US2809785A

US2809785A - Generation of electrical impulses controlled by a perforated carrier

Info

Publication number: US2809785A
Application number: US457456A
Authority: US
Inventors: Balde Ulysse
Original assignee: Mithra A G
Current assignee: Mithra A G; Mithra A-G
Priority date: 1954-06-23
Filing date: 1954-09-21
Publication date: 1957-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 1974-10-15
Also published as: BE531675A; GB757851A; FR1112770A; CH322824A

Description

Oct. 15, 1957 u. BALDE" GENERATION OF ELECTRICAL IMPULSES CONTROLLED BY A PERFORATED CARRIER" Filed Sept. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ocf. 15, 1957 u. BALDE 2,809,785 GENERATION o LECTRICAL IMPUL CONTROLLED 1 BY A RFORATED' CARRIE Filed Sept. 21, 1954 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2,809,785 Patented Oct. 15, 1957 ice GENERATION OF ELECTRICAL IMPULSES CON- TROLLED BY A PERFORATED CARRIER Ulysse Bald, Zurich, Switzerland, assignor to Mithra A.-G., Zurich, Switzerland Application September 21, 1954, Serial No. 457,456

Claims priority, application Switzerland June 23, 1954 14 Claims. ((1235-6111) The present invention relates to a device for the generation of electric impulses, for example for the automatic control of calculating machines, machine tools, shaft machines on looms etc. For the generation of the electric control impulses as a rule electric contacts are opened and closed, for example in dependence of a rotating commutator, a punched tape, a magnetic tape'etc. which runs over the circumference of a cylinder where the sensing of the tape is carried out.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for the generating of electric impulses in controlled dependence of a perforated carried of the type known as punched card. i

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the kind referred to wherein any friction of brushesor any pressure of sensing pins on the said perforated carrier is obviated in order to eliminate the consequent wear and tear thereof and to make its availability for use practically indefinitely long.

it is yet another object of the invention to provide a device of the kind referred to wherein mechanically operated electrical contacts or commutators are obviated whereby the inavoidable wear and tear and the servicing consequently required thereof is eliminated,

With these and other objects in view, I provide a device for the generation of electric impulses in controlled dependenceof a perforated carrier, comprising in combination: a rotatable hollow cylinder having a cylindrical wall, clamping means attaching the perforated carrier detachably to the circumference of the said hollow cylinder, the said hollow cylinder being provided with apertures corresponding in number and disposition to the 1 possible places of. perforation of the. said carrier, at

those apertures of the said cylinder which are disposed along a generatrix thereof, light-compartments separated from one another and each containing one of the said 1 photo-electric converters, the said source of light and the said photo-electric converters being separated from one another by the cylindrical apertured wall of the said hollow cylinder.

These and other objects and features of my said in-- Fig. 8 shows a punched card adapted for being clamped to the hollow cylinder, in elevation, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an auxiliary device for thejfixing of a card to the circumference of a hollow cylinder. 7

Accordingto Figs. 1 to 3, the device has a supporting structure which consists of a base plate 101 and two vertically positioned

plates

102 and 103 screwed thereto. In one of the vertical plates, 102, a stationary hub 104 is fixed with a horizontal axis. On this hub, by means of a ball bearing 105 and of a roller bearing 106, a ring 107 is journalled rotatably, which is provided on its circumference with a toothing 108. With the latter a gear wheel. (not shown) can be brought into mesh for driving the ring 107. To the two end faces of the ring,

lids

109 and 110 are screwed fixedly which enclose the anti-friction bearings 105 and 106, and protect the grease or oil serving for the lubrication of these bearings from being lost. On the ring 107 a further ring 111 isfixedly mounted which has a flange 112 projecting outwardly in order to prevent the lubricant to get from the toothing 168 to the right hand side in Fig. l.

On the end, which in Fig. 1. is on the righthand side,

a casing 113 is provided which consists of an integral piece of material with the said hub. In the interior of the casing 113 several incandescent bulbs 114 are fixed on .an insulating body 115, which is provided with means for the electrical connection of the lamps 114. The

electrical supply conductors 116 pass through an axial passage 117 of the hub and emerge through a radial On the insulating body 115 two re-' opening thereof. flector shields 118 are mounted which reflect the light of the lamps 114 upwardly. The casing 113forms a screwed, and another end piece 123 is pushed on detachably. For the attachment of the last mentioned end piece screws 124 are provided. The end piece 122 is according to Figs. 1 and 5, provided with three dogs 125 projecting inwardly between which recesses are left. The aforesaid lid 110, which is attached on the rotatable ring 104, has three dogs 126 of unequal width which project radially outward, and can engage between the dogs 125 of, the end piece 122 of the cylinder. The

dogs

125 and 126 form part of a so-called bayonet joint which permits the detachable attachment of the cylinder 121 on the ring 107. The

dogs

125 and 126 can be brought into engagement with one another by an axial movement of the hollow cylinder 121, whereafter the cylinder with its end piece 122 is turned relative to the ring and its lid 110 about the axis of rotation of these components. Then the dogs 125reach behind the dogs 126. The inner edge vention will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof given by Fig. 5 shows the hollow cylinder detached, with the end pieces fixed thereto, in end-elevation, v

Fig. 6 shows part of the hollow cylinder with a punched card clamped thereto, in cross section,

Fig. 7 shows an analogous cross section through an other part of the cylinder,

of the dogs 125 provided on the end piece 1220f the cylinder finds a suitable seat on a cylindrical face 127 of the lid in such a manner that the cylinder 121 comes to lie coaxially to the rotatable ring 107. The ring 107 and the lid 110 fixed thereto form between themselves a rotatable holder for the hollow cylinder 121, in order that the latter may be supported, rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The cylinder 121 is then held at one of its ends only.

Into the ring 107 on the whole three bores are machined parallel to the axis of rotation, in each of which i a cylindrical plunger 128 and a ball 129 is mounted shiftemf 8,5

),in which one ball 129-rests under the action of the" associated spring 139, when the end piece 122 ofthe, cylinder has been brought into the appropriate closure position. Thereby any undesirable detaching of the com screwed on tothe hub 104; and'whi'eh serves at the-same time for restraining the-same against axial displacement in one direction;"'The'coolingair can-escape through-the perforated'tend plate 120 of' the casing-113 and through holes 135 in thebottom of the end piece 1230f the cylinder; 7 The coolingair the-hollow Cylinder 121';

On'th'e 'cir'cumference-of-the hollow cylinder 121a punched'card ;136 -of'conventionaltype is clamped. T he" card} l3'6 ha's the rectangle'shape shown in Fig, 8; The tw'olongitudinal'edges of'the card run in the circumferential direction of the hollow cylinder 121 and are overlapped by the margins12 7 of the two end pieces 122 and 1233' Inforder toexchange the card-136,the endpiece 123iis detached-from thejholl'ow cylinder. In order to securei'further the positionof thecard .136 on the cylinder 12'1I'the cylinder is'pfovided with two pins 138 (Fig.- 7)

projecting radially outward, which are capable of en-. gagingfint'o twocorresponding holes 139 of the card. The two edges onthe short-sides of the card are pressed accordingtoFig. 6 intoa longitudinal groove 139 of the cylinder 121', namely by means of an auxiliary device 1 40,which is shown per se in Fig. 9. The middle portion of runner/ice, which-is; of U-"sh'aped profile, is pressed; into the groove -'13 9 ,'while'the end lugs 141 come to lie under the margins 137 of ;the

end pieces

122 and 123;

Accordingi'to Fig. 8, the card 136 used is divided into two horizontally running halves. In each half, holes;

maybe "arranged in total of. 6X90 holes.-

withlongitudinal grooves 142, the number and positio n ofwhich conforms with the columns 1 to 45, and 26 to 90,

respectively,of the card 137 clamped on. Moreover the outer circumference ofthe cylinder wall is provided with number and position circumferential grooves 143; the

of which correspondswith the lines, numbering twelve forty "five columns and six line s a "The 23rd and the 68th column I however, are not cap able of being: used in the present em bodimen't, since the're'the attachment holes 139 are,arranged. Accordingly 88" columns only are usable. The, wallbf'thehollbW cylinder 121 is provided onits inside passes through the interior of n as" a wholeof the card'137, The longitudinal and cir;

curhferenti'al grooves

142 and 143, respeetively, are sol I to one another and that square apertures are formed in the hollow cylinderat the These: apertures are located on those f points,'whe 'ref the card 137 clamped on may have. holes; 1030f the supporting structure, the.

deep that they make transition in crossing points on the -pl'ate aid of two holder bolts 145 a block 146 is fixed, which extehds 'frorrftlie ou'tef'end of the upto the circumference thereof, and

circumference.thereof, asclearlyshown in Figsal and 3;

5? P s 4 rm -f 9 s al p a e ra fi d;

cylinder 121' "closely I to the punched card 137-clarnped'thereon. Thefb'lock 146 extends over the; whole lengthof the cylinder 121' and over a part of the 4 side by side, which are held together by holder pins 145. Above the block 146, a body 148 is fixed, which consists of elastically resilient material, e. g. of sponge rubber, and which has twelve holes, each for taking in a photo-electric converter 149, e. g. a photo-electric cell. These photo-electric cells arearranged in three rows parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 121, and are in echelon configuration with respect to one anothenyas clearly. shownin Fig. 2. Intothe block 146 several recesses 150 are, machined whichiorrn light-passages. sep-- arated from one another, each o f which joins up with one of the photo-electric cells 149. These recesses 150 are machined each" intoone of-the p1ates' 1'47' forming the block 146. The orificesofthelight-passages 150,-facing away from the photo-electric cells lie all in a row parallel to the axis ofrotation of the cylinder 121, namely opposite to the slot 119 of the casing 113 surrounding the lamps 114, and opposite to the 2 6rrows of the punched card 137= clamped on. Starting from these orifices, the light-passages flare out towards the photoelectric cells. On'the-block 146 moreover two insulating plates-151are screwed-fast, which are provided with contact pieces 152, on -whichthe-electrical conductors 153 arehconnected-which-lead to the photo-electric cells 149. InlFig, 2 these-conductors have beenomitted, and in Fig- 3 are shown but partly, for-clarity.

On the side of the cylinder 121 facing away from the block .146-a guide piece 154'is fixed on the plate 101 of the supporting structure.- This guide piece 154, together with the block 146, facilitates thecorrect insertion of the hollow cylinder in relation to the

rotary holder

107, 110. Ofcourseneitherthe-block 146 nor the guide piece'154 contacts-the circumference of thecylinder 121 or the card.:clamped.thereon, respectively, as soon'as the cylinder is fixed. to

therotatable holder

107, 110.

Oventhe upper portion of theblock 146 a hood (not shown) is detachably placed, .which prevents the access ofglight from-the enviro nment -tothe photo-electric cells 1491 The. manner -of.iuse :and. of operation of the device describ'ed isas follows: thelamps 114emit light through the slot 119 towards the inside ofthe hollow cylinder 121 andthrough the apertures. thereof which are-at any time situated over. the slot 119. On-places, where the punched card.136..clampedon is perforated, light can pass through the card andycanfa-ll on theassociated photo-electric cells, 149. In thelatten thereby a potentialv difference is set up,-Which.can be amplified and-can be used. for the electromagnetic control ofany-machines, relays etc. On those places wherethe punched card is not perforated,

no light can fall .onto the associated photo-electric cells.

The photo-electric cellsiare.accordingly energised in accordance' with the holes present'at. anytime .in=a column ofthe card 136..

Whenthe card 136 is divided-according to Fig. 8 into two halves, each-of 44Iusable columns, i. e.- into a total 01 88 usable. columns of .sixrows each, a total of 88 control impulses can bederived from the card, in two revolutions of the cylinder 121. At the. first revolution of the cylinder 121 only those current impulses are evaluated which are generated. by the holes in the upper half 'ofthe. card, and at thesecond revolution only those current impulses, which are-generated'by -the'hol es in the lower half of the card. Each of these control impulses can be marked by one to six holes in the card. With one hole per column there-result six'different control possibilities, with two holes per column, fifteen differentcombinations, with four holes six ,of them, with five holes three of them, and .with six holespne only, On t e hole; d n l q t nea t entfl m mpulses "can be recorded in one column.

Alternatively, the punched, card can be divided into three zones running horizontally, each of which contains.

44 columns of four rows.

I g In this case in each column there result fifteen ditferent control impulses After three,

consecutive revolutions of the hollow cylinderilil, in each The control impulses then repeat themselves after each revolution of the hollow cylinder.

Of course the. device is not limited to the cards described by way of example, but could be arranged for the use of cards having a different number of lines and columns. I I p The apertures of the hollow cylinder coordinated to the possible holes of the cards need not be formed by in tersecting longitudinal and circumferential grooves in the cylinder wall. It is also possible to produce the cylinder in a casting process in such a manner that the apertures are left free from the beginning on the right spots. The hollow cylinder could alternatively be stamped out of flat sheet material, and subsequently bent into the cylindrical shape.

Moreover other embodiments are conceivable,in which instead of the lamps 114 a single rod-shaped lamp is used as a source of light. Moreover at least one source of light could be arranged outside the hollow cylinder, and, in turn, the photo-electric converters in the interior of the hollow cylinder.

For each device, several hollow cylinders 121, each with its associated

end pieces

122 and 123, could be used, and on each cylinder a differently perforated card 136 could be clamped. In this case it is possible, to exchange the cards together with the hollow cylinders carrying the same quickly, when a different sequence of impulses is intended to be generated for the purpose of automatically controlling a different sequence of movements.

The advantage of the device consists in that the cards are not worn out during use in any way, and accordingly remain available for use practically indefinitely.

The possibilities of application of the device described are practically unlimited. In calculating machines for example the device can be used in order to control in succession the various calculation operations desired, such as for example addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to a power, drawing roots, rounding up or rounding down, etc. moreover for storing intermediate results temporarily in a mechanical electrical memory (recording), for recalling such intermediate results at a certain moment again from the memory and for using them for the further calculation, or for passing intermediate and final results on to another punched card machine, for example for punching the same into a card or tape, etc.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the machine can emit a series of electrical impulses, and then indefinitely repeat again the same series of impulses.

While I have herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings what may be considered a typical and particularly advantageous embodiment of my said invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular details and dimensions described and illustrated, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for the generation of electric impulses in controlled dependence of a perforated carrier, comprising in combination: a rotatable hollow cylinder having a cylindrical wall, clamping means attaching the perforated carrier detachably to the circumference of the said hollow cylinder to successively produce a desired number of irnpulse series, the said hollow cylinder being provided with apertures corresponding in number and disposition to the possible places of perforation of the said carrier, at least one stationary source of light and a plurality of stationary photo-electric converters in juxtaposition to those apertures of the said cylinder which are disposed along a generatrix thereof, light-compartments separated from one another and eachcontaining' one of the said photo-electric converters, the said source of light and the said photo electric converters being separated from one another by the cylindrical apertured wall of the said hollow cylinder.

-2. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising in addition: a stationary diaphragm inteiposed between the said source of light and the said hollow cylinder and having a slot running along a generatrix of the said cylinder.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said light source is arranged in the interior of the said hollow cylinder, and comprising in addition: a stationary cylindrical diaphragmIarranged between the said source of light and the inner wall surface of the said hollow cylinder and having a slot running along a generatrix of the said cylinder.

and over part of the circumference thereof, recesses being provided in the said block forming the said light-compartments.

5. ,A-devicegas claimed in claim '4, wherein the said blockcomprises several platesstratified side by side, each of the said plates having one of the said recesses forming the said light-compartments.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, comprising in addition: an elastically yieldable body attached to the said block, the said body being provided with recesses in which the said photo-electric converters are inserted.

7. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said recesses flare out from their ends adjacent to the said hollow cylinder towards the said photo-electric converters.

8. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said block and the said photo-electric converters arranged in the recesses thereof are arranged outside the said hollowcylinder.

9. A device for the generation of electric impulses in controlled dependence of a perforated carrier, comprising in combination: a stationary supporting structure, a holder rotatably mounted on the said structure, a hollow cylinder having a cylindrical wall and detachably mounted cantilever-fashion on the said holder adapted to be fitted thereto and withdrawn therefrom in the axial direction, clamping means attaching the said perforated carrier detachably to the circumference of the said hollow cylinder, the said hollow cylinder being provided with apertures corresponding in number and disposition to the possible places of perforation of the said carrier, at least one stationary source of light and a plurality of stationary photoelectric converters in juxtaposition to those apertures of the said cylinder which are disposed along a generatrix thereof, light compartments separated from one another and each containing one of the said photo-electric converters, the said source of light and the said photo-electric converters being separated from one another by the cylindrical apertured wall of the said hollow cylinder.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, comprising in addition: a stationary hub fixed to the said supporting structure and journalling the said rotatable holder, the said hub being provided with at least one longitudinal passage for the blowing of cooling air and for passing the electrical supply to the said source of light.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9, comprising in addition: an end piece attached to the said rotatable holder, and an end piece attached to the said hollow cylinder, the said end pieces forming together the cooperating parts of a bayonet joint, being adapted to be pushed firstly axially into one another and then turned relative to one another into a mutually interengaging position.

12. A device as claimedin claim 10, comprising in addition: spring means biasing the said rotatable holder and the said hollow cylinder axially towards one another into engagement of their end'portions forming the said bayonet joint, a recess being provided on the end face of the said end piece of the said hollow cylinder adapted torallowzpart of the .saidspripg means: to rest itselfi-into.

s51 3A.:deviee forgn-the generation of welectric n impulses incontrolled .adependence of 1 a; perforated sfiarrieli, oomprising {ins-combination :2; a: rotatable. ihollow cylinder, havinglzrau'eylindrical 'wall, 26nd pieces nattachedrto ;thesaid cylinder. overlapping the. long; edges: :of ;the- .,said= carrier in ithe;eircumferentialxdirectionjofrthe saidhoylinder, :one of ztherasaidnendtipieoesmheing .detaehahlmfrom 'thehsaid hollow cylinderi 011,616. purposezofexchangingEthersaid perforatedscarrier, ,thessa'id :ho11ow::cylinder-: being-l providedcwithaperturescorresponding .inznumherand dispositioni to thenpossible plaeesiof. perforationz-of the saidxcarrier, atl leastrone stationary sourceof rlight-and;a:.plurality of stationary -ph'oto-eleetricaconverters .in izjux tapositiont to those apertumsof-the said vcylindernwhieh are .JdiSPDSBd along a generatrix thereof, light compartments separated from oneraanothenl and each: containingonevofthe said photo-electric:usonverters, the said source of light and the said photo-telectric converters beingseparated from one another =by the cylindri'cal-apertured wall of the said hollow cylinder. I

1-4. A* device for-"the "generation of -electric-=impulses in controlled dependence ofa=perforated carrier, comprisingim .con binationz aaotatableahollow. qeylinder ;having a oylindrical wvall and provided -1with :circumferent-ial grooves on ,onen ssurgfacevand' longitudinal ,-groo.ves;on the other surface of itsaeylindrical wall, .the; said ggIOOYCS bein g :deep. enough 91o: rmakeireransitionz :intosone .l-anoth/er and :to format;theirgpointsaofrintersectiomapertures correspondingxin numbera-nd: disposition to :the possible places of perforation of the said ,earrier clarnping-meansattach-.

vertersrheing zseparateddirommne anoth'er r byithe rsaidapertured cylindrical walltofvthezsaidzhollow cylinder.

:RefereneeslCitedQin:thefifile oi thiszpatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,765 IDiickinsoD .et Ial. .De.c. K10, 1940,