Improvement in Air and Vacuum Brakes for the Prevention of Accumulation of Water in the Tubes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th May, 1890-Accepted, 28th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Air and Vacuum Brakes for the Prevention of
Accumulation of Water in the Tubes.
CHARLES COUTTS 20 Harley Street Barrow in Furness Lanc. Coach-builder do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of an inner tube, formed of spiral wire, with a covering of
woollen, spongy, or other absorbent material, forming, what I call a capillary tube.
These tubes to be moveable and placed in the large tube running under the carriage,
and shorter tubes placed in the flexible coupling tubes.
The action of these tubes would be, that any inoisture from the air, or condensation,
or leakage of water from the engine would be taken up by the spongy or absorbent
material and distributed equally, round the brake tubes; thus always leaving a clear
passage for the air to work the brake.
The short tubes in the flexible couplings could be removed in frosty weather and
replaced by dry ones. This could be done at stations where the train stops for refresh-
ments or water to engine; thus insuring the brake of always working; and even though
the water in the tubes should become frozen there would still be a passage for the air
to work the brake.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Air and Vacuum Brakes for the Prevention of
Accumulation of Water in the Tubes.
1, CHARLES COUTTS, of 20, Harley Street, Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of
Lancaster, Coach Builder, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
According to this Invention any moisture deposited in the tubes of air or vacuum
brakes, from the air, or condensation, or leakage of water from the engine, or from any
other source, is caused to be taken up by a lining or coating of spongy or absorbent
material provided within the tubes, and thus such deposition of water would be dis-
tributed equally over the brake-tubes; the effect of which is that a clear passage for
the air to work the brake, is left at all times.
The lining may conveniently consist of an inner tube formed of spiral wire with a
covering of woollen, spongy, or other absorbent material, forming what I call a
capillary tube. These tubes may be movable and placed in the main or large tube
running under the carriages, and shorter tubes of the same nature may be placed in
the flexible coupling tubes.
In frosty, wet, or damp weather the short tubes used in the flexible couplings,
could be removed and replaced by dry ones, en route at stations where the train
makes sufficiently long stoppages, thus insuring the brake tubes being clear for the
passage of air, and in a working condition; and even though the water in the tubes
should become frozen, there would still be a clear passage for the air to work
the brake.
Having thus generally described the object, nature, and effects of my Invention, I
will now proceed to describe it with reference to the sheet of accompanying drawings
which serve to illustrate it. The drawing shows one example of a brake tube provided
with means for absorbing moisture, and according to my Invention.

page_text: Figure 1 illustrates, in sectional side clevation, a portion of a brake tube; and
Figure 2 is an end view of the tube.
;
In the example shewn in the drawings, a is the brake tube; and is the absorbent
lining. This lining, b, is formed of a tube of woollen material, stretched over a
spiral wire the diameter of the tube or lining is such that it will pass freely into
the brake tube a, and forms a separable lining thereto, of such a nature, that it will
take up any water that may exist in the brake tube by the action of capillary
attraction.
The pliable nature of the tube or lining & enables it to adapt itself to the brake tubes
which usually run beneath the railway carriages. Where bends come in the brake
tubes, such as at the flexible couplings, short lengths of the tube bare used in the
tube a.
The action of the absorbent tube or lining is that any moisture deposited from
the air, or leakage of water from the brake-engine, is taken up or absorbed by the
lining, and is through the nature of such lining-distributed equally over and
throughout the brake tubes. Thus always leaving a clear passage through them and
insuring the correct working of the brake..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, it must be understood that the
particular form thereof, above set forth, constitutes merely an example according to
my Invention, and that therefore it may be applied and modified in many ways
without departing from the Invention; as for example, the absorbent lining may
constitute the inner face of the main brake tube instead of a separate tube as
above shown; and what I claim as my Invention and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is
--
1. In air or vacuum brakes, the employment in the tubes thereof of a lining of
absorbent material, such as woollen fabric; for the purposes set forth.
2. The herein described tube, for use in the tubes of air or vacuum brakes, consist-
ing of or comprising a skin of woollen or other equivalent absorbent material;
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The herein described tube for use in the tubes of air or vacuum brakes, con-
sisting of or comprising a skin of woollen or other equivalent absorbent
material, and an internal spiral wire core on which said skin is stretched or
supported substantially as and for the purposes set forth with reference to the
Drawings.
Dated this 18th day of May 1890.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON.
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.