US946415A

US946415A - Automatic stopping mechanism for railway-trains.

Info

Publication number: US946415A
Application number: US44832008A
Authority: US
Inventors: William J Wilgus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1908-08-13
Filing date: 1908-08-13
Publication date: 1910-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1927-01-11

Description

W. J. WILGUS. AUTOMATIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 13. 1-908.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

"WILLIAM J. N ILGUS,

AUTOMATIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR Specification of Letters Patent.

or NEW-YORK, N. Y.

RAILWAY-TRAINS.

. Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

Application filed August; 13, 1908. Serial No. 448,320.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. \Vnous, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county of New York, and

State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Stopping Mechanism for Railway-Trains, fully described and represented in the following specification andthe accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in automatic stopping mechanisms for railway trains.

In the operation of railways, and particularly in the operation of electrically oper- I ated railways on which high speed and frequent service is maintained, it is desirable that the trains be provided with stopping devices which shall operate to prevent a train from moving under certain conditions, as, for instance, to prevent a train from passing a signal which is in stop position. It is also de irable that, under some circumlbinaticns as will be hereinafter fully described and then, specifically pointed out.

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic'plan view of a section of a railroad equipped with one form of automatic stopping mechanis embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a railroad equipped with another form of automatic stopping-mechanism embodying the invention. Fig. 3 isa diagrammatic plan view of a section of railroad equipped with still a third form of. stopping mechanism embodying the invention.

The invention is more particularly intended for use in connection with railways the motive power of which is electricity, though it may be embodied in constructions which are useful in connection with rail-- ways operated diy motive power other than I electricity. \Vhen the invention is embodied l in constructions intended to be used inconnection with electrically operated railways the usual working conductor will be cmi l l i l t stances, it shall be possible for a driver to I ployed,which in the. construction illustrated enter a block where the signal is set against in Fi'g.' 1 is marked 1. This conductor may be 7 him and proceed with caution through block.

It is one of the objects of this invention l the third rail type,

to provide a stopping mechanism which depends for its action on the change ofcondition, whether physical or electrical, of a short controlling section. the change incondition of said section being controlled by a block circuit depending for its operation on the presence in saidcircuit or the absence from it of a car or train.. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved stopping mechanism which shall be of such a character that the driver of the train will be prevented from moving the train when itshould be' brought to a stop without his being apprised of the fact, the construction being such, however, that the driver may, after he has been ap-' prised that the train should be brought to a stop, cause it to move under certain conditions.

The invention further extends to certain other improvements and also to certain de-' and in certain parts, improvements and comthis of any usual description, such, for in tance, as a'third rail or an over-head conductor, however, being shown. It is, of course, to be understood that the ply the current which furnishes the motive primary function of this conductor is to suppower for the motorsof the trains, wherethe electrically operated trains. comotive or car is indicated at 2, said locomotive or car being represented asattached to other cars, as indicated at 3.

will include a plurality sections which will be located alongside the track and near the working conductor when the invention is employed in connection with electrically operated railways. constructions embodying controlling sections will be in line with the, working conductor. In the particular con- ;marked 4. The purpose of these short controlling sections is to control through proper agencies the stopping devices on a car. locomotive or train so as to a stop under the proper conditionsgas, for instance. when a sign is driver of the car or train.

invention is employed in connection with An electric lo- Constructions embodying the invention of short controlling In' the best the invention these 'struc'tions shown the controlling sections are to bring the car or tramet against the While the length of these controlling sections may be varied they should not be longer than the length of the train, and in the best construttions emcontrolling sections co-act with stopping 'de Vices on the car and the sections will be so arranged that their condition may be varied or changed so as to permit the passage of or effect the stopping of a car or train. This change of condition may be either a physical change, as, for instance, a change in location of the controlling section, or it may be a change in electrical condition, according to the characteristics of the constructions in which the invention is embodied.

\Vhile the means employed for producing the change in condition referred to may be varied, in the best constructions they will include block circuits which govern the operation' of the condition changing means, the action of these block circuits being determined by the presence therein or the absence therefrom of a car or train.

Referring more particularly to the'construction illustrated in Fig. 1, the controlling sections 4 are arranged so that they are readily movable into and out of line with the working conductor, the movements being produced by suitable motor mechanism indicated in this figure by an elcctromagnet 5, the

' movement of the section in opposition to that of the magnet being ettected by a spring indicated at 6.

It will be understood, of course, that the motor mechanism may be widely varied in its construction, the magnet illustrated being merely a diagrammatic showing of means to be employed, and the means operating in opposition thereto, herein illustrated as a spring, may be also of any suitable construc tion. In the best constructions the condition changing means for the controlling section will be electrically operated, the construction being such that the controlling section while normally in condition to permit the car or train to pass, will, upon any disarrangement of the controlling section, be changed so as to etfect the stopping of the car or train,

In the particular construction illustrated in Fig. 1 the motor indicated at 5 operates on a closed circuit, the power for the motor 'being derived from a suitable source of elec- I trical energy, such as a battery 7. From this battery a current is led through a conductor 8, which, as illustrated, contains a circuit breaker 9, and another conductor 10, to the motor mechanism, the ground for the motor being indicated at 11. As a signal will almost invariably be used in connection with each controlling section, such a signalis inaaaaw energy, such as a battery 7, by means of a I branch Wire-14, the ground for this motor mechanism being indicated at 15. In the particular construction illustrated in Fig. 1

- the controlling sections t are in circuit with "the working conductor, being connected thereto by flexible bonds indicated at 16.

It has heretofore been indicated that the condition of the controlling section will be normally such as topermit the passage of the car or train and, in the construction shown in Fig. l, the motor mechanism operating, as has been stated, operates on a closed circuit, which holds the controlling section in this position. In the constructions illustrated the operation of this closed circuit is determined by block circuits extending for a considerable distance from the controlling section and its condition changing mechanism. These block circuits, as shown, are of such character that the operations effected by them are due to the presence of a car in or the absence of a car from a particular circuit or circuits. \Vhile these circuits may be variously arranged, in the constructions shown these circuits are formed in part by rails which may be divided into suitable sections by insulated supports 1;". In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 these governing circuits include a source of electrical energy, as, for instance, a battery ductor 25 leads back to the battery. The v circuit breaker 9 heretofore referred to forms or carries the armature of the magnet 22, so that when the magnet is energized the armature completes the circuit, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Should, however, a car or train be present in the block circuit, as is indi cated by the axle and wheels marked 26 at the right hand end of Fig. 1, the magnet 22 will be short circuited. This will permit the-armature 9 to move, breaking the circuit through the motor mechanism 5, thus rendering the mechanism inoperative to hold the movable section 4 in its normal position. This section will therefore be moved out of line with the working conductor by the spring 6, as indicated at the right hand end of Fig. 1. At the same time the magnet 13 which controls the position of the signal is 'deenergized and the semaphore arm will be thrown up into stop position by suitable means, such as a spring, not shown.

In constructions embodying the invention the change in condition bfa controlling sec- 2O \Vhen the magnet is energized and its arma tionvaries its relation with respect to stpping mechanism which will be carried on a car or train andwhich may embody collector shoes 27 suitably mounted on t e car. These shoes, through suitable connec ions 'to be hereinafter referred to, control the action of the stopping devices, which may be madeeffective through the braking mechanism of the car.

. While the particular construction of stopping devices illustrated may be varied, in

the best constructions they will include an actuator which will be electrically operated. As shown. this actuator includes a sliding rod 28 which is suitably connected with the -armature 29 of'an electromagnet 30, the

pull of the magnet being resisted by a suitable spring 31. This actuator may control a valve in the main train pipe 32, the easing for this valve being indicated at 33.

ture is held over. the actuator rod is inoperative. lVhen, however, the circuit is broken the actuator is free to move and thus to open the train-pipe valve and vent the pipe. The construction by which this valve is operated being well known. it is not illustrated.

If it be desired to effect the stopping of the train not only by applying the brakes but also by cutting off the power. the actuator rod may carry a suitable circuit breaker.

not shown. which will bridge a pair of terminals in the wiring of the motor.

The actuator may operate on a closed circuit so that any defect or disarrangement of the apparatus may be immediately noticed.

As shown, the main line wire of the actua-' tor circuit is indicated at 34:, this wlre hav ing branches leading to the collectors 27, of which four are shown, as four would usually be employed. The branches leading to'one.

set of collectors are marked 35 and those leading to the other set of collectors are marked 36. The main line wire 341eads to the magnet 30, before described, and the ground of this magnet is marked 37. It will be readily understood. that any interruption in this circuit will at once deenergize the magnet 30 and cause the actuator to vent the train pipe in the mannerdescribed.

Referring to the construction shown in Fig. 1 and already described, it will be understood that if the motor mechanism indicated at 5 is operating to hold the controlling section in line with the working open, as will be the case when a car is in theblock circuit governing this motor mechanism circuit, then the controllin' section will be shift in position so that as the car cause the magnet 30 .-to be deenergized and the brakes set.

As has been indicated, instead of produc:

a physical change in the controlling section, as by shifting its position in the manner already described and illustrated in Fig. 1, the condition of this controlling section may be changed by varying its-electrical condition. One means of etl'ecting this is illustrated in Fig. 2. In the construction shown in this figure the controlling section 4 is fixed in line with the working conductor but is insulated therefrom by insulating connections illustrated at 38, 39, the working conductor current being carried around the controlling sections 4 by conductors 40. In this construction the controlling sections will be supplied with current from a suitable source of electrical energy, as, for instance, thebattery indicated at 7 and before referred to as operating the motor mechanism 5, the circuits being the same as those before described except that the conductor 10 instead of leading to the motor mechanism leads to' the controlling section 4. With this construction when a car reaches the controlling section it theclosed circuit is in condition to'suppl'y current to the controlling section there will be no operation of the braking mechanism. If, however, the circuit leading from the source of electrical energy? to the controlling section lsopen,

as will be the case when a car is in the block governing circuit, no current will be supplied to thecsection at and. the brakes will be operated in the manner hereinbefore referred to.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 3' illustrates anothermeans for changing .the

electrical condition of the short controlling sections so as to vary the relation between it and the electrical stopping mechanism of the car. In this construction the controlling sections l are located in the working conductor and are connected with it by means of re-actance bonds 4:1. A"generator is located at 42. which supplies a current to. the main line conductor which is different in lts characte'risticsfrom those of the propulsion current, which also passes through the conductor, the re-actance bonds before referred to preventing the passage of the current from the generator 42 but permitting the passage of-the propulsion current. The current from the generator 42 is carried to the working conductor through branches and 45 and to the short controlling sections by means of branches 46 and &7. These

branches

46 and 47 may be opened by 011'.- cuit breakers 48, which circuit. breakers may also control a local circuit 49 leading from a suitable source of electrical energy, as battery 7, for operating the magnet 13 of the 7 ing conductor, of a plurality of single short .the car will be operated in the manner heretofore described.

In practical railroading it is frequently desirable and sometimes necessary for the driver of a train to pass a signal set against him and proceed at caution to the next signal. lVhile with the short controlling sections-it might be possible to cause the train to coast the gap by getting up sufiicient speed, even though the brakes were set and the power cut off, yet this would produce an undesirable strain on the equipment and cause annoyance to passengers.

In the best constructions embodying the invention, therefore, means will be provided whereby the driver may prevent the action of the stopping devices which would otherwise be produced by the change in condition of the short controlling sections. This means may include a suitable detent or locking mechanism for the actuator which may be electrically operated. In the particular construction shown the actuator rod is notched as is illustrated at 51, the notch bein arranged to be engaged by a locking boIt which is carried on the armature 52 of anelectromagnet 53. This magnet may be energized from a source of electrical energy, as, for instance, a battery 54., from which is led a conductor 55, this conductor terminating at a switch 56. From this switch a conductor 57 leads to the magnet 53. From this magnet another conductor 58 leads back to the battery. It is obvious that the driver by closing the switch 56 can lock the actuator mechanism so that it will not be operated even though the magnet 30 should be denergized in the manner hereinbefore described.

Changes and variations may be made in the constructions by which the invention is carried into effect. therefore, to be limited to the particular constructions heretofore described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Certain novel features shown but not claimed herein are claimed in a companion application No. 422,430,.filed March 21, 1908.

What I claim is 1. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a workcontrolling sections arranged in line with the conduEtor, meansior changing the con- The invention is not,

acacia dition of eachof said sections, so as to render it operative or inoperative with respect to stopping devices mounted on a car, and block circuits for governing the operation of said condition changing means, the action of said circuits being determined by the presence of a car therein or the absence of acartherefrom.

2. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a working conductor, of a plurality of single short controlling sections arranged in line with the conductor, means for changing the condition of each of said sections, so as to render it operative or ino erative with respectto stopping devices ounted on the car, block circuits tor governing the operation of said condition changing means, the

action of each of said circuits being determined by the presence of a car therein or the absence of a car therefrom, and signals, the indications of which are changed to correspond with the change in conditionof a controlling section.

3. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a working conductor, of a pluralityof single short controlling sections arranged in line with the conductor, electrically operated devices for changing the condition of said controlling sections, each of said devices including a normally closed circuit, and block circuits for controlling each normally closed circuit, said block circufts being rendered inoperative to hold the controlling circuits closed by the presenceof a car in a block.

4:. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combination with a working conductor, of a plurality of single short controlling sections arranged in line with the conductor, electrically'operated devices for changing the condition of said controlling section's, each of said devices including a normally closed circuit, block circuits for controlling each normally closed circuit,

said block circuits being rendered inoperative to hold the controlling circuits closed by the presence of acarin the block, and signals, the indications of which changed to correspond with the condition of the corresponding controlling sections.

5. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a working conductor, of a plurality of short movable controlling sections each of said sections being in circuit with a source of electrical energy and in line with the working conductor, a car having stopping devices, and means for producing movement of said sections whereby a section may be rendered operative or inoperative with respect to stopping devices mounted on the car.

6. In an automatic stopping mechanism for raiiways, the combination with a work: ing-conductor, of a plurality of controllingare - of the positioning mechanism.

8. In an automatic stopping mechanism for'railways, the combination with a working-conductor, of a plurality of short movable controlling-sections each section being.

in circuit with a source of electrical energy and in line with the working conductor, a positioning mechanism for each of said sections, signals, .and means for efiecting the operation of the signals.

9. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways,.the combination with a working-conductor, of a plurality of short movable controlling-sections each section being in circuit with a source of-electrical energ and inline with the working conductor, a positioning mechanism for eachof said secpositioning mechanism and .tions, and means including block circuits for controlling the operation of the positioning mechanism. 10. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a work ing-condu'ctor, of' a plurality of short movable controlling-sections each section being. in circuit with a source of electrical energy" and in line with the working conductor, a positioning mechanism for each of said sections, signals, and means including block circuits for controlling the operation of the positioning mechanism and the signals.

11. In an automatic stopping mechanism v for railways, the combination with a working conductor, of a plurality of short movable controlling-sections said sections being in circuit with a source of electrical energy and in line with the working conductor, a

motor for determining the position of each section, and connections for automatically controlling the operation of the motors.

12. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combination with a working conductor, of a plurality of short movablzcontrolling-sections said sections being in circuit with a source of electrical energy and in line with the Working conductor, a

motor tor determining the position of eachsection, and means including block circuits for automatically controlling the operation of the motors.

13. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combination Wl'llh a work- 'ing conductor, of a plurality of short movable controlling-sections in line with the able controlling sections in line with the.

working conductor, motors operating in normally closed circuits, connections whereby the motors determine the positions of the controlling-sections, a circuit breaker in each motor-circuit, and means including block circuits for controlling the operation of the circuit breakers.

15. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combination with a working-conduc'tor, of'a plurality of short controlling sections in circuit with a source of ing conductor, motors operating in normally closed circuits, connections whereby the ino tors determine the positions of the controlling-sections, a circuit breaker in each motorcircuit, and means for controlling the operation of the circuit breakers. I 16. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combination with a working-conductor, of a plurality of short controlling-sections in circuit with a source of electrical energy and in line with the working conductor, motors operating in normally closed circuits, connections whereby the motors'determine the positionsof the control- 'ling sections, a circuit breaker in each motor circuit, and means including block circuits for controlling the operation of the circuit breakers.

17. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a plurality of short movable controlling sections in circuit with. a source of electrical energy,

of electrical devices for producing a move 11116 driver for renderingthe movement of a controlling section ineffective.

18. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a work ingconductor, of a plurality of short movable controlling sections arranged along the;

conductor and in circuit with a source of electrical energy, a car having stopping devices, electrical devices for moving the sections to render them operative or inoperative with respect to the stopping devices,

electrical energy and in line with the workthe collector cooperates,

block circuits for governing the operation of said electrical devices, and means under the control of the driver for preventing the operation of the stopping devices notwithstanding the movement; of a controlling section.

19. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a car having a current collector and stopping devices, of a working conductor with which a plurality of short controlling sections each of said sections be: ing in circuit .with a source of electrical energy, means including block circuits for changing the condition of the controlling sections, an electrically operated actuator for the stopping devices, and a normally closed circuit including the collector and the actuator.

20. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a car having a current collector and stopping devices, of a working conductor with Which the collector cooperates, a plurality of short controlling sections each of said sections being in circuit with a source of electrical energy, means including block circuits for changing the condition of the controlling sections, an electrically operated actuator for the stopping devices, circuit includin the collector and the actuator, and signals the indications of which are changed in accordance with the change in condition of the controlling sections.

21. In an automatic stopping mechanism a normally closed for 'railways, the combination with a car havinga current collector and stopping devices, of a working conductor, a plurality of short movable controlling sections each of said sections being in circuit with a source of electrical energy, motors for determining the positions of the sections, means including block circuits for controlling the operation of the motors, an electricall operated actuator for the stopping mechanism, and a normally closed circuit including the collector and the actuator.

22. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination with a car having a current collector and stopping devices, of a Working-conductor, a plurality of short movable controlling sections each of-said-sections being in circuit with a source of electrical energy, motors for determining the positions of the sections, means including block circuits for controlling the operation of the motors, an electrically operated actuator for the stopping mechanism, a normally closed circuit including the collector and the actuator, and signals the indications of which are changed as the sections are moved.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. I WILLIAM J. \VILGUS.

Witnesses:

Tn. SELIERI, VIDA SUTTON. I