IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AND METHOD OF ACTUATING BRAKES FOR RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Michell Paull, of Stonehouse, Plymouth, in the
County of. Devon, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF AND METHOD OF ACTUATING BRAKES FOR RAILWAY
TRAINS."
Sealed the 15th May 1877, and dated the 18th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left. by the said Joseph Michell Paull at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th November 1876.
JOSEPH MICHELL PAULL, of Stonehouse, Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AND METHOD OF ACTUATING
BRAKES FOR RAILWAY TRAINS."
This Invention has for its objects improved methods of constructing brakes for
arresting the motion of carriages or other vehicles running upon railways, and of
actuating such brakes, and consists of novel methods of applying the well-known
principle of the incompressibility of water as a means of operating the brakes.
Upon one or more of the axles of the carriage to which the apparatus is applied
I fit and fix firmly a circular disc or boss of cast iron or other suitable material,
the outer circumference of which is concentric with the axle. Round the circum-
ference of this disc I arrange a concentric ring, having sides extending a sufficient.
distance from its outer circumference towards the circumference of the disc first
described so as to form a hollow annular chamber open on its inner circumference ;
and I make its hollow part divided into a sufficient number of compartments by
means of radial divisions. In each of these compartments I arrange a block, pad,
or plug, preferably of some sufficiently soft and flexible material, such as india-
rubber or cork.
At any convenient part of the outer hollow ring I make an opening, to which is
connected a water supply pipe, and I make one or more small openings through
each of the radial divisions already described in the outer ring, so that water
admitted into the latter-can- pass into each of the divisions between the inner
circumference of the outer ring and the several pads, blocks, or plugs described,
which latter are thus pressed towards and against the circumference of the disc
upon the axle.

page_text: The outer ring is prevented from turning round together with the axle and the
disc upon the latter by means of suspending links or bars attached to the carriage.
At any convenient part of the circuinference of the outer ring described I make
an opening, to which is fixed a cock or valve, by opening which the pads, blocks, or
plugs can be relieved from pressure when desired.
I also make another opening in the outer ring, which I connect to a supply pipe,
through which the hollow annular ring is again refilled with water when the stop-
cock last described is closed, and this supply pipe may itself be provided with a
cock or with a valve opening inwards, by which the water is prevented from being
forced back through it when it is desired to apply the pressure of the brake to
the axle.
prefer to line the inner sides of the blocks, plugs, or pads, which are pressed
against the disc as described, with wood, metal, or other suitable material, which can
readily be replaced when worn.
The supply pipe communicating with the inner hollow part of the outer ring, as
described, may be connected with a force pump worked by the engine of the train,
or by the revolving axle of the carriage, or by other suitable power, or with a
reservoir or air vessel, into which the water is so pumped, and is kept stored under
any desired pressure; or instead of a reservoir and air vessel I sometimes use a
vertical pipe fitted with a heavily-loaded piston or weight, which is raised by the
water pumped under it as described. The lower part of this vertical pipe has
openings communicating by means of smaller pipes furnished with stop-cock or
valves, with the supply pipes opening into the hollow parts of the external rings of
the brakes, as first described.
The stop-cocks or valves in the small pipes described are under the control of the
guard or other person by whom it is intended that the brakes should be put into
operation when required, and they may be actuated by a rope or wire under his
control.
The valves may be so arranged, if desired, that either one or more or all the
brakes may be actuated at once.
Brakes constructed and actuated as described may be applied to other revolving
axles as well as to those of railway carriages.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Michell Paull in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th May
1877.
"
JOSEPH MICHELL PAULL, of Stonehouse, Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AND METHOD OF ACTUATING
BRAKES FOR RAILWAY TRAINS."
This Invention relates to brakes used for the purpose of arresting the motion of
carriages or other vehicles running upon railways, and consists of novel methods of
applying the well-known principle of the incompressibility of water to the purpose
of actuating such brakes.
Apparatus constructed according to my Invention may also be applied to the
purpose of arresting the motion of other revolving axles and wheels as well as those
of railway carriages or cars.
In order to put my Invention in operation I apply the friction surfaces (the
pressure of which against the railway carriage wheels, or against drums upon their
axles, or upon other axles, is to be used for the purpose of arresting their motion)
by forming them of or attaching them to the surface of pads or blocks of elastic
material, preferably india-rubber, which are contained in suitable chambers, so that
the water under pressure can be admitted behind them when required, the flexibility
and elasticity of the pads or blocks being sufficient to prevent the water from
escaping past them when the pressure is applied.

page_text: One method of construction and arrangement which I adopt for the purpose is
the following-Upon one or more of the axles of the railway carriage to which
the apparatus is to be applied I fit and fix firmly a circular disc or drum of cast
iron or other sufficiently strong material, its outer circumference being made con-
centric with the axle. Round the circumference of this drum, and concentric with
it, I arrange a ring of cast iron or other suitable material, having sides extending
inwards for a sufficient distance from its outer circumference towards. the axle, so
as to form a hollow annular chamber, open on its inner circumference. I divide
this hollow annular chamber into a sufficient number of separate compartments by
means of strong radial divisions, and in each of these compartments I fit a block,
pad, or plug, preferably of some sufficiently soft and flexible material, such as india-
rubber or cork.
.
At the upper part or other convenient position of the outer hollow ring I make
an opening, to which is fitted a supply pipe, through which water under pressure
can be admitted into the several separate compartiments behind the elastic blocks,
one or more openings or passages being made through each of the radial divisions,
so that water admitted through the pipe described can pass into each of the com-
partments. The several elastic pads, blocks, or plugs are thus pressed forcibly
towards and against the circumference of the disc or drum upon the axle.
The outer ring containing the compartments is prevented from turning round,
together with the axle and the friction drum, by means of suspending links or bars
which attach it to the frame of the carriage (preferably by horizontal links so as
not to interfere with the play of the carriage springs). I arrange the same opening
in the outer ring which admits the water, or another suitable opening in a different
part of the ring, so that it can be put in communication when required with a
discharge pipe, by which the elastic blocks can be released from the pressure of the
water, the latter being allowed to escape.
Through the same opening last described, or through another one provided for
the purpose, I admit water by means of a supply pipe, through which the hollow
ring can be again refilled with water when required, and this pipe may be provided
with a cock or a valve opening inwards, by which the water is prevented from
being forced back through it when it is desired to apply the pressure of the brake
to the drum upon the axle.
I prefer to line the inner sides of the elastic blocks or pads which are pressed
against the drum as described with wood, metal, or other suitable material, which
can be readily replaced when worn; or the surface of the drum may be covered
with such material, and a ring, preferably of steel, may be interposed between such
covering and the elastic blocks, the ring being prevented from turning round by
means of one or more stops or fastenings attached to the hollow ring.
In the accompanying Drawings Figures 1 and 2 are in illustration of the
arrangement just described. Figure 1 is a transverse section and Figure 2 a longi-
tudinal section. a is the drum, which is fitted upon a shaft and has its periphery
covered with wood b; the external hollow case c is divided into compartments by
the division d, having openings through them at e; the elastic blocks fare fitted
in the compartments, and pressure is admitted or removed by water through
the pipe g; the metallic ring his shewn between the drum a and the elastic
blocks f.
Figure 3 shews a different arrangement; a is a revolving shaft to which my im-
proved brake is to be applied; b is the annular ring or case containing the elastic
pads or blocks which are pressed against a drum upon the shaft a as already
described; c is a pump (more fully described herein-after) by which water can be
forced through the pipe d into the case b. A cock or valve e is provided in the pipe
d, and f is a tank or cistern containing water from which the force pump-c is filled
by means of the pipe g and valve h. The discharge cock i removes the pressure from
the periphery of the drum when it is opened (the cock e being at the same time
closed) and when the cock i is again closed the case b is refilled with water through
the pipe k provided with a valve / opening inwards.

page_text: In Figures 4 and 6 a three-way cock is shewn instead of the arrangement already
described for admitting and removing the pressure of the water from the back of the
elastic pads or blocks.
Where, as in the case of railway carriages or cars, it is difficult to fix revolving
drums as described to the axles, the revolution of which is to be retarded by the
application of the brakes, I modify the arrangement of my improved apparatus so
that it can be used to operate brake blocks applied in the usual way to the circum-
ference of the wheels of the carriages or cars. For this purpose I make the annular
hollow ring or case extend only through a part of the circumference of a circle, and
I fit it opposite to the wheel against which it is to operate instead of to a separate
drum. The hollow case as described may be fixed firmly to the frame of the car-
riage or car, but I prefer to suspend it to the frame by links, allowing it a certain
amount of vibration, and to the back of the hollow case I connect an adjustable
link which connects it to an ordinary brake block suspended so as to act upon the
next adjoining wheel of the carriage. When the water is admitted in the way
already described the flexible block or blocks in the case (which are attached to a
wooden or other brake block) are pressed forward towards the circumference of one
wheel whilst the hollow case is forced back and applies the brake block to the adjoining
wheel. Figure 5 is an illustration of this arrangemeet. a is a railway carriage
fitted with my improved brake; b, b, b, are the wheels, and c, c, brake blocks sus-
pended by links to the frame d. The cases e, e¹, extending partly round the wheels
contain elastic blocks, and are suspended by the links f, f. The cases c, e¹, are
connected to the brake blocks c, c, by adjustable links h, h. Water is admitted
under pressure through the supply pipe i fixed under the carriage and the branch
pipes 1, 11.
Instead of the arrangement just described I sometimes arrange a short horizontal
cylinder attached or suspended by links to the framing of the carriage between two
of the wheels to which the brake is to be applied. In the open ends of this cylinder
(which I prefer to make of slightly reduced diameter, or having small internal
flanges) I fit tightly plugs or discs of india-rubber or other sufficiently flexible
and elastic material similar to those already described. Into the cylinder between
these discs I admit water by means of a flexible or other pipe communicating
with a pipe passing in a convenient position from end to end of each carriage,
its ends being fitted with union joints or couplings of the kind ordinarily used
by which the pipes under each carriage of the entire train can be readily con-
nected together. These pipes thus coupled together are connected at one end
or other convenient part of their length with the force pump herein-after
described or other apparatus for transmitting sufficient pressure through the
water in the pipes and cylinders to the elastic blocks in the ends of the latter.
These elastic blocks are fitted with plates or washers through which pass and
are fixed adjustable bolts or links, the outer ends of which are jointed to the backs
of brake blocks (lined with wood or other suitable material) suspended to the frames
of the carriages.
Figure 6 is in illustration of this method of arrangement. a is a railway carriage
fitted with my improved apparatus; b, b, b, are the wheels, and c, c, c, brake blocks
suspended to the frame d so that they can be pressed against the wheels when the
revolution of the latter is to be arrested; e, e¹, are cylinders suspended by links f; f¹,
to the frame d, and fitted with elastic blocks shewn at g, g, in the cylinder c¹ which
is in section, which are connected by the adjustable links h, h, with the brake
blocks c, c.
The water pipes i are fixed under the carriages, their ends being coupled
together by union joints and flexible pipes . Branch pipes from the pipes i, i¹,
communicate with each of the cylinders e, e¹, as shewn in the Drawing. The flexible
discs may be arranged close or nearly close together at their edges, which are bolted
together, or their edges may be connected by a short elastic tube of sufficient
diameter.
In the guard's brake van or other convenient part of the train a force pump or
other apparatus as herein-after more fully described is arranged for the purpose of

page_text: applying pressure when desired to the water in the pipes and cylinders and thence
to the elastic blocks and brake blocks. Cocks or valves are also provided for the
purpose of releasing the water when necessary, and thus removing the pressure from
the brake blocks.
Another novel method of applying my apparatus to railway carriages or cars which I
sometimes adopt consists in arranging short cylinders vertically between the axle boxes
in which the axles revolve and the centre of the springs which support the carriages.
The upper ends of these cylinders are fitted with elastic blocks in the same way as
those last described, the centre of the springs resting upon the centre of the blocks. To
the centre of the springs are also attached bars, the upper ends of which are connected
to brake blocks above the wheels, these brake blocks being attached to horizontal
links, the other ends of which are pivotted to the framing of the carriage, the brake
block being thus prevented from turning round with the wheels when applied to
the circumference of the latter. The pressure of the water is admitted into the
cylinders from pipes in the same way as in the arrangement last described.
Figures 7 and 8 are in illustration of this arrangement. a, al are the wheels ;
b, the axle box; c, c¹, the springs; d, d, the cylinders; e, the elastic block; f, the
water supply pipe. The springs c, c¹ are connected by the rods g, g', to the brake
blocks h, h, which are guided by links i, i, pivotted to the frame k at l.
The action of this apparatus arranged as described is as follows:-When the
pressure of the water is admitted to the cylinders the springs are raised, and
together with them the brake blocks (which are thus held free from the wheels)
and the framework and carriage with its load. When the water is released from
the cylinders the springs descend and bring down the brake blocks upon the wheels,
against which they are pressed with the full weight of the carriage and its load.
of
If the weight of the carriage is greater than required I prefer to introduce metal
or other springs into the cylinders which support part of the weight, the pressure
the water supporting the remaining part, as shewn in Figure 7. By this arrange-
ment the carriage springs are left quite as free to act when the brakes are applied
as when they are free, and consequently no jolting is experienced. If any coupling
should break accidentally or the train become separated the brakes will all be auto-
matically applied by the escape of the water from the pipes.
The arrangement described may be modified to suit varying circumstances. The
rods g, g', are made adjustable in length by screws.
Figures 9 and 10 shew another modification. The brake blocks a, a', slide upon
horizontal bars b, b', attached to the axle boxes c, c¹. The cylinder d contains elastic
blocks similar to those already described, by means of which the pressure of the
water is applied to the brake blocks a, a'. In this arrangement the play of the
carriage springs is not affected when the brakes are applied.
The pipe by which water under pressure is conveyed when desired into the
chambers behind the elastic blocks or plugs in the different arrangements described
may be supplied from a reservoir or tank in the guard's van or other part of the
train, into which it is forced and kept under sufficient pressure by means of a force
pump worked by one of the wheel axles, or by a separate engine or other suitable
power, and this reservoir may be provided with a suitable air vessel. Or sometimes
I use a vertical pipe for the said purpose fitted with a heavily loaded piston or
plunger which is raised by water pumped under it by the means described; or
sometimes I arrange in the neighbourhood of the vertical pipe in any convenient
position a cistern containing a sufficient quantity of water, from which is conducted
a pipe containing a valve opening downwards and leading to a cylinder or pump
fitted with a plunger which can be actuated by means of a lever or wheel under the
control of the attendant. From this pump one or more pipes also communicate
with the vertical pipe containing the weighted piston already described, and these
pipes are provided with valves opening outward, so that when the plunger is worked
a sufficient quantity of water can be withdrawn from the cistern and forced into the
vertical pipe under the weighted piston, which is thus raised and ready to operate
when required,

page_text: The lower part of the vertical pipe has openings communicating by means of
smaller pipes furnished with stop-cocks or valves with the supply pipe by which
water is conveyed and admitted to the elastic blocks or plugs already described.
These stop-cocks or valves are under the control of the guard or other person by
whom it is intended that the brakes should be put into operation when required,
and they may be arranged so that one or more or all the brakes may be actuated at
once.
Instead of the arrangement described I sometimes connect the water cistern
already described to the lower part of the vertical pipe by a connecting pipe, and I
arrange a lever (which may be loaded with a sufficiently heavy weight) or a pulley
and chain by which the loaded plunger can be raised when desired. The connecting
pipe for the cistern may contain a valve opening towards the vertical pipe or pump,
but I prefer to connect the latter to the cistern and to the pipe which supplies the
brakes by means of a three-way cock under the control of the attendant, so that he
can connect the pump to the cistern when the former is to be filled with water by
raising the plunger, or to the supply pipe when it is required to apply the brakes
by admitting water to them by means of the supply pipe.
When it is desired to remove the pressure from the brakes the three-way cock is
turned so as to communicate between the pressure supply pipe and the cistern into
which the water returns.
I prefer to add a separate cock by which the water can be discharged from the
pressure pipe into the open air, and the pressure is thus taken off the brakes.
Figures 3, 4, and 6 shew illustrations of this form of arrangement. In Figure 6
A is a pump containing a plunger forced down by the weighted lever B. The three-
way cock C is connected with the cistern D, the pump A, and the brakes through
the pressure supply pipe E. The cock G allows the water to be discharged from the
pipe F for the purpose of releasing the brakes.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which it is to be per-
formed, I do not claim the precise form and arrangement of the several parts of the
apparatus as described and shewn; but I claim,-
The methods of transmitting hydraulic pressure to brake blocks operating upon
drums or upon the circumference of wheels by means of elastic blocks or pads, sub-
stantially as described and shewn in the Drawings.
Also the combination with such clastic pads or blocks, applied as and for the
purpose described, of the pipes, loaded plunger, and valves and cocks, for the purpose
of applying and removing, as desired, hydraulic pressure from such clastic pads or
blocks, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Michell Paull, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JOSEPH MICHELL PAULL. (L.S.)