Improvements in Railway Switch and Signal Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 24th Apr., 1897
•
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Switch and Signal Apparatus.
We, THE WESTINGHOUSE BRAKE COMPANY, LIMITED, of York Road,
King's Cross, in the County of London, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention (which has been communicated to us from abroad by
Jens Gabriel Lund Schreuder, of Edgewood, in the County of Allegheny,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Sigual Engineer) and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to switch and signal apparatus of the kind described in
previous Specifications No. 2443 of 1891 and No. 24702 of 1895, and has for its
object a construction and arrangement whereby the use of a large number of
electric circuits and electrically controlled interlocking devices is avoided, and more
compact and accessible arrangement of the soveral parts is obtained, as we shall
describe referring to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a portion of a double line railway
having a cross-over and sidings and a machine for operating the switches and
signals through electric circuits which control the switch and signal operating
mechanisms.
Figure 2 is a plan of the machine ;
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation on the line x x of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of a modified construction of the machine, parts being broken
away.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the modified machine on the line y y of
Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a rear end elevation, partly in section, of the machine shewn in
Figures 4 and 5.
Figures 7 and
and signal rollers.
shew in section details of the handles for operating the switch
Figures 9 and 10 are side and end views, Figure 9 being partly in section, of one
of the switch rollers, shewing a modification of the make and break device in the
switch indication and lock circuits. Figure 1 is a plan of the same; and
Figure 12 is a part section.
Figure 124 shows part of Figure 6 separate.
The frame 1 of the machine is provided with upwardly projecting front and
back plates 2 and 3. Through the front plate project the naves 4 of the switch
and signal levers 5 and 6, these naves having sockets to receive the ends of the
shafts 7, 7 etc., and 8, 8 etc., which are mounted in suitable bearings in the back
plate 3, and in a block 9 carried on a bracket projecting from the back plate 3.
It is preferred to support these shafts also by a standard 10.
On these shafts 7, 7° etc., and 8, 8a etc., are placed rollers or cylinders 36", 36" etc.,
and 45°, 45° etc., respectively formed of rubber or other suitable insulating material.
On the rllers are bands 37, extending partially round them, and arranged so that
in certain positions of the rollers they are in contact with springs 44, which in
turn are electrically connected to metallic strips 40 and 40° on the bed plate 39
below, which is of insulating material. The bands 37, springs 44, and strips 40
oru parts of electric circuits extending to the mechanism operating signals 79, 71,

page_text: •
72, 73, 74, 76, and, 80, and the switch motors F, F1, F2, and F3 as described in the
prior specifications above referred to.
On the rear ends of the shafts 7, 7° etc., are secured quadrants 16, provided with
slots 17, 17ª into which project latches 20, 20ª which are pivotted on the block 9
and have their rear ends connected by rods 21 to the armatures 22, 22ª of the
magnets 23, 23. As described in the previous specifications referred to, the
latches engage projections in the slots 17, 17ª, and control the movements of the
switch levers from normal to reversed and from reversed to normal respectively.
The movements of the latches are controlled by make and break mechanisms A, A', A³,
and A operated by the motors F F¹, etc., or the movable switch rails, and
by make and break mechanisms operated by the shafts 78, 7b, e'c., as described
and claimed in the Specification No. 24702 of 1895. These two sets of make and
break mechanisms are included in the circuits of the magnets 23, 23ª.
In the apparatus described in the specification above referred to, the switch
operating levers were locked mechanically by the signal operating mechanisms, but
the signal operating levers were not interlocked mechanically with each other or
with the switch levers, nor were the latter mechanically interlocked with each
other. Protection as against the setting of wrong signals or switches was obtained
by make and break mechanisms in the circuits controlling the switch and; signal
operating mechanisms. In order to avoid the multiplicity of circuits necessary
in the former systems a complete mechanical interlocking mechanism is now
employed.
Any suitable construction of interlocking mechanism may be used, but it is
preferred to employ a series of bars 249 arranged in suitably grooved frames 250
above and at right angles to the shafts 7, 7, and 8, 8. The number of bars
employed depends upon the number of switch and signal levers in the machine.
Each of the shafts 7ª, 7", etc., has fixed on it a toothed sector 251 adapted to
engage a toothed portion on the underside of the bar 249 so that, by the rotation
of the shafts these bars are moved longitudinally. The frames 250 have transverse
notches guiding the locking blocks 252 which slide over the bars 249. The
blocks 252 are shifted longitudinally by means of bevel-ended locks 253 and
fingers 254, the locks being fixed on the bars and the fingers pivotted on them.
The bars with their locks and pivotted fingers and the locking blocks are so
arranged that, when the switch and signal levers forming a combination have been
moved, the switch and signal levers of any opposing route or combination are
locked and cannot be moved until the first switch and signal levers are returned to
normal position.
In the apparatus shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the mechanical interlocking
mechanism and the rollers 36", etc., and 45", etc., forming a part of the make an
break mechanisms of the switch and signal circuits are arranged on approximately
the same level one behind the other. This arrangement permits of easy access to
either part of the apparatus for inspection and repair. When there is not sufficient
space to permit of this arrangement, the insulating rollers are placed as shewn in
Figures 4, 5, and 6 on vertical shafts 255 and 256 which are mounted at the rear
of the frame 1, and are driven from the shafts 7 and 8 by bevel gearing 257.
This arrangement is more compact than that shewn in Figures 2 and 3, and is
nearly as accessible for inspection and repairs.
The switch operating motors F, F', etc.; have valve locking magnets, 222, and
operating magnets 214 and 214". As the switches mm' of the cross-over are
operated together the several maguets of the motors F and F¹, are in the saine
circuits which are controlled by the switch roller 36º. The circuit for the locking
magnets 222 of the motors F and F', starting from the battery bone of the poles
of which is connected to earth, consists of the strips 40 on the table of the
machine, a band on the rollers, 36, the wire 227, locking magnet 222 of motor F,
the wire 258, locking magnet 222 of motor F to earth. The circuit of operating
magnet 214 starts from the same battery and has the course as above to roller 36º,
where it has a separate band and thence is formed by wire 229, magnet 214 of

page_text: 1-
motor F, wire 259, magnet 214 of motor. F¹ to earth. The battery band the
connection to rolier 36 are also common to the circuit of operating magnets, 23*
the remaining portion of which consists of a separate band on roller 36, the
wire 231, magnet 214* of motor F, wire 260, magnet 214 of motor F¹ to earth.
The motors F and F³ are controlled by circuits from the battery b', one pole of
which is connected to earth, the other pole of is connected to metallic strips 261
extending along the bed of the machine and connected by transverse pieces to short
strips adjacent to the rollers 36° and 36, which have transverse bands adapted in
certain predetermined portions of the rollers to form electrical connection with
other metallic strips suitably arranged on the opposite sides of said rollers. The
circuits of the locking magnet 222, and operating magnets 214 and 214 of
motor F2 outside of the machine are formed by the wires 233, 234, and 235
respectively. The circuits of the magnets 222, 214, and 214" of the switch
motor F are formed by the wires 236, 237, and 238 respectively.
The signal 79 controls movements of trains from the main line M over the
cross-over to the line M', and its operating mechanism is controlled by roller 45*
through a circuit consisting of the wire 262, metallic strip 263 on the bed of the
machine, a band on roller 45", and metallic strips connected to battery 6. The
signals 71 and 72 control train movemente along the main line M¹, and from
'the latter to the branch line N¹. The operating mechanisms of the signals 71
and 72 are controlled by roller 45 operating for signal 71, through circuit
consisting of the wire 264, and for signal 72 through circuit consisting of wire 265.
These circuits are continued by independent strips on the bed of the machine,
bands on switch roller 36°, a common strip, a common band on roller 45 and a
common strip connected to battery . The roller 36 controlling switch motor F³
of switch n¹ operates as a selector for these signals, as the bands which, form, parts
of the circuits of signals 71 and 72 are so arranged on the roller 36%, that, when
the latter is in normal position the circuit for signal 71 is, closed and that for
signal 72 is opened, so far as said circuits are controlled by the roller 36 The
final closing of these circuits is effected by moving the signal roller 45° say to the
right from its normal position. It follows from this construction that, when
roller 36° and the switch n are in normal position, the moving of roller 45° closes
the circuit of signal 71, and when the roller 36° and its switch n' are reversed, only
the circuit for signal 72 can be closed by reversing roller 45'.
The signals 73 and 74 control train movements from line M' and N' over
the cross-over O to line M, and are provided with suitable motors controlled
by the signal roller 45° when moved say to the left through circuits formed by
wires 266 and 267. These circuits are continued in the machine by independent
strips and bauds on the bed and switch roller 36º, and a common strip and a common
band on roller 45°, the common strip being connected to battery 6. As in the case
of the signals 71 and 72, the position of the switch roller 36° determines which
signal shall be operated by the signal roller 45°.
Signals 76 and 80 control train movements along the main line M and branch
line N, and are provided with suitable operating mechanisms controlled by the
signal roller 45 through outside circuits formed by wires 268 and 269 continued
in the machine by independent strips and bands on the bed, and the switch
roller 36, a common strip on the bed, and a common band on signal roller 45, the
common strip being connected to battery b¹. The movement of the roller 45* in
the one direction operates sigual 79, its movement in the other direction operates
bignal 76 or 80.
To the shafts of the signal rollers 45° and 45° are secured slotted quadrants 47,
provided with studs projecting into the slots for engagement with the forward ends
of the latches 49. The rear ends of the latches are connected by rods 51 to the
armatures 52 of electro magnets 53. The circuit of the magnet 53 controlling
signal roller 45 consists (starting from battery 2, having one of its poles
connected to earth), of the wires 270 and 271, magnet 53, wire 272, make and
break mechanisms 273- controlled by signal 79, wire 274, make and break
·

page_text: mechanisms 275 and 276 controlled by signals 76 and 80 respectively, to earth.
The circuit of magnet 53, controlling signal roller 45° consists of wires 270
and 277, magnet 53, wire 278, make and break mechanisms 279 and 280, controlled
by signals 71 and 72 respectively, wire 281, make and break mechanisms 282
and 283 controlled by signals 73 and 74 respectively to earth. In order to save
battery power the make and break mechanisms 284 and 285 are included in the
foregoing circuits. These make and break mechanisms consist, as shewn in
Figures 3 and 5, of two springs so attached to an insulating block 286 on the front
plate of the machine, that, when free to move, they spring into contact completing
the circuits. One of these springs is provided with a stud 287 projecting into a
hole in the front plate for the reception of the spring actuated pin 59 (see
Figure 8) in the handle of the signal lever; the pin 59 enters the hole and bears
against the stud 287 so as to separate the springs of the make and break devices
only when the signal lever is in normal or middle position. As the pin must be
withdrawn before the signal lever can be moved, the locking or indication circuits
of the signals are closed, provided all signals in a circuit are at "danger," thereby
exciting magnet 53 and so moving the lock latch 49 as to permit the signal lever
with its roller to he moved.
As each signal indication circuit includes all signals controlling opposing routes,
when one signal is cleared it breaks the indication circuit, thereby so locking the
signal lever as to prevent the setting of signals for opposing routes.
As, for
example, when signal 79 is cleared for the passage of a train over the cross-over,
its make and break mechanism is opened, thereby preventing the moving of
roller 45 in a reverse direction to clear the opposing signals 76 and 80.
The indication or locking circuits for the switch levers are arranged as described
in the Specification No. 24702 of 1895 above referred to, and the switch lever
locking mechanism controlled by said circuits is constructed and operated as
described in the Specification No. 2443 of 1891.
In addition to the electric safeguards, complete mechanical interlocking is
provided and operates to lock up all opposing switches and signals after the switch
and signal for a desired route have been given. As, for example, if it be desired
to send a train from M to N¹, the switch lever operating the roller 36" is inoved
to the right, thereby completing the circuits through the magnets of motor Fin
due sequence to permit of the operation of the motor and the consequent moving
of the switch m'. The movements of this switch lever, moves the bar 249 to the
right, as shewn in Figures 2 and 4. The lever for operating switch roller 36° is
next moved to the right thereby opening switch n to branch line N¹ and also
moving the locking bar 249 to the right. The signals 79 and 72 are then cleared
by moving the levers of rollers 45" and 45° to the right, thereby closing the circuits
of signals 79 and 72, also moving the locking bars 2494 and 249° to the left.
These several movements lock the lever of switch roller 36' against movement, and
the movements of the locking bars 249 and 249 prevent the movement of the
levers of rollers 45ª and 45b to the left whereby signals 73, 74, and 76 would be
cleared. In addition to protection afforded by the mechanical locking, the
signals 71 and 74 are held at danger, as their circuits were broken when roller 36°
was moved to set switch n¹ to the branch line.
The construction of make and break mechanism shewn in Figures 9, 10, 11,
and 12 may be used in lieu of the form of make and break mechanisms X shewn in
Figures 2 and 3. This form of make and break mechanism consists of a metal
sleeve 288 loosely mounted on the shaft of the switch roller at one end of the latter
and provided with a collar 289 formed of insulating material and having a metallic
band 289ª extending partially around it. The end of the sleeve is provided with
shoulders 290 preferably formed by cutting away a portion of the end of the
sleeve. Between these shoulders projects a lug 291 formed on the collar 292,
which is secured on the shaft of the switch roller. This driver, consisting of the
collar and lug, imparts a preliminary rotation to the sleeve, the movement of which
is completed by a spring 293. This spring is arranged around a pin 294 which is

page_text: pivotted to a radial lug 295 on the sleeve and projects up through a guide opening
in the bridge piece 296 which is secured to the post 297 of the frame. The
spring 293 bears at one end against a shoulder on the pin, and at the opposite end
against a follower 298 fitting loosely on the pin and bearing against the bridge
piece. By reference to Figure 11 it will be seen that, when the sleeve has been
moved so that the point connecting the pin 294 to the lug 295 is beyond the line
from the axis of the sleeve to the point of bearing of the follower 298 upon the
bridge piece 296, the spring moves the sleeve on the shaft independently of
the driver the lug 291 of which has a width less than the distance between
the shoulders 290.
Metal springs 299, 299, and 299, are so arranged on the insulated bed of the
machine, that in all positions of the sleeve the spring 299, which is connected to
earth bears upon the band 289 in normal position of the sleeve the spring 299*
which is connected to the normal indication magnet 23, bears upon the band 289",
and, when the sleeve is in reverse position, the spring 299 bears upon the
band 289, this spring being connected to or in circuit with the reverse indication
magnet 23ª.
In this construction as in that shown and described in the Specification
No. 24702 of 1895, the movement of the switch roller beyond its middle position, at
which time the switch is moved, so moves the sleeve 289 as to close a circuit
through one of the indication magnets, which operating through the locking latches
compels complete movement of the switch roller before it can be returned."
The armatures of the locking magnets such as 23 and 23, instead of acting
through levers such as 20 and 20 on the shafts of the rollers or cylinders 36* &c.,
may act on them directly as we shall describe referring to Figures 13 to 21
inclusive.
Figure 13 is an elevation of the locks (in normal position) for the make and
break mechanism with a diagram of the circuits. Figure 14 is a similar view
shewing the position of the several parts when the operating lever or handle is in
its middle position. Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 13 shewing the parts in
reversed position.
Figures 16, 17 and 18 are detail views of the automatic reversing devices.
Figure 19 is a detail view of one end of the roller having the make and break
mechanism of the switch indication circuits thereon.
Figure 20 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the several positions of the
operating lever or handle and
Figure 21 is a perspective view of the metallic band forming part of the snap
make and break mechanism.
in
On the shaft 36 of each contact roller or cylinder are fixed one behind the other
two quadrants and 1ª provided with curved slots 2, 2ª. On the upper and lower
sides of the slots 2, 2ª are formed stops or shoulders a and b adapted to engage
certain positions of the parts with shoulders c and d on the blocks 5, 5, which are
provided in one side with grooves for the reception of the bars 6 and 6* forming
the outer sides of the slots. The grooves in the blocks 5, 5, are made of sufficient
width to permit of the passage of the stops b. The stops a and b face one way in
the quadrant 1 and the other way in the quadrant 1, so that the quadrant 1 and
the block 5 control the movement of the roller from normal to reversed and the
quadrant 1 and its block 5ª control the movement of the roller from reversed to
normal. And if the roller be shifted a certain distance, as for example, from normal
towards reversed, the stops in the quadrant 1 prevent a return of the roller to
normal position until it has completed its movement to reversed.
The blocks 5 and * are attached to the upper ends of the stems 7 and 7* of the
armatures of the electro magnets 23 and 23³.
As shewn in Figures 13, 14, and 15, the contact springs 44 which bear on the
metallic bands 37 on the rollers are connected at one end to a common battery A ;
one spring has its opposite end connected by a wire 8 to a locking magnet 9 of the
switch operating mechanism. Another of the springs 44 is connected by a wire 10

page_text: to the magnet 11 controlling one of the valves in the switch operating meehanis n.
"The magnet 13 controlling the other valve of the said mechanism is connected by
wire 12 with the third spring 44.
The circuit from the contact is formed by wire 26, magnet 23ª, wire 27,
spring 28, locking pin 29 of the switch mechanism, spring 28", wires 30 and 8
to spring 44. The circuit from contact y is formed by wire 31, magnet 23, wire 32,
spring 33, locking pin 29, spring 33, wires 30 and 8 to spring 44.
The
springs 28, 28, 33 and 33" are electrically connected by the pin 29 operated by
the switch rails in their open and closed positions. The springs 28ª and 33ª are
electrically connected and have a common: return by wire 8 to the battery.
The make and break mechanism x and y are formed as shewn in Figures 13, 14, 15
and 19 by springs 299, 299" and 299" and a metal band 289 which is provided
with an extension 289º. The metal band 289ª is secured on but insulated
from a sleeve 288 loosely mounted on the roller shaft 36. The end of the
sleeve is provided with shoullers 290 between which projects a lug 291 formed
-on a collar 292 secured on the shaft 36. As the shaft 36 is rotated, the
ug 291 strikes one or the other of the shoulders 290 and imparts a preliminary
movement to the sleeve 288. The movement of the sleeve is completed
by a spring 293 encircling a pin 294 which is jointed to a lug 295 on the sleeve.
The springs 299 are connected to earth and bear upon the body portion of the
band 289. The springs 299* and 299 which are connected respectively to the
circuits of the normal and reversed indication magnets 23 and 23, are arranged in
the path of movement of the band extension 289 which extends only partially
around the sleeve so that in one p sition of the sleeve 288, one spring is in contact
with the extension 289b and when the sleeve is shifted, the other spring is in contact
with the extension.
Assuming the switch and its operating mechanism to be in normal position, as
indicated in Figure 13, the circuit, through 11, is closed, and the switch rails are
in their normal position, that is for clear main line. The first movement of the
Jever closes the circuit through the locking magnet 9, as shewn in Figure 14,
thereby unlocking the valves of the switch operating mechanism, and, just after the
lever 15 has passed the central position, the circuit through the magnet 13 is closed,
whereby the valves are so shifted that the switch operating mechanism moves the
switch rail for open siding. Until the switch has been shifted as described, the
circuit through magnet 23 is broken at the springs 33 and 33, so that the shoulder d
on the block 5 lies in the path of the movement of the projection of the.
quadrant 1, thereby checking the movement of the lever 15. As soon, however,
as the switch is shifted, the circuit of magnet 23 is closed by the pin 29 coming,
into contact with the springs 33, 33, whereupon the block 5 is raised permitting
the passage of the projection b of the quadrant and the completion of the movement
of the lever 15. The movement of the lever 15 to the position shown in Figure 14
where the switch is shifted, shifts the projection b of the quadrant 1ª beyond the
block 5 so that the lever cannot be returned to normal position until the circuit of
magnet 23 is closed, this circuit being open at and at the springs 28, 28", the
latter break being effected by the shifting of the track switch.
As soon as the quadrant 1 is unlocked by the lifting of block 5, the movement of
the lever 15 towards reversed position is continued, and the sleeve 288 is shifted by
the lug 291 sufficiently far to permit the spring 293 to snap the sleeve over to
reversed position, thereby breaking the normal indication circuit at y and completing
the reversed indication circuit at a. As the lever reaches the limit of its movement
towards reversed, the circuit through the locking magnet 9 of the switch shifting
mechanism is broken at the roller as shewn in Figure 15.
In returning the lever 15 to normal position, the circuit through the locking
magnet 9 is completed and that through the valve magnet 13 is broken. As the
lever passes beyond its middle position, the circuit through the valve magnet 11 is
completed, thereby effecting the shifting of the track switch and thus through the
pin 29, closing the circuit through the reversed indication magnet 23ª. As soon as

page_text: the quadrant 1 is unlocked by the upward movement of block 5*, the lever is.
moved to normal position, thereby shifting the snap make and break mechanism,
and breaking the circuit of the lock magnet 9. The movement of the snap.
mechanism breaks the reverse indication circuit at and completes to normal.
indication circuit at y.
If from any cause the circuits of the normal indication magnet 23 should not be
broken on the completion of the movement of the lever 15 to reversed, the lever
could be returned to normal but could not be again shifted to reversed as the block d
would be held up so that its shoulder c would lie in the path of the projection a on-
quadrant 1. This locking will occur in case either of the magnets should be..
excited by leakage from other circuits or otherwise.
C
Although we have described the application of slotted quadrant to the switch.
contact rollers, it is to be understood that similar quadrants are applicable also to.
the signal contact rollers, only one such quadrant, suitably modified in form, being-
required for each of these rollers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inveu--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
-
1. In a switch and signal apparatus, the combination of a series of electrically-
controlled motors for operating a series of switches and signals, or other appliances.
connected with a railway line, a series of make and break mechanisms controlling
the circuits leading to the motors, and mechanical interlocking mechanisms arranged
to interlock the switch and signal make and break mechanisms of any given route,
and the corresponding mechanisms of any opposing route, substantially as set.
forth.
2. In a switch and signal apparatus, the combination of a series of shafts having
rollers formed of insulating material secured thereon, and provided with metallic
bards, a bed of insulating material arranged under or at the side of the rollers and.
provided with metallic strips, a mechanical interlocking mechanism controlling the
operation of the rollers, connected directly or by suitable gear to the rollers in
such a manner as to permit access to the interlocking mechanism without disturbing
the rollers and bed, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of the shatt, the sleeve loose thereon a driver on the shaft
adapted to impart an initial rotary movement to the sleeve, a spring arranged to.
complete the movement of the sleeve, and the contact springs, substantially as.
described with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12.
4. The combination of two or more signals, electrically controlled mechanisms.
for operating them, make and break mechanisms in the circuits of the operating
mechanisms, electrically controlled locks for the make and break mechanisins, a
series of make and break mechanisms in the lock circuits controlled by the signals,...
and a make and break mechanism also in the lock circuit and controlled by the
make and break mechanisms in the signal operating circuit, whereby the lock
circuit is held open while the signal operating mechanisms are in their normal.
position, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination of the electrically controlled switches the make and break.
mechanisms in the circuits controlling the switches and signals, slotted quadrants..
moveable with the make and break mechanisms and provided with projections in
their slots; blocks moveable by magnets into and out of line with these projections,..
and make and break mechanisms in the circuits of the magnets controlled by the-
track switch or signal, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 26th day of January 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.