US2328473A - Electrical system - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 31, 1943. v. w. LEONARD' 2,328,473

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fi l.

., I Inv entor" Vincent W Leonard, N by 19 6. OMAN J7 His Attorneg.

Aug. 31, 1943. v. w. LEONARD 3 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 45 F 3. 3. I 15 (a? :j '1, r..: MW I1 b 26 HHUFIUINHI). /V 32 I63 84 6 i g 59 M I. 1 9 058 8/ Inventor Vincent \XZ LeoTIaTd Aug. 31, 1943.

v. w. LEONARD 2,328,473

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 D l 60 -IG 1* I73 I I i i I I78 34 Z L/Q? livqll I79 55 72? 1 1 g 1 a I58 Inventor: Vincent VV. Leonard,

His Attorney.

Patented Aug. 31, 1943 2,328,473 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Vincent W. Leonard, Saugus, Mass, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 1, 1940, Serial No. 359,262

17 Claims. (Cl. 177-437) The present invention relates to electrical systems and particularly to such systems comprising one or a plurality of devices each operated by an electric motor. In such systems the operated device may be in the form either of an indicating device or a control device.

One object of my invention is to provide in such a system an improved construction and arrangement for varying from a remote point, such as a central control point or station, the period of time required for a motor to effect a complete cycle of operations of the device which it drives.

Another object of my invention is to provide in such a system an improved construction and arrangement for maintaining one or a plurality of operated devices in synchronous operating relation with a control device located at a central point or station. v

A further object of my invention is to provide in such a system an improved construction and arrangement whereby the relationship between a plurality of operated devices may be changed from a central point or station.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of timer apparatus for use in a system embodying my invention.

Other objects and advantages of my invention are pointed out hereinafter, and for a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following specification and the claims appended thereto.

My invention is well adapted for use in street traffic signaling systems and as to certain features has special application to such systems. Accordingly, it is this application of it which I have elected specifically to illustrate and describe. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto necessarily except where so specified in the claims, but may be used Wherever found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a traflic signal controller or timer embodying features of my invention and adapted for use in a system embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an element of the timer shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the timer of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the cycle length regulating mechanism; Fig. 5 is a sectional view along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system embodying my invention, the figure illustrating diagrammatically the elements of the controller or timer illustrated in Figs, 1 to 5, which may be termed an intersection or secondary controller or timer, a group of traffic signals connected thereto, and a. master controller or timer also connected thereto.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 illustrates in front perspective, a tramc signal controller of the type disclosed and claimed in the U. S. Patent 2,236,298, issued to Ralph A. Reid, March 25, 1941, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. It comprises a casing ill, a timer ii supported on hinges l2 and iii, and a switchboard l4 mounted on the rear wall of the casing 10 and below the timer H. A flexible cable l5 connects the timer H to terminals 23 on the switchboard I l and a cable it connects the switchboard terminals 23 to the intersection. signals. A hand-operated switch H with a suitable length cable i8 is connected to the switchboard terminals I9, 20. It is used to manually operate the trafiic signals, and when not in use is stored in the bottom 0! the casing it. The switchboard has mounted thereon a number of fuses. In the illustrated example there is one line fuse 2i and two fuses 22 which are connected into the system synchronizing conductors. A hand-operated switch 24, for changing the controller operation from normal sequence to flashing amber si nal operation, is provided at the right end of the board. i

In Fig. 1, only the front of the control panel 25 of the timer H is illustrated in detail. It is provided with a circular opening 26 in which a dial 2'! is mounted for rotation. The dial 2'! is provided with radial slots 28 arranged in a circle about the center of the dial in which keys 29 and 30 are placed. In the present instance there are five keys 29 and one key 30. The positioning of these keys relatively to each other determines and indicates the relative lengths of the individual signal periods or phases within a cycle. Any suitable number of slots 28 may be used. Preferably I use one hundred slots because this enables the lengths of the periods or phases of a total cycle length to be conveniently expressed in percentage of the total cycle length. A second'group oi radial slots 3| is arranged in a smaller circle about the center of the dial 2! and receives keys 32, 33 and 34. These keys are placed in selected ones of the slots 3! to indicate and to determine, as will appear later in this specification, three distinct relationships of the dial and of the signal time cycle of this controller to the dials and to the signal time cycles of other controllers in the system. All the keys are held in their respective slots by a locking ring 35. This ring is provided with a supporting bar 4| by means of which it is mounted on the end of the dial shaft. It is locked to the end of the dial shaft by a knurled nut 36.

The panel 25 of the timer H is further provided with three control switches mounted in a horizontal row below the timer dial. Switch 42 controls the signal lamp circuits and has a "signal" position and an off" position. Switch 43 controls the automatic and the hand operation of the signals and has an automatic" position and a "hand" position. Switch 44 controls the timer motor circuit and has a motor position and an "of[ position. The circuits which these switches control are illustrated in Fig. 6 and will bede scribed in connection with that figure.

The panel 25 is further provided at its upper right-hand corner with 9. lug 45 in which a screw 46 is mounted which engages a threaded opening in a lug 4'! on the casing It. By means of this lug and screw arrangement, the timer may be secured in the casing, and if desired, may be released and swung outwardly on its hinges l2 and I 3 for inspection.

Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective a key 29. It is an elongated sheet metal member having a body or such cross-section that it may be moved easily through a dial slot 28 and of such length as to engage and operate contacts mounted on the back of the control panel. It is provided with a head 3'! which is notched to form a shoulder 3! and a handle 39. The keys 30, 32, 33 and 34 are provided with similarly shaped heads, the bodies thereof being of difierent lengths and provided with suitable notches as will later appear by reference to Fig. 6. In operation, the keys are placed in pro-selected dial slots until each head 31 engages the surface of the dial and prevents further movement inwardly. The ring 35 is then mounted on the end of the dial shaft and engages the shoulders 38 of the keys in both rows of slots. It is locked in this position by the knurled nut 36. The handle ends of the keys project over the edges of the ring and thereby indicate the respective positions of the keys.

The mechanism of the timer is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and and is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a perspective rear view of the timer having its cover 48 (partly shown in Fig. 1) removed to. expose the mechanism. This mechanism comprises a driving motor 56 connected to drive the dial 21, a block 5| of insulating material which supports contacts actuated by the keys in the dial 21, a signal contact operating drum D, and operating mechanism arranged to' operate the drum D step by step in response to actuations of certain of the contacts in block 5| by keys in the dial.

The block 5| is mounted on the back of the panel 25 above the dial 21 and supports contacts which are actuated by the keys in the dial. The contacts mounted in block 5! are only partly visible in Fig. 3. They are arranged in pairs, the contacts of each pair being normally out of contact with each other. When the dial rotates, each key in the dial momentarily raises the lower one of a selected pair to engage the upper contact of that pair, thereby closing a circuit and The signal contact operating drum D, as illustrated in Fig. 3, comprises a camshaft 52 having thereon a plurality of disk cams 53 which control the circuits to the signal, a resynchronizing disk cam 53a and a ratchet wheel 54. It is mounted horizontally below the dial 11 in bearings mounted in lugs II and 62 projecting from the side of the panel 35. Lug 3| is integral with the panel and lug 32 is removable, being fastened in place by suitable screws 32a. The shaft with the ratchet wheel and cams is rotated step by step by a pawl 55 mounted on a pawl arm, or crank 56. The pawlarm is pivoted at one end on the shaft 52 and at the other end is pivotally connected to an armature ll of a solenoid mechanism. This solenoid mechanism includes a magnet frame 68, pivotally supported from a lug 59 projecting from the rear surface of the panel 25, and an operating coil 60. The armature 51 moves axially through the coil and between the poles of the magnet frame. The coil 50 is intermittently energized by a circuit closed by the actuation of certain of the contacts in block 5|. When the coil 30 is energized, it lifts its armature 51 and the pawl arm 56 to move the pawl 55 into a new notch in the ratchet wheel. When the coil 60 is deenergized, the armature 51 and pawl arm 56 drop and the pawl 55 turns the ratchet wheel 54 one step to a new position. A spring 31 mounted on the lug 64, integral with shelf 34 projecting horizontally from the lower edge of the panel 25, resiliently engages the pawl 55 at the end of this downward movement and prevents it from being forced out of its notch by any attempted movement of the drum past this position, and thereby prevents the drum from moving beyond this last position responsive to its momentum.

A contact block 63 of suitable insulating material is mounted on the panel 25 above shelf 64 and carries a series of movable contact arms 35, the ends of which ride respectively on the signal circuit controlling cams 53. Contact arms 35 are suitably supported adjacent to their lower ends and carry contacts 6 5a adjacent to their ends which engage fixed contacts 65b mounted on block 63. The contact arms are biased to a position wherein the contacts on the arms are in engagement with the fixed contacts by springs 65 located between heads on pins 65 and the arms. Pins 65 are suitably attached to block 63 at their inner ends and project through openings in effecting an operation. The contacts are shown in greater detail, and the circuits are diagrammatically shown, in Fig. 6. Their operation will be described in.detail in connection with that figure.

the arms. At 65 are suitable terminals and terminal screws for connecting electrical wires of the cable l5 (see Fig. 1) to the terminals. The lower ends of the contact arms engage these terminals to receive current from these wires. In the present instance, six signal contact arms 65 are shown, this being the number required for the particular system illustrated. As shown at the right hand side of Fig. 3, however, space is provided for additional contact arms, should additional contact arms be needed for any system. Cooperating with the resynchronizing cam 53" is a resynchronizing contact arm 65 similar to contact arms 65 and provided with a contact 65 which cooperates with a fixed contact 65* on panel 53.

The cams 53, 53* comprise disks the rims of which are divided into sections by radial slots, selected sections being broken out to provide cams of the desired contour. Cams of this type are more particularly shown in and comprise the subject matter of the application of Ralph A.

Reid, Serial No. 105,684, filed October 15, 1936, and assigned to the same assignee as this application. As the cams rotate, the contact arms and 80 are held in positions such that the contacts 65' and 85' are out of engagementwith cooperating contacts 60' and 85" when riding on the rim section, and are lowered where the rim sections are broken away to bring the contacts into engagement. The circuits connected to and controlled by these contacts are shown in Fig. 6 and will be dealt with in the description of that figure.

The driving motor indicated generally by'the numeral 50 is preferably a self-starting synchronous motor of the type disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,105,513 issued to A. F. Welch. It includes a casing attached at one end to a supporting plate by tabs H projecting from the casing and by screws 12 projecting through the tabs into the plate, The motor shaft 13,- which is not shown in this figure but appears in Figs. 4 and 6, pro- Jects through the plate and-is provided with a pinion 14.

The plate 10 is pivotally mounted on a frame 8| by a screw I5 projecting through the plate at one corner thereof and threading into a post 8! on the frame. It is held stationary in a selected position about this pivot by a screw 10 and washer ll, which clamp the edge of the plate at a point opposite its pivot egainst the end of a post 11" on frame 8i (see Fig. 5). The plate is clamped in the position in which the motor pinion 'I4 engages a gear 90 in the train connected to drive the dial 21. The pivotal mounting of the motor makes possible a readjustment of the position of the motor whenever it is desired to change the size of gear 90.

The dial 21 is mounted upon a shaft 18 (see Fig. 6), which shaft projects through a yoke 19 into the panel opening 26. It carries the dial on one end and a gear 80 on its other end. The

yoke I9 projects across the panel opening 26 being attached to the back surface of the panel near the edge of the opening 26. It is sufficiently spaced from the panel opening to provide a clear space for the keys projecting from the back of the dial and to enable them to move with the rotating dial.

Frame 8| is U-shaped having a front wall 8i and a rear wall ill. It is attached to yoke 19 by screws 82 and S3 and is held in correct spaced relation to yoke 19 by spacing lugs 84 and 85 carried by the yoke and frame respectively through which screw 02 passes and by similar spacing lugs (not shown) through which screw 83 passes. Carried by the walls Bl and 8I of frame 8I is a mechanism operable to control the operating cycle length of the timer. This mechanism comprises a clutch, means for opening and closing the clutch, and gearing through which the clutch is connected to motor pinion I4 and to the dial gear 80. Referring now particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, such mechanism comprises a clutch shaft 86 mounted in suitable bearings 01 and 88 in frame 8i. Fixed to shaft 86 at one end is one member 89 of the clutch and fixed to the shaft at the other end is a gear 90 which meshes with motor pinion l4. Clutch shaft 86 is held against axial movement by a plate 9| attached to frame Si by screws 92 and having a forked end, the tines of which engage a groove in shaft 86.

The second and cooperating clutch member 93 is mounted upon a clutch shaft 94 in the form of a sleeve which surrounds and is suitably journaled on shaft 86 and is axially movable thereon.

81 through which clutch shaft 84 is connected by intermediate gears to drive the dial 21. The intermediate gears are shown in Fig. 6 which shows the pinion 01 in engagement with a gear 98 mounted on a shaft 89. Shaft 99 is mounted in the frame 8| (Fig. 4), and carries a pinion I00 which is in engagement with gear on the dial shaft to complete the gear train between clutch shaft 84 and dial.

Armature 00 is a bar of magnetic material and is mounted at its center on clutch shaft 04 to provide two ends or pole pieces arranged to rotate past the pole faces of two electromagnets IN and I02. Electromagnets IN and I02 are fixed to the inner face of frame wall 8I by suitable screws as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and are arranged on diametrically opposite sides of clutch shaft 94.

The timer is provided with signal flashing contacts and operating means for the contacts. This mechanism comprises a block I03 of insulating material attached to the upper edge of the plate 10. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) Mounted on block I03 is a stationary contact I04 and cooperating therewith is a movable contact I05 carried at one end of a contact arm I05. The contact arm N15 is supported on the block I03 by a pin Hi5 and is urged downwardly by a suitable coil spring surrounding the pin, and which serves to bias arm I05 to a position in which contacts M4, M6 are in engagement with each other. At its free end, arm I05 is provided with a nose I0? which rides on the surface of a rotating cam its mounted on a shaft I09. Shaft I00 is journaled in frame 08 and has fixed thereon a pinion H0 which meshes with the motor pinion 74. When cam I08 rotates, it intermittently effects movement of contacts I04 and H36 into and out of engagement with each other.

Referring to Fig. 6, the master timer comprises a synchronous motor HI which may be and is preferably the same type of motor a'smotor 50 in the secondary controller. The drive shaft N2 of motor I I i is provided with a pinion H2 which is shown in engagement with one gear of a gear cone '3. The gear cone H3 is mounted on a shaft H4 which shaft is parallel to the motor shaft H2. The speed at which this cone shaft is driven is determined by the speed of the motor shaft II2 and by the gear ratio between the motor pinion H2 and the engaged gear on the gear cone. The desired speed for the motor shaft is obtained by suitable speed reduction gearing enclosed in the casing of the motor I II and a desired gear ratio is obtained by moving the pinion H2 into engagement with the gear of the cone which will give that desired ratio.

The gear cone shaft II4 drives a master dial comprising a toothed wheel II5 having thereon teeth which actuate a contact I3i. Contact I3I is mounted on a resilient arm I32 which is rigidly mounted at one end and is provided with a nose I36 at it other end. The contact I3i rests on a stationary contact I30 the position of which may be made slightly adjustable in any suitable manner (not shown) and is so chosen that the end of nose I36 falls below the path of the tooth ends and, therefore, into the notches between the teeth. When a tooth moves under the end The contacts I90, ISI are connected in an electrio circuit which includes the winding of the electromagnet IOI and which may be traced from the source of electrical energy A indicated by the plus sign adjacent to contact I29, through the contact to contact IlI, arm I92, conductor I", normally closed contacts I29, I21 (the function of which is hcreinaiterexplained) arm I21, and conductors I34 and I" through electromagnet IIH to ground. During operation, this circuit is normally closed so that magnet IIII is normally energized. It is opened each time a tooth on wheel II5 passes under nose I" to lift contact I3I from engagement with contact Ill.

The operation of the master timer to control and regulate the period or time for secondary dial 21 to make one complete revolution, will be now described.

Assume that motor switch 44 is closed, thus closing the operating circuit from the source of electrical energy B, indicated by the plus sign, through motor 50, and that motor 50 is running. Motor 50 will then continuously turn clutch member 89 and will turn amature 9B and dial 21 when clutch member 93 is in engagement with clutch member 89, i. e., whenever the clutch is closed. Also, assume that motor III is operating and through the gearing is turning master dial II5. Also, assume that each time the master dial II5 makes one revolution, the secondary dial 21 is to make one revolution and that to this end the gear ratio between the clutch shaft 94 and the dial shaft 18 and secondary dial 21, is 50:1, 1. e., it requires 50 revolutions of clutch shaft 94 to turn the dial shaft and dial one revolution, and that there are 100 teeth on master dial H5. Since armature 98 has two pole pieces, a pole piece passes the pole face 01' magnet IIII each one-halt revolution of clutch shalt 94, and since the speed ratio between clutch shaft 94 and secondary dial 21 is 50 to 1, then a pole piece passes the pole face of magnet IIII one hundred times during one revolution of second-,

ary dial 21, a number equal to the number of teeth on dial I I5. Further assume that the gear ratios ar such that motor 50 through its gears would, if clutch 89-93 were continuously closed turn secondary dial 21 one complete revolution in sixty seconds and that it is desired that it be made to turn such dial one complete revolution each seventy seconds. To do this the master timer is set, as hereinafter explained, to cause the master dial to make one complete revolution in seventy seconds.

Now assume that contacts III! and III are in engagement so that magnet IBI is energized and that a pole piece or armature 98 is held in enasaas'rs for a pole piece 01 armature 99 to move away from the pole face of magnet I III, after which the magnet circuit is again closed. r

Motor It turns clutch shaft 94 until the other pole piece reaches the pole lace or magnet III whereupon it is attracted to the magnet pole race to again open clutch 99-93 and stop rotation of secondary dial 21. Since motor ll! drives shaft 99 and clutch member 94 at a speed such that shaft 49 makes a one-hair turn beiore master dial III makes one-one hundredth of a turn, the pole piece will reach the magnet-pole lace and be attractedbyit to open the clutch and stop rotationoi dial 21 before the next tooth on dial III engages gagement with the magnet pole face, thus holdv ing open clutch 89-93 which mean that dial 21 is stationary. Now, when'a tooth of dial H5 moves contact I3I away from contact I30, thereby opening the magnet circuit, armature 99 is released and clutch shaft 94 is moved by spring 95 to close the clutch 89-93 whereupon motor 59 through the clutch starts to rotate the armature and, through the gearing, the dial 21. The arrangement is such that the time required for a tooth on dial Hi to move under nose I39 is such that it holds the magnet circuit open long enough nose I" and moves it to an extent suilicient to again open the magnet circuit. As soon as the next tooth on dial III does open the magnet circuit, the armature 99 is released to permit the armahire to make another one-halt turn alter which it will be again stopped; and then released when the next tooth on dial I It opens the magnet circuit. Thus there is imparted to the clutch shaft 94 and dial 21 a series or successive intermittent or step by step turning movements, one hundred such intermittent or step by step movements being required under the assumed conditions to.

impart one complete turn to dial 21. Since in the illustrated example, it has been assumed that motor III tends to turn dial 21 one complete turn in sixty seconds, this means that on each actuation dial 21 is turned for sixty-one hundredths of a second and is stopped for ten-one hundredths of a second. Or, viewed from another aspect, motor 50 through clutch 99-92 tends to turn dial 21 one complete revolution in sixty seconds and in order to increase the time for one complete revolution to seventy seconds, the dial is during its turning movement stopped for a total period of ten seconds, the ten seconds being divided up among one hundred separate stops, each one-tenth second in duration.

In a similar manner, secondary dial 21 can be made to make one complete revolution in a ditterent period of time by operating master dial II! at a different speed, the only limitation being that the speed be such that the time for one revolution or dial II! is greater than the time in which motor lll tends to turn dial 21 one complete revolution. In other words, secondary dial 21 can be made to make one complete revolution in any period of time greater than that in which motor UII tends to turn dial 21 one complete revolution by suitably setting the driving means for master dial IIII. Accordingly, in laying out the apparatus, it is so arranged that the desired minimum time for one complete revolution 0! the driven or secondary dial will be that at which the driving motor 59 drives the dial with clutch l!9l continuously closed. This may be termed the basic cycle length. Then to effect a revolution of the driven or secondary dial in the minimum time, it is only necessary that the magnet circuit III be held continuously open so that clutch 899I remains closed.

It is to be understood that the specific figures given in the foregoing description of the operation of the apparatus are only by way of example and are not to be taken as in any way limitin; the invention. However, in actual practice, I prefer to deal in hundredths since, as already stated, this enables the divisions or phases of a cycle of dial 21 to be expressed readily in percentages.

The nose I39 is so adjusted relatively to the teeth on the dial. I ii that the contacts I39 and I 3| are opened for a time period at least long enough for a pole piece of bar armature 96 to moveaway from the pole face of the electromagnet at all operating speeds of the master dial H5 and that the contacts I38 and I3I be reclosed before the other pole piece of." the bar armature reaches the pole face of the electromagnet.

The speed of the master dial H5 is changed by changing the gear ratio between the motor pinion H2 and the gear cone H3. To facilitate this change in gear ratio, the motor III -is supported on .the end of a lever H6 pivoted by a sleeve I23 upon a shaft II I. The other end of this lever is provided with a handle H8 and projects through an opening H9 in a panel I20. A knife edge I2I is provided on the handle end of the lever to cooperate with notches I22 in a side of the opening I I9. To slide the motor along the shaft III, which is parallel to'the cone. axis. it is necessary to first move the lever H6 about its pivot. This movement disengages the pinion from the gear cone and releases the knife edge I2I from a slot I22. The lever may then be moved along the shaft H1 until the pinion H2 is'in line with the selected cone gear. The lever then may again be moved about the shaft H1 until the pinion H2 engages the gear and the knife edge I2I simultaneously engages the corresponding notch I22. The notches I22 are arranged to take into account the size of the gears in the gear cone so as to effect proper meshing of pinion H2 with the gears of the cone.

The gears in the gear cone are chosen to provide a desired full range of speeds for the dial H5, the largest of the gears being chosen to give the longest desired operating cycle and the small- -est being chosen to give an operating cycle longer than the basic cycle length of the secondary,

controller. This is necessary because, as above pointed out, the master controller functions only to increase the secondary controller cycle length over its basic cycle length. Stating this in terms of cycle length, the master controller may be made to function tomaintain, for example, a 60 second or longer cycle length if the basic cycle length for the secondary controller, as determined by the gear ratio between motor 50 and dial 21, is less than 60 seconds.

The gear 90 of the secondary controller which determines the basic cycle length of the controller is arranged to be removed and another gear givin a different basic cycle length substituted. The master controller, on the other hand, is equipped with a gear cone which permits speed settings for a complete range of speeds and is not arranged to be changed should the range of control be limited by changing the gear 90 in the secondary controller. It is, therefore, desirable to provide means in the master controller to prevent the use of those gears on the gear cone which would tend to produce 9. revolution of dial H5 in a period of time less than the basic cycle length of the secondary dial. This means should be readily adjustable and should provide for a disconnection of the master controller if any attempt be-made to adjust its speed so that it makes a complete revolution in a period of time less than that of the secondary controller basic cycle length. Such a means, which in the present instance is in'the form of a cut-off switch, is provided on shaft I I I. v

The cut-ofl switch, or gear ratio limiting device, comprises a block of insulating material I24 slidably mounted on the shaft H1. It is arranged to be locked into any position to which the block and engages the contact arm I21.

When the contact arm is in closed contact position, the head I28 of the plunger is spaced from the side of the block. The sleeve I23 which carries the motor arm is provided with a lug I29 so 7 that when the sleeve is moved close to the block I24, the lug I29 engages the head I28 of the plunger and moves the :plunger to separate the contacts. Any further attempt to move the sleeve along the shaft III is then prevented by the block I24. In operation, therefore, it is first determined which of the gears at the small end of the cone are not usable because of the basic cycle length of the secondary controller, and the block I 24 is moved accordingly and positioned to prevent the movement of arm H6 beyond the smallest gear which may be used. The block is moved into a position such that the lug I29 will just touch the plunger head I28 when pinion H2 is positioned to engage the smallest permissible gear on the gear cone and the block is locked in this position. The arm H6 may then be moved into position for putting pinion H2" into engagement with any one of the larger gears on the cone but any attempt to move it to put pinion II2 into engagement with a smaller gear on the cone, than is permissible, will first open the contacts I26 and I2! and then will be stopped by the block I24. In operation, when arm H6 is moved to a position'in which contacts I21 and I28 are separated, the circuit of magnet IN is opened so that clutch 89-93 remains closed and dial 21 is operated by motor 50 at its shortest or basic cycle length.

In actual practice, in the case of a traffic signaling system, the notches I 22 in the mastertimer and the corresponding gears of cone H3 may be arranged to represent definite cycle lengths and be so marked. For example, the first notch at the left may represent a cycle length of 30 seconds and successive notches toward the right increase in cycle length by 5 seconds up to the maximum provided for. In setting up the system, the intersection timer may be provided with a gear 90 to give the desired basic cycle length, i. e., the cycle length at which the timer normally operates. For example, if the basic cycle length is to be 40 seconds, then a gear 90 is placed on shaft 86 of a size to give this basic cycle length withth'e clutch 89, 93

I28 into engagement with lug I29. Thus, the

master timer is readily adjusted to correspond with the basic cycle length desired for the intersection timer.

Th member which carries the keys or actuators 29, and the member which carries the circuit closer move relatively to each other to eil'ect a cycle of operations, in the present instance a cycle of operation of the traihc signals. Normally, with clutch 89, 93 closed, motor moves the movable member, in the present example dial 21, through its cycle in a predeter- I or a complete cycle is then varied by varying the length of the period of time between steps, the number of steps remaining always the same.

Viewed from another aspect, it may be considered that electromagnet IOI is normally energized to hold the clutch open and that it is deenergized at definite intervals of time to permit the clutch to close and turn dial 21 one step of predetermined extent. A definite number of steps is required for dial 21 to make a complete revolution and the time required for a complete revolution is varied by varying the period of time between steps.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, magnet IM and the clutch 89, 93 are shown so arranged that energization of the magnet opens the clutch. However, if desired, the reverse arrangement may be used and a form of clutch other than that illustrated may be used.

The rotation of secondary timer dial 21 effects successive energizations of magnet winding 60 to impart step by step turning movement to the signal contact operating drum D which in turn controls the operation of the traffic signals which are indicated diagrammatically at I15 and I11.

Carried by block 5! is a stationary contact 131 adapted to be engaged by a movable contact I38 fixed on the free end of a resilient arm I39, the other end of which arm is fixed on the block 5i. Attached to the free end of arm I35 is an actuating block I39 having a sloping underside adapted to be engaged by keys 29. Dial 21 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow and a key 29 in passing under actuating block I39 lifts contact i38 into engagement with contact I31, contact i3B dropping down out of engagement with contact I31 again as soon as the key passes beyond the block. When contact I38 engages contact I31, a circuit is closed through magnet winding Gil as follows: From source of energy B, indicated by the plus sign, conductor I40, contacts I31, I38, arm I39, conductor I4I, contacts 65 65 (assumed to be closed), conductors I43 and I44, switch 43 and winding 60' to ground.

When this circuit, which may be termed the normal operating circuit for winding 50, is closed, armature 51 is lifted thereby lifting pawl bringing it into engagement with the next tooth or notch on ratchet wheel 54; and when the circuit is opened again, armature 54 drops down to effect a turning movement of ratchet wheel 54 a distance equal to the distance between two teeth or notches. This turns the signal contact operating drum D a similar amount. In the present instance, the contact operating drum has six signal operating cams 53 and a resynchronizing cam 53. In Fig. 6, for purposes of illustration, the stationary contacts 85 and 65 and movable contacts 65 and 65 which are controlled by the cams on the drum D are shown as being spaced and bridged by the contact arms and 55. The stationary contacts 55 are connected by the conductors 01 cable I5 to trafiicsignals I16, I11 which are indicated diagrammatically as being in the form of the usual red, amber and green lights. The two right hand pairs of contacts 65', 65 in the present instance control the amber lights and are connected thereto through contacts I14, I18 in switch 24. The other four pairs of contacts 55, 85 control the green and red lights and are connected directly thereto. Cams 53 are shaped to operate contact arms 85 to give the desired signal sequences or signal cycle phases as the cams are turned step by step by pawl 55. All the signal lights are connected to source of supply B through contacts I48, I50 in switch 24. The circuits for the signal lights may be traced as follows: Source of supply B, switch 42, conductor I48, contacts I49, I50, and conductor I30 to the row of stationary contacts 55; then through the two right hand contacts 65 to switch contacts I14, I18 in switch 24, and conductors I15 and I19 to the amber lights and through the other four contacts 65 directly to the four conductors I6 01 cable I6. In the present instance, ratchet wheel 54 has six notches or teeth so that six operations of pawl 55 are required to turn the cams one complete revolution and thus operate the signals through one complete cycle. Resynchronizing cam 53 is so shaped that in five of the six positions of the cams, the contacts 55, 65 are in engagement while in the sixth position, which may be termed the resynchronizing position, they are separated. It will be noted that the normal operating circuit for magnet winding 60 includes the resynchronizing contacts 65, 65. Accordingly, a key 29 can effect energization or magnet winding ill and a turning movement of the cams only when resynchronizing cam 53 is in a position such that contacts 65, 65 are closed.

Fixed at one end to block 5|, adjacent to contact arm I39, is a contact arm I41 having at its free end a contact I45 adapted to engage a fixed contact I48 on the block. Also, on the free end of contact arm I41 is an actuating block I41 similar to actuating block I39. Actuating block I41 stands in the path or movement of key 30 and as dial 21 rotates, block I41 is engaged by key 30 to lift contact arm I41 to bring contact I45 into engagement with contact I46, contact I45 drop ping out of engagement with contact I46 again as soon as the key passes beyond the block. Key 30 is provided with a notch 30' so that it does not engage operating block I39.

When contact I45 engages contact I45, 9. circuit is closed through magnet winding 60 as follows: From source of energy B through switch 42, conductor I48, normally closed contacts I49, I50 in switch 24, conductor I5I, contacts I45, I45, contact arm I41, conductors I52, I44, switch 43, and winding 60 to ground. When this circuit, which may be termed the resynchronizing circuit. is closed, armature 51 is raised and when the circuit is opened again, the armature tails to effect turning of the signal operating drum one step as already explained. It will be noted this resynchronizing circuit does not include the contacts controlled by resynchronizing cam 53'. Also, it will be noted that there are five keys 29 and one key 30, a total of six'keys, and that there are six notches or teeth on ratchet wheel 54. Accordingly, for a complete revolution oi. drum D to effect a complete operating cycle of the tramc signals, there are required six actuations, one by each of the five keys and one by key 30.

Assume now that an intersection timer is operating, dial 2] rotating in the direction of the arrow, that the various switches are in the positions shown in Fig. 6, and that dial 21 1s in correct synchronous relation with drum D. It will be seen that key 30 has just actuated contacts I45, I46 and moved beyond the same which means that the last actuation of drum D was through the resynchronizing circuit. Accordingly, resynchronizing cam 53 has been-moved to the first position beyond the resynchronizing position and contacts 65, 65 are closed. As dial 21 continues to rotate, keys 29 are brought sucbe clear, the keys may be changed readily at any time to give the set-up desired. The key 30 is preferably placed at the end of the main street cessively into engagement with block I38 to successively close the normal operating circuit for magnet 60 and thus eilect step by step turning movementof drum D. Upon actuation by the fifth key 29, i. e., key 29 just in advance of key 30 as regards the direction of rotation of dial 21, resynchronizing cam 53 will have reached a position in which it opens the resynchronizing contacts 65 65 The next actuation will be by means of the resynchronizing key 30 engaging the block I41 to close the resynchronizing circuit. As long as dial 21 and drum D are in correct synchronous relation with each other, the operation just'described will continue.

Assume now that dial 2'! is not in correct synchroncus relation with drum D. This may happen, t r example, when the signals have been temporarily operated by hand control by moving switch 43 into position to close the circuit through hand switch I1 and the signals have been put back for operation by the controller by moving if it so happens that the drum .is in the position in which contacts 65 65 are in open circuit position, no energization of coil 60 and operation of the drum will occur until resynchronizing key 30 actuates contacts I45, I46 to close .the resynchronizing circuit, keys 26 being ineffective to close the normal operating circuit since this circuit is open at the resynchronizing contacts 65 65 and when this occurs, dial 21 and drum D will start operation in correct synchronous relation relatively to each other. On the other hand, if the controller is started into operation with the dial 21 and drum D not in correct relationship but at a time when resynchronizing cam 53 is in position such that resynchronizing contacts 65 65 are in closed circuit position, then keys 29 will eiiect operation of the drum until resynchronizing cam 53 is ,moved to a position in which the resynchronizing contacts 85, 65 are opened after which no further operation of the drum can occur until resynchronizing key 30 actuates its contacts I45, I whereupon the dial 2'1 and drum D will start operation in corcessive actuations of the signal lights and as will 75 green period. The drum D being stopped at the corresponding position maintains the main street green period until it is advanced by the operation of the key 30. As a result of such positioning of the key 30, the heavy main streettraiiic is kept moving and the relatively light cross street trafilc is held up for the period necessary to resynchronize the drum with the dial.

In a traflic signaling system comprising traffic signals at a plurality of successive intersections, it is desirable often to maintain a predetermined relationship between the signal cycles of successive intersections and also to change such predetermined relationship. For example, it may be desirable during the morning hours to favor the trafllc coming into the city, during the evening hours to favor outgoing trailic, and during the day, to operate the signals for average tramc conditions. To accomplish this, there is provided in the system an improved form of reset mechanism.

In the master controller, there is provided a pair of resetting contacts I53, I54, the contact I53 being stationary and the contact I54 being fixed on the free end of a contact arm I55 which is fixed at its other end on a stationary support. The free end of contact arm I55 i provided with a downturned nose I51 adapted to be engaged by a tooth I56 carried by master dial H5. When tooth I56 move under nose I5'I,'it lifts contact arm I55 to move contact I54 out of engagement with contact I53; and when it moves beyond the nose, the contact I54 drops back into engagement with contact I53. Contact arm I55 is connected to a switch arm I58 by means of which .it may be connected to any one of a plurality of conductors which extend from the master timer to the intersection timer, three conductors I69, I60 and I6i being illustrated ingthe present instance. Conductors I56, I60 and I 6| are connected by conductors I62, I and I8'Irespectively to spring contact arms I63, I66 and I68. Contact arms I63, I66 and I68 are fixed at one end to block BI and at their free ends are provided with contacts adapted to engage fixed contacts I63, I66' and I68. Also, at their free ends, they are provided with actuating blocks I63", I66 and I68 similar to actuating blocks I36, I41. The keys 32, 33 and 34 in dial openings 3I are adapted to engage actuating blocks I66", I63 and I68 respectively, key 32 being provided with a notch so that it will not engage block I63 and key 34 being provided with a wider notch so that it will not engage either blocks I63 or I66". When a key 32, 33, or 34 passes under the corresponding actuating block, the corresponding contact arm is raised to bring its contact into engagement with the corresponding fixed contact I63, I68or I68, the arm dropping again to separate the contacts when the key passes beyond the actuating block. Fixed contacts I63, I66 and I68 are connected by a conductor I64 to one terminal of electromagnet I02, the other terminal being connected to ground.

Assuming that switch I56 is connected to conductor I60, as shown in Fig. 6, the electromagnet I02 is in a. circuit as follows: Source of electrical energy A, contacts I53, I54, contact arm I55, switchl58, conductor I60, conductor I65, contact arm I66, contact I66, conductor I64, and through the electromagnet to ground. Contacts I53, I54 are normally closed. The contact on contact arm I66 and contact I66 are normally open. I! secondary dial 21 is in correct synchronous relation with master dial II5, then when key 32 reaches actuating block I66 and raises it to close the circuit through magnet I02 at contact I66 tooth I56 will have simultaneously reached nose I51 on contact arm I55 and raised the contact arm to open such circuit at contact I53, I54. As a result, nothing happens and dial 21 continues rotating. On the other hand, if secondary dial 21 is not in correct synchronous relation with master dial II5, then key 32 will reach actuating block I66 to close the circuit through magnet I02 at contact I66 at a time when tooth I56 on master dial H is not at nose I51. As a result, the circuit through electromagnet I02 will be closed, thus energizing the electromagnet I02 and when a pole piece 96 passes in front of the pole face of electromagnet I02, it will be attracted to open the clutch 89-93 and stop rotation of dial 21. The parts will. then remain in this position until tooth I56 reaches nose I51 and moves contact I54 out of engagement with contact I53, thus opening the circuit through electromagnet I02.

When the circuit through electromagnet I02 is opened, armature 96 is released to permit the clutch to close so that dial 21 is again driven by motor 50. Thus, it will be seen that dial 21 after being stopped due to energization of electromagnet I02 is started off again in correct synchronous relation with the master timer dial II5. If it is desired to change the synchronous relation between secondary dial 21 and master dial II5, switch I53 is moved to place electromagnet I02 in circuit with either conductor I59 or I6 I. If switch I58 is connected to conductor I59, then the circuit controlled by key 34 will be put into operation and when key 34 reaches actuating block I68 it will close the circuit at contact I68, thus closing the circuit through electromagnet I02 and stopping rotation of dial 21.- Then when tooth I56 reaches nose I51, it will open the circuit at contacts I53, I54 and permit dial 21 to start operation in the new synchronous relation with the master timer. Likewise, by connecting switch I58 to conductor ISI, the dial 21 can be placed in the synchronous relation to master dial H5 determined by the position of key 33.

The conductors I34, I59, I60 and I6I are line conductors-which extend from the master timer, which may be located at a desired central point, to all the intersection timers of the system. In Fig. 6, these conductors are indicated as extending beyond the intersection timer illustrated and I, I62, I65 and I61 indicate branch conductors corresponding to conductors I35, I62, I65, I61 leading to another intersection timer similar to the one illustrated. In actual practice, as many secondary timers as found desirable may be connected to conductors I34, I59, I60, I6I, all controlled by the onemaster timer.

In such a system, the keys 32 of all the secondary or intersection timers would be located in their respective dials 21 so as to give one desired relationship of the signal cycles of the intersection timers of the system, and likewise the keys 33 and 34 would be located in their respective dials 21 to give two other desired relationships. Then by moving switch I58, the timers at all intersectionscan be changed from one signal cycle relationship to another; and having been so changed such new cycle relationship will be maintained automatically by the master timer. Also, when changing the signal cycle of relationship, or at any other time, the signal cycle length of all the intersection timers may be changed by changing the time of rotation of master dial II5 by means of the gearing III, I I3.

In the present instance, three resets are provided by the three conductors I50, I60, I6I but a greater or lesser number may be provided as found desirable. In this connection, it will be noted that the reset electromagnet I02 operates through the same mechanism in the intersection timer, 1. e., the armature 96 and clutch 89, 93, as does the cycle length maintaining arrangement. This serves to simplify the construction and to make it possible to provide the reset arrangement at minimum cost. Also, it enables me to provide an intersection timer which without appreciable additional cost is arranged to have the multiplereset feature added to it since the timer may be built provided with the set of dial openings 3I, the block 5| arranged to receive the additional contact arms I63, I66 and I68 and the contacts I63, I66"- and I68, at negligible added cost. Then the timer may be sold as a complete apparatus without the parts required for the reset; and when reset is wanted, the needed additional parts may be added.

Also, it will be noted that the motor and the mechanism between it and gear 80 which drives dial 21 are all carried by the frame 8| which in turn is attached to yoke 19 by the screws 82. By removing screws 82, the frame BI and all the parts carried by it may be removed as a unit. This is advantageous in case of repair. Also, in case a simple timer is required without either cycle length adjustment or reset, frame BI and the parts carried by it may be replaced by a similar frame having on it only a motor and gearing for direct connection to gear 63.

My cycle length adjusting mechanism whereby the total cycle length is increased by steps distributed uniformly throughout the cycle is of particular utility in a system wherein the cycle YII of the timer is made up of a number of different phases occurring one after another and wherein the length of time of the phases are to be adjusted relatively to each other, a condition met with in the case of traflic signals where the cycle is divided into green," red and amber phases for example, since any increase or decrease in the cycle length will be uniformly distributed among the several phases. In the pres ent instance, for example, there has been illustrated a construction wherein the dial 21 has one hundred slots 28 for keys 29, the master dial II5 has one hundred teeth, and a pole piece of armature 36 passes the pole face of electromagnet IOI one hundred times each cycle. Accordingly, any increase or decrease in the total cycle length is divided up proportionately among the cycle phases of the total cycle as determined by the location of keys 29 and 30 and this is true irrespective of how such keys are adjusted relatively to each other s nce there is a time adjustment for each key. Accordingly, in carrying out my invention, I prefer for best results to provide a number of increments oi. time adjustments equal to the number of cycle adjustment divisions, that is, in the present embodiment of my invention, a number of teeth on master dial II5 equal to the number of slot 20 in secondary dial 21. However, this is not essential necessarily, as sufflciently accurate results maybe obtained in many cases by using alesser number of Increments of time adjustments. In the illustrated example, for instance, I might provide only fifty teeth on master dial H in which case there would be an increment of time adjustment for every other slot 28 which would be sumciently accurate in many instances. The important thing is that the total stopped period of the dial 2! during a cycle shall be divided among the successive phases of the cycle with a degree of accuracy satisfactory in the particular instance.

Another important advantage of my arrangement is that the dials of several controllers, after being brought into synchronism, are maintained in synchronism with each other and with the master controller throughout the operating cycle. It has been pointed out in the specification that each dial is moved by its respective motor for a predetermined distance, in the illustrated example of its revolution, and then is stopped for a predetermined time period depending upon the increase desired over the basic time cycle. To carry out this operation, the armature is attracted to the pole face of the actuating magnet at the end of each half-revolution and is thereby positively held until the magnet coil is deenergized. One member of the clutch is attached to the armature shaft and the attraction of the armature operates this clutch member to open the clutch. The operation of the clutch magnet is uch that the armature is substantially centered over the pole face during the attraction movement and through the train of gears connecting the armature shaft to the dial, the armature accurately and positively holds the dial at its predetermined corresponding position. As a result of this operation any discrepancies that may occur due to the difierence in operating speeds of the several controllers are eliminated at the instant that the armatures reach their respective pole faces and are thereby held stationary. The clutch coils are thereafter simultaneously deenergized and the movement of each dial simultaneously starts and continues for another half-revolution of the clutch shaft, or ,600 of a revolution of the dial.

In apparatus of the type used to illustrate my invention, the dials are driven by synchronous motors the speeds of which are exactly alike. It would be still possible for the dials to drift out of synchronism, however, if they were not positively stopped at each predetermined position, i. e., at the end of each half-revolution of the clutch shaft. With the apparatus built in accordance with my invention the dials are positively stopped at the end of each half-revolution of the clutch shaft. It is, therefore, possible to hold the dials in substantial synchronism throughout the moving and stopping period if the dials are driven by synchronous motors, and to resynchronize the dials at the end of each step or one hundredth revolution, if other types of motors are used and there should be any asynchronous relationship caused by a variation in the speeds between these motors and the respective dials during that preceding step. It is of considerable advantage to use synchronous motors, however, because in case of central power failure the timer motors remain in step, also the timers may operate initially in a non-interconnected system subject to further interconnection without auxiliary control devices.

When it is desired to discontinue normal operation of the signals and have flashing amber operation, used often as a caution signal, switch 24 is moved to separate contacts I49, I50, thus disconnecting source of supply B from the drum contacts and to bring contacts I14, I18 to engagement with contacts I12, I13. This connects the amber lights to the flasher contacts I04, I06 by a circuit which may be traced as follows: Source of supply B, switch 42, conductor I10, contact arm I05, contacts I06, I04, conductor I1I, contacts I12, I14, and I13, I18 to conductors I15 and I19 respectively and thence through the amber signal lights to ground. Now with the motor 50 running, contact I06 will be moved intermittently into engagement with contact I04 by cam I08 to continuously flash the amber signal. The cam I08 is driven directly from the motor pinion 14 and therefore provides a constant rate of flash regardless of the operating cycle length of the timer.

During operation of the amber signals as flashing signals, dial 21 will continue rotation. It will be noted that contacts I49, I50 are in the resynchronizing circuit which includes contacts I45, I46 so that when switch 24 is moved to flashing amber position, the resynchronizing circuit is opened at contacts I49, I50. As a result, keys 25 will effect step by step movement of drum D until the resynchronizing position of the drum is reached, that is, the position in which contact arm 65 if moved by cam 53 to separate contact 65 from contact 65*. This opens the normal operating circuit for drum D so that the drum will remain continuously in resynchronizing position. When switch 24 is moved back to normal operating position, it closes the resynchronizing circuit at contacts I49, I50 so that the first time the resynchronizing key 30 closes contacts I45, I46, the drum D will be started ofi in correct synchronous relation with dial 21 which is the green main signal position in the described controller,

To operate the signals manually, switch 43 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 6 to a position where it engages switch contact 43, thus connecting solenoid winding 60 directly to source of supply B through hand switch I1 and conductors Ill. The drum controller can now be moved step by step as desired by closing hand switch I1. To put the timer back on automatic operation after it has been on hand operation, it is necessary merely to move the switch 43 from engagement with switch button 43 back to the position shown in Fig. 6; and when moved back to this position, during the first cycle of operation of dial 21, such dial will be resynchronized with drum D as already explained.

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

1. In a traffic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closer for controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closer actuators, members on which thecircuit closer and the circuit closer actuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a clutch which connects the motor to one of said members for rotating it relatively to the other member to effect actuation of the circuit closer by the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, and means for intermittently opening the clutch at uniformly spaced time intervals for a uniform selected time period during each revolution of said rotating member thereby intermittently to stop said rotating member to lengthen the period of time required for one revolution of such member beyond that at which the motor tends to operate such member with the clutch continuously closed and to distribute uniformly throughout the rotation of said dial the increments of said additional time period.

2. In a trafilc signaling system, the combination of a circuit closer for controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closer actuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closer actuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including aclutch which connects the motor to one of said members for rotating it relatively to the other member to effect actuation of the circuit closer by the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, and means for intermittently opening the clutch at spaced time intervals during 9. revolution of said rotating member thereby to stop intermittently said rotating member to lengthen the period of time required for one revolution of such member beyond that in which the motor tends to operate such member with the clutch continuously closed, and means operating through said clutch for maintaining a predetermined phase relationship between said last named means and said rotated member.

3. In a traffic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closer for controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closer actuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closer actuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a clutch which connects the motor to one of said members for rotating it relatively to the other member to effect actuation of the circuit closer by the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, means for intermittently opening the clutch at spaced time intervals during a revolution of said rotating member thereby to stop intermittently said rotating member to lengthen the period of time required for one revolution of such member beyond that in which the motor tends to operate such member with the clutch continuously closed, means operating through said clutch for maintaining a predetermined phase relationship between said last named means and said rotated member, and means operating through said clutch for changing the phase relationship between said penultimate means and said rotated member.

4. In a traflic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closer for controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closer actuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closer actuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a clutch which connects the motor to one of said members for rotating it relatively to the other to effect actuation of the circuit closer by the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, an electromagnet for opening the clutch, a circuit for the electromagnet, means for varying said circuit to cause the electromagnet to open intermittently the clutch at spaced time intervals during a revolution of said rotating member thereby to stop intermittently said rotating member to lengthen the period of time required for one revolution of such member beyond that in which the motor tends to operate such member with the clutch continuously closed, and means comprising a second electromagnet operating through said clutch for maintaining said rotated member in a predetermined phase relationship with said circuit varying means.

5. In a traflic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closer for controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closer actuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closer actuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a. clutch which connects the motor to one of said members for rotating it relatively to the other to eflect actuation of the circuit closer by the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, an electromagnet for opening the clutch, a circuit for the electromagnet, means for varying said circuit to cause the electromagnet to open intermittently the clutch at spaced time intervals during a revolution of said rotating member thereby to stop intermittently said rotating member to lengthen the period of time required for one revolution of such member beyond that in which the motor tends to operate such member with the clutch continuously closed, means comprising a second electromagnet operating through said clutch for maintaining said rotated member in a predetermined phase relationship with said circuit varying means, and means operating through said second electromagnet and said clutch tor changing the phase relationship between said rotated member and said circuit varying means.

6. In combination, a rotating member, a motor, means connecting the motor to the member including rotating clutch members, an armature rotating with one of the clutch members, an electromagnet having a pole face adjacent the path of movement of the armature, an electric circuit for electromagnet, means for varying said circuit to cause the electromagnet through said armature to open the clutch a predetermined number of times during a revolution of said member, and means for varying the length of the period of time between clutch openings to vary the period of time required for a revolution of said member.

7. In combination, a dial, a plurality of spaced actuators carried by the dial, said actuators being adjustable on the dial relatively to each other, means operated through a cycle by said actuators, means for imparting to said dial stepby-step turning movements of predetermined extent, means for varying the period of time between steps to vary the time required for a. cycle of operation of said first mentioned means, and means for maintaining said dial in a predetermined phase relation with said period varying means.

8. In combination, a rotating secondary dial, a motor, a master dial, means controlled by the master dial for efl'ecting turning of the secondary dial by the motor one complete revolution in a predetermined number of steps, means for varying the period of time between steps to vary the time for a complete revolution of the secondary dial, and means for changing the phase relation between said secondary dial and said period varying means.

9. In combination, a rotating member, a mo tor, means connecting the motor to the member including rotating clutch members, an armature rotating with one of the clutch members, electromagnet means for moving said armature to open the clutch and thereby stop movement of the rotating member, and mean electrically connected with said electromagnet means for opening the clutch a predetermined number of times during a revolution of said member and maintaining it open each time for a predetermined period of time to effect a revolution of said member in a predetermined period of time and for maintaining said rotating member in a definite phase relation with said last named mew.

10. In combination, a rotatable dial, actuators on the dial adjustable thereon relatively to each other to a predetermined number of definite positions, a shaft, gearing connecting the shaft to the dial requiring that the shaft make a number of turns commensurate with said number of positions to turn the dial one complete revolution, means for successively imparting to the shaft said number of turns, and means for varying the interval of time between turns to increase the period of time required for the dial to make a complete revolution.

11. In a traffic signaling system, the combination of a plurality of secondary timers connected in parallel, each comprising a rotating member controlling the operation of trafli signals, switch means operated by the rotating member, a motor, a clutch through which the motor drives the rotating member, and means for opening the clutch, a master timer, switch means operated by the master timer, a synchronizing circuit including said last. named switch means and the first mentioned switch means and the clutch operating means of each secondary timer, said two switch means being operable to eifect opening or the clutch and stopping of the rotating members 01' all the secondary timers in a predetermined phase relation relatively to each other and then to effect closing of all the clutches to start the rotating members operating in such phase relationship.

12. In a trafllc signaling system, the combination of a plurality of secondary timers connected in parallel, each comprising a rotating member controlling the operation of traflic signals, a motor, a clutch through which the motor drives the rotating member, and means for opening the clutch; a master timer, a plurality of circuits, switch means for connecting the master timer to any one of said circuits, switch means for each circuit in each secondary timer controlled by the rotating member of such timer, and through which each circuit is connected to the clutch opening means, a switch means common to all said circuits, and means in the master timer for operating said last named switch, said last named switch means and the switch means in each secondary timer of a selected circuit being operable to effect opening of the clutches and stopping or the rotating members of all the secondary timers in a predetermined phase relation to each other and then to sheet closing of all the clutches to start the rotating member operating in such phase relationship.

13. For use in a system of the character described, a timer comprising a circuit closer for controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closer actuators, members on which said circuit closer and said circuit closer actuators are respectiveiy mounted, one 01 said membersbeing rotatable relatively to the other, a motor, gearing connecting the motor to the rotatable member comprising clutch members and drivin and driven clutch shafts movable axially relatively to each other on which the clutch members are mounted, an armature mounted to rotate with the axially movable shaft, and an electromagnet mounted adjacent to the path oi movement of th armature and having a pole face past which the armature moves, said electromagnet when energized being adapted to move said armature to operate the clutch.

14. For use in a system of the character de scribed, a timer comprising a rotatable dial, a motor means including a-movable clutch member for connecting the motor to the dial, an armature which rotates with said connecting means and is connected to said clutch member, and an electromagnet having a pole face past which the armature rotates and which when energized moves the armature to actuate said clutch member.

- 15. In a signal control system the combination of a motor, a signal control dial, means including a clutch connecting said motor to said dial, means for opening said clutch at predetermined positions during its revolution, and a master controller connected to operate said last-mentioned means to delay said dial at the predetermined positions corresponding to said clutch opening positions.

16. In a timer for use in a system of the character described, the combination of a signal control dial, a motor, a clutch connected between said motor and said dial, said clutch having a clutch member connected to said motor and a second clutch member connected to said dial, and an electric current responsive device arranged to operate said second clutch member to disconnect said motor from said dial at a predetermined position of the clutch and to hold said clutch member and said dial stationary.

17. In combination a rotatable dial, a continuously rotating motor, means for connecting the motor to the dial comprising a clutch, means for normally closing said clutch, means for opening said clutch comprising a bar armature connected to the clutch member which is in driving connection with the dial, an electromagnet having a pole face substantially equal to the width of the b armature and positioned along the path of movement of said armature and means for periodically energizing said electromagnet during a revolution of said dial whereby said clutch is opened and said armature with the said dial connected thereto are periodically stopped at predetermined positions corresponding to the timing of the excitation of said electromagnet and corresponding to the positioning, of said electromagnet along the path of movement of said armature.

VINCENT W. LEONARD.

cmnmncms or conaxcnon. Patent No. 2,528Jfl5- August 51, 191

vmcm WIEONARD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed Specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, first column, line 50, for "egainet' read--against--; page 9 first column, line 69, for "further" read --mture--; page 10, second column, line 50, after "for" first occurrence, insert --the--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record; of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this) 9th day of-November, A. D. 1914.}.

Henry van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.-

CERTIFIGTE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,528, 13}. v 7 August 51, 191

vmcm NQLEONARD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed 'apeoirication oi the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 50, for "ego-inst read "against"; page 9 first column, line 69, for further read "future"; page 10, second column, line 50, after "for" first occurrence, insert --the--; and that the said Lettera Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of-November, A. D. 1915.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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