US758527A - Signaling and operating system. - Google Patents

Description

' H. G. W. GRAHAM.

. SIGNALING AND OPERATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

Witnesses PATENTED APR. 26, 1904.

inventor Attornev UNITED STATES Patented April 26, 1904.

ATENT FFTCIE,

HEDLEY CHARLES WILLIAM GRAHAM, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

SIGNALING AND OPERATING SYSTEM- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,527, dated April 26, 1904,

Application filed July 9, 1903. Serial No. 164,853. (No modehl To all whom, it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, H EDLEY CHARLES VVIL- LIAM GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented cering train and at the same time transmit asignal indicating that the brakes of the said following or approaching train have been set by the action of controlling mechanism on the train ahead or behind, thus enabling those in charge of a train compelled from any cause to run slowly or stop to control a running train in rear or front thereof and obviate all liability of a rear-end or head-on collision; In the organization of this system each train is equipped with aset of receiving, transmitting, and brake-operating devices, and, if desired, a transmitting device maybe arranged at each block-station to enable the operator at the station to stop trains which have disregarded signals or have been wrongly signaled to proceed when the block ahead is occupied.

IVhile primarily designed for use as a traincontroller, it will of course be understood that the system may be applied to other uses, and hence I do not desire to specifically limit its application.

The object of the invention is to provide a system of this character which is simple,reliable, and efi'ective within reasonable limits as to distance, &c., and which may be installed at a comparatively low cost.

To this end the invention consists In a system of the character described embodying certain novel elements, features of construction, and combinations of elements, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the transmitting instruments and circuits; and Fig. 2 is a similar view of the receiving instruments and circuits, together with the operating device to be controlled, "which may be a'brake-valve lever of the air-brake mechanism of a train.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A designates the transmitting mechanism, comprising an electromotor 1, installed in a motor-circuit consisting of conductors 2 and 3 and a battery or source of electric energy 4, the said conductor 2 having a closing..- switch 5, by which the supply of current to operate the motor may be controlled. The shaft 6 of the motor 1 carries a wormsgear 7, which meshes with a worm 8 on a rotary circuitclosing drum 9, which is provided with one or more pins or sets of pins 10 to engage acontact-piece 11. This drumand contactpieee are connected byaconductor 9' with the battery4 and are contained in atransmittingcircuit which includes said wire 9', a transmitter 12, an induction-coil 13, and the battery 4, the primaryot' the coil 13 being connected by the conductors 14 and 15 to one pole of the battery 4 and to the contact-piece 11, while the secondary of the coil is connected by a conductor 16 to the transmitter 12 and by a conductor 17 withthe ground. A switch 18 is located in the wire 9' to enable the transmitting-circuit to be thrown out,of operation when desired. It will be understood that the rotary motion of the drum 9 causes a circuit to be established at each contact of a pin 10 with the strip 11, the course of the current being from one pole of battery 4 by way of Wire 14 to and through the primary of coil 13, wire 15, contact 11, the engaging pin 10, drum 9, and wire 9 to the other pole of the battery; An induced electric current or wave is thus produced, which is transmitted through transmitter 12 and the atmosphere to the receiver at a distant point. r

The receiving mechanism B comprises a re-. ceiver 19, connected by a conductor 20 with a coherer 21, which is connected by a conductor 22 with the ground. In circuit with the coherer 21 is a decoherer23, which is connected by a conductor 24 with the ground-comluctor 22 and with one pole of a battery 25 by aconductor 26, in which is installed a switch 26 for rendering the receiving-circuit inoperative when desired. Also in circuit with the coherer and decoherer is a signal device, shown in the present instance in the form of a single-stroke bell 27 connected to the other pole of the battery by a conductor 28 and with the wire 20 by a conductor 29. On a current from the transmitter 12 being taken up by the receiver 19 and passing, to the ground through coherer 21 and conductor 22 the effective resistance of the coherer is reduced, allowing sufficient current to flow from the battery 25 through the signal 27 to operate the latter, thus causing the signal if a'lamp to flash or if a bell to sound as many times as there are current impulses transmitted,which will necessarily correspond in number to the series of pins or acting sets of series of pins 10 on the drum 9. The current in this operation flows from the battery 25 through conductor 28, bell 27, conductor 29, eoherer 21, conductor 24, decoherer 23, and conductor 26 back to the battery. Upon the cessation of the current the decoherer taps the coherer in the usual way.

The bell-hammer armature 27 of the bell 27 controls a normally closed controlling-circuit 0, containing a releasing magnet or relay 31, whose armature 32- is eccentrically pivoted at 33. The circuit being normally closed and the magnet 31 energized, the longer arm 32 of the armature is normally attracted and held down by the cores of the magnet and the shorter arm forms a detent or trip device 32". The circuit C includes the two conductors 34 and 35, which are provided with contacts '34 35, electrically connected by a bridge-plate 36, carried by the armature 27, together with a battery 37, installed in the conductor 34.

A controlling or operating member 3 in the. form of a lever pivoted at one end, as indicated at 39, has its opposite or free end arranged to swing in a path in which the detent or trip 32" is normally interposed to hold said lever in a determined position. This lever is designed to operate a brake-valve (not shown) of the air-brake mechanism of a car or train. It is adapted to be drawn down by a weight 39 against the resistance of a cushioned restrainer consisting of acylinder 40-, partly tilled with a fluid 41, such as oil, and containing a piston or diaphragm 42, in which is a small hole 42' and which is attached to the lever by a rod, link, or other suitable connection 43. When the parts are adjusted for operation as shown in full lines in, Fig. 2, the lever isheld from downward movement under action of the weight 39'- by the detent or trip 32"; but when the circuitC is broken by the operation of the signal27, whereby the bridge-plate 36 breaks connection between the contacts 34"- and 35', the magnet 31 will be deenergized and line position. In such downward movement of the lever 38 the action of the weight 39 is restrained or retarded by the cushioning device, so that the lever will not be violently swung to open the brake-valve; but, on the contrary, owing to the smooth movements of the piston 42, due to the resistance of the fluid 41, a cushioning action will be instituted which will cause the lever to swing smoothly and evenly and operate the valve with aminimum of slamming or vibration. 7

By the use of these several elements of my system on the trains'of a railroad it will be apparent that the engineer, fireman, or other member of the crew of a train compelled to stop or slacken speed may operate the circuitcloser of the transmitting device thereon to transmit current -impulses to be taken up by the receiving device on a train approaching from in front or following behind, so that the controlling-circuit on the former or thelatter may be broken to set thebrakes and stop such approaching or following train, thereby obviating all liability of ahead-on or rear-end collision, also that by the use of the transmitting elements at the stations of a blocksignal system the operators at the stations may have complete control of trains which fail to stop or slacken up on signal or which are wrongly signaled to proceed when the block ahead is occupied, my systemin the event of .the latter contingency permitting the operator to stop the train before damage is done. The operation of the signal 27 on the train on which the brakesare applied will further positivelynotify the crew of the train that the train has been stopped for cause and should not proceed without orders.

As before stated, the invention while primarily designed for controlling the trains of a railroad may be employed for Various other purposes 'by the arrangement of the lever oi operatingdevice 33 to control different appliances which it is desired to operate from distant points. i :wcordingly reserve the right to apply the invention to different uses and to make such changes and modifications as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Thecircuit-closeroftlietransmitting-circuit may be of the selective type to enable any one of a number of receivers to be influenced by the currents or waves from the transmitting device, or the drum of said closer may be removable, so that different drums may be applied to accord with the. distinguishing numberof the train of which the ear or locomotive carrying the drum forms a part.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to seen re by Letters Patent, is

1. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by ether i :\\'a\'es, the weight 39' will pull the lever 33 down, I

the combination of a transmitting-circuit conthus swinging the armature 32 to the broken- 1 taining a transmitting device, a receiving-circuit having an element influenced by the etheric Waves from said transmitting device, and a controlling-circuit governed by said ele ment and containing an operating device, a trip controlling the action of said device, means for automatically actuating the operating device upon its release by the trip, and means for restricting the speed or force of action of the operating device, substantially as described.

2. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination of a transmitting-circuit containing a transmitting device, a receiving-circuit having an element influenced by the etheric waves from said transmitting device, and a controlling-circuit governed by said element and containing an operating device, a

' trip controlling the action of said device,

means for automatically actuating the operating device upon its release by the trip. and means riomprisingafluid-retarded member for restricting the speed or force of action of the operating device, substantially as described.

3. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric Waves, the combination of atransmitting-circuit containing a transmitting device, a receiving-circuit having an element influenced by the etheric waves from said transmitting device, and a controlling-circuit governed by said element and containing an operating device, a trip controlling the action of said device, means for automatically actuating the operating device npon its release by the trip. and means comprising a cushion for retarding the speed or force of said operating device, said cushion consisting of a vessel containing afluid, and a piston therein connected to the said operating device and having a passage for the escape of the fluid past the same, substantially as described.

4. In a system for operating controlling means from a distantpoint by etheric waves, the combination of a transmitting-circuit containing a transmitting device, a receiving-cir cuit having an element influenced by the etheric waves from said transmitting device, and a controlling-circuit governed by said element and containing an operating device, a weight for operating the same, a trip device controlled by the receiving-circuit for normally detaining the operating device and permitting it to be moved by the weight when retracted, and a cushion restraining the movement of the operating device under the action of the weight, substantially as described.

5. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination of a transmitting-circuit containing a transmitting device, a receiving-circuit having an element influenced by the etheric waves from said transmitting device, and a controlling-circuit governed by said ele ment and containing an operating device, a weight for operating the same, a trip device controlled by the receiving-circuit for normally detaining the operating device and permitting it to be moved by the weight when retracted, a fluid-containing vessel, a piston therein provided with a passage for the flow of the fluid past the same, and ,a connection between the. piston and operating device whereby the piston retards the movement of the operating device under the action of the weight, substantially as described.

6. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point. by etheric waves, the combination of a transmitting-circuit containing a transmitting device, a receiving-circuit having an element influenced by the etheric waves from said transmitting device, and a controlling-circuit governed by said element and containing an operating device, an armature forming a detent normally holding the said device against movement, and an electromagnet controlling said armature, substantially as described.

7. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination of a transmitting-circuit containing a transmitting device, a receiving-circuit having an element influenced by the etheric waves from said transmitting device, a normally closed controlling-circuit containing an operating device, and means governed by the influencing element in the receivingcircuit for opening the controlling-circuit and affecting the action of the operating device, substantially as described.

8. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination with a suitable receiving-circuit, and a controlling element actuated thereby, of a transmitting element for influencing said receivingcircuit, the same comprising motor and transmitting circuits, the said cir cuits having a common battery and one containing an electromotor and the other a transmitter, a coacting induction-coil and a makeand-break device actuated by the motor, substantially as described.

9. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination with a suitable receiving-circuit, and a controlling element actuated thereby, of transmitting mechanism comprising motor and transmitting circuits having a common source of electric supply with means for cutting out either circuit, a motor in the said motor-circuit, a transmitter in the said transmitting-circuit, an induction-coil coacting with said transmitter, and a make-and-break device actuated by the said motor, substantially as described.

10. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination with a suitable transmittingalarm device being provided with a switch element, and a controller governed by said switch element, substantially as described.

11. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination with a suitable transmitter, of a receiver comprising a receiving-circuit having a source of electric supply, a transmitter, a coherer, a decoherer, and an alarm device connected with the receiver and decoherer and provided with a switch element, and a controliing circuit governed by said switch element and containing a controlling device.

means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination with a transmitter and a receiver the latter being provided with a combined alarm device and controllingswitch, of a control ling-circuit made and broken by said combined alarm and switch device and containing a controlling element for operating the moving parts, said element being thrown into operation upon the energizing of said switch device.

13. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination with a transmitter and a 'receiver, the latter being provided with a controlling-switch, of a controlling-circuit, governed by said switch and containing an electromagnet, an armature actuated by said electromagret and having a portion forming a detent, and a controlling element held inactive by said detent and released upon the adapted to be closed thereby upon the breaking of said circuit.

15. In a system for operating controlling means from a distant point by etheric waves, the combination with a transmitter, and a receiver, the latter being provided with a switch 12. In a system for operating controlling device, of a controlling-circuit normally closed by said switch device, an electromagnet'in said circuit, an armature-detent governed by said magnet, a weighted lever normally held inactive by said detent and adapted when the switch is actuated to be released thereby, and a cushioning element for restraining the movement of said lever when released, substantially as described.

16. In a system for operating the brake mechanism of trains by etheric waves, the combination with a brake-controlling element of wave transmitting, receiving and controlling mechanism for actuatinggsaid element.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HEDLEY CHARLES WILLIAM GRAHAM. Witnesses:

Lno R. VAN ALs'rYNE, IDA A. ZIMMER.

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