US1880034A - Electric interlocking machine - Google Patents

Description

p 27, 1932- v N. L. DONOVAN ET AL 1,830,034

ELECTRIC INTERLOCKING MACHINE Filed March 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W, Y 7 v I l2, amen 60m Sept. 27, 1932. N. L. DONOVAN ET AL 1,880,034

ELECTRIC INTERLOCKING MACHINE Filed March 26,1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W @MM Patented Sept. 27, 1932 .Eifi PAN? NORMAN L. DONOVAN AND CLARENCE E. LAKE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, AS- SIGNORS TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMIPANY, F SWISSVALE, PENNSYL- VANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC INTERLOCKING MACHINE Application filed March 26, 1925. Serial No. 18,478.

Our invention relates to electric interlocking machines, and is particularly adapted for, though not limited to, the control of railway track switches and signals in a railway switching or interlocking layout.

One feature of our invention is the proviour invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 24 designates an auxiliary railway track connected with a main railway track by switch 25. The sections, insulated from adjoining portions of these tracks, shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, are provided with a track circuit, which is supplied with current by a battery 124 connected across the rails adjacent one end of the main track section, and which includes a track relay connected across thc rails adjacent the other end of the same section. Track relay 20 controls two contacts 51 and 108, respectively, both of which are closed when track relay 20 is energized and both of which are opened when track relay 20 becomes deenergized.

A signal, designated by the reference character 29, governs traflic movements to the right over the section of main track while switch is in the normal position shown in Fig. l A second signal, designated by the reference character 30, governs trafiic movements to the left along the main track when switch-25 is in the normal position, or governs traffic movements onto auxiliary track 24 when switch 25 is in the reverse position. As here shown each of these signals is of the semaphore type.

Switch 25 is moved between its normal and reverse positions by amechanism 44 which is operated by a pneumatically operated piston and cylinder device 26. The operation of device 26 is controlled by a slide valve mechanism 28 of a type well known in the art and which is controlled by normal and reverse control magnets 80 and 81, respectively, and by a lock magnet 7 8. These three magnets are controlled by a manually movable switch control lever 2.

Signals 29 and 30 are controlled by a manually movable signal lever 4 which is interlocked electrically, but not mechanically, with switch lever 2. These levers may be arranged together in a suitable location such, for example, as an interlocking tower.

A switch indication device, designated by the reference character 67, comprises a pneu matically operated piston mechanism 7 5, and a rotor operated by mechanism 7 5 and carrying contact bars 85 and 86. Piston mechanism is controlled by normal and reverse control magnets and 81 so that when magnet 80 or magnet 81 becomes energized for causing an operation of switch 25 to its. normal or its reverse position, respectively, piston mechanism 75 immediately moves contact bars 85 and 86 to corresponding positions. As shown in the drawings,

magnet 80 is energized and magnet 81 is deenergized. Under these conditions, bars 85 are held in a position in which they connect conductors 87 and 88 with conductors 95. When magnet 80 becomes deenergized and magnet 81 becomes energized, bars 85 become disconnected from wires 87 and 88, and

bars 86 then'connect conductors 87 and 88 with contact springs 97 of a second switch indication device which is designated by the reference character 27. v

' The second switch indication device 27 is operated by switch mechanism 44. Device 27 comprises contact springs 96 and 97, and a rotor carrying circuit closing contact bars 89 and 91 and circuit shunting bars and 92.

Switch indication device 27 is so connected with switch operating mechanism 44 as to be operated only when mechanism 44 is just completing a movement of switch 25 to its normal or its reverse position. With switch 25 in the normal position, as shown in Fig. 1", switch mechanism 44 has caused circuit clos ing bars 91 to be moved away from contact springs 97, has caused circuit shunting bar 92 to be connected across springs 97, has caused circuit shunting bar 90 to be disco-nnected from contact springs 96', and has caused circuit closing bars 89 to connect contact springs 96 with wires 93 and 94. hen mechanism 44 is completing a movement of switch 25 to the reverse position,.indication device 27 becomes operated to remove circuit closing bars 89 from contact springs 96,to connect shunting bar 90' across springs 96, to remove shunting bar 92 from springs 97, and to causecircuit closing bars 91 toconnect contact springs 97 with wires 93 and 94. A polarized switch indication relay is designated by the term polarized relay. This relay has a control Winding 21, and operates a neutral contact 22 and two polar contacts 23 and 98. Energization of this relay in normal or reverse direction by a source of current, not shown in the drawings but which has a positive terminal 13+ and a negative terminal-B, is controlled jointly by switch indication devices 27 and 67. The polarized relay becomes energized in one direction or. the other only when the positions of the contact bars of device 27 correspond with the positions of the contact bars of device 67. At other times, for example when switch 25 is being moved from one of its extreme positions to the other, terminals B and B- are disconnected from the polarized relay, and shunting bar 90 or shunting bar 92 is connected across the winding 21 of this relay through bars 85 or 86, respectively, of device 67 I The normal position of signal control lever 4 is as shown in solid lines in the drawings. Lever 4, when moved to the position shown a in dash lines to the right of its normal position, controls movement of the arm of signal 29 to the proceed position. Lever 4, when moved to the position shown in dash lines to the left of the normal position, similarly controls movement of the arm of'signal 30 tothe proceed position.

The normal position of switch'control lever 2 is shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. With lever 2 in this position, switch 25 remains in the normal position shown in Fig. 1 Lever 2, when moved to its reverse position, indicated by dash lines to the right of its normal position, controls movement of switch 25 to its reverse position.

Lever 4 is rigidly connected wit-l1 a shaft 3, and lever 2 is rigidly connected with a shaft 1. Shafts 1 and 3 could, for corresponding movements, if desired, instead of being directly connected to the levers as indicated, be connected with levers 2 and 4 through bevelled gears in order to be arranged other-V Wise than in the horizontal position. Rigidly carried on each of the shafts 1 and 3, is a roller 5 which carries a pluralit'y of contact bands for controlling a plurality of electric circuits. Contacts 42 and 78, thus operated by roller 5 of lever 2, complete corresponding circuits when lever 2 is in the normal position shown in the drawings; and contacts 83 and 100, also operated by roller 5 of lever 2, complete corresponding circuits when lever 2 is moved to its reverse position. Contacts 34, 106,54 and 64, operated by roller 5 of lever 4, complete corresponding circuits when lever 4 is in its normal position as shown in the drawings; contacts 65, 128 and 118, operated by roller 5 of lever 4, complete corresponding circuits when lever 4 is moved to its reverse position to the left; and contacts 55, 121 and 116, operated by roller 5 of lever 4, complete their circuits when lever 4 is moved to its reverse position to the right.

The handle of each of the levers 2 and 4 is provided with means for manually closing auxiliary contacts of the type known in the art as latch contacts. These contacts are operable by a towerman without movement of the lever 2 or 4 with which they are associated. Contacts of this type associated with lever 2 are designated by the reference characters 16 and 17. A contact of this type associated with lever 4 is designated by the reference character 15.

Each of the levers 2 and 4 is provided with two electric locks which are similar to the indication locks well known in the art but which are here shown controlled by novel and improved means. The locks for lever 2 are designated prin1ary lock and secondary lock. Each of these locks comprises a segment 6 and an electromagnet 12. Each of the segments 6 is rigidly connected with, and operated by, shaft 1 oflever 2. Each of the magnets 12, upon becoming energized, moves a dog 10 out of engagement with a projection 8 of its segment 6. When the magnets 12 are deenergized as here shown, dogs 10 rest on segments 6 in positions to engage the projections 8 of segments 6 when movement of lever 2 is attempted from either of its extreme positions to the other. Each of the magnets 12 also controls a contact 14 which is closed when the magnet is deenergized, and which opens when the magnet becomes energized. Before lever 2 can be moved from either of its extreme positions, to which I have referred as the normal and the reverse positions', to the other, both of the magnets 12 must be energized to disengage the dogs 10 from the projections 8 of the segments 6.

The locks for lever 4 are designated left lock and right lock. Each of these locks comprises a segment 7 and an electromagnet 13. Each of the segments 7 is rigidly attached to, and movable by, shaft 3 of lever 4. Each of the magnets 13- controls a dog 11 which, when the magnet is deenergized while lever 4 is in its normal position or in either of its reverse positions, rests on its segment 7 ma positionto engagea projection 9 of the segment and so arrest movement of the lever. The right look controls movement of lever a from the normal position to the reverse position shown in dash lines to the right of the normal position, or from this reverse position back to the normal position, whereas the left lock controls movement of lever a from the normal position to the reverse posit-ion shown in dash lines to the left of the normal position, or from this reverse position back to the normal position. A small partial movement of lever 4 is permitted from either of its two reverse positions toward the normal posit-ion before the dog 11 of the corresponding electric lock engages the projection 9 of its segment 7. Lever l must be in one or the other of its extreme reverse positions in order to cause signal 29 or 30, respectively, to indicate proceed, and hence the partial movement of lever 4, which is permitted from one of its reverse positions toward its normal position before one of the dogs 11 engages the projection 9 of its segment 7 causes the signal which has been indicating proceed to change to the stop indication.

A stick relay, designated by the term signal relay, has a control winding 18, and has a pick-up circuit controlled by contact 108 of track relay and by contacts 106 and 15 of lever 1. The signal relay has stick circuits controlled by contact 108 of track relay 20, and by latch contact 15 or by either contact 116 or 118 of lever 1-.

Normal and reverse switch indication relays are designated by the terms neutral relays No. 1 and No. 2. Each of these relays has control winding 19. Both of these rel -*s arecontrolled by contacts 14 of the pri y lock and the secondary lock of lever 2. in addition, relay No. 1 is controlled a neutral and a normal polar contact of the polarized relay and by normally closed contact of lever 2. .Relay No. 2 is controlled by a neutral and a reverse polar contact of the polarized relay and by normally open contact 100 of lever 2.

The circuit for the primary lock of lever 2 in ludes latch contact 17 of switch lever 2, back contact 36 of thesignal relay, and normally closed contact of lever thus insur-' ing that before magnet 12 of the primary lock can become energized, lever 1 must be in its normal position, the signal relay must he deenergized, and latch contact 1? of twitch lever 2 must he closed. '1 he circuit for the secondary lock of lever 2 includes latch contact 16 of lever 2, back contacts 1? and stop. operates a similar contact 32 which is closed only when signal 30 is indicating stop.

For permitting lever 1 to he moved from the normal position to its reverse position to the right of the normal position, the right look cludes n'ont contact 61 of neutral relay No. 1, front contact 58 of the signal relay, and normally closed contact 5 1 of lever For controll ng the movement of lever 1- from this reverse po. alien to the normal position, the right look is provided with a'circuit which inc .de cont-acts and 31 of signals y, and contact of lever is controlled by circuits r to those just described-for the right lock.

A switch indicator, here shown as an'elcctric lamp, anddesignated by the reference character 102, is controlled in multiple with lo z magnet 73 of slide valve 28. This lamp therefore becomes lighted whenenergy is supplied to the circu t for magnet 1 3 for controlling an operation of switch from one of its extreme positions, to which 1 "have referred as the normal and the reverse positions, to the othe Lamp 102 becomes er:- tingui lied when the source of current disconnected from the circuitfor lock magnet 73 upon the completion of an operation of switch 25 from one of its extreme positions to the other, and hence the extinguishing of lamp 102 indicates that such an operation of switch 25 has been completed;

Electric lamps, designated by the reference characters 112 and 113, respectively, serve as indicators in connection with the left lock and the right lock respectively, of lever 4. When the operator desires to clear one of the signals 29 and 30 he closes latch contact 15 of lever a and holds it closed until the corresponding lamp 112 o 113 becomes lighted. By the lighting of eit r her operator is informed that the circuit for the corresponding lock magnet 13 of lever 1 has been completed through. front contact of, the signal relay, thus permitting lever 1 to be moved to a corresponding reverse position for clearing one or the other of signals 29 and 30. lhe operator continues to hold latch contact 15 closed'until he has moved lever & to th desired reverse position for clearing one of the signals 29 and 80, after which he permits latch contact 15 to open.

Having thus described, in general, the arrangement, location, and control of the various parts comprising ourinvention, we will now trace in detail the operation of the apparatus.

As shown in the drawings,all parts are in provided with circuit which inof these lamps, the

lac

indicating stop; and the track circuit shown in the drawings is energized. lVith the track circuit energized, contacts 51 and 108 of track relay 20 are closed. With lever 2 in its normal position, normal control magnet 80 for slide valve 28 is energized by a circuit passing from terminal B|-, through wire 77, contact 78 of lever 2, wire 7 9, and the winding of magnet 80 to terminal B. With magnet 80 energized, piston mechanism 75 of indication device 67 is holding contact bars 85 and 86 of indication device 67 in the positions shown in Fig. 1. With switch 25 in its normal position, the contact bars of indication device 27 occupy their positions also shown; in Fig. 1 With the contacts of indication devices 27 and 67 occupying the positions shown in the drawings, the polarized relay is energized in the normal direction by a circuit passing from terminal 13+, through wire 93, upper contact bar 89, upper contact spring 96 of indication device 27 upper wire 95, upper contact bar 85 of device 67, wire 87, winding 21 of the polarized relay, wire 88, lower contact bar 85 of device 67, lower wire 95, lower contact spring 96,1ower contact bar 89 of device 27, and wire 94 to terminal l3 The polarized relay being energized in the normal direction, neutral relay No. 1 is energized by a circuit passing from terminal 13+, through the front point of contact 22 of the polarized relay, polar contact 98 of the polarized relay closed in the left position, wire 43,

contact 42 of lever 2, wire 41., winding 19 of relay No. 1, wire 40, contact 14 ofthe primary lock, wire 39, and contact 14 of the secondary lock to terminal 'B.

We will assume that the operator desires to clear signal 30 for a traliic movement along the main track over switch 25 in its normal position. He therefore closes latch contact 15 of lever 4, causing a pick-up circuit to be completed for the signal relay, passing from terminal 13+, through contact 108 of trackrelay 20, wire 107, contact 106 of lever 4, wire 105, winding 18 of the signal relay, wire 104, latch contact 15 of lever 4, and wire 103 to terminal B. Contact 110 of the signal relay, upon becoming closed, completesa stick circuit for this relay which follows the path just traced for the pick-up circuit as far as a branch from wire 107, and thence passing through contact 110 of the signal relay, a short portion of wire 105, winding 18 of the signal relay, wire 104, latch contact 15 of lever 4, and wire 103 to terminal B a The signal relay, upon becoming energized, closed its front contacts 68, thereby completing a circuit'for the left lock, passing from terminal 13+, through the front point of contact 72 of neutral relay N0. 1, wires and 69, contact 68 of the signal relay, wire 66, contact 64 of lever 4, wire 63, winding 13 of the left lock, and wire 62 to terminal B. At the same time, indicator lamp 112 becomes lighted by the circuit just traced for theleft lock as far as con tact 68 of the signal relay, and thence pass ing through wire 1 11, and the filament of lamp 112 to terminal B. On account of lamp 112 becoming lighted, the operator knows that he can now move lever 4 to its reverse position to the left. 'Meanwhile, he retains latch contact 15 closed until he has moved lever 4 to the left reverse position, in which a second sticl; circuit is completed for the signal relay which follows the path traced for the first stick circuit as far as wire 104, and thence passing through wires 115 and 117, contact 118 of lever 4, and wire 119 to terminal B. The operator then permits latch contact 15 to open;

Lever 4, upon being moved toits' reverse position, also closes its contact. 128, thereby completing an operating circuit for signal 30 which follows the path already traced for the left lock as far as wire 66, and thence passing through wire 127, contact 128 of lever 4, wire 129, the mechanism of signal 30, andwire 130 to terminal B'. I The arm of signal 30 thereupon becomes operated to the proceed position, opening its contact 32. If, after clearing signal 30, the operator desires to return the arm of signal 30 to the stop position before a train enters the section of track shown in the drawings, he will move lever 4 from the left reverse position towards the normal position, to the'position in which dog 11 of the left lock engages projection 9 of its segment 7. 7 Contact 128 opens when lever 4 is moved to this latter position, but contact 65 remains closed until lever 4 is later moved away from this position toward its normal position. Hence, upon the movement of lever 4 from its left reverse position to the position in which dog 11 of the left lock engages projection 9 of its segment, 7, contact 128 of lever 4 breaks the circuit for signal 30, causing the arm of signal 30to return to the stop position. The arm of signal 30, upon reaching the stop position, again closes its contact 32, thereby completing a second circuit for the left lock, passing from terminal 13+, through contact 32 of signal 30, wire 125, contact 31 of signal 29, wire 126, contact 65 of lever 4, wire 63, winding 13 of the left lock, and wire62 to terminal 13 Magnet 13 of the left lock, being thus energized, lifts dog 11 out of engagement with projection 9 of its segment7, andthe operator then completes the movement of lever 4 to its normal position. Meanwhile, the signal relay has become deenergized when lever 4, upon being moved from its left reverse position, opened its contact 118. All parts of the apparatus are therefore again in their normal condition.

We will now assume that the operator again clears signal 30 for a traliic movement over switch 25 in its normal position, as already described, and that he then permits signal 30 to continue to'indicate proceed until a train moving toward the left, passes this signal. A train, upon passing signal 30, deenergizes track relay 20, thereby breaking the stick circuit for the signal relay at contact 108 of relay 20. The signal relay, up0n becoming deenergized, breaks, at itscontact 68, the circuit previously traced for signal 30, causing the arm of signal 30 to return to its stop position. After the train has passed through the track section shown in the drawings, and track relay 20 has again become energized, signal 30 will continue to indicate stop on account of the signal relay remaining deenergized. The signal relay cannot again become energized until the operator returns lever 4 to its normal position thereby closing its contact-106 in the pickup circuit for the signal relay. On account of contact 32 of signal 30 being already closed by the movement of the arm of this signal to its stop position dueto the deenergization of traclr'relay 20, the'operator can return lever 4 to its normal position without lever 4 being arrested by engagement of dog 11 of the left lock with projection 9 of its segment 7. Upon the return of lever 4 to its normal position, all parts of the apparatus will be again in their normal condition.

We will next assume that the operator desires to reverseswitch 25 and clear signal 30 for a trailic movement from the main track, over switch 25 reversed, to auxiliary track 24. He therefore closes latch contacts 16 and 17 before starting the movement of lever 2. lVit-h latch contact 17 closed, winding 12 of the primary lock is energized by a circuit passing from terminal B through wire 33, contact 34 of lever 4,'wire 35, contact 36 of the signal relay, wire 37, latch contact 17 of lever 2, wire 38, and winding 12 ofthe primary lock to terminal B. The primary lock magnet, being thus energized, opens its contact 14, causing neutral relay No. l to become deenergized, thereby completing a circuit for winding 12 of the secondary lock passing from terminal 13+, through contact 51 of track relay 20, wire 5O,v contact 49 of neutral relay No. 2, wire 48, contact 4' of neutral relay No. 1, wire 46, winding 12 of the secondary lock, wire 45, and latch contact 16 to terminal B lilagnets 12 of both the primaryand secondary locks for lever 2 being energized, the dogs 10 become lifted out of engagement with projections 8 of the segments 6, thus upon the completion of this movement, contact 83 of lever 2 completes a circuit for the reverse control magnet 81 for slide valve 28, passing from terminal B through wire82, contact 83 of lever 2, wire 84, and the wind-' ing of magnet 81 to terminal 13-. count of the energization of the circuit for magnet 81, piston mechanism disconnects contact bars 85 of mechanism 67 from wires 87 and 88, and connects bars 86 with contact springs 97 of indication device 27. Winding 21 of the polarized relay is thus disconnected from terminals 13+ and B, and shunting bar 92 of device 27 is connected across winding 21 of the polarized relay, through contact springs 97 of device 27, contact bars 86 of device 67,- and wires 87 and 88; At the time of the completion of the circuit for magnet 81, a circuit was also completed for lock magnet 73 of slide valve28, passing from terminal 13+, through wire 82, contact 83 of lever 2, wire 84, polar contact 23 of the polarized relay in its normal position, wires 76' and 76, and the winding of magnet 73 to terminal B-. Upon the deenergization of the polarized relay, a second circuit is completed for lock magnet 7 3 of slide valve 28, passing from terminal B through back point of contact 22 of the polarized relay, wires 76 and 76, and the winding of magnet 73 to terminal B-. The energization of either circuit for magnet 7 3 causes lamp 102 to become lighted by a circuit which follows either of the paths traced for magnet 73 as far as wire 76, thence passing through the lower portion of wire 76, and the filament of lamp 102 to terminal B The energization of magnets 73 and 81 causes fluid pressure to move the piston of device 26 to cause mechanism 44 to move switch 25 to its reverse position. Just as the movement of switch 25 is being completed to its reverse position, mechanism 44 disconnects contact bars 89 of device 27 from contact springs 96', and connects shunting bar 90 across springs 96. Mechanism 44, at the same time, removes shunting bar 92 from springs 97, and connects contact bars 91 with springs 97, thereby completing a circuit for energizing the polarized relay in the reverse direction, passing from terminal 13+, through the upper contact bar 91, upper contact spring 97, upper contact bar 86 of device 67., wire 88,

winding 21 of the polarized relay, wire 87 On acto its normalposition.

passing from terminalB through the front point of contact 22 of the polarizedrelayf polar contact 98 of the polarized relay in its reverse position, wire 99, contact 100 of lever 2, wire 101, winding 19 of neutral relay- N o. 2, wire 40, contact 14 of the primary lock, wire 39, and contact 14. of the secondary lock to terminal 13 The polarized relay, upon becoming energized in the reverse direction, first opens, at its contact 23, the circuit first traced for lock magnet 73 of slide valve 28, and then, by opening contact 22 at its back point, breaks the second circuit for lock magnet7 3. Upon the opening of both the circuits for lock magnet 73, lamp 102, which is controlled in multiple with lock magnet 73, becomes extinguished, thereby indicating to theoperator the completion of the operation of switch 25 to its reverse po sition. i

- The operator will now close latch contact 15 of lever l for energizing the signal relay as previously described. Lever 4, upon now being moved to the left reverse position,

' completes a second circuit for signal which is the same'as the circuit previously traced for signal 30 except that it passes from terminal 13+, through the back point of contact 72v of neutral relay No. 1, thence throughwire 74, and contact 71 of neutral relay N o. 2, to wire 69. The arm of signal 30, upon leaving its stop position, again opens its contact 32. I

We will now assume that the operator again returns the arm of signal 30 to its stop position, preparatory to returning switch 25 Preparatorytoreturning switch 25 to its normal position, the operator closes latch contacts 16 and 17before starting the movement of lever 2 from its reverse to its normal position. The primary lock magnet- 12 thereupon becomes energized as previously described. The primary lock magnet, upon becoming energized, opens its contact-14, thereby breaking the circuit for neutral relay No. 2, and causing the secondary lock magnet to become energized by its circuit previously traced.

The operator then returns lever 2 to its normal position, thereby breaking the circuit for magnet 81 and again completing the circuit previously traced for magnet of slide valve 28. At the same time, a thirdoircuit is completed for lock magnet 73 of slide valve 28, passing from terminal 13+, through wire 77, contact 78 of lever 2, wire 79, polar contact 23 of the polarized relay in its reverse position, wires 7 6 and 76, and the winding of magnet 73 to terminal B Upon the energization of the circuitfor magnet 80, piston mechanism 75 disconnects contact bars 86 of device 67 from contact-springs 97 of device 27, and. again connects contact bars with wires 87 and88, thereby causing shunting bar 90 of device 27 to be connected across winding 21 of the polarized relay, through contact springs 96 of device 27, wires 95, contact bars 85 of device 67, and wires 87 and 88. Upon the 'deenergization of the polarized relay, the second circuit for magnet 73 again be: comes energized. V

WVith- magnets 80 and 73 energized, the pis ton mechanism of device 26 operates mechanism 44: to return switch 25 from its reverse to its normal position. Just as this operation is being completed, mechanism 4C4: removes shunting bar 90 from springs 96 of device 27 and again connects contact bars 89 with contact springs 96, and also removes contact bars 91 from springs97 and connects shunting bar 92 with springs 97 of device 27. The circuit for energizing the polarized relay in the normal direction, previously traced, is thereby again completed, causing the polarized relay to return its polar contacts 23 and 98 to their normal position, and to close its contact 22 at the front point. The polarized relay, upon moving its polar contact 23 away from its reverse position, breaks the third circuit for lock magnet 73, and upon opening contact 22 at the back point, opens the second circuit for magnet 73. All circuitsfor magnet 73 being now deenergized, lamp 102 again becomes extinguished, indicating to the operator the completion of the return of switch 25 to its normalposition.

We have described in detail, for a few typical conditions, the operation of the apparatus embodying our invention. From those descriptions and from the preceding general description, the operation of the apparatus for every other possible condition will be readily understood by reference to the drawings.

From the foregoing descriptions and the accompanying drawings, it will be clear that levers 2' and 4 are not mechanically interlocked but that they are interlocked electrically by means of the electric locks for these levers and by the control circuits for those electric locks.

Apparatus embodying our invention also eliminates the well known indication locking of the switch lever which prevents complete movement of aswitch lever to the reverse or the normal position until a corresponding movement of the switch has been completed. I

This permits the operator to make a complete movement of the switch lever from either of its extreme positions to the other without waiting at an intermediate indication position for the switch to complete its movement. The control accomplished by such indication locking is provided by the electric lock for the signal lever which'prevents a movement of the signal lever to clear .a signal until the switch over which the sig- Lit;

1,sso,ose

nal governs has been operated to the proper position.

Another feature provided by apparatus embodying our invention is the joint control of the polarized relay by the devices 27 and 67. This control of the polarized relay insures correspondence between the position of the switch and the condition of the switch control apparatus which is located at the switch. The signal lever cannot be operated for clearing a signal until one of the neutral relays No. l or No. 2 corresponding to the direction of energization of the polarized relay is energized. i

Although we have herein shown and described only one form of electric interlocking machines embodying our 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 our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

.1. In combination, manually controllable signal operating mechanism, manually controllable switch operating mechanism, and mutually mechanically independent electric interlocking means for said mechanisms controlled by the operation of signals and a switch operated by said mechanisms for pre-' venting manual operation of the mechanisms under predetermined conditions without mechanical interlocking means.

2. In combination, manually controllable signal operating mechanism, manually controllable switch operating mechanism, said mechanisms having a plurality of diiierent operated positions, and mutually mechanical- 1y independent electric interlocking means interconnected with said mechanisms for interlocking said mechanisms in a predetermined manner for all positions of said mechanisms, said interlocking means having portions controlled by switch and signal operation to control interlocking under predetermined conditions. i i

3. In combination, manually controllable signal operating mechanism, a railway track switch, manually controllable switch operating mechanism for said switch, mutually mechanically independent primary electric interlocking means'for said mechanisms, secondary electric interlocking means for said mechanisms, means controlled by said switch for controlling said secondary interlocking means, and means controlled by said primary and secondary interlocking means for controlling said signal and switch mechanisms.

4. In combina ion, manually controllable signal operating mechanism, a railway track switch, manually controllable switch operating mechanism for said switch, mutually mechanically independent primary electric interlocking means for said mechanisms, secondary electric interlocking means for said switch mechanism interdependent for operation on said primary means, and means controlled by said switch for controlling said primary and secondary interlocking means.

5. In combination, manually controllable signal. operating mechanism, manually controllable switch operating mechanism,independentelectromagnetic locking means for said mechanisms, electrically operated controlling means for said locking means, and switch and signal controlled electric means or governing the operation of both the lock ing means and controlling means to provide interlocking of said mechanisms in a predetermined manner.

6. In combination, manually controllable signal operating mechanism, manually controllable switch operating mechanism, independent electromagnetic locking means for each of said mechanisms, electrically operated controlling means for said locking means, switch and signal operated electric means for controlling the operation of both the aforementioned means to produce interlocking of said mechanisms in a predetermined manner, and pneumatic means for controlling said electrically operated control means in conjunction with mechanical switch operating means forming part of said switch operating mechanism. 7 r

7. @perating mechanism for a railway switch and railway signals, comprising a manually operable control lever for the signals, a manually operable control lever for the switch mechanically independent of the control lever for the signals, electric means controlled by said levers for controlling the operation of the signals and switch in accordance with the operation of the respective levers, and electric interlocking means for interlocking the manual operation of said control levers, said electric interlocking means having control devices associated with the switch and signals for operation thereby for controlling interlocking of the control levers in a predetermined manner.

8. Operating mechanism for a railway switch and railway signals comprising manually operable control lever for the signals, a manually operable control lever for the switch, electric operating means for the switch and signals operated in accordance with the operation of the control levers, and electricinterlocking means for said control levers including electro-magnetic latching means for said levers, electro-magnetic relays for controlling the operation of said latching means, and means associated with the switch and signals for governing the operation of the relays.

3. An electro-pneumatic interlocking machine comprising a manually operable control lever for signals, a manually operable control lever for a switch, electric means for control operating pneumatic operatingmeans for the switch, an electric operated means for the signals adapted to operate said switch and signals in accordance with the operation of the control levers, and electric interlocking means for s aid control levers, including electrically controlled lock magnets, relays interconnected in circuit with said lock mag nets and a source of energy having connec-. tion controlled by the operation of said signal and switch control levers, and additional controllingmcans operated through the movement of the s itch and signal. for additionally controlling the operation of said relays. v w.

10. An electro-pneumatic interlocking machine comprising a manually oaerabie control lever for signals, a manually operable lever for a switch, pneumatic mecha nism for operating the switch, electric means controllable by the operation of the signal and switch control levers operable for effecting the operation of the signal and the pneumatic means for operating the switch, electric interlocking means for said control levers having electrically operated lock mechanism for said levers, automatic electrically oper ated contact devices for controlling the circuit to said locking mechanism, means operated by said control levers for controlling the operation of said contact devices in a predetermined 1nanner,and switch and signal operated means for controlling the automatic operation of said contact devices in a predetermined manner.

11. In combination, manually controllable si nal operating mechanism, manually controllable switch operating mechanism, mutually mechanically independent interlocking means for both of said mechanisms, and an electrically operated signal controlled by the operation of the switch for indicating the completion of an operation of said switch.

12, In combination, manuallycontrollable signal operating mechanism, a manually operable control lever for a switch, switch operating means for said switch, electric interlocking means for the signal operating mechanism and the manually operable control lever. and means for controlling the said interlocking means controlled by the operation of both the switch operating mechanism and the operation of the switch.

13. An interlocking mach ne comprising a manually operable control lever for signals, a manually operable control lever for a switch, interlocking means for said control lever, pneumatic operating means for the switch controlled by said manually operable switch control lever, electric control means for the interlocking means operated by the switch, and electric operated means controlling the interlocking meansoperated by the pneumatic switch operating mechanism.

14. Operating mechanism for a railway switch and railway signals, comprising a manually operable control lever for the signals, a manually operable control lever for the switch, electric means controlled by said levers for effecting the operationof the signals and switch in accordance with the operation. of the respective levers, electric interlocking means for interlocking the manual operation of the control levers, a polarized relay for controlling the operation of said electric interlocking means, switch operated means, and means operated by the operating mechanism for the switch cooperating for controlling the operation of the polarized relay.

15. Railway interlocking apparatus, comprising an interlocking frame containing a plurality of levers, electric locks for said levers, an'energizing circuit for a lock for each lever controlled by another said lever, electrically operated means in said energizing circuit for independently controlling said lock, and means, the operation of which is controlled by said levers, for governing operation of the last named means in a predetermined manner.

'16; In combination, a manually controllable tralfic governing device, a stick relay having a pickup and a stick circuit one of which is controlled by traiiic conditions and the other of which is controlled by said device, and means controlled-by said relay for controlling said device.

17. In combination, a manually controllable trafiic governing device, a stick relay having a pick-up and a stick circuit one of which is controlled by trafiic conditions and by said device and the other of which is controlled by trafiic conditions, and means controlled by said relay for controlling said device.

18. In combination, a lever, means controlled by said lever for operating a railway signal, a second lever, a railway track switch mechanism controlled by said second lever and having a normal and a reverse extreme position, and electrically movable means engaging said first lever and controlled by said switch mechanism for permitting movement of said first lever when and only when said switch mechanism occupies one of said extreme positions.

19. In combination, a railway track switch mechanism, a switch lever, means controlled by said lever for operatingsaid switch mechanism, a signal lever for operating a railway signal, electrical means controlled by said signal lever for cont-rolling said switch lever, and electrically movable means engaging said signal lever and controlled by said switch lever and by said switch mechanism for controlling said signal lever.

20. In combination, a railway track switch mechanism, control means for said switch mechanism, a polarized indication relay having a polar contact which when said relay is deenergized continues closed in a position corresponding to the last previous direction 21. In combination, a circuit for control-- ling a railway tratfic governing device, a manually operable device, a second manually operable device, a relay included in said circuit in series with means controlled by said relay, means controlled by said first manually operable device connected in multiple with said first means in said circuit, and means controlled by said second manually operable device included in said circuit.

22. In combination, a stretch of railway track including a switch and provide-d with a track circuit, a signal governing trafic movement-s over said switch, a manually operable device, a second manually operable device, electrically operable means controlled by saidfirst device for controlling said second device, electrically operable means controlled by said second device and by said track circuit for controlling said first device, means controlled by said second device for controlling said switch, and means controlled by said first device for controlling said signal.

23. In combination, a stretch of railway track including a switch and provided with a track circuit, a signal governing traflic movements over said switch, a manually operable device, a second manually operable device, electrically operable means controlled by said first device for controlling said second device, an electrically operable instrument controlled by said second device and by said track circuit for controlling said first device, means controlled by said first device for controlling said switch, and means controlled by said second device for controlling said signal.

24. In combination, a railway track switch, a signal governing tratfic movements over .said switch, a manually operable device, a

second manually operable device, electrically operable means controlled by said signal and by said first device for controlling said second device, electrically operable means controlled by said switch and by said second device for controlling said first device, means controlled by said first device for controlling said switch, and means controlled by said second device for controlling saidsignal.

25., In combination, a railway track switch, I

a signal governing trafiic movements over said switch, a manually operable device, a second manually operable device, electrically operable means controlledby said signal and by said first device for controlling said sec 0nd device, electrically operable means controlled by said second device for controlling said first device, means controlled by said first device for controlling said switch, and means controlled by said second device for controlling said signal.

26. 'In combination, a railway track switch,

a signal governing trafiic movements over said switch, a manually operable device, a second manually operable device, electrically operable means controlled by said first de vice for controlling saidsecond device, elec-' tricaliy operable means controlled by said switch and by said second device for controlling said first device, means controlled by said first device for controlling said switch, and means controlled by said second device for controlling said signal.

27. In combination, a railway track switch, a signal governing traflic movements over said switch, a manually operable device, a second manually operable device, electrically operable means controlled by said first device tor controlling said second device, electrically operable means controlled by said switch and by said second device for con trolling said first device,means controlled by said first device for controlling said signal, and means controlled by said second device for controlling said switch. i

28. In combination, a railway track switch, a lever having anormal and a reverse position for controlling said switch, a contact controlled by said lever and arranged to close when said lever is moved to its normal position but to open when said lever is moved to its reverse position, a second contact controlled by said lever and arranged to close when said lever is moved to its reverse position but to open when said lever is moved to its normal position, a third contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said. switch occupies its normal position, a fourth contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said switch occupies its reverse position, normal indication means, reverse indication means, a circuit including said first andv third contacts in series for controlling said normal-indication means, and a circuit including said sec- 0nd and fourth contacts inseries for controlling said reverse indication means.

29. In combination, a railway trackswitch, 7

a leverhaving a normal and a reverse position for controlling said switch, a contact controlled by said lever and arranged to remain closed when said lever occupies its normal contact controlled by saidswitch and arranged to close when said switch 1s moved to its normal position, a fourth contact controlled bysaid switchand arranged to close ing traffic movements in opposite directions respectively over said stretch, a stick relayfor said first signal, a contact which stays open except when manually held closed, a pick-up circuit for said stick relay controlled by said contact, a stick circuit for said stick relay controlled by traiiic conditions, means controlled by said stick relay for controlling said first signal, a circuit for controlling said second signal, and means controlled by said stick relay for opening said control circuit 25 v for said second'signal. v v 31. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a first and a second signal for governing tratlic movements in opposite directions respectively'over said stretch, a stick relay, a

manually operable device, a pick-up and a stick circuitforsaid relay one of which is concontrolled by said manually operable device and the other of which is controlled by traffic in saidstretch, and means controlled by said relay for controlling said first and second signals. p

- 32-11'1- combination, a stretch of railway track, a: first and a second signal for governingtraffic movementsin opposite directions respectively over said stretch, a stick relay, a. manually operable device, apick-up and a stick circuit for said relay one of which is controlled by said manually operable device and the other of which is controlled bytraific in said stretch, and means including front con tactsot said relay for controlling said first andsecond signals; V

33. In combination, a stretch of railway track,-a first and a second'signal for govern- 7 ing traffic-movements in opposite directions respectively over said stretch, a track circuit for said stretch, a stick relay, a manually operable device,. a pick-up circuit for said relay includingsaid manually operable device, a stick circuit for'said relay controlled by said track circuit, and means controlled by: said. relay for'controlling said first and second signals.

" 34. In combination, a stretch of railway track, afirst and a-second'signalfor governing traflic movements in opposite directions respectively over said stretch, a track circuit for said stretch, a stick relay, a manually operable device, at pick-up circuit for said relay controlled by said track circuit, a stick,

circuit for said relay including said manually operable device, and means controlled bysaid relay for controlling said first and second signals.

revers'eposition with said control means in a v corresponding condition, a plurality of signals for governing traflic movements over said switch, and means controlled by said indication relay for controlling sa1d signals.

36. In ccmbinatioma railway track switch mechanism, a manually operable control lever having a normal and a-reverse position, a normal and a reversecontrolvmagnet, a lock magnet, a polarized indication relay having normal polar contact and a reverse polar contact one or the other of which is closed according as said relay becomes energized'in the normal or the reverse direction respecively, means controlled by said switch for energizing said rela'y'in the normal or the reverse direction according as said switch is operated to the normal or the reverse position respectively, means controlled by said lever inits normal position for controlling said normal magnet, means controlled by said lever in its reverse position for controlling said reverse magnet, means controlledby said reverse polar contact for controlling. said lock magnet if said'lever is operated to its normal position, means controlled by said normal polar contact for controlling said lock magnet it said lever is operated to its-reverse'position, and meanscontrolled by said normal and reverse control magnets and by said lock magnet for operating saidswitchtoits normal or lts-reverse posltion according assaid normal or said reverse magnetis energized and if said lock magnet is energized;

Intestimony whereof we aifiX our signa-

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