US1903285A - Electrical current controlling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April 4, 1933- c. F; CAPELL ET AL v 9 3, 8

ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed March 10, 1931 w [NV TOR. v CarZFCapel BY EabrinHfindlefon ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 4, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cam. F. carm m EDwm n. rnnnnn'ron,

OF SANTA. MONICA, CALIFORNIA, AS-

SIGNOBS IQ QENOAP CORPORATION, 101 SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORA- 'IION or camomua WICAL CURRENT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Application fled Iarch 10,

This invention relates to an electrical current controlling mechanism and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a mechanism of the class referred to for intermittently flashing an illuminable means of that-type consisting of a transparent or translucent element containing a body of neon, argonne, helium, etc.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a self starting, automatic contact combination current control for high frequency gas tube illumination employmg neon, argonne, helium, et a1.

A further object of the invention is to rovide, in a manner as hereinafter set fort a mechanism for the purpose referred to which is extremely durable, of low current consumption, satisfactory in operation and not requiring any attention for a long period of time.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an electrical current controlling mechanism which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eflicient in its use, self starting, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive when used'.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arran emeut of parts as hereinafter more spec'i cally described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevation of an elettrical current controlling mechanism in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a top planview thereof.

Fi ure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrate ing t e circuit arrangements.

In the diagrammatic showing Figure 4, a

1981. Serial no. 521,560.

vibratory armature of conductin material is indicated at A, a vibrating mem r of conducting material at. B, a primary coil at C, the core for the coil C at D, a secondary coil E connected to an illuminable element F, a battery G, a governor control magnet H which is associated with the armature A, a condenser I, a governor control weighted spring controlled oscillatory bar J, a contact K on the shaft J which is associated with armature A, a circuit connection L from magnet H to shaft J, a circuit connection M from battery G to magnet H, a circuit connection N from battery G to armature A, a circuit connection 0 between connection N and condenserv The element H is arranged upon the top of casing Q. Element R leads to condenser I. Mounted on casing Q is a bearing tube S for a vertically disposed governor shaft T which extends through the governor bar J, the latter having at each end a weight indicated at J, J. The tube S is threaded at its upper end at S. Attached at one end to the upper end of shaft T is aspiral spring U. The other end of spring U as the latter is attached to an mgustment bracket V connected to the tube and maintained in adjusted osition by a nut S" engaging the threads S The bar J in proximity to the weight J" 1s provided with the contact K. Extendin through the lower portion of armature A an engaging with casing Q, is a screw A provided w th an adjustable stop nut A" for controlling the outward swing of the lower portion of the armature which abutsthe outer.

face of armature A. The armature A intermediate its ends above screw A is provided with an adjustable contact piece B for engagement with a contact piece B carried by the vibrator member B. Riveted to the top of magnet and projecting outwardly therefrom is a screw H which extends'through armature A and carries an adjustable stop in an J nut H which opposes the outer face of arms.- ture A for controlling the outward swing of the upper portion of the armature. The latter freely vibrates on screw H. The armsture A is provided with a plate C opposing the core of the magnet H. The upper, end of armature A is in the form of a spring blade C which vibrates freely.

To describe the device in general, we have a governing swinging balance bar with a spiral spring adjustable for speed variation carried by a shaft set in a sleeve, the bar is actuated by an armature that is drawn toward a no gnet. the armature bar terminating ta le contact, that whe, 131 cc .ct with the governing bar ich also carries contact, closes the curi s he governing her away fro a it to release. This operation .is as long as current is supplied. @urrent entering magnet I 1 oi governor travelling through governor bar 5 held, in contact to upper point of armature spring blade C by the spiral spring U. The spring also acts as a speed regulator for the governor and maintains the electrical contact between the governor bar J and the upper point of armature spring blade or plate C all times until the magnet H receives the current.

At this time current energizes the magnet H drawing armature plate C toward the magnet H, thus pressing the flexible contact blade C in reverse action against the governor bar J throwing the counter balance weight J, thus breaking the electric conned tion between armature blade or plate C and the governor bar which relieves the magnetic throw. 1

The direction of travel of the governor bar J is reversed and brought back to another contact by the spring U to the flexible contact blade C at the upper end of armature A. The spring U serves as a timing element governing the time of the magnet pressure on the governor bar J. When in contact, the current is passing to the governor magnet H until the armature contact blade C has reversed the direction of travel of the governor weights. When this contact/is broken the armature plate Cfalls back to its ready position for the next contact by the governor ar J which energizes the governor magnet H thus delivering the next magnetic throw of the governor.

The adjustment screw H serves as a regulator for the amount of magnetic throw of the governor when drawn by magnet H. Adjustment screw H acts as a refining adjustment for the after vibration of the armature A when releasing :the governor contact and the magnetic throw of the governor bar J.

High tension current contact point adjustment screw B mounted and carried by armature A serves as a regulator. The length of Y mosses time contact piece B engages with contact piece B determines the length of time which current is drawn from the battery.

High frequency coils operate on the same general principles as follows: The primary coil is wound on an iron core which when current is passed through it magnetizes the core and it we place an iron or steel bar close to the core it will be attracted to it as long as the current is on.

@ne end of the coil is connected to iron or steel bar and a stationery member is placed close to it and connected to the battery as shown and then press the two bar? we will have the same result with operation that if properly mount est to the core will i that when they iZI6'iOg& 1u

the near is attracted to the core opens the circuit and allows the bar to come back to the stationary member and cause contact thus keeping up the vibrations as long as the curr mt passes between the points.

To produce high frequencyelectricity which is very high in voltage but very low in amperage, a coil called a secondary coil is wound over the primary coil the Wire used being very much smaller and many more turns oi? wire being used.

Then because of its peculiar properties we place a condenser between the lines connecting points A and B Figure l, for reducing sparking to prevent the destruction of the contact points. Now, in order to so operate these points so that their operation does not depend at all upon their own action by the current being turned through the primary coil through A and B we adjust B to give the greatest vibrating elliciency and operate A automatically by our governor control as shown. In standard practice the points A and B are always together waiting for the electric current to separate them while in our case A and B are always apart waiting for an outside agency to contact them. at given intervals to produce illumination.

By this method any non-conductin g or foreign matter that might lodge between the points and terminate the electrical action is wiped out by reason of A being operated independently and in consequence we are able to make an adjustment that will pass a very low current. One will readily see that ii for any cause the points A or B are held apart or do not make contact for any reason, such as foreign matter getting between them or a self created crust, there will be no electrical action whatever and by reason of no current passage, there can be no method of dislodging the elemen causing trouble. Also it will be noted that in case of these points fusing or sticking together for any reason a short will be caused through the primary winding which will discharge the battery at once and no doubt ruin the coil by the resultant heat caused by the short. I j

The low current discharge and its low illumination is suificient for our needs providing it will continuously function and give service for a period of months.

This is what we have accomplished by our method of operating the A member from an outside source of power.

We have a vibrating member B and a'mem- 1 ber A that is stationary but it has thereon a contact that is not in contact with the vibrator. I

Now by a mechanical operation, we'bring a pressure on A that causes it to contact with the vibrating part only so long as the pressure is against it. Both vibrator and stationary parts are ready to operate, being energized. In other words by this method, we are able to produce a finer adjustment of current consumption and at the same time control the duration of the production of high frequency current and at the same moment by mechan ical means, bring contact points together. It can be readily seen that by this method the contacts are self repairing. Inthe old method, a piece of foreign substance or a nonconductor of electricity between the points would render the functioning of the coil useless for no current could pass between the points so obstructed, while .by our method the object causing trouble would be dislodged or pounded out in a very short time and thus the coil would again resume operations.

It will. be noted that the current passes from A to B which must be closed, and should any foreign substance or non-conductor of electricity become lodged between these A and,B points the operation ceases. A switch is necessary in the line to start and stop the Operation of the vibrating member, while with our mechanism A and B are always open and are closedonly by an armature member which is It is not like 'a. high tension coil operated as in an automobile because in that case .aconnection is made that in turn causes the current to flow through the coil and if the points A and B are clean they will vibrate and cause a high frequency spark, while we in our operation make the direct contact mechanically on the 13 member by a mechanical operation of the A member and thereby causing a spark even if the points A and B are fouled, because we wipe a'waythe obstruction'by the action.

The mechanism will be used in conjunction with batteries either dry or storage and as a self contained complete operatin unit such as boulevard stop signs, railroa crossings, danger, slow and many uses where signalling is desired, it can be used to indicate boundaries on aviation fields, navigation signals, etc.

It operates on from 2 volts to 12 and as low a discharge as 100 milliamperes thereby giving a life of many operating months without attention. It can be set to flashfrom fifteen to seventy times per minute and the duration of the flash can be set from one tenth second to one or more seconds.

The construction and arrangement of the mechanism provides for three circuits one for the secondary, another for the primary orcoil and the otherfor the governor magnet. Then further the arrangement takes the coil operating current load off the contact points which operate the governor.

WVhat we claim is 1. An electrical current controlling mechanism comprising, a primary coil functioning both as the primary of an induction coil and also as a vibrator coil, a secondary coil functioning as the secondary of the induction coil, said primary coil being inductively coupled to said secondary coil, a core for the primary coil, a resilient vibratory member of conducting material opposing and normally spaced from said core, said member having one end free and its other end anchored, an electro-magnetic device spaced from the primary coil and including a resilient vibratory armature ofv conducting material opposing and permanently spaced from said member, said armature having one end anchored and its other end free, the free end of said armature being extended beyond said device, I an electrical source, a circuit connection between one side of said source and-said device, a circuit concontact in circuit with said device for intermittently engaging the free end of the armature for intermittently closing the circuit of saidma'gnetic device to intermittently energize the latter thereby moving the armature towards said device to cause the contact piece to intermittently engage said vibratory memher to provide for the vibration of the latter thereby making the induction coil intermittently active.

2. An electrical current controlling mechanism comprising, a primary coil functionin both as the primary of an induction coil an also as a vibrator coil, a secondary coil functently closing the circuit armature of conducting material 0 tioning as the secondary of the induction coil said primary coil being inductively coupled to said secondary coil, a core for the primary coil, a resilient vibratory member of conduct ing material opposing and normally spaced from said core, said member having one end free and its other end anchored, said member having a contact mounted thereon on the side opposite the core, an electromagnetic device spaced from the primary coil and including a resilient vibratory armature of conducting material opposing and permanently spaced from said member, said armature having one end anchored and its other end free, the free end of said armature being extended beyond said device, an electrical source, a circuit connection between one side oi said source and said device, a circuit connection between the said connection and said primary coil, a circuit connection between said primary coil and said vibratory member, a circuit connection between the opposite side of said source and said armature, a contact piece carried by said armature for intermit'mntly engaging the contact on said vibratory member, a spring controlled governor including a contact mounted thereon in circuit with said electromagnetic device for intermittently engaging the free end of the armature for intermitof said magnetic device to intermittently energize the latter thereby moving the armature towards said device to cause the contact piece to intermittently engage said member to provide for the vibration of the latter thereby making the induction coil intermittently active.

3. An electrical current controlling mechanism comprising, a primary coil functioning both as the primary of an induction coil and also as a vibrator coil, a secondary coil functioning as the secondary of the induction coil, said primary coil being inductively coupled to said secondary coil, a core for the primary coil, a resilient vioratory member of conducting material opposing and normally spaced from said core, said member having one end free and its other end an chored, said member having a contact mounted thereon on the side opposite the core, an electromagnetic device spaced from the primary coil and including a resilient vibratory posing and rmanently spaced from said vi ratory mem r, said armature having one end anchored and its other end free, the free end of said armature being extended beyond said device, an electrical source, a circuit connection between one side of said source and said device, a circuit connection between the said connect-ion and said primary coil, a circuit connection between said primary coil and said vibratory member, a circuit connection between the other side of said source and said armature, a contact piece carried by said armature for intermittently engaging the neoaeae contact on said vibratory member, a spring controlled governor including a contact mounted thereon 'in circuit with said device for intermittently engaging the free end 0? the armature for inmrmittently closing the circuit of said magnetic device to intermittently energize the latter thereby moving the armature towards said device to cause the contact piece to intermittently engage said member to provide for the vibration of the latter thereby making the induction coil intermittently active, and stationary, independently adjustable spaced stop devices extending through an abutting the outer side of the armature for controlling the outward swing of the upper and lower portions of the latter.

in testimony whereof, we ailin our signatures hereto.

EDWIN H. PENDLETON. CARL F. CAPELL.

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