in Semaphore Signalling apparatus
Year: 1888

page_text: We FREDERICK STITZEL and CHARLES WELNEDEL of the city of Louisville,
State of Kentucky, County of Jefferson, United States of America, 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:-
--
Our invention relates to an improvement in Semaphore Signalling apparatus and
more particularly to mechanism of that type which is employed to indicate danger
and safety signals in operating the block system of railway service.
The primary object of our present invention is to furnish a device that will
instantly and reliably operate to exhibit a danger signal when a locomotive enters
a block and as speedily change the signal to one denoting safety when a train
occupying a block is removed from it.
A further object is to so construct a semaphore signalling apparatus that a
weighted and pivoted signal blade will be conjunctively operated by gravity,
electricity, and a vibrating motor, the motive power of the latter named instrumen-
tality being an overweight of fluid produced by the agency of heat applied to one
of two pivoted sealed chambers of equal size, to expel liquid from one chamber
and drive it to the other at a proper time to co-act with the other nained forces, through
the agency of simple and novel mechanical devices to produce the desired result.
A further object is to construct a thermo-motor for assisting the operation of a
semaphore signalling apparatus, that will, by the action of heat applied to one of
two vibrating chambers of equal capacity and void of atmospheric air, expel
volatile fluid in a liquid form from a filled chamber to an upper empty chamber
and hold it overpoised to cause the receiving chamber to descend by gravity until
a proper point is reached, when the co-operative action of electricity will be
utilized to complete the operation, regulating the movement of a weighted visual
signal blade, causing it to be set or held in position to indicate safety or danger
as is required.
A further object is to so construct a theremo-motor having two air tight vacuum
chambers of equal size, pivoted to vibrate on centres one chamber containing

page_text: volatile fluid that the liquid in a lower chamber may be driven through passages
outside these chambers into the upper chamber and be held there overpoised by the
action of applied heat, the influence of which being removed by the vibration of the
chambers on their pivotal centres to assume a position near a horizontal line the heated
chamber being supported sufficiently below the other chamber to receive the major
portion of its liquid contents, that are actuated by gravity when in that position and
thus throw the preponderance of weight into the lower chamber to cause it to descend
into a position over the source of heat when released to do so, providing by such
action for the recharging of the empty chamber with the liquid contents of the
filled chamber.
A further object of our invention is to so construct and support the armaturo
bars of the electro magnets, employed as adjunctive features of our improved
semaphore signalling device, that the weight of these armatures will cause them to
assume positions of contact with the poles of their. respective sets of magnets when
permitted or caused to do so. And also to provide an automatic latch that will be
mechanically operated by one armature to hold the idle armature of the dormant
magnets, in assured contact with these domagnetized magnets and prevent an
improper release of the same, when the electric current is switched from the charged
magnets to those that are inactive.
With the foregoing mentioned objects of our invention in view the same is embodied
in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts that will be
hereinafter specifically described and pointed out in the claims reference being made to
the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the complete device with the front removed to
expose working mechanism the signal being set to indicate safety.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the operative machinery shown as viewed from the
right side of the semaphore.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machinery, taken on a line W, W, see Fig 1.
Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation showing the danger signal exposed.
Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the pair of magnets, and the armature having
a toe thereon for engaging an arm on the motor shaft.
Fig. 6 is a view in end elevation of same.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the device taken on the line X, X of Fig. 4 and
Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section of the motor.
Fig. 9 is a diagramatic view showing the position of the semaphores at the
ends of the block, the location of the batteries, relays, electro inagnets and
connections.
In operations of railroads employing the block system it is of the first importance
that a perfectly reliable means be provided of indicating when a train enters a block
and also the instant it leaves it.
The most important feature of the improvement consists in the construction of a
thermo-motor that will, by applied heat transfer liquid unvaporized from a
lower to an upper chamber and hold it therein while the chamber that received it is
inclined on its trunnions to fall to or near a horizontal position when released, and in
this latter position permit a return of the transferred liquid to the chamber from
which it was driven by heat, thus producing a preponderance of weight in this lower
chamber to cause it to resume an upright position over the heat producer the motor by
this means being rendered quick and reliable.
The case A is preferably made rectangular of any suitable material and proper
dimensions to receive the operative mechanisin of the semaphore. Upon the upper
surface of the case A the vertical bracket A' is secured and adapted to hold in proper
position the shield D, this latter being constructed to afford a box in which the visual
blade B may be concealed or. lowered to expose it in the manner usual to such devices
the front face of the shield being preferably painted white to indicate safety when the
red visual blade is hidden in this shield.
A frame F, F, is secured to the upper interior surface of the casing A to support
the thermo-motor C in operative position. A bracket F' is fixed to the foot of the

page_text: frame to receive and sustain the electro-magnets G. H. two pairs of which are
preferably employed, or as many in each series as are necessary to do the work
assigned to them.
The motor C is composed of two conical chambers ¹² held together by tubular
braces a, a, these latter also furnishing a means of transferring liquid from one
chamber to the other as will be explained.
At a point central to the extremities of the tubes a, a' a transverse brace is fixed
to the bodies of these tubes, and a cross shaft P is secured to the brace h, to rest in
a plane at right angles to it, and the tubes a a¹, this shaft affording vibratory support
for the thermo-motor.
The bottoms of the motor chambers t¹, t³ are somewhat inclined to the longitudinal
axis of these chambers and are slightly convexed, the head of the chamber ², being
made double walled with a space intervening between them, this space o is preferably
filled with wire cloth or other suitable cellular metallic fabric that will permit a limited
quantity of liquid to enter the space and be heated quickly by the extensive surface
for contact afforded by the filling. The inner wall of the chamber t, has two or more
perforations b made through it to permit the introduction of liquid from the chamber
proper into the space o, between the heads and a tube S is preferably made fast to the
inner head to furnish a direct passage for vapour that is generated between the heads
to the top portion of chamber t, this latter provision of the tube S is not an absolutely
necessary appliance, as the vapour might be allowed to escape through an orifice in
the inner head and rise to the top surface of the contained liquid in the chamber by
reason of its comparative lightness.
A lamp L is secured in place below the head of the lower chamber of the motor C
and is of such an approved construction as will furnish a proper volume of heat that
may be graduated, and perfection of carbon combustion be afforded to prevent smoke
from being deposited on the head of the motor chamber.
The visual blade B of the semaphore, is pivoted near its centre, and is weighted at J
to cause it to fall into a horizontal position.by gravity and thus exhibit a signal of danger
from an exposure of its red surface, when permitted to do so.
On the short shaft u upon which the visual blade B is fixed and supported to vibrate
the rock arm w is secured, and to its outer extremity a depending rods is pivoted
this rod extending downwardly to connect to the slide bar M which is intended to
reciprocate in neatly fitting slots in the bracket o and frame F. The lower end of the
rod 's, where it connects to the slide bar M is made to pass through perforated lugs
formed on this bar and has a spiral spring inserted to receive and neutralize any
shock occasioned by the sudden fall of the rod when the signal blade B is moved to
indicate safety and also cushion the thrust of the rod s.when it it elevated to throw
the visual signal blade into a horizontal position to indicate "track occupied or
danger.
23
On the front face of the slide bar M the pendent latch L is pivoted to a short
projecting car to permit its foot L' to receive the free end of the arm K upon its top
surface, and as this arm K is rigidly affixed to the shaft P in a line with the upper
conical surface of the chamber when it is elevated from the heat generator it is
evident from inspection of Fig. 1, that when the signal blade B is concealed to indicate
safety the bar M being then at its lowest point of depression, the toe of the lever K
will rest on the latch L till this position of the bar M is nearly effected and the weight
of the contained liquid in the lower chamber of the motor C, will aid to adjust the.
semaphore blade B in this position, the arm K releasing the latch L just before the.
lowest point of adjustment of the bar M is reached.
The electro magnets G, G, H H' are arranged in pairs that are parallel to each other,
the relative positions of these magnets being such with regard to the slide bar Mand
arm K, that the armature bars can, by proper extensions, be made to engage these
pieces as will presently be shown.
A bracket O, which is secured and depends from a horizontal extension of the
frame piece F affords a means of support to the horizontal armature barf which is
pivoted to this bracket to vibrate vertically.

page_text: The portion of the barf that engages the poles of the magnets G G¹ is of sufficient
weight to cause it to assume such a position of contact with them when it is free to do
so. Immediately below the hinge joint p of the armature bar fa depending limb p¹
is extended, it being preferably made integral with this bar on the face of the
limb plan inclined abutment piece p² is formed which is directly opposite to an
eard that projects from the face of the slide bar M the inclined projecting edge of
the abutment p bearing against the car. The limb p is of such a length that its
lower termination will abut upon the surface of the ear d and tend to hold the slide
bar M in depressed adjustment when the armature bfis in contact with the poles
of the magnets G G¹, and they are electrically charged.
The armature bar f¹ that has contact with the magnets H H is made of similar
dimensions to the barf to ensure its contact with the poles of these magnets by the
action of gravity. It is supported upon the bracket y to vibrate on a pivot bolt and is
provided with a latch toc g that is adapted to engage the top and lower edges of the
arm K.
The latch toe g¹ is weighted and provided to cause it to assume a proper position
to be vibrated by the arm K and thus be moved from its path when this arm is
elevated then fall back into place and become a support for the arm and the motor C,
when it is necessary to support the latter in or near a horizontal position. Between
the magnets H and H the hook plate Y is pivoted at its foot to permit its body to
fall edgewise toward the opposed inner edge of the armature barf. The bar Y is
provided with an inclined upper edge adapted (when the bar Y is out of contact with
the armature f¹) to rest in the plane of the movement of the armature. The bar Y
is adapted to fall away from the armature by gravity and is moved into contact
with the armature by the downward movement of the armature ƒ engaging the
inclined surface of the bar.
It will be noticed that the upper edge of the hook plate Y that has contact with
the armature barf is given such an inclination as to permit the bar fto hold it
against the armature bar f1, when the magnets G G¹ upon which the bar impinges
are in battery circuit and therefore charged to attract and hold their armature.
The edge of the hook plate Y is notched at to permit it to bear upon the
armature bar and it will be seen that this engagement of parts will ensure the
holding of the armature bar f¹³ mechanically in depressed adjustment and in con-
sequence the thermo-motor C will be supported in a horizontal position when the over
weight of liquid forced into the upper chamber causes it to take such a position.
It should be stated that the magnets G H are connected to a battery of adequate
strength to hold their armatures with proper force and thus effect the auxiliary work
they are intended to perform. It is obvious that as the armature bars ff' are
constructed to fall into position by their own weight a battery of comparatively lower
potential force can be employed.
In Fig. 9 we have shown the semaphore. at the end of a block connected together
and to the track by the line wire-4. This line 4 is a closed circuit and controls the
relays 6 which latter are cut out by a train entering and brought in by a train
leaving the local block.
"
12
The relays shift the local currents from G to H causing the mechanism to indicate
danger and back. again to indicate, safety. When a train 2 enters the block the
line current is from K pole of battery to rail through car wheels axles car and.car
wheels to other rail thence to pole of battery. After the train leaves the block the
line current is from polo of battery to rail, then through relays and from thence
through other rail back to pole of battery.
When the motor (is to be charged for use the lower chamber is filled with a
volatile fluid such as ether or chloroform and a vacuum established by any approved
means, the chambers are then hermetically sealed. When heat is applied to the head
of the lower chainber by ignition of the lamp below it the vaporizing of the liquid by
its contact with the extensive heating surface of the wire gauze filling will 'speedily
produce a pressure in the upper portion of the chamber and the expansive force thus
developed will force the liquid through the pipesa.a¹ into the upper chamber t¹.until

page_text: a sufficient quantity has been transferred to cause the motor to move on the trunnion
ends of the shaft P and a nearly horizontal position is attained. When the maximum
vibration of the thermo-motor is reached the arm K is in a position above the toe g¹
on the armature' and is prevented from resuming its normal position by said toe
which latter forms a stop for holding the shaft P against movement until after the
armature has been released. By means of this arrangement the motor C will be
sustained nearly horizontal as just described to permit the liquid to return from the
upper chamber to the lower chamber t so that a release of the toe g¹ will permit the
weight of liquid thus transferred to cause a return of the motor to an upright position.
After heat has been applied to the motor and the latter turned to a horizontal it is
held by the latch toe g¹ until the latter is moved by the armature to which it is
attached.
In operation when the track is clear on a block as previously stated, the safety signal
consists in the concealment of the visual signal blade B in its shield which shows a
vertical white surface. When the blade B is in this position the armature bar f is
held by the magnets G G and the hook plate Y, is made to bear upon the parallel
armature bar this in turn affords support by its pivoted latch toe g¹ to the motor (
the same being in a horizontal position as herein before described.
?
When a locomotive or train is made to enter the empty block it switches the current
into the magnets H, H', and removes it from the magnets G G¹, the armature bar f¹
is now held by the direct force of electricity and continues to sustain in recumbent
position the motor C. The release of the bar fallows the hook Y to fall, the slides to
be raised and the visual signal blade B to fall to a position indicating danger and it
will so remain until the train leaves the block, when the electric current is again
switched and made to pass through the magnets G G1, this action will release the bar f¹
and thus allow the now unsupported weight of the lower chamber of the motor C to
depress it, the return of the motor to an upright position will cause the arm K, to bear
on the pendent latch L and return the signal blade B to its shield the armature barf
having fallen into place is rigidly held by the electric energy of the magnets G G¹ and
thus a lock of the signal blade to indicate safety is produced by the depending end of
this bar having bearing contact with the ear d as shown in Fig. 1.
Many slight changes might be made in the constructive details of this device without
departure from the spirit and scope of our invention, hence we do not wish to limit
ourselves to exact forins shown, but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. The combination of a signalling blade pivoted to go to danger by gravity, a
motor vibrating by a change of liquid from chamber to chamber by heat and its return
by gravity and electrical holding devices substantially as set forth.
2. In a thermo, motor for a semaphore signalling device, the combination with two
pivoted and hermetically sealed chambers, two pipes connecting the chamber at opposite
points and volatile liquid placed in the chambers of a heat generator adapted to create
vapour in one chamber, and drive liquid into the other chamber and vibrato the joined
chambers by the preponderance of woight thus created substantially as set forth.
3. In a thermo-motor for a semaphore signalling device the combination with two
pivoted and hermetically sealed conical chambers provided with a volatile liquid, two
pipes oppositely located and attached by their ends to form communicating passages,
between the chambers, one chamber having two heads with an intervening space, the
inner head being perforated to allow liquid to enter this space, of a heat producer
located in proximity to the lower chamber to create vapour and expel liquid from this
lower chamber into the upper chamber, to vibrate it to or near a horizontal plane
substantially as set forth.
4. In a semaphore signalling device the combination with a visual signalling blade
pivoted and weighted to cause its vibration and outward extension, of electro
magnets, and a thermo-motor that co-acts with the gravitating blade to set it for

page_text: safely or danger signals, the motor operating by the expulsion in volume of liquid
from one chamber to another and its return by gravity to the chamber from which it
was expelled, substantially as set forth.
5. In a semaphore signalling device, the combination with a visual signalling blade
pivoted and weighted to vibrate from a vertical position by gravity, of two sets of
electro-magnets their armature bars, and a motor that derives power from the
vaporizing of a portion of its liquid contents, the expulsion of the major portion of its
liquid from one chamber to another, and its return to the chamber from which it was
expelled by gravity substantially as set forth.
6. In a semaphore signal, the combination with a visual signalling blade adapted
to fall to a horizontal position by gravity of two sets of electro magnets, one set
adapted to release the blade, and allow it to fall, and and the other set effecting an
elevation of the blades substantially as set forth.
7. In a semaphore signal, the combination with a signalling blade adapted to fall
to a horizontal position by gravity, and a motor, of two sots of electro, magnets, one
set adapted to release the blade and allow it to fall, and the other set adapted to
release the motor, which latter returns the blade to its upright position substantially
as set forth.
8. In a semaphore signalling device, two sets of electro magnets, having weighted
armature bars pivoted to rest on the poles of the magnets by force of gravity, and a
pivoted hook plate adapted to have hooked engagement with the armature bar of the
dormant magnets, to retain this bar in place on the poles of these magnets by its
enforced contact of the hook plate with the armature bar of the set of magnets that
are charged with electricity, substantially as set forth.
9. In a semaphore signal the combination with a signal blade adapted to fall by
gravity and a depending sliding rod, for turning said blade to an upright position of
a motor, an electro magnet, an armaturo bar for locking said motor against movement,
and a second electro magnet having an armature bar adapted to hold the signal blade
in an upright position substantially as set forth.
10. In a semaphoro signal for the railway block system of signalling, the
combination with a signal blade adapted to fall to a horizontal position by gravity, of
two sets of electro magnets, their armature bars, and latches and a motor, one set of
magnets adapted to hold the signal blade in a position to indicate safety, and the other
set holding the motor in proper adjustment to effect an elevation of the signal blado
to a position indicating safety when the train leaves the block substantially as set
forth.