A method and apparatus for summating the integrations of any number of integrating quantity meters

摘要

335,897. Reyrolle & Co., Ltd., A., and Bowden, G. H. July 1, 1929. Counting - apparatus with variable-step movement, - To sum the readings of a number of integrating meters, a total indicating reader is associated with each meter in succession through a selector device and during-each such association advances through an amount corresponding to the change in the reading of the selector meter since the last association of the indicating reader and that meter. For this purpose the selector simultaneously starts through electromagnetic clutches the indicating reader and a contact arm which moves at the same rate as the total indicating reader and pursues the pointer of the selected meter; when the contact arm overtakes the pointer the clutches are put out of action and the contact arm and the total indicating reader stopped. The Figure shows the connections of a device employing a selector D carrying triads of contacts E1, F1, G1 - - E5, F5, G5 corresponding to the different integrating meters B. The contacts E1 and G1 complete a circuit between the supply bus-bars C and C1 through coils A6 and B5 which operate electromagnetic clutches connecting the total indicating mechanism to a constant speed motor A3 and the contact arm B1 of the first integrating meter to a constant speed motor B3. In the meantime the contact F1 has connected the coil of a cut-out H to the pointer B2 of the first integrating meter, so that when contact arm B1 overtakes this pointer the cut-out H is operated and the circuits of the coils A6, B5 broken. A second contact H2 of the cut-out keeps the circuit of the cut-out closed until the selector has moved away from the contacts E1, F', G1. If the readings of some of the integrating meters have to be subtracted from those of the others, these meters, instead of being connected to the coil A6 are connected to a coil A' operating a second clutch through which the total-indicating reader is driven backwards. The clutches of integrating meters at a distant station may be operated from their own supply bus-bars K5, K6 through relays K1 connected to the contacts F4, F5 through line wires K. An arrangement of distant stations wherein each distant station has its own selector moving in synchronism with the' selector D is also described.