US428280A - Jacob f - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J. F. MEHREN. ELBGTRIUMBTBR.

No. 428,280. Patnted'May 20, 1890.

WMM 7 e I citizen of the United States, residing at Chi- ATENTA OFFICE.

JACOB F. MEHREN, OF CHICAGO, ILLI ELECTRIC METER COMP YELECTRIC SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters NOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THEVAMERICAN ANY, OF SAME PLACE.

METER.

Patent No. 428,280, dated May 2o, 1890.

Application tiled October '7, 1889. Serial No. 326,184. (No model.)

To all wwnt it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, JACOB F. MEHREN, a

cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Meters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in the class of apparatus for registering the amount consumed of current delivered on a circuit, as registering such amount in lamphours on a circuit containing incandescent electric lamps; and it relates particularly to improvements upon the species -in the foregoing class involving a prime motor in the main circuit actuated by variation in the current to control, according to such variation, the registering mechanism, which is actuated through the oscillations of a pendulum controlled from a derived circuit.

The object of my invention is to provide a generallyimproved apparatus, both as to construction and eiciency, for the purpose stated; and to this end my invention consists in the general as well as the more speciiic construction of my improved meter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in the nature of a diagram, showing my improved apparatus in elevation, partly sectional; and Fig. 2, a broken plan view showing details of construction of the registering apparatus and of the mechanism for varying the speed or extent of registration, according to the variation in effect upon the prime motor of the current on the main circuit.

A denotes the outgoing, and B the return wire of a main circuit shown to contain, as the current consuming medium, ,incandescent electric lamps C, and the wire Aincludes the prime motor D, which may be a solenoid, as illustrated, though I do not limit the use of my improved mechanisms hereinafter described, to connection with a solenoid as the prime motor, since they may be employed with advantage in connection with other forms of motor D.

E, Fig. 2, denotes the train of gear-wheels carrying index-fingers on their shafts and extending over the surfaces of suitable dials, the whole constituting an ordinary or suitable formof mechanism to be actuated from the main current through intermediate regulating and propelling devices, hereinafter described, to indicate the consumption of the current, and the parts of the mechanism E are supported, as usual, in suitable framework E which is merely indicated in Fig. 2, because well understood and involving no features of novelty.

. The immediate medium for imparting motion to the train E is a pinion o" on a shaft q, journaled in the frame and having limited play in its bearings, and one projecting end of which should be pointed, as shown at fr, to reduce the frictional bearing against it of a spring p, extending from the adjacent side of the frame. The shaft q carries to revolve with it a plain disk F.

G is a disk like the disk F, except that its 7o periphery is provided with teeth; and it is supported on a shaft q j ournaled in the frame, like the shaft q, and in position to cause the disks G and F to overlap each other, the shaft being, for the same reason as the shaft q, pointed at one end, as shown at in Fig. 2, and having a spring p bearing against its pointed extremity. The core D of the solenoid, which should be sufficiently long to extend normally through thespool,is connected 8o by a link 02, to an arm 0 of a bell-crank lever D2, fulcrumed at its angle y, and controlled by a spring 03, connected with the arm o, and which serves to counterbalance the core. The other arm 0 of the bell-crank carries at its 85 extremity, which should be. bifurcated, and extends between lthe disks F and G, a friction-roller II, formed preferably of soft rubber, and the periphery of ,which is normally in contact with the opposing surfaces of the 9o two disks. According as the distance from the shaft q at which the roller H is caused to have contact with the disk G, it will in- 'versely vary the distance from the shaft q of it-s contact with the disk F, turning the latter faster the nearer it approaches its shaft and slower the farther it is removed therefrom; and, as will hereinafter be explained, variation in such distance is automatically produced through the medium of the solenoid Ioo core in accord ance with the variation to which the solenoid maygbe subjected in the current.

I and I are stationary electro-magnets hav;v

ing similar polarity, vand between them is an electro-magnet I2, having the opposite polarity, the circuit, including the motor afforded by the electro-magnets to produce the opposite polar-ities, being hereinafter described.

K is a pendulum pivotally supported at 2'- a point perpendicularly above the core of the magnet I2-and carrying an armature I3, the ends of which, when the pendulum is in its normal perpendicular or substantially perpendicular position, extend short of the cores of the magnets I and l. On opposite sides of the pivotal point z the pendulumhas pivoted to it the pawls n and n', extending one beyond the other into engagement with the teeth on the periphery of the disk G, whereby each stroke of the pendulum in its vibratory movement, produced as hereinafterdescribed, effects a partial turn of the disk. I do not, however, necessarily limit my con struction to heuse of the two pawls, though the latter are preferred, for a single pawl on one side of the fulcrum of the pendulum would be operative.

The upper end of the pendulum engages with a eommutator L, comprising a bar fm, of insulating material, having metallic contactpieces Zand 7a at opposite ends and supported in a manner to permit it to be readily shifted lengthwise, as by means of bolts or screws t', passed into the support through slots il in the part m near its opposite ends, simple means for producing the desired. engagement being the bifurcaied end of the pendulum embracing a stud m on the bar m, as shown, and adjacent-to the bar m, preferably above it, as shown, is secured a supporting-strip 7L, of insulating material, having springs g and g extending from it, both being normally in contact with only the bar m of insulating material and close to the metallic contacts l and 7c, whereby when the bar m is shifted from its normal position in either direction one spring -will bear against an end contact, while the otherwill bear against the insulating portion of the bar.

The electromagnets I, I', and I2 and the eommutator L are included in a derived circircuit branches from the binding-post 2 byy a conductor ci, connecting with the magnet'I. The-contact 7c of the eommutator is connected by a conductor e with the branch d. The spri'ng' g is connected by a conductor c with one end of the magnet I and by a branch c "of the conductor c with one end of the magnet I2,`and the spring g is connected by a conductor Z? with one end of the magnet I2, and by a branch b of the conductor b with one end of the magnet I.

` The operation is as follows: Current on the main circuit energizes the solenoid and draws the core D into the coil thereof, according to the amount of current, thereby closing the derived circuit by produci n g contact between the finger M and screw M', as shown, and

moving the friction-wheel Il on its pivotal axis y toward the center of the disk F and away from that of the disk G, according to the amount of current. The disks are yieldlingly maintained contiguous to the periphery of the friction-wheel against any distortion or departure of the latter from a true circle by the springs p and p. Obviously as the energizing effect of the current on the solenoid weakens or strengthens the friction-wheel will be moved farther from or nearer toward the center q. The current which 'passes on the derived circuit c d energzes the magnets I, I', and I2, and toward whichever of the two outermost magnets the pendulum happens to incline that magnet-will exert its attraction effect upon the armature I3, and is re-enforced by the action of the central magnet I2, since the lines of force between the latter and the other outermost or non-attractin g magnet are practically nil.

To illustrate further the operation, suppose the poles of the magnet I I2 to be the irst to attract the armature under the influence of the current on the derived circuit. This will draw the pendulum toward the Amagnet I,

causing the pawl n to turn the disk G, which will, through the medium of the frictionwheel. II, turn the wheel F around at a rate of speed according to the location, with reference to the center of the latter wheel,'of

the friction-wheel, under the influence of the the stud m shifts the eommutator in the direction of its movement, thereby producing contact of the conducting end l and spring g, causing the derived circuit to close through the conductors e and c, and thereby cut out or shunt the magnet I, which, being thereby cle-energized, will release the armature and permit it to be attracted by the magnet I I2. Then the upper end of the pendulum shifts the commutat-or toward the right, breaking the contact between the end Z and spring g and producing contact betwecnthe end 7a and spring g', thereby cutting out or shunting the magnet I', and thus loosening its hold on the armature, which is then again attracted by the magnet I I2. As will readily be seen, the

pendulum, under thevalternate attraction of the magnets I I2 and I I2 on the armature,

IOC

IIO

vibrates regularly, and each stroke, with the provision of the two pawls n and n', turns the disk G around the same distance, which turns the disk F around at the same or at a greater or less rate of speed, according to the position of the wheel H with reference to the center q, and the dial-iingers are thereby caused to indicate upon the dials, suitably marked for Vthe purpose, the amountl of current consumed by the number ot' lamp-honrs. It will of course be understood that when the lamps C are all cut out, the current on the derived circuit being insuiiicient to affect the core D, it will rise, and 'th us separate the contact between the finger M and screw M, thereby opening the derived circuit and stopping the vibration of the pendulum.

The intermediate mechanism between the prime motor D and apparatus E may, to permit the application of-my improved mechanism for holding the disks F and G yieldingly against the interposed friction-roller H, involve other and old forms of friction-gear connected with a motor D, and the registering apparatus for varying the speed of the latter by variation in the inuence of the current on the former; hence I do not intend to be understood as limiting the application of the said yielding holding mechanism t0 disks as suoli, but intend that in the claims hereinafter stated, which refer specifically to the said mechanism,`the terms fdisk and friction-roller shall be sufficiently generic to include all analogous friction-gear.

lVhat I claim as new, and desire t0 secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In Van electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registering apparatus E, of a prime motor D in the main circuit, intermediate mechanism connected with the said registering apparatus and controlled from the prime motor to regulate the speed of registration according to variation in the current on the main circuit, a normally-open derived circuit, a pendulum K, connected with the said intermediate mechanism, an electric motor for the pendulum in the derived circuit, and a commutator in the said derived circuit actuated by the vibrations of the pendulum alternately to shunt portions of the said electric motor, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registering apparatus E, of a prime motor D in the main circuit, a disk F,

geared to the said registering apparatus, a

rotary toothed disk G, and a friction-wheel H, pivotally supported to extend between and in contact with the said disks and oscillated on its pivotal support between the centers of the disks by the action of the prime motor under 'variation in the current on the main circuit,

a pendulum K, engaging with the disk G, a normally-open derived circuit, and an electriemotor for the pendulum in the derived circuit, substantially as described.

3. In an electric meter, the combination,

with a suitable registering apparatus E, of a prime motor D in the main circuit, a disk F, geared to the said registering apparatus, a rotary toothed disk G, and a friction-Wheel H, pivotally supported to extend between and in contact with the said disks and oscillated on its pivotal support between the centers of the disks by the action of the prime motor under variation in the current on the main circuit, a pendulum K, pivotally supported between its ends and having pawls n and n at opposite sides of its pivot extending into engagement with the teeth of the disk G, a normally-open derived circuit, and an electric motor for the pendulum in the derived circuit, substantially as described.

4. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registering apparatus E, supported in a frame, a prime motor D in the main circuit, and a pendulum K, oscillated by a suitable motor in a derived circuit, ot' a disk F on a rotary shaft q, supported in the frame and movable in its bearings and geared tothe apparatus E, a spring p, bearing against an end of the shaft q, a toothed disk G, connected with the pendulum and supported on a shaft q in the frame and movable in its bearings, a spring jp', bearing against an end of the shaft q', and a friction-wheel H on a pivotal support connected with the said prime motor and extending between and in contact with the disks F and G, substantially as and for the purpose s'et forth.

5. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registering apparatus E, supported in a frame, a prime motor D in the main circuit, and a pendulum K, oscillated by a suitable motor in a derived circuit, of a. contact IWI and a pivotal finger M in the derived circuit, a pivotal bell-crank D2, controlled from its arm o by the prime motor and yieldingly sustainedv against the finger M to maintain the derived circuit normally open, a disk F on a rotary shaft q, supported in the said frame and movable in its bearings and geared to the apparatus E, a spring p, bearing against an end of the shaft q, a toothed disk G, connected with the pendulum and supported on a shaft q in the frame and movable in its bearings, a spring p', bearing against an end of the shaft q', and a rotary IOO IIO

friction-wheel H, supported on the arm o of for the purpose set forth.

6. In an electric meter, the combination,

with a suitable registering apparatus E, of a prime mot-or D in the main circuit, intermediate mechanism connected with the said regist-ering apparatus and controlled from the prime motor to regulate the speed of registration according to variation in the current on the main circuit, a pendulum K, carrying an armature I3 and connected with the said intermediate mechanism, a normally-open derived circuit closed bythe prime motor under the iniiuence of the main `current and a commutator L, and a motor for the pendulum in the derived circuit, the motor comprising the electro-magnets I I of similarpoliarity and Izof the opposite polarity, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth,

7T. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registering apparatus E, ot' a prime motor D in the main circuit, intermediate mechanism connected with the said' registering apparatus andl controlled from the prime motor to regulate the speed of registration according to variation in the current on thel mainl circuit, a pendulum K, pivotally supported between its ends and carrying an larmature I3 and connected with the 'said intermediate mechanism, a normally-open derived circuit closed by the prime motor u-nder the influence ofthe main current, a motor for thev pendulum in the derived circuit, comprising electro-magnets I I of similar po larity and' I2 of the opposite polarity, and a commutator L, comprising the longitudinallymovable insulating portion m, having contacts Z-and 7C at its opposite ends andv engaged by the adjacent end of the pendulum in its vibratory movement, and springs g and g', normally in contact with the said insulating portion m near the contacts Z and 7a, the whole being constructed and arrangedy to operate substantial-ly as and for thepurpose set forth. Y,

8. An electric meter comprising, in combi- 1 nation, a registering apparatus E in a frame E', a solenoid D in the maincircuit, a derived circuit containing a pivotal finger M and a contact M, a pivotally-supported bell-crank D2, having its arm o linked to the solenoidcore, a spring 03, normally holding the a-rm o l against the'nger M to separate it from the contact M', a disk F on a rotary shaft q, normally supported in the frame and geared to the apparatus E, a spring p, bearing against an end of the shaft q, a toothed disk G on a shaft q', movably supported in the frame, a spring p,bearing against an end of the shaft q', a friction-roller H, journaled in the end of the arm o of the bell-crank extending between Itthe disks F and G, a pendulum K, pivotal-ly supported between its extremities and having pawl's-'n and n extending from opposite -sides of its pivot into engagement with the vteeth on the disk G, an armature I3 on the pendulum, a motor in the derived circuit comprising electro-magnets I I ofv similar polarity and I2 of' opposite polarity, a comimu-tator L in the said derived circuit com-,- prising a shifting-bar m, of insulating material, engaged by the adjacent endl of the penf (lul-'umand provided with contacts Zand 7 at its opposite ends, and springs g and g", normal'ly in contact with the bar m near its op- `posite ends, the whole being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

JACOB F. MEI'IREN.

In presence off- W. H. DYRENFORTH, M. J. FROST.

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