US1810004A - Voice operated relay circuits - Google Patents

Description

June 16, 1931. B, G, BJQRNSQN 1,810,004-

voIcE OPERATED RELAY CIRCUITS Filed June. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1a B. G. BJaRNso/v BV Jmmw A Tram/.EV

June 16, 1931. a. G. BJoRNsQN voIcE oPEnAjrEn RELAY CIRCUITS 2 SheetSV-Sheet 2 Filed June 6. 1929 /N VEA/TUR B. G Bao/Ns oN TORNEY Patented June 16, 1931 vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BJON G'.V BJORNSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T'O BELL TELEPHONE ,LABORATORIES, INCORPORATEDOF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION F NEW YORK )roximatinfY a articular fre uenc and the l e P a use of such an arrangement in connection with local or other circuits to provide for rendering them operative'and inoperative.

The invention is applicableV to any type of communication system in which accelerating and delay action devices are employed but has especial application to systems in which it is desirable to operate the relay device on intermittent pulses and the detailed description will refer specifically to such a system.

One of the features of this invention consists in the method employed to secure a socalled hangover7 time in the case of echo suppressors or the switching `time in the case of voice operated repeaters When voice currents cease Without affecting adversely the time of operation of this relay when voice currents begin. I

In the prior art Where arelay circuit has been operated .from the output of a detector or rectifier, it has been customary to employ a condenser or filter arrangement to smooth out the impulses. This will retard the'tiine of operation of the circuit especially when the impulse frequency is low and a large ca- 40 pacity is required to obtain a smooth current Wave. Another feature of this invention consists in the method employed to obtain a very fast operation of the circuit on impulses ot low frequency' Without contact chattering.

This is accomplished.l in the preferred embodiment of the invention herein shown and described by providing a circuit employing 5e three relays, wherein the firstimpulse will VOICE OPERATED RELAY CIRCUITS 1929.A seriai No. 369,985.

break the normally closed contacts of the main relay and the auxiliary relay. When the normally closed contact of the auxiliary relay is broken a condenser discharges causing the main and auxiliary relays to fully operate. Full operation of the main relay causes the hangover relay to operate. At the cessation of the impulse from the rectifier the auxiliary relay releases again charging the condenser. The main and auxiliary relays are held in the non-operated position until another impulse from the rectifier repeats the cycle of operation just described. The hangover relay remains operated for adefinite time interval after each impulse.

In the other embodiment of the invention herein shown and described only two rela fs are employed. The first impulse from the rectifier causes the normally closed contact of the main relay to open. W'hen this contact is opened a condenser discharges through another Winding on the main relay and also through a Winding on the second or operating'relay. This causes the main relay to completely operate thereby closing the normally open contact on the main relay and breaking the normally closed contact on the operating relay. When the normally open contact on the main relay is closed current flows from a source of potential through another Winding from the operating. relay which fully operates the operating'relay and charges a second condenser. lVlien the impulse from the rectifier has been reduced sufficiently, the second condenser dischar s through a Winding on the operating reiiy holding it operated for a definite period of time. When the armature of the main relay returns to its normal position, the first mentioned condenser charges and tends to hold the armature of the main relay lirmly on the normally closed contact for a short time and also tends to make the armature of the operating relay return to its normal position. VThe charging period of the `first mentioned condenser must be made short compared to the hangover time of the operating relay. Also, the charging currentof the first mentioned condenser must at no time exceed the discharge current of the other condenser such as a oner since the operating relay is to be held operated by the discharge current from the last mentioned condenser.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the lellowing detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein Figs. 1 and 2 are circuit diagrams of divers embodiments oi" the invention, and Figs. 1.21 and 2-i`1 illustrate the same embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and respectively, showing the relays in schematic lorm to facilitate vtol.- lowing the des ription o'l the invention.

Referring to Fics. 1 and 1PA, L represents a normally disabled transmission path path of a repeater, or the one-Way line ot Ll-Wire circuit. In the operation o'l' such circuits, it is desirable, in order to prevent siii iing` that apparatus shall be ope ated to put the path in condition ttor transmission only during the time -when voice currents are being transmitted in the direction indicated. In the case ot echo suppressors control relays would be bridged across the opposite h `lt ol.1 the i-Wire circuit and would short-circuit it whenever speech passed on the first side for a period long enough to avoid echoes, aff; shown 'lor example, in Vll. S. Patent No. 1,536,907 to d'. Mills, May 5, 1925.

Relays 1, 2 and 3 and the equipment associated therewith are utilized to put the trans mission path L in condition Ylor transniission and to disable said path when desired. The voice operated equipment which is bridged across the path L ahead of the delay network a and which comprises the amplilicr 5, detector (3, band-pass filter 7 and detector 8 has been .shown for purposes illustration only, as the present invention is not dependent on the use o t any particular type o'l' de tector circuit. Detector circuits with which the present invention may be advantageously employed are disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,749,841 granted to `Nyquist March 1l, 1930.

Relays' 1, 2 and 3 are preterably polar relays. llelay 1 comprises a yoke 10, a permae nent magnet 12 associated with the yoke, windings 11, and 13, an armature 15, and contacts 16 and. 17, between which the arinature is arranged to swing. rlie armature is biased, by a retractile spring l-r, or other suitable means, away from the yoke 18, Which biasing normally maintains armature 15 in connection with contact 17.

Relay 2 comprises a yoke 20, a` permanent magnet 22 associated with the yoke, Wi ndings 21 and 23, an armature a5 and a contact 27. The armature is biased, by a retractile spring 24 or other suitable means, away 'troia the yoke leg 23, which biasing normally maintains the armature 25 in connection with contact 27.

Relay 3 comprises a yoke 30, a permanent magnet 32 associLw .d with the yoke, a winding 31 and an armature and a contact 37.

The armature is biased, by a retractile spring 3st or othe suitable means, away 'from the yoke leg 33, which biasing normally maintains the armature in connection With contact 37.

'Vinding 11 on relay 1 and Winding 21 on relay 2 are connected in series to the output oit the detector circuit S. 1Winding 13 on relay 1 and Winding 23 on relay 2 are connected in series from ground through a condenser L10 on one side and through a resistance111 to armature 25 on relay 2 on the other side. Contact 27 on relay 2 is connected to one side of a battery 42, the other side of which battery is connected to ground. The resistance 11 is connected to one side of a resistance 113, the other side oi Which resistance 13 is connccted to ground. The armature 15 on relay 1 is connected to one side of the line L and to ground, and the armature on relay 3 is connected to the other side of line L. Contacts 17 on relay 1 and 37 0n relay 3 are connected together. The Winding 31 on relay 3 is shunted by a resistance 44.-, condenser Il and resistance 16 connected in series. Contact 16 on relay 1 is connected to the junction of resistance 11G and Winding' 31 on relay 3. The junction of condenser lo and resistance 44's is connected to the unction of the battery .li-2 and Contact 27.

The operation oic the system is as follows. lillith the relays 1, 2 and 3 unenergized in the positions shown, the line L is short-circuited by the connection from one side o'l line L through armature 15 and contact 17 on relay 1 and Contact 37 and armature on relay to the other side of line L. YVhen the l'irst impulse of the detected currents, derived from the speech frequency currents transmitted over line L, are transmitted i'roin the output oit detector 8 through Winding 11 on relay 1 and winding 21 on relay 2, the armatures 15 and 25 on relays 1 and 2 respectivel are moved from their normal positions shown, armature 15 breaking its connection with contact 17, thereby removing the short circuit from across the line L, and arnwture 25 breaking its connection with contact 27.

As soon as armature 25 breaks its connertion With Contact 27, condenser L10 dischargony through the circuit 'from ground, condenser 40, Winding 13 on relay 1, winding 23 on relay 2, resistances i1 and i3 to ground, thereby aiding the armatures 15 and in moving toward the yoke legs 13 and respecti rely.

Complete operation of relay 1 causes its armature 15 to make connection. -with contact 16, thereby completing a. circuit from ground through armature 15, Contact 1G, u.: iding 3l oi relay 3, resistance el and battery lo ground, which causes relay 3 to operate and br ak the connection between armature 35 and Contact 37.

As soon as the impulse from detector 3 approaches zero amplitude and the condenser lll.)

4() has discharged, relays 1 and 2 will release. lVhen the armature 25 on relay 2 connects with Contact 27, a circuit is completed from armatures 15 and 25 on relays 1 and 2 respectively against their corresponding contacts 17 and 27 without contact chattering taking place between the armatures and the contacts. After condenser 40 has fully charged,the biasing means 14 and 24 hold armatures 15 and 25 respectively in their normal positions shown until the next impulse is received from the detector 8. The charging time of condenser 40 can be made shorter than its discharging time, since it charges through resistance 41 and discharges through resistances 41 and 43 in series. In this manner the relays 1 and 3 are quickly restored to their normal positions and ready to operate on a subsequent impulse from the detector 8.

Relay 3 is arranged to hold in its operated position thereby maintaining the line L in' an operative condition, during the operation and releasing of relays 1 and 2, when the time interval between the impulses received from the output of detector 8 is of short duration.

Each time. that relay 1 operates, the relay 3 receives a new impulse through the circuit from ground through armature 15 and contact 16 on relay 1, winding 31 on relay 3, resistance 44 and battery 42 to ground. Also, each time relay 1 operates, the circuit from ground through armature 15 and contact 16 on relay 1, resistance 46, condenser 45, battery 42 to ground, causes the condenser 45 to charge up. When relay 1 releases and the circuit is opened at contact 16, the condenser 45 will discharge through resistance 46, winding 31 of relay 3, and resistance 44 thereby holding relay 3 in its operated .position,while relays 2 and 3 are periodically operating and releasing as described above.

Relay 3`does not release when the v'condenser 45 is being charged for at the same time the circuit from ground through battery 42, resistance 44, winding 31, contact 16 and armature 15 on relay 1 to ground, maintains relay 3 in an operated position.

In this manner the line L is put in operative condition as soon as the first impulse is transmitted from the output of detector 8 and is maintained in an operated position as long as impulses are transmitted from the output of detector 8 in sufficiently short recurring intervals.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 2-A, relays 50 and 60 Vand the equipment associatedtherewith are utilized to control the transmission path L. The amplifier detector 9- is preferably a double detector circuit such as shown in Fig. 1 which includes the amplifier 5, detector 6, band pass filter 7 and detector 8.

Relays and 60 are preferably polar relays similar to relays 1, 2 and 3 shown in Fig. 1. Relay 50 has windings 51 and 53, and armature 55, and contacts 56 and 57, between which contacts the armature is arranged to swing. The armature 55 is normally biased, by a retractiie spring 54 or other suitable means, away from the yoke leg 58 so that the armature 55 is normally in connection with contact 57 and normally disconnected from contact 56.

Relay 60 has two windings, 61 and 63, an armature and contacts 66 and 67, between which contacts the armature 65 is arranged to swing. The armature 65 is normally biased, by a retractile spring 64 or other suitable means, away from the yoke leg 68 so that the armature 65 is normally in connection with contact 67 and normally disconnected from Contact 66.

Winding 51 on relay 50 is connected to the output of the amplifier detector 9. Winding 53 on relay 50 and winding 63 on relay 60 are connected in series from ground through a resistance 7() on one side, and through a condenser 71, contact 57 armature 55, and a battery 72 to ground lon the other side. A resistance 73 is connected from contact 57 to ground. The normally open contact 66 on relay 60 is arranged to short-circuit the winding 63 on relay 60 when this contact 66 is in connection Awith the V,armature 65 by the operation of relay 60.

n Winding 61 onrelay 60 is connected from Contact 56 on relay 50 Vthrough a resistance 74 on one side, and to` ground on the other side. A condenser 75 and a resistance 76 are connected in series, from ground to contact 56 on relay 50, so that the series connection of the condenser 75 and resistance 76 is in shunt connection with the winding 61.

The operation of this system is as follows. Y

With the relays 5() and 6() unenergized and their armatures in the position shown, the lline L is short-circuited by the normally closed connection through contact 67 and armature 65 on relay 60. The first impulse of the detected current from the output of amplifier detector 9 is transmitted through winding 51 on relay 50, causing the armature 55 to move toward the y yoke leg 58, thereby breaking the connection between contact 57 and armature 55.

by putting l'ne L in an operative coinL and snitcl'i (36 clises, thereby "t short-circhiting the winding (SS on rela leihen the armature 55 on relay 50 makes connection with contact 5G, a circuit cornpleted from ground through hatery T2, .mature Contact 5G, resstance 7e, and n'in ing Gl on relay 6G to ground, thereby hou'.- ing the relay G() in its operated position, and another circuit is completed from `ground through battery 72, armature 55, Contact 56, resistance 76 and condenser T5 to ground, thereby charging,- conc ensei' 75.

Vhen the current :trom the output o'l'" ainplilier detector 9 through Winding 5l on relay approach es zero amplitude and the condenser 7l has discharge, the 1oiasing` me ans on relay 50 moves the arniatnre 55 away troin the yoke leg` 58, thereby lirez king the connection between the armature 35 and co itact 5G. This causes condenser Z5 to discharge through the circuit including' the winding Gl on relay 60, and the resistances Tl and T6. rfliis condenser discharge current holds the arn aturo G5 on relay GO in its opera Led position.

l.Vlien the armature on relay 50 connects with contact 5T, condenser 7l charges through the circuit troni ground tl rough battery T2, armature 55, Contact 57, condenser 7l, winding;` 58 ou relay 50. armature 65, Contact GG and resistance to ground, therehy holding' the armature 55 iirmly in contact with contact 5T a id preventing contact chatte 'ino'.

llhen the next impulse is transmitted through W'nding el from the output ot ampliiier detector 9 relay Si) is again operated in the same manner Whica holds relay (50 in its operated position and again charges con denser as described above.

In this manner the line L is maintained operative as long` impulses transmitted 'from the ampliiier detector 9 in suiiicieiitly short recurring` intervals.

T he 'invention is also capable. of other modilications and adaptations not specifically rei'orred to, aut included Within the scoglio oli the appended claims.

That is claimed is:

l. A viln'atinosystoni including' a main pola r relay and an auxiliary polar relay, each ol said pola' relays havirf an armature, a i ot con hotween which said ari ature is adapted to snf'ingr. aiul an operating WindineY and an accelerating winding` associated with said armature, said acceleratngr Wind i nir on said main relay connected in serios with said acceleratiiur winding' on said auxiliary relay across the z rinature and normally closed conta-:tt oi said auxiliary relay to supplenient the action ot the operi-ting windings on the res iectiye relays when the normally closed c 'act on said auxiliary relay is opened, a third polar relay having a Winding which is tra a signal operated clyice comp rality of relays. i`

teni and initially energized by the i 't sin# nal current impulse transmitted o i said system, another WiV ,ding on each ot" said certain relays, said last nientioned windings connected in series with the ther, a condenser connected 'in series with sa:` last mentioned i'vindingggs, means i'or charging said condenser when .aid certain relayrl are unoporated, and in sans for discharginev sai d condenser thi-ouah aio lart mentioned windings when one of said eei ain relays operated, thereby fully operating said certain relays, another relay, means 'tor o)eratiiigisaid other relay ai" one ot said certain relays has fully operated, means vfor releasingY said certain relays at the cess` tion of said signal impulse, and a slow electrical circuit connected to said other relay te prevent the release oit said other relay as long as impulses are t 'ansmitted over said system ata predetermined rate.

3. ln an electrical communication system, a voice operated device comprising a main relay and an auxiliary relay, both ot said relays arranged to he initially energized loy Voice currents transmitted ove said system, a condenser connected in series with winring's on said relays, a source oil' potential arranged to he connected in series condenser through a. normally closed contact on said auxiliary relay, a disch:ii-iriacircuit or said condenser including a high resista ice, a third relay, a Winding;1 on said third relay, aid Winding connected in sei-ics 1with a source ot potential and a high resistance. means for energizing said Winding' on said third relay, said means including aV contact Which is closed when said main relay operated, and a condenser and a high resist: nce connected in shunt to the Winding on said third relay and said second. mentioned high resistance.

Il. ln an electrical communication system. a vibrating relay arrangement including;l polar relays, each oit aid polar relays ha' fin an armature, and a pair of contacts between which said armature is adapted to swiufi said armatures normally restino; on one oi said contacts, ope-,rating;` Windinefs associated With said armatures of certain oli said relays, accelerating;- windings on said certain relays bridged across the aii'mature and normally closed contacts o'lE one oit said certain relays to supplement the action oi' the operating Cil windings on said certain relays when the normally closed contact on one of said certain relays is o ened, another polar relay, means for operating said other polar relay after one of said certain relays has operated, said means including the normally open contact on one of said certain relays, and a slow electrical circuit connected to said other relay to retard the release of said other relay.

5. In an electrical communication system, a signal operated device, comprisingI a plurality of relays, windings on certain of said relays connected to said communication system and initially energized by the first signal current impulse transmitted over said system, means for accelerating the operation of said certain relays, said means including a condenser associated with other windings on said certain relays, and means for causing said condenser to discharge through said last mentioned windings, another relay having a winding, means for energizing said winding on said other relay when one of said certain relays is fully operated, means for releasing said certain relays at the cessation of said signal impulse, and a slow electrical circuit comprising capacitance and impedance associated with the winding on said last mentioned relay to hold said last mentioned relay operated as long as impulses are transmitted over said system at a predetermined rate.

6. In a relay circuit, a relay adapt-ed to be operated to and held in its operated position by a succession of current impulses, a winding on said relay, a condenser in circuit with said winding, means responsive to the individual impulses of a succession of impulses for charging said condenser in response to the loe-` ginning of an impulse and for sending current through said winding in a direction to operate said relay, said means allowing said condenser to discharge through said winding on the cessation of an impulse in a direction to hold the relay operated, said means comprising a relay having a plurality of windings thereon, one of said last mentioned windings being connected to the source of current impulses for operating said last mentioned relay at the beginning of an impulse,

and another of said windings being connected in series with a second condenser and a second winding on said irst mentioned relay for as- Sistina the operation of both of said relays.

7. Inn a transmission system, a transmission line, a relay adapted to be operated to and held in its operated position by a succession of current impulses, a winding on said relay, a condenser in circuit with said winding, means including an auxiliary relay having an armature kicked back and forth in response to the individual impulses of a'succession of' impulses for charging said condenser in response to the beginning of an impulse and for sending current through said winding in a direction to operate said relay, said means allowing said condenser to discharge through said winding on the cessation of an impulse, in a direction to hold said first mentioned relay operated, a contact on said auxiliary relay normally in connection with said armature on said auxiliary relay, normally closed contacts on said lirst mentioned relay, connections rom said last mentioned contacts to said transmission line through said armature and said contact normally in connection therewith on said auxiliary relay, for rendering said transmission line inoperative when both of said relays are unoperated and for rendering said transmission line operative when said normally closed contacts on said irst mentioned relay are open.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3d day of'J une, 1929.

BJ ORN G. BJORNSON.

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