Patent GB-250631-A (GB)
Title: Automatic control apparatus for locomotives, motor road vehicles and the like
IPC: B61L3/00
Filed: 1924-12-08
Abstract: 250,631. Gato, J. A. Dec. 8, 1924. Fluid-pressure. - Apparatus described as for automatically signalling on and stopping trains at predetermined points in the route, but applicable also to road vehicles, has a travelling band or strip map 26 depicting the stopping places, crossings &c. along the route and provided with perforations controlling contacts in the signalling and brake-applying circuits. Switches 101, 102 are provided whereby the driver may sound the whistle &c, or apply the brakes independently of the automatic device, and provision is made whereby the device may be used on a train running in either direction. Rotation is communicated from the vehicle wheels through shaft 1, and suitable gearing to bevel wheels 6, 7 on a sleeve 29 which can be moved along a shaft 19 by means of a stud 39 so as to engage one or other of the wheels 6, 7 with a wheel 8 by which a vertical shaft 23 is rotated. A sleeve 14 loose on shaft 23 has teeth 15 engaging marginal feed perforations in the band 26, and is normally coupled to rotate with the shaft by a spring- pressed clutch 73 which can be released when required to adjust the band. The band 26 passes between drums 12, 13 over guides 27 and behind a window provided in the casing. The drums 12, 13 are fixed to shafts 24, 25. The drums have shallow teeth 16, 16a adapted to engage corresponding teeth 17, 17a on the upper faces of wheels 10, 11 under the action of springs 32, 33. The wheels 10, 11 are driven from a wheel 9 on shaft 23. A sliding shaft 21 operated by the stud 39 which moves the sleeve 29 has depressions 37, 38 so spaced that, with stud 39 in midposition, both shafts 24, 25 rest on shaft 21 clear of the depressions and the teeth 16, 16a are disengaged from teeth 17, 17a leaving the drums 12, 13 free. When clutch 73 is also disengaged, adjustment of the band may then be effected by one or other of two knobs 80 used to rotate shaft 24 or 25. With stud 39 in one or other of its extreme positions, according to direction of running, the end of one shaft 24, or 25 rests in the depression 37 or 38, so that the corresponding drum 12, 13 is lowered with its teeth 16, 16a in engagement and that drum is positively driven as a take-up, keeping the band under tension, the other drum being free. The teeth 16, 16a are adapted to slip under excessive tension, such as may occur with the gradually increasing diameter of the band on the drum. Two sets of contacts are provided, one for each direction of running. and a commutating contact 65 operated by stud 39, serves to bring the required set into use. Each set comprises two pairs of contacts. One set comprises rollers 52, 53 on a vertical support 46, behind which the band 26 passes, the rollers registering with two sets of perforations 40, 42 respectively controlling whistle -sounding and brake-applying devices not shown, by co-operation with spherical contacts 50, 51, mounted in insulated spring frames behind the band 26. The other set comprises similar contacts associated with a support 47 and co-operating with perforations 41, 43 displaced vertically with reference to the perforations 40, 42. The extent of brake-application depends upon the length of perforation, and the train may be stopped gradually by a closely-spaced number of short perforations. Warning of stoppage of the band 26 is given by a ball or cylinder 84 normally raised by screw action controlled by frictional contact with the moving band 26, and having an arm 89 with a contact 90 adapted to bridge two contacts 87, 88, and sound a warning buzzar 91a if the band 26 stops, allowing the arm to fall. A curtain 92 is also provided in front of the window, held raised by normally-energized magnets 94 against the action of a counterweight. The magnets are included in the circuits of the apparatus so as to become de-energized on electrical failure from the battery being exhausted or a connection being broken, allowing the curtain to fall. A lamp 100 is provided to illuminate the band, and the casing bears a tablet 109 with instructions &c.