Method Designed to Facilitate the Coupling of Wires for Conveying an Electrical Current on Railway Trains.
Year: 1897

page_text: Method Designed to Facilitate the Coupling of Wires for Conveying
an Electrical Current on Railway Trains.
I, GEORGE RENNIE POWELL, Rosebank, Ashley Down, Bristol, Author and
Journalist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Insulated wires of copper, or other electro-conductive substance, are fixed
beneath the bed of each railway-coach, and at either extremity of the carriage,
are brought into juxta-position with the coupling-chains, vacuum-pipes, or other
appliances which must of necessity be coupled in making up a train. At the
terminals of each of the appliances employed, the insulated wire is passed through
the metal of the same, and that at such a point as by the customary mode of
coupling them, will bring the insulated electro-conductive points into contact
with each other.
Dated this Sixteenth day of August 1897.
Method Designed to Facilitate the Coupling of Wires for Conveying
an Electrical Current on Railway Trains.
I, GEORGE RENNIE POWELL, Rosebank, Ashley Down, Bristol, Author and
Journalist, 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:-
Insulated wires of copper, or other electro-conductive substance, are fixed
beneath the bed of each railway coach, and at either extremity of the carriage are
brought into juxtaposition with the coupling chains, vacuum pipes or other
appliances which must of necessity be coupled in making up a train. At the
terminals of each of the appliances employed, the insulated wire is passed through
the metal of the same, and that at such a point as by the customary mode of
coupling them, will bring the insulated electro-conductive points into contact
with each other.
That the nature of my invention may be the more readily understood, I will
proceed to describe the same, by reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the guard's van, or at some other convenient point, or points, upon the train,
I provide an electric battery, or electric storage for the purpose of providing the
electric current necessary to the working of my appliance, and in connection with
[Price 8d17

page_text: this, 1 establish a line or lines of electric wires which, when contact is made at
50me given point for the purpose, either by the guard, driver, or other employee
of the company, or by a passenger, effects the object in view, either the ringing
of a bell, or bells, supplying light, or any other purpose for which an electric
current is used, or may be used, on railway trains. These wires carefully insu-
lated, I convey beneath the bed of the railway carriages or trucks, bringing
them, at, or near each end of the vehicle, into a position convenient to the coup-
ling appliance with which they are to be connected for the purpose of conveying
the electric current from vehicle to vehicle. Where pipes for brake, or other
purposes are provided upon the train, I select them for the purposes of my inven-
tion, but where no pipes are employed, and coupled from carriage to carriage,
then I avail myself of the coupling chains in the manner shown in the accompany-
ing drawings, or of any other appliance which in the making up of a train has to
be or is coupled for some purpose other than the coupling of electric wires.
Fig. 1 shows the insulated electric wires A, and A¹, conveyed beneath the bed
of the railway carriage, and their passage into the pipe at the point C, and also
indicates their passage there through to the coupling appliance. I convey the
wires in this way beneath the carriage bed, on account of the facility with which
the wires may be tapped for local connections, as for passenger communication
with the servants of the company, lighting or other purpose of the electric cur-
rent in a carriage, or compartment upon a train, and I introduce them to the
pipe, by preference at the point C that point being very near to each extremity
of the carriage. But when the insertion of the wires at this point would inter-
fere with any valves, stopcocks, or other appliances connected with the brake
apparatus, or with any other object for which the pipes are provided, I then
introduce the wires at the nearest convenient point beyond these obstacles,
attaching them until that further point is reached, to the exterior of the pipe.
The pipe shown in the accompanying drawings is that connected with the vacuum
brake, and there being no obstacles such as before mentioned, I introduce the
wires as shown at C, and then convey them through the flexible pipe extending
beyond the carriage, and subsequently through the metal of the coupling Fas
hereinafter shown, and described.
Fig. 2 shows a slightly modified coupling appliance in common use. It is
with this upper portion of the coupling appliance that I alone concern myself,
and that is shown in the accompanying drawing. Although I have selected an
appliance of this character for the purpose of illustrating the principle of my
invention, I wish it to be distinctly understood that it is designed for use in
connection with coupling appliances of any other pattern, or in connection with
the chains, or any other appliance which being fitted upon a railway carriage, or
truck, is for some purpose other than the conveyance of an electric current
coupled with another appliance, upon another carriage, or truck, or with the
engine, tender, or guard's van, in the process of making up a train. The insu-
lated electric wires A, and A', are shown where upon the barrel E they are con-
veyed from end to end (from I to K) in grooves provided to so accommodate these
wires as not to interfere with the passage of the flexible pipe upon the barrel.
These grooves are provided in a straight line to the point K from whence they are
conveyed through the passages indicated by the dotted lines leading to G and H
where they are provided with insulated contact appliances hereinafter described,
and also shown in the drawings at Figs. 3 and 4.
The
Fig. 3 shows the two parts of the coupling appliance interlocked for use.
drawing is shown partly in section and partly in elevation. The electric contact
appliances G and H are shown in contact, both in section and in elevation. In
the latter view these contact appliances are indicated by dotted lines. The
electric wire A. leading to the portion H of the contact appliance, and the electric
wire A leading to the portion G of the contact appliance are also shown.
Fig. 4 is a bird's eye view of the two halves of the coupling appliance inter-
locked as before, and shows the two halves of the contact appliances in contact,

page_text: and also the electric wires A and A¹ leading thereto, the plan being partly in
section.
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of one half of the coupling appliance, and the
position of the portion H, of the contact appliances. It also shows a hood L
hereinafter described.
Fig. 6 shows the section of a passage tube D with the insulated electric wires A
and A¹ passing through it, the tube being designed for use at C in the brake
pipe B.
.
Fig. 7 shows the section of a passage tube D of a different pattern, but designed
for use at the same point as that described in connection with Fig. 6 and the
employment of which may be considered preferable in some circumstances.
Fig. 8 shows the method I adopt in conveying the insulated wires by means of
the coupling chains.
Fig. 9 shows the groove at the back of the terminal hook of the coupling
chain.
Fig. 10 shows one portion of the electric contact appliance in position at Q on
the terminal hook O of the coupling chain, and indicates the passage of the insu-
lated electric wire A or A' thereto, from the groove upon the back as hereinafter
described.
66
The method I employ in fitting the portion H of the contact appliance, is as
follows. I provide a chamber, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, such chamber being
countersunk in the portion N adjacent to the recess of the coupling appliance
into which the projection M of the other half of the coupling appliance fits when
the two halves are interlocked. This chamber is of sufficient dimensions to
accommodate the shank of the contact appliance, and the insulating material with
which I surround it, and I countersink the face of N sufficiently to accommo-
date the contact making plate which I here employ, and the insulating material
with which I surround it, and as shown in the drawings Figs. 3 and 4. I employ
the plate, as there shown, in this position, in order to permit of any longitudinal
play" more or less, which may occur between the two halves of the appliances
when coupled, so as to ensure a contact of H with G at all times in this position.
The back of this plate is provided with a shank as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and
to this the electric wire A¹ drawn forward through the passage provided for it
and at this point stripped of its insulation. is firmly soldered. I cement the
shank, and back of the contact plate that it may adhere firmly to the interior
surface of the insulating material and I also cement the sunk surface, and
chamber, that the exterior surface of the insulating material may adhere firmly
thereto, I then press the insulated contact appliance H back into its position as
shown in Figs. 3 and 4 so that the face of N, the insulating material and the
contact plate may be as nearly as possible in the same plane. It may be
necessary when fitting the contact appliance and insulating material into its
recess to ease back the electric wire.
To fit the contact maker G I proceed as follows. I provide a bolt or button,
the acting face of which is slightly convex in form, and of the shape shown in
different positions in Figs. 3 and 4 more particularly of the drawings attached
hereto. In the projection M of each half of the coupling appliance I provide a
chamber of sufficient dimensions to accommodate the aforesaid bolt or button,
together with the tube of insulating material with which it is surrounded, and
of a sufficient depth to allow of an indiarubber or other elastic cushion, being
placed at the rear of the bolt or button. The object of this cushion is to allow
a small movement of the bolt or button transversely to the coupling appliance,
thereby not only ensuring a perfect contact with H, but likewise obviating any
tendency to hitch, or in any way impede the free locking of the coupling appliance.
In order that the bolt may act readily in the manner just described, I provide
that it shall not be "gripped" by the insulating material. The electric wire A
is connected with the contact maker G, precisely in the manner described herein-
before in connection with A and H.

page_text: at
The method which I have herein before described is the best, and
most reliable method of carrying out the principle of my invention
known to me but there may be other methods of carrying out the
same principle. For instance, the end of the electric wires stripped
the point of contact of their insulation, may be inserted into,
or brought in contact with the portions M and N of the coupling and without the
medium of the insulated electric contact pieces G and H, these portions of the
wires in their normal condition, or provided with surfaces of platinum, or other
reliable electricity conducting material, may be employed to effect the contact;
or the insulated wires may be attached to, or passed through the metal of the
barrel E, where its diameter increases, the contact appliances projecting
sufficiently beyond the face of the ring to ensure contact with the companion
appliances when coupled, and a spring of indiarubber or other material employed
for the purpose, would permit these contact appliances to recede under pressure
upon the face of them, so as not to impede any longitudinal "play" in the coup-
ling appliance. But having regard to the important character of the work for
which electricity may be employed on railway trains, I am disposed to regard
these methods as less desirable than the method which I have described, and shown
in the drawings hereunto attached.
Although not essential to the efficient working of my invention I prefer to pro-
vide a thin metal "hood" L of the form and fitted in the manner shown on the
drawings at Fig. 5. I design this hood for the better protection of the electric
contact appliances from the effects of rain, snow, or other foreign matter, when
the appliances F are coupled. The hood, slightly convex towards the centre as
shown in Fig. 4, is securely rivetted, screwed or fixed by any other well known
method, so as to bridge the recess in each half of the coupling appliance.
The coupling of the appliances is effected entirely in the manner customary
heretofore on railways, according to the character and formation of the coupling
appliance employed.
At the point C in the pipe B or at such other point as may be rendered
necessary by the circumstances hereinbefore recited, I convey the wires from the
exterior to the interior of the pipe B, through a metal passage tube D specially
designed to insure an airtight passage of the same. Figs. 6 and 7 upon the draw-
ings hereunto attached, show two passage tubes of this character, either of which
will effectually operate in the manner required. For that, represented by Fig. 6,
I provide a hollow passage tube of gun metal, or other approved material, the
diameter of the passage tube itself being such as to exactly fit the aperture pro-
vided for its reception in the pipe B. The head of this passage tube O is of
greater horizontal diameter, and is moulded or shaped on the lower surface, to
the interior formation of the pipe at the point where it is to be inserted, and
through the centre of this head I provide two passages through which the insu-
lated electric wires A. and A¹ are passed. Beneath this moulded or shaped
passage tube head, I provide a washer P or washers of leather, indiarubber, or
other suitable material, so as to intervene between the metal of the passage tube
head, and the pipe, and beneath the passage tube head in the interior of the
hollow passage tube, I provide a core Q of india rubber, or other suitable material,
through two passages in which the insulated electric wires A and A¹ are respec-
tively passed, such passages being immediately beneath those hereinbefore
described as provided in the passage tube head. Beneath this core I also provide
a washer R of metal, vulcanized fibre, or some other suitable material and which
is provided with similar passages for the electric wires, and the passage tube
having been fitted and secured in its position in the manner presently described,
a gland screw S is inserted in the passage tube, the lower interior surface of
which is provided with a cut thread for the purpose, and by turning, this gland
screw is pressed against the washer so as to compress the core, and render the
passages therein provided, and through which the insulated electric wires pass,
airtight. In this manner the electric wires are conveyed from the exterior to the

page_text: interior of the pipe, or vice versa as circumstances may render the more con-
venient course.
The passage tube D Fig. 6 is fitted to the pipe in the following
manner: The length of passage tube is passed through the aperture C from the
interior of the pipe B, the head, and washer, or washers, provided in connection
therewith, alone remaining in the interior of the pipe. Care must be taken that
the head is turned into such a position as to exactly conform the lower moulded,
or shaped surface of the head to the formation of the pipe at this point, and the
washer being prepared with a preparation of white lead, or other suitable
material, a metal washer T moulded, or shaped to the exterior formation of the
pipe at this point, and shown in Fig. 6 is passed over the passage tube, and
placed so as to exactly conform to the formation of the pipe. A metal nut U is
then screwed on the exterior of the passage tube, the surface of which beneath
the head is provided with a cut screw thread for the purpose, and the nut is
tightly screwed. The gland-screw S is then applied sufficiently to effect the
purpose hereinbefore described, and locked in position by the nut V.
When I elect to employ the passage tube D shown at Fig. 7 upon the drawings
hereunto attached, the method of fixing is somewhat different, as rendered
necessary by the formation of the appliance. In this case, the aperture C is pro-
vided with a cut thread designed to receive, and hold the cut thread provided
upon the top exterior surface from the head downwards, of the passage tube.
The head is of the same diameter as the passage tube itself, and is indeed the top
surface of the passage tube of gun metal, or other approved material, which has
been hollowed out beneath for the reception of the core, and through the head
of which similar passages have been provided, as described in connection with
Fig. 6, and the whole of the interior fitting, arrangements, and method of apply-
ing the gland screw are precisely as therein described. This passage tube is
fitted from the exterior of the pipe, the thread of the exterior being prepared
with red-lead, or some other suitable substance, is tightly screwed into the
aperture C provided in the pipe, and the gland screw is applied in the manner
already described in connection with Fig. 6.
When I employ the chains, or like appliances for the purposes of my method,
I convey the insulated electric-wires beneath the bed of the railway carriage, or
truck, similarly connecting them with an electric battery, or batteries, or electric
storage at some convenient point, and I convey one wire only in connection with
each chain. At the end of each carriage, or truck, strap or make fast the insu-
lated wire to some convenient part of the frame of the carriage or I provide a
metal eye screwed into the woodwork, or attached to the metal conveniently near
to the chain or other appliance employed, and I then coil a sufficient length of
the wire to meet any strain which may be put upon it by movement of the
appliance employed, or from any other cause. I then interweave the insulated
wire with the links of the chain as shown in Fig. 8 or strap it to the other
appliance employed, until it arrives at the coupling appliance. When this is a
hook I provide a groove with a greater diameter within than at the hook surface,
down the back thereof, and having again provided a short coil of wire at or near
the ring, I strap the insulated wire to the shank, and then convey it down the
groove hereinbefore mentioned until reaching the bend of the hook as shown in
the drawings Fig. 9. I then convey it through a drilled passage to the inner
surface of the hook as shown in the drawings at Fig. 10. I countersink the sur-
face of the hook at Q sufficiently to accommodate the contact maker and the insulat-
ing material with which it is surrounded. The contact maker I employ in this
position, is a plate of brass or other approved material furnished with a contact
surface of platinum. This plate is saddle shaped and fashioned to the formation
of the hook surface whereof it is to become a part, as is also the block of hard
vulcanised fibre I employ as insulating material. The electric contact plate is
provided with a stout shank, and to this the electric wire, stripped at this point of
its insulating matter is firmly soldered and the insulated contact maker pressed
into position as described for H Figs. 3 and 4. The groove is then to be filled,

page_text: and otherwise made good with gutta-percha, or some other suitable material.
Connections with both wires are made in the guard's van, or vans upon the engine,
or at other points upon the train which may from time to time be deemed advis-
able, so that by the action of the guard, driver or other employee of the company,
or by a passenger, a contact can be made and the object of ringing a bell, or other
purpose hereinbefore recited, may be accomplished.
When one portion of the coupling appliance is a chain-link, or ring, I proceed
in a precisely similar manner, always conveying the insulated electric wire in a
groove of the character already described, and which is to be subsequently sealed,
down the exterior surface of the appliance to the point where upon the inner
surface it will be in contact with the companion coupling appliance, and there I
provide the insulated plate electric contact appliance, as previously described
at Q.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The herein before described method of coupling electric wires on railway
trains, through the medium of the carriage coupling appliances employed in
making up the train.
2. The use for the purpose of coupling electric wires on railway trains of the
wire coupling appliances herein before described and shewn in the accompanying
drawings constructed and arranged substantially as described and shewn.
3. The use for the purpose of coupling electric wires on railway trains of wire
coupling appliances constructed and arranged as shewn in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 of
the accompanying drawings.
4. The use for the purpose of coupling electric wires on railway trains of wire
coupling appliances constructed and arranged as shown in Figs. 8 9 and 10 of
the accompanying drawings.
T
11
1
c
1000
GEO. RENNIE POWELL,
Inventor.