US1893790A - Railway signaling system - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 10, 1933. H. c. VANTASSEI.

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 2l, 1951 INVENTOR:

C. l/q n'L-Q s se/l Q MN Q MN s Q m m m MAN NAN N@ l www *s mw J Nv XF@ Ew S @ma @QS @@wv S NN \NN `NN @@vl. Q BQN NN `NN 5\\.. f WN 'r1 AQ f Ml Q l f L, Tmw mmmwmm VMC: my@ MN mmmwwm u LAN ,n N mmxmwmm fr l@ n @U96 MR @9% j L n@ L NN m. \w m4 MN Tm# D@ m. @QN D@ BN MJH w wxwwww Mm mwbwlmm u@ m uw w m. @N N UNi'lE FFQE HARRY C. VANTASSEL, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE UNION SWTCH a SIGNAL CIVIPANY, 0F SVJSSVA'LE, PENNSYLVANA, A CRPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM Application lecl August 21, 1931.

My invention relates to railway signaling systems, and has for an object the provision of means operating when a given block is occupied and the signal for such block gives a false proceed indication, to prevent the signal for the block next in the rear from giving aproceed indication.

l will described one form of system embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic view showing one form ot' signaling system embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reference characters 4 and la designate the track rails of a stretch of railway track along which traic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. These rails are divided by insulated joints 5 to form blocks- 1-2, 2 7-8, etc., and, as here shown, each block is further divided by insulated joints 5 to form two track sections, such as lla and la-Z Each track section is provided with a track circuit comprising a battery 37 which is connected with the rails at one end of the section, and a track relay connected with the rails at the other end of the section and designated by the reference character T with a distinguishing exponent.

Located adjacent the -entrance end of each block is a signal designated by the reference character S with an exponent corresponding to the location. Each signal, as here shown, is ot the searchlight type, comprising a member 6 mounted to oscillate and controlled by two windings 7 and 8. The member 6 carries three roundels G, R and Y, arranged to cooperate with an electric lamp C in such manner that when the member 6 is in its middle position to which it is biased, roundel R is in front of the lamp C, whereas when the member 6 is swung to the left or to the right, roundel Y or roundel G is placed in front of the lamp C. As shown in the drawing, the lamp C is above the roundels, but the lamp is placed in this position for purposes ot illustration only, and in actual practice it is understood that the lamp is located directly behind the roundels. The signal indicates proceed, caution or stop, according as the Serial No. 558,481.

roundel Gr, Y yor R is located in front of the lamp C. Operatively connected with the member 6 is a circuit controller comprising two movable members 9' and 10. lVhen the signal is in its stop position contacts 9-9b and l0-10b are both closed. (See signal S3) lllhen the signal is in its caution position contacts Q-Qb and lO---lOfL are closed. (See signal S2). When the signal is in its proceed position contacts 9 9PL and 10-10b are closed. (See signal S1). A signal ot the type thus described, is disclosed and claimed in re-issue Letters Patent ot the United States No. 14,940, granted to E. J. Blake on August 31, 1920.

Associated with each signal is a polechanging relay P which is supplied with current 'from a rectiiier A as hereinafter explained. Each relay P is preferably slowreleasing in character, so that it will not open its front contacts during a momentary interruption of the current supplied to the relay.

Winding 7 of each signal S is constantly supplied with direct current from a suitable source, which is not shown in the drawing, but the terminals oit which are designated B and 0, respectively. The other winding S of each signal is controlled by the track relays for the. associated block and also by the relay P for the block next in advance. Referring to signal S1, for example, the circuit or winding 8 is from terminal B, through front point of contact 13 of relay P2, contact ll or" each track relay T2 and T1, conductor l5, winding 8, conductor 16, contact l2 of each track relay T1 and T2, and the front point of contact le of relay P2 to terminal O. Relay P2 being energized, current of what l will term normal polarity is supplied to the winding 8 of signal S1, and this signal then gives its proceed indication. lhen relay P2 is deenergized, and track relays Tl and T2 are both closed, current of reverse polarity will be supplied to the winding 8, and the signal will then give its caution indication. `When either track relay T1 or T2 is open, the signal will indicate stop.

Each relay P is connected with the output terminals of the associated rectifier A, and the input terminals or" this rectifier are con- CJR nected with the line circuit for Winding S Y being supplied to the inc circiut for Winding 8 of signal S2, so Laat the lower conductor i6 of this rectiiiei termed the may be positive conductor. It will be noted that signal S2 is in the caution rPhe input circuit for rectiiier r2 then from to ilie conductor 1G, through contact lower input terminal of rect? 2 and VAfrom the upper input termir i s rectiiier, through contact l l0, to the upper conductor l5. It will be seen, therefore, that the circuit cont associated With signal 52 functions as a pole-changer to reversibl neet the input terminals he rect r 'x ith the line conductors l and it), so nat current of the saine polarity is suppliec to the input terminals of the i rectifier re'rardless of the polarity of the current supilied to the line circuit.

Referring nov.Y to the block to the right of point 3, which block is occupied by a car or train IV, signal S indicates stop, because track relay T5 is deenergized. Relay is therefore deenergized., and is placed on short circuit through a path which begins at the right-hand terminal orn t-his relay and passes through the upper right-hand leg oi rectifier A3, contact lO-lOb, contact 9) 9, and the lower left-hand leg of rectii'ier A3, to the left-hand terminal of relay P. Current of reverse polarity is therefore supplied to the line circiut for block 2 3, with the result that signal S2 indicates caution and relay P2 is energized. Current of normal polarity is Itherefore su Jalied to the line circuit for block 1 2, with the result that signal S1 indicates proceed.

I Will nov-J assume that block 2 3 becomes occupied, thereby deenergizing either track relay T? or T4, but that signal S2 gives a false clear indication due to the movable member 6 and the roundels being` stuck in such position that the green roundel G is in front of the lamp C. Inasinuch as relay P2 receives its energy from the line circuit for block 2 3, which line circuit Will tl en be open at the contacts of either track relay Ts or T4, relay P2 Will be deenergized, so that signal S1 will give the caution indication.

The result will be that a train approaching signal S2 Will be traveling at low speed and Will therefore be able to stop before entering block 2 3.

I will now assume that block 2 3 is unoccupied, but that signal S2 gives a false stop indication due to a mechanical or other failure of the signal. It will be noted that under this condition the relay P2 will be disconnected from the line conductor l5 due to the position of the contacts of the circuit contr ller (see signal S3), so that relay P2 will be deenergized and will therefore cause signal S1 to give the caution indication. In other Words, although relay P2 is supplied With energy from the line circuit for its associated block, this will not result in a proceed signal immediately in the rear of a signal Which -falsely indicates stop.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of signaling system embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein Within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

l. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a track circuit including a track relay for each block, a line circuit for each lock controlled by the track relay for such block, a signal for each block having a con trolling Winding receiving current from the associated line circuit and arranged to indicate proceed or caution according as such current is of normal or reverse polarity, a pole-changing relay for each block also receiving current from the associated line circuit, means controlled by each signal for disconnecting the associated pole-changing relay from its line circuit and placing the relay on short circuit when the signal indicates stop, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to each line circuit according as the pole-changing relay for the block next in advance is energized or deenergized.

2. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a track circuit including a track relay for each block, a line circuit for each block controlled by the track relay for such block, a signal for each block having a controlling Winding receiving current from the associated line circuit and arranged to indicate proceed or caution according as such current is of normal or reverse polarity, a pole-changing relay associated with each signal, a rectifier for each signal having its output terminals connected with the associated pole-changing relay, a circuit controller op erated by each signal for connecting the input terminals of the associated rectier with the associated line circuit in one direction or the other according as the signal indicates proceed or caution and for disconnecting said rectifier from the line circuit and placing the rectiier on short circuit When the signal indi cates stop, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to each line circuit according as the pole-changing relay for the block next in advance is energized or deenergized.

8. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a track circuit including a track relay for each block, a line circuit for each block controlled by tlie track relay for such block, a signal for each block having a controlling Winding receiving current from the associated line circuit and arranged to indicate proceed or caution according as such current is of normal or reverse polarity, a poleclianging relay for each block also receiving current from the associated line circuit, means controlled by each signal for disconnecting the associated pole-changing relay from its line circuit when tlie signal indicates stop, and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to each line circuit according as the pole-changing relay for the block next in advance is energized or deenergized.

In testimon whereof I aliX my signature.

ARRY C. VANTASSEL.

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