US2085039A - Train dispatching system for railroads - Google Patents

Description

R. PLANK 2,085,039

TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Nov. 25, v 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l iNvENTRZ I WMWw, 4454/ ATTORNEY June 29, 1937.

June 29, 1937. R. PLANK TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Nov. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ENTOR BY @ATTORNEY NMH OmA A Q Q3 Q3 m QKmW TE U. v n M 3: n3 um m T vsfl N2 3: ms

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Patented June 29, 1937 @NETEQ STATES PATENT @FFEQE TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTElvI FOR RAILROADS Application November 25, 1929, Serial No. 409,606

27 Claims.

This invention relates to a train dispatching system of the wayside signal directing type, and more particularly to a synchronous selector system, in which synchronous apparatus is controlled and in which indications are transmitted over the same line circuit.

In my prior patent, Patent No. 1,852,367, dated April 5, 1932, I have disclosed a, synchronous selector type train dispatching system, which requires three line wires, and if desired an additional checking wire, and the present invention has the advantage of requiring only two line wires, that is one line circuit.

There are many other advantageous features 15 in the dispatching system of the present invention, which will in part appear from the accompanying drawings and will in part be pointed out in the detailed description hereinafter.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A illustrates the apparatus in the dispatchers ofiice; and

Fig. 13 illustrates the apparatus located at one of a large number of way stations. Figs. 1A and 13 if laid end to end illustrate a complete working portion of the entire system.

Considering the present invention generally, the line circuit is allotted alternately for the pur- 30 pose of functioning as a stepping circuit and as a message circuit. Although this allotment of the line circuit may be accomplished in many Ways, in the particular embodiment of the invention shown, it is accomplished by having two line relays at each way station, one of which responds a only to direct current of one polarity, while the other responds only to direct current of the other polarity, and the dispatchers office apparatus includes a pendulum timing device PTD 40 which alternately connects the stepping mechanism and the message mechanism of the dispatchers oiilce to this line circuit. It is believed expedient to first consider the structural features of the system and then take up the operation of 5 the system.

Structure.ln accordance with the present invention, each diverging point of a railway system, such as a spur track, or the end of a passing siding, has associated therewith suitable syn- 50 chronous apparatus, and this location together with its apparatus will hereinafter be termed a way station. Although, in practice, there will be many such way stations in each system, for convenience only one such way station has been 55 illustrated in detail, namely, the station at the west end of the passing siding PS, the way station at the east end of the passing siding PS having been illustrated conventionally by the square Way station 2.

The passing siding PS has its track rails divided by insulating joints 26 in the usual way, to provide the usual detector track circuit, of which the detector track circuit at the west end of the passing siding PS includes a track relay T and battery 21, whereas the detector track circuit at the east end of the passing siding is provided with a detector track relay T and a track battery 28. The passing siding PS is provided with the usual switch machines for controlling the track switches at the ends of the passing siding, of which the switch machine SM only has been shown, and is provided with the usual way side signals for directing train movements into and out of such passing sidings, of which signals the signal S only has been illustrated for conven- 1ence.

In accordance with the present invention, the entire railway system is preferably duplicated in miniature in the dispatchers office, so that the levers, as well as suitable indicators may be located with respect to such miniature track layout, and the correlation of these levers and inclicators with the miniature track layout will readily inform the dispatcher the purpose of each lever and indicator, without making reference to some other designation. For convenience, only the miniature passing siding ps of this miniature track layout has been illustrated.

Associated with the west end of this miniature passing siding ps is an indicating lamp I, which is controlled by the indication relay IE and with the same end of this miniature passing siding gas is associated a lever L for controlling suitable traffic controlling apparatus, such as switch machines, d-erails or signals, and in accordance with the present invention this lever L is only used for controlling the signal S located at the west end of the passing siding PS (see Fig. 1B).

In the dispatchers office is also located a 1'0- tary synchronous selector RS which includes a shaft 38 having 3 rotatable arms A A and A associated therewith, which arms synchronously rotate over suitable contacts all in a manner more clearly described hereinafter. The shaft 30 may be driven by suitable step by step mechanism, such for instance as shown in my prior patent to which reference has been made, or may be of the type conventionally illustrated, in which the shaft 30 is rotated by suitable electromagnetically operated ratchet mechanism. In the arrangement shown, the ratchet wheel 33 is prevented from rotating backwards by a pawl 34, and may be ratcheted in a clock-wise direction, as indicated by the arrow, through the medium of the spring 35 and the pawl 36 one step for each attraction and release of the armature 37 by the electro-magnet 38.

The dispatchers ofiice equipment includes a line relay LR, which responds to current of negative polarity, and also includes relays 80, ill, SAR, SCR, SR SR SR IE IE9, FSR and FSR Referring now to the synchronous control apparatus located at the west end of the passing siding PS (see Fig. 1B) there is provided a similar rotary synchronous selector RS This rotary selector BS is provided with contact arms A and A the shaft 36 is operated by suitable ratchet mechanism, which is identical to that shown in Fig. 1A except that the armature 31 carries a movable contact 39 insulated therefrom.

The way station apparatus also includes a line relay LR a signal control relay KR a repeater control relay KH a signal cancelling relay CR, and a slow acting relay SLR. The way station apparatus also includes an interrupter ITR for the purpose of generating an alternating current, when required, by energy derived from a local battery 40.

Operation.-Let us assume that the dispatcher located in the dispatchers ofiice, shown in Fig. 1A, wishes to clear the signal S at the west end of passing siding PS in Fig. 13, this on the assumption that traflic conditions in advance of the signal S are favorable and the home relay H governed in accordance with such traffic conditionsis energized. Under normal at rest conditions of the apparatus there are no impulses transmitted to the way station apparatus over the transmission line, comprising the line wire 45 and the common return wire 46. This is because'no stepping current can flow with the stepping control relay SCR deenergized, as the front contact 41 of this relay SCR is included in the stepping circuit. In this connection, attention is directed to the fact that even though the synchronous selector system is at rest, so to speak, the pendulum timing device PTD is continuously operated. This pendulum device PTD is kept in motion by the electro-magnet 48 attracting the pendulum armature 49 intermittently, this by reason of intermittent closure of the following circuit:-beginning at the battery 50, contacts 5| biased against a stop 52, electro-magnet 48 back to battery 50. It is thus seen that with the pendulum 49 once in motion it will remain in motion by the electric energy intermittently flowing in this circuit.

Let us assume that in order to clear the signal S, the dispatcher moves his lever L to the dotted position, thereby causing momentary closure of the following circuit:-beginning at the terminal B, contacts 55, 56 and 51 (these contacts only closing the circuit momentarily this by reason of the provision of the stop 58), wires 59, 60 and fil winding of the relay SR wire 62, upper winding of the relay SR to the common return wire C.

The closure of this circuit causes the relays SR and SR to be operated to their attracted positions, thereby closing the following two stick circuits:-(1) beginning at the terminal B, contacts 63 and 64, wire 65, stick contact 65, wire 6|,

winding of the relay SR wire 62, upper winding of the relay SE to the other terminal C of the battery containing terminal B; and (2) beginning at the terminal B of said battery, contacts 63 and 61, wire 68, stick contact $9, wire ll, lower winding of the relay SR to the terminal C of said battery.

With the relay SR, energized the following circuit for energizing the relay 1!! is closed the next time the pendulum 49 swings to the right:-be ginning at the terminal B, wire 54, pendulum contact 83, wire 14-, back contact of the relay Hi (this contact 75 being a make-before-break contact in that its front and back contact connections are made in over-lapped relation), wire l6, Winding of the relay '10, wire "H, front contact 78 of the relay SR wire l9, zero contact 0-, contact arm A to the other terminal C of said battery. The flow of current in this circuit causes the relay ill to pick up and stick up through the following stick circuit:beginning at the terminal B of said battery, wire 12, stick contact 15 of the relay ll], wire 76, winding of this relay l4, wire ll, front contact 18 of the relay SR wire 79, contacts 0 and A back to the terminal C.

Picking up of the relay is opens the normal energizing circuit for the relay 8!], which may be traced as fo1lows:beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, wire 86, back contact 82 of the relay l0, wires 83 and 84, winding of the relay 88 to the other terminal C of said battery. These successive actions of the relays SR SR and relay lfi take place during the time the pendulum 49 swings toward the left, and. as the pendulum 49 again swings to the right, and so long as it remains there, the relay 8!] is maintained energized through the following circuit:--beginm'ng at the terminal B of a suitable battery, flexible wire 54, contact 73 of the pendulum timing device PTD, wire 14, front contact 85 of the relay 10, wire 86, front stick contact 81 of the relay 88, wire 84, winding of the relay to the other terminal C of said battery. This circuit will of course only remain closed while the pendulum 49 is to the right of its pendent position, and assures that the relay 86 maintains its contact 8? closed during this period of the operation of the pendulum.-

The relay in is, of course, now stuck upthrough the medium of its front contact 15. Through the medium of its front contact 9i it maintains the slow acting relay SAR energized through a circuit readily traced in the drawings. As the pendulum 49 swings to the left. it drops the relay 80 and upon its next swing toward the right, it closes the following circuit for energizing the stepping control relay SCR:-beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, wire 54, contact 13 connected to, but insulated from the pendulum 4%, wire l4, front contact of the relay Ill, wire 86, back contact Bl of the relay 8t, wire 93, back contact 94 of the relay SCR (this contact 94 being a make-before-break contact, in that it makes its front and its back contacts in over-lapped relation), wire 95, lower winding of the relay SCR to terminal C.

This relay SCR will of course pick up, and with the relay SAR energized, the following stick circuit for the relay SCR is closed: beginning at the terminal B of suitable battery, front contact 955 of the relay SAR, wire 97, front contact $4 of the relay SCR, wire 95, lower winding of the relay SCR to the other terminal C of said battery.

With the relay SCR now energized and the pendulum 49 to the left, the following circuit for energizing all of the various line relays, one at each way station of which the line relays LR, and LR only have been shown, is closed:-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery lllil, wires it! and H02, contact :03 connected to, but insulated' from the pendulum 49, line wire 5, through each of the various line relays LR, LR etc., wire 46, contact 14, connected to, but insulated from the pendulum 49, wire W5, front contact 41 of the relay SCR, wires Hi8, Hill and E68, to the negative terminal of the battery I613.

The closure of this circuit causes the line relay LR to be operated. towards the left, thereby causing the electromagnet 38 of the ratchet device to be energized through a circuit readily traced in the drawings and including the biased contact Hi9 of the line relay LR. This line relay LR will of course only operate to its left hand dotted position in the eventthat it is energized by current of the negative polarity, as is true of the circuit just traced through the line relay LR. This circuit will of course be maintained closed only for a short time, in that it will be interrupted when the pendulum 49 swings toward the right of the pendent position. After this of course, the spring 35 operates the ratchet wheel 33 toward the right one step through the medium of the dog 36, so that the contact arm-s A A and A will all be moved from the zero contact to the number I contact.

Movement of the contact arm A from the zero contact to the contact I causes the stick circuit for the relay 1D to be broken, which will of course effect deenergization of the relay l0 and in turn effect deenergization of the slow acting relay SAR. The relay SCR will however, not assume its deenergized position even though its lower winding was energized through front contact 96 of the relay SAR, because its upper winding is now energized through the following circuit: beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, upper winding of the relay SCR, wire HE stationary contact 1, rotary arm A to the other terminal C of said battery. Since all of the stationary contacts I to 24, inclusive, associated with the arm A are connected together and to the upper winding of the relay SCR, this relay SCR will remain energized during rotation of the shaft 36 until the arm A again reaches the zero contact 0. The line relay LR will of course, be intermittently operated toward the left each time that the pendulum 49 swings to the left and closes the circuit of the various line relays. From this it will appear that the synchronous selector HS in the dispatchers office will be operated step by step, one step for each swing of the pendulum 49 toward the left.

For reasons which will be more clearly pointed out hereinafter a message circuit may be completed during each swing of the pendulum 49 toward the right, only two such message circuits having been illustrated and will be considered hereinafter.

During the cycle of operation just considered when the rotary arm A reached the stationary contact 23, the following circuit for the relay SE was momentarily closed:beginning at the terminal B of suitable battery, wire 54, contact 13, wire ill, contact arm A stationary contact 23, wire H2, upper winding of the relay SR to the other terminal C of said battery. The flow of direct current in this circuit is in a direction to cause the contact 63 of the polar relay SR to be moved to the right, thereby momentarily opening the stick circuit for the relay SR but the relay SR. will not drop, because its upper winding is included in series with the energized winding of the relay SR When the contact arm A on the other hand, engages the stationary contact 24 the following similar circuit is closed for the lower winding of the relay SR :-beginning at the terminal B of said battery, wire 54, contact 13, wire Ill, contact A and 24, wire I it, through the lower winding of the relay SR to the other terminal C of said battery. The flow of current in this latter circuit is of a polarity to cause the contact 63 of the relay SR to be moved to the left, thereby momentarily interrupting the circuit heretofore traced including the contacts 63-54 of the relay SR the winding of the relay SR and the upper winding of the relay SR in series, so that the relay SR will drop, but the relay SR will remain energized, because the stick circuit for its lower winding is still intact.

The contact arms A A and A are, of course, moved another step back to the zero position, since the contact 4'! of relay SCR is still closed, and the relay i0 is again energized for reasons heretofore given, which energization of relay 10 is followed by the dropping of the relay 80, so that the pickup circuit for the relay SCR, heretofore traced, is again completed, and the synchronous selector will operate through another cycle of operation, rotating the arms A A and A through an entire revolution to a point where all of these arms engage the zero contact.

The synchronous selector in the dispatchers office as it operates through this second cycle or second revolution deenergizes the relay SR This deenergization of the relay SR is caused by the 1 contact arm A engaging the stationary contact 23, resulting in the operation of the contact 63 of the relay SR toward the right, thus opening the stick circuit for the lower winding of the relay SR. and effecting deenergization of this relay SR With the relay SR. deenergized, and its contact 18 opened, the relay 10 cannot again be picked up, and therefore the relay SCR. will remain deenergized, its energizing circuit for the upper coil being opened when the contact arm A moved off of the stationary contact 24. It is thus seen that the synchronous apparatus in the dispatchers oiiice is returned to its normal condition and brought to rest when the arms A A and A have made two complete revolutions.

Let us now see what transpires at the way station apparatus shown at the west end of the passing siding PS (see Fig. 1B), during the two revolutions of operation of the dispatchers synchronous selector. It will be remembered that during each cycle of operation of the synchronous selector apparatus in the dispatchers office twenty-four successive negative impulses were transmitted to each of the various way stations. These negative impulses operate the various line relays such as line relay LR toward the left once for each impulse, thus effecting repeated energization of the electro-magnet 38 of the ratchet mechanism, thereby causing the arm 31 to be attracted by this magnet 38 and allowing it to again return to normal, through the medium of the spring 35 thus causing the ratchet wheel 33 to operate one tooth for each deenergzation of the electro-magnet 38 and thereby causing the arms A and A at the way station to operate in synchronism with the arms A A and A at the dispatchers oflice. The electro-magnet 38 is intermittently energized, as just explained, through the following circuit:beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, contact I29 of the relay LR wires I2I and I22, winding of the electro-magnet 38 to the other terminal C of such battery.

Intermittent movement of the contact I20 of the relay LR. toward the left, also intermittently energizes the slow acting relay SLR, and since this slow acting relay is sufficiently slow dropping, its contact I23 will remain in its attracted position during this intermittent ener-gization of the line relay LR}. It is thus seen that the synchronous selector RS located at the west end of the passing siding PS is operated one step for each operation of the synchronous selector BS in the dispatchers office.

It is, however, conceivable that the selector at the way station may lose one step or possibly gain one step, due to foreign causes such as a lightning discharge and in this event the contacts A and A would not assume the zero position engaging the contact 0 when the synchronous selector apparatus in the dispatchers office reaches its normal zero position. In other words, the arms A and A would engage one of the stationary contacts I to 26 inclusive, with the contact I 20 of the relay LR in its normal biased position. A period of time after the line relay LE comes to rest from its intermittent operation, the slow acting relay SLR is deenergized thereby closing its back contact I23. This clo sure of the back contact I23 of the relay SLR enables the ratchet mechanism of the selector RS to intermittently energize itself through its own back contact (a contact closed when the mechanism is deenergized), through the following circuit:-beginning at terminal B of a suitable battery, wire !25, contact 39 closed only when the arm 31 assumes its normal position, but having sufiicient wipe to allow the arm 37. to get in motion, wire I26, one of stationary contacts I to 25, inclusive engageable by the arm A arm A wire I27, back contact I23 of the relay SLR, wires I28 and I22, winding of the electro-magnet 58 to the terminal C of such battery.

With this circuit available, it is obvious that the ratchet mechanism, including the pawls 3B and 3'3 the ratchet wheel 33 and the electromagnet 38 will be operated intermittentlyto effect step by step rotation of the ratchet wheel 33 until the circuit just traced is opened, which occurs when the contact arm A reaches the zero contact 0. In other words, when intermittent operation of the line relays, such as line relay LR of each of the various Way stations ceases, the synchronous selector apparatus at such way station is automatically brought to the zero position, if it does not already assume the zero position. Putting it another way, each synchronous selector unit located at a way station is self synchronizing, and returns to its normal position when operation of the line relay for controlling the same ceases its intermittent operation.

Let us now observe how the operation of the lever L associated with the miniature passing siding ps can effect clearing of the signal S located at the west end of the passing siding PS. As the synchronous selectors at the dispatchers oflice and at the way station illustrated operate in synchronism, the following circuit is closed when the contact arms A and A engage their respective stationary contacts 3:beginning at the positive terminal of the battery IGI), wires MI and I33, lever L in its dotted position, wire 93%, stationary contact 3, contact arm A wire I33, pendulum contact IM, line wire 46,

wire I32 (see Fig. 1B), contact arm A stationary contact 3, wires I33 and I 33, winding of the signal relay KR}, wire I35, line wire 45, pendulum contact H13, wires I36 and I31, to the negative terminal of the battery I33.

The direction of current flow in this circuit is such, that it may be said to be of positive polarity, and causes the relay K'R to be operated toward the right, and in so doing closes the following pick-up circuit for the relay KR beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, wire I40, contact IGI of the relay KR wires I42 and I43, winding of the relay KR wire I44, back contact I45 of the cancelling relay CR, wire I46, to the terminal C of said battery. The momentary closure of this circuit picks up the relay KR and this relay KR, is then struck up through the following stick circuit:beginning at the terminal B of said battery, wire I'll, stick contact I48 of the relay KR wires I49 and I '53, winding of the relay KH wire I 44, contact I45, wire I46 to the other terminal C of said battery.

With the relay KR energized, and assuming that traffic conditions in advance as manifested by the relay H are clear, and that the switch machine SM is in its normal straight track position, the signal S is operated to its clear proceed position through the following circuit:--beginning at the terminal .8 of suitable battery, wire #58, front contact I5I of the relay KH wire I52, switch machine contact I53 closed only when the switch machine is in its normal straight track position, wire I54, front contact I55 of the home relay H, wire I55, operating mechanism of the signal S to the other terminal C of said battery.

Let us now observe how the dispatcher by returning his lever L to the normal position may again place the signal S at stop. Return of the lever L to its normal position causes momentary closure of the lever contacts 55-56-57, thereby causing the way station apparatus to be initiated, all in a manner as already described hereinbefore, thus setting the contact arms A A A A and A into motion and rotating them in synchronism. As the arms A and A engage the stationary contact 3, and with the pendulum 49 assuming its right hand position, the following circuit for the alternating current relay CR (see Fig. 1B) is closed:starting at the secondary winding of the transformer IIiii (the primary side of which transformer is connected to a suitable high frequency alternating current source), wire IBI, lever contact L, wire I3I, stationary contact 3, contact arm A wire I38, pendulum contact I04, line wire 46, wire I32 (see Fig. 13), contact A stationary contact 3, wires I33 and I62, winding of the cancelling relay CR, wire I63, condenser I64 (this condenser tuning the inductance of the relay OR to permit the free flow of the particular frequency transmitted, and preventing the flow of direct current through the relay CR), wires I65 and I66, line wire 45, pendulum contact I03, wires I36, I67 and condenser to the other terminal of the transformer.

causes it to momentarily open its contact I45, thereby opening the stick circuit for the signal relay KR and effecting deenergization of this relay KR so that the signal S is again put to stop. It may be pointed out here, that this alternating current relay OR is preferably one of the tuned reed type, in which the contact M5 is vibrated at the frequency of the alternating current source I63, so that this contactv I45 is open The momentary flow of alternating current in the cancelling relay CR practically constantly during flow of current from said source. The relays IR and FSR are of similar construction.

Let us now observe how the dispatcher is informed of the passage of a train by the signal S. Let us assume that a train has approached and has trodden upon the detector track circuit containing the track relay T This movement of this train upon this track circuit will of course deenergize the track relay T the dropping of which closes the following circuit for the interrupter ITR:beginning at the battery 48, wire I10, primary winding of the interrupter ITR, interrupter armature and contact I'II, wire I12, back contact I13 of the track relay T wire I14, back to battery 49. The closure of this circuit will cause the armature I1I to be intermittently attracted, thereby opening the circuit intermittently at a rate dependent upon the tuned characteristic of the armature Hi. This armature MI is preferably tuned to cause the current to be interrupted at a predetermined rate to produce alternating current in the secondary winding I15 of a particular desired frequency.

With the various synchronous selectors assuming their normal positions, as they ordinarily will, unless the system has been initiated by the movement of a lever or the dropping of another track relay, either of which may initiate the system, the alternating current generated in the secondary winding I15 may flow through the field starting relay FSR (see Fig. 1A) through the following circuit:beginning at the winding I15 (see Fig. 13), wire I16, condenser I11, wires I18 and I19, stationary contact 0, contact arm A wire I32, line wire 46, pendulum contact I04, wire I38, contact arm A stationary contact 0, wire I89, condenser I8I, wire I82, winding of the relay FSR wires I83, I98, I31 and I35, pendulum contact I93, line wire 45, wires I66 and I84, back tothe secondary winding I15 of the interrupter 1TB. The flow of current in this circuit opens the contact I85 of the relay FSR thereby effecting deenergization of the relay FKEIR and causing closure of its contact I81.

With the contact I81 of relay FSR closed, the following pickup circuit for the relays SR and SR is comp-leted:beginning at the terminal B, back contact I81 of the relay FSRP, wires I88, 69 and IiI, winding of the relay SR wire 62, upper winding of the relay SR to the other terminal C of such battery. The closure of this pick-up circuit will, of course, initiate the system in the same way that movement of the lever L, as heretofore explained, initiates the system, and this synchronous selector system will remain in operation for two complete cycles after which it will be brought to stop, all in a manner as already explained heretofore.

As the contact arms A and A assume a position to engage their respective stationary contacts 2, the following alternating current circuit is established, including the winding I 15 of the interrupter ITR and including the indicating relay IR :beginning at the winding I15, wire I16,

condenser I11, wires I18 and I90, stationary contact 2, contact arm A wire I32, line wire 46, pendulum contact I94, wire I38, contact arm A stationary contact 2, wire I9I, condenser I92, wire I93, winding of the relay 1R wires I94, I01 and I93, I31 and I36, pendulum contact I93, line wire 35, wires I96 andIB i, back to the winding I15 of the interrupter ITR.

The flow of alternating current in the circuit just traced, causes the indicating relay 1R to pick up its back contact I96, thereby interrupting the following circuitfor the indicating relay IR :beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, resistance unit I91 (this resistance unit having a resistance sufficient in value to prevent the relay 1R from picking up through this resistance but having a low enough resistance, so that if the relay [R is once picked up it will remain in its attracted position), wire I98, winding of the indicating relay IR wire I99, back contact I96 of the relay 1R to the other terminal C of said battery. For reasons just explained, if the relay IE is once deenergized closure of its circuit just traced and including the resistance I91 will not again effect energization of the relay IE and with this relay IR deenergized the indicating lamp I associated with the miniature passing siding ps is illuminated by reason of closure of the following circuit:-beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, back contact 299 of the relay 1R wire 20 I, indicating lamp I, to the other terminal C of said battery.

If now, the train in question passes oil of the detector track circuit containing the track relay T thereby effecting reenergization of this track relay T the interrupter ITR is rendered inactive, and alternating current is no longer generated in the secondary winding I15 of this interrupter. And under these conditions, the synchronous selector apparatus of course being in operation at this time, it remaining in operation for two cycles of operation after interruption in the alternating current generated by the interrupter ITR, alternating current will no longer flow to the relay 1R As the contact arm A engages its associated stationary contact 2 and during the period of time when the pendulum 39 assumes its right hand position, the following pick-up circuit for, and one not including the resistance I91 of the indicating relay IE is completed:-beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, wire 54, pendulum contact 13, wire III, contact arm A stationary contact 2, wires 263 and I98, winding of the indicating relay 1R wire I99, back contact I96 of the relay IE common return wire C. Momentary flow of current in the circuit just traced causes the indicating relay IE to assume its attracted position, and with its armature once assuming the attracted position, the magnetic circuit of the relay 1R has been improved to an extent where this relay IR remains energized through its normal circuit including the resistance unit I91.

As soon as the synchronous selector system now again comes to rest, the entire apparatus again assumes its normal condition, from which it appears, that the system may transmit control impulses from the dispatchers office to the distant way stations and may receive indication impulses at the dispatchers ofiice, from any one of such way stations, and that the synchronous apparatus may be initiated from the dispatchers oflice by the movement of a lever and may be initiated from the field in response to the dropping of a track relay. Also, it is clear that the pendulum device PTD allots substantially half of the time for the transmission of direct current of negative polarity for controlling the various synchronous selectors at the various way stations, and allots the remaining time for the purpose of transmitting message impulses over the same line wires 454B.

Although only one way station has been illustrated specifically, way station No. 2 having been illustrated conventionally and designated Way Station 2", it is desired to be understood that in practice'a large number of way stations will be used, and that in practice all of the remaining message channels may be used all in a manner readily understood from the drawings and the description heretofore given. Attention is directed to the fact .that although only the station contacts 0, 2 and 3 have been shown used for the message circuits heretofore described, each of the remaining stationary contacts I and 4' to 24, inclusive, may be used for controlling other signals and indicating the occupancy of other track circuits.

Having thus shown and described only a portion of a system illustrating a rather specific embodiment of the present invention, it is desired to be understood that the particular embodiment selected has been selected for the purpose of illustrating the nature of the invention and its operating characteristics and has not been selected for the purpose of showing the scope of the invention or the exact construction preferably employed in practicing the invention; and that various changes, modifications and additions may be made to adapt the invention to the particular problem encountered in practicing the same, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or the idea of means underlying the same, except as demanded by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim as new'is:-

1. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type, in combination, a single line circuit connecting a dispatchers office and a plurality of way stations, a synchronous selector in said dispatchers office and a synchronous selector at each of said way stations, means for operating all of said synchronous selectors through the medium of said line circuit by current of a particular character, a plurality of sequentially closed message circuits each including said line circuit and contacts controlled by certain of said selectors, and electro-responsive means included in said message circuits responsive only to current of a difierent character.

2. In a train dispatching system of the type in which a large number of devices is distinctively controlled over the same line circuit through the medium of a large number of sequentially selected message circuits, an electro-responsive means controlled over one of said message circuits, said electro-responsive means being actuated to one of its positions in response to the flow of direct current and being actuated to its other position in response to the flow of alternating current over said message circuit, a timing device, and means controlled by said timing device for delaying the flow of current over said message circuit after it is selected.

3. In a train dispatching system or" the synchronous selector type, the combination with a dispatchers ofiice and a plurality of way stations of a railway system, of a synchronous selector at said dispatchers oflice and at each of said way stations, starting means for normally holding said selectors at rest, means at each way station for applying alternating current to said starting means to initiate said synchronous selectors into operation in response to the approach of a train to such way station, and indicating means responsive to said alternating current at a particular instant in a cycle of operation of said selectors for informing the dispatcher of the approach of such train.

4. In a train dispatching-system of the syn chronous selector type, the combination with a dispatchers ofiice and a plurality of way stations of a railway system, of a synchronous selector at said dispatchers ofiice and at each of said way stations, starting means for normally holding said selectors at rest, means at each way station for applying alternating current to said starting means to initiate said synchronous selectors into operation in response to the approach of a train to such way station, indicating means responsive to said alternating current at a particular instant in a cycle of operation of said selectors for informing the dispatcher of the approach of such train, and means for rendering said indicating means inactive just prior to said particular instant in such cycle of operation.

5. In a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads, a control oflice, a plurality of way stations having traffic controlling devices, two line wires extending from said control ofiice through said way stations, means for placing a series of time-spaced impulses of distinctive characters upon said line wires, synchronous selector means at the control office and at each way station responsive to take one step for each alternate impulse of said series beginning with the first impulse, whereby a cycle of operation is completed in response to said series of impulses, means governing said traific controlling devices in accordance with the character of each alternate impulse of said series, which is always different from the immediate preceding impulse, beginning with the second impulse, and means operable to selectively determine the character of each alternate impulse of said series beginning with the second impulse.

6. In a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads, a control office, a plurality of way stations having traflic controlling devices, two line wires extending from said control ofiice through said way stations, means in part automatic and in part manually operable for placing a series of impulses of distinctive characters upon said line wires, synchronous selector means operated through a cycle of operation by said series of impulses, and means responsive to the character of certain of said impulses, which are always different from the immediate preceding impulse, to distinctively operate said trafiic governing devices, said means being responsive to the order of said impulses in a manner to determine which of said trafiic governingdevices is to be distinctively operated, whereby said devices are manually governed from said control office.

'7. In a centralized trafilc controlling system for railroads, a dispatchers office, a plurality of way stations having traffic governing devices, two line wires extending from the dispatchers oflice through the several way stations, means at the dispatchers ofiice for applying'a series of timespaced impulses of a particular distinctive character to said line wires, step-by-step means at the dispatchers oflice and at each Way station responsive to take one step for each of said timespaced impulses, means at the dispatchers office and at each way station for completing a plurality of message channels over said line wires, one for each step, said means including in part said step-by-step means,electro-responsivemeans on certain of said message channels responsive to impulses always of certain other distinctive characters, whereby said trafiic governing devices may be controlled and their condition indicated in the dispatchers ofiice.

' 8. Ina train dispatching system, a plurality of devices, a single line circuit for connection to the devices, means for connecting the line circuit to the devices through sequentially selected message circuits, an electro-responsive means included in one of the message circuits, said electro-responsive means being distinctively actuated in response to the flow of direct current and being distinctively actuated in response to the flow of alternating current over said message circuit, a timing device, and means controlled by said timing device for delaying the flow of current over said message circuit after it is selected.

9. In a train dispatching system of the type in which a large number of devices are distinctively controlled over the same line circuit through the medium of a large number of sequentially selected message circuits, an electroresponsive means included in a message circuit,

said electro-respo-nsive means being caused to assume a distinctive condition in response to the flow of direct cmrent and being caused to assume a distinctive condition in response to the flow of alternating current over said message circuit, a timing device, means controlled by said timing device for delaying the flow of current over said message circuit after it is selected, and means for storing one distinctive condition of said electro-responsive means until said electroresponsive means is caused to assume another distinctive condition.

10. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type, the combination with a dispatchers office and a plurality of way stations of a railway system, of a synchronous. selector at said dispatchers office and at each of said way stations, starting means for" normally holding said selectors at rest, means at each way station for applying alternating current to said starting means to initiate said synchronous selectors into operation, and indicating means responsive to said alternating current at a particular instant in a cycle of operation of said selectors for informing the dispatcher of trafiic conditions.

ll. In a centralized trafiic controlling system, in combination, synchronous apparatus at a central oifice and at a plurality of way stations, a single line circuit connecting the offi'ce and way stations, means for allotting alternate times to the line circuit for synchronous control and for message circuit purposes respectively, and means for initiating the synchronous operation from the central office and from any Way station by respectively different characters of currents.

12. In a centralized tramccontrolling system, in combination, synchronous apparatus at a central office and at a plurality of way stations, a single line circuit connecting the office and way stations, means for allotting alternate times to the line circuit for synchronous control and for message circuit purposes respectively, and means for initiating the synchronous operation from the central office and from any way station by direct current and alternating current respectively.

13. In a centralized traffic control system, in combination, synchronous apparatus at a central office and at a plurality of way stations, a single line circuit connecting the office and way station, means for allotting alternate times to the line circuit for synchronous control and for message circuit purposes respectively, means for initiating the synchronous operation from the central office and from any way station by respectively different characters of currents, means at the way station controlled over the message circuit in a distinctive manner in accordance with current of a distinctive character, and means at the central oilice for indicating traiiic conditions and controlled over the message circuit by current different from the stepping current.

14. In a centralized trafiic controlling system, in combination, synchronous apparatus at a central office and at a plurality of way stations, a single line circuit connecting the oifice and Way stations, means for allotting alternate times to the line circuit for synchronous control and for message circuit purposes respectively, and means for initiating the synchronous operation from the central oflice and from any Way station by respectively different characters of currents, the different characters of currents being direct and alternating. I

15. In a traffic control system, in combination with a control office and a plurality of way stations, a single line circuit connecting the central oflice and way stations; step-by-step means at the central ofliceand the way stations, means for operating the step-by-step means over the line circuit by one character of current, control means at the way stations, means for operating the control means over the line circuit by another character of current, and means for initiating the step-by-step means and causing an indication in the central oflice, by still another character of current.

16. In a tramc control system, in combination with a control office and a plurality of way stations, a single line circuit connecting the central office and way stations; step-by-step means at the central oflice and the way stations, means for operating the step-by-step means over the line circuit by one character of current, control means at the Way stations, means for operating the control means over the line circuit by either of two other characters of current, and means for initiating the step-by-step means and causing an indication in the central office, by still another character of current.

1'7. In a centralized traffic controlling system, in combination, step-by-step means at a central office and at a way-station being operable in synchronism when initiated, a single line circuit connecting the oflice and way-station, means for allotting alternate times for each step to condition the line circuit for different purposes, and means for initiating the step-by-step operation from the central oiiice and from the way-station by respectively different characters of current.

18. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type, in combination, a single line circuit connecting a dispatchers office and a plurality of way stations, a synchronous selector in said dispatchers oflice and a synchronous selector at each of said way stations, a device having a natural time period of operation, means including said device for energizing said line circuit with a plurality of time spaced impulses, means responsive only to certain of said impulses for operating all of said synchronous selectors, a plurality of sequentially closed message circuits each including said line circuit and contacts controlled by certain of said selectors, and means including said device for allotting the use of said line circuit alternately for the purpose of controlling said synchronous selectors and for the purpose of establishing such message circuits.

19. In a traffic control system, in combination with a control ofiice and a plurality of way stations, a single line circuit connecting the central ofiice and way stations; step-by-step means at the control ofiice and the Way stations, means for operating the step-by-step means over the line circuit by one polarity of current, control means at the Way stations, means for operating the control means over the line circuit by the other polarity of current and by alternating current of one frequency, and means for initiating the step-by-step means and causing an indicaticn in the central oifice by alternating current of a difierent frequency.

20. In a centralized tramc controlling system for railroads; a line circuit connecting a control ofiice and a field station; impulsing means for energizing said line circuit with a series of time spaced impulses; a normally at rest step-by-step means at said control ofiice and said field station operable in synchronism, when initiated, in response to impulses on said line circuit; means including said impulsing means for successively allotting said line circuit on each step of said stepby-step means for two difierent purposes; means to! manually initiating said step-by-step means from said control ofiice; and means efiective over said line circuit for at times automatically initiating said step-by-step means.

21. In a centralized trafilc controlling system for railroads; a line circuit connecting a control oflice and a field station; ,impulsing means for energizing said line circuit with a series of time spaced impulses; a normally at rest step-by-step means at said control office and said field station operable in synchronism, when initiated, in response to impulses on said line circuit; means including said impulsing means for successively allotting said line circuit on each step for two different purposes and including timing means wholly located at the control ofiice for determining the respective periods of allotment; means for manually initiating said step-by-step means from said control ofiice; and means effective for at times automatically initiating said step-by-step means.

22. In a centralized trafiic ccntrolling system for railroads; a line circuit connecting a control oflice and a field station; a normally at rest stepby-step means at said control office and said field station operable in synchronism, when initiated, in response to impulses on said line circuit;-impulsing means for impressing a series of impulses on said line circuit; means including said impulsing means for successively allotting said line circuit subject to control by said control office and said field station respectively on each step, and including timing means wholly located at said control ofiice for determining the respective periods of allotment; means for manually initiating said step-by-step means from said control office; and means for at times automatically initiating said step-by-step means from said field station.

23. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type, a dispatchers office and a plurality of way stations connected by a single line circuit, a selector at said oilice and a selector at each of said stations, a time control device,

, means including said device for energizing said line circuit with series of time spaced impulses, a plurality of sequentially closed message circuits each including said line circuit and contacts of said selectors, and means controlled by said device for allotting alternate impulses of a series only for the control of said selectors and intervening impulses of said series only for the establishment of said message circuits;

24. In a remote control system, a line circuit having a plurality of series oftime spaced stepping impulses impressed thereon, step-by-step mechanisms operable through a separate cycle for each of said series of stepping impulses, means controlled by said mechanisms for selecting local channel circuits for each step, means for interposing characteristic message carrier impulses on said line circuit between said stepping impulses, means for causing said mechanisms to take one step for each of said stepping impulses, and means for distinctively energizing said channel circuits in accordance with the character of said message carrier impulses.

25. In a remote control system, a line circuit having a plurality of series of time spaced stepping impulses of a first character impressed thereon, step-by-step mechanisms operable through a separate cycle for each of said series of stepping impulses, means controlled by said mecha-- nisms for selecting local channel circuits for each step, means for selectively interposing message carrier impulses of a second or third character on said line circuit between said stepping impulses, means for causing said mechanisms to take one step for each of said stepping impulses, andmeans for distinctivelyenergizing said channel circuits in accordance with the character of said message carrier impulses.

26. In a remote control system, a line circuit having a plurality of series of time spaced stepping impulses impressed thereon, step-by-step mechanisms operable through a separate cycle for each of said series of stepping impulses, means controlled by said mechanisms for selecting local channel circuits for each step, means for interposing characteristic message carrier impulses on said line circuit between said stepping impulses,

means for preparing said mechanisms to take one step for each of said stepping impulses, means for causing said mechanisms to complete one step for each time space between said stepping impulses, and means for distinctively energizing said channel circuits in accordance with the character of said message carrier impulses.

27. Remote controlling apparatus comprising a line Wire connecting an oflice and a station, manually controlled means at said office for at times initiating said apparatus, automatic means at said station for at times delivering a starting impulse to said line wire for initiating said apparatus, means operating in response to such initiation from said station to deliver a series of alternate control and indication impulses to said line wire, and means selectively controlled by said control and indication impulses.

' RAY PLANK.

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