US595344A - russell - Google Patents

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US595344A
US595344A US595344DA US595344A US 595344 A US595344 A US 595344A US 595344D A US595344D A US 595344DA US 595344 A US595344 A US 595344A
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D3/00Control of position or direction
    • G05D3/12Control of position or direction using feedback
    • G05D3/125Control of position or direction using feedback using discrete position sensor
    • G05D3/127Control of position or direction using feedback using discrete position sensor with electrical contact

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  • the object of my invention is to provide electrical means for controlling electric motors when applied to conditions where accuracy and certainty of control, both in point of direction of motion and extent of motion, is of especial importance. Such conditions are present when electric motors are applied to the turning of turrets on war-ships, or the moving of rudders or guns, or signal apparatus of any kind, or in hoisting or lowering weights, such as elevators.
  • My invention consists in the method of con trolling electric motors and also in the apparatus for carrying said method into effect, which apparatus is the best means which I now know for the aforesaid purpose.
  • the principle of my invention is to exercise the necessary control upon the motor in such a way as that such control shall not depend for its efficiency on the maintenance of constant voltage necessary for the driving of the circuit including such translating devices as motors or lights.
  • My apparatus is constructed so that the movement of the manipulating-lever introduces into the motor-controlling device a series of current-impulses of substantially uniform strength. If the lever is moved in one direction, these impulses have a corresponding direction. If it is moved in the other direction, the direction of the impulses is reversed. The number of impulses depends upon the extent of deviation of the lever.
  • the construction is also such that the unweakened current of the mains comes to the controlling device, and as the lever passes over its successive contact-plates to produce successive impulses the movement of the lever does not throw in or take out resistances, or, in other words, the strength of the current is not impaired in any wise in proportion to the extent of movement of the lever, as in most devices where the extent or period of movement of the motor depends upon the extent of deviation of the manipulating-lever. It will further be observed that I accomplish this result without the use of any multiple system of wiring.
  • Figure 1 shows, diagrammatically, the apparatus and the relation of the parts when at rest.
  • Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts at the time that the motor is oper ating.
  • Fig. 3 is a view in plan and partial section of the manipulating device, which is governed by the hand of the operator.
  • Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same.
  • Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the manner in which the contact-arm of the manipulating device shown in Figs. 3 and l makes circuit with the plates arranged in said manipulating device for the purpose of governing the motor. The observer is supposed to look radially outward from the center on which said contact-arm turns.
  • Fig. 1, 1 is the dynamo or other source of electricity, which is here shown with its brushes in direct circuit by the conductors 2 and with the field-coils of the motor
  • the conductors 2 and 3 may be those used for supplying an electric-lightin g system, as shown by the diagrammatic illustration of lamps at 5 and (i.
  • the conductor 2 is here supposed to be a plus conductor and the conductor 3 a minus one.
  • FIG. 1 Figs. 1 and 2 and illustrated in detail in Figs. 8, 4c, and 5.
  • This consists of a hollow cylindrical case A, of insulating material, having at its ends spiders B O, of metal. Extending inward from the spider B are inclined spring contact-plates E E E E and c e e e. Extending inward from the spider C are similar inclined spring contact-plates F F F and ff f f".
  • the contactplates on spider O are disposed opposite to the contact-plates on spider B, and the opposing faces of said plates are substantially parallel, as shown in Fig. 5. Said plates may be, if desired, disposed at regular intervals circumferentially around the spiders.
  • Gr is a contact-arm journaled at D in the spiders and provided with a handle II.
  • Said arm carries at its end two contact-plates I and J, which are inclined with their faces respectively substantially parallel to the faces of the series of plates E e, &c., and F f, &c., as seen in Fig. 5.
  • the plates I and J are covered with insulating blocks or screens L N on their inner faces.
  • the spider B is connected by conductor 11 with the plus main conductor 2 and the spider C by conductor 9 with the minus main conductor 3.
  • the plate J is connected to circuit-wire 10 and the plate I to circuit-wire 12.
  • the cores 17 and 18 are vertically disposed and carry pivoted engaging pawls 19 and 20. Connected to pawls 19 and 20 are retracting-springs 21 and 22. The pawls 19 and 20 are placed so as to engage with the teeth of a toothed pinion 23. The teeth of this pinion also engage with the teeth of a sliding rack 24. On the rack 2i is an insulating-block 25, which carries a metal contact 26.
  • the armature of the motor 4 is the armature of the motor 4:.
  • the shaft of said armature is threaded at 28 and carries the nut 29, provided with a sliding finger 30, which finger, when the position of the parts is as shown in Fig. 1, bears against the metal contact 29 on rack 24.
  • the motorshaft on the other side of the field-magnets may be screw-threaded, as shown at 31, in order to engage with the sector-rack 32, and thus impart motion to the thing to be governed or controlled by the motor-as, forcxample, a rudder, indicated by dotted lines 33, of which 32 would then be the tiller; or 33 may represent the valve-rod of a steering-engine actuated by the sector 32.
  • the cores of magnets 13 and 14 are connected by links 36 and 37 to a lever 38, which is centrally pivoted at 39.
  • the lever 38 carries at its ends contact-pieces 40 and 41, which are insulated, as shown, from the body of the lever.
  • the lever 38 also carries metal plates 42 and 43, which are armatures to the solenoids 15 and 16.
  • the ends 40 and 41 of the lever 38 are adapted to close contact between the pairs of fixed contact-plates 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51.
  • the solenoid 15 also attracts its armature 42 on pivoted lever 38, tilting said lever, as shown also in Fig. 2, and causing it to close circuit between the pairs of plates and 51 and 44 and 45.
  • the circuit then established is as follows: from main conductor 2 by wire 54, through plates 40,50,and 51 to wire 55, by wire 56 to bar 24 to finger 30, by wire 57 through fuse 58 and electromagnet 59 to and through the motor-armature, then by wire 60 to contact-plates 41, 44, and 45, and thence by wire 61 to the minus main conductor 3.
  • the motor is thus set in operation, rotating in definite direction, and the period of its operation will depend upon how many contact-plates E E, 850., have been passed over by the plate I, or, in other words, upon the extent of movement of the handle H.
  • the passageof plate I over each contact-plate in turn produces the result above statedthat is to say, if one contact-plate E is passed over then the bar 24 is moved to the left a certain distance and a certain space on the bar intervenes between contact-plate 26 thereon and finger 30.
  • the bar moves twice as far (two impulses) and double the aforesaid space intervenes, and so on; but as soon as the motor begins its rotation the nut 29 begins to travel on the screw 28 in a direction toward contact-plate 26 until finally the finger 30 on said nut once more establishes contact with said plate 26.
  • the transverse width of the contact finger 30 is greater than the width of the insulating material surrounding the contact-plate 26, so that the forward edge of contact-finger 3O establishes contact with plate 26 before the rear edge leaves contact with the bar 24. Therefore there is nobreak of circuit at any time by the finger in moving from the body of bar 24 to contact-plate 26.
  • the circuit that is then formed proceeds as follows: from the plus main conductor 2 by wire 54 to contact-plates 40, 50, and 51, wire 55, wire 62 to solenoid 14, wire 63, solenoid 13, wire 66, contact-plate 26, wire 57, and the armature of the motor to wire 60, contact-plates 41 44 45, wire 61, and minus conductor 3.
  • the effect of the current energizing the solenoids 13 14 is to cause them at once to draw their cores into a central position, as shown in Fig. 1, thus bringing the pivoted bar 38 into a position intermediate between the pairs of contact-plates and closing circuit through no pairs. Current is thus broken in the armature circuit of the motor, and the motor stops, this stoppage being assisted by the action of the friction brake controlled by the electromagnet 59, which I will describe farther on.
  • the circuit proceeds as follows: from plus conductor 2 by wire 54 to contact-plates 4O 48 49, through the wire 65 to the armature of the motor 4, thence through the electromagnet 59 and fuse 58 to wire 57, to finger 30, to bar 24, by wire 56 to contact plates 41 46 47 ,and thence by wire 61 to the minus conductor 3. It is obvious that the current then passes to the motor-armature in a reverse direction to what it did before, and therefore the motor rotates in the opposite way, now carrying its nut to the right until contact is again established between the plate 26 and the finger 30.
  • the circuit thus formed proceeds as follows: from plus conductor 2 by wire 54 around by the path already stated to finger 30, and thence by wire 66 to solenoid 13, by wire 63 to solenoid 14, by wire 62 to contact-plates 4O 46 47, and thence by wire 61 to the minus conductor 3.
  • the two solenoids 13 14 then act as before, bringing the lever 38 into a central position and breaking circuit through the armature of the motor and causing it to stop, as previously described.
  • the handle H is moved still farther to the left to make contact with other plates in the manipulating device, but if it be desired to bring the parts back to their original and central position then the plate I in returning establishes a plus connection through the plate 6 of Fig. 5, thus completing the circuit through the wire 12 and through the solenoid 15 and wire 52 to plus main conductor 2.
  • Solenoid 15 then draws up its core 17, and the pawl 19, engaging with the toothed wheel 23, turns it to the right, moving the bar 24 to the left, and so bringing contact-plate 26 once more in circuit with finger 30, but by reason of the energizing of the solenoid 15 it has attracted its armature 42, thus tilting the lever 38 once more into the position shown in Fig. 2.
  • the current proceeds from plus main conductor 2 through the wire 54, through the contacts 40, 50, and 51 to wire 55, wire 62 to the solenoids 13 14, by wire 63 to solenoid 13, by wire 66 to contact-plate 26 to linger 30, wire 57, fuse 5S, magnet 59, armature of the motor, wire 60, contact-plates 41 44 45, wire 61, and so to the minus main conductor.
  • the solenoids 13 14 then act, as already de scribed, to centralize the bar 38 and break contact through the armature-coils of the motor, as before, thus once more stopping the motor.
  • the motor will rotate in a determinate direction twice as far as before. If in turning the handle backward only one plate is passed over, the motor will rotate backward only half as far, or if two plates are passed over then it will rotate backward a distance equal to that it has rotated forward, so that no matter where the starting-point of move ment may be the extent of rotation of the motor in either direction will always depend upon the number of contact-plates that are swept over successively by the contact-plates 011 the end of the arm.
  • the current shall have sufficient strength to energize the solenoids 15 and 1G to enable them to operate their pawls and turn the wheel 23 and so move the bar 24, and for this purpose only a very small current is required, so that any current which normally exists on lightingmains will be abundantly suflicient for this purpose, no matter how much it may fluctuate for lighting purposes and practically no matter how much it may fluctuate at the dynamo, provided it does not become at the source diminished to an extent too great to enable it to control the solenoids; or, to put it another way, the controlling electrical mechanism here does not depend for its efficiency upon the maintenance of the constant superior voltage necessary for other translating devices in the circuit.
  • solenoids 15 and 16 By constructing the solenoids 15 and 16 so as to have an ample margin of tilting power the whole device is rendered independent of fluctuations in the translating device for producing light on the main circuit or fluctuations in voltage at the dynamo, and such construction of solenoids is within the ordinary knowledge of the skilled electrical workman at this time.
  • the middle portion of the journal D which passes through the hub of the handle, is semicircular, as shown at M in Fig. 3.
  • the hub is made in two parts, one of which, 0, is received upon the convex side of. said semicircular portion of the journal.
  • the other half, P, of the hub is loose and rests against the flat side of the journal and the edges of the part 0, as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the part P of the hub is hollow internally, and in this hollow portion is a headed rod Q,which extends through an opening in the flat side of the part P, through a hole in the middle of the journal D, through the hollow arm G, and protrudes beyond the end of said arm.
  • the object of this is to prevent the operator from establishing a contact in the manipulating device without actually causing the plates to pass completely over one another.
  • a device as I have here described he might move the handle H to establish a contact and then returnit immediately to its original position without causing the plates to sweep past that contact.
  • 011 the return stroke the operator will not have established a reverse contact to bring the parts back to their normal position, since in order to do this it is necessary for him to cause the moving plates to pass completely over one contact and then back again over the same contact.
  • the plates E F e f, &c. are spring contact-plates.
  • the object of this is to enable them to yield as the plates J and I pass over or under them, as the case may be, and also to insure a quick break as the plates part company.
  • E F e f spring-plates I may make them fixed plates and make the plates I J on the arm G spring-plates, one arrangement being the equivalent of the other.
  • c is a pivoted lever, which is normally connected by the band d, which is the fuse proper and made of any suitable material to become melted when the strength of the current becomes too great, to the block g, which block is connected by wire h in circuit with the electromagnet 59 and the armature of the motor.
  • 1' is a retracting-spring, which is prevented from drawing back the lever c by the presence of the fuse d.
  • j is a block which is connected by another fuse 7.: to the block Z. This block by wire on is also connected to the electromagnet 59 and the armature of the motor.
  • the operation of the device is as follows: WVhen the current reaches a previously-determined strength suilicient to melt the fuse d, the lever c is drawn byits retracting-sprin g i into contact with the block j, and circuit is established anew through the fuse it, or, in other words, the purpose of the device is in any case when a fuse breaks to substitute immediately and automatically another fuse in the circuit.
  • This device is especially applicable to cases in which my invention is used for helm or rudder control, where the power required to move the rudder may be very greatly and suddenly increased by the momentary action of a heavy wave and almost as rapidly disappear. In such cases it is very desirable to substitute at once another fuse in the circuit, so as to prevent the cessation of the operation of the entire apparatus until the attendant can have time to put in a new fuse.
  • the purpose and function of the electromagnet 59 are to control an automatic friction- IIO brake, which is constructed as follows: m is a pivoted brake-lever provided with a spring a, which normally tends to bring it into contact with the brake-disk 0, which on the armatureshaft As long, however, as the magnet 59 is energized by the passage of the working current the lever m is retracted against the pull of the magnet and hence away from the brake-disk 0. ⁇ Vhen, however, the armature-circuit is interrupted in order to stop the motor, the spring a then retracts the brake-lever m and carries its end in contact with the brake-wheel, and so by friction stops the momentum of the armature.
  • I claim- 1 The method of controlling an electric motor, which consists in establishing in an electromagnetic circuit-closing device a succession of current impulses correspondingin direction to the deviation of the controlling-lever and thereby causing the armature of said motor controlled by said device to move in a direction corresponding to the direction of said current impulses and to an extent depending upon the number of current impulses, substantially as described.

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Description

(N0 Model.) 3'Sl1eets-Sheet 1.
P. J. RUSSELL. CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR ELEUTRIG-MOTORS.
No. 595,344. Patented Dec. 14,1897.
IL 41 .'p a
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as 37 67 a. so 3y 4 Z il'fiiiiimlu WITNESSES: I 'NVENTOR ATTORNEY 2 e e h S m e e h S 3 L L E S S U R h 9 d o M 0 W CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.
Patented Dec. 14,1897.
INVENTOR few-40054 WITNESSES;
MIA/:4, 7L0? ATT RNEY 3 Sheets-She et 3.
(No Model.)
1-. J. RUSSELL. CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.
No. 595,344. Patented Dec. 14,1897.
M INVENTOR ww THE NORRIS PETERS cu. FHOTQ-LITHD..\\1A:HWGT
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
FRANK J, RUSSELL, OF NEi/V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HORACE SEE, OF SAME PLACE.
CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRSC MOTORS.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,344, dated December 14, 1897.
Application filed April 22, 1897. Serial No. 633,224:- (No model.)
T0 at whom, it may concern:
Be it known that I, FRANK J. RUSSELL, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Controlling Devices for Electric Motors, of which the following is a specification.
The object of my invention is to provide electrical means for controlling electric motors when applied to conditions where accuracy and certainty of control, both in point of direction of motion and extent of motion, is of especial importance. Such conditions are present when electric motors are applied to the turning of turrets on war-ships, or the moving of rudders or guns, or signal apparatus of any kind, or in hoisting or lowering weights, such as elevators.
My invention consists in the method of con trolling electric motors and also in the apparatus for carrying said method into effect, which apparatus is the best means which I now know for the aforesaid purpose.
The principle of my invention is to exercise the necessary control upon the motor in such a way as that such control shall not depend for its efficiency on the maintenance of constant voltage necessary for the driving of the circuit including such translating devices as motors or lights.
My apparatus is constructed so that the movement of the manipulating-lever introduces into the motor-controlling device a series of current-impulses of substantially uniform strength. If the lever is moved in one direction, these impulses have a corresponding direction. If it is moved in the other direction, the direction of the impulses is reversed. The number of impulses depends upon the extent of deviation of the lever. The construction is also such that the unweakened current of the mains comes to the controlling device, and as the lever passes over its successive contact-plates to produce successive impulses the movement of the lever does not throw in or take out resistances, or, in other words, the strength of the current is not impaired in any wise in proportion to the extent of movement of the lever, as in most devices where the extent or period of movement of the motor depends upon the extent of deviation of the manipulating-lever. It will further be observed that I accomplish this result without the use of any multiple system of wiring.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows, diagrammatically, the apparatus and the relation of the parts when at rest. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts at the time that the motor is oper ating. Fig. 3 is a view in plan and partial section of the manipulating device, which is governed by the hand of the operator. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the manner in which the contact-arm of the manipulating device shown in Figs. 3 and l makes circuit with the plates arranged in said manipulating device for the purpose of governing the motor. The observer is supposed to look radially outward from the center on which said contact-arm turns.
Similar numbers and letters of reference indicate like parts.
Referring first to Fig. 1, 1 is the dynamo or other source of electricity, which is here shown with its brushes in direct circuit by the conductors 2 and with the field-coils of the motor The conductors 2 and 3 may be those used for supplying an electric-lightin g system, as shown by the diagrammatic illustration of lamps at 5 and (i. The conductor 2 is here supposed to be a plus conductor and the conductor 3 a minus one.
I will first describe the manipulating device, which is shown at 7 in Figs. 1 and 2 and illustrated in detail in Figs. 8, 4c, and 5. This consists of a hollow cylindrical case A, of insulating material, having at its ends spiders B O, of metal. Extending inward from the spider B are inclined spring contact-plates E E E E and c e e e. Extending inward from the spider C are similar inclined spring contact-plates F F F F and ff f f". The contactplates on spider O are disposed opposite to the contact-plates on spider B, and the opposing faces of said plates are substantially parallel, as shown in Fig. 5. Said plates may be, if desired, disposed at regular intervals circumferentially around the spiders.
Gr is a contact-arm journaled at D in the spiders and provided with a handle II. Said arm carries at its end two contact-plates I and J, which are inclined with their faces respectively substantially parallel to the faces of the series of plates E e, &c., and F f, &c., as seen in Fig. 5. The plates I and J are covered with insulating blocks or screens L N on their inner faces.
The spider B is connected by conductor 11 with the plus main conductor 2 and the spider C by conductor 9 with the minus main conductor 3. The plate J is connected to circuit-wire 10 and the plate I to circuit-wire 12.
Assume now that the handle H, Fig. 3, is moved to the left, carrying the contact-plates I J on the arm G to the right of Fig. 5. Then the contact-plate J will pass beneath and make contact with the plate f on spider 0, thus establishing circuit from the minus main conduetor 3 through conductor 9 to conductor 10. The contact-plate I will pass beneath contactplate 6 on spider B,but will be prevented from establishing circuit by the insulating block or screen N, which comes between said plates I and e. As the plates f and J are both of considerable width, electrical circuit is maintained over the period during which they remain in contact and until the plate J passes beyond and to the right of plate 1.
If the handle II, Fig. 3, be moved to the right instead of to the left, then the plate J will pass over the plate F and be prevented from closing circuit therewith by the insulating-block L, but the face of plate I will meet the plate E, and thus circuit will be closed through the plus main conductor 2, conductor 11, spider B, and plate E, plate I, and conduetor 12. Consequently when the handle II is turned to the left circuit is established through the apparatus with the minus eonductor 3 as contact is made between plate J and each successive plate ff f the, and the duration of the closing of the circuit will be governed by the width of the respective plates. On the other hand, when the handle II is turned to the right circuit in like manner is established with the plus conductor 2 as contact is made in like manner between plate I and each successive plate E E E c.
Now assume that the plates J I have been carried to the right of Fig. 5 and beyond the plates 6 f and that they are to be returned to their original middle position, moving to the left. Then the plate I will establish contact during its return journey with the plate c by moving over said plate, while the plate J,moving over plate f, will be prevented from closing circuit with said plate by the insulatingblock 1;. Similarly, if the plates J I have been carried to the left of plates F E and are to be returned to middle position, moving to the right, then plate J will establish circuit through plate F, while plate I, passing also beneath plate E, will be insulated therefrom by block N.
The net result is as follows: Assuming arm G to be in its middle position, as shown in Fig. 3, if said arm be moved to carry plates J I to the right and beyond plates c f then circuit is established between plates J and f to minus conductor 3 and wire 10. \Vhen said arm is moved to the left to return it to its original position, circuit is established between plates I and eto plus conductor 2 and wire 12. \Vhen said arm G is moved from its original position to carry plates J I to the left and beyond plates F E, then circuit is established between plates I and E to plus conductor 2 and wire 12. \Vhen said arm is moved to the right to return it to its original position,then circuit is established between plates J and F to minus conductor 3 and wire 10; or, more briefly, original movement of plates J I to the right establishes minus connection through the apparatus as each plateff, dad, is successively passed over,and movement back again to the left establishes a succession of plus connections through plates 6 e e &c. Movement originally to the left establishes plus connection as each plate E E E E is traversed, and movement back again to the right establishes successive minus connections as the plates F F F, &c., are passed over.
Reference to other details of the manipu lating device may be deferred until other parts of the general apparatus are explained.
13, 1-l-, 15, and 16 are electromagnets, each having a plunger-shaped core, (indicated in Fig. 1 in dotted lines 13 and 141- and shown partly protruding from the solenoids 15 and 16 at 17 and 18.) The cores 17 and 18 are vertically disposed and carry pivoted engaging pawls 19 and 20. Connected to pawls 19 and 20 are retracting- springs 21 and 22. The pawls 19 and 20 are placed so as to engage with the teeth of a toothed pinion 23. The teeth of this pinion also engage with the teeth of a sliding rack 24. On the rack 2i is an insulating-block 25, which carries a metal contact 26.
27 is the armature of the motor 4:. The shaft of said armature is threaded at 28 and carries the nut 29, provided with a sliding finger 30, which finger, when the position of the parts is as shown in Fig. 1, bears against the metal contact 29 on rack 24. The motorshaft on the other side of the field-magnets may be screw-threaded, as shown at 31, in order to engage with the sector-rack 32, and thus impart motion to the thing to be governed or controlled by the motor-as, forcxample, a rudder, indicated by dotted lines 33, of which 32 would then be the tiller; or 33 may represent the valve-rod of a steering-engine actuated by the sector 32. The
ICS
IIO
cores of magnets 13 and 14 (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and shown protruding from the solenoids at 34 and 35, Fig. 2) are connected by links 36 and 37 to a lever 38, which is centrally pivoted at 39. The lever 38 carries at its ends contact-pieces 40 and 41, which are insulated, as shown, from the body of the lever. The lever 38 also carries metal plates 42 and 43, which are armatures to the solenoids 15 and 16. The ends 40 and 41 of the lever 38 are adapted to close contact between the pairs of fixed contact- plates 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51.
The arrangement in circuit and operation of the parts thus far named is as follows: Assume the handle H to be moved to the right, so carrying plates J I to the left of Fig. 3 and meanwhile establishing plus connection, already explained by the sweeping of plate I over and in contact with plate E. Shunt-circuit is then established through wire 12, solenoid 15, wire 52, to main conductor 2. Solenoid 15 then draws up its core 17 and pawl 19, so that toothed pinion 23 is rotated to the right and rack-bar 24 moved to the left. Through the movement of bar 24 circuit is broken between finger 30 and contact-plate 26 and established between finger 30 and the body of the bar 24, as shown in Fig. 2. The solenoid 15 also attracts its armature 42 on pivoted lever 38, tilting said lever, as shown also in Fig. 2, and causing it to close circuit between the pairs of plates and 51 and 44 and 45. The circuit then established is as follows: from main conductor 2 by wire 54, through plates 40,50,and 51 to wire 55, by wire 56 to bar 24 to finger 30, by wire 57 through fuse 58 and electromagnet 59 to and through the motor-armature, then by wire 60 to contact- plates 41, 44, and 45, and thence by wire 61 to the minus main conductor 3. The motor is thus set in operation, rotating in definite direction, and the period of its operation will depend upon how many contact-plates E E, 850., have been passed over by the plate I, or, in other words, upon the extent of movement of the handle H. The passageof plate I over each contact-plate in turn produces the result above statedthat is to say, if one contact-plate E is passed over then the bar 24 is moved to the left a certain distance and a certain space on the bar intervenes between contact-plate 26 thereon and finger 30. If two contact plates E E are traversed, then the bar moves twice as far (two impulses) and double the aforesaid space intervenes, and so on; but as soon as the motor begins its rotation the nut 29 begins to travel on the screw 28 in a direction toward contact-plate 26 until finally the finger 30 on said nut once more establishes contact with said plate 26. The transverse width of the contact finger 30 is greater than the width of the insulating material surrounding the contact-plate 26, so that the forward edge of contact-finger 3O establishes contact with plate 26 before the rear edge leaves contact with the bar 24. Therefore there is nobreak of circuit at any time by the finger in moving from the body of bar 24 to contact-plate 26. When the finger rests wholly on the plate 26, the circuit that is then formed proceeds as follows: from the plus main conductor 2 by wire 54 to contact- plates 40, 50, and 51, wire 55, wire 62 to solenoid 14, wire 63, solenoid 13, wire 66, contact-plate 26, wire 57, and the armature of the motor to wire 60, contact-plates 41 44 45, wire 61, and minus conductor 3. The effect of the current energizing the solenoids 13 14 is to cause them at once to draw their cores into a central position, as shown in Fig. 1, thus bringing the pivoted bar 38 into a position intermediate between the pairs of contact-plates and closing circuit through no pairs. Current is thus broken in the armature circuit of the motor, and the motor stops, this stoppage being assisted by the action of the friction brake controlled by the electromagnet 59, which I will describe farther on.
The operation of the motor, now concluded, has, through the worm-screw 31, actuated the rack-sector 32,which, as I have said, may be a tiller, and in this way has set the rudder in definite position, and in that position the rudder remains as long as may be desired.
Suppose now that it is desired to alter the position of the rudder. If it is to be turned still farther in the same direction in which it has already been moved, then the handle II is moved still farther to the right, causing the contact-plate I on the arm G to meet the other plates 6 e, and the same operation already described is repeated. If, however, it is desired to return the rudder to its original position, then it may be assumed that the handle is carried to the left, and, as already explained in this case, the plate J, communicating with the minus conductor 3, moving to the right of Fig. 5, will establish contact with the plates F F, &c., and the effect will then be as follows: Current being established between the minus conduotor 3 and the wire 10, the solenoid 16 is energized and is in circuit with the minus conductor through the wire 53. It will then draw up its core 18 and lift the pawl 20, which, engaging with the toothed pinion 23, will rotate that pinion to the left, and so move the rack-bar 24 to the right. The contact-plate 26 will thus be displaced now to the right of the finger 30 instead of to the left, as before, although it will, as before, establish circuit through the bar 24. At the same time the solenoid 16 will attract its armature 43, thus tilting the pivoted lever 38 to establish contact between the pairs of contactplates 48 49 46 47. The parts being thus arranged, the circuit proceeds as follows: from plus conductor 2 by wire 54 to contact-plates 4O 48 49, through the wire 65 to the armature of the motor 4, thence through the electromagnet 59 and fuse 58 to wire 57, to finger 30, to bar 24, by wire 56 to contact plates 41 46 47 ,and thence by wire 61 to the minus conductor 3. It is obvious that the current then passes to the motor-armature in a reverse direction to what it did before, and therefore the motor rotates in the opposite way, now carrying its nut to the right until contact is again established between the plate 26 and the finger 30. The circuit thus formed proceeds as follows: from plus conductor 2 by wire 54 around by the path already stated to finger 30, and thence by wire 66 to solenoid 13, by wire 63 to solenoid 14, by wire 62 to contact-plates 4O 46 47, and thence by wire 61 to the minus conductor 3. The two solenoids 13 14 then act as before, bringing the lever 38 into a central position and breaking circuit through the armature of the motor and causing it to stop, as previously described. If nowit be desired to rotate that armature still farther in the same direction, or, in other words, to set the rudder at a greater angle in the same direction, the handle H is moved still farther to the left to make contact with other plates in the manipulating device, but if it be desired to bring the parts back to their original and central position then the plate I in returning establishes a plus connection through the plate 6 of Fig. 5, thus completing the circuit through the wire 12 and through the solenoid 15 and wire 52 to plus main conductor 2. Solenoid 15 then draws up its core 17, and the pawl 19, engaging with the toothed wheel 23, turns it to the right, moving the bar 24 to the left, and so bringing contact-plate 26 once more in circuit with finger 30, but by reason of the energizing of the solenoid 15 it has attracted its armature 42, thus tilting the lever 38 once more into the position shown in Fig. 2. Then the current proceeds from plus main conductor 2 through the wire 54, through the contacts 40, 50, and 51 to wire 55, wire 62 to the solenoids 13 14, by wire 63 to solenoid 13, by wire 66 to contact-plate 26 to linger 30, wire 57, fuse 5S, magnet 59, armature of the motor, wire 60, contact-plates 41 44 45, wire 61, and so to the minus main conductor. The solenoids 13 14 then act, as already de scribed, to centralize the bar 38 and break contact through the armature-coils of the motor, as before, thus once more stopping the motor.
From the foregoing it will be seen that when the handle H of the manipulating device is moved in one direction, no matter from what point it starts, the motor always rotates in a given direction, and when it is turned in the opposite direction the motor always rotates in the relatively opposite direction to what it rotated before, or, in other words, the motor follows the deviation of direction of movement of the handle-bar H. If, for example, in moving, say, to the right only one of the fixed contact-plates of the manipulating device is swept over, then the motor will move in a definite direction only to a certain extent. If the handle be returned immediately to its original position, the motor will rotate backward exactly to the same extent and assume its original position. If in the first instance two contact-plates are passed over, then the motor will rotate in a determinate direction twice as far as before. If in turning the handle backward only one plate is passed over, the motor will rotate backward only half as far, or if two plates are passed over then it will rotate backward a distance equal to that it has rotated forward, so that no matter where the starting-point of move ment may be the extent of rotation of the motor in either direction will always depend upon the number of contact-plates that are swept over successively by the contact-plates 011 the end of the arm.
I desire to call especial attention here to the fact that in this manipulating device there are no resistance'coils or similar devices which are thrown into the circuit by the movement of the plates J and I from one fixed contactplate to the other, but that, on the contrary, at every contact the same unweakened current on the mains is transmitted to the controllingsolenoids 15 and 16. Therefore the strength of the current on the controlling-circuit does not vary with the position of the controllinghandle or with the number of positions in which that handle may be placed. All that is required, therefore, is that the current shall have sufficient strength to energize the solenoids 15 and 1G to enable them to operate their pawls and turn the wheel 23 and so move the bar 24, and for this purpose only a very small current is required, so that any current which normally exists on lightingmains will be abundantly suflicient for this purpose, no matter how much it may fluctuate for lighting purposes and practically no matter how much it may fluctuate at the dynamo, provided it does not become at the source diminished to an extent too great to enable it to control the solenoids; or, to put it another way, the controlling electrical mechanism here does not depend for its efficiency upon the maintenance of the constant superior voltage necessary for other translating devices in the circuit. This is an extremely important point to be considered in this invention, and is, so far as I know, here accomplished for the first time in the art without the use of a multiple system of wiring involving an independent conductor from each pointof contact in the manipulating apparatus. In this respect, therefore, my invention is radically distinguished from all motor-controlling devices which depend upon or are influenced by the variations of electromotive force within the ordinary limits existing on main conductors.
By constructing the solenoids 15 and 16 so as to have an ample margin of tilting power the whole device is rendered independent of fluctuations in the translating device for producing light on the main circuit or fluctuations in voltage at the dynamo, and such construction of solenoids is within the ordinary knowledge of the skilled electrical workman at this time.
IIO
I will now refer to certain details of the apparatus designed to improve its efficiency and the certainty of its working.
Referring first to the manipulating device, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the middle portion of the journal D, which passes through the hub of the handle, is semicircular, as shown at M in Fig. 3. The hub is made in two parts, one of which, 0, is received upon the convex side of. said semicircular portion of the journal. The other half, P, of the hub is loose and rests against the flat side of the journal and the edges of the part 0, as shown in Fig. 3. The part P of the hub is hollow internally, and in this hollow portion is a headed rod Q,which extends through an opening in the flat side of the part P, through a hole in the middle of the journal D, through the hollow arm G, and protrudes beyond the end of said arm. On the rod Q is a collar R, and between this collar and a portion of the journal D there is a spiral spring S, encircling said rod, the collar operating to hold the end of the rod Q protruding beyond the end of the arm S. The two parts 0 and P of the hub are held together by the springs T,which extend between arms u and o, protruding from said parts. In the inner periphery of the casing A are recesses, as a, which are placed in midway positions between the successive contact-plates on the spiders.
The operation of the device thus described is as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 3, when the handle II is turned to the right in operating the device the first effect is to move the part I of the hub independently, so that it tends to turn on a center I) on the right-hand side of said semicircular portion P. This is permitted by the yielding of the spring T, which connects the parts of the hub together. As the handle is moved still farther to the right the part P of the hub engaging with the head of the rod Q operates to draw that rod inward and against the action of the spiral spring S, so that after the handle II has moved a determinate distancethat is to say, to a distance equal to the distance intervening between the position of the recess in which the end of the rod Q is represented in Fig. 3 to the next recess a on the left-then the rod Q will have been drawn entirely out of the recess in which it rests, and by the controlling action of the spring T 011 the left-hand side of the hub connecting its parts together the arm G will be drawn rapidly past the contact-plate on the left-hand side until the end of the arm Q comes opposite the recess a, when by the expansion of the spring S it will be thrown into the recess. This operation will occur in moving the handle II in any direction so as to carry the plates J and I past one pair of contact-plates on the spiders, and will thus cause the contact-arm G to be engaged and held in position, and after this impulses are sent into the apparatus to work it. The object of this is to prevent the operator from establishing a contact in the manipulating device without actually causing the plates to pass completely over one another. In the absence of such a device as I have here described he might move the handle H to establish a contact and then returnit immediately to its original position without causing the plates to sweep past that contact. In such case it is obvious that 011 the return stroke the operator will not have established a reverse contact to bring the parts back to their normal position, since in order to do this it is necessary for him to cause the moving plates to pass completely over one contact and then back again over the same contact.
I have stated that in the manipulating device shown in Figs. 3, at, and 5 the plates E F e f, &c., are spring contact-plates. The object of this is to enable them to yield as the plates J and I pass over or under them, as the case may be, and also to insure a quick break as the plates part company. Instead of making these stationary contact-plates E F e f spring-plates I may make them fixed plates and make the plates I J on the arm G spring-plates, one arrangement being the equivalent of the other.
Referring now to the safety-fuse represented at 58, I here exhibit a novel construction of such a device, which I will now explain. c is a pivoted lever, which is normally connected by the band d, which is the fuse proper and made of any suitable material to become melted when the strength of the current becomes too great, to the block g, which block is connected by wire h in circuit with the electromagnet 59 and the armature of the motor. 1' is a retracting-spring, which is prevented from drawing back the lever c by the presence of the fuse d. j is a block which is connected by another fuse 7.: to the block Z. This block by wire on is also connected to the electromagnet 59 and the armature of the motor.
The operation of the device is as follows: WVhen the current reaches a previously-determined strength suilicient to melt the fuse d, the lever c is drawn byits retracting-sprin g i into contact with the block j, and circuit is established anew through the fuse it, or, in other words, the purpose of the device is in any case when a fuse breaks to substitute immediately and automatically another fuse in the circuit. This device is especially applicable to cases in which my invention is used for helm or rudder control, where the power required to move the rudder may be very greatly and suddenly increased by the momentary action of a heavy wave and almost as rapidly disappear. In such cases it is very desirable to substitute at once another fuse in the circuit, so as to prevent the cessation of the operation of the entire apparatus until the attendant can have time to put in a new fuse.
The purpose and function of the electromagnet 59 are to control an automatic friction- IIO brake, which is constructed as follows: m is a pivoted brake-lever provided with a spring a, which normally tends to bring it into contact with the brake-disk 0, which on the armatureshaft As long, however, as the magnet 59 is energized by the passage of the working current the lever m is retracted against the pull of the magnet and hence away from the brake-disk 0. \Vhen, however, the armature-circuit is interrupted in order to stop the motor, the spring a then retracts the brake-lever m and carries its end in contact with the brake-wheel, and so by friction stops the momentum of the armature.
I do not claim herein the construction of the controlling device represented in Figs. 3, :4, and 5, for the reason that said manipulating device forms the subject of a separate application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 635,512, filed by me May 7, 1897, and is therein claimed.
I claim- 1. The method of controlling an electric motor, which consists in establishing in an electromagnetic circuit-closing device a succession of current impulses correspondingin direction to the deviation of the controlling-lever and thereby causing the armature of said motor controlled by said device to move in a direction corresponding to the direction of said current impulses and to an extent depending upon the number of current impulses, substantially as described.
2. The method of controlling an electric motor, which consists in transmitting to an electric magnetic controlling device the unweakened current on the mains as successive impulses, and thereby causing said controlling device to actuate mechanism to establish circuit from said mains through the motor-armature for a period corresponding to the aggregate number of said impulses, substantially as described.
3. The combination of an electric motor, supplyunains therefor, an electromagnet in circuit with said mains, means for producing successive closings of circuit through said magnet and mechanism actuated bysaid magnet for establishing circuit in said motor-an mature, and causing; a definite extent of motion thereof for each closing of circuit through said magnet, substantially as described.
4:. The combination of an electric motor, supply-mains therefor, two electromagnets in circuit with said mains, a movable lever, means controlled by said lever for producing successive closings of circuit through one magnet or the other as said lever is deviated to a greater degree in one or the other direction, and mechanism actuated by said magnets respectively for establishing current in said 1notor-armature in direction corresponding to the deviation of the lever and for uniform periods corresponding to the number of successive closings of circuit, substantially as described,
5. The method of electrically controlling or adjusting from a distance a ships rudder, turret, gun, signal apparatus or other adjustable mechanism by introducing into the circuit of the controlling device of an electric motor actuating said mechanism a succession of current impulses of substantially uniform strength and corresponding in direction to the deviation of the controlling-handle and in number to the extent of said deviation, substantially as described.
(3. The combination with an electric motor, supply-mains and a controlling device having a movable lever such as H, an electromagnet 16, two contactpicces as 26 and 30,a circuit-breaker constructed to break the armature-circuit of said motor when said pieces 26 and 30 are in contact, contact-piece 2i, mechanism actuated by said electromagnet for breaking contact between pieces 30 and 26 and establishing contact between pieces 30 and 2st, and mechanism actuated by the motor-armature for breaking contact between pieces 30 and 2t and establishing contact between pieces 30 and 26; whereby when said lever H is moved in definite direction circuit is broken through contacts 30 and 26 and closed through contacts 30 and 24:, and circuit established through said last-named contacts to the motorarmature, and thereafter through the rotation of said armature-circuit is automatically broken between contacts 30 and 2-l and closed through contacts 30 and 20, sub-- stantially as described.
7. The combination with an electric motor, supplyenains and a controlling device having a movable lever such as ll, of electromagnets 15 and 16, two contact-pieces as 26 and 30, a circuit-breaker constructed to break the armature-circuit of said motor when said pieces 26 and 80 are in contact, contact-bar 24, mechanism actuated by electromagnets 15 and 10 respectively for moving said bar in opposite directions, thereby breaking contact between pieces 30 and 26 and establishing contact between pieces 30 and 24:, and mechanism actuated b y the motor-armature for moving piece 30 out of contact with bar 2i and into contact with piece 26 5 whereby when said lever is moved in one direction one magnet as 15 actuates said bar to break contact between pieces 30 and 26 and establish contact between piece 30 and said bar, and when said lever is moved in the other direction, the other magnet as 16 actuates said bar to move in the opposite direction, so that circuit is established through said contacts 30 and 26 and the motor-armature and thereafter through the rotation of said armature said piece 30 is returned into contact with piece 20, substantially as described.
8. The combination with an electric motor supply-mains and a controlling device having a movable lever such as H, of electromagnets 15 and. 16, bar 534; of conducting material, mechanism between. said bar and said magnets whereby said magnets operate respectively to move said bar longitudinally in opposite directions, insulated contact 26 on said bar, a reversing-switch actuated by said magnets, magnets 13 and 14: acting upon said switch to place same in position to break circuit, mechanism actuated by the armature of said motor for causing said contact 30 to travel along bar 24, and circuit connections, substantially as described.
FRANK J. RUSSELL. Witnesses:
H. R. MoLLER, I, A. VAN WART.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2416018A (en) * 1943-03-22 1947-02-18 Guardian Electric Mfg Co Electric motor follow-up system
US2482559A (en) * 1942-11-16 1949-09-20 Gen Motors Corp Engine control device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2482559A (en) * 1942-11-16 1949-09-20 Gen Motors Corp Engine control device
US2416018A (en) * 1943-03-22 1947-02-18 Guardian Electric Mfg Co Electric motor follow-up system

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