US2202853A - Electric signaling, supervising, and recording system - Google Patents

Description

J1me 1940- J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,353

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet i June 4, 1940. R HARRlNGTON 2,202,853

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 J1me 1940. J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,353

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 z Pm: I 53 Mit- June 4, 1940. J. R. HARRINGTON ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. a; 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Indian for @0265 {2% 42mm, gain,

w J0 M W w w m L d D J1me 1940' J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,853

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 4, 1940. J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,853

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jamwfifiarmhgfm. Zia fim, g KQM June 4, 1940- J. R. HARRINGTON ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1936 8 Sheqts-Sheet 7 jwmz m (76177263 f1? fi czfrin gion IM, mm, W

J1me 1940- J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,853

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. s, 1936 a Shets-Sheet a U ZZZQS.

Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Application February 8, 1936, Serial No. 62,913

Claims.

The present invention relates to electric signaling, supervising and recording systems of the type characterized by a plurality of control boxes or transmitters interposed at different points in a -a connecting circuit and so arranged that when an alarm or like condition arises at or in the vicinity of one of these boxes, or when a change occurs in the condition of certain apparatus being supervised by the system, or when one of the boxes is manually energized, the system will function to give a signaling or supervisory indicationthrough the energization of notification means. This notification means preferably comprises: (1) audible signaling means, such as signaling bells or the like, which audibly designate the particular box which has been energized in the system and the condition existing at that box; and (2) a recorder which makes a permanent record designating the particular box and the condition which gave rise to the energization of that box. This notification means may include visual indicating means in the form of a flashing light, and/or a series of numeral or character wheels which are given a set-up to designate visually the particular box then operating and the condition which gave rise to the energization of that box.

The present invention embodies improvements on the Electrical signal system disclosed in my 39,-. prior Patent N0. 1,950,108, granted March 6, 1934.

The present invention is also a continuation, in part, of my prior Patent 2,164,324, issued July 4, 1939, on Electric signaling, supervising, and recording systems.

Apparatus of the present type has application to sprinkler alarm systems, supervisory systems, fire alarm systems, burglar alarm systems, watchmens call systems, and other analogous systems where it is desired that a certain condition or operation occurring at any one or more points along a circuit shall give an alarm or signal indication, or shall exercise a supervisory or regulating indication or control in connection with apparatus associated with the signal system. The system forming the subject matter of the present application embodies certain improvements which are particularly adapted to the fire prevention apparatus of a building or buildings, including means for indicating when any branch or sprinkler head of a sprinkler system is operating; for indicating when the air pressure on a pressure fed water supply system is high or low, or when the water level, as of a gravity fed system, is high or low; for indicating when any of the main control valves of the sprinkler system are open or closed; for indicating when the power, as of an electrically operated pump, is available or has been interrupted; for indicating when room temperatures rise excessively; for indicating the wachmans calls at each of the watch call stations; or for indicating other conditions having to do with a fire prevention system. Accordingly, I shall describe the invention in such situation, but it will be understood that the fundamental features of the invention can also be embodied in other systems and situations where like signaling and supervisory functions are to be exercised.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved signaling system including improved means for recording the different operations of the system. More specifically, the recording apparatus makes a record of each alarm or supervisory indication, designating the particular box or boxes from which the indication was transmitted, the condition at that box which gave rise to the indication, and preferably the date and time of day when the indication was transmitted. Such record is permanently printed on a sheet, or preferably a continuous paper tape, so that it affords an instantaneous visual indication of the particular box operating and the condition at that box. Such a record can be readily checked for past performance of the system, and is also of value for building maintenance and supervisory data.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detail description of a preferred embodiment thereof. In the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment Figures 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C are related parts of a complete circuit diagram of one form of my improved system. Figures 1 and 1A, when joined end to end, represent the line portion of the system including the signal boxes. Figures 1B and 10, when joined end to end, represent the central station circuits and apparatus. The entire system is illustrated complete when Figures 1 and 1A, joined end to end, are placed along the left margin of Figures 1B and 1C, joined end to end.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front view of the recording apparatus, the major portion of the casing being broken away to illustrate certain operating parts;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the same, with the top part of the casing removed;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a somewhat similar view taken on staggered planes between the planes 4-4 and 5--5 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is an end elevational View of one of the type wheels, shovring the return spring which restores the wheel to its normal position;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 8--8 of Figure 6, showing the gear mechanism which transmits motion from the condition type wheel to the selector switch which controls the energization of the general alarm bells and the summary indicator; and

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view showing the pawl apparatus which advances the roller parts feeding the paper tape.

Referring first to Figures 1,.1A, 1B, and 1C, the main operating units of the system consist of a series of signal boxes or transmitters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, etc., and a central station, generally indicated at X, this central station comprising a grouped arrangement of apparatus for performing several functions, such as recording the impulses transmitted from the boxes, transmitting the intermittent current impulses over the circuits, maintaining the circuits under continuous test, and various other functions. While Figures 1 and 1A only illustrate ten boxes A, B, C, etc., it will be understood that any number of boxes or transmitters may be included in the system, depending upon the number of locations or operating stations from which an alarm or supervisory indication is to be transmitted. The entire group of boxes is connected in series relation in circuits defined by three conductors P, N, and S. For facility of explanation, the conductors P--N may be regarded as constituting a box operating circuit and the conductor S may be regarded as constituting a signaling circuit. When Figures 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C are placed in juxtaposition in the manner above described, it will be noted that these three conductors loop back from both ends of the series of boxes to the central station X. The explanation of the entire system will be most easily understood if we assume the boxes, recorder, summary indicator, etc., to be operating on direct current with certain conditions of polarity or directions of polarity feed, as this will enable the circuits to be traced through with respect to positive and negative. However, the same operation occurs when the system is operating on alternating current, and accordingly, it will be understood that where I refer to positive and negative in this description and in the appended claims, I am not using these terms in a limitative sense, but only for the purpose of difierentiation and to facilitate understanding the invention. The system might be operated entirely off an electric lighting or power circuit, but it would then be fallible because of the possibility of interruptions in the source of supply transmitted through the service line, and to avoid this possibility I prefer to employ a battery 50 (Figure 1B) for performing the primary duties of operating the signal boxes, recording the signals, etc., this battery being floated across any suitable type of charging means. For illumimating the trouble lights, sounding the trouble bell and performing various other secondary duties at central station, I preferably employ current from an ordinary lighting circuit, represented by the two buses 51 and 52 leading from a conventional 1l0-volt lighting circuit supplying either alternating or direct current. However, the same battery 50 or a separate battery might be employed for supplying current to the trouble bell and lamp power circuit 5l-52.

From the positive pole of the battery 50, positive polarity is conducted through the fuse 53 to a positive battery bus designated 3.). From the opposite pole of the battery, negative polarity is conducted through fuse 5d and is impressed on one terminal of an overload circuit breaker 55. This circuit breaker may be of any conventional type designed to protect the system against destructive short circuits and need not be described in detail. From the other terminal of the circuit breaker negative polarity is transmitted through two branch paths defined by the two negative battery buses n and n. The first negative battery bus n continues through ammeter 57 and through winding 59 of "full-cycle control relay 58. The second negative battery bus n affords a source of negative polarity which does not go through the full-cycle control relay 58. Hence, any circuits which are completed through the first negative battery bus it must have their entire current flow go through the full-cycle control relay 58, whereas any circuits which are completed through the second negative battery bus 71' do not have their current pass through this relay. The armature 62 of said relay, upon being moved to its fully attracted position, closes a circuit through the two contact springs 53. A wire 64 connecting with positive battery bus p impresses positive polarity on one of these contact springs, and an oscillator control bus 85 connects to the other contact spring. The relay is so adjusted that the relatively small testing currents normally flowing out over the box operating circuit PN and over the signal circuit S do not attract the armature 62 to its circuit closing position. However, should a fault occur in the system, resulting in the accidental energization of the recorder, as will be later described, a sufficiently larger current flows through the relay 58 to attract the armature 62 to its circuit closing position, thereby impressing positive polarity through wire 64 and contact springs 53 on the oscillator control bus 65. This causes energizetion of the oscillator, as will be later described.

A volt-meter 66 is connected between the positive battery bus 12 and the second negative battery bus 11, for showing the voltage of the battery. Any suitable low-voltage alarm apparatus may be associated with the battery 50 for giving an alarm indication if the voltage of the battery should drop below a predetermined minimum.

To avoid the presence of confusing cross-connections in the circuit diagrams of Figures 13 and 10, the positive battery bus p and the first negative battery bus 11 have been extended down along the righthand side of the central station apparatus and have then been looped upwardly adjacent to the bank of relays at the lefthand side, this being purely for clarity of illustration.

The supply of current to power buses 5| and 52 from the 110 volt circuit is indicated by the illumination of a pilot lamp 8!; connected across the two buses. The extinguishing of this lamp indicates that the power supply to said buses has failed.

A ground test relay 88 may be provided to detect any accidental ground on any of the circuits supplied from the battery 50, this relay operating to energize the trouble lamp I Ill and the trouble bell bus The operation of such ground test relay is fully disclosed in my Patent No. 2,164,324 of July 4, 1939.

Referring now to the positive and negative conductors P and N of the box operating circuit, the positive conductor P can be regarded as starting from a central station terminal designated PL, the latter signifying positive line. A wire II I conducts positive polarity from the positive battery bus 11 to the terminal PL. From here the positive polarity is fed through conductor P in a direction extending down through boxes A, B, C, D, etc., in the order named, and is thence conducted back to a terminal at central station which is designated PR, signifying positive return." It will be observed that this corresponds to a counterclockwise direction in which the positive polarity is fed down through the series of boxes, or is fed through the loop of the box operating conductor P. The non-interfering characteristics of the boxes or transmitters can be best described and understood by referring to the manner in which the polarities themselves are fed to the boxes, aside from the actual direction of current flow, and accordingly I shall hereinafter refer to the order or manner in which the polarities are fed to the boxes in the box operating circuit P and N. For clarity, I shall also refer to feeding the positive polarity downwardly through the boxes (in a direction from box A to box B, etc.) and shall refer to feeding the negative polarity upwardly through the boxes (from box J to box 1, etc.) but it will be understood that these directional terms only have reference to the diagrams and not to any particular direction that the circuits may take in an actual installation. The negative conductor N may be regarded as starting from the central station terminal NL, signifying negative line." Negative polarity is supplied to this terminal from the first negative battery bus n through the following connections: from battery bus n through wire H3 to one of the terminals H5, N5 of the mercury tube H6 constituting the switch element of the oscillator IM; from the other terminal H5 of this mercury tubethrough wire I2I to one terminal of an overload circuit breaker I22 of any conventional type designed to protect the box operating circuit against destructive short circuits; and from the other terminal of this circuit breaker through wire I23 leading to the negative line terminal NL. From here the negative polarity is fed through conductor N in a direction extending up through the series of boxes J, I, H, G, etc., in the order named and is thence conducted back to the central station terminal NR, signifying negative turn. It will be observed that such corresponds in the diagram to a clockwise direction of impressed negative polarity on the series of boxes or on the loop of box operating conductor N.

The positive return terminal PR is connected through wire I24 to one end of the winding of a positive line test relay I25. A Wire I26 extends from the other terminal of the relay winding for connection with the wire I23 which, as before described, has negative polarity impressed thereon from first negative battery bus 11. through oscillator H4 and overload circuit breaker I22. Under normal, non-signaling conditions the conductor P constitutes a continuous loop, and, hence, it will be seen that a small testing current will normally flow through wire I I I out over the conductor P in a downward direction through the series of boxes and back through the winding of positive line test relay I25 and thence through conductors I23, I2I and H3 back to first negative battery bus 12. The negative return terminal NR is connected through wire I21 with one end of the winding of a negative line test relay I28. The other end of this relay winding is connected through wire I29 with the wire III which connects in turn with the positive battery bus p. Under normal non-signaling conditions, the negative conductor N is also a continuous loop and, hence, under these conditions a small testing current will be passed continuously through this loop, the negative polarity thereof being fed through wires H3, I2I and I23 to terminal NL, thence through conductor N in a direction extending upwardly through the series of boxes and back to negative return terminal NR, and thence through wire I21, winding of negative line test relay I28, wire I29, and wire III back to positive battery bus 11. Inasmuch as the negative polarity for the box operating circuit is drawn from the first negative battery bus n, it follows that all current supplied to the box operating conductors P and N necessarily flows through the winding of the full-cycle control relay 58. As previously remarked, said relay is so adjusted that the relatively small testing currents flowing through conductors P and N do not attract the armature 62 to circuit closing position, but faults on the system causing the accidental energization of the recorder will cause a greater current flow to pass through the winding of the relay, resulting in the armature 62 thereof moving to circuit closing position, as will be hereinafter described.

The positive line test relay I25 and the negative line test relay I28 are substantial duplicates, each comprising three pairs of contact springs r, b and Z, respectively. These three pairs of contact springs are maintained in open circuit condition so long as the relay is energized. Each pair of contacts 1' controls the impressing of positive polarity on the oscillator control bus 65, one contact of each pair being connected with positive battery bus 1) and the other contact being connected with oscillator control bus 55. Each pair of contacts Z controls the illumination of a trouble lamp which is individual to that relay. For example, one contact Z of positive line test relay 125 is connected to the feeder or bus 5I of the lamp and trouble bell circuit SI, 52, and the other contact I is connected to trouble lamp I3I, the other terminal of said trouble lamp being connected to the other feeder or bus 52. The same is true of the negative line test relay I28, its two contacts I controlling a similar circuit for a trouble lamp I32 which is individual to this relay. The third pair of bell controlling contacts b of each relay controls the energization of the trouble bell bus 5|, which extends down for connection with the trouble bell I02, as previously described. The closing of the contacts b of either relay I25 or I28 impresses the polarity of bus 5I on the trouble bell bus SI and causes the trouble bell to ring. It will thus be seen that any break in the continuity of either looped conductor P or N will perform three functions simultaneously through the deenergization of its respective line test relay, to-wit: first, it will impress positive battery polarity through contacts r on the oscillator control bus 65; second, it will light the individual trouble lamp I3I or I 32, depending upon which relay has been deenergized; and, third, it will apply the polarity of power supply bus 5I to the 75 trouble bell bus 5| for sounding the trouble bell I02. Thus, both box operating conductors P and N are under continuous test for any accidental break in the continuity thereof. As will be hereinafter described, the operation of any one of the signal boxes A, B, C, etc., also interrupts the returns of these two conductors back to their respective line test relays I25 and I28 and thus deenergizes both of said relays, causing both to perform the same three functions enumerated above. At this time, the energization of the oscillator I I4 through oscillator control bus 65 starts the transmission of intermittent impulses from that device.

Referring particularly to this oscillator or pulsator, such device functions, when pulsating, to transmit current pulsations to the signaling box then operating and to the recorder; and also to the summary indicator, and to the general alarm bells, depending what classes of signals are being transmitted. This oscillator or pulsator synchronizes the different operations of all apparatus which is brought into operation during a signaling cycle. As previously stated, this oscillator creates current pulsations or variations by the oscillating motion of the mercury tube H6. This is the preferred arrangement although it will be understood that other arrangements of switching contacts may be employed, or other types of devices may be employed for producing current impulses or producing undulating or alternating currents. For example, an alternator may be employed for producing alternating currents, such alternator being of suffieiently low frequency that the signaling boxes, recorder,-bells, etc., can keep in step with it. As illustrative of still another arrangement using the oscillator H4, a shunt of relatively high resistance may be connected between the tube terminals II5, I so that in the oscillation of the tube, current undulations are produced but there is never a complete interruption of the current flow. Referring again to the arrangement illustrated, since the mercury tube H5 is interposed in series in the negative supply to the two box operating circuit conductors P and N, it follows that when said oscillator is operating it is creating current impulses which are effective at the signaling box over both conductors P and N. Normally, the mercury tube H6 is in its closed circuit position whereby the continuous testing currents are transmitted over both conductors P and N through the mercury immersion of the two terminals H5, H5. The oscillator comprises a winding or windings II'I adapted, when energized, to attract an armature I I8. This armature is mechanically arranged to tilt the mercury tube I2 to open circuit position when the windings I H are energized. A wire I I9 extends from the mercury tube terminal 5' to one end of the winding III, supplying negative polarity to this end of the winding. The other end of said winding is connected through wire I 28 with the oscillator control bus 65. As previously described, the full energization of the full-cycle control relay 58, or the deenergization of either of the positive or negative line test relays I and I28 places positive battery potential on the oscillator control bus 65 and thus completes a circuit for the oscillator winding II! of suhicient current carrying capacity to cause attractive movement of the armature H8. With each upward move ment of the armature and consequent tilting of the mercury tube to open circuit position the oscillator interrupts the supply of negative polarity to itsown winding Ill through wire II9,.and

with each retractive movement of said armature the circuit through said winding is again completed. Hence, so long as positive battery potential is impressed on oscillator control bus 55, the oscillator will continue to operate for transmitting or creating current impulses or current variations effective at the signaling transmitter, the recorder, the summary indicator, etc. The transmission of these negative polarity impulses to the recorder, summary indicator, etc., occurs through negative oscillator bus or feeder I which extends down from wire IZI.

The oscillator is maintained under continuous test by an oscillator test relay I36, the general function of which is disclosed in my above mentioned patent.

An appropriate condenser I4I may be connected in shunt across the mercury tube terminals H5, H5 for reducing arcing at these terminals. Three surge arresters I42, I43 and IM are connected in series relation, with this series relation placed in shunt across the mercury tube terminals II 5, HE. A mid-point tap between surge arresters I42 and I43 is connected through wire I45 with positive battery bus 10; and a mid-point tap between surge arresters I43 and I 44 is connected through wire I 46 with ground at I 41.

Referring now to the signal loop S which extends in series through the several signal boxes A, B, C, etc., one end of this signal conductor is connected to central station terminal SI, and the other end of said conductor after looping down through the series of boxes is connected to central station terminal S2. A continuous current normally flows through this signaling loop. Referring to the lefthand side of Figure 13, positive polarity is transmitted from positive battery bus n through wire I49 to the winding or windings I5I of the transfer relay or selecting switch I50. Thus, this righthand end of said relay winding always has positive battery polarity impressed thereon. Under normal, non-signaling conditions negative battery polarity is conducted to the other end of said relay winding through the signaling loop S. This negative polarity is transmitted from the first negative battery bus n, through wire IBI to a current protecting resistance I62, and from the other end of this resistance a wire I63 extends to the central station terminal S2. The current path is continued from this terminal through the signaling loop S extending in series through all of the signaling boxes and looping back to the other central station terminal SI. From here a wire I64 extends to the lefthand end of the wind-, ing I5I of transfer relay I50. The resistance I62 passes just enough current through the signaling loop to maintain this transfer relay winding continuously energized during non-signaling intervals for holding the movable switching elements of said relay attracted to the full line positions shown. The signaling loop S is maintained continuous at all times, there being no interruption in the continuity of this loop during the signaling operations of any of the boxes. The signaling operations performed by the boxes will be described in detail later but it may be remarked here that such are performed by making and breaking a cross-connection at the signaling box from box operating circuit conductor P to the signaling loop S, i. e., intermittently applying impulses of positive battery polarity to the signaling loop, these impulses being in the codeof the signal transmitted by that box. Under normal conditions when no signal box is operating, there is no cross connection established between the conductor P and the signaling loop S. However, as soon as one of the boxes starts operating, this cross-connection is intermittently established by the operating box for intermittently impressing in coded sequence the positive polarity of conductor P on the lefthand end of transfer relay winding II through the signaling loop. Each such positive impulse on the loop deenergizes said winding I51. This is because of the presence of the high resistance I52 in the negative connection to the loop, which means that the negative polarity applied to the loop will be at a lower potential than the positive polarity established through the cross connection at the signaling box. With each interruption of this cross connection the winding I5I is again energized. Thus, the switching elements of the transfer relay are actuated with the making and breaking of this cross connection at the signaling box, whereby the impulses transmitted from the oscillator H4 down through negative oscillator bus I35 are directed either to the step-up coils or to the selector coils of the recorder. as will be presently described.

The continuity of the signaling loop S is maintained under continuous test by a signal circuit test relay I66, which is operable to energize the trouble lamp I69 and trouble bell bus 5|, the general operation of this relay being disclosed in my above patent.

Referring now more particularly to the transfer relay I50, the armature of said relay actuates two movable switch elements I53 and I54 which control circuits through three pairs of stationary switch contacts I55, I56 and I 51. The negative impulses transmitted from oscillator II4 down through bus I35 are conducted to the step-up and selector coils of the recorder through wires I15 and I16. The relay contacts I55 are interposed in wire I15 and the relay contacts I58 are interposed in wire I16. In the normal energized position of the relay armature shown, the circuit down through wire I15 and contacts I55 to the step-up coils is open, and the circuit down through wire I16 and relay contacts I56 to the selector coils is closed. In this condition of the transfer relay the negative impulses transmitted down from the oscillator II4 are transferred or directed towards the selector coils of the recorder. When the winding I5I of the transfer relay is deenergized. a transferring or selecting func tion is performed by the action of the switch element I53 moving back to the right into engagement with contacts I55, and the action of the switch element I54 moving back out of engagement with the switch contacts I56 and into engagement with the back contacts I51. During this condition of the relay, the negative impulses transmitted down from oscillator H4 are transferred or directed through wire I15 and contacts I55 to the step-up coils of the recorder. The third pair of relay contacts I51 are interposed in a wire I11 which leads from positive battery bus 17 to one end of the winding of the alarm bell relay 515 which controls the sounding of the general alarm bells 58I, 58I. When the transfer relay I 50 is energized, the switching element I54 thereof is in a forward position, out of engagement with the contacts I51, at which time no positive battery potential is transmitted over wire I11 to the winding of the alarm bell relay. As above remarked, when the transfer relay is deenergized, the switching element I54 closes the circuit through contacts I51, thereby transmitting positive battery potential through wire I11 to said alarm bell relay. The alarm bell relay is also controlled by the recorder, and a detail description of that relay will be made following the description of the recorder and summary indicator.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the current for operating the signal boxes or transmitters A, B, C, etc., is conducted to the boxes over conductors P and N; that positive polarity is fed over conductor P in a downward direction through the series of boxes; that negative polarity is fed over conductor N in an upward direction through the series of boxes; and that as soon as any signaling box in the series interrupts the continuity of the return portions of these conductors the oscillator H4 is caused to operate for transmitting intermittent impulses over the line portions of these conductors. With reference to the signaling functions, it will be seen that under normal conditions the transfer relay I50 is energized, but that it is deenergized each time that a signaling box places the positive potential of conductor P on the signaling loop, and that it remains deenergized so long as that positive potential is retained on the loop. It will also be seen that this energization and deenergization of said transfer relay, as controlled by the signaling box, determines whether the impulses from the oscillator transmitted down to the recorder over wires I15 and I16 shall be directed to the step-up coils which advance the printing wheels, or shall be directed towards the selecting coils which select in sequence the printing wheels which are to be advanced.

The transmitters in each of the signal boxes A, B, C, etc., are fundamentally of the same general construction and mode of operation as the transmitters disclosed in my prior Patents Nos. 2,036,330 and 2,164,324, differing from these prior transmitters only in certain improved details of construction and operation. Accordingly, it is not deemed necessary to describe the present transmitters in all detail, since reference may be made to these prior patents for an understanding of the general construction and mode of operation of these electrically driven transmitters. Briefly described, they comprise an advancing coil or coils 209 which are adapted to actuate an armature 2I4 carrying an advancing pawl 226 which imparts step-by-step advancing movement to the rotor of the transmitter, this advancing movement occurring on the spring retracted movement of the armature after the deenergization of the coil 209. A secondary armature which is also responsive to the coil 209 is arranged to actuate contact 243 out of engagement with contact 242 immediately upon energization of the coil. The secondary armature is of small inertia and has a lead of operation over the main armature 2I4. The coil is successively energized by the current impulses transmitted over the box operating circuit P, N from the oscillator II4. As the rotor is advanced with a stepby-step rotation, it performs numerous switching functions in a certain sequence or timed relation, and in order to facilitate the understanding of these switching operations the different sets of contact mechanisms or assemblies are arranged in groups in the circuit diagram of Figures 1 and 1A. Six of these contact mechanisms are enclosed in circles, each collectively designated 211, 212, 213, 21 4, 215' and 216, the circles indicating that the movable or rotor contacts of each particular group advance directly with the advancing motion of the rotor, as indicated by the directional arrows. The ratchet wheel of the rotor functions as a common conducting element for a plurality .of the contacts carried by the rotor, and this common conducting function of the ratchet wheel is schematically represented in the circuit .diagram by the horizontal conductor designated 228$. The vertical conductorsextending down therefrom to the centers of the circles signify that the movable or rotor .contacts .of that mechanism have common elec trical connection with the ratchet wheel.

Contact mechanism 2' comprises two diametrically opposite contacts 21m and 21|b moving with the rotor and adapted to engage with a stationarily mounted spring pressed contact 21 l c. The timed relation in this contact mechanism is such that one of the movable contacts engages the stationary contact at a-point one step short of the completion, of each round or half-revolution of the rotor.

The function of this contact mechanism is to place a shunt across the secondary armature contacts 242 and 243 at a point one step short of the completion of the round or signaling cycle of the rotor so that the operating box will transmit positive polarity down through conductor P to succeeding boxes lower in the series to allow a subsequently energized box in this direction in the series to take the circuit.

Contact mechanism 212 serves to interrupt the transmission of negative polarity up through conductor N to other boxes located above the operating box in the series. This contact mechanism comprises two diametrically opposite moving contacts 212a and 212b, and two stationarily mounted spring pressed contacts 212:: and 212d. The first one-step advancement of I the rotor shifts the efi'ective contact segment out from un der the spring pressed contact 212d, thereby interrupting the transmission of negative polarity up to other boxes further up in the series. When the operating box completes it round or signaling cycle, the opposite contact segment moves under the two spring pressed contacts and reestablishes the continuity of the negative conductor N up to the other boxes. The timed relation is such that the first step of advancement opens the negative circuit and the last step of advancement closes the negative circuit.

Contact mechanism 213 is concerned with supplying positive polarity to the positive terminal of the transmitter coil 289. Said contact mechanism comprises, in effect, two semi-circular conducting areas 213a and 21321 on the ratch et wheel, separated by the two relatively narrow insulating areas 2130. The spring pressed contact 213d is stationarily mounted at a point where the conducting areas 213a, 2131) and the insulating areas 21% pass under it. In the normal position of the rotor, this spring pressed contact bears on one of the insulating areas, but in the first step advancement of the rotor one of the conducting areas is moved under it. Said contact is connected with common wire leading from the energizing switch of the device to which the particular transmitter is to respond, the conductors c, t and o of box A typically representing the circuit connections with such an energizing switch, The contact mechanism 213 insures that once the box has started to signal its signaling cycle, as initiated by this energizing switch, it will continue operating through one round or cycle for completing the signal, even though the energizing switch is not effective to transmit positive polarity to common wire 0 beyond the first step of the cycle.

Contact mechanism 214 comprises a single moving contact 214a having connection with the ratchet wheel, this moving contact being adapted to engage alternatively with two diametrically opposite spring pressed contacts 21% and 2140 which are stationarily mounted in the transmitter Where the box is to respond to a three-wire control. as illustrated by box A, the contact 2141) has trouble wire it extending thercfrom, and contact 2140 has trouble-corrected wire 0 extending therefrom. In the normal position of the rotor, the movable contact 214a is under one or the other of the two spring pressed contacts. If the box is to respond only to a twowire control, the wires t and o are multiplied or connected together and extended to the energizing switch as a single wire.

The two groups of contact mechanisms 215 and 216 have to do with the application of signaling impulses to the signal conductor S. When the transmitter is to transmit a single type or class of signal, such as watchmans supervisory signals, or emergency fire alarm signals, only the primary signal contact mechanism 215 is utilized. When the transmitter is to have multi-signaling duties for transmitting different types or classes of signals, such as both watchmans supervisory signals and emergency fire alarm signals, the secondary signal contact mechanism 216 is also used in conjunction with the primary signal contact mechanism. The primary signal contact mechanism 215 comprises a series of contacts or conducting areas 215a, 2151), etc., carried by the rotor and receiving positive polarity from the box operating conductor P over connection 2283:. As the rotor revolves, said contacts successively move into engagement with a single spring pressed contact 215h which is mounted in the ransmitter and which is connected directly with the signaling loop S.

The secondary signal contact mechanism 216 comprises one or two signaling contacts 215a. and 216cc, disposed on the rotor at a difierent radius than the primary signaling contacts 215a, 215cc, etc., and receiving positive polarity from the ratchet wheel through the common connection 2283:. Cooperating therewith is a single spring pressed contact 2160 mounted in the transmitter frame. When this secondary signal contact mechanism is employed in a two-cycle transmitter there are two of these rotor contacts 216a and 215cc located at diametrically opposite points of the rotor; whereas, if this secondary contact mechanism is employed in a single-cycle transmitter, only one of these rotor contacts is provided. In each instance, the secondary contact 216a or 21Baa has a lead of operation of one step over the corresponding first contact 215a or 215m; of the primary signal contact mechanism. Hence, it will be seen that whenever the secondary signal contact is rendered operative in a transmitter, its effect is that of lengthening the condition contact 215a or 215cc one step in a forward direction. The control switch mechanism which governs the operation of that particular transmitter determines whether or not the stationary contact 2150 is connected with the signaling loop S, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 1A.

In some transmitters, a different cyclical operation may be established through the switch mechanism 211 comprising the contact springs 211a, Zllb and 2110. The opening and closing of circuits through these contact springs is effected by the cam wheel 262 which is adapted to be advanced by the rotor of the transmitter, and which has varying relations of long and short arms adapted to actuate the contact spring 211a.

Recorder The improved recorder employed in the system herein disclosed is similar in many respects to the construction of recorder disclosed in my;

aforementioned prior Patent No. 2,164,324, and attention is directed to that disclosure for some of the more detailed construction. Referring to the improved construction illustrated in present Figures 2 to 9, inclusive, it will be seen that this unit comprises a base casting 308 within which are housed the printing platen, the printing coils for actuating the same, the printing ribbon and its reels, etc. Hinged to the open top of this base casting is a cover 309, on the top of which is secured a housing 3 enclosing the printing wheels, step-up and selector coils, etc., and also secured to this cover is a housing 312 enclosing the time stamp apparatus. Referring to the step-up and selector coils and the printing wheels within the housing 3| I, it will be observed from Figures 3 and 5, that the step-up coils 3|3 consist of two coils disposed side by side and secured to the back wall of the housing. The selector or sequence coils 3M also consist of two coils disposed side by side above the step-up coils 313. Responding to the step-up coils is an armature 3l5 which extends across the core ends of both coils and is pivotally supported at 3"; in the side walls of the housing. The armature comprises a forwardly extending plate portion 3| 5' having verticalnotches in its front edge, in which notch es four advancing pawls 3H, 3|8, (H9 and 320 are pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 32!. Referring to Figure 3, the pawl 3|! operates the condition wheel 322; the pawl 3|8 operates the hundreds numeral wheel 323; the pawl 3|9 operates the tens numeral wheel 324; and the pawl 32') operates the units numeral wheel 325. All of these type wheels are coaxially mounted on a common shaft 326 and each type wheel carries a ratchet wheel 321 adapted to be engaged by its individual step-up pawl 3l'|-320.

The armature (H5 is normally held in its raised position with all four pawls clear of their respective ratchet wheels through the action of two tension springs 323 which have adjustable connection at their upper ends with a stationary cross bar 33l disposed above the armature. The upper limit of movement of the armature is determined by a stop screw 333 having adjustable threaded mounting in the cross bar 33L Secured to the front portion of the armature plate 3l5' is a plate 334 having a down-turned front edge which is adapted to swing down into peripheral notches 335 formed between the type blocks on the printing wheels. This member 334 is adapted to move into one of these notches on the advancing type wheel just at the completion of the down stroke of the advancing pawl, whereby to prevent overthrow of the advancing wheel. Each advancing pawl is formed with two arms, one extending rearwardly and one extending upwardly, i. e., the pawl 3H has an upwardly extending arm 3H and a rearwardly extending arm 3H"; the pawl 3I8 has an upwardly extending arm 3l8 and a rearwardly extending arm 3I8", etc. These arms extend through slots in the plate portion 3| 5 of the armature and through slots in the detent plate 334; and connected to each rearwardly extending arm 3", 3K8", etc., of each pawl is a tension spring 331 having fixed attachment at its rear end to the plate portion MS of the armature, each of these springs normally tending to swing the lower nose of its associated pawl forwardly into a position to engage the ratchet teeth 321 of its respective type wheel. Whether the pawl is allowed to engage the teeth on its downstroke is determined by the angular position in a transverse shaft 338 which is arranged to coact with the upwardly extending arms or fingers SH, 318, 3l9, etc., of each advancing pawl. Immediately in rear of each upper pawl finger this shaft 338 is notched out on opposite sides, thereby forming diametrically opposite wing portions 339 which control the operativeness of the pawl. When these wing portions extend in substantially vertical parallelism with the rear edge of the pawl finger 3ll', 318', etc., the lower nose portion of the pawl is allowed to assume an operative position with respect to its own ratchet wheel, but when the shaft 338 is rotated slightly to swing one of the wing portions 339 forwardly against the pawl finger 3H, 3l8, etc., the pawl is oscillated against the tension of the spring 331 to a position where it is incapable of engaging its ratchet wheel on the downward stroke of the armature. As successive angular movements are imparted to the shaft 338 in this same direction, the pawl will still be held at its inoperative angle with respect to the armature plate 3I5 until the shaft 338 has been advanced through a half revolution, which again brings the wing portions 339 parallel with the pawl finger, allowing the pawl to resume an operative position with respect to the armature. The wing portions 339 cooperating with the pawl for the condition wheel 322 are at a slightly different angle than the wing portions cooperating with the pawl associated with the hundreds wheel, and this ap-- plies to the wing portions associated with the other pawls. In the preferred construction the condition wheel 322 is set up first and the numeral wheels are set up in sequence thereafter, and in such arrangement the condition wheel pawl 3|l is normally in operative position at the start of the cycle and the other pawls are in inoperative positions at this time. Should it be desired to have the condition wheel set up last or in any other sequence with respect to the other type wheels, the pawls will be given a different timed relation by appropriately changing the relative angles between the wing portions 339. Assuming, as before stated, that the condition wheel is the one to be set up first, after this wheel has completed its advancement through the number of steps determined by the particular transmitter which is then signaling, the shaft 338 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction through the actuation of the selector armature and its associated parts, to be later described. This angular motion of the shaft 338 renders the condition wheel pawl 3|! inoperative and renders the hundreds wheel pawl 3l8 operative. Thereupon, the step-up armature 315 is again actuated one or more times to impart step-by-step advancement to the hundreds wheel, assuming that the signal from the transmitter then operating is coded for the advancement of the hundreds wheel. Following this, the shaft 333 is again advanced in the same direction as before, at which time the hundreds wheel pawl is rendered inoperative and the tens wheel pawl is rendered operative. This same procedure follows in transferring impulses to the units wheel 325. It will thus be seen that the shaft 336 functions as a selector element which, by its angular position, determines which pawl is operative and the order in which these pawls are made operative. Motion is imparted to this shaft upon the energization of the selector coils 3M through mechanism hereinafter referred to.

Cooperating with the ratchets 32'? of the four type wheels are four similar checks or holding pawls 34! which are pivotally mounted at 342 in slots formed in a transverse mounting bar or block 343. The nose of each holding pawl is adapted to swing down into the ratchet teeth of its associated type wheel to hold the type wheel after each step-by-step advancement. A tail 344 on each holding pawl bears against the top of a compression spring 345 (Figure 5) seated in a cylindrical pocket in the mounting block 343, this spring normally tending to swing the nose of the pawl down into the ratchet teeth. At the conclusion of a printing operation all four holding pawls are simultaneously swung up to releasing position out of the ratchet teeth through the oscillation of a transverse shaft 346, which is journaled in the block 343. Milled in said shaft are fiat faces 347 which cooperate with shoulders 348 on the holding pawls. When these flat faces are substantially parallel with the shoulders 348, the pawls are permitted to swing down into the teeth of their respective ratchets under the action of the springs 345, but when the shaft 346 is rotated counterclockwise to bring rounded portions of the shaft against the shoulders 346, all four pawls are swung upwardly to releasing positions. When this occurs at the end of a printing operation, such type wheels as have been advanced are immediately restored to their original positions by the action of spiral springs 35l associated with each type wheel. Referring to Figure7, one of these springs is enclosed within a drum or spring housing 352 at the end of each type wheel, the inner end of the spring being secured to the shaft 326 and the outer end being secured to the housing. The springs all tend to rotate the advanced type wheels in a clockwise direction back to their original positions, which original positions are determined by radially projecting shoulders 353 on the spring housings striking stop fingers 355 which extend from a cross bar 355 .down into the paths of these shoulders.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a vertical partition plate 356 is disposed immediately to the left of the series of type wheels, and arranged in the space between this partition plate and the lefthand wall of the housing are certain operating mechanisms and contact devices which I shall now describe. Referring to Figure 6, a pivot stud 351 anchored to this partition plate 356 has rockably mounted thereon a tripping pawl 358 which is adapted to release the shaft 346 which allows the holding pawls 34! to engage the ratchets 321. A laterally bent end 359 on this tripping pawl 358 projects backwardly through a hole 36l in the partition plate into a position lying in the path of the armature plate portion 3I5 so that when the step-up coils 3l3 are first energized at the beginning of a'recording cycle, the initial downward movement of the armature'plate portion 315' strikes this tail projection 359 and oscillates the tripping pawl 358. The other end of said pawl is formed with a hook 362 which is adapted to engage with a shoulder 363 formed in a notched hub or collar 364 secured to the shaft 346. A tension spring 361 normally holds the hook end of said pawl in engagement with the shoulder 363. The rocking movement of the tripping pawl 368, consequent upon the first energiza- 1 tion of the step-up coils, swings the hook 362 out of engagement with the shoulder 363. Upon this release of the notched collar 354, a tension spring 365 operatively connected to said collar, quickly oscillates the collar and shaft in the clockwise '1 direction for turning the fiat faces 34? into registry with the shoulders 348 to permit the holding pawls 34l to swing down into operative engagement with their respective ratchet wheels 321. The collar 364 is provided with an arm 366 ex-tafi tending down into the base casting 368 where it is arranged to be restored in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 4) through the actuation of mechanism which is responsive to the return movement of the printing platen gl This operation, occurring after the completion of the recording cycle, oscillates the shaft 346 in a counterclockwise direction for swinging all of the holding pawls 34l up to their released position and locking them in these positions, as will ap-, ,\;3 pear from the later description of the printing platen, etc.

Summarizing the recorder mechanism described thus far, the first actuation of the stepup armature 3l5 operates through the advancingpawl 3H to advance the condition wheel 322 one step; this wheel is retained in that position by its individual holding pawl 34 l all of which holding pawls have been dropped to operative position in the downstroke of the armature plate portion 3l5 before the operative advancing pawl 3|! starts to move back in its retractive movement and before the spring 35| can start to rotate this condition wheel backwardly. Thus, both operations of advancing the condition wheel and trip ping the holding pawls to hold this and the other" wheels, occur on the first current impulse transmitted to the step-up coils 313. Thereafter, each succeeding one step advancement imparted to the type wheels is retained by the holding pawls 34l,, ;,o

released positions and locking them in these po n;

sitions, until the next oscillation of thestep-up armature 3 l 5 at the beginning of another recording operation, whereupon the pawl or lever 358 is again tripped and all of the holding pawls are again allowed to swing down to their operative position, as previously described.

Referring now to the mechanism by which the energization of the selector coils 3|4 imparts advancing movement to the selector shaft 338, it .will be observed from Figures 5 and 6 that the 7 magnet cores of these two coils attract an armature 31! which is pivotally mounted at its upper edge at 312. A pin 373 projects laterally from the lower edge of the armature and extends out through an opening 314 in the partition plate -5 356. Here this pin is pivotally connected to a link 315 which is pivotally connected at 316 to the upper arm of a lever 311. Said lever is pivotally supported on a stud 318 projecting outwardly from the side of the partition plate 356, and also mounted on this stud, but rotatable independent- 137 of the lever 311, is a ratchet wheel 319 and a spur gear 38! which are both joined together or integral for concurrent movement. Pivotally mounted at 382 on the upper arm of the lever is a pawl 383, having a hook-shaped nose adapted to impart clockwise advancement to the ratchet wheel 319 when the lever 311 is oscillated clockwise. A coiled spring 384 connected between the lever 311 and the forwardly extending arm of the pawl 383 functions to hold the hook end of the pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth. A relatively heavy tension spring 385 is connected between the lower arm of the lever 311 and a fixed point of attachment on the housing structure, such spring tending to oscillate the lever in a clockwise direction. A detent pawl 386, pivotally mounted at 381 and having a tension spring 388 connected thereto, is arranged to engage in the teeth of the ratchet wheel 319 to prevent retrograde movement of the latter in the oscillation of the lever 311. The spur gear 38! meshes with a spur pinion 389 which is secured to the selector shaft 338, the pinion being one-half the diameter of the spur gear 38!.

It will be evident that when the selector coils 3!4 are energized, the movement of the armature 31! will operate through the link 315 to oscillate the lever 311 and pawl 383 in a counterclockwise direction, the pawl merely slipping idly over the next ratchet tooth in this movement occurring during the energization, of the selector coils. When the selector coils are deenergized, however, the spring 385 quickly oscillates the lever-311 in a clockwise direction and in such movement the pawl 383 advances the ratchet wheel; 319 and spur gear 38! through a distance equal to one ratchet tooth. Any suitable stop means may be provided for determining both limits of throw of the lever 311 so that such movement always results in a one tooth advancement of the ratchet wheel. In the construction illustrated, a stop function is performed by having the forwardly extending tail end of the pawl 383 engage a stationary stud or shoulder 390 carried by the housing. As the spur gear 38! is advanced in a clockwise direction, the selector shaft 338 is advanced in a counterclockwise direction, this shaft making one complete revolution for each half revolution of the spur gear 38!. The shaft 338 is; advanced through only one-half revolution during each recording cycle, it being evident that a half revolution again places the wing portions 330 of said shaft in their same general relation to the upwardly extending fingers 3i1', 3l8, etc., of the several advancing pawls.

Mounted on the end of the selector shaft 338 are the rotating contact elements of three rotary switches 40!, 402 and 403. Cooperating with these rotating contact elements are pairs of spring contacts 4am, 402a and 403a which bear against the rotary members at diametrically opposite sides thereof. The rotating contacts are mounted in a hub or cylinder 404 composed of insulating material and secured fast to the shaft 338. The switch mechanisms 40! and 402 each have a. metallic pin or rod 40!b, 40% extending diametrically through the insulating hub 404, the ends of these conducting pins or rods being exposed at the peripheral surface of the drum for establishing cross connection between their associated contact springs 40!a 40!a and 402a 402a once in each half revolution of the rotary switches. The rotary switch 403 comprises a metallic conducting member 4031) of approximately H-shape with relatively long arcuate conducting areas and with relatively narrow recesses at diametrically opposite points, as best shown in Figure 6. This conducting member is recessed into the end of the insulating hub 404 and is secured thereto by screws 405. Portions of insulating material 4030 extending into the diametrically opposite recesses of the conducting element 403b establish insulating areas on the periphery f the rotary switch for opening the circuit between the contact springs 40311. In the normal condition of the recorder, the transverse conducting pins 40!b, 40% of the two switches 40! and 402 both occupy positions one step in advance of their circuit closing positions; and at this time the insulating segments 403e, 4030 are disposed directly under the spring contacts 403a, 4030. in circuit opening position. A complete recording cycle rotates the three switches through 180", bringing the conducting pins and the insulating segments back into the positions illustrated, except that the pins and segments are turned end for end, or reversed. The lower ends of the three sets of contact springs are secured to an insulating block 406, and from these contact springs wires extend to the selector coils, the printing coils, the alarm bell relay, etc., as will be later described.

Contact mechanism 4!! is also associated with the tripping shaft 346 which trips the holding pawls 34! into and out of operative positions. This mechanism comprises two spaced contact springs 4! la, 4! la which extend forwardly above the shaft 348. A contact collar 4! lb is adapted to oscillate with the motion of said shaft into and out of circuit closing position between the contact springs 4!!a. This contact collar 4|!b is secured to an insulating post 4!2 which extends upwardly from a collar 4!3 secured to the shaft 346. The rear ends of the spaced contact springs 4! !a are secured to an insulating mounting block 4!4. In the normal condition of the recorder the conducting collar 4! lb lies in open circuit position out of engagement with the contact springs 4! !a, but as soon as the tripping pawl 358 is actuated on the initial energization of the step-up coils 3!3 the resulting tripping movement of the shaft 346 swings the conducting collar 4! lb forwardly into a position where it completes a circuit between the two contact springs 4!!a., 4!!a. This contact mechanism 4!! controls the supply of positive battery polarity to the selector coils 3!4, as will be later described.

Responsive to the motion of the condition wheel 322 is a selector switch mechanism 4l6 which controls the energization of the alarm bell relay and which also determines whether the summary indicator is to be actuated and whether an adding or subtracting operation is to be performed at the summary indicator. This selector switch comprises a rotating switch arm 4 8' which is adapted to engage successively with stationary switch contacts 4I8a, 4l6b, 4!Gc, etc., arranged circularly in an insulating disc or mounting member 4!1. Referring to Figure 8, the rotating switch arm 4|B' comprises a contact spring which has one end secured by screws or rivets M8 to a mounting disc 4!!] composed of insulating material. This mounting disc and the rotating switch arm are advanced in direct step with the successive advancing movements imparted to the condition wheel 322 through suitable gear mechanism comprising a large spur gear 422 (Figure secured directly to the adjacent end of the condition wheel and meshing with a pinion 423. This pinion is secured to a short countershaft 424 which is journaled in the partition wall 356. The other end of said countershaft carries a similar spur pinion 425 which meshes with a corresponding spur gear 426 secured to the mounting disc 4!9. Said mounting disc M9 and gear 426 are rotatably mounted on any appropriate pivot support, such as on the end of the pivot stud 361 which carries the tripping pawl 358. A circuit connection is established with the switch arm 4|6' through a spring contact 421 which bears against the switch arm at its center of rotation. There are preferably as many of the circularly arranged contacts 4!6a, 4!6b, etc., as there are printing faces on the condition type wheel 322. The face of the condition wheel which is normally in printing position is preferably a blank face, and the normal position of the switch arm 4I6', corresponding to thisposition of the condition wheel, is preferably a blank position, in that the switch arm is not then engaging any stationary contact which is electrically effective. As the condition wheel is advanced for presenting the first type face and then succeeding type faces to printing position, the switch arm M6 is correspondingly advanced to engage with the first effective contact 4!6a and then with succeeding contacts M61), M60, etc. The circuit connections between the latter contacts and the alarm bell relay and summary indicator will be later described.

Referring now to the printing coils, platen, and other mechanism within the base casting 368, it will be seen from Figure 2 that the front of this casting is formed with a relatively wide central compartment 434 in the approximate center thereof, down through which travels the paper tape 435 (Figures 4 and 9) upon which the records are printed. The sides of this central compartment are defined by vertical partition walls 436, 436, only the lefthand one of which appears in Figure 2. Defined between these partition walls and the outer side walls 431 of the base casting are right and lefthand compartments 438, 438, the Iefthand one of which appears in Figure 2. Vertically disposed in this lefthand compartment are the two printing coils 44! which attract an armature 442 extending across the tops of the coils. As best shown in Figure 4, it is the rear end of this armature that swings down towards the coils, the armature being mounted on a pivot shaft 443 which is located forwardly of the core ends of the coils and which shaft is carried by suitable trunnions supported by the side walls of the compartment 438. The armature is formed with an arm 442 extending forwardly of the pivot axis 443 for connection with a tension spring 446 which is suitably anchored at its lower end to the base casting, this spring normally tending to swing the armature upwardly away from the core ends of the printing coils. Projecting laterally inwardly from the swinging end of the armature is a pin 441 which projects into the central compartment 434 through a vertical slot 448 (Figure 4) in the upper portion of the partition wall 436. The end of this pin has reception in a hole in a motion transmitting lever 449, which hole is enlarged laterally to accommodate slight sidewise movement of the pin therein. The rear end of the motion transmitting lever 449 is pivotally mounted on a stud 45! projecting inwardly from the partition wall 436. The front end of said lever has a long slot 452 therein, in which operates a pin 453 carried by one arm of a bell crank lever 454, the latter lever comprising a downwardly extending arm 454' adapted to carry one end of the printing platen. This bell crank lever is freely oscillatable on a shaft 455 on which are mounted the paper feeding rolls 456 and 451. The ends of the shaft 455 are journaled in the partition walls 436 at opposite sides of the central compartment 434. At the right side of the central compartment 434 is an arm 458 (see Figure 9) which is similar to the lower arm 454' of the bell crank lever 454, and which is also freely oscillatable on the shaft 455. Extending between the extremities of these arms is a tie rod 459 and extending between the middle portions of said arms is a channel-shaped platen supporting bar 46! in which the rubber platen block 462 is mounted. From the description thus far, it will be seen that the downstroke of the armature 442 upon the energization of the printing coils 44! will oscillate the mlotion transmitting lever 449 downwardly, which in turn will swing the two arms 454 and 458 in an upward direction, carrying the platen 462 up into printing position. This printing position is defined by an inked ribbon 463 which extends transversely across the upper portion of the base casting directly below the printing faces of the type wheels. The paper tape 435 extends from the supply roll 435' across the tops of the feeding rolls 456, 451 and across the top of the platen 462 so that in the upward movement of the platen this paper tape is swung up against the bottom of the inked ribbon 463, through which it receives its printed impressions from the type wheels. The upward movement of the arms 454, 458 does not rotate the shaft 455, but the downward movement, after a printing operation, is arranged to advance this shaft for turning the feeding rolls the required distance for advancing the paper tape. Referring to Figure 9, the arm 458 carries a spring pressed pawl 465 which engages and rotates a ratchet wheel 466 when the arm swings downwardly, this ratchet wheel being secured to the shaft 455. A suitable spring pressed detent pawl 461 prevents reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel when the platen swings upwardly. The forward rotation of said shaft rotates the feeding rolls 456, 451 and advances the paper tape the required distance for its next printing impression, the central roll '451 consisting either of a rubber wheel or a knurled steel wheel which presses firmly against the paper tape, reacting against a small roller 469 rotatably supported on a shaft 41! (Figure 4) which is secured to the hinged cover 309.

The mechanism for actuating the restoring arm 366 and thereby restoring the holding pawls 34! to normal position and restoring the contact mechanism 4!! to open circuit condition, comprises a rock shaft 413 (Figures 2 and 4) which is journaled in the walls 436 and 431 of the lefthand compartment 438. The inner end of this shaft projects beyond the wall 436 into the central compartment 434, and secured to this end of said shaft is a lever 414 (Figure 2). Also secured to this shaft, within the end compartment 438, is a lever 411 comprising upper and lower arms 411a and 411i). Attached to the lower arm of said latter lever is a tension spring 48!, which ment past the end of the arm 414.

has its lower end suitably attached to the base structure. The spring 48| exerts a constant biasing action on the shaft, tending to hold the upper arm 411a. of the lever 411 upright, and tending to hold the other lever 414 in a substantially horizontal position, see Figure 4. The restoring arm 366 extends down from the tripping shaft 346 into the base casting to a position immediately in front of the upper lever arm 411a, whereby when this latter lever arm is rocked forwardly it engages and forces the restoring arm 366 forwardly for releasing the holding pawls and for swinging the movable contact 4Ilb of the contact mechanism 4H back into its normal, open circuit position. The lever arm 414 has a beveled end 414' with which a stud 459' on the bell crank lever arm 454' cooperates. As shown in Figure 2, this stud may consist of a reduced end of the tie rod 459, protruding beyond the bell crank lever. On the upward movement of the platen the stud 459' engages the lower edge of the arm 414 and starts to swing the latter upwardly, but because of the eccentricity between the centers of the shafts 455 and 413, this stud soon slips past the beveled end 414 and continues its upward movement above the lever arm 414. On the downswing of the platen the stud 450 engages the upper-side of the lever 414 and swings the latter downwardly to approximately the dotted line position indicated at :c in Figure 4, at which point the arc of the beveled tip 414' swings inside of the arc of the stud 459 so-that the stud is allowed to continue its move- Instantly, the lever '414 is restored to its normal position under the biasing action of the spring 48l. In such downward swinging movement, however, the lever 414 also rocks the upper arm 411a of the lever 41l-in'ia'. forward direction, and this movement operates to thrust the restoring arm 366 from the dotted line position to'the full line position shown in Figure 4, thereby releasing the type wheels and restoring the contact mechanism 4| l to open circult condition, all at the completion of the printing operation when the platen is swinging downwardly to its normal position.

As the paper tape travels downwardly from its printing position, it is fed into a lower box which is normally locked against unauthorized access, in' order to preventany attempt to alter the records on the tape. A glass cover may be arranged to close the front of the central compartment 434, if desired, Mounted at any suitable point within .or adjacent to the central compartment 434 is a lamp 485 (Figure 2) which is adapted to illuminate the paper tape. Said lamp is automatically lighted at the start of any signaling cycle and remains lighted until the system is reset to normal, the energization of said lamp being under the control of the reset relay which will be later described.

The electrically operated time stamp 3|2 is of any conventional type comprising printing time wheels which are advanced periodically, such as each minute, from electrical impulses transmitted froma master clock; or through the instrumentality of a synchronous motor connected with the power supply circuit 5|, 52 in installations where this circuit receives alternating current of regulated frequency. These time wheels print on the paper tape, alongside the condition and numeral wheels, the day, month and year and time of day when each signal is received and recorded. Included in or associated with the recorder are numerous other mechanisms which are fully 'disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,164,324, and to which attention is directed for the details there- 01. Such mechanisms include improved means for supporting the paper supply roll 435 whereby a new roll may be readily substituted for a depleted roll; improved mechanism responsive to the amount of paper on the supply roll for giving a lower paper indication when a new roll should be substituted; improved mechanism for feeding the inked ribbon 463 from one reel to the other and for intermittently reversing the drive to these reels; and improved circuit opening means for opening the main battery circuit and opening the various circuits leading to the instrumentalities of the recorder as soon as the hinged cover 309 is swung back in the act of gaining access to the base casting for changing the paper supply rolls, inked ribbon reels, etc., the opening of said circuits preventing the operation of the system so long as the recorder is incapable of performing a recording operation. The arrangement is preferably such that the opening of the hinged cover 309 first requires the release of the key controlled look, so that unauthorized persons cannot interrupt the normal operation of the system.

The summary indicator (Figure 1C) which responds to the selector switch mechanism 6, comprises a numbered disk (not shown) which is rotated step by step in a forward or additive direction by successive energizations of the add coil 5|1, and which is rotated step by step in a rearward or subtractive direction by successive energizations of the subtract coil 5|8. The successive numbers in this disk are illuminated by the bulb 509 as they are presented to view in a sight window of the summary indicator. A cam 54! which rotates with the numbered disk operates through accam follower lever 542 to control the contact apparatus 545, 541, and 548. The arrangement is such that when the disk is in its normal position with the 0 thereof exposed in the sight window, the follower lever 542 is engaging in the notch in the cam 54!, with the result that the contacts 54B-541 are engaged, thereby energizing a bulb 553 which gives a green or OK indication in the summary indicator. As soon as the indicating disk is advanced one or more steps from its zero position, the lever 542 is forced out of the recess in the cam, and thereafter rides on the circular periphery of the cam, the resulting rocking motion of the lever pressing the intermediate contact spring 546 downwardly out of engagement with the upper contact spring 541 and into engagement with the lower contact spring 548. Such deenergizes the bulb 553, and energizes another bulb 554 which gives a red or trouble indication in the summary indicator. The latter relation of the lever 542 and of the contact springs will be maintained as long as any numeral on the disk appears at the sight window, but when the indicating disk is restored to its 0 position, the lever will be restored to its normal position, at which time the intermediate contact spring will move out of engagement with the lower contact spring 548 and into engagement with the upper contact spring 541, thereby extinguishing the red bulb 554 and illuminating the green bulb 553. It will thus be seen that the summary indicator gives an instantaneous visual indication of the supervisory condition of the system. For example, as supervisory signals are transmitted to central station for indicating different conditions which may be actual or potential sources of trouble, such as the manual closing of a critical control valve, the loss of adequate pressure on the water supply system, etc., these trouble conditions are automatically totalized on the summary indicator. As the engineer or other attendants proceed with the correction of these conditions at different points in the plant, the number of conditions are automatically subtracted from the totalized indication of the summary indicator. Thus, the summary indicator gives an instantaneous visual indication as to whether or not any trouble condition exists in the installation, and the total number of such trouble conditions which have not been attended to. In this manner, the summary indicator checks the human element in the observation of the trouble conditions recorded at the recorder. For instance,'if the recorder indicates that five trouble conditions have developed at different points in the installation, and the attendants correct only four of these, overlooking the fifth trouble condition, the summary indicator will still indicate that one trouble condition remains which has not received attention.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 1C, and particularly to the circuit connections between the transfer relay I50, the recorder, the summary indicator, and the alarm bell relay, it will be recalled that negative impulses are transmitted from the oscillator II4 through bus I35 and wire I15 to the step-up coils 3I3 of the recorder whenever the transfer relay I50 is deenergized during a signaling operation, such deenergization causing the movable switch element I53 to engage with the switch contacts I55 and complete the circuit through wire I15. The opposite terminal of the step-up coils 3I3 has positive polarity continuously impressed thereupon through wire 56I which leads from the positive battery bus p to these coils, whereby said coils will be energized each time that they receive a negative impulse down through wire I75. During the normal, non-signaling condition of the system, the seiector coils 3I4 do not have positive polarity impressed thereon. A branch wire 56l' extends from the wire 56I to the selector coils, but interposed in this wire is the contact mechanism M I, which contact mechanism is responsive to the position of the tripping shaft 346 in the recorder, as previously described. As soon as the step-up coils 3I3 have been energized once in the start of a signaling cycle, the consequent actuation of the tripping pawl 358 and release of the tripping shaft 346 causes the contact mechanism 4H to move to closed circuit position, after which positive polarity is transmitted to the selector coils through wire 55I' and contact mechanism 4H during the remainder of the signaling cycle, or until the actuation of the printing platen has caused the tripping shaft 346 to be restored to its normal position and the contact mechanism 4 restored to open circuit position. So long as the selector coils receive positive polarity through contact mechanism 4, they will be energized each time that a negative impulse is transmitted from oscillator II4 down through wire I16 and contact mechanism I54, I 56 to the other terminal of the coils. Thus, during the signaling cycle, each time that a negative impulse is transmitted down from the oscillator during any interval that the transfer relay I50 is energized, holding the movable switch element I54 in engagement with the switch contacts I56, this negative impulse, or impulses will energize the selector coils. At a point one step short of the completion of the recording cycle, the selector coils will also be energized through the rotary switch contact mechanism 40I. This contact mechanism is interposed in a wire 562 which extends from the negative oscillator bus I35 to the negative terminal of the selector coils. As previously described, the rotary contact mechanism 40I arrives in closed circuit positon at a point one step short of the completion of the recording cycle and, hence, at this time the selector coils will be energized irrespective of whether the transfer relay I50 is energized or deenergized. Such final energization of the selector coils restores the selector mechanism to its original condition, which also restores the three rotary switches-40 I, 402 and 403 to their original open circuit positions.

At the same time that the rotary switch 40I is transmitting the final negative impulse of the cycle to the selector coils 3I4, the second rotary switch 402 is transmitting positive battery potential to the positive terminal of the printing coils MI. The latter switch is interposed in a wire 564 extending from the positive battery bus go to the printing coils. A wire 565 connects the other terminal of said coils to the negative oscillator bus I 35. As previously described, the advancing motion of the three rotary switches MI, 402 and 403 occurs upon the deenergization of the selector coils, and when the two switches 40I and 402 arrive in their closed circuit positions (one step short of the completion of the recorder cycle), the next negative impulse transmitted from the oscillator II4 down through bus I35 simultaneously energizes the selector coils 3I4 and the printing coils 44I, the latter causing the printing operation. The subsequent deenergization of the selector coils 3| 4, at the end of the negative impulse transmitted down from the oscillator, advances the three rotary switches one more step to their normal or open circuit positions, and at this time the controlling switch 4 for the positive polarity and of the selector coils is also restored to its open circuit condition.

Referring now to the rotary switch 403 and the selector switch 4I6, attention is. first particularly directed to the fact that the printing coils 44I are wound for a relatively heavy current flow, the relation between these coils and the associated printing mechanism being such that a relatively large current fiow is required through the coils to effect the printing operation. Hence, during all of the early steps of the recording cycle, relatively small currents can be conducted through these printing coils to the selector switch 4I6 without causing actuation of the printing mechanism. Such small currents are conducted from what would be regarded as the positive terminal of these coils through wire 42'! and contact clip 42'! to the rotating switch arm MB of the selector switch. That is to say, during all of the steps of the recording cycle, except at the time that the printing coils are fully energized for a printing operation, the impulses transmitted from the oscillator I I4 down through negative oscillator bus I35 are conducted through wire 565, printing coils MI and wire 421 and clip 42'! to the switch arm 4I6, these impulses being conveniently regarded as of negative po tential. However, at that time when the rotary switch 402 arrives in closed circuit position and transmits positive polarity through wire 564 to the positive terminal of the printing coils this positive potential is also transmitted through wire 42'! and clip 42! to the selector switch arm 4I6. Referring first to the manner in which

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