US1545001A - Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1925.

R. A. M CANN RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed May 16. 1923 INVENTOR 2 H-Q. ATTORNEY Patented July 7, 1925.

UNITE- STARS P'ATENT ()F'EIGE.

RONALD A. McC-ANN, OF. SWISSVAL E, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO THE- UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY,-- OF SWISSVALE, -lENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF .IPENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-TRAFFIC-CONTR-OLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed May'16;1923. Serial N0u639}336- 7 '0 all tUl'L-O'flb it may concern Be it known that I, RONALD A; MCCANN, a citizen of the United States,- residing at Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful ln'iprovements in Railway-lratiic-Gontrollmg Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railway trafiic controlling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus of the type comprising train carried governing means controlled by energy received from the trackway. More particularly, my invention relates to the track-' way portion of such apparatus.

1 will describe two forms and arrangements of railway traffic controlling apparatus embed m in invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

in the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a diagrammatic view showing one form of.

apparatus en'ihodyinp my invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing one modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and also e1nbodymg my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in both views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference characters 1 and l designate the track rails of a railway over which tra-flic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. These track rails are divided by means of insulated joints 2 into a plurality ofsuccessive track sections AB,' B-C, etc. Each such section is'provided with a source of track circuit current which comprises, as shown in the drawing, a track transformer designated by thereference char-actor T with an exponent corresponding to the location and having its secondary 7 connected across the rails adjacent tho'exit end of the section and its primary 8 constantly supplied withalternatirrc current from a generator N over line wires 3. interposed between each track transformer T and one rail 1 of the asso eiated section is an impedance 9, one function of which is to limit the output of the transformer when its terminals are short cireluted by the wheels and axles of a train. Each section is further provided with a track relay designated by the reference character R with an exponent corresponding to the loca ion, and provided with two windings 10 and 11. One winding 10 of each track relay R is constantly connected across the rails adjacent :the entrance end of the associated section. Each track section is thus provided with a track circuitwhich comprises the=sec0ndary of a. trackitramsformer '1, a winding 10 of. a track' relay R and the two rails of the sectionein series.

Means are also providecl fon supplying-to the rails inparal'lehof; each section. an alternating current which I' sh'allu hereinafter term a: local current. For this purpose each section: is providedwithan impedance connected across thetra'ils adi acentthe' entrance end of' the section, a similar impedance 6 connected across the rails adjacent the-exit end of the section, and arthirdsimilar impedance 5 connected aorossthe. rails at an intermediate point in the section. The local current for each section-- iszxsuip-plied from a locail transformer designated by the reference character E Withzan'exponent corresponding to the locationyand the primary windi n51 26 of=each-local transformer: is corn stant'ly supplied with alternating: current from a line transformer'desi'ginated; by the reference character M nith amexponent corresponding to the location. Each-such: line transformer M 18 constantly supplied with alternating current over liner wires 3fr.om

the "generator N.

Referring particularly to section AB,

- one-local circuit :passes from: secondary 27 of: local -transforiner' E through front point of contact 12 of'track relay R wire 13, impedance 6 in section A-.B, through both rails in parallelto impedance 4, thence through wire 14,-win.ding 11 0f track relay R wire lfnand front pointof-contact 16 of track relay R, to seco-ndary27of' transformer E 'lhiszcirciuit is closed'only when track relay R rsrenergrzed When this re- Hil normal relative polarity) from the entrance end to the exit end of the section, or of the other relative polarity (which I shall term reverse relative polarity) between the entrance end and an intermediate point in the section, depending upon whether the track relay for the section next in advance is energized or deenergized. Under either of these conditions, however, it will be noticed that winding 11 of the track relay for the associated section is included in the local circuit. Each track relay is so designed that for the relay to become energized in such manner as to close its front contacts, both windings 10 and 11 must be energized. It will then be plain that each track relay will be energized only when its associated section is supplied with track circuit current and also with local current.

Located adjacent the entrance end of each section is a signal designated by the reference character S with an exponent corresponding to the location, and each of which signals, in the form here shown, is of the three-position semaphor type capable of indicating stop, caution and proceed. Each signal is provided with a circuit controller designated by the reference character J with the same exponent as that applied to the signal. Each signal is also provided with a caution circuit which is closed only when the associated track relay is energized. Considering signal S, for example, this circuit passes from the secondary winding of transformer M through wire 18, front contact 19 of track relay R wire 20, operating" mechanism of signal S and wire 21 back to transformer M Each signal is also pro vided with a proceed circuit which is closed only when the associated track relay is en ergized and the signal next in advance in die-ates proceed or caution. Considering signal S, for example, the proceed circuit passes from the secondary of transformer M through wire 23, contact 24 of circuit controller J operated by signal s wire 25, front contact 28 of track relay R wire 29, operating mechanism of signal S and wires 21 and 22 back to transformer M Before explaining the operation of the apparatus it should be understood that the trackway apparatus herein shown and de scribed is capable of co-op-eration with traincarried governing apparatus in the following manner: When the train occupies a stretch of track which is supplied with track circuit current and with local current of normal relative polarity, the govern ing apparatus gives a proceed indication on the train: when the train is on a stretch of track which is supplied with local current and also with track circuit current the rela tive polarity of either of which is reversed, the governing apparatus give a caution indication; and when the train occupies a stretch of track to which the supply of either local current or track circuit current is for any reason discontinued, the governing apparatus gives a stop indication.

As shown in the drawing, the parts of the apparatus are in normal positions, that is, the positions they occupy when not influenced by the presence of a train or trains. Under these circumstances each track sec tion is supplied throughout its length with track circuit current and with local current of normal relative polarity. All track relays R are, therefore, energized and each of the signals S displays a proceed indication.

I will now assume that a train occupies the section to the right of point C. The consequent shunting of winding 10 of track rclay R causes this relay to become de-energized, thus allowing signal S to display a stop indication, thereby opening contact 24: of signal. circuit controller J The closing of the back contacts of relay R causes local current of reverse relative polarity to be supplied to the rails of section BC between inipedances 4 and 5. Relay R is therefore energized and signal S displays a caution indication, its proceed circuit having been opened by circuit controller J Local current of normal relative polarity is supplied to section AB between impedances 4. and 6 and signal S is at proceed. The section to the left of point A is supplied with track circuit current and local current of normal relative polarity in a manner similar to section A--ll. t is clear that a second train moving in the direction of the arrow will receive a proceed llldltfib tion until it reaches point B. Between point v and impedance 5 in section B--C, the train will receive a caution indication due to the reversal of the local current in this portion of track. Between impedance 5 and point C, the train will receive a stop indication as a result of the interruption of local current in this portion of track, and this stop indication will, continue from point. C as far as the train which is occupying the section to the right of C, because of the absence of track circuit current in this portion of track.

It will be observed that if for any reason the local circuit of a section is broken so that the supply of local current to that section is interrupted, the associated track relay R is tie-energized and the signal controlled there by is therefore allowed to display a stop indication. This control renders it impossible for a signal to display a proceed or caution indication unless the corresponding local and track circuit currents are being supplied to the section which it governs. Another advantage of this arrangement of apparatus is that if there exists in the rails a foreign local current which tends to counof circuit controller/L operated by signal mmom teract the normal local-current, and it the magnitude of this foreign current is sutiicicnt to render unreliable the operation of the governing mechanism byneducing the ettcctive local current, this reduction will also operate to (lo-energize the associated track relay andwill tl'ierehyplace the corresponding signal at. stop.

Referring now to Fig. 2,'eachtrack relay It comprises only one Winding 10;ancl this winding is constantly connected across the rails adjacent. the entrance end of" the associated section. Each such relay is responsive to reversals in the relative polarity of the current supplied thereto. The primary 8 of each tach transformer 'P is supplied with alternating current of one relative po passes from secondary winding 27 of local" transformer E through wire 30. contact tin--41? of circuit controller L ope 'ated by signal S. wire 31, impedance 6 of section B. through both, rails of the sect-ion in parallel to impedance wire 32', winding of relay K. and wire 233 back to t ranstormr E. This circuit is closed when signal-*9 is at; proceed or aution. under which conditions l: .Jl current of normal relative polarity is supplied to the rails of section A -B throughout, their ength. Vhen ,signahS displays a stop indication the closing of contact SE -3t) of signal. circuit controller L completes a second local circuit and current lows from secondary 27ot' local trans former ll" through wire. 30, contact 6 5%, wire impedance 5 in sectiou.i\-B, through both rails in parallel to impedance 4. wire 32. wind ng oF relay K". and wire 33.

back to transformer E thus sup ilying local current ot reverse relative polarity to that portion of section A n which lies l)h\V01l impcdances l and It will he noted that each of these local circuits includes the auxiliary relay K llach signal S is controlled by the associated track relay R and auxiliary relay K.

Referring particuhn'ly to section B-C audsignalv for governing trattic therethrough, when signal S indicates .caution or prol. track circuit current of one relative ccc-z maritr, which I shall ter1 n.uo1:!nal. relathe polarity is supplied to the rails of sew Associated with each sec-- tio1=r-B- C. "Relay R is therefore energized in the normal direction aml'current flows from the secondary of line trans'tiormer ll". through wires 3G-and 3:7, trout. contact 38 ot relay-K wire 39, normal contact of relay R wire -11, operating mechanism signal S 1 wire 43, normal contact of relay'lW. wire 45, front conta t- 46 'of relay K and wire 47 back to the secondary of transformer M thus causing signal S to display a proceed in di'cation. The caution circuit for signal S is also controlled by relay K and passes from the secondary of line transformer M l througlr wires 36 and 37. front contact 3d relay l twire 42 operating mechanism Signahtd", wire 4:3, reverse contact "24- o track relay R. wire 4-1 trout. contact of relay K and wire 47 back to the secondary of transtormer M. This circuit closed only when relay K is energized and relay R is energized in the reverse direct ion under which condition signal 9:" displays a caution indication. It is clear that the. failure of the local circuit for a section will die-energize the associated relay K and :ause the associated signal to display a stop indi cation.

"Brains. passing through the stretch of track shown in Fig. 2 are governed in precisely the same manner as explained in cou nection with Fig. l. with the single cxceg tion that the caution indication is caused in Fig; 2 by reversing the relative polarity of the-track circuit current. whereas this accomplished in Fig, lby reversing the relative polarity of the local current.

.tl't-hough I have herein shown and sle-- scribed only two terms of railway trattic controlling a 'rp-aratus embodying my invcut toil it is miderstood that various changes and modifications may he made therein with n the scope of the appended claims without departiug'from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention wha I claim is:

1. Railway tratlic controllii'ig apparatus comprising a section of railway track. sigual for said section tor at times displaying a more restrictive indication, means t'or supplying local currentto the rails of said section in parallel; and m ans for causing said signal todisplay a less restrictive indi cation only when such means is operative.

In combination. a sectionot railway track, means for supplying an alternating of relay K, wire 3%), reverse contact H) t t current to the rails=of said section in parallel. a signal for said section and meau for causing said signal to display a restricti-veindication when suchsupply is interrupted.

3. In combination. a section of railway track, a signal tor said section responsive to traliic conditions in said section, means tor supplying an alternating current to the rails of said section in parallel, and means for causing said signal to display a restrictive indication when said supply is interrupted.

4. In combination, a section of railway track, a track circuit for said section including the rails of said section in series, a signal for said section controlled by said track circuit, an auxiliary circuit including the rails oi said section in parallel, and means for operating said signal only when said auxiliary circuit is complete.

In combination, a section of railway track, a source of track circuit current for said section. a track relay for said section, a signal controlled by said track relay, an auxiliary circuit including the rails of said section in parallel, and means for operating said signal only when said auxiliary circuit is complete.

6. In combination, a section of railway track. a signal for said section for at. times displaying one indication, means for causing said signal to display a different indication when said section is occupied by a train, means for supplying a current to the rails of said section in parallel, and means for causing said signal, to display said different indication when such supply is ineffective, irrespective of traflic conditions in said section.

7. In combination, a section of railway track. means for supplying the rails \of said section with track circuit and also with local current which traverses the rails of the section in parallel, and traclcway signaling means controlled jointly by said two currents.

8. In combination, a section of railway track, means for supplying said section with track circuit current, means for supplying the rails of said section in parallel with 10- cal current, a relay controlled by said two currents, and signaling means controlled by said relay.

9., In combination, a section of railway track. a local circuit including at least one rail of said section, a track circuit for said section, a relay having two windings one included in each said circuit, and signaling means controlled by said relay.

10. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, a relay for each section having two windings, means responsive to traffic conditions in each section for supplying one winding of the associated relay with track circuit current, means controlled by each such relay for supplying local current to the track rails of the section next in rear, and to the remaining winding of the relay associated with such section, and traffic controlling apparatus controlled by each said relay.

11. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, a relay for each section having two windings, means responsive to traffic conditions in each section for supplying one winding of the associated relay with track circuit current, means controlled by each such relay for supplying local current to the track rails of the section next in rear and to the remaining winding of the relay associated with such section, a signal ,for each section biased to give a more restrictive indication, and means for causing each such signal to display a less restrictive indication only when both windings of the associated track relay are energized.

12. In combination, a section of railway track, a relay for said section, a track circuit for said section including one winding of said relay, two local circuits for supplying the track rails of said section with local current of one or the other relative polarity, respectively, a second winding of said relay included in both said local circuits, and trafiic controlling apparatus controlled by said relay.

13. In combination, a section of railway track, a plurality of local circuits for said section each including a portion of at least one rail of the section. a relay included in all said local circuits and traflic controlling means controlled by said relay.

14. In combination, a section of railway track, means for supplying train controlling current to the rails of said section in parallel, and a signal for said section controlled in part by said train controlling current.

15. In combination, a section of railway track, means for supplying train controlling current to the rails of said section in parallel, and means for giving a stop indication to a train approaching said section in the event of abnormal reduction of said train controlling current.

16. In combination, a section of railway track, a track circuit for said section including a source of alternating current and a track relay having a track winding and a local winding, a local circuit for said local winding including the rails of the section in multiple and a source of alternating current, and means controlled bv traflic condi tions in advance of said section for reversing the instantaneous relative polarity of the currents in said two circuits.

17. In combination, a section of railway track, a track circuit for said section including a source of alternating current and a track relay having a. track winding and a local winding, and means controlled by traffic conditions in advance of said section for supplying alternating current of one instantaneous relative polarity or the other to the local winding of said relay and to the track rails of the section in multiple.

18. In combination, a section of railway track, a relay for said section having a track winding and a local winding, means for supplying alternating track circuit current to the track winding of said relay, means for supplying alternating local current to the local winding of said relay and to the rails of said section in multiple, and means governed by traflic conditions in advance of said section for reversing the instantaneous relative polarity of said currents.

19. In combination, a section of railway track, a relay for said section having, two co-operating windings, means for supplying alternating current to one winding: of said relay, means for supplying another alternating current to the other winding of said relay and to the rails of said section in multiple, and means governed by traffic conditions in advance of said section for reversing the instantaneous relative polarity of said currents.

20. In combination, a section of railway track, a relay for said section having two co-operating windings, means for supplying an alternating current to one Winding of said relay, and means controlled by traflic conditions in advance of said section for supplying alternating current of one instan taneous relative polarity or the other to the other winding of said relay and to the two rails of said section in multiple.

21. I11 combination, a section of railway track, arelay for said section having two co-operatingr windings, means for supplying one alternating current to one winding of said relay, and means controlled by tratlic conditions in advance of said section for supplying another alternating current to the other winding of said relay and to the rails of the section in multiple and for reversing the instantaneous relative polarity of such second current.

22. In combination, a section of railway track, means for applying an alternating difference of potential across the rails of said section, a relay having two windings one of which is connected across the rails of said section, and means for applying a second alternating difference of potential of one relative polarity or the other along the rails of said section and to the second winding of said relay.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RONALD A. MCUAN

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