US1739613A - Mine-hoist signal system and switch - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1929.

M. W. RUSSEY MINE HOIST SIGNAL SYSTEM AND SWITCH mmm/ Filed May'27. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet M. W. RUSSEY MINE HOIST SIGNAL SYSTEM AND SWITCH Dec. 17, 1929.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27. 1924 JMW@ wimax? Dec. 17, 1929. M. w. RUssEY MINE HOIST SIGNAL SYSTEM AND SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 27, 1924 haer/Z271 gm, M MM d@ Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MERRELL IV. RUSSEY, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, .ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES SMELTING, REFINING &; MINING COMPANY, 0F PORTLAND, IIIAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE MINE-HOIST SIGNAL SYSTEMy AND SWITCH Appncanon mea May 27,

The cage moving signals should be given only by the cage tender as otherwise confusion and serious accidents may occur and in some.

systems provision is made for preventing the accidental operation of the moving signal switches by ignorant or unauthorized persons. y l

y With the present system a single switch at each `level is used to operate both the cage calling and cage moving signals. Normally the switch when operated gives the calling signals and means is connected with each i switch which is under the` exclusive control of the cage tender and by which he may cut that switch4 out of the callcircuit and include it temporarily in the moving signal circuit' so that when he operates it, it will give the moving signals to the. engineer in the hoist room. The signal switch is preferably a pull switch normally in the calling circuit and connected with an auxiliary switch, preferably a jack and plug switch located at the lend of the main switch pull, which includes the main switch inthe call circuit and cuts it out of the moving signal circuit when the plug is out and cuts it out of the callingl circuit and includes it in the moving signal circuit when the plug is in. lith this construction the plug of the auxiliary switch may be attached to the belt of a cage tender so that it will be conveniently at hand whenever it is to be inserted into the jack and thus connect the main switch to operate the cage moving signals. If for any reason the cage tender neglects to withdraw the plug or in oase the car starts before he has time to remove the plug after finishing his signal to the engineer, the flexible pull of the main pull switch merely swings into line with 1924. `seran Nofneass.

the attachment toA his belt and the plug is automatically pulled from the switch by the movement of the cage and the main switch thus automatically restored to normal action so that it will sound call signals when operated. This form of main and auxiliary switch may be used with advantage even in systems in which separate switches are used for the call Vand cage moving signals since it will effectively guard against unauthorized and improperoperation of the moving signals and at the `same time will avoid danger of injury tothe cage tender.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic `view showing a mine hoist signal system embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a main signaling and auxiliary switch; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a det-ail on a somewhat larger scale showing the arrangement of the contact fingers of the main and auxiliary switches and indicating the wiring connecting the lingers; Fig. 5 is a plan view on line 5 5, Fig. 4, indicatingy the mannerin which the main switch is connected with vthe supply conductor through which the yelectric current is supplied and with the conductors of the cage calling and cage moving signalV circuits; Fig. 6 is a View on line 6 6 of 4, showing thecontacts of the plug and jack auxiliary switch with the plug removed; and Fig. 7.is a similar view with the pluginserted.

In the diagram shown in Figure 1, 2 indicates the cage or one of the cages adapted to be raised and lowered in the shaft of a mine through a hoisting .cable 4 which is connected with a hoisting engine in the hoist room at the head of the shaft. 1 At each station er level oi' the shaft a signaling pull switch 6 is installed in position where it may be conveniently reached by the cage/tenderV without leavingthe cage. The switch is connected through a wire 8 with the conductor 10 through which the electric current is supplied as through a transformer or battery 12 which is grounded at 14. The switch is also connected through the wire 16 with the conductor y13 of the. call signal circuit and through the moving signal circuit. The conductor 18 oi the call circuit is connected at each level or station with a call signal 24, each of which is grounded as at 26 and are thus connected in parallel in the circuit and are each sounded when the switch is operated to send the electric current through the conductor 18. The call circuit may also and usually will have a signal 24 located inthe hoist room to indicate to the engineer thatthe cage is wanted at a given level or for a given purpose indicated by the signals. The cage `movingsignal circuit is connected with a'signal 28 in the hoist room and is grounded at80 so that when any switch 6 is operated to send the electric current through the conductor 22, the'cage moving signal will fbe operated in the hoistroom.

Each switch 6 is normally connected so that'it is Ainthe callcircuitand is cut out-0f the cage moving signalfcircuit and operation ot the switch at any station-orfvleveloperates the'call signals to indicatefthat the' cage is wanted aty afgiven station'. The cage tender carries a specialplug 82 'whichhe may'` insert in the jacl184 of anauxiliary aclrand-plug switch which ifs-carried by the lower end of the pull36` through which the main switch is operated when he wishes fto signal'the engineerto move the cage. Insertion `of the plug cuts the niain-switclicut of the callcircuit and includes it in thefcage moving signal circuit so thatlthe cage tender may operate the.

switch to signal the engineer. After the cage tender has given the signal'he removes the plug troi'nfthe auxiliary switch, thus cutting it out of the cage .moving signalcircuit and restoring ititofther cagecalling circuit. The plug may, as indicated, kbe attached to the belt olfthe cage tender andy ifhe. neglects to remove it, the iiexible pull 86 willmerely swing upwardor downward into `positien to Vpermit the movement ofy the cage to withdraw the plugf-without danger to' thezrcage tender. As only thecage tender allowed tocarry one ofthe special plugs, it is practically impossible for vanyone else to give the signal to move the cage.

The construction ofthe main land auxiliary switches and thednanner in' which they are connectedfwith the current' supply conductor andconductors ot' thcicage calling and cage moving signal.- circuits isillustrated in Figures'2 to'.. T he main :switch Ais enclosed within" afhousing 38 andlcomprises a lower contact" linger blockv 40` carrying the contact fingers 42,144, 46 and 48-and the upper contact finger.` block. 50 carryingl the contact lingers 52, 54,56and1'58. The lower block is secured onthe plate which closes the lower end 01"' the casing andthe upper block is secured to a flange 62on theupper end et a tubular switchrod 64v which extends down tliroughfthe block 40 and down through a spring'socket` 66'carried by the plate 60. The

` switch rod-is lheld normally inraised position with the contact lingers on the upper block out of engagement with the contact lingers on the lower block by a spring 68 within the socket 66 and engaging a flange 70 which is welded to the rod. The rod is held from rotation by guide pins 72 engaging notches in the flange 70. A hose pipe or other ilexible tube 74 is secured to the lower end of the switch rod 64 and forms a-flexible'pull by which the rod may be operated to engage the contact fingers oit the switch, the fingers being innnediatelyV disengaged by the expansion ot the spring when the pull is released. The auxiliary switchcarried within a housing 7 6 is attached to the lower end of the hose or tube 74 by means of a tube 78 secured in the upper end of the housing and projecting into the lower end of the hose. The auxiliary switch which is of the jack and plug type comprises a contact finger block 8O mounted within the housing 76 and carrying two pairs of spring contact ingers 82, 84 and 86, 88, and a plug key 90 adapted to pass through a hole inthe block 80. The contact fingers 82, 84 are normally in contact while the pair ot. contact iingers 86, 88 are out otcontact and spaced apart. The block is provided with a` sleeve o'lA insulating material 92 which, when the plug is inserted, passes between the contacts 82, 84 and disengages and separates them and is also provided with a metallic collar 9.4 which, whenthe plug is inserted, engages the pair of contacts 86, 88 and thus brings-them into electrical connection.

The lower contacts 42, 44 of the main switch are provided with binding screws 96 which they are connected to the wire 8 leading from the supply conductor 10. The lower contact 46 is provided with a bindingl screw 98 by.

which itLis connected to the wire 16 leading to the conductor 18 of the call circuit and the lower contact 48 is provided with a binding screw 1GO by whichit is connected to the wire 20 leading to the conductor 22 ot the cage moving signal circuit. The upper contacts 52, 54 which engage the supply contacts 42, 44 are connected by binding nuts 102 with the upper. endsot a wire 1.04, the lower ends of which are 'connected by binding screws 106 with the spring contacts and 86 ot' the auxiliary switch. The upper contact 56 which engages the call contact 46 is connected by a binding nut 108 with the upper end ot a wire 110, the lower end otwhich is connected by binding screw 112 with the spring contact finger 84 ot the auxiliary switch. The upper contact 58 which engages the cage moving signal Contact 48 is connected by a binding nut 114 with the upper end ot a wire 116, the lower end of which is connected by a binding' screw 1 8 to the spring eo.- Lact finger 88 of the auxiliary switch. The wires connecting the upper contacts oilv the main switch and the spring contacts etr the auxiliary switch pass down through the hollow rod 64, flexible pipe 74, and hollow tube 7 8 of the main switch pull.

Under normal conditions with the plug 90 of the auxiliary switch withdrawn, the main switch is in the call circuit since the spring contact fingers 82 and 84 are in engagement, and is cut out of the 'cage moving signal cir-` cuit since the spring contact fingers 86, 88 are out of engagement andbreak the circuit at this point when the main switch is operated to bring its two sets of' contact fingers Upon engagement of the` ycontacts of the main switch, the electric curinto engagement.

rent flows from the supply wire 8 through contacts 42, 44 and 52, 54, through the wire 104, contact fingers 82, 84, wire 110, contacts 46, 56, and through wire. 16 tothe conductor 18 of the call circuit so thatthe call signals are operated at the different stations. When the cage tender inserts his key plug 90 into the jack of the auxiliary switch, the spring contact fingers 82, 84 are separated and electrically disengaged, thus cutting the main switch out of the call circuit while the spring contact fingers 86 and 88 are electrically connected, thus bringing the main switch into the cage moving signal circuit. Now when the cage tender operates the main switch to bring its contact lingersr into engagement, the current flows from the supply wire 8 through the contacts 42, 52 and 44, 54 and through the,

i wire 104 to the contact 86, thence through the metallic sleeve 94 to the contact 88 from which it flows up through the wire 116 to the contact`58 and thenceI through the contact 48 and through the wire 2O to the conductor 22 of the cage moving signal circuit so that the cage moving signal is operated in the hoist room. switch is returned to normal condition in the call circuit and is cut out of the cage moving signal circuit.

The switch may be provided with a flash signal in the form of an electric lamp indicated at 120 and wired to flash each time the switch is operated to close the cage moving signal circuit. The front of the switch casing is provided with a window 122 through which the flash signal is visible to the tender and indicates to him that the switch is operating properly.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with its application to a single compartment shaft in which a single cage operates, it can be readily applied to multiple compartment shafts by the installation of additional switches connected to the supply conductor and controlling the supply of current to additional call and cage moving signal circuits.

Vhat is claimed is:

1. A mine hoist signal systemcomprising a cage call circuit, a cage moving signal circuit, a manually operable signal switch at each levelnormally in the call circuit, and

Vhen the plug isr removed, the mainv cluding it in the cage moving signal circuit.

3. A mine hoist signal system comprising a cage call circuit, a cage moving signal circuit, a signal pull switch at each level and Va jack and plug auxiliary switch for each signal switch, means connecting the signal switch and the jack and plug switch to inc-lude the signal switch in the call circuit and cut it out of the cage moving signal circuit when the plug is out and to include the signal switch in the cage moving signal circuit and to cut it out of the call circuit when the plug is in.

4. A mine hoist signal system comprising a cage call circuit, a cage moving signal circuit, a signal switch at each level, having a switch pulito actuate it, a jack and plug switch at the end of the switch pull, means connecting the signal switch and the jack and plug switch to include the signal switch in the callcircuit and cut it out of the cage moving signal circuit when the plug is out and to include the signal switch in the cage moving signal circuit and to cut it out of the call circuit when the plug is in. r

5. A mine hoist signal system comprising a cage call circuit, a cage moving signal circuit, a signal switch at each level normally disconnected from the cage moving signal circuit, means including `a jack and plug for connecting the signal switch with the cage moving signal circuit, and flexible meaiisfor supporting the jack to permit the plug, if' moving with the cage, to be withdrawn by the movement of the cage.

G. A mine hoist signal system comprising a cage call circuit, a cage moving signal circuit, a signal switch at each level having a switch pull to actua-te it, an auxiliary jack and plug switch at the end of the signal switch pull, and electrical connections between the signal switch and the jack and plug switch to include the signal switch in the circuit when the plug is in `and to cut it out of the circuit when the plug is out. y

7. A signal switch comprising a main switch having a pair of relatively movable contacts, an auxiliary plug and ack switch having a pair of contacts which are closed when the plug` is out and open when the plug is in, an electrical connection between one of the contacts of the main switch and one of the contacts of the auxiliary switch, an additional Contact for the auxiliary switch which is` out of engagement with the first named contacts thereof, and means for electrically connecting the additional contact of 'the auxiliary switch with said electrical connection between the main switch and the auX- iliary switch when the plug is in.

8. A signal switch organization compris ing a main switch includinga set of four stationary and aI set of four cooperating movable contacts, pull means for moving said movable contacts into engagement with said stationary contacts, an auxiliary plug andl jack switch at the end of pull means including a set of normally closedfcontact-s and a set or' normally open contacts, a plurality of conductors in said pull, one connecting two of said movable contacts of said main switch witlrone contact of. each of said sets of contacts of said plug switch, one connecting the other of said normally closed contacts to the third movable contacts of the main switch and one connecting the other of said normally open contacts of said plug switch to the fourth movable contact.

9. The combination with a supply conductor and'two separate circuit conductors of a signal switch comprising a main switch having contacts connected with said conductors, normally disengaged cooperating contacts, a pull for engaging the two sets of contacts, an auxiliary switch at the end of the pull comprising a pair of normally engaged contacts, connections between said contacts and the contacts of the main switch which cooperate with a supply contact and one of the circuit contacts, a pair of normally disengaged contacts, connect-ions between Said contacts and the contacts of the main switch which cooperate with a supply contact and the other circuit contactand a plug key for separating the normally engaged contacts and electrically connectingv the normally disengaged contacts.

l0. In a signal switch the combination with a supply conductoro'f a main switch con,- nected therewith, an auxiliary plug and jack switch having a pair of contacts which are closed when the plug is out and open when the plug is in, anda second pair of contacts which are open when the plug is out and closed when the plug is in, an electrical connection between one of the contacts of each pair and the main switch, and a pair of separate conductors one connected to the other contact ot the first pair and the other conductor connected to the other Contact of the second pair.

M. W. RUSSEY.

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