US2616627A - Counter circuit - Google Patents

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US2616627A
US2616627A US53079A US5307948A US2616627A US 2616627 A US2616627 A US 2616627A US 53079 A US53079 A US 53079A US 5307948 A US5307948 A US 5307948A US 2616627 A US2616627 A US 2616627A
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pulse
tube
cathode
tubes
anode
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William H T Holden
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AT&T Corp
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Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03KPULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K23/00Pulse counters comprising counting chains; Frequency dividers comprising counting chains
    • H03K23/82Pulse counters comprising counting chains; Frequency dividers comprising counting chains using gas-filled tubes

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  • This invention relates to electronic counting circuits and more particularly to tube counting chains in which pulses on one of two input leads cause the tubes to fire sequentially in one direction while pulses on the other input, lead cause thetubes to fire sequentially in the opposite direction, thus providing add-subtract or" two-way operation.
  • An object of this invention is to ,efurnish an electron tube counting circuit capable of being stepped in either direction.
  • Another object of the invention is to render the operation of a counting chainhon-critical with regard to the magnitude of "the supply voltages or the critical voltages of" the tubes therein.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide means operable from a remote pointover telephone circuits which will register the'number of seats sold or canceled in railroad trains or passeng'er aircraft and which will automatically indicate the present available space.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of a bidiiectional counting chain constructed in accordance with the invention
  • I Figs. 2 and '3 illustrate an application of the bidirectional counting circuit of Fig. 1 to the problem of automatically recording the number of seats sold in transport aircraft.
  • reference character I indicates a cold-cathode glow-discharge tube of the well-known three-element type having a main anode 4, a main cathode 5, and a starter anode 6.
  • the adjacent tube 2 in the forward direction has similar elements, as does tube 3, designated respectively "I, 8, 9 and III, II and I2.
  • the main anodes of these tubes, and of other tubes not shown, are multipled and connected by lead I3 to commutating impedance I4, which may be a resistor, as shown, or an inductor.
  • impedance I4 is connected to the positive pole of battery I5, the negative pole of which is grounded, while the cathodes of tubes I, 2 and 3 are connected through cathode resistors I6, I1 and I8, by-passed by capacitors I9, 20 and 2 I, to negative battery 22 the positive pole of which is grounded.
  • resistors 23 and 24 are connected to capacitors 25 and 26, respectively, and also to the anode terminals of coldcathode diodes 21 and 28, respectively.
  • the other electrode of capacitor 26 is connected to the forward pulse wire 29 and the other electrode of capacitor 25 is connected to reverse pulse wire 30.
  • Tube 2 is similarly provided with resistors 3
  • Tube 3 has similarly connected resistors 31 and '38, capacitors39 and 40, and diodes M and 42.
  • the cathodes of diodes 28 and M are connected'together, are connected to ground through resistor 43, and are connected to the starter anode 9 of tube 2 through resistor 44.
  • the suggested voltages are but exemplary and that other potentials may be applied to achieve optimum operating results in view of the parameters of the circuits. While the values of the voltages from the batteries and 22 are not critical, they must meet certain requirements imposed by the characteristics of the tubes. For instance, the sum of the voltages of batteries [5 and 22 should be less than the main-anode breakdown voltage of the triodes, and greater than the sustaining voltage of the triodes, both by suitable margins. In addition, the effective voltage of negative battery 22 must be slightly less than the minimum sustaining voltage of the shown diodes or triodes. It will be assumed hereinafter, for purposes of explanation, that batteries l5 and 22 are 130 volts and volts, respectively.
  • non-conducting tubes will be at 50 volts negative relative to ground. Therefore, the anodes of diodes, 35 and 35 will be at 50 volts positive and the anodes of the remaining diodes will be at 50 volts negative relative to ground.
  • an impedance is placed in thexcommon anode wire [3, and is herein depicted as a resistor 14, although other forms of impedance may be used;
  • thexcommon anode wire I3 is lowered to approximately 20 volts positive relative to ground. Since cathode 8 of tube 2 is held at 55-65 volt positive relative to ground until capacitor 20 can discharge through resistor ll, tube 2 will become non-conducting.
  • capacitor 2! will charge through resistor l8, and, when steady conditions are reached, voltages will be distributed as described before except that tube 3 will be conducting instead of tube 2.
  • 33, 32-34, 3139 and 38-40 is such that only one tube will become conducting on one pulse.
  • the voltageeresponsive switching "means, illustrated herein as-gas diodes are not essential to the functioning of the circuit since by a proper selection of circuit'parameters the; chain would operate bidirectionally without the diodes 1 being; present; However; in the absence. of such switching means; the "operation of the circuit is marginal, i. e., the biasing voltage of the tube in the preceding or succeeding stageand the voltage of the pulse must each be lessuthan the breakdown voltage of the tube to be -fired, while the combination ofthese voltages must exceed the breakdown voltage so as to.ren der the tube conductive. Adjustment for such marginal operation is diificult anda possibility of circuit malfunctioning ispresent. The difliculty in marginal operation arises from supply volt-Q age variations and from the problem of pulse amplitude controL- As has been stated, the pulses arepreferably exponential in shape, rising-such denly to full value and dropping exponentially.
  • the leadingspike may necessarily-be of such amplitude that-the tubeswillbe rendered conductive from the pulse alone.
  • a voltage-responsive switching means such as gasdiodes, renders the operate margins sowide thatno .rigid voltage-regulation requirements areimposed. It has been found, in the preferred embodiment, that. at a pulsing speed of20. pulses per second, and a pulse width at 35 volts of2 to 3 central bureau, -multiplesales of -';th e;same spa;ce
  • Relay IIB will operate from the closure at the calling station, and will in turn operate slow-release relay "I I8, which'grounds the sleeve lead S. Relay I IjBjjl-Vill release once for each dial pulse, but relay II8, will remain operated through these momentary interruptions.
  • relay H8 When relay H8 is operated and relay H0 is released. a path is established from +l-volt battery I22, back contact of relay ILB, front contact of relay H8, resistor I23, and
  • tube I20 When-a, register is to be set up to take reserva f" -I-Ience, tube I20 sends out a pulse oven creased by one for each interruption of the dial tions, zero units tube IOI and zero tens tube III. are operated through the momentary closure of switch I33 which connects positive battery I34 (Fig. 3) through common anode wire I35, through resistor I36 to starter anode I31 of zero units tube I 0
  • the units counting chain comprising tubes IOI to I I0 is a ten-tube closed ring identical with that shown in part in Fig. 1, and consequently, the discussion of the internal operation will not be repeated.
  • the circuit must be prepared so that upon receipt of the next "add pulse, zero to cathode I44 of tube IIO so that when tube H0. is conducting they receive a priming potential;
  • the next add" pulse over forward pulse lead I32 renders diode I conductive and current is conducted over lead I45 through resistor I46 to ground.
  • the potential drop across the resistor" I46 applied to starter anode I31 of zero units tube IOI through resistor I41 fires tube “II, and tube H0 is extinguished as hereinbefore described.
  • the tens register is shown with five stages and comprises a circuit which operates in the same fashion as that described in Fig. 1.
  • Relay H1 in operating closes a circuit through its front contact to operate slow. release relay H9, and sets up a pulsing path to; tube I2I from battery I22, back contactof relay I I1, front contact of relay I I9 and resistor I53- to ground. Receipt of a pulse, now indicating a verse pulse input lead I50 in the units registein,
  • a pulse on the units register reverse pulse lead I 59 will render diode I60 conducting and current will be passed through resistor- I65 to ground and a potential will be impressed over lead I 66, through resistor I61, and on starter anode I68 of nine units tube-II 0, Simultaneously, receipt of the cancel pulse over wire I 59 will render diode I 6I conducting, current will pass over lead I69 through resistor I10 to ground, thus placing a potential on starter anode I1I of pulse repeater I12. Tube I12, in operating, will'pass a pulse over the tens registerreverse pulse lead I13 thus subtracting ten in the tens register. It will be observed that thetens register is an open chain instead of a closed ring.
  • tube I14 having an alternating current supply, is arranged to operate when tubes IUI and III are both operated.
  • Equal shimming resistors I15 and I16 are connected between the cathodes of tubes IBI and III, respectively, and the starter anode I11 of tube I14.
  • tube I14- When tubes IUI and III are both operated, tube I14- will be rendered conductive and relay I51 Will -be operated to openthe cancel pulse lead I56 at the back'contact of relay I51. At such time as either tubeIIiI or III is extinguished, the
  • voice frequency signaling channels can be provided to setup teletype rec-.
  • An impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of electronic devices, each having-an anode, acathode and a control element, -tw'o pulse-input leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said devicesto the control element of the next adjacent ones of said devices, said circuit means including voltage-re:- sponsive'switching'means responsive-to pulses on one of said leads to render said devices 'successively conducting-in one direction and responsive to pulses on the other-of said leads to rendersaid devices successively conducting in the'other'direction.
  • An impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of electronic devices, each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, two pulseinput leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of each-'ofsaid devices to thecontrol element of the next adjacent ones of said 'de' vices, said circuit means including voltage responsive switching means responsive to pulses on one of said leads torender said devices-succes-- cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next succeeding one of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of' each of said tubes to the control element'of the next preceding one of said tubes and to the other of said pulseinput leads.
  • An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of gaseous discharge tubes each having an anode, a cathode, and a control element,
  • An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of gaseous-discharge tubes each having an-anode, a cathodeand a control element-two pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next preceding oneof said tubes and to the other of said pulse-input leads, each of said circuit means includedin voltage-respom sive switching meanscomprising a gas diode.
  • An impulse-counting chain comprising aplurality of gaseous-discharge tubes each having an anode, a cathode, and a dischargecontrol-ele-' trol eleiiient of the next succeeding one of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next preceding one of said tubes and to the other of said pulseinput leads, each of said circuit means including on one of said leads to. render. said devices silo-- cessively conducting in one direction and responsive to 'pulses'on the other of said leads to render said devices successively conducting in the other direction, and voltage-responsive switching means interconnecting said two counting chains.
  • a first and a second impulse-counting chain each comprising a plurality of electronic devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, two pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent ones of said devices, said circuit means including voltage-responsive switching means responsive to pulses on one of said leads to render said devices successively conducting in one direction and responsive to pulses on the other of said leads to render said devices successively conducting in the other direction; and voltageresponsive switching means connecting said first impulse-counting chain to each of said pulse-input leads or said second impulse-counting chain.
  • a first and a second impulsecounting chain each comprising a plurality of gaseous-discharge tubes each having an anode, a cathode, and a control element, two pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next succeeding one of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next preceding one of said tubes and to the other of said pulse-input leads, each of said circuit means including voltage-responsive switching means, and voltage-responsive switching means connecting the cathode of the initial tube in said first chain to one of said pulse-input leads in said second chain and voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final tube in said first chain to the other of said pulse-input leads in said second chain.
  • a bidirectional pulse register two pulseinput circuits, a units register bidirectional counting ring having two pulse-input leads connected to said pulse-input circuits, a tens register bidirectional counting chain having two pulse-input leads, voltage-responsive switching means connecting the initial element of said units register to one of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, and voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final element of said units register to the other of said pulse-input leads in said tens register.
  • a bidirectional impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of stages interconnected by voltage-responsive switching means, two pulseinput leads associated with said switching means, and means associated with one of said stages disabling one of said pulse-input leads when said one stage is operated.
  • a bidirectional impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of stages interconnected by voltage-responsive switching means, two pulse input leads associated with said switching means, means associated with the initial one of said stages disabling one of said pulse-input leads when said initial stage is operated, and means associated with another of said stages disabling the other of said pulse-input leads when said other stage is operated.
  • a bidirectional pulse register two pulseinput circuits, a units register bidirectional counting ring having a plurality of stages and two pulse-input leads connected to said pulse-input circuits, a tens register bidirectional counting chain having a plurality of stages and two pulseinput leads, voltage-responsive switching means connecting the initial element of said units register to one of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, a voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final element of said units register to the other of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, and means associated with one of the stages in each of said registers disabling one of said pulse-input circuits when said associated stages are operating.
  • a bidirectional pulse register two pulseinput circuits, a units register bidirectional counting ring having a plurality of stages and two pulse-input leads connected to said pulse-input circuits, 9, tens register bidirectional counting chain having a plurality of stages and two pulseinput leads, voltage-responsiv switching means connecting the initial element of said units register to one of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final element of said units register to the other of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, means associated with the initial one of said stages in each of said registers disabling one of said pulse-input circuits when said initial stages are both operating, and means associated with another of said stages in each of said registers disabling the other if said pulse-input circuits when said other stages are both operating.
  • An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of electron-discharge devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, switching means controlled by said devices connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent one of said devices, a pulse source, and a control connection including said switching means connecting said pulse source to the control elements of all of said devices.
  • An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of electron-discharge devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, switching means controlled by said devices responsive to a critical voltage for connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent one of said devices, a pulse source, and a control connection including said switching means connecting said pulse source to the control elements of all of said devices.
  • An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of electron-discharge devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, switching means comprising a gas-filled diode connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent one of said devices, a pulse source, and a connection including said switching means connecting said pulse source to the control elements of said devices.
  • a, first nd a second electron discharge, device each having an anode, a, oathode and a oontrol element, a cone nection comprising a gas-filled diode connecting the cathodeof said first device to-the eontrol element of said second device, a, pulse source, and a connection comprising said gas-filled diode cone meeting said pulse source to the oontrol element of said second-device;

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Description

Nov. 4, 1952 w. H. T; HOLDEN- COUNTER CIRCUIT 3 Sheets-Sneet 1 Filed Oct. 6, 1948 INVENI'OR l IF I If
k wn a BN NW AAA M. H. 7. HOLDEN j ATTORNEY Nov. 4, 1952 w. H. TQHOLPEN COUNTER CIRCUIT Sibe'ets-Sneet 2 4 Filed Oct. 6, 1948 N dc INVENTOR W H. 7.' HOLDEN By WW1 Arromlsr Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE COUNTER CIRCUIT William H..T. Holden, Woodside, N. Y., assignor to Bell {.Eelephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October s, 1948, Serial No. 53,079
,18 Claims. I
This invention relates to electronic counting circuits and more particularly to tube counting chains in which pulses on one of two input leads cause the tubes to fire sequentially in one direction while pulses on the other input, lead cause thetubes to fire sequentially in the opposite direction, thus providing add-subtract or" two-way operation.
An object of this invention is to ,efurnish an electron tube counting circuit capable of being stepped in either direction.
Another object of the invention is to render the operation of a counting chainhon-critical with regard to the magnitude of "the supply voltages or the critical voltages of" the tubes therein.
Another object of this invention is to provide means operable from a remote pointover telephone circuits which will register the'number of seats sold or canceled in railroad trains or passeng'er aircraft and which will automatically indicate the present available space.
These objects have been accomplished, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, by connecting the cathode of each tube in the" chain to the starter anode of the immediately-preceding tube through a pulse-gate gas diodf and by similarly connecting the cathode of each tube to the starter anode of the next following tube through a gas diode. With one tube irithe chain conducting, a diode in the next precf ing stage and a diode in the next succeeding-i jstage have priming potentials impressed across tliem. Application of a pulse to the forward input lead will render the diode associated with the next sucoeeding stage conductive and the next tube in the forward direction will be fired. fipplication of a pulse to the reverse pulse lead will result in the rendering of the next preceding tube conductive in a similar fashion. Means 'may be provided to extinguish those tubes which were conductive prior to the receipt of the pulse.
The invention may be more clearlyfunderstood from the following detailed description made in reference to the accompanying drawings in which: r
Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of a bidiiectional counting chain constructed in accordance with the invention; and I Figs. 2 and '3 illustrate an application of the bidirectional counting circuit of Fig. 1 to the problem of automatically recording the number of seats sold in transport aircraft.
Referring now to Fig. 1, reference character I indicates a cold-cathode glow-discharge tube of the well-known three-element type having a main anode 4, a main cathode 5, and a starter anode 6. The adjacent tube 2 in the forward direction has similar elements, as does tube 3, designated respectively "I, 8, 9 and III, II and I2. The main anodes of these tubes, and of other tubes not shown, are multipled and connected by lead I3 to commutating impedance I4, which may be a resistor, as shown, or an inductor. The other side of impedance I4 is connected to the positive pole of battery I5, the negative pole of which is grounded, while the cathodes of tubes I, 2 and 3 are connected through cathode resistors I6, I1 and I8, by-passed by capacitors I9, 20 and 2 I, to negative battery 22 the positive pole of which is grounded.
From the cathode of tube I, resistors 23 and 24 are connected to capacitors 25 and 26, respectively, and also to the anode terminals of coldcathode diodes 21 and 28, respectively. The other electrode of capacitor 26 is connected to the forward pulse wire 29 and the other electrode of capacitor 25 is connected to reverse pulse wire 30. Tube 2 is similarly provided with resistors 3| and-32 capacitors .33 and 34, and diodes 35 and 36. Tube 3 has similarly connected resistors 31 and '38, capacitors39 and 40, and diodes M and 42. The cathodes of diodes 28 and M are connected'together, are connected to ground through resistor 43, and are connected to the starter anode 9 of tube 2 through resistor 44. Similarly the cathode of diode 35 is connected through resistor 45 toground, through resistor 46 to starter anode 6 of tube I, and through lead 50 to the cathode of the associated diode in the next stage in the reverse direction. The remaining diodes throughout the chain are similarly connected; The arrows projecting from each side of Fig. 1 represent connections to-ipreceding and succeeding stages.
In the following discussion of the operation of the circuit of Fig. 1, and throughout this specification, it is to be understood that the suggested voltages are but exemplary and that other potentials may be applied to achieve optimum operating results in view of the parameters of the circuits. While the values of the voltages from the batteries and 22 are not critical, they must meet certain requirements imposed by the characteristics of the tubes. For instance, the sum of the voltages of batteries [5 and 22 should be less than the main-anode breakdown voltage of the triodes, and greater than the sustaining voltage of the triodes, both by suitable margins. In addition, the effective voltage of negative battery 22 must be slightly less than the minimum sustaining voltage of the shown diodes or triodes. It will be assumed hereinafter, for purposes of explanation, that batteries l5 and 22 are 130 volts and volts, respectively.
In general, with any one tube in the chain conducting, application of a pulse of approximately 70 volts amplitude over forwardpulse. .wire 23 will result in the next tube in theforwarddirection in the chain becoming conducting, while. the application of a similar pulse over the reverse pulse lead 39 will result in the adjacent tube in the reverse direction becoming conducting. Simultaneous pulses on both leads 29 and 3Q could cause operation of. one or the other of these tubes, but not both. These pulses are preferably exponential in shape, and should be of suitable duration and amplitude to meet the functional requirements of the circuit. The pulses may be derived from a variety of circuits, one of which will, be described in further detail in connection with Figs. Zand 3. 'Presume, now that-tube 2, which has been depicted as a cold-cathode type, is conducting and has been conducting for asufficient period so that capacitorsSS and 34 havehad time to become fully charged. When the circuits; are in this condition, the cathode of conducting tube '2' will beiata; voltage of to volts positive relative toground, while the cathodes of the remaining,
non-conducting tubes will be at 50 volts negative relative to ground. Therefore, the anodes of diodes, 35 and 35 will be at 50 volts positive and the anodes of the remaining diodes will be at 50 volts negative relative to ground.
Considering now forward pulsing, whena pulse is received over forward pulse input lead 29, the anodeof diode 36 rises to 125-135 volts positive relative to ground, causing diode 36 to become conducting.- Since the drop in a typical diode,
when conducting, is in the range of 55-75v01ts, from 50 to volts positive appearsacross resister 41. Since the cathode of tube 3 is at 50 volts negative relative to ground, a net voltage of to volts is thus applied between starter anode l2 and cathode H of tube 3, and tube 3 thereby becomes conducting. The pulses applied to the diodes 28 and 2, and other diodes (not shown) having their anodes connected to forward pulse lead 29, only carried their anodes from 50 volts negative to 25 volts positive relative to ground and, therefore, no other diode is rendered conductive; Since such diodes typically have anode breakdown voltages in the range of 65 to 90 volts, it is apparent that there is no need for close. margins in the critical voltages of. the tube or in the supply voltages.
In order that the firing of a tube in the-chain may render previously conducting tubes nonconducting, an impedance is placed in thexcommon anode wire [3, and is herein depicted as a resistor 14, although other forms of impedance may be used; When tube 3 becomes conductive,- theinitial current flow therethrough is: limited only by-impedance l4 and thus the voltage og 4 the common anode wire I3 is lowered to approximately 20 volts positive relative to ground. Since cathode 8 of tube 2 is held at 55-65 volt positive relative to ground until capacitor 20 can discharge through resistor ll, tube 2 will become non-conducting.
After tube 3 has become conductive, capacitor 2! will charge through resistor l8, and, when steady conditions are reached, voltages will be distributed as described before except that tube 3 will be conducting instead of tube 2.
It will be noted that with properly selected pulse durations, the time. constant of the resistor-capacitor networks 23-25, 24- -26, 3|33, 32-34, 3139 and 38-40 is such that only one tube will become conducting on one pulse.
" In'reverse pulsing, or causing the next preceding tubein a chain to become conductive, the
tial across associated diodes 35 and 36, receipt of a pulse over reverse pulse input lead 30 will render diode 35 conductive, thus developing an output voltage across resistor 45 and rendering tube l conductive. Tube 2 will then be rendered nonconductive as previou'slyidiscussed.
It may, then, be seen that receipt of impulses on theforward pulse-lead 29 willcause the tubes inthe chain to lbecome'successively conductive-in a forward or right-hand direction, while. receipt of pulsesonthe reverse-pulse 'lead' 30 will result in. the tubes in thechain becoming successively conductive in a reverse or left-hand direction.
n It is to be-understood that the voltageeresponsive switching "means, illustrated herein as-gas diodes, are not essential to the functioning of the circuit since by a proper selection of circuit'parameters the; chain would operate bidirectionally without the diodes 1 being; present; However; in the absence. of such switching means; the "operation of the circuit is marginal, i. e., the biasing voltage of the tube in the preceding or succeeding stageand the voltage of the pulse must each be lessuthan the breakdown voltage of the tube to be -fired, while the combination ofthese voltages must exceed the breakdown voltage so as to.ren der the tube conductive. Adjustment for such marginal operation is diificult anda possibility of circuit malfunctioning ispresent. The difliculty in marginal operation arises from supply volt-Q age variations and from the problem of pulse amplitude controL- As has been stated, the pulses arepreferably exponential in shape, rising-such denly to full value and dropping exponentially.
In a marginally operated circuit, in order that the pulses may be of suificient amplitude-and duration, the leadingspike may necessarily-be of such amplitude that-the tubeswillbe rendered conductive from the pulse alone. The presence of a voltage-responsive switching means, suchas gasdiodes, renders the operate margins sowide thatno .rigid voltage-regulation requirements areimposed. It has been found, in the preferred embodiment, that. at a pulsing speed of20. pulses per second, and a pulse width at 35 volts of2 to 3 central bureau, -multiplesales of -';th e;same spa;ce
may be'made. But if such a central bureau is used, delays in making reservations and sales are unavoidable and in many cases teletype messages must be exchanged between sales desk and central bureau before space can be sold. Although thepresent invention relates primarily to the registering equipment in the central bureau, it is proposed that in a nationwide leased-wire private branch exchange, two numbers be assigned to each flight during the period in which reservations or sales may be made. A ticket seller, upon receiving a request for space or the cancellation of space in a particular flight, will dial the proper number into a telephone set connected to a stepby-step network or other switching system.-
both,.but the tip and ring leads are at first ter-' minated in an additional digit-responsive switch which enables one or the other appearance to be cut through after a single steering digit is dialed in, ,These circuits, embodying no novelty over the step-by-step circuits well known in the prior art,.have been omitted, as their makeup will be obvious to any one skilled in step-by-step switching systems.
Let it now be assumed that the circuit of Fig. 2f
has-been reached over the add input. Relay IIB will operate from the closure at the calling station, and will in turn operate slow-release relay "I I8, which'grounds the sleeve lead S. Relay I IjBjjl-Vill release once for each dial pulse, but relay II8, will remain operated through these momentary interruptions. When relay H8 is operated and relay H0 is released. a path is established from +l-volt battery I22, back contact of relay ILB, front contact of relay H8, resistor I23, and
ground. Thus a potential is placed upon the starter anode of tube I 20. The anode of tube I20 isccnnected to battery I24 through a parallel connected resistance-capacitance network, while the cathode is connected through resistor I25 to,
negative 50-volt battery I26. The starter gap breaks down and main anode transfer takes place rendering tube I20 conductive. Due to the presence of capacitor I21 in the anode circuit, current is initially limited only by the cathode re-jf sister I25 and a pulse of about 100 volts peak amplitude appears across resistor I25. As capacitor I21 in the anode circuit charges, the current flow is reduced and the drop in cathode resistor I25 falls exponentially to a low value. Tube I20;
is preferably of the argon-filled type. Since re-" sister I 28 in parallel with the anode capacitor I21 isg high in value, the resultant current when capacito-r I21 is charged is very small. Under these-L;
conditions, main anode conduction is unstable and the discharge will cease and tube I20 deionize.
asf'soonl as voltage is removed from the starter thjeupper counting chain of ten tubes. The num'-' berg-registered in the counting chain is thus inat: the ticket seller's telephone.
When-a, register is to be set up to take reserva f" -I-Ience, tube I20 sends out a pulse oven creased by one for each interruption of the dial tions, zero units tube IOI and zero tens tube III. are operated through the momentary closure of switch I33 which connects positive battery I34 (Fig. 3) through common anode wire I35, through resistor I36 to starter anode I31 of zero units tube I 0| and through resistor I38 to starter anode I39 of zero tens tube III.
The units counting chain comprising tubes IOI to I I0 is a ten-tube closed ring identical with that shown in part in Fig. 1, and consequently, the discussion of the internal operation will not be repeated. Upon the receipt of the ninth "add pulse over the forward pulse input lead I32, and
the consequent rendering of the nine units tube IIO conducting, the circuit must be prepared so that upon receipt of the next "add pulse, zero to cathode I44 of tube IIO so that when tube H0. is conducting they receive a priming potential; The next add" pulse over forward pulse lead I32 renders diode I conductive and current is conducted over lead I45 through resistor I46 to ground. The potential drop across the resistor" I46 applied to starter anode I31 of zero units tube IOI through resistor I41 fires tube "II, and tube H0 is extinguished as hereinbefore described. Thus the units registration is converted to zero. The tens register is shown with five stages and comprises a circuit which operates in the same fashion as that described in Fig. 1. With the nine units tube IIO conducting and diode I4I thereby primed, receipt of an add pulse will render diode I4I conductive, passing current through resistor I48 to ground, thereby applying a potential through resistor I49 to starter anode I50 of pulse repeater I5I. The firing of pulse repeater I5I will pass a pulse over the add or forward pulse input lead I52 of the tens register and tube II2 will be fired. Thus with thenine units tube conducting, receipt of an add" pulse will both fire the zero units tube IOI and carry into thetens register.
If, however, reservations are to be canceled,
the ticket seller or cancellation clerk will dial the code for the particular flight, and on finding the equipment idle so that access is obtained from the step-by-step switch train, will dial the "cancel? code with the additional digit-responsive switch and will be connected to relay I I1 which will-- then operate. Relay H1 in operating closes a circuit through its front contact to operate slow. release relay H9, and sets up a pulsing path to; tube I2I from battery I22, back contactof relay I I1, front contact of relay I I9 and resistor I53- to ground. Receipt of a pulse, now indicating a verse pulse input lead I50 in the units registein,
By dialing in the number of spaces released or canceled, the units register is stepped in the opposite direction as explained in reference to Fig. 1
With the zero units tube conducting, receipt of a canel must both step the units register from zero to nine and perform negative carry," that is, subtract ten in tens register. These functions are accomplished by diodes I66 and IS-I the an odes of both which-are connected to cathode I62 of tube IOI through resistors I63 and I64, respectively, so that both' diodes are primed. A pulse on the units register reverse pulse lead I 59 will render diode I60 conducting and current will be passed through resistor- I65 to ground and a potential will be impressed over lead I 66, through resistor I61, and on starter anode I68 of nine units tube-II 0, Simultaneously, receipt of the cancel pulse over wire I 59 will render diode I 6I conducting, current will pass over lead I69 through resistor I10 to ground, thus placing a potential on starter anode I1I of pulse repeater I12. Tube I12, in operating, will'pass a pulse over the tens registerreverse pulse lead I13 thus subtracting ten in the tens register. It will be observed that thetens register is an open chain instead of a closed ring.
In the event that tube zero' in both the units and'tens register is operated, provision may be made to prevent 'efiective "canceY pulses from entering the registers. In order that this may be accomplished, tube I14, having an alternating current supply, is arranged to operate when tubes IUI and III are both operated. Equal shimming resistors I15 and I16 are connected between the cathodes of tubes IBI and III, respectively, and the starter anode I11 of tube I14.
When tubes IUI and III are both operated, tube I14- will be rendered conductive and relay I51 Will -be operated to openthe cancel pulse lead I56 at the back'contact of relay I51. At such time as either tubeIIiI or III is extinguished, the
potential at the starter anode I11 of tube I14 will drop and tube I14 will be extinguished when anode I 18'thereof becomes negative.
Similar provision may be made to disable the add circuit and to provide a no seat tone ductor I29 to the add pulse lead I 32, preventing further stepping, and also applies a distinctive "no sea tone-from asource not'shown through transformer'lIlZ-to the add input, advising the ticket'seller that no space is available. .It is ap-" parent'that leads I84 and I85 may be selectively associated with any two tubes, that the tens register maybe extended, and that a hundreds registermay be added if necessary.
Many other features may be added to this basic circuit. For example voice frequency signaling channels can be provided to setup teletype rec-.
ords of each'sale usingsomeiidentifying mark or code and recording name, address, telephonenumber of purchaser, and the serial number read,
ofi from the register chain by checking tubes operated on a cathode voltage basis. Many other features controllable from this basic circuit willbe apparentto one skilled in theart.
While these circuits have been described on the basis of cold cathode tubes, itis obvious that-by suitable readjustments of voltages and biassupplies, negative or positive grid-hit cathode thyratrons could be used.
8 The drawings and descriptions thereof'arexbut illustrative of one "embodiment of 1 the invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.
What is claimed is:
1. An impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of electronic devices, each having-an anode, acathode and a control element, -tw'o pulse-input leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said devicesto the control element of the next adjacent ones of said devices, said circuit means including voltage-re:- sponsive'switching'means responsive-to pulses on one of said leads to render said devices 'successively conducting-in one direction and responsive to pulses on the other-of said leads to rendersaid devices successively conducting in the'other'direction.
2. An impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of electronic devices, each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, two pulseinput leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of each-'ofsaid devices to thecontrol element of the next adjacent ones of said 'de' vices, said circuit means including voltage responsive switching means responsive to pulses on one of said leads torender said devices-succes-- cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next succeeding one of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of' each of said tubes to the control element'of the next preceding one of said tubes and to the other of said pulseinput leads.
7 4. An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of gaseous discharge tubes each having an anode, a cathode, and a control element,
. two pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next succeeding one of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of each'of said tubes to the control elem nt ofthe next preceding one of said tubes and to the other of said pulse-input leads, each of said circuit means including voltage-responsive switching means.
- 5. An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of gaseous-discharge tubes each having an-anode, a cathodeand a control element-two pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, and circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next preceding oneof said tubes and to the other of said pulse-input leads, each of said circuit means includin voltage-respom sive switching meanscomprising a gas diode.
6. An impulse-counting chain comprising aplurality of gaseous-discharge tubes each having an anode, a cathode, and a dischargecontrol-ele-' trol eleiiient of the next succeeding one of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next preceding one of said tubes and to the other of said pulseinput leads, each of said circuit means including on one of said leads to. render. said devices silo-- cessively conducting in one direction and responsive to 'pulses'on the other of said leads to render said devices successively conducting in the other direction, and voltage-responsive switching means interconnecting said two counting chains.
8. In combination, a first and a second impulse-counting chain each comprising a plurality of electronic devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, two pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent ones of said devices, said circuit means including voltage-responsive switching means responsive to pulses on one of said leads to render said devices successively conducting in one direction and responsive to pulses on the other of said leads to render said devices successively conducting in the other direction; and voltageresponsive switching means connecting said first impulse-counting chain to each of said pulse-input leads or said second impulse-counting chain.
9. In combination, a first and a second impulsecounting chain each comprising a plurality of gaseous-discharge tubes each having an anode, a cathode, and a control element, two pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next succeeding one of said tubes and to one of said pulse-input leads, circuit means connecting the cathode of each of said tubes to the control element of the next preceding one of said tubes and to the other of said pulse-input leads, each of said circuit means including voltage-responsive switching means, and voltage-responsive switching means connecting the cathode of the initial tube in said first chain to one of said pulse-input leads in said second chain and voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final tube in said first chain to the other of said pulse-input leads in said second chain.
10. In a bidirectional pulse register, two pulseinput circuits, a units register bidirectional counting ring having two pulse-input leads connected to said pulse-input circuits, a tens register bidirectional counting chain having two pulse-input leads, voltage-responsive switching means connecting the initial element of said units register to one of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, and voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final element of said units register to the other of said pulse-input leads in said tens register.
11. A bidirectional impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of stages interconnected by voltage-responsive switching means, two pulseinput leads associated with said switching means, and means associated with one of said stages disabling one of said pulse-input leads when said one stage is operated.
12. A bidirectional impulse-counting circuit comprising a plurality of stages interconnected by voltage-responsive switching means, two pulse input leads associated with said switching means, means associated with the initial one of said stages disabling one of said pulse-input leads when said initial stage is operated, and means associated with another of said stages disabling the other of said pulse-input leads when said other stage is operated.
13. In a bidirectional pulse register, two pulseinput circuits, a units register bidirectional counting ring having a plurality of stages and two pulse-input leads connected to said pulse-input circuits, a tens register bidirectional counting chain having a plurality of stages and two pulseinput leads, voltage-responsive switching means connecting the initial element of said units register to one of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, a voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final element of said units register to the other of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, and means associated with one of the stages in each of said registers disabling one of said pulse-input circuits when said associated stages are operating.
14. In a bidirectional pulse register, two pulseinput circuits, a units register bidirectional counting ring having a plurality of stages and two pulse-input leads connected to said pulse-input circuits, 9, tens register bidirectional counting chain having a plurality of stages and two pulseinput leads, voltage-responsiv switching means connecting the initial element of said units register to one of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, voltage-responsive switching means connecting the final element of said units register to the other of said pulse-input leads in said tens register, means associated with the initial one of said stages in each of said registers disabling one of said pulse-input circuits when said initial stages are both operating, and means associated with another of said stages in each of said registers disabling the other if said pulse-input circuits when said other stages are both operating.
15. An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of electron-discharge devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, switching means controlled by said devices connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent one of said devices, a pulse source, and a control connection including said switching means connecting said pulse source to the control elements of all of said devices.
16. An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of electron-discharge devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, switching means controlled by said devices responsive to a critical voltage for connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent one of said devices, a pulse source, and a control connection including said switching means connecting said pulse source to the control elements of all of said devices.
1'7. An impulse-counting chain comprising a plurality of electron-discharge devices each having an anode, a cathode and a control element, switching means comprising a gas-filled diode connecting the cathode of each of said devices to the control element of the next adjacent one of said devices, a pulse source, and a connection including said switching means connecting said pulse source to the control elements of said devices.
l8. In an impulse-counting chain, a, first nd a second electron discharge, device each having an anode, a, oathode and a oontrol element, a cone nection comprising a gas-filled diode connecting the cathodeof said first device to-the eontrol element of said second device, a, pulse source, and a connection comprising said gas-filled diode cone meeting said pulse source to the oontrol element of said second-device;
WILLIAM T. -I -I QLDEN. 4
REFERENCES c 'mp The. following references are of recordv in. the file of this patent:
NITE T ES FA ENT$ Number Name Date '"".t-':--':V": 2 373 134 Massonneau Apr. 10, 1945 12 Number N me Da e 2,402,372 Compt n -,-V-- Ju e. 1 .9 6 2,404,100 Snyder- July-1 6, 194,6 2405!096 "-f-f-hr-"r-x 2,408,086 Meechani Sept,'24', 1946 2,421,005 Bray May 27, 1947 2,428,990 Rajchmane Oct. v14;, .1947 4 2 4 8 Mumma, w W June 1 9 2,4 2,21 Morton .Feb, 22, 1 .49
OTHERTREFERENCES; 1 Del ede' Countin circui esvg. "Resene 1 .116 .7; n mber 5.12am l8 lieversibl ne ede Qount n filmu t."
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US2745599A (en) * 1949-03-24 1956-05-15 Ibm Electronic multiplier
US2829309A (en) * 1956-07-27 1958-04-01 Gen Dynamics Corp Pulse register
US2874333A (en) * 1957-10-17 1959-02-17 Burroughs Corp Thyratron pulser for inductive loads
US2892965A (en) * 1955-10-03 1959-06-30 Richard E Colwell Impulse operation types of electric wiring structures
US2933644A (en) * 1959-04-24 1960-04-19 Erie Resistor Corp Digital counter frequency monitor
DE1095009B (en) * 1953-10-16 1960-12-15 Ibm Deutschland Electronic multiplication and division machine
US2968744A (en) * 1957-10-22 1961-01-17 Tesla Np Circuit arrangement for the glow-discharge tube indication of a decimal tube counter
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US2745599A (en) * 1949-03-24 1956-05-15 Ibm Electronic multiplier
DE1095009B (en) * 1953-10-16 1960-12-15 Ibm Deutschland Electronic multiplication and division machine
DE1145837B (en) * 1954-02-05 1963-03-21 Gen Electric Co Ltd Counting and distribution circuit
US2892965A (en) * 1955-10-03 1959-06-30 Richard E Colwell Impulse operation types of electric wiring structures
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US2933644A (en) * 1959-04-24 1960-04-19 Erie Resistor Corp Digital counter frequency monitor

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