Patent GB-190310502-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and connected with Means of Electrically Actuating Railway Points and Signals.
Inventor: SYKES WILLIAM ROBERT
Filed: 1903-05-08
Granted: 1904-05-07
Abstract: 10,502. Sykes, W. R. May 8. Semaphore signals; controlling and locking signals; indicators, point or switch and signal. - Relates to means for electrically operating and controlling railway points and signals, and consists in employing an electromotor and screw in conjunction with a " butterfly" for operating and locking the points and in using an arrangement of electric detectors in connection with the points, which only allow the circuit, for operating the signal, to be completed when the points are in proper working condition and have been properly moved over and locked. Fig. 5 shows a diagram of the apparatus and circuits. The switch tongues B', B<2> arranged in conjunction with the stock rails A<1>, A<2> are connected by a stretcher bar B, which may run on rollers, and is operated and locked through an electromotor D, screw E, nut F, lever G, rod H, and a " butterfly " device composed of the lever C working in conjunction with the curved locking-wings C<1>, C', as described in Specification No. 10,503, A.D. 1903, [Abridgment Class Railways &c.]. The motor D is placed in a casing outside the track, and may be rotated in either direction so as to move the points and open road No. I. or road No. II. Circuit-breaking switches I<2>, i<2> and I', i<1> are provided so that the motor may be automatically cut out of circuit when the nut F reaches either end of its travel, by the action of the projecting arm I. The field coil J is double wound, the two windings being connected by wires 1, 2 to the contacts I<1>, 1<2> to reverse the motor. The motor D is placed in circuit with a battery 5 or other source of electrical energy, and the circuits are controlled, to rotate the motor in either direction, by a hand-operated drawbar K carrying a contact k which may be drawn between either of two pairs of spring contact-arms L<1>, l<1> and L<2>, l<2>. When the motor has been started, the first movement of the nut F allows the contact, which has been held open by the arm I, to close, and thus prepare the path for the current to reverse the motor. This arrangement enables the points to be arrested and reversed at any point by actuating the slide K. The electric detector for the position of the points consists of two pairs of contacts N<1>, n<1>, N', n' placed in a casing in the centre of the track, through which casing slide two bars M', M' attached to the points and carrying contact-pieces m<1>, m<2> connected by a wire m. When the points are in correct working position, the contact-pieces m', m<2> make connection between the contacts n<1>, N<1> cr n<3>, N<2> and so prepare the circuits for operating the electric actuating-mechanism O<1>, O<2> of the signals S', S'. The electric detector for the " butterfly " or equivalent actuating and locking means consists of a contact-piece T carried by a rod t so that it may make contact with contacts t', T' or t', T', and so prepare the signal-operating circuits. The contacts are connected by wires 14, 16 to spring arms P', P<2> arranged in conjunction with arms p<1>, p' connected to the battery. The circuits are completed by means of hand-operated slides Q, R carrying contact-pieces q, r and controlled, together with the slide K, by the usual interlocking- mechanism. If the points fail in any respect, the electric detectors do not complete the circuit, and consequently the signals cannot be operated. The contacts T', t<1> and T<2>, t<2> are arranged in the motor casing, within which the rod t slides. For controlling additional circuits to govern the movements of additional points, signals, &c., additional sets of contacts may be arranged in the pointdetector box, either above or below the contacts n<1>, N<1> and n', N<2>. Electric switches such as are described in Specification No. 10,504, A.D. 1903, may be applied to the signals to actuate an electric indicator placed in the cabin, and to control the working of the distant signal.