Patent GB-189918976-A (GB)
Title: New or Improved Apparatus for Preventing Collisions and Indicating the Positions of Trains on Railways and the like.
Inventor: MOSCU ALEXANDRU
Filed: 1899-09-20
Granted: 1900-06-16
Abstract: 18,976. Moscu, A., and Burian, C. Sept. 20. Brakes.-Relates to means for automatically shutting off steam and applying the brakes of trains, when one train enters a section already occupied by another, and is also applicable for indicating, at the stations, the progress of the trains on the line. Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically the arrangement of the track circuits, which are connected at the stations to the apparatus R, R<1>, D, shown in detail in Fig. 6. The two series of contacts A, a and A<1>, a<1> are adapted to be operated by trains proceeding in opposite directions, to connect the corresponding lines L, l, L<1>, l<1> to earth. Each contact comprises two curved rails s, s<1>, Fig. 3, which are adapted to be connected by one or other of two pairs of contact-rollers b, Fig. 5, mounted on pivoted spring-controlled arms on the engine &c. Each roller consists of an insulating-body and a conducting-cylinder d, which is rubbed by the contact-spring e. One pair of rollers, adapted to connect the contacts A or A', are connected to a battery, and the other pair, adapted to connect the contacts a or a<1>, are connected to an electromagnet E, Fig. 10, which controls the stopping - mechanism on the engine. When a train passes over the contacts A, in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, the circuit of the battery on the engine is completed through the electromagnet R, Figs. 1 and 6, which releases the armature catch F from the spring bolt G, which is then projected against the pivoted segment J. If another train enters the section in the opposite direction, its passage over the contacts A<1> similarly energizes the electromagnet R', which releases the armature catch F<1> from the segment J. This segment is then rotated by the spring x until the bolt G passes through the hole I and connects the contacts D, which connect the batteries Q, Q<1> to earth. Should either train then pass over the contacts a or a<1>, the circuit of the corresponding battery Q or Q<1> will be completed through the electromagnet E of the stopping-mechanism. The arrangement can also be applied to protect a train stopped on the line from a train following it in the same direction. To effect this, the guard connects up the magnet of his train to the circuit of the track relay belonging to the opposite direction. In the stopping-mechanism shown in Fig. 10, the regulator and the brake lever are connected respectively to the slides 10 and 19. In front of the slide 10 is a block K, which is reciprocated by the connecting-rod or other suitable moving part. When the controlling-electromagnet E is energized, it releases the catch 1 from the spring bolt 2, and allows the bolt to move until its projection 4 engages behind the knuckle-jointed arm 5 of the lever 7 on-the block K. As the block moves to the right, the lever 7 is released from the spring bolt 8, which then engages behind the bar 9 on the slide 10, so that the slide is also moved with the block and the regulator closed. This movement also re-sets the bolts 2 and 8. On the full movement of the block to the right, the projection 15 releases the sliding catch 16, Fig. 21, from the spring bolt 18, and allows the bolt to engage the slide 21, which has a pin-and-slot connection 33, 34 with the slide 19. A rack 23 on the slide 19 is engaged by a pawl 22 on the slide 21. As the block K moves to the right, the bolt 18 engages the pawl 24 on the slide 21, and moves the pawl 22 forward on the rack 23, until the pawl 24 is released by an incline on the slide 19. Further to the right, the bolt 18 engages the projection 26 on the rack 23, and moves it and the slide 19, so applying the brakes. On moving to the left, the bolt 18 passes the catch 24, and, by engaging a projection on the slide 21, slightly releases the brakes. On the following movement to the right, the pawl 22 is further advanced, and the brakes are more fully applied, this operation being continued until the limit of the rack is reached, when the pawl 22 is released by the projection 32. This mechanism is restored to the normal position, when the brake and steam valve are operated by hand to start the engine. Any other suitable stopping-mechanism may be employed instead of that described.