Patent GB-276481-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electric signalling systems
IPC: G01G23/36
Filed: 1926-07-08
Abstract: 276,481. Wenzel, K. E. July 8, 1926. Tell-tale apparatus.-Relates to an electric signalling system for indicating the weights of railway cars which for the purpose of composing a train are permitted to run down an inclined track and are controlled in accordance with the weights upon arrival at the bottom of the incline by a track brake which is adapted to stop each car within a specified distance. The indications are set up automatically on a registering apparatus and are then transmitted to receiving apparatus. As shown, a car 76 passes over a platform 42 which is depressed against the action of powerful springs 43 to move a contact arm 35 into engagement with a contact in the group 36 - - 39 corresponding to the approximate weight of the car. The contacts 36 - - 39 are connected to electromagnets k, m, n, o of a registering device.. These magnets control rods p, r, s, t which co-operate with groups of pawls d - - g mounted on transverse bars 50 of a rotatable drum 47. Engagement of the arm 35 with any particular contact in the group 36 - - 39 selects the corresponding magnet k, m, n, or o which, upon operation of a contact 33 by the car to complete the circuit of a selected magnet moves its rod to tilt the corresponding pawl in the lowest group on the drum. The pawl is held in its operated position by a spring detent. Simultaneously an electromagnet 2 is energized to operate the pawl of a toothed wheel v. When the circuit is opened at the contact 33 after the passage of the car, the pawl is retracted to operate the wheel v and rotate the drum 47 to bring the next group of pawls d - - g into operative relationship with the rods p, r, s, t. A sleeve 26 carrying a group of contacts corresponding in number to the rods p, r, s, t is clutched by discs 20, 23 to the shaft 46 of the drum so that the sleeve and contacts carried thereby are rotated to the same extent as the drum against the action of a weight 27 suspended from a rope 67 wound on a pulley 66. The disc 23 has lugs 24, 25, the lugs 25 corresponding in position to the groups of pawls on' the drum. The disc 20 is slidably mounted on the shaft 46 and has U-shaped stops 32. When the car reaches the bottom of the inclined track a switch 40 is operated to energize momentarily an electromagnet 17 which operates the lever 1& to move the disc 20 so as to disengage the stops 22 from the corresponding lugs 25. The sleeve 26 is thereby unclutched and is rotated by the weight 27 until the succeeding lugs 24 engage the stops 22. Upon de-energization of the magnet 17, the sleeve 26 is again released and operated by the weight 27 until brought to rest by the stops 22 and succeeding lugs 25. During this rotation the appropriate pair of contacts in the group 3 - - 6 is operated by the tilted pawl to close the circuit of the corresponding indicator in the group 29 - - 32. The contacts 3 - - 6 are connected to the indicators, which may be differently coloured lamps, through slip rings 8 - - 11 on the sleeve 26 and are brought to rest in such a position that the contacts lie in operative relationship with the next set of pawls ready for a. further signal registration. The operated pawls on the drum 47 are restored to their normal' positions by a rod 30 after the drum has completed one revolution.