Patent GB-190218676-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Safety Devices for Railways.
Inventor: ROGOZEA SAVA
Filed: 1902-08-25
Granted: 1903-03-19
Abstract: 18,676. Rogozea, S. Aug. 25. Signalling a n d communicating between trains; semaphore signals ; controlling and locking signals; indicators and repeaters, signal; signals on engines ; stopping engines and trains ; contacts, mechanical; wire compensators.-Relates s principally to autom a t i c signalling- apparatus for protecting trains travelling or standing on a line, the signalling - apparatus being also applicable for operating crossing-gates or barriers &c. Provision is also made for automatically stopping the train in case it over-runs a signal at' danger.' A treadle a, Fig. 8, in each section is adapted to be operated by the train to put a signal in the rear, and, if desired, also a signal in advance, to ' danger.' The signaloperating wire u, Fig. 9, is connected to both ends of a rack y, which is normally free from the gripping. jaws r on the piston of the hydraulic cylinder n, Fig. 8. The wire u at one end of the rack is passed round a fixed pulley v, and the rack is connected to a counterweight w, which keeps the wire taut and compensates for expansion &c. When the treadle a is depressed by a train, its forked arm c actuates the piston k, through the cushioning-spring i, and forces liquid from the cylinder l into the cylinder n, the piston of which moves the jaws r along the inclined guides s, until the jaws grip the rack y and move it so as to put the signal or signals to danger.' The signals are returned automatically to line clear ' by a counterweight, the return movement being retarded by a hydraulic brake or dash-pot d, of the kind described in Specification No. 25,196, A.D. 1901, [Abridgment Class Railways &c.], for a sufficient time to permit the train to pass out of the section. In a modification, the piston of the cylinder n is replaced by a plunger connected to flexible diaphragms in the ends of the cylinder, and a similar arrangement is employed in the brake d. The plunger of the cylinder n is actuated through a set of springs and a bell-crank lever from the treadle a, the cylinder n being also provided with a central partition having a narrow aperture, to ensure a slow smooth action. A larger aperture, controlled by a valve, is provided in the partition for the return movement, which is checked, as in the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, by the brake d. To enable the return of the signals to ' line clear ' to be prevented, when, in the event of accidental prolonged stoppage, the train cannot clear the section within the prescribed time, the wires u are passed through boxes 19, Fig. 6, arranged at suitable intervals. To lock the signal at ' danger,' the train official proceeds to one of these boxes, and, by turning the screw 21 by a suitable key, clamps the wires between the plates 20. When the train is ready to proceed, the screw 21 is released. For protecting trains at branches or sidings, each branch is provided with a treadle adapted to put the mainline signal to danger.' The operating-piston of each treadle is also adapted to actuate a check signal 23, Fig. 13, in conjunction with the mainline signal 16, the signal 23 being connected to the piston by the plate or slide 25 and a bell-crank lever. When the signals 16, 23 have been put to ' danger,' the catch 26 drops into the notch 27, and locks both signals at ' danger' until the catch is released by the responsible official. When the amount of traffic does not require the entire arrangement, the signal or signals may be placed close to the treadle, and the operating-wire connected directed to the arm r on the piston, without employing the rack and compensating-mechanism. For the purpose of actuating a warning-signal on, and stopping, the train when it passes a danger' signal, a trip-lever, adapted to be deflected by the signal arm when at 'danger,' is mounted on the engine, and is connected by wires 25, 26, 37 respectively with the alarm whistle 46, the regulator lever 45, and a tap 44 in the Westinghouse or other brake system. The brakes are applied gradually, the connection 37 acting on the brake lever 43 through the lever 38, the cushioning- spring 40, and the piston 41 of the hydraulic brake or dash-pot 48. The trip-lever on the engine is provided with a toothed segment in gear with a rack, and, when operated, is locked bv a spring catch engaging in a notch in the rack. The rack in its movement may also explode the fog signal.