US658929A - Electrical semaphore system. - Google Patents

Electrical semaphore system. Download PDF

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Publication number
US658929A
US658929A US72123999A US1899721239A US658929A US 658929 A US658929 A US 658929A US 72123999 A US72123999 A US 72123999A US 1899721239 A US1899721239 A US 1899721239A US 658929 A US658929 A US 658929A
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motor
nut
shaft
circuit
semaphore
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US72123999A
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Judson Shoecraft
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CHARLES C GARDINER
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CHARLES C GARDINER
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61RAILWAYS
    • B61LGUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L23/00Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains
    • B61L23/08Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for controlling traffic in one direction only
    • B61L23/14Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for controlling traffic in one direction only automatically operated
    • B61L23/16Track circuits specially adapted for section blocking
    • B61L23/163Track circuits specially adapted for section blocking using direct current

Definitions

  • FIG. 8 is a perspective phore System, of which the following is a view ofthe camshaft,to which the trip-lever specification. is connected.
  • Fig. 9 is a detail view show- 6o lo This invention relates to electrically-opering the location'of the striking-nut and its ated railway-signals, and more particularly jam-nut upon the' reciprocating rod.
  • this system involves a plurality ofV block-signal system, which is electrically opduplicate semaphore-operating mechanisms 65 15 eraled and which involves, in addition to the in combination with sources of electricity and usual arrangementof -asignal at each end of means for closing the circuits of the several the block, the employment of supplementary elements of the mechanisms.
  • these sets of apparatus being closed through a preferred may have suitable bearings in the common relay when the latter is energized.
  • a further object of the invention is'to procured to the motor, and may have mounted 8o 3o vide a simple and effective electromechanical thereon, beneath the base 11, a gear-wheel 16,
  • Fig- Slidably mounted in the upper portion of ure 1 is a diagrammatic representation ot' a the frame 12 and centrally thereof is a rod 18, block protected by a system and apparatus the upper end of which has a link connection 9o 4o involving this invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a detailv 19 with a lever 20, fulcrumed upon the post elevation of the semaphore-operating appal0, and from the work end of which lever exratus and an adjacent semaphore connected tends a reciprocatory rod ⁇ 2l, pivoted at its therewith,the apparatus beingina position to upper end to a semaphore-arm 22 in the usual be released to sei the semaphoreat danger.
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar' to Fig-2, showing the on the inner side of the posta lens 23, adapted semaphore set at dangerand the position of to cooperate with a lantern 24; to give visual the operating mechanism at the same time. signals. at night.
  • the lower end of the rod Fig. et is a View similarto Fig.
  • the spring quality of the hangers 26 acts to normally hold the split nut open and out of engagement with the shaft 13.
  • the nut-section 27 plates 31 and 32 which inclose the ends of the nut-- section 28, and with which plates the section 28 is in slid-able contact.
  • the plates31 and 32 extend beyond the outer face of the ⁇ section 28 and of the adjacent hanger, and in bearings in the protruding portions of said ⁇ plates is journaled a shaft 33, havingthereon a cam 34, which in one position of the sha-ft bears against the adjacent face of the nutsection 28 and moves it in the direction of the section 27 to grasp the threaded shaft 13 and operatively engage it.
  • the cam at. times in this position, a trip-lever 34 is fixed to a protruding end of t-he shaft 33, and which lever is provided at one end with a weight 35, adapted to be passed over and from one side to the other of the shaft 33 to correspondingly move its opposite upwardly-curved and broadened end 36. This reciprocatory movement of the weighted end of the lever acts to throw the cam 34a into and out of engagement with the nut-section 28, as above specified.
  • the weighted end' of the lever is i n a position to hold the cam against the adjacent nut-section to engage the nut-sections with the shaft 13. If the motor be then energized, the nut will move upwardly of the shaft until it has reached the upper limit ofits movement, when the nut will be disengaged from the shaft by the swingingof the weighted level' to its opposite position. (Shown in Fig.
  • a spring-plate 38 having an opening 39 therein, through which projects the end of a finger 59, the oppositeend of which is pivoted to a
  • a helical spring 41 the opposite end of which is attached to a projection of the standard 40. This spring tends to hold the finger in a lowered position, while the upwardmovement of theplate 38, under the influence-of the split nut, raises the free end ot' the finger and places the spring 41 tindex' tension.
  • the lower end of the rod 18 is threaded and has a stopnut 1b' engaged therewith, a suitable set-nut being also disposed upon the rod to hold the nut 60 in position.
  • This nut 60 is held by the rod 18 directly over the upper end of the shaft 13, so that when the split nut is dropped this nut 60 will strike upon the upper end of said shaft, and thus limitA the fall ot' the split nut.
  • thefall of the split nut may be so .regulated that when the sections of the split nut come together their threads will properly engage the threads of the shaft.
  • the motor and the electromagnet have individual batteries, the circuits of which include a common return, and in which return is arranged a relay make-and-break apparatus, and thus may the circuits of the motor and the electroniagnet, which forms, in effect, an electromagnetic lock, be simultaneously closed or broken through the medium of a single circuit including the relay. Also it will be seen that the circuits of the motor and electromagnet will both remain closed when the relay is in a proper position from the time the n-ut leaves the foot 51 until it has been again raised and dropped to'said foot.
  • the semaphoresetting apparatus will stand normally in a position to drop the nut and raise the semaphore-arm. ⁇ It' the nut he dropped and the motel-ciicuit be then closed, the motor will operate to lower the semaphore-arm and will continue to rotate until the nut has moved to the limit of its upward movement and is then dropped to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2.
  • a block comprising rails and 7l, the ends of the sections of rails forming the block being insulated from the rails of the block at either side.
  • Conner-ted across the rails 70 and 71 is a battery 72, and conshort circuited.
  • a' relay 7 3 the relay being thus in direct circuit with the battery, from which it will receive energy so long ⁇ as the circuit be unbroken or be not
  • this system involves a semaphore located adjacent each end ot' the block vand an additional or supplementary sema- .phore arranged a predetermined distance in advance of the adjacent end of the block.
  • conductor 84 to conductor 85, to conductor .86, to battery 73, conductor 79 being a common conductor, as will be presently seen.
  • One terminal of motor 114 is connected with the positive terminal of battery 75 through conductor 87 and conductor 88, the opposite terminal being connected with the opposite terminal of the battery 75 through the common conductor 78, relay-armature 744, common. conductor 77, conductor 89, and common conductor 7 6.
  • the motor 214 has one terminal connected with the conductor 89 and the other with the conductor 87, thus being parallel with the motor 114 and in series with the battery 75.
  • the motor 314 has one tertn'inal connected with the positive terminal of the battery 75 through conductors 90, 91,
  • the motor 414 has one termi nal connected with the conductor ⁇ 80, which is connected with the similar terminal of the motor 314 and has its opposite terminal connected with the conductor 95, with which the corresponding terminal of .the motor 214 is connected through the condncto1z94, it being ⁇ thus seen that both motors 314 and 4 14 are mutually in parallel or multiple arc and are similarly connected with the motors 114 and 214.
  • the foot 5l will be held projected and the motor will be maintained in operation, causing the split nut to rise, and thus move the semaphore downwardly to the safe position.
  • the finger 59 While the split nut is moving upwardly, the finger 59 is lying in the opening 39. Then the split nut has been moved to near the upper limit of its motion, the springplate 3S is moved from the finger 59, which passes from the opening 39 and under the infinence of the spring 4l moves quickly downwardly and strikes the broadened end 36 of the lever 34, the strength of the spring being suc-l1 as to depress this broadened end and to move the weight 35 over the shaft 33, and thus move the cam .53 from the plate 26, the weight 35 holding the shaft 33 and its cam in this position.
  • the relay So long as the block in the track is open the relay will continue energized and will maintain the circuit of the electromagnets 56 to hold the foot 51 projected. 1f now a train enters upon the block, the relay is at once short-circuited, and the energization of the electromagnet 56 is annihilated through the breaking of its circuit, allowing the foot 5l to swing rearwardly, under the iniiuence of gravity, of the split nut and its connection, so that the foot will release the split nut and allow it to drop, drawing the rod 13 downwardly and setting the semaphore at dangein
  • the continuation of the motor-terminal against which the splitnut section 23 rests is not of sufficient stiffnessto support said nut-section, and it is therefore pressed out of the way temporarily and then rises and engages the opposing terminal to close this portion of the motor-circuit.
  • the semaphore and its operating mechanism at each point is so connected with the other mechanisms and with the batteries that there will be a simultaneous movement of the different mechanisms and a similar movement of the semaphores.
  • the semaphores will simultaneously. indicate danger or will indicate a clear track.
  • the supplemental signals which are the outermost signals shown in Fig. l of the drawings, are positioned a predetermined distance beyond their respective ends of the block, and if this distance be one thousand feet the engineer in reaching the supple mental signal will be warned at leasta thousand feet in advance of the block as to the 'condition of the block, the semaphore-arms of the supplemental signal having any desired distinguishing characteristics.
  • the engineer gains sight of a signal and sees it set at danger he is unable to tell whether the train in the block is at the opposite end of the block or whether it is Within a few hundred feet of him.
  • the engineer sees the supplemental signal set at danger he knows that the block ahead is occupied and he has at least one thousand feet in which to stop and back out, thus eliminating the greatest danger in a block system.
  • the cent-ral may be located at any desired point, preferably adjacent the block.
  • a signal system comprising a number of signals each having an operating mechanism, and each mechanism comprising a motor for actuating the signal and a locking-magnet l'or holding the signal against movement, a source of electricity with which the motors are connected in multiple. a separate source of electricity with which. the magnets are connected in series, the circuits of the two sources of electricity including a common conductor, and a track-relay for opening and closing the common conductor.
  • a signalsystem comprising a number of signals,each having an operating mechanism, and each mechanism comprising a motor for actuating the signal and a locking-magnet for holding the signal against movement, a source.
  • the circuits of the two sources of electricity including a common conductor, a relay for opening and closing the common conductor, said relay having its winding terminals connected with opposite insulated rails of a trackway, a battery for the relay havingits terminals connected with said rails, and-'a circuit-breaker in the local circuit of each motor, said circuit-breaker being operated and held operative by that portion -of the mechanism that is held by the lockingmagnet, whereby when the locking-magnet circuit is broken at the relay, the circuitbreaker will be released to close the local circuit of the motor.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)

Description

NIL-658,929. f Pfatented Oct. 2, |900. J. SHECRA'FT GLC. C.- GARDINEB. ELEQTRICAL SEMAPHUR'SYSTEM.
(Application led June 20, 1899.)
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Patented Oct. 2. |900.
' J. ,SHOECRFT'KVK C. SARDI-NER.
ELECTRICAL SEMAPHORE SYSTEM.
(Applicaeivn med June 2o, 1899.)
No. 658,929. v
3 Sheets-Sheet 3.
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UETTED STATES PATENT EEicE. y
JUDsoN sHoncRAF'r, oF TOPEKA', AND CHARLES c; GARDINER, oF BRAB: FORD, KANSAS, 'SAID sHoEoRAF'r AssIGNoR To SAID GARDINER.
ELECTRICAL sEn/iAPl-.lornl SYSTEM.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,929, dated October 2, 1906)'.
Application filed June 20, 1899, serial No. 721,239. Jo model.)
To @ZZ whom t may concern: tric motorincluded in said mechanism. Fig. Be it known that we, JUDSON SHOECRAFT, .5 is a side elevationv of Fig. 4 looking from residingat Topeka, in the county of Shawnee, the left. Fig. 6 ls a detail perspective of the and CHARLES C. GARDINER, residing at Bradsplit nut'and connected mechanism. Fig. 7 55 5 ford, in the county of Wabaunsee, State. of is a detail section of the split nut and trip^ Kansas, citizens of the United States, have lever-carried thereby, portions of said lever invented a new and useful Electrical Semabeing in elevation. Fig. 8 is a perspective phore System, of which the following is a view ofthe camshaft,to which the trip-lever specification. is connected. Fig. 9 is a detail view show- 6o lo This invention relates to electrically-opering the location'of the striking-nut and its ated railway-signals, and more particularly jam-nut upon the' reciprocating rod. to that class known as semaphore-signals,7 Referring now to the drawings, as above one object of the invention being to provide a intimated, this system involves a plurality ofV block-signal system, which is electrically opduplicate semaphore-operating mechanisms 65 15 eraled and which involves, in addition to the in combination with sources of electricity and usual arrangementof -asignal at each end of means for closing the circuits of the several the block, the employment of supplementary elements of the mechanisms. This semasignals at a specied distance from each end phore-operating mechanism is attached diof the block and eXteriorly thereof, although rectly to the semaphore-post 10, and consists 7o zo in practice the supplemental signals may be of a base-plate 11, upon which is mounted a employed or discarded, as desired. frame v12, having a central perforation, ver- Another object of the invention'is to protically of which is passed the screw-threaded vide a system A involving but three wires, of shaft 13 of an electric motor 14, located below which one is acommon return for two separate the base 11 and held in proper position upon 75 z5 sources of electricity from which two distinct the semaphore-post. 'lhis shaft 13 may consets ot' apparatus are energized, the circuits of stitute the armature-shaft of the motor, or, if
these sets of apparatus being closed through a preferred, may have suitable bearings in the common relay when the latter is energized. base 1l and in a diamagnetic plate l5, se-
A further object of the invention is'to procured to the motor, and may have mounted 8o 3o vide a simple and effective electromechanical thereon, beneath the base 11, a gear-wheel 16,
apparatus for raising and lowering the semameshing with the pinion 17 upon the armaphore-arms undercerlainspeciiied conditions. ture-shaft, as shown. Thus as the armature Other and further objects of the invention of the motor rotates theA shaft 13 will be rowill be evident in the following description. tated, and fromthe rotation of this shaft the 85 35 In the drawings forming a portion of this semaphore mountednpon the post l0 is lowspecification, and in which like numerals of ered. reference designate corresponding parts, Fig- Slidably mounted in the upper portion of ure 1 is a diagrammatic representation ot' a the frame 12 and centrally thereof is a rod 18, block protected by a system and apparatus the upper end of which has a link connection 9o 4o involving this invention. Fig. 2 is a detailv 19 with a lever 20, fulcrumed upon the post elevation of the semaphore-operating appal0, and from the work end of which lever exratus and an adjacent semaphore connected tends a reciprocatory rod `2l, pivoted at its therewith,the apparatus beingina position to upper end to a semaphore-arm 22 in the usual be released to sei the semaphoreat danger. manner, and which arm has at its rear end 95 45 Fig. 3 is a view similar' to Fig-2, showing the on the inner side of the posta lens 23, adapted semaphore set at dangerand the position of to cooperate with a lantern 24; to give visual the operating mechanism at the same time. signals. at night. The lower end of the rod Fig. et is a View similarto Fig. 3, showingthe lo' enters the inclosure of the frame l2, and semaphore lowered and the posit-ion of the has mounted thereon a block 25, on opporoo 5c parts ot' the lowering mechanism just previsite sides of which are secured the upper ons to the breaking of the circuit of the elecends ofdiverging' hangers 26, of spring material, having fixed to their lower ends the sec# tions 27 and 2S of a transversely-split nut, the screw-threaded perforation of which is adapted to engage and fit upon the threads of the shaft 13, whereby when the nut is in a closed position the rotation of the shaft 13,
through the medium of the armature ofthe motor 14, will act to feed the nut longitudinally of the shaft and move the semaphorearrn 22 upon its pivot. In this construction it is intended that the rotation of the screwshaft 13 will be in a direction to move the nut upwardly, and thus to lower the semaphorearm into what is known as the safe position. \Vhen the nut has been fed to the limit ot its upward movement, the motor-circuit is broken, and subsequently under certain conditions the nut is open to release the screw,
when the weight of the parts, together with' the weight 29 upon the rear end of the semaphore-arm, will act to drop the nut and to raise the semaphore-arm to the danger 'position.
The spring quality of the hangers 26 acts to normally hold the split nut open and out of engagement with the shaft 13. In order to draw the parts of the nut together and hold them upon the shaft 13, there is secured' to the opposite ends of the nut-section 27 plates 31 and 32, which inclose the ends of the nut-- section 28, and with which plates the section 28 is in slid-able contact. The plates31 and 32 extend beyond the outer face of the` section 28 and of the adjacent hanger, and in bearings in the protruding portions of said` plates is journaled a shaft 33, havingthereon a cam 34, which in one position of the sha-ft bears against the adjacent face of the nutsection 28 and moves it in the direction of the section 27 to grasp the threaded shaft 13 and operatively engage it. the cam at. times in this position, a trip-lever 34 is fixed to a protruding end of t-he shaft 33, and which lever is provided at one end with a weight 35, adapted to be passed over and from one side to the other of the shaft 33 to correspondingly move its opposite upwardly-curved and broadened end 36. This reciprocatory movement of the weighted end of the lever acts to throw the cam 34a into and out of engagement with the nut-section 28, as above specified.
When the split nut is in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the weighted end' of the lever is i n a position to hold the cam against the adjacent nut-section to engage the nut-sections with the shaft 13. If the motor be then energized, the nut will move upwardly of the shaft until it has reached the upper limit ofits movement, when the nut will be disengaged from the shaft by the swingingof the weighted level' to its opposite position. (Shown in Fig.
20f the drawings.) In ordertoswingthelever, as mentioned, there is fixed to the blockl 25 a spring-plate 38, having an opening 39 therein, through which projects the end of a finger 59, the oppositeend of which is pivoted to a In order to hold'- standard 40 and has connectedztherewith, adjacent its pivot, a helical spring 41, the opposite end of which is attached to a projection of the standard 40. This spring tends to hold the finger in a lowered position, while the upwardmovement of theplate 38, under the influence-of the split nut, raises the free end ot' the finger and places the spring 41 tindex' tension. rlhe upwardly-curved end of the lever 34 lies with its broadened portion in the path of movement of the finger 49 as the nut moves upwardly, shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Hence when the nut has moved upwardly a distance sutcient to draw the finger from the opening in the plate 38,which is just prioi` to the nut reaching the upper limit of its motion, the finger 59 will descendfunder the influence of its spring and engaging the adjacent end'of the leverwill vthrowitdownwardly and will rock the-weight ed end`35-thereof`over the shafts-33 to move thecam 34 from the nut-section 28-and cause thev nut to'disengage the screw-shaft, when the nut and the mechanism connected there- `with will drop and the semaphore-arm will be vfootl, adapted to project into the path'of theV nut-'section` 27 inl its descent and to receive and hold the nutin'the position mentioned. When the-nutsection 27 strikes the foot 5l, it is temporarilyheld against further downwardmovement, and just previous to arriving at this position the circuit, including the motor 14, ishroken to prevent further operationofithe motor: 'Ihis'breaking of the motor-'circuit isaccomplishedthrough themedium=ot` af cam 52 upon the shaft 33 and which cam; as'the` nut'ascends,is out of' line with a projection 53 ofone terminal 54 of the motorcircuit and'whichterminal is adapted to normally'engage asecond terminal 55, which is fxedwith respect'to the frame 12, the terminal 541 being of'spring material. When the level-'34 is thrown by the finger 59, the-cam 52 is rotated to a position to engage the projection` 53=as the nut'descends, which engagement, as-above mentioned, is just previous to the engagement of the'nut-section27 with the foot 51.` Hence when the section 27 is rest:- ing uponthe foot 51 the circuit of the motor is-brokenandl the mechanism is at rest.
In order tohold the foot 51 in engagement with theelement 27, the lever 50 is'continued outwardly of theframe 12 and is connected at its=outer"end with' the armature 55 of an electromagnet 56, which when energized holds the armature in apositionA to project the foot into thepath'of the nut-section 27, the proportions ofthe parts being such that when the circuit ofthe electromagnet is broken the armature will rise and theweight of the nut and connected mechanism upon the foot 51 will act to swing the lever 50 upon its pivot and move the foot out of the path of the nut. The nut will then immediately drop to the lower limit of its movement and the contactpiece 54 will rise to the contact 55, and if the circuit of the motor be otherwise closed the motor will at ,once begin to operate.
When the nut has reached the limit of its downward movement, it is of course necessary to rengage the nut-sections with the shaft 13, and for this purpose the end of the lever opposite the weight 35 is arc-shaped, and thus by striking the base 11 the extremity ofthe lever will be rocked slightly upwardly until the weight 35 has passed over the shaft 33, when the weight will act to further rock the shaft and close the nut upon the shaft 13.
In order to insure the dropping of the nut to the proper point each time, so as to fairly engage the threads of the shaft 13, the lower end of the rod 18 is threaded and has a stopnut 1b' engaged therewith, a suitable set-nut being also disposed upon the rod to hold the nut 60 in position. This nut 60 is held by the rod 18 directly over the upper end of the shaft 13, so that when the split nut is dropped this nut 60 will strike upon the upper end of said shaft, and thus limitA the fall ot' the split nut. By adjusting the nut 60 upon the rod 18 thefall of the split nut may be so .regulated that when the sections of the split nut come together their threads will properly engage the threads of the shaft.
In practice the motor and the electromagnet have individual batteries, the circuits of which include a common return, and in which return is arranged a relay make-and-break apparatus, and thus may the circuits of the motor and the electroniagnet, which forms, in effect, an electromagnetic lock, be simultaneously closed or broken through the medium of a single circuit including the relay. Also it will be seen that the circuits of the motor and electromagnet will both remain closed when the relay is in a proper position from the time the n-ut leaves the foot 51 until it has been again raised and dropped to'said foot. In other words, as will be understood from the foregoing description,the semaphoresetting apparatus will stand normally in a position to drop the nut and raise the semaphore-arm.` It' the nut he dropped and the motel-ciicuit be then closed, the motor will operate to lower the semaphore-arm and will continue to rotate until the nut has moved to the limit of its upward movement and is then dropped to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2.
Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that there has been represented a block comprising rails and 7l, the ends of the sections of rails forming the block being insulated from the rails of the block at either side. Conner-ted across the rails 70 and 71 is a battery 72, and conshort circuited.
larmature 74 of the relay.
nected also across the rails is a' relay 7 3, the relay being thus in direct circuit with the battery, from which it will receive energy so long` as the circuit be unbroken or be not In the drawings there is shown no means for breaking the circuit, but instead it will be readily seen that upon the entrance of a train upon the block including the rails 70 and 7l the wheels and connecting-axles of a car or cars will act to short-circuit the battery 72, and thus to dee'nergize the relay 73a. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, this system involves a semaphore located adjacent each end ot' the block vand an additional or supplementary sema- .phore arranged a predetermined distance in advance of the adjacent end of the block. These semaphores are each equipped with the apparatus above mentioned, the electromagnets of the several mechanisms being connected in series with a battery 73 through the A battery 75 is provided for the motors and with which bat- .tery said motors are connected mutually in multiple arc, the circuit of the battery 75 including the armature 74 of the relay in common with the circuit of the electromagnets. The circuit of the electromagnets will be as follows: ybattery 73 to magnet 156, to corn- `mon conductor 76, to magnet 256, lo common conductor 77, to relay-armature 74, to conductor 78, to conductor 79, to conductor 80, to conductor 81, to magnet 356, to conductor 82, to magnet 456, to conductor 83, to
conductor 84, to conductor 85, to conductor .86, to battery 73, conductor 79 being a common conductor, as will be presently seen. One terminal of motor 114 is connected with the positive terminal of battery 75 through conductor 87 and conductor 88, the opposite terminal being connected with the opposite terminal of the battery 75 through the common conductor 78, relay-armature 744, common. conductor 77, conductor 89, and common conductor 7 6. The motor 214 has one terminal connected with the conductor 89 and the other with the conductor 87, thus being parallel with the motor 114 and in series with the battery 75. The motor 314 has one tertn'inal connected with the positive terminal of the battery 75 through conductors 90, 91,
V92, 79, and 93, the opposite terminal of the motor being connected' through connections 94, 95, 96, and 97 with the relay 73a, and thence through armature 74 and conductor 78 to conductor 98 and negative terminal of the battery. The motor 414 has one termi nal connected with the conductor` 80, which is connected with the similar terminal of the motor 314 and has its opposite terminal connected with the conductor 95, with which the corresponding terminal of .the motor 214 is connected through the condncto1z94, it being` thus seen that both motors 314 and 4 14 are mutually in parallel or multiple arc and are similarly connected with the motors 114 and 214.
Upon reference tothe above description IOO ICS
IIO
and the accompanying drawings it will be seen that when the block comprising the rails y and l is free the full force of battery 72 will be applied to the relay, which in attracting its armature will close the circuits of batteries 73 and 75 through their respective translating devices, causing the motor to operate the screw-shaft 13 and the foot 5l to be projected or held in its projected position. At this time the sections of the split nut will lie in engagement with the threads of the screw-shaft, due to the outward position of the rod or lever 34, causing the cam 52 to engage the spring-piece 26 and move its nutsection 28 iu the direction of the nut-section 27. The foot 5l will be held projected and the motor will be maintained in operation, causing the split nut to rise, and thus move the semaphore downwardly to the safe position. While the split nut is moving upwardly, the finger 59 is lying in the opening 39. Then the split nut has been moved to near the upper limit of its motion, the springplate 3S is moved from the finger 59, which passes from the opening 39 and under the infinence of the spring 4l moves quickly downwardly and strikes the broadened end 36 of the lever 34, the strength of the spring being suc-l1 as to depress this broadened end and to move the weight 35 over the shaft 33, and thus move the cam .53 from the plate 26, the weight 35 holding the shaft 33 and its cam in this position. When the cam 52 is drawn away from the plate 2b', the spring quality of the latter causes it to move outwardly and draw its nut-section 2S from engagement with the threads ofthe shaft 13. The spring quality of the opposite plate 26 causes it at the same time to move outwardly and carry its nut-section 27 away from the threads of the shaft. When these nut-sections are thus moved, the split nut and the mechanism carried thereby drops and the nut-section 27 rests upon the foot 5l, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In the passage of the split nut to rest upon the foot 5l the nut-section 28 drops upon the projection 53 of one terminal 54 of the motor-circuit and moves that terminal away from its opposing terminal 55 to break the motor-circuit and stop the operation of the motor. So long as the block in the track is open the relay will continue energized and will maintain the circuit of the electromagnets 56 to hold the foot 51 projected. 1f now a train enters upon the block, the relay is at once short-circuited, and the energization of the electromagnet 56 is annihilated through the breaking of its circuit, allowing the foot 5l to swing rearwardly, under the iniiuence of gravity, of the split nut and its connection, so that the foot will release the split nut and allow it to drop, drawing the rod 13 downwardly and setting the semaphore at dangein The continuation of the motor-terminal against which the splitnut section 23 rests is not of sufficient stiffnessto support said nut-section, and it is therefore pressed out of the way temporarily and then rises and engages the opposing terminal to close this portion of the motor-circuit. The armature of the relay being in the motor-circuit, however, the motor will receive no current until the short circuit of the relay-battery has been removed, or, in other words, until the train has passed from the block. This dropping of the split nut and `the mechanism carried thereby causes the end of the lever 34 to strike upon the plate il, with the eiect of rocking the shaft and throwing the weight 35 over the shaft to move the cam 52 to clamp the nut-sections upon the motor-shafts. Thus the parts of the apparatus are ready for operation to lower the semaphore as soon as the train passes from the block.
As shown in Fig. l of the drawings, the semaphore and its operating mechanism at each point is so connected with the other mechanisms and with the batteries that there will be a simultaneous movement of the different mechanisms and a similar movement of the semaphores. Thus the semaphores will simultaneously. indicate danger or will indicate a clear track.
In practice the supplemental signals, which are the outermost signals shown in Fig. l of the drawings, are positioned a predetermined distance beyond their respective ends of the block, and if this distance be one thousand feet the engineer in reaching the supple mental signal will be warned at leasta thousand feet in advance of the block as to the 'condition of the block, the semaphore-arms of the supplemental signal having any desired distinguishing characteristics. In the usual arrangement when the engineer gains sight of a signal and sees it set at danger he is unable to tell whether the train in the block is at the opposite end of the block or whether it is Within a few hundred feet of him. With this arrangement, however, if the engineer sees the supplemental signal set at danger he knows that the block ahead is occupied and he has at least one thousand feet in which to stop and back out, thus eliminating the greatest danger in a block system.
It is of course understood that the foregoing description has reference to a single-track railway and also that the mechanism described and the principles involved may be applied to a double-track railway; also, that the specific construction and arrangement shown and described may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention and that the mechanisms for operating the different semaphores may be fixed within suitable casings to facilitate the application and removal of them, the drawings showing the reciprocatory rod 2l provided with an inclosing tube leading from the top of an inclosing casing to the housing of the crank of the semaphore-shaft or other connection with the semaphore. It will furthermore be seen that each supplemental signal has a three-wire conneclOO IIO
tion with its respect-ive main signal, while the main signals have themselves three wire connections with the central station in which the relay and batteries are located. The cent-ral may be located at any desired point, preferably adjacent the block.
Having thus described the'in'vention, what is claimed is- 1. A signal system comprising a number of signals each having an operating mechanism, and each mechanism comprisinga motor for actuating the signal and a locking-magnet l'or holding the signal against movement, a source of electricity with which the motors are connected in multiple. a separate source of electricity with which. the magnets are connected in series, the circuits of the two sources of electricity including a common conductor, and a track-relay for opening and closing the common conductor.
2. A signalsystem comprising a number of signals,each having an operating mechanism, and each mechanism comprising a motor for actuating the signal and a locking-magnet for holding the signal against movement, a source.
of electricity withwhich the motors are connected in multiple, a separate source of electricity with wh-ich the magnets are connected in series, the circuits of the two sources of electricity including a common conductor, a relay for opening and closing the common conductor, said relay having its winding terminals connected with opposite insulated rails of a trackway, a battery for the relay havingits terminals connected with said rails, and-'a circuit-breaker in the local circuit of each motor, said circuit-breaker being operated and held operative by that portion -of the mechanism that is held by the lockingmagnet, whereby when the locking-magnet circuit is broken at the relay, the circuitbreaker will be released to close the local circuit of the motor.
3. The combination with a semaphore, of a follo werconnected therewith, electrically-operated means for moving the follower to move the semaphore in one direction, means for releasing the follower and subsequently breaking the motor-circuit, means for holding the follower intermediate the limits of its motion, means for releasing the follower to allow it to reach the limit of its continued movement, and means for throwing the follower into operative relation with its moving means.
4. The combination with a semaphore, of a for subsequently throwing the follower into operative relation with the movingr means.
5. The combination with a semaphore of an electric motor, a circuitincluding said motor a screw-shaft adapted for rotation by the motor, a follower adapted to move alternately with and independently of the screw-shaft, connections between the follower and the semaphore, and a ci rcuit-breaker for breaking the motor-circuit, said circuit-breaker being adapted for operation by engagement of the follower.
6. The combination with a semaphore, of an electric motor, a screw-shaft adapted for rotation by the motor, an electric circuit for the motor, a follower adapted for engagementand disengagement with the screw-shaft to move alternately with and free thereof, means in the path of the free movement of the follower for opening the motor-circuit, means for holding the follower Io maintain said circuit open, and means for releasing the follower to permit closing of the circuit.
7. The combination with a semaphore, of an electric motor, a screw-shaft adapted for rotation by the motor, an electric circuit for the motor, a follower adapted for engagement and disengagement with respect to the screwshaft to move alternately with and free thereof, a circuit-breaker in the motor-circuit, an adjustable striker carried by the follower and adapted to engage and operate the circuitbreaker in one direction of movement of the follower, means for holding the follower in its operative relation to the circuit-breaker, means for releasing the follower to release the circuit-breaker, and means for breaking the circuit of the motor atadifferent pointsubsequent to the closure of the circuit-breaker.
8. The combination with a semaphore, of an electric motor, a screw-shaft adapted for rotation by the motor, an electric circuit for the motor, a follower adapted for alternate engagement and disengagement with respect to the screw-shaft to move with or free thereof, a movable striker carried by the follower adapted for alternate projection and retraction, a circuit-breaker in the motor-circuit adapted for engagement by the striker in one direction of movement of the follower, means for holding the striker in operative relation to the circuit-breaker, and a common means for releasing the striker to release the circuitbreaker and for breaking the circuit to the motor at a different point.
9. The combination with a semaphore, of an electric motor, a screw-shaft adapted for rotation by the motor, an electric circuit for the motor,a follower connected with the semaphore and adapted for engagement and disengagement with respect to the screw-shaft to move alternately with and free thereof, a circuit-breaker in the motor-circuit,a movable striker carried by the follower and adapted to engage and operate the circuit-breaker in one direction of movement of the follower, electromagnetic means for holding the fol- IOO lower in its operative relation to the circuitbreaker, an electric circuit for said electromagnetic means, and a common relay for the circuits of the motor and the electromagnetic means adapted to break said circuits subsequent to the engagetnent of the striker with the ciremit-breaker.
l0. The combination with a semaphore, of an electric motor, a screw-shaft rotatably connected with the motor, an electric circuit for the motor a circuit-breaker in the motor-circuit, a follower connected with the semaphore and adapted for alternate engagement and disengagementI with respect to the screw-shaft to move alternately free of and with the shaft, a shaft carried by the follower, a striker carried by saitl shaft and adapted to be moved into and ont. of operative relation with the circuit-breaker, tneans for holding the striker with the follower in operative relation to the circuit-breaker, means for releasing the follower to move the striker from the circuitbreaker, a weighted lever upon the strikershaft. adapted to lie on opposite sides of its center of gravity to alternately project and retract the lstriker,connections with said lever for alternately throwingthe follower into and out of engagement with the screw-shaft, and means for moving the lever.
ll. The combination with a semaphore, of an electric motor, a screw-shaft adapted for rotation by the motor, an electric circuit for the motor, a follower connected with the semaphore and adapted for engagement and disengagement with respect to thescrew-shaft to move with or free thereof, a circuit-breaker in the motor-circuit, a shaft carried bythe follower, a striker carried by said shaft and adapted to engage and operate the circuitbreaker at times, means for holding the follower with the striker in operative relation to the circuit-breaker, means for releasing the follower to move the striker from operati ve relation to the circnitbreaker,a weighted lever connected with the striker-shaft and adapted to lie on either side of its center of gravit-y to project or retract the striker, means carried by the striker-shaft for engaging the follower with the screw-shaft when the striker is retractetha' spring-finger adapted to engage the weighted lever and throw itl from one side to the other of the center of gravity, and means carried by the follower for energizing said finger.
In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed onr signatures in the presence of two witnesses.
JUDSON SHOECRAFT. CHARLES C. G'ARDINER. Witnesses:
GEO. H. CHANDLEE, J. Ross CALHOUN.
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