Patent GB-363378-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for making printed or like records of the movements of trains on railways, and the like
IPC: B61L1/20
Filed: 1930-08-09
Abstract: 363,378. Electric signalling systems. BRITISH POWER RAILWAY SIGNAL CO., Ltd., Windsor Works, Slough, Buckinghamshire, PARSONS, J., 1530, Avenida Wheelwright, Rosario de Santa Fe, and GRAHAM, J. H., Fisherton, Santa Fe, both in Argentine. Aug. 9, 1930, No. 23901. [Class 40 (i).] Apparatus for producing a printed record of the movements of trains comprises mechanism effective to impress on a record strip the time of printing a record, and type mechanism associated with electromagnetic devices adapted to receive train descriptions in the form of electrical energy, whereby train descriptions are composed and impressed on the record strip adjacent to the time indications. The train descriptions may be transmitted from a train describer such as described in Specification 321,426, [Class 40 (i), Electric signalling systems &c.]. In the construction shown, three type drums 15, 16, 17, for indicating respectively seconds, minutes, and hours, are mounted on a shaft 5 which is adapted to be moved at intervals of ten seconds, by ratchet and pawl mechanism operated by an electromagnet 6 controlled by a master clock (not shown). The seconds drum 15 is fixed on the shaft 5 and has six type plates on its periphery bearing indications 0, 10 .. 50. Uniform movement of the shaft 5 is secured by the provision of a plunger lock magnet 11 adapted normally to engage notches in a sprocket secured to the shaft 5, being released during the operation of magnet 6. The " minutes " and " hours drums, also provided with type plates, are freely mounted on the shaft 5 and are driven from the " seconds " drum through wellknown mechanism. The type drums are located near a record strip 20 normally held clear of the drums but adapted to be brought into contact by a striking hammer 30 operated by an electromagnet 31. A solenoid 24 is provided for moving the strip after each printing operation, the solenoid operating in conjunction with a plunger lock 25 controlling the spacing of the printing. A typewriter ribbon 26 adapted to be fed electromagnetically in accordance with the movement of the record strip 20 is provided for use with type arms 42 bearing respectively numerals 0 to 9, for the purpose of setting up train descriptions on the strip 20. These arms are adapted to be operated by magnets 41 provided on a movable carriage 40, the position of which determines whether a " units," " tens," or " hundreds " digit is to be printed. The operation of the apparatus is indicated by reference to Fig. 4. Leads 98, 99 are connected to a train describer which when in operation completes a circuit for relay 100. This relay at contacts 101, 102 completes a circuit for relay 106 through contacts 54 closed by the carriage 40. Relay 106 closes a bank of contacts 103 one of which is marked by a storage relay of the train describer in accordance with the " units " digit of the train description. The corresponding type magnet 41 is thus energized, causing its associated type arm to be struck. At the same time a pair of contacts 44, 45 are closed to complete a circuit for a slow-release relay 112 which acts to complete a circuit for relay 430. This relay causes solenoid 43 to be energized whereby the carriage 40 is moved, against a spring 60, by means of ratchet and pawl mechanism 47, 50. The solenoid through contacts 109, 110, 111 opens the circuit of relay 112 but completes a maintaining circuit for relay 430 through contacts 115 and 116, this circuit being opened when relay 107 energizes. Backward movement of the carriage 40 is prevented by a pawl which can be tripped, when required, by means of a magnet 51. The carriage in its new position closes, through contacts 55, the circuit of relay 107, whereby the type arm for the " tens " digit is selected and struck. The carriage is again moved forwardly and the " hundreds " digit type arm is struck so that the complete train description is recorded. The final movement of the carriage closes contacts 117 and 119. Contacts 117 complete the circuit of relay 510 which causes release magnet 51 to operate, allowing the return of the carriage, the relay also at operated contacts 118 causing the train describer to release relay 100. Contacts 119 complete a circuit for relay 330 which causes the energization of relay 33. This relay operates a drum lock 32 to hold the time drums stationary during printing and completes a circuit for the stamp magnet 31 so that an impression on the strip 20 is taken from the time drums. The energization of electromagnets 240, 24, 25 and 27 follows, whereby the strip 20 and ribbon 26 are moved to new positions. The time type drums may be moved by clockwork instead of electromagnetically. Type drums angularly displaced under the control of banks of contacts such as 103 may be used instead of type arms. Specification 346,768, [Group XXX], also is referred to.