US1581606A - Electrically-operated switch - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1926. 1,581,606

S. S. 'STOLP ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SWITCH Filed Nov.- 15,- 1923 2 sheets-sheet 1 S WI/EL 6. (STOLP) V I A April 20, 1926.

S. S. STOLP ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SWITCH -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 15 1923 5431141 LS. 5701 v Patent-ed Apr. 20, 1926.

SAMUEL S. STOLP, 0F MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIG'NORTO THE OHIO BRASS COMPANY, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED SWITCH.

Application filed November 15, 1923. Serial No. 674,810.

" for operating switches and has particular reference to a system for operating a track switch at the will of the car operator by what is known as the power on or power off systen'i, but my invention may also be used for operating other devices such as signals, indicators, counters, etc.

As my invention is primarily intended to be used in the operation of a track switch, my description of a preferred system embodying my invention will be confined to one for such use.

it is well known that the track switch tongue can be electrically operated to a straight ahead or curve position, at will,

as desired by the operator oi a moving car, depending upon whether he operates the system with power on or power of? the motors oi? the car, as systems for such operation of the track switch are old and well known.

Such systems, however, are defective, in that they do not meet all the requirements of a system of this class and it is the object of my invention to overcome such detects.

Some oi the objectsof my invention are (a) To provide a system which will work power on and power oil the motors of the car to throw the track switch in either of two directions as desired by the car operator.

(b) To provide a system in which current is supplied thereto for an assured predetermined period of time after the system has been put into operation by the moving car and regardless of the position of the car thereafter with respect to the system.

(c) To prevent a second operation of the switch after it has beeninitially set in operation by the operator of a car. Some systems permit a false operation of the switch by the operator of the car which has positioned the switch, but this false operation my system overcomes.

(d) To insure the breaking of any destructive arcs required in operating the system at relay contacts and not at the'trolley wheel or current collector.

(e) To increase the reliability of the system working properly upon initial operation with power oil? when the current flowing in the auxiliary car circuits may approach close to the minimum current which will operate the system with power on.

(f) To provide a system which cannot be operated by a car following the first car until: the first car has passed the track switch.

(g) To provide a system in which certain coils which are liable to be burned out due to prolonged application of current, will be protected against such injury.

(h) To produce a system which will accomplish the results desired with a minimum member of elements, circuits, etc. arranged in a simple combination and which will be eiiicient and reliable in operation.

With the attainment of these ends and the 'ZICCOIIlPllSllJIlQIltS of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features 01 construction, combination of parts, and in the unique relations and disposition of the parts herein more fully de scribed and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings which illustrate the embodiment of my invention, and in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of some of the circuits on an electrically operated car, together with its trolley pole T and current collector W] and by means of which the switch operating system may be controlled by the car operator. F 2 is a diagrammatic drawing showing the various switches, operating coils, contact pan, trolley wire and circuits which Iemploy in one embodiment of my invention and showing the various parts in their normal relation, that is, when the system is not cooperating with a car to move the track switch.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic drawing showing the relation of the various parts at the instant when the current collector on the car has engaged the contact pan P with power off.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic drawing showing the relation of the parts at the instant when the collector engages the pan P with power on.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of the parts after a predetermined time after the collector W has engaged the pan P with power on or power ofi.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic drawing showing the relation of the various parts under normal conditions when combined with an additional pan P whereby the system is rendered inoperative during the passage of a car from the pan P until it engages the pan P.

There are a number of circuits 011 an elec- O trlcally operated car, see Fig. 1, which receive their current from the collector W and which have a bearing upon the operationot the system. There may be several circuits, which I will term auxiliary circuits, namely, a heater circuit H, a light circuit L, an air compressor circuit A and possibly others. All of these circuits, however, are distinct from the circuit for operating the motors M which move the car and which are controlled by the controller C. The current collector W engages the trolley wire and is secured to and electrically connected to the car as a rule. by a trolley pole T to which the various circuits are connected and all circuits also have a ground connection G. .The current flowing through the car motors M when the controller is turned to the on position, is as a rule, large as compared with the current which will flow through one or more of the circuits H, L, A, etc. but there are conditions in which the summation of the current flowing through the auxiliary circuits may approach closely to the current flowing through the motors.

In the so-called power on and power off system of track switch operation the system depends for its operation upon the car operator throwing his controller to the oii position or the on position, that is, it he passes the contact pan P with his controller at the otf position the track switch tongue will be thrown to the straight ahead position it it is not already in that position, and it he moves his controller to the power on position the track switch tongue will be moved to the curve position if it is not already in that position. Therefore, it will be seen that since the current flowing through the auxiliary circuits are free to flow regardless of whether the controller C is at the power on or power off position, that it the current flowmg through the auxiliary circuits is equal to the current flowing through the motors that the power on and power off system cannot be used as the switch tongue would always be thrown to the curve position when the car passed the pan unless some means was provided for reducing or cutting out the auxiliary current at the time the car passed the pan if it was intended to take the straight ahead track. However, such con-- ditions are very remote, but there are conditions where the auxiliary current and the current passing through the motors required to operate the track switch to one position may approach each other sufliciently close to endanger the proper operation of the track switch when it is desired to take the straight ahead position, and as will be later explained, it is one of the objects of: my invention to provide a means for in creasing the reliability of proper operation of the track switch'under such conditions.

In the preferred system embodying my invention I employ in connection with the trolley wire 1 a contact pan P provided with two parallel contact elements 2 and 3 insulated from each other. The contact pan is mounted upon the trolley wire in such a manner that the trolley wire is continuous, but is not engaged by the current collector TV while the collector is in engagement with the pan. The elements 2 and 3 are so positioned that they may be bridged by the collector TV as the member passes under the pan P or stands in engagement therewith.

I also employ a selector switch A provided with coils 4 and 5 mounted upon a core of soft iron or steel and having a switch arm 6 which is free to engage the terminals 7 or 8 as later explained, but normally engaging terminal 7. The coil 1 is usually of very low resistance as it comprises a few turns of very heavy wire having one terminal connected to the trolley wire 1 by the conductor 9, and the other terminal connected to the contact element 3 by means of the conductors 10 and 11. The winding of the coil 4: is so adjusted that the arm 6 will be moved into engagement with the terminal 8 only when the car operator sets his controller at a power on position.

The switch tongue 12, which is positioned in the track and which causes the car to take a straight ahead or curve direction, is operated by means of the reciprocating motor S provided with two solenoids 13 and 14 within which is a plunger connected to the tongue 12 and which so operates that when the solenoid 18 is energized the tongue 12 is moved to a straight ahead position, as in Fig. 8, and when the solenoid 14 is energized the switch tongue is moved to the curve position, as in Fig. 2. One terminal 01": the solenoid 13 is connected to the terminal 7 by the conductor 15, and one terminal of the solenoid 1 1 is connected to the terminal 8, with the coil 5 interposed, by the conductors 16 and 17, and the other terminal of each solenoid is connected to the ground G through the common conductor 18.

When a current sufficient to operate the solenoid 14 is flowing therethrough, the same current flows through the coil 5, energizes the coil 5 and the arm 6 is picked up and held in engagement with the terminal 8 so long as current flows through the coil 5 and solenoid 1 1.

The switch arm 6 is electrically connected to the contact member 2 by means of the conductor 19, terminal 27, switch arm 20, conductor 21, coil 22 and conductors 23 and 24. It will be seen that whenever current is flowing through either solenoid 13 or 14: the current will flow through the coil 22 of the electrically operated switch B, and when the coil 22is energized the switch arm 25 will be moved .into engagement with the terminal 26. The switch arm20 is normally in engagement with the terminal 27 thereby normally closing the circuit between the pan P and the solenoid 13.

lVhenever the collector W is in engage- .ment with the members 2 and 3 the solenoid 13 or 14L will be energized, as there is then a circuit from the trolley wire through the solenoid 13 or 1 1 to ground, depending upon whether the switch arm (3 is in engagement with the terminal 7 or 8, respectively, and the normal engagement of the switch arm (5 with the terminal 7 continues or the arm moves into engagement with the terminal 8, depending upon whether the car operator passes the pan P with power oil or power 011 respectively.

As the solenoids 13 and 1 1 are not wound to withstand a continued flow of current for an indefinite time and would, therefore, be burned out by a prolonged flow of current and in order to open the circuit leading to these solenoids to prevent their burning out and also to prevent operation of the tongue 12 in a wrong direction after a predetermined lapse of time, I provide means for not only holding the armature 20 of the switch C normally closed, but also provide means for opening the switch after a predetermined lapse of time. This I accomplish by mounting two coils 28 and 29 upon a soft iron or steel core whereby the movement of the arm 20 is controlled when either one or both of the coils 28 or 29 are energized. One terminal of the coil 28 I connect to the source of power, as to the conductor 11 by means of the conductor 30, or it may be connected directly to the conductor 9 or preferably to the trolley wire 1, and the other terminal of the coil 28 is connected to the conductor 19 by means of the conductor 31 which then provides a ground therefor through the solenoid 13.

One terminal of the coil 29 is connected to the circuit leading to the contact member 2, as for instance, to the switch arm 20 by the conductor 32 and the other terminal is connected to the conductor 19 through the connection 31 thereby providing a ground for the coil 29 by way of the solenoid 13. It will. be seen that when the contacts 2 and 3 are not bridged by the collector IV that current will flow from the trolley wire 1 to the ground through the elements 9, 4, 10, 30, 28, 31, 19, 6, 7, 15, 13 and 18 thereby energizing the coil 28 and magnetizing the core thereof and drawing the arm 20 into engagement with the terminal 27. Whenever the contracts 2 ant 3 are bridged by the collector W, and the car operator turns his controller to the power off position, current will flow from the trolley wire 1 through the elements 9, 4, 10, 11, a, W, 2, 2 1, 23, 22,21, 20, 27, 19, 6, 7, 15, 13, 18 to ground. This current will energize the coil 22 thereby attracting the arm 25 the function of which will be explained later, and the current will also energize the solenoid 13 thereby drawing the tongue 12 to the straight ahead position as shown in Fig. 3.

As soon as the operating current flows through the circuit just described the element 19 is in electrical connection with the trolley wire land there will be but little diti erence of potential across the coil 28 as it will be short circuited, so to speak, by the circuit composed of the elements 11., 3, W, 2, 2 1, 23, 22, 21, 20 and 19. This short circuit of the coil 28 will practically prevent the flow out current through the coil 28 and alter the coil 28 has been tie-energized sufficiently, the arm 20 will drop out of en gagen'ient with the terminal 27.

So far as the system thus far described is concerned, soon as the arm 20 opens the circuit the current would again be free to flow through the coil 28 and immediately pick up the arm whereupon the engagement of the arm 20 with the terminal 27 would again short circuit the coil 28 and the arm would again drop. This operation would be repeated as long as the collector IV engaged the cont actors 2 and 3. This alternate opening and closing of the arm 20 with the terminal 27 I prevent by the use of the coil 29 which is mounted upon the same core with the coil 28 and wound to energize the core equal to that of coil 28, but in the re verse direction, thereby neutralizing the energizing ettect ot the coil 28 when both coils are energized.

It will be noted that the coil 29 is short circuited by the arm 20 when in engagement with the-terminal 27, the same as coil 28, therefore, when the coil 28 is short c-ircuited, as already sp-lained, the coil 29 is also short circuited and the current flowing through either coil will be negligible and the arm 20 will drop. However, as soon as the arm 20 drops the short circuit is removed from both coils 28 and 29 and current will flow through each so long as the arm 20 is out of engagement with the terminal 27 and there is current in the circuit leading from the when the circuit leading from the contact 2 through the conductor 24, etc. is energized and the arm 20 engages the terminal 27 that coils 28 and 29 are short circuited and, therefore, the arm 20 is free to drop. As soon, however, as the arm 20 disengages the terminal 27 and there is current in the circuit leading from contact 2, both coils 28 and 29 will be energized in opposite directions and will, therefore, neutralize each other and the arm 20 will remain in an open position. As soon, however, as the contact 2 is disconnected from the source of power, after the arm 20 is open, current will ceaseto flow through the coil 29, but will continue to flow through the coil 28 and the arm 20 will be picked up, returning the system thus far explained to its normal operating condition.

It is desirable, however, that the arm shall not open the circuit from the contact 2 to the track switch T until after the current flowing to the track switch T has had sullicient opportunity to properly energize the solenoids 13 or 14 to a sufficientdegrce to operate the switch tongue 12. In order to accomplish this, the switch G is provided with a time lag in opening so that the arm 20 will not drop immediately upon the coils 28 and 29 becoming short circuited. This time lag in the opening of the arm 20 may be accomplished in various ways, as for instance, a heavy copper sleeve 33 may be mounted upon the core of the switch C and the relation of the arm 20 with respect to the core may be varied so that the arm 20 which is of magnetic material may contact with the core or it may be spaced therefrom. If the arm contacts with the core the residual magnetism will tend to hold the arm 20 in engagement with the terminal 27 longer than though the arm 20 did not engage the core, but was spaced a slight distance therefrom, or other means such as the well known dash-pot may be used.

If the car operator should pass the pan P with his controller turned to the power on position, as soon as the collector W engages with the contacts 2 and 3, a heavy current, will flow from the trolley 1 through the elements 9, 4, 10, 11, 3, and then to ground through the controller and motors on the car and at the same time the current will also be carried from the contact 3 to the contact 2 through the collector 1V and from there on through the circuit 24, etc. as already explained. The heavy current flowing through the coil 4 will pick up the arm 6 into engagement with the terminal 8 and as soon as this occurs current will flow from the contact 2 through the circuit 24, etc. coil 5 and the solenoid 14 to ground (see Fig. 4). This current will energize the solenoid 14 and the switch tongue 12 will be moved to the curve position, and it will also energize the coil 5 which will assist the coil 4 in holding the arm 6 in a raised position.

If for any reason while intentionally passing the pan P with the controller set to power on, the car operator should unintentionally turn his controller to power off before the collector has left the pan P the arm 6 will. still be held in a raised position due to the current flowing from the contactor 2, circuits 24, etc. coil 5 and solenoid 14 to ground even though the current is not flowing through the coil 4 due to the car operator turning his controller to the power off position. The coil 5, which I term a holding coil, prevents the movement of the switch tongue to a straight ahead position if the car operator should engage the pan P with power on and unintentionally throw his controller to power off before he has passed the pan P or before the arm 20 has dropped.

The coil 4 is wound with a few turns of very heavy wire to carry a large current and is, therefore, of very low resistance. The coil 5 is wound with merely suflicient ampere turns to hold the arm 6 in araised position. The solenoids 13 and 14 are wound with a large number of turns in order to secure a sufficient energization with possibly six to 10 amperes flowing therethrough to insure positive movement of the switch tongue 12. The coils 28 and 29 are wound with a very large number of turns and the resistance may run as much as 10,000 ohms or more, therefore, the current flowing through these coils will be small and will not energize the coils 4, 5, 13 or 14. As thus far explained, my system is substan tially a duplicate of that disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 623,703, filed March 8, 1923, with the exception that the copending application does not disclose the holding coil 5 or the switch B referred to.

It sometimes happens that the car operator will pass the pan P with his controller set to power on or power off at such a rate of speed that the collector V will have engaged and passed over the pan P before the solenoids 13 or 14 can be brought up to a sulficient saturation point to move the switch tongue 12. It also happens that a car operator may engage the pan P with his controller intentionally set for power off, but before the switch 20 can operate to open its circuit the operator has unintentionally thrown the controller to power on which would then move the switch tongue in the wrong direction. It also often happens that the current collector will pass off the pan P before the arm 20 has opened the circuit to the solenoids 13 or 14 and while they are still drawing current, and this will cause a quite vicious arc between'the pan P and the collector W. It is advisable to eliminate all these defects and to do so in the system as thus far described, I employ a simple means for correcting all these defects.

I employ for this purpose an electrically operated switch B provided with the operating coil 22 mounted upon a core in series with the operating circuit from the pan to the track switch. The said core when energized attracts a switch arm 25 which engages with a terminal 26 which in turn is connected to the trolley wire by means of the conductor 3%. llhe terminal 26 may, however, if desired, be connected to the conductor 9. The switch arm 25 is connected to the conductors 23 and 2% as indicated at X. It will be seen that I have provided a circuit from the trolley wire to the conductors 23 and 21 when the arm 25 is closed and the closing of the arm 25 will take place the instant the collector engages the contacts 2 and 3, as a circuit is then established from the trolley wire 1 across the pan through the conductors 24; and 30, the coil 22 and conductors 21, etc. to the ground G. hen this circuit is established the coil 22 is ener gized, closing the arm 25. As soon as the arm 25 closes current is then free to flow from the trolley wire 1 through the elements 34, 26, 25, S5, 25, 22, 21, etc. to ground G. It will be evident that if the collector after engaging the pan, thereby closing the arm 25, should pass off of the pan before the arm 20 should open, that current would flow through the system from the trolley wire 1 by way of the conductor 3 1, etc. and would do so until the switch G had performed its function of dropping the arm 20 after a predetermined time after the collector had engaged the pan. It will be seen that I have provided means for energizing the solenoids 13 or it for the full duration of time intended for their proper operation.

The switch 13 and its connections when closed also operates to prevent a false oper: tion of the track switch by unintentionally throwing the controller to power on energizing the contact 2 directly from the trolley wire. The closing of the switch arm 25, since it connects the conductor 24 with the trolley wire 1 also connects the contact 2 with the trolley wire 1. If the car operator intentionally engages the pan with his controller set at power off and should he before the arm 20 opens and while the collector still engages the pan, unintentionally throw his controller to power on the arm 6 would not be moved into engagement with the terminal 8 for the reason that the motors would draw their current from both contacts 2 and 3 of the pan P, and as the resistance of the circuits leading from each of the two contacts to the trolley wire are very low and not far different, the coil t would be deprived of a large proportion of the current which would otherwise flow through it wit-h power on and, therefore, the ampere turns would not be sufficient to pick up the arm 6.

Again, if the speed of the car in passing the pan P either with power on or power off is such that the collector has left the pan P before the arm 20 has opened, the direct connecting of the conductors 23 and 2% with the trolley wire 1 by way of the arm 25, will prevent an are between the current collector and the pan P as the system will be drawing its operating current after the switch 25 closes by way of the conductor 34 rather than across the contacts 2 and 8 and through the conductor 24': and, therefore, there will be no breaking of the operating circuit between the pan and the collector W. The potential of the trolley wire and the con tacts 2 and 3 will be substantially the same until the switch C has opened.

The switch B and its connections also add another advantage to the system in increasing its reliability of operation under conditions, where the current flowing through the auxiliary circuits of the car approaches close to the current value which will cause the coil t to be energized to pick up the arm 6. This difference in some cases may not be very great, therefore, I so proportion the ampere turns necessary to operate the coils 4E and 22, and also so arrange the arms 6 and 25 with relation to their respective cores that the arm 25 will be raised before the arm 6 can be raised if the coil at is energized by a current equal to the maximum which is likely to flowthrough the auxiliary circuits of the car. But, the coils and arms are so related so that the arm 25 will not be raised before the arm 6 is raised if the car engages the pan P with power on, and the full normal current flowing through the car motors flows through the coil 4t. In that case the ampere turns energizing the coil 1 would be very much larger than the ampere turns normally energizing the coil 22 and the arm 6 would be raised before the arm 25 is raised.

Upon the car operator engagin the pan with power on the arm 6 is instantly raised and immediately followed by the raising of the arm 25, and this latter immediately places two paths of low resistance for the motors to draw current from the trolley wire and this would tend to de-energize the coil 4 sufficiently to possibly permit the arm 6 to drop prior to the opening of the arm 20 and hence throw the track switch to the power on position. Therefore, to prevent this the coil 5 is inserted in the circuit leading from the terminal 8 to the solenoid 14 and which is instantly energized upon the raising of the arm 6 and therefore holds the arm 6 in a raised position until the arm 20 has opened. The arm 6 would probably drop if the car operator engaging the pan P with power on should unintentionally throw his controller to power off before he had left the pan and before the arm 20 had. opened and thus the holding coil 5 would maintain the arm 6 in its raised position as initially set until the arm 20 had bpened.

Tb recapitulate the operation of my device-if. the car operator desires to move straight ahead he throws his controller to the power off position. with the intention of coasting past the pan, but instantly upon the collector engaging the pan the arm 25 will he raised and the solenoid 18 energized and the tongue 12 moved to the straight ahead position as shown in Fig. 3. If by mistake, he throws his controller to power on while still engaging the pan and before the arm 20 opens, the arm 6 cannot be changed. If he should stop with his contactor upon the pan beyond the time lag of the switch G, the arm 20 will drop, depriving the system of its operating current and prevent the burning out of the solenoid 13. Also, upon starting his car with the controller turned to power on, after having stopped with the contactor engaging the pan, he cannot change the position of the tongue 12 even though the arm 6 may be raised because the arm 20 is open.

If the car operator is desirous of taking the curve he throws his controller to the power on position as the car is about to engage the pan and upon engagement the arm 6 will be raised and immediately thereafter the arm 25 and the solenoid 14 energized thereby moving the switch tongue 12 to the curve position, all as shown in Fig. 4. Should the car operator turn his controller to power off before the con tactor has left the pan and before the arm 20 had opened the arm 6 would be maintained in a raised position until the arm 20 has opened. If by a remote chance the car operator should stop with the collector in contact with the pan, the arm 20 would open up after a predetermined time and the arms 6 and 25 would drop, thereby preventing a burning out of the solenoid 14.

Under either condition of the car 0pera tor engaging the pan with power on or power off, if he should pass over the pan at such a rate of speed that the collect-or would be out of engagement with the pan prior to the dropping of the arm 20, current would be maintained on the coils 13 or 14 until the arm 20 does drop. After the arm 20 has dropped, the system will stand as shown in Fig. 5 with the tongue 12 in either of its two positions.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the application of my system to use wit-h a double pan, one placed in advance and the other beyond the track switch and the circuits are so arranged that after the arm 20 has opened upon the system being energized by the collector en gaging the pan P, the arm 20 cannot be closed until the collector which has engaged the pan P has engaged the pan P. This modification in. my system is brought about by merely changing the connections of the coils 28 and 29 on the switch C whereby the arm 20 is caused to drop after a predetermined. time and neither of the coils can again close the switch until one of them is energized from the engagement of the collector with the pan P.

As all of the elements are substantially the same with the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, as in the other figures, the same numerals will be used throughout with the exception of those on the time switch coils and their connections. The coil 40 has one terminal connected by means of the conductor to the conductor 11, or it may be connected to the conductor 9 and the other end of the coil 40 is connected to the switch arm 20 by means of the conductor 42. Under normal conditions the switch arm being in the raised position, current will flow through the conductor 30 from the trolley through the coil 40, conductor 42, arm 20, etc. to ground thereby energizing the coil 40 and holding the arm in the raised position. As soon, however, as the collector engages the pan P the coil 40 is short circuited in a similar manner as the coil 28 in Fig. 2 and the arm 20 will drop after apredetermined length of time, as the switch G is equipped with the same time lag feature as in the other figures. The arm 20 having been once opened, it cannot be closed as current then cannot flow through the coil 40 after its connection to the ground has been broken.

To close the arm 20 and return the device to normal conditions, I employ the coil 41 which has one terminal connected to the contact 43 on the pan P by means of the conductor 44 and the other terminal of the coil 41 is connected to the conductor 19 by the conductor 45, thecontact 46 of the pan P is connected to the trolley wire by the conductor 47. It will be evident that when the collector engages the contacts 41-} and 46, current will then flow from the trolley wire 1 through the conductor 47 and from the contacts46 to 43 through the collector W, through the conductor 44, coil 41, conductor 45, to ground thereby energizing the coil 41 and picking up the arm 20, thereby returning the system to normal operation.

It will be evident that while a car is passing from the pan P and until it has passed the track switch S and has engaged the pan P, that a car following cannot operate the switch tongue.

There are modifications which will be apparent to those skilled in the art and other uses which my system can be put to than those herein specified, but I do not wish to be limited other than by my claims.

I claim:

1. In a switch operating system, the com bination of a contact pan and trolley wire, anelectrically operated track switch, control means electrically connected to the trolley wire and pan and having other circuits leading to the pan and track switch for positioning the track switch in either of two directions when the pan is engaged by a current collector with power on or power 01?, a normally closed switch to control the current to the track switch and interposed in one of the circuits leading to the control means, and means to open the normally closed switch to interrupt the current to the track switch after a predetermined lapse of time after the collector has engaged the pan and regardless of whether the collector continues to engage the pan or not and means ope ating automatically upon engagement of the current collector with the pan to in sure current to the track switch for the said predetermined time.

2. In a switch operating system, the combination of a contact pan and trolley wire, an electrically operated track switch, clectrically operated control means connected to the pan and trolley wire and having other circuits leading to the pan and track switch to operate the switch in either of two direc tions when the pan is engaged by a current collector with power on or power oil, a normally closed switch in one of the circuits leading from the control means to open the circuit after a predetermined time after the collector has engaged the pan, means toinsure current to the track switch for the said predetermined time comprising an electri cally operated switch having a coil in series with one of the circuits from the control means and being arranged to normally maintain an open circuit from the trolley wire to the circuit connected to the coil and to close the circuit when the pan is engaged by the collector.

3. In a switch operating system, the combination of a contact pan having a pair of contact members to be engaged by a current collector, a trolley wire, an electrically operated track switch, a selector switch having control means connected to one contact member and the trolley wire, circuits leading from the selector switch to the track switch, a circuit leading from the selector switch and connected to the other contact member and having included therein a coil and also an electrically operated switch to control the circuit, a switch controlled by the said coil and adapted to close a circuit from the trolley wire to the said circuitwhich includes the coil and a ground for the system, the parts arranged to operate power on or power oil' to position the track switch and to prevent current flowing to the track switch after a predetermined time after the collector engages the pan and to maintain current to the track switch for said prede termined time regardless of the position of the collector after it has initially engaged the pan.

4:. In a switch operating system, the combination 01 a pan, a trolley wire, an electrically operated switch movable in diii'er'ent directions, an electrically operated switch to control the movement oi the first said switch, circuits connecting the various parts to operate the first said switch to its proper position when the pan is engaged by at current collector with power on or power otl', one of the circuits being a normally closed path from the pan to the second said switch, means to open the said path after a predetermined lapse oi time and means to maintain current to the system during the predetermined time regardless of the position of the current collector-after engagement with the pan.

5. In a switch operating system, the combination or an electrically operated switch, electrically operated means to control the direction of movement of the switch in either of two directions, a source of power, a contact pan to be engaged by a current collector and connections forming normally closed paths between the parts such that the system operates to move the switch to one or its positions when the collector engages the pan with power off and to the other position when the pan is engaged with power on, and electrically operated means adapted to prevent the first said operating means operating to move the switch to the power on position when the collector engages the pan with power oh.

6. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch, electrically operated means to control the direction of movement oi the switch, a conductor connected to the source oi power, a contact pan to be engaged by a current collector and normally closed paths so connecting the parts that the ystem works power ou or power oil when the collector e11- the pan to move the switch in the proper direction and electrically operated means to prevent the operation of the electrically operated means after the initial engagement of the collector with the pan and while the collector engages the pan.

7. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch adapted to be moved to either of two posi tions, an electrically operated switch adapted to control a normally closed path leading to the first said switch to move it at will to either of its two positions and means to prevent the operation of the first said switch after its initial operation and while current is flowing to the first said switch.

8. In a switch operating system, the combination of a contact pan to be engaged by a current collector, a trolley wire connected to said pan, an electrically operated track switch, means for maintalmng current to the track switch for a predetermined length.

of time after the engagementof the collector with the pan to operate the switch in the desired direction, said means also operating to prevent a second operation of the switch during the said predetermined lapse of time.

9. In a switch operating system, the combination with an electrically operated track switch, a selector switch, a trolley wire and contact pan all connected and arranged to operate power on and power off the system to move the track switch to a desired position, of means to maintain current to he track switch for a predetermined time after its initial operation and to prevent a change -from said position during said predetermined time.

10. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch, circuits thereto, means to open and close one of said circuits wien the system is in use, said means so arranged that it is opened by a current collector but later closed automatically so that the system is rendered inoperative between the opening and closing of the said means and means independent of the first said means insuring the opening of the first said means by the collector regardless of whether the collector continues to engage a pan or not after its first cooperation therewith and also insures current to the track switch until the first said means opens.

11. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch, a trolley wire, a contact pan, circuit controlling means operated automatically during the movement of a car to transmit current from the trolley wire to the said switch to operate the switch in the proper direction, a normally closed electrically Operated switch cooperating with the circuit controlling means and operated automatically from the trolley wire to first open after a predetermined lapse of time and subsequently close a part of the circuit controlling means and means to maintain current to the system and to the electrically operated switch during the said lapse of time regardless of the speed ot the car.

12. In a switch operating system, the combination of a Contact pan having two contact members and to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a normally closed path from one contact member to an electrically operated switch movable in diftercnt directions at will and means controlling said path to operate the said switch in the desired direction, and means to electrically connect the said contact member and the source of power after the collector engages the pan to continue the said electrical connection for a predetermined time.

18. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch, electrically operated means to control the direction of movement of the switch in either of two directions and connected thereto, a source of power, a contact pan having two contact members and to be engaged by a current collector, a coil for controlling said operating means and connected to the source or power and one contact member, a normally closed path connecting the operating means and the other contact member and an electrically operated means for electrically connecting the source of power to the last said contact member when the pan is engaged by the current collector.

l l. In a switch operating system, the combination of a contact pan having two contact members tobe engaged by a current collector, a source of power, an electrically operated switch to be moved in different directions, depending upon the collector engaging the pan with power on or power off, a selector switch controlling a branched circuit from the pan to the said switch and having an operating coil connected to the pan and source of power, an electrically operated switclrtor connecting the selector switch direct to the source of power after the collector has engaged the pan, and an electrically operated time limit switch normally closing said circuit and arranged to remain closed after the initial engagement of the collector with the pan and for a predetermined time and to automatically open a branch of the aforesaid circuit and to maintain said branch open after said predetermined time if the collector still engages the pan and to automatically close after the collector has passed out of engagement with the pan.

15. In a switch operating system, the con'ibination ot a pan, a trolley wire, an electrically operated switch movable to ditlerent positions, an electrically operated switch to control the movement of the first said switch, circuits connecting the various parts to operate the first said switch to its proper position when the pan is engaged by a current collector with power on or power off, one off the circuits being a normally closed circuit, means to open the circuit after a predetermined lapse of time after the collector engages the pan and means compelling the opening means to operate to open the circuit regardless of the position of the collector.

16. In a switch operating system, the combination of a pan, a trolley wire, an electrically operated switch movable to (litl erent positions when the pan is engaged by a current collector with power on or power oil, a divided switch operating circuit connecting the pan and switch and having one of its branches normally connected to the pan and the other branch normally disconnected, electrically operated means for alternating the connections and disconnections of the branches with the pan and switch, a holding coil mounted on the electrically operated means and connected in series with the normally open branch circuit to hold the branch circuit closed when the collector engages the pan with power on and means controlling the circuit from the pan to the electrically operated switch to open the same after a predetermined time after the collector engages the pan and thereby (ls-energize the holding coil.

17. In a switch operating system, the combination of a contact pan, a trolley wire, an electrically operated switch, a selector switch connected to the pan and trolley wire, a normally closed path connecting the pan and selector switch and branch circuits connect ing the selector switch and first switch, electrically operated means to electrically connect the trolley wire and pan after the pan is engaged by a collector with power on or power off, an electrically operated time switch normally closing the path from the pan to the selector switch, means to compel the opening of the time switch after a predetermined time at'ter the collector engages the pan and to maintain the path open until the collector has moved over a predetermined distance and means to operate the time switch to closed position after the collector has traveled said distance.

18. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch, a switch operating circuit, a selector switch for positioning said switch and means operating prior to the operation of the selector switch to shunt out the said selector switch and render it inoperative with power first off and then applied to the motors.

19. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch throwing device, a power circuit leading to said switch throwing device, a contact pan, a switch electrically operated to a closed position and normally in that position to control said power circuit, circuits, means for opening the switch after a lapse of time after a current collector has engaged the pan and regardless of the position of the collector and means to supply current to the system during said lapse of time. regardless of the position of the current collector.

20. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch adapted to be moved to either of two positions, a contact pan, a source of power, an electrically operated switch adapted to control a normally closed path leading from the pan to the first said switch to move it at will to either of its two positions, electrically operated means to connect said path to the source of power upon engagement of the pan with a current collector in addition to the connection made by the collector engaging the pan and electrically controlled means to open said path after a predetermined time after the collector has engaged the pan regardless of its position, to cause said electrically controlled means to break the connection of said path with the source of power and to later return said path to its normal closed state.

21. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electrically operated switch, normally closed paths thereto, means operating to open one of the paths after a fixed predetermined time and to later close the same when the device is in use so that a current collector will first open the said means and later close the same and other means automatically supplying current to the system during the predetermined period of time and compelling the first said means to open after the predetermined time.

22. In a switch operating system, the combination of an electric operating switch, two contact pans, a selector switch, an electric time switch having a holding coil and a pickup coil for operating same, circuits connecting said parts so that a current collector engaging the first pan will open the time switch after a predetermined time after engagement of the pan by the collector and will close the switch when it engages the second pan and means supplying current to said system during said predetermined time and compelling the time switch to open regardless of the position of the collector.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SAMUEL S. STOLP.

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