US894886A - Automatic cut-out for indicating means. - Google Patents

Description

No. 894,886. PATENTED AUG. 4, 1908. A. B. HERRIGK. AUTOMATIC GUT-OUT FOR INDIGATING MEANS.

I 2 SEEBTS-SEEET 1. 4

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1904.

TNESSES PATENTED AUG. 4, 1908.

A. B. HERRIGK. AUTOMATIU GUT OUT FOR INDIGATING M BANS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21; 1904.

2 SHEETS-$112M 2.

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UNITED srArr-Es PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT Bl HERRIGK, OF RIDGEWOClD, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC CUT-OUT F OR INDICATING MEANS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT B. HERRICK, a citizen of the United States, resident of Ridgewood, county of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Cut-Outs for Indicating Means, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention bemg herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguish it from other inventions. 1

My invention relates to means for automat cally disconnecting an electrical indicatmg instrument and concomitantly effecting the actuation of means for performing a sepa rate function, its object being to prevent the burning out of the conductors of such instrument and at the same time locate and determine the media tending to eflect such burnmg out.

The said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described and particularlv set forth in the claims. v

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing, Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of an apparatus embodying my said invention as particularly applied to a car for testing the conductivity of rail bonds or rail-joints. Fig. 2 repre sents a view similar to that of Fig. 1, showing additional mechanism connected therewith.

in the particular application of my invention illustrated, the cartruc k is provided with two insulated brushes bearing upon the track and forming the terminals of a shunt through which a portion of the current along the rail passes as will be readily understood. This shunt is divided into two branches as is shown. in circuit in one of these. branches is placed the armature A of a voltmeter, so that any difference in potential between. those parts of the rail in contact with the brushes respectively will effect the actuation of the indicating pointer of the volt-meter. In circuit in the other of such branches is placed the armature E of a relay B. The device including armature B is, however so arranged that its actu'ation'is not effected by I current having a voltage within the adjusted or full range or capacity of the voltmeter, but

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed may 21,

Patented Aug. 4, 1908.

1904. Serial No. 209,116.

I is, on the contrary, arrangedso as to be actuated when such capacity of the meter is approximated or exceeded.

only will insure the movement of armature B.

of said armature. Upon one end of this arm and b which normally, that is, when the voltage of the current is such as will not actuate armature B, dips *into two mercurycup contacts 0 and 0, these cups being in series in the voltmeter circuit as shown. It will therefore appear that the withdrawal of contact points I) and b fromthe mercury cups will break the volt-.meter circuit. The opposite end of said arm is similarly provided with two contact points and b which are normally withdrawn from two mercury cups 0 and 0 These two cups are in series in an independent circuit D which includes a source of current such as a battery (1, and an electroing a separate function such as setting the brakes of the testing carupon which the apparatus is mounted, or operating a device for ejecting white wash upon the rails or rail-bed to indicate the point in the road-bed where the completion of circuit D took place, as will It will, therefore appear that a predetermined voltage Attached to, the armature B is a metallic arm B which is oscillated by the movement are formed or secured two contact points I) be readily understood. Such completion will, it will be seen, from the above described relation of the elements comprising the invention, take place concomitantly with the breaking of the circuit containing the voltmeter. Assuming now that the car containing the above described apparatus is moving over the rails, it will be seen that the variation in the conductivity of the rails or contact with the brushes will be indicated by the volt-meter. So long as these variations remain within the adjusted-- or -full limitations and the mechanism for performing the separate function remains inoperative. Assuming now that a very defective rail bond is en countered, the defect being such as to efi'ect a difference of potential at the brushes such as would cause the burning out of the volt-meter armature or beyond the adjusted range of of the volt-meter, the circuit D remains open connected mechanism car so that the defective the meter, before such action can take place, the armature B is operated arid voltmeter armature A cut out of the circuit. Concomitantl with such action, circuit D is completed: the air valve actuated, and the erated. This may y brakes to stop the bond may be at .once replaced, or may be caused to effect a marking of the location of such defective bond, so that the necessary repairs may be made sube uently.

n the particular application of the .principles of my invention. escribed, a duplicate ap aratus would be supplied for testing the otlibr rail of the track an the bonds connected therewith. I

When the, above described device is used in connection with recording mechanism such as shown, described and claimed in m application filed Ma 21,, 1904, Serial No.

be effected to either app 209,115, I provide a ditional mechanism for ture and move the pen laterally.

automatically recording upon the recordsheet the location of such above-mentioned varying condition in connection with other records upon such sheet. This mechanism includes a pen N mounted upon a suitably supported retractile holder N arranged to be movable ina plane parallel with the plane of the'record sheet, and; to cause said pen to rest upon said sheet. Said holder as shown consists of an elastic arm the'end of which is rigidly mounted upon a stationary post n, and is hence retractile. Intermediately of its ends. is secured an armature adjacent to which is mounted an electro-magnet] O, which when energized will attract the arma- The magnet .coil is located in a shunt circuit p as shown, which receives its current from the battery (1. To arrange for the pro er conthe one explained, change nection for the circuit, an additiona contact point I) on armB and mercury cup c are provided as shown. that if the pen is allowed to normally rest upon the record sheet, a straight line will. be drawn thereon, but each time the voltage rises as previously described a deviation, as shown, is'efiected in said line.

Other modes of my invention may e em loyed instead. of

em made as regards the mechanism herein isclosed provided the means stated by any one 'of the following claims or the equivalent of such statedmeans be employe [I therefore particularly point out and distinctl claim asm'y invent1on:

1. he combination with electrically conmeans for-recording variations in an h circuit, of a normally closed switch in t e -ment actuating circuit, means It will therefore be seen applying the principle of' sa1d instrument circuit.

recording instrument actuating cirv cuit, means for opening said switch when a current of predetermined value flows in said instrument circuit and closing a circuit around said instrument, and a separate indicating device adapted to be actuated upon closing of said latter circuit to make a record thereof. p

2. The combination with electrically controlled means for recording variations in an electric circuit, and a record sheet upon which such variations are indicated, of a normally closed switch in the recording instrufor openin said switch when a current of predetermined Value flows in said instrument circuit and closing a circuit around said instrument, and a separate indicating device actin upon said record sheet and actuated to ma e an indication thereon upon closing of said latter circuit.

3. The combination with electrically controlled means for recordin variations in an electric circuit, of a normal y closed switch in the recording instrument actuating circuit, means for opening said switch when a current of predetermined value flows in said instrument circuit and closing a circuit around said instrument, a separate indicating device adapted to be'actuated upon closing of said latter circuit to make a record thereof, and another circuit also controlled by said switch for actuating avalve magnet.

4. .The combination with a movable rec ord surface, of an indicating instrument having an indicatin needle se arated from said sheet, a circuit %or said in icating means, a normally closed switch in said instrument circuit, and a circuit around said indicating instrument for opening said switch to cut out the instrument and make a-separate indication in the record sheet when a current having a predetermined value flows in said indicating instrument.

5. The combination with a movable record surface, of movable indicating means separated from said surface and including an indicating needle, a pair of traveling contac'ts adapted to make connection with a section of track or "the like, a shunt circuit between said contacts around said indicating instrument for controlling a cut-out switch, said cut-out switch being normally closed to complete said instrument circuit, and means in said shunt circuit for openin the instrument circuit and closing an a arm circuit upon passagev of a predetermined current in Signed by me, this 19th day ALBERT B.

Attested by:

- G. W. SAYWELL,

A. MERKEL.

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