US727147A - Automatic operating mechanism for electric-railway switches. - Google Patents

Description

'PATENTED MAY 5, 1903.. -G. W. JOHNSTON.

AUTOMATIG OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAY -SWI'1GHES..

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 16, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

n 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 v No. 727,147. vPATENTED MAY 5, 1903. G. W. JOHNSTON.

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAY SWITCHES. I

- Arrmonlon FILED JULY 16, 1902.

NC MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES 'IPatented May 5, 1903.

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC-RAILWAY SWITCHES. V

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 727,147, dated May 5, 1903.

Application filed July 16.1902.

York and State of New York, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Automatic 'Operating Mechanism for Electric Railway Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to operating mechanism 'for electric-railway switches.

As is well known, it is common to operate 1 the switches of electric railways by hand; but this requires the attendance of an operator at each intersection of the main and branch rails of the system, which greatly adds to the operating expenses of the road.

Itis the purpose of my invention to provide means whereby the switches of electric railways may be operated automatically from the car, and thereby dispense with the services of the operators now provided for this purpose.

The invention consists of an electromagnet whose armature is operatively connected with.

the switch-rail, a normally open shunt-circuit between the line conductors including said magnet, an electric switch for closing said shunt-circuit, and. an electromagnet operatively connected with said electric switch and in circuit with one of the line conductors.

The invention also consists in certain features and details of construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a sectional viewof the switch-operating rod or bar and the solenoids forcontrolling the movement thereof. Fig. 2 is a sectional view at the rotary electric switch and the solenoid for operating the same, andFig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the device and the circuit connections between the various operative parts thereof.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

My invention has been illustrated in connection with an underground electric-railway system; but it will be obvious that the same is equally well adapted for use in connection with an overhead system. i The main-track rails 1; the branch rails 2, the pivoted'switchpoint 3, and the lineconductors 4 and 5 may Serial No. 1125.869; (No mudehl this exception, that the couductorrail 4 is broken just in advance of the switch, the two parts 4 and 4* thereof being electrically connected together in any suitable manner, as by the wire or conductor 6. The conductorrail4is provided with an extension 7 just beyond the point of connection therewith of the wire or conductor 6, the said extension lying in line with the two parts 4 and 4 of conductor-rail. v

Operatively connected with the switch point 3 and also, if desired, with the slotswitch is a longitudinally-movable horizontallydisposed rod or bar 8. This bar is usually pivoted to a lever 9, having a socket I in its upper end for the reception of a handlecOnstructiOn, however, I extend the bar 8 outwardly between two pairs of magnets 11 11 and 1212. These magnets have been shown, in the form of solenoids, a common and 12 and a common core 14 being provided for the magnets 11 and 12; Secured to the cores 13 and 14 is a cross-bar 15, which is attached at a point intermediate its ends to the rod or bar 8. By this construction it will be seen that when the magnets 11 and 11*, which are in series with each other, are ener- -gized the rod or bar 8 will be moved longitudinally in one direction to operate'the switch-point 3 in a corresponding direction, and that when the magnets 12 and 12*, which are in series with each other, are energized the rod or bar 8 will be moved longitudinally in the opposite direction, with the result that the position of the switch-point 3 will be reversed. V

The magnets 11 and 11 and 12 and 12 are arranged in shunt-circuits between the line conductors 4 and 5," and these circuits are adapted to be automatically closed by means of an electric switch 16, automatically operashown in the form of a rotary switch and the said solenoid is in circuit with the cond notorrail 4 and the extension 7 thereof, the said circuit including the wire 18, leading from the conductor 4, and the wire 19, leading to bar 10, by means'of which the switch-point may be thrown by hand. According to my magnet 17 in the form. of a solenoid, The

core 13 being provided for the magnets 11 ted by a magnet -17. The switch 16 has been of insulating material, mounted to turn upon a shaft 21, fixed in position upon the framework 22. Secured to and carried by the disk are the rings 23 and 24 of conducting material. Also secured to the disk 20 and projecting outwardly fromthe periphery thereof are the lugs or projections 25, 26, and 27, the same cooperating with and adapted to engage the spring-pressed contactpoint 28, connected by the wire 29 with the wire 18, heretofore referred to. The lugs 25 constitute dead contact-points, the same being out of electrical connection with any other parts of the device. The lugs 26, however, are electrically connected to the ring 23, and the lugs 27 are electrically connected with-the ring 24. The lugs 26 and 27 are alternately arranged around the peripheryof the disk 20, and between each of the lugs 26 and the adjacent lug 27 one ofthe lugs 25 is arranged. The lugs 25, 26, and 27 are arranged in the manner above described at regular intervals around the periphery of the disk 20.

It will of course be obvious that instead of making the disk 20 of-insulating material it may be made of conducting material. If

made of the latter material, however, it will of course be necessary that the rings 23 and 24, as'well asthe lugs 25, he insulated therefrom and that the lugs 26 and 27 be also insulated therefrom, but electrically connected with the rings 23 and 24, respectively. It will also be obvious,as will hereinafter appear, that the lugs 25 may be dispensed with altogether. The core 30 of the solenoid 17 extends through an upright 31 and has surrounding it a coil-spring 32, which bears against said upright and against a head or disk 33 on the end of said core. The spring 2 resists theinward movement of the core 30 when the solenoid 17 is energized and tends to move said core to its normal outward position when the solenoid 17 has been deenergized. The said core 30 has a clutch connection with the rotary switch 16, so that when said core is moved in one direction through the action of the solenoid 17 it will rotate the switch 16 through an are equivalent to the distance between one of the lugs 25 and the next adjacent lug 26 or 27, and when said core is moved in the opposite direction through the actionof the spring 2 it will rotate the switch 16 through an arc of equivalent length. The particular form of clutch shown by me, but

to which I do not desire to limit myself, consists of a ratchet-wheel 34, secured to the disk 20, a pair of arms 35 36, pivoted to the shaft 21 and extending in opposite directions from said shaft, pawls 37 '38, carried, respectively, by the arms 35 and 36 and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 34 and the links 39 40, pivotally connected to the 11 and 11, the latter solenoid being conheated through the wires 47 and 44'with the conductonrail 5-. It will thus be seen that the solenoids 12 and 12 are included in a normally open shunt-circuit between the conductor-rails 4and 5, including the wires 18 and 29, the contact-point 28, one of the lugs 27, the ring 24, the brushes 41, and the wires 42, 43, and 44.- It will also be observed that the solenoids 11 and 11 are in a normally open shunt-circuit between the conductor-rails 4 and 5, including the wires 18 and 29, the contact-point 28, one of the lugs 26, the ring 23,--

the brushes 45, and the wires 46, 47, and 44. These circnitsare normally open on account of the fact that the normal position of the switch 16 iswith one of the lugs 25 in contact with the contact-point 28. The shunt-cir cuits referred to are therefore broken through the switch 16 and can only be closed by the operation of said switch. This operation of the switch 16 is effected automatically in the following manner: If, for example,the switchrail 3 is set for the main track and a car approaching the switch desires to pass upon the branch track, it is merely necessary for the motorman to continue to draw current through the motor on'his bar until after the extension 7 of the conductor-rail 4is passed. As soon as the current-collector on the car moves in contact with the extension 7 a circuit is closed over the following path: conductor-rail 4, Wire 18,-solenoid 17, wire 19, and extension 7, through the motor on the car, to the conductor-rail 5. As the current over this circuit is necessarily drawn through the solenoid 17 the latter is energized and serves to draw the core 30 thereof toward it. This action through the clutch connection de-' scribed between the'core 30 and the disk 20 rotates said disk, so as to move the lug 25 away from the contact-point 28 and bring about contact between the adjacent lug 26 and said contact-point 28. A shunt-circuit between the conductor-rails 4 and 5 is then closed over the following path: wires 18 and 29, contact-point 28, lug 26, ring 23, brushes 45, wire 46, solenoids 1'1 and 11, and wires 47 and 44. The. solenoids 11 and 11 are thereby energized and serve to draw inwardly their cores l3 and 14. As these cores are connected to the rod or bar 8 and as the latter is connected to the switch-rail 3 the said switch-rail will he moved to a position opposite that which it formerly occupied and the switch will be set for the passage of the car from the main to the branch track. In the meantime, however, the car will have passed beyond the extension 7, and the circuit through the solenoid 17 and that through the solenoids 11 and 11 will be broken. The, switch-point'3 will remain in the position to which it has been moved; but the core 30 of the solenoid 17 will be moved through the action of th'espring 32 to its normal outward position. During this movement ofthe core 30 through the action of the clutch described the disk 20 of the rotary switch 16 will be moved so as to separate the lug 26 from the contact-point 28 and bring in engagement with said contact=point the next adjacent log 25, which is a dead contact-point.' If a car approach ng -h? witch desires to pass in the direction foh which the switch is set, it is merely necessary for the motorman to cut off his motor and move by the momentum of his car pastthe extension 7 of the conductor-rail 4. Neither one of the circuits above traced will then be closed, and consequently no action will take place on the switch-point 3. In the event that the car stops on the rail 7, it is merely necessary in order to reverse the position of the switch to turn the current on or ofi as often as it is desired to change the position. If the switch-point; however, be set for the passage of the car to the branch rails 2 and an approaching car desires to contin as v along the main rails 1, it is merely necessary for the motorman to continue to draw'current from the conductor-rails until after the extension 7 of the conductor-rail 4 is passed. When contact takes place between the current-collector on the car and the extension 7 the circuit is closed, as before, through the solenoid 17, and the latter is energized. When so energized, the core 30 is drawn inwardly toward the solenoid l7, and through the clutch referred to the disk 20 of the electric switch 16 is moved so as to separate the lug 25 from the contact-point 28 and move the adjacent lug 27 into engagement with said contact-point. A shunt-circuit between the conductor-rails eand 5 is then closed over the following path: .wires 18 and 29, contactpoint 28, lug 27, ring 24, brushes etl, Wire 42, solenoids 12 and 12, and wires 43 and 4A. The solenoids l2 and 12 will then be energized, and the cores l3 and 14: thereof will be moved inwardly toward said solenoids.- The result of this action will be to move the rod or bar8 and the switch-rail 3 connected therewith in a direction opposite that in which they were formerly moved, so that the switch will be set for the passage of the car along the. main-track rails 1. As soon as the carpasses beyond the extension .7 the circuit through the solenoid 17-is broken, as well as that through the solenoids 12 and 12. The switchrail 3 will remain in the position to which it was moved; but the core 30 of the solenoid 17 .will be returned to its normal outward posisystem,

which sections are electrically connected with tion through the action of the spring 32. When so moved, the core 30 through the clutch described will rotate the disk 20 of the switch 16 so as to separate the lug 27 from the contact-point 28 and bring about the engagement of the adjacent lug 25 with said contact-point. It will thus be seen that the only thing necessary-$0 be done by the motorman in order to operate the switch 3 in one direction or the other is to leave on the current through the motor of his car while approaching said switch. If it be desired to pass in the direction for which the switch 3 is set, the only action necessary by the motor-.

man is to out off the current through his motor as he approaches said switch. The opera-v tion of the device is automatic throughout, and by the use of the same the services of attendants or operators at each switch may be dispensed with.

I have described the lugs or contacts 25, 26, and 27 on the disk 20 of the switch 16 as projecting beyond the periphery of said disk. It is obvious, however, that these lugs or contacts may be otherwise disposed without departingfrom the nature or spirit of my invention. It is also obvious that for the particular form of rotary switch shown and described I may substitute'any other form of rotary switch or, indeed, mayemploya switch which is not mounted for rotation. Ido not therefore limit myself to any of the details of construction herein shown and described, except as defined by the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I'claim-as new, and desire to secure by- Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a railway-switch andthe line conductors of an electric-railway one of which is made in sections,

each other on opposite sides of said switch, of a conductor extension located between and inline with the sections of the sectional conductor, an electromagnet for'operating said switch, a normally open shunt-circuit between said conductors including said magnet, a magnet in circuit between said extension and one of said conductor-sections,and means III-5 actuated by the latter magnetfor autom at-' ically closing said shunt-circuit.

2. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductors of an electric-railway system, one of which is made in sections,

I which sections are electrically connected with each other on opposite sides of said switch,

of a conductor extension located between and in line with the sections of the sectional conductor, an electromagnet for operating said switch, a normally open shunt-circuit between said condu'ctors, including said magnets, an electric switch controllingsaid shuntcircnit, and an electromagnet in circuit be tween said extension and. one of said conductor-sections for automatically actuating said electric switch and thereby closing said shunt-circuit.

I and theline conductors of an electric-railway 3. The combination with a railway-switch system, one of which is made in sections, which sections are electrically connected with each other on opposite sides of said switch, of a conductor extension located between and in line with the sections of the sectional conductor, an electromagnet for operating said switch, a rotary electricswitch, a shunt-circuit between said conductors normally broken through said electric switch and includingof a conductor extension located between andin line with the sections of thesect-ional conductor, an electromagnet for operating said switch, an electric switch having contacts thereon, a fixed contact adapted to be engaged by the contacts on said switch, a sh untcircuit between said conductors normally broken through said electric switch, the same including said magnet and said fixed contact,

a and a magnet in circuit between said extension and one of said conductor-sections, for operating said electric switch, to cause the engagement of one of the contacts thereon with said fixed contact and thereby close said shuzlilt-circuit, as and for the purpose set ort 5. The combination with a railway-switchv and the line conductors of an electric-railway system, one of. which is made in sections,

. which sections are electrically connected with each other on opposite sides of said switch, of aconductor extension located between and in line with the sections of the sectional conductor, two electromagnets whose armatures are connected with said switch for operating the same in opposite directions, an electric switch having alternately-arranged contacts thereon, a fixed contact adapted to be encaged by the contacts on said switch, shnntcircuits between said conductors normally broken through said electric switch, one of which includes one of said magnets, one set of the contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact, and the oth'erof which includes the other of said magnets, the other set of contacts on said electric switch and said fixed contact, and a magnet in circuit between said extension and one of said conductor-sections for operating said electric switch, to cause the successiveengagement of the contacts thereon with sai fixed contact, and thereby alternately close saidshuntcircuits, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductors of an electric-railway system, one of which is made in sections,

which sectionsare electrically connected with each other on opposite sides of said switch, of

a conductor extension located between and in line with the sections of the sectional conductor, two solenoids, a common core therefor connected with said switch for operating the same. in opposite directions, an electric switch having alternately-arranged contacts thereon, shuntcircuits between said conductors normally broken through said electric switch, one of which includesone set of said contacts and bus of said solenoids, and the other of which includes the other set of said contacts and the other of said solenoids, and a magnet in circuit between said extension and one of said conductor-sections for operating said electric switch to close one or the other of said shun t-circuits, as and for the purpose set forth.

7.- The combination witha railway-switch and the line conductors of an electric-railway system, one of which is made in sections,

which sections are electrically connected with each other on opposite sides of said switch, of

a conductor extension located between and in line with the sections of the sectional c0nductor, two electromagnets whose armatures are connected with said switch for operating the same in opposite directions',-a rotary electric switch having alternately-arranged contacts thereon, a fixed contact, adapted to be engaged by the contacts on said switch, shuntcircuits between said conductors normally broken through said electric switch, one of which includes one of said magnets, one set of the contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact, and the other of which includes the other of said magnets, the other set of contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact, a' magnet in circuit between said extension and one of said con-- ductor-sections for rotating said electric switch to cause the successive engagement of the contacts thereon with said fixed contact and thereby alternately close said shunt-circuits, and means for rotating said electric switch to break-the engagement betweensaid contacts when the latter magnet is denergized, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination with the line couduc tors of an electric-railway system, and a railswitch, of two electromagnets whose armatures are connected with said switch for operating the same in opposite directions, a retary electric switch having alternately-arranged contacts thereon, a fixed contact, adapted to be engaged by the contacts on said switch, shunt-circuits between said conductorsnormallybroken through said electric switch, one of which includes one of said magnets, one set of the contacts on said electric'switch, and said fixed contact, and the other of which includes the other of said magnets, the other set of contacts on saidelectric switch, and said fixed contact, a magnet in circuit with one of said conductors for rotating said electric switch to cause the successive the successive engagement of the contacts circuit with one of said conductors, a core spring acting upon said core, in opposition to system, one of which is made in sections,

engagement of the contacts thereon with said fixed contact, and a spring acting in opposition to thelatt-er magnet for rotatingsaid electric switch to break the engagement between said contacts when the latter magnet is deenergized, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination with the line conductors of an electric-railway system, and a railswitch, of two electromagnets whose armatures are connected with said switch for op-- erating the same in opposite directions, a ro-. tary electric switch having alternately-arranged contacts thereon, a fixed contact, adapted to be engaged by the contacts on said SWiiSOh SlIUHIi-ClI'CUltS between said conductors normally broken through said electric switch, one of which includes one of said magnets, one set of the contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact, and the other of which includes the other of said magnets, the other set of contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact, a solenoid in therefor having a clutch connection with said electric switch, for rotating the same to cause thereon with said fixed contact and thereby alternatelyclose said shunt-circuits, and a said solenoid, for rotating saidelectric switch to break the engagement between said contacts when said solenoid is deuergized, as andfor the purpose set forth.

10. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductorsof an electric-railway which sections are electrically connected with each other on'opposite sides of said switch, of a conductor extension'located between and in line with the sections of the sectional conductor, a pair. of electromagnets operatively connected with said switch, an electric switch, two normally open shunt-circuits between said extension and the other conductor, including respectively said magnets,and a magnet in circuit withsaid extension and the adjacent OODdflGliOl-SOGlil0fl, the latter magnet being operatively connected with said electric switch for successively closing said shuntcircuits, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductors of an electric-railway system, one of which is made in sections, which sections are electrically connected with each other on opposite sides of said switch, of a conductor extension located between and in line with the sections" of the sectional con duotoi a pair of solenoids, having a common i core connected with said switch for operating said fixed contact, a solenoid in circuit with said extension and the adjacent conductorsection, the core of the latter solenoid being connected with said electric switch for'rotating it, to cause the successive engagement of the contacts thereon with said fixed contact and thereby alternately close said shuntcircuits, and means for rotating said electric switch to break the engagement between said contacts, when the latter solenoid is deenergized, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with a. railway-switch and the line conductors of an elec trio-railway system, one of which is made in sections, which sections are connected with each other on opposite sides 05 said switch, of a conductor extensionlocated between and in line with said sections, a pair of solenoids, a common core therefor operatively connected t5\said switch, a rotary electric switch comprisinga disk, a pair of conducting-rings thereon insulated from each other, and two sets of contacts on said disk, electrically connected respectively to said rings, a solenoid in circuit between said extension and the adjacent conductor-section, a core therefor, a clutch connection between the latter core and said disk, a spring for moving the latter core in opposition to the solenoid to which it belongs, a

contact adapted to be engaged by the con-' tacts on said disk, electrical-connection between the same and said sectional cond uctor,

and circuit connections between said rings and the other conductor of the system, the same including respectively those solenoids whose common core is operatively connected with said rail-switch, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

O. L. WATSON, F. G. CART.

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