Electrical Block Signalling Apparatas for Single-line Railways.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 5th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by Messrs. SIEMENS & HALSKE, of Berlin, in the
German Empire.]
Electrical Block Signalling Apparatas for Single-line Railways.
We, SIEMENS BROTHERS & Co. LIMITED, of 12 Queen Anne's Gate,
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
This invention relates to an improved construction of electrical block signalling
apparatus for the security of working on single line railways on which trains have
to run alternately in opposite directions.
We will describe the said apparatus with reference to the accompanying diagram
drawing.
At the two end stations of the line are arranged respectively the two block
signalling apparatus A and B and their batteries Sa Sb, these being connected by
insulated line wires La Lb.
Each of the apparatus, which are identical in construction and are enclosed in
cases, contains two electromagnets M, M., a signalling disc Z which is here marked
with a cross, a galvanometer G and three switch apparatus C, C, C, which are
actuated by cams K, K, K, worked by a key inserted through key holes I II III
by the guard of the train.
The switch apparatus consist mainly of contact levers h₁ h₁', h₂ h₂ connected
by rods Z Z, and a single contact lever h. These are pressed downwards by the
cams, against the action of springs.
Facing the electromagnet M, is an armature in which acts as locking device
to the switch device C₁ by catching with its hook X upon the end of lever h₁
when this is brought into the lowest position by the complete rotation of the
cam K. The cams K, and K, are provided with a ratchet and pawl S₁ S₂ so
arranged that when the cam has once been partially turned by the key, the rotation
must be completed before the key can be removed from the key hole.
The electromagnet M, operates upon the signal disc Z by means of a lever h, to
which the armature , is attached, and which is connected by a jointed rod to the
axis of the disc, the latter being partially rotated by a spring or weight so as to
present the line blocked" signal in front of the openings in the casing as soon
as the electromagnet M, releases its armature ig.
In the normal or "rest" position, both block signal instruments will have their
contacts in the position shewn at B, both electromagnets. Me being however
operative and consequently both the discs Z being in the position shewn at A,
that is to say, shewing a white cross, indicating "line clear."
The current from the battery S6 in this case passes at B through h, p nh₁ G
through line wire L to A, through M³, ha', r, h₁, o, u, to earth E, while the
current of the battery Sa passes in A through hp nh₁ (h₁ touches n in that
case) G, through line wire La to B then through M, har h₁ou to earth E.
Both electromagnets M₁ are however inoperative, because the contacts m and t
are open.
We will now describe the action of the apparatus for the case where a train is
to enter the line in the direction from station A to station B. Before the train
can do this, the guard has to insert his key into the key hole I of apparatus A
and to turn it round. At the first semi revolution (the position shewn on the
drawing) the cam K₁ moves the lever h, so as to break the contact with n, and
consequently, the circuit of the electromagnet M, in B being broken, it is rendered
inoperative, and the signal disc Z is free to be moved by its weight or spring so as

page_text: to shew the red cross through the opening, indicating "line blocked," as shown on
the drawing.
By this means firstly a train is prevented from entering the line at B, and
secondly, an indication is given that the apparatus at B must not be operated.
The fact that line blocked" is indicated at Bis shewn at A by the galvanometer
needle. at A assuming a vertical position. The fact that a key cannot be turned-
with one hand much beyond a semi revolution without making a pause for shifting
the fingers for completing the revolution, is utilised here for causing the-signals
to remain necessarily for a short time in the above described condition.
By the subsequent completion of the revolution of the key in the hole I of
apparatus A the lever h₁ is depressed so as to be caught by the armature catch X of
the electromagnet M₁; the windings hereof being now put by hy in contact with m,
the electromagnet is put in connection with apparatus B through Eu vm h₁ G and
line wire La. At the same time, by the removal of lever h, from o, the connection
through hou E is broken and the current of the battery S (ES₂ ph₁n.G)
through being interrupted, the electromagnet M, becomes inoperative, causing
its signal disc to be turned into the line blocked" position. The train can now
travel from A to B; when arrived at station B, the guard has to insert his key
into hole II and to turn it round. By this means the normal position of the
apparatus will be established as follows.
2.
The lever his removed from contact r and makes contact with y, thereby closing
the circuit of battery S6 from E through h₂ M, in B, through La to A,
through G and h₁ me through clectromagnet M, through u to E. M₁ thus
attracts its armature and the switch device C₁ is freed so that the levers h₁₁₁
can be raised by their springs, thereby closing the contacts and o again. Should,
by chance, both, apparatus be operated at the same time, then by the semi rotation
of the keys in the holes I both circuits will be broken at #, and each operator will
find that the signal disc of his own apparatus, which, at the first half turn should
shew a white cross, will shew a red cross. In this case, the one station having by
previous agreement, right of precedence, the guard at that station will bring his
train into the line.
On passing out of the line at the other station, the guard must introduce his
key into hole 11 as usual, but no change will be effected in the signal by this
operation.
The contact device C" of the apparatus of the station from which the train
started will by this means be released, but that one of the apparatus at the
station where the train is waiting to enter still remains held by its electro-
magnet. The waiting train can therefore now enter the line which is protected
by the two red signals, and on passing out at the other station the guard operates
in the usual manner at key hole II whereby the normal position of the two
apparatus will be restored, shewing “line clear at both stations.
If a single line be worked in such a manner that the whole section between,the
two apparatus is not passed over, but that the train returns again from an inter-
mediate point, the apparatus at the entering station is operated as described, but
on the return of the train the key is inserted into the hole III (which is sealed up
for the usual mode of running) so as to operate the switch C, thereby closing
contact by means of lever and thus causing the current of its own battery to
pass through ph, and through electromagnet M, and u to E, whereby the
locking of switch C, which was effected on entering the line, is released, and the
apparatus restored to the normal condition.
Dated this 7th day of February 1891
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants..

page_text: MICOCCAL DICK vizualing Apparatus 10 C
Sys.
We, SIEMENS BROTHERS & Co. LIMITED of 12 Queen Anne's Gate,
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineers, 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:
11
This invention relates to an improved construction of electrical block signalling
apparatus for the security of working on single line railways on which trains have
to run alternately in opposite directions
We will describe the said apparatus with reference to the diagram drawing filed
with our Provisional Specification.
At the two end stations of the line are arranged respectively the two block
signalling apparatus A and B and their batteries Sa S these being connected by
insulated line wires La L b.
Each of the apparatus, which are identical in construction and are enclosed in
cases, contains two electromagnets M' M², a signalling disc Z which is here marked
with a cross, a galvanometer (and three switch apparatus C, C, C₁, which are
actuated by cans K, K, K, worked by a key inserted through key holes I II III
by the guard of the train.
3
The switch apparatus consist mainly of contact levers h₁ h₁ h₂ h₂ connected
by rods ZZ, and a single contact lever h³. These are pressed downwards by the
cams against the action of springs.
Facing the electromagnet M, is an armature i, which acts as locking device to
the switch device C, by catching with its hook X upon the end of lever when
this in brought into the lowest position by the complete rotation of the cain K₁.
The cams K, K, are provided with a ratchet and pawl S₁ S, so arranged that
when the cam has been partially turned by the key the rotation must be completed
before the key can be removed from the key hole.
The electromagnet M, operates upon the signal disc Z by means of a lever h, to
which the armature is is attached, and which is connected by a jointed rod to the
axis of the disc, the latter being partially rotated by a spring or weight so as to
present the line blocked" signal in front of the openings in the casing as soon
as the electromagnet M, releases its armature i₂.
In the normal or rest position both block signal instruments will have their
contacts in the position shewn at B, both electromagnets M, being however
operative and consequently both the discs Z being in the position shewn at A, that
is to say, shewing a white cross, indicating "line clear."
The current from the battery Sb in this case passes at B through h, p nh₁ G,
through line wire Lb to A, through M2, h₂, r, h₁, o, u, to earth E, while the
current of the battery Sa passes in A through h₂ pn h₁ (h touches n in that
case) G, through line wire La to B, then through M, hr h₁ou to earth E.
Both electromagnets M, are however inoperative, because the contacts m and t
are open.
We will now describe the action of the apparatus for the case where a train is
to enter the line in the direction from station A to station B. Before the train-can
do this the guard has to insert his key into the key hole I of the apparatus A and
to turn it round. At the first semi revolution (the position shewn on the drawing)
the cam K, moves the lever so as to break the contact with n, and consequently,
the circuit of the electromagnet M, in B being broken, it is rendered inoperative,
and the signal disc Z is free to be moved by its weight or spring so as to shew
the red cross through the opening, indicating "line blocked" as shewn on the
drawing.

page_text: By this means firstly a train is prevented from entering the line at B, and
secondly an indication is given that the apparatus at B must not be operated.
The fact that "line blocked" is indicated at B is shewn at A by the galvano-
meter needle at A assuming a vertical position. The fact that a key cannot
be turned with one hand much beyond a semi revolution without making a
pause for shifting the fingers for completing the revolution is utilised here for
causing the signals to remain necessarily for a short time in the above described
condition.
By the subsequent completion of the revolution of the key in the hole I of the
apparatus A the lever is depressed so as to be caught by the armature catch X
of the electromagnet M₁; the windings hereof being now put by h₁ in contact
with 177.
the electromagnet is put in connection with apparatus B through Eum h₁ G
and line wire La. At the same time, by the removal of lever from Dy the con-
nection through h₁oE is broken and the current of the battery Sb (ES b h₂
PG) through being interrupted, the electromagnet M, of A. becomes
inoperative, causing its signal disc to be turned into the line blocked" position.
The train can now travel from A to B; when arrived at station B, the guard has
to insert his key into hole I and to turn it round. By this means the normal
position of the apparatus will be established as follows.
1
The lever h at B is removed from contact and makes contact with q, thereby
closing the circuit of battery Sb from E through q₂ M, in B, through La to A;
through Gandh, my through electromagnet M₁, through to E. M₁ of A thus
attracts its armature and the switch device C₁ of A is freed so that the h₁₁₁
can be raised by their springs, thereby closing the contacts and o again. Should,
by chance, both apparatus be operated at the same time, then by the semi rotation
of the keys in the holes I both circuits will be broken at n, and each operator will
find that the signal disc of his own apparatus, which, at the first half turn should
shew a white cross, will shew a red cross. In this case, the one station having by
previous agreement, right of precedence, the guard at that station will bring his
train into the line.
On passing out of the line at the other station, the guard must introduce his
key into hole II as usual, but no change will be effected in the signals by this
operation.
The contact device C₁ of the apparatus of the station from which the train
started will by this means be released, but that one of the apparatus at the station
where the train is waiting to enter still remains held by its electromagnet. The
waiting train can therefore now enter the line which is protected by the two red
signals, and on passing out at the other station the guard operates in the usual
manner at key hole II whereby the normal position of the two apparatus will be
restored, shewing "line clear" at both stations.
If a single line be worked in such a manner that the whole section between the
two apparatus is not passed over, but that the train returns again from an inter-
mediate point, the apparatus at the entering station is operated as described, but
on the return of the train the key is inserted into the hole II (which is sealed up
for the usual mode of running) so as to operate C, thereby closing contact?
by means of lever ₁, and thus causing the current of its own battery to pass
through ph, and through electromagnet M, and u to E, whereby the locking
of switch C, which was effected on entering the line, is released, and the apparatus
restored to the normal condition.
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An electrical block signalling apparatus for single line railways consisting of
two hand signalling apparatus A and B one at each end station, connected
together by two line wires including a battery at each station, each apparatus
having two contact switches C' C, an electromagnet M¹, controlling the contact

page_text: "
switch C, and an electromagnet M² controlling the signal Z, these parts being
so combined and arranged that if, on a train entering the line in the direction
from A to B, the contact switch C¹ of A. be actuated so as break the circuit
of electromagnet M² of B, the signal Z thereof will be brought to "line blocked,"
position, while if on the train passing out of the line at B the contact switch C²
of B be actuated so as to excite M of A and thus bring contact switch C₁
of A back into its original position closing the circuit of electromagnet M² of B,
the corresponding signal Z will thereby be brought back into the "line clear"
position, substantially as described.
2. In combination with electrical block signalling apparatus such as is referred
to in the preceding claim, the use of a third contact switch C³, operated by a key
and cam, and so connected to the circuits that when a train, after passing partly
along the line from the one end station, passes back again to the same station, the
signal Z at the other end station can be brought back to the "line clear" position,
by actuating such contact switch substantially as described.
3. In electrical block signalling apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding
claims, actuating the contact switches by the complete rotation of a key operating
a cam such as K' K2 K3 whereby the complete movement of the switches is
divided into two separate motions having an interval of rest between them substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. Electrical block signalling apparatus for single line railways combined and
operating as herein described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 5th day of November 1891.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.