US773422A - Switch-operating mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

No. 773,422. PATENTED OUT. 25, 1904. A. H. RENSHAW 6: W. W. LAVARAGK.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 8.1901.

NO MODEL. rims-mm 1.

WITNEPEE; v INVE W15 m2 @W M (FY KM, @777 PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904.- A. H. RENSHAW & W. W. LAVARACK.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATIOH LED mm: a 19 1 No. 773,422. PATBNTED OCT. 25, 1904. A. H. RBNSHAW & W. W. LAVARAOK. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIO iTION FILED JUNE 8. 1901.

N0 MODEL. 5SHBETS-SHEET 3 No. 773,422. 7 PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904. A. H. RENSHAW '& W. W. LAVABAGK.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8. 1901.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

No. 773,422. PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904, A. H. RENSHAW & w. W. LAVARAGK.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8i 1901. N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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- UNITED ST TES Patented October 25, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED H. REVSHA AND VVILLTAM W. LAVARACK, OF TROY, NEV

YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE STANDARD RAILROAD SIGNAL COM- PANY, OF RIDGEFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 773,422, dated October 25, 1904.

Application filed June 8, 1901.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, ALFRED H. RENsHAw, a citizen of the United States,and WILLIAM W. LAVARACK, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Troy,county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Oper-.

ating Mechanism, of which the specification.

The invention relatesto such improvements; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, and the reference characters marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in the several figures. I

This invention relates to that class of apparatus shown and described in United States Letters Patent Nos. 647,482 and 64:7,485, issued April 17, 1900, to F. L. Dodgson, for improvements in railway switch and semaphore apparatus.

The main object of our invention is to accomplish with a single pair of pipes or controllers the transmission to distant actuating mechanisms, such as mechanisms for throwing a switch back and forth, of a controlling fluid under pressure from a given place, as a signal-tower, at which are located the prime controlling mechanism, as hand operated valves, and mechanism for actuating an inclicator to represent the throw of the switch and the transmission from such distant actuating mechanisms by the same pair of controllers of fluid under pressure to control the indicatoractuating mechanism. This is accomplished by providing the prime controlling mechanism in the tower with means for alternately operating the controllers, so as to close one of them to the atmosphere when the other is opened to the controlling air-pressure, by branching the tower end of each controller and connecting such branch ends with the pressure-suprdy and the indicator-actuating following is a Serial No- 63,'778. (No model.)

' scribed; by branching the distant ends of the and a pressure-supply, as hereinafter more fully described, whereby when one of the controllers is charged or made active to the switchactuating mechanism to throw the switch in one direction the other controlleris connected with the indicator-actuating mechanism, and its switch-actuating branch then closed to its switch-actuating mechanism. Fluid-pressure is then admitted to that part of the inactive controller which is connected with the indicator-actuating mechanism by the last movements of the switch-actuating mechanism to complete the throw of the switch, and the throw of the switch in one direction is then represented by the indicator. To throw the switch in the opposite direction and indicate the throw, it is only necessary to exchange functions of the controllers, as will be hereinafter more fully described in connection with the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the position and connection of the various parts, showing the hand-operated prime controller or valves in side elevation and the switch with its actuating mechanism in plan. Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the prime controller. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the same with the controllingvalve and switch-valve removed. Fig. 4c is a bottom plan view of the controlling slide-valve detached. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the switch-valve detached. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the valve mechanism for cutting in and out the end branches of the controllers located .near the switch-actuating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the broken line 7 7 in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the broken line 8 8 in Fig. 6.

1 and 2 are the controllers or conductingpipes for conveying air under pressure from the main pipe 3, through the prime controller or valves 1, to mechanism for operating the switch 5. The controllers are provided, the

mechanism, as hereinafter more fully dei controller 1 with the branches 6 and 7 and the controller 2 with the branches 3 and 9, conl nccting with ports in the prime controllingvalve. provided with branches near the switch-actuating mechanism, controller 1 with the branch 11), leading from a supply-valve 12 through the normally closed valves 13, and with the branch 1 1, leading through the normally open valves 15 to the diz'rphragnrvalve 16, and the controller 2 with the branch 17, leading from the supply-valve 12 through the normally closed valves 18, and the branch 19, leading through the normally open valves to the diaphragm-valve 21, reference being had in the above description to Fig. 1 of the drawings, wherein the valves cutting in and out the end branches of the controllers are shown separated from each other for convenience of illustration and explanation. Their specific construction is shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7, and 3, to which further reference will hereinafter be made and wherein the valves 13 are shown just above and in. the same case with the valves 15, and the valves 18 are shown above and in the same case with the valves 20.

The valves 16 and 21 are common diaphragmvalves which are operated by the airpressure in the controllers 1 and 2 to open the main supply-pipe 3, leading, respectively, to the opposite sides of piston 32 to force the slide-bar 33 back and forth to operate the switch. When the air-pressure is admitted by valve 16 to the right-hand side of the pis ton 32, as shown in the drawings, to force. the slide 33 to the left the first movement of the slide serves to unlock the switch by forcing the pin or stud 34: out of contact with the bar 35, and then by a further movement as the roller 36 travels down the inclined guide-slot 37 the switch is operated, and then by a further movement the pin 33 engages the bar and locks the switch in its new position. The roller 39 meanwhile was forced down the incline slot a0 to operate the valve 12 like Dot gsons similar valve.

The slide-bar 11 forms the indicator and is provided with the operating-hamlle 12, and the link -13 connects it with the slide 44 of the prime controller-valve at. The slide 41 is also provided with a slot having a middle horizontal portion -15 and the inclines 46 and 47, adapted to receive the rollers 18 and 49, respectively, located on the upper ends of the piston-rods, connected, respectively, with the pistons 50 and 51, reciprocatory in the cylin ders 52 and 53. (Shown partly broken away in Fig. 1.) Branches 5 1 and 55 of the main supplyipe enter the lower ends of the cylinders to act upon the lower sides of the pistons. These branches 5% and 55 are also provided with the diaphragm- valves 56 and 57, which valves are adapted to be operated by a fluid under pressure in the pipes 58 and 59, leading therefrom to the prime controllingvalve.

The olher ends of the controllers are The operation of the prime controllingvalve 4 will be hereinafter more fully explained. It is sufiicicnt for the present to state that when the slide-valveis pulled by the handle -12 toward the left the roller 18 is forced down the inclined slot e7 into the hori- Zontal slot 15 and piston 50 to the bottom of its cylinder. The pull movement of this slide is limited by the end 60 of the horizontal slot, which end engages the roller 19. This movement of the slide-bar and slide-valve opens the branch 6 of the controller 1 to the supplypipe 62 to charge the controller with fluid under pressure and close the end of the branch 7 and at the same time to close the end of the branch 8 and open the end of branch 9 to the pipe 58.

63 isareducin -valve for reducin the )res sure in the main supply-pipe 3 and delivering the fluid contained in pipe 62 to the branch (5 at a relatively low pressure.

The operation of the apparatus is then as follows: The liuid pressure is transi'nitted along the controller 1 through the normally open valves 15, valves 13 being normally closed, and then to the valve 16, which it opens, allowing the pressure to pass from the main pressure supply-pipe 3 to the right-hand side of piston 32 to throw the switch; but the air-pressure on its way from the open valves 15 to valve 16 acted to open the normally closed diaphragmvalves 18 and to close the normally open diaphragm-valves 20, thereby wholly cutting out the branch 19 of the inac tive controller 2, which branch leads to the switch-actuating valve 21, andcut in by opening valves 18 the branch 17, leading from the supply-valve 12, so that there is aiifree and uninterrupted passage-way from the valve 12 through branch 17, controller 2, branch 9, and pipe 58 to the diaphragm-valve 57,so that when the last movements of the switch-actuating mechanism operated the valve 12 to open the branch 17 to the connection 22, which connection leads from the controller branch 14, the fluid-pressure in the branch let and controller 1 is free to pass through connection 22, valve 12, branch 17. controller 2, branch 9, and pipe 58 to the valve 57 and operate the same to open the branch 55 to the main supply-pipe, thereby admitting pressure from the main supplypipe beneath the piston 51, which forces the roller 49 up the incline 16, thereby operating the indicator to represent the switch-throw and inducing the linal movement of the slide-valve 4 1, which movement cuts off controller 1 from the supply-pipe 62 and opens its branch 6 to the atmosphere, thereby permitting the controller 1 to exhaust or discharge its pressure. As the controller 1 discharges pressure is removed from the diaphragins of valves 18, whereby they return to their normal closed position, and from the valves 20, whereby they return to their normal open position. The valve 16 closes, and.

the pressure exhausts from the supply-pipe leading to the piston 32 through a port in such valve which is open to the atmosphere. Any pressure which may remain in controller 2 discharges through the connection 23, passing out through the port in valve 12 to the atmosphere. To throw the switch in the opposite direction from that just described, it is only necessary to push the hand-operated slide-bar toward the right until the roller 48 engages the stop to move the slide-valve 44 in a position to connect the supply-pipe 62 with the branch 8 of controller 2, thereby charging the controller with air under pres sure, which is transmitted through the normally opened valves 20 to the switch-actuating valve 21, opening on its way the normally closed valves 13 and closing the normally open valves 15. The pressure in controller 2 opens the valve 21, admitting pressure from the main supply through such valve to the left-hand end of piston 32, thereby forcing the slide 33 to the right and throwing the switch back to the position shown in Fig. 1. The last movement of the switch-actuating mechanism serves to lock the switch and operate the valve 12 to open the connection 23, leading from branch 19 of controller 2 to the branch 10 and through the now open valves 13, along such branch to controller 1, and through such controller and branch 7 and pipe 59 to the diaphragm-valve 56, which it opens, admitting pressure from the main supply through branch 54 to the lower side of piston 50, thereby forcing the roller 48 upward and the slide toward the right to the respective positions shown in Fig. 1, thereby forcing the slide-bar 41 into a position to indicate the throw of the switch and forcing, through link 43, the slide-valve 44 into a position to open the branch 8 of controller 2 to the atmosphere, which permits the pressure in pipe 2 to exhaust or discharge to the atmosphere, causing the valves 13 to close and valve 15 to open and closing valve 21, thereby cutting off the pressure-supply from the switchactuatingmechanism, allowing the same to exhaust through a port in said valve open to the atmosphere. Any pressure which may remain in the controller 1 can pass out through connection 22 and the port openingfrom such connection to the atmosphere in valve 12. WVe are thus able to exchange the functions of the two controllers, whereby they may be employed alternately for throwing the switch back and forth, one of the controllers being charged to throw the switch in one direction and the other controllercharged to throw the switch in the opposite direction, the controller which is charged being termed active to the switchactuating mechanism and the other controller during the time of such charging is termed inactive to the switch-controlling mechanism, being cut off therefrom by the valves in the branch leading to such switch-actuating mechanism. As a means for locking such cutting-out and cutting-in valves in the controller branches to prevent the possibility of accidental operating of the switch-actuating mechanism in the wrong direction we provide the main supply-pipe leading from the valves 16 and 21 to the piston 32 with branches 24 and 25, leading to separate and reinforcing diaphragms for operating the valves 13, 15, 18, and 20. It is obvious that the pressure will remain in these branches 24 and 25 to hold the cutting in and out valves closed or opened, as the case may be, until the valves 21 and 16, respectively, are closed, thereby shutting off the pressure from the switch-actuating mechanism.

We have shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 a preferred form of valve mechanism for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the several pipes to induce the desired operations of the switch throwing and indicating mechanisms. Referring to said figures, 7 O is a valve-case having a switch-valve seat 71 and a controlling-valve seat 72. The valve-seat 71 has an inlet-port 73 communicating witha supply of fluid under pressure, as with pipe 62 leading fromthe main pressure-supply reservoir through the reducing-valve 63,where by the pressure of the fluid-supply may be regulated as desired. The valve-seat 71 also has two outlet-ports 74 and 75, adapted to be connected one at a time with the inlet-port73 by means of the switch-valve 76, mounted to slide upon. the seat 71 and provided with a passage or channel 77, adapted when said valve is at one end of its slide movement to connect the inlet-port 73 with the outlet-port 74, and with a similar passage 78, adapted when said valve is at the opposite end of its slide movement to connect the inlet-port 73 with the other outlet-port, 75. The controllingvalve seat is provided with an exhaust-port 80 extending longitudinally of its middle portion, preferably the whole length of the seat, and with adistributinginlet-port 81 and a distributing outlet-port 82 on one side ofsaid exhaustport and a distributing inlet-port 83 and distributingoutlet-port 84 on the opposite side. The port 81 communicates with the port 74 of the switch-valve and the port 83 with port 75 thereof, each bya passage extending through the valve-case, as indicated by dotted lines 85 in 3, whereby fluid under pressure can be supplied to said ports 81 and 83 alternately by operation of the switch-valve. The distributing outlet-port 82 communicates with the branched end 6 of the fluid conductor or controller 1 and the port 84 with the branched end 8 of the other controller, 2. The valveseat 72 is also provided with a return inletport 86, communicating with the other branched end, 7, of the conductor 1, and a return outlet-port 87, communicating with the pipe or conductor 59, leading to the indicator-actuating mechanism, also with a return inlet-port 8S, communicating with the branched end 9 of conductor 2, and a return outlet-port 89, communicating with the pipe or conductor 58, leading to the indicating mechanism. The slide-valve 4 1 is mounted upon said seat 7 2 and is adapted to connect at certain times each inlet-port with its respective outlet-port and the exhaust-port with each of two ports communicating with the respective conduc tors or controllers 1 and 2. For this purpose said valve is provided with channels or passages opening through its face, as shown in Fig. 4, the passage 90 passing around the bridge 91 to connect ports 86 and 87, the similar passage 92 to connect ports 88 and 89, the similar passage 93 to connect ports 83 and 84,

i the similar passage 94 to connect ports 81 and 82, and with the transverse channels 95 and 96 and the longitudinal channel 97 to connect the respective ports 82 and 8 1 with the exhaustport 80. The initial movement imparted to the controller-valve by the initial movement of the indicator slide-plate 41 serves to connect the distributing inlet-port in communication with the pressure-supply with its respective outlet-port to distribute fluid under pressure to that one of the conductors 1 and 2 which was last previously utilized to in duce action of the indicator mechanism, also to close the return inlet-port in communication with such conductor and. to open the returnin let-portin communication with the other conductor and connect it with its respective return outletport. Thefluid-pressurethusadmitted from the supply to the one conductor is transmitted therethrough to induce action of the switch throwing mechanism and after the valve 12 has been operated by the switchthrowingmechanism passes therethrough and returns through the other conductor in the manner above described and through the connected return inlet and outlet ports in the seat 72 to theproper pipe for inducing the final movement of the indicator slide-plate and resultant final movement of the controlling-valve. The switch-valve is connected with the controlling-valve to be operated by the final movement thereof by means of the slide-link 98, movablein aslideway 99, formed in the valve-case and provided with an offset 100, adapted to engage abutments 101 at opposite ends of the recess 102 in the face of the valve adapted to receive said offset, the outer end of said link being connected to the switchvalve at 103. The length of this recess is such that during the initial movement the controlling-valve does not engage the offset, the lost motion being suflicient for this purpose; but when the final movement is imparted to the controlling-valve one of said abutments engages said offset, and thereby imparts a slide movement to the link to operate the switchvalve. The operation of the switch-valve serves to cut off the pressure-supply to the distributing inlet-port, the passage of the fluidsupply through which induced such operation, and at the same time that its respective outletport is opened to the exhaust by the accompanying final movement of the controllingvalve. One of the conductors is thus opened directly to the exhaust, while the other conductor exhausts through the valve 12. The valves 76 and set may be held to their seats by any of the known devices for accomplishing such purpose. The passages 90 and 92 in the controlling-valve are elongated suificiently to cause a return inlet-port to be connected with its respective outlet-port by the initial movement of the controlling-valve and to remain so connected during the final movement of said valve. For convenience of illustration we have shown in Fig. 1 a diagrammatic representation necessitating a considerable separation of the diaphragm-valves 13 15 18 20 to clearly show the connections with the various pipes. In practice, however, we prefer toloeate all of said valves in the same case and to connect the several ports with their respective pipes by passages extending througl'i the case. This diaphragm-valve construction is illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, wherein the valves are shown arranged in pairs, each comprising a normally closed valve located'above a normally open valve. As shown in Fig. 6, one of the valves 13 is located above one of the valves 15 beneath the cap 125 and the other valve 13 above the other valve 15 beneath the cap 126, while the valves 18 and 20 are arranged in like manner beneath the caps 12'? and 128. The valves are arranged and connected in substantially the same manner beneath each cap. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the valve 13 is adapted to engage seat 129, being yieldingly held closed by spring 130, and valve 15 is adapted to engage seat 131, being yieldingly held open by said spring 130 and the spring 132, interposed between the adjacent ends of the respective valve-stems. 1n the base of the valve-case are supported a pair of flexible diaphragms 133 and 13 1, and pressure-transmitting mechanism 135 is interposed betwecn the inner diaphragm 133 and the lower valve, as 15, whereby when fluid under pressure is admitted between said diaphragms the resultant movement of said inner diaphragm will be transmitted to said valve to close the same and at the same time to open the upper valve, as 13, by forcing the lower valve-stem against the upper one. Pressure-transmitting mechanism 136 is inserted between said diaphragms, whereby when fluid under pressure is admitted, between the outer diaphragm and the valve-case the resultant pressure upon the outer diaphragm will be transmitted to the inner diaphragm and valves tomaintain them in their raised position. Parts of the various fluid-00nd uctors represented as pipes in the diagrammatic illustration are in practice preferably passages formed 1n the valve-casewlnch contains these diaphragm-valves, and in each such case the passage is indicated by the same reference character as the corresponding pipe in Fig. 1. The branch 14 of the conductor 1 passes through the ports adapted to be closed, respectively, by the two valves 15 15, Fig. 7, then extends laterally, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6, to the space between the two diaphragms located beneath valves 18 and 20, so located beneath caps 127 and 128, which space comprises an enlargement of the passage 14:. The other branch, 10, ofthe conductor 1 passes through the port adapted to be closed by valve 13 beneath cap 126, then passes downwardly through the base of the valve. then upwardly through the port adapted to be closed by valve 13 beneath cap 125 to the exterior of the case, its course being partly indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6. In like manner the branch 19 of conductor 2 passes valves 20, then extends laterally, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6, to the space between the diaphragms beneath valves 13 and 15, beneath caps 125 and 126, and branch 17 passes the valves 18 and extends to the exterior of the case. The branch 2& of the main supply-pipe communicates with a chamber 140, extending between the outer diaphragm and valve-case beneath valves 18 and 20, and the branch 25 with a like chamber beneath valves 13 and 15.

hat we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. In a switclroperating apparatus and in combination, fluid-actuated mechanism for throwing the switch back and forth; a main pipe leading from a supply of fluid under relatively high pressure; valved connections between each said pipe and the switch-throwing mechanism; fluid-actuated mechanism for operating the valves in such connections; fluidactuated mechanism for indicating the move ment of the switch; a pair of controller-pipes leading from a supply of fluid under pressure, through an operating-valve, to the mechanism for operating the connection-valves, one pipe to each valve-operating mechanism; means for admitting fluid under relatively low pressure to the controller-pipes alternately and connecting the inactive pipe with indicator-actuating mechanism; means for automatically closing the inactive controller pipe to its valve-operating mechanism while the other controller-pipe is open to the fluid-pressure and its valve-operating mechanism; and means for automatically admitting fluid under pressure from the active controller-pipe to that part of the pipe, so closed, which is open to the indicator mechanism.

2. In an apparatus for operating switches and the like, a pair of fluid-transmitting controllers for controlling the operation of switchactuating mechanism at or near one end of the controllers, and indicator-actuating mechanism at or near the other end, each controller being divided near the switch-actuating mechanism into two branches, one branch leading to the switch-actuating mechanism and the other to a pressure-supply valve; means for charging and discharging the controllers alternately for throwing the switch back and forth; means for connecting the inactive controller with the indicator-actuating mechanism before discharging the active controller; a normally open valve in each branch leading to the switch-actuating mechanism; a normally closed valve in each of the other branches; means for opening the closed valve and closing the open valve in the branches of the inactive controller by the fluid-pressure in the active controller, and means for automatically opening the supply-valve to the valve-connected branch of the inactive pipe by the flnal movement of the switch-actuated mechanism, whereby operating pressure is transmitted, after the switch-throw in either direction, to the indicator-actuating mechanism through that controller which is inactive to the switch-actuating mechanism.

3. In an apparatus for operating switches and the like, and in combination, a fluid-actuated mechanism for throwing the switch back and forth; a main leading from a supply of fluid under relatively high pressure to the switch-actuating mechanism, a pair of fluidtransmitting controllers for controlling the operation of switch-actuating mechanism at or near one end of the controllers, and indicatoractuating mechanism at or near the other end, each controller being divided near the switchactuated mechanism into two branches, one branch leading to the switch-actuating mechanism and the other to a pressure supply valve; means for charging and discharging the controllers alternately with fluid, at a relatively. low pressure, for throwing the switch back and forth; means for connecting the inactive controller with the indicator-actuating mechanism before discharging the active controller; a normally open valve in each branch leading to the switch-actuated mechanism; a normally closed valve in each of the other branches; means for opening the closed valve and closing the open valve in the branches of the inactive controller by the relatively low fluid-pressure in the active controller and auxiliary mechanism foropening and closing such valves by means of the relatively high fluidpressure in the main supply, and means for automatically opening the supply-valve to the valve-connected branch of the inactive pipe by the final movement of the switch-actuated mechanism. 7

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a pressure-supply pipe; and a pair of distributingpipes; of a valve-seat having a pair of inlet-ports, and a pair of outlet-ports communicating with the respective distributing-pipes; a controlling-valve for connecting and disconnecting said outlet-ports and their respective inlet-ports: aswitch-valve scat having an inlet-port communicating with said supply-pipe, and a pair of outlet-ports communicating respectively with said pair of inlet-ports; a switch-valve adapted to connect said supply-outlet ports one at a time with said simply-inlet port; and means [or operating said valves.

in an apparatus of the class descril ed, the combination with a pressure-stumly pipe; and a pair of distributing-pipes; ot a valve-seat having a pair of inlet-ports, and a pair of outlet-ports comnmnicating with the respective distributing-pipes; a controlling -valve for connecting and disconnecting said outlet-ports and their respective inletports; a switch-valve seat having an inlet-port con'imunicating with said supply-pipe, and a pair of outlet-ports; a switch-valve adapted to connect said supplyoutlet ports one at a time with said supply inlet port; and means for operating said controllingwalve; and mechanism interconnecting said valves for operating said switch-valve.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a pressure-supply pipe; and a pair of distributing-pipes; of a valve-seat having an exhaust-port extending longitudinally of its middle portion, and, on one side thereof, an inlet-port, and an outlet-port communicating with one of said distributingpipes, and, on the opposite side, an inlet-port, and an outlet-port communicating with the other distributing-pipe; a controlling slidevalve mounted upon said seat and adapted to connect, one at a time, the several outlet-ports with the inlet-port on the same side of said exhaust-port; a switch-valve adapted to connect said inlet-ports, one at a time, with said pressuresupply pipe; and means for operating said valves.

7. in an ap 'iara-tus of the class described, the combination with a main supply-pipe; and a pair ol distributing-pipes for inducing action of switch-throwing mechanism; of a valveseat having a pair of inlet-ports, and a pair of outlet-ports communicating with the respective distributing pipes; a controlling slide-valve mounted upon said seat and adapted to connect and disconnect said outlet-ports and their respective inlet-ports; a switchvalve adapted to connect said inlet-ports, one at a time, with said main supply-pipe, means for inducing an initial movement of said controlling-valve to an open position connecting the inlet-port in communication with the main supply with its on tletport; and means whereby the action of the switchamerating mechanism induces a tinal movement of the controlling-valve in the same direction to close the same, and to induce operation of the switchvalve.

8. In an apparatus lor operating switches and the like, the combination with switchthrowing mechanism; mechanism for indicating the throw of the switch; two fluid-conductors; adapted for utilization alternately waaaa to induce action of the switch-throwing mechanism respectively in opposite directions; and alternately each to induce action of the indicating mechanism when the other is utilized to induce action of the switch-throwing mechanism; of a val ve-seat having a discharge-port, a pair oli distributing inlet-ports; a pair of distributing outlet-ports communicating respectively with said conductors a pair of return inlet-ports communicating respectively with said conductors, and a pair of return outletports communicating respectively with mechanisms for inducing action of the indicating mechanism alternately in opposite directions; a switch-valve for connecting the distributing inlet-ports one at a time with a supply of fluid under pressure; a slide-valve mounted upon said seat and adapted to control connection between the several inlet-ports and their respective outlet-ports and between the exhaust-port and each of two ports, sep arately, communicating with the respective conductors; means for imparting an initial movement to said controlling-valve to connect the distributing inlet-port in communication with the pressure-supply with its respective outlet-port, to distribute fluid-pressure to one of said conductors, and close the return inletport in communication therewith, and connect the return inlet-port in communication with the other conductor with its respective outletport; and means whereby the action of the switch-throwing mechanism induces the ad.- mission of fluid under pressure to said other conductor to induce action of the indicating nmchanism, to induce operation of the switchvalve, and to induce a final movel'ncnt of said controlling-valve to connect the exhaust port with a port in communication with said firstmentioned conductor, while maintaining said connection between the return inlet-port communicating with the other conductor and its respective outlet-port,

9. In an apparatus for operating switches and the like, the combination with switchthrowing mechanism; mechanism for indicating the throw of the switch; two fluid-comluctors adapted for utilization alternately to induce action of the switch-th rowing mechanism respectively in opposite directions; and alternately each to induce action of the indicating mechanism when the other is utilized to induce action of the switch-throwing mechanism; of a valve-seat havinga discharge-port, a pair of distributing inlet-ports a pair of distributing outlet-ports communicating respectively with said conductors, a pair of return inlet-ports communicating respectively with said conductors and a pair of return outletports communicating respectively with mechanism for inducing action of the indicating mechanism alternately in opposite directions; a switch-valve for connecting the distributing inlet-ports one at a time with a supply of fluid under pressure; a slide-valve mounted upon said seat and adapted to control connection between the several inlet-ports and their respective outlet-ports and between the exhaust-port and each of two ports, separately, communicating with the respective conductors; means for imparting an initial movement to said controlling-valve to connect the distributing inletport in communication with the pressure-supply with its respective outlet-port, to distribute fluidpressure to one of said conductors, and close the return inlet-port in communication therewith, and connect the return inlet-port in communication with the other conductor with its respective outlet-port; and means whereby the action of the switch-throwing mechanism induces the admissionof fluid under pressure from said first-mentioned conductor to said other conductor, to induce action of the indicating mechanism, to induce operation of the switch-valve, and to induce a final movement of said controlling-valve to connect the exhaust-port with a port in communication with said flrst-mentioned conductor, while maintaining said connection between the return inlet-port communicating with the other conductor and its respective outlet-port.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a valve-case; of a valve for closing a passage therethrough; -a pair of flexible diaphragms; pressuretransmitting mechanism interposed between said valve and one of said diaphragms; pressure-transmitting mechanism interposed between said diaphragms; and means for applying fluid under pressure from separate supplies in the same direction to the respective diaphragms.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a valve-case; of avalve for closing a passage therethrough; a pair of flexible diaphragms; pressuretransmitting mechanism interposed between the inner of said diaphragms and the valve; pressure-transmitting mechanism interposed between said diaphragms; means for admitting fluid under relatively low pressure between said diaphragms; and means for admitting fluid under relatively high pressure between the outer side of the outer diaphragm and the inclosing case.

12. In a switch-operating apparatus a fluidactuated motor; a supply of fluid under relatively high pressure; fluid-actuated mechanism for indicating movement of the switch; a pair of controller-pipes leading from a supply of fluid under pressure to the mechanism, for causing actuation of the switch, one pipe for the movement of the switch in each direction; means for admitting fluid under relatively low pressure to the controllerpipes alternately, and connecting the inactive pipe with theindicator-actuating mechanism; means/for automatically closing the inactive controllerpipe to its operating mechanism, While the other controller-pipe is open to the fluid-pressure and its operating mechanism; and means for automatically admitting fluid under pressure from the active controller-pipe to that part of the pipe so closed, which is open to the indicator mechanism.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands this 7th day of June, 1901.

A. H. RENSHAW. WILLIAM W. LAVARAGK.

WVitnesses:

FRANK C. CURTIS, E. M. OREILLY.

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