US2600132A - Annunciator system - Google Patents

Description

June l0, 1952 H. E. sr-:ATON

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June 10, 1952 H. E. sEAToN ANNUNCIATOR SYSTEM mVENmR. Harold E 566250@ June l0, 1952 H. E. sEAToN ANNUNCIATOR SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 23, 1950 Har BY Patented June 10, 1952 ANNUNCIATOR SYSTEM Harold E. Seaton, Shelby, Ohio, assigner to The Autocall Company, Shelby, Dhio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 23, 1950, Serial No. 145,812 14 claims. (o1. 177-311) The present invention relates to annunciator systems for supervisory situations and the like wherein the annunicator apparatus gives audible and visual signal indications that a. trouble condition has arisen in connection with certain supervised apparatus. or that there has been a change in a certain supervised condition or conditions. Such supervised conditions may be typically represented by pressure conditions, temperature conditions, liquid level variations. or innumerable other conditions which must be supervised for giving a quick and reliable signal indication of a change of condition.

Among the objects of the present invention are: to provide a simple. reliable and economical annunicator system for giving audible and visual signal indications in response to the operation of supervisory or trouble contacts which are actuated by the apparatus or condition being supervised; to provide an improved relay and circuit arrangement in such annunicator system whereby the operation of the supervisory or trouble contacts first causes the sounding of an audible alarm on a relatively loud signal device and the bright lighting of certain designation lamps; to provide an improved relay and circuit arrangement in the annunciator system whereby the subsequent manual operation of a common acknowledgement push-button switch causes the loud audible alarm to silence and the bright designation lamps to dim; to provide an improved relay and circuit arrangement in the system whereby the restoration of the supervisory or trouble contacts back to normal condition causes the dimmed designation lamps to go out, causes a pilot lamp to light, and causes an audible restore signal, different from the loud, audible alarm signal, to sound; and to provide an improved relay and circuit arrangement whereby the manual operation of a reset push-button switch causes the pilot lamp to go out and silences the audible restore signal, such re-setting operation restoring the system to normal.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating one preferred embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 and 1a are coextensive portions of a circuit diagram embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a list of legends applicable to the relays, contacts and switches of Figures l-la;

Figure 3 is a physical diagram showing the 2 operating relation and the electrical connections between the winding and contacts of each lamp relay;

Figure 4 is a similar diagram of each lamp acknowledgement relay;

Figure 5 is a similar diagram of each re-set relay and each test relay;

Figure 6 is a similar diagram of each re-set auxiliary relay;

Figure 7 is a similar diagram of each supplementary re-set auxiliary relay; and

Figure 8 is a chart showing the steps occurring in the basic operation and in the circuit operation.

Referring first to Figures 1 and la, all parts of the annunciator system are shown as being fed from an electrical supply line I 4-I5, and for simplicity of illustration and facility of understanding all of these parts are shown in an across-the-line relation between conductors Ill-45, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. The supply line Ill-l5 can be either alternating current or direct current oi' suitable potential. My improved system is capable of handling a plurality of trouble conditions, and accordingly I have illustrated three sets of supervisory or trouble contacts designated respectively TCI, TCZ and TG3. In a typical supervisory system, these contacts might, for example, supervise pressure. temperature, liquid level, etc. The rectangles designated SAI, SA2 and SAS diagrammatically represent supervised apparatus operatively connected to actuate these three sets of supervisory or trouble contacts. One terminal of each set of trouble contacts has connection with a bus I6 which. in turn, is connected with line conductor I4 through break contacts 3, 4 of a test relay TS2. The other terminal of each set of trouble contacts has connection through a. separate conductor I8 with the other side l5 of the supply line. Arranged to respond to the three sets of trouble contacts TCI, TC! and TG3 are three individual lamp relays LI, L2 and L3, each of which have the operating relation and electrical connections shown in Figure 3. The conductor IB associated with each set of trouble contacts extends in series through the terminals and make contacts il, 8 and thence through the normally energized winding I9 of its respective lamp relay for connection with the other supply line conductor l5. Associated with each lamp relay LI, L2, L3, etc. is a lamp acknowledgement relay LAI, LA2, LAB, etc., the operating relation and electrical connections of which are shown 3 in Figure 4. The make contacts 3, 4 of the associated lamp acknowledgement relay LAI. LA2, etc. are connected in shunting relation across the make contacts 9, 8 of the lamp relays LI, L2, etc.

Referring now to the manner in which the lamp acknowledgement relays LAI, LA2, LA3, etc. are energized, these all have multiple connection to an acknowledgement bus 2| which is adapted to be connected With supply line conductor I4 through an acknowledgement switch 2U and through the contacts of certain test relays and reset relays in parallel therewith, all of which will be later described. It will be understood that there is an individual lamp acknowledgement relay LAI, LA2, etc. corresponding to each set of trouble contacts TCI, TCZ, etc. The normally deenergized winding 22 of each lamp acknowledgement relay LAI. LA2, etc. is adapted to be energized over conductor 23. which extends from the acknowledgement bus 2l through break contacts I, 2 of the associated lamp relay LI, L2, etc., and thence to winding 22 of the lamp acknowledgement relay. Connected in shunting relation around the acknowledgement switch around the break contacts I and 2 of each lamp relay LI, L2, etc. is a jumper 25 which extends directly to the supply line conductor I4. Interposed in this jumper connection 25 are the make contacts 8 and Il ci the associated lamp ackncwledgement relay LAI, LA2, etc. Also interposed in this jumper 25 are the break contacts I, 4 (or contacts I, 5 for relay LA2, or contacts I, 5 for relay LA3) of the reset auxiliary relay RAI (shown in Figure 6).

Referring now to this reset auxiliary relay RAI (shown in Figure 6), the winding 21 thereof is connected across the supply line through conductor 2B, interposed in which are the make contacts 5 and 6 of reset relay REI. The windings 23 of the other reset auxiliary relays RA2, RA3, etc. (shown in Fig. 7) are connected in parallel across winding 21 so that the windings 21 and 29 of all reset auxiliary relays RAI, RAZ, RA3, etc. are energized simultaneously.

Referring now to the reset relays REI and Rm (shown in Fig. 5), the Winding 3| of reset relay REI is adapted to be connected across the supply line I4, I5 through conductor 32. A

manually operable reset switch 33 serves to conneet conductor 32 to supply conductor I4. Conductor 32 is also adapted to be connected to supply conductor I4 through contacts T54' of a test switch 85 in the performance oi.' a testing operation. as I shall later describe. The Winding SII of reset relay RE2 is adapted to be connected across the supply line i4., I5 through conductor 39, interposed in which are the contacts I, I2 of reset auxiliary relay RAI. Make contacts 5 and 5 of both reset relays REI and RE2. and make contacts 5 and 8 of test relay T88 are all connected in parallel from supply conductor i4 to acknowledgement bus 2i.

Referring now to the audible signalling apparatus, this comprises a relatively loud alarm signal device, such as a horn 4I, and amore quiet audible restore signal, such as a .chime 42, the latter being of either the single stroke or continuous vibrating type. The horn 4I is connected through conductor 43 with a horn energizing bus 44, and the chime 42 is connected through conductor 45 with a chime energizing bus 46. These two busses 44 and 46 are adapted to be connected with a main audible signal energizing bus 41 which is normally connected with supply line I4 20 and ment relay LAI.

, end of Figure 1A. This normal through contacts TSI' of the testing switch 35. For each set of trouble contacts TCI, TC2, etc. there is provided a separate conductor 5I extending down from main bus 41 to the horn energizing bus 44, and also a separate conductor 52 extending down from bus 41 to the chime sounding bus 46. Interposed in the first conductor 5I (correlated to trouble contacts TCI) are the break contacts II, Ill of lamp relay LI, and the break contacts I, 2 of lamp acknowledgement relay LAI. Interposed in the iirst conductor 52 (correlated to trouble contacts TCI) are the make contacts II, I2 of lamp relay LI and the make contacts l5, 6 of lamp acknowledge- As clearly illustrated in Figure l, this relation of conductors 5I and 52, together with lamp relay contacts and lamp acknowledgement relay contacts is multipled between main bus 41 and the horn energizing bus 44 and chime energizing bus 46 for each additional pair of trouble contacts, such as TG2, TG3, etc., as illustrated in dotted lines.

Referring now to the visual signalling apparatus. this comprises designation lamps and a pilot lamp arranged to respond to the operation of each set of trouble contacts TCI, TC2, etc., viz: a pair of designation lamps I and a pilot lamp I are arranged to respond functionally to trouble contacts TCI; a pair of designation lamps 2 and a pilot lamp 2 are arranged to respond functionally to trouble contacts TG2, etc.; this same arrangement being repeated for each additional set of trouble contacts. Each pair of designation lamps is interposed in a conductor 6I connected across the supply circuit, and each pilot lamp is interposed in a conductor 52 also connected across the supply circuit. Conductor 6I is controlled by break contacts Il, I0 ci. lamp acknowledgement relay LAI, and by the break contacts 3, 4 of lamp relay LI, both sets of contacts being interposed in series in this conductor. An adjustable resistor RI is connected in shunt across contacts II, I5 of lamp acknowledgement relay LAI, so that when these contacts open the designation lamps continue to burn, but with a dimmed brilliance, which can be adjusted to any desired value by adjusting the resistor RI. The conductor 62 of the pilot lamp is controlled by make contacts II. I2 of lamp acknowledgement relay LAI, and by the make contacts 5, B of lamp relay LI, both interposed in series in conductor 62. It will be seen that this same combination of designation lamps and pilot lamps is multipled across the supply line for each additional set of trouble contacts T02, TCS, etc., as illustrated in dotted lines.

Referring now to the test switch 35, this is preferably in the form-of a. manually actuated. spring return switch comprising a wiping contact arm TSA adapted to be rotated through the medium of a knob or the like. A return spring 66 normally tends to hold the contact arm TSA in a normal position in engagement with stationary contact TSI', as best shown at the right hand position normally supplies potential from supply conductor I4 to the main audible signal energizing bus 41. as shown in Figure l.

In the performance of a testing operation, the testing switch is rotated manually to make ensagement with the series of stationary testing contacts TS2", T83' and T84. "Lamp contact TS2 connects through conductor 68 with the winding 58 of test relay TS2., and pilot" contact TSS connects through conductor 1I with the Winding of test relay TS3 (Fig. 5). The other contact TS4 is adapted to establish a shunt across the contacts of reset switch 33, as previ ously described. A jumper 'I4 extends from conductor 68 to supply conductor I4, and interposed in this jumper are the make contacts 9. Ill of test relay TS2 and the break contacts 3. 4 of test relay TS3. Interposed in conductor 1I are the make contacts 8, Ill of test relay TSS, and connected in parallel across said latter contacts are the make contacts 5. 6 of test relay TS2.

The basic operation and the circuit operation of the entire system are tabulated in Figure 8, and attention is directed thereto for a detailed understanding of the operation. This also applies to the testing operations which can be performed by the manually actuated testing switch 35, the operations oi' which are also listed in Figure 8.

I also contemplate a further embodiment of my invention having a more simpliied testing arrangement. In this embodiment the multiple point testing switch 35 and the two test relays TS2 and TSS are completely eliminated, and instead of the bus IB being connected to supply conductor I4 through contacts 3, 4 of test relay TS2, it is connected thereto through a normally closed push-button switch which cuts oif the bus I6 from supply conductor I4 when the push button is depressed in the performance of a testing operation. In such embodiment, the main audible signalling bus 41 remains permanently connected to supply line I4 instead of being connected through point TSI' of the multiple point testing switch. Also, the testing connection from supply conductor I4 to acknowledgement bus 2| through contacts 5, 6 of test relay TS3 is eliminated, and the testing connection from supply conductor I4 to conductor 32 through switch point contact TS4 intshunt of reset switch 33 is eliminated. Otherwise the circuit remains the same. In such embodiment of my invention, the manual operation of the push-button test switch produces the same operations as the automatic opening of the trouble contacts. The acknowledgement switch and the reset switch 33 are operated in the same sequence as for an actual trouble contact opening and reclosing.

It will be understood that the signalling apparatus, relays etc. can be mounted behind an instrument panel or housed in any suitable form of cabinet, provided with sight windows for the designation lamps containing lettered or numbered designations of the location of the trouble or type of trouble, and sight glasses for the pilot lamps etc.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that such are merely exemplary and that numerous modications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the essence 01' the invention.

I claim:

l. In an annunciator system of the class described, the combination o! supervisory contacts having a normal position and adapted to be placed in an abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, audible signalling apparatus comprising a trouble Sounding signal device and a restore sounding signal device, visual indicating apparatus comprising a designation lamp and a pilot lamp, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said supervisory contacts for causing said trouble signal device to give an audible indication and said designation lamp to give a visual indication when said supervisory contacts move into said abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, an acknowledgement switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said acknowledgement switch for controlling said trouble signal device and said designation lamp, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to the restoration of said supervisory contacts to normal position for operating said restore sounding signal device and said pilot lamp, a reset switch, and an arrangement ci relay and circuit means responsive to said reset switch for controlling said restore sounding signal and said pilot lamp.

2. In an annunciator system of the class described, the combination of supervisory contacts having a normal position and adapted to be placed in an abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, audible signalling apparatus comprising a trouble sounding signal device and a restore sounding signal device, visual indicating apparatus comprising a. designation lamp and a pilot lamp, an arrange' ment of relay and circuit means responsive to said supervisory contacts for causing said trouble signal device to give an audible indication and said designation lamp to give a visual indication when said supervisory contacts move into said normal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, a manually actuated acknowledgment switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said acknowledgment switch for silencing said trouble signal device and for dimming said designation lamp, and an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to the restoration of said supervisory contacts to normal position for causing said restore signal device to sound and said pilot lamp to light.

3. In an annunciator system of the class described, the combination of supervisory contacts having a normal closed position and adapted to be placed in an abnormal open position in response to a. trouble condition or the like. audible signalling apparatus comprising means operative to emit two distinctive sounds, one for designating a trouble condition and the other for designating a restored condition, visual signalling apparatus, an arrangement of normally energized relay and circuit means responsive to said supervisory contacts for causing the operation of said audible signalling apparatus to emit said trouble designating sound and also for causing the operation of said visual signalling apparatus when said supervisory contacts move into said abnormal open position in response to a trouble condition or the like, an acknowledgment switch. an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said acknowledgment switch for modifying the operation of said audi ble signalling apparatus and of said visual signalling apparatus, and an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to the restoration o1 said supervisory contacts to their normal position for further modifying the operation oi said audible signalling apparatus and of said visual signalling apparatus, a. reset switch. and an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said reset switch for discontinuing the operation of said audible signalling apparatus and of said visual signalling apparatus.

4. In an annunciator system of the class described, the combination of supervisory contacts nalling apparatus. a reset switch, and an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said reset switch for discontinuing the operation of said visual signal apparatus.

11. In an annunciator system, of the class described, the combination of supervisory contacts having a normal position and adapted to be placed in an abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, audible signalling apparatus comprising a trouble sounding signalling device and a restore sounding device, visual indicating apparatus comprising a designation lamp and a pilot lamp, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said supervisory contacts for causing said trouble signalling device to give an audible indication and for causing said designation lamp to give a visual indication when said supervisory contacts move into said abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, an acknowledgement switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said acknowledgement switch for controlling said trouble signalling device and said designation lamp, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to the restoration of said supervisory contacts to normal position for operating said restore sounding signalling device and said pilot lamp, a reset switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said reset switch for controlling said restore sounding signal and said pilot lamp, and testing apparatus comprising a manual actuated multiple position testing switch together with relay and circuit means associated therewith whereby one position of said testing switch is operative to test said indication lamps, another position of said testing switch is operative to test said pilot lamps, and another position of said testing switch is operative to test the reset function performed by the operation of said reset switch.

12. In an annunciator system, the combination of supervisory contacts having a normal position and adapted to be placed in an abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like,

visual indication apparatus comprising a designation lamp and a pilot lamp, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said supervisory contacts for causing said designation lamp to give a visual indication when said supervisory contacts move into said abnormal position in u response to a trouble condition or the like, an acknowledgement switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said acknowledgement switch for controlling said designation lamp, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to the restoration ci said supervisory contacts to normal position for operating said pilot lamp, a reset switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said reset switch for controlling said pilot lamp, and testing apparatus comprising a manually actuated multiple position testing switch together with relay and circuit means associated there- 10 with, whereby one position of said switch is operative to test said designation lamp and another position of said switch is operative to test said pilot lamp.

13. In an annunciator system, the combination of supervisory contacts having a normal position and adapted to be placed in an abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, signalling apparatus comprising a primary signalling device and a secondary signalling device, an arrangement and relay and circuit means responsive to said supervisory contacts for causing said primary signalling device to give an alarm indication when said supervisory contacts move into said abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, an acknowledgement switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said acknowledgement switch for controlling said primary signal device, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to the restoration of said supervisory contacts to normal position for operating said secondary signalling device, a reset switch, and an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said reset switch for controlling said secondary signalling device.

14. In an annunciator system, the combination of supervisory contacts having a normal position and adapted to be placed in an abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, signailing apparatus comprising a primary signalling device and a secondary signalling device, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said supervisory contacts for causing said primary signalling device to give an alarm indication when said supervisory contacts move into said abnormal position in response to a trouble condition or the like, an acknowledgement switch, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said acknowledgement switch for controlling said primary signal device, an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to the restoration of said supervisory contacts to normal position for operating said secondary signailing device, a reset switch. an arrangement of relay and circuit means responsive to said reset switch for controlling said secondary signalling device, and testing apparatus operative to test said primary signalling device and said secondary signalling device.

HAROLD E. SEATON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi' record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,395,826 Hopkins Nov. .1, 1921 1,675,989 Oneal July 3, 1928 2,215,187 Muehter Sept. 17, 1940 2,420,481 Jackson et al May 13, 1947

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