Improvements in Railroad Signalling Apparatus
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application. 21st Apr., 1891-Accepted, 18th July 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railroad Signalling Apparatus,
I, JOHN DANIEL TAYLOR of 565, Rookery, Chicago, Illinois, United States
of America, Telegraph Operator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference is to be had to the
accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specification, in which similar letters
and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views :—
Figure 1 is a side elevation, with one half of the receiving instrument separated
and dropped below the other half to more clearly show the connections;
Figure 2 is a plan view of a modified form of signal transmitting mechanism ;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the electric motor and its connections;
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of the circuit breaking wheels;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the track instrument ;
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the semaphore and its levers;
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view including the receiving instrument in the
dispatcher's office, and a switch and battery;
Figure 10 is a front elevation of the dial.
The object of my invention is to provide means whereby signals may be
transmitted with certainty and accuracy.
The signal is received from the main line M, L, by the polarized relay R. In
describing my improved apparatus I assume that it is in use at a station whose call
or signal is the combination of two negative impulses and one positive impulse (//\\),
which in the single needle telegraph code is the letter "G." The relay R is
provided with two levers Q and Q¹, having the usual contact points and retractile
springs and provided with armatures K and K. The armature K is made of soft
iron, and is attracted by the magnet R' of the relay R whenever the said magnet is
energized by either a positive or a negative impulse. The armature K is a
perinanent magnet which is arranged relative to the poles of the magnet R¹ of the
relay, so that a negative current sent through the relay magnet will cause the
armature to be attracted, and a positive current will cause it to be repelled. The
poles of the magnet R' are extended laterally at the upper end of the magnet so as
to allow the armatures K and K to approach them. The yoke, cores and pole
pieces of the magnet R' are of soft iron.
When a signal is sent over the main line, the first impulse which is a negative
one, causes the armatures K and K' both to be attracted and brings the contact
points of the levers Q and Q' into contact with the bar 1. This operation closes
the circuit of the local battery 13 through two channels, one through 1, I, Q, 2,
the magnet M, 3, 4, X, Z and 5, back to the battery B, the other through 1, 1, Q, 6,
magnet M, 7, 4, X, Z and 5 back to the battery B. The current passing through
the magnet M causes the armature lever L, to be drawn down, and the said
armature lever acting through the pawl a, moves the ratchet wheel G, forward one
tooth. The armature lever L is provided with the usual limiting stops (not shown)
to prevent it moving too far vertically in either direction, and to keep the armature
within the field of the magnet M. It also has a beveled projection ', which drops
between two of the teeth and prevents the momentum of the ratchet wheel G from
carrying it forward more than a single tooth at a time. The said projection is
therefore in the nature of a detent, and it will be noticed that it requires to be of
such a length as will enable it to engage the wheel G, the instant the latter has
moved the distance of one of its teeth.
The ratchet wheel G, the spur wheel F and the wheel D, are all attached
rigidly to the shaft A. The wheel D is perforated in its periphery with a number

page_text: of equidistant radial holes, the number being equal to the number of teeth in the
ratchet wheel G. Metallic pins, preferably of platinum, are driven into certain of
these holes, the remaining holes being left blank. The pins project about a
sixteenth of an inch beyond the periphery of the wheel D. The said wheel D is
placed on the shaft A in such a position that each stroke of the armature lever L
brings one of the holes or one of the pins of the said wheel directly under the
contact screw w, carried by the armature lever N, of the magnet M'. All of the
wheels C, D, E, F and G are represented in the drawing as being at the zero or
starting point.
The current of the battery B in passing through the magnet M₁, as described,
causes the lever N to be drawn down. The motion of the lever N is limited, and
upon cach upward stroke it acts through the pawl c, to move the wheel C forward
one tooth. The contact screw to carried by the armature lever N is adjusted so
that when the said armature lever N is raised, the pins in the periphery of the
wheel D may pass without touching the said contact screw, and when the armature
lever N is depressed, it will extend to within a shorter distance of the periphery of
the wheel D than the length of the pins beyond the periphery, but not near enough
to come into contact with the periphery of the wheel D. The movement of the
armature lever L, above described, brings a vacant hole in the periphery of the
wheel D under the contact screw w, so that the armature lever N does not make
contact with the wheel D. When the clectrical impulse ceases, the armature
levers L and N, return to their former position under the influence of their
respective retractile springs. The wheels G and C are held in their new positions
by the retaining pawls d and b, respectively.
The second impulse being also negative, acts in precisely the same manner,
bringing the second hole in the periphery of the wheel D (which in this case is also
vacant) under the screw w, at the same time moving the ratchet wheel C forward
another space. The third impulse, secured by a positive current passing over the
main line causes the armature K to be attracted, but repels the armature K¹
Under these conditions the current from the battery B, flows through the inagnet M
only, the circuit being from the battery B, through 1. 1, Q, 2, M, 3, 4, X, Z, 5
and B. The movement of the armature lever L under this impulse brings the
pin in the periphery of the wheel D under the screw w, but as the armature
lever N is not affected by this impulse, it does not come into contact with the said
pin of the wheel D.
C
To make the action of the machine perfectly reliable, the signal is repeated twice
more, the repetition as already described, in each successive impulse, positive or
negative, bringing successive holes in the periphery of the wheel D under the
contact screw w. The holes corresponding to the negative current are blank and
those corresponding to the positive current contain pins. Each negative impulse
moves the wheel C forward one space. About one half of the upward stroke of
the armature lever N, at the cessation of the last negative impulse in the call
brings the platinum pin k, carried by the wheel C into contact with the spring-
pressed lever X. This operation closes the circuit of the battery B' through the
signal S, the circuit being from the battery B', through 8, V, the lever T, 9, 10,
X, C, k, 11, switch S', ', 12, S, 13, back to the battery B', the lever T being held
normally in contact with the contact screw V by a spring. The remainder of the
up-stroke of the armature lever N separates the spring-pressed lever X from the
contact point Z, thus breaking the circuit of the battery B, between the lever X
and the contact screw Z, so that the magnets M and M' are not further affected by
both impulses passing over the main line. The signal will remain in the circuit
until the knob of the key S' is momentarily depressed, bringing it into contact
with the points, and separating it from the contact point s'. The circuit is now
from the battery B' through 8, V, T, 9, 10, X, Z C, 11, S1, 2, 14, magnet M², 15, 13,
back to the battery B. This energizes the magnet M. causing the arinature
lever P to be drawn forward. The armature lever P is connected through the
lever, and the wire o, with the pawl-releasing lever e, and through the wire y,

page_text: 12
with the pawl d, which also acts as a releasing lever for the pawl c. The forward
motion of the lever P pulls the pawls and b away from the ratchet wheel G, and
the said ratchet wheel G and the wheels D and E return to the point of starting
under the influence of a spiral spring attached to the shaft A, the spring being
omitted in the drawing. The pawls c and d are also pulled away from the ratchet
wheel C, and the ratchet wheel returns to the starting point under the influence of
a spiral spring. The ratchet wheel C is stopped at the proper place by the pin m,
insulated electrically from the wheel C, and engaging the lever X. The wheel D
is stopped at the proper place by the pin engaging the lever T, which is thus
thrown against the back contact screw T. The circuit of the battery B' is
broken by the separation of the lever T and the contact point V, and the
lever P is released; the relative positions of all the parts are now the same as at
the start.
Having described the manner in which a signal is sent by means of a proper call,
I will now describe how a signal is prevented when a call other than the proper
one for that instrument passes over the line. Suppose the instrument is set
for G (\) two negative impulses and one positive impulse, as before, and
that the call W ( \// ) one positive impulse and two negative impulses is sent;
the first impulse, which is a positive one, moves the wheel D one space, but will
not affect the ratchet wheel Cas before described. The next character (which is
negative) moves the wheel D another space, and at the same time moves the ratchet
wheel C one space. The third impulse (which is also negative) moves the wheel D
another space and brings the pin under the contact screw 10. This last impulse
also causes the lever N to be drawn down, bringing the screw to into contact with
the pin a, closing the circuit of the battery B, so that the current flows from the
said battery through 8, V, the lever T, 9, 16, the lever N, screw w, pin, the
wheel D, 17, 14, the magnet M2, 15, 13, back to the battery B', thus causing the
armature lever P to be drawn toward the magnet M³, pulling the pawls a and b
away from the ratchet wheel G, and removing the pawls c and d from the ratchet
wheel C, allowing the wheels to return to the point of starting.
To cause the armature lever P to be retained a sufficient length of time to allow
the wheels G, D, C, to return to the point of starting, a spring attached to the
armature lever P, is brought into contact with the contact screw Oi, on the forward
stop O, when the armature lever P begins to approach the magnet M², thereby
closing the circuit of the battery B', so that the current flows through 8, V the
lever T, 9, 18, forward stop O, the spring, the armature lever P, 19, 17, 14, the
magnet M³, 15, 13, back to the battery B¹. This causes the armature lever P to
be retained until the circuit is broken by the removal of the lever T from the
contact screw V, as before described. Suppose now, the instrument to be set
for G as before, out the signal or call D, which is made by one negative and two
positive impulses (/\\) required to be sent. The first impulse which is negative
will move the wheels D and C, each one space as before described. The second
and third impulses being both positive, would each move the wheel D one space,
but would not affect the wheel C. The second and third set of impulses repre-
senting the letter "D" would act in the same manner, each moving the wheel D
three spaces and the wheel C one space. The last positive impulse of the last set
of signals brings the pin under the contact screw w, the same as in the case of the
letter "G," but the wheel C has moved only three spaces instead of six, the number
required to throw the signal into the circuit, and the next negative impulse which
passes over the line brings the screw w into contact with another pin, as each hole
beyond the pin is provided with a pin. This operation throws the magnet M*
into the circuit and releases the wheels D and C, as before explained. In the same
way it may be shown that any combination of impulses other than those for which
the instrument is arranged would bring the lever N and wheel D into contact before
the wheel Chad moved far enough to throw the signal into the circuit.
Unison between the transmitter and the receiving instrument is effected by
means of the segmental spur wheel E, which meshes into the spur wheel F, upon

page_text: the shaft A. The spur wheel F has the same number of teeth as the ratchet
wheel G, and in order that the segmental wheel E may drop into place when it is
returned to the starting point, the said segmental wheel is required to make only a
part of a revolution, and the side opposite that provided with teeth is furnished
with a weight W, to return it to the point of starting when it is released from the
spur wheel F.
The segmental wheel E turns on a stud projecting from the upper end of the
lever J. The said lever J is pivoted near its center to a fixed support projecting
from the base of the instrument. A spring J', is arranged to press again t the
lever J, and hold the segmental wheel E in engagement with the spur wheel F. ||
A pink, projects from the segmental wheel E, in position to engage the lever J so
as to stop the segmental wheel E when it is returned to the point of starting. The
lower end of the lever J, is connected by a wire s, to an arm n', projecting down-
wardly from the armature lever N, and another wire r, connects the upper end of
the lever J with the armature lever P of the magnet M³, so that whenever a 1
negative impulse is sent over the line, or the magnet M³ is in circuit, the segmental
wheel E will be pulled away from the spur wheel F, and consequently allowed to
return by its own gravity to the point of starting, as already described.
The pin j, carried by the segmental wheel E, comes into contact with the post g,
supported by the base piece, whenever the segmental wheel E is moved to its 2
extreme forward limit. The pin jis placed at such a distance from the post 9,
that when the segmental wheel E is at the starting point, it will require a greater
number of positive impulses than can occur in succession in the call for that
instrument. To make the same device of general application, a greater number of
positive impulses than occur in succession in any call on the line are required to 2
bring the pinj into contact with the post 9; for example; suppose this number to
be six, and the pin is placed six spaces from the post g; then when the segmental
wheel E is at the starting point, six positive impulses sent over the line will bring
the pin into contact with the post g, closing the circuit of the battery B¹
through 8, V, the lever T, 9, 18, 20, the post g, pin j, the wheel E, 21, 17, 14, 3
magnet M³, 15, 13 back to the battery B'. This causes the armature lever P to
be drawn toward the magnet M², releasing the wheels D, C, and E, when they all
return to the point of starting.
The manner of proceeding when it is desired to throw any signal into the circuit
is to first send a negative impulse; this will release the segmental wheel E, as
above described, allowing it to return to the point of starting. Six positive
impulses are then sent; this brings the pin jinto contact with the post, thus
closing the circuit through the magnet M, releasing the segmental wheel E, the
wheel D and the ratchet wheel C, all of which return to the point of starting. As
the pin is placed at the same distance from the post y in all the instruments on
the line, they will all be set at zero by making a signal consisting of one negative
and six positive impulses. Thus by repeating the call for any office on the line
three times, the signal at that office will be thrown into the circuit.
I do not limit or confine myself to the exact construction herein shown and
described, as I may in practice modify the construction to adapt the instrument to
use under different conditions. I may also use the equivalent of the mechanism
herein described in lieu of that shown in the drawings.
Figures 2 and 10 represent a modified form of the invention especially adapted to
operate block signals.
The object of my invention, as shown in Figures 2 to 10, is to place the control
of trains on any system of blocks in the hands of one man, who will have an
efficient means of knowing the exact location of all trains, and consequently will
know just what signals to give to following trains. My object is also further, to
provide a danger signal that will be automatic, and will be set to show danger and
also report to the block dispatcher that the train lias passed that point; also to
provide a signal, which when once set to the "danger" position, can not be changed
except by the block dispatcher,

page_text: A further object is to avoid the error-made by incompetent operators, and to
reduce the cost of operating a block signaling system.
In carrying out my invention, I furnish the current for operating the system
from local batteries at each station, or I may supply the whole system from a
dynamo at the block dispatcher's office. The interinediate stations on the road
are provided with the apparatus shown in Figures 2 to 8 inclusive, while the
terminal stations are provided with the apparatus represented in Figures 9
and 10.
In the instrument for the intermediate stations, the shaft A³, which is journaled
in the standards B', carries the worm wheel C and the break wheels D³, E³, F'.
The periphery of the break wheel D' is divided into three parts, each of which is
grooved transversely and the grooves filled with insulating material so as to form a
transmitting surface. One of the divisions represents the word "red" according to
the Morse code, another " green" another "white." The wheel E' is provided
with three insulating pieces,,, inserted at equidistant points, and the wheel F
is furnished with one such insulating piece. Contact springs d³, e³, ƒ³, are
arranged to contact respectively with the wheels D' E' and F*.
Upon the shaft A' is mounted a crank G³, which is arranged to operate the
visible signal or semaphore, as will presently be described. The worm wheel C³ 1s
engaged by the worm H' on the shaft 1. The said shaft I is journaled in suitable
standards. Upon one end of the shaft I is mounted a crank J' provided with a
crank pin j³.
The motor M, by which the signalling mechanism is operated, is provided with
an armature shaft M, which is axially in line with the shaft I, and which carries
a crank K³ provided with a crank pin and corresponds to the crank J. on the
shaft 1. The armature shaft M is capable of longitudinal movement, and is
provided with an auxiliary disk armature I, which is within the influence of the
field magnet of the motor so that when a current is sent through the motor, the
said disk armature is drawn forward toward the field magnet of the motor, thereby
causing the crank K' to overlap and thereby engage the crank J, and cause the
worm wheel G³ to revolve. The movement of the armature shaft in the direction
indicated is opposed by a spiral spring ke, so that when the disk armature ceases to
be attracted by the field magnet of the motor, the spring 4° will return the armature
shaft to its former position, and disconnect the crank K from the crank J'.
At the intermediate station is located a polarized relay R, and an ordinary direct
current relay R. The circuit is from the main line to the spring do, thence through
the circuit breaking wheel D³, through the contact spring pressing against the
side of the wheel, through the polarized relay R, thence to the earth, or on to the
next station.
The local battery 13 is connected by the wire 1 with one binding post of
the motor M. The other binding post of the motor is connected by the wire 2"
with the forward contact of the relay R, and the arm L' of the relay is connected
by the wire 3 with the remaining pole of the battery. The latter pole of the
battery is connected by the wire 6 with the contact springs 5, 10, which press the
sides of the break wheels E, F. The contact springe of the wheel E is connected
by the wire 4 with the wire 2ª which enters one of the binding posts of the motor.
The spring is connected by the wire 9* with the lever Q' of the track instrument
presently to be described. The said lever Q is also connected by the wire 8" with
the armature lever of the relay R, and the forward contact P of the said relay is
connected by the wire 7* with the wire 2 entering one of the binding posts of the
motor. The contact springs S' of the track instrument is connected by the wire 13*
with one terminal of the magnet of the relay Re, and the remaining terminal of the
said magnet is connected by the wire 11 with the wire 1*.
The apparatus shown in Figure 2 is placed in a box on the semaphore post and
the crank G carried by the shaft A is connected by a rod A', with the arm Y'
of the semaphore. The said crank G³ and the arm Y are proportioned so that
when the shaft A' makes one revolution, it moves the arm Y through the medium

page_text: of the crank Go and rod A through about one quarter of a revolution. The motor
mechanism being arranged to stop at three different points in the revolution of the
shaft A, the seinaphore arm Y inay be placed in three different positions, as shown
in Figure 8, viz.: horizontal, as shown in full lines at 7, inclined at an angle of
about 4,° as shown in dotted lines at 2, and dropped into a vertical position
parallel with the semaphore post as shown at 27.
The track instrument, the contact springs of which are represented diagram-
matically in Figure 2, is shown in perspective in Figure 7. It is formed of a
shaft X, journaled in supports attached to the extended portion of a sleeper, the
said shaft carrying at the end adjoining the track rail a curved lever V, which is
pressed upwardly by a leaf spring W, so as to lie normally within the path of the
wheels of the train. The outer end of the shaft X is provided with an arm U,
which is connected by the rod Ts with the lever Q, the said lever being pivoted
in the standard Q. In the path of the free end of the lever Q is supported a
contact spring S, and the lever Q and spring S are arranged in the electric
circuit as described in connection with Figure 2.
At the terminal station is arranged an instrument B', provided with an electro-
magnet B, and an armature lever 1° furnished at its shorter end with a retractile
spring a, and carrying at its free end a spring-pressed pawl a³. The said pawl a
is arranged to act upon the ratchet wheel mounted on the shaft c, and the
ratchet wheel is prevented from retrograde motion by the spring actuated click ".
The movement of the armature lever B is limited by means of adjusting screws
in the same manner as in the case of an ordinary telegraph sounder, so that the
pawl will carry the ratchet wheel only one notch at a time. Upon the shaft c® is
mounted the index which revolves in front of the dial A said dial having upon
it the words "red," "green," and "white" or red, green and white segments. One
terminal of the magnet B is connected with the main line, the other terminal is
connected through the arm with the double switch C. The arm n³ of the said
switch is connected with the ground wire. The two arms m³, n°, are pivoted to
the ends of an insulating bar 9, which is furnished with a handle by which the
switch is operated. The arm m³ is capable of contacting with the points C³,
and Z, n, and the arm n is capable of contacting with the points Z, and CE.
The points Cu¹ and C u are connected electrically with the positive pole of the
battery Bº.
"
My improved signal is designed to be used only where all trains run in the same
direction on the same track, and to describe the method of operation I will suppose
them in use at a series of stations and will describe the operation at station 1.
When a train passes station 1, it sets the semaphore at that place in the "danger
position, and notifies the block dispatcher that the train has passed that point.
When the train passes station No. 2, it produces the same result at that place.
For the sake of brevity I will use the word "red" to denote the position of the
semaphore for indicating danger, the word "green" to denote the position indicating
that a train may proceed with caution, and the word "white" to denote the position
indicating safety. When the block dispatcher is notified that the train has passed
station No. 2, it will be his duty to set the target at station 1 to show "green;"
this he will do by bringing the levers m³, n, of the switch shown in Figure 9 into
contact with the points C and Z '. This causes a positive current to flow to
the line through the polarized relay shown in Figure 2, and throws the arm L
against the contact point No. The current from the battery B then flows through
wire 1, the motor M³, wire 2ª, the contact of the arm L' and the wire 3* back to
the battery B, energizing the motor and causing its armature to revolve in the
direction indicated by the arrow. The attraction of the armature 1' by the field
magnet, in the manner described, causes the armature shaft to move longitudinally,
bringing the pins k³, and j³ into engagement with each other, causing the worm H³
to rotate, and the said worm causes the wheel C, the brake wheels D, E and F,
and the crank G' to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows.
As before mentioned, the wheel D³ passing under the contact spring ³ causes

page_text: 111
"makes" and "breaks" in the main line circuit which spell the word "rel
passing over one third of the circumference, "green" in passing over another third,
and "white" in passing over the remaining portion. Spaces between the words
are left so that the contact spring touches the conducting material of the
wheel D when the wheel comes to rest, and the semaphore assumes either of its
three positions. As soon as the spring leaves the conducting material and rests
upon one of the insulating pieces before the commencement of either of the words
(as is indicated by the click of the lever of the instrument 137, shown in Figure 9)
the operator shifts the switch C to its normal position, that is to say, he brings the
levers m and n into contact with the points Z, and C u respectively. This sends
a negative current into the line, and the arm I of the polarized relay R³ is thrown
against the insulating back stop, thus breaking the circuit of the battery B.
Before this takes place the contact springe has left the insulating bar in the
wheel E, and comes into contact with the conducting portion of the wheel, so that
the circuit of the battery B is closed through the wire 1", motor M³, wire 4º,
contact spring e, wheel E³, spring 5* and wire 6 back to the battery B. The
motor continues in the circuit until the insulating piece in the wheel E³ is
brought under the contact spring e. When this occurs the current through the
motor is interrupted. The field magnet loses its power of attracting the disk
armature I, and the armature shaft is moved longitudinally by the spring ke so
that the clutch is disengaged and the worm H³ stops.
"
The one-third revolution of the shaft A gives to the crank G the position
shown at G7 in Figure 8, causing the semaphore arm Y to take the inclined
position shown in dotted lines and indicated by Z in said figure. While the break
wheel D is making its third of a revolution, it makes and breaks electric contact
with the spring, so as to send impulses over the line corresponding to the word
"green."
Each impulse causes the lever B' of the instrument 17 to make a stroke.
This lever acting through the pawl u, moves the ratchet wheel c* forward one
tooth for each impulse. While the lever 13° acts as a sounder lever, spelling out
the word "green" the pawl a' by acting on the ratchet wheel c, turns the shaft c
so as to cause the index to point to the word " green or to the green colored
portion of the dial. Arranged in this way the audible and visible signals verify
each other.
"
When the train has reached station 3, the dispatcher will set the signal at
station 1 to show "white." The operation in this case is precisely like that
described before. The crank G takes the position indicated by G in Figure 8,
and the semaphore arm Ys is dropped into a vertical position, as shown by 77, thus
showing safety. At the same time the operator will set the semaphore at station 2
to show " green. This is done in the same manner as before described, each
semaphore having a switch C and instrument B37 corresponding to it in the
dispatcher's office.
To explain the manner in which a passing train sets the semaphore to indicate
danger, I will suppose that a second train passes station 1, and while the semaphore
shows "white." When the semaphore shows " white," the contact spring / rests
on the portion of the wheel F which is marked (Figure 5). The wheel F has
only one piece of insulating material, in its periphery, and this piece is arranged to
come under the contact spring when the semaphore shows "red." In other
positions of the semaphore the spring f' and the metallic portion of the wheel F
are in electrical contact.
When the lever V of the track instrument is pressed by the wheels of a train,
the shaft X is rocked and the lever Q will be brought into contact with the
spring S, when the current from the battery B will flow through the wires 1ª
and 11, relay R, wires 12, 13, spring S, lever Q, wire 9, contact spring,
wheel , spring 10" and wire 6 back to the battery. This energizes the relay R,
bringing its armature lever 0³ against the contact P³ and closing the circuit of
the battery B through two channels, the first through the wires 1*, 11", the
relay R, wires 12, 14, contact P, armature lever 0, wires 8*, 9, contact

page_text: spring, the wheel F, spring 10 and wire 6 back to the battery B thus holding
the armature lever 0 against the contact P³, even though the lever Q' and
spring S be separated. The other circuit is from the battery B through
the wire 1, motor M', wire 7", contact P, armature lever 0%, wires 8, 9*,
spring, wheel F, spring 10% and wire 6 back to the battery B. The resistance
of the relay K is comparatively high, so that the current through the motor M* is
not materially diminished by being arranged in parallel with it.
The current through the latter circuit energizes the motor M', causing it to turn
the wheels C, D, E, F and the crank G', as before described, and they continue
to turn until the insulating piece in the wheel F is brought under the contact
spring, when the circuit through the relay R and the motor M is broken and
the motor stops as before described. The armature lever 0% of the relay R* also
falls against the back stop; the position of the semaphore arm under these
circumstances indicates danger, as the crank G has moved from the position Go to
that indicated by G, and the semaphore arm from Z' to Z. Any further contact
of the lever Q' with the spring S will produce no effect, as the circuit is broken
between the spring f' and the wheel F, so that by this arrangement it does not
matter how long or how short a time the train occupies in passing over the
lever V, the semaphore will go to "red" and stop there. By the movement of
the wheel D' an impulse has been sent over the line and through the instrument B'
which corresponds with the word "red." At the same time the index iis set so
as to point to red, thus notifying the dispatcher that a train has passed that station.
The same operation would have been performed and the same effect produced had
the train entered the station while the semaphore showed "green," except that the
wheels C, D, E and F and the crank G' would have made two-thirds of a
revolution instead of one third; the wheel F" would have travelled under the
contact spring f from 9 past w to, the semaphore arm would have gone from
green "white" and then to "red;
to
the contact spring & would have passed
over the words "white" and "red," and the index i* from
to "red."
"
"
66
green" past "white
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,―
1. In an electric railway signalling apparatus, the combination, of the relay R
having a double contact bar and two armatures, one of which is polarized with a
circuit-controlling armature lever N, the wheel D provided with a series of equi-
distant peripheral holes, and a series of contact pins inserted in certain of the holes,
means for acting on the said wheel to rotate it, and an electrical circuit including
said relay lever and wheel therein, substantially as shown and described.
2. In an electric railway signalling apparatus, the combination, with the
ratchet wheel G, of the armature lever L having a spring stop a and a rigid detent
adapted to successively engage the said wheel for moving and locking it as
specified, the wheel D having a series of peripheral contacts and mounted rigidly
on the main shaft with the aforesaid ratchet wheel, the armature lever N having
the contact w, the magnets M, M', and suitable electrical connections, all sub-
stantially as shown and described.
3. In an electric railway block signal, the combination, of a semaphore, a
semaphore operating motor, break wheels operated by the said motor, a polarized
relay, a plain relay, a track instrument, and the electrical connections, sub-
stantially as specified.
4. In an electric railway block signal, the combination, of a semaphore, a
semaphore operating motor, break-wheels operated by the said motor, a polarized
relay, a plain relay, a track instrument, the electrical connections, and a pole-
changing switch and indicator at the terminal station, substantially as specified.
5. In an electric railway block signal, the combination, with a semaphore and a
crank shaft operating it, of a break wheel F' mounted on the said shaft, and a

page_text: spring pressing on the wheel, of a track instrument, polarized and plain
relays R, R, an electric motor, and gearing which connects it with the crank
shaft, and suitable electrical connections, substantially as specified.
6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination, with a visual
signal, an electric motor, and suitable gearing for operating it, of a track
instrument consisting of a rock shaft having arms, as specified, a contact lever Q³,
a rod which connects said shaft and lever, a contact spring, a plain relay R³, and
suitable electrical connections, substantially as specified.
7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a semaphore
and a crank shaft for operating it, of break wheels mounted on the shaft, an
electric motor, gearing connecting the motor with the crank shaft, a plain relay, a
polarized relay having an insulating stop, as specified, a switch C6, a battery, and
suitable electrical connections, substantially as specified.
8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination, with a
semaphore, a crank shaft for operating it, and a worm wheel mounted on the said
shaft, of an electric motor, a disk armature and its sliding shaft, a shaft aligned
with the crank shaft, a worm mounted on the latter and engaging the said worm
wheel, and a clutch which locks the aforesaid shafts together when the motor is
energized, substantially as specified.
9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination, with a crank
shaft for operating the signal, of the electric motor M, the shaft I, mechanism
for connecting said shafts, the clutch K³ J', an electro-magnetic clutch operating
device, a relay adapted to send the current through the motor, and a mechanically
operated circuit breaker, substantially as specified.
10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination, of the electric
motor M* provided with a sliding armature shaft, and a circular armature I³,
mounted on the armature shaft within the field of the moter field magnet, sub-
stantially as specified.
11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination, of a signal
operating shaft, the worm wheel C, and circuit breaking wheels mounted on the
same, the worm gear shaft I, the motor M', the armature shaft clutch, and spring
connections, substantially as specified.
Dated this 21st dev of Anril 1891
Dated this 21st day of April 1891
J. D. TAYLOR.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.