US796728A - Railway signaling device. - Google Patents

Description

IA'I'EITIED AUG. 8, 1905.

J. IRWIN. RAILWAY SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED BIFI'T. 13, 1903- 2 BHEBTB-BKEBT 1.

wring? No. 796,728. PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905;

. J. IRWIN. RAILWAY SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1903.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

slur. M1 iii v FE-Urine JOSEPH IRWIN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

RAILWAY SIGNALING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatented Aug. 8, 1905.

Application filed September 13, 1902. Serial No. 123,240.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH IRWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signaling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an electric signaling system, and more particularly to an audible system designed to prevent trains on single or double track railroads from coming into a collision, which system may or may not be used in connection with a semaphore or any visible system. 7

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide a system in which short-circuiting of the current through the axle will not occur, this being due to the fact that in one rail of the track between the various lengths insulation is put in, while the other rail is bonded and acts as a return feed instead of grounding the wire; to provide a track-section circuit which closes a circuit in the engineers cab and also in the caboose or other part of the train when the latter bridges two adjoining sections, thereby notifying both the engineer and the conductor that the train is leaving one section and entering another; to provide automatic means whereby any and all trains within a section will be notified as a train is entering suclr section; to provide means whereby the engineer may signal to the conductor or' the conductor to the engineer to ascertain from either end of the train whether or not the train is parted, and to provide a system wherein the operator in charge of a section or block may close a switch,

' which will cause the signals or bells to ring in all trains within the limits of suchvsection or block, thereby notifying the engineers of all trains in such section that a train is approaching or following, which warns them of possible danger. It is apparent that this system may also be used in the mail-service to notify the mail-clerk of the trains approach to a mail-station, thereby avoiding the annoyance of constant watch for familiar objects near the station and also saving considerable time in the service, which may be used to advantage.

larly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which consistof two sheets, Figure l is a plan view of a portiop of a railroad-track, showing two sections, the main -line wire between the same, the bonded rail of the track, and also the sectioncircuit wires. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the track, showing a broken sectional view of a train of cars between two stations, the traincircuits, the section-circuit which closes the train-circuits, the main circuit, and a portion of a train bridging twosections- Fig. 3 is a side elevation of track with a diagram of an operators station, a portion of a train bridging two sections or blocks, the section-circuit wires and devices, and the circuit-wires to signal the engineer. Fig. i: is a detail view of an 1 electromagnet in the local circuit, an armature attracted by the same to cause the upwardlyextending pin thereof to enter a copper contact-cup, which contact forms a circuit in the engineers cab and through the train to any desired point.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

The letters A A designate the two rails of at railway-track, the former, A, being provided with blocks of insulation between the variousrail lengths, while the latter, A, is bonded and acts as a return feed for the main circuit-wire. The bonded rail A is connected' at its oints by bonds which are of considerable resistance, so that acurrent will divide and part will pass through the partial circuit hereinafter described carried by the trains and part through the bonded rail. The

bonds connecting the rail-joints are, however, a

Section-circuit batteries E are provided and by preference are placed in the ground convenient to the insulation-separators between the track-sections. A main-line wire 0 connects the, various section -circi1it batteries along the line and has connection with each track-section by. wires 0'. The main-line wire e, the battery E, the wires 6', and the rails form a partial circuit, which, with-the partial circuit on the cab of the train, form the section-circuit that controls the train-circuits.

The train of cars is designated by the letter F, and in the cab F thereof an electromagnet j is located, to which circuit-wires f f are connected, that lead to one of the tractionwheels F and to a wheel F underneath the tender, respectively, both wheels riding over or have connection in any other approved,

manner. It is therefore apparent that when the train leaves one section and enters another section a circuit is formed when the wheel F underneath the cab and the wheel F underneath the tender are on opposite sides of an insulation-separator. If desired,

the circuit-wires f" f may be connected toany other two wheels of the train which may be found desirable 'on fast trains. as the interval of time in which the wheels F F are on opposite sides of an insulation-separator may be so short that the train-signals cannot be actuated electrically when the train is going at a high rate of speed.

As the train enters a new section and the wheels F F are on opposite sides ofan insulation-separator the battery E in the new section-circuit energizes the electromagnet f and causes an armature G located in operative relation thereto to be attracted thereby. This action closes the two train circuits.

The armature G has secured therctoa copper plate G, which is insuiated from said arm--:ture and has connections with a circuitwire g, connected also with a bell-shaped contact device H, that cooperates with the said copper plate to close the circuit in the engine'ers cab. An electric bell or other signaling device I and a battery J are located in this circuit, and when the armature G is attracted by-the' electromagnet electric connection is made between the copper plate G and the said contact device, thereby closing the circuit in the engineers cab and causing the electric hell I to ring, whereby the engipeer is advised that the train is entering a new section or block. In this manner the circuit in the cab is controlled by the sectioncircuit and is insulated and independent therefrom. As sconas the traction-wheel F located in the section-circuit, enters the new section the circuit is broken and the armature G gravi'tates and disconnection is made between the copper plate secured thereto and the bell-shaped contact device H.

The copper plate G is provided with an upturned wedge-like extension or pin L, which maybe formed on or secured thereto.

This pin is by preference dipped in silver to insure less resistance in the track-section cir cuit and is adapted to enter the contact device H, which consists of a downwardly-opening copper cup slotted at diametrically opposite points, when the pin L is forced therein, thereby causing a rubbing contact which is positive and quick-acting.

A train-circuit is also provided to notify the conductor or other train employee as the This circuit passes-- train enters a new section. through the entire train, and in the rearmost.

.car it is provided with a signaling device, as f It is obvious that such sigshown in Fig. 2.

naling device may be provided for every car in the train, thus notifying the conductor, as

it did the engineer, when entering upon a gew section irrespective of what car he may e in.

one signal in addition to the device in the engineers cab. This circuit is formed by a cir-. cuit-wire M. led through all the cars and having connection with the car-buffers M, which when in contact provide a positive connection for the wire. One end of the mm M is connected to the cab-circuit wire g,- and the other end has connection with one Wheel of a car- A wire mtruck underneath the rear car. connects the copper plate G with the wire A battery m and an electric hell or signaiing device m are located in this traincircuit, and therefore when the sectioncircuitis'closed the signal in the conductors car will ring, as does the signal in the engineers cab: By means of this arrangement a direct train-circuit is provided by means of which the engineer may signal to the conductor;

This is accomplished by making and breaking contact between the copper cup H and the copper plate insulated from the armature Ga When the said plate and the cup are in contact, a circuit is formed through the trainwire M, buifers M, wheel M bonded rail A",

wheel F, wires f and in, copper plate G; contact H, and wire g, to which the train wire M is connected. If desired, a similan contact device may be provided for the con? ductors car, in which case the conductor can signal to the engineer or both to each other",

this being desirable to ascertain whetheror" not the train has been parted.

When the train in passing bridges two sec-' tions-that is, when the wheels F F are on opposite sides of an insulation-separator+ the signal devices in all trains within the section circuit will be actuated by the electric current passing from the bonded rail through}.- the partial circuit on the train, which closes the train-circuits and notifies the conductors and engineers of such trains that a train is en:

as at I, to provide a spring action,

For the purpose of illustration I show only as a result of the drop in potential across the bonds between the successive railoints.

The operator having charge of a section can signal to the engineers or conductors of the train in such section to notify them that a train is approaching or following, or, in other words, by closing a switch 0 in his station he can notify all trains in the section in his care of the presence of another or other trains within such sections. This is accomplished by connecting the switch 0 with the main-line wire a between the connecting-wires e in each circuit by a wire 0. The switches 0 are also connected with the bonded rail by a wire 0', which has connection with a battery P. On closing the operators switch acircuit is formed by the wire 0, main wire 6, wire 0', bonded rail A, wire 0'. battery P, and partial sectioncircuit carried on the train. This energizes clectromagnet f and closes the train and cab circuits, as hereinbefore described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a railway signaling system the combination with a track provided with one rail forming asectional conductor while the other is provided with blocks of insulation between the rail-sections for preventing the rail from acting as a conductor, a source of electrical energy connected with the conducting-rails of adjacent sections and an incomplete signalingcircuit in the train including signaling instruments the said incomplete train-circuit being completed when the train extends from one section to the other of the conducting-rail.

2.. In a railway signaling system, a track having one line of rails divided into insulated sections, the said line of rails also being provided with a certain amount of resistance at its joints, means for forming a partial circuit closing the circuit when the said local circuit tery connecting two adjoining sections, a partial circuit carried on the engineers cab and including an electromagnet and armature therefor, asignaling-circuit in the cab and a signaling-circuit through the train controlled by the armature and electrical instruments included in said circuits, both circuits being closed when-the train bridges two adjoining sections which connects the aforesaid partial circuits and energizes the said electromagnet and causes the armature to be attracted.

4. In a railway signaling system, a track having one line of rails divided into sections or blocks insulated from each other to provide stations, an elcctromagnet on the train designed to attract an armature and capable of electrical connection with the insulated sections of the said line of rails, a slgnalingcircuit in the cab including electrical instruments, and means forclosing said signalingcircuit when said armature is attracted by the said electromagnet, substantially as set forth.

5. In a railway signaling system, a track comprising one line of rails divided into insulated sections, while the other line of rails is suitably connected at its joints, an electromagnet on the train designed to attract an armature, conductors connecting the electromagnet with the wheels of the train, the said wheels forming an electric connection with the sections over which the train is traveling, a signaling-circuit in the engineers cab and a signaling-circuit throughout the train, each including electrical instruments and means for closing the lastmentioned circuits when A the armature is attracted by the said electromagnet.

I 6. A railway signaling apparatus comprising means extending through a train forming part of a circuit, connections with the wheels of the train for extending the circuit to a rail of the track, a bonded rail forminga part of said track, a slight resistance being placed in the joints of the bonded rail, signaling devices in one or more places in the train, and means for closing a circuit through the said signaling devices of the train.

' 7. In a railway signaling device a circuit formed partially by a bonded rail of the track and partially bya conductor passing through the train, the said conductor having connection with the wheels of the train which ride upon therail, contact means arranged at any point in the train and signaling devices located in various parts of the train, the con tact means making it possible to send signals to various points upon the train.

8. In a railway signaling system, a track havingone of its rails bonded and divided. into sections or blocks insulated from'each other to provide stations, and its other rail provided with insulation at all the joints thereof, a partial circuit connecting two sections and a partial circuit on the train comprisingelectrical instruments, and a wire having connection with wheels riding over the bonded rail of the track, substantially as set forth. I

9. In a railway signaling system the combination with a track having one line of rails only capable of completing train-circuits, signaling instruments carried by the train, an open circuit connecting said instruments with wheels of the train, an open-circuit connected with adjaceht sections a certain resistance interposed at the joints of the other line of rails of the conducting-rail and a circuit closing mechanism for completing the open track-circuit when the train passes the same, the open train-circuit being closed thereby, the train-signals being thus actuated.

10. A railway signaling system comprising a track havinga bonded rail divided into sections or blocks insulated from each other to provide stations, a main wire passing from station to station, circuit-wires connecting the ends of said wire with adjoining sections of said rail, a battery in the main wire between two of said circuit-wires, an operators' partial circuit including a circuit-closer connected to the main wire and the said rail, a partiai circuit carried on the train including an electromagnet controlling a contact or switch, and a signaling-circuit in the train including electrical instruments which cause a signal to be given when the said contact or switch is actuated by the closing of a switch in the operators station. substantially as set forth.

y In witness whereof I have afiixed mysignature in the presence of two subscribing wit-

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