Improvements in or relating to Railway Signalling.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov,
4005
Complete Specification Left 4th Aug 1896-Accented. 19th Sept. 1896
Complete Specification Left 4th Aug 1896-Accented. 19th Sept. 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Railway Signalling.
We WILFRID SWANWICK BOULT, of 14 South Parade, Fulham Road, in
the County of London, Electrical Engineer, formerly of 60 Castle Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster and CEDRIC RANDAL BOULT, of 62 Dale Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is the provision of means for informing the engine-
driver or other person on a moving train on to which branch at a junction he is
being turned, and the method we employ is the giving of a definite signal (which
may be a special signal or one used for other signalling purposes) a particular
number of times for each branch (or main) line. Thus in the case of a main line
having a branch to each side, the signal may be given once if the train is running
or about to run on the left-hand branch, twice if continuing on the main line,
and three times if on the right-hand branch. And similarly for any number of
branches.
In connection with our system of signalling with track magnets and divided
armature as described in the Specifications of our Letters Patent Nos. 17041
of 1893 and 11773 of 1894, groups of fixed track-magnets may be employed
placed so as to give the line clear signal the required number of times, or by
preference a special armature and bell or equivalent may be carried by the engine
for receiving branch-indicating signals only, the two armatures being placed side by
side or so as not to travel over the same line along the track, and the track-magnets
being located so as to suit their respective armatures.
Or, instead of groups of track magnets as described above short lengths of bare
insulated conductors, brushes or other devices, may be placed on the line to supply
current at the required places. Whatever the system in use, the same system may
he adapted in any convenient manner to give the required number of signals as
hereinbefore explained, and the parts on the road may be permanently arranged to
give the signals without its being in the power of the signalman to interfere with
their action.
The exact disposition of the magnets, conductors, or other apparatus fixed in the
track (hereinafter referred to as the track parts) will depend upon the arrangement
of the branch lines to be dealt with, but generally they may be kept as near the
point of departure from the main line as practicable so as to use the first ones to be
passed over (or by) in conjunction with succeeding ones for as many of the various
branches as may be. Thus, if the branches happen to be arranged in consecutive
order from the left, only one track part will be required for each branch, and may
Other
conveniently be placed just before the commencement of the branch.
arrangements of branches will modify the disposition and number of track parts
desirable.
In connection with our above mentioned system of magnetic signalling, we
may give the necessary branch signal by means of magnets before the train
arrives at the first branch, a variable number of such magnets being rendered
operative in any convenient way in accordance with the route opened to the
train.
The distinctive signal-indications before referred to may be given by any
apparatus such as is at present in use or by any suitable mechanical electro-
mechanical or other means. For example, audible signals might be given by

page_text: causing a projection from the train to strike track parts consisting of suitable
projections on the ground. Or, visible signals might be given by causing the track
parts to affect a lamp so as to give intermittent or flashing signals.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1895.
Improvements in or relating to Railway Signalling.
We, WILFRID SWANWICK BOULT, of 14 South Parade, Chelsea, in the
County of London, Electrical Engineer, formerly of 60 Castle Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, and CEDRIC RANDAL BOULT, of 62 Dale Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, 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:-
The object of this invention is the provision of means (which if so desired may
be of a permanent nature, that is, not depending upon or subject to any action of the
signalman) for informing the engine driver or other person on a moving train on to
which branch at a junction he is being, or has been turned, and the method we employ
is the giving of a definite signal (which may be a special signal or one used for
other signalling purposes) a particular number of times for each branch (or main)
line. Thus in the case of a main line having a branch to each side, the signal may
be given once if the train is running or about to run on the left-hand branch, twice
if continuing on the main line, and three times if on the right-hand branch. And
similarly for any number of branches. The signals may be audible or visible
and recorded (either temporarily or permanently) in any well-known way, as, for
instance, by a step-by-step indicator, (which before receiving each junction signal
may be returned to zero position either automatically or by hand) or a series
of marks on a travelling band.
In connection with our system of signalling with track magnets and divided
armature as described in the Specifications of our Letters Patent Nos. 17041
of 1893 and 11773 of 1894, groups of fixed track-magnets may be employed placed
so as to give the "line clear" signal the required number of times, or by preference
an armature and bell or equivalent may be carried by the engine and appropriated
to receiving branch-indicating signals only, the two armatures being placed side by
side or so as not to travel over the same line along the track, and the track
magnets being located so as to suit their respective armatures.
Or, instead of groups of track magnets as described above short lengths of bare
insulated conductors, brushes, or other devices, may be placed on the line to supply
current at the required places. Whatever the system in use, the same system
may be adapted in any convenient manner to give the required number of signals
as hereinbefore explained, and the parts on the road may be permanently (or in
the case of electric contacts or electro-magnets, so long as the electric supply is
maintained) arranged to give the signals without its being in the power of the
signalman to interfere with their action.
The exact disposition of the magnets, conductors, or other apparatus fixed in
the track (hereinafter referred to as the track parts) will depend upon the
arrangement of the branch lines to be dealt with, but generally they may be kept
as near the point of departure from the main line as practicable, so as to use the
first ones to be passed over (or by) in conjunction with succeeding ones for as
many of the various branches as may be. (This however is not essential: each

page_text: branch may have its own independent set of track-parts.) Thus, if the branches
happen to be arranged in consecutive order from the left, only one track part will
be required for each branch, and may conveniently be placed just before the
commencement of the branch. Other arrangements of branches will modify the
disposition and number of track parts desirable or necessary.
The distinctive signal-indications before referred to may be given by any
apparatus such as is at present in use or by any suitable mechanical, electro-
mechanical, or other means. For example, audible signals might be given by
causing a projection from the train to strike track parts consisting of suitable-
projections on the ground. Or, visible signals might be given by causing the track.
parts to affect a lamp so as to give intermittent or flashing signals.
Suitable dispositions of track parts for three different combinations of branches
are shown in diagram in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 herewith, which are plans of three series
of junctions, the position of each track-part being indicated by a cross thus ✗..
The number of each branch is marked within a small circle. The direction of
traffic is upwards on the drawing.
In Fig. 1, six branches follow consecutively, counting from the left, and it will
be seen that the six permanent track parts shown will in every case give the correct
signal to a passing train.
Fig. 3 is the reverse of Fig. 1, the branches following consecutively from the
right. This is the worst possible form to deal with and necessitates the use of a
large number of track parts.
Fig. 2 shows an intermediate arrangement with secondary branchings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we are aware that track
parts have hitherto been employed in a single group so disposed that it shall be
passed by the train before the branches are reached, a selection of one or more of
these track parts being made operative by the signalman in accordance with the
particular indication to be given thereby in any case, and to such a disposition of
signalling-apparatus we make no claim, but what we claim is :—
1. For branch-indicating to passing trains constantly or temporarily active.
track-parts employed substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. For branch-indicating to passing trains constantly active track-parts so placed
that as a train passes along any route its receiving apparatus comes into operative
position with regard to only the corresponding number of such track-parts.
3. Temporarily active track-parts placed as described in Claim 2.
4. For branch-indicating to passing trains constantly active track-parts some of
which are used substantially as described for signalling more than one through
route.
5. For branch-indicating to passing trains temporarily-active track-parts some-
of which are used substantially as described for signalling more than one through
route.
6. For branch-indicating to passing trains a separate set of track parts for each
branching line substantially as described.
7. Indicating on a passing train which of several branching lines has been or is
being taken as distinct from which is going to be taken.
8. Indicating on a passing train by means of track-parts disposed substantially-
as described which of several branching lines has been or is being taken.
Dated this 30th day of July 1890.
2
DARLE
Dated this outh day of July 1
W. S. BOULT.
C. R. BOULT.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicants..