US811105A - Railway signaling. - Google Patents

Description

s. ,n. STROHM. RAILWAY SIGNALING. APPLICATION FILED 13.136.29.189].

7 SHEET 5140614 toz S. D. STROHM RAILWAY QIGNALING. APPLICATION FILED 1119.29, 1891.

PATENTBD JAN. so, 15061 1 SEEBTIPBKBBT an Noi 811,105. PATENTED'JAN. 30,

S. D. STRO'HM.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29,1891.

'1 SHEETS-SHEET a.

.s. D. STROHM.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29, 1891.

'No. 811,105. PATBNTBD JAN. '30; 1906;

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 811 105 PATENTED JAN. 30, 1906. s. D. STROHM.- RAILWAY SIGNALING. APPLICATION FILED AUG.29,1B91.

PATENTED JAN. 30, 1906.

s. '1). STROHM. RAILWAY SIGNALING. APPLIOATIOI FILED AUG.29,1891.

7 SHEETS-SHEET e.

m. 11,105. 7 PATEN'I'BD-JAN. 30,1906. s. n. STROHM.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED A UG.Z9, 1891.

7 -SHEETS-SHEET 7..

SAllilUEL l). STROHM, 0F PlllLriDELPHlA, PENNSYLVANIA- Eapecification of Letters fli' atent.

rim. 811,105.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application filed August 29, 1891. Serial No. 404,146-

To It whom, it n uu concern:

Be it known that .l, SAMUEL D. STROHRYI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signaling and i do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation generally to rail-' ways having their lines of way and engines or trains equipped with electromagnetic appurtenances for preventing collisions of trains and for avoiding danger from open drawbridges or switches by automatically stopping the engine or train before it enters upon a block ,or section of the line of way whereoii the collisions inay occur or wherein the open drawbridges or switches are included or located, and particularly to that form of the same wherein the electromagnetic appurtenances at the stations, as well as those on the engine, are so constructed and arranged for action that the appurtenances at the stations are actuated or stepped to show or provide danger by each train or engine passing a station and are not restored or reestablished to safety until all the trains or engines pass off of a block or section controlled by said appurtenances, as fully shown, described, and claimed in a type of the same United States Letters Patent, dated May 25, 1886, No. 342,499.

My invention has for its object to provide for controlling the engines or trains in back:

ing, as well as advancing, in such described system; for a system of station appurtenances in which line or local batteries or generators andvarying-resistancemagnets therein are dispensed with, thereby admitting of the application of my invention to any suitable or desired system of electric circuits, for the stations; for a construction of ground-inn cuits for the stations and for the engine of a simple and economical and durable construction 1 for a system of semaphore signals at each station in addition to the train or engine controlling appurtenances, which signals are actuated simultaneously with said appurtenances and are set todange1" orto safety, as is usual on railways to permit the engineer to have visual signals, as usual, in addition to the automatic stopping of the train at stations 5 for shifting the contactbrushes on the engine or motor-car and. the power or supply controlling devices therefor by the lever mechanism used for reversing the direction of travel of the engine or car; for a construction of solenoid appurtenance in the engine or train circuit controlling the power or supply for the engine or motive car, whereby alonger range of motion is obtained for magnetic devices to actuate the cut-off for said power or supply; for separate electromagnetic devices on the engine or motive car for actuating various devices-as, for instance, the power-supply cut-oils, the whistle or alarm, signals, air brake devices, steam-jet or other fluid-sup pl y, and similar or other mechanism-at the time the train is automatically stopped, and for variously constructed and arranged line contact-plates and circuit connections for the station appurtenances for admitting of the controlling of the trains or engines .and the operation of the semaphore signals at the stations.

lily invention accordingly consists of the coinbii'iatious, constructions, and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter more particularly described in the specification and pointed .out in the claims.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is'a diagrammatic view of a form of station electromagnetic appurtenances, contact-plates, and engine or motor-car, electroinagnct devices, circuit connections therefor, and motive power-controlling devices embodying my invention, the engine or car being represented as approaching and about to make first contact with the plates at the station. Fig. 2 is a like view showing such first contact made. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, representing-the secondcontactfof engine-brush at stations. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a sectional elevation and an end view, enlarged, ofcircuit or ground breaking devices, partly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, lor the magnetic app'urte nances at the stations. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional elevations of the step-by step mechanism for actuating the circuit or ground breaking devices reversely or in opposite di-j rections at the stations, drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of adevice for regulating the extent of movement of the solenoid-cores which operate the groundbreaking devices. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of 1-1 form of switch-lever and contacts for e11ginc-circuit magnetic appliances shown in Figs. 1, 2. and 3. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing part of line and station appurtenances with contact-plates arranged to interlock thestat'ion appurtenances-that is to say, that part of the contact-plates of a station are in circuit with the magnetic appurtenances of a distant station ahead of such plates, and the other part of said plates are in circuitconnection with the magnetic devices at a distant station to the rear of said plates and also indicating a system of semaphoresignals for use in conjunction 'with said station appurtenances. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of two crossing lines of railways, one equipped and the other unequipped with my improvements and the latter provided with l ocal battery and ground connections under control of passing trains on the equipped and unequipped road for preventing collision of trains at the crossing. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a modified'form of station magnetic appurtenances, contact-plates, semaphores, magnetic devices for controllingthe raising and lowering of the same, and circuit connections, the same being capable of being controlled by a single contact-brush on the engine and without switching of circuit connections at the stations or in the passing train or engine, such figure also showing means for using the movements of the semaphore to switch the circuit connections between the station contactpl ates and its magnetic appurtena'nces and also indicating the semaphore set for safety. Fig. 11 is a like view of the semaphore and actuating mechanism, showing the former set to danger position. Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing a modification of circuit or ground breaking devices for the step-by-step mechanism of the magnetic appurtenances. F'g. 13 is a longitudinal sectional vie of the same. Fig. 14 is a cross-section of the circuit-breaker. Fig. 15 is a View similar to Fig. 12, showing still another modification of station appurtenances;

and Fig. 16 is a plan View of a modification, showing means for changing the circuits through the brushes.

The circuit 1 1 includes an electric battery or generator a", an ielectromagnet B, having an armature-lever b in engagement with the cut off or throttle valve for the steam or other motive-power supply for the engine or car, with the whistle or alarm, or with the air-' brake mechanism or visual signal, as fully set forth. in my Letters Patent of the United States No. 662,833, dated November27,1900.

C, C, and C represent the station electromagnets, preferably of the form of solenoids having sliding cores. each have separate cores, or where any two of such cores pertorn the same function one core may be common to two solenoids. and in the drawings the core 0 is shown as being common to the solenoids C C, and the solenoid C has its own core 0. The cores 0 c are These solenoids may mounted in sui able frames or bearings 0 and have retractin f prings a" and adjustable governor-bars 0* abutting against stops c on the frames c" to limit the range oi motion of the cores when electri ally moved. The governor-bars may be made adjustable by means of a slot 0 therein and adjusting-screw c on an arm 0 on the cores, as shown more plainly in Fig. 6. or said bars may be in the form of screws in stops c" for the core-arms c to abutagainst, as shown in dotted lines m, Fig. 2. tion thesolenoids C C C are located on opposite sides of a shaft which operates the circuit-breaker D. The latter consists, as shown in said Figs. 1, 2, 3, of a non-conductor disk (I, having a contact point or bar d in circuit with a frame or bracket (P, in which said fixed disk d is supported, and an insulated contact-finger d on a shaft (1*, having ratchet-wheels (1 d the teeth of one of said wheels being pointed or directed the reverse of those of the other. The ratchet-wheel d is engaged by a spring or other equivalent pawl (Z on one end of core 0 for solenoid C and the ratchet-wheel d is engaged by a like awl (l on one end of'the core 0 for magnets C C. As said wheels (Z d are fixed to shaft d" and have oppositely-pointed teeth, the reverse spring actuated movements of the cores 0 c rotate shaft cl and contactdinger (Z in opposite directions for purposes hereinafter'described. T 0 permit of such reverse rotation of the shaft d the pawls 61 (Z are each shown, as inFigs. 4 and 5, engaging with a separate lifting-finger d on a pintle d, having a crank connection (i engaging a solenoid-core, so moves in one direction it actuates a pintle (1 to oscillate its finger d"- to throw or raise the pawl on the other core out of engagement with its ratchet-wheel.

The contact-finger d is in circuit with a brush d, and from station contact-plate G runs a wire or partial circuit 2 2 to ground it, which circuit includes solenoid C, brush d, finger d of circuit-breaker D, plate (1, and bracket 11 when said finger d and plate or point d are in contact. When not in contact, said ground 11, or circuit 2 2 is broken. From station contact-plate G leads a wire or partial circuit 3'3 to ground n, which includes solenoid U, which circuit is always closed to ground n or never broken. From station contact-plate G leads a wire or partial circuit 4 4 to ground at, which-partial circuit 1S always compiete or not disrupted. The corresponding contact-plates G: G G, oppositely located relatively to the contact-plates G, G, and G (see more plainly Fig. 8,) have corresponding circuit connectionsZ 2, 3, and 4 4, respectively, which latter are split or divided circuits from the solenoids at the stations. The circuits from the platesG G and G G of a station may lead directly to that as one of thecores c or c In the preferred form of my inven- IIS however, to lead such circuits to two stations ahead and to the rear ol the station whereat the plates are located, as shown in Fig. 8, to form an interlocking system of linding, breaking. and resto1in the grounds a at the stations by passing" isyas set out in the aforeytid Letters Pa 'ent No. 662,833. When the ,phites G. G'," and G are located or arranged with platef' by wire 6.

an el out ol line, as shown in Fig. 8, and the corresponding plates G G G similarly located. two ei'lgme-brushes aand a are required and @(tl'ltfll switch-lever with contact- 'j, is included in the engine-circuit platit said switch f being under the control of armature-lever b, and brush a is in circuit Upon the engine is a sliding bar F,-,having reaction-spring'f, see Figs. 1, '2, and 3,) a lower end wheel or shoe f and an n )per.latell-headf in line with a latch-head) on armature-lever l).

The brushes (1 a and bar F are suitably supported so as to be shifted from the set of line contact-plates G G G to the set G G 3Q las the engine reverses. its direction of travel,

essary.

or in backing and advancing any suitable manually-acting or automatic means may be used to shift said brushes and bar when nec- In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 I have shown the same supported I. p01. an oscillating bar f and under'the control of the reversing-leverf for the engine or motor-car, so that when the engine or car is reversed the brushes (1" o and bar F are shifted. Fig. 16 illustrates means for shifting the contacts through which the current is led to the brushes while the brushes remain stationary. A suit-ably-supported sliding transverse bar F having armsf", between which the forward end of lever f 9X- tends, and having two contact-lingers f is in circuit with the generator (L3 and line 1. These fingers are adapted. to conduct the current through the brushes, the latter being a ttached to insulated blocks a a from one to another of which the lingers are shifted, according to the direction in which the train or engine is moving. 2, and 3 it is to be understood that there are two sets of brushes used, one on each side of the locomotive. These brushes are shifted by the bar f which, as shown in .Fig. 16, is bent laterally back of its pivotal point and forked to receive the lower end of the lever f The brushes are attached to a sliding bar f, with which the forward end of lever f is con nected, the arrai'igement being similar to that show h on Fig. 16, supposing the brushes to be attached to the bar f instead of being attached to separate supports. The plates G G are provided with inclines or elevations;

1th reference to Figs. 1,

a for the shoe or wheel 1 ol' rod F to move up and down or to cause said rod to ascend and descend or reciprocate at the time the brush (1" is moving in contact with said plates, thev serving both as contact-plates l or the enginebrush and as elevations or inc-lines lor inoving the rods F i A train movltug in the direction ol' arrow 1 Fig. l, as'it approaches-a station at which the contact-linger t! and plate 1/ ol' the circuitblttllitl' D is closed, set, or locked l'o ""sal'et to completethe partial circuit 2 2 to ground it, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. has its brush (1 'lirst contacting with plate t and the engine partial circuit 1 by way of switch-lover], contact f, and magnets 13 is closed through the station partial circuit 2 2, whereupon the armature-lever of engineunagnels B is attracted, and its latch-headf" moves out of the way of theaseending latch-headf on the solenoid-core c is moved to cause its pawl (Z i to get into position for engagement with ratchet-wheel (1 and pawl (1 oi core 6 to disengage itself from ratchetawheel so that as soon as ln'ush (1 leaves plate G: and the solenoid l. ecomes inactive its core 0 and pawl (l are retracted byspring e" to move shaft and linger (I one step in n direction awav from .eontact plate (L to break the partial circuit 2 2 or its ground it, (see Figs. and 3,) so that said linger d can only be moved one step at a time by a passing train whenever ground through circuit B is obtained, as the engine brush a then contacting with the plate G linds no ground by way of circuit 1 .1 on the engine, tor the reason that such brush is cut out of said circuit by the switch y being in itsnormal position or in contact: with platef- A following train arriving at such plate G linds no ground through. circuit 2 2, the enginemagnets B are inactive, and its armature latch-head f remains in the path oi movement of the latch-head of bar F and is engaged by the latter as it descends and is drawn down, (see Fig. 3,) and in so moving it actuates lover I) to cut oil the supply of motive power and apply the brakes to stop the train. It also actuates SWltGll-lGVGlflJO out the magnets B out of the circuit 1 1 of the engine, which circuit is then by way of plate f wire 6 to brush o so that when it contacts with plate G such engine-circuit (the mag nets being cut out) is closed through station partial-circuit 3. "ac solenoid C therein then becomes active to move its core 0, as already described, in order that the reaction of it spring a will move such core and its pawl d to rotate shaft (2 and finger (1 one step ifarther away from plate (2" of the circuit-- breaker D, said finger being now two steps away from said plate. A train then in passing a station and not finding a safety ground through plate G and circuit 2 2 is not only stopped, but also further steps the circuitbreaker D, so that the latter cannot be closed or reestablished to indicate safety until all made. A suitable limiting-stop g is'provided on disk (Z to prevent the finger (Z passing beyond the plate d when the circuit-breaker is closed tosafety position. The same results occur when the train backs, as its brushes (1, a and movable bar F are shifted from the line of plates G G G to that of plates G3 G G", and this occurs either upon a single or a double track railway, the latter being illustrated in .Fig. 9 and the former in Fig. 8, which shows two trains approaching each other, as at z 2, and breaking ground and restoring the same as they pass the stations and also two trains .2 2 upon one section or block and the circuit-breaker at stations Nos. 8 and 9 being separated two steps instead of one, as indicated in stations Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, the circuit-breakers at stations Nos. 1 and 6 being closed. jWhen the engine-circuit switch f and contacts f and f are used, I prefer a knife form of the latter, asshown in Fig. 7, for obtaining better and surer contact.

A line of way not equipped with my imrovements as herein. described crossing a ine of way which is equippedhas local circuit connections 8 8 and 9 9, including a battery 9", closed through a magnet g and a ground 9 by wheels and axles bridgingthe tracks, and the armature g for magnet g has a ground 9 and circuit connections 9 by way of a stop or contact 9 with extra contactplates G at the stations on the equipped line of way adjoining the crossing, which grounds are made and broken to control the movements of the trains on either line of way as they approach the crossing to prevent collisions, as fully set forth in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 662,833.

The semaphores H at the stations may be of the usual or other suitable construction and are arranged to be set or fall for safety or clear track and be raised for danger ahead, as is customary. dicated these semaphores as having separate In Fig. 8 l. have inbut insulated from section D and has a actuating devices it includ ed in the station-circuits 2 2 for lowering the semaphores and 5 separate actuating devices 71," includediin.

station-circuits 4 4 for raising the same; These devices it h may be electromagiiet. J

devices, Wholly or partially'so, and maybe er;

ranged to' be actuated by a passing train simultaneously with finding, breaking, and

closing the-grounds for the station magnetic appurtenances or in advance of operating the latter, as desired or the requirements of service demands. ln Figs. 10 to 15 I have more plainly illustfaife'dsaid semaphores, their actuating -mechanism -and circuit connections therefor in conjunction with the station magnetic appurtenances and arranged so as to be set or fall. when the circuit-breaker D in circuit 2 2 at the stations is closed to'indicate safety and raised when the circuit-breaker Dis open and to so remain to indicate danger aheat until said circuit-breaker is closed. In said last-named figures I have shown the semaphore-actuating devices h consisting of a magnet or solenoid includedinstation partial circuit 2 2 and having, a core h with re- 1 tracting-spring k and a finger or catch 71 at its upper end which is normally above the semaphore and in engagement therewith, as shown.- Solenoid h when energized draws down its core 7L3, and in so moving its catch or latch head h engages withand raises the semaphore to danger position, The actuating device 7L" is shown consisting of a magnet included in station partial circuit 4 4, having an armature-leverh with latch-head h for engaging the semaphore or a latch 7L thereon to hold it in its raised position to'indicate. danger, said armature having a retractingspring h which holds it in engagement with the semaphore, and its movement is limited by a stop 72 when magnet h is energized, it at tracts its armature 7t and disen ages its latchhead from the semaphore, and it drops by gravity to indicate safety. -When a circuitbreaker D is included in station-circuit 32 to permit of successive steppings of the breaker by two or more trams passing upon a block or section, the station-circuit 4 4 must be provided with a corresponding acting circuitbreaker K in order that the semaphore will not be raised to indicate safety until all of said two or more trains pass olf of the blocker section, and such circuit-breaker K must act synchronously with the breaker D. To this end and to reduce the parts of the electromagnetic devices in the stations, I have shown the magnets or solenoids CC acting to open both circuit-breakers D and K and yet maintain the ground-circuit for the magnet or solenoid C for restoring or recstablishing circuit-breaker D and thesaid solenoid C acting to restore or reestablish circuit-breaker K to close the circuit 4 4 through magnet h. The contactplate A? of circuit-breaker K is mounted upon brush ls included in circuit i 4. The con :31 nice mounted upon but insulated lronrthe section D of shaft (1* and has brush 75 in cluded in "circuit 4 l. Below'plate and normally out of contact with'itflis a Contact Plate 16 mounted on and insulated from section D and having a brush k included in circuit l 4. When both circuit breakers D and .K are closed, as shown in Fig. 10, the circuit 2 2 from plates G G is first by way of solen- 01d G, thence to brush g, to shaft d thence through the latter to late (1 to finger (Z and shaft-section D and from the latter throu h brush (Z to solenoid h and to ground a. T 1e circuit 3 3 is from plate G G, to solenoidC", to ground n, as before. The-circuit 4 4 is from plates Gr GP to solenoid Cflthence to brush 78, to plate 72", h, and ground n. From late 7: and brush k 'leads' a wire 4 to groun n. A train or engine brush a approaching and contacting with plates G or G closes engine-circuit '1 1 through station-circuit 2 2 and the circuitbreakers D and K being closed finds ground n through solenoids C and her safety, the

'- plate d away from finger-d semaphore being in its fallen. or safety position. 'lhe solenoidh is energizedanddraws down 113:1;(3018 71. and with it the semaphore, to set it in its raised or danger position, and

at the same time the'solenoid C acts as herein-' beforedescribed to cause its core 0 to step the of circuit-breaker D to break the circuit 2 2 or its ground "It; The plate It at the same time is moved olf of finger k to open circuit-breaker-K and cut the magnet h outof the circuit 4 4, so that. its armature-h", through its spring 72), will catch and engage the semaphore and hold it in its raised position until said magnet is cut into the circuit 4 4 and attracts its armatureto release the semaphore,which is done at the 1110- ment the circuit-breakers D and K are closed or restored. When the plate It passes off of finger le as above described, the latter immediately contacts withplate 7c, and circuit 4 4 is grounded to n by way of plates k k, brush and wire 4 and is so grounded as. long as the breaker K is open. Following trains arriving at plate G beforetheleaders have passed ofi' of the block or. sectlon find no ground through plate G and are stopped, the raised semaphore also indicating to the engineer"danger ahead. Contact/of the engine-brush a with plates G G finds ground through solenoid C for stepping the circuitbreakers still farther apart, asv above described. As the trains pass off of the-section or block the contact of the engine-brushes with plates G G closes circuit 1 1 thereof through station-circuit 4 4 by Way of plates k 7c", brush k andiwirea to cause the solenoid C or its core to act to step shaft Dor movable'parts in (Z toward the corresponding.

parts 7c and c2, and. as the last train leaves the to finger k, to brush is, to magnet the semaphore, which falls to indicatesafety. To effectually provide for shifting the circuit 4 4 from wire a to magnets 7t at the time of closing the circuit-breaker K and without breaking or opening such circuit, the plate is on the edge approached by the finger 70 is beveled or inclined, as shown more plainly in Fig. 14, so that the plate 17 .Willcontact with finger 7c before it leaves the plate 7c". Instead of using separate wire connections between the plates G and G or G and G and the solenoids C. C they may be connected by a single wire, having an electrio switch 21, shifted by the movements of the semaphore from contacts 22 and 23 in circuit with said plates, as indicated in Fig.

10, such switch 21 being used to break the grounds for solenoids C C as required to effeet the results above described when the sin gle wire 20 is employed.- In Figs. 12, 13, and 15 the shaft (Z is shown in one piece andseparate tubular sleeves or shafts I) D, mounted thereon, upon which are located, but duly insulated, the res ective parts of the circuitbreakers D and I Fig. 13 showing the latter closed and Figs. 12 and 15 showing them opened.

I do not herein claim the construction and arrangement of semaphore-actuatin mechanism. controlled by passingtrains in t e Inanner described independently of automatic; ally controlling the movements of the engines or trains, as the same forms the subject-matter of another concurrent pending application, Serial No. 404,149,.

It will, be noted from the foregoing that each station, as shown, has three separate partialcircuits, each of which is an opencircuit in itself, two of which are always groundedfand the other is normally grounded and includes a circuit-breaker and magnetic de-.

vices for actuating the breaker to break its ground; .by a current from a passing train; one of the other circuits including magnetic devices for restoring such'grou'nd, thereby dispensing with line-wires or closed batterycircuits for the station devices and with d1fferent resistance magnetic devices for the stations; that the semaphore is set to 5 dan ger whenthe ground of the partial circult adapted to be broken is broken and remains in danger position until such ground 18 restored; that for controlling the movement of the train in backing as well as going forward two sets of contact-plates oppositely a rranged are provided, which. are included in said partial circuits by branch wires or conduotors, so that but a'single station device or box isrequired for each station for-each line 'movements of trains in either their forward or backward movements irrespectiveiof the set to a circuit-breaker behind the same so as and circuit-making 7 corresponding partial station-circuits, suboperated, substantially as set station controlling a safety appliance, two

' 0nd partial circuit connected withthe other of tracks of a railway for controlling thedirection of their initial forward movement.

IVhat. I claim is V 1. A railway havinga plurality of stations,

a circuit making and breaking device at each separate sets of oppositely-located contactplates at each station, a normally closed partial circuit extending from one of the contactplates ofone set through the circuit-breaker of adistant station in advance of the same and adapted when operated to break the said partial circuit, a partial circuit extending from another contact-plate ofthe same set through the same distant circuit-breaker and adapted when energized to further break the first partial circuit, a partial circuit extending from the third contact-plate of the same to reestablish the same if broken, a normally closed partial circuit-extending from one of the contact-plates of the other set to a circuit-breaker. of a distant station behind'the same and adapted when operated to break said partial circuit, a partial circuit extend, ing from another contact-plate of the same set to thesame distant circuit-breaker and adapted when energized to further break the firstmentioned partial circuit, a partial 'circuit extending from the third contact-plate of the same set to a circuit-breaker in ad- 1 vance ofthe same and adapted to restore the. same if broken, a generator with connections, devices on a train making contact with either of said sets of contactplates according to the direction of movement of the train, and thereby complete the partial circuit, a latch stantially as set forth.

2. In a railway having a plurality of st'a; tions, the combination of a step-by-step cir cuit-breaking device at each station, two magnets or solenoids for operating the same, two contact-plates at each station, a partial circuit connected with one of said contactplates and eXtending through one of said magnets or solenoids and adapted to be broken by said circuit-breaker, a safety device under the control of said circuit, a secof said contact-plates and extending through the other magnet or solenoid, a generator with connections and contact-making de vices on a train making contact with said contact-plates to complete said partial circuits, and aswitch controlled by the safety device for supplying current to the second partial circuit only when the safety device is forth. 4 3. In a railway having a plurality of stations, the combination of a circuit making tions, the combination of a stepeby st'ep ci'rsuit-breaking device at each station, two"- magnets-or solenoids'for operating the same, two contactlates at each station,-a partial circuit connected with one of said contactplates and extending through one of said magnets or solenoids and adapted to be broken by said circuitbreaker, a magnet B on: the train and adapted to beloopedin said b, the position of which is controlled by said magnet, a hooked arm F adapted to be moved upward at each station and engaging withthe latch-b when the magnet B is deenergized, a safety device con-1 trolled by the latch b, a' second partialcircuit connected with the other of the contactplates and extending through the other magnet or solenoid at the circuit-breaker, a generator with connections and contact-making devices on a train making contact with sai plates to complete said partial circuits, and a 4 switch connected to the latch b for supplying 8 5' current to the second partial circuit only when said latch is operated, substantially as set forth. v

4. In a railway having a plurality of stations, the combination of a step-by-step circult-breaking device at each station, two magnets or solenoidsfor operating the same, two contact-plates at each station, apartial circuit connected with one of said'contactplates and extending throughone of said magnets or solenoids and adapted to be broken by said circuit-breaker, a magnet B on the train and adapted to be looped in said partial circuit, a latch b the position of which is controlledby said magnet, a hooked arm F adapted to be moved upward at each station and engaging with the latch b when the magnet B is deenergized, connections between said latch and the throttle-valve of an engine, a second partial circuit. connected with the other contact-plate and extending through the other magnet or solenoid at the circuit-breaker, a generator with connections and contact-making devices on a train making contact with said plates to complete said partial circuits, and a switch connected to the latch b for supplying current to the sec- 'ond partial circuit only when said latch is operated, substantially as set forth.

5. In a railway having a pluralityof sta-,

and breaking device at each station having. two magnets orsolenoids for effecting the breaks, and a single magnet or solenoid fore fecting the reverse movements of, said device, and three contact-platesat each station with eaclifof which a partial circuit connects, one of'said partial circuits controlling the safety device and extending through onelo the breaking magnets or solenoids which when operated will break said partial circuit,

tion, a generatorwith connections and cir-' cuit-making devices on a train engaging said contact-plates to complete the corresponding partialstation-circuits, substantially as set orth.-

6. In a railway having a plurality of sta:

tions, the combination with a circuit making and breaking device at each station having two magnets or solenoids for effecting the breaks, and a single magnet or solenoid for efiectlng the reverse movementsof said device, three contact-plates at each station,

with each of which a'partial circuit connects, one of said partial circuits controlling the safety device and extending through one. of the breaking magnets or solenoids, which when operated will break said partial circuit, the, second partial circuit extending through the, other breaking magnet or solenoid, so

, that a second train entering a block will further break the first-ment1onedcircuit, and

the third partial circuit extending through the resetting magnet or solenoid of a distant station, and a generator with connections, of two contact-making devices on a train, one of which engages the first contact-plate to break the said first partial circuit whereby the safety device is operated and the other of which engages the second contact-plate, and a switch operated in connection with the safety device'for supplying current to the second contact-plate only when the first circuit is broken, substantially as described.

7. In'a railwayhaving a plurality of stations, the combination with a circuit-making .device at each station having two magnets or solenoids for efiecting the breaks, and a single magnet or solenoideflectmg the reverse movements of saiddevice, three contact-plates at each station with each of which a partial circuit connects, one of said partial circuits controlling the safety device and extending through one of the breaking magnets or solenoids, which when operated will break said partial circuit, the second partial circuit extending through the other breaking magnet or solenoid, so that a second train entering the block will further break the first-mentioned circuit, and the third partial circuit extending through the resetting magnet or soienoid at a distant station, and a generator with connections of two contact-making devices on a train, one of vhich engages with the first contact-plate to break said first partial circuit, and the other of which engages with the second contact-plate, of a magnet B to be looped in the first partial circuit, a latch b, the position of which is controlled by said magnet, a'hooked rod F adapted to he moved upward at each station for engaging the latch b when the magnet 13 is deenergized, and a switchf'lor cutting the second partial circuit into circuit with the source of supply when said latch is moved downward for actuating the safety device, substantially as described.

8. In railway signaling, the combination of a step-by-step circuit-breaker and a semaphore at each station, means for setting said semaphore, an electromagnetic latch for trip ping the same, a tripping-circuit extending from a distant station to the circuit-breaker and in circuit with the magnetic tripping device of the semaphore when the parts of the circuit-breaker are in normal condition, and

contact devices operated by the circuit-' from the finger K, a semaphore at each station,imeans for setting the same, an electromagnetic trlppmg device for tripping said semaphore, a tripping-circuit extending in series withthe fingers K and K, and with said tripping device, and a ground connected with said finger K whereby when the circuitbreaker is in normal condition the trippingcircuit will extend through said tripping device, while if the said circuit-breaker is not in normal conditionthe said tripping-circuit will be grounded and will notaflect the tripping device, substantially as set forth.

10. A railway having station electromagnetic devices, contact-plates and circuit connections, a semaphore, electromagnetic de vices for setting the semaphore to one position, separate locking'mechanism for holding said semaphore in said position, electromagnetic devices for releasing said locking devices for returning said semaphore to normal position, said electromagnetic locking and releasing devices being included in the circuits of the station-electromagnets, substantially as set forth.

11. In combination with station electro magnetic circuit connections for automatically stopping a railway train or engine, a semaphore, electromagnetic devices included in said circuit connections for setting the semaphore to a signaling position, locking devices for holding it in said position, and electromagnetic devices included ln'sald circuit connections for releasing said locking devices and restoring the semaphore to normal position, substantially as setforth.

mul tan eously, and the second-named magn? to correspondingly close the same, one of said breakers when spelled automatlcally mklng a sepa rate ground con 1160 55 an if)? said Ibfiglkfi'fi subsuintially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I 21 5fm: lily siguatme in presence of two wmw I "Witnesses:

CHAS. F. VA}? W. VAN blah.

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