IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CARRYING INTO EFFECT THE BLOCK-SYSTEM ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan of Kensington, Middlesex, for an
invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CARRYING INTO EFFECT THE
BLOCK-SYSTEM ON RAILWAYS A communication from abroad by A. Flamache,
of Brussels, Belgium
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex, "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CARRYING INTO EFFECT THE BLOCK-SYSTEM ON RAILWAYS,"
a communication from abroad by A. Flamache, of Brussels, Belgium..
This invention has for its object the complete and convenient application of the
block-system on railways, under all circumstances, on single and on double lines,
bifurcations and stations, and in such a manner, that atmospheric disturbances
would only produce the signal "danger,"
The apparatus may be divided into three distinct parts, namely:
a) The controlling apparatus
b) The optical signalling apparatus, completely independent of the latter
c) The indicators which have some points in common with the apparatus (a)
and (b).
The controlling apparatus is composed of three parts namely (1) the mechanical
controlling appliance, (2) the electrical controlling appliance and (3) the commu-
tators.
The mechanical controlling appliance consists of a rotating shaft provided with
a crank which is capable of occupying three positions at intervals of 120 degrees,
but can only turn in one direction. On the shaft is mounted a piece carrying two
tappets whose axes form with each other an angle of 120 degrees. On an upper
shaft pivots a specially formed pieco carrying a hooked arm, a contact lever, and
an arin with arinature of soft iron which can come in contact with a powerful
electro-magnet. The latter mechanism constitutes the electric controlling appliance,.
and the whole is so arranged that the crank can only be displaced from a certain
[Price Gd.1

page_text: position when the current passing through the electro-magnet is broken. The
electric commutators have for their object to establish the connections in such a
manner that only one wire can be used for an intermediate station containing the
two apparati for the two different directions of trains.. For establishing and
interrupting the connections two small contact breakers are used, one of which is
placed between the battery and the bobbin, while the other is situated in a shunt
circuit which passes towards the other apparatus.
The commutator is composed of a piece of wood or similar material of any
suitable shape, against which are arranged blades corresponding to the different
points of communication. Copper pieces sunk into the wood of the commutator
serve to establish the connections.
The acoustic signals are completely independent of the circuit of the controlling
apparati; they form an entire system which may serve to carry into effect the
block-system by acoustic signals, if the controlling apparati would get out of
order. On the other hand, the controlling apparati can work without the aid of
the signalling apparatus. The batteries of the acoustic signals are also independent
of the batteries of the controlling apparatus.
The indicators are no integral part of the apparatus, they form a supplement
which allows to give the signalman very clear indications on the signals which he
has to give. They are composed of a miniature semaphore with two arms one of
which works with the apparati and the other with the acoustic signals. The
position of the upper pallet or disc indicates the position which the signal of the
post is to occupy. The lower pallet or disc indicates the position occupied by the
crank of the signal higher up.
The upper indicator comprises a copper bobbin having a movable core the bent
part of which is placed in front of a permanent magnet.
The lower indicator consists of a movable core and a bobbin similar to the
former, but the permanent magnet has a different shape. The lower indicator is
placed between the button of acoustic signal and the acoustic signal, The
apparatus comprises also an auxiliary button analogous to the acoustic signal
button, but which has no connection with the acoustic signal. Its effect, when
depressed, is to allow the crank to turn freely whatever its position may be.

page_text: b) The optical signalling apparatus, completely independent of the latter.
c) The indicators which have some points in common with the appara us (a)
and (b).
The controlling apparatus is composed of three parts namely-(1) the mechanical
controlling appliance. (2) the electrical controlling appliance and (3) the commu-
tators.
The mechanical controlling appliance consists of a rotating shaft provided with
a crank which is capable of occupying three positions at intervals of 120 degrees,
but can only turn in one direction. On the shaft is mounted a piece carrying two
tappets whose axes form with each other an angle of 120 degrees. On an upper
shaft is pivoted a specially formed piece carrying a hooked arm, a contact lever,
and an arm with armature of soft iron which can come in contact with a powerful
electro-magnet. The latter mechanism constitutes the clectric-controlling appliance,
and the whole is so arranged that the crank can only be displaced from a certain
position when the current passing through the electro-magnet is broken.
The electric commutators have for their object to establish the connections in
such a manner that only one wire can be used for an intermediate station con-
taining the two apparati for the two different directions of trains. For establishing
and interrupting the connections, two small contact breakers are used, one of which
is placed between the battery and the bobbin, while the other is situated in a
shunt circuit which passes towards the other apparatus.
The commutator is composed of a piece of wood or similar material of any
suitable shape, against which are arranged blades corresponding to the different
points of communication. Copper pieces sunk into the wood of the commutator
serve to establish the connections.
The acoustic signals are completely independent of the circuit of the controlling
apparati; they form an entire system which may serve to carry into effect the
block-system by acoustic signals, if the controlling apparati would get out of order.
On the other hand the controlling apparati can work without the aid of the
signalling apparatus. The batteries of the acoustic signals are also independent of
the batteries of the controlling apparatus. The indicators are no integral part of
the apparatus, they form a supplement which allows to give the signalman very
clear indications on the signals which he has to give. They are composed of a
miniature semaphore with two arms one of which works with the apparati and the
other with the acoustic signals.
The position of the upper pallet or disc indicates the position which the signal
of the post is to occupy. The lower pallet or disc indicates the position occupied
by the crank of the signal higher up. The upper indicator comprises a copper

page_text: bobbin having a movable core the bent part of which is placed in front of a
permanent magnet. The lower indicator consists of a movable core and a bobbin
similar to the former, but the permanent magnet has a different shape. The lower
indicator is placed between the button of acoustic signal and the acoustic signal.
The apparatus comprises also an auxiliary button analogous to the acoustic signal
button, but which has no connection with the acoustic signal. Its effect, when
depressed, is to allow the crank to turn freely whatever its position may be.
The drawings hereunto annexed will further show how the invention may be
carried into effect.
.
Fig 1. represents the front view of the apparatus for mechanically working the
gear of a railway block station. Fig 2. Represents the side view of the same
apparatus. Figs. 3 and 4 are details. Fig. 5 and 5 bis represent the apparatus for
electrically working the gear of a block station, the crank being placed vertically.
Fig 6 represents the crank occupying the position on the left M" Fig 7 represents
the crank occupying, the position on the right M. Fig 8 represents a railway
block station composed of a signal apparatus and of the crank of an electric
engagement device, the latter being in a vertical position. Fig. 9 represents the
same block station the crank occupying the position on the right M. Fig 10
represents the same block station when the train has arrived at the point of the
downward current. Fig 11 represents the scheme of the two currents. Fig 12
shows the contact indicated by the letters. Fig 13 represents the treadle. Fig 14
represents the electric commutation for an intermediary block station. Fig 14bis
indicates the contact between c and b. Fig 15 shows the break when the current
passes directly to the bobbin. Fig. 10. shows the break. placed on the current.
Fig 17 represents the circuit of the alarm apparatus. Fig 18 Shows the upper
indicator. Fig 19 shows the lower indicator. Fig 20 shows the position of the
lower indicator between the knob and the alarm apparatus. Fig 21 is the inverse
commutator with four blades. Fig 22 shows the disposition of the knob of the
alarm apparatus in service. I claim the apparatus and mode of working signals
on the block system substantially as described and illustrated.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my
hand and seal this third day of October A.D. 1882.
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)