Improvements in Means and Appliances for Fog-signalling on Railways.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sep'., 1890-Accepted, 6th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Appliances for Fog-signalling on
Railways.
We ROBERT ADAMS of 67 Newington Causeway in the County of Surrey Engineer
and STANHOPE ALBANY SAY, of 233 Albany Road, Camberwell, in the said County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our sail, invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to certain appliances for fog signalling on railways, for which
Letters Patent were granted, dated 15th March 1880, No. 1114, and the object of our
present invention is to effect further improvements in such apparatus.
One modification of our invention consists of a circular horizontal chamber, fitted
near the permanent way, such chamber containing a revolving disc or wheel, having
radial arms; the distance between the arms being suited to the diameter of the fog-
signal detonators. This detonator wheel is so fitted as to be caused to revolve in the
chamber, to the extent of one detonator, each time a signal or signals is or are
required to be fired.
Two anvils, or other suitable appliances, are placed, on opposite sides of and below
the chamber, so that two detonators may fall thereon simultaneously, through suitable
openings in the bottom plate of the chamber. Other openings are also made in the
same plate for the expulsion of the spent detonators.
Two hammers are fitted in such a manner that they may be caused to fall upon and
strike the detonators, one after the other, at any given interval; or one hammer only
may be so used at one time, as required.
The hammers are fitted with lovers, balance weights, springs, and other appliances
for manipulating the same, and putting the levers and hammers into and out of gear
or operation, and are sustained by axles, fitted with suitable levers to be actuated by
the wheel or wheels of a passing train.
Horizontal levers are also fitted to the apparatus, which may be worked by hand,
direct, or by connecting rods, wires, or other appliances, in connection with levors,
either near to or at a distance therefrom, or in connection with a signal box or other
building. These levers are so fitted as to operate a ratchet wheel fitted to or forming
part of the detonator wheel, whereby the latter is advanced or rotated through a
distance equal to one detonator, and whereby two detonators are placed on the two
anvils, one upon each.
The cover of the chamber is perforated with one, two, or more holes, above which
detonator magazines or feed boxes are placed, filled with detonators which successively
fall therefrom into the empty spaces in the wheel below.
Arrangements are also made for receiving and removing the spent detonator cases
and debris, from the chamber, in a manner similar or analogous to those described in
the Specification of 111480.
Our invention may be arranged for single hammers and anvils, if required, by
obvious modifications of the mechanism.
Another modification of our invention consists in arranging the circular chamber in
a vertical position, or at any angle between the vertical and horizontal.
When so placed the hammers and other appliances are varied in position so as to
correspond therewith, the magazines being fitted with springs, when required, to drive
the detonators into the spaces between the radial arms of the revolving wheel.
In some cases the detonating wheel may be dispensed with, by causing the detonators
to be delivered direct from the magazine to the unvil.
Another arrangement consists in so arranging levers and springs, close to the rail

page_text: that the wheel of the locomotive or carriage accumulates spring power during a short
run, and then releases the same; the release of the spring or lever causing a hammer
to strike a detonator or detonators for signalling purposes.
Date 20th
t
1000
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Appliances for Fog-signalling on
Railways.
We, ROBERT ADAMS, of 67 Newington Causeway, in the County of Surrey, Engineer,
and STANHOPE ALBANY SAY, late of 233 Albany Road, Camberwell, but now of 40
The Avenue, Acre Lane, Brixton, both in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
•
Our invention relates to certain appliances for fog signalling on railways, for which
Letters Patent were granted, dated 15th March 1880, No. 1114; and the object of our
present invention is to effect further improvements in such apparatus.
Our invention consists of a chamber fixed near the permanent way. In this chamber
is fitted a revolving disc or wheel, having radial arms, the distance between the arms
being adapted to the diameter of the fog signal detonators, so as to act as a feeder to
the anvils hereinafter described. This feeder wheel is so fitted as to be caused to
revolve in the chamber intermittently, to the extent of one detonator or thereabouts,
each time a signal or signals is or are required to be fired.
The apparatus is constructed so as to fire one detonator only as a signal, or two
detonators in quick succession, one after the other.
The apparatus is usually connected with the semaphore and other signals, so that
danger may be simultaneously signalled by fog signals, semaphore and red or green
lights.
Two anvils, or other suitable appliances, for supporting the detonators, previous to
and at the time of explosion, are placed on opposite sides of the chamber, so as to
receive two detonators, which are simultaneously placed thereupon by the feeder
wheel. Suitable openings are also provided in the sides of the chamber for the
expulsion of the spent detonators.
Two hammers are fitted in such a manner that one or both may be raised to half
or full cock, and caused to fall upon and explode one or both of the detonators.
The hammers are fitted with levers, balance weights, springs, and other requisite
appliances for manipulating the same, and putting the levers and hammers into and
out of gear or operation; and are raised, locked, and unlocked by suitable levers or
equivalent devices, to be actuated by the wheel or wheels of a passing train.
Vertical levers are also fitted to the apparatus, which may be worked by hand
direct; or by connecting rods, wires, or other appliances, in connection with levers,
either near to or at a distance therefrom, or in connection with a signal box, cabin, or
otherwise.
The apparatus is usually enclosed in a suitable case, to protect it from the weather
and to concentrate and localise the sound.
And in order that our said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figure 1 is an elavation of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 are sections, on the line x x of Fig. 2, drawn to a larger scale,
illustrating portions of the mechanism.
Figure 5 is a plan of the mechanism for driving the feeder wheel.
Figure 6 is a plan of the feeder wheel.

page_text: Figure 7 is an elevation of the additional frame and lever for firing the second
signal (if required).
Figure 8 is a plan of Figure 7.
Figures 9 and 10 are detail views in connection with the signal rod m.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, a is the bed plate of the apparatus. 6 shows (by dotted
lines) the position of one of the rails of the railway. c is one of the levers, which,
when raised a short distance above tho level of the railway line, is operated upon by
the wheel of a passing train. The depression of this lever, operating through suitable
mechanism, unlocks one of the cocked hamnors and lets it fall. The lever c is fast on
the axle c'. This lever is balanced by a weight or by a spring. d d' are two
hammers for exploding the detonators placed on the anvils e e'. These anvils are
(preferably) cast in one with the bed plate a. is a chamber consisting of two plates,
with sufficient space between the plates to enclose the wheel n, hereinafter described,
The
and also the detonators as they fall upon the lower plate of the chamber.
chamber is supported by blocks (preferably) cast in one with the bed plate, by means
of a bolt 1 and stud and nut 2, or otherwise. The bolt 1 passes through both plates
of the chamber f, and is screwed into the block f'; and the stud 2 is secured to a
similar block under the wheel g. The chamber is likewise conveniently supported
by rebated surfaces e³ ³ on the arivils e e¹.
This
The block under the stud 2 forms a central pivot for the ratchet wheel g.
wheel is fitted with three pawls (or their equivalents) numbered 3, 4 and 5. The
pawl 3 is the driver, rising vertically over the teeth 10, and driving the wheel gin
the direction of the arrow. 4 is an ordinary check pawl, which prevents the wheel g
being moved in a contrary direction to the arrow. The wheel is driven in the
direction of the arrow by the pawl 3, pivoted to the vibrating arm h, which is caused
to vibrate to the position shown by dotted lines, by the bell crank lever k, pivotel to
a fixed stud 6, and connected with h by the link 7. The lever k has one arm slotted
at 8; this arm being actuated by a pin or stud 9 fixed to the signal rod m.
The force of the explosion of a detonator tends to drive the wheel g in the direction
of the arrow, when the wheel should be at rest. In order to prevent this motion the
ratchet teeth numbered 11, formed on the wheel g, and the check 5, fixed to the rod m,
or its equivalent, are provided. When the rod m is moved in the direction shown by its
arrow the check pawl 5 is carried forward, and leaves the wheel g free to rotate by
the action of the lever & and pawl 3. On the return of the rod m the check 5 engages
one of the teeth 11, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the wheel g is locked while the
explosions take place.
Referring to Fig. 6, n is the detonator feeding wheel, which is supported by and
carried round with the ratchet wheel g. The wheel n has a square hole g², to receive
the square boss g, cast on the wheel g, whereby the wheel n is caused to rotate
intermittently and simultaneously with the ratchet wheel, in the space provided in the
chamber f.
Vertical cylinders oo, forming detonator magazines or feed boxes, are fitted over
circular openings in the upper plate of the chamber. Through these openings the
detonators fall on to the lower plate of the chamber, and between the radial arms of
the feeder wheel n. A weight is placed in each magazine, upon the detonators, to
prevent their sticking in the magazines, and ensure their descent to the feeder
wheel.
When the signal rod m is drawn forward in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 5) the
bell crank lever k, ratchet arm h, and ratchet 3, cause the wheels g and n to rotate a
distance equal to the length of one of the teeth 10, and the radial distance between the
arms of the wheel n; whereby two detonators are simultaneously placed upon the
anvils e e¹, one upon each, ready for the strokes of the hammers.
P.
15 and 16
A horizontal shaft is fitted in a recess in the bed plate, the recess being covered
with a movable plate. 12 and 13 are two crank arms fast on the axle p. The crank
pin of the crank 12 engages in the slot 14 at the end of the signal rod m.
are two links pivoted to the crank pins of the cranks 12 and 13. These links aro
formed as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each link having a slot 30 and hook 17. A pin 18,

page_text: fitted to the short arm & of the haminer, engages in the slot 30, and the hook 17
engages the pin 19, attached to the short arm c². 20 is the locking lever pivoted
at 21. The lever 20 has a pin 22, engaging in the slot 24 of the link 23. The link 23
is pivoted at 25 to the arm c. 26, 26 are the bearings of the axle c', and 29 is a
collar fitted to the axle to keep the bosses in position.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a¹ is the bed plate for supporting the second signal
lever c, placed by the side of the rail, a short distance from the main bed plate a. ris
the signal rod for letting go the second hammer. This rod is linked to a lever 27,
similarly formed to that shown at c³ in Figs. 3 and 4.
When the signal rod m is pulled over, the two cranks 12 and 13, and the other parts
of the gear, are placed in the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 4. This action
causes the links 15 and 16 to raise the levers c c and the hammers & d¹.
On the rod m being returned to its original position, as shown by dotted lines in
Fig. 4, the levers and hammers remain raised, the lever c being balanced by the.
weight c², and the hammer being locked by the lever 20, as also shown in Fig. 4...
Both hammers are sustained in their raised position in a similar manner, and the
apparatus is then ready for the train.
When the first wheel of the train depresses the lever c, a lever (similar to that
shown at e) attached to the boss 28 (which boss is fast on the axle c) raises the
lever 20, by means of the link 23. The pin 18 attached to is thus released and
moves to the position shown in Fig. 3; the hammer d falling at the same time and
exploding the detonator on the anvil e.
In like manner, when the wheel depresses the second lever c, shown in Figs. 7 and 8,
the rod draws the lever c³, attached to the boss 27 (loose on the shaft c'): raises the
lever 20 by means of the link 23. The pin 18 is thus released and moves to the
position shown in Fig. 3: the hammer d falling at the same time and exploding
the detonator on the anvil e¹.
The signal rod m is preferably formed of tube, and, when it is used to work a
semaphore or other signal in connection with fog signals, the arrangement shown in
Figs. 9 and 10 may be adopted. For this purpose the rod m is made in two parts m
and m'. An enlarged tube t is screwed at t¹ to one end of the divided rod, while the
other end slides freely in the enlarged tube. u is a pivoted catch which engages the
pin v, when the rod is moved to the position shown in Fig. 9. w is a flat bar, having
a slot at w, in which the tail u' of the catch slides, and whereby it is tripped, when
drawn back to the position shown in Fig. 10. The catch being then disengaged the
rod m resumes its normal position by means of the spring s, leaving the hammers and
levers in their raised position, cocked and ready for signalling.
The springs is confined in the tube m by stops y and y'. The stop y passes through
a slot in the tube m, and the stop y' is fixed in the tube m. The position of the slot
relatively to the catch is regulated by the screw and nuts 103. s¹s are supports for the
tubes m and m', and the bar to. The tail piece u' may be adapted to support the bar w,
in which case the standards may be dispensed with.
When the hammers and levers have been lifted for signalling, they may, if required
be prevented from firing the signals by means of stops fitted to the apparatus, and
actuated by electro-magnets, or by the rod m; or the rod m may be moved half way
back so as to lower the lammers and levers to "half cock." Or the levers cc may be
made to pivot out of the way of the wheel for the same purpose.
Our invention may be modified by placing the chamber fin a vertical position, or
at any angle between the vertical and horizontal. When so placed the anvils,
hammers, feeders, magazines and other appliances are varied in position to correspond
therewith, the magazines being fitted with springs, when required, to drive the
detonators into the spaces between the radial arms of the feeder wheel.
In some cases the feeding wheel n may be dispensed with, by causing the detonators
to be delivered direct from the magazine to the anvil.
Our invention may be further modified by arranging levers and springs close or
near to the rail, so that the wheel of the locomotive or carriage accumulates spring or
other power during a short run, and then releases the same; or the accumulated

page_text: power may obviously be obtained direct from the signal box; the release of the spring -
or lever causing a hammer to strike a detonator or detonators for signalling purposes.
Electric connections may be fitted, connecting the magazines with the signal box,
to indicate when the supply of detonators is getting low, or nearly exhausted, and
similar connections may be fitted to the anvils to indicate when the detonators have.
been properly placed thereupon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we.
claim is :-
1. The improved method of working fog signals on railways, by means of detonators
placed upon fixed anvils oo, and caused to explode thereon by hammers dd', raised
and suspended by the rod m, and the intermediate locking mechanism; the bammers
being released by the action of the levers cc, when depressed by the wheel or wheels.
of the train requiring to be signalled, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
2. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the combination of detonating magazines.
or cylinders oo fitted to the cover plate of the chamber f, and the detonator feeding
wheel n, working in the said chamber, and carrying the detonators on to the anvils;
severally operating substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
drawings.
3. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid the combination of the ratchet
wheel g and pawls 3, 4 and 5, or equivalent devices for causing the wheel g to revolve
and rest intermittently; the motion of the wheel g being communicated to the wheel n,.
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
4. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the combination of the rod m, slotted
bar 14, shaft p, and cranks 12 and 13 fitted to the shaft P for the purpose of simul-
taneously operating the hammers & and ', substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
5. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the combination of the axle p and
cranks 12 and 13, the pins of the cranks being pivoted to the slotted and hooked
links 15 and 16, for the purpose of simultaneously communicating the motion of the
bar m to the levers d' d, and thereby controlling the positions of the hammers d d',
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
6. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the combinations of the locking
levers 20 and slotted links 23, pivoted to the arms c³, whereby the hammers are
sustained ready for firing by means of pins 18, and released by the motion of the
arms and links 23, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
drawings.
rod
7. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the combinations of levers c.
levers, links 23 and levers 20, whereby the action of a passing wheel upon the levers c,.
causes the release of the hammers dd substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
8. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the combination, with the rod m, of
the rod m, sliding tube t, pivoted catch u, slotted bar w and springs, for the purpose
of operating a semaphore signal, in connection with the rod m', while the hammers.
remain raised, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
9. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the combination therewith of electric.
indicators for indicating the number of detonators remaining in the magazinos, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described.
10. In apparatus for fog signalling as aforesaid, the arrangement of the chamber
in a vertical or diagonal position, and the modification of the several parts of the
mechanism to operate therewith by means of springs or equivalent devices, substantially
as horeinbefore described.
11. The general construction and the several arrangements and combinations of the
respective parts, together forming our invention of improvements in means and
.

page_text: appliances for fog signalling on railways, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 19th September 1890
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.O., Agent for Applicants.