US1396562A - Apparatus for the control of railway-switches - Google Patents

Description

C. W. DUNHAM. APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF RAILWAY SWITCHES.

APPLICAT ON FILED JULY 911920.

C. W. DUNHAM.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF RAILWAY SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY 9|1920.

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CHARLES W. DUNHAM, OF FAIRMONT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF RAILWAY-SWITCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

Application filed July 9, 1920. Serial No. 395,055.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES TV. DUNHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fairmont, in the county of \Vestmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Control of Railway- Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for controlling railway switches, and particularly to apparatus of the type comprising a fluid pressure motor for actuating the switch, a manually operable lever for governing the motor, and indication means associated with the switch for locking and releasing the lever.

One object of my invention is the provision, in connection with apparatus of this character, of mechanism for preventing the indication means from releasing the lever unless the pressure of the fluid in the motor has decreased to at least a given value.

I will describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view, partly diagrammatic, showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing a modification of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in the two views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character A designates a railway switch which is operated by a fluid pressure motor B, and which motor is controlled by a manually operable lever L. This lever is usually one of a plurality of similar levers in an interlocking machine.

The motor B comprises a cylinder 2 containing a piston 3 which is operatively connected with a motion plate 4. This plate 4 contains a cam slot 5 coacting with a roller 6 which is operatively connected with the movable rails of the switch A. It will be seen, therefore, that reciprocation of the piston 3 will cause movements of the switch A from normal to reverse positions and vice versa,

Operatively connected with the motion plate 1 are two movable contact members 15 and 16, which cooperate with fixed contacts 15 and 16 respectively. These con tacts are so arranged that contact l5-15 is closed in all positions of the switch except the reverse position, and that contact 1()'-16 is closed in all positions of the switch except the normal position.

The reference character V designates a valve device adapted to connect the right hand end of cylinder 2 with a source of fluid pressure or with atmosphere, according as the movable member 7 of this valve device is depressed or elevated. The member is biased to the elevated position by suitable means which, as here shown, is a spring 8, the spring being assisted by the pressure of the fluid on the under side of the member. lVhen in the elevated position the valve member 7 connects a pipe 9,-

leading from the right hand end of the cylinder, with atmosphere through a port 10. This valve member 7 is controlled by a solenoid and plunger 11*", however, in such manner that when the solenoid is energized the valve member is depressed in opposition to the force exerted by the spring 8 and the fluid pressure. lVhen in the depressed position, the valve member disconnects pipe 9 from the port 10 and connects this pipe with a pipe 12 leading directly to the source of fluid pressure.

The left hand end of cylinder 2 is connected with the source of fluid pressure or with atmosphere by means of a valve device V controlled by a solenoid and plunger 11, which parts are similar to the corresponding parts V and 11 The lever L is arranged to rock between two extreme positions, known as normal and reverse positions, which positions correspond to the normal and reverse positions of the switch A. Operatively connected with the lever L is a contact member 13 which engages with a fixed contact 14* from the normal position of the lever to an intermediate position known as the normal indicating position, and with a fixed contact 14 from the reverse position to an intermediate position known as the reverse indicating position. The solenoids 11 and 11 of the motor device B are controlled by this lever-operated contact and by contacts 15 and 16 actuated by the motion plate 4, the manner in which this control is effected being explained hereinafter.

The movements of the lever L are controlled by indication means comprising, in the form here shown, two segments S and S rigidly attached to the lever. The segment S is provided with a dog 17, which coacts with a latch 18 in such manner as to lock the lever in the normal indicating position when the lever is moving from reverse to normal positions. The latch 18 is controlled by an electromagnet M adapted, when energized, to elevate the latch and so to permit the lever to complete its movement to the normal position. The segment is provided with a dog 19, which coacts with a latch 20 to lock the lever in the reverse indicating position when moving from normal to reverse positions, and this latch 20 is similarly provided with an electromagnet M arranged when energized to elevate the latch and so-to release the lever.

The indication magnets M and M are controlled by a polarized indication relay C,

- which, in turn, is controlled by a polechanger P operated by the motion plate 4. These indication magnets are also controlled by acircuit controller D operatively connected with the lever L and arranged to be reversed during the movements of the lever from normal indicating to normal positions, and from reverse indicating to reverse positions. The circuits for the control of relay C and of the indication magnets M and M will be explained hereinafter.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is as follows:

As shown in this view. the switch A and the lever L are in normal positions, and all other parts of the apparatus are in the corresponding positions. Magnet ll and 11 M and M. are all deiinergized, but indication relay is energized in normal direction. hen it is desired to move the switch A to the reverse position, lever L is swung in clockwise direction by means of the handle 20 until it is stopped in the reverse indicatingposition by the engagement of dog 19 with latch 20. Contact 1314 is then closed, so that the reverse magnet 11 is energized through the following circuit: from battery E, through wire 21, contact 1J314 wire 22, contact 15-15 wire 23, winding of electromagnet. 11 and wires 24, 25, 26 and 27 to battery E. Magnet 11 then operates to depress the movable memher 7- of the valve device Y thereby disconnecting the left-hand end of cylinder 2 from atmosphere and connecting this end of the cylinder with the source of fluid pressure. Piston 3 is then shifted to the right, thereby moving motion plate 4 to the right and so moving switch A to the reverse position.

lVhen this position is reached, the circuit for magnet 11 is opened at contact 15-15, so that member 7 of the valve device V returns to its elevated position, wherein the left hand end of cylinder 2 is disconnected from the source of fluid pressure and is again connected with atmosphere.

This movement of the motion plate 4 reverses the position of pole-changer P, so that the indication relay C becomes energized in the reverse direction, the circuit for this relay then. being from battery E, through wire 28, contact 29, wire 30, contact 31, wire 32, left hand finger of pole-changer P, (which is then reversed), wire 34, winding of relay C, wire 33, right hand finger of pole-changer P, wire 85, contact 86, wire 37, contact 38 and wires 26 and 27 to battery E. The consequent reversal of relay C causes contact 39 to swing to the rlght, whereupon the reverse indication magnet M becomes energized through the following circuit: from battery E, through wires 28 and 40, neutral contact 41 of relay C, wire 42, right hand pointof polar contact 39 of relay C, wire 43, left hand points of contact D, wire 44, winding of magnet M and wires 45, 46 and 27 to battery 'E. The consequent energization of magnet M causes latch 20 to be elevated out of the path of dog 19, so

that the movement of lever L to the reverseposition can then be completed. During this final movement of the lever, circuit controller Dis moving to the opposite position, thereby deenergizing magnet M In order to move the Switch A from the reverse to the normal position, lever L is returned to its normal indicating position, in which position it is stopped by the engage ment of dog 17 with latch 18. This closes contact 1314 so that the reverse operat ing magnet 11 is energized through this contact and through contact 16l(5 operated by the motion plate 4. Magnet 11 then reverses the valve device V so that the right hand end of cylinder 2 is disconnected from atmosphere and is connected with the source of fluid pressure- Piston 3 is then driven to the left, thereby restoring switch A to its normal position, and when this position is reached magnet 11 becomes deenergized, due to the fact that contact memberz16 passes off from fixed contact '16. \Vhen the switch reaches the normal position, pole-changer P is restored to normal position, so that the indication relay C be comes energized in the normal direction. Contact 39 then swings to the left, so that indication magnet M becomes energized through this contact and through the right hand contact points of circuit controller D. Latch 18 is then elevated out of the path of dog 17, so that the lever L may be moved to the full normal position. During this final movement of the lever, circuit controller D reverses, thereby deenergizing magnet M The parts of the apparatus are then in the positions in which they are shown in the drawing.

It will be noted that the circuit for indication relay C includes four contacts 29, 38, 31 and 36. Contacts 29 and 38 are operatively connected with an auxiliary piston 47 which reciprocates in an auxiliary cylinder 48 formed in the body of the valve device V the lower end of which cylinder is connected by a port 50 with pipe 9 and so with the left hand end of the main cylinder 2. The auxiliary piston 47 is biased downwardly by a spring 49, and the contacts 29 and 38 are closed only when this piston is in its lowest position. As soon as the movable member 7 of valve device V is de pressed to cause a reverse movement of the switch, fluid pressure is admitted to the auxiliary cylinder 48 and this pressure raises the auxiliary piston 47 and so opens contacts 29 and 38. Then when the movement of the switch is completed and valve member 7 returns to its initial position, the air in the left-hand end of cylinder 2 flows out through the exhaust port in valve device V and when the pressure is reduced to a very low value, piston 47 returns to its initial position wherein contacts 29 and 38 are closed.

The valve device V is provided with an auxiliary piston and cylinder which are similar to the corresponding parts associated with valve device V It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a pressure responsive device for each end of the main cylinder 2, which is so arranged that any pressure in the air line bet-ween the cylinder and the corresponding main valve device will interrupt the indication circuit and so will prevent completing the movement of the lever L. By this means, when an indication is received the operator is assured that the main cylinder 2 is relieved of all pressure that would tend to cause a false movement of the switch A.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 provides no protection other than that provided by the indication circuit itself. Further protection may be secured by means of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, and which apparatus constitutes the preferred form of my invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the body of the valve device V is provided with a valve chamber 51, the lower end of which is connected with the intake and exhaust ports of the valve device by a. port 55. The pipe 9 leading from the left-hand end of the main cylinder 2, is connected with the valve chamber 51 at an intermediate point in this chamber. The upper end of chamber 51 is opened to atmosphere through an exhaust port 54. The chamber 51 constitutes an auxiliary cylinder which is provided with a piston 52 biased to a depressed position by a spring 53, and when the piston is in this position the pipe 9 is disconnected from port 55 and is connected with atmosphere through the exhaust port 54. When the movable member 7 of valve device V is depressed, fluid pressure enters the lower end of chamber 51 and immediately raises piston 52 to such position that pressure is supplied to the pipe 9 and so to the lefthand end of the main cylinder 2. This upward movement of piston 52 opens the indication contacts 29 and 38. lVhen the movement of the railway switch has been completed and valve member 7 is restored to its initial position, the left hand end of main cylinder 2 is opened to atmosphere through exhaust port 10, and when the pressure is reduced to a certain value piston 52 returns to its initial position, so that the left-hand end of cylinder 2 is then open to atmosphere through port 54, and is disconnected from the intake and exhaust ports of the valve device V Contacts 29 and 38 do not close until piston 52 reaches such position that cylinder 2 is opened to atmosphere through port 54.

The normal valve device V is provided with auxiliary apparatus which is similar to the apparatus associated with the reverse valve device V It will be observed that in the form of my invention shown in Fig. 2 a by-pass valve is located between each main valve and the cylinder 2, and that this by-pass valve is operated when air passes from the main valve toward the cylinder, but is not responsive to pressure of the exhaust from the main cylinder toward the main valve. This by-pass valve relieves the main valve from the duty of carrying the exhaust air, and gives the operator a definite indication that both ends of the main cylinder 2 are opened to atmosphere at the completion of each movement of the lever L.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that "arious 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 switch having normal and reverse positions, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with the switch, a source of fluid pressure, a normal and a reverse valve for the two ends of said cylinder respectively each biased to one position wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with atmosphere and movable to a second position wherein it connects the coresponding end of the cylinder with said source of fluid pressure, a normal and a reverse magnet for said normal and reverse valves and each arranged when energized to move the corresponding valve to said second position, a lever having normal and reverse positionsas well as normal indicating and reverse indicating positions, means controlled by said lever and said switch for energizing said normal magnet when the lever is in normal indicating position and the switch is not in normal position and for deenergizing said normal magnet when the switch reaches the normal position, means controlled by said lever and said switch for energizing said reverse magnet when the lever is in reverse indicating position and the switch is not in reverse position and for deenergizing said reverse magnet when the switch reaches the reverse position, a normal indication device for locking said lever in normal indicating position when moving toward normal position, a reverse indication device for locking said lever in reverse indicating position when moving toward reverse position, means operatively connected with said switch for releasing said normal or said reverse indication device according as the switch is in normal or reverse position, and means for preventing release of either of said indication devices unless the pressure in each end of said cylinder is below a given valve.

2. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, a cylin der, a piston movable thereinand operatively connected with the switch, a source of fluid pressure, a normal and a reverse valve for the two ends of said cylinder respectively each biased to one position wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with atmosphere and movable to a second position wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with said source of fluid pressure, a normal and a reverse magnet for said normal and reverse valves and each arranged when energized to move the corresponding valve to said second position, a lever having normal and reverse positions as well asnormal indicating and reverse indicating positions, means controlled by said lever and said switch for energizing said normal magnet when the lever is in normal indicating position and the switch is not in normal position and fordeenergizingsaid normal magnetwhen the switch reaches the normal position, means controlled bysaid lever and said switch for energizing said reverse magnet when the lever is in reverse indicating position and the'switch is not in reverse position and for deenergizing said reverse magnet when the switch reaches the reverse position, indication means for looking said lever in normal indicating and reverse indicating positions, and means for controlling said indication means by the 130 sitions of said switch and by the pressure in each end of said cylinder.

3. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with the switch, a source of fluid pressure, a normal and a reverse valve for the two ends of said cylinder respectively each biased to one position wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with atmosphere and movable to a second position wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with said source of fluid pressure, a normal and a reverse magnet for said normal and reverse valves and each arranged when energized to move the corresponding valve to said second position, a lever for controlling said magnets, indication apparatus controlled by the positions ofsaid piston for locking and releasing said lever, and means for preventing said apparatus from releasing said lever unless the pressure in each end of said cylinder is below a given value.

4. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with said switch, means for admitting fluid pressure to one end or the other of said cylinder to move said switch and for releasing said pressure after the switch has been moved, a lever for controlling said means, and indication means for said lever controlled by the positions of said piston and effective to indicate a movement of the switch only after the release of fluid pressure has occurred. 7

5. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with said switch, means for admitting fluid pressure to one end or the other of said cylinder, a lever for con- 7 trolling said means, indication apparatus controlled by the positions of said piston for locking and releasing said lever, and means for preventing said indication apparatus from releasing said lever unless the pressure in each end of said cylinder is below a given value.

6. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder and operatively connected with the switch, two valves for admitting fluid pressure to the two ends of said cylinder respectively, a lever for controlling said valves, indication apparatus governed by the positions of said piston for locking and releasing said lever, and pressure responsive'means located between each valve and the corresponding end of the cylinder for controlling said indication apparatus.

7. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder and operatively connected with the switch, two valves for admitting fluid pressure to the two ends of said cylinder respectively, a

lever for controlling said valves, indication apparatus governed by the positions of said piston for locking and releasing said lever, and means located in the connection between each valve and the corresponding end of the cylinder and responsive to the fluid pressure in such connections for also controlling said indication apparatus.

8. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder and operatively connected with the switch, two valves for admitting fluid pressure to the two ends of said cylinder respectively, pressure responsive means located between each valve and the corresponding end of the cylinder, and indication apparatus controlled by said means.

9. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with said switch, means for admitting fluid pressure to one end or the other of said cylinder to move said switch and for releasing such pressure after the switch has been moved, and indication means controlled by the pressure in each end of said cylinder and eflective to indicate amovement of the switch only after the release of pressure has occurred.

10. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with said switch, means for admitting fluid pressure to one end or the other of said cylinder to move said switch and for releasing such pressure after the switch has been moved, and indication means controlled by the positions or said piston and efiective to indicate a movement of the switch only after the release of pressure has occurred.

11. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with said switch, means for admitting fluid pressure to one end or the other of said cylinder, movable members responsive to the pressure in each end of said cylinder, a contact actuated by each member and closed only when the pressure in the corresponding end of the cylinder is below a given value, and indication apparatus controlled by said contacts.

12. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a piston movable therein and operatively connected with said switch, means for admitting fluid pressure to one end or the other or" said cylinder, a lever for controlling said means, movable members responsive to the pressure in each end of said cylinder, a contact actuated by each member and closed only when the pressure in the corresponding end of the cylinder is below a given value, and indication apparatus for said lever controlled by said contacts.

13. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a main piston movable in the cylinder for actuating the switch, a valve chamber for each end of said cylinder, a two-way valve for each chamber biased to one position wherein it connects the chamber with atmosphere and movable to a second position wherein it connects the chamber with a source of fluid pressure, an auxiliary piston in each chamber biased to one position wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with atmosphere and movable to a second position by a given pressure in the chamber wherein it connects the corresponding end oi": the cylinder with the chamber, a lever for governing said valves, and indication apparatus for said lever con trolled by the positions of said main piston and of said auxiliary pistons.

14. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a main piston movable in the cyl inder for actuating the switch, a valve chamber for each end of said cylinder, a two-way valve for each chamber biased to one position wherein it connects the chamber with atmosphere and movable to a second position wherein it connects the chamber with a source of fluid pressure, an auxiliary piston in each chamber biased to one position wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with atmosphere and movable to a second position by a given pressure in the chamber wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with the chamber, a lever for governing said valves, indication apparatus controlled by the positions of said main piston for locking and releasing said lever, and means controlled by said auxiliary pistons for preventing release of said lever unless both auxiliary pistons are in the positions to which they are biased.

15. In combination, a railway switch, a cylinder, a main piston movable in the cylinder for actuating the switch, a valve chamber for each end of said cylinder, a two-way valve for each chamber biased to one position wherein it connects the chamber with atmosphere and movable to a second position wherein it connects the chamber with a source of fluid pressure, an auxiliary piston in each chamber biased to one position wherein it connects the corresponding end or" the cylinder with atmosphere and movable to a second position by a given pressure in the chamber wherein it connects the corresponding end of the cylinder with the chamber, and indication apparatus controlled by the positions of said auxiliary pistons.

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

CHARLES 1V. DUNHAM.

Witnesses:

A. HERMAN WEGNER, D. S. GUsERvrrz.

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