US795820A - System for the selection of electric circuits. - Google Patents

Description

No. 795,820. r PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905. A. G. COX.

SYSTEM FCR'THE SELECTION OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27. 1902.

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A. G. 00X. v I SYSTEM FOR THE SELECTION OF ELECTRIC menus.

AIEPLIOATION FILED JAIi. 27. 1902.

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,A, G. COX.

SYSTEM FOR THE SELECTION OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS;

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 27, 1902.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANSON Gr. COX, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SPENCER N. RICHARDSON AND RICHARD P. ELLIOTT, TRUSTEES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed January 27, 1902. Serial No. 91,420.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Anson G. Cox, of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful improvement in Systems for the Selection of Electric Circuits, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a selective system whereby an operator can select and close one or a number of local circuits at distant stations; to select one of a number of telephones; to start or stop one of a number of motors; to light any one of anumber of lights or combinations of lights; the operation of type-writers, printing-telegraph instruments, type-setting machines, or any other instruments or machines where it is desired to operate difierent parts or combinations of parts of same independently of the remaining portions by the use of an electric current.

My invention consists in the employment in main-line circuits, so-called, of a system of relays either in single sets or groups of sets, together with means for changing the direction of the flow of current and strength in said main-line circuit.

It also consists of the employment of resistance-coils and means for cutting them in or out of the main-line circuit at will. In the employment of resistance-coilsin connection with the means used for throwing them in or out of circuit lam able to maintain a constant difference of strength between the strong and the weak currents. herein shown and described I employ but two current strengths, three or more strengths of current may be used without materially changing the instruments, with the result that a greater number of local circuits may be selected and closed.)

1 provide a series of contacts operated by any suitable means to connect the batteries with the main-line circuits and for throwing the resistance-coils in or out of the circuits. A portion of these contacts are what is known as pole-changing contactsd. 0., they enable me to present either terminal of the batteries to the ends of the main-line circuits at will,.causing the current to flow through the relays in either direction, as desired. The means employed by me in my selective system consists of main-line circuits, a source of electrical energy, polarized and non-polarized relays, contacts, some of which are what is (While in the system,

known as pole changing contacts, and when it is desired to increase the number of selections resistance-coils adapted to be cut in or out of the main-line circuits. 'When two or more groups of relays are used, 1 cmploy a main-line circuit for each group and a non-polarized relay having its magnets in circuit with each of the main-line circuits. By these means I can send impulses over one or more of the main-line circuits of varying strengths and in diflerent directions.

One object of my invention is to enable the operator to select one or more of a number of local circuits by the employment of a minimum number of current strengths and mainline wires.

Another object is to provide a simple selective system easily operated and maintained and one where but one impulse over each main-line circuit will select and close the desired local circuit. Where two main-line circuits are used, one impulse over each, both sent theoretically at the same instant, will select and close the desired local circuit?l. a, my system is not what is called a progressive o'r step-by-step system.

My new system is shown as applied to the selection of a series of local circuits having in circuit therein magnets the armatures of which are attached to and operate a number of slides or combs.

In the drawings which accompany and illustrate my invention, Figure l is a side elevation of my new form of polarized relay. Fig. 2 represents a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the switch-magnet used by me. Fig. 4 represents a plan of the same. Fig. 5 is a plan of my new non-polarized relay. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of my improved selective system, showing the mainline circuits,batteries, relays, switch-magnets, and contacts in position to select and energize a group of three local magnets. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of my improved selective system and the relays and switchmagnets, together with the local battery, circuits and magnets therein, which perform the work required.

1n the drawings accompanying this specification, in which I haveillustrated the principle of my invention and the mode in which I have applied it, the main-line circuits are short-circuited at lines 25 and 45 and the batteries Y and Z cut out, together'with the resistance-coils I) and D and all the linewiring between the wires 20 and 44 and the contact-terminals (6 a a a, a a a", and a when the system is at rest or a message is being received from the distant station. The contacts a c serve to cut the batteries, resistance-coils, and contact-terminals, and all wiring between said terminals and the wirse 20 and 44 into the main-line circuit when it is desired to send a message. The means for short-circuiting the main line or cutting the contact-terminals and main batteries into the main-line circuits are local and are operated by a local battery.

60 and represent contacts, one of which is operated with each combination used. When the contact a, is pressed against the terminals of the wires 1 and 2, the current flows from the battery X through line 3 to line 1, through contact-piece a to line 2, thence to switch-magnet M to line 4, line3, to the said battery X, thus preparing to throw the contact- circuits 11, 12, 13, 14, 104, 105, 106, 107, 87, 88, 89, 90, 108, 109, 110, and 111 into the main-line circuit. When the current flows through the switch-magnet M, its armature 6 is drawn away from contacts 5 and 6 and its contacts 7 and 8 into contact with the terminals of wires 21 and 45 and flexes the spring S, which normally holds it against the contacts 5 and 6. The keys c and a are made to contact with the terminals of the wires opposite them at the same time the contact a is made to contact with. the terminals of the wires 1 and 2 in the particular case illustrated. By pressing the double contact (0 against the terminals of lines 11 12 13 14 the current flows from the battery Y through lines 15 16 12, contact in a, lines 11 17 18 19 20 21, to contact 7, thence to line 22, and through switch-mag net M lines 24 and 25, through the magnets M in the non-polarized relay R line 25, switch-magnet M line 25 to polarized relay R, to line 25, the ground, lines 26 27 28 29 to line 14, contact (4 line 13 to lines 34 and 35, and thence to the battery Y. By causing a current to energize the switch-magnet M its armature is drawn against its poles and its contact 36 against the terminal of wire 47, thereby cutting in the main-line circuit L When the double contact a is pressed against the terminals of the wires 37, 38, 39, and 40, a current flows from battery Z through lines 41 42 38, contact in a to lines 37 43 44 45, contact 8, line 46, contact 36 to lines 47 48 49, through magnetM of the non-polarized relay R to switch magnet M, line L, through polarized relay R to line 49, the ground, lines 26 27 28 29 40, to the contact on a to lines 39.54 55, back to the other terminal of battery Z.

In tracing out the contact-circuits we have described the operation of the switch-magnets M and M by a strong currenti. a, without the introduction of the resistancecoils D and D into the main-line circuits. These switch-magnets M and M have springs S and SF attached to their armatures, each of suflicient strength to resist the magnetic attraction of themagnets when the resistancecoils D and D are out into circuit, the flow of current impeded, and the so-called weak current is passing over the lines; but when the resistance-coils D and D are cut out the magnets have a pulling strength sutficient to overcome the resistance of the springs S and 8* and cause the armatures 6* and b to be drawn toward them and the insulated contacts and 31 to press against the terminals of wires 59 and 67, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

The operation of the relay R is as follows: In the operation of my selective system one of the main line circuits is always closed ahead of the other. As the current in line L passes through magnet M in relay R and the current in line L passes through magnet M in said relay R it follows that both magnets M and M in said relay R are energized at each operation of the system in this particular adaptation of it. The armature I) of relay'R is what is known as a floating armaturez'. 0, it is free to swing either to the right or left and is drawn to contact with the poles of whichever of magnets 1W1 or M is first energized and is held there during the time the current is flowing in the main-line circuits L and L. I The relay R is so constructed that when the armature is in contact with the poles of magnet M the space between said armature 6 and the poles of the magnet M is so great that though the resistance-coil D is cut into line L and the current flowing therein is weak and the resistance-coil D is cut out of line L* and the current flowing therein is strong yet the magnetic attraction of said magnet M will not be suflicient to draw said armature b away from the poles of magnet M and its contact-point away from the terminal of line 63. When line L is closed through its battery Z first and the current flows therein before acurrent is passed through line L the armature b is drawn to contact with the poles of the magnet M in relay R and held in contact therewith, although a strong current is passed through line L and the magnets 1 7 of said'relay R The polarized relays R and R are identical in construction, and a description of one will suflice for the other. These relays form the subject-matter of my application, Serial No. 117,979, filed August 1, 1902, in which a detailed description will be found. For a better understanding of the invention covered in this application, however, the following description is inserted: In the polarized relay R, 0 represents a permanent magnet, which tact a.

may be mounted on any suitable insulating material. is the back strap, to which the cores 0 0 of the magnet-coils M and M are attached. 0 0 represent pole-piecessecured to the outer end of the cores 0 0 which polepieces are separated to receive the armature between them. 0* is aframe secured to the cores 0 0 of the magnets M and M by screws 0 0 passing through the pole-pieces 0 0 The frame 0* is provided with a bearing 0, in which the armature is pivoted in manner to swing freely sidewise. The arma ture has a pin 0 inserted near its outer end,

against which the outer ends of the flat springs 0 0 bear, their inner ends being secured in the post 0 The pin 0 projects through the aperture 0 in the plate 0* and has free play therein. A pin 0 is inserted in the frame 0 to provide a stop to limit the inward movement of the springs 0 0 The tension of the springs 0 0 is controlled by the adjustingscrews 0 0. It will be understood that according as a positive or negative current flows through the relay R the armature is attracted against the resistance of one of the springs 0 and its contact pressed against the terminal of the wires 57 or 95, as the case may be. The contact on the armature b is attached to local wire 56, as shown in Fig. 8.

When the armature b is in position equidistant between thepole-pieces 0 0 the springs 0 0 bear against each side of the pin 0 with the pin 0 between them, and therefore always retain said armature in a central position except when a current is flowing through the magnet-coils M and M Either of the relays M or M may be used to cut the contact-circuits into the main-line circuits. When it is desired to energize mainline circuit L first, the relay M is used and is energized by the battery X through con- If it is desired to energize the main line L first, relay 1 5 is energized by the battery X through the contact a. The battery X is used to operate the relays M and M and is local. The relays M and M are in branches of the main-line circuits L and L their magnets 'being energized by the current flowing therein, although one only of these magnets is energized at a time. By operating the magnet M first through its contact a the armature b of the magnet M is drawn toward its poles and away from the contacts 5 and 6 and its contacts 7 and 8 pressed against the terminals of the lines and 21, thereby causing a current to flow through main-line circuit L by means of the contact-plate a first cutting in relay M thereby cutting out relay M When in order to select the desired local circuit it is necessary to energize main-line circuit L first by means ofits battery Z, the contact a is pressed against the terminals of wires 73 and 74, when the current from battery X will flow through line 3 to line 73, contact a, line 74 to relay M thence by lines 4 and 3 to batteryX. This will energize the magnets of relay M attracting its armature against the resistance of spring S causing the contacts 76 and 77 to contact with the terminals of Wires 21 and 45, (it being understood that the spring S has drawn the armature 7) of magnet M away from the terminals of lines 21 and 45 and its contacts 5 and 6 against the terminals of lines 32 and 33, thus leaving that end of wires 21 and 45 in space.) Having brought the contacts 76 and 77 against the terminals 21 and 45 by pressing the key 0* against terminals of wires 73 and 74, I press the contact 0 against the terminals of wires 78, 79, 80, and 81, and a current will flow from battery Z, to line 41, to line 42, thence to line 80, through contact a, to lines 81 and 29, line 28, lines 27 and 26 and ground, to line L, relay R switch-magnet M, magnets M of relay R line L, to line 48, line 83, thence through the coils of relay M line 83, contact 77, line 45, thence through line 44, resistance-coil D, line 84, line 78, to contact a, lines 79 54 55, and to the other pole of the battery Z, thus energizing the magnet M", causing it to attract its armature 6 against the tension of the spring S, causing its contact 85 to press against the terminal of line 86, thereby closing the main-line circuit L at' that point; but the current in flowing through line L energized the magnet M of relay R first, thereby holding the armature 7f against the poles of magnet M in opposition to magnet M in the illustration now being given I use the contact a by pressing it against the terminals of wires 87, 88, 89, and 90. The current will thereby flow from the battery Y, through lines 15,16, and 88, contact (6 to 87 91, through resistance D, lines 18, 19. 20, and 21, contact 76, line 92, to contact 85, lines 86 24 L magnet M of relay R through the coils of switch-magnet M to the coils of relay R, line 25 to ground, lines 26, 27, 28, 29, and 90, through the other half of contact a, to lines 89 34 35 to the negative pole of battery Y. In the operation of sending the current through the two main-line circuits L and If just described a resistance-coil D was inserted or short-circuited into main-line circuit L and the resistance-coil D was short-circuited into main -line circuit L thereby causing a weak current, so called, to flow through both circuits. Furthermore, by the use of the contact-key a a positive effect was produced in main-line circuit L and a negative effect in main-line circuit L by the use of the contact a Having shown that what I will term a plus and minus and a weak and a strong current can be sent through the main-line circuits L and L and that the armatures and b of the polarized relays R and R are drawn to the right by a plus current and to the left by a minus current and that the ,armatures b" and b of the switch magnets M and M are drawn to their respective poles by a strong current only, I will now describe the selection of the local circuits. In the particular case illustrated I have shown the local circuits operating magnets N N and N, they being selected and closed through the local battery W.

Referring to Fig. 8, it is seen that the terminals of local battery W are attached to the armatures and b of the relays R and R by lines 56 and 71. A strong plus current was caused to flow through main-line circuit L first, which produces a plus effect in relay R, draws the armature 6* ot' the switch-magnet M to its pole against the resistance of'the spring S and swings the armature F of the relay R against the poles of the magnet M The effect of the movement of the armatures 5 b, and 6 just described, is to press the contact on armature against the terminal of wire 57. The insulated contact 30, to which the wire 57 is attached, is pressed against the terminal of wire 59 and the contact on armature 6 against the terminal of wire 63. While the above-described operation was taking place main-line circuit L was closed through the contact a and the relay Miand a strong plus current caused to flow therein, which produced a plus efliect in relay R causing the contact on armature b to press against the terminal of wire 69 and the armature of switch-magnet M to be drawn to its poles against the resistance of the spring S, thereby pressing the insulated contact 31, to which wire 69 is attached, against the terminal of wire 67. The effect of the operation of relays R R and switch-magnets M and M*, as just described,is as follows: The current from battery is caused to flow through wire 56 to armature 6 line 57, to contact 30, thence through line 59, through magnet 1 lines 60 61 63, through magnet N, line 63, armature 6", lines 64: 65 66, through magnet N line 67, to insulated contact 31, to line 69, armature b and wire 71, to the other terminal of battery WV, thus energizing magnets N N, and N causing them to perform the work required. By pressing the contacts a (0, and ((7 against terminals of wires 73 and 74, wires 78, 79, 80, and 81, and wires 87, 88, 89 and 90 a plus effect was produced in relay R, its armature If swung to the right, and the contact thereon pressed against the terminal of wire 57, a minus efi'ect produced in relay R its armature 6 moved to the left, and its contact pressed against the terminal of wire 96. At

. the same time the spring S of the switchmagnet M has held the contacts 30 and 93 of the armature against the terminals of wires 99 and 100 and the spring 5* of the switchmagnet M has held the contacts 31 and 101 of the armature 5 against the terminals of wires 97 and 98, thereby causing the current from battery WV to flow through wire 56 to the contact on armature b thence through wire 57, insulated contact 30, wire 100, through the coils of magnetN, wires 102 61 63, magnet N, armature 6 wires 64 65 103, magnet N*,'wire 97, contact 101, wire 96, armature b and wire 71, to the battery IV, thereby energizing magnets N N and N*, causing them to perform the work required. In one case illustrated the current was caused to flow through main-line circuit L first, thereby energizing magnet M to close the circuit through main-line circuit If". In the latter case main-line circuit L was energized first and the current caused to flow through and energize the magnet M to close the circuit through main-line circuit L It will be understood that the wires If and L after they leave the relays R R as shown at the top of Fig. 7, are supposed to connect with one or more distant stations, and the wire 26 is grounded to also form a connection with the distant station. Said distant station is of course provided with an equipment similar to that shown in Figs. 7 and 8. When it is desired to operate the instrument of the station shown from a distant station, the armatures Z) and b" are in normal position with their contacts 5 6 and 7 8 in contact with the terminals of the wires 32 33 and 3233, the terminals of which are the contacts 5 and 6, which contacts are insulated from each other, and the contacts 7 and 8 are in communication with the common return 26, as shown in Fig. 7. Hence impulses sent from a distant station over the line-wire 25 will pass through the instrument R M M wires 24 33, contact 5, wire 33, contact 7 and back through common return 26. On the other hand, when impulses are sent over the wire 4C9 they will pass through instrument R M M, wires 49 18 32, contact 6, contact 6, line 32, contact 8*, and back through common return 26 to the ground connection.

I do not limit my invention to-any fixed number of main-line circuits, groups of relays, and switch-magnets and strengths of current. Each may be varied at will. The number of each depends solely on the number of local circuits to be selected and closed. The greater the number of main-line circuits, groups of relays and switches, and strengths of current there are used in a system the greater the number of local circuits which may be selected and closed.

Having described my improved selective system, what I claim is g 1. In aselective system, a plurality of mainline circuits; a source of electrical energy for each; means for causing currents of difierent polarities and strengths to flow in said mainline circuits; means in circuit in each of said main-line circuits so constructed and arranged that by their cooperation one or more local circuits may be selected by the joint action of single characteristic impulses one over each of two of said main-line circuits.

2. A selective system having for its purpose the selectlon and closing of any one or more of a plurality of local circuits located at a distant point, by means of the combined action of single characteristic impulses one over each of a plurality of main-line circuits, the selective means consisting of a plurality of mainline circuits, a polarized relay and a switchmagnet in each of said mainline circuits; means for sending characteristic impulses over said main-line circuits; and means whereby single characteristic impulses one over each of two of said main line circuits will cause the instruments therein to cooperate to select one or more local circuits.

3. A selective system comprising means for the selection and closing of one of a plurality of local circuits at a distant point by a single characteristic impulse over each of two mainline circuits,said means comprising two mainline circuits, a source of electrical energy for each; a polarized relay and a switch-magnet in each main-line circuit; means for varying the strength of current sent to line in each main-line circuit; means for changing the direction of flow of current in each main-line circuit; said relays and switch-magnets being so constructed and arranged that the combined action of a single characteristic impulse over each main-line circuit will cause said relays and switch-magnets to cooperate to select and close any one of a plurality of local circuits.

4. In a selective system having a plurality of main-line circuits, means in circuit in each of said main-line circuits, so constructed and arranged that the combined action of a single characteristic impulse sent over each of two main-line circuits will cause the instrumentalities therein to combine for the selection of a local circuit located at a distant point.

5. A selective system comprising two mainline circuits; a source of electrical energy for each; a polarized relay and a switch-relay in each main-line circuit; a relay having two sets of magnets, one in each main-line circuit;

means for energizing one main-line circuit before the other; means for varying the strength of current in each of said main-line circuits; and means for causing the currentto flow in either direction in each of said main-line circuits; and means whereby asingle characteristic impulse over each main-line circuit will cause the selection and closing of any one or more of a plurality of local circuits.

6; A selective system comprising two mainline circuits; a source of electrical energy for each; a polarized relay and a switch-relay in each main-line circuit; a relay having two sets of magnets, one in each main -line circuit; means for energizing one main-line circuit before the other; means for varying the strength of current in each of said main-line circuits; and means for causing the current to flow in either direction in each of said main-line cir cuits; and means whereby a single characteristic impulse over each main-line circuit, one sent to line before the other, will cause the selection and closing of any one or more of a ANSON G. COX.

Witnesses:

RICHARD P. ELLIOTT, WM. (3. RICHARDSON.

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