US709040A - Railway-signal. - Google Patents

Description

J. n. Pince.

RAILWAY SlGNAL.

(Application led Mar. 21, 1901.)

Patented Sept. I6, |902.

y 4MM@ m: uomars PETERS co, PHoTLnHa. WASHINGYUN n c UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE..

'JONATHAN D. PRICE, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MILLER SIGNAL COMPANY, OF CIIICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RAILWAY-SIG NAL.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 709,040, dated September 16, 1902.

Application filed March 2l, 1901. bel'ial. No. 52,232. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern: it is connected is closed when the parts are Be it known that I, JONATHAN D. PRICE, a in position to give either a clear or a danger citizen of the United States residing at Ausignal to a train passing the block-junction, rora, in the countyof Kane and State of Illiso that the local partial circuit can be com- 5 nois,haveinvented anew and usefulImprovepleted through the train-carried electric in- 55 mentin Railway-Signals, of which the followstrument in either case. In other Words, the ing is a specification. local partial circuit is when in normal con- My invention relates particularly to raildition automatically maintained in a closed way-signals of the block system, in which the condition, so as to supply actual controllingro signals are carried on trains and the trackcurrent in one direction or the other to the 6o rails are divided into electrically-separated train-carried instrument, according to the posections. sition of the pole-changer. It will also be The primary object of my invention is to noted as a feature of the construction that provide a construction of this general nature the pole-changer of each block-junction is di- |5 which can be practically applied to the pur.-4 rectlycontrolled by the signal-controlling bat- 65 pose for which it is intended. Incidentally tery of the advance block-junction. the cost of installation and maintenancein the My invention is illustrated in its preferred block system of signals is reduced. Yform in the accompanying drawings, wherein In the preferred construction the track is are shown one full block and two partial zo divided byinsulationinto blocks, a relatively blocks of a track, the track equipment lo- 7o short rail-section being introduced at each cated at the block-junctions, and the equipblock-junction.- Alocal-signal-controlling batment for one engine or car which is to trav tory is supplied for each block-junction, the erse the track. same being connected with said relatively In the drawings, Figure lrepresentsapor- Y z5 short rail-section andan adjacent rail-section, tion of a track, the equipment of two block- 75 and the local partial circuit thus formed bejunctions of the track, and the equipment of ing provided with a pole-changer for re'versan engine traversing the track; and Figs. 2 ing the pole connections of the battery with and 3 represent modified forms of the engine the track-rail sections. A local track-battery equipment. g

3o is connected with the advance ends of both Referring to Fig. l, l represents transient or 8o track-rails of each block and controls ditrain-carried mechanism; 2, Land-1, the trackrectly a switch located in a circuit of the sigblocks shown, and 5 5 similar track equipnal-controlling battery of the same blockments for the two block -junctions shown. junction and a switch located in the circuit 'lhe exigirle ol cab equipment l (convention- 35 ofthe signal-controllingbattery for the blockally illustrated) comprises, preferably, clear 85 junction in the rear, thus controlling inand danger signals (i and 7, respectively, a directly pole-changers for the signal-concommon partial circuit for said signals comtrolling batteries located at the two blockprising a conductor 8, a battery 9, and an arjunctions in the rear, and transient or trainmature l0, supplemental partial circuits ll 4.o carried mechanism usually located in the enand l2 ending, respectively, in contact-points 9o gineers cab is Aprovided,said mechanism hav- 13 and 14:, permanent magnets l5 and 16, soing both a clearand a danger signal, the siglenoids 17 and 1S with reverse double windnal given by the signal-controlling battery ings, and conductors 19, 20, and 2l, leading when a block-junction is reached depending to track- engaging wheels 22, 23, and 24, elec- 45 upon the direction of current supplied by the trically connected in pairs, as shown. Pref- 95 signal-controlling battery to the train-carried erably one track-rail is divided into sections instrument. It is characteristic of this in- 25 26, separated by insulations27 2S, and the vention that the local partial circuit formed other track-rail into sections 29 30, separated at each block-junction by the signal-controlby insulations 3l 32. The insulations 27 3l.

5o ling battery and the rail-sections with which are preferably opposite each other and the roo block-junction under consideration.

insulations 2S 32 staggered. The rail-sections 2G and 30 are relatively short sections, as shown. -The large arrow indicates the direction of train movement, and accordingly the right-hand end of each block appropriately may be called the advance end ofthe block. rlhe local equipmentjof each block-junction is preferably as follows: There are employed a track-battery 33, connected with the advance ends of the rail- sections 25 and 29, a signal-controlling battery 34, connected with the advance end of the rail-section 29 and with the railsection 30 and affording with said railsections a local partialcircuit, a polechanging magnet 35, controlling an armature 36, vibrating between contact-points 37 and 3S and having connections through conductors 39 and 40, respectively, with therear end of the rail-section 29 on the advance side of the adjacent block-junction and the rail-section 3U ot' the advance block-junction, an electromagnet 4l, having connection through conductors 42 and 43 with the rear ends of the rail- sections 29 and 25, respectively, on the advance side of the adjacent blockjunction, and controlling-switches 44 and 45, located, respectively, in a circuit of the signal -controllingr battery 34 of the advance block-junction andthe signal-controllingbattery 34 of its own or adjacent block-junction, and contact-points 46 and 47, connected bya common conductor 48 with the advance end of the rail-section 29 at the rear side of the lt thus appears that each conductor 40 is provided near its rear end with a switch 44 and near its advance end with a switch 45. Should a battery in advance of any instrument 4l be short-circuited, the switches 44 and 45 controlled by that instrument would he moved, and simultaneously the circuits of tne battery 34, connected with the same block-junction as the selected battery 33, and the battery 34, connected with the same block-junction as the selected instru ment, 41, would be broken. Breaking of the first-named circuit would denergize the instrument 35 of the same block-junction as the selected instrument 41, thereby causing the pole-changing armature 36 tobe moved, and breaking of the last-named circuit would denergize the instrument 35 of the blockjunction in the rear ofthe block-junction of the selected instrument 41, thereby causing the pole-changing armature 36 of said rear block-junction to be moved. It maybe explained that' each local partial (incomplete) circuit comprises a `local` signal-controlling battery, two tandem track-rail sections, and conductors (including pole-changers) connecting the batteries to said rail-sections. These incomplete or partial circuits are maintained without break, so that A,the rail-sections referred to for eachA block-junction are practically live-end conductors of one polarity or the other, depending on the position of the pole-changer at that block-junction. The incomplete circuits are successively completed through the train mechanism as the train passes the successive block-junctions.

With the parts of the track equipment in the position shown the current from the signal-controlling battery 34 of each block-junction is from the positive pole of the battery through the contact-point 37, armature 36, and conductor 49 .to the rail-section 30, thence through the conductor 40, switch 45, back through the conductor 40 to the block-junction in the rear, passing through the switch 44 in the course of said conductor at said rear block-junction, energizing the instrument 35 of said rear block-junction, thence through conductor 39, rail-section 29, conductor 48, contact-point47, contact-point 3S, and finally back to the negative pole of the battery; The course of current from any selected battery 33 is back through the rail 29 to the blockjunction in the rear, through conductor 42, instrument- 4l, and to conductor43ofsaid rear block-junction, and back through rail-section 25 to the battery. When the parts of the train mechanism are in the position shown in Fig. 1, current is supplied from the battery 9 to the clear-signal 6, but none is supplied to signal 7. It should be here stated that magnets l5 and 16 are each equipped with double reverse windings, the conductor 2O being con- -nected with said windings by conductors 50 and 5l. When the signal-controlling current is in one direction, it serves to increase the magnetism of the magnet 16, and when said current is in the other direct ion the reverse is true. When the train equipment reaches the position shown in Fig. l, the local partial circuit formed by the battery 34 of the blockjunction and the rail-sections with which the batteryis connected is completed through the wheels 22, conductors 19, 50, and 20, and wheels 23, and the track mechanism being in position to give a clear-sign al the armature l() is moved to the position shown or simply held in the position shown, depending upon whether the train last received a danger-signal or a clear-signal, for it is to be remarked Y that any signal received by the train is carried until a reversal of current is encountered at a block-junction, which Will change the signals. Thus a clear-signal will be carried on the train until a block-junction is encountered where the parts of the track equipment are in position to give a dangersignal, when the direction of current supplied from the signal-controlling battery will be such as to change the signals on the train. After a danger-signal is given this signal is carried until a block-junction is encountered where the track equipment is in position to supply a reverse current to the train mechanism,when the signals will be changed. Supposing a train to be in the block 4, the trackbattery 33 (not shown) of said block will be short-circuited and theinstrument 4l of the equipment 5/ caused to release switches 44 and 45. Movement of the switch 44interrupts ICO IIC

the current being suppliedto the instrument 35 by the `battery 34 at the block-junction at the advance end of the block 4,thereby allowing the armature 36 at the equipment 5 to move and change the pole connections ot' the battery 34 immediately in the rear of the train. This would reverse the current which would be received'from said battery 34 by a train instrument arriving at the block-junction at 5', and a danger-signalwould therefore be given. Movement of the switch 45 at 5 would interrupt the current being supplied from the battery 34E at 5,fthereby causing the instrument 35 at the equipment 5 to drop the armature 36, thereby reversing the pole connection of the battery 34 at said equipment 5. This last result would cause a reverse current to be supplied to a train instrument arriving at the block-junction at 5 and a danger-signal would be given. When two adjacent blocks are clear, the parts of the track equipment are automatically restored to the proper position to supply current which will indicate a clear track. Supposing the train mechanism shown in Fig. l to be carried forward, so that the wheels 23 and 24 take the position previously occupied by the wheels 22 and 23, the direction of current through the train instrument would be opposed to the direction when the wheels are in the position shown. The result upon the instrument is the same, however, for the reason that the winding of the instrument is reversed. The purpose of supplying a third track-engaging conductor is to guard against breakage of the conductor. The conductor 23 is usually the main portion of the engine, and there is little danger of breakage of the circuit at this point. The conductor 2l may engage the track through the tender ot' the engine, said tender being insulated from the engine.

Train instruments of various construction may be employed in connection with the invention. In Fig. 2, 52 represents the lightsupplying battery, and 53 a circuit-changing armature, controlled by instruments 54 and 55. The instrument 54 has a conductor 56 p engaging the track and a conductor 57 enand maintain a danger-signal., The instru-` ment 54: is strong enough, however, to hold said armature within its field when it is once brought there. encountered where the track equipment is set to give a clear-signal, the current from the signal-controlling battery passes in a direction to strengthen the magnet 54 and to weaken the magnet 55. Should the train be carryinga danger-signal, the armature 53 `When the block-junction is would be raised when such a block-junction was encountered and the clear-signal would be given. Should the train be carrying a clear-signal and encounter a block-junction having its mechanism set for a danger-signal, the reverse direction of the currentwould serve to strengthen the ninstrument 55 and weaken the instrument 54, thereby lowering the armature 53 and giving the danger-signal. The train equipment of Fig. 3 is similar to that of Fig. l in the respect that the magnets are permanent and the solenoids are provided with reverse double windings. One windingof the solenoids is completed through a battery 6l, however, and the tendency of this battery is to give .the danger-signal. Should connection with the track be broken, the danger-signal would be given. The instrument 62 is strong enough to hold the armature to its side so long as its circuitis completed through the track and it receives current from the battery 6l. Should it fail to receive current from the battery 6l, the instrument 63 would predominate and change the signals.

Inasmuch as the instruments 35 are controlled by the signal-controlling batteries and the switches in the circuits of said instruments are controlled bythe track-batteries it is clear that failure of any battery would cause the danger-signal to be given at a blockjunction in the rear. With the construction here shown itis unnecessary to maintain high insulation at the block-junctions, and a condition which has hitherto proved to he very difficult to maintain in systems of this kind is rendered unnecessary.

. The small arrows indicate the courses of the currents from the several batteries when the parts are in the position shown in the drawings, the arrows being numbered to correspond with the batteries whose course they indicate. For instance, the course of the eurrent from battery 9 is indicated by arrows numbered 9, that from battery 33 by arrows 33, and that from battery 34 by arrows 343. It will be readily understood `from the foregoing description that in the preferred construction there are employed both a clear and a danger signal and instruments for positively actuating both of said signals.

It is well understood that a result of immense value is obtained by the ability to have the presence of an obstruction in the track indicated by a signal to the conductor at a considerable distance in the rear of the obstruction, as the engineer is thereby enabled to reduce the speed of his train gradually and then to proceed cautiously.

Changes in details of construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. Hence no limitation is to be understood from the foregoing detailed description except as shall appear from the appended claims. For instance, in some cases the pole-changers may be operated by any suitable means other than those ICO` IIO

shown, such as means under the control of some operator, the system operating nevertheless to give the desired signal to a passing train.

What I claim as new, and desire to 'secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a railroad-track electrically divided into blocks and having insulated track-rail sections, a signal-controlling electric generator connected with two sections located one in advance of the other to form therewith a local partial circuit, a polechan ger for said local partial circuit, said local partial circuit being normally closed so as to supply an impulse in one direction or the other to said rail-sections, depending upon the position of said pole-changer, means for operating said pole-changer, a train-carried electrically-controlled clear-signal,and track- `engaging conductors for simultaneously engaging said last-named rail-sections to conduct the controlling-current to the train, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of a railroad-track electrically divided into blocks and having relatively short insulated rail-sections at the block-junctions, the track being electrically continuous between said short sections, a signal-controlling electric generator connected with a relatively short section and an adjain advance of the other and serving normally to conduct current to -said device when said last-named rail-sections are simultaneously engaged, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of a railroad-track electrically divided into blocks and having insulated track-rail sections, a signal-controlling electric generator connected with two sections located one in advance of the other, a pole-changer for the local partial circuit thus formed, a controlling instrument for said pole-changer connected with both track-rails at the rear end of the block in advance of the block-j unction with which said electric source is connected, a track-battery connected with the advance ends of both track-rails of said last-named block, a transient signal, an electrically-controlled transient device controlling said signal, and conductors leading from said device and located to simultaneously engage said last-named rail-sections,whereby a signal-controlling current is normally supplied to said device at the block-junction, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of a railroad-track electrically divided into blocks and having insulated track-rail sections, a signal-controllingl electric generator for each block-junction, and having connection with two rail-sections to form therewith a local partial circuit, a

track,and provided with conductors for simultaneously engaging said last-named two railsections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of a railroad-track electrically divided into blocks and having insulated track-rail sections, a signal-controlling electric generator for each block-junction, and having connection with two rail-sections to form therewith a local partial circuit, a pole-changer for each local partial circuit, a controlling instru ment for each pole-changer having one conductor connected with the track at the rear end of the advanceblock and another conductor connected with the track at the advance block-junction, means for completing the circuit ot' said instrument through the signal-controlling generator of the advance block and through a section of the track, a switch in said last-named circuit, a switch-controlling instrument connected with both track-:rails at the rear end of said last-named block, a track-battery connected with both track-rails at the advance end of said block, and a transient electrically-controlled signal mounted to traverse said track and provided with conductors for simultaneously engaging said last-named two rail-sections, substantially as described.

`6. The combination of a track divided into blocks and having insulated rail-sections, a signal-controlling battery for each block connected with two'rail-sections of one track-rail, a pole-changer for the local partial circuit thus formed at each block-junction, an instrument controlling each pole-changer and connected with the signal-controlling battery at the block-junction in advance thereof, a switch in the circuit of said last-named instrument, a switch controlling instrument connected with both track-rails near the rear end of each block, a battery energizing each switch-controlling instrument and connected with both track-rails near the advance end of the block, and an electrically-controlled transient signal mounted to traverse said track and having track-en gaging conductors located one in advance of the other, substantially as described.

7. The combination of a track divided into blocks and having insulated rail-sections, a signal controlling battery for each blockljunction having connections with rail-sections located one in advance of the other, a pole-changer for each local partial circuit thus formed, an instrument controlling each pole-changer and having a conductor connected with the track near the rear end of the IIO block and a conductor leading to the signalcontrolling battery of the block-junction in advance, switches interposed in the course of saidA last-named conductor near its rear and advance ends, switch-controllinginstruments connected with both track-rails near the rear ends of the several blocks, switch-controlling batteries connected with both track-rails near the advance ends of the several blocks, and an electrically controlled transientsignal mounted to traverse said track and having track-engaging conductors located one in advance of the other, substantially as described.`

8. The combination of a track electrically divided into blocks, and having at each blockjunction a relatively short rail-section, the track-rail between said relatively short sections being electrically continuous, signal controlling batteries for the several blockjunctions, each having connection with a relatively short section and with the advance end of the adjacent section in the rear thereof, a pole-changer for each local partial circuit thus formed,a controllinginstrument for each polechanger having a conductor connected with the rear end of the rail-section in advance of the corresponding relatively short section and another conductor connected with the circuit of the signal-controlling battery at the ad'- vance block-junction, a switch in the circuit of each pole-changer-controlling instrument, a switch-controlling instrument connected with both track-rails at the rear end of each block, a track-battery connected with both track-rails at the advance end ot' each block, and a transient electrically-controlled signal mounted to traverse said track, and provided with conductors for simultaneously engaging the two rail-sections of the local partial circuit, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a track electrically divided into blocks, one of the track-rails having at each block-junction a relatively short insulated rail section, a signalcontrolling battery for each block junction connected with the corresponding short rail-section and with the advance end of the rear adjacent rail-section, a pole-changer for each local partial circuit thus formed, an instrument for automatically maintaining each local partial circuit in a closed condition to deliver a signal, transient signal mechanism mounted to traverse said track and comprising clear and danger signals, an electrically-controlled device controlling said signals, and conductors leading from said device and simultaneously engaging a relatively short rail-section and an adjacent rail-section when a block-junction is encountered,` substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination of a track divided into blockjunctions and having insulated railsections, train-carried signal mechanism comprising a signal, an electrically-controlled device controlling said signal, said device including a magnet equipped with opposite windings, a conductor connected with one end of each of said windings and leadingfrom said device to the track, two additional conductors connected with said windings at their opposite ends and leading from said device to the track and engaging the track, one in advance of and the otherin the rearof said first-named traclcengaging conductor, whereby the same signal will be given whether the current be conducted through the two advance trackengaging conductors or the two rear trackengaging conductors, substantially as described.

1l. The combination of a track divided into block-j unctions and having insulated rail-sections, train-carried signal mechanism comprising a signal, an electrically controlled device controlling said signal, and supplied with permanent magnets, said device being equipped with opposite windings, a conductor connected with one end of each of said windings and leading from said device to the track, two additional conductors connected with the opposite `ends of said windings and leading from said device to the track and engaging the track, one in advance of and the other in the rear of said first-named track-engaging conductor, whereby the same signal will be given whether the current be conducted through the two advance track-engaging conductors or the two rear track-engaging conductors, substantially as described.

JONATHAN D. PRICE. lxrpresence of- D. W; LEE, ALBERT D. BACCI.

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