Improvements in or connected with Electric Railways or Electric Transport.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1895
'omplete Specification Left, 6 h July, 1896-Accepted, 3rd Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Railways or Electric
Transport.
1, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M Inst. EE, MI Mech E., of Norfolk House,
Norfolk Street, Strand, London, W.C., in the County of Middlesex, Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me from
abroad by Frederick Carleton Esmond, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York,
United States of America, Electrical Engineer) to be as follows:-
In an Application of even date herewith No. 18698 of 1895 I have shown and
described a system or combination of devices for supplying current from a stationary
source to motors on one or more moving vehicles, which, in general torms involves the
following characteristics
Along the track or line of travel are a number of stationary contacts or domes
each enclosing a circuit-controlling apparatns capable of connecting said dome with
the supply conductor during the engagement with the dome of a trailer or contact
bar carried by the car and interrupting such connection as soon as such engagement
cauo to an end. The domes are so located that some one or more of them will be at
all times in engagement with the long contact plate or bar on the vehicle
The circuit-controlling apparatus in each dome comprised a double helix and
movable core, the latter acting as the switch when raised or lowered by the helix.
One coil of the helix was of fine wire and was thrown into circuit by the engagement
with its dome of the contact bar or trailer on the car The force of the current which
it thus received, whethor derived from the main circuit, or supplied by an independent
sourco was sufficient to raise the core and close the main circuit to the motor, but the
result of the establishment of such circuit was the interruption, by any suitable means
whether magnetic or purely mechanical of the first or shunt circuit.
The application referred to differs from the present invention in the particulars
specified, and particularly in having the switching sections independent and normally
insulated from the line sections or those which are directly connected in line when
the connecting switches are thrown, while in the said application, the different
sections first form part of the switching circuit and are then connected directly to
me though the switch and the low resistance coil, the high resistance switching
circuit being open when the line circnit is closed.
The object of my present invention is to provide a system or combination of devices
by means of which a line conductor may be mechanically connected to isolated
contacts, but under different conditions from those above referred to, and which permit
either short contacts or domes or extended rail sections being used.
According to my present invention I place between the rails of a track or in any
other suitable and similar relation thereto a line of contacts. These may be short, or
mere contact points, in which case the car will be provided with an extended bar
or its equivalent suflicient to cover two or more contacts at the same time, or they
may constituto sections of a rail or extended conductor, in which case tho car may
Carry two or more rollers or trolleys. The latter is the preferred arrangement, and
the description of the invention will be confined thereto though in using the word
I intend to include both forms of construction.
"sections
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a track and supply conductors such as contemplated

page_text: ig 2 is a diagram of the system with my improvements applie thoreto.
Fig 3 is a view in elovation and part section of the improved mechanism which I
have devised
Fig 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the central rail.
Fig 5 is an enlarge view in central section of the circuit-controlling apparatus
A A are the rails of a track, and B B a central insulated rail upon which run
trolleys C, carried by the car. The o trolleys receive current from the central rail
which after passing through the motor D on the car goes to either or both of the main
rails through a wheel D' which may be one or more of the car wheels.
The centre rail has interposed at predetermined intervals short sections B' which
need be of only a few inches in length, but which are insulated from at least one of
the two adjacent sections which it joins.
The supply conductor or conductors F are carried along the line of the track on
poles or otherwise, and branches F' are run from the samo to a switch at each shoit
section B'.
With each short rail section B' is associated n circuit-controlling apparatus enclosed
in a case, the upper portion or cover of which E, is by preference cast in one piece
with the short section B'. H is an insulating case which the cover E closes and
which is held by a plate or bar (' connecting two chura II that support the short
rail section B¹.
Within the case thus formed are two coils or helices J, K, preferably concentric
and arranged to act on a vertically movable core L. These helices are preferably
wound upon the same spool This core caries a contact bar M which when the coro
is raised by the action of either coil connects two contacts b, c, one in electrical
connection with the branch F through a metal ring or cup d, and the other forming
one terminal of the coil K.
The other end of the coil K is electrically connected with the section B', while the
coil J has its ends connected, one to a conductor N that runs to earth, the other to a
wire which leads either to an insulated contact point P, or to an insulated section
of the rail B over which a car runs before it reaches the section B'.
The object of this arrangement 18 that when a car approaches a section B' and
immediately before its trolleys come in contact therewith, it shall energize the
coil J either by directing through it to earth a portion of the main current, or by
directing through it the current from a special battery carried by the car, and so
operate the switch that connects the said section B' with the supply wire. Various
means for accomplishing this are possible.
In one of the cases shown a short portion of the rail B, as indicated at 6, in Fig. 2,
is insulated from the remaining portion, and to this insulated section the wire of the
helix is connected permanently. As soon, therefore, as any of the trolleys of
the car come contact with the section 6 current is diverted from the motor
circuit through the helix J to earth. This raises the coro L and closes the circuit
from the supply conductor to the short section B'. This section 15 insulated from the
section at B but is in electrical contact with section B in advance of it. When
the trolleys reach B', which they do before loaving the section B in the rear, the
motor will receive the current from the same, and the coarse wie helix K will hold
up the core L as long as any of the trolleys are in contact with B' or the trach section
in advance of it The circuit to helix J will, howover, be brokou as soon as the trolleys
leave the insulated section B₁
Instead of connecting the circuit of the coil of helix J to an insulated section, one
of the terminals of this coil may be led out through the casing G and connected to a
stationary insulated terminal P. Under thus terminal is arranged a pivoted lover
with a flexible arm S' that projects above the rail section B and which is placed m
close proximity to section B. When the trolleys pass over the flexible arin S' they
cause the lever to come in contact with P and thus establish the circuit to the
helix J. As soon as the trolleys pass beyond thus lever the encuit of the helix J is
interrupted
Under the arrangement described it is evident that the separate source of current

page_text: carried by the cat and used for starting the motor after current through it has entiroly
ceased and the switch permitted to break the motor circuit, must have a sufficiently
high electro-motive force to overcome the resistance of the fino wire coil or coils J
As this would require a large number of cells I prefer to employ a smaller battery T
on the car, which may be a storage battery, and charged when necessary, from the
motor circuit, and some form of transformer for raising the potential of the curent.
In the present case I have shown a primary coil pin circuit with the battery, and a
secondary coil S which may be thrown into circuit with the trolloys by the switch
When the circuit of the battery is interrupted a current impulse is developed in this
secondary that is sufficient to operate the coil J.
The separate source of current is only to he used to start the car after a permanent
stop, as ordinarily enough of the main current will be allowed to flow through or
around the motor to cause the main coil K to maintain the main circuit closed through
the switch M
=
In practice I place the contacts at such distances that the trolley of the car will
close the shunt circuit coil J in advance immediately on breaking, or even before
cutting out that in the rear, so that the car may be started from any portion of
the track
Dated this 3rd day of October 1805
J. G. LORRAIN,
Chartered Patent Ageut
Improvements in or connected with Electric Railways or Electric
Transport
1, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M. Inst EE, MI. Mech E, of Norfolk House,
Norfolk Street, Strand, London, WC, in the County of Middlesex, Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, (as communicated to me
from abroad by Frederick Carleton Esmond, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York,
United States of America, Electrical Engineer) and in what manner the same 13
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
-
In an Application of even date herewith, No 18698 of 1895, I have shown and
described a system or combination of devices for supplying current from a stationary
source to motors on one or more moving vehicles, which, in general terms involves the
following characteristics.
Along the track or line of travel are a number of stationary contacts or domes each
enclosing a circuit controlling apparatus capable of connecting said dome with the
supply conductor during the engagement with the dome of a trailer or contact bar
carried by the car and interrupting such connection as soon as such ongagement
comes to an end. The domes are so located that some one or more of them will be at
all times in engagement with the long contact pluto o bar in the vehicle
The circuit controlling apparatus in each dome comprised a double helix and
movable core, the latter acting as the switch when raised or lowered by the helia.
One coil of the helix is of fine wire and is thrown into circuit by the engagement
with its dome of the contact bar or trailer on the car. The torce of the current which
it thus receives, whether derived from the main circuit, or supplied by an independent
source is sufficient to raise the core and close the main circuit to the motor, but the
resuit of the establishment of such circuit is the interruption, by any suitable means
whether magnetic or purely mechanical of the first or shunt circuit
The application referred to differs from the present invention in the particulars
specified, and particularly in having the switching sections independent and normally
Insulated from the line sections or those which are directly connected to live when the

page_text: neering Switches are thrown, wine in the said application, the different sections
first form part of the switching-circuit and are then connected directly to line through
the switch and the low resistance coil, the high resistance switching circuit being open
whon the hne circunt is closed.
The object of my present invention is to provide a system or combination of devicos
by means of which a line conductor may be mechanically connected to isolated
contacts, but under different conditions from those above referred to, and which
permit either short contacts or domes or extended rail sections being used.
According to my present invention I place between the rails of a track or in any
other similar and suitable relation thereto a line of contacts These may be short or
mere contact points, in which case the car will be provided with an extended bar or
its equivalent sufficient to cover two or more contacts at the same time, or they may
coustitute sections of a rail or extended conductor, in which case the car may carry
two or more rollers or trolleys. The latter is the preferred arrangement, and the
description of the invention will be confined thereto, though in using the word
sections in the claims hereinafter made I intend to include both forms of
construction.
In the drawings left with the Provisional Specification,
Fig 1 is a perspective view of a track and supply conductors such as contemplated
by my present invention
Fig is a diagram of the system with my improvements applied thereto
Fig. is a view in elevation and part section of the proved mechanism which
I have devised
Fig 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the central rail.
Fig. is an onlrged view in central section of the circuit-controlling apparatus
A A are the rails of a track, and B B a central insulated rail upon which run
trolloys C, carried by the car These trolleys receive current from the central
rail which after passing through the motor D on the car goes to either or both of
the main ails through a wheel D' which may bo one or more of the car wheels.
The centre rail has interposed at predetermined intervals short sectious B' which
need he of only a few inches in length, but which are insulated from at least one
of the two adjacent sections which it joins
Tho supply conductor or conductors F are carried along the line of the track on
poles or otherwise, and branches F are run from the same to a switch at each
short section 13'.
With each short rail section B' is associated a circuit-controlling apparatus enclosed
in a case, the upper portion or cover of which is by preference cast in one piece
with the short section B'. G is an insulating case which tho cover E closes and
which is held by a plate or bar G connecting two chairs H that support the short
rail section B'.
Within the case thus formed are two coils on helices J, K, preferably concentric
and arranged to act on a vertically movable core L These helices are preferably
wound upon the same spool. This core carries a contact bar M which when the core
1s atsed by the action of either coil connects two contacts b, c, one in electrical
conuection with the branch F' through a metal ng or cup d, and the other forming
one terminal of the coil K.
The other end of the coil K is electrically connected with the section B', while
the coil J bas its onds connected, one to a conductor N that runs to enth, the other
to a wire which leads either to an insulated contact point P, or to an insulated
section of the 1ail B over which a car runs before it reaches the section B'
The object of this arrangement is that when a car approaches a section B' and
immediately before its trolloys come in contact therewith, it shall energize the coil J
either by directing through it to earth a portion of the main cui rent, or by directing
through it the current from a special battery carried by the car, and so operate the
switch that connects the said soction B' with the supply wire. Various means for
accomplishing this aro possible.
In one of the cases shown a short portion of the rail B, as indicated at b', in Fig. 2,

page_text: is insulated from the remaining portion, and to this insulated section the wire of the.
bolia Jis connected permanently. As soon, therefore, as any of the trolleys of the
car come in contact with the section current is diverted from the u.otor circuit
through the helix J to earth. This raises the coic L and closes the circuit from the
supply-conductor to the short section B¹ This section is insulated from the section b¹
at B, but is in electrical contact with section B in advance of it. When the trollovs
reach B', which they do before leaving the section Bm the rear, the motor will
receive the current from the same, and the coarse wire helix K will hold up the
core L as long as any of the trolleys are in contact with B' on the track section in
The circuit to helix J will, however, be broken as soon as the trolley=
advance of it
leave the insulated section
Instead of connecting the circuit of the coil or holix J to an insulated section b',
one of the terminals of this coil may be lead out through the casing G and connected
to a stationary insulated terminal P. Under this terunnal is arranged a pivoted
lever with a flexible arm S that projects above the rail-section B and which is placed in
close proximity to section B'. When the trolleys pass over the flexible arm S' they
cause the lever to come in contact with P and thus establish the circuit to the holix J.
As soon as the trolleys pass beyond this lever the circuit of the helix J is interrupted.
Under the arrangement described it is evident that the separate source of carient
carried by the car and used for starting the motor, after current through it has
entirely censed and the switch permitted to break the motor-circuit, must have a
sufficiently high electromotive force to overcome the resistance of the fine wire coil
01 coils J
As this would require a Lage number of colls, I prefer to employ a
BIBaller battery T on the car, which may be a storage battery and charged, when
necessary, from the motor circuit, and some form of converter for raising the potential
of the current In the present case 1 have shown a primary coil pin circuit with
the battery, and a secondary coil S which may be thrown into circuit with the
trolleys by the switch p. When the circuit of the battery is interrupted a current
Impulse is developed in this secondary that is sufficient to operate the coil J
The separate source of current is only to be used to start the car after a permanent
stop, as ordinarily enough of the main current will be allowed to flow through oi
around the motor to cause the main coil K to maintain the main circuit closed through
the switch M
In practice I place the contacts at such distances that the trolleys of the car will
close the shunt-circuit coil J in advance immediately on breaking, or even before
cutting out that in the rear, so that the car may be started from any portion of the
track.
Having now particularly described and ascertamed the naturo of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1 The combination in an electric railway system of an insulated supply-conductor
for supplying current to the motor and a ground return, of a current-collecting rail.
divided into successive insulated line and switch controlling sections, switches adapted
to connect the line-sections but not the switching-sections directly with the insulated
supply-conductor, a high-resistance coil connected between each of the switching-
sections and ground for closing the corresponding switch, means for holding the
switch closed while the motor-current is being collected from the corresponding line-
section, collectors on the car forming a branch circuit from one of the line-sections
through an adjacent switching-section and ground for closing the line-switch of a
succeeding line-section, the collectors and switch-controlling sections being so arranged
and spaced that the circuit is closed through one such switching-section and high-
resistance coil immediately on breaking or before breaking the circuit through the
switching-section in the rear, and the source of current on the car for sending current
through a switchug-section´ and bringing in the lino curient at any point on the
line of way.
2. The combination in an electric railway of a supply-conductor, with a series of

page_text: enclosed switch-boxes, the covers of which constitute sections of a sectional working
conductor normally insulated from the supply-conductor, with a switch and electro-
maguet housed in each box, each electromagnet comprising two coils, a low-resistance
coil joined at one terminal to the conducting-cover of the box, and adapted to be
connected at the other terminal to the supply-conductor by tho switch, and a high-
resistance coil permanently grounded at one end, and forming a circuit botween the
ground and a switch-controlling section in the rear of the corresponding switch-box,
and insulated therefrom, substantially as set forth.
3 The combination with a supply-conductor and a sectional collecting rail or con-
ductor, of a switch between the supply-conductor and each section of the collecting-
conductor, a coil or helix for closing said switch, a circuit including said coil and
extending from an insulated terminal to earth, a movable lever or circuit-closer
adapted to he encountered by the trolloys of a car and while so encountered to complete
the circuit from the car through said helix, and a coil, or helix in the circuit
controlled by the switch, substantially as set forth
1.1.
CTI 1000
J. G. LORRAIN,
Chartered Patent Agent.