US725402A - Pneumatic signal. - Google Patents

Description

- PATENTED APR. 14, 1903; J.'H. BRADY. I PNEUMATIC SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1902.

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PAT E'NTED APR; 14, 1903.

J H. BRADY. PNEUMATIC SIGNAL. 1 APPLICATION FILED APR. 8., 1902.

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No. 725,402. PATENTED APR-14, 1903.

J. H. BRADY. PNEUMATIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1002. no MODEL. 4 sums-sum a.-

'No. 725,402. d PATBNIED APR, 14, 1903. J.H.BRADY.

PNEUMATIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1902.

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JOSEPH H. BRADXZ'OFKANSAS OITY, MISSOURI.

PNEUMATICSIGNAL.

SIEEGIFIGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 725,402, dated April 14., 1903.

Application filed April 8, 1902. Serial 110,101,873. (no modeli).

State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Devices for Controlling Oompressed-Air-Open. ated Signals; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. I

The objects of my invention are, first, to set in motion or communicate power at predetermined intervals of time to signals, signs, or any object which requires an initial movement and to enable its recurrence with greater or less frequency; second, to control the action of compressed fluids in communicating power and to utilize the fluid which escapes to diminish pressure to the arresting of the motor; third, to transmit diminished degrees of speed from the motor to the operating-lever releasing the power; fourth, to utilize in compressed-fluid motors the waste fluid inimparting power to an auxiliary motor; fifth, to intercept electrically between the generator and the motor the action ofa lever con trolling the action of the signals; sixth, to enable the piston in a fluid-impelled appara tus whose initial movements are actuated by a motor to automatically apply the brake to the motor; seventh, to hold the brake upon a motor in a momentarily-open circuit with the generator during the action of a circuitclosing mechanism; eighth, in a compressedair-operated signal to control the action of the valve between the air-receiver and the signal automatically.

ated program-clock in an electric circuit, the

compressed-air receiver, thelever controlling the action of the compressed air upon the signal actuated by the electric motor, and the speed-regulating train of gear. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the invention as seen in Fig. 1 with the exception of the illustration of the compressed-air receiver, the signal and 'its motor, and the conducting-pipes for the compressed air. 'Fig. 3 is a plan view in detail of the electric motor, the speed-gear, the relay, the compressed-air-conducting pipe leading to the signal, the combined cut-off.

and pressure-relief val ve, the lever operating said valve and actuated by the electric motor, the fluid motor actuated by the waste fluid from the relief-valve and the brake, and the controlling devices therefor on the pistonrod of the fluid-motor. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view in elevation of the fluid-motor for the waste fluid from the compressed-air pipe,

which is supplied from an ordinary air-com pressor (not shown) through the supply-pipe a, said pipe being provided with a check-valve a, preventing the return of the air.

For the purpose of illustration the receiverA is shown mounted upon a bracket 0& upon the outside of one of the vertical side walls b to the apartment B, the side walls b b being shown in section. -With the top a of the receiver A is connected one end of anup- Wardly-extended delivery-pipe 0, upon the upper end of which is a pressure-gage 0. With the side of pipe 0 and the elbow-joint a is connected one end of a compressed-air supply pipe c which extends outwardly a'short distance, thence bent at right angles and extended downwardly to a position upon a line with the upper surface of the floor-line b of apartment B, thence horizontally through the side wall I) and horizontally with said floorline about two-thirds the distance to the opposite side wall I), and isjconnected with one end of a pressure-relief and cut-01f valve D,

which, as shown in Fig. 6, consists of the easing (1, ports (2 d, and the escape-opening (Z in the top in the valve-casing d, which opening receives one end fof a waste or discharge pipe F, hereinafter described.

(1 is the automatically-operated valve-plug, upon the outer end of which is a lever (Z the upper end of which moves in the arc of a circle between the outwardly-curved parallel guide'bars, (Z d, which are supported by the standards (1 d ateach end. With the other end of the valve-casing d is connected one end of the pipe (1 which extends horizontally upon the floor-line b from its position near valve D to within a short distance of the side wall 1) upon the opposite side of the apartment, thence extended upwardly at a suitable distance above the floor Z), thence bent at right angles at d, and a portion 61 extended horizontally above the portion (Z of the airconducting pipe, thence bent at right angles at d and extended upwardly nearly the height of said apartment, and an elbow (Z connected with said end. \Vith the elbow (Z is connected the fluid-motel E, which consists of a hollow cylinder of the proper-size, one end 6 of which is integral with the sides of the cylinder, the other end being screw-threaded, and upon said endis a screw-threaded flanged cap 6, in which is a screw-threaded neck 6 which is fitted to the screw-threaded end of a short pipe 6 connected with the elbow (Z Vtithin the cylinder and normally near the end 6 is a piston c, with which is connected one end of a piston-rod e the other end of which rod extends through the end 6 of the cylinder E. Between the piston e and the forward end of the cylinder is a spiral spring 6, which extends around the piston-rod and bears against the piston and serves to energize the back pressure of the compressed air when the air is released.

F represents the signal, which consists of an ordinary gong or hell f, secured to the board f and upon which is a spring-actuated pivoted hammer f worked by the pivoted leverf with which it contacts and makes the sound or gives an alarm in the well-known manner. With the lever is connected one end of a pivoted rod f, the other end of which rod is pivotally connected with the pistonrod e of the motor E. The waste-pipe F extends upwardly a short distance above the valve D and is bent at right angles atf and extended horizontally above the portion 0 of the compressed-air'conducting pipe and connected with the rear end of a fluid-motor G, in the cylinder of which is a piston g, with which piston is connected one end of a piston-rod g, which rod extends through the forward end of the cylinder. Upon the cylinder G, at the rear end of said cylinder, is an airescape cook 9 which relieves the back pressure on the piston in the cylinder in the return stroke.

I-I represents a frame for supporting the operativemechanismtotheleverdh Theframe upon the forward ends of said bases, which are proportionately less in height. In the upper ends of the standards 7L 7&2 at the rear end of the base-plates h hare journaled the ends of a transverse shaft 7L upon which shaft is a large gear-wheel I. Upon the end of shaft 7L3 which extends rcarwardly through the standard 77, and a short distance from the rear side of said standard is a crank-shaft h. Upon the upper and outer side of the lever d" is a pin (Z With the pin (Z is connected one end of a bar which is provided with a hook (2 which passes over the pin d. The forward end of bar 61 is pivotally connected with the crank-arm 77. in the shaft 7L3. Journaled in the upper ends of the standards adjoining the rear standards If 71 is a shaft 77. upon which is journaled a gear-wheel K, similar in circumference to the wheel I. Upon the shaft h is a small spur-wheel L, and which engages the geanwheel I. Upon the upper ends of the forward standards 71/ 71. is journaled a transverse shaft [L5 n on which is a spur-gear M, with which engages the gear K. Upon shaft h is a gear N, which is about onehalf the circumference of the gear K.

0 represents an electric motor of the usual well-known type, and 0 is the motor-shaft, which is supported by an upright 0', adjacent to the motor. The motor 0 is mounted upon a base 0 horizontal with the floor. Upon the base 0 is a column 0 which extends upwardly and supports the motor 0 the proper height for the transmission of power to the train of gear, the shaft 0 extending transversely to the gear N and a short distance forward of said gear. Upon the shaft 0 is a spur-gear P, with which meshes the gear on the gear-wheel N. The rear end of the shaft 0 is journaled in the upper end of an upright or standard R, which is arranged in position a short distance in rear of the compressed-air-conducting pipe 0 and transversely to the motorO. From the standard R extends rearwardly an extension 7', having a flat surface and to which is secured the fluid-motor G by means of the straps g g The brake mechanism for the piston-rod g of the fluid'motor G consists of a band-wheel S, which is keyed to the shaft 0, and which wheel has a broad periphery upon which is a friction-belt s, composed of brass fastened with leather, which extends over aportion of the periphery of the wheel.

T is a brake-strap upon the outer surface of the belt 3, which is composed of springsteel. \Nith one end of the strap T is connected rigidly the upper end of a brake bar orlcvcr t, the lower end of which bar extends downwardly to a position opposite the end of the piston-rod g of the fluid-motor G and is pivotally connected at t with the side and rear end of the horizontal bar 25 Upon the forward end of the piston-rod g is a forked plate 25 with which is pivotally connected one end of a short plate the other end of which plate is pivotally connected with the pivot t and upon the opposite side of the bar 15 with which the bar 15 is connected. Upon the other end of the steel brake-strap T is a loop 15 Extending from the forward side of the standard R isa bracket r upon which is a pin r over which is passed the loop t of the strap T.

U represents a standard a short distance forward of the standard R and in line therewith, upon the upper end and forward side of which is rigidly connected the insulated plate it. With the upper portion of the plate to is pivotally connected the upper end of a swinging metal bar M the lower end of which bar is pivotally connected with the forward end of the horizontal bar 25 connected with the piston-rod g of the fluid-motor G. Upon plate U is a platinum pole-plate to, and upon the side of bar 162 is a platinum plate tl/ ,WhiOl1 comes in to contact with the plate it when said bar is normally at rest. These plates are brought within an electric circuit, as hereinafter described.

V represents the generator of electricity for the time mechanism and which, as illustrated, comprises a seriesof storage or cell batteries c c o '0, located upon the bracket '0 which is upon the rear wall of apartment B and at the highest point of elevation above the floor. The cells are connected, as usual, in series, and from the opposite end cells extend the separate cond ucting-wires 12 o Upon the rear wall of the apartment is theelectricallyoperated time mechanism or program-clock W, of the ordinary and well-known description, the hour-hand w and minute-hand w opening and closing the circuit. Upon the side of the clock W are the binding-posts 10 10 with which are connected the branch conducting-wires w 10 which wires are connected, respectively, with the conducting-wires 01 if of the batteries V.

X represents a relay or switch of the ordinary and well-known description, which is arranged upon the bracket 00 upon the side wall I) of the apartment. The ends of the conducting-wires '0 e are connected with the magnetic plates m 00 at the rear end of the relay X. With thebinding posts or poles 00 m at the forward end are connected the branch wires 0: 00 which are also connected with the binding-posts 0 0 of the electric motor 0. With the binding-posts 00* m of the relay are also connected the inner ends of conducting-wires 11 y the outer ends of which wires extend to and are connected with agenerator of electricity (not shown in the drawings) and which supplies the usual source of power to a street system of light and power and is known herein, in connection with the motor, as the main current or electric circuit. a

Y is an ordinary incandescent lamp upon the wall of the apartment, with which is com nected the branchwiresy y,-leading from the poles 01 00 at the forward end of the relay X. 2 2 are branch wires connected at their upperends with the wires t e onewire, t being connected at its lower end with the upper end of the vibrating bar 71/ on the plate t and the other wire, W, with the contact-plate it on said plate u, the circuit when the plates n u are in contact being normally closed.

In operation the tank A is supplied with compressed air from an ordinary compressor.

The valve 0 in the-pipe c is then opened, admitting the air under pressure to the valve D, where it is held in check until the'exact time the signal or gong is to be sounded. The ordinary contact-points upon the minutehand of the program-clock W, upon reaching rent passes through the conducting-wire w through the clock and the wire 10 thenceto the forward end of the relay X, causing the vibrating plate ar to close into the mercurycups at 00 and act as switch'to the motor 0, thus opening communication through the branch wires 00 00 to the poles o o of the motor 0 and at the same time through the branch wires y y to the incandescent lamp Y. Power from the motor 0 is transmitted through the spur-gear P on the motor-shaft to thebrakewheel S and to the train of gear M, K, and I, and a slower degree of speed is transmitted and the rotation of the wheel I effected within thetime the circuit-closing hands of'theclock are in contact, and the power iscommunicated through the crank-shaft h and the connecting-bar (1 with the lever d andthe upper end of said leveris moved forwardly,

opening theports in thevalveD for the passage therethrough of the compressed air, which instantly passes through the pipe d and d to the motor E, the piston-rodof which is moved outwardly by the action of the compressed air upon the piston, and the lever f strikes the gong f and giving the signal during the time the minute-hand is upon the contact. As soon as the forward strokeof the lever d is accomplished and thelever is returned to its limit of'movementin'a rearpiston is moved forward, compressing the spring therein and forcing the piston-rod g forward, which action moves the brake bar or lever t of the brake-strap T forward, and drawing upon said strap the leather band is brought in close contact with the periphery of Wheel S, and the movement of said wheel is arrested and also the movement of the motor-shaft 0, and the swinging bar a is movedforward by the bar 15 into the position seen in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and the plate u on said bar is moved from contact with the contact-plate w, and the circuit is opened from the generator and clock and the relay X, cutting out the incandescent light Y and the motor 0 and stopping the action of the motor. The minute-hand of the programclock then moves away from the contact upon the clock at the hour of twelve or an hour or part of an hour, and the circuit is opened through the clock. The action of the spring in the cylinder G causes the piston g to move rearwardly, and the air escapes through the cock g and the piston being thus relieved the brake-strap T releases its tension on the wheel S, and the swinging bar 202 moves backward in position until the plates 11/10 are again in contact and a circuit is completed through the branch wires e 2 In the back pressure of the air from the motor E in the form of motor herein employed to actuate the signal the spring in said motor acts against the air and assists in its expulsion from the pipe 01 Other forms of fluidmotor may, however, be employed, in which the back pressure is reinforced by the initial pressure from the receiver .and the power employed of the compressed air to actuate the opening and closing'of electric circuits or such other devices as are applicable to the purpose.

The frequency of the action of the signals at stated periods is controlled by the time mechanism or program-clock. The lever (Z may be removed from engagement with the hook d on lever d when required and the lever employed by hand to relieve the compressed air against the valve D. It is obvious that the incandescent lamp may be omitted from the electric circuit, its offlce being to indicate the strength of the circuit. That from the battery V being a gentle current will not burn out the time mechanism or clock.

Such modifications of the invention may be employed as are within the scope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I now claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In pneumatic signaling devices, a receiver for the fluid under compression, at cylinder and a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, a piston rod, a signal actuated thereby, a conductor of air connected with said receiver and also with said cylinder, a

combined cut-oft and back-pressure relief? valve in said conductor, a valve-stem, a lever connected with said stem, a motor and its shaft and speed-changing mechanism substantially as described for operating said lever in power connection with said shaft.

2. In pneumatic signals, a receiver for the fluid under compression, a cylinder and a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, a piston-rod, a signal actuated thereby, a conductor of the fluid connected with said receiver and also with said cylinder, a combined cut-0d and back-pressure relief-valve in said conductor, a valve-stem, a lever connected with said stem, a motor and its shaft, a brake and a brake-operating lever, and means substantially as described for changing the degrees of speed communicated by the motor to the brake-operating lever.

3. In a pneumatic signaling apparatus, a receiver for the fluid under compression, and a cylinder, a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, a piston rod, a signal actuated thereby, a conductor of air connected with said receiver and also with said cylinder, a combined cut-oft and back-pressure reliefvalve in said conductor, a pneumatic-brakeoperating cylinder and its piston, and a conductor of air connected with the cut-01f and back-pressure relief-valve and energizing the piston in the brake-operating cylinder.

4. In a pneumatic signaling apparatus, a receiver for the fluid under compression, and a cylinder, a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, a piston rod, a signal actuated thereby, a conductor of the fluid connected with said receiver and also with said cylinder, a combined cut-off and back-pressure relief-valve in said conductor, a valve-stem, a pneumatic-brake-operating cylinder and its piston and a conductor of air connected with the pressure-relief valve and also energizing the piston in the brake-operating cylinder, and a power-actuated lever operating said valve-stem.

5. In signaling apparatus, a signal, a lever actuating the signal, a motor and its shaft, a brake and a brake-operatinglever, and speedchanging devices actuated by the shaft of the motor and communicating power to and operating said brake-operating lever.

6. A pneumatic apparatus for signals, 850., comprising a signal, a receiver for compressed fluid, and a fluid-conductor, a combined cutcit and back-pressure relief-valve in the conductor, a lever operating said valve, a cylinder connected with said conductor, a piston within said cylinder and apiston-rod actuating the signal, a motor and its shaft, and power-conveying devices connected with the motor-shaft and said valve-operating lever, a separate cylinder for the back pressure of the fluid released by the valve, and a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, and a piston rod, and a conductor of the fluid connected with said cylinder and the said cut-oft and back-pressure valve, and a brake upon the shaft of the motor connected with the pistonrod.

7. In pneumatic devices for operating signals, a conductor of the fluid under compression, and a combined cut-off and back-pressure relief-valve in said conductor, a lever operating said valve, and a motor and its shaft, power-conveying devices connected with the motor-shaft and said lever, a cylinder receiving the fluid discharged by the pressure-relief valve, and a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, and a piston-rod, a conductor of the fluid connected with said cylinder, and said relief-valve, a brake on the motor-shaft, and a vibrating support for said brake connected with the piston-rod in said cylinder, and suitable means for arresting the movements of the vibrating support automatically and thereby arresting the action of the motor.

'8. A compressed-air-controlled signaling apparatus comprising a receiver for compressed air, a signal, a cylinder, a spring-retracted piston insaid cylinder, a piston-rod actuating said signal, a conductor of combrake, and also connected with the piston-rod in the cylinder for the back pressure of com l pressed air, and a vibrating bar connected with the brake-operating bar, suitable means for arresting the action of the said bar auto-- matically and thereby arresting the action of the motor, and speed-changing mechanism controlling the action of said lever intermittently.

JOSEPH I-I. BRADY. Witnesses:

THEO. O. SPARKS, WALTER J. ADAMS,

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