Improvements in Electric Railways on the Conduit System.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Railways on the Conduit System.
We, ALFRED ROSENHOLZ of 523 Stevenson Street, Electrical Engineer and
HENRY EDWARD POEHLMAN of 415 Montgomery Street, Real Estate Agent, all
in the City and County of San Francisco, State of California U.S.A., 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:—
This invention relates to a switch which is especially adapted for use upon under-
ground electric railways.
It consists in certain details of construction which will be more fully explained
by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a perspective exterior view of our my device.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the switch. mechanism, showing the
interior.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the same, showing its connection with the
main conductor.
Figure 4 shows the manner of supporting the adjacent separated ends of the '
trolley wire.
Figure 5 shows the connection between the switch and the main wire.
Figure 6 is a transverse section through a tunnel containing my conduit wire.
Figures 7 and 8 are transverse and longitudinal sections shewing the wire supports
and insulation upon the switch.
A is the main conductor along which the current of electricity passes from the
source of supply. This wire is embedded in a non-conducting coating of cement,
and is further enclosed by an exterior tube B suitably supported parallel with the
trolley wire C through which latter, connection is made to the car by means of a
trolley adapted to travel upon the wire C..
The trolley wire is made in sections, as plainly shewn in Fig. 4, the ends
approaching each other closely, but being separated by a sufficient space or
insulation to cut off any passage of the current from one to the other.
Each of the meeting ends of C C is fixed in a sleeve D, and these sleeves have
shanks E which extend into an insulating substance F, where they are suitably
secured, and the wires held in proper relation with each other.
Each section of the trolley wire C is supported in a sleeve G which is fixed to
or formed with a standard G, this standard being fixed to and supported from the
casing H of the switch mechanism.
A very convenient way of securing the wires C is to split the standard G¹ and
to make the portion G segmental, and sufficiently more than half of a cylinder so
that the upper edges will enclose the wire, and when the sides of G are sprung
together the wire will be retained in its position where it may also be soldered or
otherwise secured.
The case H projects at right angles from the conducting wire A, and is
ournaled at one side of it so that it has a slight up and down tilting motion
bout its journals.
As shown in Fig. the main conductor A, with its insulating and enclosing
asing is supported upon brackets in an underground tube or tunnel, and the
ournal-boxes of the casing H are also supported from the brackets, or in any
ther suitable manner, out of line with the conductor A.
D
.F

page_text: Within the casing is a fixed T-shaped iron rod L L' the cross bar L' of which
extends through the journal boxes and has a slot 2 in its outer end. From this slot
a wire, cable, or other metallic conductor 3 extends at right angles, to a point
between the separated ends of the conductor A. These ends have clamped or
secured to them a short section 4 of copper wire cable or other good conductor,
and the end of the conductor 3 is secured to it. The whole of this part is enclosed
in non-conducting material, within an outer enclosing tube 5 forming an L-shaped
connection between the main conductor and the casing H so that the latter is
essentially independent of the former and may be connected or removed at will
without disturbing other connections.
A flexible insulating material J surrounds the T-rod and core, extending a
short distance into the enclosing tube so as to form a good joint with the insulating
material contained within the enclosing tube 5.
The casing H is preferably made in halves. These halves have grooves or
channels made in them as shown at H, and these channels are adapted to receive
a packing which makes a hermetical joint when the halves are closed together.
This construction makes it convenient for placing the casing about the interior
core and T rod L L. When the two are closed together, the cap a is fitted over
and secured upon one end, this cap having an arm or extension 6 which carries the
counter-balance weight c by which the casing is tilted to its normal position and
contact broken, as soon as the trolley has passed.
Upon the other end of the casing H is a cap d which is adapted to screw upon
that end of the casing, and thus the two parts of the casing are held firmly
together and the interior is hermetically sealed against any entrance of moisture.
The whole is then coated with any suitable non-conducting covering which may
be employed for the purpose, and by which any possible escape of the electric
current will be practically prevented.
A non-conducting ring surrounds the casing H near the standard G' which
assists in preventing any loss of electricity in case of dampness.
These insulating sleeves J are so formed within the casing H of the switch,
as to extend along and surround the iron core L which projects at right angles
with the part L', and is enclosed within the casing H.
This extension of the insulators J is formed as shown at J', and within it is an
elastic ring K over which it fits and which forces it outward within the casing H so
that a perfect joint and insulation is made at this point.
The core L is surrounded by a coil of wire shown at M so that when the
current of electricity passes through the surrounding coil, it produces a magnetic
action which ensures the contact of the conductors while the trolley is passing.
The core has its end turned up, as shown, terminating within the plate N which
is stationary. N₁ is the opposing contact plate movable with the casing H in the
end of which it is fixed.
The operation is as follows:
When the trolley passes along the wire C it presses upon the standard G', and
forces the outer end of the casing H downward, tilting it about its journals I
until the plates N and N' are brought into contact.
The plate N forms the termination with which the core L and the coil M are
connected, and the plate N' is connected with the tilting case H and situated
above the plate N. When these two form contact, it will be manifest that the
current from the conductor A will pass through the coil, thence through the
standard Ginto the trolley wire C, and thence to the car. In order to ensure a
perfect contact at this point, loose bolts O fit in holes in the plate N' so that their
ends project a little below the surface of this plate.
These bolts have heads fitting in corresponding chambers above, which prevent
their dropping down, and all of the bolts are secured in place by a washer and n
screw P, which screws into the plate N¹, and a packing p prevents any moisture
from getting in at this point.
When the casing H is tilted downward, the plate N¹ will be brought into

page_text: contact with the stationary plate N, and the circle of loose bolts O projecting
below the face of this plate will insure a contact even if the faces of the plates
are not absolutely parallel.
In some cases, difficulty may arise from the flooding of the conduit within which
these parts are situated, and if, in such case, the case H be tilted so as to form
contact between the plates N and N', a great loss of the current from the
conductor A would ensue.
To prevent this, a crank arm is journaled beneath the tilting case A, and this
crank arm has an arm or extension R which carries a float S.
When no water is in the tube or conduit, the float S will drop, and the crank
arm will coincide with a slot or opening T made in the lower part of the casing H
as is well shown in Fig 2.
When in this position it offers no obstruction to the tilting of the casing H under
the ordinary conditions of travel of the cars. If, however, the tube should become
flooded, the water will raise the float and turn the crank arm Q until it stands
beneath the casing H in such a manner as to prevent the latter being tilted. This
locks it and prevents any contact between the plates N and N' and no loss of
electricity can occur during the submergence of the parts, the packing of all the
joints being sufficiently perfect to prevent any entrance of water.
'
To further ensure the apparatus against the effects of moisture and leakage of
the electric current, the open space at the connection of the core and the main
conductor, may be filled with any suitable non-conducting or oleaginous packing
exterior to the flexible sheath J which surrounds the T-shaped rod at this
point.
The journal or bearing about which the casing oscillates may be plain formed
with a ring or collar or it may consist of any of the well known forms of anti-
frictional bearings.
The two parts of the casing H may be secured together by screws or bolts as
shewn at H 2, in addition to the caps at the ends previously described, and either
one or both of the caps may also be secured in a similar manner if desired.
The contact plate N' is preferably formed as a part of the cap d, but it may be
made separately, and secured therein if desired.
The effect of the coil M which surrounds the core L is to temporarily magnetize
it while the electric current is passing, and this acts to hold the contact plates
together as long as the magnet is energize 1. Whenever the current is cut off, this
force ceases and the action of the counterbalance weight will separate the contact
plates, and as the current has ceased to flow before they are separated, no sparking
will take place.
The formation of the T-shaped rod is such as to hold the arm forming the core,
rigidly in position.
By the construction here shewn the whole switch and its connections may be
completed in the shop with the short length of the enclosing tube, so that all parts
may be accurately made and fitted.
When taken to the place where they are to be used, the ends of the main
conductor are connected to the section conected with the switch a few inches from
the yoke, and the exterior enclosin tube and covering completed, and the
non-conducting material poured in, a melted state or otherwise applied.
In order to ensure a continuous supply of electricity to the car, two trolleys may
be used.
The screw-bolt P is of iron and forms an armature which is attracted by the core
when the latter is magnetized.
In Figs. 7 and 8, the connecting clamps D, D of the adjacent separated ends of
the trolley wires are shewn attached directly to the switch.
Figure 7 shows the attachment clearly while one of the clamps is secured to the
casing at one side of the centre, and the other is bolted to the other side, with an
nsulating material D₁ fixed between the plate and the casing. The securing
bolts D are also insulated in the same manner so that no current of electricity can

page_text: pass from one part of the trolley wire C to the other, until the casing is tilted by
the depression of the trolley wire.
The contacts are formed in this case by the plates N and N' with the loose
contact pins O, in the same manner as previously described.
In order to obtain easy access to this portion of the casing, the end of the cap d
is screwed upon this end, with a washer by which a tight joint is made at this
point.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. A distributing switch for electric conduite consisting of a stationary core
projecting from the line of the main conductor, a sealed insulated casing enclosing
the core and movable with relation thereto about the main conductor, a trolley
wire supported from the movable end of the casing and connected with a contact
plate adjacent to the free end of the core, movable pins fitted within said contact
plate, with their lower ends projecting and forming contact with the core plate
when the casing is depressed.
2nd. A distributing switch for electric conduits consisting of a stationary core or
conductor fixed near the main conductor, a sealed insulating casing turnable about
supporting journals and enclosing the core, and a continuous flexible insulating
jacket surrounding the conductor, with its ends extending into the insulating
material in which the conductor is imbedded and having its central portion
continued so as to surround the core and form a joint within the casing.
3rd. A distributing switch for electric conduits consisting of a stationary core
or conductor projecting from the main conductor, a sealed insulating casing
fulcrumed and turnable in journal boxes, and enclosing the core, a trolley wire
composed of independent sections, each section being supported from the movable
ends of the switch casings by standards extending thereto, and a device for holding
the adjacent ends of the trolley wire so as to allow the passage of the trolley
and to prevent electrical contact, consisting of sleeves or clamps in which said ends
are secured, and an insulating block and attachments by which said sleeves are
secured to the block.
4th. A distributing switch for electric conduits consisting of a stationary core
fixed at one side of and connected with the main conductor, a sealed insulating
casing fulcrumed and turnable in journals between the main conductor and the
core, said casing being made in halves adapted to fit together, having packing
fitting in grooves between the meeting edges of the halves, and caps fitting over
the ends serving to clamp the sections together, and contact plates within the
casing whereby electrical communication is effected between the core and an
exterior conductor carried upon the casing.
5th. A distributing switch for electric conduits consisting of a stationary core
or conductor removably connected with the main conductor, a sealed insulating
casing fulcrumed and turnable about the extension of the core and enclosing the
core, a trolley wire supported from the movable end of the casing and connecting
with the contact plate adjacent to the free end of the core and movable with the
casing, a locking arm whereby the tilting of the casing is prevented, and a float
connected with said locking arm adapted to throw it into engagement to lock the
casing whenever the float is raised by a body of water around it.
6th. A distributing switch for electric conduits consisting of a stationary core
or conductor projecting from the main conductor, a sealed casing therefor fulcrumed
and turnable about the main conductor, journals or bearings upon which the casing
is movable, a flexible insulating sheath or jacket enclosing the conductor and core
and an exterior filling or packing surrounding the sheath.
7th. A distributing switch for electric conduits consisting of a stationary con-
ductor projecting from the main conductor, a sealed casing therefor, fulcrumed and
turnable in journals or bearings about the main conductor, a flexible insulating

page_text: sheath or jacket surrounding the junction of the two conductors, and a ring and
groove joint at the termination of the sheath within the casing.
8th. In a distributing switch for electric conduits a stationary branch conductor,
enclosing casing and connected operative parts, in combination with a section of
the main conductor, and journals and enclosing sheath forming a joint between the
branch conductor, its casing and the main conductor section in an independent
structure.