US1921526A - Coupling system - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 8, 1933. HYLAND 1,921,526

COUPLING SYSTEM Filed March 25, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY L. A. HYLAND COUPLING SYSTEM Aug. 8, 1933.

Filed March 26, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY L. A. HYLAND COUPLING SYSTEM Aug. 8, 1933.

Filed March 26, 1929 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zr-ll 1N VEN TOR.

Qaw cem Q, a

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 8, 1933- UNITED stares 1,921,526 v COUPLING SYSTEM Lawrence A. Hyland, Washington, 1). 6., assignor to Wired Radio, Inc., New York, N. Y., a Corporation of Delaware Application lVlarch 26, 1929. Serial N0. 350,052

2 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to coupling systems employed in electrical signaling systems.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a coupling system adapted to control the 5 transfer of energy between different circuits.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an aperiodic coupling system adapted to control the transfer of high frequency energy between a space radio energy. collecting system and a radio receiver. 1

Another object of my invention is to provide a coupling system adapted to control the transfer of electrical energy between different circuits without materially altering the frequency characteristics of the circuits.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved coupling means adapted to control the transfer of energy between two circuits whereby normal coupling is obtainable and adjustable coupling is obtainable by a common control.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in certain arrangements of the constituent parts for elfecting the controlof energy between different circuits as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show different operative characteristics of the coupling system of my inven-- tion; Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing one application of the coupling system of my invention; Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are schematic circuit diagrams showing different applications of the control system of my invention and Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are front, side and rear elevations, respectively, of a preferred form of the coupling unit employed in the coupling system of my invention. I

In signaling systems it is necessary to provide certain means for coupling two or more circuits whereby electrical energy from'the one istransferred to the other. It is often desirable and not infrequently necessary to control the transfer of such energy within certain limits. The ordinary control of such energy transfer is accomplished by adjusting thefre uency characteristics of one of the circuits to values other than the frequency characteristics of the other. This is in turn accomplished by changing the inductive relation of inductances, changing the value of the inductance or changing the value of the capacity.

In signaling systems where ordinary volume control means are included, it is nearly always the case that the volume control mechanism results in an overall decrease of received signal at all times. For instance, a potentiometer connected between antenna and ground by-passes a certain amount of energy which reduces the input to the grid of the first vacuum tube. The 6 system described in my invention, however, makes provision forremoving from the circuit entirely the volume control mechanism whenever maximum sensitivity is required.

Other methods include capacity coupling where an adjustable capacity between the two circuits controls the energy transfer or where the electrical or magnetic properties of the material between the two circuits is, changed, such as where the iron is substituted in an air core transformer or, impedance. Each of the foregoing. methods has certain disadvantages well known to those skilled in the art. The coupling system of my invention avoids many disadvantages of "other coupling systems, as will appear from the description following. r Fig. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the coupling system of my invention as employed to control thetransier of energy between two circuits. A space radio energy collecting, system includes antenna 9 and ground 10.. In ordinary practice antenna 9 and ground 10 are connected directly to inductance 12. Inductance 12 may be the input of aradio receiver 11, adapted to transfer energy to inductance 13Iby virtue of their inductive relation. Theelectro-magnetic field around inductance l2," threading through the axis. of the solenoid cuts the turns of inductance 13. By rotating inductance 12 with respect to inductance 13 the lines of force cutting the turns of inductance 13 will be reduced. The energy across opposite terminals of inductance 13 will accordingly be reduced. Since the inductive relation between inductance 12 and 13,.is thus changed, the frequency characteristics of the circuits are thereby changed. In the system of my invention. inductances 12 and 13 are maintained in their normal inductive relation therefore eliminating the objectionable change in the frequency characteristics of the circuits.

In high frequencies of the order of 15,000 kilocycles employed in space radio communication, minute changes in the frequency characteristics of the circuits are to be avoided. A coupling F control unit is employed in the coupling system of'my invention which comprises resistor 1, contact arm 2, spring contact members 3'and 4, and insulating cam 5 positioned. on. shaft 6. One end of resistor 1 is connected to ground 10 and one terminal of inductance 12. The other end of resistor 1 is connected to spring contact member 3. Contact arm 2 is positioned on shaft 6 and is electrically connected to one terminal of inductance 12. Spring contact member 4 is electrically connected to contact 8 and mechanically connected ground 10 are connected directly to inductance 12 and the arrangement is similar to that gen-- erally employed wherein the antenna ground connection is connected to the receiver.

In Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, antenna 9 is connected to contact 8 and ground 10 is likewise connected to one end of resistor 1. In this arrangement, however, contact arm 2 has been moved along resistor 1 and connects with a portion thereof. One end of resistor 1 is connected to antenna 9'by means of the circuit established between spring contact members 3 and 4. The circuit established between members 3 and L -is caused by virtueof the position of cam 5 whereby spring contact member 4 bears against the round portion of cam 5.

Cam 5 moves in common with the movement of contacting arm 2 and hence actuates spring con tact member 4 accordingly. The circuit, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, is from, antenna 9 through resistor 1 to ground 10 with inductance 12 of receiver 11 connected to a point onresistor 1 between the extreme ends thereof. The potential across inductance 12 of receiver, 11 is proportional to the resistance value of resistor 1 between I the point upon which arm 2 rests and the consupplied inductance 12 of receiver 11 increasescorrespondin 'ly; The adjustment shown in Fig. 1 is that where the maximum potential is across inductance l2 and wherein resistor 1 in no way frequency amplifier 2c. employed as a high frequency amplifier is "shown influences the operational characteristicsof the coupling between antenna 9, ground 10 and re ceiver 11. In the adjustment shown in Fig. 2 the maximum potential is not transferred to receiver 11, but only potential the value of which is determined by the position of contacting arm 2-with respect to the resistance value of resistor 1 and the potential across resistor 1 in its. en tirety. Resistor 1 maybe constructed so as to be non-inductive. If wire wound, this may be accomplished by winding the wire double wherein one length neutralizes the other with respect to inductive reactance of such winding.-

Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows one application of the coupling system of my invention; Thermionic tubes 20, '21, 22 and are'adapted to operate as high'frequency 3,1'1'11311 fier, detector, and. audio frequency amplifiers; The schematic circuit dagram isintended to represent merely a conventional d 'ign of radio receiving set such as employed in the reception of high frequency modulated signaling energy; An tenna 9 and ground 10 are associated with inductance 19 comprising the input circuit of high The thermionic tube as that of the screen grid or shield anode of tube wherein the auxiliary electrode is supplied with a source of potential whereby the polarity of such electrode is positive with respect may be of any suitable value whereby the frequency characteristics are substantially aperiodic when employed where the receiver is adapted to receive signaling energy of very high frequency such as of the order of 15,000 kilocycles. Con"- pling unit 18 is similar to that shown in detail the foregoing figures. In'such an arrangement signaling energy of great audibility is possible. When such audibility is too great coupling unit 18 is adjusted whereby the impressed p0 tential across inductance 19 is reduced. Since inductance 19 is substantially aperiodic to very high frequency signals it is obvious that reduc- I ing the input potential to thermionic tube 20 will aid in the selectivity since the response characteristics of the system are thereby controlled. The aid in selectivityis not accomplished in the manner commonly employed wherein the frequency adjusting means is adjusted, but by changing the input potential of thermionic tube 20 by virtue of the resistance of unit 18.

Where frequency adjusting means are used to'reduce volume, it is, of course, true that the circuits are detuned with respect to the desired signal but of necessity placed in tune at some other frequency. Hence-if an undesirable signal at the second frequency happens to be on the air, it will cause considerable interference.

Through the means of the present invention the signal is reduced in intensity but all tuning adjustments remain in their optimum position for the frequency desired and any interfering signal at some other frequency will be rejected as effectively for the low volume condition as for the high volume condition. That is, while the selectivityis not improved by the volume control itself, theuse of the volume control makes it possible to retain the maximum selectivity inherent in subsequent stages or circuits at all times whether on maximum or minimum volume.

It is frequently the'casein extremely high frequency signaling systems of the order of 15,000 kilocycles, that adistant station causes'interference witha nearby station or that the nearby stationcauses interference with reception of the signaling energy'from the more distant station. It is therefore desirable, without'in the least changing the frequency characteristics, to reduce the coupling between antenna 9, ground is and the adjusting of unit 18 controls the energy trans ferred to inductance 13 from inductance 1'7 without. altering the frequency characteristics of either inductance. This is a desirable feature in asn'iuch as the methods commonly employed when adjusted tocontrol regenerationjusually also change the frequency characteristics of either the input or output circuits both.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the coupling system of my invention employed to control the transfer of energy between high frequency circuits low frequency circuits respectively.

Fig. 5 shows a high frequency transformer comprising windings 24 and 25 associated with couin the other arrangements shown, the resistor is completely disconnected from the inductance when desired. By moving the contactor arm along the resistor the potential delivered atterminals B is controlled. When it is desired to obtain maximum potential at terminals B the contactor arm is moved to theposition shown. When the arm is moved along the resistor the ends of the entire resistor are automatically connected across the entire inductance. Fig. 6 shows this arrangement as applied to an audio frequency transformer 28 wherein winding 26 is the primary associated with a source at terminals A and wherein coupling control unit 18 is connected to secondary winding 27 adapted to control the energy delivered at terminals B.

Fig. 7 shows still another application of the coupling control system of my invention wherein the transfer of energy between thermionic tubes 29 and 30 is controlled by unit 18. Upon observation it will be noticed that the arrangement shown employs what is generally referred to as impedance coupling wherein impedance 31 is connected in the anode circuit of thermionic tube 29. The resistor of unit 18 is connected in an arrangement similar to that shown in the foregoing figures wherein the resistor is not connected across impedance 31 when maximum energy from source A is to be delivered to terminals 13. When the contactor arm of unit 18 is moved along the resistor, the entire resistor is automatically connected across the entire impedance. This prevents changing in any way the operational characteristics of thermionic tube 29 as would be the case when the resistance is reduced or the impedance reduced to accomplish the control of the energy.

In the usual arrangement of impedance coupling the input wire, leading to the control electrode of thermionic tube 30, is connected to impedance or choke coil 31 at a point on the coil other than the end to which the anode of thermionic tube 29 is connected. This point of connection should be chosen with great care to prevent blocking of the amplifier. By means of coupling control unit 18 this point for desired operation is easily determined. I

Figs. 8 and 9 show still another application of the coupling system of my invention. Fig; 8 is a schematic circuit diagram showing unit 18 connected with telephone receivers 32 and a source of energy at the termnals A, When unit 18 is adjusted in the position shown, telephone receivers 32 are connected directly to terminals A,

the resistor of unit 18 being entirely out of the circuit. When unit 13 is further adjusted the resistor in its entirety is connected in parallel ceivers 32 would be constant irrespective of continued movement of the contacting of unit 18. Under these circumstances the resistance across the terminals A is the same for all positions in which the contact arm of unit 18 is in contact with the resistance element while the input would be variable according to the position of the contact arm. The arrangement shown in Fig. 9 is similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 8,

. loud speaker 33 being substituted for telephone receivers 32 shown in Fig. 8.

mounted on panel 40, shaft 6 extending there-*- through. Resistor 1 is positioned on frame 36 and is here'shown as a circular bent strip carrying turns of resistance wire. Contacting arm 2 is positioned on shaft 6 and movable therewith. Arm 2 is of suitable spring metal bearing against resistor 1. Spring contact member 4 is supported by frame 36 and positioned to bear against cam 5. Cam 5 may be of suitable insulating material which is molded or otherwise positioned to the end ofshaftfi. Fig. 12 shows a rear View of the unit in its entirety. Reference characters correspond to those previously referred to. Spring contact members 3 and 4 are shown engaged as caused by the movement of cam 5. Lugs 35, 38 and 39 are provided for connection to the external circuits. 7

Irealize that many modifications oiv the coup ling system of my invention are possible. Many arrangements are possible modified in accordance with the application intended. Resistor 1 may be of impregnated material or of any suitable form other than that shown. The coupling control between two circuits may be varied 1 from maximum at which point the resistance is not in the circuit to adjustments less than maximum where the resistance is connected across at least one of the circuits and remains constant across such circuit, all of which adjustments and circuit connections areefiected by a single control means.

It is to be clearly understood that the embodie ments of my invention shall not be restricted by the foregoing specification or by the accompanying drawings but only by such restrictions as are imposed by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a coupling device for coupling two cir- 1 mote from said contact point, the other of said 4 circuits having its terminals respectively connected to said switch member and the terminal of said resistance element remote from said coninsulated tact point, two adjacent contact members, one

of said contact members'being connected with the end of said resistance member adjacent said contact point, the other of said contact members being connected to said contact point, a cam member carrying said rotatable switch member,

said cam member being adapted to engage one K point-and the end of said resistance remotefrom.

said contact point, a circuit to be coupled connected to said switch member and the end of said resistancemember remote from said contact point, and means actuated by the rotation of said switch .member for connecting said contact point to the adjacent end of said resistance element when said switch'emember engages said resistance element and for disconnecting said contact point from said resistance member when said switch member engages said contact point, whereby the coupling between said circuits may be continuously varied over a considerable range and may be abruptly varied in a limiting position.

LAWRENCE A. HYLAND; I

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