Electrical Apparatus for Indicating the Names of Stations in Railway and Tramway Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1899-Accepted, 26th Aug., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Electrical Apparatus for Indicating the Names of Stations in Railway
and Tramway Vehicles.
in
We, SIEMENS BROTHERS & CO., LIMITED, of 12, Queen Anne's Gate, West-
minster, in the County of London, Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention (as communicated to us from abroad by Siemens &
Halske Aktien Gesellschaft, of No. 94, Markgrafen Strasse, Berlin, S.W.,
the Empire of Germany, Electrical Engineers,) and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to apparatus for indicating in railway and tramway
vehicles the name of the station at which the train or tram-car is about to
arrive such indication being, in the case of tram lines, given a sufficient time in
advance to allow the passengers to give the conductor the order for stopping
With such an apparatus the following conditions have to be fulfilled.
1. The apparatus must give the required indications entirely automatically,
and without requiring any attention on the part of the officials.
2. The, apparatus must be applicable without requiring any alteration of the
permanent way.
3. The apparatus must be so arranged that by means of certain easily inter-
changeable parts it can be readily applied to any desired tram line or railway.
The apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is designed to
fulfil these conditions and is distinguished from known apparatus of the kind
mainly in that, in consequence of the special arrangement of the contact
apparatus and of interrupting devices employed, it is possible to use effec-
tively the current supply of the electromotors for working the apparatus as by
the construction employed, no accidental short interruption of the contact of
the current collector with the line conductor or the like can exercise any influence
on the apparatus.
The apparatus can however also be worked by a special battery current.
We will describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which Fig. 1 shews a diagrammatic view of the entire apparatus; Fig. 2 a
section through the contact apparatus; Fig. 3 a sectional diagram plan view of
two of the circuit breaking dises with the circuit connections; Fig. 4 shews a
modified arrangement of the circuit connections.
R is a wheel of definite diameter, running on the rails, and actuating differen-
tial gear by means of a worm S.
The differential gear consists of two worm wheels S3 S4 having a different
number of teeth, mounted on the spindle a and which, as in all other differential
gear have a relative motion to each other. The wheel S³ is fixed on the axis a
n which are also fixed in an insulated manner the contact wheel c and contact
rm H these being fixed together in conducting contact while a second contact
rm H' is fixed in conducting connection with axis a. Both contact arms H H,
[Pain I

page_text: are carried round by frictional contact with a, the motion of arm H¹ being
however limited between the stops gg¹ fixed on contact blocks uu, so that H
is stopped by the one or other stop during the running. On the worm wheel S
are mounted in a readily interchangeable and insulated manner, two contact
discs K2 K3 that are also insulated from each other, and which are provided
with contact pins ss2 &c. Of these the 1st, 3rd, 5th &c. are in conducting
connection with the disc K2 and the 2nd, 4th, 6th, &c, are in connection with
dise and pass in an insulated manner through K.
On K2 slides a spring f and on K³ a spring f³. On the rotation of the
measuring wheel R the worm wheels S3 S* will both revolve in the same direction,
with a slight differential motion, and consequently the contact arm H, which
revolves with S3, in advancing slowly relatively to the pins s¹ s²
which revolve with S will come successively in contact with these pins travel-
ling either from the starting stud A towards stud B or conversely, according to the
direction of travel. As the pins ss2 &c. are fixed in the contact discs K2 K³
at distances apart corresponding to the distances between the stations, it will
be seen that during the running of the vehicle the contact arm H will effect the
closing of the circuit of the indicator apparatus in advance of each station through
the switch lever H¹ and contact block u or u¹ (according to the direction of
motion).
The indication in advance of the name of the station is necessary in the case
of tramlines, in order to enable passengers wishing to alight to give notice in
good time to the conductor, and this arrangement can be varied at will by
varying the diameters of the pins s. By employing differential gear, a contact
disc of comparatively small diameter is rendered available for a comparatively
long journey. The apparatus also has a contact tooth C which serves as circuit
interrupter in connection with the contact wheel c, the circuit only being closed
while the points of the teeth of c come successively in contact with the point
of tooth C.
In the car itself is situated the indicator apparatus, this being contained in
a box having one or more windows. Behind these a band B travels on which
are marked the stations and if desired, also advertisements. If there are two
windows, the names &c. are marked on both sides of the band. Figs. 5 and 6
shew a front and side view of the indicator apparatus. The indicator band B
is wound upon two rollers RR2 which are coupled with toothed wheels 13
Figs. 1 and 5 in such manner that they can be readily removed. The toothed
wheels are geared together and are fixed on the axes a¹ a². On a² are also
fixed ratchet wheels S S Fig. 1 whose teeth are in opposite directions and with
which are engaged pawls K K¹ pivoted to the armatures A' A² of electro-
magnets E E2 so that on these being excited the armatures effect the rotation
of the wheels and consequently of the rollers R¹R so as to cause the name
of a different station to appear.
The pawls K K shewn in Fig. 1 are only required for preventing accidental
rotation of the rollers by the. concussions of the car.
When the apparatus is at work only the one or the other of the electro-
magnets E E is in action; if for example is in action, then before the pawl K
begins to act upon ratchet wheel S2, pawl K³ must be moved out of gear with S¹;
this is effected by means of the tappet m² Fig. 1, carried by the armature A².
In order to prevent the momentum imparted to the rollers by the strong action
of the magnets from carrying them round too far, a braking device is provided
on the armatures which may be arranged as hereinafter described with reference
to Figs. 7 and 8.
On the axis a, are furthermore provided two circuit breaking discs U U²
(Figs. 1 and 3) insulated from each other and from the axis, though fixed thereto.
These discs automatically break the circuit and thus prevent the farther rota- 5
tion of the drums R R2 after they have been turned the required distance for
displaying the name of the next station. This rotation of the drums can be

page_text: 5
by a single or by several movements of the armature. The peripheries
of the circuit breakers are divided into equal parts; on the drawing there are
eight of these, 4 of which are of insulating material while the other 4 are of
conducting material.
The relative positions of the two circuit breakers upon the axis a¹ is such that
a metal segment of the one lies next to an insulating segment of the other. To
the circuits of the electromagnets E E² are respectively connected double
springs FF of which the one arm rests upon a metal segment of the one
circuit breaker while the other arm rests upon an insulating segment of the
0 other one.
The distance apart of the contact surfaces of the two double springs U1
and U2 is such that one of the said segments can just be contained between
them, as shewn at Fig. 1.
On the hubs of U₁ U2 bear respectively contact springs f, f¹, for supplying the
current.
The action of the entire apparatus is as follows.
When the contact arm H touches a contact pin in connection with the disc K²
the circuit is closed, and the current passes from the + pole of the generator
through the resistance V, current interrupting tooth C, toothed wheel c contact
arm H, pin & disc K2, springs f2 f, circuit breaker U, (Figs. 1 & 3) double
spring electromagnet E2 contact u³, contact arm H and thence through the
frame of the apparatus and wheel R to the pole of the generator.
The result of this will be that electromagnet E attracts its armature A²
whereby the circuit breakers U1, U2 are turned through the medium of wheels *!
and 2.
The interrupting tooth C now slides off from contact wheel c whereby the
circuit is broken and the armature is removed from the electromagnet by its
spring, until by a fresh contact of C with e the armature is again attracted.
This action is repeated until the arms of the double springs have changed
their contacts with the circuit breakers. If now on the further rotation, lever H
bears against the next pin s6 or 8 that is in conducting connection with disc K³
the current will pass from the + pole of the generator through resistance V
current interrupter C toothed wheel e contact arm H pin s6 disc K³, spring f³, ƒ',
circuit breaker U³, double spring F2 electromagnet contact u¹ contact arm H',
frame of apparatus and pole of generator, resulting in the same action as
before.
-
The disc U₁ therefore serves as circuit breaker when the lever H makes
contact with a pin of disc K² and U2 serves as such when H makes contact with
pin of K³.
It will be seen from the above description that the alternate action of the two
nsulated dises K2 and K³ will take place as follows: Assuming that a current
mpulse passes through contact arm first to a pin on disc K2, it passes thence
hrough springs ff, to the front disc U¹, whose conducting segments are in
ontact with the springs FF2, and from these the impulse passes into the
pparatus as described. After four impulses have been passed in this way into
he apparatus, this has been actuated so as to indicate the next station, and the
iscs UU have been turned so that the springs FF rest with their one limb
pon the insulating segments of the said disc, while their other limb, which
reviously rested upon the insulating segments of disc U2, now rest upon the
nducting segments hereof.
As the discs U and U2 are insulated from each other it will be seen that,
the above described connection between K2, f, f and disc U₁ and the
rings FF2 is now interrupted, so that no further current impulse can be
aveyed to the apparatus through these, another path requires to be provided
the impulses for actuating the apparatus so as to indicate the next following
tion, and for this purpose serves the second insulated disc K³ with a pin of
ich the contact arm H comes in contact shortly before arriving at the next

page_text: station, whereupon the current impulses will pass from K through ff to the.
disc U and thence to the springs F F and into the apparatus as described.
In this manner the discs K and K serve alternately for actuating the indicator,
apparatus.
When the direction of travel is reversed the contact arm H' is by the frictional
contact with a moved over to the contact u, whereupon the electromagnet El
and double spring F are put in circuit instead of E2 and F2, and the indicator
band is consequently made to travel in the contrary direction.
By means of the above described arrangement of the circuit breaker discs and
contact devices it is possible to effectually employ the supply current for the
electro-motors for working the apparatus, as with such an arrangement any
accidental short interruption of the contact of the current collector of the car.
could not have any influence upon the working of the apparatus.
In the device for preventing excess of motion of the indicator rollers shewn
in side view and plan at Fig. 7, there is combined with the armature A2 that
carries the spring pawl K actuating the ratchet wheel S2, a second spring pawl H5
so arranged with reference to ratchet wheel St that it does not come into complete
engagement with the latter until A2 and I have completed their motion and.
effected the required rotation of $2, this being the position shewn.
An increased security against the excess of motion of the indicator rollers
will be afforded by the use of the device shewn in side view and plan at Fig. 8
in place of that above described.
The armature A2 here carries a small bracket M which carries the before
described pawl K¹ of the armature which bracket has a slot in which can slide
a pins on a double ended lever H3 carried on a fixed pivot b, and having at its
other end a spring beak N pivoted at d.
The pawl K which checks the rotation of the ratchet wheel and rollers is
pivoted to a fixed pin at e independently of the other parts, being kept in gear
with the ratchet wheel S by a spring. The position of the said parts shewn is
that when the armature A2 is attracted; when the latter returns to its position of
rest the bracket M will cause pin s to move lever H³ and the beak N of this in
moving downwards will slide with its inclined lower face past the projecting
shoulder of pawl K6 without moving the latter. On the armature being again
attracted, the beak N, being now below the pawl K, will raise this on lever H³
being turned by the armature, and will thus free the ratchet wheel S¹ so that S
can be turned by K.
The levers are so proportioned that when the ratchet wheel has been turned
to a slight extent K will have been put out of gear and will engage with the
next tooth before the armature has completed its forward motion, so that the
excessive rotation of the roller owing to its momentum is prevented thereby.
The running wheel R for actuating the indicator apparatus can of course be
replaced by one of the running wheels of the car, provided the gear be suitably
proportioned to the diameter of such wheel.
Fig. 4 shews another arrangement of the contact apparatus in connection
with the indicator. V is a resistance interposed on the supply lead, E1 E2 the
electromagnets, K the contact device, U the circuit breaking discs with the
contact springs F F ff', and HH' are the contact arms, c and C the contact
wheel and contact tooth. In this arrangement in place of the two contact
blocks u previously described there are provided four such, u¹u³ ³ ut, the
arm H being arrranged to make contact simultaneously with two of them.
To u and are connected the leads of the electromagnets E' E2 while to u²
and are connected the springs F1 and F2.
-The contact tooth C is in connection with the one pole of the source of current.
The current therefore passes from C through contact wheel e arm H¹, through f
or to spring for f¹ then through circuit breaker U, to double spring F¹ to u
thence through H and u to E and thence through V back to the source of
current.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. Automatic apparatus for indicating stations on railway or tramway vehicles,
wherein a disc or discs carrying a series of contact pins such as st and a contact
arm such as H receive a slow differential motion from a wheel running on the
track so that the arm comes successively in contact with the said pins, whose
distance apart is proportionate to the distance apart of the stations, an electric
current being conveyed to the arm H through a make and break contact so that
at each contact of the arm with a pin a current is passed into the pin disc
whence it is conveyed through a revolving circuit breaker such as U¹ U2 and
double contact springs FF to one or other of two electromagnets whose pawls
effect the step by step rotation in one direction or the other of rollers on which
is coiled a band displaying the names of the stations the circuit breakers U¹ U²
being so arranged as to automatically break the circuit and stop the motion of
the band as soon as this has displayed the name of the next station, substan-
tially as described.
2. In indicating apparatus such as referred to in the first claim the combina-
tion with the revolving axis a carrying the contact arm H of a second arm H
carried round thereby by frictional contact between stops, which arm, according
to the direction of travel is caused to make contact with the contact piece u or u¹
of the return lead of electromagnet El or E2 so as to effect the rotation of the
indicator rollers in the direction corresponding to that in which the car is run-
ning, substantially as described.
3. In indicating apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim, the com-
bination with the ratchet wheels S1 S2 by which the rotation of the indicator
rollers is effected of an appliance for stopping such motion when the indicator
band has been moved to the required extent, arranged and operating as herein
described with reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings.
4. Automatic apparatus for indicating stations on railway or tramway vehicles,
combined and operating as herein described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of July 1899.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.