Improvements in Electric Safety Appliances for Railroads.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1894--Accepted, 23rd Feb., 1855
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Safety Appliances for Railroads.
1 EDWARD LEVI ORCUTT of Somerville in the County of Middlesex, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Electrician, 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:
-
This invention relates to improvements in electric safety appliances for railroads
and is especially designed for the purpose to automatically stop a train of cars if
either of the rails of a section of the track ahead is broken, if a switch or draw-
bridge in said section is misplaced, if a car or similar object is on the rails of said
section or if the mechanism constituting said appliance is not in perfect working
order.
In carrying out this invention, one of the rails of the track is preferably
constructed so as to be in electrical contact throughout its entire length, or in
other words is a continuous rail and forms a conductor for electricity from one end
of the track to the other end, while the other rail is divided up into sections or
blocks of any convenient length. Each of said sections of rails is in electrical
connection with a contact surface or plate located in some convenient position to be
brought into contact with a brush or brushes on the train prior to the entrance of
the train upon the section of the rail to which said plate is connected. Each
block or section of the rail is in electrical connection with the opposite rail by
means of a conductor which includes an electro magnet. This construction of the
track causes it to be composed of a series of incomplete electric circuits cach
circuit being composed of a contact surface or plate, an insulated section of one
of the rails, the opposite continuous rail, connections between the contact plate and
insulated section of the rail and between the insulated section of the rail and the
opposite rail, the latter connection containing an electro-magnet which is energized
by a current of electricity passing through said circuit when completed, which
current may be generated by any convenient source of electricity carried on the
train or located at some convenient place near the track. A second series of
incomplete circuits are employed upon the track, which are composed of a secondl
series of contact surfaces or plates, the continuous rail of the track and connection
between the contact plate and the continuous rail which connection includes the
armature of the electro-magnet in the other incomplete track circuit and is broken
or closed by the movements of said armature caused by said electro magnet or it
may include a mechanical device for breaking or closing said circuit as will be
described hereinafter. This second incomplete track circuit is normally broken by
the armature of the electro-magnet in the first incomplete circuit, and is closed
only when said electro magnet is energized by a current of electricity through said
first circuit.
Upon the train of cars, and preferably upon the locomotive, is carried a source
of electricity, two complete closed circuits, each of said circuits including an
electro magnet, and a looping or switching brush, which brush comes into contact
with its respective series of contact plates on the track, and loops or switches in
the incomplete circuit on the track, which includes such contact plate. A third
complete closed circuit is also carried upon the train, which circuit includes an
electro maguet and both armatures of the electro magnets of the other two circuits

page_text: on the train and this last circuit is either broken or closed by the movements of
either or both of said armatures. That is to say, when the two complete circuits
on the train which includes the electro magnets and the switch brushes, are properly
charged and are complete, the electro magnets will be energized and their
armatures will be drawn towards them and in such position as to close or complete a
the third circuit, and thus the electro magnet in said third circuit will be energized
and its armature drawn towards the magnet. The armature of the electro magnet
in the third circuit on the locomotive is properly connected to a valve or valves
governing the supply of motive fluid to the locomotive, or the movements of the
air brakes, either or both, as desired, so that when the circuits are complete and
properly charged the motive fluid valve will remain open and the air brake valve
in such a position as to withdraw the brake from the train. But should either of
the three circuits on the train be broken from any cause, either from failure of the
supply of electricity or from defects in any of the apparatus, then the third circuit
will be opened or broken and the movement of the armature of its electro magnet
will cause the stopping of the train, either by cutting off the supply of motive
fluid, setting the air brakes, or both cutting off the supply of motive fluid and
setting the air brakes. As the train moves over the rails, the brushes on the train
come into contact with their respective contact plates of the two incomplete circuits
on the track by which the currents of electricity in the circuits which include the
brushes are switched through the incomplete circnits on the track.
Now if these incomplete circuits are without breaks, the two circuits on the
locomotive to which they are connected will remain closed, and the train will be
allowed to proceed over said section of the track. But if through any cause either
or both of the incomplete circuits are broken or open, then the two circuits on the
locomotive to which they are connected will be broken and the train will be
stopped by the shutting off of motive fluid or setting of the brakes, as above
set forth.
On the accompanying drawing, representing the invention in different forms;
Fig. 1 represents the appliance diagrammatically, in its preferred form, and
operating a single valve.
Fig. 2 represents the appliance, also diagrammatically arranged to release two
valver.
Fig. 3 represents a diagram of the train apparatus arranged to operate two
valves.
Fig. 4 represents a switching brush pivoted to the train and operated by a suitable
spring.
Fig. 5 represents a different form of brush.
Fig. 6 represents still another form of switching brush.
Similar letters refer to similar parts on the different parts of the drawing.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the track of the railroad is composed of the
continuous rail a and the opposite sectional rail formed of a series of insulated
sections b, b, b. Each of said sections is in electrical connection with a contact
surface or plate by means of the conductor substantially as shown. These
contact plates are preferably located close to the rail of the section preceding the
one with which they are in electrical connection. The opposite end of each section
to where its contact plate is connected is in electrical connection with the opposite
continuous rail a by means of the conductor c, and in said conductor is located the
electro magnet d. Thus each contact plate b¹, conductor 2 connected section b of
rail, conductor c electro magnet d and continuous rail «, forms an incomplete circuit,
which is termed the "track-circuit." A contact surface or plate e preferably
shorter than the contact plate is arranged near each contact plate 6 and is in
electrical connection with the front stop d³ for the armature of the electro
magnet d, by means of the conductor e'.
The armature d' which is normally held against the back stop by means of
the spring d or equivalent device, is in electrical connection with the conductor c,
or if so desired, direct with the rail a, by means of the conductor c'.
Thus ench

page_text: contact plate e, conductor e¹, armature d¹ conductors and c and continuous rail «<,
forms an incomplete circuit which is termed the "parallel or actuating circuit."
Each train of cars which is to move over the track, and whose movements are to
be governed by this improved safety appliance, is provided with a proper source of
electricity, which may consist of a galvanic battery fff as represented on the
drawings, or with a suitable dynamo, storage battery or other well known means of
supplying electricity. One pole of this source of electricity is in electrical connec-
tion with the continuous rail a by means of the conductor" and the wheels of the
train which travel on said rail, or by a suitable brush substantially as shown.
The opposite pole of the source of electricity is in electrical connection by means of
the conductor f with three circuits for the conveyance of the current of electricity,
all of which circuits are complete or closed circuits and are as follows:-
The first circuit connected with the source of electricity which is termed the
"track-circuit charging circuit" consists of the conductor, the electromagnet i
and circuit breaker included in said conductor, the switching or looping brush
to which said conductor is in electrical connection, the stop ¹ for said brush, and
against which it is normally held in contact by the spring or equivalent device,
the conductor forming an electrical connection between the stop k¹ and conductor f
and said conductor f₁ to the source of electricity. Thus it will be seen that said
first circuit is normally a closed circuit, as the circuit breaker ; is normally held
closed by the spring.
The second circuit connected with the source of electricity which is termed the
the
"parallel or actuating-circuit-charging-cirenit," consists of the conductor m,
electro magnet n and circuit breaker o included in said conductor, the switching or
looping brush with which said conductor is in electrical connection, the stop p'
for said brush and against which it is normally held in contact by the spring p* or
equivalent device, the conductor g forming an electrical connection between the
stop and the conductor f¹ and said conductor to the source of electricity.
Thus it will be seen that said second circuit is normally a closed circuit as the
circuit breaker o is normally held closed by the spring o¹.
The third circuit connected with the source of electricity, which is termed the
"train controlling circuit" consists of the conductor », the front stop n² for
the armature of the electro magnet n, the armature n', the front stop for the
armature of the electro magnet i, the armature and the electro-magnet s
included in said conductor, and the conductor f' with which said conductor r is in
electrical connection to the source of electricity.
The electro magnets is provided with the armature held against the front
stop when the "train controlling circuit" is charged and said electro magnet
energized, but withdrawn from said front stop against the rear stop by the
spring when the "train controlling circuit" is broken. The armature sis
connected by a suitable connection t with a valve u, which valve may govern either
the flow of motive fluid to the locomotive or the setting of the brakes, the latter
being the preferable arrangement, or said connection may govern the operation of
two or more valves as shown in Fig. which will be fully described hereinafter.
The valve u is such that the train is free to proceed when the connected armature s'
is against its front stop, but will cause the stopping of the train should the
armature leave said stop.
The armature of the electro-magnet i is held against the front stop when the
"track circuit charging circuit" is charged and said electro-magnet is energized,
but is withdrawn from said front stop against the rear stop by the spring when
the "track circuit charging circuit" is broken. Also the armature n' of the electro
nagnet n is held against the front stop when the "parallel or actuating circuit
charging circuit" is charged and said electro magnet is energized, but is withdrawn
from said front stop against the rear stop n' by the spring when the "parallel or
actuating circuit charging circuit" is broken.
The brush in the track circuit charging circuit" is arranged upon the train
of cars in such a position as to engage the series of contact plates b¹¹ in the

page_text: k¹
"track circuit" and by so engaging the plate said brush is disconnected from the
stop thereby looping the "track circuit" into the "track circuit charging circuit"
in the place of the conductor l.
The brush pin the "parallel or actuating circuit charging circuit," is arranged
upon the train of cars in such a position as to engage the series of contact plates ee
in the "parallel or actuating circuit" and by so engaging the plate said brush is
disconnected from the stop p', thereby looping the "parallel or actuating circuit
into the "parallel or actuating circuit charging circuit" in the place of the
conductor q.
"
With the supposition that all of the apparatus is in perfect working order and
the section of track upon which the train is to enter is complete and unobstructed,
the operation of the safety appliance is as follows:-
-
The three circuits on the train being closed will allow the train to proceed, which
will cause the brush to come in contact with the plate 61 which is connected with
the section of the track upon which the train is to enter; this will loop the track
circuit of said section into the "track circuit charging circuit" on the train, as
above described, and as this combined circuit will be a closed circuit, the armature i¹
will remain in such position as not to break the "train controlling circuit" but will
energize the electro magnet d so as to attract its armature d' thereby making the
parallel or actuating circuit" unbroken by said armature. The brush p will then
engage the contact plate e which is included in the "parallel or actuating circuit";
this will cause the looping of the "parallel or actuating circuit of said section,
into the "parallel or actuating circuit charging circuit" on the train as above
described, and as this second combined circuit will be a closed circuit the armature n¹
will also remain in such position as not to break the "train controlling circuit"
and the train will be allowed to proceed over said section of the track in safety.
But should there be a break in either the "truck circuit" or the "parallel or
actuating circuit" caused by a broken rail, a misplaced switch, a break in any of
the conductors of said circuits, or the shunting of the "track circuit on account
of a car or similar object obstructing the free passage over said section of track,
thereby preventing the energizing of the electro magnet d, and causing the
breaking of the "parallel or actuating circuit" by the armature d', one or both of
the circuits on the railroad will be broken, and consequently one or both of the
armatures and n' will be moved by their respective spring, so as to open the
"train controlling circuit" and thus stop the train before it enters the section of
track connected with the plates on which the brushes are in contact as said plates
are sufficiently long to stop the train when at full speed, before the brushes leave
them.
"
In the modification shown in Fig. 2 the appliance is shown diagrammatically
when the "track circuit charging circuit," carried on the train, shown in Fig. 1, is
dispensed with and in which case the "track circuit" of each section or block of
the track is closed circuit, being charged by a separate and suitable source of
electricity v arranged in sume convenient position, preferably near its connected
section, which source of electricity may be varied as in that used on the train as
above described, and which has one of its poles in electrical connection with the
continuous rail a by means of the conductor and the other pole in electrical
connection with the section 6 of the opposite rail, by means of the conductor o
By this construction the electro-magnet d included in the "track-circuit 18
energized at all times excepting when the "track circuit" is broken or the rails
included in said circuit are obstructed and when said electro magnet is energized its
armature d' included in the "parallel or actuating circuit" of said section of the
track, will be attracted and held in contact with the front stop thereby
preventing a break in the "parallel or actuating circuit" so as to allow the train to
proceed over said section of track as set forth in the description of Fig. 1. But
should any part of the "track circuit" be broken or the rails in said circuit
obstructed and its circuit thereby shunted as above set forth, then the armature d
will be released by the failure to energize the electro magnet, and the train be

page_text: stopped before it reaches the broken or obstructed section of track by the opening
of the "train controlling circuit" on the train, as above described. In this modified
form of the appliance as shown the operation of the armature s¹ of the electro
magnet & in the "train controlling circuit" when released by the breaking of said
circuit acts to release the valve u or valves u and a one or both which govern the
train, which valve or valves are then moved by mechanical means as for instance a
rod w moved automatically when released by means of a spring w¹ as shown or the
action of said armature may operate upon one or more valves in a manner similar
to that shown in Fig. 1. When the valves u and a moved mechanically as shown
in Fig. 2 are used, it necessitates their being returned by hand or mechanical
means before the train will be allowed to proceed, whereas when said valves are
connected direct to the armature s' in a manner similar to the construction shown
in Fig. 1, said valves will be automatically brought into position to allow the train
to proceed by the repairing of the break in the circuit or the removal of the
obstruction from the rail.
The modification of the train apparatus shown in Fig. 3 consists in including two
electro magnets, & in the "train controlling circuit" each of which is energized
by the current in said circuit and operates a valve connected to the armature of
the respective magnet by the connection or by other and well known mechanical
means.
"
ዜ
In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are shown three of the different constructions of the switching
or looping brushes adapted to be used on the train to form a contact with the
contact plates or the track and thereby to loop in the "track" or "actuating
circuit.' In Fig. 4 the brush is pivoted to some suitable support, and is held
against the stop ¹ by means of the spring ³, which spring yields and allows the
contact between the brush and stop to be broken when the brush comes in contact
with the plates on the track. In Fig. 5 the brush is shown forming in itself a
spring which yields when coming in contact with the plates and breaks the contact
between the brush and stop k In Fig. 6 the brush k is shown as sliding in
suitable bearings against the influence of the spring when coming into contact
with the plates on the track, and thereby breaking the contact of the brush with
the stop. It is obvious that different constructions of the brushes within the
scope of mechanical skill may be used in this appliance without departing from the
invention.
Separate sources of electricity may be used to charge each of the circuits in
this device as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 or one source of electricity may be used to
supply two or more of said circuits, as shown in Fig. 1.
It will be readily understood that the various and modified constructions of the
different parts of the invention shown on the drawings may be interchangeable,
that is to say the connecting mechanism between the armature" and the valves
and shown in Fig. 2 may be exchanged with that shown in Fig. 1, if so desired,
and the same is the case with other parts of the appliance.
The circuit breakers; and o shown in Fig. 1 are employed when it is desired to
test the workings of the mechanism carried on the train by the breaking of either
of the circuits containing them, and it will be obvious to any mechanic that a
similar circuit breaker may be placed in the "track" or "actuating circuit" and be
attached to a switch, target or other device used on a railroad to stop a train so
that the circuit containing it will be broken or stop the train when said device so
indicates.
It will. he obvious to any person skilled in the art to which this invention
appertains that the "train controlling circuit" might be entirely dispensed with
and the valve or valves u, u¹ be connected directly with the armature or armatures
of the electro magnet or magnets including the "parallel or actuating circuit
charging circuit" and operate to produce the result set forth, but it is thought
preferable to use a "train controlling circuit" as shown on the drawings. It will
also be obvious that when two valves are used, two separate and distinct "train
controlling circuits" might also be employed, one for each valve, if so desired.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what [
claim is :-
1. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination with a track
circuit formed in part of the rails of the track and a parallel or actuating circuit s ›
arranged that the charging or breaking of one of said circuits will close or break
the other and a contact plate in each circuit, of a source of electricity, a closed
track-circuit charging circuit, a closed parallel or actuating circuit charging circuit,
and a closed train controlling circuit on the train, switching or looping brushes in
the track-circuit charging-circuit and in the parallel or actuating circuit charging
circuit, to engage respectively the contact plates in the track circuit and parallel or
actuating circuit, to loop the latter circuits into the former when said brushes
engage said plates, and mechanism substantially as described, operated by the
breaking of either of said circuits to stop the train, for the purpose set forth.
2. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, a track mechanism consisting of
a track circuit formed in part of the rails of the track, an electro magnet containerl
in said circuit, a parallel or actuating circuit, the armature of said electro magnet
contained in the latter circuit breaking or closing the circuit by its movements and
contact plate in the parallel or actuating circuit, combined with mechanisin
carried on the train consisting of a suitable source of electricity for the circuits
contained therein, a closed circuit for the contact plate in the track mechanism, a
switching or looping brush and electro magnet in said closed circuit, a closed train
controlling circuit, an electro-magnet and the armature of the electro magnet in
the other closed circuit on the train contained in the train controlling circuit and
mechanism substantially as described, operated by the movements of the armature
of the electro magnet in the train controlling circuit to automatically govern or
control the movements of the train for the purpose set forth.
3. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, a track mechanism consisting of
an open track circuit, an electro-magnet contained in said circuit, an open parallel
or actuating circuit, the armature of the electro magnet contained in the latter
circuit breaking or closing the circuit by its movements, both of said circuits being
formed in part of the rails of the track and a contact plate in each of said circuits,
combined with a train mechanism consisting of a suitable source of electricity for
the circuits contained therein, a closed track circuit charging circuit, a closed
parallel or actuating circuit charging circuit, a switching or looping brush to
engage their respective contact plates in the track mechanism, and an electro
magnet contained in each of said closed circuits, a closed train controlling circuit,
an electro-magnet and the armatures of the electro magnets in both charging circuits
contained in the train controlling circuit, and mechanism substantially as described,
operated by the movements of the armature of the electro magnet in the train
controlling circuit to govern or control the movements of the train, for the purpose
set forth.
4. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination of a track
mechanism consisting of electric circuits, said circuits being composed in part of
the rails of the track aud contact plates, a train mechanism consisting of a plurality
of closed circuits, switching or looping brushes to loop the track circuits into the
train circuits and mechanism operated by the breaking of either or all of the
circuits to automatically stop the train for the purpose set forth.
5. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination of a track
mechanism consisting of a track circuit composed in part of the two parallel lines
of the rails of the track and including an electro magnet, a parallel or actuating
circuit controlled by the action of said electro magnet, and a contact plate in the
parallel circuit, a closed circuit on the train having switching brush to engage said
plate, an electro magnet in said closed circuit and mechanism controlled by said
electro magnet to automatically stop the train when said closed circuit is broken,
for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 6. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination of a track
mechanism having a contact plate substantially as described, two closed circuits
on the train, a switching or looping brush in one train circnit to engage the contact
plate in the track mechanism an electro magnet in the closed circuit, which has the
switching or looping brush, the armature of said electro magnet forming a part of
the other closed circuit on the train, an electro magnet in the second train circuit,
and mechanisin connected to and operated by the armature of the electro magnet
in said second circuit to cause the stopping of the train by the breaking of either
of the circuits on the train for the purpose set forth.
7. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination with the
incomplete track circuit composed in part of the rails having an electro magnet
included therein, a second circuit parallel with the track circuit controlled by the
magnet in the track circuit and contact plates in said circuit, of closed circuits
upon the train controlling the movements of the train, said circuits having looping
brushes included therein to engage the contact plates in the track mechanism, to
loop the track mechanism into the train circuits, the closed circuits on the train
being controlled by the track mechanism substantially as described.
8. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination of closed circuits
carried on the train operating when broken to stop the train and looping brushes
included in the said circuits substantially as described, an incomplete circuit
composed in part of two parallel lines of the rails of the track, and including an
electro magnet, a contact plate in said incomplete circuit, a second contact plate,
connecting mechanism between the electro magnet and the second contact plate,
the looping brushes on the train adapted to engage the contact plates in the track
mechanism whereby the train circuits are controlled by the electro magnet in the
track circuit for the purpose set forth.
9. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination with a closed
circuit carried on the train operating when broken to stop the train, and a looping
brush included in the train circuit, of a track mechanism consisting of a track
circuit composed in part of the two parallel lines of the rails of the track and
including an electro magnet, a parallel or actuating circuit including the armature
of the electro magnet in the track circuit, and a contact plate, the looping brush
engaging the contact plate to loop the track mechanism into the train circuit
whereby the train circuit is controlled by the electro magnet in the track circuit
for the purpose set forth.
10. In an electric safety appliance for railroads the combination with a plurality
of closed circuits carried on the train operating to stop the train by the breaking
of any or all of said circuits and a looping brush included in one of these train
circuits, of a track mechanism consisting of a track circuit composed in part of
the two parallel lines of the rails of the track and including, an electro magnet, a
parallel or actuating circuit including the armature of the electro magnet in the
track circuit and a contact plate, the looping brush engaging the contact plate to
loop the track mechanism into the train circuits whereby the circuits on the train
are controlled by the electro-magnet in the track circuit for the purpose set forth.
11. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, the combination with a track
circuit formed in part of the rails of the track and a parallel or actuating circuit
so arranged that the charging or breaking of one of said circuits will close or
break the other and a contact plate in each circuit, of a source of electricity, a
closed track circuit charging circuit, a closed parallel or actuating circuit charging
circuit, and a plurality of closed train controlling circuits on the train, switching
or looping brushes in the track circuit charging circuit, and in the parallel or
actuating circuit charging circuit to engage respectively the contact plates in the
track circuit and parallel or actuating circuit to loop the latter circuits into the
former when said brushes engage said plates, and mechanism substantially_as
described, operated by the breaking of either of said circuits to stop the train for
the purpose set forth.
12. In an electric safety appliance for railroads, a track circuit composed in part

page_text: of the two parallel rails of the track, a contact plate in said circuit, combined with.
a closed circuit on the train, and a switching or looping brush in the train circuit
to engage the contact plate and loop the track circuit into the train circuit for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 18th day of December 1894.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C..
Agents to the Applicant.