US1238888A - Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14 19!].

Patented Sept. 4, 1917;

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I TTNTTED @TATE% JOHN P. COLEMAN, 0F EDGEWOODBOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO- RATION OF TPENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-TBAFFIC-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

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Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Sept. 4., 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgewood Borough, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Traiiie-Controlling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railway traiiic controlling apparatus, and particularly to ap paratus for the control of railway switches and the like.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing in section one form of valve and controlling apparatus therefor to which my invention may be applied. Fig. 2 is a view part of which is a fragmental section on the line IIII of Fig. 1 and the remainder of which is a diagrammatic representation of a railway switch and an operating motor therefor. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing one arrangement of controlling circuits for the apparatus shown in the preceding views, and embodying my invention. 1

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 2, the reference character A designates a railway switch. This switch isoperated by a fluid pressure motor B, which motor is governed by an electromagnetically controlled valve apparatus C shown in Fig. 1 and in section in Fig. 2.

The motor B,as here shown, comprises a cylinder 1 and a piston 2 operable therein. The piston 2 is operatively connected with the rails of switch A through the medium of a suitable form of switch mechanism represented diagrammatically by the line 3.

The valve apparatus C, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a valve body 5 provided with a valve chamber 8 in which is located a slide valve 9 which reciprocates in suitable guides on a valve seat 10, as shown in Fig. 2. The valve seat 10 is provided with three ports 11, 12 and 13, of which port 12 commnni'cates directly with atmosphere, and ports 11 and 13 communicate respectively with the left-hand and the right-hand ends of cylinder 1. The slide valve 9 is of the usual D-valve type having a recess 18, so that when the valve is in one extreme position (as shown in Fig. 2) it connects the righthand end of cylinder 1 with atmosphere and the lefthand end with valve chamber 8, whereas when the valve is in the other extreme position it connects the righthand end of cylinder 1 with chamber 8 and the left-hand end with atmosphere.

The valve body 5 is provided with another chamber 21 to which fluid pressure, usually air, is constantly supplied from a suitable source through a pipe 25. Fluid pressure is at times supplied from chamber 21 to the valve chamber 8 through a valve 22 which is biased to the closed position by a spring 23 and by the action of the fluid pressure in chamber 21 on the back of the valve. This valve is provided with astem 24 extending into chamber 8 and by means of which the valve may be opened at times, as will hereinafter be explained.

The valve body 5 is also provided with a cylinder 33 in which a piston 35 is adapted to reciprocate. Fluid pressure is supplied to the cylinder 33 from chamber 21 through ports 27 and 27 and the supply is controlled by a valve device 29 which in turn is governed by an electromagnet L, hereinafter termed the lock magnet. Electromagnet L is provided with two windings Z and Z either of which wheuenergized will actuate the armature of the magnetto operate the valve 29. The valve device 29 connects cylinder 33 with atmosphere through opening 31, or with chamber 21, according as the lock magnet L is deenergized or energized. Piston 35 is provided with a piston rod 35 which passes through a cylindrical opening in the valvebody and into the valve chamber 8, where it is oneratively connected with a reciprccable plate 39 by means of a button 40 on the end of the piston rod 35* and a jaw formed in the end of the plate. This plate 39 moves transversely to the direction of movement of the slide valve 9, and performs two functions. viz.. to operate valve 22, and to mechanically lock the slide valve.

Considering the locking function first, the upper surface of the slide valve 9 is provided with three spaced transverse lugs 41,

42 and 43, thus providing slots into which valve and s lock the valve in the position WlllCll 1t occuples, as best shown in Fig.- 2.

Then, however, the piston 35 is moved by the admission of fluid pressure to cylinder 33, it moves plate 39 so that the tongue passes out of the slots in the slide valve whereupon the valve is free to be reversed.

3 The other function of this plate 39, viz., the

opening of valve22 is accomplished merely by engagement of theend of the plate with the stem 24; of valve '22. g

' When the lockmagiietL is deenergized so 'thatthe outer end of cylinder 33 is con nected with atmosphere through a port 27 'andport 31, the action of the fluid pressure in chamber 8 on piston rod 35-moves piston 35 outwardly and the button lO in turn moves plate 39 to the locking p'ositionpthus permitting valve 22 to seat, asshown in Fig.1. The action of spring23 and of the fluid pressure in chamber 21' then holds valve 22in the closed position, and after the pressure in chamber 8*has gradually escaped prevents the accidental unlocking of slide valve 9. The area otpiston-35 is such,"however, that when fiuidpressure is admitted to cylinder33 by the energization of magnet Lthe pressure 'on' this piston over-balances the combined forces acting on valve 22, so that plate 39 is thenmoved to the unlocking position and valve 22is opened, thus admitting fluid pressure tochamber 8. Plate 39 and valve-22 are, of course, immediately reversed upon the subsequent opening of cylinder 33- to atmosphere.

The slidevalve is reciprocatedby a fluid pressure-motor device constructed as follows: In-thevalve body 5 ar'etwo axially alined cylinders l land 45, in which are located pistons lfi and 46 respective1y; In tegral with pistonlti is a rod 47, and with I pistonefi a-similar rod48, which rods pass through suitable stutling boxes in the valve body and abut against the oppositeends of the slide valve 9. i It will be clear,therefore, that when the slide valve is unlocked, i-t may be reciprocated by alternately admitting fluid pressure to cylinders tl and 45. The supply of fluid pressure forthese cylinders is preferably taken fromvalve chamber 8. Gylindertt is connected witlr this chamber by ports 49 and 49 and the supply of fluid pressure to'this cylinder is controlled by-a valve device 53 which in turn is governed by anelectromagnet 51. Similarly, cylinder 45 is supplied by ports 50and 50, and the supply is controlled by a valve device 54: governed by an electromagnet 52. The arrange ment of eachvalve device 53 and 54, and its correspondin magnet is such that when the magnet is d eenerg1zed th corresponding cylinder is connected with atmosphere through a port 17 or 17, and that when the magnet is energized the corresponding cylinder is disconnected from atmosphere and is connected with the valve chamber 8.

-R-eferring nowto .Fig. 3, I have here shown one arrangement of circuits and contacts for the control of the apparatus shown in the'preceding views. The electromagnets 51, 52' and'L are governed by a contact 57, which is operated by a manually operable lever 56, which lever is one of a plurality of similarfleverscomprised in an interlock. ing machine. The "windings o'f the lock magnet-L are further controlled by a contact'device M, comprising a movable contact 4: which is operatively connected withthe switch operating -mechanism 3 represented in Fig. 2,.and which-cooperates 'with'fixed contactsegments l and l The operation ofthe contactdevice M is such that when the motor B occupies one'eXtreme position or the other contact 4 engages contact l or P. But :when the motor occupies an intermediate position, contact 45 engages boththe contacts 4* and 4 It is understood that-in practice suitable indication apparatus will be employed for controlling themovements ofthe lever contact 57 in accordancewith movements of the switch A, but in'thisview I have purposely omitted the I indication. apparatus and the circuits'controlling' such apparatus in order to si mplify the drawing.

'One-terminalot magnet 51 isco'nnected' with a=norma-l wireN and one terminal of magnet 52-is-connected with a reverse wire R. 'The remaining terminals of-these'magnets are connected with a common wire 0 by wires 14: and 7 resp'ectively.- One terminal of a:battery-6 is connected with the common wire 0 and the" otherterminal is connectedlwith contact 57 ,i which contact in turn engages witlrcontact 57 or 57 'w-hich'two latter contacts are connected respectively with thenormal and reverse wires N and'R. It will beseen from the circu'itsthus far described that magnet 51 or magnet 52 will be energized acconding as contact 57 engages with fixed contact 57? or 57 a As hereinbetore explained, the magnet L comprises-two windings Z and.Z one terminal' elf-winding Z is connected withthe normal wire :N,:and oneoterminal of Z? is connected with the reverse wire-R. The remaining terminals ofthese windings are connected respectively with fixed contacts 4* and-4P.- Thisarrangement of control of the lock magnet L is-such that when the switch A- I and the controlling :lever 56 coincide in position, both windings of-magnet Lare deener-gized whereas, when the controlling lever isrswung to reversethe position of the switch, one winding on-the other of -magnet L becomes energized and continues to be energized untilthe switch has completed its movement in response to such movement of the lever 56. i i

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: i

The switchA, as shown in Fig. 2, occupies what I will term the normal position, and all parts of the apparatus connected thereto occupy corresponding positionsl When it is desired to reverse the position of switch A, the manual lever 56 (Fig. 3) is swung upwardly through a portion of its stroke until it is stopped by the indication apparatus in such position that the movable contact57 is in engagement with fixed contact 57 Winding Z of lock magnetL is now energized and the energization of this magnet causes the admission of fluid pressure from chamber 21tocylinder 33 thereby causing operation of the piston 35 to unlock the slide valve 9 and open valve 22, thus admitting fluid pressure to the valve chamber 8. Magnet 51 is now deenergized so that valve 53 reverses to connect cylinder 44 with atmosphere. Magnet 52 is energized so that valve 5-1 is reversed to admit fluid pressure from the chamber 8' to cylinder 45 whereby the slide valve 9 is shifted to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1. This causes the admission of fluid pressure to the right hand end of cylinder Z, as viewed in Fig. 2, so that switch A is then moved to the reverse position through the medium of the switch operating mechanism When the movement of the switch is completed and the switch has been properly locked, contact 4 engages with contact d and becomes disengaged from contact 4?, so that winding Z becomes denergized. Lock magnet L is now totally deenergized so that valve 29 reverses and disconnects cylinder 33 from the source of fluid pressure and opens this cylinder to atmosphere, whereupon piston 35 reverses to close valve 22 and lock the slide valve 9 in its extreme left-hand position, as viewed in Fig. 1.

The operation of the apparatus for movement of the switch A from its reverse to its normal position is similar to the operation just explained, winding Z of lock magnet L being energized during such operation.

One feature of the apparatus hereinbefore described, is that while the switch and its controlling lever coincide in position, the lock magnet L is deenergized so'that it is impossible to cause movement of switch A by manipulation of valves 53 and 5a or by improper energization of magnets 51 and 52. If, however, an unauthorized attempt is made to shift the switch away from the position corresponding to the position of its controlling lever by means other than such lever, magnet L will at once become energized and will admit fluid pressure to chamber 8 and so to the operating motor B, thus causing this motor to oppose such attempt.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of railway traffic controlling apparatus 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: i

1. In combination, a railway traffic controlling device, a fluid pressure motor for moving said device, two valves controlling said motor to cause reverse movements thereof, two electromagnets one for each valve, a lever, contacts and connections controlled thereby for energizing one electromagnet or the other, and means controlled jointly by said contacts and connections and by said motor for interrupting the supply of fluid pressure to the motor when the motor and the levercoincide in position.

2. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, a fluid pressure motor for moving said device, two valves controlling said motor to cause reverse movements thereof, two electromagnets one for each valve, a lever, contacts and connections controlled thereby for energizing one electromagnet or the other, and means controlled jointly by said contacts and connections and by said motor for interrupting the supply of fluid pressure to the motor upon completion of a movement of the motor in response to a movement of the lever.

3; In combination, a railway traific controlling device, a fluid pressure motor for moving said device, two valves controlling said motor to cause reverse movements thereof, two electromagnets one for each valve, a lever, contacts and connections controlled thereby for energizing one electromagnet or the other, and means controlled jointly by said contacts and connections and by said motor for preventing inadvertent movement of the motor by unwarranted ma nipulation of said valves when the lever and the motor coincide in position.

4. In combination, a railway traiiic controlling device, a fluid pressure motor tor moving said device, two valves controlling said motor to cause reverse movements thereof, two electromagnets one for each valve, a lock magnet for also controlling said motor, a lever, contacts and connections controlled by said lever and by said motor for energizing said lock magnet when the lever and the motor do not coincide in position, said lever controlled contacts also serving to energize one of said valve controlling electromagnets or the other.

5. In combination, a railway traiiic controlling. tlevice, a fluid pressure motor for movinglsaid device, two valves controlling said motor to cause reverse movements th ref of, twmelectnomagnets, oneafoneachwvalve, a lever, contacts hand -c0n-necb1ons controlled thereby for KGDBIgLZIIIQ one electromagnet; or

the, other, wand a :lock magnet, controlled jointly by; said contacts and connections and by Sflldz motor for preventing movement; of said, motor when] the motor and the 1 lever coincide in position. a

2 6'. "In combination, a 1 railway .trafliccontrolling device, a fluid pressurevmotorztor moving; said device, two valves'contr'olling said motor to. cause reverse movements thereof, two. electromagnets one for each valve, a lever, -contacts and connections 4 controlled thereby forpenergizing oneaelectromagnet or the other, a [lock magnetslhaving two windings,;and meanswcontrolled: by said contacts and connections and bysaid motor for I energizing one of said windings or the other when'the' motor occupies either, extreme positionand the'lever is in non-coinciding position, for deenergizing -lO'0tl1-z of said windings when the lever and l the; motor, I coincide in extremeqaositions.

71.1111 combination, a 4 railway atraflic controlling .device, a vfluid ,5 pressure 1 motor? for causing reversemovements of said device, a normal and. a-reverserva1ve -for controlling said motor, amormal-anda reverse electro magnet r for controllingwsaid two valves re spectively, .a normal and a reverse -\wire,-and a; common Wire, 0ne -terminal= of, cache electromagnet: being: constantlyconnected with comprising two: windings, onetterminal of I one windinm being 1 connected *Wltllx the normal w-ire andone terminal of, the other windingQbeingK connected; with? the reverse-wire, and contacts: aoontrolled by "i the motor for connecting the ren'ia-ining terminal of one of saidwindingsi,ornthe .-other with the common wire according, as; the motoris; in one extreme positionor the; other, aand for 1 connecting both i of said, last-mentioned; terminals withi the common- Wire when the motor occupies ,an intermediate position 1 the windingwhich is thus toonneeted with the com anon wire-z when the motori is in an extreme positioni beingithe -one iwhichiis not connected with; i the source-10f current through, the normal or reverse wire when; thevlever occuipiesw the; corresp onding -extreme ,position.

In Y testimony :whereof {I ia flix my signature in presence,oi /two witnesses. :J@HN P.QOLEMAN. Witnesses:

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