Apparatus for Recharging the Reservoirs of Vehicles Propelled by. Compressed Air or other Fluid under Pressure.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1894
Complet: Specification Left, 17th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 2nd Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Recharging the Reservoirs of Vehicles Propelled by.
Compressed Air or other Fluid under Pressure.
I JAMES TIBURCE FÉLIX CONTI, of 64 Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to provide means for enabling the reservoirs of
tramcars and other vehicles propelled by air or other fluid under pressure to be
automatically recharged at certain points of their journey. For this purpose the
motive fluid would be supplied through a main pipe laid below the ground level in
proximity to the line, from which branch pipes would lead to the points at which
connection is made with the resorvoir on the vehicle by means of a delivery nozzle
which rises at the moment the vehicle passes and makes connection with a receiving
device fixed beneath the vehicle in communication with the reservoir.
The details of the apparatus whereby the recharging of the reservoir is effected
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this Specification,
wberein
Figure 1 represents the position of the parts before the passage of the vehicle.
Figure 2 represents the arrangement of the parts whilst in connection.
Figure 3 is an elevation and Figure 4 a plan of the receiving device.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on line 1-2 of the delivery nozzle and receiving
device in connection.
Figure 6 is a section on line 3-4 and on a larger scale of the upper part of the
receiving device.
Figures 7 and 8 show longitudinal and transverse sections of the delivery nozzle
and means for shutting off the delivery of fluid.
Figure 9 is a section on line 4-5 of the delivery nozzle.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
The main C Figures 1 and 2 is laid beneath the whole length of the route and
means are provided at given distances apart for recharging the reservoir R carried by
the vehicle. The coupling is formed of a delivery nozzle of lenticular section shown
in Figure 9 which is caused to rise on the passage over it of the vehicle and enter
a receiving device L beneath the vehicle in communication with the reservoir R.
The mechanism placed beneath the line is actuated by means of a treadle B placed
between the rail and guard rail so as to be depressed by the flange of the vehicle
wheel and raised by a spring B. By the depression of the treadle B a pawl r
pivoted to its extremity acts on a ratchet wheel controlling a four-way cock R',
the parts being arranged in such manner that the cock R' will make 1/8 of a turn
at each depression of the treadle the function of said cock being either to connect
branch pipe on the main C with the pipe 3 as in Figure 1 or to place pipe 3' in
communication with the atmosphere as in Figure 2 according to whether the treadle B
is operated an even or odd number of times."
The pipe 3 connects with the pump barrel q' on the rear side of the piston p
which is provided with a valve c¹ and a hollow stem t' sliding in a stuffing box d and
containing a passage ab for putting the apparatus in communication with the
atmosphere when valve c¹ is closed. The fluid pressure is admitted to act on valve c
through the pipe 2 branched upon the main C. The valve c¹ controls the supply of
air to the delivery nozzle through passage 4 and pipe 5 upon which the said nozzle

page_text: "
slides up and down guided by rods G which are provided with stops for limiting the
motion. The delivery nozzle or spigot member of the coupling his of the lenticular
two edged tapering section shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and it is so mounted as to be
capable of lateral movement so as to enable it to follow the transverse oscillating
movements of the vehicle and permit it to engage in the female member of the
coupling or receiving device even when the latter is not exactly in the middle of
the track. To this end the delivery nozzle and its guide rods are free to oscillate
slightly about the horizontal axis ef and it is vertically maintained by a counter
balance weight suspended at M,
9, 1, 9, are cylinders laterally disposed within the casing g.
The delivery through the nozzle is controlled by a valve pressed to its seat by
a piston p² and spiral spring. The space beneath the piston p² communicates with
the cylinder 9' by a flexible pipe 8 and receives pressure from the main, or is in
communication with the external air, according to the position in cylinder 9° of
piston valve pe which is controlled by the piston p working in cylinder 9. The
cylinder is connected by a pipe 6 with the pipe 2 and its lower end is connected by
a flexible pipe 7 with a channel z leading through the solid end of the delivery
nozzle h. The cylinder is provided with a check valve e
The casing 9 is provided at its upper part with a slot for the passage of the
delivery nozzle h closed by two shutters i, i, carried by arms ; pivoted at / and
operated by the rising motion of nozzle through shoulders m thereon acting on
friction rollers k on the arms; whereby the shutters are separated to allow the
nozzle to pass; on the descent of the latter the shutters close by their own gravity.
The receiving part of the apparatus comprises a long socket or chamber L
(Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6) in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle having at its under-
side a longitudinal mouth or slit which is normally closed by lips or membranes H
of indiarubber or other like material, inflated with water or other fluid under
pressure between which the nozzle h enters as shown in Figure 5, a tight joint between
the two being ensured by means of the lips H, pairs of guide rollers n being provided
at each end for bringing the nozzle into alignment with the mouth.
The chamber L communicates with the reservoir R by the pipe 16 and check
valve . R is a three-way cock for putting pipes 11, 12 in communication with
the reservoir through 'pipe 10 with the external air. The pipe 11 connects with a
cylinder 9 in which is a piston operating a piston p* which compresses the fluid
by which the lips H are inflated. The pipe 12 connects the pipe 11 with the
pipes 14 15 which communicate with the interior of the chamber L by valves c*, c*
which open in reverse direction.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
The several parts being in the position represented in Figure 1, the leading wheel
of the car depresses the treadle B moves cock R' (Figure 2) one eighth of a turn
whereby the pipe 3 which was in communication with the main C, is opened to the
atmosphere as shown in Figure 2. The space behind the piston p² being thus
opened to the air the piston is suddenly moved by the pressure in pipe 2 acting ou
valve c' which opens and establishes communication between the pipe 2 and the
pipes 4 and, at same time that the passage is closed to the open air. The
compressed air enters passage 5 through its hollow trunnions raises the delivery
nozzle h which opens the shutters, as above described to allow the nozzle to pass.
The vehicle continuing to advance, the nozzle guided by the rollers n enters between
the lips H, whereupon the driver stops the vehicle and turns cock R² so as to place
the reservoir R in communication with pipes 11, and 12, it being assumed that the
reservoir is never entirely exhausted and that it always contains some air under
pressure on arriving at the point of intake. This pressure acting on pistons p³ p
• compresses the water contained in the lips H to ensure an air tight joint between
them and nozzle h. The area of piston p being greater than that of pis: on pt the
pressure in the lips H will also exceed that in pipe 12 and consequently that in
the chamber L. The pressure by which the lips are expanded and pressed against the
nozzle is thus always proportional to the pressure in the reservoir and the greater
.
;
:

page_text: the latter the more perfect will be the joint. The compressed air remaining in the
reservoir R enters chamber L through valve c, the opening of the latter being
slightly retarded by the spiral spring placed beneath it, in order to allow time for
the expansion of the lips and prevent any escape of air. This air pressure now
opens valve of nozzle h which can not again close as long as the underside of
piston p' is open to the outer air. The areas of the valve and piston p' and the
strength of spring are such that a feeble pressure suffices to quickly open the
valve c³.
The compressed air from the main C then passes through pipe 5 to the nozzle h,
thence through chamber L, to the reservoir R. When the pressure in the reservoir
is about equal to the initial pressure in the main C, the piston will be nearly in
equilibrium and the piston will rise and admit the pressure through pipe 8 to the
underside of piston which being then in equilibrium as regards air pressure is
raised by its spring and closes valve c².
The charging operation which has occupied but a few seconds only is now
completed and the driver, who watches his pressure gauge, moves cock R back to
its original position (Figure 1) opening pipe 11 and the upper side of piston p* to
the outer air, the water under pressure contained in the lips H raises piston p* until
equilibrium is established between the pressure of the water and that of the
atmosphere whereupon the nozzle is released and the vehicle is ready to start again.
The flange of the rear wheel then again depresses the treadle B so as to move
cock Ranother one-eighth of a turn whereby the pressure from the main C is
admitted through pipe 3 to the rear of piston p¹ causing valve c¹ to close on its
seat and open the orifice 6 in valve rod t to the outer air so that the pressure in
passages 4 and 5 will exhaust through a, b, and the nozzle will redescend by its own
weight and shutters i, i, will close. The delivery nozzle might be mounted upon the
vehicle and serve as the receiving device.
My improvements may also be applied to other self-propelled vehicles, as well as
to locomotives operated by compressed air. In the latter case the connection
might be made with a receiving device on the vehicle hauled and connected by means
of flexible tubing with reservoirs on the locomotive.
Dated this 19th day of March 1894
J. T. F. CONTI,
By A. M. & Win. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
Apparatus for Recharging the Reservoirs of Vehicles Propelled by
Compressed Air or other Fluid under Pressure.
I, JAMES TIBURCE FÉLIX CONTI, of 64, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris,
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to provide means for enabling the reservoirs of
tramcars and other vehicles propelled by air or other fluid under pressure to be
automatically recharged at certain points of their journey. For this purpose the
motive fluid would be supplied through a main pipe laid below the ground level in
proximity to the line, from which main pipe branch pipes would lead to the points
at which connection is made with the reservoir on the vehicle by means of a
delivery nozzle which rises at the moment the vehicle passes and makes connection
with a receiving device fixed beneath the vehicle in communication with the
reservoir.

page_text: The decans of the apparatus whereby the recharging of the reservoir is effected,
are illustrated in the drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification, wherein
Figure represents the position of the parts before the passage of the
vehicle.
:
191
Figure 2 represents the arrangement of the parts whilst in connection.
Figure 3 is an elevation, and Figure 4.a plan, of-the receiving device.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on line 1-2 of the delivery, nozzle and receiving
device in connection.
Figure 6 is a section on line 3-4 and on a larger scale of the upper part of the
receiving device.
.
:
Figures 7 and 8 shew longitudinal and transverse sections of the delivery nozzle
and means for shutting off the delivery of fluid.
Figure 9 is a section on line 4-5 of the delivery nozzle.
1.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
:1
:
The main C, Figures 1 and 2, is laid beneath the whole length of the route and
means are provided at given distances apart for recharging the reservoir R carried
by the vehicle. The coupling is formed of a delivery nozzle h of lenticular section,
shewn in Figure 9, which is caused to rise on the passage over it of the vehicle.and
enter, a receiving device L beneath the vehicle in communication with the
reservoir R..
:
The, mechanism placed beneath the line is actuated by means of a treadle B
placed between the rail and guard rail so as to be depressed by the flange of the
vehicle wheel and raised by a spring B'. By the depression of the treadle B
a pawlr pivoted to its extremity acts on a ratchet wheel controlling a four-way
cock R', the parts being arranged in such manner that the cock R' will make one-
eighth of a turn at each depression of the treadle, the function of said cock being
either to connect branch pipe 1 on the main C with the pipe 3, as in Figure 1, or
to place pipe 3 in communication with the atmosphere, as in Figure 2, according
to whether the treadle B is operated an even or odd number of times. The pipe
connects with the pump barrel q' on the rear side of the piston p' which is provided
with a valve c' and a hollow stem t' sliding in a stuffing box d and containing a
passage a, b, for putting the apparatus in communication with the atmosphere when
valve c is closed. The fluid pressure is admitted to act on valve c through the
pipe 2 branched upon the main C. The valve c¹ controls the supply of air to the
delivery nozzle through. passage 4 and pipe 5 upon which the said nozzle slides up
and down guided by rods G which are provided with stops for limiting the
motion.
The delivery nozzle, or spigot member of the coupling is of the lenticular,
two-edged, tapering section shewn in Figures 7, 8, 9, and it is so mounted as to be
capable of lateral movement so as to enable it to follow the transverse oscillatory
movements of the vehicle and permit it to engage in the female member of the
coupling or receiving device even when the latter is not exactly in the middle of
the track. To this end the delivery nozzle and its guide rods are free to oscillate
slightly about the horizontal axis e, f, and it is vertically maintained by a counter-
balance weight suspended at M. 9, 9, 1, are cylinders laterally disposed within
the casing 9.
The delivery through the nozzle is controlled by a valve c² pressed to its seat by
a piston p² and spiral spring. The space beneath the piston communicates
with the cylinder, by a flexible pipe 8, and receives pressure from the main or is
in communication with the external air, according to the position in cylinder 9 of
piston valve p which is controlled by the piston working in 'cylinder g. The
cylinder is connected by a pipe 6 with the pipe 2 and its lower end is connected
by a flexible pipe 7 with a channel leading through the solid end of the delivery
nozzle. The cylinder is provided with a check valve c: The casing is
provided at its upper part with a slot for the passage of the delivery nozzle h
losed by two shutters i, i, carried by arms; pivoted at land operated by the
rising motion of nozzle through shoulders m thereon acting on friction rollers k

page_text: on the arms whereby the shutters i are separated to allow the nozzle to pass; on
the descent of the latter the shutters close by their own gravity.
The receiving part of the apparatus comprises a long socket or chamber L
(Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6,) in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, having at its
underside a longitudinal mouth or slit which is normally closed by lips or
membranes H of india rubber or other like material, inflated with water or other
fluid under pressure between which the nozzle h enters, as shewn in Figure 5, a
tight joint between the two being ensured by means of the lips H, pairs of guide
rollers n being provided at each end for bringing the nozzle into aligement with
the mouth. The chamber L communicates with the reservoir R by the pipe 16
and check valve c. R is a three-way cock for putting pipes 11, 12, in com-
munication with the reservoir through pipe 10, or with the external air.
pipe 11 connects with a cylinder in which is a piston operating a piston p
which compresses the fluid by which the lips H are inflated. The pipe 12 connects
the pipe 11 with the pipes 14, 15, which communicate with the interior of the
chamber L by valves c, c³, which open in reverse directions.
The
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The several parts being in the
position represented in Figure 1, the leading wheel of the car depresses the
treadle B, moves cock R' (Figure 2) one-eighth of a turn, whereby the pipe 3
which was in communication with the main C is opened to the atmosphere, as
shewn in Figure 2. The space behind the piston p' being thus opened to the air,
the piston is suddenly moved by the pressure in pipe 2 acting on valve c' which
opens and establishes communication between the pipe 2 and the pipes 4 and 5, at
same time that the passage b is closed to the open air. The compressed air enters
passage 5 through its hollow trunnions, raises the delivery nozzle h, which opens
the shutters i, as above described, to allow the nozzle to pass. The vehicle
continuing to advance, the nozzle guided by the rollers a enters between the lips H
whereupon the driver stops the vehicle and turns cock R' so as to place the
reservoir R in communication with pipes 11, 12, it being assumed that the reservoir
is never entirely exhausted and that it always contains some air under pressure on
arriving at the point of intake. This pressure acting on pistons p, p, compresses
the water contained in the lips H to ensure an air tight joint between them and
nozzle h. The area of piston p being greater than that of piston p the pressure
in the lips H will also exceed that in pipe 12 and consequently that in the
chamber L. The pressure by which the lips are expanded and pressed against the
nozzle is thus always proportional to the pressure in the reservoir and the greater
the latter the more perfect will be the joint. The compressed air remaining in the
reservoir Renters chamber L through valve e, the opening of the latter being
slightly retarded by the spiral spring placed beneath it, in order to allow time
for the expansion of the lips and prevent any escape of air. This air pressure.now
opens valve of nozzle h which cannot again close as long as the underside of
piston p is open to the outer air. The areas of the valve and piston p² and the
strength of spring are such that a feeble pressure suffices to quickly open the
valve . The compressed air from the main C then passes through pipe 5 to
the nozzle h, thence through chamber L to the reservoir R. When the pressure
in the reservoir is about equal to the initial pressure in the main C, the piston p*
will be nearly in equilibrium and the piston p will rise and admit the pressure
through pipe 8 to the underside of piston p2 which being then in equilibrium as
regards air pressure is raised by its spring and closes valve c².
The charging operation which has occupied but a few seconds only is now
completed, and the driver, who watches his pressure gauge, moves cock R¹ back to
its original position (Figure 1) opening pipe 11 and the upper side of piston p³ to
the outer air, the water under pressure contained in the lips H raises piston p until
equilibrium is established between the pressure of the water and that of the
atmosphere, whereupon the nozzle is released and the vehicle is ready to start
again. The flange of the rear wheel then again depresses the treadle B so as to
move cock R' another one-eighth of 'a turn whereby the pressure from the main C

page_text: i
:
is admitted through pipe 3 to the rear of piston p¹, causing valve c¹ to close on its
seat and open the orifice in valve rod t to the outer air so that the pressure in
passages 4 and 5 will exhaust through a, b, and the nozzle will re-descend by its
own weight and the shutters i, i, will close. The delivery nozzle might be mounted
upon the vehicle and serve as the receiving device.
My improvements may also be applied to other self-propelled vehicles, as well as
to locomotives operated by compressed air. In the latter case the connection
might be made with a receiving device on the vehicle hauled and connected by
means of flexible tubing with reservoirs on the locomotive.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. In a system of vehicle propelled by compressed air or other fluid under
pressure, the combination of devices for enabling the recharging to be performed
at any required point, consisting of a nozzle having an automatic rising and falling
movement, a receiving device carried upon the vehicle adapted to be coupled with
the nozzle, a tight joint being made between the two by means of. tubular lips
expanded by water or other fluid acted on by the pressure contained in the
reservoir upon the vehicle, substantially as herein before described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings for the purpose specified.
2nd. In the herein described apparatus, the combination of means whereby the
delivery nozzle is automatically raised and lowered under the action of the fluid
under pressure on the depression, by the running wheel, of a treadle actuating a
four-way cock whereby the pressure in the main is admitted to, or cut off from, a
piston which controls the passage of the air or other fluid to the delivery nozzle,
as hereinbefore described.
3rd. In the herein described apparatus, the delivery nozzle adapted to be raised
and lowered and to swing laterally, as and for the purpose specified.
4th. In the herein described apparatus, the combination of means whereby the
supply of fluid to the delivery apparatus is cut off immediately the pressure in the
reservoir equals that in the supply main, substantially as herein before described.
5th. In the apparatus herein described, the combination of means for closing
the aperture giving passage to the delivery nozzle consisting of a pair of shutters
movable upwardly and outwardly by the nozzle in rising, acting thereon through
friction rollers and arms working on centres, the shutters closing by gravity when
the nozzle descends, as herein before described.
6th. In the herein described apparatus, the means whereby the receiving device
'may be put in communication with the reservoir on the vehicle or with the open
air consisting of a three-way cock and pipe connections, as described, in combination
with flexible tubular lips on said receiving device filled with water or other fluid
and means whereby the air pressure in the reservoir is caused to act thereon and
expand the same, substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of December 1894
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.