Patent GB-190721550-A (GB)
Title: Improved Method of and Apparatus for Operating and Controlling Railway Wagon Traversers and the like
Inventor: DALZIEL JAMES
Filed: 1907-09-28
Granted: 1908-09-24
Abstract: 21,550. Dalziel, J., Conradi, C. G., and Brookes, R. Sept. 28. Switches; motor control systems.-Traversers are controlled by a rotary electric switch moving synchronously with the traverser and cutting off the driving power as the traverser approaches any fixed stopping point. The supply of current to the rotary switch is controlled by hand switches fixed at suitable points and interlocked to prevent the simultaneous use of two or more switches. Stops are provided, adapted to be applied at the cessation of driving power and released on its application. At the hand switches b &c., contacts f<1>, g<1>, &c., corresponding to the number of the required road, are closed by a radial handle having an 'off' position h &c., so connecting each switch to the current source that movement of any handle from h cuts off the supply from the other switches. The handle may be automatically held on while current is being supplied, but released and returned to the 'off' position when the traverser reaches its road and cuts off the current. The apparatus at each point may also consist of a set of push-button or other switches, one for each road. The contacts 1 ... 6 on the rotary switch a are placed and adjusted to the distances between the respective wagon roads, current being supplied through them to contact-bars c, c<1> connected through flexible leads or through contacts 7, 8 to electro-magnets e, e<1> for forward and backward motion; these magnets actuate the starting and stopping apparatus through valves or the electro-magnets of an automatic starting - switch. The contact - bars are separated by insulating pieces d, d<1>. The piece d is broad enough to isolate any of the brushes 1 ... 6, and is moved at a fixed speed ratio from the hauling mechanism, completing about half a revolution while the traverser moves through its complete range. If contacts f <5>, g<5> are closed, current passes through contact-brush 5, contact-bar c, and contact 7 to the electro magnet e. The traverser then starts and moves up to road 5, when the insulating piece d comes under contact 5, and cuts off the electro-magnet e and the power supply just before the traverser reaches its road. The driving-mechanism should come to rest more rapidly than the traverser, as by the closing of valves or the application of brake power &c. Stops t', t<2>, Fig. 3, in the road engage with detents u<1>, u<2> on the vehicle, each magnet v being connected to the contacts on the switches corresponding to that wagon road. The stops remain raised until the switch handle is removed from that contact. To depress the stops automatically after the traverser has come to rest, the rotary switch a may be arranged to cut off the exciting current, suitable dash-pot or other time-lag devices being used. These stops may be raised or depressed by any suitable power, as by hydraulic or compressed-air pressure, the valves being suitably arranged for inlet and exhaust, and operated electrically. The Provisional Specification states also that the power operating the driving and other mechanisms may be of any known kind It also states that the invention may be applied to selfcontained traversers, to hoists, lifts and elevators, and other similar types of machinery.