US1322270A - Switch and signal indication - Google Patents

Description

H. B. TAYLOR.

SWITCH AND SIGNAL lwnlcAloN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.25| |916.

Patented N v. 18, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I'.

I/III/ENTO? waa 72k By \I M3365.

A TTUR/VEY H. B. TAYLOR.

SWITCH AND SIGNAL INDICATION.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.25,191s.

1 ,322,270. Patented Nov. 18,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fig.

BVNIWSQ Anon/VH UNITED PATENT FFICE.

HERBERT B. TAYLOR, or wEsTF-:fnLn New Jni'csnr, AssIeNOR To HALL SWITCH & SIGNAL co., a CORPORATION on MAINE.

To all whom t may concer/z: I u

Bc it known that L'HERBERT B. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, 'and a 'resident of the town Vof lVestfie'ld, county of Union, and State of New Jersey, have iiivfented certain new and useful .Switch and Signal Indications, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and improved means of controlling traffic of trains or the type known as electric interlocking systems.

My present invention relates more specifically to a particular means of indicatioili of the correct functioning of such devices.

It has been the practice in operating switches and semaphores electrically, Vto so arrange the devices and circuits that lt-he tower man will have definite indication after he has pulled a controlling lever that the function which the lever was intended to control has operated in the manner in which he so intended it. This-has :been accol'nplished in various manners, one being the employment of 'a direct current `supply to operate the function and then causing the function upon the completion of its Voperation to 'close a circuit through a. separate and distinct source of alternating current supply, to send an indication back to the tower man, and to operate a device therewith which would allow him to complete the full stroke of his lever.

One object of my' invention is to obtain an indication circuit with characteristics in distinct opposition to the circuit employed in the control of the devices. `Another Object of my invention is to simplify the wiring of such devices and avoid the necessity of having power lilies carrying different characteristic currents to the various functions to be operated.

Other objects and advantages will befunderstood by reading the specification and will be more specifically described and. claimed in the appended claims.

Referring to the figures, in Figure 1, I show diagranni'iaticall'y the operating and kcontrol circuits for. a switch machine and also for the control of a semaphore.

In Fig. 2 I show a section of a current changing device taken longitudinally 'with the shaft. y K p y y' In Fig. 3 I show a cross section taken through A A. in Fig. 2.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ea Nov. 1s, 1919.

Application inea August 25, i916. serial No. 116,308.

In Fig. #l- I show a sectional side elevation of aA controlling lever, showing the indication magnet and the method in which it controls the lever.

Referring to Fig. l, I show a switch control lever 1 and signal control lever 2 which are located preferably in an interlocking tower, at any convenient place near the railroad track. Lever l carries tappet circuit controlling devices 8 and Ll, arranged to coact withthe various contact springs 5, G, 7, 8, 9, l0, lla-nd l2, and lever 2 carries the tap'pet Ycircuit controllers 13 and I4- arranged to coact with 'contact springs l5, 16, 17 and 18, a common return wire 19 is runfroin the interlocking tower vto every function to be controlled. A 'normal operating wire 2O and a reverse operating wire QI are run to every switch operating machine Yand a control wire 2Q is run to every semaphore operatin'g mechanism. A source of direct current supply Q3 is located preferably in the interlocking tower and connected by means of wire 24C to the connnon 19. The other side of the source of supply 23 is connected by means of wire 2 to contact springs G and S and by 'means of wire Q6 to the contact spring 16. The switch operating mechanism consists of a system of mechanical connections toV theswitch to be operated which are driven through a suitable train of gearing by means of a direct current motor which is shown diagrammatically by means of the comniutator 27 and opposing field windings 28, 29 and 30, Sl. There are also provided two systems of tappet circuit coutrollers 32 and 83 which operate in conjunction with the mechanism as hereinafter described.

In addition to this there are provided two slow acting operatinol magnets 3iand T35 which control the contacts 3G, 37, 3S and 39, 1&0. aIrespect-ively. The normal operating wire 2O is,r connected to contact springs 42 and 43 and by means of wire 44e to contact 4-1, and also to the contact 115 of the circuit controller 64; on the signal mechanism.

Reverse operating wire E31 is connected to contacts fie ande? and through wire i8 to Contact 38. Contact-s Ll0 and 12 are connected through indication magnet winding 4K9 to commen 19, and contact 18 is connected through indication magnet winding 5G to common 19. rEhe operating wire Q2 is conA nected to one side of the hold clear magnet 51 of the signal mechanism and also to contact 52 of the circuit controller 62 and contact 53 of the circuit controller 63.

The mechanism of the semaphore 55 is operated through a suitable train of gears by means of a direct current motor diagrammaticallv sho-wn by means of lield' winding 56 and commutator 57, and when the semaphore is in the clear position it is held by means of the hold clear magnet 51 ina manner well known in the art, the current passing from source of supply 23 through wire 26, contact spring 16, tappet circuit controller 13, contact spring 15, wire 22, hold clear coil 51, wire 58, and back through common 19, and wire 24 to source of supply.

As the circuits and mechanism are now diagrammatically shown the switch 5-1 is set for main line trarlic and the semaphore 55 is in the clear position.

Referring to Fig. 11, it will be seen that the lever 2 is composed of a sliding member 79 carrying an operating handle 80 and arranged to slide horizontally on a bed 81. A slot 82 is formed in the under side of the member 7 9 and is provided with a locking dog 83, having sloping upper faces 81 arranged in such a manner that the dog 83 will be forced downward whenever it passes under a step pin 85. The dog 83 also has a recess 86 formed in one of its sides and is provided with a coacting spring pressed ball 87 which will retain the dog in its upward or downward position until force is applied to move the same, either upward or downward. The slide member 79 is also provided with a cam groove 88 arranged to impart a vertical motion to a well known locking bar 89 by means of the connecting link 90 and the actuating roller 91. The locking bars 89 on the various levers are so interlocked that it is necessary to complete the full stroke of any one lever before another lever can be operated, this being accomplished in a manner which is old and well known in the art. The indication magnet consists of a laminated iron structure 92, carrying a coil 50 on one side of the same. A lever arm` 93 is pivoted at a point 94: in such a manner that a shading coil 95 carried by the arm 93 and surrounding a portion of the iron core 92 will be free to travel outward along the section 96 of the core 92. Arm 93 also has an extension 97 which carries a shoe 98 operating in a vertical direction in a suitable guide 99, and pivoted to the arm 97 at a point 100. The operation of the lever is as follows:

Upon moving the handle 2 backward the sloping face 84 of the locking dog 83 will pass under stop pin 85 and the dog 83 will be forced downward until the projection 101 will pass down into the recess 102 of the bed 81. Should the operator then attempt to complete the stroke of his lever, the projectlon 101 of dog 83 will engage with the face 103 in the bed 81 and prevent its further movement. However, upon the reception of the alternating indication current which passes through indication magnet coil 50, the shading coil 95 will be forced out` ward on account of the induced current therein'. This causes the shoe 98 to be raised thereby forcing the dog 83 upward until the projection 101 will be clear of the face 103. The dog is retained in this position by means of the ball 87. The lever will new be free, and the operator can complete the stroke of the same, thereby releasing his other levers in order that he may operate these as desired.

The operations of the various devices to place the semaphore 55 at stop and inove the switch 54 for take siding movements are as follows:

In order to move the semaphore 55 to the stop position the tower man operates lever 2, moving the same forward until the tappet circuit controller 14, bridges the contact springs 17 and 18 as shown in dotted ,lines at 60 and tappet circuit controller 13 moves to the position shown at 61, opening the circuit between contact springs 15 and 16.

It will now be seen that the current supply to the hold vclear coil 51 has been opened at the conta-ct springs 15 and 1G, and semaphore 55 will commence to move to the stop position by gravity in the well known manner. This will rotate the armature and the commutator 57 of the signal motor backward. The circuit controllers 62, 63 and 64@ are arranged to move through an angle of 9() degrees with the movement of the semaphore 55. It will thus be seen that when the semaphore 55 has almost reached the stop position, the circuit controllers 63 and 6l will wipe by and momentarily make contact with their respective contacts 53 and L15. Attached to the motor shaft are collector rings and 66 and a commutatordevice 67. The collector rings 65 and 66 are connected to alternate contact segments of commutator 67 as shown at 68 and 69. It will be seen that as the semaphore 55 returns to the stop position closing circuit controller' 64- and contact 45, a supply of direct current wilt pass from the source of supply 23 through wire 25, contact spring 6, tappet circuit controller 3, contact spring 5, wire 20, wire 441,. contact 415, circuit controller 6J: to collector ring 66, through commutator 67, brush 70, primary winding 71 of transformer, brush 72, commutator 67, to collector ring 65, through wire 73, back through common 19, wire 24C, to source of supply.

On account of the rotation of the com` mutator 67. the current passing through the primary winding of transformer 71, will be alternately reversed in direct relation to the speed of rotation of the commutator 67. At

the same time that circuit controller 64 `and contact close circuit :controller 63 and contact 53 are closed, and in consequence of the alternation of current in the prin'iary winding 71, a secondary current will be induced in the secondary winding 74, which will lbe alternating in characteristic, and will pass through wire 75 to circuit controller 63, contact 53, wire 76, wire 22, wire 78, contact 17, tappet circuit controller 14, cont-act 18, indication magnet winding 50, back through common 19 to secondary winding 74. It will be seen `that upon the energization of indication magnet winding 50, that the lever 2l will be released and the towerman can then complete its stroke, causing the tappet circuit controllers to take up the position as indicated at 104 and 105, thereby leaving all the cont-acts on this lever open, and unlocking all other levers which may now 'be safely operated. Then the semaphore has completed its movement to stop position the contacts 45 and 53 will have been again opened, thereby havingleft all the indication circuits of the signal open.

In order to throw the switch 54 forthe take siding movement, the tower man will move lever 1 forward until tappet'circuit controllers 3 and 4 will take up the positions as indicated by dotted lines at 104 and 105 respectively. This will close the circuit from source of supply 23, through wire 25, contact 8, tappet circuit controller 3, contact 7, reverse operating wire 21, contact 46, tappet circuit controller 106, con-y tact 107, wire 108, through coil 35, wire 109 and back to common 19 and wire 24, to source of supply. This will energize the magnet 35 and close contacts 39, 40 and 41. The current will then pass from wire 108 to Contact 39, through wire 110, through field windings 31 and 30, through wire 111, through commutator- 27 and armature windings, wire 112, back through common 19 and wire 24, to source of supply. This will operate the motor to operate the switch 54 to the siding position. Upon the commencement of the operation of the switch, the circuit controller 32 is moved to a position which will cause the tappet circuit controllers 113, 114 and 115 to take the positions as shown in dotted lines at 116, 117, and 118. As the switch nears the completion of its movement, the circuit cont-roller 33 is moved over, causing` the tappet circuit controllers 106, 119 and 120 to take up the positions shown in dotted lines at 121, 122 and 123. This will open the operating Vcircuit to the motor through the tappet circuit controller 106 and the tappet circuit controller 119 will shunt the windings of the motor, through wire 112, commutator 27 and the armature of the motor, wire 111, reverse field coils 29 and 28, wire 124, wire 125, contact 126, tappet circuit controller 119, contact sition,

E127, wire 128, Contact 40, which is still held closed on account of slow acting :feature of magnet 35, wire 129, common 19,- bacl: to wire 112. This will act asa snubbing circuit to the motor and form aretardat-ion device at the completion of itsl operation- It will lalso be seen that as the tappet circuit controller 120 passesbetween contacts 47 and 131, the energy from source of supply 23 will pass througlrwire 25, contact V8, tappet circuit controller 3, contact 7 reverse operating wire 21, wireV 132, contact 147, tappet circuit controller 120, contact 131, wire 133, wire 134, collector ring 135, commutator device 136, wire 137, primary 138 of transformer, wire 139, back through commutator device `136, to collector ring 140, wire'141, common 19 and'wire 24, back to source of Supply.

On account-of the rotation of commutator device 136, the' current in the primary 138 of the transformer will be alternating in characteristic and will, therefore, induce asecondla'ry valternating current in secondary winding 142, which will pass through wire 143. through contact 41, wire 144, wire 44, normal operating wirel 20, to contact 11, tappet circuit controller 4, contact k12, througl. indication magnet winding 49 and back through common 19, and wire 145, to secondary 142. This will operate the indication magnet of lever 1 in the same .manner as described for lever 2 and release the same, in order that the tower man may complete its stroke. Upon the completion of the stroke of the lever 1, the tappet circuit controllers 3 land 4 will take up the ypositions as indicated by dotted lines at 146 and 147 respectively. This will open the indication circuits at contacts 11 and 12, and will lea-ve theV switch 54 in the take siding position. Y

The sequence of operations for the reverse movement ofthe switch are identical to the above, and it is therefore, not considered necessary to describe the same.

After the switch has been returned to the normal position, leaving the `circuits as shown in Fig. 1, the operationr to clear the semaphore 55 is as follows:

Lever 2 will move forward to the full pomoving tappet circuit controllers 13 and 14 to the positions as shown and energy will pass from the source of supply 23 through wire 26,. contact 16, tappet circuit controller 13, contact 15, wire 22, contact 52, circuit controller 62, field winding 56, commutator 57 and armature of motor, wire 59, back to common 19 and wire 24 to source of supply. This will energize the motor and cause the same to rotate and move the semaphore 55 to the clear position, when circuit controller 62 is opened, contact 52 cutting off energy from the motor, and leaving the semaphore 55 held in the clear position by means of the circuit as previously described through the hold clear coil 5l. f

Although I have described one typical circuit and mode of operation of my device, it is apparent that many modiications may be made in the same Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not wish to be speciiically restricted to the particular form as shown and described.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In combination with a traiiic controlling device, a direct current motor for operating the same, a source of direct current supply Jfor said motor, means extraneous to the trailic controlling device for controlling said source, and means operatively connected to said traflic controlling devicefor changing the characteristics of a portion o1c said direct current supply to induce a secondary current to control the operation of said extraneous controlling means.

2. In combination with a trafiic controllingdevice5 a direct current motor for operating the saine, a sourceof direct current supply for said motor, means extraneous to the controlling` device for controlling said source, and means comprising a commutator for making a portion of said direct current supply alternating in characteristic to induce a secondary current to control the operation of said extraneous controlling means.

3. In combination with a traffic controlling device, a direct current motor for operating the same, a source of direct current supply for said motor, a current converting device extraneous to the motor and controlled thereby, a control lever, a three wire circuit between said tralic controlling device and said control level', and means for impressing alternating current upon the circuit to control the operation of the control lever. l

et. In combina-tion with a-traiiic controlling device, a source of direct current for operating the same, means operatively connected to said trallic controlling device 'for making a portion of said current alternating in characteristic, a control lever, connecting wires comprising a circuit between said traffic controlling device and said cont-rol lever, and means for impressing alternating current upon the circuit to control the operation or the control lever.

5. In combination with a traiiic controlling device, a source of direct current for operating the same, means comprising a commutator operatively connected to said traffic controlling device for making a portion of said current alternating in characteristic, a control lever,'connecting wires comprising a circuit between said traiiic controlling device and said control lever, and means for impressing alternating current upon the circuit to control the operation of the control lever.

6. In combination with a switch operating mechanism and a switch control lever, a semaphore operating mechanism and a semaphore control lever, a common source ot direct current supply, and means associated with the semaphore mechanism to change the characteristics of a portion of the direct current supplied to the switch control mechanism when the switch control lever is in a certain position to control the operation oi the semaphore control lever.

7. In combination with a traffic controlling device, a direct current motor for operating the same a source or' direct current supply for said motor, a current converting device `comprising a commutator operated by said motor to convert a portion of said direct current to alternating current, a control lever, a circuit between said trafiic controlling device and said control lever, a transformer ttor inductively impressing alternating current upon the circuit, and means included in said circuit comprising an inductively operated device to control the operation oi' said control lever.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HERBERT B. TAYLOR.

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