Patent GB-191129304-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Railway Safe Running Devices.
Inventor: ANGUS ARTHUR REGINALD
IPC: B61L3/10
Filed: 1911-02-07
Granted: 1912-05-07
Abstract: 29,304. Angus, A. R. Feb. 7, 1910, [Convention date]. Combined electrical and mechanical systems; non-automatic; track apparatus actuating signals on engines and for stopping trains; handlevers and hand gearing, interlocking.-Relates to a signalling system such as described in Specification 3096/11, in which track ramps may complete danger-signalling or train-stopping circuits. In the arrangement described, a danger-signalling ramp 67 and a train-stopping ramp 43 are provided and are controlled by a testing-circuit, including a source of energy carried on the train, which passes from a track ramp 44 to an electro-magnet 49 and thence through controlling-contacts such as contacts on signal lever, signal, switch points &c. If the track is clear, this circuit is closed and the electro-magnet 49 attracts its armature 60 from a contact 61. If the track is not clear, the contacts 60, 61 are not separated, and consequently a danger-signal circuit, including the track ramp 67 and contacts 60, 61 on the track, and signalling-appliances and a source of electrical energy on the engine, is closed through ramp 67, and, if the train proceeds further, a train-stopping circuit is closed through a ramp 43. The arrangement of circuits on the train shown is for single-line working where there are several alternative routes. The invention consists in the provision on the track of a series of track ramps such as 67 arranged so as to impart movements of different extents to a depending engine contact device, and is illustrated by apparatus in which the ramps are arranged at different heights. These track ramps are respectively associated with signalling-devices 126, 124, 125 in separate circuits and alarm and train-stopping devices 135, 136, 137 provided in a train-stopping circuit. These circuits are brought to train-circuit terminals 103, 104, 105, 106, respectively, associated with the engine contact device, and one or other cf them, according to the height to which the rod 97 is lifted by the track ramp, is connected by the sliding contact rod 97 of the contact device to the track ramp. When the rod 97 is over the ramp 67, the circuit including the relay 126 is connected to it. When it is over the trainstopping ramp 43, which is always placed last and is the highest of all the ramps, the circuit containing the magnets for operating the whistle, brake valve, and throttle lever is energized and the engine is stopped. When the rod is over intermediate route-indicating ramps, the lamp signals 124, 125 respectively are put in circuit. The return portions of all the circuits may be by earth or by additional track ramps 46, and engine contacts 115, as shown. Three or more rods 97 are provided on the engine; their contacts 103 ... 106 being connected in parallel. All make contact in turn with the track ramps. The track ramps of the testing - circuits and the return contacts are duplicated at 044, 069, 046, 071 for working in the reverse direction. Additional engine contacts are also provided. Contacts for forward running are connected to switch contacts 92 ... 95, and those for reverse running to contacts 88 ... 91. One or other of these sets is connected to central contacts 83 ... 86 by a switch plate which is connected to the reversing- gear of the engine. Three alternative sources of energy are supplied for the testing-circuits. A dynamo 119 normally is in use, and its circuit includes electro-magnets 141 which, by attracting an armature 165, maintain open the circuits of an accumulator 120 and a cell 121. If the dynamo fails, the contacts 166, 167 are bridged and the accumulator circuit is closed, the cell circuit being held open at 174 by magnets 173. When the accumulator fails, the cell is put in circuit. A similar arrangement of accumulators 138, 139, 140 is provided for the circuit which includes the train-stopping and alarm devices 135, 136, 137. This circuit includes an electro-magnetic switch 131, which cuts out the track apparatus and engine contacts, and maintains the circuit until the switch is pulled open by hand. The testing - circuit 51, 54 is shown as including contacts 52 and a bridge 65 on a signal lever 53, but the circuit also includes contacts at all signals, points, &c. the condition of which it is necessary to test. Contact is made with the testing-circuit ramps by a rod mounted on horizontal pins and pulled into contact with the side plates by springs. The engine contacts 115 for the return circuit are mounted in casings and pressed downwards by springs. Specification 29,305/11 is also referred to.