US2019945A

US2019945A - Electric clock thermostat

Info

Publication number: US2019945A
Application number: US542797A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton H Wells
Original assignee: Honeywell Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell Inc
Priority date: 1931-06-08
Filing date: 1931-06-08
Publication date: 1935-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 1952-11-05

Description

N0v.5, 1935. M, H, WELLS l. 2,019,945

ELECTRI G CLOCK THERMOSTAT MVM' www NOV. 5, 1935. M, H, WELLS 2,019,945

ELECTRIC CLOCK THERMOSTAT Filed June s, 1951 ,s'sneets-sheet 2 45 55 47 ,5j 54 5565 J0 if@ 5f' gnou/Nici Mil ozvH. Wel/5,

Nov. 5, 1935. M H. WELLS 2,019,945

l ELECTRIC CLOCK THERMOSTAT y Filed June 8, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l gru/mantos Patented Nov. 5, 1935 `mural STATES PATliNTY CFFICE ELECTRIC CLOCK THERMOSTAT Milton H. Wells, Wabash, Ind., assigner to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minncapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application `une 8, 1931, Serial No. 542,797

'24 Claims- Part of the equipment of house-heating units commonly in use at the presenttime is an instrument commonly called a. clock thermostat comprising circuit-changing terminals responsive to temperature variationsVand a spring-driven time train indicating time and embodying mechanism which, twice in each twenty-four hours, varies the relation of the circuit-changing terminals in such manner that in alternate periods )i operation circuit changes will be automatically produced at different temperature ranges, the arrangement being such that the heater will be automatically controlled to maintain a lower .room temperature at night and a higher room temperature during the day.

In all such devices, so far as I am aware, the direct time train adjustment of the circuit terminal relationship requires a very considerable time interval.

The object of my present invention is to produce an instrument of the character described, and more particularly one embodying an electrically-driven time train, in which the timed periodic adjustment of the circuit-controlling elements is accomplished rapidly.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 a front elevation with the'enclosingcasingand clock dial omitted;

Fig. 3 a,y fragmentary side elevatiomin partial section, of the automatic separable connection between the time train, or time train motor, and the circuit terminal-adjusting mechanism with Y the parts in declutched positions;

Fig. 4 a view similar to Fig. 3 in the positions occupied at the beginning of the clutching operation;

Fig. 5 a view similar to Fig. 4 with the parts in the positions occupied at an intermediate period of clutching;

Fig. 6 a View similar to Fig. 5 with the parts in the positions occupied at the beginningof the declutching operation;

Fig. 7 a fragmentary perspective of portions of the clutching mechanism in the positions occupied just prior to completion of declutching;

Fig. 8 an elevation showing the terminal-carrying plate, the temperature-responsive associated terminal and the time-train-actuated cams for periodically varying terminal relations;

Fig. 9 a perspective of portions of the clutching mechanism;

Fig. 1o a. stretch-out of the time train, and,

(Cl. G-139) y provided to preserve the electrical circuits.

Mounted upon the base plate is a time train T ending in the hour hand Hv and the minute 10 hand S arranged to sweep the dial plate D. The precise arrangement of gears forming the time train T may, of course, be varied greatly and will be dependent upon the character of the motor M by which it is to be driven, said time 15 train, however, embodying a continuously driven shaft or gear unit 2l. Power is transmitted through unit 2| to the hour and minute hands to give a proper'time indication, and to a gear 22 at such speed as to actuate the circuit-ter- 20 mina] shifting mechanism in a very short time interval, say a few seconds.

VGear 22 carries a clutch element 23 and is conveniently rotatable upon the Ifixed shaft 24, which shaft also supports a co-acting clutch element 25 axially shiftable, on shaft 24, into and out of mesh with its companion clutch element 23.

Clutch element 25 is integral with, or secured to, a cam 26, a cam 2l and two

cams

28, 28, 30 the unit being laxially biased toward clutch element 23 by spring 3D. v

Cam 25 has two diametrically opposite similar lobes each of which is formed by the converging surfaces and 3G engaged by a spring 31, 35 the

surfaces

35 and 36 being so related that rotation of the cam beneath the spring 3l wlll cause surface 35 to stress spring 3l so that, when surface 3B is advanced to position beneath said spring, the stressed spring, co-acting with the surface 36, will cause an advancement of the cam through a substantial angle.-

The two

cams

28, 28 are similar and diametrically opposed. These cams ilank 'the radial face of the inner surface 26 of cam 26 and each 45 is provided with an active face 28' .which is an annular segment extending around the circumference of the clutch element 25 about ninety degrees, the initial end of each of these surfaces 28' starting at the surface 26', and ending, with a sudden drop-01T 28", at a'distance axially spaced from the surface 26' somewhat more than the depth of the teeth of the

clutch elements

23 and 25.

overlying clutch element 25 is a trip lever III Il leo the thickness of which is substantially equal to the radial dimension of the cams 28 and this lever is provided with a finger 4| adapted to engagethe cam surfaces 28 28 of the cams 28.

Trip lever 40 is pivoted at 42 in such manner that its nger 4| may be radially displaced from the axis of clutch element 25 enough to carry finger 4| radially beyond cams 28, and in such manner that the lever 4I) may swing in planes parallel with the axis of clutch element 25. This is accomplished by providing a fairly loose fit/in the pivotal mounting of the lever, and the lever is spring-biased, by spring 43, so that its finger 4I will be biased, relative to the clutch element 25, both radially toward the axis of such clutch element and axially toward surface 26 of cam 26.

'Irip lever 40 near its lower end is provided with a cam surface 45 adapted -to be engaged by a cam surface 46 at the end of a pusher 41 slidably guided in a notch 48 formed in a guide plate 49. Pusher 41 is pivotally supported at 5|! upon a lever 5| which is fulcrumed at 52 and is provided with a stop finger 53 which, by engagement with a stationary portion 54, limits movement of lever 5| in one direction to preventl its end 5|' from contacting with disc 6I. A spring 55 is attached to the lever 5| to bias finger 53 toward plate 54. The lower end of trip lever 48 is projected into notch 48, alongside the pusher, the notch being of suicient width to permit sufficient lateral movement of the free end of trip lever 40 to permit its finger 4| to clear cams 28 radially under the action of Apusher 41,v` one side Wall of the notch forming an abutment to restrain lateral movement of the pusher under the the resistance of the triplever.

A shaft is geared to the time train T so as to rotate once in twenty-four hours and this shaft carries a disc 6I the exposed face of which bears a dial 62 divided into two equal portions, one indicating hours between noon and midnight and the other indicating hours between midnight and noon. Independently rotatably mounted upon shaft 6U are two

cam fingers

63, 63 the tip of each of which is adapted to engage the arm 5I of lever 5| to shift pusher 41 against cam 45, and each of these cam fingers is provided with a pointer portion 63 which, by coordination with dial 62, will indicate a positioning of the cam fingers for desired time of activity of the cams. These cam fingers, after adjustment, may be clamped in position by a nut 64 threaded upon the outer end of shaft 60.

A plate 65 pivoted at 66 on the base 20 carries terminal posts 61, 61 (as many and in such arrangement as may be desired, depending upon vthe circuits to be controlled) and these posts are rearwardly projected through a suitable perforation in the base plate to permit freedom of movement of the plate 65.

Journaled upon plate 65, on opposite sides of the middle of said plate, are two cam lfingers 10, 1l) arranged upon diametrically opposite sides of cam 21, the ends of said cam fingers being wide enough to permit the necessary axial movement of the cam 21 without dissociation. Each cam finger 10 is provided with a segmental gear 1| meshing with a pinion 12 rather tightlyjournaled upon plate 65 and having a polygonal teat 13 by which it may be key-turned.

A pin 15, attached to base 20 and projected through a perforation in plate 65, forms a fulcrum for a manually-operable adjusting lever 16 having a notch 11 in one arm receiving a pin 18 carried by plate 65. The other arm of lever 16 is projected to form a finger piece 16 by means of which it may be manipulated and this arm has a pointer portion 16" arranged to traverse an indicator scale 19 carried by a support 80. The

support 80 forms the anchorage for a thermostatic element 8| which, in the present instance, is a bimetallic volute carrying a contact terminal 82 arranged to `coact with the contact terminals carried by the

posts

61, 61.

Half rotations of cam 21, acting upon ca m fingers 1l), 10, serve to shift plate 65 alternately from one extreme position to the other, thereby changing the'relation between the terminals carried by said plate and the temperature-responsive terminal 82.

Normally one of cams 28 engages finger 4| of trip lever 48, as shownlin Fig. 3, and clutch element 25 is thus held Well clear` of clutch element 23. When one of the cam lingers 63 engages arml 5| of lever 5|, pusher 41 will be moved. up-

wardly and its cam surface 46, engagingcam 45 of the trip lever 40, will swing said trip lever radially away from clutch element 25 so as to with- .draw finger 4| away from blocking position relative to one of the cams 28, but just before this occurs the upper end of pusher' 41 moves into position to block axial movement of cam 26, as shown in Fig. 4, and spring 43 causes trip lever 40\ to move to the position shown in Fig. 4, nger 4| lying upon the crcumferentialsurface of the adjacent cam 28 and engaging surface 26 of cam 26. The instant the active cam finger 63 passes beyond arm 5| of lever 5| the spring 55 causes pusher 41 to `drop to its initial position,` limited by the engagement of finger 53 with stop 54, thus releasing the clutch element 25 and permitting it to be driven by spring 3U into clutchangular movement of the clutch element 25 will bring the cam surface 28' of the other cam 28 into engagement with finger 4| of lever 4l) which,

because of the preceding axial movement of the clutch element 25, has had its lower end shifted so as to engage the bottom of notch 48 (Fig. 6) so that continued angular movement of clutch element 25, due to the action of cam surface 28 upon finger 4|, will cause an axial withdrawal of clutch element 25 from clutch element 23. During this time movement of cam 26 beneath spring 31 will stress that spring and just before the teeth of element 25 are cleared from the teeth of element 23 the junction between

surfaces

35 and 36 of one of the lobes of cam 26 passes beneathspring 31 so that said spring, acting upon one of the surfaces 31 of cam 26, serves to produce further rapid angular movement of clutch element 25, independent of clutch element 23, this further angular movement carrying cam 28 further beneath finger 4| so that clutch element 25 is definitely separated from clutch element 23 and the parts are restored to their normal position shown in Fig. 3.

It should be understood that contact elements of the mercury tube or potentiometer resistance type might be substituted for the open contact terminals lshown without departing from my invention.

The motor M, if electric, may be either of a type which is self-starting or non-self-starting (in which case a starting knob would be required) and may be either of the subsynchronous or synchronous type, proper modifications, as previously stated, being made in the gear train so that proper time relationships will be established, as stated.

'I'he operation of the electric motor M results in a constant generation of heat and forthat.

reason the motor is placed as far above the thermally-responsive element 8| as possible and heat-insulated therefrom. Use of a bakelite base 20 and avoidance of direct metallic connection between the motor and the thermostatic element 8| is of decided advantage in maintaining accuracy of response of element 8|.

I claim as my invention:

1. A clock thermostat comprising circuit-controlling elements, a.temperatureresponsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling ele- -ments for modifying circuit condition upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-responsive element relative to the circuit-controlling elements comprising a, normally stationary actuating element, an electric motor, separable clutching means between said motor and actuat- -tive temperature-range of said temperature-responsive element relativeto thecircuit-controlling elements comprising a normally stationary actuating element, an electric motor, separable clutching means between said motor and actuating element, a time train driven by said motor,

and means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time intervals, and means actuated by the delivery end of said clutching means for de-activatng said clutching means.

3. A clock thermostat comprising, circuit-controlling elements, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling elements for modifying circuit condition upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-responsive element relative to the circuit-controlling elements comprising a normally stationary actuating element, separable clutching means the driven element oi' whichA is connected to said actuating element, a motorized time train drivin the driving element of said clutching means at an elapsed time rate, and means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time rilrlilervals, and means for de-activating said clutc g means.

4. A clock thermostat comprising, circuit-controlling elements, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling element for modifying circuit condition upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-responsive element relative to the circuit-controlling elevelement of which `ing a shiftable carrier for one ments comprising a normally stationary` actuating element, separable clutching means the driven element of which is connected to said actuating element, a motorized time train driving the driving element of said clutching means at an elapsedtime rate, and means'actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time intervals, and means actuated by the driven element of said clutching means for deactivating said clutching means.

5. A clock thermostat comprising, a circuitcontrolling terminals, a temperature-responsive element co-related With said circuit-controlling terminals formodifying terminal relation upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-responsive element relative to the terminals comprising, a shiftable carrier for one of said terminals, a normally stationary actuating element for said carrier, separable clutching means the driven element of which is connected to said actuating element, a time train having a portion connected to the driving element of the clutching means, and means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching meansA at predetermined time intervals, and means for tie-activating said clutching means.

6. A clock thermostat comprising, circuit-controlling terminals, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling o terminals for modifying terminal relation upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperatureresponsive element relative to the terminals comprisinga shiftable carrier for one of said terminals, a normally stationary actuating element for said carrier, separable clutching means the driven is connected to said actuating element, a time train comprising an electric motor and a portion connected to the driving element of the clutching means, and means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time intervals, and means for de-activating said clutching means.

7. A clock thermostat comprising, circuit-controlling terminals, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling termnals for modifying terminal relation upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-responsive element relative to the terminals comprisof said terminals, a normally stationary actuating element for said carrier, separable clutching means the driven element of v which is connected to said actuating element, a time train having a portion connected to the driving element of the clutching means, means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time intervals. and means actuated by the driven element of said clutching means for de-activating said clutching means.

8. A clock thermostat comprising, circuit-controlling terminals, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling terinals for modifying terminal relation upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-responsive element relative to the terminals comprising a shiftable carrier for one of said terminals, a normally stationary actuating element for said carrier, separable clutching means the driven element of which is connected actuating element, a time train comprising an electric motor and a portion connected to the to said driving element of the clutching means, and means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time intervals, and means actuated by the driven element of said clutchingv means for de-activating said clutching means.

9. A clock thermostat comprising a time train, circuit-controlling elements, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling elements for modifying circuit condition upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said tempera-- element, means for biasing said trip lever relative to the second-mentioned clutch element radially toward said element and axially away from the abutment, means actuated at predetermined time intervals by the time train formoving said trip lever axially away from the second-mentioned clutch element and for momentarily blocking movement of the second-mentioned clutch `element toward its fellow, means connected with the second-mentioned clutch element for modifying the relation between the circuit-controlling elements and temperature-responsive element by rotation of the second-mentioned clutch element, a. second cam rotatably connected with said second clutch element and a spring coacting with said. last-mentioned cam, said cam and spring being so formed and corelated that rotation of the second-mentioned clutch element will first stress the spring and then permit the spring to rotatively advance said second-mentioned clutch element.

10. A clock thermostat comprising a time train,

circuit-controlling elements, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuitcontrolling elements formodifying circuit condition upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-responsive elements relative to the circuit-controlling elements comprising a clutch element driven by the time train, a second clutch element co-axal with the mst-mentioned clutch element and axially-separable therefrom, a cam carried by said second-mentioned clutch element, a trip lever movable both radially and axially relative to the second-mentioned clutch element and engageable by said cam, an abutment for said Atrip lever limiting its movement in one direction axially relative to the second-mentioned clutch element, means for biasing said trip lever relative to the second-mentioned clutch element radially toward said element and axially away from the abutment; a pusher slidably mounted adjacent the trip lever to position to limit axial movement of the second-mentioned clutch element toward the first-mentioned clutch element short of clutching engagement and formed to,

sponsive element by rotation of the second-mentioned clutch element, a second cam connected with said second clutch element for rotation thereby, and a. spring cri-acting with said lastmentioned cam, said cam and spring being so formed and co-related that rotation of the second-mentioned clutch element will rst stress the spring and then permit the spring to rotatively advance said last-mentioned cam and means actuated by the time train for periodically manipulating said pusher.

n 11. A clock thermostat comprising, circuit-controlling terminals, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling terminals for modifying terminal relation upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-respon-` l sive element relative to the terminals comprising a shiftable carrier for one of said terminals, a normally stationary actuating element for said carrier, separable clutching means the driven element of which is connected to said actuating element, a time train having a portion connected to the driving element of the clutching means, means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time intervals, means actuated by the driven element of said clutching means for initiating de-clutching of the clutch elements and additional motor means for completing the de-clutching action.

12. A clock thermostat comprising, circuit-controlling terminals, a temperature-responsive element co-related with said circuit-controlling terminals for modifying terminal relation upon temperature change, means for changing-the active temperature-range of said temperature-respo-nsive element relative to the terminals comprising a shiftable carrier for one of said terminals,

a normally stationary actuating element for said ment (zo-related with said circuit-controlling terminals for modifying terminal relation upon temperature change, means for changing the active temperature-range of said temperature-respon- 5 sive element relative to the terminals comprising a shiftable carrier for one of said terminals, a normally stationary actuating element for said carrrier, separable clutching means the driven element of which is connected to said actuating element, a time train having a portion connected to the driving element of` the clutching means, means actuated by said time train for activating said clutching means at predetermined time intervals, a supplemental motor, means dependent upon movement of the clutching means for intermittently energizing said supplemental motor, and means dependent upon movement of the clutching means by which the supplemental motor causes zie-clutching of the clutching means.

14. In a clock-thermostat, a base, a thermoresponsive member associated with said base, an element shiftably mounted on said base and carrying a contact adapted to be contacted, at times, by said thermo-responsive member, a pair movements of said actuator through successive rections at predetermined intervalsVa time-train Vcarried by the base,

and means controlled by the time-train for temporarily connecting said actuator to the time-train to cause successiverelatively high-speed movements of said actuator through successive portions of itscomplete cycle.

15. In a clock thermostat, a base, a thermoresponsive member associated lwith said base, an element loosely pivoted on said base and carrying a contact adapted to be contacted, at times, by said thermo-responsive member, a pair of oppositely disposed ngers tightly pivoted on said element, a pai'r of graduated scales carried by said element, an indicator for each of said fingers cooperating with one of said scales to indicate the adjusted position ofits finger, an actuator cooperable with said pair of fingers to shift said first-named element in opposite directions about the loose pivot thereof at predetermined intervals, a time-train carried by the base, and means controlled by the time-train for temporarily connecting said actuator to the. timetrain to cause successive relatively high-speed portions of its complete cycle.

16. In combination, control means comprising two cooperative elements one of which is movable to and from coactingrelation toits fellow in response to changes 'in a predetermined physical condition, range-modifying means by which one of said elementsv may be shifted relative toits fellow to-shift the coaction thereof in the range of change of said physical condition, motor means comprising an elementactua'ted at a predetermined speed, and means driven by said motor means and synchronized with said lastmentioned element for temporarily connecting and disconnecting said range-modifying means with the motor means.

17. In combination, control means comprising two cooperative elements one of which is movable to and from coacting relation to its fellow in response to changes in a predetermined physical condition, range-'modifying means by which one of said elements may be shifted relative to its fellow to shift the coaction thereof in the range of change of said' physical condition, motor means comprising an element constantly actuated thereby, and means driven by .said motor means for alternately connecting and disconnecting said range-modifying means and said constantly-actuated element.

18. In combination, control means comprising two cooperative 'elements one of which is movable to and from coacting relation to its fellow in response to changes in a predetermined physical condition, range-modifying means by which one of said elements may be shifted relative to its fellow to shift the c'oaction thereof in the range of change of` said physical condition, motor means, a dial driven by said motormeans, a pair of adjustable lingers on said dial, an actuator for shifting said range-modifying means in opposite directions, means i for `connecting said actuator to the motor nieansfl'neans for automatically disconnecting` ksaid -actuator from said motor means, and means actuated by said adjustable means operable to vary of change of said condition at which said element 40 fingers for initiating connection between said actuator and the motor means.

19. In combination, control means comprising two cooperative elements one of which is movable -to and from coacting relation to its fellow Y 5 in response to changes in a predetermined physical condition, range-modifying means by which one of said elements may be shifted relative to its fellow to shift the coaction thereof in the range of change of said physical condition, motor means comprising a constantly-driven clutch element, anactuator for said range-modifying means, means cooperable with said clutch element for connecting said actuator with the motor means and automatically causing disconnection upon a predetermined movement of the actuator,

. and means actuated by the motor means for intermittently connecting said clutch element and actuator.

20. An electric clock thermostat comprising in combination, a temperature-responsive element, a switch controlled thereby, a time-train, an ac- -tivator for said time-train comprising an electric motor, means comprising amovable element by which the switch-response to temperature changes 25 in the temperature-responsive element may be varied, two members constantly driven in synchronism with the time-train, means actuated by either of4 said two members for connecting said movable element with the `time train, and means for automatically disconnecting said movable element from the time-train upon a predetermined movement of said movable element.

21. In combination, control means comprising a switch controlling a circuit, `said switch including an element movable into and out of circuitclosing position in response to changes in a predetermined physical condition, range-modifying the value in the range will be moved to change the condition of said circuit, motor means comprising an element actuated at a predetermined speed, and means driven by said motor means and synchronized with said last-mentioned element for temporarily connecting and disconnecting said range-modifying means with said motor.

'22. In combination, control means comprising a switch controlling a circuit, said switch including an element movable into and out of circuitclosing position in response to changes in a predetermined physical condition, range-modifying means operable to vary the value in the range of change of said` condition at which said element will be moved to change the condition of said circuit, motor means comprising an lement constantly actuated thereby, and means driven by said motor means for alternately connecting and disconnecting said range-modifying means and said constantly-actuated element.

23. In combination, control means comprising a switch controlling a circuit, said switch including an element'movable into and out of circuitclosing position in response to changes in a predetermined physical condition, range-modifying means operable to vary the value in the range of change of said condition at which said element will be moved to change lthe condition. of said Y circuit, motor means, a dial driven by said motor means, a pair of adjustable fingers on said dial, an actuator for shifting said range-modifying means in opposite directions, means for connecting said actuator to said motor means, means for automatically disconnecting said actuator from said motor means, and means actuated by Awill be moved to change -the condition of said YCERTIFICATE or" CORRECTION. p

Patent No. 2, 019, 945.

circuit, motor means comprising a constantly driven clutch element, an actuator for said rangemodifying' means, means cooperable with said clutch element for connectingsaid actuator `with the motor means and automatically causing disconnection upon a predetermined movement of the actuator, and means actuated by the motor means `for intermittently connecting said clutch element and actuator.

MILTON H. WELLS. m

November 5, i935.

. `MILTON H. WELLS.

It is herehy certified -that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent` requiring correction as follows: Page 3, first column, line 64, claim'3, for thelsyllable "in" read ing; and second column, linell,

oiA the case in the Patent Office.

L claim 5, strike out the article "a"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record Signed und sealed this 10th day of December, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.