US2279896A - Traffic actuated signaling apparatus - Google Patents

Traffic actuated signaling apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US2279896A
US2279896A US309314A US30931439A US2279896A US 2279896 A US2279896 A US 2279896A US 309314 A US309314 A US 309314A US 30931439 A US30931439 A US 30931439A US 2279896 A US2279896 A US 2279896A
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Prior art keywords
cycle
way
camshaft
circuit
road
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US309314A
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English (en)
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Harry A Wilcox
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AUTOMATIC SIGNAL Corp
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AUTOMATIC SIGNAL CORP
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Priority to FR955387D priority Critical patent/FR955387A/fr
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Priority to US309314A priority patent/US2279896A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/07—Controlling traffic signals
    • G08G1/081—Plural intersections under common control
    • G08G1/082—Controlling the time between beginning of the same phase of a cycle at adjacent intersections

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to trafiic control apparatus of the traflic actuated type employed for the control of right of Way of trafiic on streets, highways and roads.
  • This invention relates more particularly to improved traffic signal control apparatus of this type primarily for use at each of a plurality of intersections of cross roads along a main road to provide coordinated signaling at the several intersections in predetermined time relation.
  • controllers at such intersections may be of the trafi'ic actuated type in which traflic detectors are placed for actuation by cross road traific approaching the intersection and right of way is not transferred from the main road to the cross road at an intersection except in response to actuation of the traific detector.
  • system in order to maintain assured main road right of way periods at the several intersections in the desired time relation for movement of main road traific the transfer of right of way from the main road'to the cross road in response to cross road traffic actuation is permitted to occur only at the end of what would be the main road right of way period at each intersection were the controller there to be of the periodic, nontraflic-actuated type.
  • the coordinated traffic actuated system can be visualized as having a continuously operating background cycle for all signal controllers at all intersections in the system in predetermined time relation, and the signal controller at any one intersection is connected to be operated through a local signal cycle in accord with the background cycle in response to trafiic actuation at that intersection.
  • One type of periodic trafiic signal controller In this type of in the prior art employs a signal switching camshaft of the step-by-step type and a solenoid operated ratcheting device for stepping the camshaft through its signal cycle, the solenoid being operated momentarily from time to time over an operating circuit including contacts operated by pins in a continuously rotating dial.
  • one revolution of the dial d'etermines the total time length of the signal cycle and the pins are placed in desired positions in the rotating dial so as to divide the total cycle for the several steps of the camshaft.
  • a trafiic actuated switch is interposed in the operating circuit for the solenoid in a controller of this type, between the solenoid and the contacts operated only by a particular pin for operating the camshaft at a particular point in its cycle; which point is preferably chosen as the end or near the end of the main road right of way period where the trafiic actuated switch is actuated by traffic in the'cross road for example,
  • vehicle actuated detectors DI Considering for example the intersection of roads A and B shown at the left side of the figure of drawing, vehicle actuated detectors DI,
  • D2 are located in the cross road approaches to the intersection. These may be of the pressure operated pavement type which operate during the passage'of a vehicle across them to close an electric circuit. Suitable photo-electric and electro-magnetic detecting devices and other Trafiic detectors DI and D2 are located "in 1 the cross road At the right side of the drawing is shown an other intersection along the main roadA, the
  • controllers one shown being at a cross road C and provided T with signals, detectors and controllers II which is similar in construction to controller I. Both controllers together with all others which may comprise the system are connected toa common AC power source.
  • controller I atthe intersection of V A'and B roads'briefiy
  • the controller or timer is of the rotating dial type, the rotating dial or disc being driven at constant speed by a syn chronous type motor M having the samecycle time as the other controller motors and keeping closely in step with such other motors as for example with motor M'-shown, asboth are furnished with power from a common AC power supply to all the motors.
  • a camshaft CS is operated step-by-step through a cycle of operation.
  • Contacts operatedby cams on the shaft control the display of signal indications.
  • camshaft thereafter is notched through one cycle and back to a resting position by action of thepins mentioned, and in its cycle of operation the camshaft causes the transfer of right of way, with the usual yellow clearance or'change periods intervening, from the main road to the cross road and back to the main road where the right of way remains until" another crossroad detector actuation has prepared the circuitafor again stepping the camshaft from its resting position and the rotating disc has again reached the predetermined or synchronizing point in its cycle.
  • the disc is preferably provided with a series of holes 9 near its periphery and the pinsmay be fitted into selected holes as desired to determine the division of the fixed total time cycle into appropriate signal periods by stepping the camshaftCS by actuation of the solenoid S.
  • the camshaft-CS has an appropriate matching arrangement of cams to provide the several different signal combinations and the distribution of pins in the continuously rotating disc detervance the camshaft step-by-step through its cycle by means of aratchet 20 on the camshaft and a pawl 15, energization and deenergization of the solenoid moving the camshaft one step.
  • solenoid causes the pawl arm l6, pivoted at I], to be pulled down against stop 8
  • Two circuits are provided for energizing the solenoid S.
  • One of these circuits includes the pair of contacts l3 which are adapted momentarily to be closed by each of the pins II in succession as each one of the pins H is rotated .through the top of its circular path of move- !4 whichis closed once in each cycleof the disc by the synchronizing pin l2the purpose of which will subsequently appear.
  • the disclosed embodiment of the controller shows a 6 position camshaft and accordingly there are provided 5 pins II for energizing the solenoid to step the camshaft through all but one of its positions from which one position only the pin l2 and its cooperating contactpair ll are effective to advance the camshaft. 'more camshaft positions are desired a greater Obviously if number of pins II are inserted in disc I keeping the number of pins II always one less than the total number of camshaft positions, and corresponding teeth on ratchet 20.
  • a chart of camshaft positions is included in the lower left portion of the drawing and indicates by means of an X in a square that the contacts 2
  • a relay R is adapted upon actuation of one of the cross road traflic detectors DI or D2 to be energized from AC minus via wire 58 detector DI and wire 56 or wires 58, 51 detector D2, thence through Wires 55, 53, relay R and wire 54 to AC plus. Such an actuation is remembered or locked-in by the holding circuit of relay R via wires 52, make contact rI, wire 5
  • cam contacts 25 and 29 are broken extinguishing the main road yellow change signal AY and the cross road red signal BR and right of way is accorded to the cross road.
  • Cam contacts 26 and 21 are closed to illuminate the cross road green BG and the main road red AR.
  • Contacts 22 are opened in this position thus deenergizing relay R.
  • Contacts 21 are opened in position 6 extinguishing the cross road green signal BG and contacts 28 are closed to illuminate the cross the solenoid S advancing the camshaft into po- 7 sition 2, the AG rest position once more.
  • the dial I II has the same cycle length as the dial III at all other intersections of the group comprising the coordinated system and is kept continuously in step with dial III at any other intersection by the synchronous type motors M, M which are supplied from the same power source. Accordingly the position of pin I2 on dial II] in relation to the corresponding pin I2 in dial I0 in another controller determines the time relation between the interruption of right of way on the main road at the first intersection with interruption of right of way on the main road at the second.
  • the main road may be .established by locatingthe pins I2, l2 at the several intersections at. desired spacingsaround their respective dials so that each controller will provide the proper offset or time period before the point at whichright of way transfer from the. main road is permitted from-a zero or reference point which may be marked correspond-
  • any ingly on each dial. desired time relationship between the time of transfer of right of .way from the main road at the several intersections maybe obtained'by the relative positioning of the several pins [2, I2,
  • the switch M (or corresponding switch BI) is closed against contact 62 so that plus power is supplied directly via wires 63, 60 through contact pair M to the solenoid S to advance the camshaft upon operation of contacts l4 independently of operation of relay R;
  • Any desired allotment of the total time cycl of the dial Ill to the several signal'periods may be made by suitably locating the pins H which are removably positioned in the face of the dial. Accordinglythe length of the cross road right of way period may be different at different intersections without disturbing the settings for transfer of right of way from the main road at each intersection required by the progressive or synchronized program utilized.
  • Adjustment of the total time cycle of the dials I0, l may be made in any suitable manner as for example by introducing gears of different sizes in the drive of the dials so long as the total time cycle of each dial is the same as that of all the other dials.
  • the pin 12 in the controller together with the cam 3
  • the camshaft will be resynchronized with the dial when the camshaft is next advanced from position 2 by action of the long pin I2 to form than that of controller.
  • the wiring of controller II for its solenoid S includes the contacts l3 operated by pins.
  • the circuit for operation of solenoid S" by action of pins H may be traced from A0 minus power wire l0! via wire B5,.solenoid S, wires 86, 81, 88, cam contacts 24', wire 85, pin operated contacts l3,, wires .90 and 9! to AC plus power Wire I60.
  • the circuit for operating solenoid S' by action of pin 12' may betraced from AC minus power wire HH' via wire 85, solenoid S, wires 86, B7, B2, contacts r2, wire 93, pin operated contacts 14, wires 94, 91 -to AC plus power wire I60.
  • controller II In thisalternate form of wiring used in controller II the switch 6 I corresponding to switch Moi controller I, cross connects wires 81, 93 when the switchis closed, to shunt contacts r2 when it is desired to have controller II act as a cyclically operated periodic controller instead of a traific actuated type of controller.
  • camshaft GS of controller II is shown in position 4, partway through its cycle, as a result of previous traflic actuation of one of the detectors in the cross road'C.
  • the cam contact 22' is open so as to interrupt the lock in circuit of relay R and release this relay from the effect of the previous traflic actuation, so that the camshaft CS will stop when it reaches the rest position #2 unless a further trafiic actuation occurs.
  • the present invention provides a controller of novel and simplified design for use in coordinated traffic control systems for a plurality of intersections.
  • a number of controllers of this type when used to make up such a coordinated system provide great operating flexibility both in respect to the length of the several timed signal 'periods at each intersection and the relative times of certain signal changes at all the intersections when the controllers are used as vehicle actuated or,non-vehicle actuated timers. Any desired relationship between the times of certain signal changes at the several intersections may be obtained even although no interconnecting wires are required other than the connection of all controllers to a common AC power source.
  • Each controller itself is of simple design of the rotating dial type having a number of pins in the dial which through a linking arrangement actuate a camshaft controlling the signal indications.
  • the linking "arrangement may comprise a solenoid-operatedratchet and pawl mechanism having two solenoid energizing circuits, One such circuit embracing a pair of contacts closed at a predetermined point once in each cycle of the dial, in definite relationship at all intersections of a group, initiates a cycle of operation of the camshaft if a vehicle has actuated a vehicle detector in the approach to the intersection.
  • the other solenoid energizing circuit includes contacts operated by other pins in the dial to maintain operation of the camshaft through the rest of its cycle one such operation has been initiated. Accordingly the movement of the camshaft through a, cycle of signal changes in response to traffic actuation is maintained in synchronism with operation of the ro-' tating disc, and since the several rotating discs are maintained in synchronism the signal changes at the intersections are maintained in desired relationship.
  • circuit closers might be mounted on a rotating disc to be operated by stationary pins set in fixed holes, in lieu of the stationary circuit closers operated by pins in the holes of a rotary disc as shown in the present embodiment.
  • detectors DI, D2 may be connected in parallel with detectors DI, D2 and that push buttons or the like can be connected similarly for operation by pedestrians.
  • a step-by-step right of way signaling controller adapted to be operated through a cycle including right of way signal conditions for the respective roads, a continuously operating synchronous motor, a circuit closer operated periodically by said motor, an electromagnetic stepping device for operating said controller one step at a time, means operating said stepping device at spaced time intervals through all of said signaling cycle except one condition in which right of way is indicated to the main road, means to be actuated by trailic in the cross road including a switch closed by such actuation, and means including an operating circuit having said circuit closer and said switch in series for operating said stepping device in said one condition responsive to closure of said switch and circuit closer.
  • means operatively associating said mechanism with said traffic actuated means including a shaft, a motor rotating said shaft, a circuit closer operated periodically by said shaft as the latter rotates, a second rotatable shaft, switches arranged to be operated by said second shaft in a predetermined sequence of switch combinations to provide for the right of way signaling cycle as said second shaft rotates, another switch opened by said second shaft in the main road right of way part of its cycle and closed in all other parts of its cycle, a second circuit closer operated periodically by the first mentioned shaft, said first shaft and circuit closer being arranged for operating said first circuit closer a plurality of times corresponding to one less than the number of the difierent switch combinations in the cycle of the second shaft during a cycle of rotation
  • electromagnetic holding means connected to said traffic actuated means to maintain said traific actuated switch closed after closure by trafiic actuation when operated, and an operating circuit for said electromagnetic means including an additional switch opened by said second shaft in the cross road right of way part of its cycle to release said trafiic actuated switch and closed in all other parts of the cycle.
  • a synchronous motor and a right of way signaling controller adapted to be operated through a cycle including right of way signal conditions for the respective roads in sequence at its intersection responsive to actuation of said traffic actuated means and in predetermined time relation with its associated motor under control of the latter;
  • said controller comprising a step-by-step rotary signal switching mechanism providing the cycle of right of way signal conditions, an operating device for said mechanism to operate the latter from one step to another in its cycle responsive to momentary actuation, a circuit closer, a dial rotated by said motor, pins placed in said dial so as to actuate said circuit closer momentarily one at a time as said dial is rotated, a second circuit closer placed out of range of said pins, an additional pin in said dial for actuating said second circuit closer momentarily at a predetermined point in the cycle of rotation of said dial, an operating circuit for actuating said operating device including the first
  • a traffic control system for an -intersection of a main road and a cross road having trafiic actuated means forthe cross road, a synchronous motor, and a right of way signaling controller adapted to be operated through a cycle including two successive right of way signal conditions for the respective roads in sequence at its intersection responsive to actuation-of said trafiic actuated means and in predetermined time relation with its associated motor under control of the latter;
  • said controller comprising a stepby-step rotary signal switching mechanism providing the cycle of right of way signal conditions, anoperating device for said mechanism to operate the latter from one step to another in its cycle responsive to momentary actuation, a circuit closer, a dial rotated by said motor, pins placed in said dial so as to actuate said circuit closer momentarily one at a time as said dial is rotated, a second circuit closer placed out of range ofsaid pins, an additional pin in said dial for actuating said second circuit closer momentarily at a predetermined point in the cycle of rotationof said dial, an
  • a trafiic control system for a main road anda cross road having means actuated by trafiic on the cross road and a right of way signaling mechanism adapted to be operated through a cycle including .rightiof waysignaling periods for each road, said mechanism including a plate member having a plurality of spaced holes circularly arranged, a circuit closer, a continuously operating timing motor providing relative rotary movement between said .plate member and said circuit closer, a pin placed in a selected one of said holes, a step-by-step cyclic signaling switch having a plurality of steps inits cycle including right of way signaling steps for the vrespective roads, an electromagnetic device momentarily actuable for operating said cyclic switch one step at a time, relay means connected to said traflic actuated means to be operated responsive to trafflc actuation thereof to connect said electromagnetic device for momentary actuation by said circuit closer as the latteris actuated by said pinto operate said cyclic switch at one step of its cycle in which right
  • a traflic control system fora main road anda crossroad having means. actuated by traffic on the .crossroad andarightof way signaling mechanism adapted to be operated through a cycle including right of way signaling periods for each road, said mechanism including a plate member, a circuit closer, "a continuously operating timing motor providing relative rotary movement between said plate member and said circuit closer, pins spaced in selected positions in said plate member to actuate said circuit closer momentarily during such rotary movement, a stepby-step cyclic signaling switch having a plurality of steps in its cycle including right of way signaling steps for the respective roads, an electromagnetic device momentarily actuable for operating said cyclic switch .one step at a time, circuit means controlled by said cycle switch to connect said electromagnetic device for momentary actuation by first said circuit closer in all steps of said signal cycle except one in which right of way is signaled to the main road and to disconnect said electromagnetic device in said one step, a second circuit closer placed out -0 range of actuation by said pins, an
  • a continuously rotating disc having a pluralityof spaced holes in acircle concentric to its-axis-of rotation, pins placed in selected holes of said disc, a circuit closer placed to be operated by said pins, a step-by-step cyclic signal controller having a cycle of signaling steps including separate steps for right of way to the respective roads and intervening steps for right of way change indications, anelectromagnetic ratchet'device for operating said controller one step ata-time, a switch member closed by said cyclic signal controller in all except one of said controller steps in which one step right of way is indicated to the main road, an operating circuit 'for said electromagneticdevice including said-circuit closer and said switch member, another pin placed in 'said disc, a second circuit closer placed was to -be operated onlyiby said another pinoncein each cycle of said disc, trafiic actuated meansin the cross road, a switch connected "to be closed by said
  • a traffic right of way signaling apparatus for road intersections having one rotary member providing a cycle of right of way signaling positions to determine several combinations of signaling indications to be displayed in the several positions of the cycle and a second rotary member having a number of actuating elements adjustable in relative position on said member to determine a total length and subdivision of a time cycle into at least as many parts as the number of said signaling positions, means including a send actuated device associated with one of the intersecting roads to connect said second rotary member to said first rotary member responsive to traffic actuation of said device for operation of said first rotary member through its cycle by said actuating elements to provide a right of way signaling period for trafiic actuating said device.
  • a rotary signal controller having a cycle of operating positions to provide for a plurality of separate right of way signaling conditions in such cycle
  • a step-- by-step driving device adapted to be operated momentarily to rotate said controller from one position to another in said cycle
  • a shaft a mog tor connected to rotate said shaft
  • a circuit closer arranged to be operated by said shaft at spaced intervals a plurality of times in one cycle of rotation of said shaft, switches forming a part of said controller and operated cyclically as said controller rotates
  • an operating circuit for said driving device including said circuit closer and one of said switches open in one right of way position of the cycle of said controller and closed through the remainder of such cycle
  • traffic actuated means including a switch closed responsive to actuation by trafiic, an operating circuit for said.
  • driving device including said second circuit closer and said trafiic actuated switch for operating said driving device at said one position of said controller cycle, a holding means for maintaining said traffic actuated switch closed after actuation thereof by trafiic and as long as said holding means is operated and an operating circuit for said holding means including one of said switches opened only in another position of the cycle of said controller coresponding to a right of way signaling condition for traffic actuating said traffic actuated switch.
  • a traffic control system for a main road and cross road including electric right of way signals for the respective roads, means actuatable by tramc in the cross road, a step-by-step cyclic switch actuatable for operating said signals through cycle including right of way periods for the respective roads, an electromagnetic device for so actuating said cyclic switch, a continuously operating motor, a shaft rotated by said motor, a circuit closer operated momentarily a plurality of times in each cycle of rotation of said shaft, a second circuit closer operated by said shaft once in each cycle of rotation of said shaft, a relay, a third circuit closer opened by said cyclic switch only in one step of the latter near the end of the main road right of way period, a fourth circuit closer operated by operation of said relay, a normal operating circuit for said electromagnetic device including the first and third circuit closers in series, an auxiliary operating circuit for said electromagnetic device including said second circuit closer and said fourth circuit closer in series, an operating circuit for said relay connected with said traflic actuatable means to operate said relay responsive to trafiic

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US309314A 1939-12-15 1939-12-15 Traffic actuated signaling apparatus Expired - Lifetime US2279896A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2908891A (en) * 1957-06-17 1959-10-13 Gen Electric Canada Traffic actuated traffic light control system
US3133264A (en) * 1957-02-26 1964-05-12 Gamewell Co Multiple program traffic control systems

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3133264A (en) * 1957-02-26 1964-05-12 Gamewell Co Multiple program traffic control systems
US2908891A (en) * 1957-06-17 1959-10-13 Gen Electric Canada Traffic actuated traffic light control system

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