US885367A - Railway signal and telephone system. - Google Patents

Description

No. 885,367. PATENTED APR. 21, 1908.

F. L. ODENBAOH. RAILWAY SIGNAL AND TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

I APPLICATION FILED JULY l0 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED APR. 21, 1908.

F. L. ODENBAGH- RAILWAY SIGNAL AND TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STEE PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK L. ODENBACH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN C. POORE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

RAILWAY SIGNAL AND TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK L. ODEN- BAOH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal and Telephone Systems, of, which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for signaling and telephoning moving train units and stationary points upon railways. Its primary-object is to give certain signals automatically within the operators cab of a locomotive or railway motor of any kind, at railwa crossings, and at terminal stations.

t also provides a telephone system between moving train units, and between moving and stationary points, and between sta-' tionary points upon railways. It is intended to accomplish such signaling and telephoning only within certain predetermined limits.

Further objects are, to provide means upon moving railway units enabling the operator of each unit to determine whether the other is behind or before him, and at what speed such other unit is moving; to apprise the operator of a moving car or train of an open switch, or signal of danger ahead of him; and to adapt said means to a block system, or local system, wherever such system is desired.

Minor objects and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

To these ends my invention consists in the features, arrangements and combinations of the electrical and mechanical apparatus hereinafter described and claimed, embodiments thereof being illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure I is a diagram showing the system as applied to two movable train units headed toward each other upon the same railway track. Fig. II illustrates a galvanometer, or distance indicator, such as is em loyed upon the movable train units. Fig. II is a perspective view of one side, and Fig. IV is a similar view of the other side of the automatic revolving switch employed upon locomotives or movable train units. Fig. V is a diagram illustrating the system as installed in a movable train unit, a railway switch, and a crossing tower or terminal station.

The reference letter a indicates the track rails of a railway which should be continu Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 10, 1907.

rammed April 21, 1908. Serial No. 383,080.

ground or return conductor. A trolley wire I), or other continuousplectrical conductor, is stretched above or alongside the track a and insulated from the ground.

In Fig. I, the diagram at 0 represents the ,motive as shown in Fig. V. A source of electricity f is carried upon each movable train unit, which ma be arbattery or other generator, but a smal dynamo is preferred. Withinthe operators cab of the locomotive or car I provide a three way switch 7c, an automatic rotatable switch a commutator h, a galvanometer g, a switc 'm, a lamp Z, and a telephone n, which with their connections I will now proceed to describe.

The rotatable switch 7', as shown in Figs. III and IV, comprises a cylinder of insulating material having an axial shaft 2, which should be rotatably mounted .in suitable bearings and operatively connected with a track wheel axle of the engine or car so as to be revolved by the latter. The operative gearing betweenthe axle and the switch should be the same in each train unit, an arranged to revolve the said switch about once per second of time at the ordinary road speed of the car or train. encircles the eriphery of the c linder j, and

upon each si e of it are similar ands 4 and 5 electrically connected therewith, but the latter bands encircle only one half of the cylin der, the band 4 being upon one side and the band 5 upon the opposite side of said c linder, as plainly shown. A metallic brus or contactor, 6 is set to ride'upon the central band 3, a similar contactor 7 rides upon the band 4, and another similar contactor 8 rides upon the band 5, as shown in Fig. I. Thus it is obvious that the brush 6 is alwa s in contact with the metallic portion 0 the switch j, while the brushes 7 and 8 are alternately 1n and out of contact with the metallic part of-said switch.

Normally the switch is is thrown to the center, as shown, so that the generator f and ground a alternate. The three way switch k A metallic band 3 may also electrically connect the trolley 6 with either the brush 7 or the brush 8 according as it is thrown to the one or to the other. A wire 9 leadsfrom the brush 7 to one of the upper posts of the commutator, or reversing switch, it, and a wire 10 connects the brush 8 with the other upper post of said commutator. The lower posts of the commutator h are connected respectively through the wires 11 and 12 with the respective poles of the electrical generator f, as shown. A wire 13 connects the wire 10 with one joint of the double pole," double throw switch m, anda wire 14 connects the other joint of said switch with the ground, or return circuit which is made through the wheels of the movable train unit and through the rails of the track.

From one pole of one side of the switch m a wire 15 leads to an incandescent electric telephone to in'the usual and well known way for operating telephones. Thus it will be seen, that when .the switch m is in the position shown the lamp Z will glow while electric current is passing along the wires 13 and 14, but when the said switch is thrown to the osition shown by the dotted lines the said amp will be cut out, and the telephone n may be operated by the current passing along said wires.

I insert in the wire 13 a galvanometer, or direction indicator, g. This maybe of the type illustrated in Fig. 11, having a pointer 19 pivoted at 20, and movable over a graduated scale 21. The said scale has its zero oint in the middle, and may be marked East at one end and West at the other, or the ends may be marked respectively North and South, or In and Out, or any way that may be preferred to indicate the direction of an approaching train. The pointer 19 has magnets 22 and 23 pro- 'ecting each way from it into the respective helices 24 and 25 of the wire 13, so that the said pointer will be moved to the right or to the left according to the direction of the electric current following the wire 13.

In Fig. V, c represents a locomotive, or train unit, equipped as in diagram 0 of Fig. I. A track switch is indicated at 0, which is provided with an electrical make and break swi.;h as shown diagraimnatically at y). A wire 26 leads from the line conductor b to one end of the switch 1), and a wire 27 leads from the other end of said switch to the track rail (1. The electric switch p should be set to close when the track switch 0 is opened to a side track, and to open when the track switch is closed to make the main track continuous.

A railway crossing is indicated at r, Fig.

m a wire 28 leads to the ground at the rail a,

having a make and break switch g therein. An electric lamp Z is connected to the oles of one side of the switch m, and a telep one a is connected to the 'oles of the other side of the said switch, as slgown, in the same way as upon a locomotive. In crossing towers the hue conductor 1) for each railway track is led therein and through theswitch mand the.

switch q to the ground at a. For crossings of single track railroads the line conductors b from each direction of each track should be led into the tower, and provided respectively with switches m and q, lamp and telephone connections, and with ground connections. The conductor 1) from each direction of oncoming trains should have its res ective lamp 1, but a single telephone it may e connected, as shown, so as to be switched into any one of the lines I) entering the tower. At a terminal station the equipment is substantially the same as for one line b entering a crossing tower.

Bearing in mind that the fundamental idea of the system is found in the fact that two train units, or one train unit and a short circuit will constitute a block and give a-danger signal, the operation of thesystem in its various applications may be readil traced and understood. The length of the lock, or distance over which signals are iven, can be determined by the amount 0 electric current sent out by the generators f as related to the amount of resistance in the line conductor 1). Therefore, two trains placed upon the same track within the said dangerous distance fixed as described will automatically signal one to the other. Open switches will give a signal upon a train within the said distance. A train approaching within the said distance of a crossing or terminal will signal the crossing tower or terminal station, as the case may be; and said tower or station attendant may stop said train by a signal in the engine cab thereof. All the parties mentioned may telephone each other. And the operators of trains are a prised of the ap-. proximate location, speei and direction of movement of other trains entering within the aforesaid fixed distance.

Referring to Fig. I, let us consider 0 a train coming 1n, and d a tram going out. The com mutator h and switch It of the respective trains are normally set as shown; so that cur rent from generator f of train (1 would, when the two trains approached close enough to make a circuit, pass along wire 12, commuing the said interruptions the brush 8 rides upon the metallic part of the rotatable switch 1', which will complete a circuit from the approaching train 0 through rail a, wire 14, amp Z, indicator g, wires" 13 and 10, brush 8,

switch 7', brush 6, switch k, and trolley e to. the conductor b.

Substantially the same effect occurs upon the train 0, but the direction of current is reversed, because of the different position of the commutator it upon the latter train.' Thus, the lamps Z glow upon has entered the fixed limit of distance.

both trains, giving notice that another train A. normal flash of said lamp alternating with a much stronger flash, or an almostconstant light, shows a train ahead. The galvanometer 9 will also show this by moving to the side corresponding to the lineahead, and by indicating the increase of current through the reduction of line resistance, it will show the approximate speed of the ap roaching train, as will also t e rapidity of tie flashes given by the lamp when the o erator throws out the local generator f anc ermanently completes the circuit for the ot er train by throwing the switch is to the head of the brush 8. By throwing the switches in to 7, and throwing'ov'er the .switches m, it will readily be seen that any two trains on the same track within a limited distance may telephone each other. A train may also telephone a crossing tower or terminal station 8 inthe same way, when the attendant atshas thrown over his switch m and closed his switch q. 1

If upon a train' there is a normal flash of the lamp] intermitting with a weak'one,

there is another train in the rear. 1 The indicator 9 will also show the direction of the other train. Then by throwing the commutator h so as to join the local -generator f with the generator in the rear train, an increased flashiof lamp 1 alternating with a normal flash, and the indicator still pointing in the same direction, will con rm the first signal.

If a regular single flash only is observed, with no other lamp effect, it indicates that a stationary short circuit has been made with the train. This may be made by an open switch 0, or by a crossing tower or terminal 8,

or by any temporary danger signal which maybe made anywhere along the road by electrically connecting the line conductor 1) with the track a. This signalmay also be made by a standing train, which latter, when it comes to a stop, should throw out its generator f and ground its trolley e by throwing itsswitch k to 8.

The revolving switch 1', as will be understood from the diagrams, alternately sends out the local current, and runs to ground to take up a signal from an outside source. The lamp Z and galvanometer 9, it will be noticed, are not out out in grounding the trolley pole c. It will also be noticed that the. two generators f on locomotives in danger of a headon collision run out in such a way as to form one; but that two locomotives following each other will naturally set theirs against each other, and if they are equally strong no lamp flash would result; but, since each generator is cut out and in automatically, and

since there is no danger of their synchronizing, there is always a chance foreach to do its work during part of each revolution of the rotatable switch Theends of the line conductor 1) may be either open or closed. If open the in-coming train will get no signal. But if the end of b is rounded the in-coming train will get a signa as soon as it has reduced the resistance of the line b enough to operate its lamp Z. At crossing towers, and at terminal stations when desired, the switches g should be closed to ground the conductor 1), so that the guard may know of an a proaching train. The guard may then telephone the train, or by opening the switch 9 may stop the said train, for in the latter case the lamp on the train has ceased to glow upon the opening of the switch g.

The system isadapted for .mere local use on curves, in tunnels, or at other dangerous stretches of track where any line conductor 1; may be set up and any suitable contact former e employed. And the nature of the system will suggest otherserviceable applications.

Ifurther point out and distinctly claim as my invention- 1. In a railway signal system, the combination-with a track rail, a line conductor, and a train unit providedwith an'electric generator, of a rotatable switch upon said train unit adapted to alternate the connection of said line conductor between said generator. and said track rail, and an electric signal device connected between said track rail and said generator, substantially as set forth.

2. In a railway signal .systemfthe combination with a track rail, a line conductor, and a train unit provided with an electric generator, of a rotatable switch upon said train unit adapted to alternate the connection of said line conductor between said generator and said track rail, a commutator connected between said generator and said switch, and an electric si al device connected between said track real and a switch connection of said commutator,substantially asset forth.

3. In a railway signal system, the combination with a track rail, a llnecond-uctor, and a train unit provided with an electric generator, of a rotatable switch upon said train unit adapted to alternate the connection of said line conductor between said generator and said track rail, a commutator connected between said generator and said switch, and an electric signal lamp in circuit between said track rail and'said commutator and switch, substantially as set forth.

4'. In a railway signal system, the combination with a track rail, a line conductor, and a train unit provided with an electric generator, of a rotatable switch upon said train unit adapted to alternate the connection of said line conductor between said generator and said track rail, and an electric signal lamp in circuit between said track rail and said gen- 'erator, substantially as set forth.

5. v In a railway signal system, the combination with a track rail, a line conductor, and a train unit provided with an electric generator, of a rotatable switch upon said train unit adapted to alternate the connection of said line conductor between said generator and said track rail, and an electric signal lamp and a galvanometer in circuit between said track rail and said generator, substantially'as set forth.

6. In a railway signal system, the combination with a track rail, a line conductor, and a train unit provided with an electric generator, of a rotatable switch upon said train Y unit adapted to alternate the connection of said line conductor between said generator and said track rail, a commutator interposed in the connections between said generator andsaid switch, and an electric signal lamp and a galvanometer in circuit between said track rail and a switch connection of said commutator, substantially as set forth.

7 In a railway signal system, the combination with a line conductor, and train units having electric generators adapted to be connected in circuit with said line conductor, of signal devices upon said train units adapted to be connected intermittently and permanently in said line conductor circuit, substantially as set forth.

8. In a railway signal system, the combination with a line conductor, and train units havin electric generators adapted to be connected in circuit with said line conductor, of signal devices upon said trainunits adapted to be connected intermittently and permanently in said line conductor circuit, and telephones on said train unitsarran ed to be connected in said circuit, substantiaIly as set forth.

9. In a railway signal system, the combination with a line conductor, and an electgic generator upon a train unitadapted to be connected in circuit therewith, of a signal device upon said trainunit provided with means for connecting it intermittently and permanently in said line conductor circuit, a stationprovided with a signal device in circuit with said line conductor, and means said station for opening and closing the said circuit substantially as set forth.

10. In a railway signal system, the combination with a line conductor, and anielectric generator upon a train unit adapted to be connected in circuit the'rewith, of a signal device upon said train unit, means for COD".

necting said signal deviceintermittently and permanently-in said line conductor circuit, a

track switch provided with an electrical connection in said line conductor circuit, and

means for making and breakin 'ysaid last named connection according to t e position of said trackv switch, substantially as set forth. 1

11. In a railwaysignal system, the combination with a line conductor, and an electric generator upon a train unit adapted to be connected in circuit therewith, of "a signal device upon said] train unit, means for connecting said signal device intermittentlyand permanently in said line conductor circuit, a

station provided with a signal device in cirgrounding the same to efiect a danger signal,

of a train unit comprisingan electric gen erator, a signal device in circuit between said generator and the, said ground, a three-way switch, a connection from said switch-to said adapted to alternate the connection of said line conductor between said generator and said ground, and connections whereby said three-way switch may be operated to ground said line conductor through said, signal device or to throw said generator into the circuit between said line conductor and said signal device, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses at Cleveland, Ohio, this 6th day ofJuly, 1907.

FREDERICK L. ODENBACH.

Witnesses:

J. 0. Poems, L. G. HoPPER.

line conductor, a power driven contactor

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