US773040A - Block-signal system. - Google Patents

Description

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HQW. SOUDBR. BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM.

ArrLIoAnoN FILED Dm. '1, 1903'. l no MODEL. -2 SHEETS-snm' 1.

lNo. 773.040. Y .PATENTED 00T. 25, 1904.

- H. W. SOUDBR.

BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM. A APPLICATION FILED DEUQ'I'I, 1903.

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- QY/@fbweo-oa No. 773.040. I

UNITED STATES" Patented oetobe'rw'as, 1904.

' PATENT OEEICE.

HALF TO W. D. ZEHNER,v OF LANSFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,040, dated October 25, 1904.

' Application filed December 7,1903. Serial 4No. 184,021. (No model.) I

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWELL W. SouDER, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Tamaqua, SchuylkillV county, State of Pennsylvania, have'invc-nted certain new'` and useful Improvements in Block-SignalSysftems. of which the following is a specification.A

My invention relates in general to electrical signaling devices; and more specifically it consists of an improved system of home and distance signals designed primarily to be used on electric trolley-roads and in its form employing semaphores' The preferred arrangement of circuits and apparatus embodying my invention is diagramniatically illustrated in the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which* Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one end of a block to which my system has been applied; and Fig. la is a diagrammatic view of the other end of said block, the two views taken together forming a complete system for one block. A j Throughout the drawings like reference-tigures indicate like parts.

l indicates the trolley-wire, broken away at the middle of the drawings. 2 represents a turnout at the west end of the block, and 3.

a turnout at theeast end of the block. 4 represents a signal-frog near the west end of the block, and 5 a similar signal-frog near the east end of the block The normally open contact-maker 4a is temporarily closed by the passage of the trolley-wheel of, a car entering the block, and the normally open contact 4'D is temporarilyclosed by the passage of a trolley-wheel passing out of the block.

The contact-makers 5a 5h on the signal-frog at the east end of the block perform similar functions.

6 is the feed-conductor, extending along the line ofthe track. and 7 is the signal -conductor, extending along the block and having two magnets 8 and 8L energized by the current passing through said signal-conductor. 9 represents a circuit-controller at the east end of the block, and- 10 .a similar circuitcontroller at the west end of the block. The

east circuit-controller has an arm 9, divided preferred.:v

electrically into two. sections by the insulating block 9X, one of said sections, as the lower one, being connected to the signal-conductor 7. Said circuit-controller also has a contactarm 9b, connected to the ground by the wire y19, while in the same way the circuit-con- 10b, connected to the ground-wire 20.

From the contact-maker 5a extends a wire 11, connected to the coils of the electromagnet 13 and thence to the ground. In the same way a wire 12 extends from the contactmaker 4, is connected to the coils of the electromagnet 14, and thence to the ground. The magnet 1 3 operates a pawl-lever 15, and the magnet 14 operates a pawl-lever 16, said pawl-levers coperating with ratchet-wheels on their respective circuit-controllers..

A feed connection 17 extends from the feedwire 6 to the stationary Contact 17a, which cooperates with both sections of the contactarm 9L of the circuit-controller 9. In the same' way a feed connection 18 extends to the stationary7 contact 18, which cooperates with both sections of the contact-arm 1()a on the circuit-controller 10.

19UL and 19h are vstationary contacts on which the contact-arm 9b alternately bears, and 2OEL and 2Ob are stationary contacts on which the contact-arm l()b alternately bears.

21 isa connection from the contact-maker Y5b to one extremity `of the coil of the magnet 23, and 22 is asimilar connection from the contact-maker 4'b to one end of the coil of the electric magnet 24. The other end of the coil of the electromagnet 23 is connected to the contact 19h, and said magnet actuates the pawl-lever 25. In the same way the other end of the coil of the electromagnet 24 is connected to the contact 20", and -said magnet'actuates the pawl-lev'er 26.

27 is a conductor extending along the block, which I call the resetting-conductor and which connects the feed-wires 2l and 22. This resetting-conductor 27 has a break at 28 in its main line, said break being controlled by a normally open circuit-closer 29. This circuitcloser is controlled by the electromagnet 30, which is energized by the passage of current in the signal-conductor 7. There is a shunt 31 extending around the break in the resetting-conductor, and the current in this shunt energizes the magnet 32, which also controls the circuit-closer 29, its attraction being opposite to that ot' the magnet 30. 33 is a resistance included in the shunt 31, so as to make it a high-resistance shunt. The operation o'f this yportion of the apparatus, however, is fully described and the same claimed in the pending application of Howell lV. Sonder and John Early, Serial No. 184,020, tiled December 7, ,1903, and I will not further refer to same herein.

34 is a semaphore near the west end of the block, which is normally in the position shown in dotted lines, which corresponds to the danger position. 35 is a similar semaphore near the east end of the block, which is shown in full lines in the danger position and in dotted lines in the safety position. The semaphore 34 is operated by the swinging lever 34, which is pulled down by magnet 36 when the same is energized. In the same way the semaphore 35 is controlled by the lever 35, which is pulled down by the magnet 37 when the same is energized.

38 is an electric circuit extending from the upper section of the circuit-controller contact-arm 10" to the ground through the coils of the magnet 36. 39 is a similar circuit eX tending from the upper section of the contact-arm 9 through the magnet 37 to the ground. The circuit 38 hasa break 38, and the circuit 39 has a break 39, which is normally lett open except when closed by the swinging up of the circuit-closers 40 and 41, which are respectively pulled up by the magnets 8 and 8".

42 is a circuit permanently connected to the feed-wire 6 and extending through the lamps 44 44 46 46 to the ground at the west end of the block. This circuit is normally broken at 42", excepting when closed by the circuit-closer 40. In the same way the circuit 43 extends from the feed-wire 6 through the lamps 45 45 47 47 to the ground and is normally broken at 43 except when closed by the circuit-closer 41. The lamps 46 46 may be strung along at any desirable distance beyond the end of the block and beyond the west turnout 2, and in the same way the lamps 47 47 may be strung out to the east of the block and beyond the east turnout 3. The lamps 44 and 45 are preferably carried by the semaphore-arms.

The operation of my invention is as follows: A block being empty, the circuit-controller 10 is in the position shown in dotted lines, the semaphore 34 in the position shown in dotted lines, and the circuit-closeas 40 and 41 both in their lowcrmost position, as shown in dotted lines, the other portions ol the east end of the system being in the position shown in full lines. It' now a car enters the block from the west end, it operates the circuit-coin troller in the manner which will be well understood from the drawings and fully described in my prior patent, No. 735,416, dated August 4, 1903, to swing the contact-arm 10" on to the contact 18 and cut out the ground connection 20. The current then goes through the signal-conductor 7 and energizes the magnets 8 and 8. The circuit-closcrs 40 and 41 are then pulled up into the position shown in full lines, closing all the breaks 38", 39, 42", and 43". The closing ot the break 38" causes current from the feed-wire 6 to pass through the wire 18, Contact 18", upper section of swinging arm 10, through circuit 38 and to the ground, thereby energizing the magnet 36 and throwing the semaphore 34 up in the full-line position, which is the' safety position. The circuit 39, ln'iwever, getting no current, inasmuch as the arm 9" is not in contact with the contact-piece 17 and the insulation 9X cuts it olf from wire 39, the semaphore 35 is not disturbed, but re mains in the danger position. Accordingly a car following the car in the block the niotorman will see the semaphore 34 at sal'ety and will know that there is a car in the block going in the same direction that he is going and will accordingly follow under control or remain on the switch, according to the instructions. The closing of the break 42 establishes the circuit 42 and causes all the lamps 44 and 46 to glow. 1n the salue way the closing of the break 43" establishes the circuit 43 and causes the lamps 45 and 47 also toglow. Accordingly the motorman of a car approaching from the east will see the semaphore 35 in the danger position with the lamps glowing and know that there is a car in the block coming toward him, and accordingly he will remain on the switch. The lamps 46 and 47 being spaced appropriately beyond the ends ol the block serve as distance-signals, so that the motorman olE an appreaching car given a preliminary warning as to the condition of the block belore he reaches the home signal. Il he linds the lamps glowing, he knows that there is a car in the block aheadjol him, and hisattention is accordingly directed with greater care to the semaphore or home signal, which will tell him by its position whether the car so in thcblock is coming toward. him or is going in the same direction as he is. It the lamps do not glow, the motorman knows that the block is empty and that he can safely go ahead at full speed.

1f he lind the lirst lamp glowing and the remaining lamps or some oi them not glowing, he knows that there 1s a car ahead ot hnn 'which was in the block when he passed the IOO IOS

llO

first lamp, but which got out of the block by the time he reached the first lamp which was not glowing. In this way very full and accurate information is given as to the condition of each block. A car passing out of the block resets the semaphore at the far end of the block at danger and extinguishes all the lamps. A car backing out of a block does the same to the semaphore at its end of the block, and twocars entering the block from opposite directions in spite of the signals set both semaphores at danger and extinguish the lamps.

y The advantages 4of my invention comprise 1the positive and individual operation of the semaphores, the accurate information conveyed by the lamps both as distance and home signals, and the entirely automatic character of the whole system, the signals all setting at danger whenever any of the circuits are interrupted.

It is evident that various forms of mechanism could be employed tocarry out the principles of my invention, and I have only illustrated the samediagrammatically. Mechanical means might be substituted for electrical apparatus in many'cases, and other forms of circuit-closers, magnets, and signals 4might be substituted for those which I have illustrated. .Allsuch modifications will, however,

be still within the scope of my invention so long as the characteristic features thereof are retained.

Having therefore described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

'1. In an electric block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, asignal-conductor extending alongsaid block, feed ".onnections near eachend of the block, a circuit-controller near each end of the block, mechanism operated by the passage `of a car into the block to actuate the circuit-controller near that end and connect the signal-conductor with the feed at that end, a semaphore near each end of the block, electrical mechanism actuating said semaphore and having a circuit controlled by the circuit-controller at that`end of the block, an independent circuitcloser for said circuit, and mechanism actuated by the passage of current in the signal-conductor to operate said circuit-closer.

Q. In an electric block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, a signal-conductor extending alongsaid block,.

feed connections near each end of the block, a circuit-controller near each end of the block, mechanism operated lby the passage of a car into the block to actuate the circuit-controller near that end and connect that end of the signal-conductor with the feed, a semaphore n'ear each end of the ergized to throw said semaphore to safety and having a circuit adapted to be connected block normally standing atdangen an electromagnet adapted when enwith the feed by the same movement of the circuit-controller which connects the -signalconductor with said feed, a normally open switch for said circuit and an electromagnet whosecoils are included in the circuit of the signal-conductor arranged to close said switch when energized.

3. In an electric block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, a signal-conductor extending along said block, feed connections near each end of the block, a circuit-controller near each end of the block, mechanism operated bythe passage of a car4 into the block to actuate the circuit-controller near that end and connect the signal-conductor with the feed at that end, a semaphore near each end of the block, electrical mechanl ism actuating said semaphore and having a circuit controlled by the circuit-controller at that end of the block, an independent circuitcloser for said circuit, and mechanism actuated by the passage of currentin the signal- `conoluctor to operate said circuit-closer, to,

gether with a second circuit also controlled by said circuit-closer, and a series of telltale devices operated by the current passing through said second circuit.

4C. In anA electric block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, a signal-conductor extending along said block, feed connections near each end of the block, a circuit-controller near each end of the block, mechanism operated by the passage of a car into the block to actuate the circuit-controller near that end and connect that end of the signal-conductor with the feed, a semaphore near each end of the block normally standing at dangen an electromagnet adapted when energized to throw said semaphore to safety and having. a circuit adapted to be connected with kthe feed by the same movement of the circuit-controller which connects the signalconductor with said feed, a normally open switch for said circuit and an electromagnet whose coils are included in the circuit of the signal-conductor arranged to close said switch when energized, together with a 'second circuit permanently connected with the feedsupply, a normally open switch in said second `circuit also controlled by the second electromagnet, and a series of telltale devices included in said second circuit.

5. In an electric block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, asignalconductor extending alongsaid block, feed connections near each end of the block, a circuit-controller near each end of the block, mechanism operated by the passage of a car into the block to actuate the circuit-controller near that end and connect that end of the signal-conductor with the feed, a semaphore near each end of the block normally standing at danger, an electromagnet adapted when energized to throw said semaphore -to safety and having a circuit adapted to be connected IOS with the feed by the same movement of the circuit-controller which connects the signalconductor with said feed, a normally open switch for said circuit and an electromagnet whose coils are included in the circuit of the signal-conductor arranged to close said switch when energized, together with a second circuit permanently connected with the feed-supply, a normally open switch in said second circuit also controlled by the second electromagnet, and a series of telltale devices includedin said second circuit, certain of said telltale devices being electric lamps-mounted on the semaphore-arms.

6. In an electric* block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, a signalconductor extending along said block, feed connections near each end of the block, a circuit-controller near each end of the block, mechanism operated by the passage of a car into the block to actuate the circuit-controller near that end and connect that end of the signal-conductor with the feed, a semaphore near each end of the block normally standing at Ldangerf an electromagnet adapted when energized to throw said semaphore to safety and having a circuit adapted to be connected with the feed by the same movement of the circuit controller which connects the signal-conductor with said feed, a normally open switch for said circuit and an electremagnet whose coils are included in the circuit of the signal-conductor arranged to close said switch when energized, together with a second circuit permanently connected with the feed-supply, a normally open switch in said second circuit also controlled by the second electromagnet, and a series of telltale devices included in said second circuit, certain of said telltale devices being located outside of the block and serving as distance-signals therefor.

7. ln a block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, a home signal near each end of the block, means actuated h v a car entering a block to operate the home signal at that end of the block only, distance-signals located beyond each end of thel block, and means aetuated'by a car entering the block to set all of said distance-signals.

8. In ablocl-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, a semaphore near each end of the block normally at "danger, means actuated by a car entering either end of the block to throw the semaphore near that end only to safety, a distance-signal beyond each end of the block and means actuated by a car entering the block to set all of said distance-signals.

9. ln an electric block-signal system for railroads, the combination of a block, a semaphore near each end of the block normally at dangeig means actuated by a car entering either end of a block to throw the semaphore near that end to safetyf a series of electric lamps, some of which are mounted on said semaphores, while others are strung` along the track beyond the ends of the block, and means actuated by a car enteringv either end of the block to illuminate all said lamps at both ends of the block.

Signed at Lansford this 2d day of I )ecember, 1903.

HOW'ELL lV. SOUDEH.

W'itnesSGS:

C. A. FU'rz, HUGH EDGAR.

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