Patent GB-190324819-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and in connection with Railway Signalling.
Inventor: PHILLIPS THOMAS ERNEST RAYMOND
Filed: 1903-11-14
Granted: 1904-11-10
Abstract: 24,819. Phillips, T. E. R. Nov. 14. Stopping engines and trains; contacts, mechanical; indicators and repeaters, signal; signals on engines; audible signals -A track apparatus actuated in conjunction with the ordinary signals interacts with a passing engine or train to actuate signals on the engine, and stop the train in accordance with the position of the signals. The track apparatus preferably comprises two U-shaped weighted tappets i, j, Fig. 21, pivoted in a box, and lowered to an inactive position, when the signal is lowered to safety, by projections 1<1> on a sliding-bar l in connection with the signal operating means. One tappet may be held normally inoperative by a wire attached to the renewable contact-bar of the other tappet, so that, in case this contact-bar breaks, the first tappet will be released and rise to an active position ; at the same time, a pin on the first tappet would engage with the bar l. An electrical indicator in the cabin may be employed to repeat the position of the tappets, and at junctions such tappet apparatus may be employed in a manner similar to that described in Specification No. 18,651, A.D. 1903. These tappets actuate a depending pivoted lever F, Fig. 24, contained preferably in duplicate with valve apparatus in a box on the engine. Movement of the lever F allows a weighted lever A pivoted about a pin C to fall and carry a similarly-pivoted weighted lever B with it, thus actuating a slide valve T<3>, and opening a cylinder T to the atmosphere through a port T<5>, and a perforated cover T<6>. The cylinder T is connected with the train pipe C by a pipe a, so that the brakes are applied, and a vacuum gauge D on the engine, also connected to the pipe a, carries an indicator arm to repeat the position of the distant signal. The driver may now release the brakes by means of a four-way cock Z cutting off the train pipe, but leaving the cylinder T full of air, so that the arm B rises and replaces the arm A. A duplicate apparatus in the box is operated at the home signal, but here the pipe e is connected to the indicator gauge H, and to the train pipe C without any intervening cock Z, so that the brakes are fully applied. The lever F is formed in two portions fixed together at the lower end, while a compressed spring N separates these two portions upon the lower fixed portion wearing through, thus allowing the lever A to fall, and so warning the driver of the breakage. This effect is also obtained in a modified construction by forming the single lever F with an internal chamber connecting through the pivot R with the train pipe, which is thus opened to the air when the wear of the lever F exposes the internal chamber. An auxiliary valve V admits air slowly to the train pipe and the gauges through a small port V<1>, when the lever B is in the lower position, thus indicating on the gauges any failure in the replacing apparatus to the driver. In a modified form of apparatus, Fig. 25, a single lever A is employed actuating a slide valve t<1> to place the train pipe C in communication with the atmosphere through openings t<1>, t<2>, s<2>, and a pipe 11. At the same time, a transverse slot-bar is carried down by the lever A allowing a valve piston w to fall, so opening the gauge D to the atmosphere through a pipe 5, an opening w<2>, and perforations w<5>, an audible signal such as a whistle or siren being also sounded thereby. The brakes are now released at the distant signal by the actuation of a three-way cock z placing the cylinder in communication with an exhaust reservoir 3 through pipes 1, y, the piston w being also raised by the lever A, and the gauge D thus connected through the pipe 5, openings w<2>, w<3>, and pipe 2 with the reservoir 3. The apparatus is as before duplicated, the duplicate levers and valves being actuated at the home or starting signals. The duplicate valve cylinders are connected by U .tubes, but both the valve w and its duplicate are actuated at the home or starting signals, the gauge z being omitted from the duplicate pipe system to prevent release of the brakes from the engine at these signals. An arrangement by means of which the distant brakecontrolling apparatus may be only replaced on reaching the home signal necessitates the employment of a third set of valve cylinders t<1>, w, normally cutting off communication between the distant cylinder and the reservoir 3, and opening this communication if the home signal be at safety. Signals only may be given at the distant signal, and the cylinder t' may be inverted to be actuated in the reverse manner by the lever A. The apparatus may also be employed with pressure, steam, or electrical brakes.