Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-13

discharged through the rail, as is the case
| in overhead systems. The new system is
! thus said to be made absolutely safe.
The line conductors are of heavy copper
wire, nine-sixteenths of an inch thick
They are suspended beneath the track by
means of movable insulators. Attached to
the car is an ingenious trolley device
| through which the trolley passes into the
motor, thence to the lighting and heating
apparatus, and finally back to the return
conductor The trolley is likewise capable
of motion in any direction.
The current is brought up from the cop
| per conductors beneath by means of slot
| rail which is not unlike the slot used in
| cable systems. 1t is so constructed that it
forms perfect steel roof over the conduc-
tors and protects them from all kinds of
weather. The slot rail has not nut or
screw in it, but is held in its place by a
clamp, with ample space for lateral move
ment. This device overcomes the contrac-
tion and expansion so common in cable rail-
ways, for the width of the slot can be ad-
justed at any point in its length by means
of lever.
In mechanical construction the road con-
forms almost exactly with cable construc-
! tion except that the yoke is 20 inches in
stead of 45 inches Deep This Improvement
obviates the moving of sewer, gas and
| water mains along the lines where the road
might be extended To remove the danger
of the conduit filling with water manholes
are placed at distances of % yokes apart,
which drain the water through traps into
the sewer.
The power for running the electrical ap-
paratus is obtained at the power house,
where $50 horse power generator is now
being set up. A uniform voltage of 500
l.. e. &1a
same as is required for the old overhead
trolley system.
One of the main advantages of the new
system is that any electric motor to which
can be attached the apparatus for taking
the electric current from beneath can be
utilized. The one now contemplated by the
company will conform with the accompany
ing cut. Its advantages over other motors
are said to be that the motorman's plat
form is elevated 16 inches above the regular
surface of the car, which not only gives
him the opportunity of exercising greater
vigilance while running, but also serves to
keep the motor up out of the slush of the
streets. 1t is also provided with four trac-
tion wheels, and it is claimed that five or
six loaded trailers can be drawn with ease.
Successful tests have lately been made
with new attachment for carding engines,
an arrangement designed for the stopping of
the machine. The shaft in the upper cal
ender roller is in this instance prolonged
little beyond its bearings, and at its end is
affixed worm gear into worm wheel,
which is mounted on stud attached to
bracket on the frame. The wheel has pin
affixed to its surface, which engages with
lever acting upon one end of another lever,
the other end of this latter lever being bent
so as to pass under a catch on one side of the
doffer lever, which lever is supported in
working position by the catch. The effect
of this mechanism is that if the silver is
passed through calender rolls at a proper
thickness the worm on the upper calender
shaft is held out of contact with the worm
wheel. If the silver is too thin or is entirely
absent, the worm Iolds into gear and
rotates the worm wheel, and thus removes
the levers about their centers, releases the
catch attached to the doffer lever, and stops
the engines.