Improvements in Systems of Control for Electrically Propelled Trains.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1898- Accepted, 26th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Systems of Control for Electrically Propelled
Trains.
We, THE BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON COMPANY, LIMITED, of 83, Cannon Street,
in the City of London, Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention (which has been communicated to us from abroad by Edwin
Wilbur Rice, Jr., residing at Schenectady, in the County of Schenectady, State
of New York, United States of America, Electrical Engineer), 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 system of electric traction. Occasion often arises
for connecting two electrically equipped motor cars in a single train when it
becomes desirable to control the power and speed of the different motor equip-
ments from. a common point. For example, at certain points of a line the motor
cars may be run independently and hence, properly equipped with motors, con-
trollers and a trolley. At other points of the line two motor cars may be run
joined up in a train and subject to control by the engineer at a common point.
The main object in this invention is to provide certain improvements by which
motor cars equipped so as to run and be controlled independently may likewise
be readily controlled from a single point when joined in a train without multi-
plying cable connections extending from one such car to another; and, in general,
with a minimum amount of additional. wiring.
As will be more particularly pointed out hereinafter, by these improvements the
different motor cars may be located at different points on a train, and from a
position on one of them the engineer can couple the different motor equipments
in series or in parallel and can regulate the motors as may be required when
coupled in either order. To enable this to be done we provide only a single
cable connecting the different cars and certain switch or controller mechanism
whose function is clearly described hereinafter, and whose construction may be
varied in a variety of ways.
The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention.
Fig. 1 shows a train of cars comprising two motor cars which may be regulated
from either end of the train; Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are diagrams of the circuit con-
nections and series parallel combinations in which we may couple the motor
equipments of the different cars.
In Fig. 1 the motor cars are shown at the ends of the train. Each such car
has its own equipment of motors, controllers and trolleys. A cable W extends
from one car to another and by this cable the motor equipments may be coupled,
up in various orders, and regulated as will be explained in connection with
Fig. 2. Here MA represents the motors on one car and M B the motors on the
second car. Each motor equipment is shown as consisting of a pair of motors
connected and run in parallel relation. The trolleys are shown at T¹ and T
and controllers at RR. These are illustrated as rheostatic controllers, consist-
ing of a number of sections of resistance more or less of which may be included

page_text: in circuit by movement of the controller cylinder shown developed in the dia-
grain, is the cylinder of one controller and of the second controller. The motor
equipments of each car have a ground connection GW, GW. From the positive
terminal of one motor equipment to the positive terminal of the second equip-
ment there is led a cable W and switches shown at S1 S2 are provided, which are
so arranged that the different motor equipments can be connected either in series
or in parallel by an engineer stationed on one of the cars. For example, in the
diagram, Fig. 2, the trolley circuit T2 is opened at controller R2 and switches S¹, S²
are so placed that the ground connection at motors MA is broken, and a series
circuit established which includes the motor equipment MA, cable W,
equipment MB and ground at GW. The circuit of trolley T can now be
completed at controller R and the different motor equipments will be connected
in series between trolley T¹ and ground GW on the rear car.
motor
Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically the manner in which the motors are con-
nected under the conditions already explained. The engineer by manipulating
the controller R¹ can, of course, control the power and speed of both motor
equipments by cutting in and out resistance. Furthermore, by throwing
switch S to the dotted line position, the different motor equipments will be
connected in parallel with a corresponding increase of power and speed. The
motors MA will then be connected to the trolley at their positive terminals,
and at their negative terminals grounded in the ordinary manner.
A branch
circuit leading over cable W and through switches SS2 connects the motors MB
in parallel with motors MA and these last motors are grounded at GW¹. Now
as before, further regulation is possible by varying the resistance included in
circuit at controller R¹. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing more clearly the motor
equipments connected in parallel relation. Switches S₁S for shifting the motor
circuits are diagrammatically shown. In practice they may be constructed and
arranged in a variety of ways, either as independent switched not connected with
the controllers, or additional switch contacts may be provided on the controllers
for the same purpose. The improvements are not limited in this regard. Of
course, couplings of any desired form will be provided to complete the circuit
through cable W from car to car as may be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention (as communicated to us from abroad), and in what manner the same
is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is;-
1-The combination of motor cars each equipped with a motor or motors, a
controller and trolley, with means for controlling the different motor equip-
ments from a single point when the cars are joined in a train, said means com-
prising a cable connecting the different motor equipments, switches or switch
contacts in the trolley circuits of the different cars, and other switches or switch
contacts for opening or closing the ground circuits of the different cars, and
coupling up the motor equipments in series or parallel.
2.The combination of motor cars at different positions of a train, a single
conductor connecting said cars and a switch on one of the motor cars for coupling
the motor equipments of the different cars in series or parallel, as set forth.
3 The combination of motor cars, with a single cable extending from one
car to another, and switches by which the positive terminals of the motor equip-
ments of said cars may be connected by said cable and the motor equipments run
in parallel, or for establishing a connection through the same cable between the
negative terminal of the motor equipment of one car and the positive terminal
of the motor equipment of a second car, and thereby connecting the motor
equipments in series, as set forth.
4-The combination of motor cars, a switch on one of said cars by which the
different motor equipments may be coupled in series or in parallel, and a switch
or controller for further regulating all of the motors from a single point on the
train, when said motor equipments are connected up in either order.

page_text: 5 The combination of motor cars, a ground connection for the motor equip-
ments of each car, a cable extending from one motor equipment to another, and
switches for breaking the ground connection of one car and connecting the
different equipments in series between the trolley circuit of one car and the
ground connection of a second car, or for grounding each motor equipment
independently and connecting the different equipments in parallel.
6The combination of motor cars, each equipped with proper complement of
motors, controlling devices and circuits, and switches on the cars by which the
complete motor equipments may be coupled in series or parallel, as desired.
7 The combination with motors cars coupled in a train, having a proper
equipment of motors and controlling devices such that each car may, if desired,
be independently operated, of switches by which the complete motor equipments
may be thrown in series or parallel with each other, and simultaneously regulated
when in either connection by one of the other motor controllers.
Dated this 30th of July 1808
THE BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON COMPANY, LIMITED.
A. R. MONKS,
Director.
Assistant Secretary.
ALFRED CLEMENTS,