Patent GB-523366-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for counting moving objects and especially for counting railway vehicles
IPC: G06M1/04
Filed: 1939-01-03
Abstract: 523,366. Counting-apparatus : recording signals and movements of trains. TYER & CO.. Ltd., and COSSERAT, E. W. Jan. 3, 1939, No. 162. [Class 106 (i)] [Also in Group XXX] Apparatus for counting moving objects more particularly for checking the passage of railway vehicles over a section of the line comprises a pair of detectors actuated and released in succession by the passing object, the first detector being arranged when actuated to condition a member, adapted to drive a counting or other mechanism, for actuation on the release of the second detector. By providing a second member arranged to be conditioned by the second detector objects moving in opposite directions may be counted separately. The detectors, as shown in Fig. 1, each comprises a resilient member 1, a wedge-shaped member 2 and a spring 3 ; the members 2 are mounted on shafts 4, 4a operatively connected by cranks 5, 5a and links 6, 6a to pawl carrying arms 71, 71a, Figs. 2 and 3. The pawls 9, 9a are normally held out of engagement with their respective ratchet wheels 10, 10a by a notched disc 12. The ratchet wheels are secured to the shaft 8 and the disc 12 is loose thereon ; the disc 12 can be coupled to one or other of the pawl carrying arms by clutch means such as a ball 14 as shown in Fig. 3. In operation when the first detector is actuated the pawl arm 71 is rocked and the pawl 9 rides up on the periphery of the disc 12 and cam surface 73a on the other pawl arm 71a ; at the same time the disc 12 is coupled to the second pawl arm 71a. The second detector (not shown) is now actuated to displace its pawl arm 71a in a direction opposite to that of the arm 71 so that both pawls 9, 9a will be disengaged. In this position, with both detectors actuated, if the vehicle retraces its path the parts will return to normal without rotating either ratchet wheel. If, however, the vehicle continues in the original direction the arm 71 first returns to normal position so that its cam surface 73 permits the pawl 9a to engage the ratchet wheel 10a; on return of the second detector the consequent movement of the arm 71a will cause the ratchet wheel 10a to move through one tooth distance. The shaft 8 of the ratchet wheels operates the counting mechanism through energy storage devices. The ratchet wheel 10 drives a toothed wheel 15 through a coiled spring 16 ; the wheel 15 is loose on the shaft 8 and carries a stub axle on which is rotatably mounted a wheel 18 engaging a wheel 17 secured to the shaft 8. During actuation the spring is wound up to cause the wheel 15 to follow the ratchet wheel; as the wheel 15 rotates the wheel 18 carried thereon is rotated by the wheel 17 until it is stopped by an uncut tooth whereupon the wheel 15 rotates with the ratchet wheel. The wheel 15 drives a crank pin disc 20 to reciprocate a rod 23 controlled by a dash pot 30 and operating contacts 26, 27 in circuit with an electromagnetic device 28 for actuating a counter. To check the passage of railway vehicles through a section of track the above described apparatus may be combined with an electrical contact device as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. At one end of the track the double-coil electromagnet 28 is provided with an armature 31 carrying a pawl 33 that actuates a ratchet wheel 34 fixed to an arm 35 with a contact 36 to co-operate with contact studs 37 on a support 38. Similar parts 28b, 31b, 33b, 34b, 35b and 36b are provided at the other end of the track. The shafts of the ratchet wheels 34, 34b also carry worm 39, 39b operatively connected by reduction gearing to contact arms 42, 42b. The contacts 36, 36b, 42 and 42b are in an electrical circuit and so arranged that when the same number of vehicles have left the section that entered it an " all-clear " indication is given as by means of a signal or release of a token.