Patent GB-190923533-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the Shunting of Railway Wagons.
IPC: B61L17/00
Filed: 1909-10-14
Granted: 1910-03-03
Abstract: 23,533. Siemens & Halske Akt.-Ges. Oct. 20, 1908, [Convention date]. Electrically operated from vehicle; electric and fluidpressure operation and control.-In a shunting system, each wagon or group of wagons determines the operation of a switch mechanism, assigned to it by means of a selector or distributor; the switch mechanism determines the setting of the points of the siding for which the wagon is destined. The switch mechanism B, Fig. 1, comprises a ratchet - wheel P operated by a magnet B" and rotating arms B', B<2> over contacts o<1>, a<1> ... o<2>, a<2> ... ; the arm B<1> is connected through the magnet B" to the battery N', and is insulated from the earthed arm B<2>. The selector-switch Z<2> is closed for a wagon intended for siding b and a circuit is completed through the magnet B" which moves the contact arms B', B<2> to the contacts a<1>, a2. When the wagon passes a rail contact I<2>, the arms are moved to contacts b<1>, b<2>, and a circuit is completed through the contact b<2> and motor winding M<25>, so that the points are set for the siding b. The re-setting of the points may be by hand, or automatically by the contact S<2> completing a circuit through the motor winding M<26> which re-sets the points. The switch B may be re-set by hand, or automatically when the points are closed by the contact M<23> closing successive circuits through the interrupter U and contacts b', c<1>, d<1>, whereby the arms B', B<2> are returned to the contacts o<1>, o<2>. The switch mechanism may be connected to a relay R<2>, Fig 3, having insulated arms connected together by a spring. When the contact I<2> is closed, the current through b<2> energizes the magnet m<2> and the contacts c<4>, h<2>; the former completes the motor circuit through the battery N<2>, and the latter completes the circuit for restoring the switch B. The contact S<2> energizes the magnet m<1> to close the contacts c<5>, whereby the motor M<2> is re-set. A distributor K is used instead of the selector switch Z<2>, and has as many contacts 1, 2 ... 11 as there are groups of wagons on the train. These contacts are suitably connected by cord leads and plugs to the switches B, C, D governing the sidings b, c, d, or to the relay R<1> for the siding a. The distributor arm K<1>, which is in the position of rest between contacts 11 and 1, is moved by the magnet K", which is excited through an insulated rail section I<1>, longer than the longest wheel base in use. The contacts corresponding to the wagon groups intended for the main line e are not connected to any switch. To avoid the use of cord leads, a switch-board V, Fig. 4, is used consisting of intersecting conducting- bars, one series connected to the contacts 1, 2 ... and one series to the switches B .... To allow more than one group of wagons to be on the way at any time into the same siding, several switch mechanisms may be provided for each siding, each connected to a conductor - bar. With three switches to each siding as shown, two wagon groups must separate any groups intended for any one siding; this is arranged by providing each plug with a plate covering the next two sockets. In simple shunting yards, an alternative form is to provide each switch B ... with auxiliary switches F ..., Fig. 6. The contacts o<2> ... are doubled, one set being connected to the points motors M<2> ... , as above, the other set being connected to a series of contacts o<3> ... in the switches F .... The latter contacts are connected by hand levers F<1> ... to a continuous contact bar connected to the battery N<2>. These levers are set over the contact corresponding to the siding required. The fifth wagon can be set when the first mechanism has come to rest, the lever being locked while the arms B<1>, B<2> are in motion. The work is simplified when there is a switch for each wagon group of the train. In order to economize in the switch mechanisms B, the switches equal only the number of wagon groups that can run simultaneously, such as four, each switch having several setters connected in succession with its switch by an auxiliary switch mechanism, the total number of setters corresponding to the number of wagon groups. An additional relay, dependent on the relay R<2>, is required to re-set the several switch mechanisms. A chain of electro - magnets may be substituted for the mechanical switches B ... with ratchet-wheels P. Fig. 12 shows the arrangement for the siding e. When wagon W<1> passes contact I<1>, the arm K<1> is moved to the first contact, and the magnet m<51> is energized and attracts its armature to prepare the circuit of the magnet m<52> for the contact I<2> and to complete another circuit to energize the magnet m<51> through the arm m<512> until the contact I<2> is reached. When the magnet m<55> is energized, one magnet of the relay R<5> is also energized and the points are set. The magnet m<55> may be eliminated if one of the relay magnets is connected to the arm m<541> and with the terminal of the battery N' that is not earthed. The main distributor K may also comprise a chain of electro-magnets. The electro-magnet chain may be modified by substituting an arrangement similar to the relay R<5> for each magnet, the armatures having three positions, quite open, quite closed, and a normal mid-position. Since the armatures return directly to their normal position, the same switch mechanism may be used to direct several wagons. Each axle of a wagon may act on the magnet of the distributor K; the contact I' must then be shorter than the shortest wheel base, and the distributor and switch mechanisms must have more contacts. Further, the number and position of the rail contacts I<2> may be varied; if two points are close, the contacts for the second points may be in front of the first points; or if two points are so separated as to allow several wagons to travel between them, a corresponding number of contacts must be used between the points. The relays may be eliminated if the switch mechanisms are gradually returned by contacts in the sidings; during this return, the switch can directly re-set the points. Any effect transmitted electrically may be transmitted mechanically; thus, instead of rail contacts, rods in compression may be used to act on the switch mechanisms through rods or wires. Instead of setting the points electrically, mechanical devices of any kind may be used which act directly or indirectly on contacts, valves, &c. The Specification, as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a) states also that "the switching- devices can be used for mechanical setting by hand. In this case, the switch mechanism unlocks the levers and gives a signal instead of controlling a point machine, whereupon the points are set by hand." This subject matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.