US1226792A

US1226792A - Train-control system.

Info

Publication number: US1226792A
Application number: US12482116A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred Minnick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1916-10-10
Filing date: 1916-10-10
Publication date: 1917-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 1934-05-22

Description

A1 MINNICK.

TRAIN CUNTHOL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED GCT. 10, 1916A Patn'ted May 22, 1917.

2 SHEETS--SHEET l.

M 2 E Q@ A, MWN'ICK.`

mm comm mmm.

APYTMCATSON FILE CTl` H), 19H5. 1 ,226,792, Patented Muy 22, 19H

4 2 SHEETSM-SHEET 2.

\ sTATEs PATENT OFFICE,

IINNICK, F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

TnAm-coNTnoL SYSTEM.

speemcanon of Letters frant.

- Patented May 22, 1917.

Application med October 1d, 13164. Serial No. 124,821.

Toalliohom' it may concern:

Bcr it known that I, ALFRED MINNICK, a

citizen ofthe United States of America, re-

siding at Newark, inf the county of Essex,

5 StateofNew Jerse have invented certain "improvements in rain-Control Systems, ,n #which the following is a description, ref- Abeing had to the accompanying drawforming a part thereof.

.afsystem of train signaling and control mechanism whereby abnormal conditions in sorted to withinthe scope of the appendedV `claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic view of the system.

Fg.2 is a plan view of a series of stationary or track magnets Fig. 3 is a` cross-'sectional view of a roadries with reference to the track-rails.

Fig. t is a View of a form of4 travelingv armature and connectionsarranged in op- 'era-tivel relation with the stationary or track magnets. I, L

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a set of armatures for control by track impulses.

The invention contemplates, generically, a system of normally energized track or sta tionary magnets, arranged 'in series in track f'. blocks or sections, to be determined as to location and length by topographical and ltraffic conditions, with relation to trackrails or other conductors in different blocks or sections whereby shot-ting or ground ing of the energized circuits may be ef- :fected by rolling stock, in combination with moving or traveling armatures, carried in -the fields `of said magnets, by the locomotives, tenders, cars, or other elements of the `.rolling stock, and disposed in .inuenced ree object of the invention is to provide ygrcspect will be indicated to the operator,

bed showing the arrangement of magnet se-A lation with devices adapted for making partial or complete application of brakes, `for giving periodic clear or safe siglals, for giving successive caution and danger or stop signalsin the engine cab, and for actuating recording mechanism as to the character of indication, or signals and the like means also being employed for-effecting track or rond; side signals, when considered necessary or desirable. y

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the track rails 10 areishown divided into blocks or sections', A. B. C. D. E., B. C. D. Ef, each block being equipped 1 with a series ci stationary or road magnets 11, arranged in circuit with batteries 12, or other sources of electrical energy, which may, as shown, be arranged in circuit with suitable road-side or track signals.

As all of the circuits are identical in arrangement, it will be necessary to trace but one in detail for the purpose of illustration, and the block A, having its track rails 10 connected with battery 12, will be used as a basis of description, with said rails in a cir cuit defined by the heavy dotted lines fr, and

yincluding magnet 13, the upper section or member of a double solenoid 14, an armature 15 and contact 15, the lower section or member' ot the double solenoid 1G, a series of caution track magnets 11 in block D, the dangei track magnets 11 in blocks C and C', caution track magnets 11il in vblock D, the lower section or member of thc,

double solenoid 17, the Contact 1S and `armature 18, the upper section. or men'ibcr of ,double solenoid 15) and the .nnignet 20. lVhen the block A is occupied, as shown b v the track wheels 2l. the circuit just described is grounded or shorted thereb \r denergizing magnet 133 and the upper section or member of the double solenoid 14, giving a danger77 road-side signal in block C, deincrgizing the lower section or member of double solenoid 16, (giving a caution road-side signal `in block D), deiiner gizing caution track magnets 11" in blocks D'and D and danger track magnets in blocks C and C, and setting the road-side signals in relation thereto.

i The double solenoids above mentioned are designed to operate roadside signals or semaphores, under such conditions that the energization of both sections or members of a double solenoid will hold the signal at clean the denergizationof one member willhold the signal at cautiom while. the denergization of both sections or members will-permit the movement of .the si al to danger, a Weight, or other equivalent positive actuating means, being employed to oppose the action of the solenoid and insure a caution or danger signal in ,the event of any failure of the circuits, dife to the proximity of a train or inoperativeness of any of the related'elements.

Carried in the fields of the track magnets, as by the engine, tender, or other element of the rolling stock, are the traveling armatures 23, and Q4, the former in relation to the danger or stop magnets and the latter in relation to the side or caution magnets an additional caution armature being employed'if necessary as indicated in Fig. 5, to permit of movement of the rolling stock on the track in eitherdirection without duplicating the track equipment.

These armatures may be of any preferred construction suitable for energization by the track-magnets, and adapted for movement. or for controlling the movement of the other dependent elements, .when denergized or released from the infiuence of their respective track magnets, and each, as illustrated, consists of a shoe, of a length suiicient to bridge the interval between two adjacent track magnets in normally arranged series,

so as to receive the influence of one before passing beyond that of another in the same series, `with, for example, a resisting spring 25 for moving the shoe to an active position,-that is, a signahgiviiig or brake applying position when released from the influence of the track magnets.

In order that distinctive signalsiiiay be given, or brake applyingI means partial or complete may be operated the shoe coiistitilting the armature is movably mounted for attractive influence by the track magnets. while at the same time being supported by suitablehangers, which permit of rearward displacement in the event of encountering in unusual obstacle on the road-bed. the pivotal movement of the armature being such as to open normalli/closed signal circuits or brake applying circuits, to effect without the intervention of the engineer that control which is necessary iii order to insure safety. e

lnasmuch aslthe specific eab mechanism relating to the signaling and train checking or stopping devices forni no specific part of the present invention, it has been deemed sufficient merely `t`o show contacts affected by the shoe or armature or the position of the latter, whereby the relations of the parts are altered when the conditions of the circuit or circuits of the track system may be changed in accordance with the proximity of rolling stock.

In order that this relation may be vmore caution magnets are denergized sc as to inuence the caution armature of any approaching train either inthe opposite direction 'or following that of the train aiecting saidreimuit, to give a caution signal and. if preferred, a partial or gradual application of the brakes so as to reduce the speed of the train without voluntary intervention of the engineer or other operative.

Another condition which is contcuiiilated attention is called to thL y,

in this system is that" of giving'a definite and positive and clear signal on the entrance of a train to each block, or at such l intervals as may be deemed necessary, accordingto the traffic conditions. In this connection, for example, it is desirable to give a clear signal on approaching a curve oT'a draw-bridge or the like, even when it is not necessary to signal definitely on the en? trance to a block on a clear or straight track. In order that this may be accomplished, one, two or more magnets may be omitted at the point where thcsgna is desired, so that the armature or shoe is momentarily de-niagnetized, it being preferable to use laminated material in order that the negative influence may be prompt and to employ a supplemental armature or switch arranged within the field of influence of the iiiain ainiatui'e or shoe. so that it may be promptly influenced by lthe de-niagnetiza-'I tion of the armature or shoe. said supplemental arinatiire or switch being arranged to control circuits effecting elear"I signals either audible or visual. In the saine way.

the omission of 'a suitable number of magnets in a block circuit :it the approach to a curve, a bridge. a trestle or other dangerous point ot' a road may by the deinagnctizationjof the armature affecting a mechanism designedto produce va partial reduction of pressure.

for example. in an air brake system, making a partial application of the brakes so as to reduce the speed of the train to that which will enable it to proceed safely, Whether the engineer is attentive or not.

ln illustrating the system so as to include4 load-side signals, and maintain conditions therein which correspond respectively with several blocks. while securing a progressive setting and resetting or restoring of the said signals as a train proceeds, such o erations taking place in reverse order in ont and lao I those existing in the track magnets of the.

in rear' of the aiflvancing train. there is ineorporated a series ol relay eireuits ineluding batteries or other energizing elements Controlled h v the magnet# 121 whieh are ineluded in'lhe niain or track rircnit and aetnate arnlataresl. 1%.eonstit'1lting snitrhes or ereait hrealtern. The donhle solenoidrs are zo ri'mstrnetl-d that when hoth upper and lower rails are energized, the arinatl'irr` thereof is held down to the limit oi its movement to maintain the semaphore or other signal to indieate safern it' the, lower eoil is deenergized. the armature is iierinitted to rise, under the inthlenre of a weight or other eleinent ot' the sornaplmre, to indicate eaution. living held in that position by the npper coil; and it hoth rails are ilel'iergized, the :signal is pmniitted to indieate dringen 1t will he ohvions troni the foregoing that under the control of the system herein outlineilathe l'ioaihilities of train control and signaling. both as to the cah and the road side are praetieallyv unlimited. delainding entirelv upon the wiring andthe efl'ieieney ol'Y the 'l' rain ehm-king and stopping devire. and that the efficiency of the system is independent ol' the hnnian equation.

vhat rlailned is:

1. A. train signal and control system ha ving a t r:ul-;-eirouit adapted tohe grounded hv rolling Stork and having included therein Statioi'iar)V trark ,nlagnets in series extendingr snhstantially thronghrmt a dilierent hloek from that in which the ground may he efterted. in eoniliination with a traveling traixrrarriod armature disposed in the' field oi' said magnets.

A train signal and control system having a nor1nally-elosed trz'iek-eireuit adapted to begroiuidtal hy rolling stoel; and havingr Included therein stationary t-rack magnets arranged in series extending Substantially' tln'ouglioat one, block, and trark railh` .in another hloelt. in eomhination with a traveling trailrearriml armature diapoaed in the field of .said magnets.

A. train signal and cont-rol system having a traek-eirenit adapted to he grounded hy rolling stock, and having included therein stationary t'aelt magnets in Series in a different hloek 'from that in n'hieh the ground may hoefieetod, in romhination with a traveling"train-rarred armature disposed Continuously in the, field ot one or more o1' Sa id. ma guet-s.

4. A train signal and rontrol system iiaving a ti'arl i|'ri|it adapted to he grounded hv rolling atorlf. and having inrluded there in Stationar \Y trarh niagnethV arranged in parallel iaerien in surresive hiorli,` -se|).^|ral.ed troni that in \\'hi h the ground may he elferteih in ronih'ination with traveling trainearried armaturen` disposed in the fields re- Spertivelv oi laaid eries o'l nnigneis.,

A train signal and eonlzrol system havl ing a t1'a l:-eireuit adapted to he grounded hv rolling Stork. and having inrluded therein Stationary track magnets arranged iu .aerien in a different hloelt troni that in whieh the ground may he elieeted. in eonlhination with a traveling train-rarried armature disposed in the field ot said magnets, and ot' a length at; least equal to the interval liet-weon the fields of adjacent magnets.

i. A train signal and rontrol syst-em having a traeh' rireuit adapted to he grounded in one hloek hy rolling Stork, and having included therein Stationary trark magnets arranged in series extending Hul'istantially throughout another hlork` a traveling trainearried armature moving in the, field of Said magnete` and train control apparatiis aetnahle hy said armature. i

T. A train signal and routrol system having a t1:'aeli'-eir ruit adapted to rhe grounded in one. lilork by rolling stock, and having included therein Stationary track magnets: ar ranged througlmut another bloek, a traveling trainrfarried armature moving in the {ield ot' saidv magnets, and signaling mechanism artuahle on de-lnagnetlnation of Said armature..

in series extending snhsitantially` S. A train signal and -Qontrol Systeni ha V- ing a 'trank (-.ireait adapted to he grounded :in one hlork hr rolling Stork, and having ineluded therein stationary traek magnets arranged in aerien extending suhstautially throughout another hloek. a` traveling trainrarried armatlne moving in the field of said magnets, and train ehoeking and signaling nleelianisms aetuable on variations of mag-A netization ot Said armature.

This speeileation signed and witnessed thin` 3 day of (kztoher A. l). 1910.

airain un MINNICK.

vWitnesses;

l'lAnav Si. QUINN, M. F. Quinn.