GB189905744A - Improvements in Automatic Block Apparatus for Railways. - Google Patents

Abstract

5744. Tiesenhausen, T. March 16. Electric railways.-Relates to electrical apparatus for automatically stopping traius, when one train approaches another travelling in the same or in the opposite direction, or when a train approaches a second train at rest, an imperfectly-closed switch, or an open crossing-gate &c. The apparatus is adapted to actuate the Westinghouse or other brakes, or the regulator of the locomotive, and is also applicable on electric railways. Instead of actuating the brakes, the apparatus may operate a whistle or other warning signal on the engine, or a signal at the crossing &c. A series of independent conductors U, Z are mounted on insulating-supports between the rails, with the ends of adjacent conductors overlapping, as shown. The central portion W, X of each conductor lies midway between the rails, to engage the central contact-frame M on the engine, and the ends U, V and Y, Z lie to the right and left respectively, to engage the correspondingly-arranged frames S, S, also carried by the engine. The brake or regulator &c. is connected to a drum on the spindle of the ratchet-wheel g, which is connected to an operating spring or weight H, but is normally held locked by a pawl on the lever armature A of the electromagnet K. The lever armature I of the second electromagnet E on the engine is adapted to close the contacts l, c. When two trains come on the same conductor, a circuit is closed from the battery F<1>, on one engine through the lead a, b<1>, contactframe M, conductor U, Z, contact-frame S, electromagnet E, and lead o to the frame of the second engine, the ordinary rail, the frame of the first engine, lead k<1>, i<1>, electromagnet K<1>, and lead i<1>, to battery. The electromagnet K<1> releases the pawl lever A', from the ratchet g, and allows the weight H' to apply the brakes &c. on the first engine, while the electromagnet E on the second engine closes a local circuit c, l, i<1>, K, i, d, which similarly applies the brakes &c. of that train. Suitable arrangements may be provided at points, crossing-gates, &c. to fulfil the function of the apparatus on the second locomotive, for stopping a train approaching an imperfectly-closed switch, an open crossing, or a stationary train, &c.