Apparatus Automatically Actuating same.
Year: 1888

page_text: DIARY Apparatus Automatically
Actuating same.
I RICHARD RICHARDSON HUTCHINSON of 114 Edith Grove, Brompton, London S. Wi
Electrical and Mechanical 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:-
The object of my Invention is to provide an electric brake in which the mechanical
"grip" is obtained by electro-magnetic action, and the frictional resistance to motion
which constitutes the efficiency of any brake, is according to my Invention,,
augmented by reason of the brake block or blocks becoming magnetic, and the iron
wheel or disc upon which the brake is applied, acting as an armature to said magnet.
I am also enabled to apply said brake instantly, thus arresting the motion of high
speed machinery immediately that the driving power is shut off; or in the case of a
railway train, or tram car whether electrically propelled or not, I am enabled to
automatically apply a powerful brake when the source of power is detached from the
motor, or when by accident a part of a train becomes detached from the main
portion, the brakes are automatically applied to such detached part, and also to the
main portion of said train, bringing the latter to rest speedily, and warning the
driver of the former of the mishap.
In order that my Invention may be the better understood I have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Figure 1 represents an elevation of a direct
acting electro magnetic brake of the type designated by me "disc brakes." Figure 2*
is an elevation of a direct acting brake of the "pendulum" type, and Figure 3 shews
the arrangement of a double brake, with levers. Figure 4 is an elevation of an
electric strap brake, and Figure 5 is a diagram of electrical connections applicable to
each type of the electro magnetic brakes shewn in the sheet of drawings or described
in the specification. Figure 6 represents an automatic electric contact for applying.
the electric brake in the case of a railway train becoming uncoupled or parted.
en transit, and Figure 7 an elevation of a check lever of the aforesaid arrangement;,
shewn detached:

page_text: In carrying out my Invention I may attach to any shaft, spindle, or axle of any
machine, or vehicle, a disc or drum E. Figure 1; of cast or wrought iron, and
surround the same by stout brake blocks D D', hinged at CC to the polar extremities
of an electro magnet formed of the two coils A A', strongly yoked at B. A cee spring G
'pressing upon legs attached to the brake blocks D D, serves to keep the latter from
contact with the lise E when the brake is not in action. When an electric current
is allowed to pass around the coils A A1, magnetising the cores thereof, the brake
blocks D D also become highly magnetic, and the magnetic circuit is closed by reason
of said brake blocks D D gripping the iron disc E, said blocks D D₁ practically
acting as extensions of the poles of the magnetic coils A A'. The frictional resistance
of the grip of the brake blocks D D' upon the disc or drum E, due to the mechanical
force of the magnet A A¹ is augmented by the magnetic adhesion of the blocks D D¹
to said disc E.
I may dispense with the cee spring G and substitute a spiral or volute spring in
tension between the lugs, or may apply such a spring to act upon the lower part of
the brake blocks D D1, for the purpose of releasing the brake when the electric circuit
through the coils A A' is broken, or interrupted.
In other cases I may employ a single or double magnetic brake block D D1 Figure 2
wound with insulated wire to form a magnetizing helix or coil A, the whole being
suspended by a lever or rod E pivotted at C. When this brake is operated by means
of an electric current flowing around the coil A, the block D D is attracted towards
the wheel B, moving freely upon the pivot or point of suspension C, and "gripping"
said wheel B with the power derived both from the mechanical force of the magnet A,
and the adhesion of the latter to the periphery of the wheel B, arrests its motion.
may either rely upon the action of gravity to return said brake to a position of rest,
disengaging it from the wheel B, or I may provide springs for this purpose.
In other cases I may provide an alternative arrangement, where the power of the
brake is due to the magnetic pull of a fixed magnet, and the retardation of motion
due to magnetic adhesion is dispensed with. Such an arrangement is shewn by
Figure 3 in which the brake blocks D D are pivotted at CC to the frame of the
machine or vehicle, and suitable levers F F attached to said brake blocks, and carrying
iron armatures B B at their upper extremities. A suitable bi-polar electro magnet E
is rigidly attached to the framework of said machine or vehicle in such a manner as to
attract the armatures B B when an electric current is passed around the coils thereof.
This action causes the brake blocks D D¹ to press upon the peripheries of the
wheels A A with considerable force. I may as in the former arrangement, rely upon
the action of gravity to release, or disengage the brake when it is not required, or I
may attach suitable springs thereto for this purpose.
As an alternative arrangement to any of those previously described, I may surround
a wheel or drum A, Figure 4 with a band B, of steel, or other flexible metal or
material, and may or may not line said band with wood to increase the adhesion
thereof.
One end of said band B is suitably jointed and rigidly attached at F to any part of
the frame of the machine or vehicle to which the brake may be applied, while the
opposite end of said band is jointed at C to one end of a short lever, pivotted at D,
and carrying at its free end an armature E within range of the pole of an electro
magnet G. When it is desired to arrest the motion of the shaft H, a current of
electricity is caused to flow round the coil G, which, magnetizing the core, attracts
the armature E, and tightens the band or strap B around the circumference of the
wheel or drum A, thereby checking the speed, and instantly stopping the rotation of
said wheel A, and consequently the shaft or spindle H to which it is attached.
In order that, when a machine or vehicle is electrically driven or propelled the brake
shall be applied directly the current of electricity is diverted from the motor, I make
use of the system of connections illustrated by the diagram Figure 5. A switch A
is provided with three contact slips a, b, and c, one terminal e of the source of the
electric current, (say the + terminal,) being connected to the switch arm D through the
wire
9. The contact slip a is connected with the motor C'by the wire and the opposite

page_text: terminal of said motor is also connected with the opposite terminal d of the generator,
or source of current. (say the terminal) by the wire . Therefore, when the arm D
of the switch A rests upon the contact slip a the electric motor C is actuated, but
when said arm D is moved to the slip the electric circuit is broken through the
motor, and established through the brake B, by means of the wires and f. The
slip is neutral, and the whole electric circuit is broken or interrupted when the
arm D rests upon said slip. It is apparent, from the foregoing description, that
the brake cannot be applied while the electric motor is driving or propelling the
machine or vehicle but, however swiftly or suddently the arm D of the switch A be
moved from contact with the slip a to the slip e, the brake must momentarily be
applied, which generally suffices to arrest the motion of said machine or vehicle.
Generally however, a rest or "dwell upon the slip is preferable, in order to allow
of the perfect action of the brake. The foregoing arrangement of electric circuits is
applicable for any type of electric brake where the motive power is derived from an
electric current wherewith to drive the machine or to propel the vehicle to which the
device according to my Invention is applied, but in cases where the motive power is
other than an electric current, I employ a simple switch for operating said brakes.
When an electric brake according to my Invention is applied to a train of vehicles,
where the accidental uncoupling of a part of said train is attended with danger I
provide between each carriage or vehicle an automatic contact, shown by Figure C.
Two levers CC, each pivotted to a bracket F attached to the end of the carriages or
vehicles A, B, are so arranged as to rest one against another, as shewn, when said
carriages A. B are properly coupled. One of said levers C C is shewn detached at
Figure 7 on which the transverse pin a is firmly and rigidly attached to the bar of
the lever which is provided with a pivot b, and a contact lug or pin d. Each lever,
therefore, rests against the pin a of the opposite lever, and so the contact lugs or
pins D, D¹ are prevented from making electrical contact with the terminals E E¹.
Should the train of vehicles become uncoupled, and any part become detached there-
from, the levers of the detached carriages become disengaged, and falling by reason of
the weight of the long arm, cause the lugs or pins D D to make electrical contact
with the terminals EE, and thus complete the electric circuit through the electric
brakes hereinbefore described, and arrest the motion of the detached portion of said
train, and also considerably check the onward motion of the main or locomotive portion,
and thereby call the attention of the driver or attendant to the accident.
I may apply the foregoing automatic arrangement in connection with an electric
brake, to milling, planing, shaping, printing, or similar machines where a reciprocal
or other motion is desired to take place within a certain limit of space, which if
exceeded, is likely to cause damage to property or life, and the same is also similarly
applicable to travelling and other cranes, hoists, elevators and lifts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
First. In an electric brake the combination of electro magnetic adhesion, with the
mechanical pressure or "grip" due to the action of an electro-magnet or magnets,
substantially as herein described and shown.
Second. In an electric brake, the application of a pendulum or oscillatory motion,
with a magnetic "grip" substantially as herein described and set forth.
Third. In an electric brake, the adaptation of an electro-magnet, or electro magnets,
for the purpose of pressing a brake block or brake blocks, or a flexible band or strap,
with or without a lining of wood, against the periphery of a wheel, for arresting the
motion thereof substantially as herein described and shewn.
Fourth. In the combination of an electric brake with electrical driving power, as
applied to machines or vehicles, the employment of an arrangement of electrical
circuits for semi-automatic action, substantially as herein described, and shewn by
Figure 5 in the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Fifth. In an electric brake, as applied to vehicles or machines, whether driven or
propelled by means of a current of electricity or by any other source of motion or

page_text: power, the automatic contact, or circuit closer substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shewn by Figures 6 and 7 in the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
Sixth. The combination of an electric brake with semi-automatic, or automatic
action, with vehicles or machines whether electrically driven or propelled, or deriving
motion from other sources, and the utilization of magnetic motion and adhesion in
such brakes, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and set forth.
$.
Dated this 15th day of October 1888.
FREDK. WALKER & HYDE,
4, Little Moorfields, London, E.C.,
Agents for Applicant.