US2447661A - Electron tube impulse generator - Google Patents

Electron tube impulse generator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2447661A
US2447661A US488496A US48849643A US2447661A US 2447661 A US2447661 A US 2447661A US 488496 A US488496 A US 488496A US 48849643 A US48849643 A US 48849643A US 2447661 A US2447661 A US 2447661A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tube
tubes
point
potential
bank
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US488496A
Inventor
Robert E Mumma
Lawrence D Kilheffer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NCR Voyix Corp
National Cash Register Co
Original Assignee
NCR Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NCR Corp filed Critical NCR Corp
Priority to US488496A priority Critical patent/US2447661A/en
Priority to GB29206/46A priority patent/GB583309A/en
Priority to GB9753/44A priority patent/GB583266A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2447661A publication Critical patent/US2447661A/en
Priority to DEN2948A priority patent/DE907189C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K3/00—Circuits for generating electric pulses; Monostable, bistable or multistable circuits
    • H03K3/78—Generating a single train of pulses having a predetermined pattern, e.g. a predetermined number

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 A first figure.
  • each bank for operation the (Sftfi I bank of tubes arecohnectedfih an tiwil be ev time of the hundreds chain is fired,. the cycling 6f the units chain is" stopped", and the operaitioii' is don'ifilete.
  • the firincipell object of the invention is] to iifovid'e a' novel el'e'ctr'o'n tube electric iiiifilils' generator for producing" a burst of e'lefictfri'0 ilhbiilses of unit Value and of a precise selected" Krid'thf object of the invention is to provide an enaiessepmtive chain of lectr'oii' tubes autoffifiticelllyfiring one at a ⁇ time in s quence", cyclit'any, tinder bntforas to the number of cycles, oliject of the invention is to provide.
  • 2116 er ofijedt of the invention is t'o fireman an eii'dl'sschain of electron tubes rendered con "*dfibt g' gumm tibn one" at a time in e gueneea Y to generate an electric impulse 6n a output circuit each tii'ri'e' a tube becomes Amine object of the invention is to provide denominational banks of electron tube's'tthetulie's' entire lowesttime ning automati any' rnde'f'ed iid'iibting in dless ch'ain sequence step by step. orient genie-cynically, sa'id'cycles beln'g count 6:?
  • Aii'dtlier sweet of the-invention is to provide 1t'-' pliii lity of denominational groups of electron a the tubes at one groupbemg-operated s'e"-" qiie'iitifilly to produce impulse and cyclically t0 sentials of which are set forth in appendedclaims and a preferred form or embodiment of which hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of thisspecification.
  • Fig. 1 is a circuit diagramoi the operation: a
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the units bank of the impulse generator and the output impulse power tubes, with a middle portion of the bank omitted.
  • Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the tensbank of the impulse generator, with a middle portion of the bank omitted.
  • Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the hundreds bank of the impulse generator, with a middle portion of the bank omitted.
  • Point 3! is connected to conductor 26 through resistor 39 01 1 megohm, and point 36 is coupled to negative 150 volt conductor 33 through capacitor 40 of'.02 microfarad. Consequently, when switch 25 is closed, capacitor 3
  • is coupled to ground through resistor 45 of 25,000 ohms in pa l with capacitor 54 of .004 microfarad and is connected to negative supply conductor 33 through resistor 46 of 50,000 ohms 'andresistor41 of 120,000 ohms, giving the cathode a normal potential of about 19 volts negative.
  • Point 48 which determines the normal potential-0f the grid of. tube 2
  • Point 62. is also coupled through terminal 10 (Figs. 1 and 2), point 1
  • (Fig. 2) is givenja normal positive'potential by being connected through resistor 15 of 50,000 ohms, point 16(see also Fig. 4), the lower key switches of the hundreds key bank, point Ti (see also Fig. 3), the lower key switches of the tens key bank, point 78 (see also Fig. 2), and the lower key switches of the units key bank to point 19, which connects to the -volt positive supply source 80.
  • 'Theinormaligridbias of tube 23 (Fig. 1) is obtained from' point 8
  • the normal grid bias of tube 74 (Fig. 2) is also obtained from point 8
  • , 22 and 23 fire in succession a r-macs when starting key: switclr. 25' is. closed, exceptv that whom no denondnattpnalzkey is. depressed; onlyr tubes: 20 and; anez fired; and exceptiwlren, a key is. operated; in; the units; bank in which: event only.- tubesalfl; 21; and 221 arefired, since, as, laterexplained, tube 23:- is deprived: of anode: potential: when a key.- is. depressedz' in the units banle. i
  • the units bank of' the device includes elevengaseoustriode-electron tubes, one of which; tube L4; participates only in the initiation of the cyclic operation; The remaining ten" or the tubesare connected in an automatic operative circuit whereby-theyare firedone at a time sequence in an endless ohairrcycle: As any 'one' of'theeleven tubes-is rendered -cenducting an output" impulse is generated; the total number-of which output impulsesebeing'ctheend result ofthe operation of the device.
  • the ten tubes will bedesignated by the terms first, seeond; third, tour-thy orang si xttp sev'enth,- eighth,-"* nintlul andWtent-ln the tubes intermedia-te the second and n-i'ntlo notbeing shown, as they wouldz only uselessiyi the circuit drawin'gsiwith repeating -'pa,ttr i 1.-
  • Every'other tube of the'chairi is connected to' the anode supply conductor 90 and; if any tube iscOnducting, it will thereuponbe extinguished, as its cathode-ground capacitor has therefore been charged, which maintainsthe cathode at highpotential as the anode poten-- tial drops and'overshoots such maintained poten-- tial ofthe cathode;
  • Such extinguishing action isexplained'more fully in-United States application for Letters Patent, Serial No.- 395,995; filed May '31, 1941, by Robert Ei-Mumrna which-issued Jun-e4; 1946,- as- U'; S. Patent No. 2,401,657.
  • the stopping of the operation of the endless chain of the units'bank is'done by impressing terminal lfl'l with a" strong negative potential to prevent'theffirst" tube from being fired by the tenth tube; andyas an'object of the inven-- tion is 'to-provide means to produce a number of impulses precise totheunit, the endless chaino'peration must be begun at a selected tube and sto at afixedpoint; which will cause the de-- vice to produce an exact number of impulsesto'" represent the units order.- To this end, selecting keys, operating switches, determine where in the chain-the operation shall commence.
  • Point l l l is the fixed: point for stopping the endless: chain operation;
  • Each key is given a value characterization Which-tells the number of impulses that will be sent in a first partial cyclej before-the first tube is fired to start a fullcyc1e,- if'such key is operated.
  • the keys are-numbered 9, 8, 7;"6;' 5; 4 3,"2,'" and 1, the keys in the des'cending series-between 9 and 2 not being shown for the reasons given before in connection'withtheintermediate tubes of the endless chain that are not shown.
  • tube 14 In the event that no key is operated in the units bank, tube 14 first operates, and tube second" is fired by the subsequent rise in potential at point Hi.
  • the extra unit tube 23 (Fig. 1) is supplied with anode potential, which causes it to fire simultaneously with tube 14 (Fig. 2), and, through connection of its cathode with the cathode of tube tenth of the units bank, the common point 55 leading to the input of the tens bank (Fig. 3) is given an extra impulse. Therefore, if no key is operated in the units bank, an extra impulse is supplied to the tens bank.
  • Power amplifier electron tube I20 (Fig. 2) is provided to amplify and convert the negative output impulses appearing at point I05 into positive impulses at terminal I22, and power amplifier electron tube l2i produces amplified negative impulses at terminal I23. 7
  • the tens bank (Fig. 3) of the device includes an auxiliary gaseous triode 200 and ten gaseous triodes connected in an endless counting ring operated step by step in response to impulses, one impulse causing one step of operation.
  • Fig. 3 only three tubes of the ten tubes-the first, the ninth, and the tenth. Tubes second, third," fourth,” fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth are not shown for the same reasons given for deletion of some of the tubes of the units bank.
  • All of the tubes of the tens bank receive their anode potential of 115 volts positive from conductor 20! through 3,000-ohm resistor v202, point 203, and resistor 254 of 300 ohms.
  • the cathode of each tube of the ring is connected to ground through a 15,000-ohm resistor, like resistor 206, in parallel with a.
  • a cathode is normally at about 10 volts negative when-non-conducting.
  • the potential of the associated grid is nor.- mally held at about 87 voltsnegative, thus holding the tube in non-conducting condition.
  • the grid of each tubeof the tens .chain is capacitatively coupled to input conductor.'ll0 and terminal 65 from the units bank through a capacitor of .0005 microfarad, like capacitor 2l3, a point like point 2, and a current-limiting resistor 01 500,000 ohms, like resistor 2
  • Resistors corresponding to resistor 2l6 are of 500,000 ohms.
  • the cathode of tube 200 when no tens key is operated, takes its potential from point 225, which is 10 volts negative, or is given the same potential by being switched by the upper key switch when a tens key is operated, like, for instance, the 9 switch 226, to the cathode of the associated tube, which in the case of switch 226 is the first" tube. Consequently, normally nonconducting tube 200 is caused to conduct at the commencement of an operation by the closing of switch 25 (Fig. 1) and the ensuing conduction in tube 20, which produces the positive pulse to fire tube 200 (Fig. 3). As tube 200 fires, it changes the cathode potential of the cathode to which its own cathode is connected, in a positive sense.
  • This first impulse may come either from the firing of tube 23 (Fig. 1) or from the firing of units bank tube tenth of Fig. 2.
  • the rise in potential of the cathode of the tens bank tenth tube as it fires is conveyed to the grid of the first tube by conductor 221 to complete the ring.
  • a positive potential impulse is sent through terminal 338 to the hundreds bank (Fig. 4) to operate it a step from its preset condition.
  • the tens bank then, operates a step for each impulse received on terminal 10 and transmits an impulse to the hundreds bank to operate it a step each time the cathode of the first tube of the tens bank rises in potential.
  • the first cycle of the tens bank shall be less than a fullcycle and by how many steps.
  • the firing of tube 200 would cause the tenth tube grid to be primed to fire said tube on receipt of the first impulse on terminal 10, and, on receipt of the second impulse, the first tube would fire, sending atransfer impulse to the hundreds bank.
  • the hundredsbcmlc The hundreds bank (Fig. 4) of the device in: cludes ten gaseous triodes interconnected into an operative chain in which the tubes are caused to fire one after another from a selected beginning point to an end point in the chain.
  • the ten tubes of the chain are given 115 volts positive anode potential through conductor 300, resistor 30l of 4,000 ohms, point 302, and resistor 303 of 300' ohms, which is connected to the H5- volt positive supply terminal 304.
  • Point 302 is coupled to ground through shock-absorbing and stabilizing capacitor 305 of .1 microfarad.
  • each of the tubes of the chain except the first tube, are connected ,toground through a 15,000-ohm resistor, like resistor 306, in parallel with a capacitor of .004 microfarad, like capacitor 301, and are connected to-the negative l50-volt potential supply ,conductor 308 through a resistor of 100,000 ohms, like resistor 309, a point, like point 310,.and a resistorof 100,- 000 ohms, like resistor 3
  • resistor 3l2 like resistor 3l2, apoint, like point 313, and a resistor of 50,000 ohms, like resistor 3l4, tothe grid of the tube of the series having the next higher designation.
  • Each point corresponding topoint 3l3 is connected to'impulse input conductor 3
  • the second tube grid (not shown) issupplied with biasing potential through a point, 3l1, which obtains its potential from thepotential-dividing resistances 3l8, 3l9, and 320, which are of-the same values, respectively, as resistances 300,309, and
  • the cathode of the first, tube ,of the hun-' dreds bank is normally connected by means of conductor 322, point 323, and c1osed switches of the upper key switches, like switch 324', when no key is operated, to the cathode ofthe tenth tube.
  • the upper switch 324 breaks the connection to the cathode of the tenth tube and establishes it by way of conductor 325, lowered switch 324, and conductor 326, through resistor 3!
  • Operation of the 1 key instead of the 9 key connects the cathode of the first tube by way of conductors 325 and 321 to the cathode oithe ninth tube.
  • Resistors 332 and 333 are, respectively, of 250,000 ohms and 50,000 ohms, This grid potential holds said first tube nonconducting until the starting impulse is received at terminal 81, which is conveyed through capacitor 334 of .0005 microfarad and resistor 333 to fire said first tube. If no key is depressed, the firing of said first tube acts on point 335 just as though the tenth tube had fired. If the one key is depressed, the firing of the first tube acts on point 330 as though the ninth tube had fired, priming the grid of the tenth tube, and so on, theoperation of the 9 key causing a potential rise at the grid point 3l1 of the second tube.
  • the operation of the device is stopped by the firing of a stop tube 331, which is fired by the first impulse received from the tens bank after point 335 has risen in potential due either to conduction in tube tenth or conduction in tube "first when no key is operated.
  • the first impulse received from the tens bank through terminal 338 stops the generation of impulses, in 'a manner to be explained. If the 1 key of the hundreds bank is operated, the generation of impulses will be stopped on the second impulse conductor 315 received from the tens bank.
  • the chain-connected tubes of the hundreds bank are rendered conducting one at a time, as the firing of any tube in the chain extinguishes any other conducting tube therein because of the momentary dip in the potential of anode supply conductor 300 as a tube, supplied thereby, fires.
  • Stop tube 331 receives its anode supply through resistors 340 and 341 of 300 ohms and 10,000 ohms, respectively, connecting it to the 115-volt positive conductor 308, and through resistors 342 and 343 of 75,000 ohms and 120,000 ohms, respectively, connecting it to the negative supply conductor 308.
  • the cathode of tube 331 is normally about 10 volts negative, resistor 350 being of 3,000 oh-ms and resistors 35! and 352 totaling 40,000 ohms.
  • the grid of the stop tube is normally kept at about volts negative by being connected at point 380 to the negative supply conductor 308 through resistor 315 of 100,000 ohms, and connected to ground through resistor 316 of 100,000 ohms and resistor 311' of 15,000 ohms.
  • tube 331 will fire and cause point 344, normally maintained at about 12 volts, to drop sharply in potential, which drop is impressed through rectifier 350, as has been said, on terminal I01 (see also Fig. 2), stopping the recycling of the units bank. Tube 331 is extinguished by the opening of starting switch 25 (Fig. 1).
  • Rectifiertube '360 (Fig. 4) is placed in series between point 344 and terminal I01 to permit a negative change in potential to be conveyed to the --first"tube of the units bank, but isolates its grid from a positive change in potential of the cathode of tube 331 (Fig. 4).
  • the first tube of the units bank then fires, and the first full cycle of the units bank is begun, which cycle, when completed, has produced ten more impulses and a transfer impulse to the tens bank to fire the sixth tube therein.
  • the units bank cycles five more times, producing fifty more impulses, or a total of sixty-one impulses, before the first tube of the tens bank is fired, sending an impulse to terminal 338 (Figs. 3 and 4) to fire the tenth tube in the hundreds bank.
  • the units bank recycles ten more times, causing ten transfers to the tens bank and one transfer to the hundreds bank to fire the stop tube. This produces a total of one hundred and sixty-one impulses.
  • the banks maybe increased in number by adding intermediate banks similar to that shown in Fig. 3. It is also apparent that the banks themselves may vary; thus the first bank might be on a base of ten digits and the second bank on a base of five digits. The invention contemplates such variations.
  • timing capacitors like capacitor 91a (Fig. 2), each of .002 micromicrofarad, connect the grid of each tube of the units bank to the 150 volt negative conductor 98, to provide a time interval between the firing of each two adjacent tubes in the units bank, to make that bank operate slower than the tens and hundreds banks. This is to provide a time interval long enough to create and apply a stopping impulse to point I01, when that condition of the device is reached, without any danger of an extra unwanted cycle of the units order bank. With circuit elements of the value given, the units bank operates at 3000 to 4000 steps per minute and the tens and hundreds banks operate at about 200,000 steps per minute.
  • means including a plurality of gaseous discharge electron tubes, including a designated tube, connected in an endless operative chain circuit wherein they automatically become conducting one at a time serially in cycles and produce an electric impulse as each tube is rendered conducting; means to start an operation at a. selected tube in-the endless chain cycle; and automatic means to stop such operation after a selected counted number of cycles measured from the designated tube.
  • an electric impulse generator which, when started, continuously produces a plurality of like impulses in each of recurring cycles, each cycle being indicated by a cyclic impulse; means to count the cyclic impulses up to a selected number; means to start the generator at a selected point in a cycle; and automatic means to stop the generator when said selected counted number of cyclic impulses has been counted.
  • an electric impulse generator including a. plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting one at a time serially in an endless chain having recurrent cycles of operation, the act of a tube being rendered conducting causing an electric impulse; a selective key controlled device for initiating the operation of the generator with any tube of the chain; a. second plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting serially, one step of serial operation being caused at the end of each cycle or part cycle of operation of the impulse geenrator; and means rendered effective at the end of a compete operation of said second plurality of tubes for stopping the cyclic operation of the impulse generator.
  • an electric impulse generator including a plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting one at a time-serially in an endless chain having recurrent cycles of operation, the act of a tube being rendered conducting causing an electric impulse; a selective key controlled device for initiating the operation of the generator with any tube of the chain; a second plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting serially, one step of serial operation being caused at the end of each cycle or part cycle of operation of the impulse generator; means rendered effective at the end of a complete operation of said second plurality of tubes for stopping the cyclic operation of the impulse generator; and selectively operable means for starting the operation of. said second plurality of tubes at a selected. Place in a complete operation of the tubes answer :so asto accuratelydetermine-thenumber of comapletecycles ot operation which 'shall be performed :by the firstlgroup of tubes. '7
  • a self-operating ring .of electron tubes wherein the tubes .are rendered conducting one at a time in endless chain repeating cycles; a second operative ring of electron tubes arranged in an endless chain operating circuit wherein the tubes are caused tobe rendered conducting step by step one at a time in endless chain repeating cycles, one step of operation-being caused by the completion of a cycle of the self-operating ring; and a third operative ring of electron tubesarranged in an ending chain circuit wherein the tubes are caused to be rendered conduct- :ing step bystep one at a time, one step of operation being caused by the completion of a cycleof thesecondring. r e V 7.
  • a selfaoperating ring:'of electron tubes wherein the tubes are rendered conducting one at :a time in endlesschain repeating cycles; :asecond operative ring of electron tubes arranged in an endless chain operating circuit wherein the tubes are caused to be rendered conducting step by step one .at a time .in endless chain repeatingcycles', one step of operation being caused by the completion of a cycle .of the self-operating ring; and selectively operable means .to preset each ring to commence the cycle of each at a predetermined tube in the ring.
  • a plurality of gaseous electron tubes each having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid; circuits including a common resistance for supplying anode potential to said tubes; circuits including a resistance and capacitance in parallel for supplying cathode potential to each of said tubes; circuits for supplying normally controlling bias potential to the grids of said tubes, each of which grid circuits is also connected to the cathode of another tube to form an endless operative chain wherein, if one preceding tube is rendered conducting, the next succeeding tube of the chain is automatically rendered conducting and the preceding tube is extinguished, said anode supply means being given a potential surge when a tube commences conducting; selectively operable control means for stopping the endless chain operation at a fixed tube after a precise selected counted number of complete cycles of operation of said chain, considering said fixed tube as the end point of a cycle; and control means for starting operation of the device with any selected tube by causing it to conduct.
  • a plurality of electron tubes means connecting the tubes in a circuit wherein they are rendered conducting one at a time in endless chain sequence automatically; means to select the tube with which the sequence is started; and electronic counting means to determine a counted number of complete chain sequences performed as reckoned from a fixed tube in the chain.
  • a plurality of electron tubes means connecting the tubes to become conducting one at a time in an automatic endless chain sequence operation and tozgenerate an electric impulse each time atube becomes conductingand to generate a control electric impulse 'when a certain sequence (and tube becomes-conducting; means to count the control impulses; and means to automatically .stop the chain sequence operation after :a. certain counted number of control impulses have been-counted.
  • a first plurality of gaseous electron tubes each having at least an anode, a cathode, and :a control grid; means including a common resistance in a common potential sup-- ply ocon-ductor supplying anode potential tothe anodes of said tubes; means for supplying catho'de'potential to said :tubes including aresistance andcapacitance in parallel for each cathodesupply; 111681115 supplying normally controlling potential bias to each grid; means connecting the tubes in an endless operative chain cathode to grid, the potential supply, resistances, and capacitances being so balanced that, if anyone tube is fired and rendered conducting by flower,- ing its potential grid -:bia;s, the succeeding tube in the chain will -fire and the tubes will automatically become conducting one at a time in sequence cyclically and each of the tubes, when commencing to conduct, causing a potential drop in said common anode supply conductor; an auxiliary gas
  • a plurality of two or more electron tubes means for supplying operating electric potential to said tubes; means connecting the tubes in an endless operative chain in which they become conducting one at a time in sequence automatically over and over; and a conductor common to all the tubes which is given an electric impulseas a consequence of each tube operation.
  • a plurality of electron tubes connected in a circuit so that they become conducting one at a time in an endless operative chain automatically; selective means to determine What tube in said chain shall be the first to become conducting; and electronic means operable to stop said endless chain operation at a fixed place in the chain.
  • a recycling electronic electric impulse producer producing a fixed number of impulses each complete cycle; selective means operable to cause a partial first cycle producing a number of impulses less than the fixed number, after which full cycles of operation are performed; and an electronic counter preset to stop said impulse producer after a selected number of cycles in addition to any selected partial cycle.
  • a plurality of gaseous electron tubes each having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid; means including a common ressitance in a common potential supply conductor supplying anode potential to the anodes of said tubes; means for supplying cathode potential to said tubes including a resistance and capacitance ,in parallel for each cathode supply; means supplying normally controlling potential bias to each grid; means connecting the tubes inan endless operative chain cathode to grid, the potential supply, resistances, and capacitances being so balanced that, if any one tube is fired and rendered conducting by lowering its potential grid bias, the succeeding tube in the chain will fire and the tubes will automatically become conducting one at a time in sequence cyclically and each of the tubes, when commencing to conduct, causing a potential drop in said commonanode supply conductor; an auxiliary gaseous electron tube having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid, whose anode is connected to the

Description

Aug. 24, 1948. E MUMMA AL 2,447,661
ELECTRON TUBE IMPULSE GENERATOR Filed May 26, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z '-GY /5v,
FIG. 1
Robert E. Mumma and Lawrence D. Kilheffer lnventqra Their ttorney Aug. 24, 1948. R. E. MUN [MA ETAL ELECTRON TUBE IMPULSE GENERATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 26, 1943 Robert- E. Mumma and Lawrence D. Kilheffcr Inventors Their Attorney Aug. 24, 1948. R. E. MUMMA ET 2,447,661 I ELECTRON TUBE IMPULSE GENERATOR 4' Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 26, 1943 FIG. 3
Robert E. Mumma and Lawrence D. Kilheffer Inventors y M M Their Attorney Aug. 24, 1948.
Filed May 26, 1943 FIG. 4
R. E. MUMMA EI'AL 2,447,661
ELECTRON TUBE IMPULSE GENERATOR 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 I Robcrt E. Mumma and Lawrcnu: D. Kilhcffer Inventors;
MLM
Their Attorney iatented Aug. 24,
2 3414%? ELECTED GENERATOR Entrance ii. finherree; its! 'osrsut o The National Cash aiton; Glfib; iii cor'por'atidfi' Ar isans 1942'; steered. 4881496 one" of a' iiu'rdliti 6f gas-emisel tr (cl. ere-2am mineat what tube in the tens bank the operation is fi d' lie' cemm rrceq; The highest denomination- :il" Bank; ifi this disclosure the hundreds bank} includes a group of gaseous triodes operated a. chain having a: beginning point and an end.
These tubes are operated step by step, each step ducting. and requiring: a cdfitroliini gfld' 5' potential of about 12 vclts'nganv' itn i "tn? the cathode. number (if full i clesl p partial cycle, if desired, the in time fifddil forfzmyoddrnumbefefimnulsesn" anner in a run cycle or cycles that r5 uire-a? flit it;
Operation 6f the keysprjgsets c am: 4'
each bank for operation: the (Sftfi I bank of tubes arecohnectedfih an tiwil be ev time of the hundreds chain is fired,. the cycling 6f the units chain is" stopped", and the operaitioii' is don'ifilete. r r V v Tfiefefoie'; the firincipell object of the invention is] to iifovid'e a' novel el'e'ctr'o'n tube electric iiiifilils' generator for producing" a burst of e'lefictfri'0 ilhbiilses of unit Value and of a precise selected" Krid'thf object of the invention is to provide an enaiessepmtive chain of lectr'oii' tubes autoffifiticelllyfiring one at a} time in s quence", cyclit'any, tinder bntforas to the number of cycles, oliject of the invention is to provide.
w piilretlijty of g'ioups of electron tub'es, one of til" gr ups being onetime one at a; time in endless c'ha rif sequence cyclically, and the other groups; cpntrtuin t-Yienumber of full cycles that said first grouper tubes onerates, as selectively piecftefnflfiedi l .7
' ether objector the invention is to: provide en nmessoperativecnam of electron tubes o 1- anea-tomaticauy one at'a'. time in sequence filli' r, r t h iridtiier object of the invention istopr'ovidel operative cha-i'n of electron tubes open-'- tomatt'ically one at a; time in sequence;- cybli ell f'r'om=- a selected beginning point. n
2116 er ofijedt of the invention is t'o fireman an eii'dl'sschain of electron tubes rendered con "*dfibt g' gumm tibn one" at a time in e gueneea Y to generate an electric impulse 6n a output circuit each tii'ri'e' a tube becomes Amine object of the invention is to provide denominational banks of electron tube's'tthetulie's' entire lowesttime ning automati any' rnde'f'ed iid'iibting in dless ch'ain sequence step by step. orient genie-cynically, sa'id'cycles beln'g count 6:? and: selectively determined in number by (iteration 0t tlie'higher dendrnifialtibnai mints-f of" tubes?" Aii'dtlier sweet of the-invention is to provide 1t'-' pliii lity of denominational groups of electron a the tubes at one groupbemg-operated s'e"-" qiie'iitifilly to produce impulse and cyclically t0 sentials of which are set forth in appendedclaims and a preferred form or embodiment of which hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of thisspecification.
Of said drawings:
Fig. 1 is a circuit diagramoi the operation: a
initiating electron tubes. Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the units bank of the impulse generator and the output impulse power tubes, with a middle portion of the bank omitted.
Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the tensbank of the impulse generator, with a middle portion of the bank omitted. v
Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the hundreds bank of the impulse generator, with a middle portion of the bank omitted.
Initiation of an Operation shock application of potential to conductor 26' Starting tube receives its anode potential from conductor 26 through resistor 29 of 100,000 ohms, point 30, and resistor 43| of 5,000' ohms. Point 30 is coupled to conductor 26 by a capacitor 3| of .0005 microfarad to provide an initialhigh current as tube 20 fires and becomes conducting. The"cathode'of tube 20 is connected to ground through resistor 32 of 25,000 ohms. The grid of tube 20.is connected to conductor 33 supplied with 150 volts negative potential, from source 34, through resistor 35 of 500,000 ohms, points 36 and 31, and resistor 38 of 1.5 megohms, which makes the grid highly negative before. switch 25 is closed. Point 3! is connected to conductor 26 through resistor 39 01 1 megohm, and point 36 is coupled to negative 150 volt conductor 33 through capacitor 40 of'.02 microfarad. Consequently, when switch 25 is closed, capacitor 3| becomes charged before the larger capacitor 40, and finally, as the point 36 becomes more and more positive, tube 20-fires, and the momentary ,highcurrent through the tube due to capacitor 3| causes the cathode to deliver, due to cathode resistance 32, a sharp positive impulse at point 4|. This impulse fires a tube 2|, the firing time of which is used for delay purposes. Tube. 2| receives its anode potential from conductor 26 through resistor 42 of 1,000 ohms, point 43, and resistor 44 of 1,000 ohms.
The cathode of tube 2| is coupled to ground through resistor 45 of 25,000 ohms in pa l with capacitor 54 of .004 microfarad and is connected to negative supply conductor 33 through resistor 46 of 50,000 ohms 'andresistor41 of 120,000 ohms, giving the cathode a normal potential of about 19 volts negative. Point 48, which determines the normal potential-0f the grid of. tube 2|, is connected to ground by resistor 49 of 40,000 ohms and is connected to the negative.
ill
conductor 33 through resistor 50 of 100,000 ohms, giving point 48 a normal potential of about 43 volts negative, which will maintain tube 2| nonconducting until point 5| receives the positive impulse from point 4| through coupling capacitor 52 of .00005 microfarad, which fires tube 2|. Grid resistor 53 is oi 5,000 ohms. Af,te r delay capacitor 54 is charged; as itube1 2| b'ecomesconducting, point 55 rises in'potential, due to the effect of resistor 45, which rise in potential is reflected at point 56, which determines the grid potential Tube 22 receives its anode potential from point 43, beforeflde'scribed. Its cathode is grounded throughresistor 58 of 50,000 ohms in parallel with capacitorflll of .QOI microfarad. The grid of tube 22 is at the normal potential of point 56, which is madeabout57 volts negative. Thus, tube 22 is held from firing until its grid potential is raised bythe firing of tube 2| and its continued conduction until delay capacitor 60 of .004 microfarad is charged. Grid resistor 6| is of 500,000 ohms. As tube 22 fires; a sharp positive potential impulse is produced at point 62 after delay capacitor 59 of .001 microfarad is charged. The impulse a'tpoint 62 is conveyed through capacitor 63 of .00005 'microfarad to point 64 to fire tube 23, which may or may not fire according to whether an extra unit is to be entered in the tens order of the impulse generator.
v The cathode of tube 23 obtains its potential through point 65 (see also Fig. 2), point 66, conductor 61, and point 68, which is the cathode supply point for tube 69 in the units bank Conduction in tube 23 (Fig. 1) will therefore cause a change in'the potential of point 68 (Fig. 2) just as though tube69 were conducting. This rise in potential of point 68 is to be observed later in connection with the description of the entry of the extra unit. Point 68 (Fig. 2) is also connected through terminal point 65'to the input conductor 110 (Fig. 3) of the tens order of the impulse generator for entering an extra unit into the tens order, as will be explained. v
Point 62. is also coupled through terminal 10 (Figs. 1 and 2), point 1| (Fig. 2), and capacitor 12' of .00005 .mic'r'ofarad to grid 'point 13, the change in potential of which fires tube 14 whenever tube 22 ,(Fig. 1) fires. Point 1| (Fig. 2) is givenja normal positive'potential by being connected through resistor 15 of 50,000 ohms, point 16(see also Fig. 4), the lower key switches of the hundreds key bank, point Ti (see also Fig. 3), the lower key switches of the tens key bank, point 78 (see also Fig. 2), and the lower key switches of the units key bank to point 19, which connects to the -volt positive supply source 80. So, when no key is operated in any bank,,thecath0de of tube 22 (Fig. l) is held so positive that it will not fire, thus preventing impulses from beinganomalousy generated. The depression of any key will remove the positive potential from the cathode of tube 22.
'Theinormaligridbias of tube 23 (Fig. 1) is obtained from' point 8|, which is connected to ground through resistor 82 of 30,000 ohms and connected to the -volt negative conductor 33 through resistor 83 of 100,000 ohms, thus giving the said point BI and the grid a resultant negative potential of about 34 volts with respect to the cathode. The normal grid bias of tube 74 (Fig. 2) is also obtained from point 8| (Fig. 1) through terminal point 84 (see also Fig. 2), resistor 85 of 250,000 ohms, and point13.
Thus, tubes 20,- 2|, 22 and 23 fire in succession a r-macs when starting key: switclr. 25' is. closed, exceptv that whom no denondnattpnalzkey is. depressed; onlyr tubes: 20 and; anez fired; and exceptiwlren, a key is. operated; in; the units; bank in which: event only.- tubesalfl; 21; and 221 arefired, since, as, laterexplained, tube 23:- is deprived: of anode: potential: when a key.- is. depressedz' in the units banle. i
The positive impulse which appears. on: termie nab 81' (Fig... It) as tube: Zfiflres; is used: to prepare the tens and hundreds banks of: thehdeviceforoperation, it being obviouslynecessary tothave these banks readygbeiorethe: operationlofl the units: bank begins. The: positive potential? imapulse; on terminalkpoint ll, as tubelkflrcs, int;- tiatesthe operationdmthe units-bank. The cur rent flowthrougln point; 55: causes; the entering ofianextraiupit of: datau-into the device and W-heIE-DEGBSSBIY; s
The units bank of' the device includes elevengaseoustriode-electron tubes, one of which; tube L4; participates only in the initiation of the cyclic operation; The remaining ten" or the tubesare connected in an automatic operative circuit whereby-theyare firedone at a time sequence in an endless ohairrcycle: As any 'one' of'theeleven tubes-is rendered -cenducting an output" impulse is generated; the total number-of which output impulsesebeing'ctheend result ofthe operation of the device. The ten tubeswill bedesignated by the terms first, seeond; third, tour-thy orang si xttp sev'enth,- eighth,-"* nintlul andWtent-ln the tubes intermedia-te the second and n-i'ntlo notbeing shown, as they wouldz only uselessiyi the circuit drawin'gsiwith repeating -'pa,ttr i 1.- The designations; ot thes-tubes in this unitsbank orthe tensancl zhundreds bank; are-notzne'cessarily digitsvalues, but: merel c-representth'eiri ordeninithci end less'chainr i The: anodes ot; the tubesaof t eiendlesszzchain. andzetubez I4; constituting thesunitsbaink receive: as llb volt; positivezsupplyzby commonly: connccfi iir to; conducton 90; which: is; connectedi throu resistor 5'12: f; LQ00i0hm8s 199ml 52 and; stor 9? 0131 3.00 ohms 1'. ton supplyr terminal .80;: Point this coupled to groundby capacitonflaof microiarad,- which, absorbs 3513.001? applications:
ot potential andastabilizes. the potential-50f point 9.2;
lib-volt negative supply conductor .98ithrougli a:
150,000- ,ohm resistor,,like resistor 9'9;- a..point,,l'ik'e point I90, and .a 300,Q00-ohm, resistomlikeresister lliil. Thisigives the cathodeseacha potentialiof about ei'eyolts negative when non-conducu ing'; Points like point; IOUhave a normal;poten.- tial; when the associated'cathode is non-conduct; mg, cffaboutsit'volts ne ative and" are connected; topthe control" grid off'the next succeeding tube of the ;chain,, asthrough': a point "like l02""and a" resistor: of Q0100d1 ohm-s 'lik'e'resistor' Hi3: The" conductor I'M completes the coupling or'the' The: gridpoteritiahsupply for :tube, 'lLhas.-
tentl'rf tube-to the firstd'tubeto close the chain. amendlesscha'ino Asa-tube of: the endless chain of the. unitsv banlccommences: to conduct, thecapacitor" coupling: its cathodeto' ground charges, preventing the. immediate rise of its cathode potential due tothe resistances in the cathode-supply circuit. During the first interval of chargingzoi the cathode-ground capacitor; the conductor drops in potential towithin about 22fivolts-ofground. Every'other tube of the'chairi is connected to' the anode supply conductor 90 and; if any tube iscOnducting, it will thereuponbe extinguished, as its cathode-ground capacitor has therefore been charged, which maintainsthe cathode at highpotential as the anode poten-- tial drops and'overshoots such maintained poten-- tial ofthe cathode; Such extinguishing action isexplained'more fully in-United States application for Letters Patent, Serial No.- 395,995; filed May '31, 1941, by Robert Ei-Mumrna which-issued Jun-e4; 1946,- as- U'; S. Patent No. 2,401,657.
As a tube of the endless chain of tentubes inthe units bank of the device becomes conducting and its cathode-rises inpotential after the cathode-ground"capacitor is charged, the point correspondingto point lilllwill rise in potential sufiiciently to'cause'-th -grid' of thesucceeding tube of the chain to fire: Consequently, the tubes in the endless-chain of tubes will be rendered conductingone at a time in sequence as long as the operation is not stopped. Negative impulses wi-ll-be produced and conveyed to point through capacitor [06 of .00025 microfarad'; each time a tube'of' the chain becomes conducting.
- Conduction in tube 14 also causes an impulse at point I05:
The stopping of the operation of the endless chain of the units'bank is'done by impressing terminal lfl'l with a" strong negative potential to prevent'theffirst" tube from being fired by the tenth tube; andyas an'object of the inven-- tion is 'to-provide means to produce a number of impulses precise totheunit, the endless chaino'peration must be begun at a selected tube and sto at afixedpoint; which will cause the de-- vice to produce an exact number of impulsesto'" represent the units order.- To this end, selecting keys, operating switches, determine where in the chain-the operation shall commence. Point l l l is the fixed: point for stopping the endless: chain operation; Each key is given a value characterization Which-tells the number of impulses that will be sent in a first partial cyclej before-the first tube is fired to start a fullcyc1e,- if'such key is operated.
The keys are-numbered 9, 8, 7;"6;' 5; 4 3,"2,'" and 1, the keys in the des'cending series-between 9 and 2 not being shown for the reasons given before in connection'withtheintermediate tubes of the endless chain that are not shown.
As-nn example; if the- 9 key 'of the units bank-is operated; switch-I08 moves to its lower contacts, breaking the connection from point' 'l9 tdpoint' 'l8 -(sce' also'Fig. 1), thus depriving the" wwan thejcathode'of tube secondl As tube 22' '(Fig, 1 fires after closing starting 'key switch 25 a positive impulse appears at point 'IU-(s'ee' alsoyFigi; 2) which fires tube 14 to give thefirst' output-impulse-on conductor 905' It' will be ob served that the cathode of tube 74 receives its potential from the cathode. of tube second," due to the switching of switch I09 of the 9"- key to the lower contacts. The effect on point H is to raise its potential as though the "second tube were conducting, which results in the tubes "third, fourth, fifth, sixth," "seventh? eighth," ninth, and tenth firing before the operation of the units bank can be stopped. It will be evident that nine impulses will have been produced after the firing of the tenth tube. In the same manner, operation under control of the 1 selecting key permits only tube 14 to fire before the operation of the units bank can be stopped by placing a stopping potential on terminal I07. As the tenth tube fires, the positive impulse appearing at point 68 is impressed through terminal 65 (see also Fig. 3) to the input conductor of the tens bank of the device, which is thereby operated a step at the completion of each full cycle or part cycle of the units bank.
In the event that no key is operated in the units bank, tube 14 first operates, and tube second" is fired by the subsequent rise in potential at point Hi. In addition, the extra unit tube 23 (Fig. 1) is supplied with anode potential, which causes it to fire simultaneously with tube 14 (Fig. 2), and, through connection of its cathode with the cathode of tube tenth of the units bank, the common point 55 leading to the input of the tens bank (Fig. 3) is given an extra impulse. Therefore, if no key is operated in the units bank, an extra impulse is supplied to the tens bank.
Power amplifier electron tube I20 (Fig. 2) is provided to amplify and convert the negative output impulses appearing at point I05 into positive impulses at terminal I22, and power amplifier electron tube l2i produces amplified negative impulses at terminal I23. 7
Thus, the odd units impulses, produced in the first partial cycle of the units chain of tubes, are
selected by key switches characterized by a like number. Full cycles of the units bank give ten. impulses each.
The tens bank .The tens bank (Fig. 3) of the device includes an auxiliary gaseous triode 200 and ten gaseous triodes connected in an endless counting ring operated step by step in response to impulses, one impulse causing one step of operation. There are shown in Fig. 3only three tubes of the ten tubes-the first, the ninth, and the tenth. Tubes second, third," fourth," fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth are not shown for the same reasons given for deletion of some of the tubes of the units bank.
All of the tubes of the tens bank receive their anode potential of 115 volts positive from conductor 20! through 3,000-ohm resistor v202, point 203, and resistor 254 of 300 ohms. Capacitor 205 'of microfarad, coupling point 203 and ground, acts as a shock absorber and stabilizer in the application of potential to the tens bank. The cathode of each tube of the ring is connected to ground through a 15,000-ohm resistor, like resistor 206, in parallel with a. resistor of 1,000 ohms, like resistor 201, in series with a capacitor of .004 microfarad, like capacitor 208, and is connected to the negative 150-volt conductor 209 through a resistor of 100,000 ohms, like resistor 2l0, a point, like point 2| l, and a resistor of 100,000 ohms, like resistor 2I2. Un-
der these circumstances, a cathode is normally at about 10 volts negative when-non-conducting. The potential of the associated grid is nor.- mally held at about 87 voltsnegative, thus holding the tube in non-conducting condition. The grid of each tubeof the tens .chain is capacitatively coupled to input conductor.'ll0 and terminal 65 from the units bank through a capacitor of .0005 microfarad, like capacitor 2l3, a point like point 2, and a current-limiting resistor 01 500,000 ohms, like resistor 2|5. Resistors corresponding to resistor 2l6 are of 500,000 ohms.
' When tube 20 (Fig. 1) fires, a positive impulse is impressed through terminalfll (see also Fig. 3) and capacitor 2|! of .00005 microfarad to point 2IB, which is connected to the grid of auxiliary tube 200 through resistor 2l9 of 50,000 ohms. The grid of tube 200 is normally supplied with a potential of about 34 volts negative, being connected to point 220 through resistor 22! of 250,- 000 ohms, which point 220 isconnected through resistor 222 of 30,000 ohms to ground and through resistor 223 to the -volt negative conductor 209. The cathode of tube 200, when no tens key is operated, takes its potential from point 225, which is 10 volts negative, or is given the same potential by being switched by the upper key switch when a tens key is operated, like, for instance, the 9 switch 226, to the cathode of the associated tube, which in the case of switch 226 is the first" tube. Consequently, normally nonconducting tube 200 is caused to conduct at the commencement of an operation by the closing of switch 25 (Fig. 1) and the ensuing conduction in tube 20, which produces the positive pulse to fire tube 200 (Fig. 3). As tube 200 fires, it changes the cathode potential of the cathode to which its own cathode is connected, in a positive sense. Thus, if the 9 key were operated, point 230 of the cathode of the first tube would be causedto rise in potential, which rise would be transmitted in part to the grid of the second" tube to bring said second tubes grid potential high enough so that a, positive impulse impressed on input terminal 10 would fire the second" tube. In the event that no key of the tens bank is operated, the tenth tubes cathode is raised in potential as tube 200 fires, and, on the receipt of the first input impulse, the first tube fires;
This first impulse may come either from the firing of tube 23 (Fig. 1) or from the firing of units bank tube tenth of Fig. 2. The rise in potential of the cathode of the tens bank tenth tube as it fires is conveyed to the grid of the first tube by conductor 221 to complete the ring. Each time the first tube of the tens bank is fired, a positive potential impulse is sent through terminal 338 to the hundreds bank (Fig. 4) to operate it a step from its preset condition. The tens bank, then, operates a step for each impulse received on terminal 10 and transmits an impulse to the hundreds bank to operate it a step each time the cathode of the first tube of the tens bank rises in potential.
By operating a selected one of the digit keys 1" to 9 in the tens bank, it may be determined that the first cycle of the tens bank shall be less than a fullcycle and by how many steps. Thus, if the .lfkey, were operated in the tens bank, the firing of tube 200 would cause the tenth tube grid to be primed to fire said tube on receipt of the first impulse on terminal 10, and, on receipt of the second impulse, the first tube would fire, sending atransfer impulse to the hundreds bank.
The hundredsbcmlc The hundreds bank (Fig. 4) of the device in: cludes ten gaseous triodes interconnected into an operative chain in which the tubes are caused to fire one after another from a selected beginning point to an end point in the chain.
These tubes are designated in Fig. 4 as first ninth, and tenth, the intermediate tubes second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth', seventh, and eighth not being shown for the same reasons stated in connection with similar deletions in the other banks previously described;
The ten tubes of the chain are given 115 volts positive anode potential through conductor 300, resistor 30l of 4,000 ohms, point 302, and resistor 303 of 300' ohms, which is connected to the H5- volt positive supply terminal 304. Point 302 is coupled to ground through shock-absorbing and stabilizing capacitor 305 of .1 microfarad.
The cathodes of each of the tubes of the chain, except the first tube, are connected ,toground through a 15,000-ohm resistor, like resistor 306, in parallel with a capacitor of .004 microfarad, like capacitor 301, and are connected to-the negative l50-volt potential supply ,conductor 308 through a resistor of 100,000 ohms, like resistor 309, a point, like point 310,.and a resistorof 100,- 000 ohms, like resistor 3| Pointslike point 3I0 are connected through a resistor of 500,000 ohms,
like resistor 3l2, apoint, like point 313, and a resistor of 50,000 ohms, like resistor 3l4, tothe grid of the tube of the series having the next higher designation. Each point corresponding topoint 3l3 is connected to'impulse input conductor 3|5, energized from the tens bank, through a .00005- microfarad capacitor, like capacitor 315. The second tube grid (not shown) issupplied with biasing potential through a point, 3l1, which obtains its potential from thepotential-dividing resistances 3l8, 3l9, and 320, which are of-the same values, respectively, as resistances 300,309, and
The cathode of the first, tube ,of the hun-' dreds bank is normally connected by means of conductor 322, point 323, and c1osed switches of the upper key switches, like switch 324', when no key is operated, to the cathode ofthe tenth tube. However, as a key, like 9, is operated, the upper switch 324 breaks the connection to the cathode of the tenth tube and establishes it by way of conductor 325, lowered switch 324, and conductor 326, through resistor 3! to priming point 311 leading to the gridof the second tube (notyshown); Operation of the 1 key instead of the 9 key connects the cathode of the first tube by way of conductors 325 and 321 to the cathode oithe ninth tube.
Thus, when the operation oi the hundreds bank:
is commenced by a positive impulse impressed on terminal 81 (see alsoFig. 1) as tube 20 fires, the
first tube (Fig. 4.) of the: hundreds bank be'- comes conducting, and, by reason of the switching connections, just explained,-when a key is operated, the cathode supply of said first tube tive, and the grid is' givena-normal potential of about 5'7 volts negative byreasonotbei'ng connected to ground through 30,000-ohm'r'e sistor 330, and being connected to the negative 150-vo1t supply conductor 308 through resistor 33| of 100,000 ohms. Resistors 332 and 333 are, respectively, of 250,000 ohms and 50,000 ohms, This grid potential holds said first tube nonconducting until the starting impulse is received at terminal 81, which is conveyed through capacitor 334 of .0005 microfarad and resistor 333 to fire said first tube. If no key is depressed, the firing of said first tube acts on point 335 just as though the tenth tube had fired. If the one key is depressed, the firing of the first tube acts on point 330 as though the ninth tube had fired, priming the grid of the tenth tube, and so on, theoperation of the 9 key causing a potential rise at the grid point 3l1 of the second tube.
The operation of the device is stopped by the firing of a stop tube 331, which is fired by the first impulse received from the tens bank after point 335 has risen in potential due either to conduction in tube tenth or conduction in tube "first when no key is operated.
Therefore, when no key is operated in the hundreds order, the first impulse received from the tens bank through terminal 338 stops the generation of impulses, in 'a manner to be explained. If the 1 key of the hundreds bank is operated, the generation of impulses will be stopped on the second impulse conductor 315 received from the tens bank.
The chain-connected tubes of the hundreds bank are rendered conducting one at a time, as the firing of any tube in the chain extinguishes any other conducting tube therein because of the momentary dip in the potential of anode supply conductor 300 as a tube, supplied thereby, fires.
Termination of operation Stop tube 331 receives its anode supply through resistors 340 and 341 of 300 ohms and 10,000 ohms, respectively, connecting it to the 115-volt positive conductor 308, and through resistors 342 and 343 of 75,000 ohms and 120,000 ohms, respectively, connecting it to the negative supply conductor 308. This gives the anode of tube 331 a normal anode supply of about 103 volts positive and gives point 344 a normal potential of about 5 'volts' positive. The cathode of tube 331 is normally about 10 volts negative, resistor 350 being of 3,000 oh-ms and resistors 35! and 352 totaling 40,000 ohms. The grid of the stop tube is normally kept at about volts negative by being connected at point 380 to the negative supply conductor 308 through resistor 315 of 100,000 ohms, and connected to ground through resistor 316 of 100,000 ohms and resistor 311' of 15,000 ohms.
Therefore, when tube tenth is conducting ('ortube first is conducting and no key is depressed), which condition primes the grid of tube 331 to be responsive to the next impulse from the tens bank and such impulse is received, 65'
tube 331 will fire and cause point 344, normally maintained at about 12 volts, to drop sharply in potential, which drop is impressed through rectifier 350, as has been said, on terminal I01 (see also Fig. 2), stopping the recycling of the units bank. Tube 331 is extinguished by the opening of starting switch 25 (Fig. 1).
Rectifiertube '360 (Fig. 4) is placed in series between point 344 and terminal I01 to permit a negative change in potential to be conveyed to the --first"tube of the units bank, but isolates its grid from a positive change in potential of the cathode of tube 331 (Fig. 4).
Operation Let it be supposed that one hundred and sixty-one impulses are to be produced. The 1" key in the units bank, the 6 key in the tens bank, and the 1 key in the hundreds bank are operated, and the switch 25 (Fig. 1) is closed. The hundreds bank first tube (Fig. 4) is fired, which raises the potential of point 336; the tens bank fourth tube cathode is raised in potential at the same time by the firing of tube 200 (Fig. 3) and, later, the cathode of the tenth tube 69 (Fig. 2) is raised in potential due to the firing of tube 14. The cathode impulse from tube 14 is also conveyed to terminal 65 (see also Fig. 3) by the switching of the I key to fire the fifth tube in the tens bank. At this point, one impulse has been generated at point I05 (Fig. 2). The first tube of the units bank then fires, and the first full cycle of the units bank is begun, which cycle, when completed, has produced ten more impulses and a transfer impulse to the tens bank to fire the sixth tube therein. The units bank cycles five more times, producing fifty more impulses, or a total of sixty-one impulses, before the first tube of the tens bank is fired, sending an impulse to terminal 338 (Figs. 3 and 4) to fire the tenth tube in the hundreds bank. The units bank recycles ten more times, causing ten transfers to the tens bank and one transfer to the hundreds bank to fire the stop tube. This produces a total of one hundred and sixty-one impulses.
Supposing, in the example, only one hundred and sixty impulses were desired. The hundreds and tens bank-s would be preset as before, but in the units bank, as no key is operated, point HI (Fig. 2) receives the rise in potential, firing the second tube to start a complete cycle immediately. Tube 14 firing takes the place of the first tube firing in such first complete cycle. As no key is operated in the units bank, tube 23 (Fig, 1) fires and sends an impulse to the tens bank, as has been explained, at the same time tube 14 (Fig. 2) fires. When no key is operated in either the unit bank or the tens bank, the impulse from tube 23 (Fig. 1) fires the first tube of the tens bank, which transfers one impulse to the hundreds bank.
It is apparent that the banks maybe increased in number by adding intermediate banks similar to that shown in Fig. 3. It is also apparent that the banks themselves may vary; thus the first bank might be on a base of ten digits and the second bank on a base of five digits. The invention contemplates such variations.
It should be explained that timing capacitors, like capacitor 91a (Fig. 2), each of .002 micromicrofarad, connect the grid of each tube of the units bank to the 150 volt negative conductor 98, to provide a time interval between the firing of each two adjacent tubes in the units bank, to make that bank operate slower than the tens and hundreds banks. This is to provide a time interval long enough to create and apply a stopping impulse to point I01, when that condition of the device is reached, without any danger of an extra unwanted cycle of the units order bank. With circuit elements of the value given, the units bank operates at 3000 to 4000 steps per minute and the tens and hundreds banks operate at about 200,000 steps per minute. There is, therefore, time for a great number of tubes to operate in the higher orders, to bring about the stopping potential, while the first tube in the units order is getting ready to fire. Although there is enough of a safety factor in the device, adjusted as disclosed, to accommodate any commercially desirable number of denominational orders without danger of an anomalous units cycle, it will be apparent that the size of the timing capacitors, like capacitor 91a, may be increased to still further slow down the units bank, if it is desirable or necessary.
While the form of the invention herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the form or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.
What is claimed is:
1. In combination, means including a plurality of gaseous discharge electron tubes, including a designated tube, connected in an endless operative chain circuit wherein they automatically become conducting one at a time serially in cycles and produce an electric impulse as each tube is rendered conducting; means to start an operation at a. selected tube in-the endless chain cycle; and automatic means to stop such operation after a selected counted number of cycles measured from the designated tube.
2. In combination, an electric impulse generator which, when started, continuously produces a plurality of like impulses in each of recurring cycles, each cycle being indicated by a cyclic impulse; means to count the cyclic impulses up to a selected number; means to start the generator at a selected point in a cycle; and automatic means to stop the generator when said selected counted number of cyclic impulses has been counted.
3; In combination, an electric impulse generator including a. plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting one at a time serially in an endless chain having recurrent cycles of operation, the act of a tube being rendered conducting causing an electric impulse; a selective key controlled device for initiating the operation of the generator with any tube of the chain; a. second plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting serially, one step of serial operation being caused at the end of each cycle or part cycle of operation of the impulse geenrator; and means rendered effective at the end of a compete operation of said second plurality of tubes for stopping the cyclic operation of the impulse generator.
4. In combination, an electric impulse generator including a plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting one at a time-serially in an endless chain having recurrent cycles of operation, the act of a tube being rendered conducting causing an electric impulse; a selective key controlled device for initiating the operation of the generator with any tube of the chain; a second plurality of electron tubes rendered conducting serially, one step of serial operation being caused at the end of each cycle or part cycle of operation of the impulse generator; means rendered effective at the end of a complete operation of said second plurality of tubes for stopping the cyclic operation of the impulse generator; and selectively operable means for starting the operation of. said second plurality of tubes at a selected. Place in a complete operation of the tubes answer :so asto accuratelydetermine-thenumber of comapletecycles ot operation which 'shall be performed :by the firstlgroup of tubes. '7
.5. Auself-operating ring of electron .tubes .wherein the :tubes are rendered conducting one at a time in endless chain repeating cycles; and a-second operative ring of electronjtubes arranged .in an endless chain operating .circuitwherein the tubes are caused to be rendered conducting step .by step one at a time in endless chain repeating cycles, one step of operation being caused by .the completion of a cycle of the self-operating ring.
6. A self-operating ring .of electron tubes wherein the tubes .are rendered conducting one at a time in endless chain repeating cycles; a second operative ring of electron tubes arranged in an endless chain operating circuit wherein the tubes are caused tobe rendered conducting step by step one at a time in endless chain repeating cycles, one step of operation-being caused by the completion of a cycle of the self-operating ring; and a third operative ring of electron tubesarranged in an ending chain circuit wherein the tubes are caused to be rendered conduct- :ing step bystep one at a time, one step of operation being caused by the completion of a cycleof thesecondring. r e V 7. A selfaoperating ring:'of electron tubes :wherein the tubes are rendered conducting one at :a time in endlesschain repeating cycles; :asecond operative ring of electron tubes arranged in an endless chain operating circuit wherein the tubes are caused to be rendered conducting step by step one .at a time .in endless chain repeatingcycles', one step of operation being caused by the completion of a cycle .of the self-operating ring; and selectively operable means .to preset each ring to commence the cycle of each at a predetermined tube in the ring.
8. A plurality of gaseous electron tubes each having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid; circuits including a common resistance for supplying anode potential to said tubes; circuits including a resistance and capacitance in parallel for supplying cathode potential to each of said tubes; circuits for supplying normally controlling bias potential to the grids of said tubes, each of which grid circuits is also connected to the cathode of another tube to form an endless operative chain wherein, if one preceding tube is rendered conducting, the next succeeding tube of the chain is automatically rendered conducting and the preceding tube is extinguished, said anode supply means being given a potential surge when a tube commences conducting; selectively operable control means for stopping the endless chain operation at a fixed tube after a precise selected counted number of complete cycles of operation of said chain, considering said fixed tube as the end point of a cycle; and control means for starting operation of the device with any selected tube by causing it to conduct.
9. A plurality of electron tubes; means connecting the tubes in a circuit wherein they are rendered conducting one at a time in endless chain sequence automatically; means to select the tube with which the sequence is started; and electronic counting means to determine a counted number of complete chain sequences performed as reckoned from a fixed tube in the chain.
10. A plurality of electron tubes; means connecting the tubes to become conducting one at a time in an automatic endless chain sequence operation and tozgenerate an electric impulse each time atube becomes conductingand to generate a control electric impulse 'when a certain sequence (and tube becomes-conducting; means to count the control impulses; and means to automatically .stop the chain sequence operation after :a. certain counted number of control impulses have been-counted.
L1. :In combination,- a first plurality of gaseous electron tubes, each having at least an anode, a cathode, and :a control grid; means including a common resistance in a common potential sup-- ply ocon-ductor supplying anode potential tothe anodes of said tubes; means for supplying catho'de'potential to said :tubes including aresistance andcapacitance in parallel for each cathodesupply; 111681115 supplying normally controlling potential bias to each grid; means connecting the tubes in an endless operative chain cathode to grid, the potential supply, resistances, and capacitances being so balanced that, if anyone tube is fired and rendered conducting by flower,- ing its potential grid -:bia;s, the succeeding tube in the chain will -fire and the tubes will automatically become conducting one at a time in sequence cyclically and each of the tubes, when commencing to conduct, causing a potential drop in said common anode supply conductor; an auxiliary gaseouselectron tube having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid, whose anode is connected to the common anode supply conductor, whose cathode is selectively connectable to the cathodeof any tube of the ringpand whose grid is normally given a controlling potential bias; means to relieve the grid bias on said auxiliary tube to fire it and render it conducting; a second plurality of .gaseous electron tubea each having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid; means including a comm-on resistance in a common potential supply conductor supplying anode potential to said second plurality of tubes; means supplying cathode potential to said second plurality of tubes, including a resistance and capacitance in parallel for each cathode supply; means supplying normally controlling potential bias to each grid of the second plurality of tubes; means connecting the second plurality of tubes in an endless operative chain cathode to grid, the potential supply, resistances, and capacitances associated with said second pluraltiy of tubes being so balanced that, if one tube be rendered conducting, it will lower the potential bias on the grid of the next succeeding tube of the chain to a point where it is appreciably nearer the firing point than any other tube of the chain; means electrostatically coupling the grid of each tube to the cathode of one of the tubes of the first-mentioned plurality of tubes; a third plurality of gaseous electron tubes, each having at least 'an anode, a cathode, and a control grid, and having anode, cathode, and grid bias potential supply means similar to said second plurality of tubes and having operative connections between the cathode of one tube and the grid of a succeeding tube in an ending chain from a beginning tube; means capacitatively coupling all the grids of said third plurality of tubes, except the beginning tube, to the cathode of a tube of the second plurality; means to select for firing one of the tubes of the third plurality as a precedent to the firing of the auxiliary tube of the first plurality of tubes; and means operated by the conduction in the last tube of the chain of the third plurality of tubes to place a controlling potential bias on the grid of one of the-tubes of the first plurality of tubes to stop the endless operation of said first plurality of tubes.
12. Incombination, a plurality of two or more electron tubes; means for supplying operating electric potential to said tubes; means connecting the tubes in an endless operative chain in which they become conducting one at a time in sequence automatically over and over; and a conductor common to all the tubes which is given an electric impulseas a consequence of each tube operation.
13. In combination, a plurality of electron tubes connected in a circuit so that they become conducting one at a time in an endless operative chain automatically; selective means to determine What tube in said chain shall be the first to become conducting; and electronic means operable to stop said endless chain operation at a fixed place in the chain.
14. In combination, a recycling electronic electric impulse producer producing a fixed number of impulses each complete cycle; selective means operable to cause a partial first cycle producing a number of impulses less than the fixed number, after which full cycles of operation are performed; and an electronic counter preset to stop said impulse producer after a selected number of cycles in addition to any selected partial cycle.
15. In combination, a plurality of gaseous electron tubes each having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid; means including a common ressitance in a common potential supply conductor supplying anode potential to the anodes of said tubes; means for supplying cathode potential to said tubes including a resistance and capacitance ,in parallel for each cathode supply; means supplying normally controlling potential bias to each grid; means connecting the tubes inan endless operative chain cathode to grid, the potential supply, resistances, and capacitances being so balanced that, if any one tube is fired and rendered conducting by lowering its potential grid bias, the succeeding tube in the chain will fire and the tubes will automatically become conducting one at a time in sequence cyclically and each of the tubes, when commencing to conduct, causing a potential drop in said commonanode supply conductor; an auxiliary gaseous electron tube having at least an anode, a cathode, and a control grid, whose anode is connected to the common anode supply conductor, whose cathode is selectively connectable to the cathode of any tube of the ring, and whose grid is normally given a controlling potential bias; and means to relieve the grid bias on said auxiliary tube to fire it and render it conducting.
ROBERT E. MUMMA. LAWRENCE D. KILHEF'FER.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:
. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,932,589 Holden Oct. 31, 1933 1,972,535 Page Sept. 4, 1934 2,021,743 Nicolson Nov. 19, 1935 2,099,065 Holden Nov. 16, 1937 2,136,621 King et a1 Nov. 15, 1938 2,146,862 Shumard Feb. 14, 1939 2,158,285 Koch May 16, 1939 2,232,541 Levoy Jr Feb. 18, 1941 2,303,016 Blount Nov. 24, 1942 2,303,453 Gulliksen Dec. 1, 1942 2,319,333 Logan et al. May 18, 1943 2,373,134 Masonneau Apr. 10, 1945 2,381,920 Miller Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain Aug. 24, 1931
US488496A 1943-05-26 1943-05-26 Electron tube impulse generator Expired - Lifetime US2447661A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US488496A US2447661A (en) 1943-05-26 1943-05-26 Electron tube impulse generator
GB29206/46A GB583309A (en) 1943-05-26 1944-05-19 Improvements in or relating to electric impulse producing apparatus
GB9753/44A GB583266A (en) 1943-05-26 1944-05-19 Improvements in or relating to electric impulse producing apparatus
DEN2948A DE907189C (en) 1943-05-26 1949-09-08 Device for generating a selected number of similar impulses in repeating cycles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US488496A US2447661A (en) 1943-05-26 1943-05-26 Electron tube impulse generator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2447661A true US2447661A (en) 1948-08-24

Family

ID=23939894

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US488496A Expired - Lifetime US2447661A (en) 1943-05-26 1943-05-26 Electron tube impulse generator

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US2447661A (en)
DE (1) DE907189C (en)
GB (2) GB583266A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2600270A (en) * 1946-06-25 1952-06-10 Norman B Saunders Microsecond delay circuit
DE968761C (en) * 1950-05-25 1958-03-27 Ncr Co Electronic storage unit for counting electrical impulses
US2882453A (en) * 1953-02-18 1959-04-14 Welding Research Inc Sequencing system for welding machines
US2883578A (en) * 1954-12-07 1959-04-21 Automatic Telephone & Elect Sequential selection or hunting arrangements

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL152497B (en) * 1949-03-24 1900-01-01 Oldenzaal B V Maschf SHIP DOOR OR HATCH.
US2651006A (en) * 1950-12-22 1953-09-01 Underwood Corp Counting ring utilizing cold cathode tubes
BE527875A (en) * 1953-04-06
DE1015048B (en) * 1954-02-24 1957-09-05 Kurt Gregor Dipl Ing Circuit arrangement for generating electrical currents of any given shape

Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB355705A (en) * 1930-05-23 1931-08-24 Alec Harley Reeves Improvements in or relating to electrical measuring systems and apparatus therefor
US1932589A (en) * 1932-11-03 1933-10-31 American Telephone & Telegraph Frequency translating device
US1972535A (en) * 1930-05-14 1934-09-04 Robert M Page Polyphase relaxation circuit oscillator
US2021743A (en) * 1930-06-13 1935-11-19 Communications Patents Inc Multiplex signaling
US2099065A (en) * 1935-03-15 1937-11-16 American Telephone & Telegraph Distributor device
US2136621A (en) * 1936-06-20 1938-11-15 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Antenna selector system
US2146862A (en) * 1937-04-27 1939-02-14 Rca Corp Electronic switching system
US2158285A (en) * 1937-06-22 1939-05-16 Rca Corp Impulse measuring circuit
US2232541A (en) * 1938-03-31 1941-02-18 Gen Electric Electric valve circuit
US2303016A (en) * 1941-06-20 1942-11-24 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Impulse counting circuit
US2303453A (en) * 1939-05-05 1942-12-01 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Welding timer
US2319333A (en) * 1941-06-14 1943-05-18 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Service observing system
US2373134A (en) * 1942-08-06 1945-04-10 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Signaling system
US2381920A (en) * 1944-02-17 1945-08-14 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Telemetric device

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1972535A (en) * 1930-05-14 1934-09-04 Robert M Page Polyphase relaxation circuit oscillator
GB355705A (en) * 1930-05-23 1931-08-24 Alec Harley Reeves Improvements in or relating to electrical measuring systems and apparatus therefor
US2021743A (en) * 1930-06-13 1935-11-19 Communications Patents Inc Multiplex signaling
US1932589A (en) * 1932-11-03 1933-10-31 American Telephone & Telegraph Frequency translating device
US2099065A (en) * 1935-03-15 1937-11-16 American Telephone & Telegraph Distributor device
US2136621A (en) * 1936-06-20 1938-11-15 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Antenna selector system
US2146862A (en) * 1937-04-27 1939-02-14 Rca Corp Electronic switching system
US2158285A (en) * 1937-06-22 1939-05-16 Rca Corp Impulse measuring circuit
US2232541A (en) * 1938-03-31 1941-02-18 Gen Electric Electric valve circuit
US2303453A (en) * 1939-05-05 1942-12-01 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Welding timer
US2319333A (en) * 1941-06-14 1943-05-18 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Service observing system
US2303016A (en) * 1941-06-20 1942-11-24 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Impulse counting circuit
US2373134A (en) * 1942-08-06 1945-04-10 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Signaling system
US2381920A (en) * 1944-02-17 1945-08-14 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Telemetric device

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2600270A (en) * 1946-06-25 1952-06-10 Norman B Saunders Microsecond delay circuit
DE968761C (en) * 1950-05-25 1958-03-27 Ncr Co Electronic storage unit for counting electrical impulses
US2882453A (en) * 1953-02-18 1959-04-14 Welding Research Inc Sequencing system for welding machines
US2883578A (en) * 1954-12-07 1959-04-21 Automatic Telephone & Elect Sequential selection or hunting arrangements

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB583266A (en) 1946-12-13
GB583309A (en) 1946-12-13
DE907189C (en) 1954-03-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2373134A (en) Signaling system
US2310105A (en) Counter circuit
US2521774A (en) Predetermined counter
US2503127A (en) Electric impulse generator for calculating machines
US2411648A (en) Method and apparatus for generating impulses
US2575331A (en) Electronic multiplying device
US2384379A (en) Electrical impulse counting circuits
US2405664A (en) Electronic accumulator
US2414479A (en) Impulse generator
US2447661A (en) Electron tube impulse generator
US2719226A (en) Timed signal generator
US2422583A (en) Electronic device
US2416095A (en) Electronic device
US2401657A (en) Electronic accumulator
US2619282A (en) Electronic signal responsive predetermining circuit
US2719227A (en) Counting apparatus
US2551119A (en) Electronic commutator
US2534287A (en) Electronic control apparatus
US2562591A (en) Electronic counting circuit
US2591008A (en) Electronic accumulator
US2644111A (en) Electronic counter
US2669390A (en) Electronic signal responsive circuit having presettable count means
US2426279A (en) Electronic accumulator
US2591007A (en) Electronic accounting machine
US2763432A (en) Device