GB191424657A - Improvements in and relating to Train Control Apparatus. - Google Patents

Abstract

24,657. Kerr, A. Dec. 28. Track apparatus actuating signals on trains and for stopping trains. -Apparatus of the class described in Specification 5092/13 is provided with a valve operated by pawls movable by the reversing - gear of the locomotive, for controlling the cylinder which lifts the contact apparatus out of action, and with a further valve which connects the brake-pipe to atmosphere when the apparatus is in an intermediate position and also connects the apparatus to vacuum only during the time the contact apparatus is set ready for action. A valve, controlled by the vacuum system, opens the brake-pipes to atmosphere and is reset by the replacement of the ejector handle. The contact member and certain other members of the apparatus are made hollow and connected to the train-pipe, so that any fracture causes the application of the brakes. Figs. 1, 1<a>, and 1<c> show the general arrangement of the apparatus for vacuum brakes. A crank on the tube n, which is rotated in one direction or the other on the engagement of the tubular arm n<8> with the track contact, actuates the valve L, if the signal is at danger and the valve M, if the signal is clear. The valve L, when opened, connects the pipe l<3> from the vacuum reservoir S to the pipe l<2>. The pipe l<2> is normally opened by the valve u, Fig. 5<a>, to the pipe l<o>, which is connected to a piston valve o, Fig. 6, and a cylinder p, the piston p' of which operates the throttle lever r. One side of each piston o', p' is open to atmosphere, and the connexion of the other side to vacuum causes movement of the pistons. The piston o' uncovers the brake-pipe port o<2> and causes application of the brakes. The piston o' is locked by a pawl o<4>, which is lifted by the lever w of the ejector when the driver operates the lever to release the brakes. The valve M, when opened, connects the reservoir S to the whistle-valve controlling-cylinder t by way of the valve u and pipes l<3>, t<2>, t<0>. The contact apparatus is lifted out of action by the piston v' of the cylinder V, the upper end of which is connected by the pipe v<2> to the valve, Fig. 3, which is operated by the reversing-gear of the locomotive. A projection r<1> on the reversing-gear engages the pawls q<2>, q<3> on the valve spindle and moves the valve when the gear passes its mid-position so as to connect the pipe v<2> either to the vacuum reservoir to lift the apparatus out of action, or to atmosphere to reset the apparatus. The valve u is operated by links u<1>, u<2> connected to the lifted parts and serves to disconnect the pipes l<2>, l<0> and t<2>, t<0> when the contact apparatus is wholly or partly raised out of action, and at intermediate positions of the contact apparatus, it connects the brake-pipe z' to atmosphere through the port u<3>. By this arrangement, one set of signalling-apparatus may be used with separate contact-apparatus for forward and reverse running. The piston-rods of the valve L, M, the contact arm n<8>, and the tube n are all made hollow and form a closed chamber which is connected by the pipe n<2> to the trainpipe z'. The valves and cylinders are suitably modified for compressed-air brake systems.