US1998178A - Remote controlling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

" A ril 16, 1935. H, A, WALLACE' 1,998,178

REMOTE CONTROLLING APPARATU S Original Filed Sept. 23, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L PanelNaZ.

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Comr'alcmd l11d- (ca/12212 Relays C'ode ON W 2 ORWZ ( HIS A TTORNEY April 16, 1935.

H. WALLACE REMOTE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 23, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M d .H MIII Stations own 4 D E1 0RW4 i INVENTOR 0%. W 47 1 mi mQ Fig. Z?

[fibvA TT 059} "E Y Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES I 1 ,99s,1"7s g REMOTE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Herbert A Wallace, Edgewood, Pa., assignor to e The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Continuation of application Serial No. 564,578, September 23, 1931. .Thisapplicationt August 11, 1933, Serial N0.'684,678 v 21 Claims. (o1. are-3) My invention relates to remote controllingapparatus, and particularly to apparatus for controlling a plurality of train governing devices, such as railway switches and signals, from a remote point, such, for example, as a train despatchers oflice. J

One feature of my invention is the provision of means for reducing the number of manual operations necessary for controlling each of various groups of such train governing devices;

The present case isa continuation of, my 005 pending application, Serial No. 564,578 filed Sep-, tember 23, 1931, for Remote controlling appaw ratus. I

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims V 1 The accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 and 1 when placed side by side withFigl on the left, constitute a diagrammatic view showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character A designates a diagram of a stretch of railway track having four switch and signal stations designated by the Roman numerals I, II,'

III, and IV, respectively. As here shown, each of these stations comprises a switch and four signals for governing traflic movements over the switch. For example, station Icomprises switch 1 IZ, signals ILA and IL3 for governing the move- J II, III and IV are designated by reference characters which are similar to those for theswitches and signals at station I, except that they include the numerals 2, 3 and 4, respectively, instead of the numeral I. I i s v The switch and signals of each of these Sta-- tions are controlled from a remote point, such, for example, as a train despatchers ofiice. Diagram A representing a stretch of track with four switch and signal stations each of Which com prises one switch and four signals, is suitably placed in the despatchers office. Mounted adjacent the symbols for the signals and'switch for each station, are two indicators which are here shown as electriclamps, one of which desighated by a distinguishing numeral with the exwhich, designated by a distinguishing numeral with the exponent w, is arrangedto illuminate an arrow pointing toward the left. The purpose.

of these-indicators is to indicate the direction of traffic. established by; the despatcher as will be explained'hereinafter. v 1 r i Mounted-in thedespatchers ofiice adjacent diagram A,- are' control panelsnumbered l, 2, 3 and 4 for stations I, II, IIIand IV, respectively. Each-of these 'COIltIOliDQIlBlS is equipped for controlling, code transmitting and receiving, apparatus in the despatchers ofiice, such, forex-v ample, as that-shown and described in a pend-V. ing patent application, Serial No.- 373,675, filed June 25, 1929; by Lloyd V..Lewis, for Remote controlling apparatus. On :panel number I, I have shown indication lamps 81,, 88, 89, 90, 9| and 92 and switch 240, which are the same asthe parts havinglikereference characters inthe. Lewis application, and which have the same circuits, notshown in the drawings, as are shown for the same parts in the Lewis application. The other panels, 2, 3, and, 4, may be similarly equipped;

The switch and the signals at each of the stations, I, II, III andIV may-be controlled by control codes transmitted from the despatchers oflice in the manner shown and described in the Lewis application.

Each of the panels numbered I, 2, 3 and 4 has a switch control lever designated by the reference character pwith a prefix corresponding to the number of the panel. .In my invention, each lever pis provided with three contacts 305, 301 and 309 in addition to the similar contacts shown for lever In in the Lewis application. I have shown, without a number, on each of the panels I, 2, 3, and 4, the contact of each lever p which corresponds to the contact of lever lp shown on panel numberl'l inrthe Lewis application, and which, as in the Lewis application, is connected to contact 295 of relay OSI andis for the purpose of determining the character of certain elements of a control code to control a switch in accordance with the position of lever 20. I Mounted on each ofthe panels I, 2, 3 and 4 is a pair of mutually independent push button circuit controllers, one of which has a contact arm .302. and thev other of which has a contact arm 303. Each pair of, circuit controllers is designated by the reference character F with a prefix corresponding to the number of the panel. These circuit controllers are, used forv clearing the signals, instead of the lever I q in the Lewis application. Whereasinthe Lewis, application, lever Iq is used for controlling only one signal at a time,,e,ach of thepush button circuit controllers in my invention maybe used for controlling a variable plurality of signals governing the movement of traiiic in the same direction. Each of the push button contact arms 302 and 303 is spring biased to its released position shown in the drawings, as indicated by the spring applied to arm 302 of circuit controller 1F. Each contact, arm 302' when in its released position connects witha contact a, but when depressed it becomes disconnected from contact a and connects with a contact I) for controlling signals governing trafiic moving from left to right. Each contact arm 303 when in its released position connects with a contact g, but, whendepressed,

it becomes disconnected from contact '7 and connects with a contact d, for controlling signals governing trailic moving from right to left.

Mounted on each panel is also a. signal lever designated by the reference character I with a prefix corresponding to the number of the panel. Each lever ,f is provided with a contact 318, which is normally closedas shown in the drawings. When a lever fis moved toward the right, to its reverse position, its contact 318 opens. This has the same result as is secured in the Lewis application by moving signal lever iq to its intermediate position so that its contacts L and R are both open. Each lever f is for separately controlling a track switch 2, without clearing one of the associated signals, or for controlling one of the associated signals from clear to stop.

A push button circuit controller ld2, provided with'two contacts 300 and 308, is attimes used in conjunction with a circuiticontroller of one of the pairs F, as will be described hereinafter. A second push button 3114, provided with two contacts 304 and 308, and a third push button 2013, provided with two contacts 320 :and 821 are also at times used in conjunction with a circuit controller of one of the pairs F.

Polarized signal control relays, designated by the reference character FP with prefixes corresponding to the numbers of the associated control panels, are controlled by the signal circuit controllers of pairs F in conjunction with switch levers p and circuit controllers ld2, 2:13 and 3014. Resistance units 30l, having various values of resistance according to their location, are used in various operations of the circuits for relays FP in order to secure approximately uniform current strength in the various circuits when various numbers of relays FP are operated at the same time.

Each relay FF is so constructed that when the relay becomes deenergized, its polar contacts remain closed in the positions to which they were last moved until the relay again becomes energized by current of the other polarity.

The circuits including contacts 311, 310 and I34 correspond to the circuits including lever I and contact I34 in the Lewis application, these circuits being for the purpose of determining the character of certain elements of a control code for controlling the signals in accordance with the positions of lever f and. of contact 311. The energization of a relay FP by closing a contact 302 of a. pair F causes the right-hand contact 3|! to close, 'for clearing a signal such as IRA or IRB governing trai'fic moving toward the right, while the energization of a relay FP in the opposite direction by closing a contact 303 of a pair F causes contact 311 to move to the left-hand position shown in the drawing, for clearing a signal such as ILA or :ILB governing traffic moving "toward the left. The opening of contact 3! of a lever I while a control code is being transmitted will cause the signals at the corresponding station to assume their stop position.

Each of the code starting relays OHI, CH2, CH3 and 01-14 has a pick-up circuit controlled by contact 3l6 of a starting push button CPI, and a stick circuit, including its contact 123, which is exactly similar to the stick circuit shown for relay OHl in the Lewis application. Other pick-up circuits are provided, however, for these relays in my application in addition to the pick-up circuit through contact 3l0. These additional pick-up circuits for relay OHI, for example, are controlled by the neutral contact 3l5 of relay I FP, and include one or more of the contacts 3|0 to 3i3, inclusive, which I have added to the indication storing relays ONWI, ORWI, OLHI and ORl-Il of the Lewis application. The circuits for controlling relays ONWI, ORWI, OLHI and ORHI are the same as those shown in the Lewis application for relays having the same reference characters, and are hence omitted from the drawings in my present application.

The purpose of these additional pick-up circuits for relay OHI is to provide an arrangement for transmitting a plurality of codes, which avoids the transmission of unnecessary codes, and these circuits function in such a. manner that a control code will not be transmitted when'a relay FF is picked up as the result of operation of one of the circuit controllers F if the positions of the indication relays for a station indicate that the switch and signals at such station already occupy the positions to which they would be moved by the code. Thus if signal ILA or ILB is clear so that relay OLHI is energized, and if relay I FF is energized momentarily to the leftto the position shown in the drawing, the pick-up circuits for relay OHI which include left-hand contact 3!!! will be open at the back contact 3|2 of relay OLHI, and the initiation of a. code by this circuit is prevented; on the other hand, if an opposing signal is clear so that ORHI is energized, the pick-up circuit will be closed over front contact 3I3 of relay ORHI, while if the signals for both directions of trafiic are at stop so that relays OLHI and ORHI are deenergized, a pick-up circuit will be closed over back contacts 313 and N2 of relays OLHI and ORHI, so that the momentary energization of relay FP will cause the transmission of a code. Since these circuits are symmetrically arranged for the two directions, it is clear that similar results with respect to the opposing signal are obtained when relay [FF is energized in the oppositedirection. Furthermore, even though the signal control and indication correspond, the initiation of a control code is not prevented unless the switch control and indication are in agreement. Thus if the switch is normal so that relay ONWI is energized, but the switch lever I1) is reversed, a pick-up circuit for relay OHI will be closed over the right-hand or reverse contact of Ip and front contact 3l0 of relay ONWI, but this circuit will not be available if the switch is reversed and relay ORWI is energized and ONWI deenergized. In the latter case, a pick-up circuit including contact 3 of relay ORWI and the normal or left-hand contact of Ip will be closed, which circuit is not available when the switch is indicated as being in its normal position. It is clear, therefore, that a control code will be transmitted when IFP is picked up in all cases except when the indicated positions of the switch and signal are those to which they would be movedas the result or send- T ing the code. I I

Other control and indication relays and code apparatus, not shown in my present application, may be controlled in the same'manner as in the Lewis application.

Having described, in general, the arrangement and location of the various parts, I will now describe in detail the operation of one form of apparatus embodying my invention. I will assume that, as shown in the drawings, switch levers p are in the normal-position as indicated by reference N, that all switches are normal and that all signals are at stop, that contact arms 302 and 303 of pairs F are in their released positions, and that signal levers f are in their closed position. I

I will also assume that a train-moving from left to right is approaching signal IRA, and that the despatcher wishes to permit this train to move through the stretch represented by the diagram A over the route which includes all switches in the normal position and which is governedby the main line signals IRA to 4RA, inclusive. The despatcher will depress contact arm 302 of pair IF thereby completing a circuit passing from terminal B of a suitable sourceof current, not shown in the drawing, through a resistance unit' 3M, contact 302b of pair IF, winding of relay IFP, contact 303-g of pair I F, normally closed contact 304 of circuit controller IdZ, contact 3o2 a of pair 2F, winding of relay 2FP, contact 303-5g of pair 2F, normal contact 305 of, lever 2p, contact 32I of circuit controller 2d3, normal contact 305 of lever 31), contact 302-a of pair 3F, winding of relay 3FP, contact 303-g of pair 3F,-contact 304 of circuit controller 3d4, contact 302a of pair 4F, winding of relay 4FP, contact 303-g of pair 415, normal contact 305 of lever'4p, jumper wire 306, normal contact 301 of lever 4p, and resistance unit 30| to terminal C of the same source of current. a a,

Upon completion of the circuit just traced, relays IFP, ZFP, 3FP and 4FP are energized toclose their neutral contacts 3I5 and also their right hand polar contacts 3| 4, 3|! and 3I9. Contact 3I5 of relay IFP, upon being closed, completes a pick-up circuit for relay OHI passing from terminal B, through right-hand contact 3 I 9 of relay IFP, back contact 3I3 of relay OLHI, back contact 3I2 of relay ORI-II, contact 3I5 of relay IFP, and relay OHI to terminal C. Relays CH2, CH3 and CH4 become energized by similar pick-up circuits passing through contacts 3I5 and 3I9 of relays 2FP, 3FP and 4FP, respectively. Eachof the relays OHI, CH2, CH3 and CH4, upon becoming energized, completes its own stick circuit through its front contact I23, by which it is held energized after the contact arm 302 of pair IF has been released by the despatcher and has returned to the normal position causing the relays FP to become deenergized and open their front contacts 3I5 in the pick-up circuits for relays OHI, CH2, CH3 and CH4. 1 The energization of starting relay OI-II initiate the transmission of a control code, causing station selector relay OSI to become energized to close its contacts I34 and 295, to complete certain circuits through contact I34 of relay OS I, contact 3I8 of lever If, and right-hand contact 3H of relay IFP, and through contact 295 and the normal contact of lever lp, for clearing signal IRA. The .energization of relays ZFP, 3F'P and 4FP similarly causes control codesto be, trans mitted one at a time in sequence for clearing signals 2RA, 3RA and 4RA.

The result of the operation of the contact arm of pair IF, with all switch levers p in their normal positions, is therefore to clear all main line signals for a train movement through the entire stretch of territory represented by diagram A.

At the conclusion of the operations resulting from the transmission of these codes, indication codes will be transmitted from each station in turn to'energize indication relays ONW and ORH for each'panel to cause the energization of indication lamps 88 and32 for each panel. All of these operations are carried out in the manner described in the Lewis application.

Since the polar contacts of relay I FP are closed to the right, a circuit is completed for indicator lamp I adjacent switch IZ of diagram A, and passes from terminal B, through the right-hand contact 3I4 'of relay IFP, and lamp I e to terminal C. Indicator lamps 2, 3 and 4 are also lighted by similar circuits. The lighting of these lamps or of the similar lamps I to W, inclusive, for the opposite direction, gives a continuous indication to the despatcher of the position of the polar contacts of the relays IFP, 2FP, 3FP and 4FP after the contact arm of a pair F hasbeen released; In this way, the despatcher is kept informed as to the direction of traffic which he has established at each'station along the stretch of track represented by diagram A.

I willnext assume that with signals IRA, 2RA, 3RA -and 4RA cleared for a traflic movement from left to right through the stretch 'of track represented by diagram A, the despatcher decides to havea' train moving toward the right meet and pass an opposing train at the siding between stations II and III, the first mentioned train to proc'e'ed along the main line, and the opposing train to enter the siding over switch 32 reversed. The despatcher will, therefore, permit signals IRA and 2RA to remain at clear, but will move switch control lever 3p to its reverse position R for reversing switch 3Z, and will also depress contact arm 303 oi pair 4F, for reversing switch 3Z and for clearing signals 4LA and 3LB.

The operation of contact arm- 303 of circuit controller pair 4F completes a circuit passing from terminal B, through a resistance unit 30!, contact 303d of pair 4F, winding of relay 4FP, contact 302-a of pair 4F, contact'304 of circuit controller 3d4, contact 303-g of pair 3F, winding of relay 3FP, contact 302-a of pair 3F, reverse contact 305 of lever 3p, contact 320 of circuit controller M3, and normal contact 301 of lever 2p, through resistance unit 30! to terminal 0. The circuit just traced through relays and 4FP causes these relays to become energized in a direction to close their left-hand contacts.

Neutral contact 3I5 of relay 3FP, upon being closed, completes a pick-up circuit for relay 0H3 passing from terminal B, through reverse contact 309 of lever 3p, contact 3I0 of relay ONW3, contact 3 I5 of relay 3FP and relay 0H3 to terminal 0. With the left-hand contact 3|! of relay 3F? closed and with lever 3p reversed, a control code is transmitted to station III for causing switch 32 tobecome reversed and signal 3LB to clear.

, xNeutral contact3l5 of relay 4FP, upon being closed, completes a pick-up circuit for relay 0H4 passing from terminal B, through left-hand contact 3I9, front contact 3I3 of relay OBI-I4, contact 3I5 of relay 4FP and relay 01-14 to terminal 0. With the left-hand contact of relay 4F? closed andwith lever 43) normal, 9. control code is transmitted to station IV for causing signal ILA does not become effective until the main line to clear.

The result of the operation of contact arm 303 of pair 4F, with switch lever 49 normal and 3p reversed, is therefore to cause signal 3RA to assume the stop position so as to permit a train movement from left to right up to signal 3RA only, and to reverse switch 3Z and to clear signals ALA and 3L8 to permit the movement of an opposing train up to signal ZLB.

At the conclusion ofthe operations resulting from the transmission of thesecodes, indication codes will be transmitted from stations III and IV for energizing indication relays ORW3, OLH3, ONW4 and OLH I, to light indication lamps ,89 and 90 of panel 3 and lamps 83 and -90 of panel 4.

When the despatcher is'informed, by the lighting of the trackindication lamps 01 of panels 2 and 3 as the result of the transmission-of indication codes initiated by the entrance of the trains into the respective switch sections as described in the Lewis application, that the train moving toward the left has passed signal 3LB, and that the train moving towardthe right has passed signal ZRA, he'will return lever 3p to normal and will reverse lever, 21). He -will then depress contact arm 3020f pair 3F to transmit two codes, one to station III for restoring switch 3Z to normal and for clearing signal '3RA, and the other to station IV for clearing signal RA, and will depress contact arm 303 of pair 2F to transmit two codes, one to station I for clearing signal ILA and the other to station IIfor-reversingswitch 2Z and for clearing signal 214B. V

The operation of contact ,arm 302 of 3F completes a circuit through the windings of relays 3FP and 4F]? passing from terminal B, through a resistance unit I, contact 302-,-b of pair 31', Winding of relay 3FP, contact 303-0 of :pair 3F,- contact 304 of circuit controllerv ;3d4,- contact 302-a of pair 4F, winding of relay'4FP, contact 303g of pair 4F, normal contact 305 of lever 4p, jumper Wire 306, normal contact 301 of lever-4p, and resistance'unit 30I. to terminal C. This circuit causesrelays 3FP and FF to become energized to close their neutral and right-hand polar contacts. Relay-0H3 becomes energized, and with the right-hand contacts of relay 3FP closed and with lever 3p in its normal position, a control code is transmitted to station III for causing switch 32 to be returned to its normal position and for clearing'signal3RA. This code, of course, does not becomeefiective until the train entering the siding has passed beyond. the opposing signal SRB. Relay 0H4 also becomes energized and a control code is transmitted to station IV for clearing signal 4RA.

The operation of contact arm 303 of circuit controller pair 2F completes a circuit through the windings of relays IFP and ZFP passing from terminal B, through a resistance unit 8M, contact 303-d of pair 2F, winding of relay 2FP, contact 302a of pair 2F, contact 304 of circuit controller Id2, contact 303-g of pair IF, winding of relay IFP, contact 3027a of pair IF, normal contact 305 of lever In, jumper wire 306, and normal contact 301' of lever 1;), through resistance unit 3!" to terminal'C. This circuit causes relays I FP and 2F? to be energized to close their neutral and left-hand polar contacts, to cause a control code to be transmitted to station I for clearing signal ILA and a code to :be transmitted to station II for reversing switch'2Z 'and "for clearing signal 2LB.

The code transmitted to station 11, "of course,

train, moving toward the right, has passed beyond the opposing signal 2LA.

The'result of the operation of contact arms 303 of pair 2F and 302 of pair 3F, with switch lever 2p reversed and 3p normal is therefore to reverse switch 2Z and to permit the train moving toward theleft to pass signal ZLB at clear and to continue to the end-of the territory represented by diagram A, and also to restore switch 32 to normal and to permit the train moving toward the right to pass signal 3RA at clear and to continue to the other end of the territory represented by the diagram.

At the conclusion of the operations resulting from the transmission of these control codes, in-, dication codes will be transmitted from each station in turn in the usual manner.

I will now assume that with all switches normal and all signals at stop, the despatcher wishes to clear signal IRA for a train moving toward the right, but that he is :not ready to permit the train to pass ,station II and that he wishes to retain signals 2RA and ZRB at stop. He will therefore depress push button Id2 and will then depress contact arm 302 of pair IF, thereby completing a-circuit passing from terminal B, througha resistance unit 30I, contact 302-b of pair IF, winding of relay IFP, contact 303g of pair IF, contact 308 of circuit controller IdZ, through resistance unit 30I to, terminal C. This circuit causes 'relay-IFP to be energizedto close itsneutral and righthand polar contacts, anda control code will be transmitted for clearing signal IRA. None of the other relays ZFP, 3FP and Ilil? being energized by'the circuit just traced while push button Id2 is depressed, the only control 7 code transmitted will be "the one for clearing signal IRA, and hence noother signals will-change indications. y

I will now assume that with all switches normal and all signals at stop, the despatcher wishes to permit the train approaching station II from the left to continue on the main line, but to hold it at signal 3RA. That is, he Wishes to clear signal ZRA without changing any of the signals at any of the other stations. To do this, he will depress push button 2:13 and will then depresscontact arm 302 of pair 2F, thereby completing a circuit pass ing from terminal B, through resistance unit 30I, contact 302--b of pair 2F, winding of relay 2FP, contact 303-g of pair 2F, normal contact 305 of lever 21), normally open contact -32I of circuit controller 2-d3, nor-mal contact 301 of lever 2p, and resistance unit 30I to terminal C. This circuit causes relay 2FP to become energized to close its neutral and right-hand polar contacts, and hence a control code will be transmitted for clearing signal .2RA.

It will .be clear that by a similar manipulation the despatcher may clear signals IRA and ZRA without changing any of the signals at stations III or IV, by depressing push button 2d3 and contact arm 302 of pair IF, or he may clear signals IRA, 2RA.and 3RA without changing the signals at station IV, by depressing push button M4 and contact'a'rm 302 of pair IF.

It will be clear from the foregoing that my apparatus provides facilities whereby the despatcher may quickly clear a route for the movement of a train over the whole or any desired portion of a stretch of track containing a large number of switches and signals, by moving as many of the switch levers of his control panels as is necessary in order to select the route that he desires to establish, and by then depressing the push button Fv at the entrance of the selected route for the traflic direction that he desires to establish. The extent of the territory thus controlled may be'limited either by placing the switch lever at the end of selected route in a conflicting position, as ordinarily will be done when a meet is to be arranged for two opposing trains, or by operating one or" the push buttons (1. That is, the simul-' taneous operation of any push button F and one of the push buttons (1 results in clearing a route from the point in the track corresponding to the operated push" button F to the operated push button d, provided the switch levers are so aligned that a route is indicated as available from F to d on'the despatchers control panels. Ordinarily the extent of territory that is under'the control of a despatcher is very much larger than the stretch that for simplicity has been illustrated herein and may comprise an entire division of a railroadl By the employment of my invention, a despatcheris enabled to control all of the switchesand signals included in a much larger extent of territory than he would be able to controlif a separate manipulationwere required to .control each'switch and signal of a route for every train movement. 1 I,

I have described, for a few typical traffic movements, the operation of. one form of apparatus embodying my invention. "The operation of the apparatus for. 'every other possible traffic movement will therefore be readily understood by reference to the drawings.

' Although I have shown and described myinvention applied to the system shown and described by. L. V. Lewis" in his application for Letters Patent of :the United States, Serial No, 373,675, filed June; 25, 1929, for Remote controlling apparatus, it'is, to be understood that my invention is equally applicable to other systems of remote control.

. Although I have herein shown and described only one form of remote controlling apparatus em bodying'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, v

, Having thus described my invention, whatzl claim is: V I

1. In combination, a plurality of control relays one'for each of aplurality of code controlled stations, manually controllable means for at times connecting said relays in'series for energizing them, a plurality of code starting relays one for each of said'stations for starting a code for controlling the associated station, and means controlled by the control relay for each station for controlling the associated code starting relay.

2. In combination, a plurality of control relays one for each ofa plurality of code controlled stations, manually controllable means for at times connecting said relays in'series for energizing them, and meanscontrolled by each of said relays for controlling code generatingapparatus for controlling the associated station.

1 3. In combination, a plurality of control relaysone for each of a plurality of code controlled stations, manually controllable means for connecting a variable'number of said control relays in series' for energizing said'variable number of relays, andmeans controlled by each of said relays for controlling code generating apparatus for controlling the associated station. 4,. ,In combination, a plurality of code controlled-stations; a code starting relay for each station for startinga code for controlling the associated station, a circuit controller, and means controlled by said circuit controller for at times energizing a plurality of saidstarting relays.

5. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a plurality of railwayv trafiic governing devices spaced'along said stretch, a relay for each of said devices for controlling. the associated device, a plurality of pairs of manually controllable circuitcontrollers one pair for each of said devices and each circuit controller of each pairv having a-no'rmal position to which it is biased and also having a reverse "position, a 'circuitincluding said relays in series andsaid circuit controllers in their normal position; means controlled by one circuit controller of each-pair in its reverse position for energizing a given group'of said relays, andmeans controlled by the'other circuit controller of the same pairin its reverse position for energizinga second group of said relays.

6. In combination, a stretchof railway track including a plurality of consecutive stations each comprising a track switch and: a signal :for. governing trafiic movements over said switch, manually controllable means, means cont'rolledby a single given operation of said manually controllable means for causing the signals to indicate proceed at a given number of 'saidstations, and meanscontr'olledby a second given operation of said manually controllable means. for causing thev signals to indicate proceed at a difierent number of saidstations.

7. In combinatiomga stretch of railway track including a plurality of consecutive stations .each comprising'a track, switch andasignal for governing traflic movements over said switch, manuallycontrollable means, means controlled by said'manually controllable means for causingthe signals to indicate proceed at a variable num ber of saidstations, indication apparatus, and means controlled bywsaid' manually controllable means for causing saidindication apparatus to indicate the condition of saidmanually controle lable means; it

' 8. In. combinationwith a track switch and a signal for governing traflicover the switch, code transmitting means at a remote 'oifice fori selectively operating the switch and the signal, normally energized switch indication. means at the office adapted to, indicate the condition of the switch, and means at the office controlled by said indication meansfor controlling the code transmitting .means. 1 r

9. In combination with manually controlled apparatus for transmitting different control signalsto a remote point for selectively controlling the positions of arailwayswitch. located at such remote point'and'a. signal governing traffic over such switch, means for indicating the position of said switch at said remote point, and manually controlled means for at times placing said apparatus under the control of said switch indication means.

10. In combination with a two position track switch, a two position control lever, transmitting means effective when actuated to operate said switch to a position corresponding tothe position of said lever, indication means'for indicating the position of the switch, a-manually operable starting key for actuating said transmitting means, and means for preventing theactuation of said transmitting means when said key is operated provided the position of the-lever, corre: sponds to the position of the switch as indicated bysaid indication means- 11. In combination with a. two position track switch, a plurality of: signals: for governing: traffic over: the switch, manually controllable. switch and signal control. means; transmitting means ior operating said switch and signals to positions corresponding. to the positions. of said. control means, switch and signal indication means for indicating the positions: 01. said. and signals, a manually operable starting key for actuating. said transmitting means, and means for preventing ,the actuation: of said: transmitting means when said hey is. actuated provided. the positions oi. the. switch and; signal. control means correspond to the positions of the swiinh and signals as indicated bysaid indication means.

12.. In a centralized trafiic control system for railroads; a plurality cc signals spaced at inter! vals' along a stretch. of railway track for govern.- ing the. movement or. tramc in the same direction, transmitting: means at av control. ofllce. for transmitting codes effective to selectively cl'ear said. signals, control. means for each; signal: etfective' when operated. to actuate said transmit.- ting means to transmit a code to clear the corresponding. signal, indication means for indicating the: condition. 01 each; signal; and: means efiective when. any one oi saidv control' means is operated to actuate. said transmitting meansv to transmit additional codes to clear each signal in. said stretch: in advance of the signal corresponding'to said controt means, said means. including means to prevent the transmissionof a code. to clear any signal indicated clear lay-said: indication meansl 13. In combination a plurality" oi! railway signals, transmitting means tor each signal. for selectively clearing said control means efl'ectiv'e' when operated to actuate said transmit ting. means to clear eachof' said signals inturn, indication means tor indicating the condition of each signal; and means efieetive when. said con trol: means is operated to prevent: the actuation of each transmitting means for any signal which is indicated clearby said indication means.

14. In a centralized traffic control system. for railroads, a stretch of railway track, aplurality of signals at dilierent' points in. said. stretch for controlling the. movement or traflic through said stretch, a control? relay for signal at a control office, a. normally open control circuit ineluding all of said relays-miseries; meansfor closing a portion. of circuit between. any two selected points in. said circuit toenergize a selected plurality of said relays, and means. rmdered eflecti've when each. relay becomes energizedfor clearing the correspomhng. signal.

15.. In a centralized" traflic control system for railroads, a stretch of railway track, a. plurality of pairs of opposing signals at different. points in said stretcl'r. for controlling the. movement of traffic. in. one direction or the other through said stretch, apolarized control relay for each pair of signals at a control. oflice, a. normally open control circuit including all of said: relays in series, means for closing a portion oi: said, circuit between any two selected points: said circuit to: energize a selected pluralitylof. said. relays one direction or the. other, and; means. rendered effective when each. relay becomes energized for clearing one signal: or the other of the corresponding pair in accordance. with the: direction of energization of such: relay.

16.. In combination with; a track switch and a signal for governing traflic over the switch, manually controllable switch and signal control contacts at a control oilice, code transmitting means effective whenoperatedto control the switch and the signal to positions corresponding to the positions of. said levers, indication means at the office adapted to continuously indicate the positiOIl. of the switch and of the signal, and a. manually operable contact eiiective when. closed momentarily to initiate the operation of the code transmitting means provided the position of: the switch or of the signal indicated by said indication means is out of correspondence with its control contact.

17.. In a centralized traific' control system for railroads, an oilice and a plurality of. stations, code transmitting means for establishing; communication between said office and said stations, one station at a time, tocontrol tram'c governing devices at the stations, a group of control levers in. the oflice for each station for determining the control tobe effected by said transmitting means, a: stick. relay for each group of levers effective when energized to initiate the operation of said transmitting means to select the station correspending. to such group, a main startingcircuit in.- cluding a manually operable contact, means eiiectizve when said. startmg circuit. is closed to simultaneously energize all of said stick relays, and a stick circuit for each stick relay closed when the relay is energized. and opened when the. corresponding: station hasbeen selected.

Id; In combination with a stretch of railway track. including a plurality'of track switches, code transmitting means at. a control omce for controlling said switches, a group of control levers at said office including one. for each switch for determining the control: to beeflected by said transmitting: means, a starting circuit including contracts. of all said. levers in series: and arranged to be closed only when a non-conflicting route through said stretch will be rendered available by the operation of said code-transmitting means in accordance with the positions of said; levers, means effective when said starting circuit is closed for initiating the operation of said transmitting means to effect the control of said switches, and manually operable means for closing said starting circuit.

19. In combination with a stretch of railway track including a. plurality of track switches, transmitting means at a control ofiice for controlling said switches, a group of control levers at said oflice including one for each switchfor determining the control to be effected by said transmitting means, a manually operable contact for each lever, effective when closed to initiate the operation 01' the transmitting means in accordance with the position of the corresponding lever, and other manually operable means effective when operated to initiate the operation of said transmitting means toeflect the operation of a plurality of said switches, each in accordance with the position of the corresponding lever, if and only ii a non-conflicting route through said stretch will be rendered available by such operation.

20. Apparatus for the remote control of movable devices comprising a plurality of levers, one for each device, each lever havingat least two positions in each 01 which a normally inactive control contact is closed", a starting circuit associated with each lever, means effective when each said starting circuit is closed momentarily to complete a circuit over the cIosed control contact of the associated leverto eil'ect the movement of the corresponding device to a position determined by the position of said lever manually operable means for each circuit. for closing said circuit momentarily and individually, and other means for momentarily closing a selected plurality of said circuits simultaneously.

21. In a centralized traffic control system for railroads, an ofiice and a plurality of stations, transmitting means for establishing communication between said office and said stations to control trafilo governing devices at the stations, a group of control levers in the office for each station for determining the control to be effected by said transmitting means, a starting relay for each group of levers efiective when actuated to initiate the operation of said transmitting means to select the station corresponding to said group, a main starting circuit including a manually operable contact, means eiTective when said starting circuit is closed to actuate all of said starting relays, and means for restoring each starting relay rendered effective when the corresponding station is selected.

HERBERT A. WALLACE.

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