Improvements in Underground Conduit Systems for Electric Railways.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 16th June, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Underground Conduit Systems for Electric
Railways.
I, HERLUF AUGUST FREDERIK PETERSEN, of the City of Milwaukee, in
the County of Milwaukee, in the State of Wisconsin, United States of America,
Manufacturing Electrician, 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 relates to New and Useful Improvements in Underground Conduit
Systems for Electric Railways, and will be fully described hereinafter.
In the drawings ;
Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of one form of my improved
conduit, showing the arrangement of the conductors therein, and of the trolley
mechanism engaging with said conductors, together with the connections for
conveying the current to the motor on a car.
Figure 2 is a similar view taken through one of the manholes which communicate
with the conduit.
Figure 3 is a similar view of the conduit, illustrating the arrangements of the
yokes for supporting the same in position.
Figure 4, is a side elevation of the contact carrying device shown in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a detail vertical sectional view of a portion of the contact carrying
device.
Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the same.
Figure 7 is a detail cross-sectional view of the contact carrying arm, showing the
arrangement of the drip color or flange thereon.
Figure 8 is a view in diagram illustrating the arrangement of the conductors and
illustrating my improved method of forming the connections between adjacent
sections of the conductors, and the mains.
Figure 9 is a broken side elevation of one form of my improved closing device
for normally closing the compartment of the conduit in which the conductors are
located.
Figure 10 is a detail sectional view, illustrating one form of joint between
adjacent sections of the conduit.
Figure 11 is a view representing a motor car equipped with my improved
mechanism and located upon a track provided with my improved conduit, and
further shows blower mechanism for forcing dry and cold air through the
conduit.
Figure 12 is a plan view of the track illustrating the arrangement of manholes
communicating with the two parts of the conduit, the conduit being represented by
dotted lines.
Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are sectional views
illustrating various forms of my improved conduit.
Figure 26 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of automatic
mechanism for maintaining a circulation of dry and cold air in the portion of the
conduit containing the conductors.
Figure 27 is a transverse sectional view of another form of my improved conduit,
together with its supporting yoke, and illustrates a different arrangement of the
contact carrying device.
Figure 28 is a similar view of still another form of conduit.
Figures 29 and 30 are similar views illustrating the portion of the conduit which

page_text: contains the conductors as made from a single piece of metal bent into the
required shape.
Figures 31, 32, and 33 are detail views illustrating different forms of contact
shoes for engagement with the conductors within the conduit.
Figure 34 is a transverse sectional view of the conduit illustrating the arrange-
ment of movable devices for opening the part of the conduit in which the
conductors are located together with movable sections of the conductors, and means
for supporting the same.
Figure 35 is a side elevation illustrating a different form of contact carrying
device, in which the contact shoes are capable of lateral as well as vertical
movement.
Figure 36 is a detail sectional view of the same taken on the dotted line x-x of
Figure 35.
Figure 37 is a detail view of one of the contact shoes and means for detachably
securing the same to the carrier.
Figure 38 is a top plan view of the contact carrier shown in Figure 35.
Figure 39 is a detail cross-sectional view illustrating the construction of the
contact carrying arm, and the arrangement of the conductors therein.
Figure 40 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the arrangement of mechanism
for adjusting the switch rail upon the track, as well as the conducting rails within
the conduit.
Figure 41 is a cross-sectional view of the conduit illustrating contact devices
carried by the arm and arranged to actuate the switch operating mechanism shown
in Figure 40.
In the construction of underground conduits for electric railway conductors or
wires as heretofore made, great difficulty has been experienced from the fact that
suitable provision has not been made against the accumulation of dirt and moisture
within the conduit, and hence such systems have proved very unsatisfactory because
of frequent short circuiting or grounding of the current.
It is the object of my present invention to provide an improved form of under-
ground conduit which will effectually guard against any accumulation of moisture
within that portion of the conduit occupied by the conductors or wires and also
to provide means for the ready removal of any dirt which may find its way through
the slot by which the conduit communicates with the surface of the ground.
Other objects of my invention are to provide means for maintaining a circulation
of dry and cold air within the conduit, in order to keep the conductors dry, as well
as means for regulating the operation of said apparatus, aud also to provide other
means for operating the switches upon the tracks as well as adjusting the conducting
rails or wires within the conduit.
Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates as a whole the casing or
conduit which is designed to be located entirely beneath the surface of the
ground.
The casing or conduit may be made of any desired or convenient form, and may
be made from a single casting or from a number of sections arranged to fit snugly
together at their abutting edges in any desired manner, so as to form water tight
joints.
The casing or conduit is in every case so constructed as to form a plurality of
longitudinal passages or compartments, one of which is provided in its upper wall
with a slot for the admission of the contact carrying device, and the other passage
or passages arranged to contain the conductors, and separated from the passage
having the slot by means of a movable closing device as will be presently described
in detail.
In the particular form of construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the
casing is composed of sections A'A' A suitably joined together at their edges, and
the adjacent upper edges of the sections A' and A' being arranged to terminate at
a suitable distance apart to leave a narrow slot a for the admission of the contact
carrier arm, which is supported beneath the car.

page_text: In this form of construction the sections of the casing are formed so as to bring
the slot a considerably to one side of the center of the conduit. In this form of
conduit two longitudinal passages B and C are provided the former of which is
located almost wholly to one side of the slot a, and the latter being arranged to
communicate at intervals with a sewer as will be presently described.
Suitable supports D D are arranged within the compartment B of the conduit,
with which the mains or line wires or conductors D'D' are engaged in any suitable
or desired manner, and upon these supports longitudinal conducting rails E E are
arranged in such a manner as to be readily engaged by contact devices carried at
the end of a movable arm, supported upon the car. As shown in the drawings
the mains D'D' are conveniently arranged within suitable pipes or tubes and
insulated therefrom, and the conducting rails E E are likewise insulated from the
supports D D.
An oblique partition F is arranged to partially close the opening between the
two passages or compartments B and C, and from the upper side of the casing a
flange a' is arranged to depend, and a flexible cover or closing device F is hinged
or pivoted at its lower edge to the upper edge of the oblique partition F and
arranged to rest at its free edge against said depending flange, so as to normally
close the upper part of the space between the two compartments.
As shown more particularly in Figure 3 of the drawings, this form of my
improved conduit is suitably supported in yokes G G the ends of the sections of
the conduit being provided with flanges G' G' which are suitably secured to
the yoke.
A suitable arm H is movably engaged with a support at a convenient point upon
the car truck, and is provided with a downwardly extending portion H' which is
arranged to normally depend through the slot in the upper part of the conduit. In
the particular form of device represented in Figures 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7, this arm is
provided with a laterally and upwardly extending part i, which extends to a point
somewhat above the upper edge of the oblique closing device F and a downwardly
extending part, depending from the upper end of the oblique part of the arm as
shown more particularly in Figure 1. At the lower end of the depending part of
the arm is provided a pendulous pin I', which is secured to said arm by a pivotal
connection, and this pin is sleeved through a supporting block J within which is
arranged a spring J₁ which bears against a collar on said pin, and the lower end of
said supporting block and serves to exert a downward pressure upon said block in
an obvious manner. Suitable supporting arms jj are secured to opposite sides of
the block J, but insulated therefrom, and upon these supporting arms are journalled
contact wheels adapted for engagement with the upper portions of the
conducting rails E E in an obvious manner.
At a point upon the vertical part of the arm, above the contact wheels is
journalled a guard roller, I', which is adapted for engagement with the depending
flange al in the upper part of the compartment B in such manner as to hold the
arm with its contact rollers down and maintain a constant engagement of said
contact rollers with the conductors. At a point upon said arm, opposite the guard
roller I', is journalled another roller I which is arranged to rotate in engagement
with the underside of the free edge of the flexible closing device F so as to raise
the same as the arm advances, and upon the underside of said closing device is
conveniently provided a longitudinal strip f, with which this lifting roller directly
engages, said strip serving to take the wear in an obvious manner.
As shown more particularly in Figure 9, the flexible closing device F is con-
veniently formed from sheets or strips of metal arranged end to end, and united by
means of the longitudinal strip f, and said closing device is pivotally supported or
hinged upon the upper edge of the oblique partition F, by means of suitable
springs which serve the double purpose of hinges for the closing device and
also to normally hold, the closing device in yielding engagement at its, free edge
with the depending flange a¹ of the casing.
The edges of the arm may be provided with longitudinal grooves K K extending

page_text: throughout the length of the arm and in these grooves insulated conducting
wires k k may be located which wires extend to the lower end of the vertically
depending part of the arm, adjacent to the contact wheels, and are electrically
connected with the supporting arms jj upon which said contact wheels are journalled.
The upper ends of said wires being carried to suitable connecting devices, in
electrical connection with opposite poles of the motor.
If desired, the opposite edges of the sections of the conduit at the sides of the
slot may be provided with angular plates a³, a³, the latter of which is conveniently
provided with a depending flange extending somewhat below the upper wall of the
compartment, C, in the manner shown, and from which any moisture finding its
way into the slot will drip into the compartment C instead of creeping along the
underside of the top section of the conduit and finding its way into the com-
partment B in which the conductors are located. These plates serve to take the
wear and prevent the edges of the sections of the conduit from being damaged or
abraded by the contact of the depending arm.
Similarly the arm itself may be provided with protecting plates K' K¹ at the
point where it passes through the slot in the conduit, which plates serve to take the
wear and prevent injury to the contact carrier.
As shown more particularly in Figure 10 of the drawings, I prefer to provide
suitable means for permitting a free expansion or contraction of the sections of the
conduit, without distorting the conduit or throwing any of the parts out of align-
ment, and to this end suitable overlapping flanges may be provided upon the yokes
and the adjacent ends of the conduit sections, certain of which flanges are
conveniently provided with slots g g through which bolts g' or rivets, are passed, to
unite the parts together.
At suitable intervals along the line of the conduit I provide manholes
communicating with the compartment B in which the conductors are located and
by means of which access may be had to the interior of said compartment for the
purpose of repairing the conductors or connections or for any other purpose
desired.
As shown more particularly in Figure 2, these manholes are formed from
suitable casings L, which are joined to the side of the conduit, and communicate
with the compartment B through lateral openings therein. I also prefer to make
the conducting rails in suitable sections insulated from each other at their adjacent
ends, and to electrically connect each section with the proper conductor through
the medium of a suitable switch or cut-out and a suitable fusible connection.
As shown partly in diagram in Figure 2 and wholly by diagram in Figure 8, I
provide suitable fusible connections il connecting the sections of the conducting
rails E E with the mains D' D' and I further provide between the sections of the
rails and the mains cut-out or switch mechanism 1, whereby the electrical
connection between the sections of the conducting rails and the mains may be
severed at any desired point along the line, so as to enable workmen to repair the
line or the connections without danger of shock or injury by the current, and I
prefer to locate one pair of fuses and a cut-out or switch at each manhole L along
the line, which mechanism is conveniently located in a suitable housing or casing Li
within the manhole L.
I furthermore provide at suitable intervals along the track, manholes M M
communicating with the compartment C of the conduit, and from the bottoms of
these manholes I make suitable connections with a sewer. These connections m m
being arranged to communicate with the lower part of the compartment C, serve
to carry out any accumulation of moisture or dirt from said compartment and to
discharge the same into the sewer in an obvious manner.
In Figure 11 I have shown a blower which is conveniently located at or near
the end of the line and arranged to discharge into the compartment B in which the
conductors are located. By this means a circulation of dry and cold air may be
maintained within the compartment containing the conductors, and the conductors
thereby kept dry.

page_text: In Figures 13 to 25 inclusive I have illustrated various modifications of my
improved conduit.
In the particular forms shown in Figures 13 and 14 a vertical dividing wall N is
secured to the lower or bottom wall of the casing A and extends upwardly to a
convenient point within the casing, and at the upper edge of this dividing wall is
provided an oblique flange n. I find it convenient to make this dividing wall from
substantially shaped iron, the flanges of which are secured to the bottom of the
casing in any convenient manner. In the form shown in Figure 14, the flexible
closing device F' is hinged or pivoted to the upper edge of the dividing wall N and
arranged to rest at its free end against an interior flange n at the side of the
compartment B, while in the form shown in Figure 13 said closing device is hinged
or pivoted to the internal flange at the side of the conduit and rests at its free edge
against the upper edge of the dividing wall N.
The conductors E E are conveniently supported upon suitable brackets e e
secured to the dividing wall N, in the manner shown, but said conductors are of
course insulated from said brackets.
In the form shown in Figure 15, the casing A is provided with an upwardly
extending dividing wall, N₁ conveniently made integral with the casing, and
provided with an oblique upper edge n. A depending slotted flange N2 is arranged
upon the under side of the upper wall of the casing in line with the flange N' and
the vertically movable closing device O, is arranged in the slot in said flange and
normally rests in contact with the upper edge of the dividing wall N', said closing
device being likewise provided with a bevelled or oblique edge for engagement
with the edge of the dividing wall. Upon the side of the closing device N2 next
to the compartment C, is conveniently provided a longitudinal flange n³ for
engagement with a roller or other suitable device upon the contact carrier, for the
purpose of raising the closing device as the contact carrier advances.
In the particular form shown in Figure 16 of the drawings, a similar dividing
wall N is employed, to which is hinged a movable closing device O and to the
under side of the upper wall of the casing is similarly hinged a second movable
closing device O', these two closing devices being arranged to engage at their free
edges with each other and to normally rest in the positions illustrated in the
drawings.
In the particular form of construction illustrated in Figure 17, two upwardly
extending dividing walls oo are provided, at opposite sides of the center of the
casing, the slot being located in the central part of the upper wall of the casing,
and thereby the slot is arranged to communicate with the central compartment C,
the compartments B B each containing a single conductor being located at opposite
sides of the casing. In this form of my device movable closing devices F F¹ are
hinged to the upper wall of the casing, and arranged to normally rest in contact
with the upper edges of the dividing walls o o.
,
The form of construction shown in Figure 18, consists of a casing A, provided
with a central longitudinal slot in its upper wall and with depending flanges o¹ o' at
opposite sides of said slot, and the compartments for the reception of the conductors
are formed from elastic casings 02 03 which are suitably secured to the upper wall
of the main casing A, a single conductor being located in each of these
compartments as shown.
In the particular form shown in Figure 19, the casing is of the same general
shape as that shown in Figure 18, but the compartments for the reception of the
conductors are formed by means of the depending flanges o' o' and movable closing
devices FF hinged or pivoted to the side walls of the main casing in the manner
shown. In the form shown in Figure 20, the casing A is of the same general
construction as that shown in Figure 13, but is provided with a covering o² o³ of
material impervious to moisture and at the same time a non-conductor of heat,
which covering is arranged to extend around that part of the main casing in which
the conductors C C are located.
In the form shown in Figure 21, the main casing A is similar in construction to

page_text: that just described, but the compartment B which contains the conductors, is made
separately and of smaller size, than the main casing A, and is supported on suitable
brackets within the casing A, so as to leave a considerable air space between the
inner face of the wall of the main casing, and the outer face of the wall of said
compartment.
In Figures 22, 23 and 24, I have illustrated several methods employed by me
for the purpose of utilizing underground cable conduits which may be already in
use, and in each of these forms of construction, a suitable section P of metal bent or
cast in the proper shape is secured to one side of the main casing, and extends
inwardly and upwardly from its point of support so as to form a division extending
lengthwise throughout the conduit, and serving to separate the main casing into the
compartments B and C.
In the particular form shown in Figure 22, a hinged closing device F¹ is
provided for normally closing the opening into the upper part of the compartment B,
and a flange is provided upon the angular plate a³ and arranged to extend obliquely
beneath the slot a, so as to assist in conducting any moisture which may enter the
slot into the compartment C and prevent its entrance into the compartiment B.
In the particular form of construction shown in Figure 23, an angle plate P¹ is
bolted to the side of the main casing A and is provided upon its under side with a
slotted flange p, in which is arranged a vertically movable closing device p¹ adapted
for engagement with the upper edge of the partition wall P in the manner shown,
the oblique flange upon said angle plate serving to conduct water or dirt into the
compartment C.
In Figure 24 the angle plate P¹ is dispensed with, and the slotted member P is
secured directly to the side of the main casing A, and is provided with the movable
closing device pl engaging with the upper edge of the partition P. In this form I
find it convenient to extend the flanges upon the angle plates a' a³ downward to a
considerable extent within the main casing.
In the particular form of construction shown in Figure 25, a double conduit is
provided, and arranged so as to be located between double tracks, the slots being
located outside of the rail of the track. This form of my conduit is made up from
several kinds of commercial iron the top and bottom walls being made from flat
plates the sides from channel iron, the divisions between the two compartments of
each conduit from I beams and another channel iron being arranged upon the under
side of the upper plate of the main casing with its flanges directed downwardly so
as to form partial divisions in the manner shown. An I beam is located centrally
beneath the channel iron last mentioned and serves to divide the main casing into
two main compartments or conduits. Elastic coverings F1 F1 are secured either to
the upper ends of the I beams which separate the two main conduits into the
compartments B C, or if desired, said closing devices may be hinged or pivoted to
the depending flanges of the channel iron, in either case being arranged to normally
close the openings between the respective compartments B C of each main conduit.
In all of these forms of construction, the contact carrier is bent or curved
laterally so as to enter the compartment or compartments containing the conductors,
and is arranged to engage with and open the closing device as the contact carrier
advances along the conduit.
I prefer to arrange suitable brooms, brushes or scrapers Q Q upon supporting
..arms which are arranged to depend from the truss frame, so as to extend through
the slot into the compartment Ċ of the conduit in such a manner as to enable the
brooms, brushes or scrapers to sweep auy dirt, or other foreign matter from the
compartment C into the sewer connections m m as the car advances along the track.
These brushes or brooms may be made of any desired or convenient form either
such as shown in Figure 1 or as shown in Figure 27 of the drawings, it being only
necessary to construct the brushes or brooms in such a manner as to conform to the
-contour of the lower part of the compartment in which it travels.
In Figure 27, I have shown a form of conduit somewhat different from any of
those previously described, the same being supported in a yoke G of somewhat

page_text: different form from that shown in Figure 3. In this construction, the division
wall between the two compartments B and C of the conduit is made from a piece of
angle iron, secured to the lower wall of the main casing, and a pivoted or hinged
closing device F' is secured at one side to the wall of the casing and rests at its
other side in contact with the upper edge of the angle iron, which forms the division
wall.
In this form of construction I have illustrated the same general arrangement of
the conductors E E and their supports as is shown in the first three figures of the
drawings, the conducting rails being supported from the bottom of the casing by
suitable standards. In this form of construction, the contact carrying arm H
extends vertically downward within the compartment C, and is then bent upwardly
and laterally so as to extend into the compartment B above the level of the
division wall, and a friction roller his journalled on said arm, and arranged to
engage with the free edge of the closing device F¹ to lift the same as the arm.
advances.
Contact shoes R R are suitably supported upon an insulated cross piece which.
is movably engaged with a vertical support at the end of the carrier arm, the
arrangement being such as to permit of considerable vertical movement of the
contact shoes or a lateral movement of the same, as occasion may require.
The form of conduit shown in Figure 28 is substantially the same as that shown
in Figure 27, but with a vertically movable closing device p' similar to that shown
in Figures 23 and 24.
Figures 29 and 30 show two methods of constructing the compartment in which
the conductors are located, from a single sheet of metal bent up into the desired
form, and adapted to be placed in engagement with the other part of the casing..
The upper wall of said compartment is extended laterally and then turned
downwardly so as to form a drip flange from which water will drip into the
compartment C of the main casing.
In Figures 31, 32 and 33, I have shown different modifications of contact shoes..
carried by the arm H those shown in Figures 31 and 32 being capable of
independent movement upon their supports so as to enable the contact devices to
pass over any unevenness in the conductors without effecting their electrical
contact therewith. As shown in Figure 33, 1 prefer to construct the contact shoes
so as to enable them to einbrace the heads of the contact rails so as to prevent the
contact devices from being accidentally lifted from the rails, or the electrical
contact otherwise disrupted.
As shown in Figures 35, 36 and 38, I prefer to provide suitable means upon the
contact carrier arm for permitting a lateral movement of the arm in either direction.
or a vertical up or down movement thereof, or for permitting the portion of the
arm with which the contact shoes are directly connected to have an independent
lateral movement of its own, so as to enable the carrier arm and the contact
devices thereon to automatically adjust themselves to the position of the conductors
and slot as the car goes around curves or turns in the track and to this end
prefer to provide substantially the form of supports for the carrier arm.
as are shown in said figures of the drawings. In this form of construction I
provide suitable hangers S S, which are arranged to extend downwardly for a
suitable distance beneath the truck, and a cross piece S¹ is movably engaged with
said hangers and yieldingly supported thereon by springs ss while the arm H has
a laterally movable engagement with said cross piece and springs s s' are engaged
with opposite sides of the arm H and serve to normally hold said arm centrally
between the hangers S S.
As shown more particularly in Figures 35 and 38 the part of the arm to which
the contact shoes are directly connected, is movably engaged with the main part of
the arm by a hinge S, so as to enable this part of the arm to swing upon the main.
part H in an obvious manner.
As shown more particularly in Figure 37 I find it convenient to provide suitable

page_text: sockets R' with which the shanks of the contact shoes R R may be removably
engaged by means of set screws in an obvious manner, so as to enable the contact
shoes to be readily removed and replaced by new ones when they become worn.
The sockets R¹ R¹ will of course be insulated from the supporting cross piece r.
If desired, instead of arranging the conductors in longitudinal grooves at the.
sides of the arm, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the arm may be made in two
sections as shown in Figure 39 and each section may be grooved or channelled upon
its inner face and flat conducting strips T T suitably insulated may be arranged to
extend through the interior of the arm from the end thereof which supports the
contact devices to or adjacent to the other end of the arm above the level of the
slot in the top of the conduit.
In Figure 35 I have shown one form of means for raising the contact devices
from the conduit, it being of course necessary in such cases to run the car to a
point where the contact devices will rest within one of the manholes and to open
the manhole in order to let out the end of the arm which carries the contact
devices. The particular device shown comprises a lever T' secured to the upper
end of the arm H at substantially right angles thereto and extending up through a
slot in the platform of the car. The upper end of the arm H is movably supported
upon a pivot t which extends through a slot t' in said arm. It follows from this
construction that by pressure upon the lever T¹ the arm H may be rocked upon its
pivotal support t so as to elevate the free end of the arm together with the attached
contact devices. As this movement is effected, the bearings at the ends of the
cross piece S¹ will move vertically upon the hangers S S and thereby produce a
vertical upward movement of the rear end of the contact carrier, the forward end
of the arm moving upon the pin t in an obvious manner as the free end of the
arm is elevated.
In Figure 34 I have illustrated one form of mechanism for opening the manholes
in order to permit the contact carrier to be raised from the conduit and at the same
time moving the sections of the conductors out of line with the contact shoes and
replacing them with sections of conductors of such shape as to permit the contact
devices to be readily lifted therefrom in the operation of raising the contact
carrier.
To this end sections of the conductors E E are supported upon arms U U of
pivoted sections U' at the side of the compartment B which section is pivotally
supported at u and is adapted to be thrown back into the position indicated by the
dotted lines. Suitable arms U2 U2 are pivotally supported at and carry
adjacent to their free ends a cross piece which supports two sections u² u² which
are made concave in their upper faces and are arranged to be brought into the
same relative positions with respect to the stationary parts of the conduit when the
movable section is moved into the position indicated by the dotted lines as is
normally occupied by the sections of the conductors E E. An arm U³ extends
downwardly from the lower part of the movable section U¹ and is arranged to
engage with the cross piece between the arnis U U³, as the movable section is
thrown back and a suitable bale or extension u³ is provided upon the cross piece
for engagement with the arm U³ when the parts are moved into the positions
indicated by the dotted lines so as to enable said arm to hold the sections u² u in
position for engagement by the contact devices upon the carrier arm.
It follows from this construction that when the contact devices have been moved
into position for engagement with the concave conducting sections, the movable
section of the conduit having been previously thrown back to the position indicated,
the carrier arm may be readily lifted from the conduit in the manner described 80
as to enable said carrier arm and the contact devices to be replaced by others or
repaired if necessary.
As shown in Figures 6 and 7 as an additional precaution against the admission
of moisture to the compartment of the conduit which contains the conductors, I
prefer to arrange a suitable drip collar or flange upon the outside of the carrier

page_text: arm which serves to prevent moisture from creeping along the arm and finding its
way into the compartment B in an obvious manner.
It will be seen from the foregoing that by my improved form of construction, all
dirt or moisture which may find its way through the slot to the inside of the casing
is effectually excluded from the compartment B in which the conductors are
located, and caused to descend to the lower part of the compartment C which
communicates with the sewer and is from time to time swept into the sewer
connections by the brooms or brushes carried by the car and by means of the
movable closing device for normally closing the communication between the two
compartments of the conduit, all liability of the introduction of dirt or moisture
into the part containing the conductors is avoided and the conductors thereby
effectually kept dry and protected against contact with any foreign material, while
at the same time, the operation of the contact carrying device is rendered free and
effective as the car advances along the track.
If desired, I may employ automatic means for creating an artificial circulation of
air in a dry and cold condition throughout the compartment B of the conduit, and
in Figure 26 I have shown one form of this automatic mechanism which comprises
ventilating fans, actuated by electric motors, and located at convenient points along
the line of the conduit or within manholes communicating with the compartment B.
As shown in the drawings, an electric motor V is arranged within the manhole
and is operatively connected with ventilating fan v, one pole of the motor being
connected directly with one of the conductors, while the other is connected with a
switch V adapted to make contact with a contact block v', electrically connected
with the other conductor. The free end of the switch lever is operatively connected
with a longitudinally movable rod V2 which extends between electro-magnets v³ ³
and carries a transverse armature V³, arranged within the field of force of each of
said electro-magnets, so as to be attracted by either one of said magnets and to
thereby effect a longitudinal adjustment of said rod and the switch lever connected
thereto to cut the motor in or out. To the armature V is secured an arm carrying
a transverse bar o connected at its extremities with a pair of contact bars W W
adapted for contact with contact posts or points ww which are electrically connected
with contact devices W Wat opposite sides of a pivoted lever w' which is
connected with the same conductor as the contact block v. As shown in the
drawing one pole of each of the electro-magnets is directly connected with same
conductor as the motor, while the other poles of said magnets are respectively
connected with the contact levers or bars W W, a spring W is connected with the
free ends of the bar w' and serves to exert a strain thereon, tending to hold the bar
in the position indicated in the drawing while to the other side of said bar is con-
nected a cord w having operative engagement at its other end with a device
sensitive to moisture and adapted by its expansion or contraction, to relax or contract
said connection. The particular form of device shown in the drawings by which a
suitable head or strip of material such as rawhide or parchment which by its
relaxation due to the absorption of moisture will permit the spring to draw the
contact lever w' into the position shown in the drawing, in which the right hand
one of the magnets will be energized so as to attract the armature thereby moving
the switch lever V₁ into electrical contact with the block v1 and thus cutting the
motor into circuits, when the fan will be operated in an obvious manuer to create a
circulation of air within the conduit.
It will furthermore be understood that as the air within the conduit becomes
dry, the head or strip W will contract so as to draw the contact lever in the
opposite direction until it makes contact with the other one of the contact screws W¹
when current will be sent through the other one of the electro-magnets energizing
the same and attracting the armature so 'as to simultaneously adjust the contact
bars W W and the switch lever V' moving the latter out of contact with the
block and placing the right hand one of the contact bars W in contact with its
contact post or vin w.

page_text: It will thus be seen that an entirely automatic operation of the ventilating
mechanism within the conduit is obtained, and the operation of said mechanism is
entirely controlled by the condition of the atmosphere within the conduit.
If desired the mechanism illustrated in Figure 11 of the drawings may be
employed either independently or in conjunction with the automatic apparatus just
described or said latter apparatus may be employed independently to maintain the
circulation of air.
In Figures 40 and 41, I have illustrated in diagram suitable means for adjusting
the switch tongue upon the track, so as to enable a car to leave the main track and
pass onto a side track or to continue straight ahead upon the main track as desired,
and at the same time to adjust the conducting rails or wires within the conduit so
as to enable the contact devices to pass along the main or the branch conductors as
desired.
The mechanism shown in diagram in Figure 40 comprises a lever X pivoted
within the conduit or beneath the track as preferred, and connected with the switch
point or tongue by a rod and at its other end having an operative engagement
with a longitudinally movable rod X' which extends between electro-magnets f¹ f
and carries a movable armature X2 adapted to be attracted by either one of said
electro-magnets which may be energized. A second lever X³ is operatively engaged
at one end with the rod X' and has a pivotal support at its other end and an inter-
mediate connection with a link or bar which is engaged with movable pivoted
sections of the conductors. As shown in the drawings the lever X is of the first
class while the lever X is of the second class and it follows that the adjustment of
the ends of the two levers in one direction will serve to simultaneously adjust the
switch point or tongue of the track and the pivoted sections of the conductors in
opposite directions so as to enable the car to continue uninterruptedly along either
the main track or the branch or side track according to the direction of said
adjustment.
In order to enable the motor man upon the car to effect this adjustment from the
platform of the car, I prefer to provide at any convenient point upon the car a
suitable switch Y, connected electrically with one of the conductors, and adapted to
make contact with two contact posts or points y y which are electrically connected
with contact springs y' y' which springs are adapted for engagement with contact
strips YY respectively in electrical connection with the magnets ¹¹ the other
poles of which magnets are electrically connected with a third contact strip Y'
adapted for engagement by a contact spring y* in electrical connection with the
other one of the conductors.
The contact strips Y' Y' and Y are conveniently secured to the upper wall of
the casing A, but insulated therefrom as shown in Figure 41, and the contact
springs yy and y² are carried by the contact carrier arm but insulated therefro.n
as also shown in said figure, the several wires leading from the contact shoes or
rollers at the end of the arm and also from the said contact springs, being arranged
to extend upwardly through the carrier arm as indicated in Figure 41.
Supposing that the motor man desires to adjust the switch and the conductors so
as to enable his car to leave the main track, and advance onto the side or branch
track; he adjusts the switch Y to the position shown in the drawing Figure 40 and
when the car has advanced so as to bring the contact springs upon the upper side
of the contact carrier into engagement with the contact strips in the upper part of
the conduit, current will be caused to pass through the switch from one conductor,
through the right hand contact spring y' the contact strip Y and the right hand one
of the electro-magnets whence it will return through the contact strip Y* and
the spring y² to the ther conductor. This will obviously energize the right hand
magnet attracting the armature and adjusting the levers and the track switch and
the conductors to the position shown in Figure 40, so as to enable the car to leave
the main track in an obvious manner.
1
On the other hand, if the switch be adjusted in the opposite direction, the other

page_text: electro-magnet will be energized, and an opposite adjustment of the track switch
and the movable contact rails will be effected, and the car will thereby be permitted
to continue upon the main track.
It will be understood however, that this automatic mechanism may be employed
for adjusting any movable device within or upon the conduit or the track other than
the switch mechanism described as for instance, by slight modification said
apparatus may be arranged to actuate the movable manhole covers or signal devices
along the track as may be desired.
As shown in dotted lines in Figure 40 I prefer to arrange beneath the movable
switch point a suitable pit and to provide a slot communicating therewith adjacent
to the switch point, so that any dirt which may accumulate between the point and
the main track rail, will be permitted to drop through said slot into said pit without
interfering with the free movement of the switch point or tongue.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An underground conduit for electric railways comprising a longitudinal casing
provided with two longitudinal compartments or passages, one of which contains
the conductors and the other of which is provided in its upper wall with a longi-
tudinal slot for the admission of a contact carrier, and communicates at intervals
with a sewer, a longitudinal slot in the division wall between said compartments
or passages and a movable closing device for normally closing said slot.
2. An underground conduit for electric railways comprising a casing divided into
two longitudinal compartments or passages, one of which is arranged to contain the
conductors, a longitudinal opening or slot in the division wall between said com-
partments, a movable device for normally closing said opening or slot, a slot in the
upper wall of the casing, communicating with the other one of the compartments
and arranged out of line with the opening in said partition, and suitable connections
between the bottom of said compartments and the sewer.
3. An underground conduit for electric railways, comprising a suitable casing
divided into a plurality of longitudinal compartments or passages one of which is
provided in its upper wall with a slot, and the other passage or passages arranged
to contain the conductors and separated from the first mentioned compartment by
Jongitudinal partitions provided with longitudinal slots, movable devices for
normally closing said slots, suitable manholes arranged at intervals along the line
of the conduit, and communicating with the compartment or compartments
containing the conductors, and other connections leading from the lower part of the
other compartment and arranged to discharge into the sewer.
4. In an underground conduit for electric railways comprising a casing divided
into two or more longitudinal compartments, one provided in its upper wall with a
slot and the other compartment or compartments arranged to contain the conductors,
and separated from the first mentioned compartment by longitudinally slotted
partitions movable devices for normally closing said longitudinal slots and a drip
flange or flanges extending downwardly at one or both sides of the slot in the upper
wall of said compartment.
5. A conduit for underground electric railway conductors comprising a suitable
casing divided into a plurality of longitudinal compartments or passageways
longitudinal feeders or line conductors located within one of said compartments,
other conducting rails, strips or wires, made in sections insulated from each other,
and independently connected with said feeders, and the other compartment provided
in its upper wall with a longitudinal slot for the admission of a contact carrier
and in its lower wall with a plurality of connections leading to a sewer and
arranged to carry off dirt or moisture from the interior of said compartment.
6. A conduit for underground electric railway conductors, comprising a suitable
casing, divided into a plurality of longitudinal compartments, longitudinal feeders

page_text: or line conductors located within one of said compartments, conducting rails, strips
or wires made in sections insulated from each other and independently connected
with said feeders, suitable switches for throwing said insulated sections into or out
of circuit, a movable device for normally closing the compartment in which said
conductors are located, and the other compartment being provided in its upper wall
with a longitudinal slot for the admission of a contact carrier, and in its lower wall
with suitable connections leading to a sewer.
7. A conduit for underground railway conductors comprising a suitable casing
divided into longitudinal compartments, longitudinal feeders within one of said
compartments, contact rails, strips or wires, made in sections insulated from each
other and independently connected with said feeders, suitable switches for throwing
said insulated sections into or out of circuit, fusible connections between said
insulated sections and said feeders, a movable device for normally closing the com-
partment containing the conductors and connections leading from the bottom of the
other compartment and arranged to discharge into a sewer.
8. The combination with an underground conduit divided into longitudinal
compartments, separated from each other by a division wall having a longitudinal
opening therein, and provided with a movable closing device for normally closing
said opening, and a longitudinal slot in the upper wall of the other compartment,
arranged out of line with said opening, of a contact carrier arm adapted to be
supported upon the car, and arranged to extend downwardly through said latter
slot, and laterally through said longitudinal opening into the compartment con-
taining the conductors, and carrying suitable contact devices electrically connected
with opposite poles of the motor, and adapted for independent engagement with
said conductors.
9. The combination with an underground conduit of the construction described,
of a contact carrier arın adapted to extend downwardly through the slot in the
main casing and laterally into the compartment containing the conductors and
carrying contact devices electrically connected with opposite poles of the motor
and adapted for independent engagement with said conductors, and a drip collar or
flange located upon said arm..
10. The combination with a conduit for underground electric conductors divided
into longitudinal compartments or passages, one arranged to contain the conductors
and the other provided in its upper wall with a longitudinal slot and in its lower
wall with connections leading to a sewer, a movable device for normally closing
the compartment containing the conductors, and suitable means for creating a
circulation of dry and cold air throughout said compartment.
11. An underground conduit for electric railway conductors comprising a suitable
casing divided into a plurality of longitudinal passages or compartments, one of
which is arranged to communicate at intervals with a sewer, and provided in its
upper walls with a longitudinal slot, and another of said passages being arranged
to contain the conductors, and provided with a longitudinal opening, a suitable
device movably engaged with the sides of said opening and adapted to normally
close the same, suitable means arranged to discharge into the passage containing
the conductors and adapted to produce a circulation of air therein, and suitable
means for automatically controlling the operation of said blower mechanism.
12. An underground conduit for electric railway conductors comprising a suitable
casing divided into a plurality of longitudinal passages or compartments one of which
is arranged to communicate at intervals with a sewer, and provided in its upper
wall with a longitudinal slot and another of said passages being arranged to contain
the conductors and provided with a longitudinal opening, a suitable device arranged
to normally close said opening, blower mechanism arranged to discharge into the
passage containing the conductors, an electric motor for actuating said blower, a
switch for controlling the motor, and a suitable device, sensitive to moisture and
adapted to operate the switch to stop or start the motor automatically.
13. An underground conduit for electric railway conductors, comprising a suitable

page_text: casing divided into a plurality of longitudinal passages or compartments one of
which is arranged to communicate at intervals with a sewer, and provided in its.
upper wall with a longitudinal slot, one or more of said passages being arranged to,
contain the conductors and provided with a longitudinal opening, a suitable device
arranged to normally close said opening, blower mechanism arranged to discharge
into the passage containing the conductors, and comprising an electric motor and a.
fan actuated thereby, a switch for controlling the motor a suitable device connected
with said switch and with a device sensitive to moisture, whereby the switch is.
adjusted to start the motor when the air in the conduit becomes moist, or to cut
out the motor when the air becomes dry.
14. The combination with an underground conduit for electric wires of a.
ventilating apparatus comprising a blower, arranged to discharge into the conduit,.
a motor for actuating the blower, a switch for controlling the motor, means for
normally holding the switch in position to cut out the motor, and adapted to be
relaxed by moisture in the air, so as to adjust the switch to start the motor.
15. The combination with an underground conduit for electric wires of a venti-.
lating apparatus comprising a blower arranged to discharge into the conduit, a.
motor for actuating said blower, a switch for controlling the motor, electro-magnets.
for throwing the switch in opposite directions and a device sensitive to moisture and
adapted to complete an electric circuit through one or the other of said magnets so.
as to adjust the switch to start or stop the motor.
16. The combination with an underground conduit for electric conductors of a.
contact carrier arm movably connected with a car truck and suitable means.
connected with said arm for permitting lateral movement of the arm in either
direction or up and down movement of said arm.
17. The combination with a universally movable contact carrier arm of a pair of
contact devices, supported at the end of said arm and suitable means for enabling
Baid contact devices to move vertically with respect to said arm.
18. The combination with universally movable contact carrier arm of contact
devices supported upon the lower end of said arm and independently removable.
therefrom.
19. The combination with an underground conduit for electric conductors.
provided with a slot in its upper wall, and a contact carrier arm arranged to extend
through said slot and provided with contact devices adapted to embrace the
conductors, a movable section at one side of the conduit carrying movable sections
of the conductors, and adapted to be thrown back so as to permit the removal of
the contact carrier and the contact devices thereon.
20. The combination with an underground conduit for electric conductors.
provided with a movable section at one side carrying movable sections of said.
conductors and adapted to be thrown back to permit of the removal of the contact
carrier from the conduit, movable arins carrying concave conductor sections and
adapted for engagement by an arm on said movable section of the conduit, and.
to be moved thereby into position for engagement with contact devices carried by
the arm.
21. The combination with the track rails and an underground conduit containing
electric conductors, of lever mechanism having operative engagement with a switch
tongue in said track and with movable sections of the conductors, electro-magnets
for moving said levers in either direction, contacts within the conduit electrically
connected with said magnets, contact devices carried by an arm upon a car truck,.
and adapted to be electrically connected with the conductors by means of a switch
upon the car whereby either one of said magnets may be energized, so as to.
adjust the rail switch and the movable sections of the conductors to desired
positions.
22. The combination with an underground conduit divided into two compartments,
one of which is arranged to contain the conductors, and the other arranged to.
communicate at intervals with a sewer, of a contact carrier arm supported upon a
car truck and adapted for engagement with the conductors, and one or more.

page_text: suitable brushes, brooms or scrapers supported upon said arm or the truck and
adapted for engagement with the lower part of the latter compartment and adapted
to carry any accumulation of dirt or moisture to the sewer connections therein.
Dated 20th day of March 1894.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.