Underground Conduit for Electric Roads.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Mar., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Underground Conduit for Electric Roads.
T
I, EZRA ALEY MATHERS of Romeoville, Will County Illinois, Manager, 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 relates to underground conduits for electric roads, and one of its
objects is to provide an improved conduit which may be located entirely below the
surface of the street or ground, within which may be arranged an electric conductor
or conductors through which the current may be supplied to the motors by means
of a suitable trolley carried by the car and passing into such conduit from above,
and being provided with suitable devices to make contact with the conductor
or conductors in said conduit.
Another object of my invention is to provide means for closing the inner conduit
in which the conductors are mounted, so as to exclude dirt, dust and water, and at
the same time to provide means by which the closing devices may be opened by the
trolley arm to allow its passage through said conduit.
Another object of my invention is to provide an inner conduit with closing
devices so arranged that when opened by the passage of the trolley arm, when the
outer conduit may become filled with water, water will be prevented from entering
into the inner conduit in which the inner conductors are mounted.
Another object of my invention is to provide new and improved means by which
water or dirt which may enter the outer conduit may be carried away.
Another object of my invention is to provide a conduit which will be readily
accessible from below for repairs, rendering it unnecessary to tear up the surface
of the street for such purpose.
Further objects of my invention relate to certain improved details of construction
which will be hereinafter described.
I accomplish all the objects of my invention as hereinafter fully described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a vertical cross section.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section upon line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail, being a vertical cross section through the inner
conduit.
Figure 4 is a detail, being a top or plan view of the inner conduit.
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail, being a view of a portion of the bearing plates,
showing the manner of connecting the same.
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail, being a horizontal longitudinal section on line 6–6
of Figure 3.
In the drawings 7 indicates a trench which is dug in the ground along the line
of the proposed railway tracks, and which is of suitable width and depth.
8 indicates ties which are placed above and across the trench 7 at the usual and
appropriate intervals.
9 indicates car rails which are secured to the upper surfaces of the ties 8.
10 indicates plates, which are bolted or otherwise secured to the upper surface
of the ties 8. The plates 10 are arranged so that they incline toward one another,
their upper and inner edges parallel, forming a slot through which the trolley bar
passes, and forming a continuous outer conduit within which the inner conduit
hereinafter described is located.

page_text: 11 indicates the inner conduit, which is composed of a base plate 12, outer side
plates 13-14 and inner side plates 15-16. The base plate 12 is bolted or otherwise
secured to the upper surface of the ties, in which I prefer to cut recesses for the
reception of such base plate, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The outer side plates
13-14 curve upward and inward from the base plate, the side plates 13 being so
bent as to come somewhat above the upper edges of the side plates 14 and some-
what nearer the central longitudinal plane of the inner conduit, as is best shown in
Figures 1 and 3.
The base plate 12 and the side plates 13-14 are arranged so as to form a con-
tinuous conduit lying within the outer conduit formed by the plates 10, open at the
top in a slot formed by the space between the upper edges of the plates 13-14 and
directly below a slot between the upper edges of the plates 10.
The inner plates 15-16 are mounted above the bed-plate 12 and within the
outer plates 13-14, and a suitable distance therefrom, and are in general parallel
therewith until within a short distance of the upper edges of such plates 13-14,
where they are curved upward so as to narrow the space between the outer and
inner plates, forming openings between them of suitable width. The inner plates
15-16 are so arranged with reference to the outer plates that a continuous conduit
is formed with double sides.
At suitable distances from one another, and preferably over each of the conduits,
are located air chambers 18 upon the top of the bed plate 12, as best shown in
Figures 2 and 3, and so constructed as to be air-tight except for the openings in
the bed plate through which air is admitted, as hereinafter described, and except
for the openings by which the air chambers 18 communicate with the passage
between the inner and outer side plates, as hereinafter described.
The upper ends of the inner plates 15 are provided with thickened portions or
shoulders 19, in which is journaled a series of rollers 20 which revolve upon vertical
axes and form a bearing for the trolley bar, as hereinafter described.
21 indicates curved plates of suitable width, which are pivoted at their lower
ends to ears 22 projecting from one side of the base plate 12. The plates 21
extend upward and curve inward over the outer side plates 14, and are of suitable
width to permit them to be opened successively by the passage of the trolley bar,
as hereinafter described. The plates 21 are connected together by flexible bands 23,
which are bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to the plates 21.
24 indicates flexible plates of steel or other suitable material, which are bolted
or otherwise secured to the upper ends of the plates 21 and upon their inner surfaces.
The plates 24 may be made of any suitable and convenient length. I have
shown them in Figure 4 as extending across four of the plates 21, but they may be
made either longer or shorter as convenience may demand.
In order to insure flexibility of the plates 24 and play between them at their
adjacent ends, I connect them in the manner shown in the detail Figure 5, in which
one of the plates is shown as having wings projecting from each side which are
bent over and above the end of the next plate, so that one may slide upon the other.
25 indicates flexible strips of rubber or other suitable material which are secured
upon the. under side of the flexible strips 24, and are so shaped as to fit within the
opening between the outer side plates 13-14 of the inner conduit and provide a
continuous plug for such opening, preventing the passage into the inner conduit of
water, dust or dirt.
Opposite each of the air chambers 18 the plates 21 are provided with downward
projecting arms 26, which arms are rigidly secured to or integral with the plates
21 located opposite said air chambers.
27 indicates arms pivotally mounted upon the base of the bed plate 12 below each
air chamber 18.
28 indicates rod pivotally connected with the lower ends of the arms 26-27.
The outer end of the rod 28 is provided with a head 29 which bears upon a spiral
spring 30 which is mounted in a casing 31. The casing 31 is pivotally mounted
upon the ties 8 below each air chamber 18. The tension of the spring 30 is such.

page_text: as to force the lower end of the arm 26 downward, thus tending to keep the plug 25
constantly closing the opening in the top of the inner conduit.
32 indicates pipes connected with any suitable reservoir of compressed air and
opening through the bed plate 12 into each of the air chambers 18.
33 indicates a valve in the pipes 32, which is connected by a rod 34 with the
arm 27 and is so arranged that when the plates 21 are swung upward and outward
by the passage of the trolley bar, as hereinafter described, the valve 33 may be
opened, admitting compressed air through the pipe 32 into the air chamber 18,
whence it passes by suitable openings 35 into the space between the inner and
outer side plates of the inner conduit.
36 indicates a trolley bar which depends from a car in the usual manner, (and
therefore not shown or described fully herein,) passing through the slot between
the inclined plates 10 and through the slot or longitudinal opening in the top of the
inner conduit.
37-38-39-40-41 indicate conical hearing pulleys journaled upon vertical axles
upon the trolley bar 36, and adapted to bear upon the flexible plates 24 as the
trolley passes along. These conical bearing pulleys are so arranged that the one
of the greatest diameter comes in the middle and they diminish in diameter on each
side of the middle bearing pulley 39. As the trolley bar is moved along by the
passage of the car over-head, the bearing pulleys 37-38-39-40-41 bearing against the
Hexible plates 24 force it upward and outward, carrying with it the plates 21 in
succession and raising the plug 25 from the opening in the top of the inner conduit
to permit the passage of the trolley bar. The plates 21 being made of com-
paratively narrow, width, and the plates 24 and plug 25 being flexible, only a small
portion of the slot is opened at any one time.
59 indicates a horizontal cross bar which is secured to the side of the trolley
bar 36 in such a position as to bear upon the rollers 20, thus giving the trolley bar
a bearing on the side opposite to the flexible plates 24 and holding it firmly so as
to bear upon and open said plates.
The action of the springs 30 combines with the weight of the plates 21 to throw
the plug 25 back into the opening behind the trolley bar as it passes along, as is
best shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, where the plates 24 and plug 25 are shown as.
bent by the action of the conical pulleys on the trolley bar and lifting the plug 25
At the same
from a portion of the slot in front of and behind the trolley bar.
time, as the trolley bar passes along and opens the plates, as it comes opposite each
air chamber 18 the valve 33 are successively opened, as above described, and the
compressed air passes through the pipes 32 into the air chambers 18 and into the
passage between the inner and outer side plates of the inner conduit, passes forcibly
out between said plates at their upper edges and thereby prevents the passage into
the inner conduit of any water, in case the outer conduit formed by the inclined
plates 10 should become filled with water. The falling of the plates 21 from their
own weight and from the action of the spring 30, as above described, closes the
valve 33 successively after the passage of the trolley bar.
42 indicates a base of insulating material, which is mounted at the bottom of the
inner conduit above the upper surface of the air chambers 18.
43 indicates conductors which are mounted in the insulating base 42.
44 indicates a plate of insulating material mounted above the conductors 43.
45 indicates a bearing plate supported above the insulating plate 44.
46 indicates wheels or rollers which are journaled upon the lower end of the
trolley bar and bear upon the upper surface of the plate 45 which forms a track
upon which they run, supporting the trolley bar.
47 indicates metallic plates which are mounted upon the lower end of the trolley
bar, one upon each side thereof, and connected with a conductor 48 which leads.
to the motor.
49 indicates metallic blocks which are mounted upon the inner side of each of
the plates 47, by means of pius 50 which are secured to the inner surface of the
plates 47 and which pass through suitable openings in the blocks 49..

page_text: 51 indicates spiral springs which bear upon the blocks 49 and the plates 47,
tending to throw said blocks 49 inward toward the conductors 43.
52 indicates contact wheels which are mounted in the blocks 49 and bear upon
the conductors 43.
53 indicates supports, which are secured to the under side of the ties 8 and
depend downward into the trench 7.
54 indicates deflectors which are mounted on the supports 53 just below the
ties 8 and depend downward and inward therefrom so as to form deflectors by
means of which any water or dirt which may get into the outer conduit formed
by the plates 10 may be directed toward the middle of the trench 7.
55-56 indicate rollers which are journaled in the supports 53. The rollers 55
are concave and the rollers 56 are convex.
57 indicates endless belts passing over the rollers 55-56. The belts 57 are
connected by a narrow strip of wire netting or other meshed material 58, and the
belts 57 and the wire netting 58 form one continuous belt, the upper surface of
which is given a concave shape by passing over the rollers 55-56. The belt is
driven by any appropriate mechanism, as for example by a driving pulley or
drum 58 driven by the machinery in the power house located at any desired point
along the line. The meshes of the netting 58 are made of suitable size to prevent
the passage through them of any larger particles of solid matter, but to permit
the passage through them of any water. The belt may be made of any desired
length, the object being to convey as it moves along any dirt or other solid matter
to convenient manholes or other openings in the trench. where the dirt is deposited
and from which it may be removed in any way. Any water falling through the
slot between the plates 10 into the trench will pass through the meshes of the
netting 58 and fall thence into the bottom of the trench 7, whence it is conveyed
in any suitable manner to sewers in the street or road-way.
The manholes or other openings by which the dirt deposited by the belt may
be removed, and the sewers or other means for conveying the water, together
with the passages from the trench into the same, may be of any approved and well
known pattern, and hence are not shown or described herein.
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. The combination with a slotted conduit having double sides forming air
spaces opening into the slot on each side, of a flexible plug fitting the slot in said
conduit and adapted to be lifted for a portion of its length from said slot by the
passage through said slot of a trolley bar, and to close behind said trolley bar as it
passes, pipes adapted to convey compressed air and communicating with said air
spaces, and mechanism operated by the lifting of said plug to permit the
compressed air to flow from said pipes into said air spaces as said plug is lifted,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a slotted conduit having double sides forming air
spaces opening into the slot on each side, of plates pivoted at one side of said
slotted conduit, a flexible plug mounted upon said plates, extending throughout the
length of said conduit and adapted to fit into and close said slot, a trolley bar
extending downward through said slot and adapted to bear against said plates
successively in its passage through said slot and to raise them successively,
whereby said plug is lifted from said slot for a portion of its length by the passage
of said trolley bar, said plates being adapted when relieved from the pressure of
said trolley bar to fall back and force said plug again into said slot, pipes adapted
to convey compressed air and communicating with said air spaces, and mechanism
operated by the lifting of said plug to permit compressed air to flow through said
pipes into said air spaces as said plates are lifted and to shut off the passage of
such compressed air when said plates fall again into place, substantially as
described.

page_text: 3. The combination with a slotted conduit having double sides forming air spaces
opening into the slot on each side thereof, plates pivoted at one side of said slotted
conduit, a flexible plug mounted on said plates-and adapted to fit into the slot in
said conduit throughout its length, and a flexible bearing plate mounted on said
plates, of a trolley bar adapted to pass downward through said slot in said.conduit,
conical rollers mounted upon said trolley bar and adapted to bear against said
flexible plate, whereby said plates may be successively raised and said flexible plug
lifted from said conduit throughout a portion of its length by the passage of said
trolley bar, mechanism adapted to throw said plates and plug back as said trolley
bar passes, pipes adapted to convey compressed air and connecting with said air
spaces, and mechanisin operated by the passage of said trolley bar to permit
compressed air to flow through said pipes into said air spaces as said plug is lifted
by the passage of the trolley bar, substantially as described.
4. The combination with an outer slotted conduit, an inner slotted conduit
having double sides forming air spaces opening into the slot of said inner conduit
on each side, plates pivoted upon one side of said inner conduit, a flexible plug
mounted upon said plates, extending the length of said conduit and adapted to fit
into, and close the slot therein, and a trolley bar adapted to pass through said
slots into said inner conduit and to bear against said plates successively as it passes
along said conduits, whereby said flexible plug is lifted for a portion of its length
from said slot, of air chambers in said inner conduit opening into said air spaces.
between the sides thereof, pipes adapted to convey compressed air and opening into
said air chambers, valves in said pipes, and mechanism connecting said valves with
said plates, whereby said valves are opened to permit the passage of air into said
air chambers as said plates are raised, and closed as said plates fall back,
substantially as described.
5. The combination with a conduit adapted to contain electrical conductors and
wires, of a trench below said conduit, supports mounted below said conduit in s.id
trench, rollers journaled in said supports, a belt carried upon said rollers, and
mechanism for moving said belt, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a conduit adapted to contain electrical conductors
and wires, of a trench below said conduit, supports mounted below said conduit in
said trench, rollers journaled in said supports, a belt carried upon said rollers and
having open net-work in the middle thereof extending throughout its entire length,
and mechanism for moving said belt, substantially as described.
7. The combination with a conduit adapted to contain electrical conductors and
wires, of a trench below said conduits, supports mounted below said conduit in
said trench, pairs of rollers mounted one above the other, the upper rollers being
concave and the lower rollers being convex, a belt carried upon said rollers and
having open net-work in the middle thereof extending throughout its entire length,
mechanism for moving said belt, and deflecting plates mounted in said trench
above said belt and adapted to throw dirt or other matter falling into said conduit.
upon said belt, substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chaucery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.