US2337827A - Overhead trolley system - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28, 1943.

Filed April 3, 1942 w. J. LEWIS OVERHEAD TROLLEY SYSTEM '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 4/ za, 1 J J ,44

Zhwentor attonieg v WARREN J Lmy'zs Dec. 28, 1943. 'w J Ew s I 2,337,827

OVERHEAD TROLLEY SYSTEM Filed April 3, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3npentor WAEIEEN, J LEWIS Patented Dec. 28, 1943 OVERHEAD TROLLEY SYSTEM Warren J. Lewis, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to The OhioBrass Company, Mansfield, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 3, 1942, Serial No. 437,556

Claims.

This invention relates to overhead trolley systems and in its more specific aspects is directed to a relay actuated switching device for current collectors.

The object of this invention is to construct a trolley frog whose tongue element is relay actuated and with which delaying mechanism is operatively connected to positively assure the actuation of the tongue shifting mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relay actuated tongue shifting device in which the vehicle current collectors selectively actuate said relay and in which an accidental reopening of the relay circuit is prevented until the vehicle has passed the trolley frog.

Another object of the invention is to construct a trolley frog whose tongue element is relay actuated and whose control circuit includes a safety device to insure a positive shifting of the tongue element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a positively actuated relay type of trolley frog shifter and which will prevent unintentional operations thereof. 1

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide in a resetting relay type frog shifting device a control circuit that will shunt the relay such that any are potential between collector and wire will not cause the relay to operate and shift the tongue element when such movement is not desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a trolley frog shifter that is relay actuated and in which the effect of any are potential formed between the current collector and the trolley is completely eliminated.

Other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilled in the arts to which this invention pertains as the description proceeds which taken in connection with the accompanying drawings sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and selected modifications thereof, but such disclosures are not to be construed as a limitation of the invention which .is limited only by the appended claims and any and all modifications, alterations and variations of structure coming within the spirit and scope thereof are deemed to be included herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a side elevational view of a modification of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view incorporating the modification of Fig. 2.

which means is embodied in a latch elements I So,

Fig. 4 shows a. detail sectional view along I and 2 designate conventional frog elements to which trolley wires 3, 3 are secured and fromwhich wires 5, 5 are lead in a straight through direction and 4, 4 branch off as turn-off or curve wires. A tongue element 1 is arranged on each of the frog pans l and 2,. pivoted thereto at 8, which selectively connects the wires 3, 3 to either xi, 4 or 5, 5 depending upon the adjusted position of the tongue elements I, l. I

The moving vehicle (not shown) has the usual current collectors 9, 9a arranged thereon in the conventional manner that are adapted to engage therespective trolley wires 3,.3 and as indicated above. tongue elements 1, 7 direct the current collectors 9, 9a selectively on to the branch or curve trolley wires 4, i or the straight through wires 5, 5. In order to maintain'the frog pans I and 2 in proper spaced relationship a pair of strain elements 6, 5 is arranged'therebetween to maintain the said spaced relationship which is coincident with the spacing of the current collectors 9, 90..

Means have been provided for the shifting of the tongue elements 1, 1 to line up with either of the wires, 4 and 5, 5, as indicated above,

coils H, II, each of which has a plunger M that is mechanically linked to the tongue elements 1, I

by a bar or linkage schematically shown at l5,

l5. A latching means is shown at I511, Ilia pivotally supported at l6, [8 by means of bar elements I5b, liib which are kept in a retracted position by means of springs l1, ll; each of the I511. receive the bar linkage 55 on one side of it when the switch is set for straight through and on its opposite side when set for curve. The particular illustration discloses a conventional re-set type of mechanism which I originates in a pair of pivoted elements l2, 12 that are mechanically linked to the plungers M, M of actuating coils ll, ll by means of the linkage I3. Re-set mechanisms l2, I! are engaged by the current collectors 9, 9a to restore the tongue elements 1,, l to the straight through position following eachpassage of the Vehicle to the turn-off position.

Arranged adjacent each of the trolley wires 10 and Illa. that are placed pair of actuating has, gone into such an' extent as will to the turn-off position before collector 9 eng;

gages with contactor l0. quired for shifting 26 must not exceed the time interval it takes collector 9a to travel the-lead distance of 9a over 9 lessdistance A.; In the normal operation of the vehicle while turning it will cause collector 9a to advance much more rapidly The time interval rethan collector 9 will advance and thereby bring it into contact with contactor llla'be-j fore collector 9 engages with contactor ID. The engagement of collector 9a with contactor Illa. establishes a circuit through conductors I8, I80, resistance 23, coil 24, and conductor 25 to the opposite trolley wire 3, it being noted thatone of these trolley wires is the positive and the other-is the negative wire. The circuit 'just described is completed in order tofshift switch 26 by means of coil 24 from the full line position to the'dotted line position in Fig. I and constitutes a holding circuit therefor until broken by collector 9a leaving contactor Illa. Followihgthe closing or shifting of switch 26 to'the dotted line position, a circuit is established through the actuating coils ll, H as follows: .wire 3, collector 9a, contactor Illa, conductor 18 thence by means of conductor I9 through the coil on one of the actuators H, conductor andfthence through to switch 26 and conductor 28 over to the opposite trolley wire by means of jcollector Sand contactor 10 after collector9'has engaged contactor ID. Since the other actuatlingjcoijl 'l l is in parallel with the ,coil just do- .fsc'ribed,its .circuit will be through conductors f l.8,jl8a, 2 2; 22 and the coil H, conductor 2| and switch 26 through to conductor 28 totheioppos it etrolly wirejby means ot contactor Land collector. 9, it being understood, tr "coursfthat by the time this circuit is completed collector"?! v engagement with the contactor l9 "aspreviously. explained.

, Attention is at this point'invited to thefact ,that. resistance 23 v p :value. The reason for this is that it'will beable "to withstand rated voltage, usually 600 v., with- :ontburning'out. When the frogs are to, remain in the "straight through position both] collectors is [of 'a comparatively high will substantially, simultaneously, engage the respective contactors.v thereby imposing full voltjag'e across-23 which is in series'withthe switch 26 In view of the high resistance only a small current'will bedrawn' during the interval ofconftact' between collectors 9, 9a and contactors I9, 1M. l,

has ,been'p'ointed'out before that the, tongue elements 1, Tare restored to the straightfthrough 'position 'by means of the re s'e't mechanisms I2, 112 "following the passage of the vehicle underneaththetrolley frogs. During the approach of "the vehicle, assuming that it isjto continue on the: straight ahead 'path, both collectors 9 and fla will at -sul'istanti'ailly the sametime engage their respective. contactors lfl'and""l9a which iaction -will preventith'e shifting of' switch 26 because a circuit will be established alcrosSFthe line between the contactors l0 and 'lflaby'means switch 26 will have of conductors l8, l8a, resistance 23, conductor 21, switch 26 and conductor 28. This effectively shunts out coil 24 and prevents its actuation.

Assuming that the vehicle approaching the frog pans l and 2 is to turn off on wires 4, 4 then collector 90. will engage contactor lOa. a sufiicient time ahead of the engagement of collector 9 with, contactor 10 to establish the operating circuit for coil 24, described above. Then by the time collector 9 has engaged contactor l0, been shifted to the dotted line position thereby closing the circuits through coils H, H and shifting tongues 1, 1 to the turnoffposition. When collector 9a breaks contact with contactor Ilia the holding circuit for coil 24 willj be broken, thereby shifting switch 26 back to the full line position and deenergizing coils II, II such that when collectors 9 and 9a engage reset mechanisms I2, 12 the tongues 1, 1 will be shifted to the straight through position. It is necessary, however, that both contactors l0, Illa be in engagement with their respective collectors 9, 9a before coils H, H are energized. The action just previously described gets'the circuit ready for closing by contactor l9 engaging collector 9.

A modification of the above structure is dis closed in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 in which frog pans 26 and 21 are provided to which trolley wires 28, 23 are secured and from which trolley wires 30 and 30 branch off, as shown, and from which trolley wires 3|, 3| lead ed for the straight through position. Each of the frog pans 26 and 21 is provided with shiftable tongue elements 32, 32 pivoted at 33, 33 to guide current collectors 9, 9a selectively on to the straight through wires 3f; 3| or the turn-off wires 30, 30.

' Means have been provided for mechanically resetting. the tongue elements 32, 32 to the straight through position after'the passage of 'the'vehicle on the turn-'ofi position and it em- .ploys mechanism similar to that described above which constitutes re-set levers35, 35 which are connected by means Of linkages 36,36 to the fplungers 31', 31 of coils 34, 34 and the opposite end of the plungers 31, 31, is connected to the linkage -56 fixedly secured at one end to the shiftable tongue elements 32, 32. The members 66, 53 are held in position by latches 40, 49 fixed to bars 40a,'49a pivoted at 39, 39 cooperating with s prings 38, 38 that hold latches 4U, 40 in retracted position in the same manner as springs l1, l1 above.

" Attention is invited to the fact that in the modifications, the control coils, switch and resistance 23, 24 and 26 have been replaced by simple make and break switches 4| and 42, that are actuated by tiltable or pivoted contactor elements46 and :41. Attention is further invited to the fact that each of these contactors 46 and 41 is of varying length, as indicated by the distance A' which is .determined'in a manner similar to the distance 'A described in connection with Fig. 1 above. Any vehicle approachingthe trolley frogs and :desiring to go on the branch trolleys 30, 30 will be positioned underneath the trolley frogs such that collector 9a will be considerably advanced ahead of the 'collector"9 for reasons set forth conductor 45 through switch 42 and thence to the opposite trolley wire 28. This action will shift the tongue elements 32, 32 to the turn-off position and permit the collectors 9 and 9a to followrestored to their straight through position. At-

tention is invited to the fact that switch 4| is normally open and switch 42 is normally closed.

Distance B in Fig. 3 shows the distance contactor 4b is pivoted ahead of contactor 41. The reason for this displacement is that if collector 9 should disengage contactor 47 before 9a disengages 46 there would be a shifting of the tongue elements causing a false or undesired operation of the frog. By advancing the pivot 50 of contactor 46 switch 4| will open before switch 42 is closed and thereby prevent an undesired operation.

Assuming that the vehicle with collectors 9 and 9a desires to continue in the straight ahead position on to wires 3|, 3|, it should be observed that collectors 9, 9a will approach and practically, substantially, simultaneously engage the respective contactors 45 and 41, and whereas collector 9a in its movement will close switch 4! thereby normally closing the shifting circuit, yet before the coils 34, 34 can be energized the circuit will have been broken by collector 9 engaging contactor 41 thereby breaking the shifting circuit. It should be apparent from this description that the functioning of the actuating coils 34, 34 is not dependent upon the opening or closing of any switch by a coil or upon a potential being imposed across an arbitrary resistance and even if any arcs are formed between the collectors 9, 9a and their respective contactors, they will not influence in any way the functioning of the device. Furthermore, since the engagement of contactors 46 and 47 with collectors 9 and 9a, is a strictly mechanical function the possibility of arcing will, as a natural result, be prevented and the shifting of the tongue elements will be entirely dependent, therefore, upon the mechanical action of the contactors and the respective collectors. As previously indicated, the space or distance A, which represents the difference in efiective length of the respective contactors subtracted from the lag of collector 9 behind 9a, affords the space-time interval in which coils 34, 34 can shift the respective tongue elements 32, 32 to the turn-off position before contactor 4? is shifted by collector 9 thereby breaking the circuit at switch 42.

Figs. 2 and 4 disclose in a little greater detail the functioning and construction of the switches M, 42 and their relationship to the contactors 46 and 4?, it being observed as previously indicated that the two contactors are of diiferent lengths. Each of the contactors 46 and 41 comprises initially a pivoted arm 59 as indicated Whose pivot pin 59 is fixed in the tip of the frog pan 26. The right-hand end of the contactor may be variously angled, such as to vary the opening or closing time of the respective switches 4| and 42. The distance or length, indicated X, of the contactor lies in a single straight line or plane and is of such an extent that there will be ample time, during passage of a Vehicle, for the collector to hold the contactor in an elevated position for the coils 34, 34 to function thereby shifting tongues 3 32, 32 to the turn-off position by means of plungers 31, 37. The contactor arm 46 is further provided with a cross member 48 that rests upon the trolley wire 28 and prevents the contactor arm from dropping too far below the horizontal plane of trolley wires 28, 2&1.v After the passage of the collector, each of the contactors 46, 41 is restored to their initial position as shown in Fig.4 by means of gravitational action.

Fixed to the tip of frog pan 26 is a bracket element 5| that is substantially H-shaped and in which the cross element of the H more or less snugly engages with the upper portion of the projection on tip 26 and by placing the pivot pin 59 through the apertures. provided in the bracket element 5| and in th tip, it will hold the two in a firmly fixed relationship and render the two elements immovable with respect to each other. For the convenience of securing 59 on pin 59, it is provided with ear 59, 59a and the entire assemblage is held in place by means of a pair of conventional cotter pins. Fixed to the left-hand end of the contactor arm 59 is a bracket 49 secured thereto by welding or any other conventional mode of attachment. Bracket 49 is pivoted with respect to a switch holder 54 by means of a pin or pintle 53 fixed in the switch holder 54. Holder 54 is pivoted with res spect to bracket 5! by means of pins 52, 52

Secured to the upper part of the switch holder 54 is switch ii and in the particular illustration this is shown as a mercury switch, although any other form of'switch may be substituted in lieu thereof. The switch 41 is fastened to the holder 54 by means of an appropriate clamping element 55. t should be evident from an inspection of the structure set forth in Figs.,2- and 4 and from the description above that as the contactor arm 49 is elevated by its corresponding current-cob lector 9a that it will pivot about the pin 5%, and bracket 49 engaging with pin 53 by means of its slotted end, as shown, will tip holder 54 to a forward position, causing the mercury in the switch M to engage or close th circuit through the leads 5? and 58 that correspond to conductor 43 connecting to the one end of switch ti and the other representing the connection to the trolley 28. Mechanism used in conjunction with con tactor 4i may be identical with that of contactor 46 with the exception that the switch 52 would be normally closed when holder 54 holds switch 42 in the horizontal position, and when the contactor 47 is elevated by the collector 9, the switch 42 is brought to a tilted position by the holder 54 but would open the circuit with respect to the leads 5'! and 58 that are fastened in the switch element 42. The mechanical functioning of the two devices is substantially the same. It must be borne in mind in any event that under normal conditions switch M is open and switch 42 is closed.

In each of the disclosures above, it is very essential that the respective lengths of contactors Ill and, Illa and 48 and 41 be proportioned such that irrespective of the angle of the turn-off, the coils H, H and 34, 34'will have ample time to become energized to thereby permit the shifting of the tongue elements to the turn-off position. It is thought apparent, therefore, that a trolley shifting mechanism has been provided that is positive in its action and will prevent any unintentional shifting of the tongue elements and that is simple and economical in its construction and maintenance.

. .A structural variation of. the embodiment of curve after passage of collectors 9a,

"Fig: 1 is set forth in Fig. 5 in which the evice 'is normally'setfor curve operatiomand is shifted to straight line and thereafter resets to curve operation. Structures of this type are used at such places where the bulk of traflic turns off and'only a small percentagecontinues straight through. The' structure detail of Fig. 5 appearing in Fig. l'has been designated by primed numbers and since thecircuits involved vary slightlyfrom thatof Fig. 1 different numerals have been assigned to circuit parts-in order to more easily point out the operation. 7

coils are energized they will'draw the plungers I I4, Hi to the left'and move the tongues "l', l to the straight thr'ough'position. Reset mechanisms l2, l2 will restore the tongues I, 1 to reset devices I2, 12 being connected to plungers l4, l4-bylinkages l3, I3; l V

Assume'a vehicle carrying collectors 9, 9a is approaching theswitch or frog pans I I and it is intended to have them turn off on wires 4', 4, the collectors 9', 9a will substantially, simultaneously engage contactors l, Illa which will establish a circuit including contactor l0, conductor I53, resistance 23', conductors 64 and 61, switch 26; conductor 65 and contactor Illa. This effectively shunts out coil 24' and prevents the shifting of switch 26' to the dotted line position and preventing the energization of coils H, II. If the vehicle carrying collectors 9, 9a is to continue-straight ahead then collector 9' will first contact contactor Ill and this will establish a circuit through coil 24 by means of'conductors '63, B4 and 60' including resistance 23'. Switch 26' will then be shifted to the dotted line position. Distance A' is required to be of such length that there will be ample time for coil 24 to be energized to shift switch 26 to the dotted lineposition and upon 9a contacting Ina a circuit is established through coils 'l I; ll including contactor l0, conductors 62, BI, 65, switch 26' and conductor 66, and thence to contactor Illa. The contactor Illa and I6 have to be of such length as to enable coils H, I ["to become fully energized 'such'thatplungers' l4, l4 may move bars or linkages l, [5 to the opposite sides'of latches 1 5a, I5a and shift tongues 1', 1' to the straight through position. As previously indicated, reset mechanisms I2, l2 will restore the tongues to their curve position.

The operation of all parts of the structure is identical with that of Fig. 1 except as to the order of operation. a

It should be evident that since the construction of Fig. 1 maybe normally set to the curve position by the changes shown in Fig. 5, that a corresponding alteration of Fig. 3 will enable it to be normally set to curve. That which is regarded new, novel anduseful and which is sought to be protected byLetters Patent of the United States is as follows,

- Iclaim: l

1. In a trolley switching system; a pair of frog pans held in a spaced relationship; 'a shiftable tongue on each of said pans; a single uni-directional acting coil on each of said pans to shift said tongues in one direction; straight through trolley wires connected to'each of-said pans and tone-pair of trolley wires branching off ofsaid straight'thro'ugh wires; contactors associated with the trolley wires on the approach side of said pans substantially equidistant therefrom, "one of-said' contactors being of greater length 'than'the other; a control circuit for said coils; a relay contact in'said control circuit; a circuit said relay and including a resistance controlling element; said relay actuable from the shorter of said contacts and adapted when said shorter one is contacted by a current collector engaging its associated trolley wire prior to a cooperating collector engaging said longer contact and its associated trolley wire to close said coil circuit, such that when said longer contactor is subsequently engaged by the collector engaging its associated trolley wire prior-to disengagement of the collector with said shorter contactor it will complete said coil circuits to shiftsaid tongue elements; and mechanically actuated reset means to shiftsaid tongue elements back to their original position following passage of said collectors.

2. In a trolley shifting device; a pair of frog pans held in spaced relationship; a pair of trolley wires connected to one end of each of said pans andtwo pairs of trolley wires connected to the other end of said pans; a shiftable tongue element associated with each of said pans; a single uni-directional acting coil associated with each of said pans; plungers in each of said coils linked to said tongues; a contactor associated with each wire of said pair of trolley wires substantially equidistant from said pans; one of said contactors being of greater length than the other but in which the trailing ends thereof are in transverse alignment; means to shift said tongue elements including a circuit in which said coils are adapted to be connected across said trolley wires; .21. control circuit for said means including arelayanda resistance connectible in series with said. relay adapted tolconnect said coils across said. trolley wires; said resistance connectable across saidacontactors during normal operation; a pair ofvehiclesupported current collectors engageable with said pair of trolley wires; said short contactor being firsteng-aged by acollector when said vehicle is turning; thereby actuating saidrelay such that whensaid other collector engages the longer contactor the coil circuit will be closed,.the respectivellengths of said con.- tactors determining the length of time said coils are connected tosaid trolley wires, thereby shiftingwsaid' tongue-elementsyandreset means engageable by said collectors acting through said plungers to shift said tongue elements to their griginal position following passage of said collecors.

3. In an overhead trolley system; a pair of pan elements each including a shiftable tongue element; trolley wires associated with the approach side of said pans; contactors associated with said trolley wires; current collectors movable along said trolley wires engageable with said contactors; a uni-directional coil and plunger device on each of said pans to shift said tongue elements; a circuit for said coils including a switch and connectible across said trolley wires; a control circuit for said circuit which includes a resistance and a coil to actuate said switch; said control circuit energized when one of said collectors engages its corresponding contactor ahead of the other and adapted to shift said switch to said coil circuit, said plungers and coils energized onlyafter both said contactors are en gaged by said collectors; and when said contactors are engaged substantially simultaneously by said collectors said switch coil being shunted by said switch whereupon said resistance and said switch are connected in series and across said contactors thereby preventing energization of said coil.

4. In an overhead trolley system; a pair of frog pans having shiftable tongues thereon; a trolley wire connected to the approach end of said pans and having straight through and curve Wires attached to the other end of said pans; said tongue elements being normally set to curve position; a single acting electromagnetic means on each pan to shift said tongues to straight through position a control circuit for said electromagnetic means, including a relay and a resistance; contactors associated with the approach side trolley Wires; collectors slideable along said Wires; one of said collectors engaging one of said contactors to establish a circuit through said circuit through said relay and resistance to shift the switch controlled by said relay such that only when the other of said collectors engages the other of said contactors said electromagnetic means will be energized to shift said tongues to straight through position, and when both said contactors are simultaneously engaged by both said collectors a circuit is established through said resistance to shunt out said relay; and reset means acting through said electromagnetic means to restore said tongues to curve position.

5. In an overhead trolley system; a pair of frog pans held in spaced relation; a shiftable tongue on each pan; a trolley wire connected to the approach end of each pan and a curve and straight through trolley wire connected to the other end of each pan; said tongues normally set to curve position; a uni-directional solenoid and plunger mounted on each pan, said plungers connected to said tongue elements; a circuit for said solenoids including a relay switch; a control circuit for said relay including a resistance element; a contactor associated with each approach trolley wire; collectors slideable along said trolley wires; said tongue directing said collectors along said curve or straight through trolley wire; said switch shunting said relay when both contactors are simultaneously engaged by said collectors, and When one of said collectors engages its corresponding contactor ahead of the other a circuit is established through said relay and said resistance thereby shifting said switch such that only when both collectors engage both said contactors said solenoids will be energized to thereby shift said tongues to straight through position and means acting through said plungers to return said tongues to curve position after passage of said collectors.

WARREN J. LEWIS.

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