US1525541A - Shutter for searchlights - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 10. 1925. 1,525,541

' 5 T. HALL SHUTTER FOR SEARCHLIGHTS Fil ed Jan. 10, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

HI I Ill? m mvmron WZW A TTOR/VE Feb. 10. 1925. 1,525,541

T. HALL SHUTTER FOR SEARCHLIGHTS Filed Jan. 10, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN l/E/V TOR 71/5000/75 HALL Patented Feb. 10, 1925.

THEODORE HALL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YOR COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK,

ASSIGNOR TO- THE SPERRY G YRO SCOPE A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SHUTTER FOR SEARCHLIGHTS.-

Application filed January 10, 1918. Serial No. 211,288.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that. I, THEODORE HALL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at 455 Fortieth Street, Brookl n, in the county of Kings and State of ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shutters for Searchlights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to light interrupt.- ing shutters, more specifically to shutters adapted to be employed in connection with searchlights for interrupting the beam of the latter.

While my invention is capable of broader application it has been designed principally for use in connection with searchlights adapted to be employed in the Army or Navy. Up to the present time it has been necessary, in order to meet the requirements of the Army and Navy, to provide two shutters on each searchlight; one of the iris type and the other of the Venetian blind type. The former type possesses the advantage that it is adapted to form an absolutely light tight closure for the Searchlight, but. is incapable :of being operialted with the rapidit necessary or si'gna ing purposes.

On the other hand the Venetian blind type, while capable of being rapidly operated, is not light tight when closed so that if this type of shutter were used alone it would be impossible to shut off the light absolutely without extinguishing the are or other light source.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a single shutter possessing the advantages of both of the above mentioned types of shutters. Other objects and advantages will appear as the invention is hereinafter developed.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate what I now consider the preferred forms of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one form of shutter.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

F ig, 4 is a side elevation of the shutter shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of the central portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views illustrating alternate blades of the shutter shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail, with parts brokenaway, illustrating a modified'form of blade.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail illustrating oneform of interengaging means between the outer ends of the blades and shutter frame.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating one form of interengaging means between adjacent blades of the shutter.

Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail illustrating a modification of the means for operating the shutter.

Fig. 14 is a perspective of a Searchlight embodying one form of my invention.

- Viewed from a generic aspect, my invention comprises a frame having a central opening, blades pivoted within the frame and means for preventing the passage of light rays between the blades and between the frame and blades when the latter are in closed position.

Calling attention to Figs. 1, .2 and 4:, it will be seen that I have illustrated an annular frame 1, forming an integral part of, or adapted to be connected in any suitable manner to a Searchlight drum 2. While various forms of blades may be employed I have shown a plurality of' sector- shaped blades 3, 4 pivoted for rotation about radial axes within the frame 1.

Each of the blades 3, 4 is shown as being provided at opposite ends with stub shafts 5, 6; the shafts 5 being rotatably mounted in a ring 7 secured to the outer periphery of the frame 1. Inner shafts 6 are shown rotatably mounted in a block or hub 8, supported by a member 9 carried at the center of the frame by means of straps 10. While the shutter is adapted to be used with various types of lights, I have shown the mem her 9 in the form of a sleeve through which the positive carbon or carbon holder 50 is adapted to pass when the shutter is used with the Sperry Searchlight, the member thus serving also to support the electrode. Various forms of mechanism may be adopted for operating the blades from open to closed position, and vice versa. One form of mechanical means for accompllshmg this function is shown in F lgs. 1 to 4, inclusive,

lows.

. the ring 7 while the arms 11 of the alterternate blades, as for example,

nate blades 3 ,project to the opposite side. Each of the said arms 11 is provided with an outwardly extending pin 12 adapted to operate in a slot 13 provided in a corresponding arm 14, the arms 14 being secured to the ring 15 provided on the periphery of the frame 1.

The above described parts are so designed that when the rin 15 is shifted about its axis, the arms 11 wlll be thrown or operated through an angle approximately equal to 90 so that the blades will be operated from closed position, as shown in Fig. 1, to open position, as indicated in- Figs. 5 and 14, or vice versa. A plurality of guide brackets 16 may be secured to the outer periphery of frame 1, on opposite sides 0 the ring 15 for the purpose of preventing ongitudinal displacement of the latter. The ring 15 may be shifted manually by means of a handle 17 secured thereto or may be shifted electrically, as will hereinafter be described.

In order to prevent leakage or passage of light between the blades when the latter are in closed position, strips 18 may be secured to the radial edges of certain of the blades. I prefer to provide the strips18 on the althe blades 3, the remaining blades being of but one thickness of metal, in order that the beam of the searchli'ght or other light source be obstructed as little as possible when the shutter is in open position.

Calling attention to the fact that the blades 3 operate in the same direction, but in a direction opposite to that of blades 4, it will be seen that the strips 18,- which are preferably flared slightly, Wlll serve to guide the edges of the blades 4 into the adjacent grooves formed by said strips 18 when the blades are operated to closed position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11. On inspection of the last mentioned figure, it will be apparent that an absolutely light-tight joint is formed between the blades when in closed position.

I prefer also to provide means for preventing the passage of light between the outer edges of the blades and the frame when the blades are in closed position. Thus, each of the blades 3, 4 may be provided with oppositely extending flanges 19 adapted to enter grooves 20 provided in blocks 21 secured to the inner periphery of the frame 1, when the blades are operated to closed position. Means are also provided for preventing the leakage of light at the central portion of the shutter. The last named means is shown in the form of a pair of disks or cup shaped members 22 slidably mounted on the sleeve 9 on opposite sides of the hub 8. The members 22 are shown as biased to blade-engaging-position by means of springs-23, each abutting at one end a corresponding one of members 22 and at the other .end a corresponding disk or collar 24 fixed on 'said sleeve 9. It will be seen that the springs 23 will permit the members 22 to spreadapart on opening of the shutter and will cause said members 22 to engage the blades 3-4 when the latter are in closed ition.

It will be obvious from the above description that I have provided a shutter which, while being absolutely light tight in closed position, is capable of being operated with such rapidity as to render it ca able of being used for code or-other signal ing purposes.

My invention -may be modified in various ways, for example, the blades 3, instead of being constructed as above described and as shown in Fig. 7, may be constructed as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. As shown in the last mentioned figures, each of the blades 3 comprises three blades of metal 25, 26 and 27. The blades and 27 are exactly similar, both as to size and shape, while the central blade 26 is somewhat smaller. On inspection of Fig. 9, it will be seen that the said blades 25, 26 and 27, are secured to each other by means of rivets or other suitable means in such a manner as to provide radial grooves similar to the grooves between the strips 18, hereinbefore'described.

As previously mentioned, electrical means may be employed for operating the ring 15. Thus, in Figs. 4 and 13, I have shown a solenoid 30 secured to the frame 1, by means of bracket 31, the core of said solenoid being secured by means of a link 32 to toggle mechanism 33. The last mentioned mechanism is secured at one end 34 to the frame 1, and at the other end 35 to the operating ring 15. 7 one end to the pin 37 carried by the frame 1, and at the other end 38 to the toggle mechanism. On energization of the solenoid 30. the coreof the latter will be attracted to pull on the toggle mechanism to cause the ring 15 to move in such a direction as to operate the blades 3-4 to open position. On deenergization of the solenoid, the spring 36 will act to restore the parts to normal position. in which position the shutter is closed. The solenoid 30 may be energized by means. of a batterv or other source of potential 39, the said battery being connected in series with said solenoid, and with a key 40.

I have shown in Fig. 13, a modified form of operating connecton between the ring 15 and the shafts 5, In this figure, the last The spring 36 may be secured at with arms 11,

instead of being provided are each provided with a segmental gear 41 adapted to engage corresponding rack teeth 42 provided on the ring 15. As previouslystated, I prefer to rotate alternate blades in the same direction, and for this purpose idlers 43 may be provided between the teeth 42 and those of gears 41, wh ch are connected to the blades 3. The edge strips of blades 3 may either be constructed so as to project beyond the blades an equal amount, as indicated in Fig. 11 or a pair of diagonally opposite members 18 (see Fig. 9) maybe made longer than the remaining pair 18". With the last described arrangement, by making the members 18 and 18" resilient, the said members 18 w ll'serveto guide the adjacent blades 4 into the grooves of blades 3 when the latter are operated to closed position as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 9.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the" apparatus, which I' now cons'der to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results out-lined, and the invention extends to such use.

mentioned shafts,

Havin described my invention, what I: claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 15:

1. A light interrupting shutter comprising a frame, a plurality of blades pivoted within said frame, means connecting adjacent blades for. rotation in opposite directions and meanscarried by certain of said blades for overlapping the adjacent blades on both sides of the latter when said blades are in closed osition.

2. A signa ling shutter for searchlights comprising a frame having a substantially circular opening, a plurality of bladespivoted within said frame and means compris ing flanges carried on opposite sides of alterna-te blades for preventing passage of light between adjacent blades and additional flanges on said blades to prevent passage of light between said frame and blades when the latter are in closed position.

A s gnalling .shutter for. searchlights comprising a frame, a plurality of blades radially pivoted on said. frame and means comprising a member resiliently connected to said frame and adapted to follow the movement of said blades for preventing leakage of light at the inner ends of said bla a comprising a frame,

. surrounding said shield into engagement with said blades.

' 5. A signalling shutter for searchlights comprising a frame, a plurality ofblades radially pivoted on said frame, a pair of shields, one located on each of opposite sides of saidblades and adjacent the inner ends thereof, and resilient means for urging said shieldsinto engagement with said blades.

6. A signalling shutter for searchlights a plurality of radially pivoted sector-shaped blades connected to said frame, and means, including an annular member connected to said blades and frame, for operating'said blades. 7

7. A signalling shutter for searchlights, comprising a frame, a plurality of radially pivoted sector-shaped blades connected to said frame, means including an annular member connected to said ing said blades, a solenoid operativ'ely connected to said annular member, a source of E. M. F. and a signalling key for controlling said solenoid.

8. A signalling shutter for searchlights, comprising a frame, a plurality of radially pivoted sector-shaped blades connected to said frame, an armon each of said blades, the arms on adjacent blades projecting in opposite directions, an annular: member provided with arms projecting alternately on opposite sides, each of said first mentioned arms being connected. to a corresponding one of said second mentioned arms, whereby the actuationof said annular member will rotate adjacent one of said blades in opposite directions.

9. A signalling shutter, for searchlights, comprising a plurality ofradially disposed sector-shaped blades, means for rotating said blades on radial axes and in opposite directions for opening and closing said shutter, a slot provided in the radial edges of alternate blades for overlapping on both sides the edges of intermediate blades when inclose-d positio v 10. A light-tight shutter comprising a plurality of pivoted blades, alternate blades being providedon opposite edges with a portion adapted to overlap on the same side of said shutter the intermediate blades, and means for moving said alternate and said intermediate blades simultaneously in opposite directions.

11. light-tight shutter comprising a plurality of pivoted blades, alternate blades eing provided on opposite edges with a portion adapted to overlap the intermediate blades, and means comprising an annular member connected to said blades for operatblades for opera ingadjacent blades simultaneously in op-.

posite directions.

12. A signalling shutter for searchlights, comprising a frame, a plurality of blades pivoted therein on radial axes, means for r0- tating adjacent blades in opposite directions to closed position, and means carried by certain of said blades for overlapping the adjacent blades when said blades are inclosed position.

13. In combination with a Searchlight, a shutter therefor comprising an outer annua central hub portion, a plu:ality of blades pivoted on substantially radial axes between said portions, each edge of alternate blades being provided with a groove adapted to receive the edge of adjacent blade, and means for rotating adjacent blades about their axes simultaneously in opposite directions.

Intestimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

lar portion,

THEODORE HALL.

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