USRE18072E - Indicator - Google Patents

Description

P. KOLLSMAN INDICATOR May 19, 1931.

Original Filed Aug. 6

Reissued May 19', 1931 Re. l13,072

PATENT OFFICE PAUL KOLLSMAN, OF'WOODHAVEN, NEW YORK, ASIG'NOB. T0 KOLLSMAN INSTBUMET cOMPANY, INc., Or BROOKLYN, NEW fromm/A conronagrioN mnIcA'rOn.

F N'EW YORK REISSUED Original No. 1,741,702, dated December 81, 1929, Serial No. 883,981, nled Augult.- 1929. Application for reissue led December 22, 1930. Serial No. 504,188.v l v This invention relates to indicators.

O'ne object of the invention is to provlde an improved device of the character described in which a reference member and an indicating member are associated together for a synchronous movement for any required condimark is mounted for movement together with a dial Ato permit a rapid reading' to be made of the condition shown by the polnter. lFhis arrangement has the disadvantage that when the dial is turned from its initial position,

the indipia thereon are no longer vertical, so that it becomes diicult to note the indicator reading. Furthermore, itis not possible on a comparatively small dial to obtain a reading which will be suiiiciently accurate within a large range, as isv done, for example, with indicators having a plurality of co-ordinated pointers, which coact with scales of different values. It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome these drawbacks.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved device of the nature set forthl having a movable reference means which is synchronized with a plurality of pointers.

relative rate of speed with res ect to a sta-- move a plurality of pointers in synchronism y Another object of the invention is to provide a device including a rotary indicator -and reference means, and improved setting means for moving the same in any required cluding an indicator, reference vmeans and pointer, the latter having independent drive means and there bei'ng a unitary means for operating both of the drive means for setting the device, all arranged and co-ordinated in an improved manner; a reference means which is permanently connected to the indicator in an improved manner to rotate there- 'with in permanent and hence fixed association in setting the device; a device having relatively few and simpleparts, which is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, reliableand eilicient in use, easy and convenient to operate, and susceptible of use under many diferent conditions.

Other ob] ects and advantages of the invent1on will become apparent as the specifica-- tion proceeds.

With the aforesaidobjects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same refera, device em- TB ence characters throughout the several views.

A Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modiiica-tion'of the inve tion.

- The aJ vantages 'of the invention as hereoutlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be pvroduced embodying less than the whole. Y i

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that the same maybe incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submittedmerel as showing the preferred exemplification o the invention.

Generally described, the invention provides an indicator of any 'well known type,'pref erably a pressure sensitive indicator, having indicia of any suitable'nature .which `are formed on a scale, or scales, according to any desired type, including, for insta-nce, the cylindrical and circular scales. (1o-ordinated with the scale are one or more pointers or reading elements and also one or vmore reference marks, if desired. The latter may be variously formed, and can also be in the nature of graduated scales. The pointers and reference marks are movable synchronously by any desired means, whether manually or mechanically, for an initial setting. The indicator per se may turn with the pointers in setting, maintainin .an accurate reading unf der all conditions; ut the indicator and one or both ofthe scales may be, in a more general sense, rotatable or otherwise movable relatively to each other, and one or both of the f different rate with respect to its scale than the other pointer with res ect to itsscale. Since the scales for the il'erent pointers have different values, the ointers to ether with their corresponding re erence mar s are movable at relatively different speeds according to such values, both in setting the device and in the normal indicating action thereof. With scales having uniform divisions,'a1l such movements may be in synchronism, while if the divisions vary in slze, the said movements may correspondin l vary, or may be defined as synchronized wit res ect also to the scale divisions or means; an all movements herein referred to must 4generally be construed with regard to the sult may be accomplished in other ways. All through the indictor is shown herein as turning in resetting the device, it may be understoo that this is done in order-to simplify the said mechanism and is not of the essence of the invention.

Improved features of the mechanism reside in providing a. drive interconnecting the pointers or spindles thereof and havingixed connection with the rotary pressure sensitive indicator at one point.l` and at another with a relatively stationary mounting member or part movable relatively to the indicator. Thus the pointers are caused to'fmo've at different rates according to the scales, both in .""setting the device and in normal indicating faction, whereby accurate reading of the device is constantly maintained. The signifi` ameter drive element of the indicator.

cance of the fixed connection mentioned is that a pressure sensitivel device moves its pointer back and forth with pressure variation `and always returns the pointer. to zero or other predetermined position relative to the scales, or indicator itself or both. Reference marks for one or both of the pointers may also be moved with their respective pointers in setting the device, and are otherwise relatively stationary. For simplicity, one of the pointer spindles may rotate directly with the indicator, and the other at different or reducedspeed by the drive mentioned which may simply interconnect the spindles; accordingly' one of the reference marks must move at the same relative rate as the indicator and the other at a different relative rate. The arrangement of the device and the mechanism thereof is such that the indicating motion is independent of the setting action, assuring sensitivity, and in fact both motions or actions may occur simultaneously without any variation whatever "in the accuracy of the reading. For setting the device, a unitary means may be used, forinstance, a

gear or other drive for relative turning of the indicator and reference marks and for causing simultaneous relative motion of the pointers by their drive connected to the stationary i or other mounting aforementioned. In mov-- ing the indicator relative to a dial for settin I the arrangement of the mechanism is suc that, in the case of a pointer and reference mark moving relatively to the indicator, for example, thedrives for the pointer and reference mark may be independent for a sensitive actuation of the former, but a unitary drive may co-ordinate both of the drives mentioned to produce the desired synchronous y movements. Furthermore, a reference mark that moves with respect to the indicator is preferably so permanently interconnected therewith that in rotating the indicator, the reference mark moves in the predetermined relation thereto. The nature of the drive for setting the indicator and reference marks may be shown by referring to a large diameter drive element between the indicator and dial operated with speed reduction by said unitary means, which also engages a large di- A compact and simple structure is produced.

Although the invention finds its maximum ,utility whenapplied to altitude indicating devices that are employed in aircraft, it can beadvantageously used with indicators for temperature, stress, flow, and the alike.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 denotes a device embodying the invention. The same includes a cylindrical casing or thelike 11 inwhich is housed any desired indicator 12. As the invention .is not restricted to any. particular type of indicator, the 4latter is shown in conventionalized form. It maybe stated, however, that the said/indicator is preferably an altimeter of any well known i on the'sleeve is a pointer 30 which in the casing, for example, by a central stub shaft 13 fixe extends into a h 14 on the casing, a screw 15 being threaded into the stub shaft to retain the saine inengagement in the hub.

The front part of the casing may include a.

'circular enlargement 16 in which the dial 17 andthe glass 18 are positioned. The said dial is relatively non-'rotatable and may be secured in any suitable manner. For purposes of illustration, I show the dial as having one or more lugs 19 formed therein and attached to the part 16by screws 20. i

Extending 1centrally from the indicator 12 is a spindle21\that is turned by the indicator mechanism in response to any condition that is to be indicated or measured. On the end of said spindle is mounted a pointer 22.

Fixed on the spindle 21 is a pinion 23, the teeth of which'm'esh with those of a gear 24. The latter isjournaled on a pin 25 that is secured to a stationary member such as the dial 17 Rotating with the gear 24 in alined relation therewith is a pinion 26 the teeth of which mesh with those of a gear 27. The latter is fixed to a sleeve or spindle 28 through which freely extends the spindle 21, said sleeve being liournaled on a hub 29 secured to the dial. Mounted in any suitable manner may coact with the pointer 22.

On the dial 17 are one or more scales 31, 32 which are of any suitable form to coact with the pointers. T o illustrate, if the device is used as an altimeter, the scale 31 totals an elevation of one thousand feet, while the scale 32 may indicate a maximum of seventeen thousand feet. 'But the scales can be changed to show any vother elevations.

The gear tra-in which includes the pnions 23, 26 and the gears 24, 27 interconnecting the pointers is of course so designed as to cause the -latter to move in proper relation to the scales. The mechanism, for turning the indicator, the marks in synchromsm will now be described.

Formed in the casing portion 16 is a pocket 33 having opposite walls 34 in which is journaled a spindle 35.V On one end ,of the same is an external fngerpiece 36 foiturning the spindle. Mounted on the spindle is a gear 3 the teeth of which mesh with those of a large gear 38 that is connected in any suitable manner with the indicator 12 or the spindle 21 thereof.

Also mounted on the spindle is another gear 39 the teeth of which mesh with those of a larger gear 40. The latter is concentric with the indicator and carries ya reference mark 41 coactin with the large scale 31. The gear {nay manner, and as shown .herein consists of a ring that overlies and rests againstthe dial ointers and the referencee mounted in any suitable` 17, and is journali-:edl on concentric lugs 42 struck therefrom.. To retain the said gear ring in position, finger pieces 43 may be seto the casing, and whichq cured to the ,casing to bear against the gear ring.

velocity as the lar e pointer 22, and hence the indicator 12, and the gear train 37, 38.

Associated with the scale 32 is a reference mark 44 which is movable in synchronism by the following means. The said reference mark 44 is carried by a large gear 45 at the underside of the dial 17. The latter has an The gear train 39, 40 is designed to cause` the reference mark 41 to move at the same' Ispindle, agear and pinion 51, 52 on a shaft 53 that is journaled inthe walls 34, and a gear 53a, on a similarly mounted shaft 54.

The teeth of the gear 53a mesh with those of the large gear 45, The reference mark 44 is thus movable synchronously with the pointer 30.

In Fig. 4 is shown a modification 10a of the invention in which a dial 55, and a reference mark 56 are both stationary, `While the pointer 57 is rotatingly adjustable together with a scale 58 lassociated with the reference mark. The latter may be of segmental or ring form and a-portionthereof at the reference mark is visible through an opening 59 in the dial. Accordingly, it is' seen that instead of moving the reference mark as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, an associated scalevma'y be moved. the scale and reference markthus'constituting a reference means. The relative movement of the scale 58 and the pointer 57 may be according to any suitable graduation, and in the same or o posite direction, this being readily accomplished by any gear train used for the purpose. N Adevice is` like the one first described.

In all .other respects this It will thus `beseen that I have provided f respect to the scale means, and means to cause the pointer and reference means to move through equal angles in settin the device.

2. A device of the character escribed, including me-ans having indicia thereon, movable pointer means, a reference means movable with respect to said ointer means as a unit therewith and in pre etermined relation with respect to said indicia, and other meansv to simultaneously move the reference and pointer means for setting the saine.

3. A device of the character described, including a movable indicator having relatively stationary scale means, a pointer, .reference means independent of the pointer, unitary means to move the reference means into any desired position with res ect to the scale means, and the pointer and indicator in coordination with the reference means, said means moving the reference vmeans and the pointer simultaneously and in relatively equal degrees with respect to the scale means,V

4. A device of the character described, in-

cluding a movable indicator having relatively stationary scalemeans, a pointer, actuating means to'norinally operate the pointer, areference means, the pointerbeing movable with respect to the reference means, and ad- ]usting means to move the reference means, the pointer, and the indicator while maintaining their relativepositions with respect to the scale means to set the reference means in any desired position with the pointer moving for setting independently of the said actuating means. 5. Ay device of the character described, including means having indicia thereon, pointer means,`reference means, other means to move the pointer means, and the reference means'with res ect tosaid indicia. and in predetermined ratio for an initial setting of the device, and actuating means` operating the Apointer means independently of the reference means for indicating movement.

6. A device of the character described, including means having indicia thereon, pointer means, reference means, manual means to move the pointernmeaiis ,and the reference means with respect to said indicia and in predetermined relation for an initial setting of the device, and actuating means o rating the pointer means inde ndently of thief: reference means for indicating movement.

7. A device of the character described', in-A cluding a circular, non-rotatable scale means, a pointer and reference lmeans movable in concentric relation with the scale means, means to move the pointer andthe reference means with respect to said scale means in predetermined relation for an initial setting of the device, and actuating means to operate the pointer independently of the reference mean or indicatin movement with res to sai scale means om the preset position. 8. A device o f the c aracter described, iiicluding circular, non-rotatable-scale means,

a plurality of pointers associated with the scale means, one of the pointers making a complete rotation for a given movement of the other ointer, reference mark means associated with the ppinters and the scale means, means to move t e pointers and the refer- `ence mark means in predetermined ratio, for an initial setting of the device, and actuating means to operate the pointers independently of the reference mark means for indicating movement with respect to said scale means from the preset osition. 9. A device 0F the character described, including circular, non-rotatable scale means, a plurality of pointers, one of the pointers making a complete rotation for a given movement of the other pointer, reference mark means associated with the pointers and the scale means, means to move the pointers and the reference mark means in predetermined ratio, for an initial setting ofthe device, and actuating means to operate the pointers independently of the reference mark means for 'indicating movement with respect to said scale means from the preset position, said actuating means' being connected to the means formoving the pointers and turning with the latter in the setting of the device.

10. A device of the character described, in cluding a circular, non-rotatable scale means, a pointer and a reference means movable in concentric relation with the scale means, ad'- justing means to move the pointer and the reference means with respect to said scale means in predetermined ratio for an initial setting of the device', and actuating means to operate the pointer independently of the reference means for indicating movement with res ct to said scale means from the preset position, the'actuating means-being connected to the adjusti means lto turn with the pointer for the initial setting mentioned.

"Itv

11. A device of the` character described, in-

member beingconnected to the indicator to move the'same, and means in proximity'to the front of the device for turn-ing the rotatable member. f

i2. A device ofthe charmer described, inl cluding a rotatable indicator, the same havins m pointer actuated by the indicator, reference meansmovable alongthe scale. and co-ordi- 'nated with the pointer, and adjusting means to move the indicator, the pointer `and the atively stationary 4scale means, a

- reference means in predetermined relation to set the same with respect to the scale 13. Adevice of the characterdescribed, including arotatable indicator, the same having relatively stationary scale means, a

pointer actuated by lthe indicator, reference means movable along the scale, and co-ordinated with the pointer, and adjusting means to move the indicatorthe pointer and the reference means in predetermined relation to set the same with respect to the scale means, said ad'usting means including manually operate means in roximity to the front of the device, the in icator having means in vcomparative proximity to the manually operated means and engaged thereby to rotate the indicator.

14. A device of the character described, including an indicator, scale means, pointer means, reference means, and other means coactin with the pointer means, the indicator, and te reference means to cause them to move in predetermined ratio with respect tothe sca e means.y -4

15. A device of the character described, including a movable indicator, relativelystationary scale means, pointer means therefor, a relatively stationary reference mark, a reference scale means therefor, and means to move the indicator, the pointer lmeans and the reference scale means with 'respect to the relatively stationary scalemeans and the reference mark. n

16. A device of the character described, including a rotary indicator, a`relatively stationary scale means pointer means therefor actuated b the in icator, a relatively stationary re erence mark, a movable reference scale means therefor, and unitary setting means to move the indicator and the pointer means with respectnto the relatively stationary scale means and simultaneously the rei.-I

erence scale means with respect to the reference mark.

17. A device including anindicator, scale means, pointer means, a speed means operated by the indicator to actuate the pointer means, reference means, and other means to simultaneously rotate the indicator, pointer means and reference means with respect to the scale means and with the pointer means and reference means moving at a different rate than the indicator and-in predetermined relation to the'scale means.

18. A f device including an' indicator, pointer means operated thereby, a combined scale and reference means relatively movable the rotatable means and hence the reduction with respect to each other, and means to move means, the indicator and pointer means as a unit with respect to the combined scale and reference means for setting the device, said means changing the indication of the comi bined scale and reference means in synchronism with the indicator and pointer means.

19. A device including a rotary indicator, a rotary pointer means thereforrotatable relatively tothe indicator, a scale for the pointer means, reference means and drive means-interconnecting the reference means and the indicator and causing the former to rotate at a different rate than the latter.

VA20. A' device including an indicator, a pointer movable b the indicator, a scale for the pointer, a re erence means, means for rotating the indicator for setting with the pointer and reference means moving simultaneously with the indicator, said means interconnecting the indicator with the pointer and reference means to cause the latter and the pointer to movev angularly with respect to the indicator to maintain the relation of the indicator and the scale..

21. A device including an indicator rotatable for setting the same, a spindle turned by the indicator for normal indicating action, a second spindle, a relatively stationary mounting for the same, pointers for the spindles, a relatively stationary dial, and means Vinterconnecting the spindlesto cause the first s indle to rotate the second spindle in sync ronism for setting and for normal indicating action with respect to the dial.

22. A device including an indicator, concentric indles turned thereby, pointers for the spin les, scale means for the pointers, a gear train interconnecting the spindles, said gear train including end gears secured to the spindles, and relatively stationary means independent of the indicator for mounting the intermediate gears of the gear train, said indicator being rotatable in setting the device/ whereby the pointers are turned with respect to each other and in predetermined relation to the scale means.

23. A device including cn cliinideindicn-4 l'sus lio 24. A device including en altitude indicator, scale means therefor, said scale means being relatively stationary,` and said indicator rotatablerelative thereto for an initial setting to a position to be maintained stationary during indicatin action, a spindle rotated to and fro b the in icator according to changes in altitu e and having an otherwise permanent fixed relation o the indicator, a pinion on said spindle, a second spindle concentric with the first spindle for slow rota-tion in synchronism therewith, a pointer and a gear on the second spindle, pinion and gear means interconnecting the first mentioned pinion and gear, and relatively stationary mounting means supporting the pinion and gear means'.

25. A device including an indicator which is rotatable for setting, concentric spindles one of which is rotated by the indicator in setting and turned thereby for normal indicatin action, drive means interconnecting the spin es to cause the other spindle to move in synchronism with the first mentioned spindle both in setting and in normal indicating action, and indicatin means for the spindles.

26. A device inclu ing an indicator/which is rotatable for setting, a spindle turned thereby for indicating, a pointer on the g5 spindle, a stationary scale for the pointer, a P

second pointer, a second spindle therefor, a stationary scale thereforpendent of the indicator for mounting the second spindle, and means interconnectin the spindles for rotation inl synchronism wit reasis rotatable for setting, concentric spindles one of which is rotated by the indicator in setting and turned thereby vfor normal in'dicatin action, drive means interconnecting the spin es to cause the other spindle to move in synchronism with the first mentioned spindle both in setting and' in normal indicating action, ointer means for thespindles, a scale means or the pointer means, reference means, and actuating means separate of4 the drive means for rotating the reference means together with the indicator in setting the device.

28. A device including an indicator ro-v tatable for setting, a spindle moving with the indicator in setting and turned -the same with respect thereto for normal in -cat-v ing action, a second s indle, pointers for the spindles, scale and re erence means, and actuating means associated with the indicator, the pointers, and the reference means to cause them to move as a unit with respect to -the scale means in setting the device, said actuating-means being normally stationary during in 'eating action and having a portion to cause the rst spindle to rotatethe 'second' spindle in synchronism 'at a different-rate and in predetermined relation to the scale means for the indicating action,

29. In an altimetei', the combination 'of I indicator,.a dial vfor -theindicatmg the latter.

and they dial being relatively rotatable for aduated for larger values than the first sca e, means indesetting the device, a pointer turned by the indicator in responseto variations in altitude, a second pointer, and means interconnecting the pointers so that the second pointer moves ,gat a dilerent rate than the first pointer, the dial having scales for the respective pointers calibrated according to the movements thereof, said means'including a member cosordipointers for the respective scales, the indicator including means for moving the pointl ers with respect to each other, reference mark means, said indicator, reference mark means,

and scales being normally relatively station? ary, drive means to rotate as a unit the indicator, the reference mark means andthe ointers with res` ect to the scales for setting the device, and ot er means co-operating with the indicator means to cause the pointers to move with respect to each other according to the scales, as a result of the setting action, with the indicator action being independent of the setting action of, said drive means.

31. A device including a rotary indicator, a dial spaced therefrom, ointer means for the dial operated by the in icator, a reference `ineans, a plurality of concentric drive elements of relatively large diameter, one of said elements being connected to the indicator for rotating the same and the other being positioned between the indicator and dial for moving the reference means and a single actuating means for turning both elements in synchronism and in predetermined different speed relation. y

32. A device including a rotary indicator, a dial spaced therefrom, ointer means for the dial operated by the in icator, a reference means, a plurality of concentric drive elements of relatively large diameter, one of said elements being connected to the indicator for rotatin the same and the other bein ositioned tween the indicator and dia for movi the reference means, and' a single actuating means for turning both elements in synchronism and in predetermined speed re-A lation, said actuatiii means including a spindle having a mem r for turni the element connected to the indicator, an a speed reduction drive 4for the reference means ele,- ment actuated by the spindle to cause the reference means vto move at a lower speed than the indicator.

"33. A device including an insiemi? ro-' tatable for setting a dial a spindle operated by the indicator, a secon i mdle concentric iis izo

with the first spindle, stationary means for 13o mounting the second spindle, a speed reduction drive interconnecting the spindles `for rotatin the second spindle at a lower speed than t e first spindle, pointers for the spindles, a reference means, and a concentric member ofV relatively large diameter for moving the reference means, said member having a central opening receiving the said speed reduction drive, and means for turning the indicator and the member at different speeds with respect to each other for setting the device with the reference means moving at the speed of the second spindle.

34. A device vincluding an; altitude indicator, pointers therefor having diit'erent degrees of relative movement to each other in setting the device and in normal indicating action, a plurality ofvscales for the respective ppinters, the indicator and one of the scales ing relatively rotatable in setting the de-I vice, reference means rotatable according to a desired ositional relationship of the p'ointers and t escales, and actuating means to causeA the relative sitional relation of one pointer with its in ividual scale to move angularl to the relative positional relation of the ot er pointer withits scale, said actuat ing means cau-sing the reference means to ymove in synchronism with the positional changes mentioned.

35. In an altimeter, the combination of an indicator, pointers therefor having different degrees of relative movement to each other, a plurality of scales for the respective pointers, the indicator and one of the scales being relatively movable for setting the device, and means to cause the rate of movement of one ointer with respect to its scale to be uniormly diierent from the rate'of movement 40 of the other pointer with respect toits scale in setting and in normal indicating action.

36. A device including an indicator, scale `means therefor, a' ointer operated by the in,- dicator, and a re erence means, connecting l means for causing the ointer to move relatively to the indicator or normal indication and setting, actuating means independent of the connec`ting means to move the reference means relative to 'the indicator and 5o in synchronism to the pointer thereof, and

other means to cause the connecting and actuating means to move as a unit.

' In testimony whereof I aiix my signa-ture.

' PAUL KOLLSMAN.

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