US1846809A - Railway traffic controlling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb'.4 23, 1932. c. H. L AY RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct, 23, 1930 mw m Feb. 23, 1932. c, H. LAY

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed dot. 25, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Feb. 23, 1932 CHARLES H. LAY, OF BITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR YT rTVHETIII'ION .-85 SIGNAL COMPANY, 0F SWISSVALE, PEN1\TSYLVANI,'A CORORATON 0F vPENN- "SYLVANIA RAILWAY TRAFIFC. CONTRLLING- AEPARATUS Application filed October-23, 1930. Serial :No.490,678.

My invention-relates to railway trailic controlling apparatus, and yparticularly to apparatus of the type comprising a trafc controlling device controlled by a manually operable lever through the medium of a valve and ailuid pressure motor. Y

One object of'my invention is the provision, in apparatus of the .type described, of means or limiting the movement of the lever unless both the valve and the traffic controlling device are in predetermined relative positions. I i

I will describethree orms'of railway traiiiccontrolling apparatus embodying my 1nvention, and will then point outthe novel features-thereof in claims.'

In theaccompanying*drawings, Fig. lis a view, Vpartly diagrammatic, illustrating one form of railway traiiic controllingfapparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and?) yare views showing modified forms of parts of the apparatus shown 1in F ig. .1 and also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer torsimi- .lar parts in all three views.

Referring first to Fig. i1, the reference- characters 1 and 1a designate the rails of a stretch of railway track provided with a switch 2 of theusual and well known form. This switch is operated by a fluid pressure motorA comprising a cylinder 3 containing -a reciprocable piston l. Attached l`to the piston 4 is a piston rod 5 which is operatively'connected with the movable points of .the switch. `2 through suitable mechanism which. is indicated by the dotted line 5a.

rEhe motor A is controlled by a switch valve C comprising a slide valve 7 operating in a valve chamber 6. The chamber 6 is-constantly supplied with iuidpressure, from a source not shown in the drawings, through pipe 11.

When the slide valve is in its normal position, liuid pressure is supplied from chamber 6, through pipe to the lower end of cylinder 3 of vmotor A, and the upper end of this cylinder is connected with atmosphere through pipe 8 andport 9. With the valve in this position, therefore, the piston t is moved upwardlyand the switch then occupies its normal position. When the slidevalve 7 occufthe rod 17 from the notch in the slide valve .andpermitting the valve` to be shifted by piesl its reverse position, pipe 8 is connected with chamber 6, and vpipe 10 isconnected through ,port `9 to atmosphere.V Thev piston l is'then driven'downwardlyandthe switch ..55 The valve .7 is provided with two spaced 2 is moved to its reverse position. y

notches and 16 one or the other of which receives a locking rod 17 according as the valve is in the reverse or normal position. The rod 17 carries an arma-ture 18 associated winding 19 is` energized, however, armature 18 1s moved outwardly, thereby disengagmg i60 I with a winding'19,and is constantly urged to- `ward the slide valve 7 by a spring 20.A When means whichv IA will describe hereinafter.l It

will be plain, however, that the valve can be shifted only when winding 19 is energized to draw the rod 17 out of the notch in the valve. Y v The switch valve C also comprises `two oppositely disposed axially aligned cylinders 12 and 12a. The `cylinder 12 contains a piston 13 carrying a stem 14 whichengages one end of the-slide valve 7, and theicylinder 12L containsa-piston 18a carrying a stem 141a whichy engages the other end ofthe slide valve 7. :Cylinder 12 is at times supplied with fluid pressure by a'valve 21'comprising a valve Lstem '23 provided with a winding 25 and an "armature V2li associatedthereiwith. `When winding is deenergized the valve Vstem 23 occupies its left-hand position and cylinder 12 is connected with atmosphere.

When winding 25 `of valve 21is energized,

however,.the valve stem23 is'moved tov the .right and cylinder 12 is then disconnected from atmosphere and is connected with a source Vof fluid pressure.l ln Vsimilar manner, Y

a valve 22 controls "the supply of fluid pressureto' cylinder 12a so that when winding 25a of valve 22 is deenergized, cylinder 12a'is connected with atmosphere, but that when this winding is energized cylinder 12a. is supplied with fluid pressure. It will beplain from the y drawings that'when cylinder 12aV is supplied with Huid pressure, piston 13EL is moved upwardly to drive the valve 7 to its normalposition. When cylinder 12 is supplied with fluid pressure, however, piston 13V moves downwardly and drives the valve 7 to its reverse position. In either case, of course, movement of valve 7 is possible only if the locking rod 17 is withdrawn from the notch 15 or 16.

The windings 25 and 25a of valves 21 and 22 and winding 19 are controlled by a manually operable lever L. This lever comprises japhandle 33 and a plurality ot contacts arl ranged to be open or closed in .accordance B. The various contacts are designated byv the reference characters which correspond to this diagram and which indicate the positions in which the associated co-ntacts are closed. For example, the lowest contact on the lever L is designated by the reference character NB, which means thatthis Contact is closed when the lever L is in the normal position, the B posit-ion, or any position between these two. aok

The circuit for winding 19 may be traced from a suitable source of current, such as a battery P, throughv wire 37 wire 66, contact BD of lever L, wire 67, winding 19, wire 68, wire 69, and wire 38 back'to battery P. The circuit for winding 25 of valve 21 passes from wire 37 through wires 66 and 7 0', contact DRV of lever L, wire 71, winding 25 of valve 21 and wire 69 to wire 38. When contact NB of lever L is closed, current flows from wire-37, through wires 66 and 72, contact NB of lever L, wire 73, winding 25ajof valve 22, wire 74 and wir-e 69 to wire 38.

lAssociated with lever L are a normal indication lock K and a reverse indication lock J. Each of these indication locks comprises a segment- 36 operatively connected with the lever; L, and magnet 34 having a locking dog 35 controlled thereby. Segment 36 of lock K is provided with a projection 36a so arranged that-when the lever is moved from .the reverse position toward the normal position, the dog 35 engages the projection 36 and prevents movement of the lever past the normal indicating position-B unless-magnet 34 is energized. Y In similar manner, segment 36 of lock J is provided with a projection 36b which is arranged to be engaged by a dog 35 at the D position when the -lever is moved from the normal position toward the reverse position, unless the magnet 34 is energized. The magnets 34 of the indication locks K and J are contiolled by a polarized indication relay E, and bycontacts on the lever L. The circuit for the magnet oi lock K passes from wire 37 through wire 55, front contact 56 of relay E, wire 57, normal contact 58 of relay E, wire 59, contact RB of lever L, wire 60, magnet 34 of lock K, and wire 62 to wire 38. The reverse locking circuit passes from wire 37, through wire 55, Jfront contact 56 of relay E, wire 57 reverse contact 63 of relay E, wire 64, contact ND of lever L, wire 65, magnet 34 of lock J, wire 61, and wire 62 to wire 38.

The apparatus thus `far referred to is described and illustrated in United StatesLetters Patent No. 1,713,169, granted to J. P. Coleman on the 14th day of May, 1929, for railway traliic controlling apparatus.

Y The relay E is controlled by two circuit vcontrollers GrCL and HH Circuit controller G comprises two movable contact fingers 29 and 48 connected with the slide valve 7 through a suitable means indicated by the dash line 7 a. When the slide'valve 7 is in its normal position, contact fingers 29 and 48 occupy the positions shown in the drawings, so that contacts 27 a--29 and 28-48, respectively, are closed. Whe-n the slide valve 7 is in its reverse position, contact lingers 29 and 48 occupy their reverse positions so that contacts 27-29 and 28f48 are closed.

rllhe circuit controller Ha comprises three ` movable contact fingers 30, 31 and 32 connected with the switch 2 through a suitable means indicated by the dash line 5a. When the switch 2 occupies its normal position, contacts 30-45 and 31-44 are closedand contact 32-52 is open. When the switch 2 0ccupies its reverse position, contacts 30-43 and 31-46 are closed, and contact 32-52 is open. Contact 32-52 is closed at all times except when the switch 2 is in the extreme normal or eXtreme reverse position.

When slide valve k7 and switch 2 are in their normal positions, the circuit for relay E is from one terminal of battery P, through wire 37, wire 39, wire 26, Contact 28, contact 48, wire 42, contact 31, wire 44, wire 43, Y

winding of relay E, wire 51, contact 27 a, contact 29, wire 41, contact 30, wire 45, wire 47, ,and wire 38 back to the other t-erminal of battery P. Relay E is then energized in the normal directionl so that its contacts 56 and 58 are closed. When slide valve 7 and switch 2 arein their reverse positions, the circuit for relay E will be from one terminal of battery P, through wire 37, wire 39, wire 46, contact 31, wire 42, contact 48, contact 28, wire 50, wire 49, wire 51, winding of relay E, wire v43, contact 30, wire 41, contact 29, contact 27, wire 40, wire 47, and wire 38 back to the other terminal of battery l). Relay E will then be energized in the reverse direction so that its contacts 56 and 63 are closed. When switch 2 is in any intermediate position, relay E will be shunted through contact 32-52, and both terminals of battery P will be disconnected from relay E. The shunting circuit will be from the "i:

:winding of relay E, through wire 51, wire 49,

Contact 32, wire 52, and wire 43 back to th winding of relay E.

It slide valve 7 is in the normal position and switch 2 is in the reverse position, relay E will be sliunted through contacts 27a-29 and -43, and both terminals of battery l? will be disconnected trom relay E. The shunting circuit will be from the winding ot relay E, through wire 51, Contact 27a, contact 29, wire 41, contact 30, and wire V43 back to the windingv of relay E. 1t slide valve 7 is in the reverse position and switch 2 is in the normal position, relay E will be shunted through contacts 28a-48 and 31-44, and both terminalsot battery P will be disconnected from relay E. The shunting circuit will be from the winding of relay E,

through wire 51, wire'49, wire 50contact 28, contact 48, wire 42, lcontact 31, wire 44, andwire 43 bacl'; to the winding of relay E.

As shown in the dra-wings, the lever L oc,`

cupies the normal position, so that winding 25a of valve 22 is energized. Cylinder 12a is therefore supplied with fluid pressure, and

valve 7 occupies its normal position. Contact BD ot lever L is open so that winding 19v is deenergized, and rod 17 projects into groove 16 to lock the slide valve in position. Contact DR of lever L is also open so that. winding 25 of valve 21 is deenergized. Since valve 7 is in its normal position, fluid pressure is supplied to the lower end of cylinder 3 of motor A, and switch 2 occupies its normal position. Since the slide valve 7 and the switch 2 both occupy their normal positions, relay E is energized in the normal direction.

The circuit for magnet 34 of lock K is open at contact RB of lever L, and the circuit for magnet 34 of lock J is'open at reverse contact 63 of relay E.

In explaining the operationfot the apparatus, I will assume that the operator in charge of lever L wishes to reverse switch 2. Lever L is iirst moved toward the reverse position. Magnet 34 of the reverse indication lock J is deenergized, however, so that the movement ,of the lever is arrested at the D position. The movement of the lever from the N to the D position deenergizes winding 25a of valve 22, and energizes winding 25 of valve 21. Cylinder 12 is therefore supplied with fluid pressure and cylinder 12a is con` phere and supplies fluid pressure to the upper end of this cylinder. The switch 2is therefore moved to its reverse position. lVhen the switch has attained its full reverse position,

5 circuit controllers G and H will complete the circuit for magnet 34 of lock J. Dog 35 of this lock is therefore lifted to permit the movement of lever L to be completed to its full reverse position R. As a result of this movement of lever L, contacts ND and BD willl become opened; the opening of contact ND will'deenergize the magnet 34 of lock J, and the opening of contact BD will deenergiz'e'winding 19 .so that rod `17 will enter groove 15'to lock the slide valve-in its reverse position. main in its energized condition, however, because Contact DR will remain closed.

It the operator wishes to restorethe switch to its normal position, he will iirst move the .lever L fromthe reverse position to the normal indicating position B where the lever will gagement of clog of lock J with projection 35a of segment 36. l/Vith the lever 'Lin the B position, winding 19 willbe energized so that therod 17 will be withdrawn from slot 15 in the'valve 7, winding 25ct valve 21 will be deenergized, and winding 25a of valve 22 will be'energized. The slide valve 7 will therefore be restored to its normal position. As a result of this movement of valve 7, the piston 4 ot motor A will move to its normal position, thereby driving the switch 2 to its normal position. l/Vith the slide valve 7 and the switch 2 both occupying their normal positions the normal circuit for relay E will be closed, so that contact 58 will be closed. Contact RB of lever'L is already closed, so that current will lnow be supplied to magnet 34 of lock K. Dog 35 of this lock is therefore lifted' out of engagement with the projection 36'nl of segment 36 and the operator can complete the movement of the lever L to the full normal position. The consequent opening of contact YBD deenergizes winding 19 and allows rod 17 to Venterk groove 16 in the slide valve 7 to lock the valve in its normal position. Y Fig. 2 showsa system for controlling indicating relay E'when a plurality of switches are controlled by one lever.

Indicating` relay Eis controlled by circuit controllers Ga, Ha, Gb', Hb, Grc and HC. Circuit controller Ga and Ha are similar to those in Fig. 1 and are connected through suitable means designated by dash lines 7a and 5vto the lirst slide valve and first switch, respectively, as shown in Fig. 1. Circuit controller Gb comprises two movable contact fingers 77 and l78, connected to the slide valve of the second switch through suitable means designated by a dash linef7?. l/Vhen the second slide valve occupies itsnormal position, contact fingers 77 and 7 8 occupy the positions shown on the drawings, so that contacts -77 and 76-7 8, respectively, are closed. When thesecond slide valve is in its reverse ro j l/Vinding 25 of valve 21 will re- Str position, contact fingers 77 and 78 occupy their reverse positions so that contacts 7 521-7 7 and 76a-78, respectively, are closed. Circuit controller Hb comprises four movable contact fingers 80. 84, 86 and 90 connected to l/Vhen the second switch occupies its reverse n position, contact fingers 80,184, 86 and 90 occupy their reverse positions and contacts 80-40, 84-87 and 90-45 are closed. When the second switch occupies any intermediate position, contacts 86-88 and 90,-91 are closed. Circuit controller G0 comprises two Contact fingers 94 and 99 connected to the slide valve of the third switch through suitable means designated hya vdash line 7c. `When the third slide valve occupies its normal position, Contact fingers -94 and 99 occupy the positions shown on the drawings and contacts 934-04 and100-99 are closed. When the third slide valve occupies its reverse position, Contact fingers 94 and 99 occupy their reverse positions and contacts y93a-94 and 100e-99 are closed. Circuit controller HP comprises four- contact fingers 104, 103, 102 and 105. connected to the third switch through suitablel means designated lov a dash line 5c. Vhen the third switch occupies its normal position, contact fingers 104, 103, 102 and 105 occupy the positions shown on the drawings and contacts 104-47, 103-82 and 1021-106 are closed. l/Vhen the third switch occupies its reverse position, contact fingers 1.04, 103, 102 and 105 occupy their reverse positions and contacts 104-81, 103-39 and 105-92 are closed. `W'hen the third switch occupies any intermediate position contacts 102-107 and 105-109 are closed. Y

ihen the switches and slide valves are all in normal positions, all the contacts are yin the positions shown on the drawings, and the relay circuitis from wire 47, through contact 104. wire 95. contact 94. contact 93, wire 110, wire 92, contact 80, wire 79, contact 77, contact 75, wire 111. wire 45. contact 30, wire 41, contact 29, contact 27a, wire 51 winding of relay E, wire 43, wire 44, contact 31, wire 42, contact 48, contact 28, wire 26, contact 84,

wire 83, contact 78. contact V76. wire 82, contact 103, wire 98, contact 99, contact 100 and wire 97 to wire 39. /Vhen the switches and slide valves are allin the reverse positions, the relay circuit will be from wire 47, through wire 96, contact 93a, contact 94, wire 95, contact 104, wire 81, contact 7 5a, contactv ing of relay E, wire 51, wire 49, wire 50, contact 28a, contact 48, wire 42, Contact 31wire 46, wire 85, contact 76a, contact 78, wire 83, Contact 84, wire 87 ,Y wire/101, contactflOOa, contact 99, wire 98 and contact 103 to wire ,39. Wires 39 and 47 are connected across a suitable source of current as shown in Fig. 1.

If thev first slide valve and switch do Vnot correspond in positionthe relay E will beV shunted and disconnected from the source of current as in F ig. 1. 1f the first slidevalve and first switch are in normal positions, the second slide valve is in normal or reverse position, and the second switch is in reverse position, relay E will` loe shunted through contact 45-90, and both terminals of relay E will be disconnected from the source of current. The shunting circuit will be from the winding of relay E, through wire 51, cony tact 27a, contact 29, wire 41, contact 30, Wire 45, contact 90,'wire 89, wire 26, contact 28, contact 48, wire 42, contact 31, wire 44 and wire 43 hack to the winding of relay E. 1f the first slide valve and first switch are in normal positions, the second slide valve is in reverse position, and the second switch is in normal position, bothterminals of relay E will be disconnected from the source of current. 1f the first slide valve and first switch are in reverse positions, the second slide valve is in normal or reverse position, and the secbe shunted through contact 86-113, and both terminals of relay E will loe disconnected from the source of current. rlhe shunting circuit will be from thewinding of relay E, through wire 51, wire 49, wire 50, contact 28a, contact 48, wire 42, contact 31, wire 46, contact 86, wire 113, wire 40, contact 27, contact 29, wire 41 contact 30 and wire 43 hack to the winding of relay E. 1f the first slide valve and first switch are in reverse positions, the second slide valve is in normal position, and the second switch is in reverse position, both terminals .of relay E will loe disconnected from the source of current. 1f the first switch and firstslide valve are in normal positions, while the second slide valve is in normal or reverse position and the second switch is in any intermediate position, the relay E will be shunted through contact 90-91. The shunting circuit will be from the winding of relay E, through wire 51, contact 27 a, contact 29, wire 41, contact 30, wire 45, Contact 91, contact 90, wire 89, wire 26, contact 28, contact 48, wire 42, Acont-act 31, wire 44 and wire 43 back to the winding of relay E. 1f the rst slide valve and first switch are in reverse positions, the second slide is in normal or reverse position, and the second switch is in any intermediate position, the relay E will be shunted through contact 86-88 and both terminals of relay ,E will he disconnected from the source of current. The shunting circuit will loe from the winding of relay E, through wire 51, wire 49, wire 50, contact 28a, contact 48, wire 42, contact 31, wire 46,

41, contact 30, wire 45, wire contact 86, contact 88, wire 113, wire 40, contact 27, contact 29, wire-41, contact 30 and wire 43hack to the winding of relay E. If the first slide valveand first` switch are in normal positions, the second switch and second slide valve are in normal positions, the third slide valve is in normal or reverse position, and the third switch is in reverse position, the relay E will he shunted through contact 105-92 and both terminals of relay E will be disconnected from the source yof current. "The shunting circuit will be from the winding of relay E, through wire 51, contact 27a, contact 29, wire 41, contact 30, wire 45, wire 111, contact 75, contact 77 wire 7 9, contact 80, wire 92 contact 105 wire 108, wire 82, contact 76, contact '7 8, .wire 83, contact 84, wire 26, contact 28, contact 48, wire 42, contact 31, wire 44 andwire 43 hack to the winding of rel-ay E. If the first slide valve first switch, second slide valve, and second switch, are all in normalpositions, while the'third slide valve is in reverse position and the third switch is in normal position, both terminals of relay E will be disconnected from the source of current. Ifthe rst switch, first slide valve, second switch, and second slide valve are all in the reverse positions, while the third slide valve is in normal or reverse position and the third switch is in normal position, the relay E will he shunted through contact 102-106. |The 4shunting circuit vwill be from the winding of Vrelay E, through wire 51, wire 49,'wire 50, contact 28a, contact 48, wire 42, contact 3l, wire 46, wire 85, contact 7 6a, contact 7 8, wire 83, contact 84, wire 87, contact 102, wire 106, wire 81, contactra, contact 77, wire 79, contact 80, wire 40, Contact 27contact 29, `wire 41, contact 30, and wire 43 hack to the winding of relay E. If the first slide valve, first switch, Second slide valve, and second switch Th are all in reverse positions, while the third slide valve is in normal position and the third switch is in reverse position, both terminals of the relay E will be disconnected from the source of current. If the first switch, first slide valve, second switch,and second slide valve are all in normal positions, while the third slide valve is in normal or reverse position and the third switch is in any intermediate position, the relay E will be shunted through contact V109--105l The shunting circuit will be from the winding of relay E, through wire51, contact 27 a, contact 29, wire contact 77, contact 79, contact 80, wire 92, Contact 109, contact 105, wire 108, wire 82,

contact 76, contact' 7 8, wire 83, contact 84, wireV 26, contact 28, contact 48, wire 42 contact 31,

wire 44, and wire 43 hack to the winding of relay E. If thefirst slide valve and first switch `are in reverse positions, the `second slide valve and` second switchare 1nl reverse positions, the third slide valve 1s 1n normal or Vwhile contacts 123-128, 124- 129 111, contact 75,V

reverse position, and the third switch is `in anyintermediate position, the relay E will be shunted through contact 102-107 and both terminals of relay E will he disconnected from the source of current. The shuntin circuit will be from the winding of relay E, through wire51, wire 49,v wire 50, contact 28a, contact 48, wire 42, contact 31, wire 46, wire 85, contact 7 6a, contact 78, wire 83, contact 84, wire 87, contact 102, contact 107, wire 106, wire 81, contactfL contact 77 wire 79, contact 80, wire 40, contact 27, contact 29, wire 41,y Contact 30 andwire 43 back to the winding of relay E. r

Fig. 3 illustrates a switchindication circuit for a crossover having no contacts operated hy the slide valves. The indicating-,relay E is controlled by circuit controllers .Ha

and Hb. Contact fingers114, 115 and 1160i 124-39 are closed in the normal position, and

contacts 123`47 and 124-131 are closed in the reverse position,` of the secondswitch,

and 125- 130 are closed in all intermediate positions of'this switch.. Y

- The normal' circuit for relay E is from wire 47, through contact 114, wire 120, contact 123, Wire 43, winding of relay E, wire-51, contact 115,'wire 121, contact 124'and wire 39.

e reverse circuit for relayE vis from wire 47, through contact 123, wire 120, contact 114, wire 132, wire 51, winding of relayfE, wire 43, wire 131, contact 124, wire 121, contact 115 and wire 39. l/Vhen thefirst switch is in any intermediate position, relay E Vwill Ahe shunted through contact terminals of the relay will be disconnected from the source or" current. The shunting circuit will-he from the winding of relay E, through wire151, wire 118, contact-119,'coi1- tact 116, wire 117, and wire 43 back to the windingof relayE. If the first switch is in the normal position while the second switch is in any intermediatel position, 'relay E will he shunted' through contacts 124129 and 130-125. The shunting circuit will he from vwinding of relay E, vthrough wire 51, contactV 115, wire 121, contact 124, contact 129, wire 127 ,wire 126, contact 130, contact 125, wire 122 and wire 43 back to the Vwinding of relay E, If the first switch is in the reverse position while the second switch is 1n any 1ntermediate position, relay `Ewill'loe shunted 1164119, and Vlooth Y tacts 51-115 and 124-131 and both termi- Y nals of relay E will be disconnected from the source of current. `The shunting circuit will be from the winding of relay E, through wire 51, contact 115, wire 121,`contact 124, wire 131 and wire 43 back to the winding of relayE. If the first switch is` in the reverse position and the second switch is in the normal position, relay E `will be shunted through f contacts 132-114 and 123-43, and both terminalsof relay E will be disconnected from the source of current. The shunting circuit will be from the winding of relay E, through wire 51, wire 132, contact 114wire v120, contact 123 and wiref43 back to the winding of relay E.

Although I have herein shown and described only three forms'of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that variouschanges 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 1. In combination, a railway track switch, a fluid pressure cylinder for operating said switch, a'slide valve having a normal and a reverse position, means including said slide valve for supplying fiuid'pressure to one end of said cylinder or the other, means including a manually operable lever for shifting said slide valve to normal andl reverse positions, an indicating relay controlled by said switch and said slide valve, means for preventing said relay from being energized in the normal direction unless said slidlel valve Vand said switch are both in normal positions, means for preventing said relay from being energized in the reverse direction unless said switch and slide valve are both in reverse positions, means for shunting said relay and completely disconnecting the supply of current from said relay when said switch and slide valve do not correspond in position, and means for preventing said lever from being movedto the full normal or reverse position unless said relay isv energized in the normal or reverse direction.

2. In combination, a railway track switch a fluid pressurey cylinder for operating said switch, a slidevalvehaving a normal and a reverse position, means includingV said slide valve for supplying fluid pressure 'to one end `of said cylinder or `the other, means including a manually operable lever for shifting said slide'valver to normal and reverse positions, an indicating relay controlled by saidswitch and'said slide valve, means including a first and a second circuit controller p for-preventing said relay from being energized in the normal direction unless Vsaid switch and slide valve are both in normal positions, means including said first and second circuit controllers for preventing said circuit controller and two normal contacts includedin said second circuit controller for closing the normal circuit of said relay, two reverse contacts in said first circuit controller and two reverse contacts in said second circuit controller or closing the reverse circuit of said relay, an intermediate contact included in said second circuit controller for shunting .said relay when said switch is in any intermediate position and said slide valve is in any position, means including a normal Contact of said first circuit controller and a reverse contact of said second circuit controller for shunting said relay when said slide 'valve is in the normal position and said switch is in the reverse position, means including a reverse contact of said first circuit'controller and a normal contact of said second circuit controller for shunting said" relay when saidrslide valve is in a reverse position and said switch is in anormal position, and means Jfor preventing said lever from being moved to the full normal or reverse position unless said relay is energized in the normal or reverse direction.

3. In combination, a plurality of railway track switches, a plurality of fluid pressure cylinders for operating said switches, a plurality of slide valves one for each of said cylinders each having a normal and' a reverseposition, means controlled by each of said slide valves Jfor supplying fluid pressure to one end or the other of the corresponding cylinders, means including aY manually operable lever for shifting said plurality of slide valves to normal and reverse positions, an indicating relay controlled by said plurality of switches and said plurality of slide valves, means for preventing said relay from being energized in the normal direction unless said switches and said slide valves are all in normal positions, means for preventing said relay from being energized in 'the reverse direction unless said switches and said slide valves are' all in reverse positions, means for shunting said relay and' completelyl disconnecting the supply of current from said relay when said switches and said slide valves do not correspond in positions, and means for preventing said lever from being moved to the full normal or reverse position unless said relay is energized in the normal or reverse direction. v

4. In combination, a plurality of railway track switches, a plurality of fluid pressure cylinders for operating said switches, ay plurality of slide valves one for each of said cylinders each having a normal and a reverse position, means controlled by each of said slide valves for supplying fluid pressure to one end or the other of the corresponding cylinders, means including a manually operable lever for shifting said plurality of slide valves to normal and reverse positions, an indicating relay controlled by said plurality of switches and said plurality of slide valves,'means for preventing saidl relay from being energized in the normal direction unless said switches and said valves are all in normal positions, means for preventing said relay from being energized in the reverse direction unless said switches and said slid-e valvesA are all in reverse positions, means including a plurality of first and second circuit controllers for completely disconnecting the supply of current from .said relay when said switches and slide valves do not correspond in positions, two normal contacts of each of said plurality of first circuit controllers, and two normal contacts of each of said plurality of second ycircuit controllers for closing the normal circuit of said relay, two reverse contacts of each of said plurality of first circuit controllers and two reverse contacts of each of said plurality of said second circuit controllers for closing the reverse circuit of said relay, a contact of a second circuit controller of said plurality of second circuit controllers closed in all positions eX- cept the reverse position of a second switch of said plurality of switches for shunting said relay when the first slide valve and switch and the second slide valve do not correspond to the position of said second switch, a contact of a second circuit controller of said plurality of' second circuit controllers closed in all positions except the normal position of a second switch of said plurality of switches for shunting said relay when the first slide valve and switch and the second slide valve do not correspond to the position of said second switch, a contact of a third circuit controller of said plurality of second circuit controllers'closed in all positions exswitch of said plurality of' switches for shunt- I ing said relay when the first slide valve and switch and the second slide valve and switchV and the third slide valve do not correspond to the position of said third switch, and means for preventing said lever from being moved to the full normal or reverse position unless said relay is energized in the normal or reverse direction.

5. In combination, a first and a second railway tracl: switch, means including a manually operable lever for shifting said switches to normal and reverse positions, a first cir-Y cuit controller operatively connected with said first switch having 'two normal contacts andy two reverse contacts and an intermediate contact, a second circuit controller operatively connected with said second switch and having two contacts each closed in the normal position and the reverse position and in all intermediate positions eXcep-t in a position adjacent said normal position and'in a position adjacent said reverse position and an intermediate contact, an indicating relay, means including said normal contacts of said first circuit controller and the normal contacts of said second circuit controller for closing the normal circuit of said relay, means including said reverse contacts lof saidlfirst Ashunting said relay when said first switch is in a normal position and Vsaid second switch is in any intermedate position, means includingV two intermediate contacts of said second circuit controller for shutting said relay when said first switch is in a reverse position and said second switch is in any intermediate position, and means for preventing said lever from being moved tothe full normal or reverse position unless said relay is energized in the normal or reverse direction.

In testimonywhereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES H. LAY.

cept the reverse position of a third switch of said plurality of switches for shunting said relay lwhen the first slide valve and Vswitch and the second slide valve and switch and the third slide valve do not correspond to the position of said third switch, a contact of a third circuit controller of said plurality of second circuit controllers closed in all positions except the normal position of a third las

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