to Tramcars or other Vehicles.
Year: 1888

page_text: to Tramcars or other Vehicles.
I, ALEXANDER LOGIN LINEFF of 88 High Road, Chiswick in the County of
Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has reference to supplying electricity to tramcars and other vehicles
by means of electrical conductors laid throughout the line along which the vehicles
have to travel and its objects are:--to do away with slotted channels or openings in
streets or roads; to seal or shut in the conductor so that neither dirt, damp nor other
extraneous matter which will form a source of leakage can reach it; to provide the
electrical car or vehicle with a special electrical appliance by which alone it can collect
its current from the conductor immediately under the vehicle, a metallic part or rail
which forms a sort of cover to the conductor otherwise remaining neutral so that
there can be no danger to a vehicle or person touching such rail; to render
unnecessary all mechanical contrivances such for example as automatic switches by
which a certain section of the line conductor only is put in electrical communication
with the "main" so as to avoid excessive leakage; and to reduce the cost con-
siderably as compared with systems which require an underground channel with the
necessary appliances for drainage, cleaning, flushing &c.
A characteristic feature of the invention is that a magnet on the car or vehicle, as
this travels, keeps attracting or drawing up fresh portions of an iron cable and thus
puts the conductor proper in electrical communication with one or two sections of an
upper or surface rail from which the current can be collected in the usual manner for
driving the vehicle.
For the purpose of my invention I use a metallic or other trough and 1 form in the
centre of it a longitudinal channel by means of some plastic insulating material such
as bitumen or asphalte. On the bottom of this channel I place the bare metallic
conductor which is of a suitable form to support a continuous iron cable, rod or pipe.
Such cable rests by its own weight on the top of the conductor along a whole section
of it. The ends of the neighbouring or adjoining sections of the metallic conductor

page_text: proper are separated by some insulating material and the electrical connection between
two sections of is formed by a piece of flexible insulated cable, or, when the line is
intended for heavy traffic each section is electrically connected to a main insulated
cable running along the line. It is evident that both the conductor proper and the
above mentioned iron cable or rod serve conjointly for carrying the current and their
sectional area has to be calculated accordingly.
At a small vertical distance from the above iron cable, rod or pipe is placed a
surface rail embedded in the bituminous channel and forming as it were a lid or cover
to it, thus sealing the channel air and water-tight. The rail is placed flush with the
pavement (if applied for tramways or common roads) of the road and is made of short
sections or lengths insulated from each other. The rail is so designed in cross
section as to form a small groove at the top to guide the collecting rollers or
brushes on the car or vehicle and also to have suitable flanges which will enter
the bitumen forming the channel in order to give a good support or hold to the
rail.
If we consider the conductor above described in its normal undisturbed state, it
will be clear that no current can be drawn from the surface rail by any pressure
or other mechanical means notwithstanding the fact that the conductor in the sealed
channel with its iron cable is charged. Thus any traffic can be carried on the road
without in the least interfering with the current of the conductor.
But the car or vehicle is fitted with a special appliance in the form of a magnet
which comes close to the surface rail; the latter therefore is magnetized when the
vehicle is above it and will attract the iron cable which is underneath and thus put in
electrical communication the conductor proper with one or two sections or lengths of
the upper rail from which the current can be collected in the usual manner for
driving the vehicle. As the latter advances, the magnet keeps picking or drawing
up fresh portions of the cable and consequently puts in electrical connection fresh
portions or lengths of the surface-rail immediately under the moving vehicle. The
process of consecutive lifting of the cable may be compared to the lifting of a chain
placed at the bottom of a river or canal for towing purposes.
For crossings &c. when a new section of conductor and cable comes into operation a
second magnet may be provided under the vehicle in advance of the first in order to
step over the dead portion and to make the electrical connection good while entering
on a new section of cable.
A conductor of this description can be applied to an ordinary road (without rails)
in which case the outside trough can be made to serve as return conductor. Ordinary
vehicles may be provided with necessary appliances to pick up the current and utilize
it for locomotion.

page_text: to Tramcars or other venicies.
1 ALEXANDER LOGIN LINEFF of 88 High Road, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, Electrical 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 :-
My invention has reference to supplying electricity to tramcars & other vehicles by
means of electrical conductors laid throughout the line along which the vehicles have
to travel, and its objects are:-to do away with slotted channels or openings in streets
or roads, to seal or shut in the conductor, so that neither, dirt, damp, nor other
extraneous matter which will form a source of leakage can reach it, to provide means
by which the current is collected from the conductor immediately under the vehicle,
through metallic parts which form a cover to the conductor, and in their normal
condition remain neutral, so that there can be no danger to a vehicle or person
touching such rail; and to reduce the cost considerably as compared with systems
which require an underground channel, with the necessary appliances for drainage,
cleaning and flushing.
of
purposes
The characteristic feature of my invention is the use for traction
magnetic circuit composed of (a) a magnet attached to the car or vehicle; (b) surface
magnetic pieces electrically and magnetically insulated from each other, and (c) a
continuous magnetic conductor forming a component part of the main electric
conductor conveying the working current. In this magnetic circuit, the only part
which moves longitudinally with the car or vehicle, is the magnet itself; of the
remaining parts of the circuit, one is a fixture (surface magnetic pieces), and the
other has only a slight upward motion, for the sole purpose of producing the electric
contact, and this part of the magnetic circuit, after the magnetic influence is over,
returns to its normal position by the force of gravity. The closing of the magnetic
circuit causes a continuous and flexible magnetic component of the sealed electrical
conductor to come in contact with the surface magnetic pieces, and thus temporarily
charge them with the electric current, which is collected by suitable means, and
conveyed to apparatus for converting the energy of the current into mechanical
energy,
for traction or other purposes.-The position of the magnetic circuit is
continually changing as the car or vehicle moves along, and fresh portions of the
continuous flexible magnetic component of the conductor (hereafter called the
"magnetic main") are continually being drawn into the magnetic circuit, and thus
other surface magnetic pieces (immediately under the car or vehicle) become in turn
the medium for conveying the electric current from the conductor to the converting
apparatus. The magnetic circuit is in fact the only means of "tapping" the current
at any desired part of the conductor, as the latter is entirely sealed, and no purely
mechanical means will avail for this purpose.

page_text: The conductor may vary in construction according to the position it occupies with
regard to the running rails, so long as the principle involved is the same, viz. to
produce a magnetic circuit part of which is formed by means of a flexible magnetic
component of the main electrical conductor.
I will now proceed to describe and illustrate my invention by way of example.
In the accompanying drawings:-
:-
Fig. 1 shows in cross section a portion of a track with one form of conductor and a
pair of surface magnetic pieces.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the same, showing the arrangement of the
magnet.
Fig. 3 is a plan view with the magnet in place; and
Fig. 4 an end view of the same, partly in section.
Figs. 5 and show in side elevation and cross section, a modification in the
arrangement of the track, and Figs. 7 and Figs. 8 and 9 are details which will be
more particularly referred to hereafter.
The portion of the track shown in the Figures is only that which relates to my
invention, the running rails (except in Fig. 6) not being shown.
.
Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, M M' are the surface magnetic pieces, which in
this instance consist of rails in short lengths, about three feet long, placed parallel,
and magnetically insulated both longitudinally and transversely. The electric
insulation is only longitudinal, the two parallel opposite lengths of rail being
electrically connected in pairs, but every pair is electrically insulated from the
adjacent pairs. This connection is made, by means of bolts B B and distance
pieces D, of some non-magnetic, by electricity-conducting material, as brass, copper
&c. The two rails are set a short distance apart, to form a groove to guide the pole
pieces of the electro magnet. The lower inner flanges m m² of the rails M M' are at
a considerable distance from each other, in order to prevent magnetic leakage, and,
for the same purpose, the ends of each length of rail are by preference bevelled off, as
shown in figure 2.
At a short distance below the lower surface of the rails M. M',
lies the magnetic main, which consists of a continuous flat strip of iron F,
which rests upon a bare copper conductor or electrical main C. The rails and
conductors are enclosed in a trough A, and surrounded with a bituminous asphalte, or
any other suitable insulating composition, which thus forms a closed channel under
the rails. The magnetic main F is intended to rise and touch the flanges m. m²
under the influence of the passing magnet. The electrical conductor C may he
made in lengths about equal to the length of the troughs, and when the troughs
are laid in position, the separate lengths of conductor will be joined in any suitable
and convenient manner. Pins of some non magnetic material are provided at
certain distances apart on the conductor C, which project through holes in the
strip F, and prevent any lateral movement thereof.-N and S, Fig. 1, represent
the pole pieces of the magnet, and they are so arranged that the pole piece N
travels in front over the magnetic rail M, while the pole piece S moves over the
rail M at a distance of not less than one length of the magnetic rail from the
pole piece N. I may here remark that it is not absolutely necessary to have two
magnetic rails, as a single rail may be used in some cases, provided the proper
distance is maintained between the poles. P is the magnet (figs. 2 and 3), which
may be of any suitable kind; and it is fitted to a separate carriage, which can be
attached to the car or vehicle in any suitable manner. In the present instance, the
magnet is an electromagnet, the core of which is wound with fine wire H, & works in
shunt with the main current. N & S are the pole pieces, as before mentioned;
I and I collecting and guiding wheels, made of some non magnetic metal, and with
flanges which run in the groove between the rails M. M. F is the magnetic main,
which is shown, in Fig. 2, as attracted under the influence of the pole pieces, to the
underside of the rails M. M¹. The magnetic rails are thus put into electrical com-
munication with the main conductor C, and the current passes from the rails through
the wheels I. I', partly to the bobbin H, and partly to the motor on the vehicle, and
thence, by the return conductor, (running rails) to the generating station. As the

page_text: vehicle advances, the magnet keeps picking up fresh portions of the magnetic main F,
and consequently, puts in electrical communication fresh portions or lengths of the ;
magnetic rails. The process of the consecutive lifting of the magnetic main might be
compared to the lifting of a chain placed at the bottom of a river or canal, for towing;
purposes.
In some cases, I may combine the pole pieces and the collecting wheels, see Figs. 7,
which represent longitudinal and transverse sections of a rotating pole piece. The
core of the magnet P. terminates in a portion of a hollow drum of cast iron made in
two pieces for the convenience of fitting. On an iron spindle Lis mounted a wheel I',
provided with a flange R in the middle of the rim, which runs in the groove between
the magnetic rails. This flange and the portion of the rim which lies to one side of
it, and is marked T, is made of some non magnetic metal, such as brass.. The rest of
the wheel is of iron. The iron portion of the wheel 1' runs on the rail M. and it will be..
seen that though both magnetic rails M and M' are in electrical contact with the
wheel, its direct magnetic influence is confined to M, with which alone it has magnetic
contact.
A similar wheel at the other end of the magnet, and forming its opposite pole, will
be in magnetic contact with M' only, so that the magnetic rails become poles of
opposite polarity.
.
It is not necessary to have the collecting apparatus fitted to a separate carriage
secured to the car, as the magnet can be fixed to a frame carried by the car, as shown
in Figs. 8 and 9. Here, N and S are the poles, and H the bottom of the magnet,
which is suspended from the frame U. This frame has its ends V and V¹ rounded,
and is so mounted on the angle irons W and W¹, as to be free to move laterally
along them. The angle irons W. and W₁ are fixed to the cross pieces X X, forming
part of a framework carried by the axle boxes of the car or vehicle. The frame U,
and with it the magnet, is therefore free to move in a lateral direction parallel to
the angle irons W. W, and as the ends of the frame U are rounded, it is also
capable of a slight axial motion about its centre. The magnet is by this arrange-
ment enabled to maintain its proper position directly over the magnetic rails on
curves, and in spite of small transverse motions of the wheels.
When the picking up magnet is not provided with a separate carriage, means for
retaining the magnet in its proper position over the magnetic rails, and for collecting
the current from them, are necessary. To retain the magnet in position, I employ
guide pieces tt, Fig. 8, attached to the pole pieces. These guides, which are
preferably made of some non magnetic metal, slide in the groove between the
magnetic rails, and they also serve the purpose of keeping the groove clear of dirt.
The current may in this case be collected by the brushes bb, Fig. 8. of some non
magnetic material, which sweep along the surface of the magnetic rails. In order to
obviate the inconvenience of an extra set of rails in streets with a very heavy traffic,
I may use the modification shown in figs. 5 & 6. In this case, I use one magnetic
rail M, which is formed so that only parts are exposed on the surface of the roadway.
Each length has two flanges m. m, to support it in the asphalte. The part n is the
place where the magnetic main F makes the contact under the influence of a passing
magnet. The magnetic main is shown in this modification as consisting of an iron
cable covered with short pieces of tube of similar material, & it rests in a bare, trough
shaped or semi circular copper conductor, C, which constitutes the main proper. The
action of the parts is precisely similar to that previously described.
Having now particularly described & 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.) The use for traction purposes of a magnetic circuit composed of (a) an Electro
magnet or permanent magnet, or a combination of the above, attached to the car or
vehicle to be propelled; (b) surface magnetic pieces electrically and magnetically
insulated from each other; and (c) a continuous magnetic conductor forming a
component part of the main electric circuit, as described.

page_text: 2.) The use, for Electric traction, of a continuous and flexible magnetic main,
immediately supported by, and lying on the electric main conductor, and capable of
being raised, so that it becomes a part of a magnetic circuit, in order to form an
electrical contact with magnetic surface pieces, as described.
'
3.) The use, for the purpose specified, of magnetic pieces having their upper
surfaces, or parts thereof, exposed, & forming so to speak, a lid or cover to a sealed
channel containing the electrical conductor and the magnetic main, such magnetic
pieces being formed in short lengths, magnetically and electrically insulated from
each other, as described..
4.) The combination with the electrical and magnetic conductor above referred to,
of a magnet, (permanent, electro, or both) attached to a sliding frame carried by the
car, and capable of having a lateral and slightly oscillating motion, as shown and
described.
5.) The combination with the conductor above referred to, of a magnet carried by a
separate carriage, having collecting wheels, and attached to the car or vehicle, as
described & shown.
6.) The combination with the conductor above referred to, of an electro magnet
having rotating pole pieces, which simultaneously convey the magnetism and collect
the current from the magnetic pieces, as shown and described.
Dated this 11th day of April 1889.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.