Patent GB-190106460-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and connected with Electrical Signalling Appliances for Steam Electric and other Railways.
Inventor: BARTELMUS RUDOLF
Filed: 1901-03-27
Granted: 1902-03-27
Abstract: 6460. Bartelmus, R. March 27. Signals on engines &c. ; stopping engines &c. ; signalling &c. between trains ; signalling &c. on trains; signalling approach of trains ; signalling parting of trains ; signalling to cabins &c. ; indicating movements of trains ; indicating condition of permanent way &c. ; indicators and repeaters, point &c. ; signals, lamp signals for line ; crossing-gate signals.-Relates to signalling and other safety apparatus for steam, electric, and other railways. A conducting-rail 3, Fig. 3, preferably divided into sections connected by interpolated resistances, is mounted between the ordinary rails g, in position to make contact with brushes or trolleys &c. 10 mounted on the engine &c. When, by the presence of another train on the line &c., the rail 3 is electrically connected to the ordinary rails, a circuit is completed through the apparatus shown, which is mounted on the engine, the rails g and wheels &c. forming the return connection. Different effects are produced on the apparatus according to the distance of the engine from the shortcircuiting connection between the rails 3, g, the effects depending on the resistance of the intervening section of the rail 3. When the distance is considerable (say 2400 metres), the current from the generator 6 passes through the minimum cut-out 14, the coils 15, 16, bell 17, and maximum cut-out 18, the bell being rung, and the green disc indicator actuated by the coil 15 brought in front of the incandescent lamp 20. At, say, half the distance, the red disc indicator actuated by the coil 16 is brought in front of the lamp. At, say, a quarter of the first distance, the cut-out 18 is drawn to the contact 29, the indicators and bell are cut out, and the electromagnet 30 is energized, its armature 21 being attracted and allowing an automatic valve 31 to shut off steam from the locomotive, or to apply the automatic brakes. The connections of the bell 17 are arranged so that its magnet 24 is short-circuited through the contact 23 when the armature 22 is attracted, with the object of avoiding shocks in the other apparatus. When the current from the generator is insufficient to illuminate the lamp 20, the cut-out 14 is dropped on to the contact 29<1>, so that signals &c. can be received from or given to another locomotive similarly equipped. The switch 19 enables connections of reverse polarity to be made for trains travelling in opposite directions on the same line. Signals may be given on the line, or at stations &c., by interposing electric lamps in circuit between the rails 3, g, the lamps giving a light of greater or less intensity according to the distance of the locomotive. Resistances, such as electromagnet coils, may be employed instead of the lamps, the resistance in either case being so great that the apparatus on the locomotive is not affected. Contact-makers 10 are provided on the carriages and wagons, and are so connected with the coupling-arrangements that they are raised from contact with the rail when the front coupling is attached. In case of the train parting, these contact-makers drop and form a connection between the rails 3, g, so actuating the signal &c. on the engine. Fig. 4 shows a hand-operated arrangement of block-signalling apparatus for use in conjunction with the apparatus on the engine. The sections of the rail 3 are connected by conductors 32<1>, 33', to pivoted levers 34<1>, 35<1>, which rest on the conducting-bar 36<1> when the line is clear, so connecting the sections of the rail 3. The return connection 38<1> from the ordinary rail is connected to the bar 37'. When a train passes, say, from the section B' to the section B, the lever 35<1> is turned down on to the bar 37', so forming a short-circuit to signal and stop a train following into the section B'. The lever 35<1> is locked by the armature 48<1> of the electromagnet 46<1> so long as the train is in the section B, and is released when the train leaves that section. A bell 39<1> at B' rings so long as the train is in the section B, the corresponding bell of the section B indicating the approach of the train. The indicators 42<1>, 43<1> show whether a section is occupied or clear, and, in the former case, the direction in which the train is moving. Fig. 5 shows the arrangement for an automatic block system, the operation depending on the movement of levers 50<1>, 51<1> by electromagnets 61<1>, 62<1>. When a train enters the section B from B<1>, a circuit is completed through 52<1>, 50<1>,55<1>, electromagnet 62<1>, and return conductor 63<1>, so drawing the lever 51<1> into the position shown to form a short-circuit 53<1>, 51<1>, 59<1>,63<1> for the section B<1>. The section on the other side of B is similarly protected. Lamps 64<1>, 65<1>, 66<1>, 67', or small semaphores, serve as indicators, the white lamps 64', 67<1> indicating that the apparatus has worked correctly, and the red lamps 65<1>, 66<1> serving as warning signals in case of failure of the block signals. This apparatus serves for trains travelling in either direction on the line. At level crossings, gates, or barriers, the sections of the rail 3, Fig. 7, are connected by a conductor 75, and, when the barrier &c. 70 is open, a short-circuit is made with the rail g, through the lever 72 and connection 74, this circuit being broken when the barrier is closed. The opening of the barrier is retarded by a vane &c. 76, to allow the train time to pass beyond the sphere of action before the short-circuit is formed. For protecting stations, the distant signal may form the short-circuit when at 'danger'. At points, the points rod 85, Fig. 9, is provided with an arm 86 and contacts 80, 81, which work in conjunction with the contacts 82, 83, 84, so that the rail 3 is connected through for the open line, and a short-circuit is formed for the closed line. In case the points are not fully home to one side or the other, the contacts form short circuits for all the lines. The points are locked in either position by the armature 90 of the electromagnet 89, which is energized only when there is no short circuit formed by stationary carriages on the line &c. The Provisional Specification also states that the apparatus on the engine may be operated by induced currents, that it may be operated by passengers, that, in the case of a conductor being broken by an avalanche, a fallen embankment, &c., a pivoted lever on the supporting-standard may form a short-circuit, and that the hand-operated block system may be used with the ordinary signalling-arrangements.