How Many other towns use Thunderbeams?

[Robert Gift]

Denver, Colorado
Federal Signal Thunderbeam (only one I have ever seen)
750 S University Blvd, Denver (Exposition and University)

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Before onset of my siren illness, I had no idea what it was.
Thought it some kind of light.

[NFRANGA]

Most people confuse the thunderbeam with some kind of light post or something.

I used to know that was a tornado siren, but I never figured out how it worked until recently. It is rather unorthodox that is uses a spinning disk to propel the sound outward, while most sirens use a rotator/horn, or a series of horns to project the sound.

[Robert Gift]

... uses a spinning disk to propel the sound outward, while most sirens use a rotator/horn, or a series of horns to project the sound.

I would say rotating, not spinning, disk.
Does it turn about 4 or 5 times a minute?
Is the sound reflector disk directly gear and belt driven by the siren motor?

If I push against an Allertor spinning down in the direction of its turning, will I prolong its coast down?

[500 AT fan]

... uses a spinning disk to propel the sound outward, while most sirens use a rotator/horn, or a series of horns to project the sound.

I would say rotating, not spinning, disk.
Does it turn about 4 or 5 times a minute?
Is the sound reflector disk directly gear and belt driven by the siren motor?

If I push against an Allertor spinning down in the direction of its turning, will I prolong its coast down?

2 times a minute.

No, you'd probably break the gearboxes, first.

[NFRANGA]

... uses a spinning disk to propel the sound outward, while most sirens use a rotator/horn, or a series of horns to project the sound.

I would say rotating, not spinning, disk.
Does it turn about 4 or 5 times a minute?
Is the sound reflector disk directly gear and belt driven by the siren motor?

If I push against an Allertor spinning down in the direction of its turning, will I prolong its coast down?

Like others have said, the Thunderbeam's rotating disk spins at 2RPM. Personally, I am not sure if the disk is gear driven or belt driven. I'd imagine it being gear driven because other than that, the Thunderbeam is pretty simple in design, compared to it's sibling, the Thunderbolt.

[Robert Gift]

... Personally, I am not sure if the disk is gear driven or belt driven. I'd imagine it being gear driven because other than that, the Thunderbeam is pretty simple in design, compared to it's sibling, the Thunderbolt.

I was thinking maybe the disk was driven by a separate motor.
Seems like a better idea because if something happens the problem does not impose more load on the siren motor.

[NFRANGA]

... Personally, I am not sure if the disk is gear driven or belt driven. I'd imagine it being gear driven because other than that, the Thunderbeam is pretty simple in design, compared to it's sibling, the Thunderbolt.

I was thinking maybe the disk was driven by a separate motor.
Seems like a better idea because if something happens the problem does not impose more load on the siren motor.

From what I know, the thunderbeam's siren chopper is mounted above the siren itself on the small bulge on top. So yeah your right, there would be a separate motor on the Thunderbeam for the rotation mechanism.

I knew that there would be a second motor, but I was figuring the motor used gears to drive the rotating disk

[murrfarms]

You guys are close with the way the Thunderbeam works, but the entire siren is only driven by one motor, not two. That "bulge" in the top cover is, in fact, where the chopper assembly is located. However, the way the disk assembly works is by a shaft attached to the bottom of the chopper, which runs through the disk into a gearbox attached to the bottom disk below. That gearbox, in turn, reduces the hi-speed shaft rotation (3450rpm?) down to only 2rpm.

[NFRANGA]

You guys are close with the way the Thunderbeam works, but the entire siren is only driven by one motor, not two. That "bulge" in the top cover is, in fact, where the chopper assembly is located. However, the way the disk assembly works is by a shaft attached to the bottom of the chopper, which runs through the disk into a gearbox attached to the bottom disk below. That gearbox, in turn, reduces the hi-speed shaft rotation (3450rpm?) down to only 2rpm.

Brilliant

[Robert Gift]

... a shaft attached to the bottom of the chopper, which runs through the disk into a gearbox attached to the bottom disk below. That gearbox, in turn, reduces the hi-speed shaft rotation (3450rpm?) down to only 2rpm.

Thanks.
A 1725/1 ratio. Like to see that gear box.
My clock has a 12/1 ratio.