US1806817A - Railway traffic controlling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

\ May 26, 1931. B. E. OHAGAN 1,806,817

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Filed u-g- 20. 1930 INVENTOR: BYfiia'Ha Q" I //-w ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BERNARD E. OHAGAN, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION PENNSYLVANIA 3 SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Application filed August 20, 1930, Serial No. 476,574. Renewed April 9, 1931.

My invention relates to railway tratlic controlling apparatus, and has for an ob ect the, protection of such apparatus from excessive currents that might be injurious.

'5 I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic View, showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reference character A designates a railway switch which is actuated by an electric motor M having an armature 1 and a field 2. Operatively connected with the switch is a cut-out conby a pole changer L which may be incorporated in a switch lever of an interlocking machine. The circuit controller P comprises an electromagnet 9, made up of two windings 9 and 9 and a polarized winding 10 which i is preferably provided with a permanently magnetized core 11. Pivotally attached to the core 11 is an armature 12 which is therefore polarized by flux from the permanent magnet core 11 at such times as winding 10 i is not carrying current. It follows that when the electromagnet 9 is supplied with current of one polarity, the armature 12 will. be swung in a clockwise direction, but that when currentof the opposite polarity is supplied to .33 electromagnet 9, the armature will be swung in the opposite direction. The armature 12 controls three pivoted contact yokes 13, 14 and 15 through suitable linkage in such manner that the yokes occupy their right-hand ".i ositions when the armature is swun to the left, and vice-versa.

The reference character B designates a neutral magnet which controls a pivoted armature 17, the lower end of which projects into the path of movement of a portion of armature 12 to prevent reversal of the armature 12 when the neutral magnet B is deenergized. Pivotally attached to the armature 17 is a link 19 provided with a slot 42 which at times engages a pin 43 in a rocker arm 70 which carries a contact finger 20. When magnet B is deenergized, the link 19 moves the rocker arm 70 against the bias exerted by spring 44 into a position in which the contact finger 20 connects wire 33 with wire 34. WVhen neutral magnet B is energized, however, the spring44 urges the rocker arm 70 into a position wherein the contact between wires 33 and 34 is interrupted.

The apparatus thus far referred to is illustrated and described in United States Letters Patent No. 1722364, granted to'Henry S. Young on the th day of July, 1929, for railway traffic controlling apparatus.

The reference character It designates an automatic thermal overload circuit breaker. The circuit breaker R comprises a primary core 25 on which is a winding 23, and a secondary core 24 on which are windings 28 and 29. lVinding 23 is connected in series with the motor circuit so that it carries the entire motor operating current. VVindings 28 and 29 have a' common terminal N which is connected to cut-out controller MO by wire51. The other terminals of windings 28 and 29 are respectively connected to contacts 46 and 37 of thermal relays T and T Armature 21 of the circuit breaker is normally held open by rod 27 due to the compression of spring 22 andthe attraction of armature 26. When armature 21 is attracted, detent 57 will be raised, raising link 19 and thus disengag ing slot 43 from pin 42 and opening contact 33-34. The parts of the circuit breaker R are so designed that as long as either of the two windings on core 24 is fully energized. the maximum amount of current that can be drawn by the switch motor, passing through coil 23, will not attract the armature 21 of coil23 against the pull of the armature 26 by either coil 28 or 29.

As shown in the drawing, the switch A occupies its normal position; the neutral magnet B is deenergized thereby locking armature 12 of circuit controller P in its left? hand position; and the pole-changer L on the switch lever occupies its normal position.

When the switch is to be moved to thereverse position, pole-changer L will be resourceof current. The holding coil.29 associated with the motor circuit is connected across the armature 1 and is. energized by the voltage drop across this armature. The holding coil 29 is connected acrossarmature 1' through wire 36, wire. 39, contact 38, contact 37, wire 48, winding 29, terminalN, wire 51,- controller arm 50, contact 3, winding 18, wire 45, yoke 14, flexible connector 53', wire 47 and wire 41.

When the switch Amoves to the normal position from the reverse, the motor circuit is from terminal BH, through w1re 7 vwire 18, winding 23, wire 33, contact 20, wire 34,

wire 32, yoke 14, flexible, connector 53', wire 47, wire 41, armature 1, wire 36, wire flexible connector 54, yoke 13, wire 40, winding 16, contact 4, controller'arm 50, and field V 2 to terminal CH. The holding coil associated with this circuit is winding 28,-and it is connected across armature 1 through wire 41, wire 31,. contact 5 6,contact 46, wire58,

winding 28, terminal N, wire. 51, controller arm 50, contact 4, winding 16, wire 40, yoke 13, flexible connector 54, wire-35, and wire36.

In describing the operation of the apparatus, I will' assume it isdesired to move the switchto the reverse position.- Pole-changer L willv be reversed, so that current will flow through neutral relay B, thus attracting armature 17 andclosing suitable-contactsso that'thepola'rity of relay P is reversed, and

' armature 12 will move to the right in which position itis locked and armature 17 isagain released. The movement of armature 12 to v V the right will move yokes 1'3, 14 and 15 to the le t, completing the motor, circuit when armature 17 is released, thereby closing con-' tact 3334 through contact 20, and the 1 switch willmove tothe reverse position. If an obstruction occurs in switch A while move fss ing to the 7 reverse position, the motor current will rise above the value necessary to operate thermal relay T and. contact 3738 will 7 open, openingv the holding coil circuit. With the holding coil circuitopen, armature 26: is not attracted, and armature 21 will be pulled down by the attraction of energized coil 23. Detent57 will then raise link 19, disengaging slot. 43 from pin 42, and arm will move to the right due to the bias exerted by compressed-spring44. Contact 33.34 will there fore be opened,opening the motor circuit. The circuit breaker, once having been tripped,

will not reset until the controller P has moved ing link 19 so that slot 43 engages pin 42.

Armature 17 will close suitable contacts which energize polair'relay P, reversing its;

polarity, and armature'12f'wi ll move to the left, moving yokes 13, 14 and 15 to the right, and the'motor circuit will then be completed for reverse rotation when armature 17 is released closing contact 33 34 through contact 20. hen the switch returns to the original position, the operation maybe repeated as first described. v

In a. similar manner it; the switch is to be moved from the reverse position to thenormal, the pole-changer L is moved to the posi tion shown on the drawing, thus energizing neutral relay B and. attracting armature17. Armature 17 will close suitable contacts which energize polar relay P so that armature 12 will move to theleft, and yokes 13,

14 and 15 will move totheright,'eompleting i the motor circuit when armature17 is released to close contact 33-341 through con-" tact 20. The switch will then move to the normal position. If anobstruction occurs in switch A whileit is moving tothe normal position, the motor current will rise above the value necessary'to operate thermal relay T,' and contact 46.56 will open, openingthe holding coil circuit. With the holding coil circuit open, armature 26 will not be attracted, and armature 21 will be pulled down by the attraction of energizedcoil- 23. De-

tent 57 will then raise link- 19, disengaging slot 43 from pin 42, and arm 7 0 will move to f the right due to'thebias exerted by. com- .pressedspring 44. Contact33-34 will then be opened, opening the motor circuit. The

- circuit breaker beingtrippedwill notreset until, controller P has moved to the opposite position. Resetting'the controller is accomplished by reversing pole-'changer'L, thus energizing neutral relay B and attracting armature 17 and movinglink 19 so that slot 43; engages pin'42, Armature 17Iwi1l'elose suitable contacts which energize polar relay P, reversing its polarity, and armature 12 will move to the right, moving yokes 13, .14, and 15 to the left,.andthe motor circuit will be completed when armature 17 is released to close contact 3334' through contact 20.

WVhen switchA returns'to the original posi- 7 tion, the operation maybe repeated asbefore described. With apparatus embodying, my invention, it is possible to restore the switch toitsi last operated positionimmediately and to" attempt to operate the switch again in the di rection in which it failedas'soon as thether malrelay for that directionhas cooled so as to complete the holding coil circuit.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

'1. In combination, a railway switch, an electricmotor for operating said switch, a normal and a reverse thermal relay each having a heating winding and a normally closed contact, a circuit controller operated by said switch and having a first contact closed in all positions of the switch except the reverse and a secondcontact closed in all positions ofthe switch except the normal, a normal operating circuit for saidmotor including the heating winding ofsaid normal the mal relay and the second contact of said circuit controller, and a reverse operating circuit for said motor including the heating winding of said reverse thermal relay and the first contact of said circuit controller, a circuit breaker having a first and a second core for controlling the supply of current to said motor, a winding on the first core of said circuit breakeri'ncluded in both of said motor circuits and constituting a means for tripping said circuit breaker, and two windings on the second core of said circuit breaker connected in turn across the armature of said motor and energized through a contact of one or the other of said thermal relays and when energized acting to prevent tripping of said circuit breaker.

2. In combination, a railway switch, an electric motor for operating said switch, two thermal relays each having a heating winding and a normally closed contact, two circuits for said motor each including the heating winding of one or the other of said thermal relays, means for supplying current to one of said circuits or the other to cause operation of the motor in one direction or the other, a circuit breaker including a first and a'sec- 0nd core for controlling the supply of current to saidmotor, a winding on the first core of said circuit breaker included in both of said motor circuits and constituting a means for tripping said circuit breaker, and two windings on the second core of said circuit breaker connected in turn across the armature of said motor and energized through a contact of one or the other of said thermal relays and when energized acting to prevent tripping of said circuit breaker.

3. In combination with an electric motor, an operating circuitfor said motor, a circuit controller for controlling the'supply of current to said motor comprising a first and a second core, a winding on saidfirst core included in said operating circuit and constituting a means for operating said circuit controller, and means responsive to the magnitude of the current supplied to said motor for governing the flux in said second core to prevent operation of said circuit, controller.

4. In combination with an electric motor, an operating circuit for said motor, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to said motor comprising a first and a second core, a winding on said first core included in said operating circuit and constituting a means for operating said circuit controller, and thermal means responsive to the magnitude of the current supplied to said motor for governingthe flux in said second core to prevent operation of said circuit controller. r I

5. In combination with an electric motor, a first winding, a governing circuit for said motor including said first winding, a second Winding, a circuit controller for-controlling the supply of current to said motor and controlled jointly by said two windings, an operating circuit for said second winding, and means responsive'to the magnitude of the current in said governing circuit for controlling the operating circuit for said second windin 6. In combination with an electric motor,

a first winding, a governing circuit for said .r

motor including said first winding, a second winding, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to said motor and controlled j ointly'by said two'windings, an operating circuit for said second winding, and thermal means responsive to the magnitude of the current in said governing circuit for controlling the operating circuit for said second winding.

7. In combination, an electric motor, two circuits for said motor, means for supplying current to one of said circuits or the other to cause operation of the motor in one direction or the other, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to said motor comprising a first and a second core, an operating winding on said first core included in both of said motor circuits and constituting a means for operating said circuit controller, two holding windings on said second core acting when energized to prevent operation of said circuit controller, an operating circuit for each of said holding windings, and means included in each of said motor circuits and responsive to the magnitude of the current supplied to said motor for controlling the operating circuitof the holding Winding associated therewith.

8. In combination, an electric motor, two circuits for said motor, means for supplying current to one of said circuits or the other to cause operation of the motor in one direction or the other, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to said motor, an operating winding included in both of tween a first and a second position, an electric motor for operatingsaid device, acircuit controller operated by said device and having a first contact closedin all'positions ofthe device except the-second. and a second con tact closed in all positions of the device ex cept the first, a first operating circuit for said motor including the second-- contact of said circuit controller, a second operating circuit forsaid, motor including the first contact of said circuit controller, a circuit breaker for controlling the supply of current to said motor having a first and a second core, an operating winding on said first core included in both of said motor circuits and cons'tituts ing a means for tripping said circuit breaker for controlling the supply of current to saidmotor, an operating winding included iii:

er, two holding windings on said second core acting when energized to prevent tripping of said circuit breaker, an operating circuit for each of said holding windings, and means included in each of said motor circuits and responsive to the magnitude of the current supplied to said motor'for controlling the operating circuit of the holding winding associated therewith. I

10. In combination, a device movable betweena first and a second position, an electric motor for operating said device, a circuit controlleroperat-ed by said device and having a first contact closed in all positions of the device except-the second. and a second contact closed in all positions of'the device exceptthe first, a first operating circuit for said motor including the second contact of said circuit controller-,a second operating circuit for said motor including the first contact of saidicircuit controller, a circuitbr'eakin both of said motor circuits and constituting a'means for operating said circuit breaker,t\vo, holding windings acting when energized to prevent operation ofsaid circuit breaker, an operating circuit for each of said holding windings, and means included in each of said motor circuits and responsive to the magnitude of the currentsupplied to said motor for controlling the: operating circuit. of the" holding winding associated therewith.

' 11. Incombination with anelectric motor,

an operating circuit for said motor. a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to saidmotor comprising a first and a second" core, an operating winding on said nsoas 'z first core included in said operating circuit,

and constituting ameans for-"operating said circuit controller, a holding winding on said I second coreactingwhen; energized to prevent rent to said-motor comprising afirst and a second core, an operating winding on said first core included in said operating circuit and constituting. ameans for operating said circuit controller, axholding winding on said secondcoreacting whenenergizedto prevent operation of! said circuitcontroller, a control circuit for said holding winding, and thermal means included insaidoperating circuit and responsive to the magnitudeofthe current supplied to said motor for. governs ing said control circuit. r L i 1 In combfnatioma railway switch, an electric motor foroperating said switch, a normahanda reverse thermal-relayeach havingaheatingwinding and j'a contact, a circuit controller operated-by said switch and having a: first contact closed inall positions-of the switch except the reverse and a second contact closed in all positions of the switch except the'normal, a normal operating circuit for said motor including the heating winding of said normal thermal relay and the second contact of said circuit controller, and a reverse operating circuit vfor said motor including the heating winding of said reverse thermal relay and; the first contact of said a circuit controller, a circuit breaker having a first and a secondcore'for controllingthe supplyofi current to said motor, a .vs inding on V the first core of said circuit breaker included in both of said motor circuits and. constituting a means for tr pping saidclrcuit breaker,

two windings on said: second corelacting when energized to prevent tripping. of said circuitjbreaker, and an operating vcircuit for I each of said twowindings; controlled by a contact of the thermal relay associated there;

with.

14. In; combination, a railway switclnjan I electric motor foroperating said switch, a normal and a reverse thermal relay each having a heating winding and a contact,-a circuit controller operated by said switch and having a, first contact closed in all positions of the switch except the reverse and a second contact closed in all positions of the switchexcept theinormal, a normal operating circuit for said motor including the heating winding of said'normal thermalrelay and the second contact of said circuit controller,

and a reverse operating circuit for said motor I 30 an operating circuit for each of said two including the heating winding of said reverse thermal relay and the first contact of said circuit controller, a circuit breaker for controlling the supply of current to said 5 motor, an operating winding included in both of said motor circuits and constituting a means for operating said circuit breaker, two holding windings acting when energized to prevent operation of said circuit breaker, and an operating circuit for each of said two windings controlled by a contact of the thermal relay associated therewith.

15. In combination, a railway switch, an electric motor for operating said switch, two thermal relays each having a heating winding and a contact, two=- circuits for said motor each including the heating winding of one or the other of said thermal relays, means for supplying current to one of said circuits or the other to cause operation of the motor in one direction or the other, a circuit breaker having a first and a second core for controlling the supply of current to said motor, a winding on the first core of said circuit breaker included in both of said motor circuits and constituting a means for tripping said circuit breaker, two windings on said second core acting when energized to prevent tripping of said circuit breaker, and

windings controlled by a contact of the thermal relay associated therewith.

16. In combination, a railway switch, an electric motor for operating said switch, two thermal relays each having a heating winding and a contact, two circuits for said motor each including the heating winding of one or the other of said thermal relays, means for supplying current to one of said circuits or the other to cause operation of the motor in one direction or the other, a circuit breaker for controlling the supply of current to said motor, an operating Winding included in both of said motor circuits and constituting a means for tripping said circuit breaker, two holding windings acting when energized to prevent tripping of said circuit breaker, and an operating circuit for each of said holding windings controlled by a contact of the thermal relay associated therewith.

In testimong whereof I aflix my si ature.

ERNARD E. OHA AN.

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