An Improved Brake for Railway Vehicles having Loose or other Couplings, with a Means of Adapting the same Plant for the Electric Lighting of Trains and Giving Communication between Drivers and the Passengers. VEHI
Year: 1887

page_text: An Improved Brake for Railway Vehicles having Loose or other
Couplings, with a Means of Adapting the same Plant for the
Electric Lighting of Trains and Giving Communication between
Drivers and the Passengers.
ROBERT COOKE SAYER 3 Summer Hill Villas, Maindee, Newport, Monmouthshire,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for A RAILWAY
VEHICLE BRAKE &c. and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
See Drawing sheet No. 2 where Fig. 1 shows in a sketch plan the general arrange-
ment attached to a Main Line Coach, a being the pump for compressing air, b the
engine for applying the brakes, E the reservoir, the brake blocks (each side of
all the wheels) and dc G and H, the magnets, battery, line wire, and contact brushes
respectively, while J are levers at each side of the ends of the vehicle for making or
braking contact.
The detail arrangements are as follows:-
Sheets Nos. 1 & 2, Figs. 2 & 3, together give a longitudinal section of a part
of the vehicle, also of b and d while sheets Figs. 4 & 5 give transverse sections of
the parts of the vehicle, and of d, and a, b, E respectively and sheet 4 Fig. 6 gives an
elevation of a, in each case the letters on the various sheets refer to the same parts.
The pump a is worked by an excentric K (sheets 3 & 4) attached to one or more
of the vehicle wheel axles it is of usual form except that the connecting rod L works
the plunger M. by a spring N of a strength to give the desired pressure and so that as
the main springs of the vehicle give (by age or loading) causing a to fall the valve
plate M at the end of the stroke meets the projection M³ and compresses N. The
engine (sheets 2 & 3 Figs. 3 & 5) is single acting and receives the compressed
air at the top of the piston Ŏ: any leakage that may find its way to the lower side of
the piston O, closes the atmospheric valve Qand is conducted through the valve P to the
top of the plunger chamber of a, so that when u is reduced to atmospheric pressure it
enters and assists the pump the downward stroke of the piston applies the brakes
through the intervention of the weighted lever I fixed upon the shaft S,
and the centre lever T that works the rods 12 in tension, these then work
the levers U that are fixed centrally upon all the other axles of the vehicle and
work the diagonal rods U2 (in tension) that are attached to the transverse stretcher
bars V which are attached to the brake blocks of opposite wheels (see sheet 2 Fig 1):

page_text: fare suspended from a projecting horn attached to the frame of the vehicle at a level
rather above the centre of the axle, and so that there weight shall tend to draw them
from the wheel as shown a steel collar U³ is fixed upon the axles for the purpose of
stiffening it if required and also to take the friction of its rotation.
The reservoir E is supplied by the pipe a² and E supplies by the pipe 2 and the
supply is regulated through the two way (one atmospheric and one pressure).
valve (see sheets 2 & 3 Figs. 3 & 4) that is provided with a pinion for opening
and closing, and it is worked by means of the ratchet W: W works vertically
between guides X, and is provided at the top and bottom with insulated armatures W
that at the end of its stroke come in contact with the poles of the electro-magnets Y
and Y2 and also the contact points at the ends of the coils of the magnets: a third
electro-magnet Y³ is provided whose office is to attract the weighted lever Z and thus
open the small two way valve Z2 in the pipe Z³ ³ leads to the cylinder a, a, in
which works a piston that carries a weight a, b: a, b, is attached to W by means of
the arm W, Z, to which is also attached a second weight a, c: each weight having
proper guides.
:
At each end of the vehicle contact brushes H are provided (sec sheet 4
Figs. 7, 8, 9 & 10) which shall automatically interlock into those of an adjoining
vehicle and so complete an electric current: they are formed of a bar of iron a
printed on plan, and having a knife edge, the outer end is hinged at a² to raise a little
vertically, and it also hinges horizontally at a³ upon the bar bis bent at 12
to receive a spring the ends of which are bent up and take against a the whole
is suspended from the bearings C (attached to the top of the vehicle) and is adjustable
vertically (to allow for the wear of the main springs) by working the screw d the
head at the bottom of which works in a chamber attached to the slide E, the angles of
which are enlarged, is similarly enlarged and suspended from E by the bolts and
distance thimbles shown, and a works horizontally in the cavity between, being
limited by the legs of C and retained in a central position by the spring as a is
driven to one side by the meeting of the brushes H on a curve it draws one end of the
spring out with it which traverses the loop, the other being held by the other loop f
that are secured under by the bolt head (which ever side it may be): the brush H
itself is composed of a bundle of good conducting wire rods brazed together at their
inner ends that receives the "line wire" G and firmly secured as shown in sections
Figs. 9 & 10, the latter is provided with springs G2 to keep all firmly together but
sufficiently flexible to give when two brushes meet, and on curves, so that they may
take into one another and return to their normal position.
:
:
A precisely similar plan is adopted for goods wagons except that the brushes are
arranged for sliding out and project from under the wagon when ready for starting on
its journey and be withdrawn when required for this purpose instead of being
enlarged and attached to the bearings a second plate E is used below : and at each
end of a weight is attached so that when the brush is in, the one is up and the other
down, and when out vice versa and to each weight. (both of which work vertically within
rods, similar to Z, Fig. 12 sheet 4, to be explained) a cord is attached having a handle
each side of the wagon, so that either weight may be raised, when the other will cause
the brushes to advance or retire, and also allow sufficient elasticity for the wagons to
"buff up
on their journey: the brushes being under the vehicles instead of over the
bearings are inverted in practice the brushes are somewhat fanned at their outer
ends.
The Drivers and Guards are provided with switches to brake, and make the electric
current and is so adjusted that a slight interval shall occur between the current being
in circuit, out of circuit and in circuit again, that the weights may overcome the slight
tendency the magnets may have to retain their power. When desired ca h compart-
ment of the vehicle is to be provided with switches for the purpose of giving alarm to
the Drivers and Guards, either by ringing a bell or blowing a whistle and also a
second switch available either to the porters or passengers or both by which an electric
light may be put on (there being resistance coils to adjust the same).
For wagons used on severe inclines and that are invariably worked down with all

page_text: brakes on the electric working is to be abandoned for the following mechanical
means (sce sheet 4 Figs. 11 & 12) where is the pipe and is the valve supplying
the engine having the lever W, to which, by a cord, is attached the weight Y, that
works within the guide rods Z, and ever keeps the valve closed until either of the rods
X meets W when is opened and the brakes put on ; X are in connection with either
the link of those couplings that work telescopically within the frame of the wagon, or
projecting rods at the ends that meet and are driven in upon the wagons "buffing up"
so that directly upon the couplings becoming slack the brake is put on, and as they
begin to tighten up is taken off. The valve is also worked at shunting yards by
means of cords extending from its lever W to each side at each end, and thus the
brakes are put on or taken off.
In all cases the working parts are covered in and proper lubrication provided from
the sides of the vehicle.
The working will be as follows:-
:
The train being marshalled, the Guard sees contacts J are off except on the last
vehicle and in the case of wagons, the brushes H are out, as the train wheels travel
the reservoirs are charged to a pressure regulated by the safety valve a. d, which is
adjusted by a pressure gauge (temporarily attached to a union provided). It being seen
by either Guard or Driver that brakes are required the switch for making and breaking
contact under their controul (or that of the passengers if found desirable instead of the
warning explained) is put over, the current (provided by C of each vehicle) is broken
when loosing its power W falls by its weight and that of a. b, and draws up the
smaller weight a. c: thus is opened, and the lower armature meets Y2, and the
connecting points attached to its coil, and the current instead of traversing Y, ,,passes
through by means of the armature and on to Y³, which opens admitting
compressed air to a. a. and raises a. b. (the cord by which it is attached being long
enough to admit this without strain to Y) the brake nicanwhile has been put on
immediately yet not violently since the atmospheric pressure has to be compressed
through P to its pipe and a.
To take the brake off again, the driver (or other) reverses his switch, breaking
contact, and re-making it again, this causes Y2 to loose its power when a. c. raises W
and closes band opens the cylinder of b to the atmosphere, when the weighted lever
R assisted by draws off the brakes: should there have been any leakage below the
piston of it will assist in the operation, while the size of the atmospheric aperture of
13 is such as to prevent the brakes bounding off suddenly the power of Y3 being also
gone Z is closed to pressure and open to atmosphere when a. b. gradually takes its
Bearing ready to repeat the operation and when the upper armature of W meets Y
and its contact points the circuit being completed it is held.
:
:
Should an accident happen, a coupling break, and the train be severed, the electric
light would be put out, but may momentarily be put in again, as described, by a
passenger in either vehicle upon which the coupling was attached that broke, through-
out the portion he may happen to be in: while immediately the brakes would be put
on throughout both portions of the severed train, for should the brakes be off, at the
time of the fracture, and the train in speed, the current would be broken. W would
fall, and put on the brakes, and since there would not be any current to open Z² and
raise a. b. they would remain on until the contacts were made good at the extreme
end vehicle the brushes H acting automatically would be uninjured and ready to
reunite to resume the journey. The same actions in the same time would obtain
whether the train is composed of either a limited or unlimited number of vehicles.
:
For the purpose of shunting at stations the brakes may be put on or taken off by
breaking or making contact with the levers J at either side of either end of the vehicle,
the reservoirs E being proportioned to hold a sufficiency of air for the purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :
1st. The arrangements as above described and shown on the Drawings, substantially
as described.

page_text: 2nd. The practicability of momentarily and simultaneously putting all the brakes of
a train on however long or short and having loose or tight couplings to the vehicles,
and without passing between them, substantially as described.
3rd. The practicability of using the same means of putting on the brakes, whether
during a journey or when shunting in the yard at all corners of the vehicle, substan-
tially as described.
4th. The practicability (a) of momentarily and automatically putting on the brakes
each side of all the wheels upon the train parting in one or many parts by accident,
and their remaining on until removed which can also be done momentarily (b) the
fact of such parting not disarranging the working parts but their being at once ready
to resume the journey under the same circumstances as when starting, after the
vehicles have been run together: (c) the practicability of the brakes being put on by
any one in any compartment of any vehicle substantially as described.
5th. The practicability of the same electric plant being used (a) for working the
brakes (b) for lighting up the train: (c) that should the train be parted when it
is so illuminated the light would be pnt out, and thus (should not the application of the
brakes be sufficient) to make all concerned aware of the fact, and then being able
momentarily to relight, and thus acquaint the driver with the position of the part or
parts, he had lost as he proceeds to reunite: (d) for communication between
passengers, Drivers and Guards, substantially as described.
6th. The means adopted for allowing for the deflection of the main springs of the
vehicle and at the same time always obtaining the full effective stroke of the piston of
pump a substantially as described.
the
7th (a.) The means of preventing escape of the compressed air from the cylinder
of to the atmosphere, and when it does escape by the parts wearing, the mode
adopted of utilising it in the pump a: (b) the means adopted of preventing the brakes
being put on and off violently, and thus preventing sudden shocks to the couplings &c.
while they are momentarily put on by there being no loss of time by distance of any
source of power substantially as described.
Sth. The working of the pressure valve 63 &c. by means of electro-magnets &c. and
such magnets being powerful only when their armatures come in contact with the
connecting terminals of the coils and complete the circuit, substantially as described.
9th. The means of strengthening and utilising the axles of the vehicles for carrying
the levers for actuating the brake blocks substantially as described.
10th. The mode of forming the electric connection by means of the brushes H
between the various vehicles, and the means adopted for regulating their height to
allow for the weakening by wear of the main springs of the vehicle, with their working
laterally on curves, and being suitable for passengers or goods vehicles substantially as
described.
11th. The mode of working the valve 3 and putting on the brakes mechanically
and automatically by the action of the vehicles coming together without electricity
for the purpose of braking trains down severe inclines substantially as described.
12th. The practicability of working the mechanical brakes in the shunting yard by
hand from either corner of the vehicle, substantially as described.
Daiad this and day of March 1887
.