IMPROVE- MENTS IN SIGNALLING BY ELECTRICITY AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATING BETWEEN RAILWAY STATIONS AND RAILWAY TRAINS, AND ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1860

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Albert Horwood at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th January
1860.
I, ALBERT HORWOOD, of Great Quebec Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SIGNALLING BY ELECTRICITY AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,
ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATING BETWEEN RAILWAY STATIONS AND RAILWAY TRAINS,
AND ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My Invention for improvements in signalling by electricity are intended for
the combined purposes of communicating signals from a railway station to a
railway train, when in motion, by means of certain apparatus herein described,
and of signalling to a station by a train when passing over a certain part or
parts of the line. The Invention may also be adapted to other purposes.
I place on the side of a line of rails, and at any convenient distance from the.
station, a post furnished on top with a metal crook insulated and free to deflect.
when brought in contact with apparatus on the engine. Along each side of the
engine is suspended a vulcanized india-rubber spring partly enclosed in a metal.
tube, and having placed about midway from its points of suspension a large-
metal ring; the indicator wire is connected to this ring, and from it passes
down the centre of the india-rubber spring to the coils of the indicator on the
engine. When the engine passes the crook before mentioned, contact is
formed by the ring on the engine taking hold thereof.

page_text: Another plan for forming contact I arrange as follows:-At the side of a
line of rails, and at any convenient distance from the station, I place an insu-
lated galvanized iron bar parallel with the rails. The galvanized iron bar is
curved, and is supported at each end on insulators. These insulators rest on
metal tubes secured to the sides of the rail or to posts placed on the line.
Each side of the engine is provided with a metal pendant mounted on an in-
sulator; the insulator is itself mounted at the lower end of a metal tube carried
in bearings on the engine in such a manner that it can slide vertically up and
down, and it is constantly pressed towards its lowest position by a spiral
spring. The pendant or contact piece is connected with the coils of the
indicator by an insulated wire, which I prefer to be of india-rubber, passing
up through the insulator and through the metal tube which carries it. The
parts are so arranged that when the train passes the portion of the line where
the insulated galvanized iron bar is placed, the pendant or contact piece comes
in contact with it, and the galvanized iron bar being suitably curved, it slides
up over it, and contact is ensured the while by the spring pressing the contact
piece downwards. The metal crook, or the galvanized iron bar, as the case
may be, is brought into connection with the station by means of the line wire,
which is insulated by a covering of india-rubber, and passes through the tubes
and the interior of the insulators before mentioned. If, when the train passes,
the metal crook, or the insulated galvanized iron bar, as the case may be, is
connected with the battery, a current passes which deflects the needle of the
indicator in one or other direction, and signals "caution, clear," and
danger," as may be arranged at the station. The line wire is connected at
the station to an ordinary alarum, and also a pole changer. The latter instru-
ment is provided with two extra contact springs placed for the purpose of
forming certain contact with either pole of the battery. On the exterior of
this instrument is shown in colors the signals "caution, clear," and " danger,"
and a contact lever is keyed on the barrel for communicating the same. On
the engine or other convenient part of a train is placed an indicator, and in
order that its indications may not be affected by the oscillation of engine or
carriage, I suspend the same from its exterior case entirely by means of
springs, by preference springs of india-rubber. The indicator which I con-
sider most suited for the purpose is a magnetic needle mounted on a horizontal
axis, and surrounded by coils of wire in the usual manner. The axis of the
needle carries a light pointer exterior to the coils to show the position of the
needle within. One end of the indicator coils is connected with the metal
work of the engine, and through it with the earth. In order that the
indicator needle may be retained in the position in which the current deflects

page_text: it after the contact is broken, a retaining instrument is employed. That which
I prefer is a small magnet resting on the axis of the needle, such magnet having
sufficient power to retain the needle against the slight tendency its weight gives
it to return to a vertical position, but not having sufficient power to interfere
with its motion when actuated by the electric current. I insulate the line
wire terminal, and provide an insulated stud or thumb-piece to release the
needle when desired. The other end of the indicator coils is connected with
the apparatus for forming contact on the engine.
By modifying the arrangements above given, my Invention may be applied
for signalling in coal mines and for other purposes.