US241885A - Railway-signal - Google Patents

Description

(Modell) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. H. ROTH. Railway Signal. No.241 ,885.

Patented May 24,1881.

Wilqesses.

N. PETERS. HMO-MW Wnhinflan. D. C,

UNITED STATES GUSTAV H. ROTH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

RAILWAY SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters -S|GNAL.

Patent No. 241,885, dated May 24, 1881.

Application filed J une 30, 1880. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV H. ROTH, of Boston, Suffolk county, Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railway-Signal Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention relates to railway-signal apparatus; and it consists, first, in providing at suitable intervals along the road, signal apparatus adapted to show different signals successively, the said signals being automatically set in position to indicate danger by suitable mechanism whena train passes, and then when the train passes the next signal apparatus the one in question is'moved forward to show another signal, the different apparatus being so connected in series that as each one is set to danger by the train passing it sets the one before to show a new signal, which maybe called No. 1, and this, in turn, sets the preceding one, already showing signal No. 1, to show No. 2, and it sets its predecessor to show No. 3, and so on for as many as may be desired in a series.

The invention also consists in the combination, with a signal apparatus adapted to show a series of different signals in succession, of a mechanical motor actuated by a weight or spring, and wound up by mechanism actuated by the passing train, and a detent controlled by an electro-motor until released by an electric current from the next signal apparatus, when it allows the motor to move the signal apparatus and bring the following signal of the series into view; also, in the combination, with a clutch-box moved in one direction by a mechanical motor, of a signal-disk provided with a series of difierent signals on a shaft provided with a second clutch-box, and with a weight or spring to move it in an opposite direction to that in which the first clutch-box is turned by the mechanical-motor; also, in the combination, with a clutch, to be engaged and rotated by a mechanical motor, of a shipper, adapted to be actuated by a passing train, to disconnect the said clutch and allow the disk to be rotated back with the shaft, and mechanism to remove the shipper and allow 50 the clutch to re-engage' when the signal-disk provided with a cord to trip it and release the has reached its extreme backward position, in which it indicates danger; also, in a hand-operated signal, to be used in conjunction with the automatic block-signal, the said signals being pivoted concentrically, and a cord and pulley used to partially rotate the said signal to bring a red or danger signal into view in front of the automatic signal, and a pawl to hold it in this position, the said pawl being said hand-signal and allowit to be turned back by a spring or weight to again permit the automatic signal to show.

The invention also consists in placing at suitable intervals automatic circuit-breaking instruments, containing circuit-breaking surfaces, set in motion by mechanism actuated by a weight or spring wound up by a passing train, a diderent number of breaks in the circuit being caused by the circuit-breakin g surfaces of the difl'erent instruments and the said different numbers preferably arrangediu regular order-that is, the first station causing a single break, the second a double, the fourteenth a single break followed by a slight pause and then four breaks, and so on. Thus, when the train passes each circuit-breaker, it winds the mechanism, which, in running down, breaks the circuit the appropriate number of times, indicating the number of the station, and these breaks may, either with or without the interposition of relays, record on any desired signaling-instrument either visual or andible signals at any desired station on the road, to thus make known the position and progress of the train.

The invention also consists in certain details of mechanical construction.

Instruments have previously been used whereby the train in passing operates a circuit-closer to close or break a circuit a single time, and the number of such operations indicates the number of stations passed by the train, or each of the said operations may causea pointer or indicator to advance one step, and thus indicate the advance of the train.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a block-signal mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. 2,' a face view of the signal-disk Fig. 3, a sectional -detail of Fig. l on line as, looking to 100 series of automatic circuit-breakers to produce' each a characteristic signal when a train passes; and Fig. 11 a side view of two of the toothed disks, which, when properly placed together, form the characteristic circuit-breaking surface.

The block-signal apparatus is operated primarily by a lever, g, and arm j, similar to that described in another application for United States patent, filed March 8, 1880, to which reference may be had. The arm j is connected by spring j to a winding-lever, q, provided with a pawl, q, to engage a ratchet, r, on a shaft, 1*, and wind up a weight, 20, or spring, the said shaft r being connected by a ratchet and pawl in the usual manner with a whcel,s,loose on the said shaft, to cause the said wheel to rotate with it as the weight runs down. When the winding-lever q is not pulled down by the armj it is held by the spring against a slot, 21, and in this position the pawl q is disengaged from the ratchet r by the projection (1 on the frame-work, to allow the weight 20 to rotate the shaft 1" and wheel a.

A detent-wheel, s is provided with a pinion engaging the wheel 8, and has a pin, 22, which is held by a detent-rod, 1, supported in position to engage the said pin by the armaturelever t of an electro-magnet, 1 When the electro-magnet is magnetized by an electric current controlled by a circuit-closer at the next station, as hereinafter described, the detent-rod falls or is depressed by a spring to release the detent-wheel, to allow it to make one revolution, when, as the said circuit is only closed momentarily, the detent-rod z is again in position to stop it.

The wheel a is provided with a series of projcctions, 23, shown as six in number, so arranged that they will advance one step at each revolution of the detent-wheel .9 to bring one of said projections into the position previously held by one in advance, and in such movement to engage the end of and depress a lever, u, pivoted at 24, and connected by a cord, 25, with a pulley, r, loose on a shaft, 1v, carrying the signal-disk .r, and supported at one end in a bearing, y, in which it is free to move longitudinally a short distance, and at the other end in a clutch-box, z, loose on the said shaft 20, and itself guided in a bearing, 26, which prevents longitudinal movement of the said clutch-box. A corresponding clutch-box, 26, secured to the shaft 20, engages the one 2 when the said shaft is in its normal position, shown in full lines, Fig. 1, it being pressed by a spring, 27, against the thin portion 28 of a shipper,

The loose clutch-box is provided with a ratchet-wheel, 2, (see Fig. 3,) to be engaged by a pawl, 29, on the loose pulley e, such connection causing the rotation of the pulley 'v in the direction of the arrow caused by the depression of the lever to to be transmitted to the clutch-box z, and by it to the one when in engagement therewith and to the signal-disk 1 Upon the clutch-box z is a large ratchettoothed wheel, 2 having a tooth to correspond to each signal 011 the signal-disk, and the movement of the lever u is sufficient to move the said wheel forward one tooth to bring a new signal on the disk into View, after which it is held by the pawl c so that when the projection 23 has passed over the end of the lever u, and the latter is raised by the spring 30 or weight, the pawl 29 of the pulley c slips over the teeth of the ratchet z into position to again move the clutch and signal-disk forward at the next depression of the lever to.

The signal-disk shown in Fig. 2 is inclosed in a case having an opening corresponding in size and position to the circle on the said disk marked it, the said circle being in practice made red to indicate danger. At each depression of the lever to the successive circles, marked 1 2 3, are brought into the position shown at R, to be exhibited through the opening in the casing, and the signals will be distinguishable from one another, either by color or preferably by numbers, as shown, the one marked W being white or else open space.

The clutch-box w is provided with a drum, over which is suspended a weight, 31, which tends to rotate the said drum and signal-disk in an opposite direction to that just described as the forward direction caused by the weight 20 and lever u. The weight 31 is so light as to be overcome by the weight 20 and wound up in what may be called the forward movement of the signal-disk.

When the train passes and winds the weight 20, as before described, the arm j also acts on the spring j to depress the shipper w and bring it to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, where it is held by the pawl 32 pivoted at 33 and pressed by a spring, 34, to engage the top 35 (see Fig. 3) of the shipper w". W'hen thus depressed the shipper 10 throws the shaft 20 and clutch-box w to the left, as shown in dotted lines, disengaging it from the clutchbox :1, and allowing it and the connected signal-disk to rotate back under the stress of the weight 31 until, just at the end of the said rotation, the inclined projection 38 on the disk 39, carried by the clutch-box w, strikes the inclined end 40 of the releasing-bar and slides it longitudinally in its bearings 41 42 to strike a pin, 43, on the pawl 32, and push back the said pawl to release the shipper 20 which is then raised by the spring 44 to allow the clutch w z to re-engage. The releasing-bar is flattened at 4.5 to prevent it from turning in the bearing 42. (See Fig. 3.)

The backward rotation of the signal-disk, under the influence of the weight 31, is stopped.

IIO

, when in position to display a signal, R, by a pin, 46, (see Fig. 4,) on the disk 39, engaging a stop, 47, pivoted, as shown, to allowits stopping end a movement equal to the diameter of the pin 46, to thus admit of a complete forward revolution of the signal-disk before it is again stopped by the same pin on the other side of the said stop, as shown in dotted lines, the end 40 of the releasing-bar and the inclined projection 38 being cut away, as shown at 48, to allow them to overlap when they meet in the forward rotation.

The apparatus at all signal-stations is the same, and the electro-magnet t is magnetized, to release the detent-wheel s and allow the signal-disk to be rotated to bring a new signal into view by an electric current, when the circuit is closed, from the next signal apparatus by a circuit closer operated by the signal mechanism.

As herein shown, the circuit is open between the wires 51, and closed when the wire 51 is pressed down into contact with the wire 50 by either ot'the circuit-closers 52 or 53, operated by the disk 39 in its rotation with the shaft to and signal-disk or.

The circuit-closer 52, pivoted at 54, is provided with a foot, 55, to be struck by the projection 56 on the disk 39, in the backward rotation thereof, under the influence of the weight 31, and pressed against the wire 51 to close the circuit and inagnetize the clectro-magnet t at the last signal-station preceding. When the projection 56 passes the foot in the forward rotation of the disk 39 it merely swings the circuit closer away from the wire 51, which has no effect on the circuit.

The disk 39 has also on its periphery a series of pins 57, one corresponding to each signal of the disk a, so placed that each time the said disk is moved forward by the lever 20, as before described, to show a new signal, one of the said pins 57 strikes the foot 58 of the circuitcloser 53 pivoted at 58, and causes it to press the wire 51 against the wire 50 to close the circuit. In the backward rotation of the disk 39 these pins are moved out of line with the foot 58,and consequently do not touch it; but the said circuit-closer is not adapted to be operated except by moving the foot 58 to the left in Fig. 4, as caused by the forward rotation of the disk 39.

The operation of these block-signals is as follows: A train arriving from the terminal station passes the first signal, which may be called A, and disconnects the clutch w 2, allowing the signal to be turned back by the weight 31,to exhibit the first or danger signal, It, and at the end of its movementagain allows the clutch to engage, and, at the same time, the weight 20 is wound up. When the train in its further progress arrives at the next station, or station B, the same operation is performed, and the said signal B, in turning back to show the signal B, operates the circuitcloser 52 to magnetize the electro-magnet t at station A, release the wheel S depress the lever a, and move the signal-disk forward one step to show the second signal, marked 1. When the train arrives at station 0 that signal is set to display R, asjust described, and in so doing operates the electro-magnet at station E, where the signal is advanced from R to 1, as just described for station A, and in so advancing one of the pins 57 operates the circuit-closer 53 to magnetize the electro-magnet at station A and allow the signal to be moved forward another step-that is, to display the signal 2. Thus, as the train passes each suecessive signal it sets it to danger, and all the preceding signals are advanced one step, so that the engineer of any following train is definitely informed of the position of a train in advance. Thus, if the signal W or a blank is shown, he knows that five or more sections intervene between his train and the one in advance, or if one of the numbered signals is displayed, he knows that the same number of sections intervene, and if, as he advances, he finds the signals in the descending order of numbers, as 4, 3, 2, 1, It, he will know that a train is remaining, from some cause, in the next section, and will govern his train accordingly.

For single-track purposes an independent signal may be placed in advance of each station, and may be set ahead from such proceeding station, in the manner hereinbefore described. for the one in the rear, but in such signals the positions of the circles should be changed, the disk being moved forward to indicate danger when operated from the proceeding station, and set back to show a blank or safety when the train passes it.

A hand-operated signaLdisk, 60, is used in conjunction with the automatic one 00, just described, being pivoted concentrically therewith and provided with an opening which, in nor mal position, allows the signals of the disk 00 to show through. This signal-disk 60 is connected with a pulley, 61, which may be oper ated by pulling the cord 62 to advance the signal-disk and display a red or danger signal in front of thedisk ac, and is retained in this position by apawl, 63, engaging the tooth 64. When desired to remove this dangensignal, the pawl 63 is tripped by pulling the cord 65 and the signal turned back by the stress of a spring, 66, or weight. The movement of the disk 60 in each direction is limited by the stop-pins 67.

Fig. 6 represents the automatic circuitbreaking apparatus, which is operated by a lever, g, as hreinbefore described. In Fig. 6 the lever is shown depressed by a passing car, It. The arm j is connected by a spring, 7' and cord with a pulley, 70, on a shaft, 71, carrying the circuit-breaking disk 72, provided with teeth 74, herein shown, spaced to send the signal 14.

A circuit-breaker, 75, pivoted at 76 and normally held by a spring, 77, in contact with a wire, 78, to close the circuit, is provided with a pawl, 79, pivoted at 80, its lower end being in position to be struck by the teeth 74, and free to move to the right independently of the circuit-breaker 75. \Vhen the train depresses the lever the pulley T0 and wheel 72 re rotated until stopped by the pins 82 83, the teeth 74 then swinging the pawl 79 toward the right on its pivot St) without disturbing the circuitbreaker 75. In this movement the shaft 71 winds up a spring or weight, which, as soon as the levergis released, rotates the shaft 71 back, and in such rotation the ratchet-wheel 84 thereon engages the pawl 83 and rotates the wheel 86 connected with the escapement 57, which gives the shaft Tl a uniform motion. In this uniform backward rotation the teeth 7-1 pass the pawl 79 toward the left, and move it and the circuit-breaker on the pivot 76 into the position shown in dotted lines, breaking the circuit between it and the wire 78 once as each tooth 74 passes, and these breaks, signalized or recorded by any suitable instrument at any desired station, indicate that a train has just passed station fourteen.

The circuitbreaking wheel is composed of two plates, 72 73, the one 72 having three teeth and the one 73 one and three to represent thirteen. 3y this construction it will be seen that by sliding one plate on the other several other numbers can be formed, as four, six, thirteen to sixteen, and others.

Fig. 10 represents three consecutive signalstations, the circuit normally passing through the main wire 78 to the circuit-brealu-r T5, in contacttherewith, and connected with the main wire 78, leading to the next station. The circuit-breaking wheels are adapted to give the signals 12, 13, 14, respectively, the circuitbreakers being properly vibrated to break the main circuit 78, in which suitable batteries and relays may be placed, as will be well understood.

The levers g may be operated in any usual way, as by the wheels; but I prefer to use a detachable arm, I.', (see Fig. 9,) provided with a friction-roller, It, and adapted to be secured in suitable lugs, It, fastened at a convenient point on one of the vehicles of the train, preferably the last one, thereby properly operating the signals to afi'ord security in case the train breaks apart.

I claim- 1. In an automatic railway-signal system, a series of three or more signal-stations, each station having a signal apparat us adapted to show a series of three 01' more different signals, and mechanism, substantially as described, actuated by a passing train to display the first or danger signal when a train passes the said station and connections between the said stations, whereby each movement of a signal at one station causes a corresponding movement in the signal of the preceding station, and the successive signals of the series displayed at each station as the train in its progress passes the successive stations in advance thereof, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A railway-signal apparatus adapted to show a series of three or more different signals in succession, and a mechanical motor therefor wound up by a passing train, combined with a detent controlled by an electro-magnet and a series of circuit-controlling devices operated by the apparatus at the next, signalstation, one corresponding to each signal thereof, to release the motor and allow it to bring a new signal into view each time that a new signal is shown at the said next station, substantially as described.

3. A visual signal and mechanical motor to move it to show a series of different signals thereon in succession, and a rctractor therefor acting in opposition to the said motor, combined with mechanism, controlled by a passing train, to disengage the said motor and allow the said rctractor to set the signal back to show the first signal of the series, substantially as described.

4. A rotatable signal-disk provided with a series of different signals, a mechanical motor and clutch to connect it with the said disk,to cause the said motor to rotate the disk forward to display a new signal each time the motor is released and allowed to operate, combined with a shipper, operated by a passing train, to disengage the said clutch and allow the signaldisk to be turned back under the stress of a retracting weight or spring, and a releasing device to release the said shipper and allow the clutch to re-engage when the said disk has reached the end of its backward movement, substantially as described.

5. In a railway-signal apparatus an automatically-operated signal-disk provided with a series ofsignals,to be. successivelydisplayed, combined with ahaud-operated signal-disk pivoted concentrically therewith and adapted to be moved to place a danger-signal in front of and to conceal the automatic signal, or to bring an opening in position to allow the said automatic signal to be displayed therethrough, substantially as described.

6. A pivoted signal-disk and a pulley on its axis, and a cord upon said pulley to rotate it and the signal-disk, and a pawl to retain it in position to display a signal, combined with a cord to trip the said pawl, and a retractor to rotate the signal-disk back to its original position when the pawl is tripped, substantially as described.

7. In a railway-signal apparatus, a series of automatic circuit-breaking instruments placed at suitable intervals along the road and actuated by mechanism wound by thepassing train, each adapted to cause a definite number of breaks in the circuit different from the others, whereby the instrument operated, and consequent position of the train operating it, is definitely designated by the signal, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. The signal-disk and its shaft to rotate forward and backward, provided with a stop-pin to limit its movement in either direction, combined with a stop pivoted to allow the said sig- 5 nal to make an entire revolution, substantially as described. 7

9. A circuit-breaking surface composed of two plates each provided with circuit-breaking teeth, whereby different numbers of breaks can IO be formed by sliding one plate on the other to cause the teeth of one plate to act with or independently of those on the other plate, substantially as described.

In testimony WhereofI have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two sub- 1 5 scribing Witnesses.

GUSTAV H. ROTH. Witnesses:

J 0s. P.LIVERMORE, G. W. GREGORY.

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