Patent GB-191210280-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: 10,280. Angus, A. R. Feb. 7, 1910, [Convention date]. Electrical systems, automatic ; single-track systems; track apparatus actuating signals on trains and for stopping trains.-Relates to automatic electrical systems for single tracks in which sets of fixed track ramps engage contact rods on the engine, the source of current is carried on the train, and a current passes from controller track ramps, to electro-magnetic switches arranged to make or break the track circuit of signal or train-stopping track ramps, and thus give a 'danger' or ' safety ' indication on another train, and in the case of a ' danger' indication being ineffectual to apply the brakes and shut off steam, as described in Specification 756/10, and consists in arranging the track ramps in line in the centre of the track so that their contacting surfaces which are at different levels may co-operate with the same engine contacts. The engine contacts 97 a, b, c, Fig. 9, are slidingly mounted and provided with contact fingers which engage with the corresponding groups a, b, c of train circuit terminals 103-106, 0103-0106 according to the height to which they are moved by the track ramps. The highest track ramps and the corresponding train circuit terminals are used for returning all the track to safety condition when the direction of running is reversed, prior to the normal operation of the track circuits for the new direction. Fig. 9 shows the engine circuits and the track ramps circuits of one track section together with portions of the track circuits of those ramps in use when a train is working from left to right. Forward signal and stop contact such as 41, 42 protect the train against another approaching from ahead and rear signal and stop contacts such as 44, 45 protect the train against another overtaking it. Track circuits connect these ramps to the return track rails through contacts 58, 70 of track relays 47, 60. Normally, the track is in 'safety' condition. When a train passes over a controller contact 40, current passes (1) to energize a magnet 59 two track sections ahead and a magnet 71 immediately behind it, thus putting the corresponding forward track ramps 41, 42 and rear track ramps 44, 45 into ' danger ' condition ; and (2) to energize a magnet 50 immediately in front of it and a magnet 63 two sections to the rear, thus returning the corresponding forward track ramps 41, 42 and rear track ramps 44, 45 to 'safety' condition. In this way, as a train proceeds, it keeps the forward track ramps of the next two sections ahead and the rear track ramps of the next two sections in the rear in 'danger' condition. The forward track ramps are returned to 'safety' condition just prior to the train reaching them, and the rear track ramps are returned to ' safety ' condition when the train has travelled two sections past them. The controller track tramps 40, 040 for the two directions of working are at differing levels corresponding to the terminals 103, 0103, and all the signal and train stopping track ramps respectively are at levels corresponding to the terminals 104, 105, Fig. 9, so that while controlling the electrical condition of only those track ramps associated with its direction of running a train is adapted to respond to the ' danger' condition of the signal or train stopping track ramps of either direction. When working from left to right, the train circuit corresponding to the reversing track ramp 046 and engine circuit terminal 0106 is bridged at the engine reversing switch 83-85, 88-90, and 92-94, but the track circuits are such that contact with this ramp does not alter the state of the track. When the train is reversed the engine circuits for the ramps 040-042 and 044-046, and the reversing ramp 46 are bridged and the others are broken. Then, on the train passing over the ramp 46 in the right-to-left direction, the effect of the train when working in the opposite direction is removed by current passing from that ramp to the magnets 52, 53, 64, 65, of the track ramps previously put into danger' condition, which in operating the relays returns the ramps to ' safety' condition. There are five similar engine contacts arranged at different points in the length of the engine. Each contact comprises eight train circuit terminals which are connected through contacts 83-85, 88-90, and 92-94 on the reversing switch to a dynamo 119, accumulators 120, and a primary battery 121. This reversing switch is operated by connexion with the usual reversing-gear of the engine. When the dynamo is supplying current, a magnet 141 is energized and breaks the circuits of the accumulator and the primary battery. When the accumulators supply the current, electro-magnets 171, 173 break the circuits of the primary battery and the dynamo. When the primary battery supplies current, the electro-magnets 184, 182 break the circuits of the accumulators and dynamo. When a train passes over a signal ramp in the ' danger ' condition, the circuit of a battery 129 is closed and a miniature signal 126 is operated, which also serves to close the circuit of a signal bell 122. If the warning is ineffectual and the train passes on to the train-stopping ramp, the circuit of a battery 140 is closed and magnets 132, 133, 134 are energized to cause a whistle 135 to blow, to open a brake valve 136, and to shut off steam by the throttle lever 137. Arranged in parallel with the battery 140 are reserve batteries 138, 139 arranged to supply current to the train-stopping circuit in turn. Specification 3097/11 is also referred to.