US2132125A

US2132125A - Railway signaling system

Info

Publication number: US2132125A
Application number: US149655A
Authority: US
Inventors: George R Pflasterer
Original assignee: Union Switch and Signal Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi Rail STS USA Inc
Priority date: 1937-06-22
Filing date: 1937-06-22
Publication date: 1938-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 1955-10-04

Description

0kt. 4, 1938. I G. R. PFLASTERER 2,132,125-

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 22, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l a; g g; S w m If m 11 gs;

4F 3% B Q g R N 5 a w INVENTOR a 3 $661 91. 1 v v HLS ATTORNEY Oct. 4, 1938.

G. R. PFLASTERER 2,132,125

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 x s &Q If Q) T \0 g 1;; E N $.33 wt Mb Q 1 INVENTOR I George 1?. Pf (en en M BY ,HLS ATTORNEY Oct, 4-, 1938. e. R. PFLASTERER 2,132,125

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 22, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 \NUQQUME INVENTOR Zasze ezq George 12.

HIS ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 4, 1938 PATENT OFFICE 2,132,125 RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM George R. Pflasterer, Swissvale, Pa., assignor tov The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swiss,- vale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 22, 1937, Serial No. 149,655

9 Claims.

My invention relates to railway signaling systems of the type involving light signals wherein the signals each comprise a plurality of lamps and wherein when one lamp of a signal becomes burned out another lamp of that signal will become lighted to display a more restrictive indication.

The apparatus provided by this invention is an improvement on the apparatus shown and claimed in the application of Leon D. Dickinson and David C. Bettison, for Light-out protection circuit,'Serial No. 225,372, filed August 17, 1938.

One object of my invention is to provide a signaling system wherein a distinctive permissive indication is displayed at the entrance to an occupied block so that a train may enter such block without stopping and wherein a stop indication is displayed if the permissive indication is not displayed when it should be. p

Other objects of my invention will become apparent as the specification progresses.

I shall describe several forms of railway signaling systems embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims,

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1A and 1B are diagrammatic views which, when placed end to end in the order named, illustrate one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views each illustrating a different modification of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1A, and each also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Figs. 1A and 1B, the reference characters 5 and 6 designate the rails of a stretch of railway track over which traffic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrows. The

rails

5 and 5 are divided by insulated joints 1 into a plurality of sections of which sections W-X and X-Y are representative sections. Each section is further divided, as here shown, into two subsections IT, 2T, 3T, etc. Each subsection is provided with a track battery 8 connected across the rails at one end of the subsection and with a track relay, designated by the reference character TR with arprefix the same as the prefix in the reference character for the associated subsection, connected across the rails at the other end of the subsection.

Located adjacent the entrance end of each track section is a signal designated by a suitable distinguishing reference character. As here shown, each signal includes a proceed lamp G capable of displaying a green light, a caution lamp Y capable of displaying a yellow light, and a stop lamp R capable of displaying a redlight.

Each signal is provided with a polarized signal control relay, preferably of the retained neutral type, and designated by the reference character HD with a prefix the same as the reference character of the associated signal.

Each signal control relay HD is connected'to a pair of line conductors'each including a front contact of each of the associated track relays and each extending to the signal next in advance. As will be explained more in detail hereinafter, each pair of line conductors is reversibly governed by the apparatus associated with the signal next in advance.

Each signal is provided with two direct current lightout relays designated by the reference characters GLO and YLO each with a prefix the same as the reference character of the associated signal. Each relay GLO is provided with two windings I 3 and I4 and each relay YLO is provided with two windings I5 and I6.

Each signal is provided with an auxiliary relay designated by the reference character F with a prefix the same as the reference character of the associated signal. Each relay F is provided with a' control circuit which includes its own back contact so that whenever the control circuit is energized the associated relay F becomes periodically picked up and released. As will be explained more in detail hereinafter, the relays F are utilized at times to open and close periodically the lighting circuit for the caution lamp Y of the associated signal so that that signal will display a flashing aspect.

Each signal is provided with a suitable source of direct current and with a suitable source of alternating current, the terminals of which are designated'by the reference characters B and C, and BX and CK, respectively.

For governing the character of the current supplied to the signal lamps, each signal is pro- Vided with an alternating current power-01f relay designated by the reference character P0 with a prefix the same as the reference character of the associated signal. That is, the current for lighting the signal lamps is supplied from terminals BX and CX or B and C according as the associated relay PO is picked up or released, respectively. Since the relays P0 are directly connected to the terminals BX and CK, it follows that the lamps of the associated signal are normally lighted by alternating current but will Each of the signals and associated apparatus is controlled by the associated relay HD in the following manner: When relay HD is deenergized (see signal ll), relay HF is periodically energized by a circuit which passes over a path from terminal B through back point of contact.

l8 of relay lIHD, back contact l9 of relay HF, and relay HF to terminal C, with the result that Y relay HF is repeatedly picked up and released.

- pied.

Consequently, lamp Y is periodically energized to cause signal Y to display a flashing yellow light to indicate proceed with caution--block occuthrough front point of contact of relay HPO,

back point of contact 2| of 'rel'ay"'I!I-ID, front contact 22 of 'relay IIF', winding l5 of relay HYLO, lamp Y'Of signal H, and front point of contact 23 of relay PO to terminal. C. Asymmetric unit 24 is connected around winding IE to by-pass each half wave of alternating current so that relay'l IYLO; although of the direct current type, will be effectively energized by alternating current as well as 'by direct current. Winding l3 of relay HGLO and winding iii-of relay IIYLO areprovided in a similar manner with asymmetric units 25 and26, respectively, for the same purpose. When relay IIHD is released, winding M of relay I IGLO is also energizedvby a circuit which passes from terminal B through back point of contact 21 of relay IIHD and winding 14 of relay l IGLO to terminal C so that this relay is maintained in its picked up condition.

When relay HD is energized in the reverse direction (seesignal'ill), a circuit is established for steadily energizinglamp Y of that signal to I cause the signal to display a steady 'yellow light to indicate proceed with 'cautionone block clear. This circuit may be tracedover a path which passes from terminal BX through front point of. contact 28 of relay l BPO, front point of contact 29 of relay IUHD, reverse polar contact 30- 3i of relay IOHD, winding i5 of relay HJYLO,

lamp Y of signal [0, and front pointof contactv 32 of relay IOPOto terminal BX. Relay IOYLO is, of course, in'its picked'up condition because.

winding I5 is included in the circuit for lamp'Y,

and relay IBGLO is also in its picked up condition because its winding [4 is energized by a circuit which passes over'a path from terminal B through front point of contact'33 of relay HJHD, reverse polar contact 34-35 of relay HIHD, and winding M of relay IOGLO to terminal C.

When relay HD is energized in the'normal direction (see signal 9), a circuitis established for energizing lamp G of signal 9 so that the signal is displaying a green light to indicate proceed at normal .speedtwp blocks clear. This circuit may be traced over apath'which passes from terminal BX through front point of "contact '36 of relay SPO, front point of contact 31 of relayQHD, normal polar contact 3938 of relay 9HD, windingl3 of relay 9GLO, lamp Winding I3 is included in the circuit for lamp- G, and relay 9YLO is maintained in'its picked up condition because its winding [6 is energized The circuit for lamp -Y may be traced" 'over a path which passes from terminal. BX

by a circuit which passes over a path from terminal BX through front point of contact 36 of ing i6 of relay SYLO, and front point of con-1 tact 39 of relay'9PO to terminal CX.

A train K, here shown diagrammatically, is

occupying the section immediately to the right of location Y sothat relay iiI-ID is deenergized with the result that relay illHD is energized in the reverse direction by a circuit which passes.

over a path from terminal B at signal I I through back point of contact M of relay ill-ID, front contact 42 of. relay QTR, front contact 43 of relay 3TR, relay IUI-ID, front contact M of relay 3TB, front contact 45 of relay 4TH, and back point of contact 46 of relay ill-ID to terminal C at signal ll.

Relays IQHD and iDYLO being both energized,

relay QHD is energized in the normal direction by a circuit which passes over a path from terminal B at signal 'I 9 through front point of cone tact 41 of relay IQYLO, front point of contact Q8 of relay IOHD, front contact 49 of relay 2TB, front contact 59 of relay iTR, relay 9HD, front contact 5| of relay ITR, front contact 52 of relay ZTR, front point of contact 53 of relay i 9I-ID,'and front point of contact 54 of relay IOYLOto terminal 0 at signal i0.

' Since both relay 9HD and relay 9YLO are energized,'the line circuit to the rear of location W is energized in the'normaldirection over front 1 points of contacts 55 and 56 of relay SYLO and front points of contacts 51 and 58 of relay 9HD so that the relay I-ID (not shown) controlled by that line circuit is in condition to'cause its signal (not shown) to display the normal proceed indication. g

I In the event that the lamp Y at signal H becomes burned out, energy will be disconnected.

from winding l5 of relay HYLO so that this relay will become released to establish a circuit for the lamp R of signal H to cause that signal to display a red light to indicate stop. The circuit for lamp R may be traced over a path which passes from terminal BX through front point of contact 20 of relay IIPO, back contactf 60 of relay I IYLO, reactor 61 of signal I lamp R of signal Ii, and front point of contact 23 of relay PO to terminal CX. The reactor 6! is of substantially the same reactanceas windings l3 and I5 of relays HGLO' and IIYLO, respectively, and is provided to equalize the voltage applied to lamp R with that applied to lamps G and Y. -In a similar manner, if the lamp Y at signal It) becomes burned out, relay IOYLO will become released to close a circuit for lamp R of. signal i0 over back contact 62 of vrelay IUYLO so that signal it will be caused to display the stop indication. 1 a

If the lamp G at signal 9 becomes burned out, relay 9GLO will become released to establish a circuit for lamp Ybecause energy will be discon- 'nected from winding I3 of relay 9GLO. This circuit may be traced over a path which passes from terminal BX through front point of contact 36 of relay 9P0, front point of contact 31 of relay 9HD, normal polar contact 30'38 of relay 9HD, back point of contact 40 of relay-SGLO, winding 15 of relay 9YLO, lamp Y of signal 9, and front point of contact 39 of relay SP0 to terminal CX. In the event that lamp Y of signal 9 then becomes burned out to release relay 9YLO,

lamp Rof signal 9 will become lighted over back contact 63 of relay 9YLO.

It will be noted that whenever any of the relays YLO becomes released, the line circuit to the rear becomes energized in the "reverse' direction if such line circuit is not already so energized. For example, if relay IOYLO becomes released, thedirection of energization of the line conductors for section W--X will be changed to the reverse direction over the back points of contacts 41 and 54 of relay illYLO so that signal 9 will be caused to display a caution indication.

Thus, it will be seen that if the green lamp of a signal is burned out when it should be lighted, that signal will be caused to display a caution indication, and if the yellow lamp of a signal is burned out'when it should be lighted, that signal will be caused to display a stop indication and the signal next in rear will becaused to display a caution indication.

The retained neutral characteristic of the polarized relays HD prevents tumble-down of the signal control circuits to the rear during pole changing periods. For example, when the train K vacates the section to the right of locationY so that the energization of relay [OI-ID is changed from the reverse direction to the normal direction, the front points of neutral contacts48 and 53 of relay lllHD do not become opened and, consequently, the energization 'of the line circuit for section W--X is not disturbed.

The slow releasing characteristic of relays GLO and YLO prevents the release of these relays when energy is transferred from one winding to another. For example, when the direction of energization of relay IBI-ID is changed so that energy is disconnected from winding l3 and applied to winding M of relay lllGLO, this relay, due to its slow acting feature, does not become released. The slow' releasing characteristic of the relays YLO also prevents the release of these relays when the associated winding I5 is being periodically energized such, for example, as occurs when the apparatus is in the condition as shown in Fig-1B.

Referring next to Fig. 2, it will be understood that although I have shown only one signal and associated apparatus, such signal and apparatus when connected in a system will function in a manner somewhat similar to that described for the apparatus shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. The principal difference in the two schemes is in the character of the indications displayed by the signal. In the present figure, the signal will display a green light to indicate proceed at normal speedtwo blocks clear, a green light over a yellow light to indicate proceed with cautionone block clear, a yellow light to indicate proceed with cautionblock occupied, and a red light to indicate stop. I 7

When relay HD is energized in the normal direction as shown in the drawings, a circuit is established for winding N5 of relay YLO which circuit may be traced over a path which passes from terminal BX through front point of contact 65 of relay PO, front contact 66 of relay HD, normal polar contact 6'L- 68 of relay I-ID, winding l 6 of relay YLO, and front point of contact 64 of relay PO to terminal CX.

Relay HD and relay YLO both being energized, a circuit is established for la'mpG which circuit may be traced over a path which passes from terminal BX through front point of contact 65 of relay PO, front point of contact 10 of relay YLO, reactor 1 l, front contact 12 of relay HD, lamp G, and front point of contact 69 of relay PO to terminal CX.

When relay HD becomes energized in the re-' verse direction, a circuit will be established for lamp Y which circuit passes over a path from terminal BX through front point of contact 65 of relay PO, front point of contact 13 of relay HD,'reverse polar contact 14-45 of relay HD, winding l 5 of relay YLO, lamp Y, and front point of contact 69 of relay PO to terminal CX. Although energy will be disconnected from winding [6 of relay YLO by the opening of normal polar contact 61-68 of relay HD, relay YLO will remain in its picked up condition to maintain the previously traced circuit for lamp G because winding l5 of relay YLO is connected in series with lamp Y.

When relay HD becomes deenergized, another circuit will be estabilshed for lamp Y and the circuit for lamp G will become opened. This circuit for lamp Y may be traced over a path which passes from terminal BX through front point of contact 65 of relay PO, back point of contact 13 of relay HD, winding {5 of relay YLO, lamp Y, and front point of contact 69 of relay PO to terminal CX.

In the event that lamp Y should become burned out, energy will be disconnected from winding l5 of relay YLO so that a circuit would be closed for lighting lamp R. This circuit passes over a path from terminal BX through front point of contact 65 of relay PO, back point of contact 10 of relay YLO, reactor 16, lampR, and front point of contact 69 of relay PO' to terminal C.

The line circuit to the rear is controlled ina manner similar to that described for the line circuit shown in Figs. lAand 1B. That is, when both relays HD and YLO are energized, the rear line circuit is supplied with energy in the normal direction, but when either relay HD or relay YLO is deenergized, the rear line circuit is supplied with energy in the reverse direction.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be understood that the single signal and associated apparatus will, when connected in a system, function in a manner somewhat similar to that described for the apparatus shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. The principal difference between the two schemes is in the character of the indications displayed by the signal. In the present figure, the signal displays a green light over a green light to indicate proceed at normal speedtwo blocks clear,

a single green light to indicate proceed with caution-one block clear, a' yellow light 'to indicate proceed with cautionblock occupied, and a red light to indicate stop.

When relay HD is energized in the normal direction, as shown in the drawings, circuits are established for both the upper and lower signal lamps G. The circuit for upper lamp G may be traced over a path from terminal BX through front point of contact 18 of relay PO, front point of contact 19 of relay HD, winding l3 of relay GLO, upper lamp G, and front point of contact of relay PO to terminal CX. The circuit for lower lamp G may be traced over a path from terminal BX through front point of contact 18 of relay PO, frontpoint of contact 8| of relay HD, normal polar contact 82-433 of relay I-ID, reactor 8 lower lamp G, and front point of contactflil of relay PO to terminal CX.

Relay GLO is maintained in its picked up condition because winding l3is connected in series with upper lamp G and relay YLO is maintained in its picked up condition because winding I5 is energized by a circuit which may be traced over apathgpassing from terminal BX through front point of contact 18 of relay PO, front point of contact 8l of relay HD, winding l5 of relay YLO,

and front point of contact 80 of relay PO to terminal CX. f r

'When relay I-ID becomes energized in the reverse direction, the circuit for lower lamp G will be opened at normal polar contact 8283 of relay. I-ID, but the previously traced circuits for both the upper lamp G and winding l5 of relay YLO will remain closed. Inthe event that the upper-lamp G becomes burned out, so that energy is disconnected from winding 13 of relay GLO, another circuit for lower lamp G will become established so that the signal will continue to display a single green light. This circuit passes over a path fromterminal BX through front point of contact 13 of relay PO, front point of contact '59 of relay I-ID, back contact 85 of relay GLO, reactor 84, lower lamp G, and front point of contact 80 of 'relay PO to terminalCX. When relay HD becomes deenergized, a circuit will be established for lamp Y which circuit passes over a path. from terminal BXthrough front point of contact 18 of relay PO, back point of. contact SI. of relay HD, winding 16 of relay.

YLO, lamp Y, and front point of contact'88 of relay'PO .toterminal CX. Relay YLO will be maintained in its picked up condition because winding I6 is included in the circuit for lamp Y and relay GLO will be maintainedin its picked 1 up condition because winding M will be energized by a circuit which passes from terminal BX through front point of contact 18 of relay PO, backpoint of contact 19 of relay HD, winding M of. relay GLO, and front point of contact 8!] of relayPO to terminal CX.

In the event that lamp Y becomes burned out, energy will be disconnected from winding H3 so that relay YLO will be released to establish a circuit for lamp R. to cause'the signal to display a red light. This circuit maybe traced over a path which passes from'terminal BX through front point of contact 18 of relay PO, back contact 86 of relay YLO, reactor 81, lamp R, and

front point of contact 80 of relay PO to terminal CX. I

I The line circuit to the rear isreversibly governed by the relays HD and YLO in a manner similar to that described for the apparatus shown in the other figures, and it is believed that this will be obvious from the drawings without further explanation.

From theforegoing description of the apparatus embodying my invention, it will be seen that I have provided a signal system wherein a distinctive permissive aspect is displayed at the entrance to an occupied block so that a following train may enter such block without stopping and wherein a stop aspect is displayed if the permissive aspect is not displayed when it should be. Furthermora'I have provided control circuits for the signal next in rear which circuits function in such a manner that the rear signal will be caused to display a restrictive aspect whenever the signal next in advance is displaying its stop aspect regardless of the condition of the 7 signal control signal; V

Although I have herein shown and described relay associated with such advance only a few forms of railway signaling systems embodying my invention,it is understood that various changes and modifications .may be made therein within the scopeof the appended claims asecond lamp, a circuit for energizing said first lamp when said section is occupied, a relayhaving two windings, one winding of said relay being included in said circuit, means for energizing the other winding of said relay when saidsecti-on is unoccupied, and'acircuit for said secondlamp including a back contact of said relay.

2. Incombination, a section of railway-track, a signal for said section including a first lamp and a second lamp, a relay'having two windings, means for energizing one winding of said relay when said section is unoccupied,me ans for energizing said first lamp when said section is cocupied and .for. simultaneously energizing the other winding of said relay provided the filament of said first lamp is then intact,'and means, for energizing said second lamp if and only if said relay is released.

3. Incombinatioh, a section of railway track, a signal for said section, a control relay for con trolling. said signal, means'for energizing or de energizing said relay according as said section is 'if said auxiliary relay becomesdeenergized.

4. In combinatioma plurality of successive sections of railway track, a signal for each section each including a first lamp, a second lamp and a third lamp, a relay for eachsection each including two windings, means for each section for simultaneously energizing the associated first lamp and one winding of the associated relay when that section is unoccupied, a circuit for each section including the associatedsecond lamp and the other winding of the associated relay in series, means for each section for energizing-the associated circuit when that section is occupied, and a means for each section for energizing the associated third lamp when the associated relay is deenergized. a

v 5. In combination, a pluralityof successive sections of railway track, a signal for each section each including a first lamp, a second lamp and a third lamp, a relay for each section each including two windings, means for each section for simultaneously energizing the associated first lamp and onewinding of the associated relay when that section is unoccupied, a; circuit for each section including the. associated second lamp and the otherwinding of the associated relay, in series, means for each section for energizing the associated circuit when that section is occupied, means for each section for energizing. the associated third lamp when the associated relay is,

deenergized, and means for each section governed by the associated relay for at times governlamp, a caution lamp and a stop lamp, a polarized signal control relay which becomes deenergized when said section is occupied but which is energized in the normal or reverse direction in accordance with trafiic conditions in advance when said section is unoccupied, a first lightout relay having two windings, a second lightout relay also having two windings, a circuit for said proceed lamp including a front contact and a normal polar contact of said control relay in series with one winding of said first lightout relay, a circuit for one winding of said second lightout relay including a front contact of said first lightout relay, a circuit for supplying current to said caution lamp in the event of failure of said proceed lamp, said circuit including a front contact and a normal polar contact of said control relay as well as a back contact of said first lightout relay in series with the other winding of said second lightout relay, another circuit for said caution lamp including a front contact and a reverse polar contact of said control relay in series with said other winding of the second lightout relay, still another circuit for said caution lamp including a back contact of said control relay in series with said other winding of said second lightout relay, means including a back contact of said control relay for periodically interrupting said last mentioned circuit, means for energizing the other winding of said first lightout relay when said control relay is deenergized as well as when said control relay is energized in the reverse direction, and a circuit for said stop lamp including a back contact of said second lightout relay.

'7. In combination, a section of railway track, a signal for said section including a proceed lamp, a caution lamp and a stop lamp, a polarized signal control relay which becomes deenergized when said section is occupied and which becomes energized in the normal or reverse direction in accordance with traffic conditions in advance when said section is unoccupied, a lightout relay having two windings, a circuit for one winding of said lightout relay including a front contact and a normal polar contact of said control relay, a circuit for said proceed lamp including a front contact of said lightout relay and a front contact of said control relay, a circuit for said caution lamp including a front contact and a reverse polar contact of said control relay in series with the other winding of said lightout relay, another circuit for said caution lamp including a back contact of said control relay in series with said other winding of the lightout relay, and a circuit for said stop lamp including a back contact of said lightout relay.

8. In combination, a section of railway track, a signal for said section including a, first and a second proceed lamp as well as a caution and stop lamp, a polarized signal control relay which becomes deencrgized when said section is occupied and which becomes energized in the normal or reverse direction in accordance with traffic conditions in advance when said section is unoccu pied, a first lightout relay having two windings, a second lightout relay also having two Windings, a circuit for said first proceed lamp including a front contact of said control relay in series with one winding of said first lightout relay, a circuit for said second proceed lamp including a back contact of said first lightout relay and a front contact of said control relay, another circuit for said second proceed lamp including a front contact and a normal polar contact of said control relay, a circuit for said caution lamp including a back contact of said control relay in series with one winding of said second lightout relay, a circuit for said stop lamp including a back contact of said second lightout relay, and means for energizing the other windings of said first and second lightout relays when said control relay is deenergized and energized respectively.

9. In combination, a section of railway track, a signal for said section including a first and a second as well as a third and a fourth lamp, means effective under certain trafiic conditions in advance of the signal for lighting said first and second lamps to cause said signal to display an indication, means effective under other certain traffic conditions in advance of the signal to light only said second lamp to cause said signal to display another indication, means eifective to light said first lamp if said second lamp is then burned out, means effective to light said third lamp when said section is occupied to cause said signal to display a difierent indication, and means efiective to light said fourth lamp if said third lamp is then burned out to cause said signal to display still a different indication.

GEORGE R. PFLASTERER.