US233612A - g-assett - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

O.-GASSETT & I. FISHER. Railway Signal Apparatus. No. 233,612. Patented Oct. 26, 1880..

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Railway Signal Apparatus. No. 233.612. Patented Oct. 26, I880.

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OSCAR GASSETT AND ISRAEL FISHER, OF BOSTON, MASS, ASSIGNORS TO THE UNION ELECTRIC SIGNAL COMPANY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,612, dated October 26, 1880. Application filed March 20, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, OSCAR GASSETT and ISRAEL FISHER, both of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvementin Railway Signal Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

Our invention relates to an automatic signal apparatus for railways, and is embodied in a machine controlled by an electro-magnet, and adapted to show a signal or bannerin one position while a train is on a section of track to be protected by the said signal, and to place the said signal in another position when the said section of track is free to be entered upon by a train.

The machine is intended to be controlled by an electro-magnet placed in an electric circuit with the rails of the track, the said magnet being demagnetized by shunting or short-circuiting it by the wheels and axles of a train, or otherwise, the battery-circuit remaining constant, except when accidentally broken, as by the breaking of a rail, or washing out of the track, or rupture of a wire, or otherwise.

The present invention is based on a machine invented by Oscar Gassett, on which an application for patent filed August 14, 1879, is now pending, in which a signal-machine actuated by a weight is controlled by a detent operated by the armature of an electro-magnet in such manner that the mechanism is stopped with the signal in one position when the said armature is attracted to its magnet,

and in the other position when the said armature is released by the demagnetization of its magnet. In both that machine and the present the signal-banner is shown as turning on an axis in its plane, and indicating one condition of the block-section when the plane of the said signal is parallel with, and the other condition when perpendicular to, the line of railway, and both sides being alike, a quarterrevolution is sufficient to change the signal, the edge of the signal-banner being presented to the engineer to indicate one condition of the sectionas, for example, danger, and the face thereof to indicate the opposite condition, or safety.

The present invention consists, first, in a novel detent device, in which a vibrating detent-lever has a shoulder near its pivotal point which receives the shock and pressure of the revolving signal mechanism, the said pressure acting on one side of the said pivotal point to tend to vibrate the detent-lever in one direction when the signal is in one position, and on the other side to vibrate the said lever in the other direction when in the other position. The detentlever is itself stopped from vibrating in one direction by engaging a stop on an armature-lever when the armature is attracted and held up to the poles of its electromagnet, and is stopped from vibrating in the other direction when the electro-magnet is demagnetized and the armature released. This construction removes all shock from the armature-lever and renders the pressure thereon very light, so thata weak current is sufficient to control it and the signal.

The invention also consists in the construction of the stop-points on the armature-lever, whereby the said detent-lever is always caused to stop or come to rest on the proper face of the stop, thereby always insuring the correct position of the signal when the controllingarmature comes to rest; also, in a stop device controlled by the actuating power, herein shown as a spring, to stop and hold the sig- 8o nal in position to indicate danger before the said actuating power is wholly exhausted or run down; also, in an adjustable detacher for the armature-lever to press on the said lever when the armature is close to or in contact with the-poles of the electro-magnet, to overcome any residual magnetism when the magnet is demagnetized and insure that the armature will fall away.

Figure l is an end elevation of a signal-machine embodying our invention Fig. 2, a plan thereof in one of its normal positionsthat is, indicating safety Fig. 3, a plan, partly in section, of a portion thereof in the other position to indicate danger, Fig. 4, a side view of the detent-lever detached; Figs. 5 and 6, details, showing the engagement of the detent-lever with the armature-lever stops, being sections on the lines as :r and g y of Figs. 2 and 3, re-

spectively, looking toward the armature-lever; 1 oo Figs. 7 and 8, details to be referred to illustrating the operation under certain circumstances.

The actuating-power is shown as a spring, a, attached at its outer end to a stud, a, on the frame, and at its inner end to a windingspindle, 1), adapted to be wound by the key I), from which the power is applied, in the usual way, by a ratchet, b and pawl 0, to the large driving-gear c, from which the power is transmitted by the speed-increasing train 0 c c to the signal-shaft (1, provided with a socket, d", to receive the signal-banner, and having a tendency to rotate in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2.

The signal-shaft is provided with four arms, 6 e e e, at right angles to one another, shown as projecting from the socket d, and provided with detent-studs ffff, the ones ff being farther from the axis of the shaft 01 than the These detentstuds, flattened on their hearing side, as shown in Fig. 3, are adapted to strike on and beheld by the shoulder 9 of the detent-lever g, pivoted at 2 on the frame-plate, the studs marked ff being placed to strike the said shoulder g on one side, and those marked ff on theother side, of its pivot 2. The studs f tend to vibrate the lever g toward the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, and the ones f tend to vibrate it as shown in Fig. 3, and in either case if it is permitted so to vibrate, the studs f or f will escape over the edge of the shoulder g, asindicatedin Fig. 3, just before the lever g reaches one of the stop- pins 3 or 4.

The detent-lever g is prevented from vibratin g to release the stud f and arm eby the stop 71. on the armature-lever h, pivoted at 5, and controlled by the electro-magnet i, the said stop h being in position to engage the lever g, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 7, when the armature is attracted, while the said lever g is prevented from vibrating to release the stud j by the stop h on the said armature-lever h, when the electro-maguet is demagnetized and its armature permitted to fall away, being then overbalanced by the long arm of the lever 71. on the left of the pivot 5 in Figs. 1 and 2.

The movement of the lever h is limited in one direction by the adjustable pointy, and in the other by the fixed stop j, shown as an insulated bracket overhanging the end of the said lever h.

The magnet i is adjusted in proper position by the screw 1" and nut 6 and is retained in this position by the set-screw i It will be observed, referring to Figs. 5 and 6, that when the detent-lever g is properly engaged on the perpendicular front or stoppingface of either of its stops h or 7L2 the other one of the said stops is in position to allow the said lever to vibrate freely by it.

In Fig. 8 the armature-lever is in the same position as in Fig. 6, and consequently the lever g should be in the same condition-that is, free to vibrate in the direction of the arrow past the stop It to release one of the signalarms a. If, however, the lever g should be held by the rear side of the stop 7L2, it will be seen that the said stop would then act to prevent movement in the direction of the arrow, and thus cause one of the arms 6 to be retained and a false signal given.

When, in the operation of the machine, as hereinafter described, the lever g is caught behind the stop W, as shown in Fig. 8, and with the stud f of a signal-arm,e, stopped on the shoulder g, tending to move the lever g in the direction of the arrow, the inclined surface 6 of the end of the lever will bear against the inclined rear surface, 7, of the stop 7?, and the latter will yield to the pressure, thus raising the armature-lever h and allowing the lever g to pass in the direction of the arrow, after which the lever h will drop again, the lever g vibrate to allow the arm 0 to escape, and then, when the shoulder g is struck by the stud f stop against the front face of the stop 7L and hold the arm 0 as in Fig. 6, thus giving the correct signal.

Fig. 7 illustrates the operation when the detent-lever g is caught behind the stop h. In this case, if the stop h were rigidly attached to the lever h, the armature would have to be pulled away from its magnet to let the-lever g pass; but this is obviated by pivoting the stop h at 8, so that it may drop down and let the said lever g pass, after which it is immediately raised by the spring 9, Fig. 5, against the pin 10, to properly stop the detent-lever g on its front face.

The detacher for the armature is shown as a strong spring, 70, attached to a post, 70, on the frame, and adjustable by a screw, 1, and check-nut l, to bring its outer end. 11, which overhangs the armature-lever h, into proper position to'bear upon said armaturelever when the armature is at the end of its movement toward the poles of its magnet, in order to insure that the said armature shall fall away when the magnet is demagnetized.

The circuit-wires for the electro-magnet 'i are to be attached to the insulated bindingscrews 20 21, and the wires of another circuit to be controlled by the signal to operate any desired instrument. Usually, a secondary signal-machine similar to the one in hand may be attached to the binding-screws 22 23, the said circuit then terminating in the flexible springs m n on an insulating-block, 0, the said springs when left to themselves, as in Fig. 3, being separated and the circuit open.

One pair of opposite signal-arms (herein shown as the ones marked 6) is provided with pins 19, adapted to bear on an insulating-plate, n, on the spring n, and press the said spring provided with a contact-stud, n against the spring m to close the circuit. WVhen the pins 19 are on the arms 0 this circuitis closed,while the electro'magnet i is charged and broken when the said magnet is demagnetized; but by placing the pins on the wings e ,the opposite condition would be the result.

The stopping device for the machine con sists of a hooked arm, r, attached to a rockshaft, 8, extended down between the frameplates, and provided near the bottom with an arm, t, which is pressed by a light spring against the outer leaf of the main actuatingspring a, which, as it opens out in operating the machine, swings the arm t, and consequently the hooked arm 1, in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2,'until, before the spring is so weak as to cease actuating the machine, the hooked end is in position to catch one of the pins to on the arms 6 and hold the said arms, and consequently the machine and signal, when the said arms 0 are in the position occupied by the arms 0 in Fig. 2, in which position the signal indicates danger.

Another secondary circuit is closed when the armature is attracted between the wires 25 26, the former wire connected with the metal frame, and consequently with the armaturelever, and the latter wire, 26, connected with the insulated armature-lever stop j, the armature-lever being provided with a contactstud, 27, Figs. 5 and 6, to make contact with the said stop j.

The operation of the'machine is as follows: The signal consists of a plane disk alike on both sidesf0r example, red to indicate danger-and is so placed that one of the opposite faces of the disk will be presented to the engineer, and consequently the same or danger signal be given, if either of the arms 6, which may be called the danger-arms, is stopped by the detent device, and one of the opposite edges of the disk will be presented to indicate safety if either of the arms 0, or safety-arms, is stopped. When the magneti is vitalized, the armature is attracted, and the machine comes to rest with the end of the detent-lever g resting against the stop h, and one of the detent-studs fof one of the safety-arms 6 bearing on the shoulder g. In this position the circuitcloser m a is closed by the pin 10. If the magnet is demagnetized, the stop It drops from the range of the end of the detent-lever g, which swings against the stop-pin 3, allowing the arm 0 to escape, after which the stud f of the next or danger-arm strikes the shoulder g and swings it back from the stop-pin 3 until its end strikes the stop 7L2 and is detained, thereby allowing the said arm 6 to escape, so that the signal continues in this position until the magnet t is again charged, when the arm 6 escapes and an arm, 6, is detained.

When the stud'f of one of the danger-arms is detained, the circuit-closer m n is open, as shown in Fig. 3, so that if an electro-magnet of another precisely similar machine to the one shown is in a circuit controlled by the said circuit-closer it will give precisely the same indications, as would, also, one in circuit with the wires 25 26.

Usually the signal is operated by a single change in the condition of the electro-magnet i-as from magnetized to demagnetized, or vice versa-and a consequent single movement of the armature to one or the other of its stops;

but sometimes, as by the throwing of a switch, two changes are made in rapid succession, bringing the magnet back to its original condition, the armature-lever passing first from one stop to the other, and then back to the first stop. In this case the detent-lever will be released and the appropriate signal-arm escape on the first change of the magnet; but it is possible that the second change may take place and the armature lever return to its original position before the next signal-arm has reached the shoulder g, in which case the end of the detent-lever 9 will be caught behind the stop that has just released it, the said stop in the first movement of the arm aturelever having released the detent-lever, which would then, in the usual course of operation, come to rest against the other stop placed in line therewith by the first movement of the armature-lever; but before this can happen the second movement brings the first-mentioned stopbackinto thelineofmovementofthe detent'lever g, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, when the said stop will be moved aside to let the said detent-lever pass, as hereinbefore described, and the second arm will escape and the signal finally come to rest in its original position, as it should, since the circuit and track are now in their original condition.

- It will be observed that if the stops It 7L2 were omitted and the machine left to run down, the detent-lever 9 would act as an escapement, checking and almost stopping the movement of the arms 0 6, so that they can never strike the shoulder g with a momentum greater than that derived from a quarter-revolution of the shaft d.

The shock of stopping the machine is received by the shoulderg, which is a solid piece of metal with the lever g, and its sustainingpivot 2 is firmly bedded in the frame-plate, while the said lever g strikes and bears on the stops of the armature-lever very lightly, having no effect on its pivot 5 to make it loose, and its friction on the said stops does not appreciably resist the movement of the said lever.

It is obvious that the stopping device)" could readily be adapted to be operated in a machine actuated by a weight, the rod 2'; or its equivalent being then engaged, for example, by a knot or projection on the cord or chain by which the weight is suspended.

If desired to have the signal indicate safety when the magnet is demagnetized, it is only necessary to turn the signal a quarter of a revolution in its socket.

We claim- 1. In a railway signal apparatus, a visual signal, a mechanical motor to place it, and detent-studs to stop it in different positions, combined with a detent-lever provided with a shoulder to engage and hold the said studs, and adapted to be vibrated in one direction under the pressure of one of the said studs engaged to hold the signal in one position, as indicating safety, and to be vibrated in the .other direction under the stress of a stud, holdarmature-lever therefor provided with a stop having a front face to engage and hold the said detent-lever when in proper position, and inclined on its rear surface, to enable the detent-lever to move it aside and pass it when engaging it on its rear side, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A mechanieally-operated signal apparatus and detent-lever to engage and stop it in different positions, combined with an armature-lever and an electro-magnet to control it, and a pivoted stop thereon to engage the said detent-lever when in proper position and prevent it from moving in one direction, but adapted to be turned aside on its pivot, to allow the said detent-lever to pass by it in the other direction, substantially as described.

4. An electro-niagnet and its armature and lever therefor, adapted by its weight to draw the armature away from the said magnet when demagnetized, combined with the adjustable detaching-spring adapted to be adjusted to bear on the armature-lever only when close to the poles of its electro-magnet, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a mechanically-actuated railway-signal, a stopping device therefor adapted to be engaged by the actuating power, and moved thereby into position to engage and stop the signal mechanism in position to indicate danger before the said actuating-power is wholly exhausted, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the actuatingspring, of a rock-shaft and arm thereon to be engaged by the said spring to rotate the said shaft, and a hooked stop-arm to engage a pin and stop the signal mechanism when the signal is in position to indicate danger, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OSCAR GASSETT. ISRAEL FISHER. Witnesses L. F. CONNOR, J os. P. LIVERMORE.

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