US3483368A - Switching apparatus - Google Patents
Switching apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3483368A US3483368A US753044*A US3483368DA US3483368A US 3483368 A US3483368 A US 3483368A US 3483368D A US3483368D A US 3483368DA US 3483368 A US3483368 A US 3483368A
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- switch points
- motor
- points
- limit
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L5/00—Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
- B61L5/06—Electric devices for operating points or scotch-blocks, e.g. using electromotive driving means
- B61L5/065—Construction of driving mechanism
Definitions
- This invention relates to switching apparatus for shifting the switch points of a railroad switch.
- the present invention is directed to apparatus for shifting railroad switch points between their limit positions.
- switch points are shifted in a number of ways. For instance, a manual hand throw lever is operated to turn a mechanism connected to a throw rod, which in turn is connected to the switch points for manually shifting switch points between limit positions.
- Another way involves power shifting of the switch points by some motor operated mechanism which is adapted to be controlled from a remote location such as a switching tower.
- a locomotive or car wheel trailing a switch moves its wheel flanges between the switch points to cause a shifting of switch points to the opposite position.
- the switching apparatus be operable by each of the above manners of operation, namely, by hand, by power operation or by a trailing wheel.
- an object of the invention is to shift rapidly switch poin-ts of a railroad switch with a switching apparatus alfording a plurality of modes of operation.
- the switch points are exposed to the weather; and the switches must be moved rapidly against the resistance of ice, snow or other foreign matter, which matter tends to retard the throwing of the switch points, particularly at high speeds. Another factor with severe climatic conditions may be that of resistance to completely closing the switch. Thus, it is necessary to generate considerable force to drive the switch points quickly and to drive switch points completely to a limit position.
- a further object of the invention is to drive in a positive fashion the switch points between limit positions with a force suflicient to close the points under adverse conditions.
- One conventional switching apparatus employs hydraulic apparatus for driving switch points between their respective limit positions.
- the present invention affords an alternative to the hydraulic mechanism in that the operating force may be supplied by an electric motor.
- the motor drive torque may be limited or uncoupled when the switch points have moved through a distance to reach a limit position.
- the motor drive is to drive the switch points positively with torque generated by an electric motor to quickly move the switch point from one limit position to the other and to rapidly reverse the switch points to the original position, if desired.
- a commercially available switch stand such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 2,575,037, is connected to the switch points and is power operated by an electric motor.
- a linkage in the switch stand must be moved through 186 and precisely stopped in a given orientation so that the switch stand is capable of being trailed by a locomotive or car wheel as well as being manually operated.
- a characteristic of this switch stand is that it employs an overcenter linkage which moves in an arcuate path between horizontal orientations when actuated manually or by power drive. The overcenter linkage is stopped in a horizontal plane so that the linkage may be straightened and moved through a straight line orientation when a locomotive or car wheel trails the switch.
- a strong biasing spring When the linkage is stopped in a precise or horizontal position, a strong biasing spring is compressed and maintains a biasing force on the switch points to hold them in a limit position against a traific trail.
- the switch points In operation of the switch stand, the switch points are thrown positively to a limit position prior to completion of the turning movement of the linkage; andthe further turning of the linkage to the horizontal position compresses the strong biasing spring so that the biasing spring holds the switch points at their closed position thereby assuring that the switch remains closed.
- a further object of the invention is to power operate a switch stand having an overcenter linkage between predetermined orientations by means of an electric motor.
- a more specific object of the invention is to operate the electric motor and the switch stand so as to drive the switch points between their limit positions and then quickly interrupt the drive to prevent the driving of the linkage of the switch stand beyond a horizontal position.
- Another object of the invention is to drive the switch points by an electric motor coupled to a switch stand by a torque limiting clutch which affords a positive drive to move the switch points between limit positions.
- Another object of the invention is to drive a switch stand by an electric motor coupled to an epicyclic type gear mechanism, which may also be operated by a manually operable lever, to operate the switch stand to throw the switch points to a limit position.
- an intermittent cam device couples an electric motor and a gear mechanism for driving the switch stand, and this constitutes a further object of the invention.
- a further object of the invention is to detect relative movements between the input and output porions of a torque limiting clutch to control operation of the motor for driving the switch points between limit positions. More particularly, a further object of the invention is to sense the relative movement of the input portion and output portion of the torque limiting clutch in order to de-energize a reversible electric motor and to condition J the reversible electric motor for reverse rotation upon the succeeding energization thereof.
- Another object of the invention is to prevent injury to an operator of the manually operable throw lever by disabling the electric motor from operating during a manual throwing of the switch points.
- a further object of the invention is to detect failure of the switch points to reach a limit position, as for example, due to an obstruction; and to cause an automatic reversal of the electric motor to drive the switch points to their original position.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a switch throwing apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention for throwing switch points between railroad rails;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a railroad switching apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a partial view of a clutch using the switching apparatus
- FIG. 3A is an enlarged partial view of an arm engaging a stop and a micro-switch
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged view partially in section of a differential gear drive
- FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the invention of a switch stand constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a switch apparatus constructed in accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a switch stand employed with the switching apparatus
- FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the switch stand of FIG. 7;
- FIG. 9 is a plan view of a differential driven by a geneva drive mechanism employed in a switching apparatus.
- FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line 1010 of FIG. 9 in the direction of the arrows.
- FIG. 1 there is illustrated a pair of railroad stock rails 10 and 11 secured to the usual railroad ties T. Between rails 10 and 11 are a pair of switch points 12 and 13 secured to one another by conventional rods 15 and 16 to hold the switch points 12 and 13 together so that they move as a unit between their limit positions against either the stock rail 10 or the stock rail 11.
- the switch points 12 and 13 are illuustrated in FIG. 1 in the straight through position for railroad cars moving thereover.
- a switching apparatus 20 For moving the switch points 12 and 13 between their limit positions, a switching apparatus 20, FIG. 1, is operatively connected by a connecting rod 22 to a throw rod 23, which in turn is connected to the switch points 12 and 13.
- the switching apparatus has a base plate D spiked otherwise suitably secured to the railroad ties T.
- a conventional way of shifting switch points between limit positions is rotation of a manual throw lever of a switch stand which, in turn, is connected by a connecting rod to the switch points.
- the switch points 12 and 13 may be shifted between either of their limit positions by the switch.
- the preferred switch stand which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and is commercially available switch stand, the operation of which has previously been de scribed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,575,037 and 3,127,138.
- the switch stand has a vertical spindle 31, FIG. 8, with a crank 30 connected to the connecting rod 22 and throw rod 23. Turning of the spindle 31 through turns the crank 30 to reciprocate the connecting rod 22 to cause shifting of the switch points 12 and 13 between limit positions.
- the spindle 31 is turned through 90 upon each turning through of spring base casting 34 at the left end thereof, FIGS. 2 and 8.
- the spring base casting 34 is turnable by an adapter 35 secured to a shaft 36 which is operable by the manual handle 36.
- the manner in which the turning spring base casting 34 through 180 causes a turning of the spindle 30 and operation of the switch points 12 and 13 will be described hereinafter in detail.
- switch points 12 and 13 may be thrown between their limit positions by three varying modes of operation, namely, by operation of the manual throw lever 26, by operation of a motor means 38, FIG. 2, or by the flanges of a locomotive or car wheels trailing through the switch points 12 and 13. More specifically, under the principles of the present invention, it is possible for the switch points to be moved to their limit position by any one of the above modes of operation without the need for any special conditioning of the switching apparatus 20 either before or after a switching operation.
- switching apparatus is operated automatically from remote locations either by an operator or by automatic control equipment. With the advent of the electrical control equipment for switching yards, the speed of the switching operation has become increasingly faster. Thus, in some installations, it is desired that the switching points be moved between limit positions in a period of one-half second or less.
- the present invention assures the driving of the switch points in a positive fashion to a limit position and in an expeditious manner by use of a coupling means.
- the coupling means takes the form of a troque limiting clutch 44, FIGS. 2 and 3, but may also be a Geneva drive mechanism, FIGS. 9 and 10.
- the motor means 38 includes a motor 40 for driving a torque clutch 44 which in turn drives a chain 45, FIG.
- toturn a sprocket 46 to operating gear means 48 to turn the shaft 36 to operate the spindle 31 of the switch stand limiting clutch 44 couples the driving torque provided by the motor 40 to the driving chain 45 which causes shifting of the switch points 12 and 13 to a limit position after which the torque builds up to a degree causing release of the torque limiting clutch 44.
- the switch points 12 and 13 are driven positively to their limit positions; and after having reached their limit positions, the torque being applied is limited or alternatively, uncoupled, as will be explained hereinafter.
- the electric motor 40 is a reversible motor adapted for rotation in either direction.
- the motor 49 has a motor shaft 50, FIG. 2, which is connected to an input portion or side 51 of the torque limiting clutch 44.
- the torque limiting clutch 44 may take many forms, one of which is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3.
- the torque limiting clutch 44 includes an input portion 51 and output portion 52.
- Each of the input and output portions 51 and 52 have inclined teeth 54, which are in meshed engagement with one another to transmit the driving torque from the motor shaft 50 to an output shaft 55 secured to the output clutch portion 52.
- the output shaft 55 is journaled for rotation in a supporting pillow block 57, FIG. 2, and has secured thereto a small sprocket 58.
- a compression spring 59 on the shaft 50 bears against a fixed seat 61 afforded by a nut and washer, FIG. 3, and the opposite end of the spring 59 biases the input clutch ortion 51 into mating engagement with the output portion 52 on the output shaft 55.
- the input portion 51 is keyed or splined by a key 62, FIG. 3, to rotate with the input motor shaft 50; but is free for axial sliding on the motor shaft 58'.
- the spring 59 holds the clutch teeth 54 on the input portion 51 enmeshed with the teeth 54 on the output clutch portion 52 until a predetermined torque is generated. This predetermined torque is obtained with stopping of turning of the output shaft 55 while the input clutch portion 51 is being turned by the motor means 38.
- the input clutch teeth 54 then begin to slide along the output clutch teeth 54. That is, with build up of torque in the clutch to a predetermined amount, the teeth 54 cam against one another to force the input clutch portion 51 to slide leftwardly, FIG. 3, against the urging of the spring 59 along the shaft 50. Thus, the input clutch teeth 54 will become effectively disengaged with the output clutch teeth 54 when sulficient torque is generated. In actual practice, the output and input teeth will engage and disengage until the motor 48 is cle-energized with the torque remaining applied to the output shaft 55 until the motor 40 is de-energized.
- a torque sensing switch means 65 has a finger 66 disposed adjacent the leftward edge 67 of the input clutch portion 51.
- the input clutch portion 51 moves axially of shaft 50 and operates the finger 66 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3, causing contacts in the limit switch 65 to break the electrical circuit for the motor 38.
- the input teeth 54 of the clutch come to rest and engage in the output teeth 54 for the next operation.
- each of the clutch teeth have inclined surfaces at a 45 angle to facilitate the separation thereof.
- the nut and washer 61 are movable on the input shaft 50 to compress the spring 59 to adjust the spring compression and thereby vary the amount of torque necessary to cause the clutch portions 51 and 52 to separate and interrupt the drive of the switch points by the motor 40.
- the sprocket 46 driven by the chain 45 is limited to a predetermined amount of turning movement.
- the sprocket 46 has secured thereto a stop arm 60, FIG. 2,, which turns with the sprocket 46 between a pair of stops 61 and 62 secured to a main U-shaped frame member 64.
- Turning movement of the sprocket 46 in the clockwise direction is limited by the engagement of the stop arm 60 with the stop block 61.
- the stop arm 60 rotates with the sprocket 46 in the counterclockwise direction to bring the stop arm 60 into engagement with the upper stop block 62.
- Both the sprocket 46 and the manual throw lever 26 are operable through epicyclic gear means which is preferably in the form of a differential gearing 66, illustrated in FIG. 4.
- the differential gearing 66 includes an output gear 67, FIG. 4, which is secured to an end of the shaft 6 36 extending through the rear leg 64B of the U-shaped support bracket 64.
- the switch stand means 25 is so constructed that the spring base casting 34 turned by the shaft 36 must be stopped in a generally horizontal position after turning of the spring base casting 34 through 180 of movement.
- the sprocket 46 is secured by a tubular member 70 to a differential cage or housing 71 to rotate the cage or housing 71 with the turning of the sprocket 46. Because of the selected gear ratios employed, the stop arm 60 limits the turning of the sprocket 46 to 90, and hence, the differential caging 71 is also limited to a turning of 90.
- the differential housing 71 is generally a squared box shaped member having open top and bottom sides with a pair of opposed beveled or miter gears 73 or 74 rotatable on stub shafts 75 and 76, respectively journaled for rotation in the cage 71, the remaining gear 78 is secured to a shaft 79 which is in turn fastened to the manual throw lever 26.
- the manual throw lever 26 is latched in one of its generally horizontal positions by a latch member 81 or 82 each of which is pivotally mounted on a lever rest or stop 83.
- the latch member 81 is provided over the top surface of the lever 26.
- the latch members 81 and 82 hold the lever 26 against rotation when the motor 48 is energized to drive the sprocket 46 and the differential 66.
- the latching of the handle 26 also holds the attached shaft 79 and beveled gear 78 against turning.
- the locking of shaft 79 and beveled gear 78 by the latching of the handle 26, is important to hold the stationary gear 78 when the differential housing 71 is rotated by the sprocket 46 and causes the gears 73 and 74 in meshed engagement with the gear 78 to roll about the gear 78 and simultaneously to drive the output gear 67 secured to the shaft 36.
- the differential housing 71 is journaled on its left side by the tubular member 70 in an opening in the upstanding forward wall 64B of the U-shaped bracket 64; and is journaled on its right side by the shaft 36.
- the shaft 36 is journaled in the rearward upstanding wall 64B of the U-shaped bracket 64.
- the shaft 79 extends through clearance openings in the sprocket 46, tubular member 70 and the differential housing 71 to turn without rotating these lastnamed elements.
- a pair of limit switches and 91 are provided on each of the lever rests 83 to sense the removal of the lever 26 from one of the rests 83.
- the associated limit switch 90 or 91 With removal of the lever 26 from a rest 83, the associated limit switch 90 or 91 opens, and as the other limit switch 90 or 91 is opened, the circuit to the motor 40 is broken and prevents operation of the motor 40. This fore stalls operation of the motor 40 with the consequent driving of the switch stand 25 which might cause injury to the person performing the manual operation, particularly where a power operation is unexpected by the person doing the manual operation.
- the plunger on the associated limit switch 90 or 91 is depressed to prepare for completion of the control circuit for energization of the motor 40.
- limit switches 91 and 92 are provided adjacent the stops 61 and 62 to sense completion of movement of the stop arm 60 through a predetermined are which will vary depending on gear ratios, and in this instance, the arc is 90 upon movement of the switch points 12 and 13 from one limit position to another limit position.
- the arm 60 would be stopped intermediate one of the stops 61 or 62 whereby both of the limit switches 91' and 92 would be open signifying failure of the closing switch points at the time that the limit switch 65 is operated due to an overload condition on the clutch 44.
- the condition, in which switches 91' and 92 are open and overload switch 65 is operated, can be employed to cause another energization of the motor 40 in the reverse direction to return the switch points 12 and 13 to their original position.
- Circuitry for performing such an operation in case of an obstruction can be generally the same as the co-pending application Ser. No. 454,489 now Patent No. 3,363,097 of John Roy Wilhelm and Paul E. Redelman.
- switches 91' and 92 for detecting movements of operating elements of the switching apparatus 20 corresponding to arrival of the switch points 12 and 13 at limit positions, e.g., limit switches 91' and 92 could be in the switch stand 25, at the trafiic rails for engagement by the switch points 12 and 13, or at other suitable locations to sense the failure of completion of movement of the switch points 12 and 13 to a limit position.
- the clutch 44 may take a number of forms.
- Another form is a commercially available torque limiting clutch employing a series of balls which are spring urged into seats to cause a coupling of the input and output sides of the clutch until a predetermined torque is reached at which time the input and output portions separate.
- FIGS. 5, 6 and 10 Additional embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10.
- the operation is the same as hereinbefore described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4, except that the chain 45 has been replaced by an eccentric crank arm and connecting slide for operating a disc to turn the differential housing 71.
- the output shaft 55, FIG. 5, for the clutch 44 is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to a crank arm 101.
- the crank arm 101 is connected by a pin 102 to a connecting rod 103.
- the connecting rod 103 is formed with an elongated slot 105 in which are disposed a pair of spaced pins 106 and 107 fixed to a turntable disc 108.
- the disc 108 is secured to the tubular member 70 which, in turn, is secured to the diiferential housing 71 in the manner described hereinbefore in conjunction with FIG. 4.
- the crank arm 101 is limited in its turning movement by means of stops 110 and 111 secured to a support bracket 112 which is aflixed to the base B. Also, suitable limit switches 115 and 116 on the bracket 112 detect the completion of the movement of the crank 101. Failure of the detection of the completion of the move- 8 ment by the crank 101 with a simultaneous operation or the overload limit switch 65 signifies an obstruction preventing the closing of switch points 12 and 13 on their initial movement towards a limit position. The motor 40 may then be automatically reversed to return the switch points to their initial position.
- FIG. 6 The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is generally similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, in that it employs a crank arm 101 movable between stops and 111. Arrival of the crank arm 101, FIG. 6, at a stop block 110 or 111 is detected by limit switches and 116.
- the crank arm 101 in FIG. 6 is secured by a pin 102 to a connecting rod 120 which has a generally rectangular slot 121 in its right hand portion which is received by a block 122.
- the connecting rod 120 partakes of a movement such that the block 122 slides within the elongated rectangular slot 121 While exerting a turning movement on the block 122 to rotate the disc 108.
- the disc 108 is attached to the block 122.
- the disc 108 is attached to the tubular member 70, which, in turn, is attached to the differential housing 71 to turn the differential housing 71 and the output shaft 36 in the manner hereinbefore described.
- the switch stand 25 includes an attaching base casting which is secured to the base B and to the railroad ties T. Upstanding from the base 130 is a housing casting 132.
- the spindle 31 has an upper portion 133 to which is attached a signal flag or light which upon rotating through 90 indicates the condition of the switch points.
- the spindle 31 is journaled in an upper bearing portion 135 and a lower journal portion 136 of the housing 132.
- the intermediate portion of the spindle 31 includes a rectanglar opening 138 in which slides a crank block 140.
- a central link 142 extends through the opening 138 in the spindle 138 and is inserted through a central bore in the crank block 140.
- an operating linkage 141 for turning the spindle 31 includes the central link 142 secured to a rearward link 146 which is provided on a ball 147 in a bearing element 148.
- the bearing element 148 is tapered and loosely fitted in a cylindrical bearing seat 149 of the casting 132.
- the rearward link 146 is secured by a large upstanding pin 150 to the center link 142.
- Another large pin 151 secures the other end of the center link 142 to a forward link 152.
- the forward link 152 is pivoted by a pin 153 to a crosshead 154 secured to a spring cap 155.
- the spring cap 155 FIG. 8, bears on the rightward end of the spring 159 which is mounted on a tapered member and flange 160 on the spring base casting 34.
- the crosshead 154 is fitted in a rectangular opening in the spring base casting 34.
- the link 152 is thrust rightwardly to cause spring cap 155 to compress the spring 159.
- the compressed spring. 159 exerts a biasing force on the linkage 141 and spindle 31 and through the connecting rod 22 thereby biasing the switch points 12 and 13 in their limit position.
- the block 140 and linkage 141 be stopped in a generally horizontal plane to permit the trailing locomotive to straighten the linkage 141 and to throw the switch points 12 and 13. More particularly, the linkage 141 is able to move through its straight line position that is with the points or pins 147, 150, 151 and 153 all in a straight line, only when the links 146, 142 and 152 are in a horizontal orientation. Movement of a locomotive or car wheel through a switch in the reverse direction causes the connecting rod 22 to pull on the crank to rotate the spindle 31 which turns the block 140.
- the block 140 does not slide vertically from the horizontal in the rectangular opening 138; but straightens the links 146, 142 and 152 with respective pivot points in a generally straight line position while compressing the spring 159 to a large extent.
- the spring 159 biases the switch points 12 and 13 closed at a limit position and moves the links 146, 142 and 152 from their straight line position.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a coupling means in the form of an intermittent cam means 160 for coupling the motor 38 to the differential mechanism 4-8.
- the differential mechanism 48 operates in the same manner and has the same elements as hereinbefore described and is operable by a hand lever 26 to turn the shaft 79 to cause a manual operation of the output shaft 36 which is connected to the switch stand 25.
- the intermittent cam means 160 is in the form of 21 Geneva drive mechanism including a star wheel 164having a plurality of radially extending slots 165 which are adapted to receive a driving pin 166 carried on a rotatable disc-shaped, driving member 167.
- the driving member 167 is secured for rotation on a shaft 168 suitably supported in opposed shaft mounts 169 and 170, FIG. 9.
- Also secured to the shaft 168 is a worm wheel 172 which is disposed in meshed engagement with a worm 173 immediately therebelow.
- the worm 173 is attached by a coupling means 174 to the motor shaft 150.
- the worm 173 is on a shaft 176 suitably supported and upstanding members 177 and 178.
- the driving pin 166 enters a radial extending slot 164 and engages the side walls along the radial slot 165 to force the star wheel 164 to turn and thereby through the sleeves 70 turn the differential housing 71.
- the turning of the differential housing 71 with the handle 26 latched in position, causes the opposed gears 73 and 74 to turn about the stationary gear 78 and thereby rotate the output gear 73 affixed in the output shaft 36.
- the driving pin 166 affords a driving torque so long as the pin 166 is within one of the driving slots 165. However, as soon as the pin 166 leaves the driving slot 165, the turning of the star wheel 164 is finished.
- the driving member 167 is provided with a circular cam 18% ⁇ , which has a curvature complementary to the arcuate curvatures 181 on the outer periphery of the star wheel 164 between the radial slots 165.
- the cam 180 moves its curved surface into engagement with the complementary curved surface 181 of the star wheel 164 to lock the same against movement and to assure the precise positioning of the star wheel for the next operation. It will be appreciated that the cam 180 may move the star wheel 164 precisely to locate the same after the pin 166 has moved the star wheel 164 to its general position.
- the motor 40 need not be stopped precisely in order to limit the turning of the switch stand spindle 31 since the driving pin 166 is free of rotating the star wheel 164 for a considerable period afterleaving a radial slot 165. Even with the gear reduction afforded by the worm 174 and 172, it is still difficult to afford large amounts of driving force to drive the switch points and still uncouple the driving force when the switch points are at a limit position.
- contacts may be associated with the motor 40 to control the amount of rotation thereof.
- the motor 40 As the motor 40 is de-energized and brought to a stop, its inertia may cause movement of the driving pin 166 after it has left a radial slot 165. However, the driving pin 166 may overtravel without changing the position of the switch points 12 and 13.
- the Geneva drive mechanism may drive the linkage 142 and spindle 131 to precise horizontal positions in a positive manner without necessity for precisely stopping the motor 40.
- the torque limiting clutch 44 is preferred to the Geneva drive mechanism inasmuch as the clutch is better adapted for rapid reversal of the driving of the switch points. It will be appreciated that the Geneva drive mechanism that the driving pin 166 will be at a spaced distance from the slot because of overtravel from its previous operation. Thus, during a subsequent energization of the motor 40, irrespective of the direction of rotation of the motor 40, the drive pin 166 is moving toward aslot 165. This results in a slight time lag. Moreover, the driving force provided by the Geneva driving mechanism varies as the pin 166 moves radially into the slot 165 and close to the center of the star wheel 164.
- the present invention affords a quickly operating switching apparatus capable of being operated by the three different modes, namely, power operation, manual operation or by a trailing car or locomotive wheel.
- an electric motor may be employed and a coupling means may be provided to afford a positive torque and drive to move the switch points quickly, and to a completely closed limit position.
- the coupling means limits or uncouples the drive of the motor 40 from the switch points after they have reached a limit position even though the amount of movement of the switch points is a relatively small amount of movement.
- the motor means 38 preferably employs an electric motor 40-, it is to be understood that hydraulic air or other types of motors could be employed to drive a gear means through a coupling means to shift the switch points and still be within the purview of the principles of the present invention.
- switch stand means having a crank for operative connection to said switch points to move said switch points relative to said stock rails with turning of said crank
- said switch stand means having means including a linkage for turning said crank, gear means connected to said last-mentioned means for turning said linkage, motor means for connection to said gear means to drive said switch points between limit positions, coupling means to couple said motor means to said gear means for operating said gear means to turn said linkage and said crank to throw said switch points, said coupling means interrupting the drive of said switch points by said motor means after said crank has turned through a predetermined amount of rotation, said coupling means being in the form of a Geneva drive mechanism, said Geneva drive mechanism including a driving pin for rotation by said motor means, and a slotted wheel connected to said gear means, said driving pin being operative to move into a slot on said slotted wheel and turn the slotted cam member through a predetermined number of degrees before leaving said slot.
- Apparatus according to claim 1 including means to lock the slotted wheel in a position to which it is moved by said driving pin.
Description
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US523688A US3418462A (en) | 1966-01-28 | 1966-01-28 | Switching apparatus |
US75304468A | 1968-06-14 | 1968-06-14 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3483368A true US3483368A (en) | 1969-12-09 |
Family
ID=27061221
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US753044*A Expired - Lifetime US3483368A (en) | 1966-01-28 | 1968-06-14 | Switching apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US3483368A (en) |
Cited By (5)
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US3708660A (en) * | 1970-08-26 | 1973-01-02 | Southern Pacific Transport Co | Pneumatically-operated toggle yard switch |
US5531408A (en) * | 1993-10-07 | 1996-07-02 | Chemetron-Railway Products, Inc. | Railroad switch stand |
EP0776398A1 (en) * | 1994-08-19 | 1997-06-04 | General Railway Signal Corp. | Switch machine |
US20080290223A1 (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2008-11-27 | United Steel And Fasteners | Railroad switch stand having flood protection structure |
US20100025546A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | Rivas Arturo A Ortiz | Modular Railroad Switch Stand |
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US2852667A (en) * | 1953-05-26 | 1958-09-16 | Westinghouse Air Brake Co | Overload control circuits for switch and lock movements |
US2986630A (en) * | 1956-07-30 | 1961-05-30 | Gen Railway Signal Co | Switch machine for railroads |
US3136509A (en) * | 1960-02-01 | 1964-06-09 | American Brake Shoe Co | Railroad switch mechanisms |
US3158345A (en) * | 1961-09-19 | 1964-11-24 | American Brake Shoe Co | Railway switch actuating mechanism |
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US2852667A (en) * | 1953-05-26 | 1958-09-16 | Westinghouse Air Brake Co | Overload control circuits for switch and lock movements |
US2829851A (en) * | 1956-06-18 | 1958-04-08 | Westinghouse Air Brake Co | Switch control and indication circuits |
US2986630A (en) * | 1956-07-30 | 1961-05-30 | Gen Railway Signal Co | Switch machine for railroads |
US3136509A (en) * | 1960-02-01 | 1964-06-09 | American Brake Shoe Co | Railroad switch mechanisms |
US3158345A (en) * | 1961-09-19 | 1964-11-24 | American Brake Shoe Co | Railway switch actuating mechanism |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3708660A (en) * | 1970-08-26 | 1973-01-02 | Southern Pacific Transport Co | Pneumatically-operated toggle yard switch |
US5531408A (en) * | 1993-10-07 | 1996-07-02 | Chemetron-Railway Products, Inc. | Railroad switch stand |
EP0776398A1 (en) * | 1994-08-19 | 1997-06-04 | General Railway Signal Corp. | Switch machine |
EP0776398A4 (en) * | 1994-08-19 | 2000-12-13 | Gen Railway Signal Corp | Switch machine |
US20080290223A1 (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2008-11-27 | United Steel And Fasteners | Railroad switch stand having flood protection structure |
US20100025546A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | Rivas Arturo A Ortiz | Modular Railroad Switch Stand |
US7909294B2 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2011-03-22 | Rivas Arturo A Ortiz | Modular railroad switch stand |
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