US1627453A - Control means for light signals - Google Patents

Description

J. A. PEABODY CONTROL MEANS FOR LIGHT SIGNALS Original Filed Jan. 24. 1924 Quorum I Patented May 3, 19.27.

UNITED. STATES PATENT I OFFIQE.

JAMES A. PEABODY, or nvnnsron, ILLINOIS, nssrelvon. r GENERAL RAIL'WAY SIGNAL COMPANY.

CONTROL MEANS FOR LIGHT SIGNALS.

Original application filed January 24, 1924, Serial No. 688,238. Divided and this application filed October This invention relates to railway signaling and more particularly concerns a checking or safety means for use in'connection with railway signaling systems of the color light type.

In the en'iployinent of multiple aspect color light signals there is always an uncertainty as to whether the signal gives an indication at all, since incandescent electric l0 lamps are preferably used and the light of such lamps is uncertain due to the limited life of the filament, so that a signal at times may not give an indicationat all. For instance, since the most common indication of W the signal is clear, the lamp for the clear signal unit is most apt to burn out first because itis burned more than the lamps for the other indications. If the clear lamp should burn out, no indication would be given by the signal at all; and although this condition might be taken as a danger signal, it may happen that the engineer would not notice the passage of a signal location, and thereby run into a block already occupied.

With the above and other considerations in mind, it is proposed, in accordance with. the present invention, to provide suitable automatic means whereby if a lamp burns out another lamp of equal or a more restric- F tive signal indication is illuminated. More specifically it is proposed to have thecaution lamp automatically cut into an energized circuit when the clear lamp burns out and clear traiiic conditions prevail, so that a caution signal will be given instead of a dark signal;

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will appear as the description progresses.

in describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing, in which a single figure has been shown, being a diagrammatic view of a portion of a railway system employing multiple aspect color light signals which are con trolled in a manner to automatically cut in a caution lamp when the clear lamp is burned out.

This application is a division of my oopending application, Serial No. 688,238,

filed January 24th, 1924.

Referring to the drawings, there has been shown a track to which signals embodying the present invention have been applied.

Serial N0. 63,376.

This track apparatus comprises rails 50 divided by insulating joints 51 into blocks in the usual manner, the block I and the ad jacent ends of two other. blocks H and J being shown. Each of the blocks is provided with a suitable source of energy at its exit end, which has been conventionally illustrated by the battery 52, and is provided at the entrance end with a track relay T. Since the various blocks are the same, like parts of each block will be assigned like reference characters having distinctive exponents. Each .of the blocks is provided with a line relay .L which is energized by reason of the front contacts 53 of the track relay of the block at the entrance to which it is placed and the front contact 54 of the track relay of the block next in advance while these blocks are unoccupied.

Suitable multiple aspect wayside signals, are located atthe entrance end of each bloclr. These signals are illustrated in a conventional manner as color light signals of the type employing incandeszent electric lamps in suitable casings having distinctive color screens, usually colored green, yellow, and red to represent clear, caution, and danger traflic conditions respectively. Although a particular type of wayside signal has been shown, it should be understood that any other type of color light or other wayside signal in which tie indication of a given traliic condition is accomplished by means of closing an electric circuit might be employed.

Clear indication.Referring more particularly to the block I, the green or clear lamp G is energized under normal traflic conditions ahead through a circuit which may be traced as follows: beginning at the terminal B of a suitable source of energy which has its other terminal connected to a common return wire C, front contact 55 of the track relay T, wire 56, front contact 57 of the line relay L, wires 58 and 59, winding of the check relay CR, wire 60, clear lamp Gr, wires 61 and 62, back to the common return wire C. The energizing current for the lamp G flowing through the check relay GR is sufficient to cause this relay to assume its energized p0sition, thereby opening its back contact 63. This check relay CR maybe of any desired construction, provided that it is sensitive enough to be energized by the current flowing in the lamp G Without introducing a prohibited amount of resistance in the circuit.

Caution indications-Jr the block J should be occupied for any reason, the track relay T assumes its tie-energized position, drops its front contact 54 and tie-energizes the line relay L. The de-energization of the line relay L causes its contact 57 to drop, thereby closing a circuit for the caution or yellow lamp Y which may be traced as-t'ollows: beginning at the terminal B. contact 57 in its lower position, wires 64 and 65, impedance unit 66, wire 67, caution lamp Y, wires 68 and (52, back to the common return wire C. It is thus noted that the caution lamp 1' at the entrance to the block I is energized when the block J is occupied.

Danger indication.-If now the block I is occupied by a train, or is in danger for some other reason, the t 'ack relay T assumes its deenergized position for obvious reasons. This causes the contact 55 of the track relay '1 to assume its lower position, thereby closing a circuit for the red or danger lamp R which may be traced as follows: beginning at the terminal B, contact ot the track relay T in its lower position, wire 70, impedance unit 71, wire 72 danger lamp R, wire 73, back to the common return wire C.

("caution indication under clear conditions. Let us assume that the block I and the block J are both unoccupied and that the relays T and T assume the energized. position thereby completing a circuit "for the clear lamp (l. as heretofore traced. Let us assume now that the clear lamp burns out so that it is extinguished and the energizing current which heretofore was flowing in the check relay CR has been interrupted. This can-es the check relay (R to assume its decnereized position, thereby completing a circuit for the yellow lamp Y, which may be traced as follows: beginning at the terminal ll. 'l'ront contact 55 of the track relay T.

he 56, front Contact 57 of the line relay l). wires 58 and T l. ba k contact (53 of the check relay CR, wire 75, front contact 76 of the linere-lay L, wires '77 and (S5, impedance unit (56, wire (57, yellow lamp Y. wires (as and (52. to the common return wire C. It. is thus noted that failure ot the energizing circuit tor the clear lamp G, probably because the filament of this lamp has burned out. causes the caution lamp Y to be energized instead, thus giving, a caution signal and allowing the engineer to proceed instead of having no signal to guide, advise or protect him against possible danger ahead.

The impedance units 66 and 71 have an impedance approximately equal to that of the resistance of the check relay CR. These impedance units are employed so that the incandescent lamps used in the signals G, Y, and R, respectively, may be of the same candle power and cu rent carrying apacity and may be interchanged it desire-l. t. should be noted that not only failure of the filament of the lamp (l :auses the lamp Y to be energized instead. but that Failure oi the winding of the control relay (fl-L, either because it open or because it is hunted. ca cnergzjization oi the caution lamp In the particular arrangement of tract: circuits EllOWll the clear lamp l only has bee protected against open circuits by the check relay CR by energizing the caution or lamp Y instead of clear lamp ll should. however, be understood that the same arrangement may be applied to the cautirm lamp Y by providing a similar check relay in series with such caution lamp and providing a back contact which completes a circuit for the red lamp it when :"uch caution lamp is deenere'izcd; also. the same :zrrangre ment may be applied to the red lamp it by providing another auxiliary red lamp which is energized it the red lamp of the. signal is burned out or its energizing circuit is open for some other reason, the same arrangement being appli able to lamp G and i.

As already stated. the green or clea the clear or green light should burn out under clear trailic conditions. a so-ralled dark signal is the result; and while such a dark signal. according to the rules, riginities stop, the engineer may fail to observe the signal making it desirable to use an a-lditional marker lamp to locate the signal. This invention provides, however, for cutting in and lighting the yellow or caution lamp whenever th green or clear lamp burns out, thereby prm'irlim a reserve indication for the Q'reen indicafion which not. only serve the purpose of a lurker light but also is more likely to assure sate control of the train. It is mnsidered preferable to cut in the yellow or caution inr'lication upon burning); out of the green lamp. rather than cutting); in a reserve lamp for the green si nal, because the engineer under Ol'fllllllf circumstances would observe the showing ot a caution indicat on instead of a lear in dication and would report the abnormal condition, n'iaking; prompt repair more certain than it a green. lamp in reserve is used. On the other hand it the signal in (question an approach signal where the yellow or caution lamp is burning almost continually it is considered preterable to have an auxiliary lamp giving: the same distinrtiyc indication when such caution lamp burns out. If desired, additional resistance may be cut in series with the yellow amp when lighted because oi 't'ailure of the green lamp. to as to give weaker caution indication and show llll ltlll the engineer that something is out of order; but ordinarily the engineer would be able to detect the showing oi a yellow light Where a green lamp should be displayed.

Although the invention has been shown applied to a color light signal. it is desired to be understood that it may also be applied to position light signals, where a group of ligli are used to define a bar or signal blade the position of which determines the signal indication.

liai'iiur thus shown one specific embodiment oi? the nes-cut invention and the manner in which it may be applied to one particular type of trackway apparatus and associated relays, it is desired to be understood that various changes, modifications, and alterations maybe made to adapt the invention to any other system and the various conditions encountered in practice Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the idea of means underlying the san'ie.

What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent ot the United States is p l. A multiple aspect light signal for railroads coni 'irising, a first light projecting unit including an incandescent lamp, a lighting circuit and control means for said lamp, a relay in said lightingrcircuit in ser es with the filament ot the lamp, a second light projecting unit giving a distinctive indication different from that 01. the first unit, and a lighting circuit and control means for said second unit which latter lighting circuit is energized independently of its control means upon de-energization o f said relay provided the lighting circuit of the first unit is closed at its controi means.

2, A. light signal for railroads, comprising two light projecting units giving different signaling aspects, an incandescent lamp for each unit, a lighting circuit and control means tor-each lamp, and automatic means associated with the lighting circuit of one lamp for lighting the other lamp independently of its control means, said automatic means being eiiective whenever the lighting circuit of the first mentioned lamp is established. and current fails to flow therein.

3. An autoi'i'iatic block signal system for railroads comprising, a railway track divided into blocks by insulating joints, a multiple unit color light signal at the entrance to each block including a clear light signal unit and a caution light signal unit, a circuit for said clear light signal unit including the Winding of a check relay completed under clear traffic conditions ahead, a circuit for said caution signal unitcompleted under adverse traflic conditions ahead, and means including said check relay tor independently energizing said caution signal unit.

t. An automatic block signal system for clear a l ght s in advance are energized,

railroads comprising, a railway track divided into blocks by insulating joints, a multiple unit color light gnal at the entrance to each block including a clear light signal unit and a caution light signal unit, a circuit for said 'gnal unit including the wind ing of a check relay completed under clear tratiic coinlitioiis ahead, a circuit for said caution signal unit completed under adverse traillic comlitions ahead, and means including a back contact ot said check relay, for energizing said caution signal unit under clear traliio conditions ahead it the iilamcnt ot the lamp in the clear signal unit is burned out.

5. An automatic block signal system tor railroads comprising, a railway track divided into blocks by insulating oints, a inultr le unit color light si nal at the entrance l bl l l d' 1 l' ht 1 L0 eaci on i morn in a c eai 1 s na unit and a caution light signal unit, a circuit tor said clear ight signal unit including the winding of a check relay completed under clear traflic conditions ahead, a circuit ior said caution signal unit completed under adverse traiiic conditions ahead, and means-s tor energizing the lamp of said caution signal under clear trallic conditions ahead when the check relay is deenergized.

6. In an automatic block-signal system, the combination of a track divided into blocks having a track relay at the entrance to each block, a line relay, a circuit for energizing said line relay closed it the track relay of that block and the track relay of the block a signal comprising a clear, a caution and a danger lamp, means for energizing said clear lamp it both the track relay and the line relay of a blocl; are energized, for energizing said caution lamp if the track relay of a block is encrgized but the line relay is Clo-energized, and for energizing the danger lamp ii the track relay is de-energized, said last mentioned means including means for energizing the caution lamp if the track relay and the line relay are both energized and the filament of the clear lamp is burned out.

,7. In an automatic block signal system, the combination of a track divided into blocks each having a signal com 'irising a clear lamp, a caution lamp and a danger lamp, means for energizing said clear lamp of the block if that block and the nextblock in advance are unoccupied, energizing the caution lamp if said block is unoccupied but the block in advance is occupied, and for energizing said caution lamp if saidbloclr responding to more dangerous traffic conditions ahead if the filament of the other of said lamps fails and traffic conditions are such that it should be illuminated.

9. In a color light signal, two light projecting units each including an incandescent lamp and giving different signal indications when the corresponding lamp is lighted, a circuit for each lamp, a control contact in one of said circuits, and a relay included in the circuit of the other lamp for closing a slnmt for said control contact upon decnergization of said relay.

10. A light signal for railroads comprising, light propecting means having two incandescent. lamps acting to give distinctive signaling indications corresponding to different traffic conditions when the respective lamps are lighted, a relay having cont-acts closed upon deenergization thereof and connected in series with the filament. of one of said lamps, and a lighting circuit for the other lamp including said contacts of said relay.

11. In a lightsignal, the combination with light projecting means having two incandescent lamps and giving distinctive indications when said respective lamps are lighted, and control means for separately lighting said lamps, and a relay having contacts closed upon dcenergization thereof, said relay having its winding included in series with the filament of one lamp, and a circuit includ ing the contacts of said relay for lighting the other lamp independently of its control means, whereby said other lamp is automatically lighted if the first lamp fails to light when it should.

12. A light signal and control means therefore comprising, a plurality of light projecting units each including an in candescent lamp, a lighting circuit for each lamp, a relay having contacts closed upon deenergization thereof and having its winding included in one of said lighting circuits, a current limiting means in each of the other lighting circuits substantially equivalent to said relay winding for maintaining approximately the same magnitude of current in said circuits.

13. In a signaling system for railroads, the combination with a multiple aspect light signal including a plurality of incandescent lamps acting to give distinctive indications corresponding to different trafiic conditions when lighted, of automatic means including a relay having contacts closed upon deenergization thereof for lighting the lamp giving a more restrictive indication whenever the lamp giving a more favorable indication fails to light when it should.

l-at. A multiple aspect signal, a circuit and control means for each signal aspect, and automatic means associated with the circuit of one aspect for energizing the circuit of another aspect independently of its control means. said automatic means being effective whenever the circuit for the one aspect is established and current fails to flow therein.

15. A multiple aspect signal, giving indications of different restrictions, a circuit and control means foreach signal aspect, an automatic means associated with the circuit of a less restrictive aspect for energizing the circuit of a more restrictive aspect independently of its control means, said automatic means being effective whenever the circuit for the less restrictive aspect is established and current fails to flow therein.

16. A multiple aspect light signal for railroads having lamps controlled according to trafic conditions ahead, and automatic means independent of traffic conditions, for lighting a second lamp after a first lamp fails and traffic conditions are such that the first lamp should be lighted.

17. A multiple aspect light signal for railroads having lamps controlled according to traffic conditions ahead, and automatic means, independent of trafiic conditions, for lighting a more restrictive lamp if a less restrictive lamp fails and traffic conditions are such that. the less restrictive lamp should be lighted.

18. A multiple aspect light signal. for railroads having lamps controlled according to trafiic conditions ahead, and giving yellow and green indications respectively, and automatic means, independent of trafiic conditions, for lighting the yellow lamp if the green lamp fails and traffic conditions are such that the green. lamp should be lighted.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES A. PEABODY.

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