Improvements in Electric Circuit Controlling Devices.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Circuit Controlling Devices.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS HALL of Greenwich, Fairfield County, State of
Connecticut, United States of America 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 circuits and to means for controlling the current therein.
The object of the said controlling means is to provide a path for the current
through a translating device, included in a circuit, and to exclude the current from
said translating device at the proper time with a greater degree of certainty than
has heretofore been attained. This controlling device I term a relay. It comprises
two or more pairs of contact points connected with a circuit, any pair of which
will act, when in one position, to exclude the current from the translating device,
and when all the pairs of contacts are in their other position a path through the
translating device will be provided.
I have shown and shall describe my relay in its preferred form, but it is obvious
that many changes may be made therein without departing from its broad spirit.
As long as the pairs of contacts are so arranged that when all are in one position
a path for the current is provided through the circuit and, when either pair is in
the reverse position, current is excluded from the circuit, it is obvious that there is
no departure from the true spirit of my invention. In the specific form hereinafter
described I employ only two pairs of contacts and put one pair in the main circuit
and the other pair in a shunt circuit. It is also obvious that my relay is capable
of a very extended application. It is especially useful, however, in signalling
circuits which include a signal operating device and I have shown it arranged in
connection with such a circuit. When thus employed it enables me, as hereinafter
set forth, to substitute a danger signal for a safety signal when the relay becomes
disabled either from too fine an adjustment of the armature bar, closing point, and
back stop, or when the points become fused by lightning.
It is a well known fact that in many relays now in use for signalling purposes
upon railroads, there is constant danger that the points may become fused by
lightning, in which case the relay current remains closed and a clear or safety
signal is shown continuously until the difficulty is discovered and the instrument
repaired.
My invention, in the form shown in the drawings, overcomes this danger by
causing the movement of the armature which would normally break the relay
circuit, to also shunt the relay current through a circuit of low resistance not
including the signal, so that in case the contact points become fused, electrically
welded or stuck together and will not separate, the shunting of the relay current
will nevertheless practically cut the signal out from the relay circuit, and cause the
same signals to be exhibited as if the contact points were working normally. This
shunting of the circuit in place of the normal breaking of the circuit will continue
until the instrument is repaired. Thus my device causes the signal to perform its
proper functions under conditions which, when my invention is not employed, often
render the signal worse than useless.
I accomplish the above results in the manner hereinafter described, and shown
in the accompanying drawings: referring to which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an instrument known as a Morse relay with my
new safety shunting device applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing the circuits used in operating an electric signal
upon a railroad, with my shunting device applied thereto.

page_text: Figure 4 is another variety of my device designed to apply my invention to a
Westinghouse relay.
Corresponding letters or characters in the several figures of the drawings designate
like parts, referring to which,
P
c is
a is the coil of an electro-magnet; bb the wires connected with the same.
the magnet; d the armature; e the armature bar; ƒ a retraction spring attached
to the same. is the back stop, regulated by a screw and set screw. is the closing
point, also regulated by a screw and set screw. i is a metallic frame which supports
one end of the electro-magnet, and the device for connecting, breaking or shunting
the relay current. j is a non-conducting substance; k is a connecting screw
fastened thereto. is a movable metallic medium; it may be a flexible spring or
a rigid bar pivoted at one end; it is so arranged that one end oscillates between
the end of the armature bar and the closing point h, and is electrically connected
with the connecting screw k. m is a point of connection on the frame i. n, n³, n²
and n³ are connecting screws; o electric wires. pis a non-fusible and non-conducting
substance attached to the end of the armature bar, and separating said bar from
the spring or lever l. q is a small piece of insulating material inserted in the end
of the magnet and protruding a short distance from the end thereof. r is a
wooden frame, shown only in Fig. 4, and s is a hole or opening in the middle of the
same. e is a flexible spring, and is actuated by an armature by means of a
connecting rod. It is used only when applying my device to a relay in which the
magnets are arranged vertically as shown in Fig. 4. By reason of the free
mechanical contact of the armature bar and the conducting medium and of the
other features of construction described it will be seen that the armature bar and
the conducting medium / may move conjointly to break the electrical contact of the
armature bar and point g and at the same time electrically connect the conducting
medium and the point h. It is also obvious that the armature bar is capable of
independently moving to make and break electrical contact with point g without
necessarily making or breaking the contact between 7 and h. I is an electric
battery, II a signal, III railroad tracks, and IV a truck or wheels running thereon.
The signal II may be of any usual construction. To a part of my invention it is
essential that the signalling instrument should be operated to give a warning signal
when no current is flowing through it.
For the present I confine my description to Figs. 1 and 2.
In the old style of relays it will be remembered there was nothing between the
back stop, represented in Fig. 1 by g, and the closing point h, but the end of the
armature bare; and the circuit was closed by the contact of the armature bar e
and the closing point h caused by the electro-magnet e attracting the armature d.
When the electro-magnet was demagnetized the armature bar was drawn from the
closing point by the retraction spring f, and the connection was broken.
The device constructed as thus explained is open to two dangers: 1st.-In too
fine an adjustment of the back stop and closing point whereby the armature bar is
pressed against the closing point and held in that position. 2nd. By reason of
the armature bar and closing point becoming fused by lightning. In either event
the relay current remains constant and unbroken, and as this is the current or
circuit by which the signal is operated, a safety signal is constantly shown. These
are great dangers and are met and corrected by my invention. By using my
device, in the event of the points being screwed together, the current is switched
or shunted, and returns to battery on a short circuit without going through the
line to the signal, and a danger signal is shown until the instrument is properly
adjusted; and in the event of the points being fused by lightning the relay circuit
is so controlled that the signal continues to exercise its proper functions.
When my device is used as shown in the drawings, and the signal is in proper
working order, the relay is in the main signalling circuit which would be through
the instrument in the following manner: With electro-magnets magnetized-
Starting from the positive pole of the battery to the connecting screw n', thence by
wire o to the screw m, thence through the frame to the closing point h, thence

page_text: along the movable metallic medium to the connecting screw k, thence by wire to
the armature bar, thence by wire to the connecting screw n³, thence by wire to the
signal; returning by wire to the connecting screw n², thence by wire to the back
stop g, thence by wire to the connecting screw n, and thence by wire back to the
battery. And the signal is set at safety so long as the current so flows. The
contact point and the contacting point on the metallic medium / constitute
the contact points in this main signalling circuit.
In case the points are screwed together by too fine an adjustment of the.
screws 9 and h the device operates the same, whether the electro-magnet c be
magnetized or demagnetized, and the current taking the shortest course, and the
one which offers the least resistance, back to battery will flow as follows:-From
the positive pole of battery to connecting screw n¹, thence by wire to m, through
frame to closing point h, through movable metallic medium to connecting
screw k, thence by wire to the armature bar e, up the armature bar to back
stop g, thence by wire to the connecting screw n, thence by wire back to battery.
It will be thus seen that in the particular construction shown in the drawings the
armature bar e constitutes the shunt around the signal operating device, and that
the point g and its contacting point on the armature constitute the contact points
of this shunt or branch circuit. Thus the current in taking the shortest course
back to battery is shunted from the signal and a danger signal is shown and
remains in view until the instrument is properly adjusted.
In case the points are fused by lightning the movable metallic medium / becomes
permanently attached to the closing point h. The armature bar, however, is left
free to act, 1st. because the armature d cannot fuse, stick or adhere to the
magnet c on account of the insulation q; and 2nd. the armature bar e cannot fuse,
stick or adhere to the movable metallic medium owing to the non-fusible rest or
insulation p.
With points fused or stuck together as above set forth and with the magnet c
magnetized, the current would flow as follows:
From the positive pole of the battery to connecting screw n', thence by wire
to m, through the frame i to the point h, through the movable metallic medium l, to
the connecting screw k, thence by wire to the armature bar e, thence by wire to
the connecting screw n³, thence by wire to the signal, returning by wire to the
connecting screw n², thence by wire to the back stop g, thence by wire to the con-
necting screw n, thence by wire back to battery; and the current, having passed
the signal, sets the same at safety.
With the points fused, electrically welded or stuck together as above set forth,
and the magnet c demagnetized, the armature bar e is held against the back stop y
and the current flows as follows:
From the positive pole of the battery to the connecting screw n', thence by wire
to m, through the frame i to the closing point h, through the movable metallic
medium 1, to the connecting screw k, thence by wire to the armature bar e, up the
armature bar to the back stop g, thence by wire to the connecting screw n, and
thence by wire back to battery. This course of the relay circuit is precisely the
same as when the points are screwed together; the current returns on a short
circuit to battery. The current does not pass over the line to the signal, and the
signal shows at danger. To sum up briefly.-If the points are screwed together,
instead of showing a safety signal as in the old device, the current is shunted from
the signal line and a danger disc is shown.
If the points are fused, electrically welded or stuck together, the signal continues
to operate, showing a safety disc when the magnet c is magnetized and a danger
disc when the magnet c is demagnetized.
Figure 4 represents a different variety of my device designed to apply the same
to an ordinary Westinghouse relay. In this form the bar e', which is really a
secondary armature bar, is attached to the movable metallic medium 1, by a screw
or otherwise, and the bar e 'is actuated by a connecting rod attached to the real
armature and operating through the opening s.

page_text: In this variety, when the points are closed the current flows as follows: From
the battery by wire to the closing point h, thence through the spring 1, thence by
wire to the signal magnet V; thence by wire to the back stop g, thence by wire
back to battery.
If the points were fused or screwed together the course would be, from battery,
by wire, to the closing point h, along the spring to the bar e', along the bar el to
the back stop g, thence by wire back to battery, and the current is shunted aud
signal set at danger. For the purpose of brevity I have shown my device con-
structed for application to but two forms of relay, but do not confine myself to
these two forms alone. The principles herein described may be employed in a
variety of ways and may be applied to any variety of relay now in use. I have
already employed said principles in no less than six different forms.
Figure 3 represents the whole device applied to and in operation upon a railroad.
The car wheels IV are represented as having passed the point where the wires
from the battery I are connected with the rails. The wheels and axles electrically
connect the rails and make a short circuit back to battery. The current is cut
off from the coil a, and the electro-magnet within is demagnetized; this breaks
the main signalling circuit, demagnetizes the signalling electro-magnet and the
signal II is set at danger as represented in Fig. 3.
In case the points are fused or screwed together the current may be traced
upon Fig. 3 as previously described.
The object in carrying the wire from the signal to the back stop and thence
back to battery is obvious. The result might be accomplished by returning the
wire from the signal directly back to battery, and making the connection from
said wire to the back stop by means of a tap wire. With the latter arrangement,
however, in the event of the tap wire breaking, the relay circuit would be complete,
and the signal would appear at safety. The shunting device would thereby become
inoperative. By running the wire from the signal to the back stop, thence back
to battery, making the back stop a portion of the return circuit, this danger is
overcome; for in the event of the wire breaking in any portion of the relay circuit
a danger signal will be shown.
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. An electric circuit including a translating device in combination with a
primary circuit controller operating to energize and deenergize the translating
device, a secondary circuit controller in a shunt around the translating device and
provided with means for moving it independently of the primary circuit controllers,
electrically-controlled means for normally operating said circuit controllers in
reverse, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with a main electric signalling circuit having contact points
therein, said main electric signalling circuit normally operating by the making or
breaking of contact between said main contact points, said main signalling circuit
including a signalling device, of a shunt circuit or relatively low resistance
excluding the signalling device, said shunt circuit also having contact points, and
of an electro magnet controlling said main contact points and also controlling in
reverse said shunt contact points, said shunt contact points being capable of move-
ment under the control of the electro-magnet independently of said main contact
points, all so combined that the action of said electro-magnet which, by tending to
open one of said sets of contact points, affects the signalling device in one direction,
by the same movement tends to affect the signalling device in the same direction
by closing the other of said sets of contact points, whereby the control of said
electro-magnet over the signalling device is rendered more certain, substantially as
set forth.
3. The combination with an electric signalling circuit and its signalling device,
said signalling circuit operating to give a danger-signal when no current is flowing

page_text: through its signalling device, and said signalling circuit having contact points in
its main circuit, and normally operating to give a danger signal by the breaking
of contact between said main contact points, and said signalling circuit having a
normally open parallel branch or shunt circuit of less resistance excluding said
signalling device, said parallel branch or shunt circuit also having contact points,
of an electro magnet controlling said main contact points, and also controlling in
reverse said shunt contact points, said shunt contact points being capable of move-
ment under the control of the electro-magnet independently of said main contact
points, whereby said electro-magnet normally both breaks said main signalling
circuit, and by the same movement shunts the current from the signalling device,
and whereby any interference with the breaking of said main contacts will not
affect the making of the shunt contacts, substantially as set forth.
4. An electric signalling circuit, including a signal operating device in combi-
nation with a relay comprising a spring and its contact point in series in the said
signalling circuit, an oscillating armature bar and its contact point in a shunt
around the said signal operating device, said spring and armature bar bearing
loosely upon each other at their free ends through the intervention of an insulating
and non-fusible substance, and both having a natural bent in one direction which
maintains the spring and its contact open and the armature bar and its contact
closed, the said contacts being arranged opposite each other with the spring and
armature bar between them, an electro-magnet normally energized and acting upon
the armature bar and spring against their natural bent whereby the signalling
circuit is normally closed through the signal operating device and the shunt is open
and when the electro-magnet is deenergized current is excluded from the signal
operating device by both the break in the signalling circuit and the completion of
the shunt circuit and whereby the shuut is completed if the break should fail,
substantially as set forth.
5. In an electric circuit including a translating device, a series of movable
contacts each bearing loosely upon another, other contacts for said movable contacts
connected with the circuit, all of said movable contacts having a natural bent in
the same direction and so arranged in relation to the other contacts that when any
one is controlled by its natural bent it excludes current from the translating device,
and when all are moved contrary to their natural bent a free path through the
translating device is provided, substantially as set forth.
6. In an electric signalling circuit including a signal operating device, a series
of movable arms each bearing loosely upon another through the medium of an
insulating and non-fusible substance, contacts for said movable arms connected with
the circuit, said movable arms having a natural bent in one direction and so
arranged in relation to their contacts that when any one is controlled by its natural
bent it excludes current from the said signal operating device and when all are
moved contrary to their natural bent a free path through the signal operating
device is provided, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination of a main signalling circuit including a signal operating
device and a movable arm in series therewith and adapted to make and break the
circuit, of a shunt circuit around the said signal operating device and including a
movable arm adapted to make and break the shunt circuit, the movable arm in the
shunt circuit bearing loosely upon the movable arm in the main circuit through the
medium of an insulating and non-fusible substance, whereby the movement of
the arm in the shunt circuit to break the shunt circuit will operate upon the arm in
the main circuit to complete the main circuit and whereby the shunt circuit may
be completed whatever may be the condition of the main circuit, substantially as
set forth.
8. In a signalling circuit including a signal operating device, two contact points
located opposite each other and near together, two movable contact arms adapted
to vibrate with their free ends between the contact points, one connected in series
in the circuit and the other connected in shunt around the signal operating device
and bearing loosely with its free end upon the free end of the arm in series, through

page_text: the medium of an insulating and non-fusible substance, and an electro-magnet
adapted to operate the arm in shunt to make or break the shunt circuit, whereby
the arm in series may be moved to close on its contact point when the shunt circuit
is broken and the arm in shunt may make its circuit whatever may be the position
of the arm in series, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination, in electric relays, of a movable metallic medium l, actuated
by an armature, a non-fusible rest p, insulation 9, insulation j, closing point, back
stop and connections, substantially as shown and for the purposes set forth.
10. In electric relays the combination of a movable metallic medium l, flexible
spring el, actuated indirectly by an armature, a non-fusible rest p, closing point h,
back stop g, and connections used as part of the return circuit, all for the purposes
and in the manner set forth.
Dated this 31st day of March 1893.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS HALL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.