US2854510A - Magnetic sweep arm selector for telegraph apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 39, 3958 J. A. BELLINO 2,354,510

MAGNETIC SWEEP ARM SELECTOR FOR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.

Filed April 28, 1955 INVENTOR JOSEPH A. BELL INO K V-W ATTpRNEY Patented Sept. 30, 1958 MAGNETIC SWEEP ARM SELECTOR FOR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Joseph A. Bellino, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application April 28, 1955, Serial No. 504,497 12 Claims. (Cl. 178-33) This invention relates to selector mechanisms for telegraph apparatus and more particularly to a selector mechanism having means for successively transferring a magnetic circuit to operate on a series of positionable members in timed relation to the receipt of each telegraph signal in a telegraph recording apparatus.

In the past many diverse types of selector mechanisms have been devised wherein the received telegraph signals are utilized to position an armature which functions in conjunction with. a set of rotating cammed surfaces to position a group of settable members in concordance with the character of the received signal impulses. Usually these cam members possess considerable mass thus requiring a considerable amount of power to overcome inertia and place them in the rotating state. Further, the expense involved in designing and manufacturing suitable cams is of a significant amount. Inasmuch as follower elements continually press against the cam surface, thus, wear of these elements requires their frequent replacement, hence further increasing the cost.

In order toovercome the disadvantages inherent in the employment of cams, attempts have been made to produce selectors having a rotating distributor, which in turn controls the permutative energization of a group of electromagnets. However, these attempts have not been entirely satisfactory because of the increased space requirements of such an arrangement necessitated by the use of a great number of elemental parts. Obviously with an increase in the required number of parts, the expenses resulting from the use of the rotating distributor type of selectors are even greater than the totalcost of the single magnet selectors utilizing cams.-

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a simple selector employing a minimum number of inexpensive components.

Another object of the invention resides in a highly sensitive selector devoid of any cams.

A further object of this invention isthe provision of a selectormagnet mechanism for a telegraph recording apparatus wherein a single magnet is energized in accordance with the receipt of telegraph signal impulses and simultaneously therewith a paramagnetic member sequentially applies the magnetizing force to control the position of a bank of settable members.

Another object of the invention resides in a selector mechanism having a single magnet and a rotatable paramagnetic member to rotate past a bank of control elements in concomitancy with the receipt of a series of signal impulses.

In the ensuing description of the invention reference is made to a printing telegraph apparatus of the type shown in the patent to Morton et al., No. 1,791,740 dated February 10, 1931, but it is to be understood that the principles of the present invention may be advantageously applied to many other types of telegraph apparatus. This patented disclosure is thereby incorporated by reference, however, only so much of the disclosure of the patent is included herein as to make thepresent invention readily comprehendible.

With these and other objects in view the present invention contemplates a telegraph signal recorder of the type wherein each element of a start-stop Baudot code signal controls a common selector magnet to efiect a permutative positionment of a group of mechanical elements to control the functioning of the recording mechanism whereby a permanent characteristic record is made of each signal. More particularly when a start signal is received, a sweep arm, made of low reluctance material, is released to be thereafter successively positioned in register with individual latches of a group. As the sweep arm passes each latch, the selector magnet is simultaneously energized in accordance wtih the receipt of each successive signal element. When a marking or current signal is received and the sweep arm is in register withthe latch, then amagnetic field is established through the low reluctance arm to apply a mag'nemotive force to attract the registered latch. When a no current or spacing signal is received, no magnetizing effect is present; hence the latch positioned in register with the sweep arm remains in the latched condition. By the time the last element of a signal is receivedthe latches are released in a permutative fashion in accordance with the permutative arrangement of marking impulses received in the selector magnet. The permutative positionment of the latches thereafter controls the recording apparatus to' accordingly function and make a characteristic record of the signal.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is' a side elevational view of a magnetic sweep arm selector embodying the principal features of the present invention;

Fig.2 is a side view looking'at th'emagneti'c' sweep arm and a bank of latches adapted to be controlledby operation of the selector mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and illustratesa clutch trip arm restoring device; and

Fig. 4 is-a modified embodiment. of a clutch trip 01f mechanism adapted to be operated by thereceiptof a start or nocurrent impulse when the sweep' arm is in the stop position.

Referring to Fig; 1 there is shown a selector magnet 10 having a core 11 adapted to receive the'wellknown start-top Baudot code signals, that is, each signal consists of a no current or start impulse, a series of five permutatively arranged'marking or spacing impulses anda'stop impulse which is'invariably' of a marking or current characteristic. Looking at Fig; 2 the outline of a core 11 is shown and it is tobe observedth'a't this core is of an elongated, oval shape. the core is a plurality 14, 15, lfi and 17, mounted in pivotalfashion about a pivot rod 19: Each of the positionable members has formed thereon an enlarged portion 21 to provide an area which is readily attractable toa magnetizing force."

Looking at Fig; 2 the left-hand positionable member 12'=which maybe designateda startiarmhas an'upwardly extending. shank portion 22, the "extremity of which has a roller 23 rotatably mounted thereon that is adapted to ride on a lower cam surfaceof atrip latch 24' (see Fig. 1). Cooperatingwith an upwardly extending portion 26 of 77:formed on a clutchmernber 72. Clutch member'72 is urged by a spring toward the left into engage ment with clutch member 71, however, the projecting portion 26: operating Positioned in lateral register with of positionable elements 12,"13,'

'the trip latch 24 is a cam 'lug' forces member 72 toward the right thereby precluding the engagement of the clutch teeth and hence preventing the transmission of power from a rotating power shaft 68, through a worm 69, through a worm wheel 70, through the clutch members 71 and 72 to a driven shaft 36. Shaft 36 is adapted to control the functioning of a printing telegraph apparatus such as shown in the afore-identified Morton etal. patent. The reference numbers 36, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75 and 77 are also used in the Morton et al. patent and are readily discernable in Fig. 13 of that patent wherein identical elements are designated.

The other positionable members 13 through 17, inclusive, have formed near their lower extremities a latch surface 27 adapted to cooperate with one trailing extremity of a bank of bell crank shaped selector elements 86 (identical to the selector elements shown in Fig. 13 of the Morton et al. patent). As described in the Morton et al. patent when the selector elements 86 are permutatively positioned, and the shaft 36 is placed in a rotative condition the recording apparatus executes a cycle of operation to record a character in accordance with the permutative setting of the selector elements 86.

Mounted on the shaft 36 is a pinion 28 adapted to impart movement through a second pinion 29 to a gear 30 which in turn causes a shaft 31 to commence rotation. Secured to the left-hand extremity of shaft 31, as shown in Fig. 1, is a hub 32 having a series of four arms 40, 41, 42 and 43 radiating therefrom. With the apparatus in the stop position such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the arm 40 is interposed between the start positionable element 12 and the left-hand portion of the core 11. It is to be noted from Fig. 2 that the second arm 41 is positioned out of register with the right-hand positionable member 17, hence the establishment of a magnetic field through the core 11 results in the field being concentrated to pass through the arm 40 rather than through the arm 41, due to the relatively short air gap between the core and arm 40 and the relatively large air gap between core 11 and arm 41. The arms 40 to 43, inclusive, are made of a material having good paramagnetic properties.

Considering now the operation of the selector mechanism, it is well to note that in the stop or idle position the selector magnet is normally energized hence a magnetic field extends through the core 11, through the arm 40 to operate on the enlarged portion of the positionable member 12 thereby holding this element drawn up against the action of a spring 44. When a signal impulse indicative of a start or no current condition is received by the selector magnet 10, the magnetic field is destroyed and the positionable member 12 is pivoted about the pivot rod 19 through the agency of the extended spring 44. This movement causes a counterclockwise movement to be imparted to the shank portion 22 to move the roller 23 from engagement with the high portion of the cam surface formed on the lower portion of the trip latch member 24. Trip latch member 24 thereupon pivots in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of a coiled tension spring 45 to withdraw the projection 26 from engagement with the stop lug 77. Immediately thereafter the clutch element 72 is moved through the agency of the compressed spring 75 into engagement with the clutch member 71 and rotative power is thus imparted to the shaft 36 to drive the pinions 28, 29 and 30, causing the shaft 31 to commence rotation.

The pinions 28, 29 and 30 are selected so that a full rotation of the shaft 36 causes only a one quarter revolution of the shaft 31 hence the sweep arm 40 shown in Fig. 2 moves to the position formerly held by the arm 41. Obviously as the shaft 31 rotates, the arm 40 is successively interposed between the positionable members 13 to 17, inclusive, and the core 11. This movement is accompanied concomitantly with the receipt of the intelligence signal impulses.

For purposes of illustration assume that the arm 40 is in register with the enlarged portion 21 of the posi tionable member 13 and a marking or current impulse is received in the selector magnet, then a low reluctance path is established through the sweep arm whereby the magnetic force set up by the selector magnet will attract the member 13 to cause it to move against the action of a spring 46 thereby moving the latching surface 27 from the trailing extremities of the selector element 86. As described in the Morton et al. patent the elements 86 are held against a spring force, thus the release of the latch surface permits this element to move into what may be termed a selected position. It should be noted that the magnetic field set up by a receipt of a marking impulse is not strong enough to attract the other positionable members 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 against the action of their springs 46 because of the relatively large air gap between the core 11 and these other members.

For purposes of description assume that a spacing or a no current signal is received next in the selector magnet 10, thus when the arm 40 is in register with the enlarged portion of the positionable member 14, there will be no magnetic field established and the member 14 will be held in position by its spring 46 to hold the latch surface 27 in engagement with the trailing extremity of the selector element 86. It will be thus understood that when the arm 40 passes the enlarged portion 21 of the positionable member 17 all the selec tor elements 86 will be permutatively positioned in accordance with the received signal. As described in the Morton et al. patent the permutative positionment of the selector elements 86 controls the particular type of function performed by the printing telegraph re corder.

When the projection 26 is withdrawn from engagement with the lug 77, a pin 48 formed integral with the latch member 24 is moved downwardly into a dotted line position as illustrated in Fig. 3. Pin 48 is positioned in register with a mouth of a tapering cam surface 49 formed as an integral part of the clutch member 72. As the clutch member 72 rotates in a clockwise direction the pin 48 will be engaged by the cam surface 49 and gradually moved towards the axis of rotation of the shaft 36. It is apparent that as the pin 48 moves in wardly the projection 26 is moved into position to engage the lug 77 when the lug 77 has completed a single revolution. Engagement of the projection 26 with the cam surface of lug 77 causes the clutch member 72 to move against the action of its spring 75 to disrupt the transmission of power to the shaft 36. The latch member 24 is maintained in stop position because the arm 43 moves into register with the enlarged portion 21 of the positionable member 12 at the same time that the stop impulse is received and the pin 48 is moved out of engagement with the cam surface 49. Inasmuch as the pin 48 holds the latch member 24 against the action of the spring 45 the energized selector magnet 10 has only to position the member 12 and shank 22 which are of relatively light mass. When the member 12 is moved towards the magnet, by the stop impulse, the roller 23 is moved clockwise into engagement with the cam surface of the latch 24 to hold the same in position until a subsequent start impulse is received in the selector magnet 10.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a positionable clutch trip off member 51 having an abutment 52 formed thereon in lateral alignment with the core 11 of the selector magnet. This positionable member 51 is pivotally mounted about a stud shaft 53 and is urged in a clockwise direction by a coil spring 54. The core 11, in this embodi-' ment, is U-shaped with the windings of the magnet 10' around one arm. The other arm 55 has a= positioned plurality of slots 56 formed in its free extremity for purpose of accommodating therein the lower extremities of the positionable members 12 to 17. It is to be understood that with the magnet energized and the arm in register with the abutment 52, the positionable member 51 will be drawn up against the action of the spring 54; consequently, the projecting portion 26, similar to the projection 26 shown in Fig. l, is in position to engage the stop lug 77 of the clutch member 72. There is also formed on the positionable member 51 a pin 48 which is identical to the pin 48 shown in Fig. l and is adapted to cooperate with a cam surface 49 in the manner described in the operation of the selector mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The U-shaped core 11 illustrated in Fig. 4 provides a relatively low reluctance magnetic circuit for the lines of flux when the windings 10 are energized. Energization of the magnet 10 to hold the selector mechanism from operation establishes a magnetic field which may be traced through core 11, through arm 55, through the lower portion of positionable member 51, through the arm 40 back to the core 11. In a like manner whenever the sWeep arm 40 is in register with any of the other positionable members 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 and the magnet 10 is energized, a magnetic circuit will be established through the arm 55, through the registered member, through one of the sweep arms 40 to 43, inclusive, and through the core 11. It may thus be appreciated that with the selector provided with the low reluctance magnetic circuit shown in Fig. 4, very rapid selection of positionable members is obtainable with the utilization of relatively small energizing currents.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements of apparatus and construction of elemental parts are simply illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention and many other modifications, alterations, and changes may be made without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal responsive device, means for receiving signal impulses, a plurality of positionable members, a low reluctance member movable for presentation thereof between said signal receiving means and said positionable members, means for moving the low reluctance member between the signal receiving means and the positionable members in concurrence with the receipt of signal impulses in the receiving means and means dependent upon and controlled by presentation of said low reluctance member between said signal receiving means in energized condition and a predetermined one of said positionable members for arresting the movement of said low reluctance member.

2. In a signal responsive mechanism, a signal receiving magnetic device having an elongated core, a plurality of movably mounted members spaced from the core and in register therewith, a low reluctance member mounted for movement between the core and the movable members, means for moving said low reluctance member between said core and said movably mounted members in concurrence with the receipt of a series of signal impulses in said signal receiving magnetic device, means controlled by the energization of the signal receiving device and the low reluctance member for arresting the movement of the low reluctance member after the low reluctance member passes the last of the movably mounted members.

3. In a signal responsive mechanism, means responsive to start-stop signals for producing a magnetic field in accordance with the character of each impulse of each signal, a plurality of movably mounted elements spaced a suflicient distance from the signal responsive means to prevent their movement by the establishment of magnetic fields by the signal responsive means, a low reluctance member adapted to be moved between said signal responsive means and said movably mounted elements, means for holding said low reluctance means from movement, means responsive to a start impulse of a signal for releasing said holding means, and means for successively moving said low reluctance means between said signal reponsive means and said positional elements in concurrence with the receipt of each signal impulse.

4. In a selector mechanism, a plurality of positionable elements, a member mounted for movement past said positionable elements, means including a clutch for imparting movement to said member, means for disengaging said clutch, and signal responsive means including a selector magnet for receiving signals and spaced from said positionable elements for releasing the clutch whereby the member successively moves between each element and the selector magnet.

5. In a signal responsive mechanism, normally energized means for receiving signal impulses, a plurality of positionable elements spaced from said receiving means, a low reluctance member mounted for movement between said signal receiving means and each successive positionable element, means including a clutch for moving said low reluctance member in concurrence with the receipt of each signal impulse, and means controlled by an energization of the signal receiving means and the low reluctance member for disengaging the clutch.

6. In a selector mechanism, a plurality of latched devices, a clutch controlled drive mechanism, a clutch release mechanism normally holding said clutch mechanism in an unoperated condition, a rotary member having a plurality of arms radiating therefrom, said arms being spaced apart and positioned so that one arm is in register with the clutch release mechanism, means responsive to a signal impulse for producing a magnetic field to act through said arm to operate said clutch release mechanism, and means actuated by the drive mechanism for successively rotating said arm past each latched device in concurrence with the receipt of signal impulses in said signal responsive means.

7. In a signal responsive mechanism, electromagnetic means for receiving signal impulses, a plurality of selectively positionable elements spaced from the electromagnetic means so as to be unselectable by energization of said electromagnetic means, a clutch controlled drive mechanism, a clutch release mechanism also spaced from the electromagnetic means so as to be unaflFected by energization of said electromagnetic means, a movably mounted low reluctance element positioned between said electromagnetic means and said clutch release mechanism for operating said clutch release mechanism when a predetermined signal condition is impressed on said electromagnetic means, and means operated by the clutch controlled drive mechanism for successively moving said low reluctance element past said selectively positionable elements in synchronism with the receipt of subsequent signal impulses in the electromagnetic means.

8. A selector mechanism for telegraph recording apparatus comprising a single selector magnetic means adapted to receive start-stop impulses of permutation code signals, a plurality of elements adapted to control the particular type of function to be performed by a cycle of operation of the telegraph apparatus, a series of latches for holding the elements in position, movably mounted paramagnetic means interposed between the latches and the selector magnet, means for holding said paramagnetic means from movement, means responsive to a start impulse for releasing said holding means, and means for moving said paramagnetic means past said latches in unison with the receipt of the signal impulses whereupon receipt of a signal impulse of one condition establishes a magnetic field through said paramagnetic member to release the associated latch and a signal impulse of another characteristic does not effectuate the release of the associated latch.

9. In a selector mechanism for telegraph recording apparatus, a clutch controlled drive mechanism, a clutch release mechanism for holding said clutch disengaged, a plurality of positionable members, a normally energized signal responsive means spaced from said clutch release mechanism and said positionable members, a movably mounted paramagnetic member interposed between said signal responsive means and said clutch release mechanism to hold said clutch release mechanism in position to disengage the clutch, said clutch release mechanism being operated upon receipt of a predetermined signal in said signal responsive means, means operated by the release of said clutch controlled drive mechanism for moving said paramagnetic member past each of said positionable members, and means for restoring said clutch release mechanism to stop said clutch controlled drive mechanism.

10. In a selector mechanism for telegraph recording apparatus, a clutch controlled drive mechanism, a clutch release mechanism, a plurality of positionable elements, a movably mounted paramagnetic member positioned in register with said clutch release mechanism, means responsive to a predetermined signal impulse for actuating said clutch release mechanism, means operated by said drive mechanism for successively moving said paramagnetic member in register with each positionable member concurrently with the receipt of each signal impulse, and means for restoring said clutch release mechanism to a position to disengage the clutch after said paramagnetic member passes the last positionable member.

11. In a selector mechanism, a clutch controlled drive mechanism, a plurality of positionable elements, a clutch release device, a movably mounted paramagnetic memher positioned in register with said release device, means responsive to a predetermined signal condition for bolding said clutch release device, said last mentioned means being responsive to another predetermined signal condition for freeing said clutch release device, means operated by said drive mechanism for successively moving said paramagnetic member into register with each successive positionable member, and cam means for moving said clutch release device back into position to disengage said clutch drive mechanism.

12. In a selector device, a U-shaped core, signal responsive windings wrapped around a first arm of said core, a plurality of positionable members in close proximity to the terminus of the second arm of said core and spaced from the terminus of the said first arm of the core to provide an air gap therebetween, a low reluctance member mounted for movement through the air gap, means for moving said low reluctance member through said air gap in timed relation to the receipt of signal impulses in said windings and means controlled by the energization of the signal responsive windings and the low reluctance member for arresting the movement of the low reluctance member after it moves past the last of the positionable members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,898,762 Clokey Feb. 21, 1933 1,905,090 Grifiith Apr. 25, 1933 2,675,537 Cahill Apr. 13, 1954

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