US1624011A - Trolley switch - Google Patents

Description

April 12,1927. 1,624,011

J. JURUD DICK TROLLEY SWITCH Filed Feb. 16, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 12, 1927. 1,624,011

J. J. RUDDICK TROLLEY SWITCH Filed Feb. 16, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.6, F1 g 7.

\nvenToT.

John J. RuddicK BYMWKM Anya.

' 1,624,011 J. J. RUDDICK THOLLEY SWITCH April 12 a 1927.

Filed Feb. 16. 1923 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 h \nvenTor- John J. RuddicK b MWz M v Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIE.

JOHN J. RU'DDICK, OF WEST NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TROLLEY Application filed February This invention relates to trolley switches such as are used in electric signalling systems for trolley cars for the purpose of setting the signal by the movement of the trolley wheel along the trolley wire. The trolley switches which are now commonly used are in the nature of so-called contacters that is in the nature of devices that are adapted to be engaged by the trolley wheel as it passes along the trolley wire thereby closing the signalling circuit or circuit 0'1 a magnet which in turn controls the signal ling circuit. These contacters as heretofore used rely for their operation upon the phyz- 'ical contact of the trolley wheel or trolley harp or some other moving part, with the contacting device in order to give theoperative movement to the latter.

in my present invention I have provided a trolley switch in which the circuit is closed by magnetic action solely and this is provided for by employing a circuit-closing device which is magnetically responsive to the magnetic attraction of a body (such as a trolley harp) moving past the circuit-clos ing device, such magnetic attraction resulting in giving movement to a magneti tallysensitive device to cause the latter to close the circuit. In my invention, therefore, this closing of the circuit is done by magneticv attraction and without any physical contact between the trolley wheel, trolley harp or other moving device and the element to be actuated.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated in the drawings a selected embodiment thereof which will now he described after which the novel iezn turcs will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a side view oi an apparatus cmhodying n'iy invention, said view showing the side thereoi which is adjacent the trolley wire; 7

Fig. 2 is a view of said apparatus illustrating the opposite side;

Figs. 3 and 4: are views showing the mannor of connecting the device to and supportingit on a trolley wire;

Fig. 5 is a. diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring oi? the device;

l ig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the Fig. '7 is a view showing the opposite side oi said housing;

SWIT CH.

18, 1923. Serial No. 619,497.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view thereof;

l ig. 9 is a bottom plan view;

liig. 10 is a section on the line l0-10,

Fig. 7; Fig. 11 is a section on the line 1111, Fi 7 1 1g 12 1s a iragmentary view showing As stated above my invention comprehends a magnetically-sensitive circuit-closing member which is responsive to the magnetic att'action of a trolley harp passing adjacent thereto to close a circuit of a relay :inagnet which when energized operates to close the signalling circuit.

in Fig. 5 I have illustrated diagrannnath cally some of the essential elements of the device and before describing in detail the embodiment oi? the invention illustrated in 1 and 2 I will refer briefly to this diagranunatic view. in said Fig. 5 1 in dicatcs the trolley wire and 2 indi rates the signalling circuit. This circuit is normally open and is provided with the two contacts 3 and l the contact a being carried by the armature 5 of a magnet Geo that when the magnet 6 is energized and the armature 5 is attracted thereby the contact 4 is closed against the. contact 3 thereby closing the signalling circuit 2.

The winding oi the magnet (i is in it normally-open circuit which has therein a magneti(rally-sensitive circuit-closing member that adapted to he moved into position to close the circuit by the magnetic attraction oi a troiley harp passing along the trolley wire 1. Such a nic nctically-sensitive member is illustrated at 7 in l ig. 5 as in the form of magnetic needle or pin which is suspended from its upper end and the lower end of which is capable of being moved by the magnetic attraction oi a trolicy harp it? as it passes aiong the wire 1 adacent the member 7.

This member '5' is electrically connected to the trolley wire, such electrical connection being shown dir 'ranunatically at 9 in Fig. 5 and said member 7 cooperates with a cow *means.

tact 8 which is connected to the magnet 6 by a wirecon'nection 10, said onagn'et being in turn connected to the ground through a wire connection 11, 12. The magneticallysensitive member '7'norma'lly occupies a position out of engagement with the contact 8 so that under normal conditions the circuit through the magnet 6 is open. The device is so constructed, however, that when a moving body, such as a trolley wheel, passes along the wire 1 in the directionof the arrow-there will bea magnetic attraction between the iron trolley harp and the meniber 7 which will tlraw the latter into engagement with the contact 8 thereby closing the circuit of the magnet "6 and energizing the latter. .As soonas this magnet is energized the signalling circuit 2 is closed atthe contacts l3, lthu's setting the signal.

The magnetically-sensitive member 7 is magnetically supported and for this purpose ll have provided a magnet comprising two coils 1311mm connectedby the two bridge pieces for pole members :15 and 27. These coils 13 and 14 are inshunt circuit lead-- ingitrom It'he trolley wire 1 to the ground so that they are "constantly energized and they, together with the pole "pieces and 27 lorm .an electromagnet which holds the needle 7 suspended from the pole piece 15 by :magnetic attraction. in the diagram the Winding 14. is connected to the trolley through the wire connections 16 and the two windings are connected through the wire connection 1''( while thecoil 13 is connected to the groundthrough the wireronncctions 18 and 12.

Referringnow to Figs. 1 and 2 the signalactuating magnet ti shown as supported in a iiran'ie 19 which is carried on the bridge piece 15 connectingthe two= coils 13 and 1 1:,

the 'latter having their lower ends secured to ears 28 extending from a connecting piece 27. The bridge 15, frame 19,=coils 13 and Hand connecting n'iember or guide 27 thus eonstitute a frame or supporton which "the operative parts of the device "are sustained. This frame or support is supported adjacent the trolley wire 1 by some suitable In the construction shown the bridge :member 15 is provided at its ends withcxtensions orears 20 which are secured to spacing arms Qlthat extend laterallyand in "turn are secured to a shoe 22 situated above and connected to the trolley wire 1. The arms 21 are provided with projections 23 which are received in apertures formed in'yokes 2d, the latter being supported from posts'or other supports 25 by means of guy be electrically connected to the trolley wire through the arms 21 and shocsQQ.

The current for the windings 13 and 1 t of the electromagnet is taken from the trolley wire 1tl'11'ouglithe frame and in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the wind ing 1a is connected to the frame by a connection 116, the latter being secured to the frame by a binding post 99. The wire counection18which connects the winding 13 to thegroumlis shown in Figsv 1 and as leading to a binding post 98 on adplate til which is secured to the insulating block 31, the ground wire being also connected to this plate.

The wire 11 conncct'iing thc magnet U with the ground shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as leading from said magnet to the binding post 98 and thus being (.Olll'lQt'lQtl to the ground through the plate 61.

The signal circuit wire 2 leads to a terminal 30 supported on a block 31 of insulating material which i-J carried by the frame 19.

The contact 3 in the circuit. 2 carried by a swinging arm 91 which is pivoted at 32 on a plate 33 supporting the terminal ill). This arm normally heldagainst. a stop 34 by means of a spring 35. The contact arm t mounted on a swinging arm 36 which is pivoted at 37 to a block 38 carried by the frame it), said arm 2-36 supportiir the armature 5 for the magnet ti. 'lhc op Il-luorimilly holds the arm til separated from the arm 3t? so that the contacts 2) and l are scparated. Since the arm 30 is suspended, from the frame 15) which in turn is electrically CUHlH-Kfttitl to the trolley wire 1 through the supporting arms .31 it t'ollimsthat win-never tho armature 5 lSllidl'ttt'ltHl by thc maguclrll thereby to swing the arm. iltiand bringthe contact into engagement: with the contact- 3 a circuit will be established from thctroh lcy wire lthroughthc supporting .lrumeand arm 36, contacts 3 and 4t, arm 91.. block 3 and signal wireQ to the signal mechanism.

Means are herein provided wherebywhen the magnet G is energized and the arn'iaturc 5 is attracted the contacts 3 and -l will be maintained in contact witheach other for a predetermined extent "of time thus ensur- .ing thatthe signalcircuit 2 will he closed long enough to etliect the setting of the nal.

The armattire-carrying arm 36 is actcd on by a spring 39 which tends to retract; said arm and said arm has also connected thereto a retarding device arranged. so that it will retard the movement ollhc arm in both directions. Said arm 36 has a 'movcment considerably greater than i'lcccssary to bring thccontact t into migagcmeut with the contactS so that when the magnet 6 is energized the initial movement of the arm 36 will bring the contact etagainst the contact 3 and then the arm 36will have a fur ther movement into the position shown in Fig. 12 and during this movement the arm 91 will be swung forwardly against the action of the spring 35. As soon as the circuit for the magnet 6 opened then the arms 91 and 36 will swing back to the posit-i011 shown in Fig. 2 through the action of the springs and 39. The retarding device referred to operates to retard the movement of the arm 36 in both directions thereby prolonging the time that the contacts 3 and t are in engagement even though the magnet 6 is only momentarily energized.

This retarding device comprises a bar 411 carried by a shaft 41 which is formed with a pinion4t2 meshing with a gear 43 that is journalled in a bracket or support 14-. This gear 43 is connected to the arm 36 by means of a link 45 which is pivoted at one end to a crank pin 46 on the gear 43 and is pivoted at the other end to the end oi? the arm 36 as shown at 17. WVhen the arm 36 swings from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 12 the gear 43 will be given a partial rotation thus rotating the shaft ll and the arm 40 which acts to retard the motion of the arm 36.

As soon as the magnet 6 is tie-energized then the springs return the parts to their initial position and during such return movement the bar 410 acts also as a retarding agent thus causing a slower movement of the arms 91 and 36 than would naturally result from the action of the springs 39 and 35. This device operates, therefore, to maintain the contacts 3 and 4 in engagement for a period of time after the magnet 6 is ale-energized thereby giving added time for the operation of the signal.

The magnetically-sensitive element 7 by which the circuit for the magnet 6 is closed is enclosed in a chamber 54 formed in a housing 48 of brass or some non-magnetic material and the housing is secured to a plate 190i insulating material by means of a suitable screw 50 and it also has associated therewith a plate 51 of brass or other non-magnetic material which is secured to thebridge member or pole piece 15. This pole piece 15 carries a pin 53 of steel which extends through the plate 51 and through the. top of the housing 48. This pin 53, therefore, becomes part of the pole piece 15 and has a magnetic attraction for the member 7 so that the member 7 will be suspended therefrom as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5. The magnetically-sea sitive element 7 is, therefore, supported by its magnetic attraction to the member and this is suflicient'to hold said member 7 suspended from its upper end so that the lower end is free to be swung in diti'erentdirections.

Since the frame including the pole piece 15 is electrically connected to the trolley wire through the arms 21 it follows that the member 7 will be electrically connected to the trolley wire as indicated in Fig. 5, the electrical connection which is ilhistrated diagranimatically by the wire connection 9 in Fig. 5 being the supporting frame and the pin 53.

The contact 8 with which the pin T cooperates to close the circuit of the magnet 6 is located at the lower end of the housing 48 and is situated so that swinging movement of the member 7 in one direction will move it into engagement with said contact 8. This contact 8 has a U-shaped form and is constituted by the end of a wire 56 which is supported in a block 55 of insulating material that is situated at the lower end of the housing 48, said block having an opening or recess 97 therein in which the contact 8 is located. The lower end of the magnetically-sensitive member 7 also occupies this opening 97. The contact 8 is connected to the magnet 6 through the following connections. The wire connect-ion 56 extends through the insulating blocl'c 55 and the end oi said wire connection is bent upwardly against the outside of the insulating plate 19. This insulating plat-e 4L9 carries a binding post 58, the latter extending through the plate 19 and one end of said binding post has an arm 57 of conducting material thereon which engages the end of the wire connection 56. This binding post is connected to the magnet 6 through a wire 59. In the diagrammatic view Fig. 5 the electrical connections 59, 58, 57, 56 leading to the contact 8 are indicated diagrammatically at 10 while the electrical connections between the members 7 and the trolley wire including the frame is indicateddiagrammatically at 9.

Said magnet is also connected by a wire 11 to a terminal plate 61 which in turn is connected to the ground through a suitable wire connection 12. When, therefore, the magnetically-sensitive element 7 is swung into position to engage the contact 8 then the circuit through the magnet 6 will be closed, said circuit being as follows. From the trolley wire through the shoes 22 and arms 21 and frame of the apparatus including the bridge piece 15, thence through the pin 53 to the contact 7, contact 3, wire 56, arm 57, binding post 58, wire 59, winding of magnet (5, wire 11., terminal 61 and ground wire 12.

As stated above the magnetically-sensitive member 7 normally occupies a position out of contact with the contact 8 and the construction is such that when a trolley harp passes said member 7 the magnetic attraction between the trolley harp and the member 'i will be suflicient to swing the latter into contact with thecontaot 8 thereby'closing the circuit through the magnet 6, which willresultin setting the signal as above described;

In order to develop the proper magnetic attraction between the trolley harp and the passes into the held of magnetic influence of said electro-n'iagnet said harp will. be magnetized and thus as it passes the member 7 it is in a magnetized state so that it has a strong attraction fort-he member 7 and will draw said. member 7 toward it.

The memberiis guided inits movement by a guide plate which is sitrlaied at the lower endo'i the housing 4:8 and between the block 55. i This guide plate is provided with an opening 68 having the general shape shown in Fig. let. Tlhisopening has one recess 69 in which the l()\\t i"(fitl oi the member 7 is normally received and it has at its oppositeside another recess adjacent the contact 8. These recess are separated by a reentrant pointed portion 71 which functions as a guide or deflector. The lower end of the magneticallymensitive needle is normally retained toward the side of the opening havingthe recesses therein through; the magnetic attraction of a permanent magnet 72, which is carried by a post secured to the bar 27. The normal position ot the magnetically-sensitivc element 7 is that illustrated in Figs. 9 and 14:, the lower end thereof occupying the recess (59. W hen a trolley wheel moving along the trolley wire 1 passes the housing 48 in the direction of the arrows Figs, 9 and l the magnetic attraction between the trolley harp and the element 7 will draw the element 7 laterally toward. the trolley harp thus carrying it out of the re cess 69 and as the trolley harp moves along in the direction of the arrow this magnet? cally sensitive element 18 carried 111 said (ll rection over and beyond the projection 71. lVhen the trolley harp passes so far away from the element 7 as not to magnetically affect the latter then the lower end ofthe element 7 will be drawn toward the permanent magnet 72 and will then come into the pocket 70 and thus engage the contact 8 thus closing the circuit of the magnet (3.

It will be understood, of course, that the magnetic attraction ofthe magnet 72 on the I have also herein provided means where by when the n'iagnet (i is energized and the contacts 3 and at are closed such movement will automatically restore the element 7 from the position in which it was left by the passing trolley harp into its normal position shown in Figs. 9 and 14. means (it a restoring member 74 pivoted at 75 to a bracket 70 extending from the housing ib" Said restoring member 74 has a curved arm 7T which operates in a slot 78 'l 'n'med in onawall ol' the housing 48. The

!'(;5Si1)l'l1l 5 member is nori'i'ially retained in its inoperative position shown m Figs. 9 and l l by means of a spring 79 and when in such position it rests against the part 80 ol? the bracket rial. The tail 81 oi the member 742 is, however, situated in the path ol the movement of the lower end ol. the lever 36 so that when the magnet ('8 is energized and the lever 36 is moved forwardly the lower and will cu gage the tail i151 and swing the member 7i. into the dotted line position l ig. ll then-by causing the curved arm 77 to act on the member 7 and carry the latter out of the pocket To and over the point Tl and into the pocket (39.

This mcchanismytheretore, provides means for autoniaticully restoring the magneticallysensitive element 7 into its normal position as soon as the magnet (3 has been energized by the shifting of said member into engagement with the contact 8.

In. the construction herein shown the chamber 54 is open at the bottom and l have movided a movable closure therefor in the term of a swinging gate 81, which is pivoted at 82 to an arm 83 extending from the housing 4:8. When the gate is in the dotted line position Fig. 9 it closes the open end of the chamber 54. and thus prevents the entrance oi dirt thereinto.

It it is desired to gain access to thememher 7 then the gate may be swung into the :full line position Fig. 9 thus opening the lower end of the chamber. Said gateis pro vided' with a thumb piece Set by which it may be operated.

If desired I may support a mirror 85 on the post 73 beneath the lower open end of the housing so that when the gate 81. is opened it will be easy to observe the operation of the needle 7.

In practice the operating mechanisn'i will This is accon'iplished by lllfi llll eanna. 1

be enclosed in a suitable housing 86 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4: and in Fig. 3 thereby to give protection to the moving parts.

While I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment of my invention I do not Wish to be limited to the constructional features shown as various changes in the construction of the device may be made without departing from the invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a magnet and a norma1lyopen circuit therefor, of a circuit-closing device in the circuit comprising a magneticallysensitive member responsive to the magnetic attraction exerted on it by a passing body, and an electromagnet for holding said member in suspended position, said member when so attracted operating to close the circuit.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with an electromagnet having a pole piece, of an actuating magnet, a norlIlitllY-OPBII circuit therefor, circuit-closing means in said circuit comprising a magnetically-sensitive member suspended from said pole piece and responsive to the magnetic attraction of a passing body, and when so attracted operating to close the circuit.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with an electromagnet having a pole piece, of an actuating magnet and a circuit therefor, circuit-closing means in said circuit comprising a magneticallysensitive needle magnetically suspended from said pole piece and responsive to the magnetic attraction of a passing trolley harp.

l. In a device of the class described, the combination with a magnet and a circuit therefor, 01 circuit-closing means in said circuit and comprising two normallyseparated contacts, one of which is magnetically sensitive and is adapted to be moved into engagement with the other by the magnetic attraction of a passing body, and means ac tuated by said magnet to restore said contacts to their separated position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with. a magnet and a circuit therefor, of a trolleycontrollcd circuit-closing device comprising two i'iormally-scparated contacts, one of which is magnetically sensitive and is adapted to be moved into engagement with the other by the magnetic attraction oi a passing trolley harp, a piv oted restoring member for restoring the con tacts to their separated position, and means to actuate said member by the magnet.

(i. In a device of the class described, the combination with a trolley wire, an electromagnet having a pole piece, a housing of non-magnetic material secured to the pole piece, a pin oi magnetic material engaging the pole piece and extending into the upper end of the housing, a 1nagnetically-sensitivc needle within the housing and suspended from said pin, said needle being electrically connected to the trolley Wire, and an insulated contact in the lower end of the housing electrically connected to said magnet, said needle being magnetically responsive to a passing trolley harp and magnetically moved thereby into engagement with the fixed contact thereby to close the circuit through the magnet.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a trolley wire, an electromagnet having a pole piece, a housing of non-magnetic material secured to the pole pi ce, a pin of magnetic material engaging the pole plece and extending into the upper end of the housing, a magneticallysensitive needle within the housing and suspended from said pin, said needle being electrically connected to the trolley Wire, an insulated contact in the lower end of the housing electrically connected to said magnet, said needle being magnetically responsive to a passing trolley harp and magnetically moved thereby into engagement with the fixed contact thereby to close the circuit through the magnet, and means actuated by the magnet to restore the magnetically-sensitive needle to its normal position.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with an actuating magnet, of a pivoted armature therefor, a contact carried by the armature, a pivoted springpressed arm carrying a co-operating contact, whereby when the magnet is energized the contacts are brought into engagement and the arm is moved against the action of its spring, and means for retarding the movement of the armature in both direc tions.

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

JOHN J. RUDDIIYGK.

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