IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Henry, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
LETTERS PATENT to Michael Henry, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY." A communica-
LETTERS PATENT to Michael Henry, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY." A communica-
tion from abroad by Eugene Vincenzi, of Parma, in Italy, Lieutenant of
Artillery.
Sealed the 18th February 1862, and dated the 6th September 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th
September 1861.
I, MICHAEL HENRY, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for" IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY," commu-
nicated to me from abroad by Eugene Vincenzi, of Parma, in Italy, Lieutenant
of Artillery, to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to signal on railways, with a view to prevent
accidents. For this purpose a conducting wire is carried along the line and
contact obtained with the passing trains by means of arms on posts, rails, or
other agents. This it is preferred to effect by placing at intervals along the
line arms or pieces communicating with a conducting wire, and placed in such
position, that when a train passes them, they come in contact with a plate or
[Price Sd.]

page_text: piece carried on any convenient part of such train, which also carries an alarm,
and I transmit electric currents, so that when there is no danger the alarm is
silent, and when there is danger the alarm sounds. This can be done thus,
for example: The arms, which I call signal arms, receive a current of elec-
tricity from the conducting wire, which I call a signal or line wire, and which
is carried along the line and communicates with a conveniently placed battery,
say, at the stations. The plate on the train, which I call a signal plate, also
receives a current of electricity from a battery on the train. As long as the
currents in the arms and plates proceed from similar poles of their respective
batteries, then on their coming in contact, the alarm will be silent. But if
danger be apprehended, one of the currents is sent from a dissimilar pole, so
that when the arm and plate come in contact, the alarm will sound. I prefer
to support the arms in most cases on posts, and to form them of flexible steel;
and I suitably insulate them and provide the alarm with an electric or electro-
magnetic detent.
To describe such an arrangement more particularly, suppose the signal arms
received, by means of the wire, a current from the zinc pole of a battery situated
at the station, whereof the copper pole communicates with carth, while the
signal plate receives a current from the zinc pole of a battery placed on the
train, whereof the copper pole communicates with earth, an alarm or bell with
electric detent being between the signal plate and its battery, then on an arm
and a plate coming in contact, the currents of the two batteries will be neu-
tralized and the alarm silent; but if the station attendant, by means of a
commutator changes the pole of the battery that transmits the current to the
arms, then when a plate comes in contact with an arm circuit will be formed,
and the alarm sounded. I prefer to use distributors and commutators with
needles or handles, so arranged that stations may signal to each other when
trains leave, and may change the pole as required. I sometimes have a two
element station battery and a train battery with more elements, say, six, so
that if all the signal plates of the down-trains were connected with one pole,
and the stations they pass sent their currents into the signal wire from a like
pole, while the up-trains' signal plates were connected with the opposite pole,
and the stations they pass sent corresponding currents to the signal wire, then,
if two trains. were in danger of coming in collision, the alarm of the one would
sound on its plate coming in contact with the oppositely charged arm; or the
station attendant, if apprehending danger, could form a circuit between the two
station batteries by the line wire; but the train batteries being much stronger
than the station ones, then on a train coming against a signal arm, the current
would extend to the signal wire, forming circuit with the battery. between the

page_text: two stations having a corresponding pole; and if the two. trains came at same
time in contact with the signal apparatus, the circuit would be formed between
the two train batteries, and the alarms would sound. Or, I may use, say, a
six-element station battery, and place on the train instead of a battery a com-
pass with magnetic needle to indicate the train's direction. To warn a train
from the station, the current is transmitted to the line wire, and as soon as the
signal plate touches the first signal arm the current will flow to earth, through
compass alarm and wheels, causing the alarm to sound. If instead of using a
battery at the station (at which I sometimes place a compass). I place a
battery on the train, then, by the deviation of the compass needle, the direction
of the coming trains can be ascertained. To warn two trains in danger of
collision, I sometimes place in the circuit between line or signal wire and dis-
tributor or transmitting instrument, a coil, which, when put in action by the
current, attracts a lever, which on changing its position is thrown into commu-
nication with any point going to earth. If a train leaving No. 1 station is in
danger of collision from a train leaving No. 2 station, the currents being
arranged as before explained, No. 2 train on touching the signal arm will form
circuit with No. 1 station, and the coil will move the lever, which will form
circuit with earth, and the alarm will sound, and No. 1 train on reaching a
signal arm will have its alarm sounded also.
The Drawing shows a distributor (or sending instrument) and commutator,
which may sometimes be used (the Figure not shaded is an inside view). a
wires; 2, relay coils; 3, interrupting springs; 4, stops; 5, connection with
earth; 7, connection with sending handle r; S, commutator; t, t, contacts;
Z, R, poles; L, battery.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Michael Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
March 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MICHAEL
HENRY, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Michael Henry, Her special licence that I, the said Michael

page_text: Henry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, tho
said Michael Henry, my executors, administrators; and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention "IMPROVEMENTS
IN. APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY," communi-
cated to me from abroad by Eugene Vincenzi; of Parma, in Italy, Lieutenant
of Artillery, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Michael.
Henry, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Palent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Michael Henry, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, as communicated to mc, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:
The object of this Invention is to signal on railways by means of electricity,
with a view to the prevention of accidents; and the nature or principle of the
Invention consists in arranging and combining apparatus for that purpose, in
which a conducting wire is used to bring together or effect a meeting between
the currents from the positive poles of two batteries (one of which I herein
call the "local" battery and the other the "travelling" battery) the respective
negative poles of which batteries communicate with earth, by which means an
alarm, furnished with electrical detent, and situated in the circuit of the
negative pole of the travelling battery, is caused to remain silent. But the
apparatus is so arranged, that the action of the local battery may be instan-
taneously interrupted when required, and the aforesaid conducting wire, which
had hitherto opposed the current from the local battery to that from the
travelling battery, becomes a conductor to earth from the positive, pole of the
travelling battery, and the circuit being closed, the alarm included therein is
caused to sound, and this alarm being placed on a locomotive or other con-
venient part of a train, will consequently call the engine driver's attention in
case of danger.
Having thus broadly set forth the general nature of the Invention. I proceed

page_text: Arms, bars, rods, or pieces communicating with a conducting wire are
placed at intervals along the line in such position, that when a train passes
them they come in contact with a spring carried on the locomotive or any
convenient part of such train, which train also carries an alarm, and electric
currents are so transmitted that when there is no danger the alarm is silent,
and when there is danger the alarm sounds; thus the rods or pieces on the
line, which I call signal rods, receive a current of electricity from the con-
ducting wire, which I call a signal wire, and which communicates with a
galvanic battery at the station, which I call the local or station battery. The
spring on the train, which I call a signal or contact spring, also receives
a current of electricity from a battery on the train herein called the
travelling battery. As long as the currents sent into the signal rods and
contact springs proceed from similar poles of their respective batteries, then
when they come in contact the alarm will be silent, but if danger be appre-
hended, one of the currents is sent from à dissimilar pole, so that when the
signal rod" and "contact spring" come in contact the alarm will sound.
The signal rods are supported on posts, and the alarm is provided with an
electric detent. Now, suppose the signal rods receive by means of the signal
wire a current from the zinc pole of the local battery situated at the station
whereof the copper pole communicates with earth, while the contact springs
receive a current from the zinc pole of the travelling battery, whereof the copper
pole communicates with earth (the alarm' or bell being between the signal or
contact springs and the travelling battery), then on a rod and spring coming in
contact, the currents of the two batteries will be neutralized, and the alarm
silent. But if an attendant, by means of a commutator, changes the poles of
one of the transmitted currents, then when a spring comes in contact with a
rod a circuit will be formed, and the alarin sounded.
.
I prefer to use sending instruments and commutators with needles or
handles, so arranged that stations may signal to each other when trains leave,
and may change the pole, as required. Sometimes a two-element local or
station battery and a travelling battery with more elements, say six, are used,
so that if all the signal springs of the down trains were connected with one
pole, and the stations they pass sent their currents into the signal wire from
a like pole while the up trains' signal springs were connected with the opposite
pole, and the stations they pass sent corresponding currents into the signal
wires, then if two trains were in danger of coming in collision, the alarm of
the one would sound on its spring coming in contact with the oppositely

page_text: charged rod; or the station attendant, it apprehending danger, could form a
circuit between the two station batteries by the signal wire, but the train
batteries being much stronger than the station ones, then on a train coming
ngainst a signal rod, the current would extend to the signal wire forming
circuit with the battery between the two stations having a corresponding pole;
and if the two trains came at same time in contact with the signal apparatus,
the circuit would be formed between the two travelling batteries, and the
alarms would sound. Or may use, say, a six-element station or local
battery, and place on the train, instead of a battery, a compass with magnetic
needle to indicate the train's direction; and to warn a train in this case by a
signal from the station, the current is transmitted to the line wire, and as soon
as the signal spring touches the first signal rod the current will flow to earth
through compass alarm and wheels, causing the alarm to sound. Also, if the
battery on the train is used, and a compass placed at the station instead of the
local battery, then by the deviation of the compass needle the direction of the
coming trains can be ascertained. To warn two trains in danger of collision,
the Inventor sometimes places in the circuit between line or signal wire and
sending or transmitting instrument a coil, which when acted on by the current,
attracts a lever, which in changing its position is thrown into communication
with any point going to earth. If a train leaving No. 1 station is in danger
of collision from a train leaving No. 2 station, the currents' being arranged as
before explained, No. 2 train, on touching the signal rod, will form circuit
with No. 1 station, and the coil will move the lever which will form circuit
with earth, and the alarm will sound, and No. 1 train, on reaching a signal
arm, will have its alarm sounded also.
The accompanying Drawings exemplify the manner in which the Invention
may be performed.
Figure 1 shews the arrangements to be adopted on the line; and Figure 2
those to be adopted on the locomotive, for carrying out the Invention. a is
a wire which I call the signal wire, and by means of which each station
is connected to the two nearest stations. This wire is supported on the
ordinary telegraph posts ; b is an iron rod herein called signal rod," of
which there is one at certain intervals along the line, say, at every three-fifths
of a mile. Each rod b is supported on a pair of posts c, and placed in a
horizontal position parallel to and a short distance from the rails, and at the
same height from the ground as the framework of a locomotive. The rod b,
which is connected with the signal wire, is the means wliereby contact is
obtained with trains travelling along the line. On the locomotive of every
train are placed a galvanic battery and an alarm /. The poles of this

page_text: battery d, which is the "travelling" battery, are connected with a commutator e,
by means of which one pole is connected with earth, the conductor passing to
earth through the wheels g of the locomotive. The other pole of the battery
is connected by the wire of a coil in the alarm with three steel springs i
fitted at the side of the locomotive on the framework h. The springs i, herein-
after called "contact springs," are so placed that when the locomotive is
passing the signal rod b, they come in frictional contact with those rods, as
shewn at Figure 3, and thus contact is formed between the locomotive and
the arrangements on the line, by which means, as herein-after explained,
signals may be produced by causing the alarm to sound, the magnetic action
in its coil working the detent when required:
Figure 4 shews the arrangements to be adopted at the station for carrying
out the Invention. At each station is an instrument z, to which are attached
the ends of the signal wire à.
A is a battery placed at the station, and herein called the local or station
battery. The poles of this battery are connected with a commutator B by
means of which one of the currents' passes to earth through C and the other
to a sending appliance key, handle, or pointer D, which directs the current
to one or other of the two signal wires a. In the apparatus z are included the
wires of the local battery A; a metal plate C connected to earth by a wire c;
a metal plate d, in contact with the handle D; and a metal stud E, to which
the wire a is directly connected. The ends of the wires a are connected to
similar apparatuses at the two nearest stations. F is a metal stud in com-
munication with earth through a spring G and with the signal wire a through
a coil H. On the handle D is a curved or segmental piece whereby when the
handle is moved the spring G is moved away from its stop. and communication
between the stud F and the earth will be consequently interrupted. Hare
relay coils for receiving the signals sent from the nearest stations, as also
signals from trains on the line. This coil differs somewhat from the others
to adapt it for this two-fold object, for which purpose only one part of it
projects, namely the outer end of its wire, whereas the inner end of its
wire is soldered to the iron axle of its armature, which axle hence becomes
magnetized when the current passes, and is itself converted into a conduc-
tor. is a two-armed piece, lever, or armature of iron which is attracted by
the coil H when a current passes; it is connected with earth through its sup-
porting framework, as shewn in Figure 5. When a current is sent along
the signal wire a from the battery at the next station, the piece I acts as a
tremulous or vibrating alarm, but if the current is sent from the local battery
A by the handle D the piece I will be kept continuously attracted, because

page_text: while the current is circulating through the coil it keeps up magnetic action
the axle, and when it reaches the inner or soldered end of the wire il
escapes to earth through the piece I and its support. L is a break in the
continuity of the wire, one part of which proceeds from an iron rod which is
fixed in front of the station and is similar to the signal rod b. When a train
stops at the station the locomotive will come in contact with this rod by its
springs i, as shewn in Figure 3, and so remain while awaiting a signal to set
off, which signal will be given by the station master, who for that purpose
has only to bring the handle D to the part L so that the current from the
travelling battery d shall complete the circuit from the springs to the rod
and thence to earth by the conjoined wire.
Now suppose that all the trains starting from the central station, and
travelling towards the ends of the line have the copper pole of their travel-
ling battery in connection with the contact springs i, while at the same time
the current is sent from the copper pole of the local or station battery along
the wire a, but all the trains travelling from the ends of the line towards the
central station have the zinc pole of their batteries in communication with the
contact springs i, and at the same time the local or station batteries send the
Now. matters being so arranged, suppose a
zine current along the wire a.
train is to be sent in a direction towards the end of the line, then before the
train starts a signal should first be sent to the next station which the train is
to pass, and for this purpose the handle D is deflected or moved against the
earth through
stud E, and the current thereby sent to the station passing
the corresponding coil where it sets going the tremulous alarm and thereby
calling the attendant's attention. When this is done the handle D is brought
straight again and connection reproduced between the signal wire a and earth,
which had been interrupted when D was against the stud E. The station
addressed should immediately reply. the attendant there proceeding as just
explained, except that instead of bringing the handle D quite straight he leaves
it somewhat deflective, so that the connection between the wire a and the earth
may remain interrupted. As soon as the reply arrives the attendant at the
station from which the train is to start moves the handle D against the stud F,
and thereby sends the current from the local battery through the coil H to
the wire a, but as the handle is performing its travel to clicct this action it
passes the break L. whereby the alarm on the locomotive will be set going, and
the signal to start given. This done the train is supposed to be in motion.
Now every time it passes one of the signal rods its contact springs i will
alarmi f will remain silent,
come in frictional contact with those rods, but its
because by this contact the currents from the positive poles of the travelling

page_text: and local batteries are in communication with each other, while their
negative poles communicate with earth. But if a train wishes to send
alarm signals to the station at a time when it is not passing a signal rod b. the
attendant by means of the commutator changes the pole which communicates
with the springs i and then by means of a coil of wire wound on a wood axis
brings the wire a for an instant into contact with the springs i and closes
the circuit between the batteries (local and travelling) whereupon the alarm
will sound, and the coil of the station instrument will attract the piece I,
which being in connection with earth it follows that when the current from
the local battery which flows along the coil reaches the axis or core to
which the end is soldered passes off to earth through the piece I and
ceases to flow along the wire a, and the wire being in connection with the
armature of the coil becomes a conductor to earth of the currents from the
batteries of one or more engines travelling along the line. If the train
should however be passing a signal rod b when it has to signal, the pole of the
battery has only to be changed as before explained, and when contact takes
place between the spring and rod b the same result will ensue. The station
can signal to a train travelling along the line by changing the pole of its
battery or placing the signal wire in connection with earth, so that as soon as
the train comes in contact with the signal arrangements on the line its
alarm will sound and the alarm will be repeated by the station coil. If a
workman or other person at any part of the line considers it necessary to
signal to a station or to a train in progress he places the signal wire for an
instant into communication with one of the rails by means of a wire on a rod,
whereupon the circuit will be closed; as soon as a train arrives at one of the
signal rods the current will pass to earth along the signal wire and the alarm
will sound.
Again, suppose when two trains are travelling in one direction on the same
line of rails, the front one should be thrown off the rails or otherwise stopped,
it can advise the train behind it, because both trains have the same pole in
communication with their contact springs, so that if the driver or attendant on
the train in front acts as if signalling to a station, the second train will be
advised by its alarm sounding on its arriving at a signal rod. Again, supposing
a train in danger of collision from another approaching it on the same line
of rails, and of course coming in an opposite direction to the first, the contact
current of the second train not corresponding with that flowing along the
signal wire a, (that is the current in the springs i coming from a different
pole to that whence comes the current travelling along the wire a.) the alarni
bell of this second train will sound at the first signal rod b against which the

page_text: contact springs on its locomotive shall touch. The other train and the
station would also be advised of the danger; also the two nearest stations
may signal to each other in a similar manner to that described for signalling
when starting a train. To render the apparatus more certain of action it is
recommended that previous to the train starting the station master should
(instead of the telegraph clerk) signal to the next station through the wire a,
the arrival of the reply proving that the whole apparatus is in working order.
Lest before the train starts the station master should forget to move the
handle D to the stud F to send the current to the signal wire, this operation is
rendered subsidiary to the signal for starting, for which purpose the interrupted
wire L is used, so that when the handle D is moved it, may effect a junction,
and the locomotive alarm bell sounding serves instead of the signals hitherto
usual to advise the train when it is to start, the alarm sounding at this
time also shows if all be in proper working order.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner
the same may be performed, I declare that I clain, arranging and combining
apparatus substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Henry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal. this Sixth day of March in the year One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
S. E. A. NEWSOME.
.Patent Office.
84. Fleet Street, London.
M. HENRY. (L.S.)