Patent GB-191327474-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Train Dispatching and Signalling Systems.
Inventor: SIMMEN PAUL JOHN
IPC: B61L3/10
Filed: 1913-11-28
Granted: 1914-05-28
Abstract: 27,474. Simmen, P. J. Nov. 28. Electrical systems, non- automatic; track apparatus actuating signals on and other than on trains; recording signals; hand-levers, interlocking.-Consists of a central control system in which a series of interlocked switches in the dispatcher's office control the circuits to signalling-ramps provided in each section, the engine apparatus being arranged so that a ramp will give opposite signals to oppositely-running trains. Means are also provided for advising the dispatcher of the passage of a train and preferably for making a permanent record of the train movements. The track 5 is divided by stations A ... F into blocks provided with home and distant signal ramps 7, 8 at each end, each station having a siding 6. The four signal rails, two for each direction of running, are all connected by a conductor 9 to a hand switch 11, which may connect to positive and negative mains 15, 14. The switches carry members 22 which prevent adjacent switches from being oppositely moved, and may lock an intermediate switch as shown. A relay 10 in the circuit 9 controls a solenoid 64, the plunger of which carries a needle 65 adapted, when the circuit is completed, to be thrown forward to puncture a chart 73, which is ratchet driven from a time switch 72 to show the time a train passes each section. The needle 65 immediately retracts from the chart to remain clear but raised until the circuit is broken. The train apparatus, through which the circuit is completed, comprises a shoe 26 normally spring-pressed against a contact 28, but moved away by contact with a ramp 7, 8. A wire led from the shoe passes through an electro-magnet 29 and then is connected to the frame, the circuit being completed through earth. The magnet has a non-polarized armature 34 normally resting on a contact 38 but closing contacts 36, 37, when raised, and a polarized armature 35 movable into two positions to close contacts 41, 42 or 43, 44 respectively. The armature 35 is also connected to contacts 47, 48 of a reversing-switch 49 connected to contact 36 and carried on the bar of a main reversing-switch 56, both being reversed for the other direction of running. Contacts 37, 28 are connected by a wire passing through a solenoid 52 actuating a bell 55. Contacts 41, 44 and 42, 43 are connected to the return wire 31 through green and red lamps 45, 46 respectively, contact 43 being also connected to contact 38. As shown, switches 11 for sections A, B are set for a train 24, and the switches of sections D, E, F for a train 25, the ramps of section C being de-energized owing to the position of its locked switch. On reaching section B, the train 24 completes the circuit from battery 18 and line 14, and the needle 65 rises and punctures the chart. The magnet 29 draws its armatures to the position shown, and the green lamp is lighted by current from battery 57 passing through wire 31, contacts 41, armature 35, contact 47, switch 49, wire 50, armature 34 back to the battery. On the shoe passing off the ramp, contact 28 is closed to complete a holding-circuit for the magnet, so that the signal remains until the next ramp is reached, whereupon the ringing of the bell 55 on the breakage of the holding-circuit calls the driver's attention to the new signal. If the train 24 proceeds to section C, it passes on to a ' dead ' ramp and the armature 34 drops on to contact 38 to close the red-lamp circuit. The train may then be run on to the siding 6 to allow the dispatcher to pass the other train through the section, the switches of the sections A, B having been replaced to allow the operation of the switch of section C. The train 25 receives opposite current and its armature 35 is thus reversed, and since the switches 56, 49 are also reversed, similar signals are given thereon, but if it receive current from a ramp intended to signal to the train 24, a danger signal is received by the reversal of the armature 35.