US2208993A - Apparatus for controlling railway switches - Google Patents

Description

July 23, 1940 J. w. LOGAN, JR 2.208,993

l APPARATUS yFOR CONTROLLING RAILWAY SWITCHES I Filed June 4, 193,8

l 242-5512;@ a 333 I '26 55 27 57 Chl? 357 HIS ATTORNEY Myinvention relates to apparatus for controlnovel and improved` means for controlling a bcdying `my invention, and shall then point out `,cuit controller J is operated to a normal position,

atnted .uy 2.3, 194

will' Nrem" UNITED srAras APPARATUS Fon ooNTnoLLING RAILWAY l swrrones John W. Logan, Jr., Forest Hills, Pa., assigner to The Union Switch a Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 4, 1938, Serial No. 211,722

` 2 Claims.v (Cl. 24S- 219) gers 'l and ii` which are operatively connected with switch mechanism SM, the arrangement being such that contact fingers 'l and 8 are operated to a normal position, that is, the position illustrated in the drawing, closing contacts 1 -9 and B-l when mechanism SM is conditioned to actuate switch S to its normal position, and contact ngers l and 8 are operated to a reverse position closing contacts 'l--ll and 8-l2 when mechanism SM is conditioned to actuate switch S to its reverse position.

Switch mechanism SM is controlled in part by a manually operable control element, such as lever E, which may, for example, be a switch lever of an interlocking machine. Lever E usually will be located at a point remote from the switch, and is adapted to assume various positions, as illustrated in the diagram immediately below the lever in the drawing. These positions are full normal position N, normal indication position B, reverse indication position D, full reverse position R, and intermediate positions X and Y. Lever E is provided with a plurality oi contacts designated by the reference characters l3to 2li inclusive, so arranged as to be closed at different positions of the lever. The positions in which the contacts are closed are shown in the drawing by the reference characters designating the positions of lever E. For instance, 'contact 2E! of lever E bears the `reference character RD, which means that contact EB is closed when the lever is in its full reverse position R, its reverse indication position D, or any position between the two.

Lever `E is provided with suitable means for ling railway switches, and particularly to apparatusjfor controlling a switch from a remote point. Anobject of my inventionis the provision of power operated switch from a remote point with simple` equipment and a minimum number of control wires `between such point and the switch. Other objects-and `advantages of my `invention. will appear .asthe specification progresses.

lllshall describe two forms of apparatus emtheinovel features thereof in claims. l Inlwthenaccompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of apparatusernbodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing `a modied form of the apparatusl shown in Fig. l and also embodying my4 invention. i

rSimilarreference characters refer to similar parts in each of the two views. :lsReferring `first to Fig. l, the reference character S designates a railway switch of the usual and well-known form. lSwitch S is operatively connected with a switch mechanism SM which may,` for example, be of the electropneumatic type."- Switch mechanism SM, as here shown, is providedfwith a normal valve magnet NV and a reverse valve `magnet RV, it being understood that'switch S is moved `by the mechanism to a nerinalfpositionwhen valve magnet NV is energized, and to a reverse position when valve magnetRVisenergized." Y

A' circuit controllerJ is operatively connected with thmechanism sM and with the switch s in'th'eusual manner( The circuit controller J comprises Vsix movable contact fingers l, 2, 3, 4, 5 and' JBij-which `cooperate `respectively with fixed Contact ngers la or lb, 2a or 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a or 5b, and Gabril); `It should be pointed out that cir- As `here shown, the indication means comprise magnets 2l and 22 controlling locking dogs 25a and 22a, respectively, and which locking dogs 2 la.

and 22h, respectively. Segments Zib and 22h are operably connected with lever E. 1t is to be understood that when magnet 2i is energized, locking dog Zia, is actuated out of engagement with segment 2lb, and when magnet 22 is energized, locking dog 22a is actuated out of engagement with segment 22h. It should be pointed out that when lever E is in its normal position N, the energization of magnet 2| permits lever E to be moved toward its reverse position R, and with lever E at its normal indication position B the energization of magnet 2l permits lever E to `be moved to its normal position N. In like manner, with lever E in its reverse position R, the energization of magnet 22 permits lever E to be that is, the position illustrated in the drawing, when switch Sf is in its `normal position, is operatedfto'areverse position when the switch is in its reverse position' andis operated to a mid position when the switch is in any position intermediate its normal and reverse positions. In the normal position of controller J', contacts 3-3a, 5"55a an'cl-Ea are closed, in the reverse positi'clofjeontrouer`J1ontaets l-lb, z zb and llf-'lia are'closed and in the mid position of controller J" contacts` I`-1.la, 2-2a, 3-3a, 4`-4a, 5-5b 6b are closed.

T :efreference character K designates a circuit estoii llcemusing twg movable Contact nnand 22a engage associated lever segments 2lb Cil indicating at the lever the position of switch Si.

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moved toward its normal position N, and with lever E in its reverse indication position D the energization of magnet 22 permits lever E to be moved to its reverse position R.

The reference character WP designates a polarized indication relay which is controlled jointly by circuit controller K and circuit controller J, and which functions to govern the indication means for lever E, and as a second control element for mechanism SM. Relay WP, in accordance with usual practice, is preferably located adjacent lever E.

Having thus described the various parts of the apparatus of Fig. l embodying my invention, I shall now explain their operation. K

I shall rst assume that lever E, switch S, and circuit controllers J and K are in their respective normal positions, that is, the positions shown in Fig. 1. In this condition of the apparatus, relay WP is energized by virtue of a normal circuit passing from terminal B of a suitable source of current, such as a battery not shown, through contact 9.-1 of controller K, contact 511.-5 of controller J, winding of relay WP, and contact -Sa of controller J to terminal C of the source of current. Relay WP is thus energized by current of a polarity which I shall term normal polarity, closing its front contact 23 and operating its polar contact members 24 and 25 to the lefthand position, as viewed in Fig. 1, to make contact with normal polar contacts 26 and 21 respectively. Also in this normal condition valve magnets NV and RV are deenergizecl.

I shall now assume that it is desired to move switch S` to its reverse position. 'Io do this, a latch contact 28 of lever E is rst closed so that a circuit passing from terminal B over the detector and route locking circuits, which are indicated conventionally on the drawing since the form of these circuits forms no part of my present invention, through latch contact 28 of lever E, contact Ill of lever E and the winding of magnet 2| to terminal C is completed. Magnet 2l becomes energized to lift its locking dog 2m and lever E may be moved away from its normal position. When lever E is thus released by the energization of magnet 2l, the operator is assured that the detector and route locking circuits are clear.

The lever E is next moved to its reverse indication position D, where further movement is prevented by locking dog 22a of magnet 22 engaging segment 22h of lever E. At this position of lever E, however, a first energizing circuit for valve magnet RV is completed. This circuit passes from terminal B through front contact 23 of relay WP, wire 29, lever contact I8, wire 30, normal polar contact 25-2'! of relay WP, control wire 3I, the winding of magnet RV, wire 32, and lever Contact Zil to terminal C; and valve magnet RV becomes energized. Switch mechanism SM now operates to move switch S to its reverse position, controller K being rst actuated to its reverse position to open contacts 'I-9 and S-Ill and to close contacts l-II and B-I2. The opening of contact 'lL-9 opens the prevlously traced normal circuit for relay WP, and relay WP is deenergized and releases, opening iront contact 23 to open the previously traced y:Iirst circuit for magnet RV. Magnet RV is, however, retained energized by virtue of a second energizing circuit passing from terminal B through back contact 33 of relay WP, control wire 3l, the winding of magnet RV, wire 32, and lever contact 20 to terminal C. During the movement of the switch, controller J is actuated to its mid position so that contacts I-Ia, 2-2a, 3-3a, 4-4a, 5-5b and -Bb are closed. Relay WP is now provided with two short circuit paths across its winding, one path including contacts I--Ia and Z-Za of controller J, and the other path including contacts 5,-52) and E-Bb of controller J. With controller Jin its mid position, a third energizing circuit for valve magnet RV is provided, the circuit passing from terminal B through contact 1a- 4 of controller J, contact 3-3a of controller J, wires 34 and 3|, the winding of magnet RV, wire 32 and lever contact 20 to terminal C.

When switch S reaches its full reverse position, circuit controller J also is in its reverse position where contacts I--Ib, 2-2b and 4-4a of circuit controller J are closed. The opening of contact 3-3a of circuit controller J opens the previously traced third circuit for valve magnet RV, and the opening of contacts I-Ia, 2-2a, E-Eb and 6-6b of controller J removes the short circuit paths across the winding of relay WP. A reverse circuit passing from terminal B through contact 21o-2 of circuit controller J, the winding of relay WP, contact I-Ib of circuit controller J, and contact 8-I2 of controller K to terminal C is now completed; and relay WP is supplied with current of a polarity which I shall term reverse polarity. Relay WP is now energized to open back contact 33, to close front conl tact 23, and to shift its polar contact members 24 and 25 to the right-hand position to make engagement with reverse polar contacts 35 and 36, respectively. The opening of back contact 33 opens the second energizing circuit for valve magnet RV, and the opening of normal polar contact 25-21 opens the first energizing circuit of magnet RV, so that valve magnet RV becomes deenergized, switch mechanism SM now being at its reverse position. The closing Aof reverse polar contact 25-36 of relay WP completes a circuit passing from terminal B through front contact 23 of relay WP, wire 29, lever contact I8, wire 30, reverse polar contact 25-36, wire31, lever contact I6, and the winding of magnet 22 to terminal C; and magnet 22 is energized to lift its locking dog 22a, out of engagement with segment 22h of lever E, thereby releasing lever E and indicating that switch S has been moved to its reverse position. Lever E may now be moved to its reverse position R.

When the switch has been moved to its reverse position in the manner just described and it is desired to restore it to its normal position, latch contact 28 of lever E is rst closed to complete a circuit which may be traced from terminal `B over the detector and route locking circuits, through latch contact 28, lever contact I3, land the winding of magnet 22 to terminal C; and magnet 22 becomes energized to lift locking dog 22a so that lever E may be moved to its normal indication position B, where further. movement of the lever is prevented by locking dog 21a of magnet -2I engaging segment 2lb of lever lAt this position of the lever, a i'lrstA energizing oircuit for valve magnet NV is completed, the circuit passing from terminal B through frontcontact 23 of relay WP, wire 29,`lever contact I1, wire 38, reverse polar contact 24-35 vof relay WP, control wire 3I, the winding of valve magnet NV, Wire 40, and lever contact I3 to terminal C; and valve magnet NV becomes energized so that mechanism SM operates switch S toits normal position. The mechanism SM first operates controller K to its normal position so that of a second energizing circuit passing from terminal B through back contact 33 of relay WP, control wire 3i, the winding of valve magnet NV, wire 40, and lever contact I9 to terminal C. l

rl'he mechanism SMalso operates controller J nrstto its midposition wherev the winding of `relayWP'isV provided with the two `short circuit paths as previously mentioned, and valve magnet NV is provided With a third energizing circuit which may be traced from terminal B through contact lla- 4 of controller J, contact 3-3d of controller J, wires 34 and 3l, the winding of valve magnet NV, wire 40, andlever contact li9 to terminal C.

When switch S Vreaches its normal position,

controller J is also operated to its normal position, so` that the short circuit paths across the winding ofrelay WP` are now removed, and the third circuit for valve magnet NV is opened. The previously traced normal circuit for relay WP is now completed, and relay WP becomes energized to open back contact 33, to close front contact 23, and to operate its polar contact members 24 and 25 to the left-hand position to close normal polar contacts 24-26 and 25--2'L The opening of back contact 33 of relay WP opens the second energizing circuit of Vmagnet NV, and the opening of reverse polar contact `2111-35 of relay `WP opens the rst energizing circuit of magnet NV with the-result that magnet NV is deenergized subsequent to the movement of switch S to its normal position. With the energizing ofrelay WP by current of normal polarity, a circuit passing 'from terminal B through front contact 23 of relay WP, wire 29, lever contact l1, Wire 33, normal polar contact 24-26 of relay WP, wire 39, lever contact l5, and the Winding of magnet 2l to terminal C is completed, and magnet 2l becomes energized to lift its locking dog Ela out of engagement with segment 2lb,

thereby releasing lever E and indicating that` switch S is restored to its normal position. Lever E may now be moved to its normal position N.

It should be pointed out that relay WP functions as one control element of valve magnets NV and RV as well as controlling the indication means for lever E. It should be noted that control wire 3i is connected with both magnets NV and RV, is connected with both normal polar contact Z-2l and reverse polar contact 24-35 of relay WP and is common to the energizingcircuits of both magnets NV and RV. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that apparatus embodying my invention provides means for selectively controlling magnets NV and RV solely by virtue of contacts of lever E and relay WP and other circuit selecting devices such as asymmetric units are not required. v

In Fig. 2, the apparatus is the same as that shown in Fig. 1 except that circuit controller J :functions as a control element for mechanism SM in place of the relay WP, and bus wires 4| and 42, which are connected respectively withv terminal B and terminal C of the source of current, extendbetween the lever location and the switch.

|Ihe` operation of the indication means for lever E in Fig. 2 is similar to that previously described in connection with' Fig, '1, and it is believed; thereforefthat this latter operation will be Vapparent from the foregoing description of Figi. 1 and from an inspection of FigwZ without. further detailed description. 1 Y

In the normal position of the apparatus,A as shown in Fig. 2, lever switch S, switch mechanism SM, circuit controller K` and circuit controller J are all in their respectivenormal positions, and valve magnets RV and NV- are deenergized. v f

When it is desired to move switch Sto its reverse position, lever vE is moved to 4its reverse indication position D. At this position of the lever, an energizing circuitpassing `from terminal B through bus wire lil, `wire 43, contact ita-3 of circuit controiler J, wire dll, the-winding of valve RV, control wire (l5, contact `20 of lever wire t? and bus wire l2 to terminal C completed to energize magnet RV so that mechanism SM is actuated to'move switch S to its reverse position. i

When the switch reaches its full reverse position, circuit controller J is operated to its reverse position so that contact ---Z-o of'controller J is open to open the previouslytraced circuit for valve magnet RV, and contact Q -llo', ofcircuit controller J is closed to prepare an` energizing circuit for magnet NV, With the relay WP energized by current oi reverse polarity in the manner explained in Fig. 1 lever E may be moved to its reverse positionR the-apparatus is in its reverse position. l When it is desired to restore the switch to its normal position, lever E is movedto its normal indication position B. this position or" lever E, an energizing 'circuit is `completed from terminal B through 'ous wire All, wire 18, contact is of lever E, control wire 55, the winding of magnet NV, wire 5d, contact 1 -llo of circuit controller J, wire 5i and 'bus wire 132 to terminal C so that magnet NV becomes energized, and. mechanism SMactuates .switch S to its normal position. When switch S reaches its normal position, circuit controller J is operated to its normal position so that contact ll-lla of circuit controller J is opened to open the energizing circuit for magnet NV, and Contact 3-3a is closed to prepare the circuit forma-griet RV. The relay WP is now energized by current of normal po'- larity in the manner previously pointed out, and lever E may be moved to its normal position,

It should be noted that control wire 45 is connected with both magnets NV and RV, is connected with both contacts l@ and 2Q of lever E,

and is common to the energizing circuits of both magnets NV and RV. Furthermore, it should `be noted that the apparatus of Fig. 2 provides means for selectively controlling the magnets NV and RV solely by virtue of the contacts of lever E and controller J and other circuit selecting devices are not required. It `follows that since no asymmetrical units are required for selectively controlling the magnets NV and RV, the bus wires located at each control point may be yconnected with the sets of normal contacts andY with the minimum. number of control Wires between such point and the switch. A further ad- `15 vantage of my invention is the provision of means, iny apparatus of the type described, for selectively controlling the switch by means of simple and economical apparatus.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modiiications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a railway switch having a normal and a reverse position, a switch operating mechanism operatively connected with said switch, said switch mechanism being provided with a normal magnet and a reverse magnet and being effective for moving said switch to its normal or its reverse position according as said normal or said reverse magnet is energized, a polarized relay, means governed by the switch for supplying said relay with current of normal or reverse polarity according as said switch is in its normal or its reverse position, a manually operable lever having a normal and a reverse position and provided with a normal and a reverse contact, a single control wire extending from a normal and a reverse polar contact of said relay to both of said magnets; a iirst circuit for energizing said normal magnet including said normal position lever contact, said control wire, and a front Contact and said reverse polar contact of said relay; a second circuit for energizing said normal magnet including said normal position lever contact, said control wire, and a back Contact of said relay; a first circuit for energizing said reverse magnet including said reverse position lever contact, said control wi-raai'id front contact and said normal polar contact of said. relay; and a second circuit for energizing said reverse magnet including said reverse position lever contact, said control wire, and a back Contact of said relay.

2. In combination, Va railway switch having a normal and a reverse position, a mechanism having a normal magnet and a reverse magnet and operatively connected with the switch for moving said switch to its normal or its reverse position according as said normal or said reverse magnet is energized, saidmechanism being provided with a first contact closed in all positions of said switch except its normal position and a second contact closed in all positions of said switch except itsA reverse position, a polarized relay, means governed by the switch for energizing said relay with current of normal or reverse polarity according as said switch is in its normal or its reverse position, a manually operable lever having a normal and a reverse position and provided with a normal and a reverse Contact, a control wire, a first circuit for said normal magnet including said normal lever contact, said control wire, and said reverse polar contact of said-relay; a second circuit for said normal magnet including said normal lever contact and said first and second contacts of said mechanism in series; a rst circuit for said reverse magnet including said reverse lever contact, said control wire, and said normal polar contact of said relay; and a second circuit for said reverse magnet including said reverse lever contact and said rst and second mechanism contacts in series.

JOHN W. LOGAN, JR.

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