Improved Pneumatic Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Pneumatic Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
Sir FREDERIC HENRY SYKES, Bart., 17, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, London, W.,
J.P. Hants and Devon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
--
This invention for improvements in sounding signal apparatus for Railways has
for its object to enable the Signal man in his box to give an engine driver sound-
ing notice of the danger position of the Signal without affixing any apparatus on
the engine or rolling stock and the above can be adapted to any number of signals
or ways and will remain durable and effective. This invention consists in pro-
viding in the Signal box a means for obtaining a pressure of air, a pneumatic
apparatus, a system of pipes for connecting the air reservoir to the Pneumatic
apparatus, a valve or cock for controlling the admittance of air to the line of pipes
and thus to the Pneumatic apparatus, an inclined rail pivotted inside a main rail
and connected with or to the Pneumatic apparatus, so that it is raised above the
main rail when the air pressure is admitted. To the Pneumatic apparatus is
connected a cylinder-with a plunger-and thus to the rail so that air is drawn
in when the air pressure is admitted to the Pneumatic apparatus and is forced
out when the pivotted rail is depressed and operate a whistle. When the signal
is at danger the air pressure is admitted to the pneumatic apparatus and rail raised
and air drawn into the bellows. When the engine passes over, the pivotted rail
is depressed, the Pneumatic Apparatus is at the same time returned to its initial
position the air being forced back to the air reservoir and whistle sounded. It will
readily be seen that one air reservoir will be sufficient for several signals and that
each signal is independent as it is connected to the reservoir through separate
valves or cocks. In a modification of this invention to give a warning sound, the
air pressure is conveyed from the reservoir through a cock or tap directly to the
cylinder, forces out the cylinders plunger, raises the rail and the engine in passing
over, depresses it and so sounds the whistle or other sounding appliances. A
second whistle outside the signal box and connected with the reservoir is provided
in the pipe connections with a valve or cock that can be operated on by the signal
man when the engine is stationary and serves by the use of a concerted signal
sounds as a code-and a means of communication.
The pneumatic apparatus can also be adapted to a semaphore and lamps. A
cylinder connected with the air reservoir contains a plunger connected
to the semaphore and lamps and keeping the semaphore in its normal position by
its weight.
Dated this 29th day of April 1897

page_text: Improved Pneumatic Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
FREDERIC HENRY SYKES, Baronet, 7, Chesham Place, Marine Parade, Brighton,
and 17, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, London, 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:-
This invention for an improved pneumatic signalling apparatus for railways
has for its main object to enable the signalman from his cabin to give an engine
driver audible notice of the danger position of the signal without affixing any
apparatus on the engine and that can be adapted to any number of signals or ways
and shall be durable and effective.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation, Fig. 2 a plan and Fig. 3
a cross sectional elevation of signalling apparatus constructed according to this
invention and arranged in connection with the rail. Figs. 4 and 5 are side and
end elevations respectively of a force pump. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a rail
showing a slightly modified way of pivotting a treadle rail thereto. Figs. 7 and 8
are front and end view respectively of the air pressure apparatus. Figs. 9, 10
and 11 are front elevation, side elevation and plan respectively of a semaphore and
lamp showing the pneumatic signalling apparatus applied thereto. -
With reference to Figs. 1 to 3 the treadle rail a of T iron, inclined on its upper
face is pivotted near the inside of and parallel to the main rail c, on the upper ends
of arms p which are pivotted at their opposite ends to plates r clamped on to the
rail. The rail is brought to its raised position by the arm m to which a weight s
is attached for counter balancing to some extent the weight of the treadle rail a.
The arm m is connected by means of a wire rope or a rod 7 to an arm k fixed to a
shafte upon which are fixed two other arms g and an arm f. Resting on the
arms are bellows b weighted at i and sliding in guides h. The arm f is acted
upon by a plunger n working in a cylinder d and actuated from the force pump a
Figs. 4 and 5, in the signal box through the pipe t.
In the modification shown in Fig. 6 the pivotted treadle rail a is pivotted at one
end at to the plater and the other end is raised by arms m p and the link u. In
operation the plunger e¹ is forced in by the lever b' and compressed air is forced
through the pipe t to actuate the plunger n which comes against the arm f and
lowering the arm g allow the bellows to fill with air through the whistle w
arm k is drawn back and with it rod l and arm m which raises the treadle rail a.
When the flange of the wheel of an engine runs over the inclined bar a the bar a
is depressed and moves the arm m and the arm k through the connecting rod
and so sounds a whistle w or strikes a gong.
The
With reference to Figs. 7 and 8 an air pump A is connected to a receiver B by
a pipe F and is provided with air valves C. The receiver is connected by pipes I),
having stop valves E E', with the pneumatic apparatus on the different lines, and
is kept at the required pressure, indicated by the gauge G, by the pump A. The
signalman can stop an engine when desirable running upon any line by operating
one of the valves E communicating with the apparatus on the line to be operated
on.
In Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive in which the pneumatic apparatus is shown adapted
to a semaphore and lamps; the cylinder P in connection with the receiver through
the pipe D, contains a plunger W connected through rod R to the
semaphore and lamps in the usual way. The semaphore is kept in
its normal position by the weight of the plunger W and rod R and is lowered by
the air pressure from the receiver, under the plunger W which raises the

page_text: plunger W. On closing valve E and opening valve El the plunger and semaphore
will return to their normal positions.
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. A pneumatic signalling apparatus for railways comprising a receiver and
pump for accumulating and storing air under pressure in the signal box, a pneu-
matic apparatus, a system of pipes for connecting the air receiver to the
pneumatic apparatus, valves or cocks for controlling the admission of air to the
pipes and thus to the pneumatic apparatus, bellows connected to the pneumatic
apparatus, an audible signal connected to the bellows, a pivotted treadle rail
arranged parallel with the main rail, and adapted to be operated by a passing
vehicle and a means for connecting the treadle rail with the pneumatic apparatus
substantially as described.
2. The improved pneumatic signalling apparatus for railways substantially as
described with reference to the drawings.
LT1907
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.