US1131979A - Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

P. J. AGKERMAN'.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1912. 1,131,979 Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I H Q H l R a 1 T m n 5 E N A wv W A 5 w: m a I 3 TUE WITNESSES THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTOVLITHOY. WASHINGTONv D. c.

P. J. AGKERMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.11,1912.

1,131,979. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lll l l l WITNESSES INVENTOR JZM ,dm

YHE NORRIS PETERS CD, PHDTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

F. J. AGKERMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.11,1912.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR WITNESSES THE NORRIS PETERS 50., PHOTC-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. C.

- was ,4 %/Z%%%3M% M 6 1 F. J'.' ACKERMAN. RAILWAY TBAFFIG CONTROLLING APPARATUS. APPLIOATION FILEDNOV. 11, 1912.

1,1 31,979. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

//VI 01 A 7/0/1/ FIG.4

93 48 vA ma ,5;7245.4i

HE VENTQR THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHD., WASHINGTON, D. C.

P. J. AOKERMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC GONTEOLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 11, 1912 Patented Mar. 16,1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

mvENToR WITNESSES NQBRIS PETERS 60.. PHDTO-LlTHO-, WASHINGIUN, D. C.

FRANK J. .ACK'ERMAN-, orarrrrseunerr, rnnnsatnvenia Assistance-.1 0. rnn UNION ES'VV'IEECHv & SIGNAL COMPANY, .OF SWISSVHLE,,PENNSYLVANIA, A .GORPORATIONOF P vPENNSYLVANIA.

f RAILWAY-.TRAFFIQCONTROLLING: .APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedMara16, 1915.

Application filed November 113 1912.: Serial No. 730,543.

; the following is aspecification.

I Myixinv ention: relates tozithaticlassuofapparatus in which ,railway traflic controlling devices located along: the trackway are controlled from aicentral. controlling-:mecha- I nism:.-usually termed'an finterlockingmachine; whichapparatus is well knownwin the art as an electricinterlocking' system. I will-describe several] forms of apparatus and circuits embodying my i invention applied.- to' the. control of a single switch, and then .point out the novel features thereofain claims.

A Im the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view ,showiing;;one form of apparatus and: circuits-embodyingmy invention applied t0;atl16 control of a single switch. Figs. 2 and 31 are views showing modifications of the apparatusiand circuits shown. in Fig. 1. a is a View showing in end elevation .one form of-circuit. controlling device shown diagrammatically in Figs. 1 to mand embodying. my invention; and Fig. 5 is a sectional 'viewvon the line 55 of Fig.v 4. Fig. 6 is audiagrammatic view showing a; plurality of. railway switches and signals governed bya plurality ofcontrol levers located at a: central point. Similar reference charactersrefer to; similarparts in each of. the views.

-Referring first to Figs. 1; 2; and'3,-A designates a traffic controlling device, here shown as being ara-ilway switch. A This switch is actuated by-ian 'electric motorl) through the-medium of a suitableactuating mechanism F. P designates 'power mains comprising wires ll and 12,.whichmains are supplied with current from a source 10, here shown as being abattery, and from which ..mains= current. is l-supplied to the motor D by: meansof asuitable operating circuit. This operating-circuit-is controlled directly by a ,circuit controlling-device G, located preferably adjacent the switch A. This circuit controlling; devicesis governed by a-control circuit which includes contacts operated by a; imannallyi operateddever C. This lever C islusu'ally a'lever of aminter. locking machine as hereafter explained.

:T he switchoperating mechanism E which L :have. here shown may be briefly described as follows =Operatively connected with. the armature 13 of motor 'D is ascrew 15 which coacts with a-longitudinally movable nut 16. This nut is rigidly connected with ar-plate 18iprovided with a cam slot 20,"which latter coacts with a roller 17 thlS-IOllGIIClIiVQS a bar 19 connected with the'movable .rails of switch. A. 1 The plate 18 in Figs. 152116. 3 carries-four cams30, .31, 54: and 57, which actuate respectively circuit controllingacontacts 32, 33, 52 and53 for purposes hereinafterzexplaineda In'Fig. 2: the cams 5l and 57 andv the contacts operated thereby are omitted.

. The lever C may beof;any suitable type; asihere shown it is of a .usual and well known type comprising an oscillating shaft 70 which operates contacts21, 22, 25and 26. The contacts 21 v and. 22 constitute polechanging contacts for reversing the direction of current in: the circuit controlling 1 device G as hereinafter explained. The move: ments of the shaft-7 0 are asusual governed by return indication-devices .19. and K Each. of-these.indication devices as here shown. comprises a segment. 27 mounted rigidly upon the shaft 70 and providedwith a dog "28 which engages with a latchZ-29 operatively-connected with the armature of an electromagnet N or. R. Each of-these electromagnets is provided with a separate indicationcircuit extending from the lever C to theswitch A, the circuit for magnet N being 1 controlled by contact 321andithat: for magnet R bycontact-83." One -or-the other of these contacts is closed afterzthe-switch A has completed its movement in one direction or the other and has been locked, and the indication device-i corresponding tothat position of the switch is thenenergizedto permit the controlling lever toicomplete its oscillation and to lock or unlock other levers of the interlocking machine. The contacts 25. and-2bv serve to also control the circuits of indication magnets Rand N- These contacts are not moved during the: first portion ofthe movement of the shaft 70 up to the pointat which it is stopped bythe dogs 128 but during the remainder ofthe movement of the shaft the contacts 25 and 26 are reversed in position. This operation of contacts 25 and 26 is obtained as here shown by mounting the contacts loosely on the shaft 70, and by moving them by pins 73, 74, and 76 carried by members 71 and 72 fastened to the shaft 70. The indication circuits will be traced in detail hereinafter.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, I will describe the form of circuit controlling device G here shown. This device comprises a polarized relay having magnets 77 and 77, and a neutral relay having magnets 85 and 85. The cores of these magnets are all mounted in front and back plates 84 and 79 of non-magnetic material. The magnet cores of the polarized relay are con nected by a soft iron back-strap 87 interposed between the back plate 79 and the magnet spools; and the magnet cores of the neutral relay are similarly connected by a soft iron back-strap 88 interposed between the front plate 84 and the magnet spools. The magnet cores of the polarized relay are provided with pole- pieces 80 and 80 which are mounted on the cores and are held in place by nuts 128 and 129. A polarized armature 82 is mounted to oscillate between the pole- pieces 80 and 80 This armature 82 is pivotally mounted on a pin 83 carried in a soft iron head 90. The armature 82 is polarized in any suitable manner. As here shown this polarization is accomplished by means of a permanent magnet 91 mounted between the plates 84 and 79 and passing through the head 90. The back strap 87 extends downwardly and surrounds the permanent magnet 91 as shown in Fig. 5. The permanent magnet 91 and head 90 are held in place by nuts 92 and 93 screwed upon the threaded ends of the permanent magnet 91. Mounted upon the upper end of armature 82 is a bracket 94 of insulating material which carries contact fingers 95 and 96. Al though I have in Fig. 4 shown only two fingers 95 and 96, it is understood that any desired number of fingers may be operated by the polarized armature 82. For example in Fig. 2 I have shown three such fingers. The fingers 95 and 96 are riveted in slots in suitable blocks 97 and 98 secured to the bracket 94 by screws 99. The upper ends of these fingers engage with contacts 100, 101, 102 and 103 which are mounted in a suitable block 104 of insulating material carried by upwardly reaching arms of front plate 84. It will be seen that when the armature 82 rests against pole-piece 80 (the position shown in Fig. 4), fingers 95 and 96 engage respectively with contacts 101 and 103; and that when the armature 82 is reversed in position so that it rests against pole-piece 80, fingers 95 and 96 will engage respectively with contacts 100 and 102. Contact fingers 95 and 96 are electrically connected by means of wires 132 and 133 respectively with terminal posts 134 and 135 respectively, which posts are mounted in a block 136 of insulating material carried on arms 137 projecting forwardly from front plate 84. Secured to the armature 82 is an upwardly extending locking segment 34, the upper edge of which is provided with a dog 35 by means of which the armature may be mechanically locked in either of its extreme positions, that is, against either of the pole- pieces 80 or 80 as hereinafter explained.

The magnets and 85 of the neutral relay are provided with pole-pieces 36 (only one of which is shown) located at theopposite end of the magnet from the pole- pieces 80 and 80 of the polarized relay. These pole pieces 36 act upon a neutral armature 37 carried on a vertical arm of a bent lever 38, which lever is pivoted at 39 to suitable arms 44 extending upwardly from the back plate 79. Mounted upon this lever 38 by means of insulating studs 46 are one or more contact fingers, one only of which, 45, appears in Fig. 5. In Fig. 2, three of these contact fingers are shown, one being provided with a back contact. The lower end of contact finger 45 coacts with a contact 47 mounted on a block 48 of insulating material, which block is supported by suitable lugs on the back plate 79. The front contact or contacts (as contact 4547) are closed when the relay 85 is energized and open when the relay is de energized. A horizontal arm 150 of lever 38 extends along the top of the device and coacts with the dog 35 to control the movements of armature 82. This arm 150 is guided to move vertically by a suitable slot in a lug 140 formed on the upper edge of the front plate 84. When relay 85 is deenergized, the-arm 150 rests by gravity in the bottom of the slot in lug 140 and on one side or the other of the dog 35, so that the armature 82 is then looked in whichever position it occupies. But when the relay 85 is energized thereby attracting armature 37, the arm 150 is raised sufficiently to allow dog 35 to pass under it, and the polarized armature 82may then be reversed.

The permanent magnet 91 is provided with a winding 89 for the purpose of maintaining and reinforcing the flux of this magnet. This winding may be energized at times in manners which will hereinafter appear.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the control circuit for the winding of polarized relay 7 7- 77 a is as follows-from positive main 11 through wire 40, contact 21, wire 42, windings 77 and 77", wire 106, contact 45, wire 41, contact 22, wire 43, to negative main 12. It will be seen that this circuit includes contact 45 which is operated by the neutral magnet 85-85, and that therefore this c'ircuit is closed only when the neutral magnet is energized. It will be seen also that this control circuit includes the polerc'hanging contacts 21 and 22, and that therefore, when the lever C is reversed in position, and contact 45 is closed,-the direction of current through the polarized relay winding will be reversed.

In Fig. 1 the windings 85 and 85 of the neutral relay are connected in series, and are provided with terminals 50 and 51. One of these terminals 50 is connected with control wire 41; the other terminal 51 is connected with either the positive or the negative power main 11 or 12 by contacts 52 and 53. When contact 53 is closed, as shown in the drawing, this terminal 51 is connected with the negative main 12 through resistance 116, contact 53 and wires 111 and 59. When the switch A is reversed in position so that contact 53 is open and contact 52 is closed, the terminal 51 will be connected with the positive main 11 through resist ance 114, contact 52 and wires 58 and 109. It will be seen therefore that relay 8585 will be energized or not according as its two terminals are connected with power mains of different polarity or with the same power main.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the switch A in what I shall herein term its normal position, and the other parts of the apparatus in the positions corresponding to this position of the switch. With the parts in such positions, both terminals of neutral relay 85 85 are connected with the negative main 12 hence this relay is deenergized and is consuming no current; contact 45 is therefore open, so that the control circuit for the polarized relay is open and this relay is therefore consuming no current. When it is desired to move switch A to its other position, which I will herein term the reverse position, the shaft of lever C is rotated in the direction of the arrow until the dog 28 of indication device K engages latch 29. This movement reverses the position of polechanging contacts 21 and 22, thereby connecting wires 41 and 42 with the positive and negative mains 11' and 12 respectively. Terminal 50 of neutral relay -85, being connected with wire 41, is now connected with the positive main 11; and since the other terminal 51 of this relay is connected with the negative main 12, current now flows through windings 85 and 85" so that the neutral relay is energized thereby raising the arm 150 out of the path of dog 35 and closing contact 45. The closing of contact 45 closes the circuit through the wind ings of polarized relay 77 and since the pole changing contacts 21 and 22 are reversed, the current flowing through the polarized relay is now in such direction as to reverse the position of armature 82. The reversal of armature 82 reverses contacts and 96, so that operating current is supplied to the motor D through the following circuit from positive main 11 through wire 60, winding 89, wire 62, contact 95, wire 65, motor armature 13, wire 66, contact 96, Wire 67, contact 33, wires 68 and 69, motor field winding 14, wire 59 to negative main 12. This current passes through winding 89 in such direction as to reinforce the flux of the permanent magnet 91, thereby assuring that the fiuX of this magnet shall be maintained. Winding 89 is preferably of low resistance so that it will not greatly reduce the motor current. The motor D is operated by this current in such direction as to actuate the mechanism F to move switch A to the reverse position. As soon as the motor has moved the plate 18 a short distance, contact 52 is closed, so that terminal 51 of the neutral relay is then connected with both the positive and negative power mains through contacts 52 and 53 respectively, but this does not denergize the neutral relay 85. A circuit is then closed from positive main 11 through wires 109 and 58, contact 52, resistance 114, resistance 116, contact 53, and wires 111 and 59 to negative main 12, but the current in this circuit is 9 small owing to resistances 114 and 116 hence this circuit does no harm. When the movement of the switch A to the reverse position has been completed and the switch rails have been locked by the longitudinal portion of cam slot 20, contact 33 is reversed in position by dog 31, thereby opening the motor operating circuit; at the same time contact 53 is reversed by dog 57, thereby disconnecting terminal 51 from the negative main 12 and leaving it connected only with the positive main 11 through contact 52.. Both terminals of the neutral relay windings are then connected with the positive main 11, so that no current flows through these windings and the relay therefore opens. Lever 38 falls, thereby locking polarized armature 82 in the position which it now occupies. The opening of contact 45 opens the control circuit of the polarized relay so that this relay then becomes deenergized. It will be seen therefore that as soon as a movement of the switch h as been completed, the consumption of current by the controlling device Gr ceases. The reversal of contact 33 closes an indication circuit through magnet R as followsfrom positive power main 11 through wires 109 and 110, contact 33, wire 107, contact 25, wire 55, magnet R and wire 56, to negative power main 12. Current in this circuit energizes magnet R which raises its armature, thereby raising latch 29 out of the path of dog 28, so that the movement of the lever C may then be continued to the end of the stroke. During this last portion of the movement of lever C, contact 25 is reversed thereby opening the circuit of magnet R, and contact 26 is also reversed thereby closing at that point the circuit for magnet N, so that the circuit for this magnet may be closed at the switch after the latter has again been moved to its normal position.

The movement of switch A from its reverse position to its normal position would be similar to that just described. For such movement the direction of the control cur rent through the polarized relay winding is again reversed by contacts 21 and 22, and contacts 95 and 96 are then moved back to the position shown in the drawing. A motor operating circuit is then closed through motor D as followsfrom positive power main 11 through wire 60, winding 89, wires 62 and 64, contact 96, wire 66, motor armature 13, wire 65, contact 95, wire 112, contact 32, wires 113 and 69, field winding 14, wire 59 to negative power main 12. This current passes through armature 13 in the opposite direction to that hereinbefore de scribed so that the motor then operates in the proper direction to move the switch A to its normal position. After such movement has been completed, indication magnet N is energized in a manner similar to that hereinbefore explained for magnet It, and the movement of the lever C can then be completed.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the apparatus here shown is similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but with certain modifications which I will now point out. In Fig. 2, the contacts 52 and 53 operated by the plate 18 are replaced by an additional contact 107 operated by the polarized armature 82, by means of which the terminal 51 of the neutral relay 85 is connected with either the positive or negative power main 11 or 12 through wire 127 or 128. polarized relay is the same as in Fig. 1. The motor operating circuit is the same as in Fig. 1 except that it passes through a back point of a contact 49 operated by lever 38, and does not include the winding 89. This winding 89 as here shown is included in a circuit which is connected across the power mains P and includes a front contact 129 operated by lever 38. This circuit is from power main 11 through wire 60, winding 89, wire'130, contact 129, wires 131 and 59 to power main 12. In the drawing the parts of the apparatus are shown in the positions corresponding to the normal position of switch A. The terminal 50 of neutral relay 85 is connected through wire 41 and contact 22 with the negative power main 12, and terminal 51 of this relay is connected through contact 107 and wire 128 with the negative power main 12; hence the neutral relay is denergized and is not consuming The control circuit for the current. When it is desired to move switch A to the reverse position, lever C is rotated to reverse the pole changing contacts 21 and 22. This connects terminal 50 through wire 41 and contact 21 with the positive main 11, and since the other terminal 51 is connected with the negative main the neu tral relay is now energized so that lever 38 is raised. The closing of contact 129 closes the circuit of winding 89 so that the flux in permanent magnet 91 is reinforced by the current in this winding. The closing of contact 45 closes the control circuit of the polarized relay 77, and since the pole changing contacts 21 and 22 are now reversed, the current through the polarized relay windings is in such direction as to'reverse the polarized armature 82. During the shifting of armature 82, contact 107 is momentarily opened thereby momentarily opening the circuit of neutral relay 85 so that lever 38 has a tendency to drop and open its contacts. This is prevented however because while the neutral relay circuit is open the arm 150 rests upon dog 35 thereby holding contacts 45 and 129 closed. The reversal of contact 107 connects terminal 51 through wire 127 with the positive power main 11, so that both terminals of the neutral relay are then connected with the positive power main and this relay therefore becomes deenergized thereby allowing arm 150 to drop and lock armature 82. By this means I insure that the armature 82 is locked before the movement of the switch begins. The dropping of arm 150 closes contact 49, and since contacts 95 and 96 are reversed an operating circuit for the motor D is closed as follows-from positive power main 11 through wire 62, contact 49, wires 63 and 64, contact 95, wire 65, armature 13, wire 66, contact 96, wire 67 contact 33, wires 68 and 69, field winding 14, wire 59 to negative main 12. This current operates the motor to reverse the position of the switch A. When the movement of switch A has been completed and the switch rails have been locked, contact 33 is reversed by cam 31, thereby opening the motor operating circuit just traced and closing the circuit for the reverse indication magnet R. The indication apparatus and circuits are the same as those shown in Fig. 1 and explained hereinbefore in detail. The operation of the apparatus for a movement of the switch A back to its normal position is similar to that just explained hence it need not be traced in detail herein.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that when the polarized armature 82 is to be reversed, the winding 89 on permanent magnet 91. is always energized. Hence in this form it is not necessary to depend upon the permanent magnet to polarize the armature 82 sufficiently to cause reversals of this armature, 130

the flux for thispurpose being always supplied by the current in winding 89. This is true when the armature S2 is to be rev reed in response to reversal of' control lever C, and also when the armature 82 has been reversedby hand by first manually raising lever 38.- In the latter case, neutral relay 85 becomes energized as soon as armature is reversed, so that contact 129' becemcs closed, and when the polarized armature is released it will be returned to its initial position because of the flow of polarizing current in winding 89. In this form of my in ention the chief function of the permanent magnet 91-is to hold the contact springs 95, 96 and 10? firmly against the fixed contacts with which they cotiperate when the windings 89 and 77 are de energized. This feature is of importance in this form of my invention for two reasons, via, (1st) the winding 89 is deenergized at the time the operating current for the switch motor is li'z iwing through con tacts 95 and 96, so that if these contacts are not held firmly closed the motor will not operate; and (2nd) the winding- 89 is deenergized at the time that current for the energization of neutral relay 85 istaken through contact 107, so that if this con- 1 tact is imperfect the neutral relay will not operate.

It will be noted that as shown in Fig. 2 the outside stationary contacts engaged by contact hngers21 and 22 are elongated toward the middle. The function accomplishedby this arrangement of the contacts is as follows. When: the switch A is to be reversed, contacts 21 and 22 are reversed, thereby causing a reversal of armature 82 I to close the motor'operating circuit as hereinbefore explained. If now the switch A or any part of its operating mechanism should be clogged so that the motor D can not operate, shaft maybe moved back toward its normal position a suflicient distance to cause finger 22: to touch itsoutside contact and to cause finger 21 to leave its outside contact, but not far enough for finger 21 to touch its inside contact. Finger 22 then connects terminal 50 with the negative main, and since terminal 51 is then connected. with the positive main, relay 85 is energized to open contact 49 thereby opening the motor operating circuit. Ihe control circuit for the polarized relay is open however at contact 21, hencearmature 82 does not move and contact 49 remains open. The opening of the-motor operating circuit avoids injury due to heavy current through this circuit, or it avoids blowin the fuses if such are provided. It will be seen therefore that by means of the aparatus shown in Fig. 2 I provide for dir .ct control of the motor operating circuit by. the lever C.

Referring now to Fi 3, the apparatus and circuits here shown are similar to those shown in Fig. 1, except that the two windings 85' and 85 of the neutral relay are not connected in series to energize the relay. lVinding 85 is provided with terminals 125 and 120, and winding- 85 is provided with terminals and 121. One terminal of each of these .vindings" (terminals 122 and 125) is connected with control wire 11. The remaining terminal 120 of winding 85 is connected through contact 53 and wires 111 and 59, witlr negative power main 12; the remaining terminal 121 of winding 85 is connected rough contact 52and wires 58 and 109 with positive power main 11. With the parts of the apparatus in the normal position as shown in the drawing, the circuit of winding 85 is open at contact 52; terminal 125 of winding 85 is connected with negative main 1.2 through wire 4 1 and contact 22, and the other terminal 120 of this winding is also connected with negative main 12, hence this winding is not energized and the relay is open. When control lever C is reversed, terminal 125 of winding 85 is connected with positive main 11', hence this winding then becomes energized and is suliicient to raise the lever 38' thereby unlocking armature 82 and closing contact 45. The control circuit for polarized relay 77 and the motor operating circuit are thesame as in Fig. 1 hence they need not be traced again. Immediately after the movement of plate 18 tact 52 closes thereby connecting terminal 121 of winding 85 with positive main 11. This closes the following circuit through the windings and Sai -from positive power main 11 through wires'109 and 58, contact, 52, terminal 121, winding 85*, terminals 122 and 125, winding'85, terminal 120, contact 53, wires 111 and 59 to negative power main 12. This current passes in such direction through the two windings S5 and l 85 that these windings combine to energize the relay. When the movement of the SWllZClI in has been completed, contact 53 is opened thereby disconnecting terminal 120 of winding 85 from the negative power main and leaving both terminals ofwinding 85 connected with the positive power main 11, so that relay 85 then consumes no current; In other respects theoperation of the apparatus in Fig. 3 is the same as that of Fig. 1.

In practice, there are usually a plurality of trailic controlling devices, that is: switches, signals, etc.controlled by a plurality of levers similar to lever C, grouped in an interlocking machine, such for example as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 6. Referring to this view, a plurality of levers C, C, C C and C are grouped in an interlocking machine M. For the sake begins, coni the lever G as in Figs. 1 to 3.

H and H are two switches of a crossover controlled by one lever C, and B and B are two switches of another crossover con- 7 trolled by one lever C S is a signal controlled by a lever C, and

S is another signal controlled by a lever C The motors D and D for the crossover switches H and H are both controlled by one circuit controlling device G and the motors D and D of the crossover switches B and B are similarly controlled by one circuit controlling device G 1 One important feature of switch controlling apparatus and circuits embodying my invention is that no current is consumed by the apparatus except when the switch is being moved. But in spite of this, if the lever 88 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is raised by hand and the polarized armature shifted to ener- V gize the motor to move the switch to the position opposite to that corresponding to the position of the control lever C, then when the parts are left to themselves the circuit controlling device G will automatically operate to bring the switch back to the position corresponding to the position of the control lever. For example, referring to Fig. 1, with the parts in the positions shown, if lever 38 is raised by hand and the armature 82 shifted to the opposite position, contacts 95 and 96 will close the motor circuit and the switch will be moved toward the reverse position. If after the switch operating mechanism has been moved far enough to close contact 52, the parts are left to themselves, the neutral relay 8585"* will be energized because its terminal 50 is connected with negative main 12 and its other terminal 51 is then connected with positive main 11. Hence armature 82 will be unlocked and the direction of current through the polarized winding is such that this armature will be returned to the position shown in the drawing, thereby shifting contact and 96 to cause the motor to return the switch to the normal position.

Similarly, with the modification shown in Fig. 2, if the connections to the switch motor are reversed by raising lever 38 and shifting armature 82, then when the parts are left to themselves, regardless of whether or not the switch has started to move, the neutral relay will be energized because its terminals 50 and 51 are then connected respectlvely wlth negative and positive wires 12 and 11; armature 82 will then be reversed armature 82 shifted, the connections to the switch motor will be closed in such direction as to reverse the switch. Then after the operating mechanism has moved far enough to close contact 52, if the parts are left to themselves, the neutral relay will be energized because terminals 122 and 121 of winding 85 are then connected respectively with negative and positive wires 12 and 11; armature 82 will then be shifted to its normal position thereby causing the motor to move the switch to normal position.

Although I have herein shown and described only a few forms and arrangements of apparatus and circuits embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing'from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having-thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, a reversely operable motor for operating said device, an electromagnetic device for controlling the reverse operations of the motor, a source of current, a pair of conductors connected with said device, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with the source, a contact included in one of said conductors, a second second electromagnetic device with one pole or the other of the source, the two said terminals being connected with the same pole when the first electromagnetic device and the pole-changer occupy corresponding positions whereby at such times neither of said electromagnetic devices is consuming current.

In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, a reversely operable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic device for controlling the reverse operations of the motor, a source of current, a pair of conductorsconnected with said electromagnetic device, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with the source, a contact included in one of said conductors, and electromagnetic means connected with one ofsaid conductors for controlling said contact.

3. In combination, a railway traffic controlling device, a reversely operable motor for operating the device, means for controlling the reverse operations. of said motor,

a source of current, a pair of conductors connected with said means, means for reversibly connecting said conductors with the said source, a contact included in one of said conductors, and electromagnetic means connected with one of said conductors for controlling said contact. v

4-. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, a reversely operable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current in its winding for controlling the reverse operations of the motor, a source or" current, a pair of conductors connected with said electromagnetic device, a pole changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with the source, a contact included in one of said conductors, and electromagnetic means connected with one of said conductors for controlling said contact.

5. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, a reversely operable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current in.

its winding for controlling the reverse operations of said motor, a source of current, a pair of conductors connected with said electromagnetic device, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with the said source, a contact included in one of said concuctors, and means controlled by the pole-changer and by the electromagnetic device for opening said contact when the pole-changer and the electromagnetic device occupy corresponding positions whereby at such times no current is consumed.

6. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, areversely operable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current in its windings for controlling the reverse operations of the motor, a source of current, a pair of conductors connected with said electromagnetic device, a pole-changer for reversib y connecting said conductors with the source, a contact included in one of said conductors, and means controlled by the electromagnetic device for opening said contact when the electromagnetic device and the pole-changer occupy corresponding positions whereby at such times no current is consumed.

7. In combination, a railway trailic controlling device, a polarized relay, contacts and connections controlled by the armature of said relay for controlling said device, a magnet, a neutral armature for the magnet adapted to lock the polarized armature when the magnet is deenergized, means for supplying currentto the magnet, a contact controlled by the neutral armature and arranged to be closed or open according as the magnet is or is not energized, and a circuit for the winding of the polarized relay including the said contact, said circuit including also a source of current and a polechanger.

8. In combination, a railway traflic-controlling device, a motor for operating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarized relay comprising a polarized armature, contacts and connections controlled by said armature for supplying current from said source to the motor to cause the latter to operate in one direction or the other according to the position of the armature; a magnet, a neutral armature controlled by said magnet and adapted to lock the polarized armature in either of its control positions when the magnet is deenerglzed, a contact operated by the neutral armature which contact is closed or opened according as the magnet is energized or deenergized, means for energizing the magnet, and a circuit for the winding of the polarized relay including the last-mentioned contact, said circuit including also the said source and a pole-changer.

9. In combination, a railway traiiic-controlling device, a motor for operating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarized relay comprising a polarized armature, contacts and connections controlled by said armature for supplying cur rent from said source to the motor to cause the latter to operate in one direction or the other according to the position of the armature; a pair of conductors connected with the winding of the said relay, a polechanger for reversibly connecting said conductors with the source, a neutral relay a front contact of which is included in one of the said conductors, one of the terminals of said neutral relay being connected with one of said conductors, contacts and connections operated by the polarized armature for connecting the other. neutral relay terminal with one pole or the other of the said source, the said terminals being connected with the same pole when the polarized armature and the pole-changer occupy corresponding positions.

10. In combination, a railway traflic-controlling device, a motor for operating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarized relay comprising a polarized armature, contacts and connections controlled by said armature for supplying current from said source to the motor to cause the latter to operate in one direction or the other according to the position of the armature; a pair of conductors connected with the winding of said relay, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with the source, a magnet, an armature controlled thereby and adapted to lock the polarized armature in either of its control positions when the magnet is deenergized, one terminal of the magnet being connected with one of said conductors, contacts and connections operated by the polarized armature for connecting the other terminal of the magnet with one pole or the other of the source, the said magnet terminals being connected with the same pole when the polarized armature and the pole-changer occupy corresponding positions.

11. In combination, a railway tra'Hic controlling device, a motor for operating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarized relay comprising a permanent magnet and a polarized armature, contacts and connections controlled by the said armature for supplying current from the source to the motor to cause the latter to operate in one direction or the other, a neutral relay, means for supplying current to the winding of said neutral relay; a circuit for the winding of the polarized relay including the source of current, a polechanger and a front contact of the neutral relay; a winding for the permanent magnet for augmenting the permanent flux therein, and a circuit for the last-mentioned winding including the said source of current and another front contact of the neutral relay.

12. In combination, a railway trafliccontrolling device a motor for operating it in reverse directions, a polarized relay comprising an armature, contacts and connections controlled by said armature for controlling the motor, a source of current, a circuit for the winding of said relay including the source of current, a pole-changer for reversing the connection of the said winding with the source, a magnet, an armature controlled by the magnet and adapted to lock the polarized relay armature in either of its 7 control positions, one terminal of said magnet being connected with the said circuit between the polarized relay winding and the pole-changer, contacts and conductors controlled by the said polarized relay armature device for connecting the other terminal of the magnet with one pole or the other of the source according to the position occupied by the polarized relay armature, the two said terminals being connected with the same pole of the source when the polarized relay armature and the pole-changer occupy corresponding positions.

13. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a circuit for said device including a source of current and a pole-changer, a contact included in said circuit, means controlled by said pole-changer and by said electromagnetic device for causing said contact to be open or closed according as the pole-changer and the electromagnetic device do or do not occupy corresponding positions, and a railway traflic controlling device governed by said electromagnetic device.

14. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, electromagnetic means for controlling said device, a circuit for the control of said electromagnetic means, a relay for controlling said circuit, and a circuit for said relay governed by said electromagnetic means.

15. In combination, a railway tratlic controlling device, electromagnetic means responsive to reversals of current for controlling said device, a circuit for said means including a source of current and a polechanger, and a circuit controller adapted to control said circuit and governed by said device responsive to reversals of current, a

source of current, a pole-changer for re versibly connecting said source with said device, means for disconnecting said source from or connecting it with said electromag netic device according as the polechanger and the electromagnetic device do or do not occupy corresponding positions, and a railway trafiic controlling device governed by said electromagnetic device.

18. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a circuit for said device including a source of current and a pole-changer, a relay comprising a contact for controlling said circuit, a circuit for the relay controlled by the electromagnetic device, and a railway traflic controlling device controlled by the electromagnetic device and by the relay.

19. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current and including a permanent magnet, a circuit for said device including a source of current and a pole-changer, a relay, a circuit for the relay controlled by the electromagnetic device, a winding for the permanent magnet, a circuit for said winding controlled by the relay, and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

20. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current and including a permanent magnet, a circuit for said device including a source of current and a pole-changer, a relay, a circuit for the relay controlled by the electromagnetic device, and a railway traffic controlling device trolling device controlled? by: the electromagnetic device and by the relay.

*21. In combination, an electromagnetic device responslve r to reversals of current, a

circuit for-said device including a source device responsive to reversalsofcurrent, a

source of current, a pair of conductors connected with said device, a-p'ole-changer for reversibly connectingsaid source with said conductors, a relay having a front contact included inione of said conductors, one'terminalofsaid relay being connected with one of said conductors, means controlled'by said electromagnetic device for connecting the other relay'terminal with: one pole or: the otherlof said source, the relay terminals being connected with the same pole of 'the source when the electromagneticdevice and the pole-changer :occupy corresponding positions,and a railway traiiic controlling'device governed bysaid electromagnetic device. 28. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to ireversalsof current, a

source of current, a pair ofsconductors connected with said device,=-a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said source \with said conductors, a :relay having ;a frontcontact included inione of said conductors,.0ne terminalofsaid relaybeing connected vwith one of said conductors, means con-trolled by said electromagnetic device for connecting :the other relay terminal with one'pole :or the other ofsaid source, .the relayv terminals being connected with "the same pole of the source when :the electromagnetic device and the-.pole-changer occupy corresponding po -sitions, whereby after each operation ofsthe ipole changer and :the consequent operation of'the electromagnetic device and relay there will b61110 current consumed bythe latter devices, and a railway traffic controllin'g device governed by said electromagnetic device.

24=In combination, @an electromagnetic .device responsive to reversals of current, a sourcelof current,,a pair of-conductors connected with said device, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said source with said conductors, a relay having a front contact included'in one-oi said conductors, rone terminal of said relaybeing connected with one of said conductors,-means controlled by said electromagnetic device for connecting the other relay terminal with one pole or the other ofsaid source, the :relay terminals being connected with the samepole of the source when the electromagneticdevme and the =pole-changer occupy corresponding positions, whereby after each operation of the pole-changer an'dthe consequent operation of the electromagnetic device and relay there is no current consumed by the latter devices,

and whereby if the electromagnetic device controllingdevice governed by said electromagnetic device.

*25. 111 combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of I current, I a source of current, a pair of conductors connected "Nitlrsaid device, a pole-changer 'for reversibly connecting said conductors with said, source, a relay for controlling said=elec :tromagnetic device, one terminal oi -said relay being connected with one oiisaidconductors, means controlled by said electromagnetic-device *for connecting the other terminal o-fsaid relay with one pole or the other of said source, and a railway tra'flic controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

26. In combination, an electromagnetic device-responsive to reversalsof current, a source of current apairiof conductors con- ;nectedwith :said device, a pole changer for vreversibly connecting said 1 conductors with said source, a relay for controlling the-circuit of said device and for mechanically locking :the movable: member of: said device, one :terminal of said relaybeing connected with one of said conductors, rmeans controlled by said electromagnetic device for connectingthe other terminal of said relay with :one :pole or the other of said source, and a 'railway traflic controlling devicercontrolled by said-electromagnetic device.

27. "In combination, an electromagnetic device, a circuit for the control thereof, a relay ,for controlling the circuit 0f said device'and for mechanically lockingthe movable member of said device, a circuit for the relay controlled by said electromagnetic device,-and a railway traflic controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

28. In combination, an electromagnet and anwinding, an armature controlled by said elements and responsive to reversals of cur rent in said winding, a circuit for said wind ing including a source of current'and a polechanger, means controlled by the electromagnet for controlling the circuit of said winding,-and a circuit for said electromagnetcontrolled by said armature.

29. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, means for reversing the direction of current from said source to said electromagnetic device, and means controlled by said current reversing means and by said electromagnetic device for controlling the supply of current to the electromagnetic device.

30. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, means for reversing the direction of current from said source to said electromagnetic device, and means controlled by said current reversing means and by said electromagnetic device for controlling the supply of current to the electromagnetic device, whereby after each operation of the current reversing means and the consequent operation of the electromagnetic device there will be no current flow in the electromagnetic device.

31. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, means for reversing the current flow therefrom to said electromag netic device, a relay for controlling the flow of current from said source to the electromagnetic device, and means controlled by the electromagnetic device and by the current reversing means for controlling the supply of current to said relay, whereby the electromagnetic device and the relay are both deenergized when the electromagnetic device and the current reversing means occupy corresponding positions.

32. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, means for reversing the current flow therefrom to said electromagnetic device, a relay for controlling the flow of current from said source to the electromagnetic device, and means controlled by the electromagnetic device and by the current reversing means for controlling the supply of current to said relay, whereby after an operation of the current reversing means and the consequent operation of the electromagnetic device and the relay there is no current flow in the two latter devices.

33. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a railway traflic controlling device governed thereby, a source of current, means for reversing the flow of current from said source to said electromagnetic device, and means controlled by the electromagnetic device and by the current reversing means for controlling the supply of current from said source to said electromagnetic device whereby the electromagnetic device is deenergized when said device and the current reversing means occupy corresponding positions.

34:. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current, a railway traific controlling device governed thereby, a source of current, means for reversing the flow of current from said source to said electromagnetic device, and means controlled by the electromagnetic device and by the current reversing means for controlling the supply of current from said source to said electromagnetic device whereby the electromagnetic device is deenergized when said device and the current reversing means occupy corresponding positions, and whereby if the electromagnetic device is reversed from the position corresponding to the position of the current reversing means the electromagnetic device becomes energized from the source and returns to itsproper position.

35. In combination, an electromagnetic device having a movable member which is moved by reversals of current in the electromagnetic device, a source 01": current, a polechanger for reversibly connecting said source with said electromagnetic device, a relay for controlling the flow of current to said electromagnetic device, a circuit controller operated by the movable member of the electromagnetic device for controlling in connection with the pole-changer the supply of current to said relay, and a railway tralfic controlling device governed by said movable member of the electromagnetic device.

36. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings and responsive to reversals of current in one of said windings, a source of current, means for reversibly energizing the said one winding from said source, a relay, means controlled by said electromagnetic device and by said current reversing means for deenergizing or energizing said relay according as said electromagnetic device and said current reversing means do or do not occupy corresponding positions, means controlled by said relay for supplying current from said source to the other of said windings when the relay is energized, the current supplied to said latter winding being always in the same direction, and a railway traific controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

37. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings and responsive to reversals of current in one of said windings, a source of current, means for reversibly supplying current from said source to the said one winding, means controlled by said electromagnetic device and by said current reversing means for deenergizing or energizing the other winding from said source according as the electromagnetic de- 1 vice and the current reversing means do or do not occupy corresponding positions, the current supplied to said latter winding being always in one direction, and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by said 1 electromagnetic device.

88. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings and responsive to reversals of current in one of said windings,-a source of current, a pair of conductors connected with the said one Winding, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with said source, a relay one terminal of which is connected with one of said conductors, means controlled by said electromagnetic device for connecting the other terminal of said relay with one pole or the other of said source, the relay terminals being connected with the same pole of said source when the pole-changer and the electromagnetic device occupy corresponding position, means controlled by said relay for supplying current from said source to the other of said windings when the relay is energ'ized, the current supplied to said latter winding being always in the same direction, and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

39. In combination, an electromagnetic device comprising two windings said device being responsive to reversals of current in one of said windings, a circuit for the said one winding including a pole-changer, a circuit for the other winding, means for supplying current to said circuits, means controlled by said electromagnetic device and by said pole-changer for opening or closing said last-mentioned circuit according as the electromagnetic device and the pole-changer do or do not occupy corresponding positions, and a railway trafiic controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

40. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings and responsive to reversals of current in one of said windings, a circuit for said one winding including a pole-changer, means for supplying currents to said circuit and to the other Winding, the current supplied to said other winding being always in one direction, means controlled by said electromagnetic device and by said pole-changer for deenergizing or energizing said windings according as the electromagnetic device and the pole-changer do or do not occupy corresponding positions, said electromagnetic device also comprising a permanent magnet for holding the contacts thereof firmly closed while the windings are deenergized, and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. ACKERMAN.

Witnesses:

A. L. VENGILL, MnNA QUEALE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01. Patents.

Washington, D. G.

Images