US1244138A - Track-switch. - Google Patents

Description

C. W. SQUIRE'S. TRACK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-27. 1915.

1,244,138, rammed Oct 23,1917.

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TRACK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED 6.27.1915.

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L244, 138? Patmted 00. 23,1917.

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I TRACK SWITCH.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG.2 7, I915- Patented Oct. 23,1917.

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TRACK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.27. 1915.

Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

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CHARLES w. soumns, or BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRACK-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patenijdgd 0017.23, 191?.

Application filed August 27, 1915. Serial No. 47,579.

To all whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, HARLES W. SQUIRns, of Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Track-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement relates to a switch operating mechanism of a kind now well known and in use upon many electric railways, and it is an improvement upon Letters Patent No. 1,080,730 issued to me December 9, 1913.

In these devices as heretofore constructed it is customary to support the mechanism upon the trolley wire, thus bringingconside-rable strain upon the wire and placing the mechanism where in case of any accident it is difficult to reach.

My present invention provides a remedy for this dihiculty in that while the trolley wire carries an apparatus of light weight for closing a circuit at the proper time, the operating mechanism for throwing the track switch may be located upon a post or other suitable support at a distance both from the trolley wire and if desirablefrom the track and within easy reach.

No claim is made in this case for the circuit closing mechanism mounted on the trolley wire as the subject-matter of this portion of my invention is included in another application.

As will be understood by electricians upon reading this specification, my invention may be embodied in a variety of forms. My preferred embodiment, however, is shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device for operating the track switch mechanism;

Fig. 2 being a side elevation thereof.

Figs. 8, +1 and 5 are sections on lines 88, Jr-e. and 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the actuator and its connecting parts.

Figs. 7 and 8 are sections on lines 77 and 88 of Fig. 6. v

Fi 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuits.

As shown in the drawings, the device comprises five electro-magnets with appropriate connections which will be described below. Two of these magnets A and B are in the track switch throwing circuit, the track switch being thrown in either direction acandan arched frame G is one of ordinary character which is moved 0 in either direction by appropriate electromagnets, one magnet being connected in circuit with the magnet B and the other with the magnet A.

In order that the current by Which the track switch is being operated may have a proper time in which to act upon the switch to throw it, Iprovide the coil D, which I will call a time limit coil, and by means of which the time during which the car magnet is on ergized is determined or limited, this being accomplished in the form of my invention shown by means of a tilting table F, which when the coil D is energized is lifted atone end and consequently causes a circuit closer to run from that end of the tilting table to the farther end where it makes electrical connection through the coil E which I call the circuit breaker coil. When the coil E is energized its corcis lifted or drawn into it and lifts a circuit closer forming part of the main circuit, thus breaking the connection in the main circuit and allowing all the partst'o resume their original'or inoperative position.

In the general adjustment and operation of the apparatus, therefore, the coilE is only energized after the track switchhas been thrown.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is shown the mechanism which is mechanically operated by the car and is mounted on the trolley rail. As the mounting of this mechanism is the same as in my patent referred to it is not shown in full. It comprises a baseboard Gmade of'wood or other .likeinsulating material which acts; as a support for certain of the parts which are mounted therein and are insulated therefrom. Preferably the frame itself is made of insulating materialand the whole may be provided with a cover (not shown), if thought best. The frame G is supported on the baseboard G by angle irons 9, one at each end attached to the baseboard G by cross pieces 9 preferably metallic, these cross pieces having openings 9 through which pass attaching bolts g 9 The baseboard G is preferably mounted on a metal "plate-G WlIlClI'GXt-QHClS the length of the gles to the body thereof and is mounted to swing in bearings the other end being also bent at right angles to the body and then bent back on itself to form a loop G As matter of convenience one end of the contact finger G is bent arount the first named end of the carrier G so that it is free to swing loosely with relation thereto and it is passed through the loop {7 so that it may be lifted or pulled down by the movement of the swinging support.

H is an actuator or lever mounted on the baseboard G to swing with relation thereto, the baseboard and the parts below it being slotted so that the actuator may pass down through them into position to be struck by the trolley wheel mounted 011 t is passing car. This actuator has a toe piece it suitably placed to engage the under surface of the loop portion g 'ofthe carrier G and lift it and the contact as the trolley passes beneath the instrument.

J is a terminal'mounted from the frame G and suitably insulated therefrom and connected by the wire j-with the box apparatus as described below. Preferably I insert in the wire j a resistance j to reduce the current which passes by it to the coils in the box, this wire passing out through a suitable opening in the frame G The terminal J is located to be struck by the contact finger Gr during its clownward movement after it has been actuated by the trolley lever H.

In order to prevent the contact finger from making two contacts with the terminal J one upon its being lifted and the other upon its falling, I have provided a cam plate J which is mounted upon the baseboard G and supported at its top from the frame G so that it shall be insulated. In

this cam plate is a slot J and through this that upon'the contact arm being lifted by the swinging support it will strike the upper surface of the slot and its )Olnil being loose it will be guided laterally along the upper edge of the slot as shown at 1, and into the verticalportion of the slot as shown at 2 (see Fig. 8). Thus it will be seen that it will pass by the end of the terminal J which as shown in Fig. 8 is bent somewhat to conform to the shape of the slot J When it is released, however, upon the passing of 1;"

the trollev by the actuator H, and the consequent dropping of the actuator into the position shown in Fig. 6, the tendency of the contact G will be to drop vertically,

being guided by the vertical portion of the slot J until it strikes the slanting surface thereof, when it will engage the bent portion of the terminal J its end 5/ being enlarged for the purpose, as shown at 4. 1n

dotted lines, Fig. 8, and make the necessary contact which will be of short but appre ciable duration, and will cause the closing of the main circuit as below described.

The box upon which the main mechanism is mounted comprises a back plate N. a horizontal top plate M and a horizontal bottom plate lV both attached to the back plate, the horizontal plates being supported by suitable brackets 12?. and posts m m Upon the plate M are mounted the coils A and B and upon the plate M are mounted the coils C, D and E. Cross bars m m are provided connecting the posts on and the posts m respectively, and serve also to support certain portions of the circuits.

The wire j runs to the box which as stated above may be at any reasonable 1 distance from the switch point and therein is connected to a fuse It 1n the ordinary way,

from which fuse it continues to the pin 0 upon which is pivoted. the switch 0. As shown in Fig. 1 the free end of the switch engages the point a which is connected by the wire a with a plate a which in turn is connected by the wire a with the coil A. The other end of the coil A is connected by the wire A with an electro-magnet by means of which the switch is pulled in one direction.

The coil A has a core A which carries a cross bar A so that when the coil A is energized as above, the core A will be drawn within the coil and will lift thecross bar A making contact with the strip A and the plate 0. the purpose of which will be below described.

L is a wire connected to the trolley wire and forming part of the main circuit. At Z the circuit divides, one portion of it comprising the wire C running to the coil G and thence by Wire G to the plates forming the terminal from which the trolley is to draw its current for the car, circuit. The

coil C thus is fully energized only when i is connected a fuse wire D}, this jfuse being of the kind described in an application filed by me February 6%, 1914, Serial No. 816,498, issued as Patent No. 1,199,831 on October .3, 1916, and comprising two short lengths of platinum wire, the contacting ends of which are bent at right angles as at (land soldered together with a solder fusible at low temperature. The farther end of this fuse is hooked over a spring hook D mounted on top of the coil D. and isconnected with one end of the said coil,1the other end of the coil being connected by wire D to the plate ,1). by which electrical connection is made with the staple shaped wire D3. This staple D passes down through the plate M, front cross bar m and plate D and its top rests on the plate M.

At the rear of the plate M is similarly mounted another staple shaped wire D and a metallic weighted cross plate D normally rests on the staples D and D connecting them electrically. To the lower ends of the staple D is attached a plate D which is connected by the wire D with a contact plate'F The purpose of this plate F will be later described. The staple D is also in contact with the. strip A. The strip A is mounted on the under side of the cross bar mt.

The plate a is connected with the switch terminal a as above described, and it will be seen that when the coil A is energized by the engagement ofthe contact finger (i with the terminal J the core A ofthe coil A will be lifted, thus lifting the bar A and closing the circuit between the plate A and the plate at. hen this occurs a clrcuit is established from Z through the fuse K wire D fuse wire D4, the coil D, wire D staple D cross plate I), staple D", strip A plate a wire (0 coil A, wire A and the switch magnet to the ground, so that the switch magnet is given sufficient energy to throw and hold. the switch until this circuit is broken. A

The circuit breaking mechanism is as follows: The coil D has a core. E which when the coil D. is energized will be drawn into it. To the lower end of this core F is pivotally attached a tilting table F by means of a contact arm F. F a stud on which this carriage. is pivotally. mounted so that, while in its normal position, its free end is lower than its pivoted end. WV'hen it is lifted by the attraction of the core F? by coil D its free end will be higher than its pivoted end, and .lbS contact'arm F will make contact with the plate F The stud F is electrically connected by the wire 7" with one end ofthe coil E, the other end E of this coil being grounded by an independent ground E to which the wire E runs. Within this coil E is a comparatively short core E, the upper end of whichis provided with a rod E made of, insulated material which is connected to the cross plate D When the coil E therefore is energized the cross plate D will be lifted and the circuit will be broken between D and D. This being. a. part of themain circuit the entire apparatus will resume its normal position.

In order, however, that the main circuit be not broken until the current hashad full opportunity to operate and hold the switch,

the tilting table has mounted upon one side of it a metallic strip f which forms an electrical connection between contact arm F and a casting or plate f as shown in Fig. 5. Upon the other side of the tilting table is a corresponding casting or plate f which. is electrically connected with the stud 7 F Above the tilting table is mounted a lifting of the bar A which closes the main circuit, its core F lifts the free end of the tilting table at which moment the rotary circuit closer F begins its descent of the runway F" until finally-it brings up on the plates f f and closes a divided circuit through E. thus causing its core E to be. lifted, and

with it the rod E and the cross plate D and breaking the main circuit at D and D. The apparatus is then set for the next car.

Suppose the next car is to. pass over. the switch with the switch thrown in the other direction. The car circuit is closed through the car so that the car passes the mechanism under power. The coil C receives the full current through L so that the coil C is energized by more current .than in the former case. It was stated before that the current passing through the wire L divided at .Z, a portion of it going through the wire C to, the coil C. A portion of the current from L whether it be the ordinary light or air brake operatingcurrent, or the full current which operates the car, always passes through the coil G. In order that the. coil C may not operate to; throw the switch 0 Within this runwith the light or brake operating current it is provided with an armature C which armature is held at the lower end of a rod C of insulating material. Through the c il passes a tubular guide G and to a head U mounted on top 01. the coil C is attached an adjuster C comprising a plate having stepped surfaces 0 on its upper edge. This adjuster C is capable of horizontal adjustment by means of a slot 0 and a screw 4: and to the rod C is attached a pin a which when the coil C is not energized rests on one of the steps 0 so that while the armae ture will be lifted when the full current passes through the coil C it will remain in its lowest position when a less current passes through the coil. Thus in first use of the mechanism above described, when the car passes the mechanism without current the armature and its rod will not be lifted and the switch 0 will not be thrown but when the car passes under power the full on "rent will pass through the coil C, the armatuns will be lifted and the upper end of the red C will strike the switch 0 and lift it from the pin a, into engagement wi h the pin Z). in this case on operating the contact finger G the impulse will pass by the wire i as before to the switch pivot and from thence through the switch 0 to the contact through the wire 6 to the plate 6 from thence by the wire 5 to the coil l3 and by wire B to the switch operating solenoid and the ground.

he cross bar B will be lifted by the core B of the magnet B when it is thus energized and will closethe circuit from Z, K etc, as before, to the staple D cross plate D staple D, strip A to the cross bar B plate 6 wire (3 to the coil B, and by wire B- to the magnet on the other side of the track switch. The current upon energizing the solenoid D will raise the tilting table F as before, making connection through the plate F and plates F, f, by means of the rotary closer F so that at the proper time the coil E will be energized and the main circuit broken as before.

I prefer to make the rod E with fiat sides and to provide means such as the wire guides c to keep the cross bar D in proper alinement. As shown the upper end of is provided with a weight 6 to keep the cross bar D normally in contact with D and D.

In order that the tilting table when out of action may be supported in proper relation to the coil D l have shown a rest such as the angle iron F attached to the plate N on which the free end of the tilting table may rest.

To support the contact plate F and the stud F I prefer to provide a plate F of insulating material attached below the plate M by brackets m and the-tilting table carrise a yoke a which hangs on the stud F thus connecting mechanically the tilting table with the stud. This yoke is electrically connected with the plate A spring F compressed between the plate F and the yoke l? holds the tilting table in proper position so that the contact arm F will make proper contact with the plate F The above is a description of the preferred embodiment of my invention but I do not mean to conline myself to such embodiment. Any one skilled in the art will realize upon reading the foregoing description that other means than those shown and other arrangements of circuits can be adopted to accomplish the desired results, the main features of which are the closing of the circuit at the contact arm which can only be momentary and the closing of the circuit through the track switch instrument which closing is for a predetermined period of timetiine suliicient to properly enersize the track switch instrument. The fact that the circuit at the contact arm can only be closed momentarily at the moment when the actuator is released by the trolley wheel makes lb possible for the passing car to stop below the trolley carried instrument without injury to the operating mechanism which is impossible in any electric track operating instrument now known to me, such stoppage in other instruments frequently burning out the line.

it is evident also that while the abovedescribed mechanism is shown as adapted for th purpose of energizing either one of two trackswitch magnets it may be used to energize either one of two magnets adapted to operate some other mechanism than a track switch.

V] hat l claim as my invention is 1. In a device of the kind described, an electromagnet, two coils means whereby the energizing of either coil will cause the energizing of said electromagnet and c0mprisinp; two circuit closers, one adapted to be operated by each coil and means whereby either coil may be energized comprising a circuit closer and means for operating it to close the circuit momentarily and a resistance located in circuit with said circuit closer and one of said coils whereby an im pulse of current of low amperage will be sent through either one of said coils to operate its circuit closer.

2. As a means for temporarily energizing either of two electromagnets, a feed wire, two coils, one connected to each electromagnet and normally out of connection with said feed wire. means for energizing either coil momentarily, two circuit closers each operated by one of said coils to close a circuit including said feed wire and one of said electromagnets and means for breaking said circuit comprising a circuit breaker said circuitcomprising, circuit breaker and means for operating it whereby, said" circuit will be broken a predetermined time after said circuit has been closed, said means comprising a pivoted table, means for lifting one end thereof, a traveling circuit closer carried by said table and adapted to travel thereon when said end has be n lifted, terminals located in the path of said traveling circuit closer whereby said terminals may be electrically connected upon engagement by said traveling circuit closer, said terminals forming part of a circuit adapted when closed to operate said circuit breaker.

4. As a means for temporarily operating either one of two electromagnets, a feed wire, two coils, one connected to each. electromagnet and normally out of circuit with said feed wire.'means for energizing either coil momentarily, two circuit closers each operated by one of said coils to close a circuit including said feed wire and one of said electromagnets, and means for breaking said circuit comprising a circuit including a coil, a movable core operated by said coil when energized, a circuit breaker member adapted to be operated by said core and means operable upon the closing of the circuit through one of said electromagnets whereby said circuit will be closed and said circuit breaker member operated.

5. In a device of the kind described, two coils each connected to an electromagnet, means for energizing either coil momentarily comprising a source of current and a switch adapted to connect said source of current with either coil and means for operating said switch comprising a feed wire carrying a variable current, a coil in circuit with said feed wire. an armature adapted to be attracted by said coil, means connected to said armature adapted to engage said switch when said armature is attracted by said coil and means to adjust the distance of said armature from said coil whereby it will only be operated to operate said switch when a predetermined amount of current is passing through the feed wire.

6. In a device of the kind described, two coils each connected to an electromagnet, means for energizing either coil, momentarily comprising resource of current and a switch aaapra te ecast-u energetics of current with either coil and means for eratlng said switch compris ng a feed Wire carrying a variable current, a coil in cir edit with said feed wire, an armature adapt: edtb be attracted by said coil, ineans con nected to said armature ada 'itedfto engage said switch when said armature is attracted by said coil and means to adjust the 'stance of's'aid armature froin'said co'il whe eby it will only be operated to operate said switch when a predetermined amount of current through tlie' feed wire,

said adjusting means comprising an adustmg plate havmg an lrregular upper 'edge mounted on said coil to be adjusted laterally with relation thereto, a rod mount-' ed on said armature and a stop pin mounted on said rod to engage the upper edge of said adjusting plate.

7. In a device of the kind described, comprising operated track switch solenoid circuits, means for closing the circuit through either of them, a slowly moving circuit closer means operable by either track switch solenoid circuit whereby said slowly moving circuit closer will be operated and a circuit breaker adapted to break said track switch solenoid circuit and means for operating said circuit breaker operable upon the closing of the circuit through said slowly moving circuit closer.

8. In a device of the kind described, means for energizing either one of two electromagnets comprising two coils, one in circuit with each electromagnet, means for temporarily energizing one of said coils, means operated by such coil when temporarily energized. to permanently energize its electromagnet, a

time limit mechanism. electrical means for operating said time limit mechanism comprising a circuit closer and means operated by said time limit mechanism whereby the main circuit will be broken.

9. A track switch-operating circuit comprising a car operable means momentarily to close said circuit and circuit-locking means comprising a magnet coil, a normally open electric circuit switch and a feed wire operable to hold said track switch-operating circuit in closed position, and a branch circuit with a magnet coil operable momentarily to interrupt the fiow of current through the track switch-operating circuit whereby the release of said circuit-locking means will be effected, and automatic means operable by the track switch-operating circuit to energize said branch circuit within a predetermined time limit, substantially as set forth. 7

10. A track switch-operating circuit comprising a car operable means momentarily toelectric switch and a feed wire operable to" 65,; images hold said track switch-operating circuit in closed position, and a branch circuit with a magnet coil operable momentarily to interrupt the flow of current through the trackswitch-operating; circuit whereby the release of said circuit-locking means will be effected, and automatic means operable to energize said branch circuit within a predetermined time limit, substantially as set forth.

11. A normally-open track switch circuit comprising two track switch magnets, trolley-operated means to close the circuit through either of said magnets at will, a normally-open auxiliary circuit having a ground connection distinct from the track switch circuit and means operable automatically to close said auxiliary circuit a predetermined time after the closing of said track switch circuit, and means whereby the cl0sing; of said auxiliary circuit will cause the breaking of said track switch circuit.

CHARLES N. SQUIRES.

Gopies oi this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. G."

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