US1436711A - Directionally-controlled block-signal system - Google Patents

Description

R. J. HEWETT. omscnomuv commouwelocx SIGNAL SYSTE APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, I921. 1,4,36,71 I. x Patented Nov. 28, 1922 2 SHEETS-SHEET -H. J. HEWETT. "";DI RECT|0NALLY CONTROLLED BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM.

1 V APPLICATION FLLED MAYZB. i921. #136,711; r v. Patenm Nov. 28, 1922.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 3 K I I 0/ ATTORNEY-3.,

Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

HTE il .TtES.

ROBERT J. HEWETT, WESTFIELD, NET/V JERSEY.

DIRECTIONALLY-CONTRQLLED BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Application filed May 28,

ative to set all the signals in one direction to stop for absolute control of tra-fiic in that direction when a train enters the stretch of track in the opposite direction, and stick relays to break this overlap and render the circuits operative for permissive control of .traftic in that direction as a train proceeds in the permitted direction. The stick relay in thatsystem is normally energized and is deenergized by closing a shunt circuit controlled by the track relay and the signal for the particular block, such deenergization resulting in the closing of an auxiliary circuit which effective to incapacitate the overlap control. The restoring circuit for the stick relay is controlled by the line relay and signal conjointly, being closed when the line rel ay is energized and before the signal moves from its stop position.

()ne of the objects of this invention is to simplify the circuit arrangement for the stick circuit in such a system. Another ob-- this way the overlap control of the line circults is broken only by a train moving .in

the direction controlled by the signals, while the stick relays retain the overlap control for absolute setting of those signals by a train moving in the opposite direction.

Other features of my invention Will be 1921. Serial no. 473,2e7.

more particularly referred to in the description of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings,

Figs. 1 and 2 are diagrams of a circuit arrangement illustrating my invention and are to be taken together, the latter being a continuation on the right of the former.

The stretch of single track between the two sidings TV and X shown in the drawings is divided into block'sect-ions T 9, T T T 3, T, T and T and trafiic through this stretch is controlled by east bound signals 10, 12, 14 and 16 and by west bound signals 9, ll, 13 and 15. Each track section is provided With a track relay designated by the letter R- followed by the number of the block section. Each signal is controlled by a polarized line relay designated by the letter L followed by the number of the sig: nal. The signals are shown as three position signals, and the circuits controlling them are of the usual type for governing three position semaphore signals. In other words, the line circuit for a given line relay is connected to a pole changer operated by the next signal in advance. This line circuit also includes a contact closer .under: the control of the line relay for the signal next in advance. This is the overlap control, it being apparent that when the line relay in advance is deenergized it will, by dropping the contact closer, break the line circuit for the signal in rear. In this Way the deenergizing of a line relay at one end of the block will cause all the line relays for the signals in the direction opposite to that in which the train enters, to be deenergized, and the signals controlling trailic in the opposite direction are thereby all set to'stop position for the absolute control of trafiic in the direction opposite to. that in which the controlling train entered the stretch of track.

In order that these line circuits may operate to control traiiic passing through the stretch of track in the direction governed by the signals controlled by these line circuits, stick relay is provided for each signal, which is designated by the letter S followed by the number of the signal, and this stick relay is normally energized and operates when deenergized to close an auxiliary or branch circuit around the circuit closer controlled by the line relay, or in other words, to break the overlap control.

The line circuit arrangement is similar to that illustrated in my Patent #1,362,994 above mentioned. Referring to line relay L for instance, the circuit may be traced as follows: relay L wire 20, circuit controller 21 of track relay R wire 22, circuit controller 23 of west bound stick relay S wire 24, circuit controller 25 of track relay R wire 26 to circuit controller 27 of stick relay S Wire 28, circuit controller 29 of line relay L wires 30 and 31, positive pole changer P, wires 32, 33 and 344,, battery B wires 35 and 36 and negative pole changer N to the common wire indicated throughout the drawings by the heavy line back to relay L Thus it is seen that the line circuit is controlled by the track relays for track sections '1 and T and by the stick relay for west bound signal 11, and also by the line relay for the signal 12 so long as the stick relay S is energized and the circuit closer 27 is against its front stop. If the stick relay S be deenergized, the circuit closer 27 engages the back contact 37, and this line circuit then proceeds from the contact closer 27 to the wire 38 and thence to the wire 31, the circuit closer 29 being eliminated from the circuit. The line circuit for relay L may be traced in precisely the same way, being controlled by track relays R and R and by stick relay S and also by line relay L if stick relay S be energized. Similarly it will be seen that the circuit for line relay L is controlled by track relays R and R and by stick relay S, but since signal 14 is the last absolute signal at that end of the stretch of track, the line circuit for track relay L is not controlled by line relay L but by track relay B only through contact 25, passing thence directly to the pole changer of signal 16.

It will now be seen that if a west bound train enters track section T track relay R drops its circuit closer 25 which breaks the line circuit for relay L That relay then drops the circuit closer 29 of the overlap control and thus breaks the line circuit for line relay L, which in turn drops its circuit closer 29 and breaks the line circuit for relay L All of the signals governing east bound trafiic are thereby put to stop.

The line circuits for the line relays L L, L and L for west bound signals 9, 11, 13 and 15 may be traced in a similar manner from which it will be seen that the entrance of an east bound train upon track section T will set all of the west bound signals to stop.

The signal motor circuits: are controlled by circuit closers 81 and 87 of the respective line relays, the former beinga neutral con tact closer while the latter is polarized. In other words the contact closer 81 is closed both for a normal and reverse polarity of the current of the line relay and the contact closer 87 is closed by a normal polarity and opened by a reverse polarity of the current. This operation will be further described in connection with the operation of the stick relays.

Referring for example to east bound stick relay S at signal 10, the control circuit for this stick relay is as follows: From battery 13 positive wire 32, wire 40, stick relay S wire 42, contact 43, wire 44, wire 45, contact 46 of circuit controller C which is operated by signal 10 and normally closed when signal 10 is in its clear position, wire wire 85 and negative wire 34, 33 to battery B In multiple with contact 46 of circuit controller C, is another circuit controlled by contact 50 of track relay R as follows: From wire 44, wire 49, contact 50, wire 51 to negative wire 33. Since contacts 46 and 50 are in multiple, both must be opened in order to deenergize stick relay S After being deenergized stick relay S will open its stick circuit contact 43 and this will prevent it from being again energized except by the restoring circuit which is as follows: From battery B positive wire 32, wire 40, stick relay S wire 52, contact 53 of line relay L, restoring wire 54, restoring segment 55 of circuit controller C as it passes over segment 55, wire 85, negative wires 34, 33 to battery B East bound stick relay S can be deenergized by an east bound train movement only, and not by a west bound train movement. For this reason circuit controller C is provided also with a contact 48 for the stop position of the signal 10, and contacts 46 and 48 are connected by wire 47. When signal 10 is put to its stop position by the entrance of a west bound train into the track section, the stick circuit of stick relay S will be held closed through the engagement of the circuit controller C with contact 48 even when the west bound train enters track section T and deenergizes track relay R and thus breaks contact 50. In order to break the stick circuit of stick relay S, the contact 50 must be broken while the circuit closer (1 is out of engagement with both contacts 46 and 48. This can only be effected by the entrance of an east bound train into track sec-tion T The complete operation of the system for an east bound train movement may now be explained as follows: The entry of the east bound train into track section T will deenergize track relay R which by opening its contact 21 will deenergize line relay L and this by opening its contact 81 will cause signal 10 to move towards its stop position which causes its circuit controller 0 to open its contact 46, and contact 50 of track relay B being also open east bound stick relay 3 will be deenergized and this by opening its front contact 25 cuts off contact 27 of track relay R which is the overlap control for station signal 8, not shown, and

by closing its back contact 37 connects the control circuit for signal 8 direct to the pole changer. PN which now being reversedsignal 10 being at stop, will cause signal 8 to give the indication. its signal 10 moves downward its circuit controller (1 will make an intermittent or passing contact with restoring segment 55, this however is not now effective since stick relay S Was deenergized as soon as circuit controller C opened its contact 46, and since contact 53 is now open. When signal 10 is in its stop position and itscircuit controller C closes its contact 48 the circuit for stick relay 8 is still held open since its stick circuit con tact 43 was opened soon as circuit controller C opened its contact 46.

The entry of the east bound train into tracksection T having deenerpgized track relay R it will open its contact 65 and put West boundsigi'ial ll to stop and its circuit controller C will then close its contact 48 which Will hold West bound stick relay S energized While the east bound train is passing through track sections T and T This holding circuit is now as tollr rs: From battery B positive Wire 74, Wire 40, stick relay S Wire 4'2, contact 4.3, Wire A, Wire a5, Wirea'Z, contact 1-8 of circuit controller C wvire 85, negative Wire 7'6 7 to battery B Vi est bound stick relay S is thereby held normally energized by the stop position of circuit controller C While the east bound train is passing through track sections T and T.

The movement of the east bound train through the block, track sections T and T, will therefore deenergize east bound stick relay S but Will hold West bound stick relay i l in its normally energized con dition.

When the east bound train clears out of track section. T track relay R will be energized and this by closing); its contactfii. will energize line relay L and this by closing its contact Si in the motor circuit will clear West bound signal 11 and put circuit controller C normal which will open contact t8 and close contact all. During the movement of circuit controller C from contact i8 to contact 4 6 it will be seen that this part of the holdingcircuit will be open; the closed condition of contact of track relay R will, lioivever hold the holding circuit closed and hold West bound stick relay 3 energized during this interval,

The closed condition of contact 525 of track relay R will close the control circuit tor east bound signal 10 and its line relay L will be energized and by closing contact 81 Will clear signal 10 to its 4-5 position. The train being new in track section T signal 112 will be at stop and its pole changer PN being; reversed Will cause battery B to deliver a negative current to line relay L can which throws its polar contact 8''? to the open tact the Will be ch positive wire wire a0, stick relay 8,

Wire 52, contact 58 of line relay L wire 54,

segment of circuit controller C Wire 85, and n ative Wires 37in tobattery B Rest 'ing segment should be of suflicient length to enable stick relay El to be safely energized. After being restored to its normal energized condition stick relay S Will be held energized by its stick circuit includ- 111;; Contact 43-? as has been explained.

'ihe absolute or through control of the West bound signals is effected by the repeat in g arrangement of the line controlled relays and circuits above (.iescribed. il hen an east bound train enters track section T track relay R opening its contact opens the line control circuit, tor West bound line relay L at signal 11 Which will be deenerand iis by opening its contact 69 Will opei the not. West bound line control circuit for .VGSi] bound line relay L at signal 13 which Will be deenergized and by opening its contact will open the next ivest bound line control circuit for West bound line relay L at West bound absolute signal 15. All West bound signals 11, 13 and 15 are thereby put to stop and this sets the block against West bound train movements a As the east bound train moves along through the bloc; it Will deeneij'gize each east bound stick relay in rotation which prevents the east bound absolute control :l'roiii being effective in the rear of the east bound and provides for the permissive movement of a'ili'olloiving east bound trai as has been exploited. As the cast bound train clears away y no each West bound signal that signal will be cleared to lts 90 position as has been shown for West bound signal 11. in describing the operation ot east bound stick relay S at absolute signal 10 it has been shown that the purpose of said stick relay 5, and its front contact 25 and back contact 37' is to cut oil the overlap con trol tor east bound station signal 8 which s1 'nal correspondsto east bound station signal 16 at passing siding X. This arrangeinent oi. the stick relay applies only at an absolute signal as shown. it all other intermediate signals as 14: the east bound stick relays 53 and are arranged as follows:

trate:

ll hen the east bound train enters track section T at 1% stick relay 5 will 1e same'way as at absolute signal its front contact 27 will cut taking stick relay S to illusi astolloivs: From battery B chan er Ph of east bound signal 12.

oil the east bound absolute control contact 29 of east bound line relay L and its back contact 37 will connect the line control circuit for absolute signal direct to the pole The circuit will be follows: From line control relay L wire 20, Contact 21 or" track relay R line wire 22, contact 23, oi west bound stick relay S wire 2%, contact of track relay R wire 26, back contact 3'? of east bound stick relay S and wire 38 direct to pole changer Phi of east bound signal 12. The presence of the east bound train in track section T causes east bound signal 1.2 to be its stop position and its pole changer PN will thereby be reversed which will deliver negative current from battery B to east bound line relay L at absolute signal 10 and this will reverse the polarity of line relay L and throw its polar contact 87 to its open position which will permit signal 10 to display the r5 indication only.

When the east bound train clears out of track section T at west bound signal 13 east bound line relay L will be revere elf, energized, closing contact 81 opening contact 87, signal 12 will move to ca .tion or position, and stick relay S will be returned to its normal conditior while pole changer PN of signal 12 will deliver a current of normal or. positive polarity to line relay L at signal 10 and this will cause its polar contact 87 to be thrown to its closed position which will clear signal 10 to its 90 position.

l/Vhen the east bound train enters track section T at signal 14: which is the last signal in the directionally controlled stretch of road the operation or east bound stick relay S will be the same as stick relay S.

It will be noted, as above pointed out, that at each east bound stick relay, S and S the second contact 63 controls the line control circuit for the opposite or bound signal. That is stick relay E5 by its contact 63 controls west bound control circuit for signal 11; stick relay S by its contact 63 controls west bound control circuit for signal 13 and stick relay S by its contact 68 controls west bound control circuit for signal 15. This is a standard requirement in the design of signal circuits and insures the safe operation of the circuits. If a stick relay should fail to be restored to its normal condition its contact 53 will hold open the opposite control circuit and hold the opposite signals at stop.

For a west bound train movement the on cuits and signals and their operation are the same but progressive west bound in sucoessive order from west bound absolute signal 15 at passingsioing X to west bound station signal 9 at pi ssing siding N.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction and circuit arrangement shown in the drawings and above particularly described withln the principle and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch of single track divided into block sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality of signals along the trackway, for controlling traific in one direction and including one at each end and an intermediate signal, a line relay in 0011- trol of each signal, normally overlapping .i circuits in control of the line relays for absolute control or the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in the opposite direction, and a stick relay operative when the train enters the intermediate block in the direction controlled by the signals to incapacitate the control of the line circuit for the signal to the rear by the line circuit of the intermediate signal, the stick circuit of said stick relay including contacts controlled in parallel by the track relay and signal of he intermediate block, respectively.

in a directionally controlled block sigl a stretch of single track divided sections, a track relay for each section, a plurality ofsignals along aclrway for controlling traific in one on and including one at each end and =ediate signal, a line relay in conrol of each signal, normally overlapping line circuits in control of the line relays for absolute control or the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in the opposite direction, and a. normally energized stick relay operative when deenergized to incapacitate the control of the line circuit for 1' mil to the rear by the line circuit of re intermediate signal, the stick circuit of aic stick relay including contacts controlled 2 'allel by the track relay and signal of the itermediate block, respectively.

3. in a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch of single track divided into block sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality of signals along the tra-ckway for controlling trafiic in one direction and including one at each end and an intermediate signal, a linerelay in control oi each signal, normally overlapping line circuits in control of the line relays for absolute control of the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in the opposite direction, normally energized relay operative when deenergized to incapacitate the control of the line circuit for the signal to the rear by the line circuit of the inter- :iate signal, means controlled by the 1 k relay oi the the intermediate block for deenergizing the normally energized relay, and means controlled by the intermediate signal for preventing the deenergizing action of the said track relay when the intermediate signal is in either the clear or stop position.

i. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch of single track divided. into block sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality of signals along the track my for controlling traiiic in one direction and including one at each end and an intermediate signal, a line relay in control of each signal, normally overlapping line circuits in control oi the line relays itor absolute control of the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in the opposite direction, a normally energized relay operative when deenergized to incapacitate the control of the line circuit for the signal to the rear by the line circuit of the intermediate signal, means controlled by the coaction of the track relay of the intermediate block and of the intermediate signal to deenergize the normally energized relay when the track relay is deenergized and the signal is intermediate of its clear and stop positions and means controlled by the line relay of said signal for reenergizing said normally energized relay when the said signal is in said intermediate position.

5. In a directionally controlled block sig nal system, a stretch of single track. divided into block sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality of signals along the trackway for controlling traliic in one direction and including one at each end and an intermediate signal, a line relay in control of each signal, normally overlapping line circuits in control of the line relays for absolute control of the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in the opposite direction, a normally energized stick relay operative when deenergized to incapacitate the control of the line circuit for the signal to the rear by the line circuit of the intermediate signal, said stick relay having, its stick circuit controlled in parallel by the track relay and signal of the intermediate block, and means controlled by the line relay of the intermediate signal and by the intermediate signal operative to restore the stick relay -When the said signal is intermediate its clear and stop positions 6. In a directionally controlled bloc-l nal system, a stretch of single track divided. into block sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality of signals along the track way, a line relay in control of each signal, normally closed overlapping line circuits controlling said line relays, a normally energized stick relay operative when deenergized to incapacitate the control by one line circuit of the line circuit in the rear, a circuit closer for the stick circuit of said relay controlled by the track relay of the said advance block and operative to be closed when the block is unoccupied, and a second circuit closer for the tic , signal. normally close stick circuit in multiple with the first circuit closer and operated by the signal for said advance block to be closed when the signal is in either its clear or stop posi- 2; and to be open when the signal is in ucrmediate position,

7, In a. directionally controlled block sig nal system, a stretch oi-single track divided with block SQCLlOllS, a track relay for each bloclr section, :1 plurality oi signals along the track way, a line relay in control of each d overlapping line circults controlling said llilG relays, a normally energized stick relay operative when deenergized to incapacitate the control by one line circuit of the line circuit in the rear, and a circuit closer for the stick circuit of said relay operated by the signal for the advance block to be closed when the signal either in its clear or stop positions.

8. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch of single track divided with block sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality of signals along the track way, a line relay in control of each signal, normally closed overlapping line circuits con rolling said. line relays, a normally ene zed stick relay operative when denergized to incapacitate the control by one line circuit of the line circuit in the ream a circuit closer for the stick circuit of said relay controlled by the track relay of the said advance block and. operative to be closed when the block is unoccupied, a sec- 0nd circuit closer for the stick circuit in multiple with the first circuit closer and operated by the signal, "for said advance block to be closed when the signal is in either its clear or stop positions and to be opened when the signal in an intermediate posi* tion, and a restoring circuit for said stick relay operative to reenergize the relay when the said signal is in an intermediate position and. the said advance block is unoccupied.

traclr re ay for each i 7 Y of ials along the track way, i line rela in conn-ol of each signal, normally closed overlapping line circuits controlling sai d line relays, a normally energized stick relay operativewhen deener gized to incapacitate the control by one. line circuit of the line circuit in the rear, a circuit closer -tor the stick circuit of said. relay operated by the signal tor the advance block to be closed when the signal is either in its clear or stop positions, and a restoring circuit for said stick relay operative to reenergize the relay when the said signal is in an intermediate position and the said advance block is unoccupied.

10. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch of single track divided LOO llO

into block sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality of signals along the track Way, a line relay in control of each signal, normally closed overlapping line circuits controlling said line relays, a

normally energized stick relay operative when de-energized to incapacitate the 0011- trol by one line circuit or the line circuit in the rear, a circuit closer for the stick circuit of said relay controlled by the track relay of the said advance block and opera tive to be closed when the block is unoccupied, a second circuit closer for the stick circuit in multiple With the first circuit i.,ase,71 1

advance block to be closed when the signal is in either its clear or stop positions and to be open When the signal is in an inter mediate position, and a restoring circuit for the said stick relay controlled by the line relay 01 said advance block and the circuit closer for said signal, said restoring circuit being arranged to be closed When'the said signal is in an intermediate position and the line relay is energized.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

ROBERT J. HEVVETT.

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