Feb. 8, 1938. H. A. L.

JONES 2,108,014
TACHOMETER

Filed Jan, 15, 1937

INENTOR.
AAAA/SOW a. A. WOWAS

BY A
HIS AT TORNEY.
 Patented Feb. 8, 1938
2,108,014

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,108,014
TACHOMETER
Harrison A. L. Jones, Oakland, Calif., assignor of
one-fifth to Arthur M. Girard and one-fifth
to Adelaide B. Girard, both of Oakland, Calif.
Application January 15, 1937, Serial No. 120,738
23 Claims. (CI. 175 -183)
This invention relates to an electrically actu istics; and to provide a tachometer of the type
ated tachometer which may be employed for in described which may be quickly and readily at
dicating the angular or linear speed of a body. tached to an ignition or similar circuit without
It is particularly adapted for use in connection disturbing any part of said circuit, and which
5 with internal combustion engines which are may be temporarily or permanently connected, as 5
equipped with an electrical ignition system com conditions may demand. . .
prising a circuit breaker or interruptor which My improved tachometer is particularly useful
opens and closes a circuit at a frequency which is in determining the speed of internal combus
proportional to the speed of the engine, Such as, tion engines when making adjustments, such as
O for example, the form of ignition system in which those involving the setting of the spark ad O
a primary and a secondary circuit are inductively
coupled, the primary circuit being provided with vance, the valve clearances, and the carburation.
For instance, one adjustment may cause an in
a source of electrical power and with the said crease or decrease in the speed of the rotation of
circuit breaker, whereby current impulses, at a the crankshaft, but this change may be too small
frequency proportional to the speed of the engine, to be detected by the ear; the tachometer Will,
are caused to flow through the primary circuit however, detect these Small variations in speed
and impressed upon the secondary circuit; or the and an improved and more efficient adjustment
form of ignition system known as the make and can be made with it. When used in this manner
break spark coil ignition system; but my tachom it is often not essential that the tachometer in
eter may be applied to other devices, such as dicate accurately the true speed of the motor, it 20
those which are not normally associated With an being sufficient that it indicate variations in such
electrical circuit, as pointed out in detail below. Speed.
This application is a continuation-in-part of my When dual or double-throated carburetors, or
application Serial No. 759,206, filed December 26, double or dual ignition Systems are employed (as
5 1934. for example, in V-type motors), it often becomes 25
It is a primary object of my invention to in necessary to compare the operation of one por
prove and simplify the construction and opera tion of the engine With the other, so that all will,
tion of tachometers of the character described, with the same fuel supply, operate at exactly the
and to utilize existing facilities provided by the same Speed. Again, whenever two or more mo
. . ) usual ignition systems of internal combustion
engines. It is a further object to provide an tors are used to drive the same vehicle, as on an
airplane, it is essential that they rotate at Sub
electrical tachometer which may be simply con stantially the same speed, or at a desired and
nected to an existing electrical circuit which is predetermined difference in speeds. The same
provided with inductive or condensive or induc desideratum obtains in motor boats which em
5 tive and condensive reactances and with means
ploy several motors to drive individual propul 35
for periodically applying an electromotive force sion means. In installations of these characters
to the circuit in response to the speed of the
body the velocity of which is to be measured. the tachometer will obviously be very useful since
the motors can be readily adjusted to rotate at
Other objects are to provide an electrical tachon the same number of revolutions per minute, or at
eter which may be connected in shunt with a desired difference in revolutions, and this will 40
either a condensive or inductive reactance of be indicated by placing the tachometers, one for
such a circuit or in shunt with a resistance of each motor, as a convenient point where they
such a circuit, as, for example, a primary cir can be observed by the pilot or operator.
cuit of an ignition System, to indicate the fre The tachometers can also be employed for in
5 quency of the electrical impulses which are ap dicating troubles in the ignition circuit, such as
plied to said circuit by the said means for ap short circuits in the coils of the transformer,
plying an electromotive force; to provide an elec leaks in the condensers, and other similar condi
trically actuated tachometer Which will consume tions, Since defects of this nature will cause a
so Small an amount of electrical energy or cur Variation in the flow of current through the me
rent as not to impair the normal operation of tering circuit of my tachometer and will produce
the existing circuit; to provide a tachometer readings which are so greatly incorrect that the
which may be readily and simply adjusted to Operator Will be at once apprised of the existence
adapt it for use with different types of ignition of the defect and will, accordingly, make a check
Systems, as Well as With different systems of the on the ignition circuit.
55 same type having different electrical character
The tachometer of the present invention may,
 2 2,108,014
however, also be employed for measuring Speeds case of a four cylinder automotive engine en
in installations other than internal combustion ploying a six volt storage battery and inductively
engines, which installations may or may not nor Coupled primary and Secondary circuits, it may,
mally be provided with an electrical circuit, as forThe
example, be from 200 to 400 volts.
metering circuit of my tachometer is ar
5 pointed out below. ranged to measure an average potential created
The tachometer of my invention comprises a in the primary circuit as a result of the oscillat
primary circuit and a metering circuit, the pri
mary circuit being provided with an inductive ing current, which may be a true average, or a
root mean square, depending upon the type of
or condensive, or with both inductive and con instrument employed. The oscillating current
0 densive reactances, with a source of electrical flows only through a fraction of the total time
potential, and with means, controlled by the mo
tion of the body the speed of which is to be meas transpiring between successive openings of the
ured, for periodically interrupting the primary primary circuit, and the potential which is meas
circuit. If convenient, a resistance may be in ured in my metering circuit is based on the total
cluded in the primary circuit. In the preferred time, and not upon the time during which the
application of the tachometer, the said primary oscillating current actually flows. Hence the po
circuit is an element of a pre-existing ignition tential measured will be but a small fraction of the
circuit of an internal combustion engine. The maximum potential. The metering circuit may
metering circuit is provided with means for meas be connected in shunt to any portion of the pri 2)
20 uring alternating or Oscillating electromotive po mary circuit which is affected by the oscillating
tential in the primary circuit set up by said re Current, such as in shunt with the resistance
actances. when the latter is set to an appreciable value; but
The invention may be further understood from it is preferably connected in shunt with one of the
the following detailed description, taken in con reactances, as shown in the drawing. As shown 25
25 nection with the accompanying drawing which in Figure 1, it is connected in shunt with the con
is, however, exemplary only, it being understood denser 2, the metering circuit then including, in
that numerous modifications may be made in the Series, the condenser 2, a resistance f, a con
arrangement of elements shown without depart denser 8, and a rectifier 9, such as, for example,
ing from the spirit and scope of the invention as a bridge rectifier of the copper oxide type. A di
30 defined in the claims. rect current galvanometer 2 having a scale 2 is 30
In the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates, diagramat connected to the output terminals of the rectifier
ically, One embodiment of my invention; Figure 9. The rectifier impresses direct current im
2 illustrates the application of the tachometer of pulses upon the galvanometer, which may be of
Figure 1 to an internal combustion engine; Fig any desired type, preferably a meter of the mov
35 ure 3 illustrates a modification of the tachometer able coil, permanent magnet type, known as the it:5
circuit of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a fragmental D'Arsonval movement, since such a device con
view illustrating a modification of the metering Sumes little energy, is rapidly responsive to va
circuit. riations in current, and is not greatly affected by
Referring to Figure 1, O represents a source variations in temperatures. The scale 2 may be
40 of electrical potential, such as a storage battery marked in terms of angular or linear speed, such 4)
or a constant voltage, direct current generator; as, for example, revolutions per minute or feet
f f is an inductive reactance; f2 is a fixed or va per Second.
riable condensive reactance; 3 is an interruptor, It will be noted that the condenser f prevents
mechanically connected so as to be actuated by direct current flowing in the primary circuit
from causing an appreciable flow of current in
45 the cam 4. The cam 4 may be connected in the metering circuit. As a consequence of this
any suitable manner to the body the speed of
which is to be measured, so as to operate the in condenser, when the direct current is flowing
terruptor 3 at a frequency which is proportional in the primary current to charge the inductance
to the Speed of the body. The mechanical con lf, this will not be registered by the galvanom
nection may, for example, be such as to cause the eter 20, and a zero reading will be obtained when
frequency of the interruptions to vary between the interruptor 3 remains closed, as when the
10 and 200 interruptions per second. If con body has a zero speed. When the opening of
venient, the interruptor f3 may be actuated di the interruptor 3 causes the reactances to set
rectly by a reciprocating element other than the up the oscillating current in the primary circuit
cam 4. The circuit may be completed by means a number of electrical direct current impulses 55
of a switch 5. An adjustable resistance 6, will be transmitted to the galvanometer 20, due
which may be set to zero resistance, may, if de to the bridge 9, the number depending upon
sired, be connected in the circuit. the rate at which the oscillating current is
damped, and the quantity of current flowing de
In the primary circuit thus far described, when pending
60 the circuit is closed by the Switch 5 and the in upon the potential of the oscillating
terruptor f3, direct current flows through the in Current, as well as upon the impedance charac
ductive reactance , building up a magnetic teristics of the circuits, taking into considera
field; when the interruptor 3 is opened a mod tion particularly the condenser 8 and the re
erately high potential damped oscillating current sistance T. In view of the latter, only a small
is set up in the primary circuit, flowing between quantity of current is consumed in the metering
the two reactances, and alternately charging and circuit, such as, for example, from 0.1 to 10 milli
discharging the same, at a frequency depending amperes, and the metering circuit acts to meas
upon the natural period of the circuit. The nat ure an average voltage. While it is possible to
ural period may be reduced or increased by means eliminate the resistance , and to enploy it in
70 of the variable condenser 2, so that the period
Series with the galvanometer 2, as by substitut 70
of the Oscillating current is small in comparison ing a direct current voltmeter, such an arrange
to the period corresponding to the frequency at ment is not so desirable because of increased
which the interruptor 3 is actuated. The max energy losses in the rectifier.
imum potential of the OScillating current depends Assuming that the reactances of the primary
circuit are charged to the same extent each time 75
75 upon the characteristics of the circuit. In the
 2,108,014 3
the interruptor closes the primary circuit, sub The primary circuit of the above described ig
stantially the same quantity of current will flow nition system corresponds to the primary cir
through the galvanometer 20 each time the in cuit illustrated in Figure 1, and functions in a
terruptor f3 is opened. Since in the present in similar manner. The metering circuit, which
vention the interruptor will be operated at a may be connected in shunt with any portion of
frequency which is high enough to cause the the primary circuit affected by the oscillating
pointer of the galvanometer to assume a steady current set up by the coil 24 and condenser 27
position, but not so high as to approach the when the breaker points 26 are separated, or
period which corresponds to the time during across the secondary coil 28, but preferably across
0 which the damped oscillations flow in the primary the coil 24, in the manner illustrated in this O
circuit, a greater current will flow through the figure or, across the condenser 27, in the manner
metering circuit when the number of interrup illustrated in Figure 1, may be similar to that
tions per unit time is increased. Hence, when described above. As shown, it comprises, in series,
the interruptor is operated between these fre the primary coll 24, a fixed or variable condenser
15 quency limits, the current flowing through the
galvanometer increases as the frequency of the 3, an adjustable resistance 32, and a rectifier 5
interruptions increases, and as changes in the 33, the outlet terminals of the latter being con
speed of the cam 4 will depend upon the speed of nected to a direct current galvanometer 34 pro
vided with a scale 35.
20
the body, the reading on the scale 2 will increase The operation of this tachometer is similar to
as the speed of the body increases. At higher that described in Figure 1. In an ignition cir 20
frequencies the quantity of direct current flow cuit of this character, the frequency with which
ing from the source of potential 0 between in the breaker contacts 3 are actuated depends
terruptions will drop off, due to the inductive upon the engine speed and the number of cylin
impedance of the reactance , so that the latter ders. Hence, there is a direct ratio between the
will not be charged to the same extent as at number of high frequency impulses or trains of 25
lower frequencies, resulting in an oscillating cur oscillations created in the primary circuit and
rent which has a slightly lower potential, and the engine Speed, substantially the same num
the intensity of the current impressed upon the ber of oscillations being produced each time the
30
metering current will not, therefore, be exactly breaker contacts are separated. Each train of
the same upon each interruption of the interrup oscillations will, due to the action of the bridge 30
tor 3. For this reason the current registered on rectifier, impress a train of direct current im
the scale 2 may, in certain cases, not increase in pulses upon the galvanometer 34, and the read
direct proportion to the frequency of the inter ing on the Scale 35 will increase as the speed of
ruptor; this effect of the inductive reactance in the engine is increased. Since, however, the
retarding the flow of direct current in the pri initial potential created by the coil 24 upon the
mary circuit and thereby lowering the potential Separation of the breaker contacts becomes less
generated by the reactances is, however, less than as the Speed of the engine is increased, due to
the effect of the number of impulses per unit time the inductive impedance, this increase in the
in increasing the flow of current in the metering reading on the Scale 35 will in many cases not
40 circuit, and the galvanometer 20 will indicate
progressively increased readings as the frequency be proportional to the increase in the speed of 40
of the interruptor increases throughout the oper the engine, but will increase according to a com
ative range of frequencies, as stated above. It plex law according to the design of the ignition
System on which it is used.
is, moreover, possible to Select an inductance When the tachometer is applied to the engine,
of such characteristics that it may permit the it is only necessary to attach the terminals of 45
ultimate current in the primary to be attained the metering circuit to the terminals of the con
prior to each interruption even at the highest denser or of the primary coil, this being very
frequency, although this is not essential and is, quickly effected. The operation of the ignition
moreover, not possible when the tachometer is circuit will not be appreciably affected. When
connected to a pre-existing ignition circuit. the tachometer is successively applied to differ 50
Since the period during which the interruptor ent ignition Systems, the resistance 32 may be ad
is open must exceed the time during which the justed according to calibration to give the cor
oscillating current is flowing in the primary cir rect readings. Moreover, since the frequency of
cuit, unless it is permissible to have the instru the oscillating current also varies with ignition
, 55 ment have a lower deflection for a given change
in speed at higher speeds, the maximum fre Systems of different makes, it is often desirable 55
quency of the interruptor 3 is limited by the to make the condenser 3 of variable capacity.
During any one temporary or permanent instal
rate at which the oscillations are damped, and lation, or when the tachometer is to be employed
it may be desirable to design the circuit so as to for only one make of ignition system, the con
60 damp the oscillations rapidly, as by providing denser 3 and the resistance 32 have constant 60
the resistance 6 and/or by making the con values.
denser 2 of a variable capacity. This will per While it is customary to connect a condenser
mit the interruptor 3 to be operated at higher in shunt with the interruptor to prevent spark
frequencies. ing, it is also possible to connect these elements
(5 Figure 2 illustrates the application of my ta
of the circuit in Series with one another as, for 65
chometer to a conventional ignition System of an
example, in the ignition circuit shown in the
internal combustion engine. In this figure, 22U. S. Patent No. 2,059,243. My metering circuit
indicates the battery, 23 the ignition switch, 24
can, in this instance, also be connected either in
the primary coil of the transformer, 25 the break
shunt with the inductance or the condenser, such
er cam, 26 the breaker contacts, and 27 the con
as the primary coil of the transformer 27 or the 70
denser cooperating thereWith, the circuit being
completed through ground. The secondary cir condenser 8 of the said patent.
cuit includes the secondary coil 28 of the trans illustrated in toFigure
According a modification of the tachometer
3, a two-way contact switch
former, a distributor 29, and spark plugs 30, one 36 is operated by a cam 37 at a frequency which
for each outlet from the distributor. is proportional to the speed of the body whose 5
 4. 2,108,014
speed is to be measured. One fixed contact of body, comprising a primary electrical circult in
the switch is connected to one terminal of the cluding a reactance, means controlled by the
battery 38, and the other fixed contact to the body for periodically impressing a direct current
condenser 39. The other terminals of the con upon Sald reactance at a frequency which varies
denser and the battery are both connected to one with the speed of the body, and a metering cir
terminal of an inductance 40, the other terminal cuit connected in shunt with an impedance whose
of which is connected to the movable contact of potential is determined by the flow of current
the switch 36 through the controlling switch 4. through said primary circuit including, in series,
The metering circuit, which is similal to that a condenser and means for measuring potential.
O of Figure 1, is connected in shunt with the con 5. Apparatus for measuring the speed of a O
denser 39, as shown, or in shunt with the induct body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in
ance 40 or a portion thereof. The operation of cluding an inductive reactance and a condensive
the metering circuit is similar to that described reactance, means controlled by the body for pe
above in connection with Figure 1, like elements riodically impressing a direct current upon One
being designated by like reference characters. of said reactances at a frequency which varies 5
In Figures 1, 2 and 3 a rectifying bridge and with the speed of the body, and a metering cir
a direct current galvanometer were employed. cuit connected in shunt with an impedance in
Such a type of instrument is generally preferred said primary circuit including, in Series, a con
for a tachometer of the type herein described, denser and means for measuring the magnitude
because it is less delicate and expensive, and re of oscillating current impressed upon said meter 20
quires less current to operate than an alternat ing circuit.
ing current meter; an alternating current meter 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 in which
may, however, also be employed, particularly the metering circuit is connected in shunt with
where the energy requirements are not too great. Said condensive reactance.
25 A modification of the metering circuit which may 7. The apparatus according to claim 5 in 25
be employed for an alternating current meter, which the metering circuit is connected in shunt
such as a hot wire ammeter, a thermocouple am with said inductive reactance.
meter, or a moving vane amneter, is illustrated 8. Apparatus for measuring the Speed of a
in Figure 4, in which the leads 42 and 43 may be body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in
30 connected to the primary circuits of Figures 1, cluding an inductive reactance and a condensive 30
2 or 3, either in shunt with the inductive or con reactance, means controlled by the body for
densive reactances, or a resistance. The alter periodically impressing a direct current upon the
nating current meter 44 is connected in Series inductive reactance at a frequency which varies
with the condenser 45 and resistance 6, as with the speed of the body, and a metering cir
shown, the rectifying unit being not necessary cuit connected in shunt with an impedance in 35
in this instance. The reading on the Scale 4 Said 'primary circuit including, in Series, a con
of the meter 44 will indicate the Speed of the denser and means for measuring an average
body, which is proportional to the frequency of magnitude of oscillating current impulses im
the interruptions in the primary circuit. pressed upon said metering circuit.
40 While certain features of the present invention 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 in
are more or less specifically described, I Wish it which the metering circuit is connected in shunt
understood that various changes may be made with one of said reactances.
within the scope of the appended claims; and, 10. Apparatus for measuring the speed of a
similarly, that the materials and finish of the body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in
45 several parts employed may be suitably Selected cluding an inductive reactance and a condensive
by those skilled in the art, depending upon the reactance, means controlled by the body for
varying conditions of use. periodically impressing a direct current upon one
I wish it also understood that I am not to be of said reactances at a frequency which varies
bound to any theoretical explanation relative with the speed of the body, a metering circuit
50 to the operation of the tachometer which is con connected in shunt with an impedance in said 50
tained herein. primary circuit including, in series, a condenser
I claim as my invention: and a rectifying unit, and a current meter con
1. Apparatus for measuring the Speed of a nected to the output of Said rectifying unit.
body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in 11. Apparatus for indicating the Speed of a
cluding a reactance, means controlled by the body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in
body for periodically charging said reactance at cluding an inductive and a condensive reactance,
a frequency which varies with the speed of the means controlled by the body for periodically in
body, and a metering circuit connected in shunt pressing a direct current upon said inductive re
with an impedance whose potential is determined actance at a frequency which varies with the
by the flow of current through said primary cir speed of the body, a metering circuit connected
cuit including means for measuring OScillating in shunt with an impedance whose potential is
potential drop across said impedance. determined by the flow of current through said
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 in primary circuit including, in series, a condenser,
which the impedance is the said reactance. a resistance, and a rectifying unit, and a direct
3. Apparatus for measuring the Speed of a current meter of the movable coil, permanent 85
body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in magnet type, connected to the output terminals
cluding a reactance, means controlled by the of said rectifying unit provided with a scale for
body for periodically impressing a direct current indicating the speed of said body.
upon said reactance at a frequency which varies 12. The apparatus according to claim 11 in
70 with the speed of the body, and a metering cir which the metering circuit is connected in shunt 70
cuit connected in shunt with an impedance in with one of Said reactances.
said primary circuit including means for measur 13. Apparatus for measuring the Speed of a
ing oscillating potential drop across said imped body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in
Ce. cluding an inductive and a condensive reactance,
75 4, Apparatus for measuring the Speed of a means controlled by the body for periodically in 5
 2,108,014 5
pressing a direct current upon One of Said re
actances at a frequency which varies with the an20.internal
The combination with an ignition circuit of
combustion engine, said circuit in
speed of the body, a metering circuit connected cluding a source of current supply, a transformer
in shunt with an impedance in said primary cir and a current breaker, of an electric meter con
cuit including, in Series, a condenser and an nected to that portion of the ignition circuit
alternating current meter for measuring the OS which is interrupted by the breaker, said meter
cillating potential impressed upon it. having a pointer and a dial to indicate the Speed
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 in of
which the metering circuit includes a resistance saidthemeter.
engine, and a condenser in series with
10 and an alternating current galvanometer.
15. Apparatus for measuring the speed of a an21.internal
The combination with an ignition circuit of 10
combustion engine, said circuit in
body, comprising a primary electrical circuit in
cluding a storage battery, a condensive reac acluding a source of current supply, a transformer,
current breaker, a condenser connected to the
tance, and an inductive reactance, means con terminals of said breaker and a distributor, of
15 trolled by the body for periodically short-circuit
an electric meter connected in that portion of the 5
ing said condensive reactance at a frequency ignition circuit, which is interrupted by the
which varies with the speed of the body, and a breaker, said
metering circuit connected in shunt with an im graduated to meter having a pointer and a dial
indicate the speed of the engine,
pedance in said primary circuit including, in and a condenser and a resistance mounted in the
20 series, a condenser and means for measuring the
potential of an oscillating current impressed circuit. which connects said meter to the ignition 20
circuit
upon said impedance.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 in of 22. an
The combination with an ignition circuit
internal combustion engine, said circuit
which the metering circuit is connected in shunt including a source of current supply, a trans
25 with one of Said reactances.
17. Apparatus for indicating the speed of an former, a condenser, and a current breaker and 25
internal combustion engine comprising, in con distributor, of an electric meter of the movable
bination, an ignition circuit of said engine, said coil, permanent magnet type connected in that
circuit including a source of current supply, a portion of the ignition circuit which is inter
transformer, a current breaker connected to said rupted by the breaker, said meter having a
engine to operate at a frequency proportional to pointer actuated by the movable coil, a dial on 30
the speed of the engine, and a condenser, and said meter graduated to indicate revolutions per
a metering circuit connected in shunt with an minute over which the pointer moves to indicate
impedance in said ignition circuit, said metering revolutions per minute of the engine, and a con
35 denser and a variable resistance mounted in the
circuit including a condenser, a resistance, and a circuit which connects said meter to the ignition
current meter provided with a scale to indicate circuit.
the speed of the engine. 23. The combination with an ignition circuit
18. The apparatus according to claim 17 in
which the metering circuit is connected in shunt of an internal combustion engine, said circuit
40 with a reactance in said ignition circuit, and the including a source of current supply, a trans
metering circuit includes, in series, a condenser, former, a condenser, and a current breaker and 40
a resistance, a rectifying unit of the dry type, distributor, of an electric meter of the movable
and a direct current meter of the movable coil, coil, permanent magnet type connected in that
permanent magnet type, is connected to the out portion of the ignition circuit which is inter
put terminals of said rectifying unit, said meter rupted by the breaker, said meter having a 45
being provided with a scale for indicating the pointer actuated by the movable coil, a dial on
speed of the engine. said meter graduated to indicate revolutions per
19. The combination with an ignition circuit minute over which the pointer moves to indi
of an internal combustion engine, said circuit in cate revolutions per minute of the engine, a
cluding a source of current supply, a transformer, rectifier interposed between the meter and the
and a current breaker, of an electric meter con interrupted circuit, and a condenser and a re
nected to one of the coils of said transformer, sistance mounted in said circuit which connects
said meter having a pointer and a dial to indicate said rectifier to the ignition circuit,
the speed of the engine, and a condenser in se
55 ries with said meter.
HARRISON A. L. JONES.