US2048506A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Description

July 21, 1936. P. HUSTA TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed March 7, 1935 2 SheetsSheet l INVENTOR By RHUSTA $15M ATTORNEK July 21, 1936. P. HUSTA TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed March '7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NON INVENTOR P. HUS T4 ATTORNEY Patented July 21, 1936 rnnnrnonn srs-rnm Philip Hum. Great NeckQN. r., asslgnor to Bell Telephone Laboratories,

Incorporated, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application Mal-ch 1, 1935, Serial No. 9,693

4 Claims.

This invention relates to signaling systems and more particularly to systems in which recording devices are operated in response to impulses.

5 The invention is particularly adaptable to dial telephone systems in which series of impulses dialed by a subscriber or operator are recorded in a central oflice sender for the purpose of setting digit registers to control the selective operation of selector switches. In order that proper response to dialed impulses may be obtained over both long and short dialing loops, it is essential that the responsive apparatus shall be accurately and sensitively responsive to the impulses.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an impulse responsive device whereby more accurate and faster impulse response may be realized over long dialing loops.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is realized by utilizing gaseous conductor or discharge tubes to respond to dial or other sources of impulses which in turn control relays.

a record of the series of impulses dialed or transmitted. The gaseous conductor tubes employed are of the type filled with a low pressure gaseous content which, for purposes of illustration, might be neon, argon, helium, mercury vapor or combinations of gases of this group. A tube of this character has a certain characteristic, namely, that the gaseous content will become ionized and thus conducting on one potential determined by the electrode design, the nature of the gaseous content and its pressure, but once rendered conducting will maintain this condition of conductivity on a much lower potential. The tubes may be of the hot cathode type having their cathodes heated by conduction from filaments energizedby direct current as illustrated or the filaments may be energized by alternating current or the filaments may be heated by direct current and themselves serve as cathodes. The tubes might also be of the cold cathode type.

The invention has been illustrated in two modifications both of which show a dialing loop extending from a subscribers substation to an impulse recording device, the recording device in- 50 eluding ten gaseous discharge tubes which are successively responsive to a maximum of ten impulses in any dialed impulse series. rA transformer is interpolated between the dialing loop and the recording device with its windings so 55 poled with respect to each other that only the The relays may control registers to make surges of potential inducedv in the secondary winding thereof upon the openings of the dialing loop by the substation dial are efiective to cause the breakdown or ionization of the tubes. Each tube has an anode relay connected in the 5 cathode-anode circuit thereof which becomes 0perative when the tube with which it is associated ionizes. Each anode relay, in addition to other functions to be-later described, is instrumental in assisting in the control of a registering de-' 10 vice.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the control electrode of only the first of the ten tubes is normally associated with the secondary winding of the transformer, anode po- 15 tential being supplied to all of the tubes upon the initial-closure of the dialing loop. The control electrodes of the remaining tubes are normally disassociated from the secondary winding of the transformer. tube, except the last, is provided with contacts which, upon the operation of the relay, connect the control electrode of the next succeeding tube to the secondary winding of the transformer.

The circuit functions in the following manner: 25 Upon the initial closure of the dialing loop, anode potential is connected to the anodes of all ten tubes through the windings of the associated anode relays and an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding 30.

' of the transformer which increases the negative bias on the control electrode of, the first tube. In response to the first dialed impulse, the dialing loop is momentarily opened, thereby causing a surge of potential of the opposite ,po- 35 larity in the secondary winding of the transformer which reduces the bias on the control electrode of the'first tube to such a degree that the first tube ionizes and operates its anode relay over its cathode-anode circuit. This anode 40 relay closes a register operating circuit and con-v nects the control electrode of the second or next succeeding tube to the secondary winding of the transformer. On the next closure of the dialing loop the negative bias-on the control electrode of the first two tubes is increased but without effect on either tube, the'first tube remaining in its ionized condition and the second tube being blocked against ionization. 0n the next opening of the dialing loop the resulting surge of potential in the secondary winding of the transformer reduces the bias on the control electrode of the second tube to such a degree that the second tube ionizes and operates its anode relay. This anode relay closes a register oper- The anode relay of each 29 ondary winding of the transformer. In a similar manner in response to successive closures and openings of the dialing loop successive tubes ionize and operate their anode relays. the number of tubes which are so controlled being dependent upon the number of impulses dialed. If ten impulses are dialed, all ten of the tube will ionize in succession in response to successive impulses and will operate their anode relays.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the control electrodes of all ten tubes are connected in parallel to the secondary winding of the transformer and anode potential is applied only to the anode of the first tub'e upon the initial closure of the dialing loop. The anode relay of each tube except the last, is provided with contacts which, upon the operation of the relay, connect anode potential to the anode of:

the next succeeding tube.

The circuit functions in the following manner: Upon the initial closure ofthe dialing loop, potential is connected to the anode of the first tube through the winding-of the associated anode relay and an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of the transformer which increases the negative bias on the control electrodes of all tubes. In response to the first dialing impulse, the dialing loop is momentarily opened thereby causing a surge of potential of the opposite polarity in the secondary winding of the transformer which reduces the bias on the control electrodes of all the tubes to the breakdown potential, but since the first tube is the only one which has positive potential on its anode, only the first tube ionizes and operates its anode relay over its cathode-anode ciscuit. This anode relay closes a register operating circuit and connects positive potential to the anode of the second or next succeeding tube. on thenext closure of the dialing loop, the negative bias on the control electrodes of all tubes is increased but without eifect since the first tube remains in its ionized condition and the second tube, al-

though supplied with anode potential, is blocked. On the next opening of the dialing loop, the resulting surge of potential in the secondary winding of the transformer reduces the bias 'on the control electrodes of all tubes to the breakdown potential but since the first tube is already ionized and the second tube only, of the remaining tubes, has anode potential, only the second tube ionizes and operates its anode relay. This anode relay closes a register operating circuit and connects positive potential to the anode of the third or next succeeding tube. In a similar manner, in response to successive closures and openings of the dialing ioop, successive tubes ionize and operate their anode relays, the number of tubes which are so controlled being dependent upon the number of impulses dialed.

A clearer understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description read in connection with Fig. 2 shows a subscribers loop and that portion of a sender circuit involved in the recording of digits dialed by a subscriber. In this figure,

the control electrodes of all ten tubes are normally connected in parallel to the second winding of the transformer.

It is to be understood'that the invention is not limited to the circuit arrangementsshown in Figs. 5

1 and 2. as the number of tubes, anode relays and register relays may be increased or decreased to perform the desired circuit functions.

Referring to Fig. 1, when a subscriber at substation I00- initiates a call. and is connected 1 through to the sender circuit in the usual manner, the dialing loop is from ground through the winding of relay III, through the contacts of the subscriber dial, over the subscribers loop, through the primary winding of transformer I02 to the negative terminal of battery Ill, thereby energizing relay IOI. Relay IOI being energized, closes an obvious circuit for pulse change-over relay I 01 which connects the positive terminal of battery not through the windings oi anode relays I20 to I29, inclusive, to the anodes ofallten gaseous discharge tubes IIOto II! inclusive, which are associated with anode relays I20 to I20, respectively.

Pulse change-over relay I" is so constructed that it will remain energized during all openings of the dialing loop except the last, for each digit dialed. Uponthe final opening of the dialing loop for each digit, however, change-over relay I0! is deenergized.

The control electrode or grid of the gaseous discharge tube I'I0 is connected to the negative terminal of battery I00 through the secondary windthe filaments and the cathodes of tubes IIO to H0, inclusive. Negative potential is connected to 45 the cathodes of tubes H0 to 0, from the negative terminal of battery I06. The resistances I 50 to I50, inclusive, are inserted between the control electrodes of tubes III to 0, respectively, and the negative terminal of battery I 04 in order to maintain a slight negative potential on the control electrodes oftubes III to 9. This potential is Just above the breakdown potential of .the tubes.

On the closure of the loop, an inductive 55 surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer I02 which increases the negative bias on the control electrode of tube I I0. It will be assumed that the subscriber dials the letter D as the first letter of the exchange code,

'which has the numerical equivalent of the digit 3. When the dial returns to normal upon its release, 'it, in the usual manner, opens the dialing loop three times.

On the first opening of the dialing loop by the dial contacts, an inductive surge of potential of the opposite polarity is generated in the secondary' winding of transformer I02 which reduces the bias on the control electrode of tube m to such a degree that tube In immediately ionizes and becomesconducting. with tube 0 in the conducting condition, anode relay I20 is energized in a circuit extendingfrom the negative terminal of battery I06, cathodeand anode oi -tube no, winding of relay m, to negative grounded battery I03 through the front contact of relay I01. Relay I20,- being energized, closes its left front contact and its right front contact. The closureof the left front contact of relay I20 completes a pathfrom ground, through the front contact of relay I20, the winding of register relay I30, to the negative terminal of battery I03, thereby causing the register relay I30 to become energized. Closure of the right front contact of relay I20 connects the control electrode of tube :II to the secondarywinding of transformer On the second closure of the dialing loop, an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer I02 which increases the negative bias on the grldsof tubes H0 and III. Tube IIO will remain in its ionized condition. Tube III will be blocked against ionization by the high negative potential on its control electrode.

On the second opening of the dialing loop by the dial contacts, an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer I02. This surge of potential opposes the negative bias on the control electrode of tube III. Therefore, the negative bias on the control electrode of tube III will be reduced to such a degree that tube III ionizes and becomes conducting. Withtube III in the conducting condition, anode relay I2I is energized in a circuit extending from the negative terminal of battery I06, cathode and anode of tube III, winding of relay I2I, to negative grounded battery I06,.

through the front contact of relay I0'I. Relay I2I, being energized, closes its left front contact and its right front contact. Closure of the left front contact of relay I20 completes a path from ground, through the front contact of relay I2 I the winding of register relay I3I' to the negative terminal of battery I03 thereby causing the register relay I3I to become energized. Closure of the right front contact of relay I2l connects the control electrode of tube II2 to .the secondary winding of transformer I02.

On the third closure of the dialing loop, an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer I02 which increases the negative bias on the control electrodes of tubes IIO, III, and H2. Tubes H0 and III will remain in their ionized condition. Tube I I2 will be blocked against ionization by the high negative potential on its control electrode.

On the third and final opening of the dialing loop by the dial contacts, an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer I02, which opposes the negative bias on the control electrode of tube H2. The

negative bias on the control electrode of tube II2 will be reduced to such a degree that tube II2 ionizes and becomes conducting. With tube H2 in the conducting condition, anode relay I22 is energized in a circuit extending from the negative terminal of battery I06, cathode and anode of tube II2, winding of relay I22, to negative grounded battery I06 through the front contact of relay I0'I. Relay I22, being energized, closes its left front contact and its right front contact. Closure of the left front contact of relay I22 completes a path from ground, through the front contact of relay I22, the winding of register relay I32, to the negative terminal of battery I03, thereby causing the register relay I32 to become energized. Closure of the right front contact of relay I22 connects the control electrode of tube II3 to the secondary winding of transformer I02.

On this third and final opening of the dialing loop by the dial contacts, relay IOI will become deenergized. in turn releasing relay .I0I' which opens its front contact thereby removing the negative grounded battery from the anodes of 5 all tubes IIO to H9, inclusive. Tubes IIO, III and H2 will become deionized and non-conducting. This willopen the holding circuits for anode relays I20, I2 I and I22, thereby permitting these relays to become deenergized and open their 10 front contacts.- Opening of the right front contacts of relays I20, I2I and I22 will remove the negative potential from the control electrodes of tubes III, H2, and 3. -Opening of the left front contacts of relays I20, I2I, and I22 will 15 open the holding circuits for the register relays I30, I3 I, and I32, thereby permitting these register relays to become deenergized.

For succeeding digits dialed, relay IOI, relay I01, transformer I02 and tube IIO will function 20 in the manner describedhereinbefore. If the succeeding digit dialed is 2 or a digit of higher value, tubes IIO to H9, inclusive, anode relays I20 to I29 inclusive, and register relays I30 to I39 inclusive, will function in a manner similar 25 to that described hereinbefore for tubes III and H2, anode relays I2I and I22 and register relays I3I and I32. The number of tubes, anode relays and register relays operating in this case depends upon the number of impulses in the digit dialed. On the final opening of the dialing loop by the dial contacts,-relay IOI will become deenergized, in turn releasing relay I01 which opens its right front contact thereby removing negative grounded battery from the anodes of all tubes. The tubes become non-conducting and the associated relays release as described above.

Referring to Fig. 2, the control electrodes of all the tubes are normally connected in parallel to the secondary winding of transformer 202 and to the negative terminal of battery 204 which places a negative bias on the control electrodes of all tubes 2I0 to 2I9 inclusive. The condenser 205 is connected across the secondary winding of transformer 202 in order to control the maximum voltage and the duration of the surge of potential within proper limits for functioning tubes 2 I0 to 2I9 inclusive. When a subscriber at substation 200 initiates a call and is connected through to the sender circuit in the usual manner, the dialing loop is established from positive grounded battery through the winding of relay 20I, through the contacts of the subscriber dial, over the subscribers line loop, through the primary winding of transformer 202 to the nega tive terminal of battery 203, thereby energizing relay 20I. Relay 20I being energized, closes a circuit for energizing relay 260 from ground, through the front contact of relay 20I, through the winding of relay 260 to the negative terminal 60 of battery 203. Relay 260, being energized, locks up over a circuit closed from ground, the inner front contact of relay 260, conductor 250, the left back contact of relay 220, conductor 25I, resistance 26 I the winding of relay 260, to the negative terminal of battery 203. Closure of the outer front contact of relay 260 connects negative grounded battery over conductor 252, the winding of anode relay 220, to the anode oftube 2I0, thereby placing a positive potential on the anode of tube 2I0.

The filaments and the cathodes of all tubes 2 I0 to 2I9, inclusive, are heated by current from battery 203. This current is controlled by rheostats 240 to 249 inclusive, which are associated 75 with tubes 2|0 to m, respectively. A negative potential is placed on the cathodes of tubes M to 2|! inclusive, from the negative terminal of battery 206.

On the closure of the dialing loop, an induc- 4 the dialing loop three times.

On the first opening of the dailing loop by the dial contacts, an inductive surge of potential of the opposite polarity is generated in the secondary winding of transformer 202 which substantially reduces the bias on the control electrodes of tubes 2| 0 to" H9, inclusive. Tube 2l0 immediately ionizes and becomes conducting. Tubes 2 to 2i9 inclusive, will not ionize because there is no positive potential on their anodes. With tube 210 in the conducting condition, anode relay 220 is energized in a circuit extending from the negative terminal of battery 206, cathode and anode of tube 2l0, anode relay 220, conductor 252, the outer front contact of relay 260, to negative grounded battery 206. Relay 220,,being energized, closes its right front contact and its left outer contact and operates its left continuity contacts. Closure of the right front contact of relay 220 completes a path from negative grounded battery through the outer front contact of relay 2B0, conductor 252, the right front contact of relay 220, anode relay 22! to the anode of 'tube 2 Ii, thereby placing a positive potential on the anode of tube 2i i. Closure of the left outer front contact of relay 220 completes a path from ground through the left outer front contact of relay 220, the winding of register relay 230 to. the negative terminal of battery 203,'thereby causing the register relay-230 to become energized. Closure of the left continuity contacts of relay 220 completes a path from ground, the inner front contact of relay 260, conductor 250, the left inner front contact'of relay 220 to the side of relay 20i which is connected to the dial, thereby short-circuiting the winding of relay 20l. When the continuity contacts are fully operated, the previously traced locking circuit of relay 260 is opened.

Relay 20l will become deenergized and open its front contact thereby opening the operating circuit for relay' 260. Relay 260, however, will not release immediately as it is held energized by the discharge of condenser 262 through the winding of relay 260, this condenser having charged through resistance 26l when the operating circuit of relay 260 was established by the operation of relay 20l. The values of resistance 28! and condenser 262 are such that relay 260 will remain energized for a definite time longer than the time elapsing between impulses of the digit being dialed. Relay 260 will become deenergized a predetermined time after the final opening of the dialing loop after each digit is dialed.

On the second closure of the dialing loop, an

- inductive surge. of potentialis generated in the secondary winding of transformer 202 which increases the negative bias on the grids of tubes 2m to H9. Tube 2l0 will remain in its ionized condition. Tube 2 will be blocked against ionization by the high negative potential on its control electrode. Tubes M2 to 2| 9 will not ionize since there is no positive potential on their associated anodes.

On the second opening of the dialing loop by the dial contacts, aninductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer 202. This surge of potential opposes the negative bias on the control electrode of tube 2| I. Therefore, the negative bias on the control electrode of tube 2 will be reduced to such a degree that tube 2 ionizes and becomes conducting. With tube 2 in the conducting condition, anoderelay 22l is energized in a circuit ex-. tending from the negative terminal of battery 206, cathode and anode of tube 2, winding of anode relay 22!, right contact of relay 220, conductor 252, the outer front contact of relay 260, to negative grounded battery. Relay 22l, be.- ing energized, closes its. right front contact and its left outer contact and operates its left continuity contacts. Closure of the right front contact of relay-220 completes a path from negative grounded battery, the outer front contact of relay 260, conductor 252, the right front contact of relay 22l', winding of anode relay 222 to the anode of tube 2| 2, thereby supplying a positive potential to the anode of tube 2l2. Closure of the left outer front contact of relay 22I completes'a path from ground, the winding of register relay 23l, to the negative terminal of battery 203, thereby causing the register relay 2: to become energized. Closure of the left continuity contacts of relay 22i completes a path from ground, the inner front contact of relay 260, conductor 250, the left continuity contacts 9 of relay 22l, conductor 25l, resistance 26l, winding' of relay 260 and in parallel through condenser 262 to the negativeterminalof battery 203, thus holding relay 260 operated and again charging condenser 262. When, however, the continuity contacts of relay 22l become fully operated, the normally closed contacts open,

opening the previously traced locking circuit for relay 260. However, the condenser 262 which is shunted across relay 260 and resistance 26l now discharged through relay 200 and the resistance 26l and causes relay 260 to remain energized for-a definite period of time after the impulse as hereinbefore described for the first impulse.

On the third closure of the dialing loop, an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer 202 which increases the negative bias on the control electrodes of tubes2l0 to 2l9. Tubes2l0and2ll will remain in their ionized condition. Tube 2l2 will be blocked against ionization by the high negative potential on its control electrode. Tubes 2l3 to 219 will not ionize since there is no positive potential on their associated anodes.

On the third and final opening of the dial ing loop by the dial contacts, an inductive surge of potential is generated in the secondary winding of transformer 202. This surge of potential opposes the negative bias on the control electrode of tube 2| 2. Therefore, the negative bias on the control electrode of tube 2|2 will be reduced to such a degree that tube 2l2.ionizes and becomes conducting. With tube 2 I 2 in the conducting condition, anode relay 222 is energized in a circuit extending from the negative terminal of battery 206, cathode and anode of tube 2l2, anode relay 222, right contact of' relay 22l, conductor 252, the outer front contact of relay 260 to negative grounded battery. Relay 222, being energized, closes its right front contact and its left outer contact and operates its left continuity contacts. Closure of the right front contact of relay 222 completes a path from negative grounded battery through the outer front-contact of relay 260, conductor 252, the right front contact of relay 222, winding of anode relay 223 to the anode of tube 2 !3, thereby placing a positive potential on the anode of tube 2 3. Closure of the left outer front contact of relay 222 completes a path from ground, through the winding of register relay 232, to the negative terminal of. battery 203, thereby causing the register relay 232 to.become.energized. Closure of the left continuity contacts of relay 222 completes a path from ground, the inner front contact of relay 260, conductor 25!], the left inner front contact of relay 22!, the left continuity contacts of relay 222, conductor 25!, resistance 26!, winding of relay 260 and in parallel through condenser 262 to the negative terminal of battery 203, holding relay 263 operated and again charging condenser 262. When, however, the continuity contacts of relay 222 become fully operated, the normally closed contacts open the locking circuit for relay 260. However, condenser 262 which is shunted across relay 260 and resistance 26! now discharges through relay 26B and resistance 26! and causes relay 260 to remain energized for a definite period of time after the impulse as described hereinbefore for the first and the second impulses.

On this third andfinal opening of the dialing loop by the dial contacts, relay 250 will become .deenergized and will open its left outer front contact, thereby removing the negative grounded battery from the anodes of tubes 2H], 2!!, 2!2 and 2!3, inclusive. Tubes H0, 2!!, and 2l2 will become deionized and non-conducting. This will open the holding circuits for anode relays 220, 22!, and 222, thereby permitting these relays to become deenergized and open their front contacts and close their back contacts. Opening of the rightfront contacts of relays 220, 22! and 222 will open the individual anode circuits to the anodes of tubes 2, 2!2, 2l3. Opening of the left outer front contacts of relays 220, 22!, and 222 will open the holding circuits for the-register relays 230, 23! and 232, thereby permitting these register relays to become deenergized. Opening of the left inner front contacts of relays 220, 22!, and 222 will open the circuit used for short-circuit relay 2!!! and the circuit for charging condenser 262 during pulsing. Closure of the left back contact of relay 220 restores the locking circuit for relay 260 so that it will again lock up on closure of the dialing loop when the next digit is dialed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signaling system, an impulsing device, an impulse .responsive device, a. control circuit extending between said devices, a group of gaseous conductor tubes at said responsive device, a

relay in the cathode-anode circuit of each of said tubes operable upon the ionization of the tube with which it is associated, means for normally rendering the first of said group of tubes operable in response to the first impulse over said control circuit, and means controlled upon the operation of each of said relays for preparing the next succeeding tube of said group for operation whereby in response to successive impulses said tubes successively ionize and operate their associated anode relays.

2. In a signaling system, an impulsing device, an impulse responsive device, a. control circuit extending between said devices, a group of gaseous conductor tubes at said responsive device, a" relay in the cathode-anode circuit of each of said tubes operable upon theionization of the tube with which it is associated, a transformer for connecting said control circuit with the control electrodes of said tubes having its windings so poled that the control electrodes of said tubes are brought to the ionization potential only on the opening of said control circuit by said impulsing device, said first tube being operable in response to the first opening of said control circuit, and means controlled by the operation of each of said relays for preparing the next succeeding tube for operation whereby in response to successive openings of said control circuit said tubes successively ionize and operate their associated anode relays.

3. In a signaling system, an impulsing device, an impulse responsive device, a control circuit extending between said devices, a group of gaseous conductor tubes at said responsive device, a

. relay in the cathode-anode circuit of each of said tubes operable upon the ionization of the tube with which it is associated, means for normally connecting the control electrode of the first of said group of tubes with said control circuit, and means controlled upon the operation of each of said relays for connect ng the control electrode of the next succeeding tube with said control circuit whereby in response to a series of impulses ionization potential is successively applied 45 to the control electrodes of said tubes and said tubes successively ionize and operate their associated anode relays.

4. In a signaling system, an impulsing device,

an impulse responsive device, a control circuit W extending between said devices, a group of, gaseous conductor tubes at said responsive device, a relay in the cathode-anode circuit of each tube operable upon the ionization of the tube with which it is associated, means for normally connecting the control electrodes of said tubes with said control circuit, and means controlled upon the operation of each of said relays for connecting anode potential to the anode of the next succeeding tube whereby in response to a series of impulses over said control circuit said tubes ionize in succession and operate their associated anode relays.

PHILIP HUSTA.

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