Nov. 13, 1951 L. E.

E-LSON ETAL 2,574,551

ELECTRONIC TACHOMETER
Filed June 6, 1945 3. Sheets-Sheet l.

INVENTORS
Zi/AAZZisor.
BY Aboutla.A.Aroczoz.

ATTORNEY
Nov. 13, 1951 L. E., EISON ETAL 2,574,551
ELECTRONIC TACHOMETER
Filed June 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2

- Fig.1-A 69-1
INVENTORS
Z777A. Allison
AY Aziala(A.Azocare
s -(---/ //. As
ATTORWE
Nov. 13, 1951 E, ELLSON ETA 2,574,551
ELECTRONIC TACHOMETER
Filed June 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3

FYess
72g. 3.
A.

INVENTORS
Ayn-Ellisozu
BY A2avid. Aroctor

ATTORNEY
 Patented Nov. 13, 1951 2,574,551

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,574,551
EEC TRONCACHOMETER
Lynn E. Ellison and Ronald R. Proctor, Evanston,
Ill., assignors to The Pure Oil Company, Chi
cago, Ill., a corporation of Ohio
Application June 6, 1945, Serial No. 597,824
1 Claim. (C. 175-183)
1. 2
This invention relates to a device or circuit for 1b are a diagrammatic representation of a de
controlling the speed of engines and motors. vice or circuit in accordance with the invention;
In our pending application Serial No. 592,418 and Figure 2 is a simplified diagram of a por
filed May 7, 1945, now abandoned, there is de tion of the circuit shown in Figure 1. Figure
scribed and claimed a control transformer and 3 is a block diagram outlining stages in tak
a circuit including a control transformer useful ing a signal from the motor and converting it to
for regulating a condition which is capable of a control signal for the same motor.
being transformed into electrical energy. The Referring to the drawing numeral indicates
control transformer disclosed and claimed in the generally a control transformer comprising a
aforesaid application comprises a permanently O permanently magnetized annular iron core 3
magnetized annular core made of iron, or other having a primary winding 5 connected to a
magnetic material capable of being permanently Source of alternating current, a cylindrical iron
magnetized, a primary winding on the core, a cy core 7 mounted between the poles 9 and of
lindrical iron core mounted between the poles of the annular core 3, and a coil of wire 3 com
the permanent magnet in Order to reduce the re 5 prised of many turns surrounding the core 7.
luctance of the path of the magnetic flux in the The coil 3 preferably is mounted on pivots so
gap between the poles, and an oscillatory coil of that it may oscillate a maximum of 45° in either
wire surrounding the cylindrical iron core, adapt direction from its horizontal or neutral position.
ed to be held in Zero position by means of hair The coil is insulated from the mounting. The
springs attached to the ends of the coil and to 20 ends of the coil 3 are connected to fixed termi
two stationary points, which coil is adapted to nals 5 and 7 by means of hairsprings which also
Oscillate in the gap between the poles of the Serve to hold the coil 3 in its horizontal or zero
permanent magnet and the cylindrical iron core. position, i. e. in a position in which the plane
The oscillatory coil is provided with terminals of the coil is parallel to the magnetic lines of
adapted to be connected to a source of direct 25 force between the poles when no direct current
current of a variable nature, and the terminals is passing through the coil.
of the oscillatory coil are also adapted to be con When direct current flows through the coil 3
nected to an output circuit. it will rotate in its pivots in one direction or
This invention is directed primarily to a device the other, depending upon the direction of flow
or circuit for integrating voltage pulsations from 30 of the direct current passing therethrough. The
the primary of the ignition of an internal com magnitude of the movement is dependent on the
bustion engine and for translating these im magnitude of the current passing therethrough,
pulses into electrical energy which will accurate higher voltages or currents causing the coil to
ly control the speed of the engine so that the rotate to a greater extent as in any permanent
motor will run at any selected speed up to its 35 magnet type indicating meter well known to the
maximum speed regardless of the change of art.
load between zero and maximum power output When the coil 3 is in its horizontal or zero
of the engine at the selected speed. The device position no alternating current will flow there
is adapted for use in conjunction with the con through because the alternating current induced
trol of engines and motors other than ignition 40 in the wires on the left side of the coil is exactly
type combustion engines. equal and opposite to that induced in the wires
An object of the invention is to provide a de on the right side of the coil. However, when the
vice or circuit for controlling the speed of notors. coil deviates from its horizontal or zero position
Another object of the invention is to control alternating current is induced in the coil 3,
the speed of ignition type internal combustion and the greater the angle of rotation the greater
engines. the A. C. voltage induced therein. When the
Still another object of the invention is to pro coil is turned 45° in One direction the induced
vide a device or circuit for controlling the speed voltage is 180° out of phase with the voltage
of engines or motors. induced when the coil is turned in the opposite
A further object of the invention is to provide 50 direction to 45°. The amplitude of output volt
a device or circuit for controlling the speed of age from coil 3 in any position between 0° and
ignition type internal combustion engines. 45° from the horizontal is sinusoidally propor
Further objects of the invention will become tional to the degrees of rotation from the zero
apparent from the following description and ac Or horizontal position,
companying drawings, of which Figures 1a and The Control transformer f is connected into
 2,574,551
3 4
a Wheatstone-type bridge circuit, more clearly The amplified voltage from vacuum tube 62 is
shown in Figure 2, comprising the meters 9 and impressed on grid 87 cf vacuum tube 23 through
2, vacuum tubes 23 and 25, calibrating poten condenser 89 and across resistor 9. Bias voltage
tionmeter 27, resistors 29, 3, 33, 35 and 37 and for grid 87 is obtained from the voltage drop
condensers 39 and 4. The meters 9 and 2 are across resistor 9 . Heater 92 is provided for
milliammeters calibrated in R. P. M. (revolu heating the Cathode 97.
tions per minute) and are connected in the Grid 93 is a screen grid and grid 95 is a shield
anode circuits of vacuum tubes 23 and 25, re grid. Grid 95 is connected to cathode 97 which
spectively. Meter 2 f is set to read the desired is at ground potential 69. Screen grid 93 is sup
speed by manual adjustment of the potentiome () plied with voltage through resistor 99. Tube 23
ter 47 (Figure 1). is provided with anode 00. The difference in
The actual speed of the engine is indicated by voltage at any time between grid 87 and cathode
the milliameter 19. When the voltage drops 9 of Vacuum tube 23 determines the amount of
across resistors 33 and 35 are equal there will current which will flow in the anode circuit and
be no potential difference across the terminals 5 hence through meter 9, potentiometer 27, re
of the oscillatory coil 3 of the control trans sistor 29 and resistor 33. As the pulsations from
former, and the coil 3 will then be held in its the ignition primary increase in rate the vacuum
neutral or zero position by the hairsprings pre tube 23 thus draws more current and the meter
viously described. As long as coil 3 is held in 9 will indicate a higher reading in R. P. M.
its neutral or zero position no alternating cur 20 When the speed of the engine drops the rate of
rent will be induced therein from the primary pulsation becomes less, vacuum tube 23 passes
winding 5. However, if the speed of the engine less current and the meter 9 indicates a lower
exceeds or falls below the speed at which the reading of R. P. M. By proper calibration of
bridge circuit is balanced, the circuit will become the meter 9 the exact speed of the engine can
unbalanced causing a direct current potential 25 be read from the meter. The circuit just de
across coil 3. Coil 3 will thereupon rotate in scribed constitutes an electronic tachometer
one direction or the other depending on whether capable of registering the speed of an ignition
the motor is running slower or faster than the type internal combustion engine.
set speed, and this will cause an alternating cur The relationship between current flow and
rent to be induced therein. 30 indicated Speed is practically linear in the elec
Referring now to Figure 1, the voltage varia tronic tachometer circuit with respect to the
tions across the ignition points of the engine range of Speeds ordinarily encountered in auto
primary ignition system are impressed acroSS re motive engines. The potentiometer 27 is a cali
sistor 57 from the terminals 53 and 55 and brating potentiometer used to set the meter 9
through isolating condenser 59, Said Voltages 35 So that the readings match the actual speed of
appearing on the grid 6 of a dual type vacuum the engine. The voltage drop across the resistor
tube 62. These voltage variations cause dif 33 is a function of the engine speed.
ferences of potential between the grid 6 and As previously pointed out the resistors 33 and
cathode 63 of the vacuum tube 62. The cathode 35 form two arms of a Wheatstone-type bridge
63 is maintained at a fixed voltage above ground 40 circuit. The voltage across the resistor 35 re
potential by means of voltage divider resistors quired to balance the voltage across resistor 33
65 and 67 which are connected between a source is obtained from the same source of high voltage
of high voltage direct current to be later de direct current previously referred to, and is reg
scribed, and ground 69. - ulated or adjusted by vacuum tube 25. The grid
The anode 7 of vacuum tube 62 is supplied 0 of vacuum tube 25 is maintained at some
with high voltage direct current from the same definite voltage by utilizing a part of the voltage
source just referred to through meter 9, po drop across the voltage divider consisting of po
tentiometer 27, resistor 29 and resistor 33. tentiometer 67 and resistor 05. The difference in
Hence, any voltage variations between grid 6 Voltage between grid of and cathode 0 deter
and cathode 63 cause variations in the current 5 mines the amount of current which will flow in the
through anode 7, producing an amplification of anode circuit comprising anode 09, meter 2, re
the input voltage. This amplified voltage is im Sistor 3 and resistor 35. Grids ff and 3 are a
Screen grid and shield grid, respectively, grid
pressed on grid 73 of vacuum tube 62 through being supplied with voltage through resistor 5.
condenser 75 and across resistor 83, and the
voltage difference between grid 73 and cathode Grid 3 is connected to the cathode 0 and
77, which is grounded at 69, is further amplified grounded at 69. Condenser f f is a by-pass con
such that the voltage drop appearing across re denser connected between grid of and cathode
sistor 79 due to changes of current flowing be f07 to prevent transient currents from affecting
tween anode 8 and cathode 77 represents a the reading of meter 2?. Vacuum tube 25 is pro
greatly amplified version of the original input (5) vided with a heater f 9 for the purpose of heatin
voltage from the engine ignition primary. Cathode O.
The grid 73 is biased through resistor 83 which When the speed of the engine which is to be
returns to the high voltage Source previously re regulated exceeds or falls below the speed for
ferred to. The ratio between the capacitance which meter 2 is set, direct current will fiow
of Condenser 5 and the resistance of resistor 83 through the coil 3 causing the coil to rotate
determines the range over which this tachometer from its horizontal or neutral position. An alter
circuit will produce full scale deflection of meter nating current potential is thereupon induced in
9. The product RC (resistance a capacitance) the coil 3 and is applied to grid 2 of vacuum
is the time constant upon which the range of the tube 23 through condenser 25 and across re
meter 9 previously referred to is determined, sistor 27. Vacuum tube 23 is similar to the tube
and must be less than the time between ignition 62 and serves to amplify in two stages the volt
impulses at the highest Speed which is to be age fed thereto. The bias voltage for grid 2 is
meaSured. obtained from the voltage drop across resistor
The vacuum tube 62 is provided with a heating 29 between cathode 3 and ground 69. Bias
filament 85 for heating the Cathodes 63 and 77. 75 voltage for grid 33 is obtained from the voltage
 2,574,55.
S 6
drop across resistor 35 connected between cath 68, lowering the impedance of winding 246 of
ode 3 and ground 69. The amplified voltage. the reactor 68 and allowing alternating current
from the first stage of vacuum tube 23, consist
ing of cathode f3, grid 2 and anode 39, is ap to flow through winding 246 and through notor
plied to grid 33 of the second stage through con field winding 250. The motor 2 will thus be
denser 43 and across resistor 45. Resistors 47 . caused to turn in one direction and position the
and 49 are plate load resistors for anodes 39 butterfly valve 256 of the engine so that the en
and 5, respectively, and are supplied from the gine speed will change to match the set speed
indicated on meter 2 . . .
high voltage direct current source previously re If secondary 13 of control transformer f is ro
ferred to. The heater 53 is provided to heat the () tated in the opposite direction, the phase of the
cathodes 3 and 37.
The amplified output of vacuum tube 23 is current induced therein will be 180° out of phase
applied to any type of phase-Sensitive control with the power supply 254. Thyratron 66 will
circuit, which in turn, through meters, Thyra thereupon rectify and pass current causing C
trons, or any other devices, can position the rent flow in winding 234 of reactor f70 and re
5 ducing the impedance of winding 248 of this re- .
throttle or control the load or voltage of the actor so that current will flow in winding 248 and
engine or motor being regulated. in motor field winding 252 causing the control
One type of circuit which may be used in Con motor 72 to rotate in the opposite direction and
nection with the control of the throttle of an position the butterfly valve 256 in the opposite di
internal combustion engine is shown in the draw 20 rection from which it was positioned when Thy
ing, and comprises an amplifying tube 60, a ratron 64 fired.
phase inverter tube 62 and associated circuit, Because of the tendency of motor
2 to over
two Thyratrons f G4 and 66, two saturable core Shoot the balance point, an anti-hunt circuit is
reactors 68 and 70, a dual electric motor 72, incorporated based upon vacuum tube 74. As
and a stepping action anti-hunt circuit based up 5 the voltage on the grid 206 of Thyratron 64 in
on vacuum tube 74. Creases in amplitude the voltage drop across re
Wacuum tube 60 provides one stage of ampli Sistor 258 increases. The pulse of voltage ap
fication, its bias voltage being obtained across re pearing across this resistor charges condenser 260,
sistor 76, and potential for its anode 78 being causing a pulse of voltage 90° out of phase with
supplied through resistor 80 from the high volt 30 the voltage across resistor 258 to be applied across
age direct current source previously referred to. resistor 262. If the pulse appearing across re
Heater 182 is provided to heat cathode 84. sistor 262 is of less amplitude than the voltage
The output of vacuum tube 60 is applied between anode 264 and cathode 266 of vacuum
through condenser 86 across potentiometer 88 tube 74, caused by the incoming signal which is
to the grid 90 of vacuum tube 62. Cathode 92 in this case large, the motor 72 runs at full speed.
is connected to ground 69 through resistor f 94, If the pulse appearing across resistor 262 is great
which provides the bias voltage for both grids 90 er than the voltage between anode 264 and cath
and 96 of vacuum tube 62. The amplified sig Ode 266, due to a Small signal signifying ap
nal voltage on anode 98 appearing across resistor proaching balance, rectification occurs in this sec
200 is applied through condenser 202 and resistor 40 tion of vacuum tube 74 and current flows through
204 to the grid 206 of Thyratron 64 across re resistor 268. The voltage drop across resistor 270
sistor 207. It is also applied through condenser caused by this current flow changes the bias volt
208 and resistor 2 to to grid 96 of vacuum tube age on the grid of vacuum tube f60, thereby re
62. This voltage appearing acroSS resistor 22 ducing its Sensitivity such that it causes the Thy
is amplified in the triode section consisting of ratron f64 to stop passing current slightly sooner
cathode 92, grid 96 and anode 24 of vacuum than it should to bring the control motor T2 to
tube (62, and is applied through condenser 26 exact balance. The motor 72 will coast slightly
and resistor 28 to grid 220 of Thyratron 66 and may or may not bring the butterfly valve 256
across resistor 22, 180° out of phase with the or other controlling device to the exact balance
voltage applied to grid 206 of Thyratron f 64. 50 point. If it does not, the voltage will still con
Bias voltage for the grid 206 of Thyratron 64 is tinue to be induced in secondary 3 of control
obtained through resistor 222 from winding 224 transformer and as the condenser 260 dis
on the saturable core reactor 68. Bias voltage charges through resistor 262 to ground 69, vac
for the grid 220 of Thyratron 66 is obtained uum tube 60 regains its sensitivity and causes
through resistor 226 from winding 228 of Sat 55 Thyratron 64 to again pass current. The rate of
urable core reactor f70. Winding 230 on reactor Such pulsation or stepping action is determined
68 supplies anode potential for the plate 232 of by the ratio of the capacitance of condenser 260
Thyratron 64. Winding 234 on reactor 70 sup to the resistance of resistor 262 and is normally
plies anode potential for the plate 236 of Thyra adjusted to give about one pulse per second.
tron 66.
Heater 238 supplies heat to the cathode 240 of () When the control motor 72 is running in the
Thyratron 64. Heater 242 supplies heat for the opposite direction, it will run uninterruptedly un
cathode 244 of Thyratron 66. til it approaches the balance point, at which time
stepping action will occur by virtue of the in
The anode potentials for both Thyratrons f64 crease in the ratio of voltage on the grid 220 of
and 66 are induced by transformer action in Thyratron f66, across resistor 272, to the signal
reactors 68 and 70, respectively, by connecting voltage drop across resistor 276. The pulse of
primaries 246 and 248 to a source of alternating voltage appearing across resistor 272 charges
current in series with the two field windings 250 Condenser 274 causing a pulse of voltage 90° out
and 252 of the control motor 2. of phase with the voltage across resistor 22 to
When the voltage from the control transformer be applied across resistor 276. If the pulse ap
is in phase with the alternating current power pearing across resistor 276 is of less amplitude
supply 254, one Thyratron, as for example 64, than the voltage between anode 278 and cath
will rectify and pass current as its grid 206 be Ode 280 of vacuum tube 74, the motor 72 will
comes more positive than its cathode 240. Direct run uninterruptedly toward balance. If the pulse
current will thus flow in winding 230 of reactor appearing across resistor 276 is greater than the
 2,574,551
7 8
voltage between anode 278 and cathode 230, recti system through said condenser and across said
fication occurs in this section of vacuum 'be resistor, on one grid of said dual triode tube,
T4 and current flows through resistor 282. i.e means for maintaining both cathodes in said tube
voltage drop across resistor 270 caused by this at fixed voltages with reference to ground po
current flow changes the bias voltage on the grid tential, means for connecting the anode asso
of vacuum tube 60, thereby reducing its sensi ciated with Said grid to a source of high Voltage
tivity such that it causes the Thyratron 66 to direct current, means for impressing voltage
stop passing current slightly sooner than it should from said anode through a second condenser on
to bring the control motor T2 to exact balance. a separate grid in said dual triode tube, a biasing
The motor 72 will coast slightly and may or may 10 resistor connecting said last-mentioned grid to
not bring the butterfly valve 258 or other con the Source of Said high voltage direct current,
trolling device to the exact balance point. If it means for connecting the anode associated with
does not, the voltage will still continue to be said separate grid to the control grid of a pentode
induced in secondary 3 of control transformer tube through a third condenser and across a
and as the condenser 274 discharges through third resistor, a separate biasing resistor con
resistor 276 to ground 69, vacuum tube 60 re necting the last-mentioned grid to the source of
gains its sensitivity and causes Thyratron 66 to high voltage direct current, a screen grid and
again pass current. The rate of such puisation shield grid in Said pentode tube said shield grid
or stepping action is determined by the ratio of and the cathode in Said pentode tube being con
the capacitance of condenser 274 to the resistance 20 nected together and to ground, means including
of resistor 276 and is normally adjusted to give a fifth resistor for connecting said screen grid
about one pulse per Second. to Said Source of high voltage direct current, an
Anode voltage for the entire circuit is supplied anode in said pentode tube, said ammeter and
by means of transformer 284, full Wave rectifier potentiometer being connected in the anode cir
vacuum tube 286 and a filter network consisting 255. cuit.
of resistors 288 and 290, and condensers 292, 294, LYNN E. ELLISON.
and 296. The output voltage from this network is RONALD R. PROCTOR.
held constant by means of voltage regulator 298. REFERENCES CITE)
Bias voltage for grids of vacuum tubes 23 and
25 is obtained from the Voltage drop across re 30 The following references are of record in the
sistor 300. Filament winding 302 on transformer file of this patent:
284 Supplies heater voltage for all vacuum tubes UNITED STATES PATENTS
in the circuit and for the primary winding 5 Nunner Name Date
of the control transformer f. 970,794 Carlson ----------- Sept. 20, 1910
It is claimed: 2,026,421 Fecker ------------ Dec. 31, 1935
An electronic tachometer for measuring the 2,068,147 Miller ------------- Jan. 19, 1937
speed of ignition type internal combustion en 2,108,014 (Jones -------------- Feb. 8, 1938
gines comprising a dual triode tube, a pentode 2,111,598 Morrison ---------- Mar. 27, 1938
tube, an ammeter, a potentiometer, a condenser 2,260,933 Cooper ------------ Oct. 28, 1941
and a resistor, means for impressing pulsating 40
voltage from the primary of the engine ignition