US1253335A - Auxiliary alarm system. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

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E APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 24I ISIN.

9 d n IJ a 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patent@ Jam. 15, i911@ lll STATS PATENT CLARENCE E. BEACH, OF BINGHAMTGN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 THE GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM OF NEW YORK.

AUXILIARY ALARM SYSTEM.

Application filed September' 24, 1914.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, CLAnENo/E E. BEACH, a

citizen oi" the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broome and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auxiliary Alarm Systems, of which the following is a specification. My invention relates to alarm systems having signal boxes connected in a general circuit, and each adapted to transmit a signal identifying that particular signal box, and having one or more groups of ,so-called auxiliary stations,-a different one of said signal boxes and suitable current supply n1eel`ianism being connected to each group of auxiliary stations, whereby the operation ol2 any one of the auxiliary stations will not only cause its connected signal box to be adjusted for the'transmission oi' its signal, but in addition thereto, will cause the operation of indicating mechanism associated with said signal box so as to indicate which of the auxiliary stations has been operated.

Auxiliary alarm systems have, in the past, been devised having such indicating mecha nism, and having two sets or' batteries associated with each auxiliarized signal box, its connected group ot' auxiliary stations and indicating mechanism, and said systems have been so arranged that one battery set and a portion of the conductors employed were under constant test, but such former systems have not been so constructed that immediate wa rni ng would be given in the event ol operative impairment orn the current paths and batteries vital to an indication ot' an operated station.

The principal object of this invention is to provide such an auxiliary alarm and indicator system, having all of the advantages possessed by such systems as have been heretofore constructed, and having the additional advantage of keeping under constant test all batteries and conductors whose condition is vital to causing the operation ot the station indicating mechanism from any auxiliary station, so that warning will be immediately given of a break in the conductors or of a weakening of the batteries such as might render the operation of an auxiliary station ine-iiiective to produce responsive action of the indicater mechanism.

Other objects of this invention are re- Specficaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. i5, 191W.

Serial No. 863,321.

ferred to in the following specifications and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In constructing this invention, any well known form of signal box may be employed, which `is provided with electromagnetic mechanism adapted to cause such signal box to be set in motion whenever the magnet thereof is suiiiciently energized, and, it de sired, comprising means for breaking the circuit connected to said magnet the re sult or' the operation of said signal box.

Any well known form of auxiliary station may be employed which has circuit adjust ing` mechanism comprising means for normally maintaining a connect-ion between two conductors, and, when operated, for breaking such connection between said conductors and connecting one olf said conductors to a third conductor, and, it desired, providing some well known form of answer back mechanism adapted to be brought into operative relation with the conductors connected to the auxiliary station when said station is in operated position.

Conductors are provided serially including the normally closed terminals of the auxiliary stations, relay mechanism controlling a suitable alarm, the controlling magnet and the circuit breaking contacts (it usedl oi t-he signal box to be controlled, and eurrent supply mechanism so applied as to provide a normal current flow therethrough to maintain the relay mechanism in such condi tion that any material decrease in said current iiow will render said suitable alarm operative, such norma-l current llow being in` sutlicient to cause effective energif/.ation of the starting magnet et the signal box.

Other conductors are provided serially including relay mechanism, indicator mechanism magnets, normally open terminals of the auxiliary stations, and a resistance, so connected with the iirst named conductors and the current supply mechanism that when the relay mechanism, the answer back magnet of any auxiliary station (if used), the indicator mechanism magnets, and the starting magnet ofthe signal box are connected in series, the resultant current flow through said box starting magnet will be capable of adjusting said signal box for the transmission of its signal and said resultant current flow through the magnet of the indicator mechanism associated with the operated aux.-

iliary station will be capable of adjusting said indicator mechanism to indicate the operated station.

Current indicating mechanism may be suitably connected in series with the current supply mechanism and any wel] known alarm devices may be so controlled by the relay mechanism as to accomplish results well understood by those skilled in the art, and in addition thereto, to provide means whereby an alarm will be given whenever the current flow falls below a predetermined value, through impairment either of the current supply mechanism or or' the circuit through the conductors connected to the indicator mechanism magnets and normally open contacts of the auxiliary stations.

The resistance connected in series with the indicator mechanismrmagnets and asso-V ciatedl relay mechanism should be such that it' will cut down the normal current flow therethrough to such a value as to lmaintain the, relay mechanism in such condition that any material decrease in said current flow will result in causing a suitable alarm to be given. l

Vhen it is desired to render the operation of this improved auxiliary alarm and indicator system effective in spite of breaks in any conductor connected to a normally open terminal of an auxiliary station or to an indicator mechanism magnet, relay mechanism is connected between one terminal of the current supply mechanism and two parallel sets of conductors, each serially including normally open terminals and associated indicator mechanism magnets of some of the auxiliary stations and said two parallel sets of conductors are connected to a terminal of the resistance.

When it is desired to provide a separate indicating device for each auxiliary station, each so connected as to be under constant test and so arranged that only one of said devices will be operatively aiiected upon the operation oi' any auxiliary station, such devices are provided with magnets having two substantially equal windings, and the normally vopen terminal of the associated auxiliary station is connected to one terminal of each'of said windings, and the conductors communicating with other stations, or with the current supply mechanism, are so connected with the remaining terminal of each of said windings that, whenl the current flows therethrough from the circuit adjusting mechanism of an auxiliary station, the windings of its associated indicator magnet will act cumulatively, and the direction of current iiow through the windings of all other indicator magnets will be such' that the windings of each magnet will act inopposition to each other.v j Y j MYarious features l of my inventionare adapted 'tornseg` either separately ori'i'coml bination with each other, with many-auxiliary alarm systems and I do not limit myself to the particular arrangements shown in the accompanying drawings Y and described in this speciication, as many changes in construction and arrangement and the insertion or omission of parts may be made without. departing from the spirit of my invention. Y

For the purpose of more clearly illustrating my invention, I have shown its Vapplic-af tion to auxiliary :alarm systems embodying certain well known apparatus and circuits, in the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure l shows such an auxiliary alarm system with my invention applied thereto. j Fig. 2 shows my invention applied to an other form oi" auxiliary alarm system;`-`

Like characters of reiierence'referto like parts throughout. l Y )referring to Fig. l, l is a starting-mag net adapted to be so associated with any suitable signal box, that when it is properly energized, it maycause the adjustment of said box for the transmission of a signal therefrom. i

2' and 3 are contacts included in the'cir` cuit connected to the starting magnet l, and' adapted to be so controlled by the signal box associated therewith that said contacts A, C, D, E and F are auxiliary sta`` tions, each having a well known form'of circuit adjusting means, consisting'fof' a switch Varm 4,pivoted at 5, and the free end of which is adapted to engage and connect with the separately insulated contacts 6, T and 8. j y An answer back or buzzer means is also shown at each auxiliary station, comprising well known mechanism, the construction and operation of which is well'understood'by those Iskilled in this art. l

A terminal set is shown in suitable relation to the starting magnet l, and comprises testing battery Gr, operating battery H, gal-` vanometers I and J, resistance K,"alarm contr'olliiig mechanism comprisingVIA trip reioo be so placed as' to be adapted to be exposed,

` through a suitable opening, when vsaid dial has been released upon the energizationof one or more of the magnets 90, 91`a1n'3l192,4`

and is thereupon caused to irotate by means of Aany suitable drivingmeans indicated by the Weight 7 6. lndicator'magnet 90 hasthe armature struct'tufe 78` Which-normally enw gages a shoulder 7 9 on the dial 75 and prevents the rotation ofthe dial. `Similar armature structures 80 and 81 are provided for indicator magnets 91 and 92, respec tively, and said structures `when in retracted position lie in the path of the shoulder `79. 'Ehe stop pin 82`is provided at such point in the path of the shoulder 79` that the moye ment of the dial 7 5 may be suitablyarrested thereby When all of the armature structures are in attracted position. When the arma-- tnre structure 7S is movedto attracted `position, the shoulder 79 Will be disengaged and the dial 75 Will be allowed to rotate in coun-` ter-clockwise direction. If the armature structures 80 and 81 are then in attracted position, the dial will `continue to rotate until stoppedby engagement of the shoul der 79 Vwith stop pin 82. A handle 77 shown for restoring the dial 75.

One terminal of the testing battery G is so connected with one terminal of the oper ating battery H, by the 4conductor 12, that it may serially coperate therewith. `The other terminal of the testinv battery Cr is con nec-ted throughthe conl uetor 13 toene terminal ofthe galvanometer l; The other terminal of the galvanometer'l is connected through conductor 14@ to one terminal of the magnet 15 of the trip relay L. The other terminal of the magnet 15 is connected through the conductor 16 to one terminal of the starting magnet 1. The other terminal of the starting magnet is connected to the contact 2, and contact is connected, through conductor 17, to thepivot of the switch arm 4)of the circuit adjusting means `form` ing part of auxiliary stationF. i

rThe conductor 1S connects normally closed contact 6, of the circuit adjusting means forming part of auxiliary station F, with the pivot 5 of the circuitadjusting meansforming part of auxiliary station, .lconductors 19, 20, 21 and 22 similarly connect stations E D, (1B and 1X. and `conductor 23 connects contact (l of stat'muY Alu'ith conductor 12. 1

The current path'from the testing battery (t. through `comluct'or, `13, `galnanometer` l, conductor let, magnet' 15, conductor 16., starting magnet 1, contacts 2 and 3,- conductors 17 "`1.8,19, 2tlg 21 and 22, switch arms et and contactsl of auxiliary stations F, E,D,`C,` andV conductor 23', forms a loop,

(lf through the .conductor 12, and the other end of `which eisdirectly connected "to saidv battery," so that a' testing current may: normally pass through `said Ydoop, and the strength of thebattery G `is such that the current flou' through this `loop will be suiiicient. to hold the armature of the magnet out-of contact. withitsback` stop, but said current lion will be insu'tlicient to dranT the armatures of the magnet 15, or of the starting magnet l, to their attracted positions, andsaid current path therefore forms a loop which will be hereinafter referred to as a test loop. i

The conductor 21 connects one terminal of the operating battery lol with one terminal of the galvanometer J, and the other termi ual of said galvanometer J is connected, through the conductor 25, toyone terminal of the magnet 26 of cross relay h/Land the other terminal of said magnet 26` is connected, through the conductor'27, to one end of winding 28 of indicator magnet O. Con-H duetor connects the other end of `this winding to contact 7 of auxiliary station A. Contact 7 of auxiliary station A is also connected by conductor 30 to one end of wind ino' 31 of indicator magnet O, the other end of vwhich Winding is connected by conductor 32 to one end of Winding 33 of indicator magnet l?, the other end of which Winding is connected by conductor Bel to contact 7 of auxiliary station B. Contact 7 of auxiliary station B is also connected by conductor 35 to one end of winding 36 ofindicator magnet l). the other end of which 'Winding is connected by conductor 37 to one endof Wind ing 3S of indicator magnet Q, the other end of which winding is connected by conductor 39 to contact 7 of auxiliary station C. YContact 7`of auxiliary station `C is also connected by conductor 40 to one end of 'Winding L11 of indicator' magnet Q. the other end of which winding is connected by conductor to one end of Winding of indicator magnet 90, the other end of which Winding is connected by conductor eto contact 7 of aux iliary station D. Contact 7 of auxiliary station Dis also coi'inected by conductor 44: to one end of Winding of indicator magnet 91, the other end offwhich Winding is connected by conductor to contact 7 of auxiliary station Contact 7 of auxiliary `station 'E is also coimectedbv conductor 46 to one end of Winding of indicator magnet 92, the other end of which windingis connected by conductor L'L7 to contact 7 of auxiliary station F.

The current path just described forms a loop from the operating battery H to the contacts 7, ofthe auxiliarystations A to F inclusive. whereby starting magnet 1' of the signal box,` `and the indicatorimechanism, maybe operatively affected, and said current path will hereinaftervbe ieferred lto as an operating loep,

titi.

A rac 'fla The trip relay L comprises g-the magnet l5 and its associated armature structure 48; back stop 49; armature retractile spring 50; insulating button 51; arm 52, pivoted at 53,

and having retractile spring 54; trip arm 55, pivoted at 56, and having lifting spring 57, and carrying contact pin 58, in position to be engaged by the cut away end of arm 52; contact spring 59, arranged to engage with trip arm 55; and contact spring 60 arranged to coperate with 'contact pin 58. The construction, arrangement, and operation of the various parts of the relay shown, are well understood by those skilled in the art, and in the interests of brevity will not be herein recited.

It will be seen that this. relay is arranged to trip a contact upon complete attraction of its armature, and in this sense is herein referred to as a trip relay.

It will further be seen that the trip relay L is so organized that, Vunder predetermined conditions ofthe circuit connected to the magnet 15, the armature structure 48 may occupy any oneyof three definite positions, and this relay is therefore not only a trip relay, but is arranged to maintain any one of three sets of local contact conditions, and in this sense is herein referred to as a threeposition relay. Y i

lThe cross relay M is a three position trip relay similar in construction and operation to the relay L just described.

The terminal set also embodies the alarm mechanism N which comprises the battery 61, the disturbance indicator 62, the fire indicator 63, and the alarm bell 64, all connected to relays L and M as shown, so as to be controlled thereby in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.

The three-position feature of the trip relay L is utilized by employing this relay as a test relay, so long as the trip arm 55 is in depressed position, to cause the disturbance indicator 62 and the alarm bell 64 to act whenever the current flow through the mag net 15 is less than a predetermined value, and as a trip relay, acting whenever the magnet 15 has been abnormally energized both to cause the operation of the re indicator 63, and to open the connection between the battery 61 and the contacts controlling the trouble indicator 62.

For the purpose of enabling the condition of the vital current path for indicator mechanism magnets through the operating battery, and operating loop, to be under test, the operatingl loop is extended from Contact 7, of auxiliary station F, through conductor 47 to arterminal of the resistance K, and the other terminal of said resistance is connected through conductor 74 to conductor 23, the resistance K being such that, when the battery H Iis at normal strength, the current passing through magnet 26 will be barely suilicient to keep .the armature structure 48 in its normal or intermediate position. f

In the operation of the system shown in Fig. 1, the parts normally occupy the positions shown, the magnet 15 oftrip relay L being su'liciently energized by the current iow from testing battery G through the test loop already described to move and retain the armature structure 48 in its intermediate position so that any interruption in the current path through said test circuit (including the starting magnet 41 and contacts 2 and 3) will be indicated by the disturbance indicator 62 and the alarm bell 64 which'will be rendered effective through the retraction of Vthe armature structure 48 into contact with its associated back stop 49, and the strength of said current low is constantly indicated by the galvanometer I.

A second current path is established fromV the operating battery H through a portion of conductor 12, a portion of conductor 23, conductor 74, resistance K, conductor 47', contact 7 of auxiliarypstation F, conductorV 47, winding of indicator magnet 92, conduc tor 46, contact 7 of station E, conductor 45, winding of indicator magnet 91, conductor 44, contact 7 of station D, conductor 43, winding of indicator magnet 90, conductor 42, winding 41 of indicator magnet Q, conductor 40, contact 7 of station C, conductor 39, winding 38 of indicator magnet Q, conductor 37, winding 36 of indicator magnet P, conductor 35, contact 7 of station B,.con ductor 34, winding 33 of indicator magnet P, conductor 32, winding 31 of indicator magnet O, conductor 30, contact 7 of station A, conductor 29, winding 28 of indicator magnet O, conductor 27, magnet 26, conductor 25, galvanometer J and conductor 24 to the opposite terminal of battery H. The current through this path, however, is insufficient to cause the indicator magnets 90, 91 and 92 to attract their armatures, and indicator magnets O, P and Q do not operate because their windings are now so energized as to act in opposition to each other.

Any interruption of this current path will be indicated bythe disturbance indicator 62 and the alarm bell 64 which will be rendered effective through the retraction of the armature structure 48 of the relay M into contact with its associated back stop 49', and the strength of said current flow is constantly indicated by the galvanometer J.

The operation of this system in case a lire alarm is sent is as follows t Y Suppose the switch arm 4 at the auxiliary station `B is moved from contact 6 until it rests upon contact 8 of said station.

When the switch arm 4 touches the contact7, while still touching contact 6, a current path will be established from the operating battery H, through conductorv 12v t0 junction with conductor 23; from this junction three parallel paths will exist to contact 7 of station B: first, through conductor :23, contact 6 and switch arm 4 of auxiliary station A, conductor to contact G of auxiliary station B, thence through switch arm 4 to contact 7 of said station, `which path will be referred to as the path through conductor 28; second, from the junction ot conductor 28 with conductor 12, through battery G, conductor 13, galif'anometer l, conductor 14, magnet 15, conductor 1G, starting magnet 1 of the signal box, contacts 2 and 3, conductor 17, switch arm 4 and contact 6 of station F, conductor 18, switch arm 4 and contact (i of station E, conductor 19, switch arm 4 and contact 6 of station D, conductor switch arm 4 and contact G of station C, conductor 21, and switcharm 4 to contact 7 of station B, which path will be referred to as the path through starting magnet 1, but the resistance of this path through starting magnet 1 is so great in comparison with the path through conductor 23 that substantially all the current from the operating battery H will pass through the path through conductor 23; third, from conductor 23, through conductor `74, resistance K, conductor 47, contact 7 ot station F, conductor 47, winding of indicator magnet 92, conductor 46, contact 7 of station E, conductor 45, winding of indicator magnet 91, conductor 44, contact 7 of station D, conductor 43, winding of indicator magnet 90, conductor 42, winding 41 ot indicator magnet Q, conductor 40, contact 7 oit station C, conductor 39, winding 3S ot indi- Y cator magnet Q, conductor 37, winding 3G of indicator magnet P, and conductor 35, to contact 7 of station l5, which will be referred to as the path through resistance K.

rlhe resistance of this path through resistance l is so high in comparison with that of the path through conductor 23 that the currentflow through the indicator .mag nets 90, 91, 92 and is insufficient to etico tively energize them. l

From the junction of the three parallel current paths at contact 7, the current path continues through conductor 34,winding 38 or indicator lmagnet P, conductor 32, winding 31 of indicator magnet O, conductor 30, contact 7 of station A, conductor 29, winding` 278 or' indicator magnet O, conductor 27, magnet 26 ot cross relay M, conductor 25, galmnometer J, and conductor 24 to the other terminal or' operating battery H, which path will he referred to as the'path through magnet 26,

Upon the establishment of the current paths just described, magnet Q6 will be pow, ertully energized, and armature structure 48 will more the arm 5'2 against the tension of spri- ngs 50 and 54, and release the trip arm 55 to cause the disturbance indi eatin' (S2 and the alarm bell 64 to act,

lt will be noticed that, under the condition just described, winding 36 of indicator magnet P will be in the path through resistance K, while winding 33 of this indicator magnet will be in the path through magnet 2G, and the current through winding 33 will be greatly increased, so to be adapted to cause the indicator magnet i) to operate its indicating device.

rEhe current through both windings 31 and 28 of indicator magnet O will also have been similarly increased, but as these wind ings will still be acting in opposition to each other, this indicating device will not be operated.

Then the switch arm 4 ceases to touch the contact G, the current path through conductor 23 will be interrupted, and therefore the current flow through the path through starting magnet 1 will be greatly increased, and will be sufficient to operatively atlect the starting magnet 1, and if the signal box is set, in condition to be responsive to the eii'ective energization of said magnet 1, said signal box would be adjusted for the transmission of its signal.

After said switch arm 4 is moved from contact 7 to contact 8, the magnet 9, of the answer back or buzzer means associated therewith, will be serially included in the path through the starting magnet 1 to contact 7, so that the current passing through said path will cause said magnet 9 to draw its armature 10 an abnormal distance from its back stop 11.

`When the connection between contacts 2 and 3 is interrupted (as it should be by the running oi' the signal. box) the path through magnet 1 will be broken, and magnet 9 will therefore be deenergized, and the armature 10 will thus be permitted to move away trom said magnet, but said armature in moving away from its magnet. will acquire sutlicient momentum to carry it against back stop 11, so as to re'energize the magnet 9, through establishing a connection from the path through conductor 23, through contact back stop 11 armature 10, switch arm 4, contact 8, magnet 9, and Contact 7, to the current path through magnet 26.

Upon such renergization of the magnet 9, the armature 1 will be again attracted, breaking its connection with its back stop 11 and setting up a buzzing operation which will continue so long said switch arm 4 remains on contact S, and the path through starting magnet l is open, and during such buzzing operation the indicator mechanism magnets will be subjected to a pulsating current, which current, however, will not cause improper operation of said indicating mechanism.

It the switch mechanism at a station connected with indicator mechanism S is operated, (las for instance station E) by moving its switch arm 4 from contact 6 to Acontact 8, the varied current paths already described will be established With the following changes: the current path through conduc-V tor 23 Will extend from contact 6 of station B, through switch arm 4 of said station, conductors 21, 20 and 19, and contacts 6 and switch arms 4 of stations C and D, to contact 6 of station E; the current path through starting magnet 1 will end at switch arm 4 of station E; the current path through resistance K will end at contact 7 of station E., and the current path through magnet 26 will begin at contact 7 of station E and pass through conductor 45, winding o4 indicatorl magnet 91, conductor 44, contact 7 of station D, conductor 43, Winding of indicator magnet 90, conductor 42, Winding 41 of indicator magnet Q, conductor 40, contact.7 of station C, conductor 39, Winding 38 of indicator magnet. Q, conductor 37, winding 36 of indicator magnet P, conductor 35, to contact 7 of station B, Where it joins the current path through magnet 26 already described. The current flow through the path through starting magnet 1,- will, as previously described, be sufiicient to operatively affect the magnets 1 and 15. The current flow in the path Athrough magnet 26 will be sufcient to cause the indicator magnets 90 and 91 to release the indicating dial 7 5 and allow it to move two steps, under the influence of the weight 76, when it will be stopped by the engagementof the shoulder 79 With armature structure 81 of magnet 92, which Will not be eiiectively energized because it will be in the current path through resistance K, thus causing an indication corresponding with station E.

While the current flow through indicator magnets'O, P and Q will be greatly increased, as before, the windings oit' these magnets will be acting in opposition to each otherand hence these indicating devices will not be operated.

` Should the operating battery or the continuity of the operating loop be so impaired as to jeopardize the operation of the indicator mechanism, such impairment will permit retraction of the armature structure 48 of the cross relay M to cause operation of the disturbance indicator 62 and alarm bell 64.

In the event of a cross or short circuit between the operating loop and the test loop, Vif such cross is between either conductors 29, a0, si, as, 39, 4o, le, a4, 45, 4c, 47 or 47', and the test loop, the indicating mechanism .will act in response thereto, and any cross lbetween said loops will cause the cross relay Mand disturbance alarm 62 and 64 to act in a well known manner.

Fig. 2 shows this inventionapplied to a form of auxiliary alarm system which is so constructed and arranged that one break in the operating loop yWill not disableV any auxiliary station, this invention being also so applied to said system that such a break in the operatinglloop will not disable any indicator mechanism.

The application Vof this invention shown in Fig. 2 diers from that shown in Figl principally in that tWo cross relays are provided, one at each end of the operating loop, a terminal of each of these cross relays being connected to the same conductor from the operating battery, the other Vterminals-,ot these relays being connected each to its end ot' the operating loop. j.

The contacts of the additional cross'relay Trl are connected in parallel with the Corresponding contacts of the cross relay M, and their control of the circuit of the trouble indicator 62 and alarm bell 6 4 is similarly under the control of the contacts of the trip relay L. T he resistance K is connected from the conductor 23 to the operating loop approximately at the electrical center thereof.

The current path through the test loop is as described in connection with Fig. 1.

The normal test current path from the operating battery is as :tollows:--from one 'terminal of operating battery H, through a portionot conductor 12, a portionot conductor 23, conductor 74, resistance K, conductor 47, to junction 83, Where the current divides into two parallel paths; one path through the part of the operating loop comprising conductor 37, winding` 36 of indicator magnet P, conductor 35, contact 7 of station B, conductor 34, winding 33 of indicator magnet P, conductor 32, winding 31 of indicator magnet O, conductor 30,contact 7 of station A, conduct-or 29, Winding 28 of indicator magnet 0, conductor 27, magnet 26, conductor 25 toy junction 84; and the path through the part oi the operating loop comprising conductor 37, winding 38 of indicator magnet Q, conductor 39, contact 7 of station C, conductor 40, ,winding 41 of indicator magnet Q., conductor 42', winding 85 oi' indicator magnet R, conductor 43', contact 7 of station D, conductor 44'., wind* ing 86 of indicator magnet R, conductor 87, Winding 26 otcross relay M and conductor 25 to junction 84, where the two parallel paths join. From junction S4 the normal test current path proceeds through conductor 25, galvanometerd, and conductor 24, to the other terminal of the operating battery H.

inasmuch as the current through the test loop, and through thetwo halves of the operating loop in parallel with each other,V

is such as to cause the magnets 15, 26 and 26 to normally hold their armatures in their intermediate position, it is evident thata breakin the test loop, or in either of the two branches of the operating loop, will so affect the corresponding magnetas to cause nauseas actuation of the disturbance indicator 62 and the alarm bell 611 as in Fig.` 1, while a cross between the operating loop and the test loop will so ailiect both themagnets 26and 26 as to cause like operation of disturbance indicator 62 and alarm bell 64.

Inapplying this invention to such an auxiliary alarm system as that shown in Fig. 1, it is desirable that the resistance of the indicator magnets be kept so low that the battery power required to obtain proper current flow, upon the operation of an auxiliary station at one end of the operating loop, will not be unduly in excess of that required to obtain the proper current flow, upon the operation of an auxiliary station at the other end of said loop; and if, owing to the number and resistance of the indicator magnets provided in a given system, the said excess battery power would be undesirably great, if arranged in accordance with Fig.` l, said indicator magnets should be arranged in two or more parallel paths, as indicated in Fig. 2; it being evident that additional relays and indicator magnets may be connected in as many parallel paths between junction 83 and junction 84 as maybe desired, and the use or' each additional. parallel path will tend to increase the efficacy of all such paths.

Thus, not only is all current supply mechanism and conductors whose condition is vital to causing the operation of a signal box from any one of a number of auxiliary stations kept under constant test, in this auxiliary alarm system, but furthermore the indicator mechanism magnets and connections thereto are kept under constant test, and provision is made for the operation of said indicator mechanism without the employment of separate current supply mechanism therefor.

The features hereinbefore described in detail, and shown in the annexed drawings, whereby the current supply mechanism and conductors whose condition is vital to causing the operation of a signal box from any of a number of auxiliary stations are kept under constant test, are not herein claimed, as same form the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 863,322, filed Sept. 24, 1914, but what I herein claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In .an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets; suitable current supply mechanism; circuit connections whereby said current supply mechanism may effectively energize the starting magnet and an indicator mechanism magnety upon the operation of an auxiliary station, and whereby test current insuilicient to effectively energize said starting magnet is normally maintained through said starting magnet, and test current is maintained through said auxiliary stations, connections, indicator mechanism magnets, and current supply mechanism; and alarm mechanism so connected thereto as to be responsive to test current impairment.

2. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; indicator mechanism having a plurality ot .electromagnets; suitable current supply mechanism; circuit connections whereby said current supply mechanism may eifectively energize the starting magnet and an indicator mechanism magnet upon the operation of an auxiliary station, and whereby test current insuiiicient to effectively energize said starting magnet is normally maintained through said starting magnet, and test current is maintained through said auxiliary stations, connections, indicator mechanism magnets, and current supply mechanism; and alarm mechanism independent of said box starting magnet so connected to said circuit connections as to be responsive to test current impairment.

3. In an `auxiliary alarm system: a .box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets; suitable current supply mechanism; circuit connections whereby said current supply mechanism may effectively energize the starting magnet and an indicator mechanism magnet upon the operation of an auxiliary station, and whereby a test current path is normally maintained through said starting magnet, auxiliary stations, connections, indicator mechanism magnets, and current supply mechanism; and alarm mechanism so con-` nected thereto as to be responsive to oper ative impairment of said current path.

4. In an auxiliary alarm system: abox starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box start ing magnet; indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets; a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and serially including the indicator magnets; current supply mechanism for said loops; and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of said loops.

5. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting magnet, indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets each having two .approximately equal windings, a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the indicator magnets, current supply mechanism for said loops, and

alarm mechanism so connected with saidloops as to be rendered active bya break in either loop.

6. In an auxiliary alarmsystem: a plurality of auxiliarypstations; indicator mechanism. having .ax corresponding lplurality of electromagnetseach having two approximately equal windings; current supply mechanism;. and circuit connections between the current supply mechanism, the indicator magnets, and the auxiliary stations, so Aarranged that the two windings of each niagnet normally oppose each other, and that the operationV otany auxiliary station will cause the windings of only the associated indicator magnet to become effectively energized to distinctively indicate the auxiliary station operated. i

7. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet, a plurality Aof auxiliary stations, a test loop connected .to said auxiliaryV stations and includingV the box vstarting magnet, indicator mechanismhaving a plurality of electro-magnets, a plurality of other test loops each connected to certain oli-.said auxiliary stations and including certain of-said indicator magnets, current supply mechanism for all of said loops, and alarm mechanism independent of said box starting magnet so connected with said Aloops as .to be rendered active by avbreak in any of said loops.

8. In an auxiliary alarm system: abox starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, a test loop connected to said, auxiliary stations and including the box startling magnet, indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets, a plurality of Y other test loops each connected to a certain plurality of said ,auxiliary stations and -including a corresponding plurality of said indicator magnetscurrent supply mechanismfor all of said loops, and alarm mechanism operative without effectively energizing said box-starting magnet so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in any of said loops.V

1.9. In an auxiliary alarm, system: .a box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary Y stations, a. test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting '8 Manassas magnet, indicator mechanism: having a plurality of electromagnets, a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so including the indicatorinagnets that said indicatormechanism is not operatively affected by the normal currentflow through said loop, current supply Vmechanism for said loops, and alarm mechanism independent of said box starting magnet so connected` with said loops asto be renderedactive by Aa break in either of said loops.

11., In an auxiliary alarm system: Va box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting, magnet, indicator mechanism having a pluralityof electi'omagnets, a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so including the indicatormagnets that said indicator mechanism is operatively aiected by the "current flow through said loop when Vsaid loops are connected by the-operation of any auxiliary station, current vsupply mechanism for said loops, and alarm mechanism independent of said box starting magnet so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of said loops.

. 12. lIn an' auxiliary alarmv system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary V stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting `magnet; indicator mechanism having a plurality ofielectroniagnets; a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so including the indicatorhmagnets that said indicator mechanism .is not operatively afected by the normal current flow` .through said loop, and is operativelyiaected by the current flowythrough said loop when said loops are connected by the operation of any auxiliary station; current supply mechanism for said loops; and alarm mechanism independent of said box starting magnet so connected with saidfloops as to be rendered 110 active by a break in. either of said loops.

13. In anfauxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality ofV auxiliary stations; a test loop connected t0 said auxiliary stations and including the box starting magnet; yindicator mechanism having a pluralityof electromagnets; a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so including the indicator magnets that said indicator mechanism is unalected by current flow through said loop only, and is suitably affected by current'iow resulting lfrom the establishment of a connection between certain conductors of said loop and the other test loop; current supply mecha- ,125 nism for'said loops; and alarmmechanism ,independent of said box starting magnet so startingfmagnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, a test loop connected to said auxil lary stations and including the box start-,ing magnet, indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets each having two approximately equal windings, a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so including the windings of each indicator magnet that said indicator mechanism will not be operatively affected by any current flow throughout said loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of said loops. l y A 15.4 In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the-boxstarting magnet; indicator mechanism havinga plurality of electromagnets each having two approximately equal windings; a second test loop connected to said auxiliary sta* tions and so serially including the windings of each indicator magnet that said indicator mechanism will be operatively aliected only by current flow from a point in the second loop which is located between the windings of a magnet, to the first test loop; current supply mechanism for said loops; and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of said loops.

16. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting magnet; indicator mechanism having a plurality ot electromagnets each having two approximately equal windings; a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so serially including the windings of each indicator magnet that said indicator mechanism is not operatively affected by the normal current 'liow through said loop, and is operatively affected only by current flow from a point in the second loop which is located between the windings of a magnet, to the lirst test loop; current supply mechanism for said loops; and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active b v a break in any of said loops.

17. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting magnet; indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets; a resistance; a plurality of other test loops, connected in multiple with each other and in series with said resistance, each connected to certain ot said auxiliary stations, and so including certain of said indicator magnets, that said indicator mechanism will not be operatively aected by the normal current ,120W through said loop, and will be operatively affected by current flow through said loop when said loop is connected with the irst loop by the operation ot any auxiliary station; current supply mechanism ior said loops; and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in any of said loops.

18. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and `including the box starting4 magnet; indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets each having two approximately equal windings; a resistance; a plurality of other test loops, connected in multiple with cach other and in series with said resistance, each connected to certain ot saidauxiliary stations and so including both windings of certain indicator magnets, that said indicator `mechanism will not be operatively alfected by the normal current flow through said loop, and will .be operatively affected by current flow through said loop when said loop is connected with the first loop by the operation of any auxiliary station; current supply mechanism for said loops; and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in any ot' said loops.

19. In an auxiliary alarm system; a box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so including the box starting magnet that said magnet is not effectively energized by the normal current flow through said loop, indicator mechanism having a plurality ot electromagnets, a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so serially including the indicator magnets that said indicator magnets are not effectively energized by the normal current flow through said loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of said loops.

20. In an auxiliary alarm system; a box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting magnet, indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets, a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so serially including the indicator magnets that certain oi said magnets are electively energized by the current liow through said loop when said loops are connected by the operation of any auxiliary station, current mechanism for said loops, and alarm mechanism so connected with said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of said loops.

21. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the boX starting magnet; indicator mechanism having a plurality of electromagnets; a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so serially including the indicator magnets that said magnets are not effectively energized by the normal current flow through said loop, and certain of said magnets are effectively energized by the current flow through said loop when said loops are connected by the operation of any auxiliary station; current supply mechanism for said loops; and alarm mechanism so connected With said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of said loops.

22. In an auxiliary alarm system: a box starting magnet; a plurality of auxiliary stations; a test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and including the box starting magnet; indicator mechanism having a Copies of this patent maybe obtained for plurality ot electromagnetsg a second test loop connected to said auxiliary stations and so serially including the indicator magnets that said magnets are not effectively ener- 'f gized by current flow through said loop only, and certain of said magnets are eiectively energized by current flow resulting from the establishment of a connection between certain conductors of said loop and the other test loop; current supply mechanism for said loops; and alarm mechanism so connected With said loops as to be rendered active by a break in either of Ysaid loops.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 22nd day of September, A. D.

C. E. BEACH.

Witnesses:

'M. L. THOMAS, D. W. FOSTER.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Paten-ts.

Washington, D. C.

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