US2082166A - Speed responsive apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 1, 1937. .1. w. LIVINGSTON SPEED RESPONSIVE APPARATUS Filed July 11, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l QDQ amQ Q N E SQQ NN Q 3 nnentor $5012 John (Z). Lil/i His (Ittorneg June 1, 1937. J w UWNGSTON 2,082,166

SPEED RESPONS I VE APPARATUS John (0. mgszon.

BY n I i 7 H15 ATTORNEY June 1, 1937. w: LMNGSTON 2,082,166

SPEED RESPONSIVE APPARATUS Filed Julylll, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR HA5 ATTORNEY June I,' 1937- J. w. LIVINGSTON SPEED RESPONSIVE APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' Filed July ll, 1936 |NV EN TOR John (1/. uzyszozz.

HIS ATTORN EY Patented June 1 1 937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI SPEED RESPONSIVE APPARATUS Application July 11, 1936, Serial No. 90,161

30 Claims.

. sponsive apparatus.

I will describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and. will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view partly in elevation, partly in section, and partly diagrammatic, showing one form of speed responsive apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 taken on the line II-1I of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the driving plate I8 forming part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing graphically the operating characteristics of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing another form of speed responsive apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. '7 and 8 are sectional views taken on the lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII, respectively, of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in-each of the several views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the reference character I designates a casing which is adapted to be secured, in any suitable manner, to a railway car or locomotive adjacent one end of one of the axles 2 of the car or locomotive, and which is closed at its outer end by a removable cover 3. Disposed within the casing l is a frame A, one end of which is pinned to a shaft 5 that is journaled in the casing I at the bottom of the casing. The end of the frame l opposite to the shaft 5 is provided with a recess 6 which slidably receives a block or roller I mounted on an eccentric pin 8 formed on one end of a shaft 9. The shaft 9 is journaled in a suitable bearing Ill provided in the side of the casing l, and secured to this shaft on the outside of the casing is a handle H by means of which the shaft may be rotated through an angle of substantially 180 from the position shown in Fig. l. The parts are so proportioned that when the shaft 9 is rotated to the position shown, the block 1 will cooperate with the cam recess 6 to rotate the frame 4 and shaft 5 in a. clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 to what I shall term a normal extreme position, but that, when the shaft 9 is rotated through an angle of 180 from the position shown, the block I will then cooperate with the cam recess 6 to rotate the frame 4 and shaft 5 in a counter-clockwise direction to another extreme position.

A ring member I2 is pinned to a shaft 13 which is mounted to oscillate in the sides of the frame 4, and pivotally attached to this ring member by means of diametrically opposite pivot pins l4 spaced 90 from the shaft I2 is a driving member I5 comprising two outwardly curved arms l5 and l5 secured at one end to a circular web 15. The edge of the web I5 is rounded, and the parts are so proportioned that, when the frame 4 occupies its normal position in which it is shown in the drawings, the web l5 will enter a circular hole I! provided in a driving plate l8 secured to the end of the axle 2, but that, when the frame 4 is rotated to its other extreme position, the web l5 will then be withdrawn from the hole ll. The outer face of the driving plate l8 adjacent the hole I! is countersunk so that, when the frame 4 is moved to its normal position from its other position, the Web l5 will readily enter the hole 11. As shown in Fig. 3, the hole, I! is eccentric with respect to the axle 2, and the fit between the rounded edge of the web 15 and the hole I! is such that when the axle 2 is rotated, the Web will be free to rotate within the hole I1, and also to rock about the axis of the shaft 13. It will be seen, therefore, that rotation of the axle 2 will impart an oscillatory movement to the ring member 12 and shaft l3, and that the frequency of oscillation of the ring member and shaft will increase or decrease according as the speed of the axle 2 increases or decreases. It follows, therefore, that the frequency of oscillation of the shaft l3 will increase or decrease as the linear speed of the car or locomotive of which the axle 2 forms a part increases or decreases.

Mounted to oscillate on the shaft I3 within thering member I2 is an inertia member 28 which, as here shown, is in the form of a hollow sphere, although this particular form is not essential to my invention. A rocker 2| is pinned to the shaft l3 within the inertia member 20, and secured to, but insulated from, the opposite sides of the rocker 2| are two resilient contact fingers 22 and 23. These contact fingers are provided at their free ends with low resistance contact members 22 and 23 which contact members cooperate respectively with two similar contact members 24 and 25 mounted on a rigid U-shaped conducting bracket 26 which is secured to, but insulated from, the inertia member at one side" of the inertia member. The parts are so proportioned that when the axle 2 is at rest, so that the inertia member is stationary, the contact member 22* will engage the contact member 24 to close a contact 22 -24 and the contact member 23 will engage the contact member 25* to closea contact 23 -25 and that, under these conditions, the fingers 22 and 23 will each be flexed a certain amount, Associated with each contact finger is a fixed stop 21 which limits the position to which the associated finger can move due to its inherent bias when the contact controlled by the finger is opened. r

The lower-end of the rocker 21 is provided with an extension 2 l the opposite sides of which cooperate with shoulders 20 and 20 formed on the rocker to limit to an amount which will prevent damage to the parts, the motion of the inertia member relative to the rocker in the event of abnormal operation of the governor due, for example, to breakage of a contact finger. This extension, however, "does not engage the shoulders during normal operation of the governor.

External electrical connections to the contact fingers 22 and 23 are made-by means'of two conductors 29 and 33 which extend into the inertia member 29 through a hole I 3 drilled in the shaft l3,'and are connected "at their inner ends to'the contact fingers. The outer ends of these conductors are con'nected'to arcuate con tact segments 31 and 32 molded in'an insulating member 33 which is secured to the'outer end of the shaft l3 to oscillate therewith. The member 33 is sealed in an auxiliary casing 34 which is H fastened to one side of the frame 4, whereby foreign matter is prevented from entering the inertia member. Mounted in theauxiliary casing 34 in any suitable manner not shown are two brushes 35 and 36 which are biasedinto engagement with the contact segments 3land'32, respectively, and which are connected to conductors 3! and38, and 38 are carried through ahole 40 drilled in the frame 4, and through a hole 4| drilled in the shaft 5, and are connected at their with two contact fingers 42 and 43forming part of a cut-out switch- 8. The fingers 42 and 43 of the cut-out switch S are fastened to an insulating block 44 which, in turn, is fastened-t the shaft 5, and these fingers cooperate at their free ends with fixed contact members 45 and 46, respectively. The cut-out switch S is disposed in a second auxiliary casing 41.which is cast integrally with the main casing.-The parts are so proportioned that when the frame 4 occupies its normal position, the fingers42 and 43-will engage the contact members 45 and 46, respec-' tively, to close contacts 42-45 and 43-46, but that, when the frame 4 is rotated to its other extreme position, the resultant rotation of the shaft will rotate the fingers-to positions in which the contacts 42-45 and 43-46 are open.

The apparatusalso includes a'reactance X and an electroresponsive indicating device here shown as a relay R. The'reactance X and relay R. are

respectively. The conductors 31- free ends connected in series in a circuit which passes from terminal B through a wire 48, contact 42-45, wire 31, brush 35, contact segment 3|, wire 29, contact finger 22, contact 22 -24 bracket 26, contact 23 -25 contact finger 23, wire 30, contact segment 32, brush 36, wire 38, contact 43-46, wire 49, reactance X, wire 50, the winding of relay R, and wire 5| to terminal 0. Connected in multiple with reactance X and relay R in the circuit just traced is an asymmetric unit A which is so disposed that it will offer its highestresistance to current which tends to flow through the branch path including this unit from terminal B to terminal 0. Relay R is preferably made slow acting for reasons which will appear hereinafter.

The operation as a whole, of the portion of the apparatus thus far described is as follows: As was previously pointed out, when the axle 2 is rotated, the shaft 53 is oscillated at a frequency which increases as the speed of rotation of the axle Zincreases and since the rocker 2| is secured to the shaft l3, it will be obvious that any oscillation of this shaft will cause corresponding oscillation of the rocker. Any oscillation of the rocker, in turn,'will cause an accelerating force to be exert-ed on the inertia member 28, first in one direction and then in the other during each cycle, through the medium of the contact fingers 22 and 23, so that the inertia member will also be made to oscillate. The magnitude of the force required to accelerate the inertia member will, of course, increase with increases in the frequency of oscillation of the rocker according to the square of the frequency, and it will be seen, therefore, that as long as the frequency of oscillation of the rocker remains below some frequency which I shall term the critical frequency, and which depends upon the stiffness of the contact fingers 22 and 23, and the inertia of the inertia member, the contact fingers will transmit to the inertia member sufhcient accelerating force to cause the inertia member to oscillate cyclically through its maximum amplitude without deflecting either finger a sufficient amount to open the associated contact 22 -24 or 235 -255 during any part of a cycle. As soon, however, as the frequency of oscillation of the rocker exceeds the critical frequency, the contact fingers 22 and 23 will no longer be able to transmit to the inertia member sufficient accelerating force to cause the inertia member to oscillate cyclically through its maximum amplitude, and under these conditions, the oscillations of the inertia member will decrease in amplitude until the maximum inertia force is just equal to the maximum force exerted by the contact fingers 22 and 23. The inertia member Zfl-Wlll then lag in phase with respect to the rocker 2i, and since the amplitude of oscillations of the rocker remains substantially constant, it will be apparent that during the greater part of one-half of each cycle the contact finger 22 will be deflected beyond its normal amount and the contact Eli will be open, whereas during the greater part of the other half of each cycle the contact finger 23 will be de flected beyond its normal deflection, and the contact 2-2= 2 i will be open. It will also be apparent that since the rocker and the inertia member are out of step for all frequencies of the rocker above the critical frequency they will be moving at different speeds when their relative positions are such that the contacts H -25 and 22 -24 areclosed, and it follows that the circuit through these contacts will be closed only a small portion of each half cycle under these Conditions. It should be pointed out that at very high frequencies of oscillation of the rocker the inertia member will remain substantially stationary, and the oscillations of the rocker will be absorbed almost wholly by the contact fingers.

As was previously pointed out, the contacts ZZ -Zd and Zi -45 are connected in series in the circuit for reactance X and relay R, and it follows that when these contacts are both closed, this circuit will be closed and current will then be supplied to relay R. It will be readily understood, however, that due to the inductance of this circuit, the current in the winding of relay R will not build up to its Ohms law value immediately upon the closing of the circuit for the relay, but will build up according to the time constant curve of the circuit. Likewise, when either contact is opened, the circuit for reactance X and relay R will become interrupted, and the supply of current to the relay will therefore be out off. At the instant the supply of current to the relay is cut off, the current in the winding of the relay will start to decrease, but due to the energy stored in this winding and in the winding of reactance X, a circulating current will be set up in the closed circuit including the winding of the relay, reactance X, and asymmetric unit A, and this circulating current will delay the decay of current in the winding of the relay in a manner which depends upon the time constant of the closed circuit formed by the relay, the reactance and the asymmetric unit. It will be readily understood, therefore, that when the circuit through the relay is continuously closed, the currentin the relay will build up to its Ohmslaw value, but that, when the circuit is periodically interrupted, the current will not have an opportunity to build up to its Ohms law value, and, under these conditions, the relay will be supplied with current the average value of which will depend upon the ratio of the open circuit time of the circuit to the closed circuit time, and upon the frequency of interruption of the circuit. It will also be readily understood that as the frequency of oscillation of therocker increases beyond the critical frequency, the ratio of the open circuit time to the closed circuit time will increase rapidly, and that the frequency of interruption of the circuit will also increase, so that the average value of the current in the relay winding will decrease rapidly. A typical curve 59 indicating the manner in which the average value of the current which is supplied to the relay winding varies with variation in the frequency of oscillation of the rocker is shown in Fig. 5. From an inspection of this curve it will be seen that at all frequencies of oscillation of the rocker below the critical frequency, the average value of the current in the relay winding is constant. The reason for this is that, as was previously pointed out, at all frequencies below the critical frequency, both contacts EF -25 and 23 -45 remain continuously closed, and the current in the winding of the relay builds up to, and remains at, its Ohms law value. As soon as the frequency of oscillation of the rocker exceeds the critical frequency, however, so that the contacts M' -24 and 23 -'25 start to alternately open, the average value of the current in the relay winding starts to decrease, and as the frequency of the oscillation of the rocker continues to increase, the current decreases more and more rapidly until, at a narrow band of frequencies just a little above the critical frequency,

the decrease is very rapid. As the frequency of oscillation of the rocker further increases beyond this narrow band of frequencies, the decrease in current becomes less marked until at very high frequencies substantially no further decrease in current takes place.

As was also pointed out hereinbefore, relay R is preferably a slow-acting relay, and it will be readily understood, therefore, that by properly designing this relay, this relay ,may be made to respond to the average value of the current supplied to its winding and not to the instantaneous value. It will be seen, therefore, that by designing this relay in such manner that its pick-up and release values fall on some portion of the curve 59, the relay will pick up at all frequencies of oscillation of the rocker below the frequency corresponding to the pick-up value, and will be released at all frequencies of oscillation of the rocker above the frequency corresponding to the release value. For example, if the relay is provided with a pick-up value indicated by the line fill in Fig. 5, and with the release value indicated by the line Si in Fig. 5, the relay will be picked up at all frequencies of oscillation of the rocker below that indicated by the vertical line 62, and will be released at all frequencies of oscillation of the rocker above that indicated by the vertical line 83. It will be readily understood, of course, that as the frequency of oscillation of the rocker is increased from some value below the critical frequency to some value beyond the frequency at which the relay releases the relay will remain picked up until the frequency at which the relay releases is reached, and that as the frequency of oscillation of the rocker is decreased from some value which is higher than the frequency at which the relay releases to some frequency which is below the frequency at which the relay picks up, relay will remain released until the frequency at which the relay picks up is passed. It will be remembered that the critical frequency of the rocker 2! depends upon the proportioning of the parts, and it follows that by properly selecting the electrical and mechanical elements of the apparatus, relay B may be made to pick up and release its armature at any desired frequency of oscillation of the rocker, and hence at any desired linear speed of the car or locomotive with which the rocker is operatively connected. It will also be seen that by adjusting the pick-up and release values of relay R to such values that they fall on the steep portion of the curve 59 as indicated by the lines 5E! and iii, the relay may be made to pick up and release its armature at frequencies which differ in magnitude by only a small amount. This is particularly desirable when the relay is to be utilized for controlling circuits in connection with speed control systems for railroads.

When relay R is picked up, its front contact 56--58 is, of course, closed, and when this relay is released, its back contact 5858 is closed. The contacts of this relay may be utilized to control the circuits for any suitable electroresponsive device or devices in such manner that the device or devices will occupy one position when the relay is energized and another position when the relay is deenergized. For example, when the apparatus is operatively connected with some part of the running gear of a car or locomotive, as is the case in the embodiment illustrated, so that the frequency of oscillation of the rocker ill varies with the linear speed of the car or locomotive, relay R may be utilized to control a speed governing device for the car or locomotive. As here shown, relay R controls a brake controlling magnet E'which applies the brakes on the car or locomotive when this magnet. becomes deenergized.

The circuit forv magnet E is; carried. over; front:

contact 58-458 of relay R. It will be apparent, therefore, from the foregoing, that as long as the speed of the car or locomotive is below some predetermined speed, magnet E will be energized, but that, if the speed of the car or locomotive increases beyond this speed, magnet E will become deenergized, thus enforcing a low speed limit on the car or locomotive. It should be definitely understood, however, that apparatus embodying my invention is in no way limited to this particular-use.

It should be particularly pointed out that with the apparatus constructed in the manner described" the speed responsive apparatus may be rendered inactive by rotating the lever H from the position shown to its opposite extreme position'. This rotation of the lever disengages the web l5 of'the driving member l5 from the hole I! in the driving plate l8, and also rotates the contact fingers 42' and 43 of the switch S to positions in which the contacts 42-45 and 43-- l$ are open, thus interrupting the circuit for relay R, and hence deenergizing this relay. When relay R is deenergized in this manner, the brake magnet will be rendered ineffective to apply the brakes bymeans which forms no part of my pres ent' invention, and which is therefore not shown in the drawings.

One advantage of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is that it provides a convenient means for operatively connecting the apparatus with a car or locomotive.

Another advantage of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is that since the driving forces are all transmitted from the rocker to the inertia member through the medium of the resilient contact fingers, these forces are limited to relatively small values, thus permitting the structural strength requirements of the'parts to be reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, there is no shock to the parts which would cause damage and decrease the life of the apparatus.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the modified form of apparatus here illustrated comprises a driving member in the form of a crank having a.

hollow crankshaft 65 The crankshaft 65 is journaled in a bushed bearing 66 formed in a suitable casing 61, and has attached thereto on the outside of the casing a driving member 68 which is adapted to be connected with some reciprocating part of a car or locomotive in such manner-that when the car or locomotive is in motion, the crank will be oscillated at a frequency.

which is proportional to the speed of the car or locomotive. The crank arm 65 of the crank 65 extends upwardly from the crankshaft and carries a crank pin 65? which pivotally supports a floating rocker lever 69. The rocker lever 69 is slotted at its .lower end, and cooperates with a sliding block 10 pivoted on a pin H secured to a disc-shaped inertia member 12. The inertia member 12 is mounted to oscillate on.a headed mandrel 13 which extends into one end of the crankshaft and is secured thereto by means of a headed nut 14. The mandrel i3 is provided with a tapered shank portion [3 which cooperates with a correspondingly tapered opening in the endof the crankshaft, and with a screwthreaded inner end l3 which is screwed into a tapped hole formed in the inner end of the nut 14, whereby the mandrel isheld in a fixed longitudinal position with respect to the hollow crankshaft A laterally projecting pin is secured to the rocker lever 69 intermediate its ends, and pivotally mounted on this pin is a contact operating bar 76. This bar is provided at its opposite ends with two insulating members 11 and 78 which cooperate respectively with two contact fingers 19 and 80. The contact fingers 18 and 19 are'secured at their lower ends, as by riveting, to resilient strips 8| and 82, respectively, of suitable material, such as phosphor bronze, and the lower ends of the strips 8| and 82, in turn, are secured to ears 83 and 84 formed on the ends of an angle bracket 85. When the apparatus is in operation, the fingers 19 and 80 are at times oscillated at a rapid rate in a manner which will appear presently, and to prevent breakage of the resilient strips BI and 82 due to the resultant flexing of the strips, the ears 83 and 84 are bent outwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, in such manner that any flexing of these strips which occurs will be in the form of a gradual curve. The angle bracket 85 is secured to an insulating terminal'board 86 which is clamped between the casing er and a cover 87 which closes the adjacent end of the casing, whereby the fingers 19 and 8!] are electrically connected together by means of the bracket 85, but are insulated from the casing. The contact fingers l9 and 80 are provided at their upper ends with low resistance contact members 19 and 88 which contact members cooperate, respectively, with two similar fixed contact members 88 and 89 provided on contact screws 88 and 89, to form contacts NF -88 and 80 -89 The contact screws 88 and 89 are adjustably mounted in laterally projecting lugs 96 and 9H formed on contact brackets 90 and 9| of suitable with the contact brackets 90 and 91 are terminal pcstsizsfir' an'd 93 which facilitate making external connections with the fixed contact members.

The contact fingers are biased toward each other,

insulating members 1'! and 78 are guided during movement of the fingers l9 and 89 by means of guides 91 and 98 which are riveted to the fingers, and which have rounded portions 9! and 98 for the reception of the insulating members. The parts are so proportioned that the axis of the pin 75 will align with the axis of the mandrel 13 when the rocker 69 occupies certain positions, and the contacts are so adjusted that when the rocker occupies any position in which the axis of the pin 15 aligns with the axis of the mandrel '13, both contacts will be closed and there will be practically no clearance between the insulating pieces 11 and I8 and the associated guides 97 and 98.

The terminal board 86 is provided near its center 7,

with a slot 86 which receives the pin 15 and boss of the arm 69 in which this pin is mounted with suificient clearance to permit free movement of the rocker in response to movement of the crank 65. The contacts of the apparatus are adapted to be included in a control circuit for relay R similar to that shown in Fig. 1, and I have accordingly shown the wires 48 and 45) connected with the terminal posts 92 and 93. It will be seen, therefore, that the circuit for relay B when the apparatus is constructed in the manner shown in Fig. 2 will pass from terminal B through wire 48, terminal post 92, contact bracket 90, contact le 68 contact finger l9, strip- 8|, 5 bracket 85, strip 82, contact finger 80, contact St -89 bracket ti, wire 49, reactance X, wire 5%, the winding of relay R,,and wire 5| to terminal 0, the asymmetric unit A being connected in multiple with the reactance X and the winding of relay R in series.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 6, '7, and 8 is as follows: When the crank 65 is oscillated, the upper end of the rocker t9 will be constrained to move with the crank pin 55, and it will be apparent that when the upper end of the rocker 69 is being moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. '7, a force will be exerted on the contact finger 89 through the medium of the pin 15, operating member 75, and insulating piece 18 which force will tend to move the finger 80, in opposition to the bias oi the spring 94, to a position in which the contact Bil -Alfi is open, and an opposite force will be exerted on the inertia member 12 through themedium of the pin H and sliding block lii,-which latter force will tend to rotate the inertia member in a clockwise direction, whereas, when the upper end of the arm 69 is being moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. '7, a force will then be exerted on the contact finger 79 through the medium of the pin 75, operating member 75, and insulating piece 11, which force will tend to move this finger in opposition to the bias of the spring 9% to a position in which the contact l9 li9 is open, and an opposite force will be exerted on the inertia member 72 through the medium of the pin ii and sliding block 70, which latter force will tend to rotate the inertia member in a counter-clockwise direction. It follows, therefore, that when the crank 65 is being oscillated, an accelerating force will be exerted on the inertia member first in one direction through the medium of the one contact finger, and then in the other direction through the medium of the other contact finger, so that the inertia member will tend to oscillate in response to the oscillation of the crank 65. The magnitude of the force required to accelerate the inertia member will, of course, increase with increases in'the frequency of oscillation of the crank 65 according to the square of the frequency, while the force which is exerted on the inertia member tending to accelerate it will depend upon the stiffness and initial tension of the spring 94. The stiffness and initial tension of the spring 94 are so chosen that as long as the frequency of oscillation of the crank 65 remains below some frequency which I shall term the critical frequency, the accelerating force required to accelerate the inertia member will not be sufiicient to overcome the tension of the spring 94 and cause the contact fingers to move, and it will be seen, therefore, that as long as the frequency of oscillation of the crank remains below the critical frequency, the pivot pin 75 will remain stationary, and the inertia member will operate cyclically through its maximum amplitude without causing either of the contacts IS -88 or St -433 to become opened. As soon, however, as the frequency of oscillation of the crank exceeds the critical frequency, the accelerating force required to accelerate the inertia member will be greater than the force exerted on the contact fingers by the spring EM, and under these conditions, the 75 spring 84 will stretch during alternate half cycles during alternate half cycles will continue to in-.

crease, thus causing the amplitude of oscillation of the inertia member to further decrease until at very high frequencies of oscillation of the crank, the pin 7! will become practically stationary, and the fingers l9 and 88 will be moved through a relatively large angle during alternate half cycles. It will be seen, therefore, that with the apparatus constructed in the manner shown in Figs. 6, '7, and 8, the contacts iil 88 and SO -89 will operate to interrupt any circuit in which these contacts are included in substantially the same manner that the contacts 23*---25= and Ev -24 of the apparatus shown in the preceding views operate to interrupt any circuit in which the contacts H -i i and Zi -45 are included and that, as a result, relay R, when controlled by the apparatus shown in Figs. 6, '7, and 8 will function in substantially the same manner that it functions when controlled by the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

One advantage of the apparatus shown in Figs. 6, '7, and 8 is that there are no moving electrical connections.

One advantage of either form of apparatus embodying my invention is that it is compact and has relatively few moving parts.

Another advantage of either form of apparatus embodying my invention is that the'ratio of the open circuit time to the closed circuit time of the circuit for relay R increases very rapidly as soon as the critical speed is passed, thus making it possible to use a standard relay in connection with the apparatus.

It should be particularly pointed out that while in describing my invention I have shown an inductance connected in series with relay R in the control circuit for this relay, and have also'shown an asymmetric unit connected in multiple with the reactance and relay in the circuit for the relay, due to the high ratio of open circuit time to the closed circuit time which is provided by the contact arrangement for all speeds of the rocker beyond the critical speeds, the apparatus may be satisfactorily operated without the use of the reactance and rectifier in connection with the relay.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of speed responsive apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a pivoted inertia member, a conducting bracket secured to said inertia member, two contact members secured to said conducting member, a rocker adapted to be oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, two resilient contact fingers secured to said rocker, two conducting members secured to said two contact fingers respectively and each cooperating with a different one of said the amplitude of osfirst mentioned contact members to form a contact, said contact fingers being so arranged and the parts being so proportioned that both contacts are biased to closed positions and that when said rocker is oscillated an accelerating force will be imparted to said inertia member first in one direction and then in the other direction during each cycle through the medium of said contact fingers, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said two contacts connected in series.

2. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a shaft which is-oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, an inertia member-pivotally mounted on said shaft, a conducting bracket secured to said inertia member and provided with two contact members, a rocker secured to said shaft, two

resilient contact fingers secured to said rocker and each provided with a contact member which cooperates with a different one of said first mentioned contact members to form a contact, each said finger being flexed in a manner which biases the associated contact to its closed position, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

3. Apparatusresponsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a shaft adapted to be oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a first member secured to said shaft=to oscillate therewith,.an inertia memberpivotally mounted on said shaft, -means including a first resilient contact finger and. a first contact controlled by said first finger for imparting an accelerating force to said inertia member in one direction during one portion of each oscillation of saidinertia member, means including a second resilient contact finger and a second contact controlled by said second finger for imparting an accelerating .force 'to said inertia member in a direction opposite to thatrimparted to said member by said first finger during another portion of each'oscillationof saidinertia member,'both said contactsbeingbiased'to closed positions, and an electroresponsivetindicating device controlled by said two contacts connected in series.

4. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movablebody comprising ashaft adaptedtozbe oscillated at a frequency which 'varies with the speed of the body, a hollow inertia member mounted to oscillate -on said shaft, 'a rocker pinned to said shaft withinsaid inertia member, means including two contact fingers and a contact controlled by each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force which-periodically changes its direction and. an electroresponsive indicating device controlled bysaidtwo contacts.

5. Apparatus responsive to thespeed of a movablewbody comprising-za shaft adapted to be oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a hollow inertia member mounted to oscillate on said shaft, a rockerpinned to said shaft within said inertia :member, two contact members secured to said inertia member, two resilient contact fingers secured to said rocker and each provided with a contact member which cooperates-with a different one of said first mentioned contact members to form a contact, each said contact being biased 'to a closed posi-- tion by the associated contact finger, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said two contacts connected in series.

6'. In combination with a car axle, a 'plate secured to said axle and provided with a circular plate, a shaft journaled in said frame, a ring member pinned to said shaft, a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivotally connected to said frame at points spaced from said shaft, said driving member also being provided with a web which enters the hole in said plate, whereby rotation of said axle will cause oscillation of said shaft, an inertia member pivotally mounted on said shaft, a rocker pinned to said shaft, means including two contact fingers and a contact controlled by each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force periodically changing in direction, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

'7. In combination with a car axle, a plate secured to said axle and provided with a circular hole which is eccentric with respect to the axis of said axle, a frame mounted adjacent said plate, a shaft journaled in said frame, a ring member pinned to said shaft, a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivctally connected to said frame at points spaced 90 from said shaft, said driving member also being provided with a web which enters the hole in said plate, whereby rotation of said axle will cause oscillation of said shaft, an inertia member in the form of a hollow spheremounted to oscillate on said shaft within said ring member, a rocker pinned to said shaft within said inertia member,- means including two contact fingers and a contact controlled by each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force which periodically changes in direction, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

8. In combination with a car axle,-a plate secured to said axle and provided witha circular hole which is eccentric with respect to the axis of said axle, a frame mounted adjacent said plate, a shaft journaled in said frame, aring member pinned to said shaft,a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivotally connected to said frame at points spaced 90 from said shaft, said driving member also being provided with a web which enters the hole in said plate, whereby rotation of said axle will cause oscillation of said shaft, an inertia member'in the form of a hollow sphere mounted to oscillate on said shaft within said ring member, a rocker pinned to said shaft within said inertia member, two fixed contact members secured to said inertia member within said inertia member, two resilient contact fingers secured to said rocker and each provided with a contact member which cooperates with a, different one of said fixed contact members to form a contact, said contact fingers being flexed in a manner to bias both said contacts to their closed positions, and an electroresponsive indieating device controlled by said two contacts connected in series.

9. In combination with a car axle, a plate secured to one end of said axle and provided with a circular hole which is eccentric with respect to the axis of said axle, a fixed housing enclosing said plate, a first shaft journaled in said housing, a frame pinned to said shaft in such manner that said frame is movable toward and away from the axle between a normal extreme position and-.

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another exftreme position, means cooperating with the free end of said frame for moving said frame between its two extreme positions, a second shaft journaled in said frame, a ring member pinned t said second shaft, a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivotally attached to said ring member at diametrically opposite points spaced from said second shaft, said driving member also being provided with a circular web which is adapted to enter or be withdrawn from the hole in said plate according as said frame occupies its normal extreme position or its other extreme position, the parts being so proportioned that when said web is within the hole in said plate and said. axle is rotated said driving member and said shaft will be oscillated, an inertia member pivotally mounted on said shaft, means including two contact fingers and a contact controlled by each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force which periodically changes in direction, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

10. In combination with a car axle, a plate secured to one end of said axle and provided with a circular hole which is eccentric with respect to the axis of said axle, a fixed housing enclosing said plate, a first shaft journaled in said housing, a frame pinned to said shaft in such manner that said frame is movable toward and away from the axle between av normal extreme position and another extreme position, means cooperating with the free end of said frame for moving said frame between its two extreme positions, a second shaft journaled in said frame, a ring member pinned to said second shaft, a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivotally attached to said ring member at diametrically opposite points spaced 90 from said second shaft, said driving member also being provided with a circular web which is adapted to enter or be withdrawn from the hole in said plate according as said frame occupies its normal extreme position or its other extreme position, the parts being so proportioned that when said web is within the hole in said plate and said axle is rotated said driving member and said shaft will be oscillated, an inertia member pivotally mounted on said shaft, a rocker pinned to said shaft, means including two contact fingers and a contact con" trolled by each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force periodically changing in direction, a cut-out switch operatively connected with said first shaft in such inanner that said switch will be closed or open according as said frame is moved to its normal or its other extreme position, and an electroresponsive indicating device connected in series with a source of direct current over said cut-out switch and said two contacts.

11. In combination with a car axle, a plate secured to one end of said axle and provided with a circular hole which is eccentric with respect to the axis of said axle, a fixed housing enclosing said plate, a first shaft journaled in said housing, a frame pinned to said shaft in such manner that said frame is movable toward and away from the axis between a normal extreme position and another extreme position, means cooperating with the free end of said frame for moving said frame between its two extreme positions, a second shaft journaled in said frame, a ring member pinned to said second shaft, a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivotally attached to said ring member at diametrically opposite points spaced 90 from said second shaft, said driving member also being provided with a circular web which is adapted to enter or be withdrawn from the hole in said plate according as said frame occupies its normal extreme position or its other extreme position, the parts being so proportioned that when said web is within the hole in said plate and said axle is rotated said driving member and said shaft will be oscillated, an inertia member in the form of a hollow sphere mounted to oscillate on said second shaft Within said ring member, a rocker pinned to said shaft within said inertia member, means including two contact fingers and a contact controlled each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force periodically changing in direction, an extension on said rocker cooperating with two shoulders provided on said inertia member to limit the relative movement of said rocker and said inertia member, and speed indicating means controlled by said contacts.

12. In combination with a car axle, a plate secured to one end of said axle and provided with a circular hole which is eccentric with respect to the axis of said axle, a fixed housing enclosing said plate, a first shaft journaled in said housing, a frame pinned to said shaft in such manner that said frame is movable toward and away from the axle between a normal extreme position and another extreme position, means cooperating with the free end of said frame for moving said frame between its two extreme positions, a second shaft journaled in said frame, a ring member pinned to said second shaft, a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivotally attached to said ring-member at diametrically opposite points spaced 90 from said second shaft, said driving member also being provided with a circular web which is adapted to enter or be withdrawn from the hole in said plate according as said frame occupies its normal extreme position or its other extreme position, the parts being so proportioned that when said web is within the hole in said plate and said axle is rotated said driving member and said shaft will be oscillated, and inertia member in the form of a hollow sphere mounted to oscillate on said second shaft within said ring member, a rocker pinned to said shaft within said inertia member, fingers secured to said inertia member adjacent one end of said rocker, two resilient contact fingers secured to said rocker and each provided with a contact member which cooperates with a different one of said fixed contact members to form a contact, said contact fingers being so arranged that said contacts are biased to their closed positions and that when said rocker is oscillated said fingers will alternately impart to said inertia member through the medium of said contacts oppositely acting accelerating forces, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said two contacts connected in series.

13. In combination with a car axle, a plate secured to one end of said axle and provided with a circular hole which is eccentric with respect to the axis of said axle, a fixed housing enclosing said plate, a first shaft journaled in said housing, a frame pinned to said shaft in such manner that said frame is movable toward and away from the axle between a normal extreme position and another extreme position, means cooperating with the free end of said frame for moving said frame between its two two fixed contact extreme positions, a second shaft journaled in said frame, a ring member pinned to said second shaft, a driving member provided with two curved arms which are pivotally attached to said ring member at diametrically opposite points space 90 from said second shaft, said driving member also being provided with a circular web which is adapted to enter or be withdrawn from the holein said plate according as said frame occupies its normal extreme position or its other extreme position, the parts being so proportioned that when said web is within the hole in said plate and said axle is rotated said driving member and said shaft will be oscillated, an inertia member in the form of a hollow sphere mounted to oscillate on said second shaft within said ring member, a rocker pinned to said shaft within said inertia member, t'wo fixed contact fingers secured to said inertia member adjacent one end of said 20 rocker, two resilient contact fingers secured to said rocker and each provided with a contact member which cooperates with a different one of said fixed contact members to form a contact, said contact fingers being so arranged that said contacts are biased to their closed positions and that when said rocker is oscillated said fingers will alternately impart to said inertia. member through the medium of said contacts oppositely acting accelerating forces, a relay, a reactance, a circuit for said relay including said two contacts and said reactance connected in series, and an asymmetric unit connected in multiple with said relay and said reactance in said circuit.

14. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a rocker adapted to be oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a pivoted inertia member, means including two contact fingers and a contact controlled by each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force varying through repeated cycles during each of which the inertia member is urged first in one direction by the one finger and then in the opposite direction by the other finger, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

15. In combination with a rotatable member,

a frame movable between two extreme positions,

a rocker and a pivoted inertia member mounted in said frame, means effective when and only when said frame occupies one extreme position for operatively connecting said rocker with said rotatable member in such manner that said rocker will be oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of said rotatable member, means including a contact finger and a contact controlled by said finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force periodically changing in direction, a cut-out switch operated by said frame in such manner that said switch will be closed or open according as said frame occupies its one or its other extreme position, and

an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contact and said cut-out switch.

16. In combination with a rotatable member, a fixed casing, a first shaft journaled in said casing, a frame secured to said first shaft and movable with the shaft between two extreme positions, a second shaft journaled in said frame, means effective when and only when said frame occupies one extreme position for operatively connecting said second shaft with said rotatable member in such manner that said second shaft will be oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of said rotatable member, an inertia member pivotally mounted on said second shaft, a rocker pinned to said second shaft, means including two contact fingers and a contact controlled by each finger for imparting to said inertia member in response to oscillation of said rocker an accelerating force periodically changing in direction, a cut-out switch operated by said first shaft in such manner that said switch will be closed or open according as said frame occupies its one or its other extreme position, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said two contacts and said cut-out switch.

17. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a first member which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a movable inertia member, means including two contacts for operatively connecting said first member with said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said first member an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of one contact and then in the opposite direction through the medium of the other contact, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

18. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a first member which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a movable inertia member, means including two resilient members and a contact controlled by each member for operatively connecting said first member with said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said first member an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of one resilient member and then in the opposite direction through the medium of the other resilient member, and an electroresponsive indicating'device controlled by said contacts.

19. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a first member which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a movable inertia member, means including two resilient members and a contact controlled I by each member foroperatively connecting said first member with said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said first member an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of one resilient member and then in the opposite direction through the medium of the other resilient member, the parts being so proportioned that for all speeds of said body below a predetermined speed said contacts will remain continuously closed but that for all speeds above saidpredetermined speed said contacts will become alternately opened and closed, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

20. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a first member which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a movable inertia member, means including two resilient members and a contact controlled by each member for operatively connecting said first member with said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said first member an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of one resilient member and then in the opposite direction through the medium of the other resilient member, the parts being so proportioned that for all speeds of said body below a predetermined speed said contacts will remain continuously closed but that for all speeds of said body above said predetermined speed said contacts will become alternately opened and closed in such manner that the open time will increase as the speed of the body increases, and an electroresponsive device controlled by said contacts.

'21. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a first member which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a movable inertia member, means including two resilient members for operatively con=- necting said first member with said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said first member an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of one resilient member and then in the opposite direction through the medium of the other resilient member, and two contacts one controlled by each resilient member.

22. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a first member which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a movable inertia member, means including two resilient members for operatively connecting said first member with said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operationi of said first member an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of one. resilient member and then in the opposite direction through the medium of the other resilient member, and two contacts one controlled jointly by each resilient member and said inertia member.

23. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a first member which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a movable inertia member, means including two resilient members for operatively connecting said first member with said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said first member an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of one resilient member and then in the opposite direction through the medium of the other resilient member, and two contacts controlled by said inertia membeer and said resilient members in such manner that said contacts will remain continuously closed as long as the accelerating forces which are transmitted to said inertia member by said resilient members are below predetermined values which depend upon the stiffness of said resilient members and the inertia of said inertia member but that said contacts will become alternately opened and closed at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body when the accelerating forces which are transmitted to said inertia member by said resilient members exceed said predetermined values.

24. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising two movable contact fingers, a contact controlled by each finger, means for biasing said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are closed, a floating lever, means attached to one point on said lever for imparting to said lever oscillating motion at a frequency which varies with the speed of said body, a movable fulcrum at a second point on said lever normally held in a fixed position by the biasing force which biases said contacts to their closed positions, a movable inertia member operatively connected with said lever at a third point in such manner that oscillation of said lever tends to oscillate said inertia member, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts. I

25. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising two movable contact fingers, a contact controlled by each finger, means for biasing said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are closed, a floating lever, means attached to one point on said lever for imparting to said lever oscillating motion at a frequency which varies with the speed of said body, a movable fulcrum at a second point .on said lever normally held in a fixed position by the biasing force which biases said contacts to their closed positions, a movable inertia member operatively connected with said lever at a third point in such manner that oscillation of said lever tends to oscillate said inertia member, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts connected in series.

26. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising two movable contact fingers, a contact controlled by each finger, means for biasing said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are closed, a floating lever, means attached to one point on said lever for imparting to said lever oscillating motion at a frequency which varies with the speed of said body, a movable fulcrum at a second point on said lever normally held in a fixed position through the medium of said contact fingers by the biasing force which biases said contacts to their closed positions, a movable inertia member operatively connected with said lever at a third point in such manner that oscillation of said lever tends to oscillate said inertia member, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

27. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising two movable contact fingers, a contact controlled by each finger, means for biasing said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are closed, a crank which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a rocker lever pivotally attached to said crank, a pivoted inertia member, means for operatively connecting said lever, said contact fingers and saidinertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said crank an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of the one contact finger and then in the other direction through the medium of the other finger in a manner which tends to move said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are open, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

28. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising two movable contact fingers, a contact controlled by each finger, means for biasing said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are closed, a crank which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a rocker lever pivotally attached to said crank, a pivoted inertia member, means for operatively connecting said lever, said contact fingers and said inertia member in such manner that during each cyclic operation of said crank an accelerating force will be transmitted to said inertia member first in one direction through the medium of the one contact finger and then in the other direction through the medium of the other finger in a manner which tends to move said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are open, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts, the parts being so proportioned that said contacts will remain closed for all frequencies of said crank below a predetermined frequency but will become alternately opened for all frequencies of the crank above said predetermined speed.

29. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising two movable contact fingers, a contact controlled by each finger, means for biasing said fingers to a position in which the contact controlled by each finger is closed, a crank which is periodically moved between two positions at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a pivoted inertia member, a rocker lever pivotally mounted at one end on a crank pin secured to said crank and provided at the opposite end with a slot which slidably receives a block mounted on a pin secured to said inertia member, a contact operating bar pivotally attached to said lever intermediate the ends of the lever and provided at each end with an insulating member which cooperates with a different one of said fingers for at times operating the contacts, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts.

30. Apparatus responsive to the speed of a movable body comprising a casing, a crank pivotally mounted in said casing, means connected with said crank for operatively connecting said crank with said body in such manner that said crank will be oscillated at a frequency which varies with the speed of the body, a mandrel mounted in one end of the shaft of said crank, an inertia member pivotally mounted on said mandrel, a floating rocker lever pivotally attached at one end to said crank and provided at the other end with a slot which slidably receives a block which is pivotally connected with said inertia member, a terminal board secured to said casing, two movable contact fingers secured to said terminal board on the side opposite to said lever, a low resistance contact member secured to the free end of each finger, two contact brackets secured to said terminal board, two fixed contact members mounted in each bracket and each cooperating with a different one of said low resistance contact members to form a contact, a coil spring stretched between said fingers and biasing said fingers to positions in which the contacts controlled thereby are closed, a contact operating member pivotally attached to said lever intermediate the ends of the lever by means of a pin which extends through a slot in said terminal board, two insulating pieces one mounted in each I end of said contact operating member and each cooperating at its free end with a guide secured to a different one of said fingers, said fixed contact member being so adusted that when both contacts are closed each insulating piece will engage the associated guide, and an electroresponsive indicating device controlled by said contacts connected in series.

JOHN W. LIVINGSTON.

one adj ustably

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