GB365310A - Improvements relating to traffic control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

365,310. Road signals for controlling traffic. CHANCE BROS. & CO., Ltd. and SPAINK, J. H. ABBINK-, Lighthouse Works, West Smethwick, Staffordshire. Jan. 10, 1931, Nos. 935 and 2006. [Class 118 (ii).] In traffic control apparatus of the kind in which a number of electrically operated signal stations are interconnected, synchronizing mechanism is provided whereby the cycle of operations at any station cannot be repeated until after the completion of the corresponding cycles in the other stations. Each signal station has an electric motor m<1>, m<2>, &c. controlling signal lamps which are all connected in parallel with the same supply terminals l<1>, l<2>, and a rotary contact device c<1>, c<2>, &c. is provided at each station which at predetermined intervals closes the circuit of an operating coil adapted to cause a switch in the motor circuit to be opened and another switch in a synchronizing circuit t common to all the stations to be closed, means dependent on the closing of the synchronizing circuit serving to restart the motors. The operating coil and the two switches associated therewith are all marked s<1>, s<2> in the two stations illustrated. When all the switches s<1>, s<2> in the synchronizing circuit have been closed, the coil of a contactor r<2> in the last station is energized to close a switch r<2> in a byepass of the motor circuit of the last station to be closed, thereby enabling that motor to be restarted. At the same time this coil also closes a switch r<2> in the circuit containing the coil r<1>, which closes a switch r<1> in a byepass of the circuit containing the motor m<1>. Also the coil r<2> closes a switch r<2> in a branch circuit in the last station containing a switch d which by a device operated by the motor m<2> is held closed sufficiently long to keep the coil r<2> in action until all the motors have been restarted. By the motion of the motors the contacts c<1>, c<2> are caused to open the circuits containing the contactor coils s<1>, s<2>, thereby allowing the motor circuit switches s<1>, s<2> to be reclosed by springs, and causing the switches s<1>, s<2> in the synchronizing circuit to be re-opened. Contactor coils and switches t<1>, t<2> are provided to enable the system to continue to work in the event of failure of the signals at any station, a warning lamp w indicating that station. The contacts c<1>, c<2> may operate two or more times in each cycle, if necessary. Specification 354,036 is referred to in the Provisional Specification.