A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING AND CONTROLLING ELECTRI- CALLY RAILWAYS SIGNALS AND POINTS to be as follows:-
Year: 1884

page_text: I, EDWARD TYER of Ashwin Street, Dalston in the county of Middlesex,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "A NEW
OR IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING AND CONTROLLING ELECTRI-
CALLY RAILWAYS SIGNALS AND POINTS to be as follows:-
:-
"
My invention relates to means of working and controlling by electricity the
signals and points of railways, the chief objects which I have in view being to
avoid mechanical connections extending over considerable distances for moving the
signals or points, and to obtain efficient control over their movements by governing
the electrical currents that are employed to effect them. In cases where the signals
and points are near the cabin of the operator, they may be worked by levers and
inechanical connections in the usual way, but in such cases, I interlock the working
levers with the handles which I employ for directing the electrical currents to work
points or signals at greater distances, particularly distant signals, and signals at a
distance for starting, which are usually far from the operator. I also put the points
or signals that are worked electrically under the control of operators at a distance,
and also under that of passing trains, by arranging contact-making and breaking
apparatus at suitable parts of the line to be worked by trains passing them.
As an illustration of my invention, I will describe apparatus which I employ for
working the semaphore arm of a distant signal. This arm is weighted so that, if
left to itself, it will take the horizontal or "danger" attitude, and has to be pulled
down to "safety." At or near the signal post, I fix an electro-dynamic machine
which can be put in circuit with a battery at the signal post or cabin or elsewhere,
so that its armature is caused to revolve rapidly, and thus, by suitable speed
reducing gear, is made to turn a barrel winding a chain or to turn a pinion moving
a rack so as to pull down the semaphore to its "safety" attitude. I arrange the
gearing and an electrical contact in such a manner that when the semaphore is
pulled down, the current of electricity ceases, but the semaphore remains held down
by a detent or its equivalent applied to the gearing. This detent is worked by the
armature of an electromagnet subject to an electrical current from another source
so that the operator at a distant station or operators at several stations or the
passage of a train over a part of the line provided with contact apparatus, can
release the detent, permitting the semaphore to return to the "danger" attitude,

page_text: In many cases, such as in working a "starting" signal from one end of. a section
to another, it is necessary that several operators, or that operators and the position
of a train on the line should all concur before a signal can be lowered to "safety."
At all the places where such concurrence is necessary, I provide contact apparatus,
go arranged that unless all of them conspire to close the circuit for the electro-
dynamic machine that works the signal, the machine remains inoperative. In some
cases, it is more convenient to provide electrical connections from the several
concurrent operators to one operator whose office it is to move a handle so as to
close the circuit for the electro-dynamic machine. By means of these connections,
the concurrent operators have it in their power to lock or unlock the handle of the
one operator or to render the handle effective or ineffective in closing the local
circuit.
The arrangement last mentioned is conveniently applicable in cases where the
operator at one end of a section of the line has to control or work a starting signal
for admitting a train at the other end of the section. Thus the operator near the
starting signal is prevented from lowering that signal by having his handle locked
by an electrical current transmitted by the distant operator; or conversely, the
distant operator is. prevented from lowering the starting signal, except when his
handle for that purpose is unlocked by an operator near the starting signal. In
such cases, I prefer to provide contact apparatus worked by a passing train so that
once a train has entered a section in obedience to a starting signal given, it, by
passing such contact apparatus, not only causes the starting signal to return to the
danger" attitude, but also breaks the continuity of the circuit that is employed
to lower the signal, and thus a second train cannot be invited to enter the section
until the first train has passed another contact apparatus whereby the continuity
of the signal-working circuit is restored.
"
By providing near a pair of points a reversible electro-dynamic machine connected.
to the points by suitable gearing, the working of these points can be effected at
great distances from the operator's cabin, and can be controlled from distant places
and by the passage of trains, in the same way as that of the signals.

page_text: I, EDWARD TYER, of Ashwin Street, Dalston in the County of Middlesex,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "A NEW OR
IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING AND CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY
RAILWAY SIGNALS AND POINTS" 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 means of working and controlling by electricity the
signals and points of railways, the chief objects which I have in view being to
avoid mechanical connections extending over considerable distances for moving the -
signals or points; and to obtain efficient control over their movements by governing
the electrical currents that are employed to effect them. In cases where the signals
and points are near the cabin of the operator, they may be worked by levers and
mechanical connections in the usual way, but in such cases, I interlock the working
levers with the handles which I employ for directing the electrical currents to
work points or signals at greater distances, particularly distant signals, and signals
at a distance for starting, which are usually far from the operator. I also put the
points or signals that are worked electrically under the control of operators at a
distance, and also under that of passing trains, by arranging contact making and
breaking apparatus at suitable parts of the line to be worked by trains passing
them.
1
As an illustration of my invention, I will describe apparatus which I employ for
working the semaphore arm of a distant signal. This arm is weighted so that, if
left to itself, it will take the horizontal or "danger" attitude, and has to be pulled
down to "safety." At or near the signal post, I fix an electro-dynamic machine
which can be put in circuit with the battery at the signal post or cabin or elsewhere,
so that its armature is caused to revolve rapidly, and thus, by suitable speed
reducing gear, is made to turn a barrel winding a chain, or to turn a pinion moving
à rack, so as to pull down the semaphore to its "safety" attitude. I arrange the
gearing and an electrical contact in such a manner that when the semaphore is
pulled down, the current of electricity ceases, but the semaphore remains held
down by a detent or its equivalent applied to the gearing. This detent is worked
by the armature of an electro-magnet subject to an electric current from another
source, so that the operator at a distant station or operators at several stations,
or the passage of a train over a part of the line provided with contact apparatus,
danger
can release the detent permitting the semaphore to return to the "
attitude.
"
In many cases, such as in working a "starting" signal from one end of a section
to another, it is necessary that several operators, or that operators and the position
of a train on the line should all concur before a signal can be lowered to "safety."
At all the places where such concurrence is necessary, I provide contact apparatus
so arranged that unless all of them conspire to close the circuit for the electro-
dynamic machine that works the signal, the machine remains inoperative. In
some cases, it is more convenient to provide electrical connections from the several
concurrent operators to one operator whose office it is to move a handle so as to
close the circuit for the electro-dynamic machine. By means of these connections,
the concurrent operators have it in their power to lock or unlock the handle of the
one operator or to render the handle effective or ineffective in closing the local
čircuit.
The arrangement last mentioned is conveniently applicable in cases where the
operatorintlone and of a section of the line has to control or work a starting signal

page_text: for admitting a train at the other end of the section. Thus the operator near the
starting signal is prevented from lowering that signal by having his handle locked
by an electrical current transmitted by the distant operator; or conversely, the
distant operator is prevented from lowering the starting signal except when his
handle for that purpose is unlocked by an operator near the starting signal. In
such cases, I prefer to provide contact apparatus worked by. a passing train, so that
once a train has entered a section in obedience to a starting. signal given, it by
passing such contact apparatus, not only causes the starting signal to return to the
danger" attitude but also breaks the continuity of the circuit that is employed
to lower the signal and thus a second train cannot be invited to enter the section,
until the first train has passed another contact apparatus whereby the continuity
of the signal working circuit is restored.
"
By providing near a pair of points a reversible electro-dynamic machine connected
to the points by suitable gearing, the working of these points can be effected at
great distances from the operator's cabin, and can be controlled from distant places
and by the passage of trains in the same way as that of the signal.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is an elevation of a signal at which there is
fixed within a casing A the electro-dynamic apparatus for working the signal.
This apparatus is shewn in elevation at fig. 2 and in plan at fig. 3. The telegraphic
instruments by which it is put in action are shewn by figs. 4 and 5, their casings
being removed to shew the interior mechanism. Referring to figs. 2 and 3, B is an
electro-dynamic machine having on its axis a worm B₁ engaging with a worm
wheel B2, which is fixed on a sleeve B³ fitted to revolve freely on a spindle B₁.
On this spindle is fixed a barrel B5 and a cog wheel B° shewn partly in front view
at fig. 2a. On the sleeve B³ is fixed a disc B4 carrying an electro-magnet B³ having
a balanced armature B' which is kept away by a spring from the poles of the
magnet, but which, when attracted in opposition to the spring, engages between
any two of the teeth of B, thus forming a clutch connecting the sleeve B³ to the
spindle B The chain C of the barrel B³, as shewn in fig. 1, is attached to one end
of a loaded lever C₁ which is connected by a rod and arm to the semaphore C².
The lever C¹ is so loaded as to keep the semaphore standing at "danger" unless it
is lowered by the chain C drawing down its end of the lever C¹. On the sleeve B³
(figs. 2 and 3) are fixed two insulated metal rings 61 62 against which respectively
bear springs and b and these rings are connected to the coils of the electro-
magnet B³, so that, whether the sleeve B³ revolve or not a current of electricity can
be made to pass by the springs 63 b and the rings band 62 through the coils of
the electromagnet B³, causing it to attract its armature B°. The electro dynamic
machine B can be put in or out of action by a relay D bringing into circuit with
it or throwing out of circuit a local battery..
'
When the machine B is put in circuit, its armature, revolving rapidly, causes
the worm-wheel B2 and sleeve B³ to revolve slowly. If, at the same time, the
magnet B³ is in circuit, then the armature B, being attracted, clutches the
sleeve B³ to the spindle B and barrel B5 and the barrel B5, revolving, winds on
the chain C and so causes the semaphore C2 (fig. 1) to be lowered. The worm B¹ is
of sufficiently fine pitch to prevent the wheel B2 from turning backwards even
when the machine B ceases to act, consequently the semaphore C. will remain
lowered as long as the magnet B³ continues to attract its armature.
But should the circuit through the coils of BB be opened, the armature B⁹ will be
thrown back by the spring, thus releasing the wheel B and unclutching the spindle
of the barrel B6, whereupon the chain C will be unwound by the loaded lever C¹,
and the semaphore C² will be raised again to its "danger" attitude.
•
Referring now to figs. 4 and 5, it is to be understood that the instrument Y,
fig. 4 is situated at, one end of a section of railway commanded by the signal fig. 1,
and that the other instrument Z is situated at the other end of the section, and is
connected to the relay D (fig. 2) by a line wire L having in its course two, contact
apparatus L1 and L2, so arranged that as a train passes over L¹, it breaks contact and
as it passes over L' it restores contact.

page_text: It is also to be understood that the signalmen at the instruments Y and Z
communicate telegraphically in the usual way.
In the instrument Y the spindle of the signalling instrument E when turned in
the one direction, by means of a stud E¹ acting on a spring, breaks electrical
contact at E2. When it is turned in the opposite direction, it, by means of a spring.
E³, presses a spring armature E towards the poles of an electromagnet E³ and, at
the same time, moves a colored screen E7 in front of an aperture in the case and
makes an electrical contact at E, which contact is maintained as long as the magnet
E5 continues to attract its armature E*.
In the same instrument Y is arranged the usual small repeating semaphore Es.
In the instrument Z, the spindle F of the signalling handle cannot be turned in
the direction of the arrow until released by the descent of the detent arm F¹ caused by
an electro-magnet F2 attracting its spring armature, from which the arm F' projects.
When the spindle F is turned in the direction of the arrow, it by means of a stud
F3 presses a spring armature F4 towards the poles of an electro magnet F³ making
a contact at F which is maintained as long as the magnet F5 continues to attract its
armature. The turning of F also, by means of an arm G, raises a lever G¹ having
at its end a lateral pin which becomes caught on one or other of the steps G² formed
on the spring armature G of an electro magnet G. When this magnet is excited,
it by attracting its armature G releases the lever G¹ allowing it to resume its
position as shewn in Fig. 5. The lever G works a coloured screen Go marked on
the one part with "Train out of section" and on the other part with "Train in
section or with words of equivalent meaning. The lever G' also by means of a
stud g lifts a contact g' which opens the circuit of the electro magnet F2, whereupon
the detent F' resumes its position. There is also in the instrument Z a small
repeating signal G7 like that shewn at E8 in Fig. 4.
"
Such being the construction and arrangement of the apparatus and instruments,
the electrical connections are made to operate in the following manner.
A train being about to enter at Y the section Y Z, the signalman at Y, by bell
or otherwise, gives Z the preparatory or "Be ready" signal, which Z repeats to Y,
in the usual way. As the train is actually ready to enter the section, Y again calls
Z and holds down his key which by causing an electrical current to excite the magnet
F (Fig. 5) releases the detent F¹. The signalman at Z now turns his handle in the
direction of the arrow, thus raising G¹ and moving over the screen G° so as to shew
instead of "train out of section" the indication "train in section;" and this
indication is maintained by the engagement of the pin on a step at G2 and cannot
be altered during the transit of the train from Y to Z. The turning of the handle
F also by making contact at F causes an electrical current to pass by the wire L to
the electro magnet B³ and to relay D (Fig. 3) and this clutches B5 and brings the
machine B into local circuit with the battery, whereupon the machine, by its working,
lowers the signal C³ (Fig 1) and the train then starts entering the section Y to Z.
When the train has proceeded a certain distance, say 150 yards, it, in passing the
contact apparatus at L', breaks contact, and the clutch armature Bº (Figs 2 and 2º)
releases the barrel B5 whereupon the signal C² returns to its "danger" attitude,
and cannot be lowered again until the train arrives at Z under protection of the
signal there. In arriving at that point, it acts on the contact apparatus L² which
has the effect of restoring all the connections to their original condition, ready for
subsequent action. By this restoration of contact the magnet G5 (Fig. 5) is excited
and attracts its armature releasing the lever G¹ and allowing the screen Go to resume
its condition "train out of section." It will thus be seen that the line between
Y and Z is completely blocked during passage of a train from the one place to
the other.
Although I have described an arrangement of instruments and conductors
suitable for working safely a section of railway in conjunction with the electro-
dynamic apparatus, that apparatus could be obviously put in action and thrown out
of action by instruments and conductors otherwise arranged, all that is necessary for
that purpose being to provide means of making and breaking electrical contact with

page_text: 4
the electrodes of the machine B and the coils of the electro magnet B, so as to
drive or release the barrel B5. It is obvious also that, instead of a barrel and chain
for moving the signal, a pinion and rack or other known equivalents might be
employed to communicate the movement of the spindle B to the signal lever C¹..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. For working and controlling electrically a railway signal or set of points, the
use of an electro-dynamic machine situated at or near the signal or points, and
connected thereto by a suitable clutch and gearing, the said machine and its clutch
being brought into action and thrown out of action by electrical currents transmitted
from a distance, substantially as herein described.
2. In combination with a railway semaphore signal, electro dynamic apparatus
constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Figs.
1, 2, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. For controlling the working of a railway sigual by electro dynamic apparatus,
the use of the instruments Y and Z in combination with a line wire L, and its
contact apparatus L1 and L2, substantially as herein described.
FOOT
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant,
28, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.