Patent GB-191329689-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Electrically Actuated Mechanism for Controlling from a Distance Railway Trains and other Apparatus.
Inventor: WIRTH CHRISTOPH
IPC: B61L3/12
Filed: 1913-12-24
Granted: 1915-07-22
Abstract: 29,689. Wirth, C. Dec. 24. Wireless systems; track apparatus actuating signals on trains and for stopping trains; stoping trains independently of drivers; indicating movements of trains. - Electrically actuated mechanism adapted to control signals or brake-apparatus on a train &c., comprises a member which is moved to close a circuit by means of a certain number of impulses in rapid succession, while when separate impulses or an insufficient number are transmitted at intervals the member is returned to its normal position. A warning signal circuit is closed at a preliminary stage. The apparatus is used in a wireless control system in which impulses are periodically transmitted which cause a prolonged signal to be given if the apparatus is out of order, and a signal is also given and the brakes applied if the speed becomes excessive. Fig. 1 shows the apparatus on the train. Wireless impulses received by the aerial 101, by means of the coherer 106 and relays 110, 116, 8, cause the energization of the magnet 12, so stepping the ratchet-wheel 15 round. This wheel is geared to the disk 18, a projection 19 on which, after a predetermined number of impulses, presses the springs 20, 21 together to close the circuit of the bell 22, and after a further series presses the springs 23, 24 together to close the circuit of the relay 25, which closes at 28 the circuit of the motor 29, which drives through gearing 31 a drum 32, and by means of a rope 34 operates the brakes of the train. A spring 86 serves to return the drum when the motor circuit is b r o k e n . When the drum is rotated to apply the brakes, a cam 35 on its shaft closes the circuit of the magnet 38, which disengages the disk 18 from the ratchetwheel and allows it to be returned by its spring 63. To return the disk after an incorrect number of impulses has been received, the ratchetwheel 15 carries an arm 41 moving over alternately conducting and insulating segments on the disk 43. If it rests on a conducting segment it closes a circuit from battery 11, through wires 3, 73, magnet 44, wire 74, contacts 126, arm 41, disk 43, wire 72, contact 27, wires 71, 5, and 4, back to battery. The armature of the magnet 44 has its movement delayed by a ratchet-wheel 77 geared to a fan 47 or other retarding-device, so that if the arm 41 remains at rest for some time, the contacts 48, 49 are closed, thereby energizing the magnet 38 to release the disk 18 and allow it to be returned by its spring. The magnet 38 also presses the springs 50, 51 together to energize the magnet 12 to step the arm 41 on to an insulating segment. The circuit of the magnet 44 is broken at 126 while the magnet 12 is energized, and at 27 while the magnet 25 is energized to apply the brakes. For supervising the apparatus bv means of the periodical impulses, the relays 127, 128 are used. The relay 128 serves to give a short signal by the bell 135 at each impulse, while the relay 127, the return of the armature of which is delayed by a fan, gives a prolonged closure of the bell circuit when the impulses fail to be received. At excessive speeds, the indicator 142 closes the circuit of the bell 135 and also of the relay 148, which after an interval closes the circuit of the magnet 25 to apply the brakes. In a modification, the disk 18 is mounted on the shaft of the ratchet-wheel 15, which is then provided with a returning-spring and a holding-pawl, both pawls being disengaged by the magnet 38. The arm 41 and disk 43 are replaced by contact springs and a cam which close the circuit of the magnet 44 except when the disk is in the normal, the signalling, or the brake-applying positions, the contacts 126 serving to keep the wheel from being returned while operating impulses are being received. Fig. 2 shows the transmitting - apparatus. The operating - impulses are produced by means of a circuit-closer f which closes the primary circuit of a spark-gap system. The supervisory impulses are produced periodically by the contacts p, q which are pressed together by the armature lever u of the magnet 99, the magnet y being also energized at the same time to close the circuit of the magnet 99, the armature of which near the end of its stroke rocks the contact p, which is held in any position it is moved to by the spring r, to break the circuit. The return of the armature lever u is delayed by a ratchetwheel and fan. A telegraph or telephone wire k may be used as aerial, a short spark gap or gaps l serving to allow the oscillations, but not the ordinary line currents, to pass. The primary circuit may be connected to a wire running beside the railway to allow it to be closed by a circuit closer in a way station or forming a portable set.