Improvements in Telegraphic and Telephonic Apparatus for Establishing Communication between Signal Boxes and Trains on the Line.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in
Telegraphic and Telephonic Apparatus for
Establishing Communication between Signal Boxes and
Trains on the Line.
I, JOHN DAMPIER HICKMAN, of Thames Ditton, in the County of Surrey,
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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in telegraphic and telephonic apparatus for
establishing communication between signal boxes and trains on the line; and its
objects are:-
(a). To provide for the fact that a line signal is standing at "danger" being
notified to the driver and guard of an approaching train travelling on that line
soon enough for it to be stopped outside the said signal: and
(6). To provide for conversation being carried on between the signal man and
the driver or guard of the train during the time that the latter is either standing
still or in motion.
The invention is distinguished by the following features of utility and novelty.
The current is generated on the engine in order that its maximum strength can
be used for actuating a miniature semaphore signal on the engine as well as the
telegraphic and telephonic apparatus which the engine carries.
The combination on the engine and with the throttle valve of the latter of
coloured discs and a semaphore signal for day use, coloured lights for night use, an
alarm bell and electro magnets for operating them.
Provision for the signals on the engine moving to "danger" in the event of the
apparatus or current failing.
The combination with the signal circuit of a shunt adapted to supply sufficient
current to work the miniature semaphore signal on the engine when the signal
circuit has been broken by the driver switching his signal off, and his telephone on
to, the only conductor between the signal box and the engine.
Improved contact device for closing circuit between the conductor rail and the
engine.
Independent current, constant so long as the contact device maintains circuit,
for actuating the "proceed cautiously" signal on the engine.
Automatic device controlled by the "danger" signal on the engine for preventing
the " procced cautiously signal thereon presenting itself when the line signal
stands at "danger."
39
The invention is illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings which are to
be taken as part of this Specification and read therewith.
Fig. 1 is a transverse elevation, partly in section, of a signal box, a semaphore
distance signal, the rails, the contact rail, the cab of an engine standing on the
rails, and the electric instruments and connections.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation including the distance signal, the engine and the home
signal.
Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 2, omitting the engine.
Fig. 4 is a sectional rear elevation of the signal apparatus on the engine.
Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.
Fig. 6 is a sectional plan taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the same signal apparatus.
It is to be understood that a duplicate signal and telephone apparatus may be
fixed in the guard's van. It will be connected with that on the engine in any

page_text: A is the line signal box. B is the distance; and C, the station signal. Both
are provided with coloured glass discs for night use in the usual way.
The arms
66
are shewn by the full lines as standing at "danger," and by the dotted lines, at
proceed cautiously." D, D are the line rails. E is the contact rail. F, F are
telegraph posts. They are used for the purpose of supporting the conductor.
The signal or main circuit. G is the box containing the current generators.
The conductor a is led from its generator to a terminal on the engine signal
apparatus c. d is the opposite terminal from which the same conductor
led to
an insulated contact on the switch board e, and from the respective switch to the
terminal on the engine contact piece H. The latter is made with one arm and is
hung upon a shaft from which it is insulated. is a spring interposed between
the arm and the frame of the engine, so that when the engine is off the contact
rail E, the circuit I described further on is held open. From the contact rail, the
conductor is led away to the signal box A in which it is connected to a switch j on
a switch board J. is the corresponding insulated contact, and from here a is led
to a fixed terminal and contact piece 2. is the signalman's hand lever. This is
of the usual or any suitable construction. Its connections with the line signals and
points are not interfered with by my invention. The full lines shew it standing at
"danger," and the dotted lines, at "proceed cautiously." The lower extremity of
it carries an insulated terminal and contact piece j from which the conductor is led
to its earth plate a¹. The corresponding earth plate is shewn as connected to a
chair. It may however, be fixed direct to the rail. The current flows thence into
the engine. k is a terminal fixed on the latter from which the conductor a is led
to a switch g on the switch board e. From the respective insulated contact piece, it
is led to the pole of the battery.
-
The signal apparatus on the engine. This is illustrated in detail in Figs. 4 to 7.
c is the case of the apparatus. ' is an internal lamp provided for the purpose of
throwing light through the night signals; and c², a chimney to carry away the
products of combustion from it. Any other suitable lighting agent may be
employed. 3 is the glazed front of the case. e is a vertical partition. is the
arm of a miniature semaphore signal post which stands between the glass front c³
and the partition c. This arm is fast upon the axle b. c, c are two sight holes
in this partition, at which the signals behind the partition are made to present
themselves. They are, preferably, aligned with each other and with the axis of
the semaphore arm c. c is a lever having its fulcrum in the axle b¹ about which it
can move freely. One end of it carries a translucent green disc a², and the other,
an opaque green disc a³. The arms of the lever care of the proper length for the
discs a², a³ presenting themselves alternately at their respective sight holes above
mentioned, when the lever is rocked into either of its extreme positions. at is an
electro magnet. It is energised by current from the + conductor a through the
terminal already referred to. a³ is its armature. The latter is connected with
the discs in such a way that the energisation of the magnet presents both discs.
The connection illustrated is as follows. The armature is carried by a pair of
arms a which are pivotted at a. a8 is a link from an arm projecting towards it
from the armature to a point in the lever c between the disc a' and the fulcrum.
Any other connection adapted to produce the same result when the magnet a* is
energised may be adopted. The conductor I is led from the magnet a¹ to one of a
pair of spring contacts 62, 63, which are normally in contact, and from them to the
terminal 4. Its further course is described further on. is a lever having its
fulcrum in the axle to which it is fixed.. One arm of it carries a translucent red
disc at a proper distance from the fulcrum 1 for it to present itself at the sight
hole when the lever is rocked into the respective position. This is conveniently
secured by making the length of the arm which carries the disc 7 the same as that
of an arm of the lever c. 18 is a second electro-magnet. It, too, is energised by
current from the + conductor a through the terminal b. The terminal is d already
referred to. is the armature of the magnet 6s. This armature is connected with
the disc 6' in such a way that the energisation of the magnet & presents the disc at
-

page_text: the sight hole c. The connection illustrated is as follows. The armature is carried
by the end of a pair of arms d' which are pivotted at d². d³ is a link from an arm
projecting towards it from the armature to that end of the lever 6' which is
opposite to the one to which the red disc is fixed. Any other connection adapted
to produce the same result when the magnet 68 is energised may be adopted. d' is
d³ is a
a rod connecting the operative end of the spring contact 2 to the lever d'.
pin fast to the lever and standing in the path of the lever c. d is a stationary
opaque white disc. It is supported in any convenient way, being aligned with the
sight hole but behind the path of the green disc a³. The terms "red"" green "
and "white" are to be understood as indicating "danger" ""proceed cautiously
and "line clear," respectively.
"
It runs.
Shunt circuit I between the engine signal box c and the engine contact piece H.
This has been already traced as far as its terminal on the signal box.
from the said terminal to the contact piece i on the engine. ¹ is the opposite
contact. It is carried by, but is insulated from, the contact piece H. The circuit
is taken from the contact piece back to the generator.
Alarm bell circuit on engine. L is the alarm bell on the engine. It is provided
for the purpose of calling the driver's attention to "danger" signal as soon as the
engine contact H closes the signal circuit. The bell is actuated by a shunt circuit
from the conductor a outside the terminal d. The conductor is led from the
bell to a switch pivotted at 12 and always in contact with a fixed arc (³, from
which it is led through the bell and back to the battery. The arm is connected
by a link to the lever 15 of the throttle valve. The arc 13 is shorter than the
travel of the said lever in order that the arm shall break the bell circuit by
being swung off the arc as steam is cut off.
Telephone circuit. M is the telephone in the signal box. It is worked by a
shunt circuit m. This is taken from the conductor a and is controlled by a
switch m¹. This and the switch j, are connected together and to the signalman's
hand lever by a link and bell crank mechanism m² so arranged that when the line
signal is at "danger," the two switches are on their respective contacts. m³ is a
button which controls a make and break on the telephone circuit. It is provided
for the purpose of enabling the signal man to call the driver's attention by rapidly
breaking and making the circuit, and so agitating the semaphore arm co. m² is the
conductor from the telephone to the earth plate a'. N is the telephone on the
engine; n, its circuit; and ', its switch. The circuit n joins the signal circuit a
at the switch board e. The current for the telephone is supplied by a special
generator in the box G. 2 is a special shunt circuit from the battery box G.
n³ is the controlling switch of this special circuit. The telephone circuit is closed
by moving the switch n' on to the contact n', so that switching the telephone into
circuit breaks the signal circuit a by moving the switch n³ on to the contact n*.
But as the circuit n² is closed by the same motion of the switches, the electro
magnet is maintained in an energised condition by the circuit so long as the hand
lever is at danger. It is to be noted that the three switches on the switch
board e are linked together so that they all move together.
There may be a contact rail in connection with the home signal as well as with
the distance signal.
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 I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a signal circuit between a train stopped by a signal and
the signal box from which the said signal is operated, of and a telephone circuit
controllable from the engine and a circuit adapted to supply actuating current to
the signal on the same engine, thereby maintaining it at its indication adverse to
the progress of the train.
2. The combination with a signal circuit of a circuit adapted to establish

page_text: connection between two telephones, the one on the train and the other in the
signal box.
3. The combination of the two circuits--the signal circuit and the telephone
circuit with a single conductor between the signal box and the engine, as and for
the purpose set forth.
4. In a system for communicating electrically between a train and a signal box,
a special signal circuit, as n², adapted to maintain the signal on the engine in its
indicating position, while full use of the telephone circuit as such may be enjoyed
at the same time.
5. The combination of devices for telegraphic and telephonic communication
between a moving or a stationary train and a signal box as set forth.
6. The electrical devices as hereinbefore set forth for establishing, maintaining
and breaking the signal circuit and the telephonic communication, either one or
the other, between the signal box and the train.
Dated this 20th day of September 1892.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.