Patent GB-191003199-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Controlling Railway Points and Signals.
IPC: B61L19/06
Filed: 1910-02-09
Granted: 1911-02-09
Abstract: 3199. Compagnie de Signaux Electriques pour Chemins de Fer. Feb. 11, 1909, [Convention date]. Electric operation and control. - Apparatus for setting points and the corresponding signal for a given route comprises an electricallydriven cylinder carrying contacts for engaging various members of a series of fixed contacts according to its position, which is determined by the insertion of a key into the appropriate socket in a series on the frame, the key serving to close the circuit to a motor, which drives the cylinder to the required position and also to relays controlling the circuits of the motors for operating points and signals in their proper order. Each of t h e latter motors is controlled by two relays according to the direction of rotation required, and it is impossible to energize conflicting relays since the circuits of each are mutually controlled. When the points are fully operated, a reversing-switch is moved to break the circuit of the motor and close a control circuit for a current generated by a motor armature r u nning as a dynamo by its inertia to a detector magnet in the cabin which closes the circuit to the next points or signal in order. The points furthest from the signal are first operated, then others in order, and the signal controlling the route last. The signal is reset to danger by breaking the circuit at the key, and the controlling-cylinder is reset by inserting the key in a special socket. Arrangements are made so that the key is locked in its socket until the signal has been reset. The apparatus may be used in combination with a known arrangement of hand-levers in which all circuits are normally broken except the control current circuits for the points in the position corresponding to the position of the hand-lever. The key M, Fig. 7, provided with a lug m<6> is inserted into the hole N, N<1>, N<2>, &c. in the signalman's apparatus appropriate to the route which is required. The key M has contactplates which connect the fixed contacts 17, 18 so long as the key is in the hole, and the contacts 19, 20, 21 when the key is turned. Assuming the key M is inserted into the hole N<g>, Fig. 10, to set the points and the signal for a train to pass from line h<Î> to line m<Î>, Fig. 9, and then turned, the key is locked in the hole by the lug m<6> which no longer registers with the slot n. The contact-plate m completes a circuit from the battery L<3>, Fig. 10, through wires 64, g, h, contacts 62<11>, 63<11>, wire i, contacts 18<g>, 17<g>, contact u<g>, which is one of a number of contacts corresponding to the number of routes controlled which engage a contact on a cylindrical drum T<1>, contact T<3>, and contacts 60<1>, 35<1>, to the motor A<t>. The motor A', when energized, rotates the cylinder T<1> in a clockwise direction until the gap in the surface of the ring T<3> is opposite the brush u<g>. The circuit is then broken, and the motor stops. In the position which the cylinder T' occupies, a number of contacts mounted thereon are in engagement with fixed contact members, most of which are shown at the upper parts of Figs. 1 and 4. The fixed contacts are connected up by contactbars on the drum which connect different combinations in different positions of the drum. At the same time, a contact t<4> carried by the cylinder meets the brush U<g> and makes a circuit from the battery L<3>, as described above, to brush u<g>, brush t<4>, ring T<4>, wire 69, solenoid S<1>, contacts 36<1>, 71<1>, 51<1>, 50<1>, 48<1>, the last two of which contact with contacts 4, 2 on Fig. 4. The solenoid S<1> is a brake magnet, and holds the cylinder in position so long as it is excited. From contact 4 current passes to the relay G<2> through the contacts of the relay F<2>, which is de-energized, to wire l<7>, and from contact 2 current passes to relay G', through back contacts or relay F<1> to the return lead l<7> to the battery L<3>, which is represented by battery L on Fig. 4. The relays G<1>, G<2>, when excited, close a circuit from the battery L, contacts g<2> of relay G', g<12> of relay G<2>, contacts c<5>, c<3> of the reversing-switch C, armature A, contacts c<2>, c<7>, field coils B, and wires l<4>, l<6>, to return l<7>. The motor A drives the points to the required position and reverses the switch, and the armature continues to rotate and causes a current to pass in the circuit from the armature A through the contacts c<2>, c<1> of switch C, g<13> of relay G<2>, g<3> of relay G<1>, coil d<11>, wire l<4>, field coil B, and contact c<3> back to the armature A. This current causes the armature E to assume the position shown; and a circuit is then made to the motor A<1> from battery L, Fig. 4, contact n<14> of switch D<1>, contacts c<15>, c<16>, motor armature A<1>, contacts c<17>, c<18>, field coil B<1>, wires l<4>, l<6>, to battery. The motor A<1> reverses the points and sends a current to the coil d<1>, which draws its armature E and connects the contacts I<2>, I<3>, Fig. 4, corresponding to the contacts 45', 51<1>, on the cylinder, Fig. 10, thus completing a branch circuit from that traced above from the contact 51<1>, armature E, contact 45<1>, 43<1>, 42<1>, 40<1>, the last two of which correspond to contacts 3, 1 on Fig. 1. From contact 1, the circuit continues to relay F and from contact 2 to back contacts h<1> of relay H and relay G. These relays close a circuit from the battery L<3>, Fig. 10, represented by battery L, Fig. 1, contact f<1> of relay F, contact g<2> of relay G, motor A which drives the points and reverses the switch C, and then passes a control current through the contacts c<5>, g<3>, f<3>, and coil d, which draws the armature E and connects the contacts K, K<1> corresponding to contacts 39<1>, 43<1> of Fig. 10. From the contacts 39<1>, the circuit is continued to contact 37<1> and contact 20<g>, 19<g>, corresponding to contacts 19, 20, Fig. 7, coil d<12> and coil O<1> to the battery. The coil d<12> draws the armature E<2>, and breaks the circuit of the coil O<2>. The coil O<1> draws the rod O and completes a circuit from the coil d<12>, contacts 22, 23, 25, 24, and relay Q back to battery. The relay Q draws its armature and closes the circuit from contacts 24, 28, 29, and signal contacts 14, 15 to motor A<2>. The signal is thus driven to clear, and the contact 14, 16 made to complete the circuit to the holding-magnet S. In order to reset the signal to danger, the plug M is turned until the lug m<6> meets the angle-piece P, P', Fig. 8, which is held up until the rod 0 is replaced to the right. The movement of the plug M disconnects contacts 19, 20 and opens the circuits above described, de-energizing the relay Q and magnet S. The signal is put to danger by gravity, and the armature A<2> generates a current in a circuit including contacts 15, 14, 40, coil d<13>, and wire f. The coil d<13> draws its armature D, and a circuit is closed from contacts 18, 27 to coil O<2>, which draws the bar O to the right, thus removing the locking-pieces P, P<1> from the key M and bringing the notches O into register with the key, which may then be turned and withdrawn. The key M can then be inserted into the hole N<i>, Fig. 10, there closing a circuit from the battery L<3>, through contact u<1>, ring T<3>, and contacts 60<1>, 35<1>, to the motor A, which drives the cylinder T<1> until the circuit is broken when the gap in the ring T<3> arrives opposite the brush u<1>, the cylinder being then in its normal position. The segments T<5>, T<15> are of such a size and so arranged that the circuit or a route made by inserting the key in a hole connected to the cylinder T<1> passes through the ring T<15>, so that, if the cylinder T<2> is previously set to make a conflicting route, the contacts 62<11>, 63<11> open the circuit for the route controlled by cylinder T<1> and prevent the simultaneous setting of conflicting routes. A modified arrangement of circuits or operating points is described in which the relay armatures close a number of circuits, and a safety relay is employed having one double-wound bobbin, each winding being in the operating-circuit, and a second bobbin drawing the armature to the reverse position in the control circuit. Fig. 12 shows a hand-lever of a known apparatus modified for use with the apparatus above described. In order to close the points, the bar Z is pushed in the direction of the arrow until the head Z<3>, which was in the slot p, meets the edge p<3> of the slot. The contacts 1<a>, 2<a>, 3<a>, 4<a> in the circuit for operating the points are then closed, and the control current excites the magnet z, which draws the head z<3> to the left and allows the completion of the stroke of the handle Z. The Specification as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a) comprises also an arrangement of maintaining relays in connexion with each cylinder adapted to prevent the replacement of the signal to danger if the second cylinder is moved to break the circuit. Each relay is energized by a circuit through the back contacts of the other relay and its front contacts to close a maintaining-circuit, which keeps the signal circuit closed even if the other cylinder is moved to open the contacts 62<11>, 63<11>. This subjectmatter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.