Improvements in Means for Operating Railway Signals, Railway Points, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Mar., 1896-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Operating Railway Signals, Railway
Points, and the like.
1, WALTER RALSTON of 130 Stocks Street, Cheetham, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Waterproof Paper Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object to operate railway signals, railway points and
the like pneumatically, and thereby to dispense with the wires, rods or chains at
present used for operating them, which owing to expansion and contraction, wear
and tear are exceedingly uncertain in action.
In accordance with my invention and as applied for operating the signals, I lay
from the signal box or cabin to the semaphore signal post, a pipe or tube, preferably
of lead and of small bore, and at the signal box end I apply a pump or its
equivalent. At the opposite end of this tube, and by preference fixed at the foot
of the signal post, 1 arrange a small cylinder, closed at one end, and preferably
open at the other end, and arranged horizontally, the tube aforesaid from the
cabin communicating with the interior of the cylinder through an opening in the
closed end. Inside this cylinder is a piston, formed with a rack form of rod,
which, projecting through the open end of the cylinder, engages with the teeth of
a toothed wheel or pinion. To this wheel the semaphore signal is connected by a
rod, pivoted to such wheel at a point near its periphery, so that as said wheel
revolves it raises and lowers the semaphore arm.
The method of operating these parts for raising and lowering a signal is as
follows: Assuming the signal to be at "Danger," or the semaphore arm to be in a
horizontal position, and it is desired to lower such arm, the signalmen in the
signal box so operates the pump as to exhaust the air out of the aforesaid tube.
In so doing the piston of the cylinder aforesaid on the signal post, which normally
lies at the open end of the cylinder, is drawn towards the closed end of the
cylinder, thus causing the rack to rotate the aforesaid wheel, and so lower the
semaphore arm.
In order now to raise the arm and cause it to resume the "Danger" position,
the action of the pump in the cabin is reversed, thus causing the air in the tube
to be driven forward or displaced, and so drive the piston to the open end of the
cylinder which causes the rack to rotate the wheel in an opposite direction and so
raise the semaphore arm.
The connection of the rod which operates the semaphore arm with the wheel
or pinion is such as to cause the arm to be locked when in its raised position, the
point of connection being such as to cause it to lie beyond the centre of the wheel.
The outward movement of the piston is regulated by suitable stops, and by the
required revolution of the wheel.
It will be obvious that the modus operandi may be reversed, i.e. the forcing out
may serve to lower the signal, and the exhausting of the tube serve to raise it
again, but I prefer it to be worked as before described, as it corresponds with the
pull over" and "let go" movements of the present wire system, and will not
require the signalman to become acquainted with any new movements.
66
With a number of signals separate apparatus may be used for each, or combined

page_text: arrangements of pump and pipes may be employed. One pump by suitable switch
valves may serve for a series of pipes and signals.
As applied for operating the points of railway lines, the ends of the points are
connected together by a rod, and that in turn is connected to the aforesaid piston
rack, the arrangement of pump, tubes, cylinder and wheel being the same as for
operating the signal.
Although described as applied to railway signals, my invention is equally
applicable to the signals used for shipping or navigating purposes.
Dated this 30th day of May 1895.
WALTER RALSTON,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.
Improvements in Means for Operating Railway Signals, Railway
Points, and the like.
I, WALTER RALSTON of 130 Stocks Street, Cheetham, Manchester Water-
proof Paper Manufacturer 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 :-
My invention has for its object to operate railway signals, railway points and
the like pneumatically, and thereby to dispense with the wires, rods or chains at
present used for operating the same, which owing to expansion and contraction,
wear and tear, are very liable to get out of order, or require a great amount of
attention to keep them in order.
And in order that my said invention shall be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect 1 have hereunto annexed two sheets of drawings, and I
will now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
On Sheet One, Fig. 1 illustrates in elevation a signal post and cabin, and the
application of my invention between the two, partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the signal post, and signal-post part of my invention,
also in section, and
Fig. 3 illustrates a modification.
On Sheet Two, Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate details of my invention on an enlarged
scale.
In accordance with my invention and as applied for operating semaphore
signals, I lay from the signal-box or cabin (B) to the semaphore signal post (A),
a pipe or tube (C), preferably of lead, and of small bore, and at the signal box
end, I apply a pump (D), or its equivalent. At the opposite end of this tube and,
by preference, fixed at, or near the foot of the signal post, I arrange a small
cylinder (E), closed at one end, and preferably open at the other end as illustrated,
and arranged horizontally, the tube (C) from the cabin communicating with the
interior of the cylinder through an opening in the closed end. Inside this cylinder
is a piston (F), packed, or unpacked, and formed with a rack form of rod (G),
which, projecting through the open end of the cylinder, engages with the teeth
of a toothed wheel or pinion (H). To this wheel (H) the semaphore signal (J) is
connected by a rod (1), pivoted to such wheel at a point near its periphery (see
Figs. 7 and 8), so that as said wheel revolves it raises and lowers the semaphore
arm.
The method of operating these parts for raising and lowering a signal is as
follows: Assuming the signal to be at "Danger" or the semaphore arm (J) to be

page_text: in a horizontal position as illustrated, and it is desired to lower such arm, the
signalman in the signal box (B), lifts the pump handle (K), and so exhausts the
air out of the tube. (C). In so- .doing the piston (F) of the cylinder (E) on
the signal post (which normally lies at the open end of the cylinder as shewn in
Fig. 1) is drawn towards the closed end of the cylinder, and thus cause the
rack (G) to rotate the aforesaid wheel (H), and to lower the semaphore arm (J)
to the position shewn in dotted lines. It now being desired to release the arm, or
to put it back to "Danger" position, the action of the pump lever (K) in the cabin
is reversed, or forced down, causing the air in the tube (C) to be driven forward,
or displaced, and so drive the piston (F) to the open end of the cylinder (E), and
by the rack (G) to rotate the wheel (H) in an opposite direction; and so raise the
semaphore arm (J) to its "Danger" position. The connection of the rod (I),
which operates the semaphore arm, with the wheel or pinion (H) is such as to cause
the arm to be locked when in its raised or lowered position, the point of connection
being such as to cause it to lie beyond the centre of the wheel (H) (see Figs. 6
and 7) when at rest, and the raising and lowering of the semaphore occupying
about half a revolution of such wheel.
The outward movement of the piston is regulated by suitable stops or by the
number of teeth in the rack (G).
It will be obvious that the modus operandi may be reversed, i.c., the forcing out
may serve to lower the signal, and the exhausting of the tube serve to raise it
again, but I prefer it to be worked as before described, as it corresponds with the
and "let go
pull over
movements of the present wire system, and will not
require the signalman to become acquainted with any new movements.
"
33
With a number of signals separate apparatus may be used for each, or combined
arrangements of pump and pipes may be employed. One pump by suitable switch
valves may serve for a series of pipes and signals, or an arrangement of pressure
and vacuum cylinders may be used with valves for connecting one or the other to
the pipe (C). By connecting one or more pipes to the pipe (C), the signal may
be operated from pumps in other cabins.
As applied for operating the points of railway lines, the ends of the points are
connected together by a rod, and that in turn is connected to the aforesaid piston
rack, the arrangement of pump, tubes, cylinder and wheel being to all intents and
purposes the same as for operating the signal.
Although described as applied to railway signals, my invention is equally
applicable to the signals used for shipping or navigating purposes.
It will be obvious that where semaphore arms are fixed to other than the
ordinary signal post, say to an archway or bridge, the means of communicating
the motion of the wheel (H) or piston (F) to the semaphore arm may be varied
without departing from my invention.
The semaphore arm (J) being or itself almost balanced on its centre, the
pressure required for working the piston (F) is very slight, and in practice 3 lbs. to
the square inch is found to be ample, although in the ordinary course it may be
worked with an excess of pressure to ensure of the effectual working of the
semaphore.
The form of pump may be of any suitable design or construction say as shewn
in Fig. 1 or as shewn in Fig. 3, this latter having been found effective in practice,
and easily manipulated, but the former being perhaps more mechanical and suited
to the requirements of a signal cabin.
It will be observed that the exhausting and forcing are effected by one and the
same pump, and to render it sensitive to the actions of signals, and enable the
operator to readily draw the piston to the top end of the pump cylinder for forcing
purposes, the piston rod is formed hollow and communicates with the interior of
the pump beyond the piston, and with the outside atmosphere through a small
hole (L) in the side, or top, of the rod. This hole is covered and uncovered
according to the stroke of the piston, and may be either covered or uncovered by
the finger (see Fig. 3); by a long stuffing box (see Fig. 1); or by a special

page_text: valve (M) attached to trigger lever (N), and under the direct control of the
operator's hand; the link (0) allowing for the curvilinear movements of the
lever (K).
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details, relative proportions, or
-dimensions of my improved signalling apparatus, as the same may be varied
without departing from my invention, and what I claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is :-
1st. Semaphore signalling apparatus or the like, operated pneumatically, or by
the exhausting and forcing of air through a closed tube or conduit, as set forth and
illustrated.
2nd. In semaphore signalling apparatus the use of a small cylinder, piston,
piston-rod rack, and pinion, wheel mounted on (or near) the signal post, and under
the impulses of the said piston serving to raise or lower the semaphore arm, as
set forth.
3rd. The several working parts mentioned in Claim 2, operated by a pump (D),
or its equivalent, in a signal cabin or other situation, and communicating with the
interior of the said cylinder, by a tube or pipe of small bore, as set forth and
illustrated.
4th. The means herein described for operating railway points, simultaneously or
otherwise with the said semaphore signals, as set forth.
Dated this 28th day of February 1896.
WALTER RALSTON,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.