US1111930A - Railway signal and switch operating means. - Google Patents

Description

P. G. TEN EYGK.

RAILWAY SIGNAL AND SWITCH OPERATING MEANS. APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 24, 1909.

1,1 1 1,930, Patehted Sept. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

w Q 8W WW w w w yMM THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHDTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D, c,

P. G. TEN EYGK. RAILWAY SIGNAL AND SWITCH OPERATING MEANS. APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 24, 1909.

1, 1 1 1,930,- Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

% #4 QaZM/W HIE NORRIS PETERS (20.. PHOTOL|THO., WASHINGTON. u. c.

P. G.-TEN EYOK. RAILWAY SIGNAL AND SWITCH OPERATING MEANS APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1909.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

3 SH'EETSSHEET 3.

IHE NofiRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-LITHOH WASHINGTON. u. L,

v NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

rErEE a. TEN 'EYeK, or ALBANY, NEW YORK.

Toall whom it may concern; a i

Be'it known that :1, PETER G. TEN EYOK, a citizen-of the United States, and a resident of Albany, county. ofAlbany, and State of New York, have invented certain-new and useful Improvements in- RailwaySignal and Switch Operating Means;; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisgs ecification, and to the. figures and letters 0 reference marked thereon. This invention relates to railway switch and signal operating systems and more espe cially to systemswherein a series of stations, such as switches or signals, or both, are operated or controlled from a tower or central station; i

The primary object of the invention is to reduce the number of line connections ex: tending from the stations to the tower with out in any wise limiting the. capacity of the system either with respect to the control and operation of the switches or signals or with respect to thexindicating mechanism .in those systems where return indications are desired. f

Further objects of the invention are to reduce the cost of operation and increase the efficiency both with respect to the operation of the instrumentalities employed and with respect to safetyin guardingagalnst false movements and indications. I

The invention consists primarily in a system embodying a toweror operating station,vaseries or plurality of switch or signal stations distant fromthe tower and operating line connections including an individual line for each-switch or signal station and two return lines both: common to'all-the switch or signalstations,whereby succeeding stationsrequire but one line to the tower and the extension of the two common lines from the next adjacent switch or signalstation in the series.

independent sources of energy one in association with eachof the returns common to all the switch or signal stations and rinstrumentalities whereby either may be associated withyan individual line to each switchtor signal 'sta- Specification of Letters Patent RA'ILWAYSIGNAL AND SWITCH OPERATING MEANS.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

Application filed August 24,, 1909. se i tn 514,413.,

tifons andarrangements of. parts, all as will i be hereinafter described andupointed out particularly in the appended claims.

The invention is primarily, though not exclusively, designed for embodiment in an electrical equipment, although, as will be readily understood by those. skilled in the art, it may be embodied in systems employing motive fluid as the controlling or the operating means, but fOI the purposes of illustration a system having electrical equipment throughout has been adopted.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system embodying the present invention, three switch stations being shown, one of said stations being an, extension of another and controlled thereby. Fig. 2is a similar view of a system embodying the invention and in which the sources of operating energy are utilized as the sourcesof'energy for indicating. F igs..8,4, 4 5 and 5 arediagrammatic elevations on an enlarged scale of one ofthe operating levers shown on a reduced scale in Fig. 1,the difierent figures showing the lever in other positions of adjustment than. thatshown in Fig. 1-; Fig. 6 is an en j ing systems, railway tracks D are shown in The invention further consists inthe employment of separate and Fig, 1 with a switch; 2'). at station B and cross-over switches fa and 0 at stations C and C", respectively.

Each switch or signal station is equipped with a switch orsignal operating motor E which is adapted to move the switch or si nal. into successive positions coming to rest set of connections will. movev the switch to.

another position and the switch is thus opened or closed, as the case may be. Ap-

paratus of this character is well known and specific illustration on deSCR-iption is, there fore, unnecessary.

At the tower or control station A the usual inter-locking or operating levers 'or parts, movable therewith are indicated at F:F", one such. lever being usually provided for the control of each independent switch.

Each independent station has an indi- 4 vidual line extending to. thetower, said G to operate the switch orsignal to reverse lines -being-shownin Fig. 1- atB and G for the respective stations. In addition, two separate and independent return lines' G G, common to all the stations are provided; When return indicationsaredesired with the arrangement shown in Figl' two additional independent returns H= and H com monto allthe stations are provided but for the present; these indicator returns-may be disregarded.

Each of-theindividual station lines B C isprovided with contacts 6 0- with which contacts 6 b andc c onthelevers FF are adaptedto engage when the levers are moved in onedirection or the other. Contacts b c are-electricallyconnected by wire 9 and with: one sideof-a generator indicated by the; battery G the opposite side offsaid generator being connected with common returnG. Contacts 6, c are likewise connected by a wireg andto one side of a generator indicated by the battery G the opposite side ofsaid generator'being connected with common returnG.

The mot-or at each; station is adapted to switch its ownconnections, 6., when oper ated to movea switch or signal in one direction and duringits movement it shifts the motor contacts to apositionfor eifectingthe opposite movement of the switch when next energized; The contact switch-moved" by the motor is indicated-fat I-inthe drawings (Figs. 1 and 6) and it carries contacts 2', i adapted-to connect-one or the other. of the common returnswith the motorthrough branch wires-i it.

As shown in- Fig. 1, the switches are in normal position and the motor is connected through i with" return G'but no current flows because the circuitislbroken at b or 0. If,

however,-one oftheileversF or F" be moved from-the full line position 2 to the dotted line position 3, its contact 1) or ot-will move away from 6 or 0 and contact?) orrctwill engage therewith, thereby energizing the:

motor at the desired'station from generator position. The movement of the motor breaks thereturn, circuit G at i and establishes the return circuit G at 2' but this .circuithaving been broken at the lever no current flows and themotor comes to rest with the switch or signal in reverse position, A, movement of the-lever back to positon No. 2 energizes the motor from generator. G through return G to restore the switch to normal and both operations are performed at any desired switch or signal station through a single individual station line and two returns common to alljs'tations. Positions 2 and 3 of the levers F --F" are all that are necessary-tooperate the switch or signal" motors but the levers. have to assume positions 1 and 4: to release the mechani'cal) interlocking as will presently appear. Positions 2and3 are theindicating positions orv the positions in which the levers are automatically stopped or-held'until the switch or signal ismoved to its new position and in so doing makes up the indicating contacts atthe-switch on signal and effects the release of the levers through the operationof magnets 1 all as willlbehereinafter explained;

The broadinvention presents possibilities of combination with extension station equip mentsand with simple safety. and lock devices and with switch and signal indicating means- -which become of greahimportance in a practical commercial installation and form an integral part of the system. For instance, a cross-pr short circuit which might give a false operation is effectually taken. care: of by providing. magnets K, K included in branch circuits fromthe commonreturns-G and G and terminating in contacts is, h, respectively, adapted to be moved by. the levers F Etoengage contacts ie onthe individual station linesr Saidmagnets K, K."controlswitches K in the main operat ing circuits andin. the event: of a cross :or short; circuit the currentwillseekv the path of least resistance and by, energizing said magnets break the main energizing circuit, thereby preventing the accidental operation of'the switchor signal motors; For example, a cross or. shunticircuit; between the reverse. battery wire g and: the operating wire B with the. lever F normal, would result; in a current to the switch motor- E,

whereby said switch motor. wouldbe re versed,- but :with the arrangement illustrated reverse battery: G This-current would'instantly-energize the safety magnet, and open the. circuit at K thereby preventingthe operation of the switch motor bydeenergizing the circuit. established bythe cross or accidental short-circuiting..-

The safety magnet K may be a lownresistance magnet and operates to break the circuit intermittently and so prevent the switch motorfrom startingv against the resistance of the switch mechanism or it may be of one ofthe well known types which hold the circuit open until it is 'closed manually. 7

The switch motor when operated changes the connections at the switchstation tocut out one generator or battery and close the connections for the otherbattery to operate the motor for reversing the switch and the safety magnet is'in position to prevent a premature reverse operation of the motor should across or short circuit occur between the station wire B and the wiring between the batter and the lever contacts. Any cross or s ort circuit between the station wireB and the common return would of itself short-circuit the switchmotor and the latter would not operate.

A look or safety magnet M may be also included in the main energizing circuit for each station, and through the usual and well known appliances used in connection therewith prevent the premature operation of the levers. This safety magnet M is in series with the motor and is energized by the motor operating current to lock the lever when current is on the motor, therebyholding the lever in indicating position (as will presently appear) until the motor has stopped operating. The safety magnet M is operated by either motor operating generator and in practice is therefore operated alternately by generators G and G When it is desired to provide an extension station from any switch or signal station without additional wiring to the tower this may be accomplished by providing branch lines from theprimary station to the eX- tension station controlled; by themotor operated switch I at the primary station and utilizing the two returns common to all stations. I

The extension arrangement will be readily understood by reference to stations C and C the latter being an extension station. At station .0 the motor operated switch I car.- ries contacts I I adapted to. alternately make or break branch circuits N, N leading to the station C. At station C circuits N, N are adapted to be alternately made or broken by contact n, a on a switch I? which latter corresponds to the switches I before described. The circuit N or N established by the switch I extends to the operatin motor E at station G and through said motor to one or the other of the common returns G, G depending uponwhich branch has been closed by the movement of the switch I and tower lever. WVith the switches or signals in normal position, as shown in the drawings, whenthe motor at C is oper i actually moved to the desired position and while the generators or sources of operating power may be utilized in the indicating sys tem] in connectionwith the two returns com mon to all stations, as;will be presently ex.- plained, the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 wherein the individual. line to each station and separate indicator returns common to all stations are employed, will be first .described. Each tower lever-,F, F, etc., is provided with indicator circuit contacts 0, 0 adapted to cooperate with terminal contacts 0, 0, the arrangement being such that when the lever is moved upwardly or away from the operator to position No. 2,,which is normal indicating position, contacts 0, 0 engage to establishthe indicating circuit. A lever movement to position No. 1 (normal or home position) causescontacts O, 0 to pass each other and they do not operatively engagewhen the lever is moved. reversely because their rear faces are insulated as at 0 Movement of the lever from position No. l to position No. 3 (reverse indicating position) brings contacts O,0 into operative engagement and movement to position No. 4 (reverse position) breaks the indicating circuit at 0,, 0, all as will be readily. understood. The movement of. any lever from position No. 3 to position No. 4:, or from position No. 2 to position No. 1 does two things ;first, it breaks the indicating circuit by causing contacts 0, 0 .or O, o to move past each other and, secondly, it re leases the usual mechanical. interlocking mechanism and locks up all other diverging routes, as the case may require.

In the arrangement shownin Fig. 1, the contacts 0, 0" are in multiple in a branchof the individual station line (C or 13 said branch including. an indicator magnet P. Besides the usual indicator this magnet controls a lock lever P the lock arms 79, pof which cooperate with projections 39 p on the lever and prevent lever movement in the wrong direction; for instance, as shown, the magnet being energized the lever can move 1 forward from normal. indicating position up to normal or home position, and if the switch had not moved vto normal position the magnet could not be energized and this movement would be preventedby the lock arm 10 engaging the bottom projection p Themovement of the lever to position No.

; circuit; the magnet P would be energized andp' enga ing below 9 would prevent the lever from being moved to reverse=p'ositiem When the lever is in position- No. 4, p would under similar circumstances engage above p and prevent operation ofthe lever. The magnet P must be energized to release from projections and deenergized torel ease p" from-.79 By the provision of this locking means across on vagrant current is not ermittedi toallow the lever to move without waiting for'the switch or signal to operate and indicate,no'r can the mechanical interlocl'rof the opposing routes be operated or released before the switch or signal has assumed its properfpositio'n, because the switch" or signal makes up the contacts for energicing magnet P to operate latch P, and release 7* only when the switch or'signa'l' assumes its new p'ositiom The act of moving lever'F or F from 2 to 1 or from 3 to 4L releases the mechanical" interlocking which latter may boot the well" known kind commonly employed in both electric and mechanicalinterlocking machines for many years: and which therefore forms no part of the" present invention.

The c'ont'roh and operation of the levers F" will" be better understood by reference to 'Figs. 3 m 5*. In Fig; 3 the lever is shown in the normal" home or No. 1 position. In Figs: 4t and. 4* it is-shownin the No. 3 or reverse indicating position, and in Figs; 5 and 5*"'- it is shownthe No.- 4 or' reverse position; 'None'oi these positions are shown Figi f of the drawings; but are indicated By the dotted positions and numbers.

When the lever F isin the No. 1 position, Fig. 3', the locking end or-arm p rests on the bottom surface of the first lug p 1 The magnet P is deenergi'zed and its armature P"retracted, leaving the locking arms p and p free: WVhen'the lever F is moved tothe reverse indicating or No. 3 position, as shown in Fig. l, the locking army) drops into the'recess or groove between the lugs p5 gravity eflecting this-movement. When the magnet P is energized it will lift its armature- P", andthereby. swing the locking armp on its axisat 10, SOas to disengage the locking arm from the lugs p and will cause the locking arm p to strike the bottom surface of the lug p on the lever F. The position of the partsis illustrated in Fig'e gandpermits of the lever F being moved to the fourth or reverse position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 5*; Asthe lever moves to the position shown in Fig. 5, thelocking arm p rides oit of the lug p and drops dqwnbeh ind the same, its movement being efiected by the armature P under the inflnence of the attraction of the magnet P.

' This position of the part'sis shown in Fig.

5, and at the same time the lever F'is being moved to the-full reverse position, the indication' is beingreceived and: the mechanical interlocking" released. The movement of the lever- F also breaks the circuit at the indicating spring contacts as heretofore explained, and thereby deenergizes the magnet P, allowing its armature P to drop back to its normal position, and this in turn allows the locking arm 7) to drop away from it's'engagement with the lug 32 all asshown in Fig; With the lever thus released it is free to be returned to the No. 2 or normal indicatingposition, which is shown in Fig. l of the drawings. Should there occur a cross or short circuit on the indicating wire while thelever'is in the reverse position, as heretofore explained, the magnet P will be energized, thereby raising the armature P and causing the locking arm p to engage lug 7?, thereby locking the lever against being returned to" the" normal indicating position, where there is a cross or short circuit on the indicating circuit.

The locking ma'gnetM, indicated in Fig. 1, isshow-n in Figs. 3 to 5 as located below the lever F. It is conveniently a solenoid or hollow magnet through which the looking pin or part M works upwardly into position to engage between lugs Z on the locking lever F When the lever F is moved to the r'evers'e'indicatingposition No. 3, (Fig.4), the space between the lug Z is directly over the rod M on the armature of the magnet M, and as the current or power'whi'choperates the switch and signal, as heretofore explained, passes through the coils of the magnet M, the magnet is energized, thereby lifting'the armature of the magnet M and locking the lever F so that it cannot be moved to the No. 4 position while current is passing through the magnet and theswitch or signal motor E. As soon, however, as the switch or signal is moved to the reverse position the circuit is broken at the motor, as heretofore explained, thereby de'ener'gizing the magnet M and allowing its armatureto drop back by gravity, so as to again releasethe' lever F and permit it to bemoved to the fourth position, provided that a proper indication has been received through the indicating coils P.

Batteries R, R are the indicator batteries one being'connected with contacts 0 of all levers'and' the other with contacts 0 of all levers. The opposite sides of the batteries are connected with indicator returns R, R common to all stations from which indications are given. The common indicator returns have branches r, r at each station from which indications are given, adapted to be alternately connected with the individual" station lines bycontacts 1' 7- on the motor operated switch I. At the extension 7 station C the contacts r 1" establish the indicator circuit from r, 4 through the branches'N, N to the individual lineC of station C, the indication in this instance being directly from the extension station through contacts in series therewithat station C after station Chas operated and one indication is a true record of what-has happened at both stations. v

With the parts in the positions indicated in Fig. 1, both indicators show that the switches or signals are in normal position and by a movement of any lever to reverse indicating position the battery or generator G will be thrown into circuit, causing that switch or signal to be reversed. The lever being released so as to be able to be moved to the reverse position will indicate that the switch or signal has reversed. Various arrangements of the indicating means and indicator operating circuits become practicable in combination with the two returns common to all stations and two sources of energy, such as batteries or generators. 7 Thus, it is entirely practical to employ intermittent or alternating currents without lines in addition to the operating lines ortheopen ating generators may-themselves be utilized for generating indicating power and in Fig.

2 one arrangement for accomplishing this' end 1s illustrated. In this arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the generators are both operating and mdlcatlng generators, each gen and C, the levers by F and F and the re-' turns common to all stationsbv G, G. The two generators are illustrated .bybatteries S, S and instead of the single individual line from the tower to each station, two lines T, T extend from the tower to each station, these lines T, T alternately formi-n part of the operating and indicating circuits. BatteryS is connected on one side with return Gr and on the opposite side with lever contacts 8 and 8. contact 8 moving into contact with lines T when the levers are moved in one directionv andcontact s moving into contact with indicator contacts 8 when the levers are moved in the other direction. Battery S is connected'on one side moved into connection with lines T when the lever is moved to break the T-line at s.

set the switch or 1 moved.

Contacts s en a e indicator circuit contacts s when the levers aremoved in one direction, while the indicator circuitcontacts s and s are moved into engagement when the levers are moved in the opposite direction. These indicator circuit contacts preferably move pasteach other and are insulated,as shown, on one face so as to complete the circuits only when the lever is movedinthe proper direction and a continuation of the movement in the same direction breaks the circuit. For instance, movement of a lever from position No. 1 toposition No. 3 brings contacts 3* and 8 into engagement and a continuation of the movement to position No. 4 breaks the circuit and during themovement'the contacts 8, s have moved past eachother without establishing the indicator circuit controlled by them.

Each indicator circuit from the battery S andcontrolled by the contacts 8*, .9 includes one otthe coils of an'indicator magnet T (conveniently a double woundmagnet) and extendsfrom said magnetto a contact t carried by thetowe'r lever (For F). Contact t engages acontact t on station line T when the lever is toward reverse position.

Each indicator circuit from battery Sand controlled by the contacts 8. s also'includes 1 one of the coils of indicator magnet T and a lever'operated contact-t -adapted to engage a terminal contact t of station'li'ne T 1 when the lever is moved towardhome. At leachstation the motor U is preferably a 1 double wound motor or provided with sepai rate circuits or connections whereby itmay he driven through'one circuit to' move the 3 signal or switch in" one direction and ;throughthe other circuit to move the signal or'swi'tch in the other direction. I The 3 station lines T, T are branched at each station, one branch of line T being controlled ibygcontact 'w'on "the motoroperated switch U and leading to one of the motor circuits, thence to the return G; e The other branch is controlledby contact a.- on the motor operated' switch U andjleads directly to the other return G. OneQbr'anchof line '1 is controlled by contact u? on the motor 013- erat,ed switch U and leads through the j other motor circuit to the return while the v other branch is controlled by contact a on the motor operated switch U and leads to the return G.' The switch U is operated i by the motor as heretoforedescribed in connection with 'the'fswitch I andthe arrange i'nen-t is such that" the motor leaves the jswitch with the contacts properly established for moving the switch in the opposite direction from that in which it was last The extension station" C is equipped ina similar manner, the only difference being that the contact-S at station C are arrangedto extend their line connections tostation C and stations C and C in series control the indicator circuits, as will be readily understood dirom the description in connection with Fig, 1,

In connection with the illustration in Fig. ,5 2, the safety appliances and lock devices for he. lov rs have e n omi d in rd o avoid confusion, except for the cut-out magnetsK and K. These cut-out magnets for each battery are shown as included in cir- 9 cuits extending to lever contacts V and V, the contacts V for the magnet K controlling the battery S are mounted on the levers in position to engage the contacts of lines T when the levers are moved upwardly, and 5 the contacts V of; the magnet K controlling theibattery S are located in position to engage the terminal contacts 13- of the lines T when the levers are moved dow-nwardly, the arrangement in both instances 2o being such that should a cross or short-circuityocc'ur the magnets K or K would be energized and the operating current from.

the battery or generator interrupted at the circuit breaker controlledby the magnet.

in what are termed normal indicating position; that-is to say, the signals or sw tches are 1n normalposit' on and the connectlons are established for indicating that such isso the case; for instance, the battery S is now the indicating battery and the indicating circuitmay be traced from said battery S through the contacts 8', 8- indicating mags net T lever contact 6?, line T, motor operated switch contact a and common return Gr back to battery, With the parts in this position the battery S has operated as the operating battery to move the motors and motor operated switches U into the posi- 4c i i n in wh hth y are llu tra e that is to say, current from battery Spassing through lev r c t 8 l e to pe ated switch contact a, motor and common return G has operated the motor to move the Fes switch to normal position, break the circuit at u and establish a circuit at u for operating the motor tomove the signal or switch to revers position. When it is de sired to move the signal or switch to re, verse position the tower lever is moved downwardly or toward the operator bringing contacts 8 into engagement with the terminal contacts of line T and current may now flow from the generator S through con.- .tacts s, line T, motor operated switch contact umotor, and common return G, back togenerator -S. When the lever is moved in this direction indicator contacts .3, s are disengaged and indicator contacts S S are back into engagement, thus establishing an indicator circuit from the battery or generator S and indicator current will flow from battery S through indicator contacts S5, S indicator magnet T lever contact t, c5 line T, motor operated switch contact u and common return G -back to the generator. With this arrangement the generators S, S are alternately operating and in- (li fl ing generators and each serves to perform its function independently of the other.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A switch and signal operating system embodying an operators station, a plurality of switch or signal stations, each having electrically controlled motor mechanism, an individual line extending from the operators station to the motor mechanism of each switch or signal station, two returns both common to the motor mechanisms of all the stations, means at each switch or signal station controlled by the motor mechanism at that station for connecting the individual line for that station with the common returns alternately, mcans at the operators station for connecting any individual line with either return, and means for supplying current to the lines. 25 7 As illustrated in Fig. 2, the parts are 7 2. A switch and signal operating system embodying an operators station, a plurality of switch or signal stations, an individual line extending from the operators station to, each switch or signal station, two returns both common to a plurality of switch or signal stations, electrically controlled means at ea h switch or signal station for connecting the individual line with the returns alternately, independent means at the operators station for connecting any individual line with either return, and means for supplying current through the lines to the clectrically controlled means at each station.

3. A switch and signal operating system embodying an operators station, a plurality of switch or signal stations, an operating motor at each station, an individual line extending from the operators station to each switch or signal station, two returns both common to. all stations, means operated by the motor at each station for connecting the individual line with the returns alternately, means at the operators station for connecting any individual line with either return, and means for supplying current to the lines.

.4. A switch and signal operating system embodying an operators station, a plurality of switch or signal stations, an operating motor at each station, individual station lines one from the operators station to each of the switch and signal stations, a plurality of returns common to all stations, means at each station operated by the motor for connecting the individual station line with the common returns in succession, manually con trolled means at the. operators station for connecting any individual switch or signal station line with either return, and means o s pp ying ene gy to the lines- 5. A switch and signal operating system embodying an operators station, a plurality of switch or signal stations, remote from the operators 'station,'-two independent sources oi" electrical energy, two" operating circuits between the sources oi'energy and stations, an automatic electrically actuated switch at each signal or switch station controlled through both operating circuits and operating to automatically establish the cir cuits, alternately, and manually controlled switches at the operatorsstation' whereby thecircuitincluding either source of energy maybe established. 3 i i i 1 16; A switch and signal operating system embodying an operators' station, a distant switch or signal station, an operating motor at the distant'station, aplu'rality of genera tors, line connections between the generators and stations, a motor, a switch'at the distant station operatedrthereby for establishing circuit connections between the motor and generators alternately, "and a manuall-ycon' trolled switch at the operators station also controlling the circuit "connections between the generators and the motor'atthe distant station."

7. A switchand signal operating system embodying stations distant from each other, two independent generators, independent re-' turn lines between stations" for the generators, a line between stations comm'on to both generators, switches at both stations con trollingthe circuit connections between the generators and line common to both generators and a motor mechanism receiving current from said generators throi'igh the lines and operating the circuit switch at the station where the motor mechanismis located."

S. A switch' and signal' operating system embodying an operators' station, a distant switch or signal: station, two independent generators, anbperating motor at the distant station, independent return lines including the respective generators, a line between tlie stations common toboth generators, a motor operated switch at the distant station 'controllingthe connections between the independent returns and-"line common to both generators, a manually controlled switch at'the operators station controlling the connections between said independent generators and line common to both generators. 1,:

9.1%; switch andsignal operating system embodying anoperators station, a plurality of distant switchorsignal stations, two-independent generators, independent returns, one for each generator each common to all the stations, individualylines each common to'both generators and extending from the operators station to each of the distant sta tions, motor mechanism at'each distant station' in theconnection between the indiridual lii i'e' and common "returns and a .switch in the connectionbetweenwtheindividual line: and common returns, a switch governed thereby at each distant station controlling the connection between the individual 'line. andc common returns, 'and independent switches at the operatorsstation each controlling the connection between i one individual line and the two generators, there beingrone switch atlthe operators station for each distantlstationfi; 7

11-.- A switch and signal operating system embodying an: operators station, a plurality ofdistant switcher signal stations, two in;- dependent generators,independent returns one 'for e-ach generator, eachlireturn, being common togallthe stations, individualwlines common to both generators extending; from the operators station. to the distant stations, motormechanism in the connection between theindividuzrl line and" :common returns, a

' switch governed" thereby at each distant station movable" .to connect the, individual lines with thecommon retu rns alternately, switches atf the operators station one i for each-s distanto station and each coi'itrolling the connection between an individual stajtion: line-1 andwthe generatorsWwhereby at both i the 1operato "s station and the a distant station the individual lines may be placed in circuit with either of thecemmon; returnsflv I r" 1: i

12. A switch .and='sign'alv operating system embodying anoperatonslstation; a plurality of distant switcliLor-sfignal ;st-ations, i;ndependent generators, independent returnsone for each generator. each return.being common to allthe stations,,individual lineS 0pm men to all the generators extending from the operators station to the distant stations, motor mechanism in the connection between the individual line and common returns, a

switch at each distant station operatedbyj the motor mechanism and cent-rolling the connection between thetindividual line and commonreturns andswitches at the operators station,;one for each distantstation controlling the connections between, theiindi vidu'al line and common returns, whereby any generator may be included in circuit with; the individual line of station and one of the common returnsi; H

-13. A;switch and signal; operating system l embodying operators; station, a plurality t distant switch or-Signal stations, independent returns: common to, all the stations,

a generator included. in each; return, individual lines extending from the operat0rs station to each switch or signal station, motorsmechanlsms. 1nthe; connections between v the individual lines and common returns,

' station located at the operators station and each controlling the connection between an individual station line and all of the gen erators.

14.. A switch and signal operating and in-.

, dicatingsystemembodying an operators station, a distant switch or signal station, a

motor located atthe distant station, an indidglcating system embodying an operators cator located at the operators station, line connections between said stations, independent motor and indicator operating generators, a switch atthe distantstation controlled by the motor for establishing at that, station both the operating andindicating circuits, and a manually controlled switch at the op erators station for establishing both the operating and indicating: circuits.

' 15,- A switch and signal operating and indicating systems embodying an operators station and a'plurality of switch or signal stations, motors atthe switch or signal stations, indicators one for each switch or signal station located at the operators station, independent operatingand indicating generators, independent returns. common to all the stations there being a separate return through which current is supplied from each generator and a separate line common to the independent generators extending from the operators station to each switch and signal I station with a switch at each station for connecting the line and returns.

. 16. A switch and signal operating and indicating' system embodying an operators I station, a plurality of switch or signal stations, a motor at each switch or signal station," indicators at the operators station one for each switch or signal station, independent generators, independent returns common to all the stations and "each including one generator, a line common to all generators extending fromthe operatOrsstatiOn to each switch or signal station, a motor operated switch at each switch or signal station con ItlflL93Q zdicating system. embodying an operators station, a plurality of distant switch or sig nal stations, an operating motor at each swltch or signal station, an indicator at the operators station for each switch or signal station, a return common to all the indicators and all the distant stations, an independent return common to all the operating motors of all distant stations, independent motor and indicator operating generators,

individual lines extending from the opera:

' tors station to the distant stations, a motor operated switch at each station for connecting and disconnecting the individual station l newlth the returns and manuall coni trolled switches at the operators station for 1 simultaneously connecting the operatin and indicating generators with the individual lines; to any station, said generators being in- I cluded in the respective independent returns.

18. A switch and signal operating and in;

station, a plurality of distant switch or sig nal stations, an indicator for each distant astation, an operating motor at each distant station, individual lines from the operators station to the distant stations, a plurality 10f returns, common to all stations and all operating motors, a plurality of returns common to all stations, and all indicators, motor operated switches at the distant stations controlling the connections between .the individual station lines and all returns, manually operated switches at the operators station controlling the connections between individual station lines and all returns and independent generators included .1n the independent returns, said generators being common to all the distant stations.

19. A switch or signal operating system embodying switch or signal stations, an

operating motor at each station, independ ent generators for operating said motors to move the signals or switches to normal and reverse positions, respectively, a switch in each generator clrcuit and a safety Imagnet controlling said switch having circuit connections with the generator connect-i ed for eflfecting the next succeeding move. ment of the switch motor.

20. A switch or signal operating system embodying switch or signal stations, an operating motor at each station, independent generators for operating the motors to move the signals or switches to normal and reverse positions, respectively, means for alternately connecting the generators in circuit with the motors, a magnetically oper ated switch controlling the operating circuit and circuit connections, whereby said switch is controlled by the generator included in the operating circuit for effecting the next succeeding movement of the motor.

21. A switch or signal operating system embodyingswitch or signal stations, an opcrating motor at each station, independent generators for operating the motor to move the signals or switches to normal and reverse positions, respectively, motor controlled means for alternately connectingthe generators in circuit with the motors, a magnetically operated switch controlling the operating circuit, said magnetically operating switch having circuit connections with the generator included in the operating circuit for efiecting the next succeeding movement of the switch motor, whereby an accidental cross will interrupt the operating circuit.

22. In switch and signal operating systems embodying an operators station and a plurality of switch or signal stations, an individual line extending from the operators station to each switch or signal station, two returns both common to all the stations, means at each switchor signal station for connecting the individual line with the returns alternately, means at the operators station for connecting any individual line with either return, means for supplying Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. G.

current to the lines and magnetically operated switches for the returns included in branch circuits between the returns. a

23. A switch and signal operating system embodying an operators station, a plurality of switch or signal stations remote from the operators station, two independ ent sources of electrical energy, line connections 'betweenthe sources of energy andv stations, an automatic switch at each signal or switch station whereby'the sources of energy are alternately connected in the operating circuit, manually controlled switches at the operators station whereby either source of energy may be connected inthe operating circuit, automatic switches at the operators station for breaking the Commissioner of Patents,

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