US2294496A - Railway traffic controlling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept- 1942- H. s. YOUNG 2,294,496

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 -W 20 glkw i ll 152 12 J RV 3' 9 -L- I 9 C(i/IZT'UZ ZV Q R lx ii, Flearl'c L locli'mg COIH IWZ INVENTOR Henry5 Yaany.

H15 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 1, 1942 RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Henry S. Young, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 24, 1941, Serial No. 412,126

Claims. (01. 246-219) My invention relates to railway trafiic controlling apparatus, andit has particular reference to the organization of. such apparatus into novel and improved systems for controlling and indicating positions of railway track switches. More particularly, my invention relates to the organization of such apparatus into systems arranged to obtain safety of operation and protection against crossed wires.

An object of my invention is to provide simplified systems for controlling railway track switches.

Another object is to provide railway track switch control systems arranged to prevent false operation of the switches due to crossed wires, etc.

A further object is to provide new and improved systems for controlling and indicating railway track switches.

The above-mentioned and other important objects and characteristic features of my invention which will become readily apparent from the following description, are attained in accordance with my invention by utilizing two switch repeater relays one for the normal and the other for the reverse position of the switch, and by energizing such normal and reverse repeater relays in multiple with the normal and reverse valve magnets of the switch operating mechanism, respectively, over circuits incorporating contacts of the switch repeater relays and arranged in such manner as to prevent improper operation of the mechanism should a cross exist upon the system.

The invention further resides in the particular apparatus employed and in the details of the arrangement thereof, as will be made clear in the following description.

I shall describe three forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, ,Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one form of apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views each showing modified forms of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and each also embodying my invention. Similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts in each of the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the reference character W designates a crossover comprising a pair of switches, designated by the reference characters S with distinguishing suffixes, connecting together the rails of two stretches of track I and 2' ach wi ch is, pe at y n ec ed with a switch operating mechanism, designated by the reference character SM with a suitably distinguishing suffix, and preferably of the electropneumatic type. Each, switch mechanism SM comprises a normal valve magnet NV, a reverse valve magnet RV, and a lock valve magnet LV, it being understood that a switch mechanism SM causes its associated switch S to operate to its normal position when normal valve magnet NV is energized and to a reverse position when reverse valve magnet RV is energized, provided that in each instance lock valve magnet LV also is energized. Each switch mechanism SM has associated therewith a pole changer, designated by the reference character J with a suitably distinguishing suffix, having a movable member 5 operatively connected to the switch mechanism and arranged so that in the normal position, that is, the position shown in the drawing, contacts 6 and I are bridged by member 5, whereas in the reverse position of the switch, that is, the position the reverse of that shown in the drawings, contacts 8 and 9 are bridged by member 5.

Switch mechanisms SM are controlled by a manually operable lever V, which may, for example, comprise a switch lever of an interlocking machine. Lever V is adapted to assume various positions, as illustrated in the drawing, and comprising a full normal position N, an intermediate position X, another intermediate position Y, and a full reverse position R. Lever V is provided with a plurality of contacts, designated by the reference characters II] and II, arranged -so as to be closed at different positions of the lever. The positions in which the contacts are closed are indicated in the drawing by the reference characters designating the positions of lever V. For example, contact H] of lever V bears the reference character NX, indicating that contact I0 is closed when the lever is in its full normal position N, its intermediate position X, or any position between the two.

Lever V is provided with a handle I2 having a latch operatively connected to a latch operated contact I3 biased to an open position but arranged to close when the latch is actuated in ment is operatively connected with lever V. Pro- ,jection IE on segment I! is proportioned to lie within the portion of the stroke of lever V intermediate its N and R positions so as to prevent a movement of lever V from its normal position N to its intermediate position X, or from its reverse position R to its intermediate position Y, unless magnet I4 is energized to actuate locking dog I5 out of engagement with projection I6. The arrangement is such, therefore, that contact I or I I, as the case may be, may be opened upon movement of the lever only if the lever lock BL is energized.

The lever lock DL is controlled. over an obvious circuit represented in the drawing as extending from one terminal B of a suitable source of current, such as a battery not shown but'having its opposite terminals designated by the reference characters B and C, through a contact I9 controlled by the usual electric locking means incorporated into switch control circuits, latch'operated contact I3, and the winding of magnet I4 to the other terminal C of the source. The electric lo king apparatus is representedconventionally and may comprise, for example, section or detector locking, approach locking, route looking, etc., the details of which have been omitted in order to simplify the drawing.

The reference characters WP with suitably distinguishing prefixes designate switch position repeater relays, one relay NWP for repeating the normal position of the switches. and the other. relay RWP for repeating the reverse position of the switches. Each repeater relay WP controls contacts, some of which have been represented in the drawing at points remote from the associated relay. Each of these contacts, however, hasbeen identified by a reference character individual to such contact. as well as by placing directly above such contact the reference character of the relay withwhich such contact is associated.

.The apparatus of Fig. 1 is in its normal condition, as represented in the drawing, when lever V is in its normal position and both switches SI and S2 of crossover W occupy their respective normal positions. In this condition of the apparatus, the normal valve magnets NV of switch mechanisms SMI and SM2 are energized in series over a circuit extending from terminal B through contact II] of lever V, back contact 2| of relay RWP, and Valve magnets NV of switch mechanisms SMI and SMZ, respectively, to terminal C. With switches SI and S2 in their respective normal positions, contact members of circuit controllers J I and J2 engage their respective contact members 6 and I, and normal switch repeater relay NWP is energized over a circuit corresponding to the previously traced circuit for the normal valve magnets through back contact 2I of reverse switch repeater relay RWP and then extending through contacts 6-5-I of circuit controllers J I and J 2, respectively, back contact 22 of reverse switch repeater relay RWP, and the winding of normal switch repeater relay NWP to terminal C.

With the apparatus in its normal condition, the operator may move the switch points of crossover W to their reverse positions by first closing; latch contact I3 to complete the previously mentioned energizing circuit for lever lock DL. Magnet I4 of the lock accordingly becomes energized and actuates locking dog I5 out of engagement with projection I6 of segment II, thereby enabling the operator to movelever V from its normal position Ntoits reverse posi-.

tion R). When the lever passes its intermediate position X, contact I0 opens to cause normal valve magnets NV and normal switch repeater relay NWP to become denergized, and when the lever reaches its intermediate position Y, contact II closes to complete a circuit for the reverse valve magnets RV of switch mechanisms SMI and SM2. This circuit extends from terminal B through contact II of lever V, back contact 23 of normal switch repeater relay NWP, and reverse valve magnets RV of mechanisms SMI and SM2, respectively, to terminal C. Lock magnets LV of the switch mechanisms also become energized over a circuit extending from terminal B through back contact 24 of normal switch repeater relay NWP, back contact 25 of reverse switch repeater relay RWP, and lock magnets LV of switch mechanisms SMI and SM2, respectively, to terminal C.

With the reverse and lock valve magnets of the switch mechanisms energized, switches SI and S2 are caused to operate to their reverse positions, thereby causing contact members 5 of circuit controllers J I and J2: to move out of engagement with their respective contact members 6 and l and into engagement with contact members 8 and 9 when the switches reach their full reverse positions. When this happens, reverse switch repeater relay RWP becomes energized over a circuit extending from terminal B through contact II of lever V, back contact 23 of relay NWP, contacts 8-59 of controllers J I and J2, respectively, back contact 26 of relay NW? and the winding of reverse switch repeater relay RWP to terminal C. Relay RWP accordingly becomes energized and opens its back contacts 2|, 22 and 25 to open, respectively, the previously traced energizing circuit for the normal valve magnets of the switch mechanisms, the previously traced circuit of th normal switch repeater relay NWP, and the previously traced circuit of the lock valve magnets. Latch contact I3 of lever V may now be opened to deenergize magnet I4 and release locking dog I5 into engagement with segment IT.

The operator may restore the switch points of crossover VI to their respective normal positions, by moving lever V from its reverse position R to its normal position N. The operation of the apparatus in such an event will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawing, and further detailed description is believed unnecessary.

It is to be noted that the circuit arrangement represented in Fig. 1 provides protection against improper operation should energy be improperly applied to any of the control circuits due to crossed wires, faulty insulation, etc. For example, should a positive cross be present at any time on the circuits of the normal valve magnets NV or on the circuit of normal switch repeater relay NWP, this improper condition of the apparatus is detected whenlever V is operated in an attempt to move the points of the crossover W. The operation of the lever may open lever contact IE], whereupon under normal conditions the normal valve magnets NV and the normal switch repeater relay NWP become deenergized. If, however, a positive cross exists on the circuits of either the normal valve magnets or the normal switch repeater relay, energy is then maintained on such circuits due tothe cross, after lever contact It opens, and as a result the normal valve magnets NV and repeater relay NWP remain energized. When the lever reaches its Y position, it is apparent that the reverse valvemagnets RV, and thelock valve magnets LV, remain deenergized due to the factthat back contacts 23 and 24 of relayNWP, inter-posed respectively in the circuits of 'such" valve magnets, are-retained open. This failure-ofthe-control apparatus to-respondto-the lever movement in-.

dicatesan improper condition existing in the apparatus, and prevents any change in the position ofthe apparatus until the improper condition has-been corrected. a a g fl-Similar-protection is-provided should a positive-cross-exist-on any part of the circuits of reverse :valve magnets RV- or reverse switch repeater relay RWP, as is obvious from an inspection of the drawing. 1

- As -indicated in the drawing, the switch repeater relays NWP and RWPmay be employed,:as is the usual practice, tocontrol signalsgoverning railway traflicover the stretches of -track.- Such signals,and-the circuits for governing such signals,- have been omitted from the drawing, however, since the particular arrangenientthereof forms no part of my presentinvention and may take any suitable form well known to the art.

- In Fig. 2, the'apparatus of Fig. 1 has been slightly modified to incorporate further cross protection. -This modification consists in.inter-- posing levercontacts 28 and 29 m alternate paths, in thecircuit of lever lock magnet M; in moving contact 22 of relay RWP from its position in Fig. 1 intermediate the winding of relay NWP and the contacts of controllers J, to a position inseries with lever contact 28 in one alternate path of lever lock magnet M; and in a like fashion moving-back contact 26 of relay NWP age 4, 1%

P. 1 Polar contact'in'ember .30 ofrelayP is posi-.

tioned intermediate terminal C and the windings of relays NWP-and RWP, and in one. position of the contact functions to prepare a pick-up circuit for relay RWP and in the other position prepares a pick-up circuit for relay NWP. Each repeater relay, when picked up over the polar contact of relay P, completes for itself an obvious stick circuit path which includes its own front contact.

' tion as viewed in Fig. 3, to prepare a'pick-up circuit for relay RWP. Relay 1 is of the polar stick type arrangedso that when deenergized the relay maintainsits polar contact member in its last operated position, hence when lever V is moved by the operator and lever contact HJ from its position in Fig. 1 intermediate the windprotection afforded by the arrangement of Fig. 1,

and 'in' addition functions to prevent a lever movement should a cross exist on the circuit of the repeater relay at a point intermediate the contacts of circuit'controllers J and the relay winding. For example, if the apparatus is in its normal condition as represented in Fig. 2, so that :normal valve magnets NV and normal switch re- ;peater relay NWP are energized,and a positive cross exists on the circuit of reverse switch refpeater relay RWP at a point intermediate its winding and the contacts of controllers J, relay iRWP will be energized to open its back contacts 2!, 22 and 25. When, therefore, lever V is moved in an attempt to reverse crossover W, lever lock tion of relay RWP due to the crossed wire, and the alternate path including lever contact 29' cannot become closed since dog l5 engages pro- ;jection [6 to prevent movement of the lever to) :its Y position wherein'contact 29 may be closed- The apparatus of Fig. 2 is arranged, as is obvious from an inspection of the drawing, to pre-: vent a movement of lever V from its reverse position R to its normal position N should a positive cross exist on the circuit of normal switch;

repeater relay NWP at a point intermediate its:

winding and the contacts of controllers J.

In Fig. 3, a modification of the apparatus rep-- resented in Fig. 1 is illustrated wherein a polar' relay P is provided and-is caused to .operate its "polar contact member 33 to one extreme position -or theother according as contact 3| of. relay opens to open the energizing circuit of relay NWP, polar contact member 30 of relay. P is retained in its normal position. after front contact 3| of relay NWP opens. Relay RWP accordingly becomes energized, after the points of crossover W reach their respective reverse. positions as indicated by members 5 of circuit controllers J bridging contact members 8 and 9, over a circuit which corresponds to. the energizing circuit pointed out for relay RWP in connection with the apparatus of Fig. 1, and which circuit additionally includes polar contact 36 of relay P in its normal position.

The energization of relay RWP causes its front contact 34 to close and thus complete an alternate stick circuit path around polar contact member 30 of relay P, hence relay RWP remains energized after polar contact member 30 of relay P is swung to its reverse orright-hand position due to current supplied to the relay over front contact 32 of relay RWP. Polar contactmember 30 in its reverse position prepares apick-up circuit for relay NWP, and it is apparent that when the operator restores lever V to its normal position, relay NWP is caused topick up after the points of crossover W have reached their respective normal positions, over its circuit including polar contact member 3il inits reverse position. The energization of relay NWP causes its front contact 33 to close and complete its stick circuit path, and also causes relay P to swing its polar contact member 30 to its normal position.

From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that relay P of Fig. 3 functions, in a manner equivalent to the usual lever operated quick switch, to require each operation of the crossover to be completed before permitting the apparatus to be restored to the condition wherein control of the signals may be effected.- That is to say, if the .operator attempts to reverse the crossover by "reversing lever V-, the crossover must operate to its full reverse position and pick up relay RWP and reverse the contact of relay P, before-relay iNWP can, upon restoration of the lever to its normal position, be reenergized to complete a signal control circuit for a train movement over the crossover in its normal position. This arrangement insures that all apparatus has been :restored to its normal condition, and particularly NWP=or contact/.32 .of,r.e1 .y-RWP is closed, to complete an obvious energizing circuit for relay 75 that the valve magnets,.which;are not directly checked. in Fig. 3, are in their normal condition.

From the foregoing description, it is readily apparent that I have provided novel and improved simplified systems for controlling railway track switches, and that such systems incorporate the usual safeguards against improper operation due to grounds, crosses, etc. It is also apparent that the systems may readily be modified for controlling single switches in the place of crossovers, in which latter event the valve magnets of only a single switch mechanism would be controlled.

Although I have herein shown and described only three forms of railway traffic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications 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 a switch control system of the class wherein a railway track switch is operated to a normal or to a reverse position in agreement with the normal or reverse position of a control lever through the medium of a power-operated switch mechanism operatively connected with the switch and having a normal, a reverse, and a lock valve magnet and efiective when the lock valve magnet is energized to cause the switch to operate to its normal or its reverse position according as the normal or reverse valve magnet is energized, the combination with the foregoing apparatus of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverse switch position repeater relay, a circuit for said normal valve magnet including in series a normal position contact of the lever and a back contact of said reverse position switch repeater relay, a circuit for said reverse valve magnet including in series a reverse position contact of the lever and a back contact of said normal position switch repeater relay, a circuit for said lock valve magnet including in series back contacts of said normal and reverse position switch repeater relays, a circuit for energizing.

said normal position switch repeater relay in multiple with said normal valve magnet and including a contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed when and only when said switch occupies its. normal position, and a circuit for energizing said reverse position switch repeater relay in multiple with said reverse valve magnet and including a contact operated by said switch and closed when and only when said switch occupies its reverse position.

2. In a switch control system of the class wherein a railway track switch is operated to a normal or to a reverse position in agreement with the normal or reverse position of a control lever through the medium of a power-operated switch mechanism operatively connected with the switch and having a normal, a reverse, and a lock valve magnet and efiective when the lock valve magnet is energized to cause the switch to operate to its normal or its reverse position according as the normal or reverse valve magnet is energized, the combination with the foregoing apparatus of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverse switch position repeater relay; a circuit including in series a source of current, a normal position contact of said lever, a back contact of said reverse position repeater relay, and in multiple said normal valve magnet and said normal position repeater relay, said normal position repeater relay having in series therewith a contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed only when said switch is in its normal position; a circuit including in series a source of current, a reverse position contact of said lever, a back contact of said normal position repeater relay, and in multiple said reverse valve magnet and said reverse position repeater relay, said reverse position repeater relay having in series therewith a contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed only when said switch is in its reverse position; and a circuit including in series a source of current, back contacts of said normal and said reverse position switch repeater relays, and said lock valve magnet,

3. In a switch control system for causing a railway track switch to operate to a normal or a reverse position according as a switch control lever is in its normal or its reverse position, the combination with the switch and the lever and a switch operating mechanism operatively connected to the switch and having a normal valve magnet, a reverse valve magnet and a lock magnet and effective to cause operation of the switch to its normal or its reverse position according as said normal or said reverse valve magnet is energized when said lock magnet is energized, of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverse switch position repeater relay, a circuit for said normal valve magnet including a contact of said lever closed in its normal position and a back contact of said reverse switch position repeater relay, a circuit for said reverse valve magnet including a contact of said lever closed in its reverse position and a back contact of said normal switch position repeater relay, a circuit for said lock magnet including in series back contacts of said normal and said reverse switch position repeater relays, a circuit for connecting said normal switch position repeater relay in multiple with said normal valve magnet and including another back contact of said reverse switch position repeater relay and a contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed when and only when said switch is in its normal position, and a circuit for connecting said reverse switch position repeater relay in multiple with said reverse valve magnet and including another back contact of said normal switch position repeater relay and a contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed when and only when said switch is in its reverse position.

4. In a switch control system for causing a railway track switch to operate to a normal or a reverse position according as a switch control lever is in its normal or its reverse position, the combination with the switch and the lever and a switch operating mechanism operatively connected to the switch and having a normal valve magnet, a reverse'valve magnet and a lock magnet and effective to cause operation of the switch to its normal or its reverse position according as said normal or said reverse valve magnet is energized when said lock magnet is energized, of a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverse switch position repeater relay, a circuit for said normal valve magnet including a contact of said lever closed in its normal position and a back contact of said reverse switch position repeater relay, a circuit for said reverse valve magnet including a contact of said lever closed in its reverse position and a back contact of said normal switch position repeater relay, a circuit for said lock magnet including in series back contacts of said normal and said reverse switch position repeater relays, a polar relay of the type that when deenergized retains its polar contact member in its last operated position, a circuit for supplying current of normal or reverse relative polarity to said polar relay according as said normal or reverse switch repeater relay is energized, a pick-up circuit for connecting said normal switch position repeater relay in multiple with said normal valve magnet and including another back contact of said reverse position switch repeater relay and a contact operated by said switch and closed only when said switch is in its normal position and a polar contact closed in the reverse position of said polar contact of said polar relay, a stick circuit path for energizing said normal switch repeater relay and including its own front contact interposed in said pick-up circuit around said reverse polar contact of said polar relay, another pick-up circuit for connecting said reverse switch position repeater relay in multiple with said reverse valve magnet and including another back contact of said normal switch position repeater relay and a contact operated by said switch and closed only in the reverse position of said switch and a normal polar contact of said polar relay closed when said polar contact occupies its normal position, and a stick circuit path for energizing said reverse switch position repeater relay and including its own front contact interposed in said other pickup circuit around said normal polar contact of said polar relay,

5. In a switch control system of the class wherein a railway track switch is operated to a normal or to a reverse position in agreement with the normal or reverse position of a control lever through the medium of a power-operated switch mechanism operatively connected with the switch and having a normal, a reverse, and a lock valve magnet and effective when the lock valve magnet is energized to cause the switch to operate to its normal or its reverse position according as the normal or reverse valve magnet is energized, the combination with the foregoing apparatus of locking means for said lever effective when deenergized to prevent movement of said lever from its normal to its reverse position and vice versa, together with a normal switch position repeater relay and a reverse switch position repeater relay; a circuit including in series a source of current, a normal position contact of said lever, a back contact of said reverse position repeater relay, and in multiple said normal valve magnet and said normal position repeater relay, said normal position repeater relay having in series therewith a contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed only when said switch is in its normal position; a circuit including in series a source of current, a reverse position contact of said lever, a back contact of said normal position repeater relay, and in multiple said reverse valve magnet and said reverse position repeater relay, said reverse position repeater relay having in series therewith a contact operated by said switch mechanism and closed only when said switch is in its reverse position; a circuit including in series a source of current, back contacts of said normal and said reverse position switch repeater relays, and said lock valve magnet; and means for energizing said locking means over a circuit having two alternate paths, one of which includes a normal position contact of said lever and a back contact of said reverse switch position repeater relay and the other path of which includes a reverse position contact of said lever and a back contact of said normal switch position repeater relay.

HENRY S. YOUNG.

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