US845991A - Alarm-signal. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTBD MAR. 55, 1907.

R. J. Z ORGE.

ALARM SIGNAL.

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.No. 845,991." PATENTED MAR. 5. 1907.

R. J. 20mm. ALA'RM SIGNAL.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. ZORGE,

RAILWAY EQUIPMENT TION OF ILLINOIS.

ALARM-SlG-NAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March '6, 1907.

lpplieation filed February 28,1906. Serial No. 303,487.

To (all whom it rmty concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. Zones, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Imrovement in Alarm-Signals, of which the ollowing is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to means for giving warning to an engineer or motor man approaching an open switch or an open draw with his train or car; and my primary ob'ect is to provide improved. apparatus involving the use of a device which will be preparatorily set when the switch is thrown open and which will operate to detonate a torpedo or explosive body when a train passes over in approaching the switch.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 re resents, diagrammatically, a

ortion of a railway-track equipped with my improved alarm device; Fig. 2, an enlarged view showing a fragment of a rail, the mechanism of my apparatus applied thereto, and the relation of a car or engine-wheel to the mechanism, the front plates of the casing being broken away and a portion of the easmg shown in section;

Fig. 3, a section taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a broken view illustrating a different position of the parts shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 5, a broken View of a sound-conducting pipe which leads from the casing of the mechanism and rises to a point above and at one side of the track.

In the construction illustrated, A represents the main line of a track; B, a side track; C, a switch-point operated by any convenient means, (not shown,) and my improved device electrically connected with the track and the switch-point thereof and operating to cause a series of explosions in the event that a train passes over while the switcliis open.

The device D preferably comprises a casing d, arranged adjacent to the inner side of one of the rails a of the track at a distance (one mile, more or less,) from the switch-point, said casing being equipped on the side away from the rail with removable plates cl (1 (1 a rotary torpedo-carrier d, fixed to a shaft (i extending transversely of and 'ournaled in the casing, a ratchet wheel d, fixed on said shaft, serving as a means for rotating the torpedo-carrier, a plunger or striker (1 mounted in the upper portion of the casing and having a tread portion (1 located adjacent to the upper flange of the rail in position to be engaged by the flange of a wheel (i a pawl (1, carried by the plunger (1 and adapt ed to actuate the torpedo-carrier through the medium of the ratchet-wheel d, a spring d, tending to hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet-wheel, an electromagnet (2", having a plunger (1 connected with the pawl (1 a pawl-retracting lever (1, supported on a pivot d, carried by a standard d said lever forming the armature of an electromagnet d", a spring d, tending to hold the armature d away from its magnet, a yielding contact member (1 carried by a standard d, a pipe (1, communicating with an opening (1 in the casing-plate d said ipe having a horizontal portion d", exten ing through the road-bed and. beneath the rail a at the other side and having a standing portion (1 with an inturned bellshaped end (1 which in practice is located at a point adapted to convey sound as near as possible to the cab of an engine passing over the track, a main electric circuit at, including as a part thereof the solenoid of the magnet d" and having a battery d one terminal of the circuit being connected with the switchpoint C and the other with the rail (1, and an auxiliary electric circuit c1 equipped with a generator d, said circuit having one of its conductors d divided into branches d d, one of which is in electrical connection with the rotary torpedo-carrier d and the other of which is in electrical connection with the armature-lever d. at

The wheel or carrier (1 is equipped on one side with a ring d, of insulating material, through which project studs d, of conducting material, carried by the wheel, said studs being adapted to complete the circuit (1 through a yielding contact member d, carried by a standard (1 mounted on a block of insulating material d, the standard d being joined by a conductor d to the circuit d. The circuit cl includes two contact-points (1 mounted upon an insulating-strip d, with which the magnet d is equipped at one end, and a movable contact member d, carried by the Free end of the plunger d. The function of the magnet d", which is included in the electric circuit d, is to retract the being provided with pawl d after the carrier has been actuated a predetermined number of times during the passing of a train, thereby to prevent waste of torpedoes,

I have shown the casing cl equipped at one side of its upper portion with an enlargement d, which bears upon the web of the rail and fits snugly between the top flange and bottom flange of the rail, the bottom flange of therail being recessed to receive the wall (1 of the casing. The casing is secured to the rail by bolts (1 and may, if desired, be socured to the ties (not shown) which support the rails. The casing is preferably divided into two chambers d d by a transverse vertical wall at, the plunger (Z of the magnet 0?" extending through a perforation d in said wall. The plate d covers the chamber at, and the plates d (1 cover the chamber 0?.

In the resent construction I have shown the wheel (1 flattened peripherally at ten equidistant points (1, aflording sockets thereat for torpedoes d These sockets are shown equipped at one side with flanges (Z and at the ot ier side with springs or yielding flanges (1, providing for the ready insertion of the torpedoes, the torpedoes themselves flanges adapted to slide beneath the flanges cl (1. The ratchetwheel cl is correspondingly equipped with ten teeth, the teeth being so arranged that when the pawl d is at the upper end of its stroke a torpedo will be presented beneath the plunger or striker d". The torpedo-carrier may be charged by removing the plate d of the casing, or any other suitable provision for charging the carrier may be made. Ordinarily in charging the carrier one socket is left uncharged, so that no explosion will ocour in the normal working of the device un less the switch-point be open.

The plunger or striker d is provided within the casing with a flange (2, supported on a s ring 0?, carried by a bracket d, located in t e upper portion of the casing. In. the lower portion of the member d is formed a chamber (1 in which works a yielding striking member d, between whose flanged head and the upper end of the chamber d is confined a spring (1 The normal movement of the member d is sufficient to cause the member d to strike the presented torpedo and cause an explosion. By providing a yielding striking member a variable movement of the member d is allowed for, such provision being desirable on account of the variation in the flanges of the car-wheels.

The lower end of the member d is shown e uiplped with a projecting arm (1 upon w ie is mounted an arm d, having a slot d in its end, in which the upper end of the pawl d" is carried by a pivot d". When the pawl is held in the position shown in Fig. 2, its movement toward the ratchet-Wheel is limited by a shoulder d. The slot is cut spring (1, however, tends normally to hold the pawl in working engagement with the ratchet-wheel, so that in the event of the breaking of the circuit (1 either through the opening of the switch or through injury to the circuit, the device will operate when a train passes over to give an alarm-signal. Assuming the torpedo-carrier to be preparatorily charged with torpedoes, except at the uppermost point, and assuming the device to be in its normal working condition, a train will pass over the device without receiving an alarm, provided the switch-point is closed. If the switch-point is open, however, the magnet d will be decnergized, allowing the spring at to bring the pawl d into working engagement with the ratchet-wheel d. When the first wheel of the train asses over the striker d, it depresses the striker, causing the pawl to engage a fresh tooth of the ratchetwhcel. Upon the return movement of the striker under the action of its spring the pawl (Z is elevatcd, thereby moving the torpedo-carrier one space and bringing a torpedo beneath the striker. l/Vhen the next wheel passes over the striker, the striker operates to explode a torpedo. As the wheels pass in succession over the striker the torpedo-carrier will be intermittently rotated and explosions will occur until a stud d encounters the contact member cl, when the circuit (1 will be closed, thereby energizing the magnet d" and causing the armature-lever d to throw the pawl d out of operative engagement with the ratchetwheel, whereupon the remainder of the train will pass over the device without causing further explosions. It should be stated, however, that the force of the spring c1 and the strength of .the magnet d" hear such relation to each other that the pawl d will not be thrown out of enga ement with the ratchet-wheel until it comp letes its upward movement, thereby causing the stud d, which served to complete the circuit d, to move out of engagement with the contact member d it bein observed, however, that before this occurs t e lever d contacts with the yielding contact member d, included in the circuit (Z so that the circuit is maintained. Said circuit is maintained until the switch-point is closed, thereby energizing the magnet d again and moving the contact member d away from the points d thereby breaking the circuit d and denergizing the magnet d This'frees the pawl d from the restraining action of the armaturedever d, so that the pawl is free to return to working engagement with the ratchet-wheel when the circuit of the magnet d is broken again, as by the opening of the switch-point.

It is expected that train crews will ordinarily be instructed to attend to the recharging of the detonating device whenever an alarm is given. However, in the construction shown provision is made for the continued operation of the device until three trains have passed thereover, even though one or more of the train crews should neglect the duty imposed by the instructions. This is an additional feature of safety, and it is obvious any number of operations of the device within reasonable limits may be provided for.

It is deemed a feature of great importance in the electrically-controlled detonating device described that the device will operate even in the event of the failure of the controlling-circuit.

The spacing of the studs d is such that the circuit (Z will be completed after each third actuation of the torpedo-carrier. The position shown in Fig. 2 is that which the device occupies after the carrier has been moved to withdraw its uncharged chamber from beneath the striker d and bring a char ed chamber beneath the plunger. It will e obvious, therefore, that during the second movement of the carrier from the position shown in Fig. 2 the stud d above the contact member (Z will complete the circuit d through said contact member and then break sald circuit at the contact member after contact has been established at the contact member (1 I have provided an auxiliary safety feature intended to guard a train moving in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1 in the event that a train leaving the side track B and passing in the direction opposite the direction indicated by the arrow fails to stop and reset the detonating device. This comprises a circuit F, connected with the circuit (1 on opposite sides of the magnet (Z and connected with the track A at a point farther removed from the switch than is the detonating device. This circuit includes a contactpomt f and a normally vertical spring-held switch f adapted to be actuated by a wheel of a car to close the circuit when the train moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. Assuming, then, that the switch-point has been left in an open position after the magnet d has operated to retract and maintain in a retracted position the pawl d of the ratchet mechanism, a train moving in the di rection indicated by the arrow will close the branch auxiliary circuit F, thereby shortcircuiting the battery d and deenergizing the magnetd, thus permitting the pawl d to return to its operative position in engagement with the ratchetwheel. When the train, therefore, continuing its movement, passes over the detonating device, the latter will operate to give warning of the open switch. I have also shown the detonating mechanism equipped with an auxiliary circuit G, provided with a bell g and a battery g, the bell being understood to be located in a station for the purpose of giving warning when the torpcdoes in the detonating device have be come exhausted. This is accomplished by providing the rotary torpedo-carricr with a contact-point 9 which makes contact with a member g", the carrier being electrically connectcd with one comluctor of the circuit G through the casing (Z, and the member 9 being electrically connected with the other conductor of the circuit G. The arrangement is such that after the torpedo-carrier has moved through nine spaces the circuit G has been completed, causing the bell to ring. It is expected that when the torpedo-carrier is charged it will always be set at a given po sition, and indicating means may be provided, showing what the position should be.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the casing equipped with a spring-pressed catch H, serving to engage suitably-spaced perforations it, with which the rotary carrier is equipped, thereby to lock the wheel yieldingly at its points of retardation to prevent movement of a wheel under its own inertia.

It is essential to the successful operation of the device that it have an electricallycon trolled movable member, and the electricallycontrolled movable member is preferably a torpedo-carrier. A feature of considerable importance also is that of a striker actuated by a wheel or other member of the moving train, although it would be within the scope of my invention to adapt the carrier to move the torpedo directly over a rail, so that it would be crushed between the rail and a wheel passing over it.

It is obvious that many changes in details of construction within the spirit of my inveniion may be made. so that the foregoing detailed description should be understood as having been given for clcarness of understanding only.

The improved device may be usefully employed in com'iection with switches, drawbridges, visual signals crossings, and in various other situations.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a torpedo-carrier, a spring-held striker adapted to be struck by a train means connected with said striker for actuating said carrier, an clectromagnet controlling said means, and an electric circuit controlling said magnet.

2. The combination of a rotary torpedocarrier equipped with a ratchet-wheel, a striker equipped with a pawl, a magnet controlling said pawl, a main circuit controlling said magnet, an auxiliary magnet controlling said pawl, and an auxiliary circuit controlled by said first-named magnet.

3. The combination of a rotary torpedocarrier equipped with a plurality of contact members, a ratchet-wheel, a striker, equipped with a pawl, an electromagnet controlling said pawl, a main electric circuit controlling said magnet, an auxiliary electromagnct controlling said pawl, an auxiliary electric circuit controlling said auxiliary magnet and controlled by said first-named magnet, and a contact member connected with said auxiliary circuit and coacting with the contact members of said rotary carrier,

4. The combination of a rotary torpedocarrier equipped with a plurality ofcontact members, a stationary contact member coacting therewith, a pawl serving to actuate said rotary carrier, a main electromagnet controlling said pawl, a main electric circuit controlling said magnet, and an auxiliary magnet controlling said pawl and having a controllingcircuit controlled by said first-11am ed magnet, said auxiliary circuit being closed by the movement of the rotary carrier and having means for maintaining a closed circuit after the contact with the carrier has been broken.

5. The combination with a railway-tract; of means of the character set forth, comprising a torpedo-carrier, a main electric circuit controlling said carrier, a switch-point controlling said circuit, an auxiliary circuit controlled by said carrier and by the main circuit, and train-controlled means controlling said auxiliary circuit.

6. The combination with a railway-track having a movable switch-point, of a device for the purpose set forth, comprising a torpedo-carrier, a striker, actuating means moving with the striker, a main electric circuit controlled from the switch-point and having a magnet controlling said actuating means, an auxiliary electric circuit controlled by said magnet and by said carrier, said auxiliary circuit having a magnet controlling said actuating means, and a branch auxiliary circuit equipped with means whereby it may be closed by a train to short-circuit the auxiliary magnet, for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with a railway-track having a movable switch-point, of a device for the purpose set forth, comprising a movable torpedo-carrier, train-actuated means for actuating the torpedo-carrier, and an electric circuit controlled by the switch-point and controlling the actuating means of the torpedo-carrier.

8. In a device for the purpose set forth, the combination of a rotary carrier equipped with means for holding a plurality of torpedoes, an electric circuit controlling said carrier, and an electric circuit provided with means for giving notice when the carrier requires rech arg- ROBERT J. ZORGE. In presence of A. U. Tnonrnn, J. H. LANnEs.

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