US1820147A - Signal valve device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1931.

J. C. M CUNE S IGNAL VALVE DEVICE Filed May 16, 1950 V V 5 l2 20 INVENTOR JOSEPH G. MCOUNE ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT-()FFICE JOSEPH C. MGCUNE, 01' EDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE COMPANY, OF WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SIGNAL VALVE DEVICE Application filed May 16, 1930. Serial Nae-52,885.

This invention relates to signal systems, and more particularly to a fluid pressure railway train signal system;

An object of the invention is to provide an 5 improved fluid pressure operatedsignal valve device.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide 'a fluid pressure operated signal valve device which is more sensitive in operation than the signal valve devices heretofore in use. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal valve device of the above type which is adapted to operate upon a smaller reduction in fluid pressure than that heretofore required.

Another object of the invention is to pro-.

vide an improved signal valve device of the character mentioned which issimple in con struction, and reliable and exact in function under all conditions of service.

The'invention also comprises certain new and useful improvements in the-construction, i? arrangement and combination of the several parts of which it is composed, as willbe hereinafter more fully described and claimed,

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View of a fluid pressure train signal system as applied to a locomotive and a car of a train, and embodying the invention; and Fig.2 is a vertical section of the signal valve device. 7

Referring to the drawings, in the fluid .,,pressure train signal system as now em-,

" ployed, a train signal pipe 6 extends through the train, .the train pipe being connected between cars by means of the usual flexible hose and couplings. V

On the locomotive, a signal valve device 7 is provided which is subject to the pressure of fluid which is normally carried in the train signal pipe 6. A suitable discharge valve 8 may be connectedto the train signal pipe 011 the locomotive and each car of the train, for

thepurpose of eflecting a'reduction in signal pipe pressure. When the pressure in the signal pipe is reduced at any point in the train, the signalvalve device on the locomotive is operated to blow a whistle or other signal indicating device.

, shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in- Fig. 2, the signal valve device 7 may comprise a suitable casing havinga chamber 9. A cover plate 10 is secured to the upper face of the casing and clamped between the cover plate and the casing is a flex ible diaphragm 11. v

Cavity 12, formed in the cover plate 10, above the diaphragm 11, is connected, through a restricted port 13 with a pipe 14, which in turn is connected to the signal pipe 6, as

A second chamber 15, is also formed in the casing; This chamber extends from the cover plate 10 to the base of the casing.v The portion of the chamber 15 disposed in the cover plate 10 is separated from the cavity 12 by a web 16. The portion of the chamber 15 at the base of the casing is sealedfrom chamber 9 bya flexible diaphragm 17, which is clamped to the casing at its periphery by a ring 18 and studs 19.

Chamber 15 is connected with the cavity 12 V in the cover plate 10, through a restricted port 20, and said chamber is also. connected with the chamber 9, near the base of the casing, through a restricted port 21. As shown, the area of the port .21 is less than the area of the port 20, for a purpose'to be hereinafter more fully described. v V

Secured at the upper end to the diaphragm 11 and at the lower end to the diaphragm 17 V is a stem or rod 22 and carried by and below the diaphragm 17 is a poppet valve 23. adapted to engage a seat provided in a bushing 24:, for controlling the venting of fluid from the chamber 15 to a pipe 25, which leads to the usual signal. whistle 26. V

The upper portion of the stem 22 is formed With a longitudinal opening or bore 27 in which is mountedv a valve 28 adapted to engage a seat provided in a bushing 29 mounted in the stem and projecting through the cavity 12 and terminating in the upper portion of the chamber 15. The valve 28 is normally maintained seated by a spring 30 also mounted in the bore 27. The bore 27 is connected to the chamber 9,"by a passage 31 which con-. tains a ball check valve 32 to prevent back flow.

The valve 28 is provided. with a fluted stem which is adapted to be engaged by a rod 33 fixed to the casing. In order that the relative positions of the valve stem and the rod 33 can be adjusted, a screw-threaded plug 34 is mounted in the cover plate 10, and this plug is provided with a threaded opening 35 adapted to receive the enlarged threaded portion 36 of the rod 33. The rod 33 projects downwardly through the plug 34: and also through the upper open end of the bushing 29'. The top of the rod 33 is provided with a slot to receive a screw driver or other tool for rotating the rod so that the lower end of the rod can be properly spaced from the upper end of the stem of the valve 28 when the parts of the device are being assembled. The rod 33 may be secured in its adjusted position by a suitable lock nut 37.

Since the upper end of the rod 33 projects above the top of the cover plate 10, in order of the port 21 is less than. the flow area of the port 20, chamber 9 will be charged at a slower rate than the chamber 15 is charged from the signal pipe.

In order to signal the engineer, a car discharge valve 8 on a car of the train is operated in the usual manner to vent fluid from the signal pipe 6. A reduction. in fluid pres sure is thus effected in the cavity 12 otthe signal valve device 7 on the locomotive, and since the pressure in. cavity 12. is reduced at a greater rate than fluid canpflow from the chamber 9 through therestricted port 21,. the

higher fluid pressure in chamber 9 will act to deflect the diaphragm llupwardly.

The upward movement of the diaphragm 11 carries the valve 28 upwardly, so that the stem of said valve engages the end. of the rod 33 and the valve is unseated.

Since the valve 23 is also carried by the diaphragm stem: 22, the valve 23 is also unseated. Fluid under pressure is then supplied from the ch amber 15 to pipe 25 and thus the whistle 26 is blown to signal the engineer,

As soon as the valve 28 is unseated', fluid under pressure flows from the chamber .9,

through passage 31 in the stem- 22,. and past the ball check valve 32 and the valve 28, to chamber 15.

The pressure drops more quickly in chamher 9 under the diaphragm 11 than in the cavity 12, due to the port 20' restricting the flowirom. cavity 12. Therefore, as soon as an amount of pressure slightly in excess of the reduction in cavity 12 has been vented from the chamber 9, the pressure under the diaphragm 11 will be less than that above the diaphragm, and therefore the diaphragm will move downwardly and close the valves 23 and 28. The flow of fluid under pressure to the. whistle will thus cease and the chamber 9 will be recharged to the same pressure in chamber 15 and cavity 12 in the manner heretofore described.

In order'to stabilize the diaphragm '11 against improper action, due to slight variations of train pipe pressure caufse'dby leakage, andthe like, a spring 10 is interposed between the plug 34 and the bushing 29.

This spring should be very light so as to prevent slight deflections of the diaphragm 11 whichmay becaused by slight orunintentional variations in fluid pressures on theoppositesides of said diaphragm. V

The flow area of the r restricted port- 20 should be less than the flow rate through the bushing 29, so thatthe diaphragm 11 will move down promptlyand close the valves 23' and 28, when tllGPIQSSUlG {thecavity12 slightly exceeds the pressure in the chamber 9, it being understood that the restricted port signal valve device comprising a diaphragmsubject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe and a chamber, a secondchamber, a restricted port through which the second chamber is'charged with fluid under pressure from the signal pipe, a restrictedport through which the first chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from said second chamber, a valve, operated by said diaphragm for controlling a communication from the first chamber to the second chamher, andia,

signalcontrol'l'in'g valve. operated by said diaphragm for venting fluid from saidsecond chamber.

2. In a fluid pressurepsig-nal' system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject tothe opposingpressures of the signal' pipe" and a chamber,,a second chamber,.a

restricted; port through which the second chamberis charged with fluid under pressure from the signal P1136, arestricted port through which the firstchamber is charged with fluid. under pressure from: said second chamber, a valve operated by said diaphragm my invention, what for venting fluid from said first chamber to said second chamber, and a signal controlling valve, for venting fluid from said second chamber.

3. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe and a chamber, a second chamber, a restricted port through which the second chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from the signal pipe, a restricted port through which the first chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from said second chamber, a valve for venting fluid from said first chamber to said second chamber, and a valve for venting fluid from said second chamber to operate a signal device.

4. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe and a chamber, a second chamber, a restricted port through which the second chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from the signal pipe, a restricted port through which the first chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from said second chamber, a valve for venting fluid from said first chamber to said second chamber, and a valve for venting fluid from said second chamber tooperate a signal device, both valves being operated simultaneously by said diaphragm.

5. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe and a chamber, a second chamber, a restricted port through which the second chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from the signal pipe, a restricted port through which the first chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from said second chamber, a stem carried by said diaphragm and extending through said chambers, a valve for venting fluid from said first chamher to said second chamber, and a valve for venting fluid from said second chamber to operate a signal device, both valves being carried'by said stem.

6. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe and a chamber, a second chamber adapted to be charged with fluid under pressure from the signal pipe, a restricted port through which the first chamber is charged with fluid under pressure from said second chamber, a stem carried by said diaphragm, an opening in said stem providing a communication from the first chamber to the second chamber, a valve mounted in the stem for controlling the communication from the first chamber to the secondchamber, a ball check valve also mounted in the stem to prevent lack flow through the communication ,from the second chamber to the first chamber, and

a second valve carried by the stem for vent 3 ing fluid from the second chamber to operate a signal device. 1

7. In a fluid pressure signal system,- the combination with a train signal pipe, ofa

signal vaive device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe and a chamber, a second chamber adapted to be charged with fluid under pres,- sure from the signal pipe, said first chamber being adapted tobe charged with fluid-under pressure from said second chamber, a stem. carried by said diaphragm, an opening through said stem, providing a communication from the first chamber to'the second chamber, a valve for controlling the communication through said opening, a ball check valve for preventing back flow from the sec-.

ond chamber to the first chamber when said valve is open, and a second valve for controlling a communication from the second chamber to a signal indication device.

8. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of a signal pipe and a chamber, a second chamber adapt- 'ed to be charged with fluid under pressure from the signal pipe, said first chamber be ing adapted to be charged with fluid under pressure from said second chamber, a stem carried by said diaphragm and extending through said chambers, an opening in said stem, providing a communication from the first chamber to the second chamber, a valve for controlling the communication from the first chamber to the second chamber, and a second valve for controlling a communication through which fluid is supplied from the second chamber to operatea signal device, both of said valves being carried by said dia phragm stem.

9. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, oi a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of a signal pipe and a chamber, a second chamber adapted to be charged with fluld under pressure from the signal pipe, means for charging said with fluid under pressure from said second chamber, a stem connecting said diaphragms, a signal controlling valve carried by said stem, and another valve carried by said stem for controllinga communication from said I first chamber to said second chamber;

l l. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of the signalpipe and a chamber, a second diaphragm separating-said chamber from a second chamber, means for charging the second chamber with fluid under pressure from said signal pipe at a restricted rate, means for-charging the first chamber with fluid under pressure from said second chamber at a rate restricted more than that which said second chamber is charged, a-stem connecting said diaphragms, a valve mounted in said stem for controlling a communication from said first chamber to said second chambeigand a signal controlling val ve also carried by said stem.

12. ln a fluid pressure signal system, the

combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a diaphragm subject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe'an-d a chamber, a second diaphragm separatingsaid chamber from a second chamber, means for charging said second-chamber with fluid under pressure from the signal pipe, means for charging said first chamber with; fluid under pressure rromsaid second chamber, a stem connecting said diaphragms,

avalve mounted said stem for controlling a communication from said first chamber to said second chamber, a ball check valve for preventing back flow through the stem from thesecond chamber, and a signal controlling valve also carried by said stem.

13; In a fluid pressure signal system, the

combination with a train signal pipe, of a.

signal valve device comprising a signal controlling valve, a diaphragm, subject to the opposing pressures of the signal pipe and a chamber, for Operating said valve, a valve operated upon movement of said diaphragm to open said signal valve for venting fluid from said chamber, aprojection carried by said diaphragm, and a spring engaging said projection for resisting the movement of said diaphragin' in the direction in which the valves are operated.

14. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination Wltll'il train signal pipe, of a signal valve device comprising a :dia-pl'iragm subject to-the' opposing pressures of the signal pipe'and a chamber, a signal controlling valve adapted to be operated by said -diapliragm, and an" adjustabl'e'stop for limiti'ng the movement oft-he diaphragm in t'he directicnin which said valve is opened? 15. In a fluid pressure signal system, the combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal valvedevice comprising a diaphragm subject to'the opposing pressures of the sig-- nalpipe and a chamber, a valve for venting fluid from said chamber, said valve being carried by the diaphragm, and an adjustable stop for limiting the'movement' ofthe dia phragrm,

' '1-6. In afluid pressure signalsystem, the" combination with a train signal pipe, of a signal-valve device comprising "a plurality of Valves, a flexible diaphragm, subject to the opposingpressuresof the signal pipe and a chamber, fonoperating said valves, and a spring for opposingtlie deflection of 'said diaphragm in the direction in; which said valves areopened. V

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. this=13th day of May, 1930. i Y? JOSEPH C. lWoCUNE.

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