US2108559A - Rail flaw detector mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 15, 1938. G. L. JONES ET AL RAIL FLAW DETECTOR MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb, 5, 1935 s m ER m mm RC w m Ju R 5 WW W N/ ERE Guuuu M Feb. 15,1938. 6. JONES ET AL r 2,108,559

RAIL FLAW DETECTOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1955 2 Shee'bs Sheet 2 ZSnventors GEORGE L. JONES HAIZCOURT ODRAKE HENRY SCHUMACHER a W Gttotne y -..f-iJ-1Il-Tr:o* STATES PATENT oFF Patented Feb. 15, 193s RAIL FLnw nnrncron 'MECHANISM George L. Jones, Garden City, Harcourt O. Drake, Hempstead, and Henry Schumacher, Brooklyn,- N. Y., assignors to Sperry Products, Inc., Brook lyn, N. Y., a corporationof New York Application February 5, 1935, Serial No. 5,046

.. v 12 Claims.

This invention relates to rail flaw detector mechanisms of the type embodied in the Sperry rail flaw detector. "The operation of these mechanisms is now :well known and consists of. a car which operates along the rails and, carries a mechanism responsive to internal flaws. When such a flaw is encountered an indication is made upon a chart in the moving car and at the same time marking meanssuch as paint is discharged on the rail in the region of flaw.

It is highly'desirable that the marking means should operate quickly in response to energization in order that the mark on the rail may be properly located, and it is further desirablethat the mark be limited in extent to substantially the region of a flaw. If the marking means is slow in responding to an impulse it maybe that the This invention, therefore, has for its principal object the provision of rail marking means and actuating means therefor which will result in a. quick response of the marking means and which will yield a mark of relatively short length.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of a Sperry rail fissure detector car, the main portion of the car being broken away to show the detector mechanism.

Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive are views largelydn the form of wiring diagrams illustrating various forms of our invention.

Fig. dis a, section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5., I

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there are shownthe parts of a standard Sperry rail fissure detector car which includes a car-body ill operating along the rails R. Fissure detection is accomplished by passing. current through each rail from a generator G within the car-body supplying current to spaced. current brushes ii and i2 supported .upon the current brush carriage it which when in lowered. or efiective adapted to ride upon the rail by mea ,suchas are pivotally connected at I 9 to the current brush carriage it. The current passed through the rail by way of spaced brushes H and it will establish an electromagnetic field surrounding the rail and this field will be uniform except in the region of flaw, where it will be distorted. ,Such distortions of the electromagnetic field are detected by a flaw responsive mechanism which may take the form of a pair of opposed induction coils 22 supported in a housing 23 at a constant distance above the rail surface by means of a carriage M. Said carriage M is mounted on current brush carriage it by means of loosely fittingbolts 2t and springs lit to permit said carriage M while riding on the rail on means such as wheels 217 to move independently of carriage it so that the said carriage 2t may at all times maintain parallelism with differential E. M. F. which after being suitably amplified by an amplifier A may be caused to actuate a pen P operating on a chart, now shown.

' ment of said member to operate the marmng osition' is At the same time that pen P is actuated, there is actuated also marking means which may take the form of a paint gun 30 mounted on the current brush carriage I3 a sufficient distance behind the flaw responsive members 22 to compensate for the movement of the car and for the lag in operation of the paint gun.

As stated in the introduction hereto, it is highly desirable that the paint gun be so operated that a relatively short mark will be placed upon the rail in the region of flaw, regardless of the magnitude of the impulse passing through the amplifier A or the length of time that said impulse persists. For this purpose we have provided various forms of our invention. In all of these forms there is utilized a single principle, 1. e., to actuate a memher in response to an impulse from the amplifier, and? to utilize only a fraction of the total movemeans.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2,

the impulse from amplifier A energizes magnet M which attracts its armature M against the action t spring ll to close a set of contacts W and closea circuit including a source 'of energy, such as battery B, to energize a magnet 44 which attracts an armature 45 against the action of a spring 46 to actuate the pen P on the chart, not shown. The pen P normally draws a straight line on the chart which is moving continuously, but when actuated by the magnet 44 it makes a notch in the straight line, indicating the presence of a flaw in the rail.

At the same time that pen magnet 44 is energized to cause pen P to indicate on the chart that a flaw has been encountered, we cause the railmarking means to be actuated for a constant predetermined degree each time an impulse passes through amplifier A. For this purpose we employ a motor M which rotates a shaft 50 upon which there is fixed a valve journaledwithin a hearing 52, said valve having an opening 53 diametrically therethrough so that once during each revolution thereof said opening 53 will connect the paint supply opening 54 with a discharge opening 55. The motor M is normally deenergized but is adapted to be energized when contacts 43 close. For this purpose the circuit through motor M extends through a contact 56 carried by contact arm 51 which engages a contact 58 carried by contact arm 59. The contact 56 is normally held out of engagement with contact 58 by reason of spring 69. When contacts 43 close, however, there is energized a magnet 6| which is adapted to attract contact arm 51 as an armature and move contact 56 into engagement with contact 58 to close ,the circuit through the motor M.

Upon an extension of shaft 50 there is carried a detent wheel 62 having notches 63 adapted to coact with a detent 64 which is normally held by springs 65 pressed against the wheel 62 and will therefore engage in one or the other of notches 63 to prevent rotation of the motor M. To permit motor M to rotate shaft 5|] and therefore bring opening 53 into coincidence with the paint supply opening 54 and outlet 55 there is provided means for withdrawing detent 64 from the respective notches 63 before contact 56 engages contact 58. For this purpose a spring contact arm 51 carries a lower contact 66 which engages a contact 61 carried by a spring contact 68 when the said arm 51 is in its unattracted position. When contacts 43 close, the circuit is completed by way of contacts 66, 61 and magnet 69 which then attracts its armature to withdraw detent 64 from notch 63 to permit motor M to rotate shaft 50 when the said motor is energized. Contacts 66 and 61 remain closed as spring arm 51 is attracted by magnet 6| and in the position indicated in dotted lines at S the contacts 66 and Marc still closed by reason of the fact that in the full line position of arm 51 contact arm 68 is under tension and as arm 51 rises contact 61 follows in engagement with contact 66 by reason of the tension in spring arm 68 relaxing. In the dotted line position shown at S, therefore, contacts 66 and 61 engage, as well as contacts 56 and 58. Thus, magnet 69 at this moment holds detent 64 withdrawn from groove 63 while the motor is energized to rotate shaft 50. A slight further attraction of arm 51 to the dotted line position indicated at T breaks the contacts 66 and 61 to deenergize magnet 69 and permit armature 10 to drop, while contacts 56 and 53 remain in engagement to energize motor M. The dropping of armature10 does not cause detent 64 to drop into its groove 63 by reason of the fact that shaft 56 has rotated in the meantime to move grooove 63 out of engagement with the detent 64. The said de en 64 therefore rides upon the outer surface of wheel 62 until the groove 63 on the opposite side of wheel 62 engages said detent 64 to stop the rotation of the motor. The opening 53 is positioned at an angle, preferably at right angles, to the line joining groove 63 so that in a half revolution of motor shaft 50 there is sure to be one full engagement of opening 53 with paint supply 54- and outlet 55. Since the motor rotates at the same speed every time it is actuated, the length of time that opening 53 engages supply opening 54 and discharge opening 55 will be constant and thus a paint mark of constant length will be obtained upon the rail. It will thus be seen that regardless of how long contacts 43 remain energized, and therefore motor M remains energized, only one-half revolution of shaft 50 will take place by reason of the'detent and groove mechanism just described, and only a fraction of this movement is utilized to actuate the rail marking means.

In another form of the invention, shown in Fig. 3, the impulse from amplifier A energizes magnet 40 to break contacts 43 which are normally held closed by spring 42, so that pen magnet 44 is normally energized, and when an impulse from amplifier A comes through, said magnet will be deenergized to cause pen P to be released by the action of spring 46 to make a mark on the chart. At the same time, a transformer F sends an impulse through a polarized relay 12 to close a set of contacts 13 and energize a magnet 14 Which attracts its armature 19' against the action of springs 65' to withdraw a detent 64 from a groove 63' formed in a wheel 62 to permit motor M which is continuously energized from any suitable source such as battery B to rotate a shaft 50 upon which said wheel 62 is mounted. The momentary release of detent 64' from groove 63' permits the wheel 62 to be rotated sufficiently so that when the impulse through transformer F ceases the detent 64' drops on to the outer periphery of wheel 62' because the groove 63 has passed beyond said detent. The motor M may thus rotate freely until another groove 63' diametrically opposite the first groove is encountered by the detent 64 and thus holds the motor against any further rotation until another impulse from amplifier A sends an impulse through the transformer F. In order that the paint gun shall be operated for a constant interval each time motor M is set free to run for half a're'volution, we have provided on an extension of shaft 50, a wheel provided with contact segments 16 of less than a semi-circle and positioned similarly to the position of groove 63' on wheel 62'. This means that for each half revolution of motor M one of the contact segments 16 will engage the contact brushes 11 to energize magnet 18 which will attract its armature 19 against the action of spring 80, said armature 19 forming the valve stem of a valve 8| controlling the emission of paint from paint supply 82 through outlet 83. Since each impulse through amplifier A results in a single impulse through transformer F and therefore a single release of detent 64 from its groove 63, only onehalf revolution of motor M will take place for each impulse through amplifier A and therefore only one actuation of the paint gun will occur. Further, since the speed of motor M is the same at each actuation thereof, the time-of energization of the paint gun will always be constant and therefore a paint mark of constant length will be obtained.

In. the Fig. 4 form of the invention, parts simigagement with stopjl formed van a lever I9. The

releaseoi. detent B1, permits spring 90 to swing lever 89 to the right-in Fig. 4, and for a fraction of the are through which lever 89 swings there is caused to be energized a magnet 18' which'attracts armature 19' against the action of spring 80, said armature I8 forming the valve stem of paint gun valve II. The upper end of lever 89 carries a contact at which engages contact 92 pivoted at 93. Said engagement takes place through a fraction of the arc described by" lever 09 in passing from the full line to the dotted line position, the contact SI eventually sweeping past the contact, which is then returned to its original position by spring 94. When contacts it close once more magnet 86 is energized to close a set of contacts Qlwhich energize a magnet .98 whose armature is formed by theswing lever M. The strength of magnet 98 is such as to overcome spring tt and draw the lever ti back to its original position. n the return stroke, contact ti does not make contact with contact M by reason of the insulation strip tt carried at the lower end of contact W and the bevelled surfaces of contacts ti and W. Thus. only during a fraction of the movement of lever'tt toward the right, in

\ Fig. i is contact made between contacts ti and W, and since the duration of engagement of said contacts is constant for each actuation of lever lit, the paint gun valve ill will be actuated tor a constant length of time at each actuation that magnet it is energized there is also energized a,magnetic clutch llit which normally rotates with shaft itl of the motor M. The energization of said magnet causes it to attract a cam member it? which has slight frictional engagement with the shaft ltibut is normally held against rota i tion therewith by means of spring not engaging 1 a projection'llit on said cammember Itt. Thus the cam member ltt rotates with shaft ltl until projection lllt strikes spring member ltt, whereupon it is held against any further rotation.

en, however, magnet ltt is energized it attracts the member tilt, causes clutch members itt to engage so that member W2 is rotated together with shaft ltl, overcoming the resistance of spring Ida, and the said projection ltt rides under one end itt of a lever lll'l which -engages valve stem Wt oi. the paint gun valve ti. .As said projection passes beneath the end lltt oi lever ltl it willjliit the valve to cause paint to be ejected, andsince the speed, of motor M is the same at each actuation thereof, the valve will always be lifted for the same interval to give a paint mark of constant length. The diameter of member M2 and the speed of motor N are such that clutch I will be engaged for less than the one revolution thereof, the period of said one revolution being predetermined to/enceed the longest impulse that may'come through amplifier h in response to flaw. The release of clutch itt permits spring III] to return member I02 to its original position and leaves member I02 in slight frictional engagement with shaft NH to be rotated therewith until projection I04 strikes spring I03 where it will beheld against any further rotation since spring I03 is of suificient strength to overcome the frictional {engagement of member I02 with the shaft ,ltl.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, we have herein described the principle and operation of our invention, together with the apparatus which we now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but we desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is onlyillustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other equivalent means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

Having described our invention, what we claim and desire to. sec ure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of ilaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a motor, means whereby said impulses set said motor in operation, means whereby continued operation of said motor is capable of actuating said marking means periodically, means for limitperiod in excess of the longest impulse duration.

2. In a rail iiaw detector mechanism, means responsive to fiawadapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means,

operating means for said marking means comprising a motor, means whereby said impulses set said motor in operation, a rotary valve operated by said motor, a valve casing having an outlet, a supply of marking fluid connected to said casing, said valve having means for connecting said supply to said outlet for a predetermined portion of the movement of said valve in said casing whereby continued operation of said 1 operating means for said marking means comprising a rotatable member, means whereby said impulses rotate said member, means whereby said marking means is actuated by said member, said last-named member including an electric circuit, contacts in said circuit, means whereby said,

member actuates said contacts during a predetermined portion of the rotation of said member, continued rotation of said member being capable of periodic actuation of said contacts, and means for limiting the movement of said member to a single actuation of said contacts in response to 4. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a continuously operating motor, an operating member normally disconnected from said motor, a clutch for connecting-said member to said motor, said clutch being normally ineffective and adapted to be rendered effective by said impulses for a predetermined period in excess of the longest impulse duration, and means whereby said marking means is actuated by said member.

5. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to fiaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a continuously operating motor, an operating member normally disconnected from said motor, a clutch for connecting said member to said motor to rotate the member, said clutch being normally ineffective and adapted to be rendered effective by said impulses for a predetermined period in excess of the longest impulse duration, and means including a projection carried by said member whereby said marking means is actuated by said member for a predetermined portion of the movement of said memher.

6. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a continuously operating motor, an operating member normally disconnected from said motor, an electric clutch for connecting said member to said motor to rotate the member, said clutch being normally inefiective and adapted to be rendered effective by said impulses for a predetermined period in excess of the longest impulse duration, and means including a projection carried by said member whereby said marking means is actuated by said member for a predetermined portion of the movement of said member. I

7. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a movable member, means whereby said varying impulses move said member a predeter mined, substantially constant distance at a substantially constant speed, and means whereby said marking means is actuated by said member during a portion of the movement thereof.

8. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a movable member, means whereby said varying impulses move said member a predetermined, substantially constant distance at a substantially constant speed, and means whereby said marking means is actuated by said member during a predetermined portion of the movement thereof.

9. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a movable member, means whereby said varying impulses move said member a predetermined, substantially constant distance at a substantially constant speed, means whereby continued'movement of said member is capable of actuating said marking means periodically, means for limiting the movement of said member to a single actuation of said marking means in response to a flaw, and means whereby said marking means is actuated by said member during a predetermined portion of the movement thereof.

10. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a movable member, means whereby said varying impulses move said member through a predetermined, substantially constant distance at a substantially constant speed, and means whereby said marking-means is actuated by said member during a portion of the movement thereof, said last-named means comprising a rotary valve carried by said member, a valve casing having an outlet, 2. supply of marking fluid connected to said casing, said valve having means for connecting said supply to said outlet for a predetermined interval during the movement of said member.

11. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a motor, means whereby said impulses set said motor in operation, means whereby said marking means is actuated by said motor during a predetermined portion of the period during which said motor is in operation, and means for rendering said motor inefiective after a predetermined period, said period being in excess of the longest impulse duration.

12. In a rail flaw detector mechanism, means responsive to flaw adapted to generate continuous impulses of varying duration depending upon the size and type of flaw, rail marking means, operating means for said marking means comprising a movable member, means whereby said impulses move said member through a predetermined, substantially constant distance at a substantially constant speed, means whereby said marking means is actuated by said member, said last-named means including an electric circuit,

contacts in said circuit, and means whereby said member actuates said contacts during a predetermined portion of the movement of said member.

GEORGE L. JONES. HARCOURT C. DRAKE. HENRY SCHUMACHER.

Images