Patent GB-480228-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to means for actuating signals and brakes on trains from the track
IPC: B61L3/08
Filed: 1937-05-29
Abstract: 480,228. Actuating signals on trains. KOFLER, G. May 29, 1937, No. 14954. Convention date, May 30, 1936. [Class 105] With a track signal at the danger aspect an abutment on the signal post or on a post depending from a signal gantry is positioned to engage a locomotive contact situated at roof level and thereby gives a warning signal and braking, but such abutment is immediately moved beyond the loading gauge limits until the train has passed whereupon the abutment is automatically returned in readiness to act upon a second train passing the track signal at danger. The locomotive contact Figs. 6 and 7, is supported on the unsuspended chassis, and thus any mis-alignment misplaces the contact only along a transverse arcuate path; this contact is directed towards the midline of the two rails. The contact consists of a fixed incline 60 having mounted thereon by links 62 a movable incline 63 which on depression by the wayside abutment moves rodding 66 to close a switch. These contact inclines may be arranged for forward and reverse travel. An insulating guard 70 protects the contact from propulsion current wires and the collectors. The abutment, Fig. 3, comprises an end member 24 on an arm 21 which is rockable on its longitudinal axis in a housing 26 ; the rocking movement removes a coupling lug 32 from a notch 33 whereby the arm 21 and housing 26 are disconnected from a shaft 28 operated by the wayside signal. Thus the arm 21 is free to be moved to the dotted line position by the action of the fixed contact of the locomotive contact device ; this movement stresses a returning spring 39, but the abutment is held in the dotted position by a detent pawl 42 engaging a lug 37 on the casing 26 until this pawl is retracted by energization of a magnet 45 when the train has fully passed. An insulated rail arrangement for this purpose is shown in Fig. 5. It will be seen that current is shunted from the magnet 45 while any axles are present on the insulated rail 47. An economy contact 50, 51 opens the circuit as soon as the arm 21 is rocked back to its normal position. The post 27 on which the abutment is mounted is rigidly fixed to the rails by ties 58, 59 as shown in Fig. 6. One form of locomotive apparatus is shown in Fig. 9. The brief closure of contact 67 by the action of the wayside abutment picks up a relay 69 which then closes its contact 74 to maintain current to its own winding, to a warning signal lamp R and siren 76, and to a slow-acting relay device 80 which successively closes contacts 81, 82. The contacts 81, 82 may be arranged in circuits giving different energizations to the brake valve magnet 83 whereby first a moderate and then a full brake application are made. If the driver applies the brakes a contact 77 is opened whereby the apparatus is returned to normal. The engaging portion of the track abutment is preferably resilient. With colour-light signals at the clear aspect the track abutment is operated by an electromagnet which can thereafter be cut out since the abutment will be held in the raised position by the pawl of the magnet 45 which is of course only energized during the stop aspect.