Patent GB-190124893-A (GB)
Inventor: KINSMAN FRANK EUGENE
Filed: 1901-12-06
Granted: 1902-11-13
Abstract: 24,893. Kinsman, F. E. Dec. 6. Signalling and communicating b e we e n trains; stopping engines; indicators and repeators, point etc.; indicating condition of bridges, permanent way, etc.; contacts, electric. -Relates to the automatic signalling and train-stopping system, such as is described in Specifications No. 9381, A.D. 1886, No. 5024, A.D. 1892, and No. 9924, A.D. 1894. In the present invention, the stopping - mechanism is adapted to the vacuum brake system, and provision is made for facilitating the re-setting of the automatic controller. The control is effected through track circuits, of any suitable type, which are normally closed and include resistances adapted to be short-circuited by the moving vehicle. I the preferred arrangement, as shown in Fig. 1, the track is divided into insulated sections r, r', each forming a closed track circuit with a battery b and an electromagnet 5. This magnet, when energized, holds its armature 5<1> in contact with the terminal 7, thus completing the circuit of the battery b<1> through the track contacts c<1>, c, the resistance 6, and the electromagnet 9, the latter magnet normally holding the semaphore or other track signal s at 'line clear.' The controlling-circuit 25, 26, Fig. 6, on the locomotive &c. includes an electromagnet 27, and its terminals are adapted to make contact with the track contacts c, c<1>. In the arrangement shown, the terminals consist of collecting-wheels 31 journalled on one of the axles 30, and adapted to run on the track contacts c, c<1>, the ends of which are inclined to lessen the shock. The wheels 31 are provided with conducting rims 32, which are insulated and locked to the wheels, as shown at 33. The rims 32 are rubbed by collecting-arms or spring contacts 34 on the insulated rings 35 fixed to the axle, the rings 35 being in contact with small collecting-rings 36, mounted on insulated studs 37 and connected to the leads 25, 26. The peripheries of the wheels 31 may be made slightly convex in cross-section, to ensure contact with the rails c, c', when the latter are covered by snow or ice &c. One of the rails c, c<1> may also be replaced by an insulated section of the ordinary rail. When the track circuit r, r<1> is shortcircuited by the presence of a vehicle or train, or in other conditions of 'danger,' such as an open switch or draw-bridge, a wash-out, or a defect or interruption in the controlling-circuit, &c., the corresponding electromagnet 5 drops its armature, and cuts out the electromagnet 9 so that the signal s goes to 'danger.' If, then, a locomotive &c. passes over the contact-rails c, c', the resistance 6 is short-circuited through the engine circuit 25, 26, and the controlling - electromagnet 27 of the stopping-mechanism is energized. In the stopping-mechanism, as shown in Fig. 4, a branch pipe 60 from the pipe 56<1> of the vacuum brake system is provided with a valve 61 having a flaring inlet 60', and is connected with a branch 80 provided with valves 88, 81, and a vacuum chamber 87, the other end of the pipe 80 being in communication with one end of the cylinder 82, which is open at the opposite end. The valve 88 and the piston 83 of the cylinder 82 are connected to the operating- arm of the valve 61, this arm being provided with a toothed segment 66 in gear with a pinion 67 on the trigger 68, which is normally locked, as shown, by the armature 27'. The throttle lever 46 has an adjustable frictional connection with the throttlevalve spindle, and the spindle has an arm 43<1> connected to the piston 72 of the vacuum cylinder 73, which is similar to, but smaller than, the usual brake-applying cylinders. When the magnet 27 is energized, the armature 27<1> releases the trigger 68, and the weight 62 opens the valve 61 (first closing the valve 88), so effecting the application of the brakes with a gradually-increasing force. At the same time, the atmospheric pressure admitted forces the piston 72 downwards, and closes the throttle valve. To enable the driver to re-set the apparatus and proceed, the throttle lever 46 is provided with a pawl or tappet 86, which, in moving the lever from the closed' to the ' open ' position, opens the valve 81, thereby connecting the cylinder 82 to the vacuum chamber 87, so that the external atmospheric pressure acts on the piston 83, and returns the valves and other connections to the normal position.