GB864030A - Improvements in or relating to railway route setting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

864,030. Route-setting apparatus. SIEMENS & HALSKE A.G. June 26, 1957 [June 26, 1956], No. 20226/57. Class 105. Route selection is effected by operating appropriate push-buttons whereby details of the selected route registered in terms of a binary scale (positive or negative magnetization) on a high-speed rotary drum are compared with similarlyregistered existing points settings, signal aspects and track occupancies and the setting is effected by the difference between registrations, subject to no interference by reason of track occupancy or an already set-up conflicting route. Reports of the track occupancy G, points setting W and signal aspects H of the elements of the track system appear as positive or negative magnetization of fixed coils in an initial group 10 and are " read " by a coil attached to a wiper arm rotating in synchronism with the drum 12. This information is recorded in binary code on an " actual " state track on the magnetizable drum 12. The required route is selected by the operation of entry and exit push-buttons on the panel T whereby either a reading coil for this route is rendered operative if the route has been prerecorded on the drum or the route is recorded on a separate drum track from a memory matrix and a reading head for this track is rendered operative. The comparison between the " actual " and " required " states is performed by the computer 13 which, e.g., where a difference exists between an actual and required points setting and the points section is reported clear stores this difference in a separate drum track and when the points have been reported unlocked initiates an operative signal which is transmitted via the selector 11 to the appropriate points setting relay. When the points are changed over to the required state, as reported on the actual drum track, a second signal is initiated by the computer and is passed via the selector to the points locking relay. The required route also includes details of protection which will be required by each of the elements forming the route from neighbouring elements, e.g. safety points. These details are read by the computer acting in conjunction with the electronic device 14 and the necessary setting signals are passed to the controlling relays of the neighbouring elements via the selector 11. When the actual and required states of the elements are identical the precondition exists for the release of the routes entry signal.