US341666A - le g-raide - Google Patents

Description

" (No Model.) 3 ShePtsSheet l.

. W. W. LE GRANDE.

RAILWAY SGNAL.

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WITNESSES ttorney (No Modem 3 Sheets-Sheet 2, W. LE GRANDE. RALWAY SIGNAL.

Patents; May ll, 1886,

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WITNESSES t?, n0, @Cay/vaan@ WMM .dttorney (No Model.) l l 3 sh'eets-fsneeua.

' W. W LE GRANDE. RAILWAY SIGillfAL.v

No. 341.666. Patented May 11, 1886.

/ff/ H UNITED STATES YPATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM W. LE GRANDE, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ELEVEN TNVEN'IY-FOURTHS rIO H. R. DERING, XV. DERING, AND T. H. UPPEEMAN, ALL OF SAME PLAGE.

RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,666, dated-May 11, 1886.

Application filed June 29, 1885. Serial No. 170,085. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it Hwy' concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. LE GRANDE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Electro- Mechanical Signal Apparatus; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ot' the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference l being had to the accompanying drawings, and

to the letters and gures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in electromechanical signal devices of that class which is provided with an armature arranged to rotate on its axis in a plane parallel with the face of the poles of the electro-magnet.

The object of my invention is lo provide apparatus for operating electrical signals, which can be controlled by the electric currents either in a common circuit or speciallyarranged circuits. My invent-ion consists in the peculiarlyconstructed armature consisting of independent circular segments of steel rigidly connected by a non-magnetic bar adj ustably fitted to a shaft arranged parallel to the cores of an electro-magnet and adapted to rotate on a plane parallel with the face of the poles of the magnet,in combination with an electromagnet.

My invention further consists in the means for permanently magnetizing the armature, so that when the current of electricity t-raverses the coils of the magnet in one direction the armature will be held in a certain position, and that when the current is reversed and traverses the coils inthe opposite direction the armature will be reversed and the signaling device display opposite indications.

My invention further consists in signalmagnets, in combination with the mainline of circuit, whereby the signals are operated directly by the current traversing the mainline circuit. i

My invention also consists in the novel arrangement and combination of elements, as

Fig. 6 is aplan view of a section or block of railroad with my improved devices applied in operative connection.

The letter A designates. an electro-magnet of a well known construction, preferably mounted in an upright position upon the base A. The cores of the electro-magnet are connected together by a soft-iron yoke or bar, a, in the usual manner.

The letter B designates my improved armature. This is comprised of two iiat bars of steel, b b, which are bent in circular shape and arranged with their ends approaching, and are rigidly secured together by a nonmagnetic bar, b2. This non-magnetic bar b'l is preferably fixed to the arms or segments of the armature near the opposite ends of the arms, in order that the greater part of each arm shall be on opposite sides of the connecting-bar, and thus permit the armature to traverse a greater distance over the poles when actedonbythecircuit. Inthecenterofthecon- I meeting-bar is formed an aperture, b, through which isk passed a shaft, b5, which is fixed in the connecting-bar by means of a set-screw, bs. Thus the armature may be adjusted to any positions on the shaft desired, and there secured by means of this set-screw. By the same means the rotation of the armature over the poles may be limited by moving the segment-s laterally. The shaft b5 is pivoted in the base-piece and turns in a hole in the crosspiece 128, support-ed on standards b9. A sleeve, c, is litted to the shaft b5, and in the sleeve is secured a stop-pin, c', the arm of which projects upward, substantially as shown, and lodges against the edge of the cross-piece bi, whereby the rotation of the armature is positively limited. On the end of the shaft b5, projecting above the cross-piece, is fitted asleeve and socket, c, to which the signal-rod carrying the signal is connected, substantially as shown. On the shaft l, preferably below the armature, is secured a sleeve, c, having a pin, c, projecting therefrom, and to this pin is secured a cord', c5, which is passed over a grooved pulley, c, journaled to one ot' the standards, and a weight, ci, is attachedto the free end of the cord, the purposebeing to give automatic movement to the signal whenever the current is broken and turn it toa position of dangerf It will be noticed that when a current of electricity saturates the magnets, both a rev pellant and attractive force is brought to bear forholding the signal-bannersin a position to indicate safety In Fig. 6 of the drawings I have demonstrated a plan view of an insulated section or block of railroad having the electro-magnetic signals arranged at each end of the block of road, and a battery-box, with opposing batteries therein, and have indicated the course of the currents thereon. Referring thereto, the letter D designates the battery-box containing a large battery, d, coupled for quantity, and from the negative side of this battery, designated d, is carried a conducting-wired@ which is connected with the track-wire d at the other end ofthe section of track, as designated at d4, and from this point is carried a wire, d5, which is connected to one side of the electro-magnet d, which magnetis of the construction and arrangement of parts or elements heretofore described. Connected to and leading from the other side of this electromagnet is a wire, di, which is carried along the track and connected to the signal-magnet da. From the other side of the signal-magnet d3, leading from thence to the negative side of the battery E, located in the battery-boX, is another wire, d. This battery E is of smaller quantity than the larger battery, d, and for the purpose hereinafter mentioned. A wire, e, is connected with the copper side of battery E, and from thence is extended to and connects with the track-wire e', which is extended, as shown, and connected in turn at the other end to the positive side ofthe battery d, thus completing a circuit in which the two opposing batteries, being of relatively different powers or strength, act to hold the signals at safety when there is no train or other obstruction intervening to break the circuit on the section or block of road. This condition is accomplished by the influence of the large battery, d, which, being the stronger, acts with controlling force over ythe weaker current, and directs the circuit in the direction indicated by arrows,when not interrupted byatrain passing over the section of track included within the circuit or other break in theline. IVhemhowever, a train enters on the block or track from either end, the main or stronger battery d will be cut out or short-circuited 7 by the connection made across the track through the wheels and axle of the car, as indicated by the crossing arrow in front of the dummy, and the smaller and weaker or opposing battery will, under this condition, be free to exert its influence in an opposite direction and throw a current in the course indicated by the spears across the track through the wheels andaXle liable to be the most direct conductor in circuit, as indicated by the crossing spear at the rear of the dummy, the effect of the currentso established being to reverse the polarity of the signalmagnets, and thus throw the signals to indicate danger.

It will be perceived from the foregoing that I have produced an automatic system of signals, the movement of which to the respective positions of danger and safety wholly dueto electrical forces. The train or other interposed obstruction atecting the current acts simply as a commutator or changer ofthe electric current from one direction to the other, and these intervening objects are the mediums which may be brought into operation in the entire circuit, through and by which the signals are actuated t-o assume or display the respective positions of safety and danger.77

As one of the elements of my system, I use the gravity-weight, as shown in the drawings, for bringing the signals to display danger when the circuit is broken or diverted from the signal-magnets from any cause whatever. In this arrangement but one battery is absolutely essential to supply the current through the circuit, thebattery, as E, the smaller, being used, if desired, merely as an adjunct or aid to thegravity attachment; In. this arrangement, as in the arrangement of devices as heretofo're described, the current holds the signals to safety, that being the position of the signals when the batteries are on. As soon, therefore, as a train enters the block the battery will be cut out or shortcircuited, and the operation of the weight brought into play, resulting in bringing the signals to display danger. The construction and arrangement of this appliance or gravity attachment has been described and stated hereinbefore; but it may here be stated that if the circuit is broken from any cause whatever a danger-sig nal will be displayed. In other words,the electric current holding the signals to safety7 is a natural and not an artificial one. IVhen the battery is cut out or short-circuitedLor if from any' cause whateverthe signal-magnets fail to be energized,anatural law of physics comes into operation and brings the signals to display danger.77

I make no specific claim in this application to the armature shown and described herein, as the same will b e made the subject of another application for Letters Patent.

Vhat I claim as myinvention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In combination with an electrical railway'signal apparatus, an electro-magnet and a shaft arranged parallel to the cores of the isV IIO

ISO

magnet, an armature lhaving independent sec- .tional wings of steel arranged with approach- '-ec--non-magnetic-bar with-their endsto approach',

and adapted' to move toward and from thc'- v.poles of the'magn'ct on a plane parallel to the lzo face ofthe -polesof the magnet/,a gravity-Weightsuspendedfrom the angle-arm of the said shaft, 'and having its suspending-cord carried in a rotating..p|1lley,4 substantially as described,

and-for the purpose stated.l

3. In combination, a battery, a n dncting-,wirehaving positive connection with the battery and extending along the line ol" road v and parallel thereto, an electro-magneaan arm- 'ature Vmounted thereon, a signal-disk adaptedtobeinoved by saidarmature, a' circuit- -wire connected to said electro-magnet; and extended parallel to the track, a signal-magnet in connection with said wire andv carrying an armature 'i mounted thereon, a signaldisk adapted to be moved by the armature, a bat-f tery havingnegative connection with said lastnamed signal-magnet, anda circuit-wire'constated.

main conlnecting the -freepoles of both batteries, said batteries being of relative dii'erent powers,

substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose 4. In combination, a battery,'a main, conducti ng-wire having positive connection with .thesaid battery and extending along the line of road and parallel thereto, an electro-magnet, an armature. mounted. thereon,v a signal-disk adaptedl to be moved by said armatnre, a circuit-wire connected to said electro-magnet and extended parallel to the track, a signal-magbattery having negative connection with the lastnamed signal magnet, and a gravityweight adapted to turn the signal-shaft, substantially as and for the purpose stated.

5. The combination of an electrical signaling apparatus with two opposing batteriesin the same circuit, of different powers, whereby the signals are held in position of safetyby the stronger, battery, and the signal is reversed by the lesser battery when its current is applied, and the signal is returnedto safety -when the stronger. currentis restored, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aftixmy signature in presence vof two witnesses.

WILLIAM W. Ln GRANDE.

Witnesses: i

L. A. Bricims, Tos. NUEssLIN..

n net in connection with said wire and carrying ian armature adapted to' move a signal-disk, a

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