US1511374A - Control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1924. 1,511,374

K. A. SlMMON CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1919 7b plpe 2a INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS ating a switching device through a plurality.

Patented Oct. 14, 1924.

KARL A. SIKION, OI EDGEWOOD PARK,

PATENT OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB '10 TING- HOUSE 114M310 6; IAJNUFACTURING COIPANY, A. CORPORATION OI PENNSYL- VANIA.

con'rnon arrmrus.

Application med December 8, 1918. Serial Io. 348,118.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that/l, KARL A. SIMMON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State. of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control Apparatus, of which the following is a specification..

My invention relates to control apparatus and it has special relation to power-operated controlling means for electric railway motors and the like.

One object of my present invention is to provide a ower-operated device, preferably of the flui -pressure-opcrated type, for actuofoperative positions for effecting series and parallel control of a plurality of driving motors, together with means for arresting the switching device movement at a predetermined point, such as, the full series position, and means responsive to the amount of instantaneously active power in the device, that is, the degreeof fluid-pressure available, for withdrawing the arrestin means.

ore specifically stated, it is one object of my invention to provide a fluid-pressureoperated mechanism for the above-indicated purpose, together with a latch that is normally biased to engage the switching dc vice in its full series position and a fluidpressure interlock for completing the circuit of an actuating coil for the latch if a predetermined degree of fluid-pressure is instantaneously available in the operating device. whereby further movement of the switching device to its parallel-connecting position is prevented unless a suitable degree of power, that is, fluid-pressure, is available.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in conjunction with an actu ating and interlocking mechanism of the above-described character, a regulating or adjusting device whereby the period of operation of the switching device and, therefore, the accelerating period of the vehicledriving motors, may be varied at will.

Viewed from another angle, it is the object of my invention to provide a control system of the class under consideration whereby the switching device is checked in the series troller has sition and, at the same time, a suitable degree of fluid-pressure is available.

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the main circuits of a system of control to which my invention may be applied;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view, partially in section, of an arrangement of circuits and control apparatus for efiectin the desired control and interlocking functions; and

Fig. 3 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of the controlling magnet valve that is employed in the system shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the system here shown comprises suitable supply-circuit conductors Trolley and Ground; a plurality of electric motors respectively osition unless the master conhaving commutator-t pe armatures A1 and A2 and series field windings F 1 and F2; an accelerating resistor R; and a pluralit of controlling switches LS, R1, R2, P, G. The illustrated system is of a familiar type embodying the shunting form of transition and, consequently, no detailed description of the circuits is deemed necessary here.

Referring to Fig. 2, the governing system shown comprises a controller or sequence switch 1 which may be of the well-known drum type or may be a slidable plate, the switching device being provided with an electrically-controlled pneumatically-operated actuating mechanism 2, while a latching device or arresting means 3 for the switching device is provided, together with a fluid-pressure interlock 4. The switching device 1 is adapted to govern the circuit connections for the actuating coils of the various switches that are shown in Fig. 1, while a master controller MC, having operative positions s and p, standing for series and parallel operation of the motors, respectively, and a battery B or other suitable source of energy, are provided for primarily governing the system operation.

The switching device or sequence switch 1 is adapted to occupy a plurality of operan actuated to its parallel potive positions a to f, inclusive, the distance 7 prise either a rotatable drum or a slidable plate 6 which carries a' suitably configured contact segment 7 for selectively engaglng a plurality of control fingers 8 to .14, inclusive.

In the full series position a, a wedge or stop 15 is secured to the controller member 6 for the purpose of engaging the latching device or arresting means 3, as subsequently described in detail.

The actuating mechanism 2 comprises a piston 17 that operates within a suitable cylinder 18 and has a rod or stem 19 suitabl connected to the sequence switch 1 for e fecting the desired movement thereof. coil spring 20 surrounds the piston rod 19 and is adapted to bias the piston 17 and the sequence switch 1 toward the illustrated positions. The respective positions occup ed by the piston 17 when the switching dev ce 1 is moved to its several positions a to f,'1nelusive, are designated by the reference characters 0; to f, inclusive. The distances between the piston positions are, of course,

graded in the same manner as the distances between notches of the switching device 1.

A magnet valve 21, shown in detail in Fig. 3, communicates through a pipe or passage 22 with the operating cylinder 18, whereby atmospheric pressure is normally present in the cylinder. However, a fluidpressure supply pipe 23 leads into the lower compartment, of the magnet valve and, upon the energization of an actuating CO1l2l:,fl11l(l pressure is admitted through the valve to the pipe 22 and the operating cylinder 18, while the normal atmospheric communication is cut oil. While the preferred form of magnet valve will be. subsequently described in connection with Fig. 3, the diagrammatic showing of 'Fig. 2 is suflicient to illustrate the operating principles of my invention.

The latching device or arresting means 3 may assume any convenient form and is here shown as comprising a wedge-shaped rod or bar 30, which is attached to a magnetizable core member 31 around which is wound an actuating coil 32. This coil, when energized, is adapted to withdraw the latch 3 to its lowerposition, in opposition to the action of a biasing spring 32, that normally maintains the latching device in.- its illustrated upper position. The arrangement of parts is such that the latch 30 and the stop or wedge 15 on the switching device 1 come into 001 tact when the switching device reaches its series position 0.

The fluid-pressure interlock 4 may comprise a piston 35 traveling within avsuitable operating cylinder 36 and which is biased toward the illustrated left-hand position by means of a coil spring 37. The piston rod or stem 38 terminates without the cylinder 36 in a suitably insulated contact disk or plate 39 that is adapted to bridge a pluralit of control fingers 40 and 41 when the flui pressure interlock occupies its extreme righthand position. A pipe 42 effects communication between the c linders 18 and 36, for a purpose to be set' orth.

Assuming that it is desired to effect acceleration of the illustrated motors to their full series position, the master v controller MC is thrown to its initial operating position a, whereupon a circuit is established from one terminal of the battery B- through conductor 45, control fingers 46 and 47, which are bridged by contact segment 48 of the master controller, conductor 49, junctionpoint 49, conductor 50, control fingers 8 and 9, which are bridged by contact segment 7 of the switching device 1, conductor 51, actuating coil of the line switch LS, conductors 52 and 53, junction-point 54 and conductors 55 and 56 to the opposite terminal of the battery.

Another circuit is concurrently established from the contact segment 7 of the switching device 1 through conductor 57 and the actuating coil of the switch S to negative conductor 52.

The motors are thus connected in series relation with the acceleratin resistor R across the supply circuit, as wi 1 be a preciated without detailed tracing of t e circuits of Fig. 1.

At the same time, another auxiliary circuit is continued from the junction-point 49 through conductor 60, actuating coil 24 of the magnet valve 21 and conductor 61, to the negative conductor 56.

In this way, fluid-pressure is admitted from the supply pipe 23 through the magnet valve 21 to the operating cylinder 18, whereupon the piston 17 gradually' moves toward the right to correspondingly actuate the switching device 1 into its successive positions 6 and 0, respectively.

In position 6, control finger 10 is engaged by contact segment 7 to com lets the energizing circuit for the actuating coil of the switch R1, while, in position 0, the actuating coil of the switch R2 is energized through the agency of control finger 11 and contact segment The accelerating resistor R is thus gradually short-circuited to efiect a smooth acceleration of the motors, which are connected in full series relation when the switching device 1 reaches its position 0.

Although fluid-pressure, of a reduced value, is still present in the operating cylinder 18 after the switching device 1 reaches its position a, nofurther movement of the switching device can occur, by reason of automatic control of the sequence switch 1 only as far as the series position 0. As previously mentioned, the graded distances between notches ab, b-c, etc. on the switchwhence circuit is com leted through junction-point 54 and con uctor 55 to the negative battery terminal.

Such energization of the actuating coil 32 serves to withdraw the latch 30 to its lower position free of the stop wedge 15, whereby the constantly-present fluid-pressure in the operating cylinder 18 again actgates the switching device 1 toward the rig 't.

After the sequence switch- 1 leaves its ing device I serve to ensure equal time eleseries position 0, control finger 13 engages ments between the operating positions of contact segment 7 to complete the circuit the switching device, thus providing a deof the actuatin sirably smooth motor acceleration.

It willbe observed that, asyfsoon as piston 17 of the actuating mechanism 2 reaches its position 0', corresponding to series position 0 of the sequence switch 1, the pipe 42, which communicates with the fiuid-pressure interlock 4, is in positlon to recelve whatever degree of fluid-pressure is present in the lefthand or vacant portion of the operating cylinder 18. Consequently, the plston 35 of the fluid-pressure interlock 4 will be actuated toward the right to effect abridging of the stationary control fingers 40 and 41 by the contact disk or plate 39, rovided that the fluid-pressure present in t e operating cylinders 18 and 36 exceeds a predetermined value for which the fluid-pressure interlock is set or adjusted. Preferably, this critical value is a small amount, such as five pounds pressure above one-half of the normal fluid-supply pressure.

By the use of the fiuid-premure interlock 4 under the conditions set forth, further actuation of the switching device 1 by the operating mechanism 2 is positively prevented by the latching device 3, unless a sufiicient amount of power, that is a sufiiciently high degree of fluid-pressure is available to ensure the desired movement of the switching device 1 to the full parallel position f. If the above-mentioned predetermined value of fluid-pressure is not present in the main operating cylinder 18 after the switching device 1 has reached its series position 0, then the fluid-pressure interlock 4 is not actuated to bridge control fingers 40 and 41. In this case, the actuating coil 32 of the latching device 3 remains deenergized and further movement of the switching device 1 is thereby restrained.

However, if the desired degree of fluidpressure is present, then the control fingers 40 and 41 are bridged by the contact plate 39 and, as soon as the master controller MC is actuated to its parallel position p, a new circuit is established from the contact segment 48 through control finger 65,

coil for the parallel-connecting switch and control finger 12 then becomes disengaged from contact segment 7 to effect the opening of the. series-connect ing switchS. The closure of the other paral- Isl-connecting switch G is then brought about by the engagement of control finger 14 and contact segment 7. Consequently, in position dof the sequence switch 1, the motors are connected in parallel relation, with the accelerating resistor R again connected in circuit.

In positions 6 and f of the sequence switch 1, the 'resistor=short-circuiting switches R1 and R2 are again closed in succession to effect a smooth acceleration of the motors to full parallel relation.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a pneumatic actuating mechanism for a switching device, whereby equal time elements between notches are provided, and the switching device is maintained in its series position unless the master controller is actuated to its parallel position and, in addition,'apredetermined value of fluidpressure is present in the pneumatic mechanism.

Referring to the structural view, Fig. 3, illustrating the magnet valve 21, the apparatus shown comprises a suit-able enclosing case 75 for the actuating coil 24, a central stationary core 76 and a movable spindle 77 which has attached to its upper end a slidable magnetizable armature (not shown), in accordance with a familiar magnet-valve construction. The lower end of the spindle 77 constitutes a double-plug valve 78, which is biased by the spring 7 9'to its upper position to normally cut off communication of an inlet or supply opening 80 which communicates with the pipe 23, with a delivery port or opening 81 leading into pipe 22. Normally, the delivery opening 81 is placed in communication with the exhaust or release port 82, as illustrated.

For adjusting the rate of supply of fluidpressure to the magnet valve 21 and operating cylinder 18, whereby the period of operation of the switching device 1 and, therefore, the accelerating period of the driving motors may be regulated at will, an adjusting device is shown as fitted into the threaded portion 83 for insertion within the inlet opening 80, an'intermediate chamber 84, into which the supply pipe 23 leads, and i an outer threaded section 85 with which a scaling cap or nut 86 is associated. A SPID- dle or needle 87 extends through the three sections of the adjusting device, having a gradually tapered or pointed inner end 88, a plurality of ribs or projections 89 being preferably provided within the section 83 to limit the movement of the spindle 87 toward the right and thus prevent the supply of air to the magnet valve 21 from being entirely cut oil.

An intermediate portion 90 of the spindle 87 is also threaded to fit within the central opening of the section 85, the outer face of which is provided with an aperture or recess 91 which is filled with a suitable packing material. The outer end of the spindle 87 is provided with a knurled nut, 92, or the like, whereby-rotative movement of the nut 92 serves to effect a movement of translation of the threaded spindle 87 to increase or diminish the size of the entrance opening to the magnet valve 21. In this way, the supply of fluid-pressure from the pipe 23 is throttled down or reduced in value to adjust the degree of pressure that is admitted to the operating cylinder 18, whereby the desired time-element regulation of the motor acceleration may be obtained at will.

I do not wish to be restricted to the specific structural details, circuit connections or arrangement of parts herein .set forth, as various modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed upon my invention as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a power-operated device, of means for arresting the movement thereof at a predetermined point, and means responsive to the amount of instantaneously active power within the device for actuating said arresting means.

2. The combination with a fluidpressureoperated device, of means for arresting the movement thereof at a predetermined stage,-

and means responsive to the degree of fluidpressure instantaneously available within the device for actuating said arresting means.

3. The combination with a. power-operated device, of a latch biased to engage said device in a predetermined position, and means responsive to the amount of instantaneously active power within the device for withdrawing said latch.

4. The combination with a multi-position tion fluid-pressure-operated device, of means for selectively actuating said device to a given position or to a more remote position if the degree of fluid-pressure instantaneously available within the device exceeds a predetermined value.

6. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motors and a switching device for efiecting seriesand parallel connection thereof, of a power-operated device for actuating the switching device, means for arresting the movement thereof in the series-connecting position, and means responsive to the amount of instantaneously active power within the device for actuating said arresting means to permit movement of the switching device to the parallelsconnecting osition.

7. The combination with a fluid-pressureoperated device, of means for arresting the movement thereof at a predetermined point, and a fluid-pressure interlock inoperative except when the degree of fluid-pressure available exceeds a predetermined value for completing an electric circuit to render said arresting means inoperative.

8. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motors and a switching device for efi'ecting series and parallel connection thereof, of a fluid-pressure-operated device for actuating the switching device, a latch biased to arrest the movement thereof in the series-connecting position, and a controller for selectively actuating the switching device to the series-connecting position, or to the parallel-connecting position if the degree of fluid-pressureavailalble exceeds a predetermined value.

9. The combination with a movable member, of a fluid-pressure operating device therefor, a latch biased to arrest the movement of said member in a predetermined position, and a fluid-pressure interlock pneumatically connected to said operating device for completing an electric circuit to withdraw said latch under certain pressure conditions.

10. The combination with a movable member, of a fluid-pressure operating device therefor, a latch biased to arrest the movement of said member in a predetermined position, an actuating coil for said latch, and a fluid-pressure interlock connected to receive fluid-pressure from said operating device when said member occupies said predetermined position for completing the circuit of said coil to withdraw the latch when the degree of fluid-pressure exceeds apredetermined value.

11. The combination with a movable member, of an electrically-controlled, fluidpressure operating device therefor, a latch biased to arrest the movement of said member in a predetermined position, an actuating coil for said latch, a fluid-pressure interlock connected to receive fluid-pressure from said operating device when said member occupies said predetermined position, and electrical means for effecting the actuation of the electrically-controlled operating device and for establishing, in one position, a circuit including the latch-actuating coil and said interlock if the degree of fluidpressure exceeds a predetermined value, whereby the latch may be withdrawn to permit further opera-tion of said member.

12. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motors and a switching device for effecting series and parallel 'connection thereof, of an electrically-com trolled, fluid-pressure operating device therefor, a latch biased to arrest the movement of the switching device, in the seriesconnecting position, an actuating coil for said latch, a fluid-pressure interlock connected 'to receive fluid-pressure from said operating device. when the switching device occupies the series-connecting position, and a controller for effecting the actuation of the electrically-controlled operating device and for establishing, in one position, a circuit including the latch-withdrawing coil and said interlock if the degree of fluidpressure exceeds a predetermined value,

whereby the latch may be withdrawn to permit movement of the switching device to the parallel-connecting position.

13. The combination with a power-operated device, of means for arresting the movement thereof at a. predetermined point,

means responsive to the amount of instantaneously active power in the device for actuating said arresting means, and means for adjusting the rate of power application tosaid device 14. The combination with a fluid-pressureoperated device, of a latch biased to engage said device in a predetermined position, means responsive to the degree of fluidpressure available for Withdrawing said latch, and means for adjusting the rate of admission of fluid-pressure to said device.

15. The combination with a multiposition fiuid-pressure-operated device, of means for selectively actuating said device to a given position or to a more remote position if the degree of fluid-pressure available exceeds a predetermined value, and means for adjusting the rate of admission of fluidpressure to said device to correspondingly vary the operating period of the device.

16. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motorsand a switching device for effecting series and parallel connection thereof, of a fluid-pressure-operated device for actuating the switching device, a latch 'biased to arrest the movement thereof in the series-connecting position, a fluid-pressure interlock responsive to the degree of pressure available for withdrawing said latch to permit movement of the switching device to the parallel-connecting position, and means for regulating the rate of admission of fiuid-pressure to the fluid-pressure-operated device to corresp-ondingly vary the accelerating period of said motors.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of Novenrber 1919.

KARL A. SIMMON.

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