US1213066A - Wireless automatic railway registering system. - Google Patents

Description

c. L. BOPP. wmmss Auommc RAILWAY REmsTEmNG SYSTEM.

r PPUCATION FILED FEB- 24. l9|3 i 1,213,066. A Patented Jan.16,1917.

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C. L. BOPP.

WIRELESS AUTOMATIC RAILWAY REGISTERING SYSTEM.

APPucnloN man FEB. 24. 1913.

y1,213,066.. Patented Jan.16,1917

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED LsTaTEs PATENT oEEIcE.

CLINTON L. BOPP, 0F WATERLOO, IDWA.

WIRELESS AUTOMATIC RAILWAY REGISTERING SYSTEM.

[o all whom t may conde/mf Be it known that I, CLINTON L. Borr. citi zen of the United States, residing at Water loo,in the County of Blackhawk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wireless Automatic Railway Registering Systems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appeitains to make and use the same.

This invention' relates 'to block signaling systems, and one object of the invention is to provide means at the end of each block and at other designated points for indicating the name of Vthe station which a given train is passing and also for indicating the number of the next tra-ii: to pass that station.

Another object of the invention is to pro-V of the system.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a block signaling system with wireless telegraph apparatus for taking up a signal and a short insulated track section adjacent the wireless apparatus, the said wireless apparatus operating only when the moving train is passing over the insulated track section. ,i

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter -more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows the` circuits which are stationary along the system at station 1. Fig. 2 shows circuits similar to those in Fig. 1, but located at station 2. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the Hertzien-wave generating apparatus carried by the locomotive.

I am aware that it has been proposed PatentedlJan. 16, 1917.

Serial No. 750,426.

to use wireless telegraphy for use in block signaling systems, and also for commllni eating between trains or ships at sea, but these systems have required that the message be sent for a considerable distance through the medium of the ether'. I am also aware that some ofthese wireless signaling systems are designed to be usedsin connection with wires or metallic conductors running along the line of traffic, these metallic conductors in some cases being insulated at the ends of the blocks. These metallic conductors, however, do not act to transfer the actual signaling current from one block to another, but serve only as a.4

means for directing the wireless waves which are set up by the I-Iertzian wave generatthe ordinary telegraph apparatus and also a wire or other metallic conductor strung along the path of traffic, but the metallic conductor in this present instance does not serve to direct the` Hertzian Waves but serves to transmit comparatively low potential current from one block to another, the conditions upon which the current is transferred being dependent upon the proximity of the wave generating set on the train to the wireless up aratus located at thecnd of the block. enerally, this object is obtained by having a short insulated track section located at the end of euch block and in also having wireless appara `tus adjacent the insulated track section apparatus which is not greater than the i length of the insulated track section. Local circuits closed by the wireless apparatus then transmit thesgnal to the next station by meansof the metallic conductor.

In the drawings butv one specific .arrangement is shown for accomplishing my desired results, and referring more particularly 'to Fig. 3, which illustrates the apparatus to be carried by the moving train, it will be seen that there is provided a suitable source 1 ot' alternating current shownherc as a generator which may be driven b any suitable mechanism carried by the ocomotive. Connected across thc gencrators a suitable condenser 2, the circuit for which conden ser may be b roken by means of a manually operated switch 3. Connected in parallel with the 'condenser 2 isa primary 4 of a 25 scribed` more completely hereinafter.

suitable induction' coil, while the secondary 5 of the induction coil is connected to suitable means 6 for defining the spark gap. One side 7 of the means for defining the spark gap is electrically connected to the ground, -While the other side is connected to a suitable an?v tenna 8. While the source of current 1 has been shown as an alternating current generator, yet it is to be understood, lof course, that any means can be provided for producing either an alternating or a pulsating current in the primary 4 of the induction coil, and further that such changes in the condenser, len h of spark gap, and antenna, may be ma eas will be found-'necessary in any 4particular set of operating con'. ditions.

By means of the structure sc -far described it will be seen that when switch 3 isvclosed a spark willpass across the spark gap, said spark being effective Ainsetting up Waver whicil; emanate from the antenna. Thspar is designed to be of suchstrength as to be effective over a comparatively small area, the` dimensions of this area being de- Rge'ferring now more particularly tothe stationary circuits and apparatus which are z connected at the en d of each block and which A n antenna 10 is connected by means of a.

are shown in Figs. l and2, where the conditions are shown as transmitting a'signal from station 1 to station 2, it .will'be seen that the railway track is provided with an insulated section comprising parallel members 8 and 9v mounted in anysuitable way.

wire 11 to a coherer 1 2, which coherer 12 is connected by means of a wire 13 to the ground.- While I have shown a coherer as one specific means or apparatus for detecting the passage of very minute currents in the antenna, yet itis to be understood that I may use-any of the many forms of detectors which. are known and used in wireless telegraphy. As the locomotive carry-ing the Hertiian wave generating set approaches but is still distant rom the insulated track section, the waves set up by the said ap#4 paratuswill not be suciently strong to reduce the resistance of the coherer sufficiently for local" current to passtherethrough, but when-the .locomotive enters upon thexinsulated'tlrack section the, Waves emanating 'gfx-,ern the locomotive willhave become strong enough to cause' the c oherer to respond, and

' there "will be set up suicient current in the antenna to break down very materially the resistance of 'the coherer, these actions beu ingvvellgunderstood byy those familiar with 0.0,.,

thaw 1f-wireless telegraphy., `When current has passed. through the coherer 12 and has reduced the resistance thereof, current will. pass in a local circuit from the ground,

through wire 14, electro-magnet 15,' wire 1 6, battery 17, 4impedance coil=18` wireA 19, co-

herer 12, wire 13, and return to the ground. The impedance coil 18 is for the purpose of orci high potential current from the antennarrough the eoherer and preventing the discharge thereof to the ground Without assing through said coherer. Current flowing in the circuit just described will enerand 21, which will close respectively contacts 22 and 23. When electromagnet 15 is energized and armature 20 is contacted with contact 22, a'c'ircnit will be completed from the ground at station 1 through wire 14, armature 20, contact 22, wire 24, wire 25, wire 26, electro-magnet 27, wire 28, where the current divides,l part going to electro-magnet 29, Wire 30, binding posts 3a, Wire 31, to the main line 32 at station 1; thence to binding post 41J at station 2, wire 33, Wire 28', electro-magnet 29', wire 30', binding post 3", wire 34', wire 35', switch 36' (which is to be closed) wire 37', battery 38 to the ground, thus completinnr the circuit. From Wire 28 that part n gize electro-magnet15, `which energization "will result in the raising of armatures 20 of the current which does'no't pass through electromagnet 29 will pass down Wire 33,

binding post 4, line Wire 100 back, said l wire 100 being in fact, comparable with Wire 3.2 as seen in Fig. 1, sothat at stations behind station 1, the magnets 29 will be energized in a manner already ,described but the tracing'of the circuits will be in reverse order. For instance, assuming that the impulse which has been traced as far Ias main line `Wire 100 is to be impressed upon line 32, the current would pass up wire 3 1, -binding post 3, wire 30, electro magnet 29, 'wire 28, wire 33, binding post 4 and back to the main line from which point it would go to the next station behind and to the ground there. This ground connection may be provided at the extreme rear through connections in Fig. 1 similar to 34', 35', 36', 37', 38 of Fig, 2 (assuming connect-ion 32, Fig. l). It will bev observed 'that magnets 27 and 29 are energized at iowing in thisfeircuit will `energizeeleetromagnet 45, which` in turn willattraet, its

armature-48, one :endofwhich 1s pivodf to a frame 49, andthe other end ofhas pivotally connected,thereto a. paw-l- 5.9, which pawl 50gis" admmadv toen n ratchet wheel .5.1 rigidly conn' to a les tape drum 52. Trained. over theru ,l .152.--

looking through aperture 54 willbe able to` tell what the number of the next train Will be, and knowing the schedule time of said train will be able to tell when the next train is due.

When electro-magnet 29 1s energized its armature will be attracted to close contact 56, whereupon currentwill flow from battery 41, wire 42, binding post 2, armature 55, contact 56, wire 57, electro-ma net 58. wire 59, Wire 47, binding post 1u, bac i to the battery 41. Currentilowing in this cirr cuit will attract the armature 60, one end o which is pivotally connected within the frame, 49, while the other end thereof' is pivotally connected to a pawl 6l which paw-l is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 62, which is rigidlyl ounted upon a drum 63, above which is ftained a tape 64. The tape 64 which. is trained around the second drum corresponding to drum 63 has printed there'- on successivel the names of the stations which are to e passed `by the train as the latter passes over the'system. By means 'of 'an aperture -65 it will be possible to see the name of the various stations printed on the tape 64. The name of sta-tion which a given train is passing will appear through opening at all the stations, all tapes 64 being operated together, When the train passes the next station, all of the tapes will again be operated toshow the name of that station. If'the numberof the train be 45, that number will appear on the short tape53 up to the time the train passes, when tape 53 at the station being passed will'be shifted to show-the number of the next train.' The ,tape is not moved at any other station' until altrain passes that station, as Y"contact 40 would be open. The next train Vwill operate the several pieces of apparatus in a similar manner, assuming that the rst trainhas i* passed the stations connected as above delasI scribed.

When the train passes the short insulated track section it is desirable to provide some means for leaving the coherer in such a condition as to be ail'ected when the next train passes thereby. To-this end there is provided'ateach station a battery 66 one-sideof which is connected by means ofwires 67 and 68 to one of the parallel sides 8 of the insulated track section whereas the other side of the battery is connected by means of wires' 69 and v70 to section 9 of the insulated track section. It will be obvious that so long as the train is passing the insulated track sec tion that the rail sections 8 and 9 will be shortcircu'ited so that battery 66 will be short circuited and no current can flow therefrom in an external circuit. As soon as the train leaves the sections 8 and 9, however, this short circuit is removed from the battery and current will flow from the ground through wire 14, through armature 21., through contact 23, wire 71, wire (39, battery 66, wire 67, wire 72, stationary contact 73, movable contact 74, which is connected to armature7 5, through electro-magnet 76, wire 77 ,to the ground. This circuit will be complete inasmuch as the resistance of the coherer 12 is sufficiently low to allo7 enough current to How through electro-magnet 15 t0 keep armature 21 in contact with Contact point 23. wWhen current flows in the circuit linst described the electro-magnet 7 6 will be energized, which will result in the attraction of one end of the armature 75, which armature is pivoted at its center and provided. atI the outer' end with a hammer 78. As the armature 7 5 is attracted by the electro-mag net the hammer 7S will strike the coherer 12, so as to disturb the paths through the granular portions of the coherer to such an extent that the resistance is immediately' increased. If the irst blow of the hammer 78 is not suiiicient the electromagnet 15 will of course continue to be'energized and contact 23 will also be closed, so theta' second im pulse will flow through electrdmagnet 76 to attract armature Hence a second effort will be made by the hammer to break down the path through the coherer. This 'action continues until insuicient current flows through electro-magnet 15 to maintain arm ature 21 against contact 23.

The switches 36, one of which is located at each station, may be manually or automatically closed, the position of the switches being such that all of the switches ahead of 'the station which the train ispassing are to be closed, .whereas the switch at thestation net 29 and the station tape are to be operated at given stations in the rear, as previously described, switch 36 would be closed only at the extreme rear, to effect aground connection. v

If for any reason it should be desired to energize one of the magnets 27 or 29 independently of the train, the apparatus contained within the housing 79 is provided, this apparatus comprising ai pair of buttons 80 and 81; Whenit is desired lto advance the tape giving-'the namesof the stations one step, the button 80 is pressed inwardly,

which will resultin the following circuit:

Current will start from battery 82, pass over wire 33, binding post s, wire 84, contact 85, spring contact 86, binding post o, wire 87, wire 31, binding post 3, wire 30, electro magnet 29, wire 28, wire 33, binding post 4, wire 88, wire 89, binding post fw, spring contact 90, contact 91, wire 92, binding post y, Wire 93, back to battery 82. Current flowing in this circuit will energize magnet 29which will result in moving the tape 64 bearing the station names upwardly one step as previously described. lt it be desired to advance the tape bearing the number of the l next train the button 81 will be pressed insired stations.

' means for opening said circuit when thev relecinfomagneti'c nmeans wardly, when current will flow from battery 82, through wire 83, binding post e, contact 94, spring Contact 95, Wire 96, binding post ai, wire 97, Wire 26, electro-magnet 27, wire 33,.binding post 4, wire 88, wire 89, binding post we, Wire 98, spring contact 99, contact 100., wire 92, binding post y, Wire 93, back to battery 82. Current flowing in this circuit will energize electromagnet 27, which will result in the energization of the magnet for advancing they tape bearing the number of the trains one step.

From Vthe system herein described, it will be seen that a local circuit is closed by means of wireless telegraph apparatus carr-ied by the trai-n and that this local circuit sends impulses of low potential current over a line wire 4which sends impulses to the de While the description has been limited to two successive stations, yety it is to be understood that' the line 'wires could be continued on either side of the two stations described so as to embrace a complete system.

What I claim is;

1. A wireless system for train signals cornprising means carried bythe train to maintain a zone vof influence, a stationary relay, an open circuit including said "relay and responsive to the influence, means' for closing said circuit when the train cornes within a predetermined distance of the circuit, and

train `,passes a predetermined point.

v2. Aw-irelesssystem for. train signalscompricing means' .carried .by the tram to maintain arzene-of influence, a. stationary relay, a battery, .an element responsive to the in- '.ucnce, a circuit `including said relay, bat

'teiy and element responsive to the influence,

to open said circuit at .thesresponsive-element, a second battery, u second .circuit including said electro-magnetic rmeans and .second battery, and meansto short .circuit .the second battery .and thereby Vdenergizre v'the electromagnetic ymeans to prevent the same from opening athezilrstnsmedcmcuit .a awa-fram signaling yawn rar dans isingfmeansiixpon the train formantaining@ zone of'n 2 nance, a coherer responfvcloned when the 'rely'is ener battery, said circuit ada ted to be closed when the coherer respon s, electromagnetic means for agitating the particles of the cohercr, a second battery, an insulated rail section' of the track over which the train passes, a wire running from each side of the ,-7

second named battery to the rails of the insulated section respectively, a second circuit including said agitating means and the second named battery, vand means Vfor closing said circuit when the relay is energized.

4. In a wireless signaling system for trains, means carried by the train to set up a zone of influence, a relay, a battery, a circuit including said relay and battery, an element responsive to the influenceA located within said circuit adapted to close the circuit when the train is within a predetermined distance from said clement, an insulated track section. in the track over which the train passes, a second battervLa connection between one side of the battery and one of the rails of the insulated section, a connection between the other side of the battery and the other rai-l of the insulated section, means adapted to break said circuit at the element responsive to the in fiuence, a second circuit including said sec-- ond named battery and said means for breaking the circuit at the responsive'element, and means controlled by the .relay adapted to close said second named circuit' as the relay is energized,

cuit including said responsive element, bat-V tery, and relay, battery, means controllable by the electro- 4magnet to interrupt the path through the responsive element, an armature controlled by the relay, a circuit including said electro an electromagnet, a second magnet, said second battery, said armature when the relay is energized, and means to short circuit the 'second battery when the train approaches a predetermined peint.

6. A wireless system for signaling trams comprising means carried by .the train to maintain a' zone of influence, an element responsive tothe influence, 'a battery, a relay,

a circuit including saidresponsive element, battery andv relay, a second battery, an armatureV :for 'the relay, an electromagnet, means operatcdlby theelectro-magnetto interrupt the circuit through the responsive fafa` element when `the electromagnet lis energized, l

a circuitl including ythe second the armatureand elactromagnet ed to iso ' circuit the second battery :mapas electromagnet, an armature therefor, a third electromagnet, a tape operating mechanism controlled by the third electro-magnet, a circuit including the first named armature and second electro-magnet ada ted to be closed when the relay is energize and a cir cuit including the third electromagnet and the armature for the second electromugnetV adapted to be closed whenrthe second electro-magnet is energized7 and means to short when the train neachesf'a predetermined point.

7. A wireless system for signalingtrains,

compris means on the. train to maintain a zone 0f mllence, a stationary element adjacent to the track and responsive to the zone of' influenceJ a battery, a relay, a local circuit including the responsive element, the

Witnesses: y i FRED W. EKLUND,

H. M. Sowmzs.l

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