US1205460A - Receiving apparatus for electric telegraphs and electric selective systems. - Google Patents

Description

w. I; News. RECEIVING APPARATUS FOR ELECT'RiC TELEGRAPHS ANDv ELECTRIC SELECTIVE SYSTEMS.

. Arrucmqu un 115.1913; I 1,205,460.. Patented Nov'q2l, 1916.

F w. J. wows,

RECEIVING-APPARATUS FOR'ELECTR-IC TELEGRAPHS AND morass sazcnvn svsmvls rmenia FILED MAY 5. 19:3.

1,205,460. .4 7 Patented Now-21 1916.

2 swim-swam 2.

UNITED TAT S PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM JOSEPH LYONS,

OF DUBLIN, IRELAND.

RECEIVING APPARATUS FOR, ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS AND ELECTRIC SELECTIVE To all m/wmit may concern Be it known that I, VILLIAM Josnrn LYoxs, a sub ect of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Dublin,

lreland, have invented Improvements in Receiving Apparatus for Electric Telegraphs and Electric Selective Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to receiving apparatus of the selective type whereby a calling or other device can be automatically brought into aqtionat any particular station or place after the complete reception, but not otherwise, at such station or place of a predetermined telegraphicsignal or message transmitted by wireless or other method.

The present invention relates to improvements in selective receiving apparatus of the type referred to and comprises for the purpose of controlling the working of the call or other device (hereinafter referred to as the call device) a novel arrangement of primary controlling means subject to the electric signals received and'working on a new principle whereby inter alia the construction of the selective apparatus can be' simplified, as compared with previously proposed arrangement of such apparatus, and

whereby the range and exactness of the selectivitv obtainable in signaling can' be improved. I

Broadly, receiving apparatus of the type referred or constructed according to the present invention, comprises a controlling lever or arm (hereinafter usually referred to as the arm or controlling arm, arranged to be moved either directly or indirectly through a re1ay, by the impulses corresponding to the received electrlc signal, and a x40 sin-face which is set in motion on the receipt of the first impulse and which then, independentlyof any action of the arm, con-.

tmues 1n motion in a direction at right angles or substantially so, to the movements of the controlling end of the said arm which perpendicular to the said bined with the movements of the said end of the arm being such that the aforesaid end of the 'armiwill, during the reception of a then of the call device,

of single electric sequence.

face, so long as the SYSTEMS,

. I I 1 ,205,460. Specification of Letters Patent. Pat t d X 21 1916 Application filed May 5, 1913. Serial No. 765,560. I w i 4 signal, be caused to come into 'contactlfiwith a definite portion or with definite portions of the said surface. The, moving surface is so formed or constituted with reference to the movements of the said end of the arm that result from the reception of the par-- ticular signal which'is to cause the operathat this device will not be brought into operation if the end of the arm should make contact with portions of the moving surface with which it would not make contact if the prearranged signal were received.

Apparatus constructed and operating as just described can be used to effect selective operation of'a callt g device in response tosignals of the type co isisting of a definite number of electric impulses of the same duration of activity separated by prearrangedintervals of coda] inactivity; to sigpulsesshort and long, as in the. Morse system of a pro-arranged number, sequence and rate, and to signals which might consist impulses of prearranged duration of activity, or of combinations of such impulses of prearranged number and Furthermore, by means of the new apparatus a call device designed to be brought into operation by a particular signal, for example S O S on the Morse code, will not be put into. operation by or during the reception of the electric impulses} corresponding to a signal, as for examplei S O S O on' the reception of any other signal, which, in part, involves theaforesaid particular-signal for which theapparatus is arranged.

The construction and arrangement of the controlling. arm and movable surface may conveniently be such that when the apparatus is inaction the arm will close an electric circuit during themovement of the sursignal being received corresponds to the prearranged code and is not followed within a given time by any other effective impulses; or it may be such that the arm will be prevented from clo ing an electric of the surface Morse code, or during the 8'5 l circuit during the movemen Y so long as the s gnal. being," D0

received corresponds to the prearranged code and is not followed within a given time by any other elleetlve impulses. In an arrangemel'lt of this kind the arm may, forapparatus is designed to respond, being ar- Fig. 1.

ranged lengthwise of the surface and composed either of conducting material, or of insulating material, or it may-be of insulated material (hereinafterincluded in the term insulating material) and having ad- :jfiCGHt-lillBI'BtO in the one case insulating material and in the othercase conducting material so that the electric circuit controlling the call device will either be kept closed, or be kept open, as the case may be, Whale the electric sign al being received corresponds to the pro-arranged code signal, but will either be opened or be closed respectively by the-arm moving onto the insulating material, or" on to the conducting material as the case may be, in the event of a different signal being received; g

Receiving apparatus of the kind referred to, designedto operate in the manner set forth, can beconstructed in variousforms. In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a diagram of one' constructional arrangement according to the invention. Fig. 21s a development of part of Fig. 1 and Fig. is'a part development of a modification. Fig. 4 is an elevation of a disk foruse in another arrangement of the hind showyn in Fig. is a perspective view of an endless band device also adapted to be used in a modification of Fig. 1. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are diagrains illustrative of other constructional arrangements according to the invention. 9 is a. diagram of still another construction and arrangement. 7 In, Fig. 1 there is employed a pivoted spring actuated metallic arm a thatis under the control of an electro-magnet I) the circuit of which is controlled by a relay responsive to long and short telegraphic signals transmitted by Wireless ,or other methods, the said arm a being arrangedto act at its free end against a drum (Z adapted to be rotated by suitable mechanism, such as is hereinafter described. The drum has a peripheral surface of insulating material in w1'1ieh is laid, so as to be flush therewith, a

strip 0 of conducting material, such as metal,

of T a zigzag form corresponding to, the

path that the free end of the arm will trace out on the drum as a result of the particular rate of motion of the drum and the 0sci1- and number of the electric impulses corresponding to the special telegraphic signal or message for which the apparatus is designed to respond. The arm a and conducting strip e are arranged to form part of an electric circuit including an electro-magnet j that controls the lateral position of a movable member 9 of a circuit-closing device h. The member {I is engaged by a lever 1 arranged to be moved against the action of a spring 37 or other restoring means, by the electro-magnet f, when this is energized, so as to enter into the path of v, a pin In or equivalent device that is set in operation withthe setting into operation of the drum a? by the initial movement of the arm a and thus as long asthe electro-magnet f is kept energized to gradually bring the said memher g into a position to close, through the device it, the circuit of the calling or other device, forexample an electric bell to, when 'orstrip e and the circuit of the said electromagnet f will be broken and the movable a member g controlled thereby returned to an 1n1t1al and inoperative position, so that the calling or other device cannot then he.

brought into operation.-

As shown in Fig. 2,'which is a development of'parts'of the drum cl, hereinafter more'particularly referred to the end n, of the metal strip 6 is soformed and arranged, as by lengthening it in the circumferential direction of the drum, that in' the event of the impulses corresponding to a particular signal or messagebeing followed Within the predetermined timeby another impulse, the circuit ofthe said electromagnet f, will be broken and the movable member controlled thereby returned to an initial and inoperative position before the circuit of the calling device h,. can be completed, so that the into operation.

In the. example, the arrangement isadapted to respond to the signal S O S adopted in Wireless telegraphy as the distress call'for ships,

Instead of providing the drum with an insulatcdfsurface and a strip 6 of metal of the form mentioned, the surface of the drum (1 a may be oi metal and be provided, as shown;

for example in Fig. 3, which is a developed view of part of the drum, with pieces 2' of insulating material at parts thereof Where the free end of the arm would necessarily pass uponthe receipt of impulses not corresponding in sequence, rate or number to that of the required special signal or message, so as to break thecircuit of the electromagnet f; (Fig. 1) controlling the motion of the movable'member g of the circuit closing device nd cause such member to move 5 into a iosition in which'it is inoperative and wil continue to be inoperative until the apparatus isiagain in aniuitial condition and is again set in action for receiving another message.

Ihe zig-nag shaped piece e of metal, or the group of pieces i of insulating materlal, carried by the drum (l and correspondingto in special signal or message, may, as 1s mtended in Fig. 1, be arranged to extend around the Whole of the circumference of the drum, or nearly so, so that one cycleof operations will take place for each rotation of the drum. Orga number of pieces 6 of metal, or gro'ii s of pieces i of insulating .material, may arranged in series around the drum so that in this-case two or more cycles of operations will take place for each rota ion of the drum, the apparatus being in an initial or receptive condition at a number of definite and equally spaced points around the drum.

to show an arrangement in which two cycles per revolution are obtained.

In lieu of a. drum, a rotary disk 0, Fig. 4,

SO-tor anihdless traveling belt 7), Fig. 5, may be used, and for the zig-zag shaped piecee of metal, or the pieces 5 of insulating material, the surface of the drum or equivalent may be otherwise adapted to permit the arm a to move into a position to close the circuit of the eiectro-magnet f and to move the arm and break the circuit when the sequence, rate or number of the impulses departsfjfrom thaf'corresp'onding to the special message or 40 signal for which the a 'iparatus is designed.

, The starting of the drum or equivalent and associated mechanism on the receipt of the first impulse of a signal or message can be effected in various ways, as by the pivot- 45. cd arm a being withdrawn from a stop '1'.

Thus Fig. 2 is intended or one of a number of stops 2", on the drum -17, or equivalent, or by its releasing abrake on the driving mechanism of the drum; or

the-starting of the driving inecluinisni may be effected by electromagnetic means, as

will be described hereinafter.

The arrangements thus far-describedillustrate some ways of carrying outthe invention which may however be modified.

The closing. of'the circuit which operates the electricbell m or other device depends, in the arrangements described with reference toFigs. 1 to 5, on "the free end of the arm a being made to sustain a contact with the metallic portion of the surface of the drumgand thus to keep closed an electric circuit until the complete reception of the particularmessage has been effected. when such is the case the. mechanical device comprising the parts f, g, h, j, :1, L, may be revthe drum until a contact n:- is reached.

placed by an arrangement such as is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6 where tlic developed surface of the drum with the pieces 6 of insulating material is arranged for the signal S O S. One end of the arm 11 7a is bifurcated, asat a, (L2 and in the initial position both of these ends a and a are in contact with the metal stop a which is insulated from the metallic surface r,- of the. drum. A contact key if is actuated by the electromagnet'f and the battery u is connected as shown. \Vhen the first electric. impulse received causes the electromagnet b to move the arm a, the circuit through the. electromagnet f is completed by the bifur- 3o cation at the end of the urin (1. connecting the stop a for 2 short timc with the conducting surface a of the drum. (ontact bat tween t and r is made when the clcctrd" magnet is thus energized and the circu'it' af gs through such electromagnct is niaintaincl' l' f closed through this contact as long as the? enda or r1. of the arm (I is in contact with the surface of the drum r]. It is arranged that thecnd of shall be in contact with the N drum 1! before the end (1, leaves the stop a and that the end o makes contact with the drum (1 before the end 0. is put out of contact with the latter, In the subsequent path along the drmn ,-it can be arranged that only the end rt touches thesurfai-e of If. the arm a is influenced by impulses in quencc, rate and number corresponding to the signal or mesmge for which the drum is arranged, the end 1/ continues in contact with r4 and the electro-magnct f remains energized. \Vhen the complete signalhas been received and is not followed by another impulsc within a predetermined time, the end' (1. of the arm (I. engages the contact 1v before the end (1. leaves the conducting I path I; at .r so that when the latter cven't happens, current passing throughf, r. t, a and 'w is .made to operate the circuit closer of a battery 1 and causethe continurms ringing of an electric bell m or-otbcr device. Tf during the reception of the signal or message the arm end a leaves the conducting path a on the drum the circuit through f is broken, and the key I rccedes'from thrcontact n, thereby rendering the mechanism inoperative until the apparatus is again in its initial condition and is again set -in action for another signal or message. An arrangement of this character is applicable also where the selective operation of the calling or other device is arranged to depend on the free end of the selective arm rt not making contact with a conducting strip or surface on the drum.' Thus, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 7, the pieces 1, which 'are in metallic communication with each other, are connected ,thriiiiglra cons" ductor 2 t me pole ofa-"battery 8. In ala melectrical initial position, the free end of the selective arm a, which is bifurcated, as in Fig. 6, is in contact with the metallic drum stop On the reception of the first impulse the said arm end connects the metallic stop 3 to a contact piece 4, the said stop 8 and contact 4 being insulated from the contacts 1, and contact 4 being connected to the other pole of the battery 8. A. current consequently flows through half the winch ing of the electromagnet Thus energized, the electro-magnet closes the gap between two contacts-5 and 6 and the current due to the bridging of the stop 3 and contact 4 is now replaced by current flowing through the contacts 5. and 6 across a switch 7.

If during the reception of the impulses the arm end a, which may be arranged to clone touch the drum, deviates from the path that accords with a particular signal or message, the said endt'I- will be put into connection with conductor 2 through one oft-he piecesof metal Land, as will be seenjr'i'mm the figure, current from the battery Elfiiiill divide at the point 9 part passing through what in the illustration is the lower half of the solenoid f to the point 9 and part passing through the conductor 2, contact 1 and arm a, (1: and through the upper half of the solenoid fin the reverse direction to that in the lower halfito the point 9 and thence through the contacts 5 and 6' and switch 7 to the other pole of the battery. In this way the action ofthe solenoid is neutralized. The neutralization of the solenoid f releases contact 5 from contact 6 and the system becomes inoperative until the mechanism returns to its initial condition and is again set in action to receive another signal or message. If the so queues... rate and number of the impulses correspond to those of the signal. or message for which the surface of the drum is arranged, the circuit will continue closed at 5, 6. After the complete receptionofthe signal or message, the free end of lever a, via, the ends a? and (it of the bifurcation will reach a. part of the drum where, as in the case of Fig. 6, by means of the bridging of contacts in the drum the current may be defiected through the call operating device, or, as represented in Fig. 7, spin 10 on the drum at the end of the path may be made to open the switch at 7 and deflect the current that passes-.through 5,6 so as to cause it to flow through and start the continuousringin'g bell m or other device.

The method of this invention can obviously be applied so as to make one mechanism selectively respond to two or more different signals or messages and close a particular circuit'and thus operate a particular bell or indicator or other device in response to each message. Thus, on the same drum d two or more strips 0 of material may be inlaid side by side as shown in Fig. 9, or the paths for two or more difterent signals may be otherwise defined as already described by two or more series of pieces of material '5 (Figs. 3 and 6) laid into the surface of the drum as already described. A separate movable arm a is provided for each. message and" otherwise the arrangements may be of the type already described.

Instead of the apparatus being used for bringing into action an audible calling device, for example an electric bell m, as for instance when the apparatus is to be used for receiving danger signals or other special signals sent by wireless or other telegraphic method, it may be used for some other per poses, as for example for firing a particular mine, gun, rocket or the like.

Signals other than dots and dashes of the Morse code a signal consisting of a single sustained impulse of predetermined du- -i-at1on, -or a signal consisting ot a predetermine'd number and. sequence 'of impulses each being sustained forv a predetermined period, the several periods in the latter case being equal or different, may be adopted,

the invention permitting such signals to be treated selectively. The signals may be transmitted automatically at a definite rate, or simple signals, such. as the dot, dash, dotdash or'dash-dot may be transmitted with-. out automatic mechanism.

In aparatus such as hereinbefore described the drum 0? or equivalent surface may be driven, by a clock-work or electric motor (1 (Fig. l), the fixing of the proper speed beingregulated in known or suitable 1nan- The drum or equivalent surface may be permanently coupled to the driving mechanism, in which case the starting and stopping of the drum is determined by the starting and stopping of the mechanism, or, alternatively, the driving mechanism may be run continuously and the drum or mov able surface may be connected theretoand disconnected therefrom at starting and stopping respectively by the action of a friction device or by a mechanical or mag netic clutch. I I

The starting of the drum or driving mechanism on the receipt of the first impulse, of continuing the motion, and of suddenly stopping it at the proper time can be effected in various waysother than by the use. of one or more stops as herein- Fig. 8 shows dies by suitably controlled clockwork, '51 being a disk connected tothe most rapidly moving part of the clock mechanism another element of which is shown at 512. 53 is a brake lever that normally holds the mechanism stationary in its zero, or initial position under the action of an adjustable spring 54; a slight pressure of which suffices owing to the. high gearing of the mechanism. 55 is an electromagnet the core 56 of which'is' arranged to'pull back the brake lever 53 against the action of the spring 54, when energized by current from a battery 57.

metal contacts arranged in and fiush with thesurface of the drum and connected to the-"opposite poles of the battery. The core 56 is connected to the same pole of the battery as the contact 58 and makes metallic contact through' a thin layer of silver or brake lever 53 when it The oscillating arm a is electrically connectedthroug-h a conductor 60 to the brake lever 53 and through a conductor 61 tonne terminal of the coil of the electroniagnet 55 the other terminal of whichis connected by a conductor 62 to the platinum with the ,same pole of the battery as contact 59.

Initially, the movable end of the arm a is at a definite position on the drum, viz.

on contact 59'. On the receipt of the first impulse it moves across the surface of the drum aid makes connection with contact 58. The circuit through the electromagnet 55 is thus made, the brake lever 53 pulled back and the clock mechanism and drum (Z started. The circuit thereby made through the battery 57, conductor 62, the coil of the electro-ma'gnet 55, conductors 61 and 60,

brake lever 53 and. core 56 is maintained during the subsequent movement of the, drum which is in the direction of the arrow.

the drum is just at the end of its When prearranged course, the contact 09- passes under the end of the arm a and the current passing; from one pole of the battery 57' 56 and brake lever 53 inconductor 61, takes a momentary short circuit through the arm a, contact 59 and con.

ductor 62 back to-the battery. The .electromagnet 55 being thus deenergized the brake lever 53 is thus released and stops the mechanism, the current is automatically cut off and the apparatus left in its tion' ready for another signal. It will be seen that owing to the high gearin of the mechanism and the slow movement of the drum relative to that of the disk 51 the gradual stopping of the disk will result in the stoppingof the drum (Z at a very exact 58 and 59 are two insulated zero poshferred to above, e. g. for starting or stop--' ping an electric motor, the brake lever 53 being then replaced by a switch, or for coupling up the drum to a continuously driven mechanism in which case the brake lever 53 would be replaced by a mechanical or magnetic clutch as already suggested.

\Vh'at I claim is I 1. Electric telegraph, receiving apparatus of selective type comprising a movable member, means whereby, said movable member will be set in motion upon the receipt of an electric impulse, a second movable member adapted to co-actwiththe first mentioned movable member, electromagnetic means whereby saidsecond movable memberwill be operated in a variable manner by'the electric impulses received, and in suchmanner that movement of said second'movable member relative to the first mentioned movable member will be determined bythe nature of the electric impulses received, a device to be operated upon the receipt of a predetermined signal, electric connections and a source of current for operating sald device, said movable members being arranged to cooperate- Electric telegraph receiving apparatus of selective type comprising an electric contact device mounted to move to and fro in a -variable manner and in accordance'\\-'ith the electric impulses received, a rotary circuit closing device co-acting with said Contact device, means whereby said rotary circuit closing device will be set-in motion upon the receipt of an electric impulse, electrical connections, a call device to be operatedupon the receipt of a predetermined signal and a source of current for operating said call device, said contact device and circuit closing device being arranged to cooperate to close a circuit in said electric connections and bring about the operation of said call device only when they occupy certain predetermined relative positions depending upon the nature ofthe signal for which the apparatus is designed to respond.

3. Electric telegraph receiving apparatus for selective type comprising a movable circuit controlling surface, means whereby said surface will be set in motion upon the receipt of an electric impulse, an arm movable in relation to said surface, means under the control of th lflgctric impulses received adapted to move said arm in relation to and u on said surface,.electrical connections contro lid by said relative movement between said suradapted to niove said i only mechanism comprising an arm, by said farm W111 be face and arm, and call means adapted tobe brought into action under the control of said electrical connections only upon the arm following a predetermined path relatively to said surface and occupying a definite position at the completion ofthe transmission of the'predetermined signal for whicb'the apparatus is designed to respond. 4. Electric telegraph receiving apparatus of selective type comprising a movable circuit controlling surface, means \vhereby'saidsurface will, be set in motion upon the receipt of an electric impulse, an arm movable in relation to said surface, means under the control of the electric impulses received arm transversely to the direction off movement of said surface and upon said surface, electrical connections controlled by the transverse movement of said arm relatively to said surface and call means adapted to be brought into action under the controlof said electrical connections upon the arm following a'predetermined path relatively to said surface and no cupying-a definite position at the comple tion of the transmission of the predeter mined signal for which the apparatus is designed to respond. i

5. Electric telegraph r of selective type comprising a cuit controlling surface, means whereby said surface will be set in motion upon the receipt ceiving apparatus of an elcctg/limpulse, an arm movable in relation to a and upon saidsurface, means under the control of the electric impulses receivedadapted tojmove said arm in a to and-fro direction across said surface, said surface being arranged to be set in motion in a direction'substantially at right angles to the to-and-fro motion of said arm upon the receipt of an electric impulse, electrical connections controlled by the relative movement between said surface and arm and a call de: vice, the formation of said controlling surface and the movement of said arm being such that said call device will not be brought into operation by an electric signal of shorter or longer duration than that for which the apparatus is designed to respond. 6. Electric telegraph receiving apparatus of selective type, comprising a device to .be operatedonly upon the transmission and 1cception of an electric signal according to a pro-arranged code, and "mechanism for bringing. said device into operation, said means where-j! moved by the received" electric signal, a surface with which such arm coacts, means whereby said surface is arranged to be moved substantially at right angles to that the motion of the operative end of said arm on the receipt of a signal, said surface after being startedcontinuing its motion independently of the arm, and.

movable cirmeans whereby said surface is caused to, at ,start on the receipt of a signal, said"surface being of a composite nature dependent upon the nature of the signal for which the'appw 'ratus is torespond and said arm acting to bring said device into operation only upon 3'0- its following a predetermined path on said surface corresponding to the predetermined signal.

I 7. Electric telegraph receiving apparatus of selective type, comprising a device to be To operated onlyupon the transmission endemiccption of an electric signal according tola pro-arranged code andmechanism for bring ng said device into ope-ratiomasaid mccha- 1115111 comprising a movable surface adapted to tostart traveling; in a particular direction upon the recelpt of an electric impulse and carrying a trace of a predetermined signal,

means for permitting said surface to start trai 'ehng upon the receipt of an electric inn pulse, a contact arm and meansresponsive to electric impulses adapted to displace said contact arm; relatively to said moving sur- 1 face, said arm following said trace and bringing said device into operationfouly in to the event of the signal sent corresponding to that for which the apparatus is designed to respond.

8. Electric telegraph receiving apparatus of selective type, comprising a member, 9.5g

means whereby said ni'ember'can be started and stopped, a source of current having one pole in connection with the surface of the said member and an arm connected with the other pole whereby said arm can be started in synchronism with such member so as to be brought into operative relationship thereto,

and means whereby said member and arm will malntain a given condition ofan elec- 111E tuic circuit so long only as the relative movement between them accords substantially with a predetermined signal code.

9. Electric telegraph'receiving apparatus of selective type, comprising a member hav-.

111?, a movable surface, means Wherebysaid member can be moved at a uniform specd,: an arm adapted to co-act with said surface and means whereby said arm is moved in a variable manner in relation to said surface 115 under the action of and in accordance with the electric impulses received. metallic con tact being made between the surface of the inember and the arm to complete an electric circuit during some period of codal activity.

10. Electric telegraph receiving apparatus of selective type, comprising a contact body,

means whereby said bodywill be set in 1notion on the receipt at its location of a signaling impulse and continue in motion durmg the receipt of a message, a signaling devicc,'an arm arrangeddowdactwith said of the: current source, means 100 said fiflntrollingg' surface and Contact (levies: 01- causizlg operation of. said call device, mid cflntrolling surface and contact device being arrnmged. to prevent the call device being brought into actinn until after a prw determmed time of coda! mactlvwy has elapsed affier the complem receipt of the signal to which the apparatus is to respond.

Signed at- The Ruyal Cullege of Science,

.Dubiin, Ireland this twenty-fifth day of 10 Aprii 1913.

WILLIAM JOSEPH LYONS.

Witneses:

WILLIAM. BROWN,

VVILLIAM Doxmln Duucms.

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