Patent GB-190609901-A (GB)
Title: Protection of Railway Trains.
Inventor: GERARD ABEL RAIMOND ALEXANDRE
Filed: 1906-04-27
Granted: 1907-04-27
Abstract: 9901. GÚrard, A. R. A. May 2, 1905, [date applied for under Patents Act, 1901]. Signalling-systems; stopping engines; signals on engines contacts, mechanical and electric; semaphore signals; controlling signals; recording signals. -In a partly-automatic, combined mechanical and electric system adapted for single and double tracks, crossings and sidings, a lever on the engine mechanically operates the semaphore apparatus to set the signal to 'danger' and to close the circuits to the rear signal, or other signals in special cases, to lock them when the operator mechanically re-sets them to 'clear.' A signal at 'danger' also sets a mechanical contact to operate a lever on any train that passes it so as to close the regulating-valve and to record the fact by any electric recording- means on the engine. Several modifications of the engine apparatus are shown and described, all of which are actuated from a pivoted lever 25 which in various ways, one of which is shown in Figs. 8 and 10, releases detents from spring-driven levers connected to the regulator handle, and may close electric circuits to a recording-device. The track apparatus is shown in plan in Fig, 7. The arm b is struck by the engine contact and rotates the spindle a, which, through a cord or chain, moves the bell-crank d pivoted at e. The lower end of the bell-crank d pushes the lever f<2>, thereby moving the part g<1> about its pivot g<2> against the direction of the arrow. The part g moves a bent lever i<3> to lift the part j and thus unlock the lever k, which is then rotated about its pivot k<1> by the part g. This releases the latch l which normally holds the arm n on the spindle o carrying the signal disk p, which is thereby exposed as a 'danger' signal. The projection q on the spindle o is also brought into the path of the lever 25 on the engine. In the event of a train passing the 'danger' signal, the lever 25 is depressed, and through the parts 26, 27, and cords 29, 31 moves the part 32, carrying rods 33 which rotate the levers 34 and release the lock 35 on the arm 36. This arm is then moved by the spring 37 to actuate the regulator handle 38. The lever f also actuates the bell-crank r to remove a detent from the bar t, which carries contacts 1, 1<1>, 2, 2<1> &c. The bar t is restored by the magnet u, and the lever f is restored by the magnet h as hereafter described. The apparatus as applied to one side of a double track is shown in Fig. 1. A train at the post C sets the semaphore p and obstruction q and closes the contacts 1, 1<1>, 2, 2<1>. As shown in Fig. 1, the signal at the post A is thereby put into condition to allow of replacement by the operator. The closing of the circuit from the battery at the post A through the coil h and bell 10 in parallel and thence through the contacts 4, 5, wire 6, and contacts 1, 2, causes the coil h to re-set the lever g, thus returning the locking-lever j and securing the rod k and latch l so that the signal disk is held when returned to 'clear' by the operator. The contacts 4, 5 at the post A are opened and contacts 8, 9 at the same post are closed, thereby completing the circuit from the battery at the post A, through the contacts 8, 9, wire 11, contacts 2, 2<1> at post C, coil u, and wire 7, and causing the coil u to re-set the bar t and open the contacts 1, 1<1>, 2, 2<1>. The number of posts between those connected together may be varied as desired. For singletrack working, posts are arranged on both sides of the track and a train sets the signals as above described to protect itself from the rear. The bar t is fitted with additional contacts to close the circuit to an additional electro-magnet x at the signal for a train in the opposite direction, so as to operate the lever f in the same direction as if operated mechanically by a train travelling towards that which is protecting itself by the signals in question. Additional contacts are required fully to protect a crossing, and are fully described in the Specification. The application to sidings and sharp curves is also described in the Specification.