Patent GB-327901-A (GB)
Title: Improved means for indicating the position and identity of railway cars in shunting yards
IPC: B61L17/00
Filed: 1929-05-29
Abstract: 327,901. Gibbs, L. M. May 29, 1929. Indicating movements of trains; miniature signals ; track apparatus actuating signals other than on trains. -A model of a shunting-yard is provided with dummies corresponding to the wagons in the yard, the dummies being moved automatically in agreement with the movement of the wagons. Each dummy is provided with flanges or ribs corresponding to the number of wheels on one side of a wagon, while two or more dummies may be united to represent the locomotive. Each dummy may carry an indication of the nature, destination, &c. of its corresponding wagon, and means are provided to allow of the insertion or removal of a dummy at certain points of the model. The model track has sectors 49, Fig. 12, which direct the dummies and are set to correspond with the setting of the track points. Each sector is moved against a spring 53 by an armature 52 rigid with the sector and engaged by an electromagnet 54 energized from contacts 56 closed by a bar 59 coupled to the stretcher-bar 58 of the track points 57. The shunting yard is divided into sections, corresponding to the sections of the model, by flangeactuated electric switches, Fig. 3, having two arms 98, 99, one for each direction of motion of the cars. Each arm is lowered by a striker 106 and carries contacts 111 bridged by a pivoted member 112 normally retracted by a spring 113. The member 112 is extended towards the rail and is actuated by a pin 117 carried by a striker 116 when this striker is released after depression by a car wheel. This actuation imparts an impulse to the magnet of a hunting-switch on the model, this switch serving to store the impulses if the cars and dummies move at different speeds. Each hunting-switch consists of two ratchet wheels 134, 134<a>, Fig. 8, each advanced one step by a pawl 133, 133a carried by the armatures of magnets 126, 124a. Wheel 134<a> is coupled to a disc carrying a contact band 139a and contact arm 140<a> engaging a contact band 139 coupled to wheel 134, band 139 having an insulated step 149. The bands are engaged by contact arms 141, 141a which are thus in circuit except when arms 140<a> engages insulation 149. Each arm 98, 99 is coupled to a hunting-switch, and Fig. 13 shows the layout at one end of the yard. The junctions of the model sections are provided with three-way switches 147<a> depressed by a magnet 143a so as to release one rib on a dummy, this rib in passing throwing the switch in the direction of travel of the dummy. Thus, for a car travelling from the right, arm 98 will be depressed to energize magnet 324<a> and advance wheel 338<a> one step. Current will flow from switch 147<a> through magnet 143<a> to pass one dummy rib and through wheel 338 to motor 72 to start the conveyer belt for the dummy in this section. Each time arm 147<a> is thrown, an impulse will be given to wheel 738 so as to bring this wheel back to normal position. Arm 247 at the left of the section determines the reverse driving of the motor 72, protective switches being provided to prevent the energizing of both windings at the same time. Each dummy, Fig. 11, carries a clip 38 for a designation card, and has upper and lower wheels 36 engaging between them the model track. The sides 39 have ribs or flanges 40 and a plate 44 with lateral lugs 48 is provided to engage the coils of the conveyer band such as 93. The switches 147<a> are carried by a frame 173, Fig. 14, depressed against the action of a spring by a magnet 143<a>. The frame 173 has a bevelled projection 178 engaging between the ribs 40 and a bar 177 which engages the lugs 48 to raise the plate 44 clear of the conveyer band when the magnet 143<a> is de-energized. The arm 147<a> is bent over at its top to be engaged by the ribs 40 when the frame is lowered. The model, Fig. 1, has a motor such as 72 and a conveyer band such as 93 for each track section, each junction having two diverging bands driven from one motor. The bands run over idler pulleys on the shaft of the adjacent motor. The dummies may be withdrawn at places such as 184, and may be manually operated in the case of a temporary breakdown.