Apparatus for Electrically Operating Semaphore Signals.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Electrically Operating Semaphore Signals.
I, WILHELM FIEDLER, of 42 Potsdamer Strasse, Charlottenburg Germany,
Engineer, 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 :--
The optical telegraphs with wings or discs which are used on railways for the
security of the traffic as signals to close the line and the station also to shew the
condition of the line by the so-called fore signals, are usually worked by means of
mechanical wires.
The disadvantages attending the use of these wires are generally known. In
consequence of sudden changes in the temperature they are either contracted or
extended, and thus, not seldom, produce an undecided midway position of the
optical signals upon which they act, this being as is well known a great danger for
the traffic, having often caused serious accidents. Particularly in the winter when
the wires are covered with ice, the working of the signals becomes often
questionable, and therefore the outlay to keep them in the necessary condition is a
considerable one.
Besides, the admissable length of the wires is very limited, in consequence of the
great friction produced by the working of the signals at all corners and leading
points, a circumstance which has caused, at most stations the introduction of
complicated intermediate or signal blocking systems, these being not only expensive
to establish but also to keep in repair, as the locality of the stations is seldom such
that the responsible official can watch the working of the signals in a direct w\y,
and if need be, instantly draw in, himself, a signal that already stands at
"Drive."
In all other cases, one is therefore compelled (if the required length of the wire
should exceed the admissable limit) to take refuge in the signal blocking arrange-
ments so that the official should at least have an indirect control over the signal
which close and open the line.
The purpose of this invention is to dispense altogether with the unreliable wires,
and to reduce the expensive intermediate systems, which considerably increase the
difficulties of the railway service, to the very lowest, thus making inaccuracies in
connection with the optical signals quite impossible.
Now the object of this invention is to provide a working apparatus, which
attached to the existing signals on the line, gives the possibility, through a corre-
sponding coupling with the signal-body, as also through a peculiar arrangement of
the separate parts to work the signals by means of an electric current thus making
it possible to work these siguals directly from any given distance.
"
According to the order of "the signal regulations for railways in Germany
the fundamental position of the signals is the "Stop" position, and for fore
signals "Drive slowly." In the wing signals this position is represented by the
horizontally stretched signal-arm. When several wing signals come into con-
sideration for the direction of the train, the second and third wings have a vertical
position in repose. The fore siguals shew in the fundamental position the full
round disc to the advancing train. The signal sign "Free" (or also drive) is
generally represented by the signal arm being raised upwards to an angle of
45 degrees, by the turned over disc of the fore signals. The electric regulating
apparatus and its connection with a one-winged closing signal is given in the

page_text: following description, and represented in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 7.
First the various parts are explained.
(F) shews the wing of the signal, (A) the support for the wing, which prevents
the latter going further than the " Stop" position, Z the drawing bar which
connects with the wing, (B) the origin of the current, (battery of accumulators)
(G) a contrivance to interrupt the current which is required at the place where the
regulating apparatus is worked, finally (L') and (L') the two wires, leading from
the signal and the regulating apparatus respectively, to the place of working, one
of which could be saved by using the earth as a conductor.
The regulating apparatus consists of the disc (Q) to which is attached the
pin (S) for engaging the drawing bar (Z) which is set with its lower end in such a
position as to be capable of turning (K³) the spindle, upon which the disc (Q) is
secured; (R3) the cog wheel which is also carried by the spindle (K³); (R2) and
(R) are two further cog wheels which communicate with (R) and the pinion
wheel (°) respectively; (D) is a ratchet wheel, and (K) a pawl, which are for the
purpose of locking the wheel (R2) and the pinion wheel; (K2) is a shaft upon
which are fastened (2) and (D) whilst (R) is only loosely placed on, and is capable
of being turned; (g) is an arm secured to the shaft (K2); (n) is a stop piece
formed upon (R³); (¹), (²) and (3) is a three armed lever, which forms together
a rigid set of levers termed the lever system; (X°) its pivot; (FI) a spiral spring
which keeps said three armed lever in position as represented in Figure 1; (P) is
an extension formed upon (½³), (E) an electro-magnet with coils of great resisting
power, (T) its armature, (2) the spring for pulling out same; said armature (T)
is bent to a right angle to form (J) on the end of which is the projection (q) for
the purpose of engaging with the extension (P) when the armature (T) is drawn ;
(M) an electro-magnet, (°) the pinion wheel, resting on the lengthened axle of the
former, which gears with (R'); (K¹) and (K³) are pinching screws, to which the
connections of the regulating apparatus are led, and to which, the wires coming
from outside are joined; (1), (12), (3), (1) and (1³) are connecting wires; (e) a
spring fastened to (½³); (¹) and (2) two contact dogs upon which (c) rests, when
the lever system is loosened, and closes the current for the electromotor when (c) is
lifted from (6') and (62) as long as (P) is caught under (9) this circuit of the
current is interrupted.
The regulating apparatus has a position for the beginning and also one for the
finish. The former (position of repose) belongs to the "Stop" sign of the signal
wing and the latter position to the "Drive" sign. The wing (F) is not evenly
balanced, on the contrary, the turning moment of the long wing-arm surpasses
that of the short, and is limited in its stroke for the stop position by the
support (A). The connection between the wing and the regulating apparatus is
effected through the drawing-bar (Z) which catches, in one direction with the short
lever arm of the signal wing (F), aud in the other direction with a pin (S) that is
attached to the motive disc (Q2) of the regulating apparatus, and is drawn to produce
the "Drive" sign.
To operate the mechanical parts of the signal (F) as is well known must be
moved by a pin projected from the roller over which the wires are taken. At each
change of the signal from "Stop" to "Free" the roller is turned forward to a given
point, and then turned back so as to get the signal again into the " Stop" position,
whereby the up and down movement of the drawing bar (Z) is produced in the
known way.
The motive disc (Q), taking the place of this roller in the electrical
regulating apparatus, produces exactly the same effect upon (Z). This effect how-
ever is produced in such a manner that (Q) always moves in the same direction,
(as indicated in the drawings by arrows,) whether it is to give the "Drive" signal,
or to go back to the "Stop" sign. (Q) has therefore never to make a backward
movement with the electric working.
The "Drive" signal is produced by turning the disc 240 degrees in the direction
of the arrows, so that the pin travels from (S) to (S³). To reproduce the stop
sign (G) must turn 120 degrees also in the direction of the arrows, through this, the

page_text: pin moves on the shortest way from (S³) to (S), so that after using the signal once,
from "Stop" to "Free" and again back, in the first position, the disc (Q) has
exactly coinpleted one full revolution.
In the first position, (S) rests not on the dead point, as can be seen in Figure 2,
but is of the circle line behind it, in the direction of the arrows, on the way to
the finishing position; there first takes place a movement of of a circle up to the
position of (S) then the bar (Z) is acted upon and the distance of the pin from the
turning point of the disc (Q) being measured for the purpose, is drawn sufficiently to
raise the wing at (S) to an angle of 45 degrees, the further turning up to the final
position (S) (Figure 5), is only required to get the regulating apparatus ready for
a repetition of the "Stop" sign. However, before (S2) reaches (S) the pin must pass
the lowest point of (Q) therefore in the first half of the way (Z) is drawn, and the wing
is thus held at or about 45 degrees, and with the conclusion of the stroke in the
second half of the way, is again in its original position.
To bring the wing (F) back into the position of repose, the pin must turn from
the final position (S³) direct to (S) namely 120 degrees in the direction of the
arrows, the way thus travelled corresponds with that on the opposite half circle
from (S) to (2) and produces a backward or upward movement of the drawing
bar (Z) to the same extent as (Z) was drawn in the movement from (S') to (S³), so
that (F) again represents the "Stop" sign, with this arrangement a motive power
is required to produce the signal "Drive" but for the production of the position of
repose the weight of the longer wing-arm is used as the motor for (Q) as on the way
from (S3) to (S) the power acting on (Q) during the production of the "Stop
signal shews itself in the direction of the arrows.
As motive power for the movement first named the electro-motor (M) is used, the
turning of which is sufficiently checked by the cog-wheels, gearing with (Q) to
draw (Z) down. On the axle of (M) is attached the cogged pinion (1") which acts
through the latter upon the cog wheels (R), (R2) and (R³) which gear with each
other in such a manner that when the motive disc (Q) which is wedged on to the same
axle as the wheel (R) begins to turn in the direction indicated by arrows, the
pawl (K) secured to (R2) engages the wheel (D), (as represented in Figure 7), said
cog wheel (R) rests loosely, and is capable of being turned on (K2), the pinion (3)
meshes with (R³). Fastened also on (X³) are, the arm (y) and the ratchet
wheel (D) with which the pawl (K) engages and connects (D) with (R2), so that
when the system of wheels is turned by (M) in the direction of the arrows, the pawl
catches in the teeth of (D) and through (2) and (R) performs a rotating motion,
aud therefore makes the motive disc (2) turn as well.
3:
The stopping apparatus consisting of the levers (h'), (h²), (½³) and the electro-
magnet (E) with accessories, is intended to stop the regulating apparatus as soon as
the position shewn in Figures 5 and 6 is reached and to keep it in this position,
namely the wing (F) in the "Drive" position, till the signal "Stop is again
required. In the position of repose, of the regulating apparatus, the stopping
arrangement is released. This releasing takes place shortly before the pin on the
motive dise (Q) arrives at (S³), and is produced by the stop (n) which is attached
in a convenient position to (R³). Through the medium of (M) the suitably placed
lever arm (4) is raised and (3) with (P), catches under the projection (7), formed
upon the right angle extension (J) of the armature of the electro magnet (E) and
allows the electric current circulating in the coils of (E) to hold (T) closely, at the
same time (c) is lifted from (6') and (62) and thus the current is interrupted.
Besides, through this releasing (R2) is put into such a position that its further
movement is stopped by the arm (g) therefore the whole regulating apparatus is
stopped and (F) remains at "Drive."
When the signal is to go back to "Stop" and the outer current is interrupted
at (G), (for this purpose at the place from where the apparatus is regulated),
(E) becomes currentless and (2) comes into action by being freed from (E), the
result of which is that () with (9) moves back into their original position, thus
setting (P) at liberty. By the action of (j') the system of levers is loosened and

page_text: (g) is set free by (/³). The weight of (F) draws up the bar (Z), consequently,
(Q) follows this moveinent, and (R³) and (9) are able to turn.
As soon as (Q) is so far turned, that the pin has reached the position (S),
(F) also arrives at the position of repose and the action upon (Z) is withdrawn,
through the support (A), and the regulating apparatus coming to a standstill in
the position of repose (Figures 1 and 2).
The beforementioned locking of (R³) comes into action in the following way.
When the signal wing is in the position of repose, (as long as the weight of the
wing (F) acts through the bar (Z) in the described way upon (Q), and (Q) tries
to move in the direction of the arrows,) the pawl (K) avoids the teeth of (D) and
therefore only K³, (2) and (D) are put into motion, whilst (R2), (R') and (M)
remain inactive.
When the stopping apparatus is undone (c) rests against (61) and (62) but a
connection of the current for (M) is not produced by it, as the circuit of the
current is interrupted at G.
"
The working of the apparatus is such that for the setting of the wing on "Free"
the current of the regulating apparatus which has the position as shewn in Figure I,
is closed by putting (G) in the position "Free" at the place from where the
apparatus is regulated. (G) remains in this position as long as the sign "Drive'
shows at the signal mast.
27
The circuit of the current which has been closed by changing the position
of (G) allows the current to take its course from the pole of the origin of said
current (B) over (G) through (L') over (K) to (') and the electro-magnet (M),
thence, (2), (3), (6²), (c), (1,1), (1), (2) and through (L') back to the pole
of (B).
Within the regulating apparatus there takes place, moreover, a branching off, of
the current from (¹) through (P), the electro-magnet (E), (1) to (k²).
This branch current produces the attraction of the armature (T), whilst the
main current causes the rotation of the electro-motor (M).
The regulating apparatus is put into motion in the above described manner, and
turns the motive disc (Q) till the stopping apparatus is brought into action as
already described.
As before stated the releasing causes the interruption of the main course of the
current by (6) and (2) the result of which is that (M) comes to a standstill
This state continues as long as the way for the branch current is closed; said
branch current represents a suitable resisting power, from the coils of the electro-
magnet (E), of about of the main current.
By putting (G) into the original position this branch current is interrupted, and
(E), thus becomes currentless, this produces the releasing of the stopping apparatus,
and causes the return of the wing (F) to the position of "Stop," in the manner
described. All parts come thus again into the position of repose (first position)
and the regulating apparatus is therefore again ready to be used once more.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is,
An apparatus to regulate signals which is worked by means of an electric
motor (M), in conjunction with electro-magnetic works, (E), (T), (4), (h'), (h²)
and (3) which are used for the purpose of changing the signal from its position of
repose, being taken to the electro-motor (M) remains closed till the pin of the
motive disc (Q) has turned from (S), over (S'), (S²) to (S³), so that when the
motive disc (Q) has reached this final position (S3), the stopping system that has
been released by the stop (n), causes an interruption at (c), to the circuit of
the motors current as well as to the motor (M), so that both come to a standstill;
the motive disc (Q) being also kept in a final position as long as the circuit of the
electro-magnets remains closed, but when the latter is interrupted the stopping
system is released, and now, owing to the movement of the signal wing caused by

page_text: its weight, the pin attached to the motive disc (Q) can move from (S³) to (S),
without changing the turning arrangements, thus the original position of the
regulating apparatus is again established. The backward movement of the electro-
motor being prevented by the pawl (K) and the ratchet wheel (D).
Dated the 3rd day of August 1894.
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
67-69, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for Applicant.