US1867976A - System of signaling and repeater therefor - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1932 E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT SYSTEM OF SIGNALNG' AND REPEATER THEREFOR Filed Jan. 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l @Hoz we,

July 19, 1932 E. E. KLl-:lNscHMlDT SYSTE OF SIGNALING AND REPEATER THEREFOR 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1924 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Patented July 19, A1932 UNITEDASTATES PATENT oFFIcE EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, :BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TELETYPE CORPORATION, F

TION OF DELAWARE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- SYSTEM OF SIGNALING AND REPEATEB THEREFOR' Application led January 22, 1924. Serial No. 687,774.

The presentinvention relates to repeaters and re-transmitters for signals, and a method of signaling.

More particularly the invention relates to a cable signaling system and to repeaters or re-transmitters adapted for the reception of more or less distorted and attenuated cable signals, and for the retransmission of the received waves corrected in shape and amplified in strength. n

Heretofore more or less unsatisfactory devices have been proposed for eHecting repeating of cable signals by mechanical storing means. Correcting net works, wave filters yand thermionic amplifiers have als(` been proposed, but none have been suiiiciently satisfactory in operationto meet the demand for a commercially satisfactory repeater and so far as known, no repeater has been of a character to reconstruct the spacing of the signals. The reason for the failure of prior devices has been in a large measure due to failure to correct or reconstruct spacing and to complicated structures which have been slow and unreliable in operation, diicult to maintain, and difficult to properly adjust. The practical impossibility of maintaining the proper speed relations of the transmitter and the repeater over long sectionsfof cable in -the mechanical repeaters heretofore proposed has contributed largely to their failure in practice.

An object of the present system is to provide a new and improved mechanical cable repeater or retransmitter, more simple in structure, of greater reliability, and more efficient than the devices heretofore proposed. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a cable repeater of the character de vscribed in which the distorted and attenuated waves from the cable are repeated in corrected and amplified form and with corrected spacing, and in which the operations may be carried out at higher speeds than heretofore attainable.

A further object of the invention is the introduction into cable operation of a new method or system of maintaining proper speed relations between the transmitters and repeaters whereby reliability operation is attained without the. necessity of using pomplicated synchronizing devices.

Stlll other objects of the invention are such as may be attained by utilization of the principles and apparatus set forth hereinafter in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the repeating arrangement with the transmitting conf tacts and parts omitted.

Fig. 2 is a side.elevationfpartially in sec.- tion and with parts removed to show the storing""eli/ents.

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partially in section showing the motor drive, clutch details and transmitting contacts.

Fig.' 4 is a showing more or less diagrammatic in nature of amodified arrangement of receiving magnets.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the circuit arrangement for a repeating station.

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of transmitting connection.

Fig. 7 shows perforated tape for cable transmission and the wave shape corresponding therewith.

A motor 1 (Fig. 3) drives a pinion 2 which in turn drives a gear 3 rigidly mounted on and drivin a shaft 4. Shaft 4 is suitably supported 1n journals or bearings 5 and has mounted thereon a disc member 6 which is rigidly secured thereto by means of a pin 7 or in any suitable vmanner'. Abutting against 6 is a disc 8 of friction material. A carrier member, preferably built up of a core 9 and end plates 10 and 11 rigidly but detachably secured thereto in any convenient manner,

is mounted on shaft 4 1n a manner to be ro- A collar 14 is rigidly secured v I to shaft 4 and a spring 15 between collar 14 i and disc 13 forces the carrier and discs 12 and 8 against disc 6, forming` a constantly engaged friction drive for the carrier.

A series of slots 16 (Fig. 2) are cut into core 9 of the carrier, and pivotally mounted in each of these slots is a storage member 17 (Figs. 2 and Members 17 may be mounted on a ring 18 which fits in a circular groove 19 cut into core 9 and intersect-ing slots 16. Ring 18 and members 17 are assembled as shown, and means may be inserted to prevent 1S from shifting, and then end plate 11 is applied. lMembers 17 have formed on the ends thereof cam members 21 which are composed preferably of soft iron or easily magnetizable material. Cam members 21 are adapted to be shifted to the right or left in paths 22 and 23 (Fig. 1) by rings 24 and 25 and center piece 26.

Rings 24 and 25 are offset at 27 and 28 and fastened in a groove 29 of support 30 by means of screws 31. Center piece 26 is supported from 30 in any suitable manner as by screw 31 and extends between rings 24 and 25 to divide the upper part of the space between these rings into two paths for the movement of members 21. The lower part of rings 24 and 25 is shaped so that the space between them gradually converges from the end of separate paths 22 and 23 at the left of Fig. 2 into a path 32 which brings all of the members 21 to a central position before passing by the olfset portions. Rotation of shaft 4 moves the carrier through the friction discs and carries the cam members 21 around the paths 22, 23 and 32.

As the members 21 pass out of path 32, they enter between pole pieces 34 and 35 of magnets 36 and 37. CIf neither magnet 36 or 37 is energized the cam member 21 passing between the pole pieces 34 and 35 is held in central position by means of light centering 38 or 39. y As 21 moves away from the end of center piece 26, the carrier will commence to rotate and 21 will pass into path 22 or 23 as the case may be.

As members 21 are rotated, immediately after leaving the stop position and entering path 22 or 23 they will pass under, and cam roller 40 or 41 and move the roller outward. Rollers 40 and 41 are mounted on pivoted arms 42'and 43 which carry contact springs 44 and 45. Contact springs 44 and 45 carry contacts 46 and 47 adapted to engage contacts 48 and 49 when rollers 4() and 41 are moved outward by cams 21. Springs 50 and 51 Inormally hold arms 42 and 43 in a position with contacts 46 and 47 disengaged and rollers 40 and 41 in inward position.

In Fig. 4 a modification of the magnet control of members 21 isshown. instead of directly attracting members 21 due to magnetic action, magnets 36 and 37, ,actuate plvoted armatures 50 and 51 which in turn push members 21 into one or the other of paths 22 or 23. Springs 53 yand 54 hold armatures 50 and 51 normally against adjustable stops and 56. In this form members 21 need not be of magnetizable material.

If desired cam members 21 may be permanent magnets and the shifting thereof may be caused by the directions of current in windings 36 and 37 in a well known manner. ln this case, rings 24 and 25 and center piece 26 should preferably be of non-magnetic material, for example, bronze.

Mounted rigidly on shaft 4 is a disc 57 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6). Disc 58 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 4 and is secured to disc 57 by means of an adjusting screw 59 extending through a slot therein. Discs 57' and 58 have each formed on the periphery thereof eight teeth 6l and 62. Each tooth is preferably of one-half of the angular width and slot 60 is so arranged that the angular distance covered by the teeth taken together may be adjusted to range from a halfof the angle of a cam 21 to the full angle of a cam 21. A roller 63 carried by contact spring 64 is arranged to be engaged and actuated by the edges of teeth 61 and 62 to close contacts 65 and 66. The relative position of the teeth 61 and 62 with respect to cams 21 is such that whenever the carrier comes to rest with a cam 21 against center piece 26, the contacts 65 andv 66 will be open. If desired, the angular position of disc 57 may also be made adjustable about shaft 4, and to increase the range, the number of toothed plates may be increased and the corresponding width of each tooth may be decreased. As shown in Fig. 5, contact spring 64 may be provided with a grounding contact 67 which rests against a grounded contact 68 when the repeater is at rest and contacts and 66 are open.

Transmitting batteries 69 and 70 are connected from ground to contacts 48 and 49 and adapted to be applied to the cable or line through contacts 46 and 47, arms 42 and 43,

conductors 71 and 72, conductor 73. contacts- 66 and 65, spring 64 through lead 74 to the cable. The signals to be repeated are received on the usual cable receiving relay 75. When a zero interval is received, armature 76 remains in mid-position` and when impulses are received, contact 78 or 79 is closed in accordance therewith, and battery 80 is applied from the ground through magnets 37 or 38 to ground, and the corresponding magnet is energized. l

In Fig. 5 a contact arrangement is shown whereby the cable is grounded during no current or zero intervals, the purpose of which In this form y is well understood in the" art. In Fig. 6, a l' modication is shown where the connections 7 3 and 7 4 are reversed as indicated to avoid grounding of thecable where such connec. tions are desired.

A'function of discs 57 and 58 and the contacts controlled thereby is to vary-the percentage of marking -time or length of the repeated impulses. By shortening the angular length of the combined teeth 61 and '62 a grounding, curbing,- or open circuit interval may be interposed between each transmitted impulse, and the length of this interval may be adjusted to the constants lof the cable over which the repeater is transmitting. A further important result isattained in that the transmitting circuit is made at contacts 65 and l 66 after the closing of contacts 46 to 49, and

is broken at the conta-cts 65. and 66 before v contacts 46 to 49 are opened. In this way all arcing occurs at contacts 65 and 66, and contacts 46 to 49 may be made lighter and more delicate. The carrier and parts mounted thereon may therefore be light, and high speeds of operation may be attained. At a speed of 83 revolutions p er minute, 200 words a minute may be repeated.

Methods of operation The preferred new method of operation comprises in general the steps of driving each 'repeater or retransmitter preferably at a slightly slower rate than the transmitter or repeater from which it is receiving; starting each repeater or retransmitter into operationA by the rst incoming impulse, and thereafter maintaining it in operation while impulses are being received and as soon as a break in the reception of impulses occurs, stopping the repeater or retransmitter until impulses again come in. It will be understood thatl the breal referred to which stops thetransmitter is longer than the usual grounding or curbing interval between each impulse on the cable. In cable working an impulse of one polarity represents a dot, an impulse of the opposite polarity represents a dash, and a zero or no current interval as long vas or longerthan an impulse represents a space.

Although the continental code is generally used in which spaces or zero intervals as long as or'longer than an impulse occur only between characters and words, theword spaces being longer than the letter spaces: other codes, as for example, letter combinations of dots, dashes and spaces of varying lengths, permutation codes,etc., may be used with equal facility and with no change in the structure of the repeating apparatus, as will more fully hereinafter appear. Accordingly when a zero interval of a length greater than the time of a normal curbing or grounding interval betweenv impulses is received, as for example, a letter or word space in the continental code', the repeater is brought to rest. As soon thereafter as animpulse of either polarity 'is received, the repeater is again started in operation and operatesuntil a zero condition of suicient length is received.

l The repeater or retransmitter may also be operated at a faster rate than the transmitter or repeaterfrom which it is receiving according to another method of operation ofthe invention. In this case, the repeaters will be stopped and started for each impulse received, and will remain at rest when the spaces are p being received and retransmitted.

In operating systems of the characterdescribed, or any signaling system in which deiinite speed relations at widely removed points must be maintained, the problem of speed regulation at remote points has been considered heretofore a serious problem. Various forms of governing devices-have been provided to maintain motors at suitably i constant speeds of operation. I have discovered by experimentation that an induction motor when driving a load which is only a small proportion 'of' its rated capacity will operate with substantially no slip, and accordingly will run at .substantially synchronous l speed. By using over-size induction motors of alternating current may', in this manner, be utilized to replace the station speed governing devices otherwise `necessary. Where sources of alternatlng currentat the same fre- .quencies butof differing voltages are available at different stations, I have found that the slight speed difference resulting there.

from with standard motors, may be corrected by the use of adjustable transformers inter` posed between the motor and the local power supply. This method o f driving apparatus by` use of over-size induction motors results in simplification' of station apparatus and in greater reliability. It is obviously applicable loo to many types of systems such as various types of printing telegraph,- andselective systems. Having described the new methods of operation, the operation of the apparatus and retransmitting arrangements in accordance vwith the preferred method of, operation will be set forth, the code'shown in Fig. 7 being used for purposes of illustration. The motors at the various stations are Vfirst set intov operation, and then tape 81 is inserted in the transmitter at the transmitting station. A wave or impulse 82 is sent to the line\and actul.one of the magnets 36 or 37 and the cam member 21 held against center piece or stop 26 is shifted to the right or left. As soon as member 21 clears the center piece or stop member, the carrier Will start into rotation and the member 21 Will pass into path 22 or 23 according to Which magnet is energized and Will immediately pass under roller 40 or 41 and actuate contact 4G or 47 to partially close the repeating circuit. Shortly after this contact is closed,. discs 57 and 58 operate to close contact 65 to send the impulse to the second section of cable and then openthis contact at the end of the impulse. Shortly after 65 has opened cam 21 moves completely past the roller 40 or 41 as the case may be, and contact 46 4or 47 is opened by the action of spring 50 or 51. As soon as the roller 40 or 41 drops oif cam 21, the repeater is ready for the succeeding impulse. The preferred speed of operation is suoli that a succeeding impulse will arrive just before the succeeding cam member 21 reaches the stop shelf formed by the end of 26, and this cam member will be forced into path 22 or 23 Without bringing the carrier to rest. Rotation Will therefore continue as long as impulses follow each other and retransmission of each impulse occurs immediately after it is received in the manner described. Then ay zero or no current line condition occurs as at' 83 however, neither magnets 36 nor 37 will be energized'and the cani member 2l coming between the magnets will remain in e central position after leaving path 32, and will accordingly come to rest againstthe end of 26. Vhen the carrier comes to rest contacts 46 and 47 Will remain open and a zero interval will be retransmitted and maintained until another signal impulse is received. In this manner, it Will be seen that each zero signal or longer interval brings the repeater torest, and during this time a corresponding condition is maintained on the second section of the cable.

It Will be apparent that if the speed of the repeater is slightly increased, the carrier Will be started and stopped for each impulse received and will also remain at rest during the zero intervals. This method of operation results in greater shock than the pre- 55,ferred method and for this reason is not so desirable.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, wvhat is desired to\be secured by Letters Patent and claimed as new is:

1. ln a signaling system in which signal conditions made up of current and no-current `intervals are utilized; a receiver comprising a continuously rotating' motor; a rotary receiving member adapted to'be driven by said motor; and means for causing said receiving member to be driven by said motor when current intervals are received and for arresting rotation of said receiving member during no-current intervals.

.2. n a signaling system in Which signal tions of opposite polarities and spacing in-v tervals made up of no current conditions; a receiving member; and means for permitting rotation of said receiving member during reception of a current condition of either polarity and for preventing rot-ation of said member during the reception of a spacing interval.

4. ln a signaling system comprising a receiver with a rotatable member utilizing character signals made up of current conditions of opposite polarities and spacing `in tervals between characters made up of nocurrent conditions; the method of operation which comprises rotating said receiver member in a single direction While current conditions of either polarity are received, and arresting rotation thereof While no-current conditions are received.

5. The method of maintaining ldefinite vspeed'relations of operating transmitter and receiver members which comprises operating the transmitter at afixed speed, iinitiating the operation of a receiver member in respense to the first impulse of each signal,

operating the receiver at a speed slower than the speed of the transmitter, and arresting the operation of the receiver member at the completion of each signal.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 in which the transmitter is constantly operated under solely local control at a uniform speed, and in which the rotation of the. receiver is under solely local control between the starting and' stopping thereofpulsescoi'nprising a lrotary carrier, a plurality of storing members mounted on said carrier, and a stop adapted to be engaged byv .said storing members to arrest rotation of said carrier.

11.4The combination as set forth in claim 10 together with continuously operating motor driven members to drive said rotary carrier.

` 12. The combination as set forth in claim 10 together with electro-responsive means controlling said storing members and controlled by received signaling impulses. 13. In a cable signaling system utilizing character signals made up of current conditions o opposite polarity and spacing intervals made up of no current conditions, the method of operation which comprises starting operation of a receiver'from a local-source under control of received current conditions of either polarity and stopping'ope'rations thereof by the reception of a spacing interv val.

' ments mounted on a rotatable carrier for Yals 14. A repeater comprising means for re.

ceiving attenuated` signals distorted in wave form and relative spacing of signals and means comprising avplurality of storing eletransmitting said signal amplified and corrected in wave form and spacing.

15. In a telegraph repeater, a receiver responsive to attenuated signals a transmitter and a local source of mechanical energy controlled by said receiver Jfor operating said transmitter in a positive manner in accordance with the operation of said receiver.

16.- In a telegraph system, a 'receiver responsive to attenuated signals, armature means responsive to the operation of said re-` ceiver, a source of mechanical energy and a transmitter operated by said source of mechanical energy' through said armature.

17. In a telegraphv system, a receiver, a local source ofpower for rotating said receiver under control o said received` im,v

pulses and means responsive to a Ii'o Icurrent condition for stopping thejr'otation of .saidv receiver and a transmitter operated by"said local source of power through said rotating receiver.

18. In a signaling system; a signal storingl means initiated and maintained in operation by the reception'of signaling impulse conditions and arrested in operation by the cessation of signaling; transmitting means actuated by said signal storing means to 'repeat the received signaling impulse conditions comprising a plurality of transmitting contacts operated in accordance with the received impulses; a second contact in series with said plurality of contacts; and means for operating said second contact in a predetermined relation with respect to said plurality of contacts for completely regenerating the received impulse conditions.

In a telegraph receiver; electro responsive means controlled by received distorted impulse conditions; a signal storing means controlled by said electro -responsive means;

means'for initiating'and maintaining in operation said signal storing means by the reception of said distorted impulse conditions and for arrestingoperation of said. 'st0ring relation with respect to said pluralityhof con- A tacts for completely 4regenerating said received impulse conditions.AA l

20. In a receiver responsive to signaling` impulses comprising a rotary carrier; a plu-1 ralityof storing members mounted on said carrier, a st op adapted to be engaged b said storing members to arrest rotation o said carrier, a continuously operating motor driven member yfor driving'said rotarycarrier7 a transmitting circuit controlled thereby comprising a plurality of .transmitting contacts operated under control of said 're-' c'eiverfor generating lcode combinations of marking and spacing impulse conditions, a second contact in serieswith said plurality of contacts andmeans for operating said second contact in a predetermined relation with respect to said plurality of contacts yfor conf trolling the wave shape of said marking and spacing im ul'se conditions.

21.|A `ca lerepeater comprisingla rotaryi carrier; aplurality of storing members,

mountedon said carrier; electrogresponsive 5 means "responsive to distorted received impulse conditionsv for variably operating said storing member;- a set of transmitting con# 'tacts controlled by said storing4 member; a

transmitting circuit controlled by said trans- 'no transmittingcircuit;and means for actuatmitting contacts; a timing contact/fin said ing said timing -contact in' definitely `timed l' v relationwith respectvto the operation of said transmitting 'contacts to control the'length of the transmittedimpulses. A

22. Inga .cable signaling system utilizing character signals made up of current conditions'of oppositepolarity and spacing iny tervals made 'up of no current conditions; -f

.the method of operation which comprises starting operation of a receiver from a localv source under control of received impulse'conv ditions of eitheripolarity; 'stopping operations thereof during Zero impulse condition;

controlling 'a transmitter by said receiverfor transmitting corresponding impulse conditions over a second cable; and periodically grounding the cable during intervals between the transmitted impulse conditions.

23. In a cablesignaling system utilizing character signals made up of marking current conditions of opposite polarity and no Current spacing conditionsgthe'method of operation which comprises starting operation of a receiver from a local source under control of recelved current cond1t1ons of" either polarity; stopping operations thereof during no current conditions; retransmitting the received character signals in regenerated condition under local control and periodically grounding the cable intermediate each current condition. A

24. In a cable signaling system, the method of operating a repeater which comprises' conditioning-the receiver forv response to an impulse by control ofv thepreceding impulse, whereby an impulse which follows a space is repeated in nature and in time under control of the corresponding received impulse and whereby an impulse which follows a preceding impulse is repeated in nature under control of the received impulse and is repeated in time under control of the repeater.

25. The method of operating a receiver which comprises receiving signal impulses at approximately uniform time intervals and conditioning the receiver by each'impulsev to predetermine the manner of response to the next succeeding impulse.

'26. In a telegraph system, a receiver responsive to received impulses, a transmitter, a local power means for operating said transmitter under control ofvsaid receiver, and means in said receiver for repeating a first impulse under control ofthe received impulse and for conditioning the receiver to repeat a subsequent impulse in nature by control of the subsequent impulse and in time by control of said local power means.

27. In a telegraph system in which groups of current-impulses are separated by no-current intervals, the method of repeating which comprisestransmitting the first impulse of each group under controlof the received impulse in nature land in time, and transmitting each subsequent impulse of each group under control of the received impulse in nature and under control of the repeater in time.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIIDT.

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