Improvements in Electric Block Signal Systems.

摘要

10,276. Silvene, T. May 4. Signalling between trains; contacts, mechanical; controlling and locking signals; semaphore signals; signals on engines and trains; lamp signals; stopping engines and trains.-Relates to a combined mechanical and electric automatic system in which a train, upon entering a clear section, throws the home signal at its distant end from a third or " normal " position to " line-clear " by positive electric means and mechanically sets the signal to "danger" when passing it, in which position it is maintained electrically until the train is clear of the section in front. Upon entering a section in which the home signal is at "danger," the train may be stopped automatically by electric application of the fluid-pressure brake. Figs. 12 and 13 show the apparatus on the train for opening an exhaust valve 20 communicating with the train-pipe, consisting of a spindle 23, sliding through guides 24 under the control of a spring 32. Bars 30, 31 are pivoted to one of the guides, and the spindle, and also to each other, the bar 30 having a tooth 34 which normally rests upon the armature 35 of an electromagnet 36 with guide-rod 36a, but, when the coils are energized, the armature is drawn in, the bars drop, and the valve opens, the number of such openings being indicated on the counting- apparatus 27, operated by linkwork 25, 26. The mechanical contact apparatus is shown on the rail 86 in Fig. 3, where the trip-plate 42 is moved vertically by the wheels to depress a lug 45 upon a transverse lever journalled on the bracket 46a, slots 43 being provided for the supporting-bolts 44 to pass through. The distant end 46, Fig. 4, of the lever lifts the lower end 47a of one of the two signal rods 47 pivoted to the semaphore arm 48, which is normally pressed downwards by the spring 59 and can be locked in its elevated position by means of the link 56, bell-crank lever 57, 58, and the hooked extremity 66 of the armature 63 of an electromagnet 61 adjacent to the post. The second rod 78 can be locked in its lowest position by the armature of an electromagnet 82. Contact-bars on these parts are arranged to bridge stationary contacts 85, 52, 70, 71 in certain positions. Figs. 8 and 9 show in plan and elevation the semaphore mechanism, the arm 47 pivoted at 50 to and operating the semaphore 48, with spectacles 49, 48d, the latter on a short arm 48c, all being mounted on the spindle 48b. The second semaphore 72 rotates loosely on the same shaft under the control of a rod pivoted at 79, but the corresponding lampglass 77 is on a leaf 76 which is in one piece with a pinion 74, riding loosely on the pin 79 and engaging with a toothed sector 486 keyed to the spindle, whereby the leaf rotates as the arms move. The rod 47 rotates both semaphores to the horizontal from the normal position of Fig. 9, since the leaf can rotate no further anti-clockwise and the pinion and sector are thereby locked together. The other two positions are (1) both semaphores horizontal, "line-clear," and (2) semaphore 72 horizontal, semaphore 48 down, "danger." Fig. 1 shows the electric connections and contacts near one signal which has just been set to line-clear by the approach of a train T, the leads 98 making connection with the apparatus of adjacent signals. Two of the fixed contact-bars 92, 97 are in one plane and engage the trolley-brush 110 of the train, while the others 99, 91 are in position to engage with the brush 108 only. The trip-plate 42 is shown opposite the signal. All the signalling-currents are derived from the battery 105 on the train, in the circuit of which is a ball 104, giving audible signals, and either one of the trolley-brushes, the brake-magnet 36 being included in one circuit, while some part of every circuit energized is formed by the line, to which there are four leads from the fixed apparatus and a contact from the train-lead 103 by means of the wheel 102, the arrangement being such that the stated signals will be made and brakes applied in occupied sections, and further, in the case of a line for one-direction traffic only, reverse motion of a train into an occupied section will apply the brakes. Duplicate apparatus is required for single lines.