US866945A

US866945A - Electric signaling or railways.

Info

Publication number: US866945A
Application number: US29155705A
Authority: US
Inventors: William John Mackenzie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1905-12-13
Filing date: 1905-12-13
Publication date: 1907-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1924-09-24

Description

I PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907. w. J.; MAOKENZIB. I BLEGTRIG SIGNALING 0N RAILWAYS. APPLIDATIOH FILED D30 18 I905 4 isnnms-snnu 1.

W dam No) 866,945. PATENTBDSEPT; 24, 1907.

- w. J. MAoKENZIE.

ELEOTRIG SIGNALING 0N RAILWAYS, APPLIOATION nun 111:0. 1a. 1905.

4 sums-sum 2..

No. 866,945. PATENTED-SEBT. 24, 1907.

w. J. MAOKBNZIB.

I ELECTRIC SIGNALING, 0N RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION n'nnn'nno. 1a. 1905.

4- SHEETS-SHEET a.

igmgwyf ELECTRIC SIGNALINGON RAILWAYS;

YAIPPLIOATION rum) no. is. 1905.

.PAT'ENTED SEPT. 24', 190?. w. J. MAOKBNZIB.

4 sums-45min 4.

WlLLIAM JOHN MACKENZIE, OF DUNMURRY, IRELAND.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING ON RAILWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1907.

Application filed December 13, 1905. Serial No. 291,557-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM JOHN MACKENZIE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Innisfallen, Dunmurry, county Antrim, Ireland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Signaling on Railways, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvementsin electric signaling on railwaysand its object is to provide a simple and efiicient system of signaling between trains and signal cabins which shall always be reliable.

In carrying out the invention I provide each engine or train with a dynamo or battery which supplies current to one of two conductors laid between and insulated from the rails alongasection of track at each signaling cabin. One of the conductors is connected toa white or green lamp, and the other to a red lamp in the signal cabin in which is also a switch and by means of the latter current is supplied to the second conductor between the rails. On the engine is a similar set of lamps connected to the conductors through collectors in precisely the same manner.

The arrangement is such that when the train comes into the signaling area, the collectors or trolleys make contact with the conductorsbetween the rails and the white or green lamps, in both the cabin and engine receive current. Both the driver and the signalman are thus shown simultaneously the position of the engine and if the line is blocked the signalman closes the switch in his cabin and current is supplied to the red lamp in both the cabin and the engine. If the engine driver receives no such signal then he momentarily closes his switch and flashes a signal to the signal man, this being repeated by the signalman to the driver to show that all is clear and the engine then runs through the section.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a section of railway track showing the wires and connections to a signal cabin and station. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the connections for automatically signaling at a level .crossing. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the complete connections on the engine and in the signal cabin and station Fig. 4 is a side view of an engine showing attachments. Fig. 5 is a front View of the engine showing attachments. Fig. 6 is a sketch of a modification. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the contacts Fig. 6. Fig. Sis a sketch showing a method of indicating at the signal mans cabin when a signal pull wire breaks.

Under this invention I lay along a section of the track, at each signaling cabin, an insulated wire or rail a which, as shown at Figs. 1 and 2, is placed beside the ordinary rail b and is supported at intervals, A second wire or rail 0 is also laid parallel to the wire or rail (1. An insulated wire e isled from the wire or rail adirect to a switch 9 in the signal cabin f and a second insulated wire it is led from the wire or rail 0 to the same switch 9.

From the wire e branch wires i, i 1, are led respectively to an alarm lamp a bell j and a signal semaphore j The lamp, bell and signal are connected up with the return wire it led to rail b and so to earth. The wire h has likewise branch wires leading to a danger lamp Z, a danger bell Z. and a danger signal semaphore 1 The return wire m may be led to rail d and so to earth.

The engine of the train is provided with a dynamo o (driven in any suitable and well known manner from one of the engine axles) a wire b leading to a trolley q and a wire 1" to the engine framing. There is alsoa receiving trolley s which is connected by a wire s to a green signal lamp s in the engine cab and a danger signal trolley t which is connected by a wire t to a red or danger lamp t in the engine cab. The trolleys g and s are adapted to run on the Wire or rail a while the trolley t is adapted to run on the wire or rail 0.

There may be arranged, in the engine cab at any suitable part thereof a green or alarm lamp .9 an alarm bell or gong 8 an alarm semaphore 8 and an alarm whistle. s is the wire leading from the trolleys to 8, 8 ,3 8 is the return wire. The danger trolley t may also be connected up by means of the wire t to a danger lamp t, a bell or gong t a semaphore t and a whistle. t is the negative or return wire. u is a switch which is connected on the one hand by wire u to trolley t and, on the other hand, by wire a to trolley 8.

To signal from the cabin to engine or vice versa: When the train enters the signaling area the trolley q forms a connection between the dynamo 0, through the wire p, with the wire or rail a and thence by wire e to the alarm lamp j, bell j and semaphore in the signal cabin. At the same time the current passes by trolley s and wire 8 to the alarm lamp 8, bell 8 semaphore 8 (and whistle if used) in the engine cab. In this manner a simultaneous alarm is given in'the signal cabin and in the cab of the engine thereby intimating to both the signal man and the engine driver that the train has entered the signaling area. If the line shows clear the engine driver turns the switch it (a flash only) which forms a connection between the wires a and a through trolley s by wire 11. and through switch u, wire it, trolley 15, wire 0, and wire h to the danger lamp l, bell Z and semaphore l? in signal cabin. Connection is also made by wire it with lamp t bell t semaphore t and whistle (if used). This flash can be repeated by the signal man by his forming a connection between wires a and c, through the switch 9. Thus a code may be used be tween the signal man and the driver.

If a train enters a signaling area and the line ahead is not clear the signal man has simply to make a connection between the wire 0 and wire a by means of switch 9 as before. If this connection is made before the train comes into the signaling area the moment the train does enter full connection is formed between the dynamo 0 and the danger lamp t bell t semaphore t and whistle (if used) on the engine, through wire I), trolley q, wires (1 and e switch 9 wires h and c trolley t and wire 23, engine alarm lamp s, bell s and semaphore 8 and signal box alarm lamp j, bell j and semaphore j and danger lamp Z, bell l and semaphore Z and also engine lamp t bell t and semaphore t and the alarm whistle will sound.

To light up a station platform when a train comes into a signaling areaz-In this case the engine trolley q comes in contact with wire a and transmits current from dynamo 0 through wire p, trolley q, wire a wire 1) (Fig. 1), switch r to electric lights on platform. 0 is return wire to earth by rail 1).

To give an alarm at level crossings or huts, not connected with block line system:ln this case there are two wires or rails to, as, one at each side of crossing. A bell w, lamp 10 and semaphore 10 is erected at the crossing or hut. When the engine enters the signaling area an electric current passes from the dynamo 0 of the engine, by wire 25, trolley q and wire w to the bell, lamp and semaphore. The return current passes to earth. The alarm is kept up until the engine actually arrives at the crossing when it ceases owing to the trolley q running off wire to. If the train is coming in an opposite direction connection takes place in a similar manner through the wire a: to the bell x lamp x and semaphore m erected at the other side of crossing. When the train is past the crossing it cannot give an alarm and a false alarm is thereby obviated.

The trolleys used may be of the construction shown at Figs. 4 and 5, that is to say, they may consist of a tubular part 2 in which is fitted a spring 2 capable of pressing on a rod 22 provided with pins z working in guide slots 2 The lower end of the rod has a head 2 to which is attached a number of spiral springs 2 said springs being also attached to the trolley fork Z7 carrying the pulley z". The springs press the trolley wheel against the wires or rails a, 0, while the springs z allow of lateral movement and the slots 2 of vertical play. The wires or rails a, c, are of course inclined at their ends to permit of the trolleys readily engaging therewith.

If so desired the arrangement may be worked in conjunction with the ordinary signaling arrange ments. In this case instead of using a special switch, 9 in the signal mans cabin the wire 6, would be led,

as indicated at Figs. 6 and 7, to a contact 6 at one side and the wire hto a contact h at the other side of the usual frame 9 of the signal mans cabin and the ordinary pull lever 9 would be provided with a switch piece g The arrangement would be such that when the lever g was pushed to the vertical position it would, by means of the piece 9 rubbing against the contacts 6 h, (which are spring contacts or contacts acted on by springs) close the circuit in the same manner as the switch 9. On pulling the lever 9 back again into the inclined position the circuit would be broken. The invention may also be applied for the purpose of giving a signal in the signal mans cabin whenever a pull wire of a signal breaks. In this case a rod (or stiff wire) a is arranged, as shown at Fig. 8

below the wires a, c. This rod is hinged at a to a stool a and is connected at a to a chain 0. attached to the end of the usual counter weighted lever a of the signal post. It will be seen that if the signal man pulls the pull wire a and it breaks that the sinking of the weighted lever a will cause the chain a to pull up the rod a into contact with the wires a, c, and short circuit the current so as to indicate at once to the signal man that something is wrong.

Having now fully described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains and signal cabins comprising, in combination, a signaling apparatus on the engine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, electrical conducting means arranged along the track, means for automatically electrically connecting the said conducting means with the signaling apparatus in the cabin, means whereby the signal men can signal to the engine driver and simultaneously show the indications in his own cabin, means to enable the engine driver to signal, by means of his switch, to the signal man, means on the engine adapted to contact with the said con ducting means of the track and means for causing a short circuit and Signaling to the signal man upon the breakage of a signal wire.

2. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains and signal cabins comprising, in combination, a sig naling apparatus on the engine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulated conductor laid along the track and between the rails, means for automatically electrically connecting the said conductor with the signaling apparatus in the cabin, means whereby the signal men can signal to the engine driver and simultaneously show the indications in his own cabin, means to enable the engine driver to signal, by means of his switch, to the signal man, a trolley on the engine adapted to contact with said conductors and means for causing a short circuit and signaling to the signal man upon the breakage of a signal wire.

3. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains and signal cabins comprising, in combination, a signaling apparatus on the engine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, insulated conductors laid along the track and between the rails, electrically connecting the said conductors with the signalin apparatus in the cabin, means whereby the signal men can signal to the engine driver and simultaneously show the indications in his own cabin, means to enable the engine driver to signal, by means of his switch, to the signal man and trolleys held in position on the engine by springs and adapted to contact with said conductors and means for causing a short circuit and signaling to the signal man upon the breakage of a signal wire.

-l. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains and signal cabins comprising, in combination, a signaling apparatus on the engine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulated conductor laid along the track and between the rails, means for electrically connecting the said conductor with the signaling apparatus in the cabin, a trolley wheel, a fork therefor, a series of springs attached to the fork, a sliding rod attached to the springs and a guide socket secured rigidly to the engine,

5. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains and signal cabins comprising, in combination, a slg' naling apparatus on the engine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulated conductor laid along the track and between the rails, means for electrically connecting the said conductor with the signaling apparatus in the cabin, a trolley wheel, a fork therefor, a series of springs attached to the upper end of the fork, a rod of '1 shape, a tubular socket secured to the engine and a spring in said socket.

6. Electrical signaling apparatus for railways, having in combination, two conductor wires, rods, or rails arranged along the track, a source of electricity on the engine, alarm or danger signaling apparatus on the engine, trolleys on the engine, means connecting said trolleys with the signalmeans for automatically ing apparatus on the engine and with the source of electricity, signaling apparatus in the signal cabin, wires connecting said apparatus in the cabin with the conductor wires, rods, or rails, and means for completing the Circuit through the two conductor'wires, rods, or rails to put the alarm or danger signals in action when engines are passing over them and to simultaneously cause the danger signal to appear in two engines and the signal cabin when two engines enter the protected area, and means for auto matically causing a short circuit upon the breakage of a signal wire.

to put the alarm or danger signals in action when engines are passing and to simultaneously cause the danger signal to appear in two engines and the signal cabin when twoengines enter the protected area, and means for causing a short circuit upon the breakage of a signal pull-wire.

8. Electrical signaling apparatus for railways, having in combination, two conductor wires, rods,- or rails arranged along the track, a dynamo on the engine, alarm or danger signaling apparatus on the engine, trolleys on the engine, means connecting said trolleys with the signaling apparatus on the engine and with the dynamo, signaling apparatus in signal cabin, wires connecting said apparatus in the cabin with the conductor wires, rods, or rails and u switch for completing the circuit through the two conductor wires, rods, or rails to put the alarm or danger signals in action when engines are passing over them and to simultaneously cause the danger signal to appear in two engines and the signal cabin when two engines enter the protected area, and means for automatically causing a short circuit upon the breakage of a signal pull-wire.

9. Electric signaling apparatus for railways, comprising, in combination, insulated wires or rods laid on the railway track, means for charging said wires or rods with electricity, electrical signaling devices arranged in the signal cabin, connections between the said insulated wires or rods, and the signaling devices in the cabin, electrical signaling devices on the train and means on the train connected with the signaling devices thereon and capable of engaging with the aforesaid insulated wires or rods when the train passes over the' same and to simultaneously cause the signal to appear in the two engines and the signal cabin when two engines enter the protected area, and means for automatically causing a short circuit upon the breakage of a signal pull-wire.

10. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains and signal cabins, comprising, in combination, a signaling apparatus on the engine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulated conductor laid along the track, means for electrically connecting the said conductor with the signaling apparatus in the cabin, a trolley wheel, a fork therefor, a sliding rod, a fixed guide socket therefor, springs interposed between said rod and yoke, a

spring in the said socket against which the upper end of said rod bears and means for automatically causing a short circuit upon the breakage of a signal pull-wire.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM JOHN MACKENZIE.

Witnesses THoMAs HU'ICHINSON, EDWARD HARVEY..