US2005643A - Swell louver action for organs - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1935. H. WILLIS Er AL SWELL LOUVER ACTION FOR RGANS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 2, 1934 INVENTORS HENRY W ILL IS B AUBREY THOMPSON-ALLEN ATTORNEY June 18, 1935. H, WILLIS ET AL SWELL LOUVER ACTION FCR ORGANS Filed Feb. 2, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE SWELL LOUVER ACTION FOR ORGANS Henry Willis and Aubrey Thompson-Allen, London, England Application February 2, 1934, Serial No. 709,527 In Great Britain September 8, 1933 17 Claims.

5 swell louvers or shades of organs by electrical Sol connections between the organ and a detached console so as to obtain a perfect crescendo and diminuendo over any desired period of time without steps, stations or jerks in the opening or closing of the louvers such occur when all the louvers of a swell box are moved step by step, or when the louvers are moved in succession singly or in groups. This invention provides means whereby the organist may change the positions of the louvers by an uninterrupted gra-dual progressive movement of the same away from the closed towards the open position, or vice versa. by operating pedal or like member. The movement of the louvers may, will, be made as quickly or as slowly is desired. The louvers may be checked in their movement at any point, so that the positions in which the louvers can be brought to rest is not limited to a given number of predetermined points. The louvers when checked at the desired point remain locked or stationary until again put in motion by an appropriate movement of the controlling device.

Heretofore the louvers of swell boxes have been moved or adjusted by mechanical connections to vary the volume of the sound from time to time or progressively for a time variable at will, to obtain a crescendo or diminuendo of the volume of the sound from the organ pipes in the swell box. In small organs where the console is placed close to the organ, a mechanical transmission of motion from the swell pedal to the louvers may be practicable. However, in a large organ, where there is a large and heavy set of louvers to be moved, a mechanical transmission is impracticable, partly owing to the inertia which has to be overcome in order to move the louvers and the diiculty of checking by an opposing force the momentum of the louvers when they have been set in motion, so that complete control over such momentum cannot be conveniently attained by the force which can be applied by the foot of the organist acting on a pedal, and therefore the control which can be exerted on the nature of the perfomance of a crescendo for diminuendo passage is limited. Again, when dealing with an organ with a detached console, (such as a church organ having the console placed on the opposite side of the chancel or in some other place remote from where the swell box is placed) it is rarely possible to obtain a satisfactory mechanical connection between the console and the swell box, apart from the fact that if this is possible there is still some inconvenience in the case of a large swell box arising from inertia and momentum, as above mentioned.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a chamber enclosing a motor for actuating the swell louvers of an organ in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 saine.

shows a transverse section of the Figure 3 is a detail view of a controlling or swell pedal arranged to close electrical contacts effecting the setting of valves selectively admitting air to the said motor, and

Figure 4 is an end view of the blades serving as the electrical contacts.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, I0 is a wind motor comprising a movable board II enclosed in a chamber I2, the interior space within the motor I being in open communication through an aperture I3 with another chamber I4. rIhe movable board II has a rod I5 secured thereto and guided at one end in a packed guide I6 provided on a wall of the chamber I2.

This rod I5, which movement of the louvers.

Wind is admitted to the chambers I2 and I4 through a series of valve-controlled ducts opening into the chamber I2 through orifices 2|, and

into the chamber I4 through orifices 22.

Each

group of orifices 2|, 22 comprises orices of different cross-sectional area. A suitable arrangement of valve 23 for controlling the passage of wind from a Wind chest 24 through a duct 25 to a corresponding orice 2I, or 22, is shown ln Figure 2, and all the ducts of the orifices 2|, 22 may be provided with similarly arranged valves. The valve 23 is supported by a iiexible diaphragm 26 attached at its edges to a bridge 21, and a spring 28 urges the valve to its closed position. A rod 29 attached to the valve extends through a hole in the wall of the duct 25 and carries a washer or disc 3|JA adjustable onv the rod to limit Pressure in an oriiice 22 into the chamber i4.

the wind chest 24 acts also on the inner side of the diaphragm 23, through a port 3l in a box 33 open at its ends to the wind chest 24, and through a duct 32 which can be put in communication with the port through a valve 3ft. W'hen the Valve 34 is moved to its closed position a valve 35 carried on the same rod opens to put the duct 32 in communication. with the atmosphere and the pressure in the chest 24 acting on the diaphragm 26 then opens the valve 23 against the spring 28. The valve 34 is closed by the operation of an electromagnetic device hereinafter described acting in any convenientmanner to effect movement of the rod carrying the valves 34, 35. When the valve 35 is closed and the valve 34 opened, wind pressure on both sides ci the diaphragm 2t is balanced and the valve 23, .is held closed by thespring 28.

The electrical circuits for individually controlling the several valves 23 comprise contacts in the form of spring blades, each contact being appropriated to a corresponding valve, and these contacts are arranged in two groups, Figures 3 and 4, a spring contact 3E is provided for each valve in a duct 23 opening through an oririce 2I into the chamber I2 and a spring contact 31 is provided for each Valve opening through One set oi contacts 33 are mounted on one side ci a bar 33 while the other set of contacts 3l' are mounted on the other side of this bar. There is thus provided between the two sets or contacts, a space in which a conductor bar 33 can be moved. This conductor bar is carried on a slide bar i3 attached to a swell pedal @I pivotally mounted on a pin 42 and movable by the foot of the organist between the extreme positions indicated in broken lines. A link 43 attached to the pedal di! at one end is supported at its other end between springs 44, 45 which urge the pedal to a central or neutral position and thus move the bar 39 to a position between and out of contact with all the contacts 3G, 31 which are arranged at different distances from the bar 39 when the latter is in its central or neutral position so that the circuits through the contacts or" the group 36 or the group 3| are closed in succession and cumulatively as the bar is moved in either one or the other direction. The position oi each contact may be adjusted by means of a corresponding screw 46 so as to vary, as may be required, the distance through which the bar 39, after contacting with one blade, must be moved before it makes contact with the next in order. lWhen the pedal is pressed by the toe of the organist the bar 39 closes the circuit or circuits through one or more of the contacts 33 according to the distance through which the pedal is moved and similarly when pressed by the heel of the organist, one or more of the circuits through the contacts 31 is closed. When pressure is not being exerted by either the heel. or toe of the organist, the springs 44, 45 as the case may be, return the pedal to a neutral position and the bar 39 is carried away from the contacts 35, 31 so that all the circuits through these contacts are open and at such times the valves 34, 35 fall by gravity to positions (Figure 2) such that the pressure on each diaphragm 23 is balanced and the valves 23 are closed by the springs 28.

TheA valves 34, 35 can be raised, by energizing an electromagnetic device 35a, so vthat the valve 34 closes the port 3l. The duct 32 is thus opened to the atmosphere by the opening of the valve 35, and wind in the chest 24 acting on the diaphragm 26 then opens the valve 23 to admit wind to the duct 25.

The electric leads connecting the contacts 36, 31 to the electromagnets for moving the rods carrying the valves 313, 35, the electromagnets themselves and a source supplying electric energy to the circuits can be arranged in any suitabe man-` ner and comprise parts of any suitable construction, the wiring of these parts not presenting any difficulty and not requiring any precautions not usually taken in electrical installations of a simple and common character so that detailed illustration of the same is unnecessary.

Each chamber I2, I4 is provided with an exhaust valve 41 carried on a diaphragm 48 and is urged to its closed position by a spring 49. A duct 59 leads from a chamber 5I in which the spring is arranged and a valve (not shown) is `provided in the said duct. When, by movement of the bar 39, the valve controlling any orifice 2l is opened by the electromagnetic device to admit wind to the chamber I2, the valve in the corresponding duct 59 is set by an electrically operated device, for example, in the same circuit to admit wind to its chamber I and the valve 41 is held rrniy on its seat by the pressure acting on the diaphragm 48, assisting the spring 49, thus preventing escape of air past this valve. At rthis time all the orices 22 opening into the chamber it are closed and the valve of the corresponding duct 59 is set 'to put its spring chamber 5I in communication with the atmosphere so that air pressure in the said chamber is reduced and allows the valve 41 to be opened by the wind in the chamber i4 overcoming the spring 49. Thus the board I I can be moved by wind entering the chamber I2, as the chamber I4 is emptied. Similarly when any oriiice 22 is opened the corresponding exhaust valve 41 is held closed and the exhaust from the chamber I2 can open.

When the chambers I2, I4 are not receiving air through any of the orices 2i, 22 the exhaust Valves 41 are held against their seats by the springs 49. On the return of the bar 39 to its central position after any of the oriices 2I, 22` have been opened by contact of this bar with any of the contacts 36, 31 all the orices 2 I 22 are closed and the exhaust valves 41 are held closed by their springs, and if at this time the louvers are in motion the momentum of the moving parts is checked by the attenuation of the air in one of the chambers I2, I 4. The movement is thus arrested without shock by the air cushion, and the louvers will remain in the position in which they are brought to rest until one or another of the orifices 2|, 22 is opened again to move the board II.

When it is desired that the louvers shall be entirelyclosed, in order to ensure that the felt faces thereof shall be under compression and not merely resting in contact with their seatings, an orifice 54 is provided to admit Wind to the chamber I4 under the control of a valveopened by the closing of an electrical circuit including a contact 55 carried on the 1everI9 and' a stationary contact 53. Simultaneously with the opening of the orice 54, wind may be admitted to the corresponding duct 53 to ensure the closure of the corresponding exhaust valve, whilst the valve of the ducty 53 corresponding to the chamber I2 is open to the atmosphere so thatthe exhaust valve of the chamber I2 can open against the thrust of the spring 49. The wind admitted to the chamber I 4l thus keeps the louvers rmly shut.

So long as the circuit through the contacts 55,

56 is closed, opening ofthe louvers is impeded by the air entering the chamber |4 through the orice 54. In order to break the circuit through the contacts 55, 56 as soon as one of the orifices 2| is opened, Wind is simultaneously admitted to the chamber 5| through the duct 5U, and a small motor 51 is moved by wind admitted through the duct 581170 effect the opening of a switch in the same circuit as the contacts 55, 56 with the result that the orifice 54 closes and remains closed so long as any of the orices admitting wind to the chamber l2 remains open.

The rod |9a moved by the plate affords a means for moving the louvers positively in both directions. The provision of a number of separate orices allows the speed of movement of the plate to be varied as required, the control being further assisted by providing orifices of progressively increasing crossesectional area in the order in which the orices are opened by closing the bar 39 successively on the spring contacts 36, 31. When only one orice 2|, 22 is open, the chamber supplied with wind through this orifice is filled slowly with a consequent slow movement of the plate By opening more than one orice at a time the rate of admission of air is increased and the plate i is moved more quicky.

If the pedal 4| is moved in one or the other direction from its central or neutral position so as to cause the bar 39 to make contact with only one of the spring contacts 36, 31, whilst the organ is being played, the louvers will move slowly anda slow crescendo or diminuendo effect 'will be obtained. If the pedal is at any time allowed to return to its central position the louvers will remain inthe positions they have reached at the moment the pedal is thus moved. By moving the pedal so as to close all the contacts 36, or 31, quickly or simultaneously, the louvers will be moved quickly so that a forte or piano volume of sound issues from the swell box.

By reason of the movements of the louvers being controlled by electro-pneumatic action there is no tendency of the operative parts to bind or stick as may happen when the pedal acts on the louvers through a mechanical connection, .and the louversl are opened or closed in an uninterrupted or regular progressive movement which is arrested without shock by reason of the cushioning eiect of the air in the chambers |2, I4.

We claim:

1. An action for effecting movement oi swellv louvers in organs, comprising a Wind chest, a wind motor, a series of ducts admitting wind from the wind chest to the wind motor, valves respectively controlling the passage of Wind through each duct, and individually controlled means for opening and closing the said valves in a successive order.

2. An action for eiecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a wind motor including a movable board, a series of ducts admitting Wind from the wind chest to move the said board in one direction, a series of ducts admitting Wind from the wind chest to move the said board in the opposite direction, valves respectively controlling the passage of wind through each duct, and means for opening in succession the valves corresponding to one series of ducts while the valves corresponding to the other series of ducts are held closed.

3. An action for effecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a wind motor, a valve opened by wind from the wind chest for admitting wind to the motor, a. springr for closing the valve, and means for reducing the air pressure acting on the same side of the valve as the said spring in order to allow the valve to= louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a

Wind motor, ducts admitting wind from the Wind chest to the motor, groups of valves respectively controlling the passage of wind through each duct, one group of valves operating to eiect movement of the motor in one direction and another group operating to effect movement in the opposite direction, and electrically operated means for effecting the opening of the valves of one group While the valves of the other group remain closed.

An action for effecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a Wind chest, a wind motor, ducts admitting wind from the said wind chest to the motor, groups oi' valves respectively controlling the passage of Wind through each. duct, one group of valves operating to effect movement oi the motor in one direction and another group operating to effect movement in the opposite direction, and electrically operated means for opening the valves of either group while those oi` the other group remain closed, including circuit closing contacts for eifecting the opening oi the valves, the said contacts being arranged in groups corresponding to the groups of valves.

7. An action for effecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a wind motor, ducts admitting wind from thefsaid wind chest tothe motor, valves respectively controlling the pasage of wind through each duct, electrically operated means including 'circuit closing contacts for effecting movement of the valves, a Contact bar having the said contacts arranged in groups on opposite sides thereof, and means urging the said bar to a position between these groups out of contact with all the said circuit closing contacts.

8. An action for eiecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a wind motor, ducts admitting wind from the said wind chest to the motor, valves respectively controlling tlie passage of wind through each duct, electrically operated means including circuit closing contacts for effecting movement of the valves and an oscillatory contact bar having the said contacts arranged in groups on opposite sides thereof, the individual contacts of each group being variously spaced from the bar when the latter is in a position between these groups out of contact with all the said circuit closing contacts.

9. An action for effecting movement of swell louvers, in organs, comprising a wind chest, a Wind motor, ducts admitting wind from the said wind chest to the motor, valves respectively controlling the passage of Wind through each duct, electrically operated means including circuit closing contacts for effecting movement of the valves, an oscillatory contact bar having the said contacts arranged in groups on opposite sides thereof, and means for adjusting individual contacts to different positions away from the bar when the latter is in a central position. 1

10. An action for effecting movement of swell louvers in organs comprising a reciprocatory member operative to control the admission of wind to a wind motor, means including an electric circuit and 'circuit closing contacts for effecting movement of the said member, an oscillatory contact bar having the said contacts arranged in groups on -oposite sides thereof, the individual contacts of each group being variously spaced from the bar when the latter is in a central position out of contact with all the said circuit closing contacts, and means for moving the bar away from its central position to make contact successively with the circuit closing contacts on the side towards which it is thus moved,

11. An action for effecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a wind motor, including amovable board, a series of ducts of different cross-sectional areas for admitting wind from thewind chest to the wind motor, and means for admitting wind through a series of the ducts opened in succession at will, to control the speed of movement of the said movable board.

12. An action for eiecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a wind motor including a movable board, a series of ducts for admitting wind from the wind chest to the wind motor, means for admitting wind through a series of ducts, and means for opening the said ducts for the passage of wind inv o a predetermined order.

louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a, wind motor including two chambers, a series of ducts forming separate communications between` the wind chest and the said chambers, an exhaust valve for each chamber urged towards its seat b y a spring and means for supplementing the spring by wind supplied from the wind chest.

15. An action for enecting movement of swell louvers in organs comprising a wind chest, a wind motor including a movable board, separate series of ducts admitting wind to the motor to move the said board in opposite directions re- `series of ducts admitting wind to the motor to move the said board in opposite directions respectively, valves respectively controlling the passage of` wind through the said ducts, means for opening the said valves in order to effect movement of the board in either direction and a supplementary duct and valve operated on the arrival of the board in one extreme position to maintain the board in this position.

17. An action for eecting movement of swell louvers in organs, comprising a wind chest, a wind motor including a movabley board, valved ducts for admitting wind to the motor to move the said board in opposite directions respectively, a supplementary valved duct opened by the arrival of the board in one extreme position to maintain the board in this position and means for closing the said supplementary duct in order to release the said board.

HENRY WILLIS.

AUBREY THOMPSON-ALLEN.

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