US1208229A - Electric signal system. - Google Patents

Description

N. H. SUREN.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED FEB. I3. 1915.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

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N. H. SUREN.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13. 1915.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

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NATHAN I-I. SUREN OF NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Application filed February 13, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NATHAN H. SUREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Needham, in the county of Norfolk and viltate of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a non-interfering successive signaling system, the signals being based upon the use of a number of digits in each of a plurality of denominations to make up a composite signal, the signals resulting from the combination of digits of difierent denominations.

More particularly the invention has to do with a signaling-system of this type wherein is provided signal-controlling and transmitting-mechanism composed of individually operative portions, each arranged to transmit a selective portion or number group of a composite signal, and in cooperative relation thereto a plurality of signal-boxes arranged in series and each connected to the respective portions of said transmittingmechanism, each of said boxes and said transmitting-mechanism having cooperative provision for selectively transmit-ting difierent digits of different denominations to constitute the several portions of a composite signal. In my co-pending application, Serial No. 6,893, filed Feb. 8, 1915, I show and claim a system of this type wherein the signal-controlling and transmittinganechanism is embodied in a plurality of rotary drums connected to actuate a series of signal-wheels.

The present invention presents a specifically diiierent embodiment of the same generic operating principles, wherein a series of specially arranged relays and annunciators are employed in place of the rotary drums as the signal-controlling and tra nsmitting-mech anism.

The system is based upon the use of a relay for each digit of each denomination involved in the composite signal, one side of each relay icing connected to a common main circuit conductor, the other side of each relay being connected through a-relay switch, in turn controlling the other relays of that denomination, each relay of one denomination thus, upon being energized cutting out from the circuit the other relays of the same denomination to prevent possibility of interference with the signal Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. i2, rare.

Serial No. 8,069.

controlled by the energized relay. The signal lines each include normally open contacts arranged for closing upon the energization of a particular relay, the relay of each higher denomination controlling as many normally open contacts or breaks in the signal circuit as there are digits or relays in the immediately following lower denomination, so that they cannot operate before the higher denomination. The open contacts of higher denominations are repeated on all. the relays of lower denominations, the contacts belonging to the same circuit controlled by each of the relays of higher denomination being connected in multiple.

The relay of the highest denomination also controls one normally open signal contact representing its own digit, in order that in the energization of such relay the signal line governed thereby will be closed.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated and to which more specific description will be applied, I have shown the system as arranged in three denominations, that is hundreds, tens, and units, and provided three digits in each denomination so that the system illustrated is .capable of sending twenty-seven signals. In each denominational group there are arranged three relays, one for each digit, and a number of closed contacts less by one than the nunrber of relays, that is, two closed contacts con trolled by each relay, the closed contacts of one relay, controlling the remaining relays of that denomination, so that in the energization of a particular relay the closed contacts controlled thereby are opened to cut out the other relays of that denomination "from energization, to thereby avoid interference with the signal control of the energized relay. Each relay of the highest, that is the hundreds denomination controls one normally open contact, a signal contact, representing its own digit, and in addition the relays of the highest denominations and of all other denominations control normally open contacts in direct connection with the relays in the immediately following lower denomination. That is to say the relays of the hundreds group each control, in addition to its own open signal contact, a series of open contacts, three in number, governing the relays of the succeeding or tens group; the relays of the tens group control as many normally open signal contacts as there are relays in the preceding and succeeding groups, that is six; while the relays of the units group control as many open signal contacts as there are relays, that is nine.

The system is controlled through boxes, wired for the sending of one, two or three signals in accordance with the manner in which the box is operated, each signal representing a digit from each group. In operating the box the particular hundreds relay is energized with the effect to close its own signal line, and the normally open contact which controls the particularly selected number of the tens group, while the energized relay of the tens group closes the normally open contact for the relay of the particular digit in the units group. The operation of the relay in the units group closes the normally open contact which completes the particular signal circuit, thereby sending the particular signal.

In the instance shown I have provided annunciators for the indication of the signals, there being one annunciator for each possible signal; there is also provided an automatic cut out which in the event a particular relay does not restore after energization, will automatically indicate such fact through a short circuit annunciator; and I also contemplate the. provision of a circuit breaker which when the signal controls from any one box are complete will operate to disconnect the current from the system.

Figure 1, is diagrammatically illustrative of the system, two sending or control boxes being illustrated. Fig. 2, is a diagrammatical view of one of the boxes, on a larger scale. Fig. 3, is a detail view to be re ferred to.

In the present system as there are but nine signal units illustrated, there are nine signalwires employed which will be hereinafter designated as 1, 2, 3, 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, respectively. Each denominational group, that is, hundreds, tens, and units contains three relays, those in the hundreds group be ing hereinafter referred to as 72. if and k those in the tens group being hereinafter referred to as 6 t and t and those in the units group being hereinafter referred to as a n and a the first mentioned relay of each group, for the purposes of illustration, being assumed to control the signal digit lowest in that group, and so on throughout the relays of each group. The relays of all groups are connected to a conductor 10 forming one side of a common source of current 11. Each relay of each group controls two normally closed contacts 12 and 13, that is said contacts are closed when the relays are deenergized, and the said closed contacts are disposed in series groups of two for each relay, that is, the other side of the winding of a particular relay must pass through two of such closed contacts in series for a continuous circuit, and the series contacts, which may be thus said to control the circuit to each relay of a group, are themselves each controlled by each one of the other relays of the group. That is to say that to energize any one relay of :1 group the current must pass in series through two normally closed contacts, which closed contacts are respectively controlled by the remaining relays of the group, so that the energization of one relay of a group innnediately, in a manner to be later described, opens the closed contacts controlled by that relay and hence cuts out the other relays of the group. Interference through the relays of any one group is thus avoided.

As each complete composite signal involves three digits, one from each denomination or group, it is obvious that the system to be perfectly responsive must be capable of causing any one relay of the highest group to energize any particularly selected relay of the next highest group, and any relay of said next highest group must be capa ble of energizing any particularly selected relay of the next group, so that the box or boxes can be set for any combination of digits. To accomplish this each relay of a higher group must be capable of being arranged in circuit with all relays of the next group, and so on throughout the system.

As here shown the relays of the hundreds group control three normally open contacts 14, 15 and 16. The contacts 11- of each relay of the hundreds group are each in series with the relay t of the tens group through the normally closed contacts 12 of that group and are in multiple with each other; the contacts 15 of each relay of the hundreds group are each in series with the relay 6 of the tens group through the closed contacts 13 of that group and are in multiple with each other; and contacts 16 of each relay of the hundreds group are each in series with the relay t of the tens group through the closed contacts 12 and 13, and are in multiple with each other.

The relays of the tens group each control normally open contacts 17, 1.8 and 19 respectively in circuit, exactly as described in connection with the contacts 14, 15 and 16. with the relays u n and if respectively of the units group, the circuits being through the normally closed contacts 12 and 13 of such units group.

From the above detail it will be obvious that any one relay of the hundreds group may be utilized to energize any one or all of the three of the tens group, while any one relay of the tens group may be utilized to energize any one or all of the three relays of the units group, in so far as one side of the circuit of such open contacts is concerned. As the energization requires a continuous circuit however the control is gained by connecting the other side of the open contacts of the hundreds and tens group, and the closed contacts of the hundreds group to the circuit wires. The closed contacts 12 and 13 in circuit with the relay h are connected to the signal wire 1; the closed contacts in' circuit with the relay b are connected to the signal wire 2; while the closed contacts in circuit with the relay if are connected to the signal wire 3. The normally open contacts 14, 15 and 16 of each relay are respectively connected in multiple with the circuit wires of the signal circuit, the contacts. 141- being connected to the signal wire 4, the contacts 15 being connected to th signal wire 5, and the contacts 16 connected to the signal wire 6.

Normally closed contacts of the tens relays are controlled through the normally open contacts of the hundreds relays, and the normally closed contacts of the units relays controlled through the normally open contacts of the tens relays.

The normally open contacts of the tens relays are respectively in circuit with the remaining signal wires, the contacts 17 be ing in multiple circuit with the signal wire 7, the contacts 18 being in multiple circuit with the signal wire 8 and the contacts 19 being in multiple circuit with the signal wire 9.

The units relays M, M2 and a each control, in the particular system illustrated nine open contacts 20, 21, 22, 23, 2 1, 25, 26, 27, and 28, one side of the respectively similar contacts of each relay being in circuit. The other side of the respective twenty seven contacts thus provided are connected to signal indicators, shown in this instance as signal annunciators 29. Each open contact of the twenty-seven controlled by the unit relays is connected to a signal annunciator, or other form of signal indicator.

The tens relays each control three open cont-acts 30, 31 and 32 which are collectively in circuit at one side with the circuit wires connecting the same side of the open contacts of the units relay, the open contacts 30, 31 and 32 of the tens relay 6 being in circuit with one side of the open contacts 20, 23 and 26 of all of the units relays; the open contacts 30, 31 and 32 of the tens relay t being in circuit with the open contacts 21, 2-l and 27 of all of the units relays; while the open contacts 30, 31 and of the tens relay 6 are in circuit with the open contacts 22, 25, and 28 of all of the units relays. The hundreds relays each control one open contact 33 in circuit with the other side of the open contacts 30, 31 and 32, that is the open contact 33 of relay h is in multiple circuit with the open contacts 30 of all of the tens relays; the open contact 33 of the relay h is in multiple circuit with all of the open contacts 31 of the tens relays; while the other open contact 33 is in multiple circuit with the open contacts of all of the tens relays. The other side of each of the open contacts 33 is connected to the main line circuit wire 10.

As previously stated the wires from the respective open contacts of the units relays are connected to the respective annunciators, and the other side of the annunciators is connected to a main line circuit wire 3-it leading through a releasing device 35, to be later described, to the battery.

From the above description it is obvious that any signal annunciator or indicator may be energized by the closing of a particular open contact 33, a particular contact 30, 31 or 32, and a particular contact 20, 21, 22, 2s, 24., as, as, 27, as, the circuit being obvious, and it is througl the selection of the signal circuit with regard to these contacts that the system operates.

The respective open and closed contacts of any one relay are to be simultaneously controlled by that relay in any preferred or usual manner, a simple form of said con trol being illustrated as including a rod 36 having pins 37 cooperating with the movable member of each contact, the rods 36 being connected to the armature 38 of the relay. In the energization of the relay the normally closed contacts are opened and the normally open contacts are closed.

The signals are controlled through signal boxes, two of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which boxes are substantially the same as in my aforesaid application, and arranged to selectively connect the signal-wires with the circuit. A detail description of one will. render clear the operation. The signal box contains three electro- magnets 39, 39 and 39", one side of each having multiple connection with a main circuit wire 40 leading to the battery, or other source of energy. In the particular box indicated at A, T have shown the control arranged to send signals 123 and 323. The boX is operated through the medium of a lever 4:1, itself in circuit with signal line wire 1. The lever is adapted, under proper operation to engage a contact 42 in circuit with signal line wire 3. A switch 43 is adapted to be closed in the operation of the lever, one side of the switch being in circuit with the lever 4:1 and the other side with the electro-magnet 39, known as the hundreds magnet. The armature 44 of the hundreds magnet is adapted in operation to close the switch 15, one side of which is in circuit with signal line wire 5 and the other side in circuit with the electro-magnet 39 which is the tens magnet. The arinature 4L6 of the tens magnet is adapted upon the energization of said magnet to close the switch 47, one side of which is in circuit with the signal line wire 9 and the other slde in circuit with electromagnet 39*, known as the un1ts magnet.

-The armature '48 of the units magnet controls the lever 49 adapted in the denergizing movement of said armature to open contact 43.

Assuming it desired to send signal 123 the lever 41 is operated to close contact 43, but not to engage contact 42. This causes the electro-magnet 39 to be ener ized, the circuit being from the main line 40 through the electro-magnet, through contact 43 through the lever, signal line 1, closed contacts 12, 12, relay h The relay 7L operates its armature opening the normally closed contacts 12, 13, controlled thereby, and thus cutting out the possibility of the other. relays of this group being energized. The closing of electro-magnet 39 has also successively prepared the circuit of electromagnets 39 and 39 so that the signal circuit wires and 9 are energized. The relay 7b1 of the hundreds group also closes the normally open contacts 14, and 16, and current will passthrough the closed contact 15, as this is the only one of such contacts with its signal line wire in circuit. The closing of the contact 15 therefore operates through the closed contacts of the 'tens group to energize the relay t of such group.

The closing of this relay 6 immediately, through the opening of the closed contacts controlled thereby cuts out the other relays of the tens group, and at the same time closes all of the open contacts of the units relays.

As signal line Wire 9 is in circuit the normally open contact 19 is the only one carrying energ and this in turn energizes through the closed contact of the unit group, the relay a of such group. The energization of this relay u cuts out the other re lays of the units group and closes all other open contacts controlled by such relay. At such time relays 7L1, t and a are energized. The signal contact 33 of relay b is closed as are the signal contacts 30, 31 and 32 of relay't and the signal contacts 20, 21, 22, 23 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of relay u One side of the signal contact 33 is to the main line, and the other side of such contact traced by its only possible circuit is in closed circuit through the signal contact 30 of relay t and through the signal contact 21 of: electro-magnet or relay a Electric circuit being thus established through these contacts, and as contact 21 of relay u controls the annunciator indicating the signal 123, said annunciator will be operated. In the above description it is understood that the relays if, k and k of the hundreds group correspond respectively to the digits 100, 200, and 300; that the relays t t and t of the tens group correspond respectively to the digits 10, and and that the relays a a and u of the units group correspond respectively to the digits 1, 2, and

From the above traced signal conditions it is obvious that through suitable connections any box may be set to send one, two or three distinct signals, and that the sole requirement is the proper adjustment of the lever or manually operable element to send a proper signal.

The main circuit operates through .i switch 50, the movable member of which is actuated by a core 51 upon the energization of a solenoid 35 itself connected in the main circuit, this constituting the releasing derive hereinbefore referred to. The solenoid is connected in direct line with the signal annunciators and cut into the main line on the signal box side of the switch 50. As soon as an annuneiator circuit is complete, the main line current passing to said annunciator through the solenoid actuates the latter to break the main line current to the signal box thus dei ncrgizing the magnet 39" of said box, and restoring the box to normal through the breaking of the main circuit switch 43. If more than one box has been simultaneously operated the box in control will send its signal and the other boxes await their turn in the order of their signal combination, the releasing device only a il'eeting the active box, that is the box which has energized the annunciator, and the remaining boxes will send their signals in successsion and be automatically restored to normal by the releasing device.

It being of importance that an energized relay should restore to normal in the breaking of the main line circuit, to permit following boxes to control, as otherwise a short circuit would result it is desirable thatmeans be employed to notify in the event such restoring condition of the relay does not tol low. For this purpose I connect to each armature rod 36 an L-lever 52 pivotally sup ported and having one arm underlying pins 53 connected to a rod 54, so that upon energization of the particular relays of each group, or of any one relay the rod 54- will be elevated. The lower ends of all rods are connected by crossbars, as 55, and the cross bars are connected by pendent rods 56 to a lower bar 57. The cross bars are pivotally connected to the end rods and to the central rod 54, that is in the arrangement shown, the cross bars are pivotally connected at their inner ends to the rod 5 1-, of the tens group and at their respective outer ends to the rods 54 of the units and hundreds group. Below the bar 57 is arranged a time device in the form of a positively driven escapement 58 normally locked by one arm 59 of a lever 60 pivotally supported and carrying at the other arm a contact closer or creeper 61 in the form of a segment, the teeth of which are normally spaced from corresponding teeth on the escapement. The rod 57 carries a bar 62 having a cam off-set 63 adapted when the bar 62 is elevated to actuate the lever 60 to release the escapement and bring the teeth of creeper into engagement with the teeth of the escapement so that by the movement of the escapement the creeper will be forced upwardly. A switch 64 is arranged above the creeper being in circuit with the main line through a short circuit annunciator 65. The parts are so arranged that if the relays operate and restore in normal Working conditions the creeper will not have moved sufliciently to close the switch 64, but if for any reason a particular relay does not restore the creeper will continue its movement to close the short circuit annunciator, to indicate the abnormal condition.

.I have further provided a means for indicating the continuity of the particular circuits, arranging for this purpose a circuit break annunciator 66 for each relay. One side of each of these annunciators is connected with the main line, and the other side to the particular relay through a conductor including a resistance 67 The circuit break annunciators 66 are high resistance annunciators, and the resistances 67, forming as will be obvious from the drawings a closed circuit through each relay and its annunciator permit a small amount of current to circulate to indicate the continuity of the circuit.

Any desired form of signal-indicator may be used in place of the annunciators illustrated, said annunciators being designed to indicate a series of independent signal registers or a single register arranged to receive and indicate twenty-seven distinct signals. As such registers and other signalindicators which may be used in this system, are common in the art it is to be understood that the illustration is designed to indicate any and all such.

I claim 1. In a signal-system, a plurality of signal-wires adapted for connection with the circuit, boxes with signal determining means for selectively connecting the signal-wires with the circuit, a plurality of relays arranged in groups corresponding to each number group of a code signal, one of sa d groups of relays being connected in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by the relays of each group for connecting the relays of succeeding groups in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by relays of each group, and arranged in series for controlling annunciator circuits, and annunciators in said circuits.

2. In a signal-system. a plurality of signal-wires adapted for connection with the circuit, boxes with signal determining means for selectively connecting the signal-Wires with the circuit, a plurality of relays arranged in groups corresponding to each number group of a code signal, one of said groups of relays being connected in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by the relays of each group for connecting the relays of succeeding groups in circuit with the signal-wires, contacts controlled by each relay for cutting out the other relays of the group, and open contacts controlled by the relays of each group, and arranged in series with those of the other groups for controlling annunciator circuits, and annunciators in said circuits.

3. In a signal-system, a plurality of signal-Wires adapted for connection with the circuit, boxes with signal determining means for selectively connecting the signal-wires with the circuit, a plurality of relays arranged in groups corresponding to each number group of a code signal, one of said groups of relays being connected in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by the relays of each group for connecting the relays of succeeding groups in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by relays of each group, and arranged in series for controlling annunciator circuits, and annunciators in said circuits, and a normally closed switch in the circuit adapted to be opened by means controlled by the closure of any annunciator circuit to open the main circuit and permit the parts to resume their normal positions.

4. In a signal-system, a plurality of signal-wires adapted for connection with the circuit, boxes with signal determining means for selectively connecting the signal-wires with the circuit, a plurality of relays arranged in groups corresponding to each number group of a code signal, one of said groups of relays being connected in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by the relays of each group for connecting the relays of succeeding groups in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by relays of each group, and arranged in series for controlling annunciator circuits, and annunciators in said circuits, and a normally closed switch in the circuit adapted to be opened by means controlled by the closure of any annunciator circuit to open the main circuit and permit the parts to resume their normal positions, a creeper mechanism with associated annunciator adapted to be set in operation upon the operation of the relays, and to continue in case any of the relays are not restored in the alloted time, thereby to cause operation of the annunciator.

5. In a signal-system, a plurality of s1grial-wires az'lnpted for connection with the circuit, boxes with signal determining means for selectively connecting the signal-wires With the circuit, a plurality of relays arranged in groups corresponding to each number group of a code signal, one of said groups of relays being connected in circuit with the signal-Wires, and open contacts controlled by the relays of each group for connecting the relays of succeeding groups in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts controlled by relays of each group and arranged in series for controlling annuneiator circuits, and annunciators in said circuits, an annunciator and resistance associated with each relay of the several groups to indicate the continuity of the circuits.

6. In a signal-system, a plurality of signal-Wires adapted for connection with the circuit, boxes with signal-determining devices for selectively connecting the signal- Wires with the circuit, a plurality of hundreds relays, a plurality of tens relays, a plurality of units relays, the hundreds relays being connected, respectively, in circuit with said signal-wires, a plurality of open contacts adapted to be closed by the hundreds relays to include the tens relays in circuit with the signal-Wires, a plurality of open contacts adapted to be closed by the tens relays to include the units relays in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts adapted to be closed by each relay, the open contacts of each group of relays being adapted for arrangement in series with those of the other groups to close an annunciator circuit and an annunciator arranged therein.

7. In a signal-system, a plurality of signal-wires adapted for connection with the circuit, boxes With signal-determining devices for selectively connecting the signal- Wires with the circuit, a plurality of hundreds relays, a plurality of tens relays, a plurality of units relays, the hundreds relays being connected, respectively, in circuit with said signal-Wires, a plurality of open contacts adapted to be closed by, the hundreds relays to include the tens relays in circuit With the signal-wires, a plurality of open contacts adapted to be closed by the tens relays to include the units relays in circuit with the signal-wires, an open contact adapted to be closed by each hundreds relay, a" plurality of open contacts adapted to be closed by each tens relay, and a plurality of open contacts adapted to be closedby each units relay, the open contacts of each group of relays adapted for arrangement in series with those of the other groups to close the circuits of annunciators, and annunciators arranged in said circuits.

8. I11 a signal-system, a plurality of signal-wires adapted for connection with the circuit, boxes with signal-determining devices for selectively connecting the signalwires with the circuit, a plurality of hundreds relays, a plurality of tens relays, a plurality of units relays, the hundreds relays being connected, respectively, in circuit with said signal-wires, a plurality ol open contacts adapted to be closed by the hundreds relays to include the tens relays in circuit with the signal-wires, a plurality of open contacts adapted to be closed by the tens relays to include the units relays in circuit with the signal-wires, and open contacts adapted to be closed by each relay, the open contacts of each group of relays being adapted for arrangement in series with those of the other groups to close an annunciator circuit and an annunciator arranged therein, a switch controlling the main circuit, and an operating magnet therefor controlled by any annunciator circuit for open ing the main circuit to permit restoration oil? the several parts.

9. In a non-interfering successive signaling-system, a plurality of groups of signaling-elements, involving a plurality of signaling circuits, a series oi relays in each group for controlling said circuits, and means for selectively energizing any particular relay of each group, the signaling circuit for each relay of the first group including a switch controlled by that relay, the signaling circuits of the next group comprising a series of switches governed by each relay, the switches of the signaling circuits of each relay of said last mentioned group being in multiple connection with each signal switch of each relay in the first mentioned group, and the signaling circuits of each successive group including in that group a series of switches for each relay therein in multiple connection with a signal switch of all relays in the preceding group.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

NATHAN H. SUREN.

Witnesses E. P. CALDWELL, E. 0. LANE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. 0.

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