat claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. n combination, an antenna, regulating means and detuning means therefor, means for cotrolling said regulating means responsively to impedance variations in said antenna, and means for rendering said regulating means unresponsive to operation of said detuning means.

ln combination, an antenna, kregulating means therefor having a rotatable element, a vibratory member, means independent of the antenna impedance for Vproducing normal vibratory action of said member, means for modifying the action of said vibratory member in accordance with impedance variations in said antenna and means for rotating said element in either direction dependent on the modified action of said vibratory member.

3. in combination, an antenna, regulating means therefor, a vib-ratory member, means independent of the antenna impedance for producinfr normal vibratory action of vsaid member, means for modifying the action of said vibratory member in accordance With impedance variations in said antenna, means responsive to the modified action of said vibratory member and means for controlling said regulating means dependent upon the action ofv said last mentioned means.

4;. In combination, an antenna regulating1 means therefor, detuning` means for said anteu n a.. a vibrator-y member, means for modifying the action of said vibratory member in accordance With impedance chan-ges in said antenna, means for controlling said regulating means dependent upon the modified action of said vibratory member and means for rendering` said. last means unresponsive to operation of said detuning means.

5, n combinatiom an antenna, regulating means therefor including a rotatable element, a driving means and clutching means having oppositely rotating members normally actuated by said driving means, said clutching means being connected to operate responsively to impedance changes in said antenna to connect said rotatable element to one of said oppositely rotating members for rotation in either direction.

6. In combination, an antenna, regulating means therefor including a movable element, a driving means, means for detuning said antenna, clutching means connected to operate responsively to impedance changes in said antenna to connect said movable element to said driving means and means for rendering said clutching means unresponsive to impedance variations produced by said detuning means.

7. In combination, an antenna, regulating means therefor including a movable element, clutching means for operating said movable element, a vvibratory member, means independent of said antenna impedance for producing normal vibratorv action of said member, means for modifying the action of said vibratory member in accordance with impedance variations in said antenna, and means responsive to the modified action of said member for controlling said clutching means.

8. In combination, an antenna, regulating means therefor including a movable element, clutching means for operating said movable element, means 'for detuning said antenna. a vibratorv member, means for modifying the action of said vibratory member in accordance With impedance changes in said antenna. means responsive to the modified action of said vibratory member to control said clutching means, and means whereby said responsive means is unaffected by operation of said detuning means.

9. In combination. an antenna. Vregulating means therefor including a rotatable element, a driving means, clutching` means for connecting said element to said driving means for operation in either direction, -means for detuning said antenna. means responsive to impedance variations in said antenna for controlling said clutching means and means for rendering said impedance responsive means inoperative during operation of said detuning means.

10. In combination` an antenna regulating means therefor, detuning means for said antenna. clutching means adapted to respond to impedance changes in said anenna to control said regulating` means and means for ren dering said clutching means unresponsive to impedance variations in said antenna resulting from said detuning means.

11. In combination, an antenna, regulating means therefor including a rotatable element, a continuously rotating driving means, clutching means for connecting said rotatable element to said driving means for rotation in either direction, a vibratory member, means independent of said antenna impedance for producing normal vibratory action of said member, means for modifying the action of said vibratory member in accordance with impedance variations in said antenna and means responsive to the modified action of said member for controlling said clutching means.

12. In combination, an antenna, regulating means therefor, a vibratory member, means independent of said antenna impedance forl producing normal vibratory action of said member, means for modifying the action of said vibratory member in accordance with impedance variations in said antenna and clutching means responsive to the modified action of said member to control said regulatlng means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of August, 1927.

JOSEPH E. LOVE.