Improvements in the Means of and Apparatus for Distributing and Collecting Electricity for the Propulsion of Vehicles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means of and Apparatus for Distributing and
Collecting Electricity for the Propulsion of Vehicles.
We, JOHN EDWARD WALLER, of 11, Great George Street, Westminster, Civil
Engineer, and EDWARD MANVILLE, of 68, Victoria Street, Westminster,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to those systems of electrical traction in which the car, or
cars collect the current by rubbing or rolling contact from a conductor, or
conductors laid the whole length of the line, and has for its object the providing of
means, and the construction of apparatus whereby the advantages obtained from
the use of overhead conductors are equally secured when under-ground conductors
are used.
Our invention may be applied where only one conductor is laid from the
generating station, the rail being used as a return or where two conductors of
opposite potential are used or where two conductors are used for the purpose of
dividing the line into sections so as to connect the locomotors in series circuit, the
invention having reference particularly to the mechanical details as hereinafter
described, being applicable to any known method of distributing electricity from a
central station for the purpose of vehicular propulsion.
Our invention relates particularly to improvements in the following matters.
1st. In a method of supporting the conductors.
2nd. In methods for rendering such supports flexible or moveable.
3rd. In methods of insulating such supports from the post, frame, or other device
connecting them to earth.
4th. In apparatus to admit of suitable tension being kept on the conductors
without interfering with the passage of a brush or other collecting device.
5th. In methods of obtaining a ready access to the conductors, insulators,
supports, and other apparatus, when they are laid in a conduct, or tube beneath the
surface of the ground, and for giving facility for the laying, removal, or renewal of
such conductors, insulators, supports, or other apparatus.
6th. In forms of brushes, or other collecting devices more specially as applied to
tramways, or other railways where the current is collected from a conductor or
conductors laid below the level of the rails, or vehicles, as for instance in a conduit
or tube beneath the road surface.
7th. In devices for enabling the brushes or collectors being automatically
guided into one or other branch of the conductor, or to cross another conductor
as for instance at the points, or crossings of railway, or tramway junctions, or
sidings.
8th. In a method of combining a conduct system with a system where overhead
conductors are employed.
We will now proceed to describe in detail the various parts of our invention, and
in order that we may more readily be understood we will describe our invention as
applied to a street tramway, where the conductor is laid in a conduit, or tube
beneath the level of the street and where the current is conveyed from the
conductor, to the motors on the tram cars, or vehicles by means of a collecting arm
propelled by the vehicle, and passing through a narrow slot, or opening in the road
surface giving access to the conductor throughout the entire length of the conduit
or tube.

page_text: The conduit may be situated beneath one of the ordinary tramway rails, or
between such rails, or under the roadway outside the rails.
Although we describe our invention in connection with under-ground conductors
we desire it to be distinctly understood that many of the details are equally
applicable to an overhead conductor system.
Our invention mainly consists in the use of a flexible conductor in the tube so as
to permit of the current being collected in an under-ground conduit in a similar
manner to that in which it is collected when overhead wires are used, and also
embraces the various details by which this system may be applied.
The flexible conductor may be of a section sufficiently small to allow of its being
put in or taken out of the tube through the slot.
At intervals in the tube we provide suitably shaped supports such supports being
insulated from the earth. These supports may be rigid or flexible, if rigid, the
collecting arm must be provided with an arrangement, actuated by a spring or
weight, to keep it in contact with the conductor.
The collector may make contact with the conductor either from above, below, or
laterally.
The following is the arrangement we usually adopt.
We form openings to the tube at intervals, generally coinciding with the length
of the slot rails such openings being roofed by a moveable cover, in these openings,
and beneath the bottom of the cover, we place an insulator or separator preferably
an oil insulator attached to the side or frame work of the tube in such a manner as
to allow of its being easily removed or renewed. To this insulator we connect the
support to the conductor."
When our invention is applied to a straight line of tramway the insulator may be
attached to a bar resting in recesses in the yokes or chairs supporting the slot rails
and it is provided with a suitably shaped arm projecting into the tube, on which the
conductor rests but is not attached thereto. A collecting device as hereinafter
described is propelled by the tramcar or vehicle and is set at such a level as to
enable it to pass over the arm while lifting the conductor. After the passage of the
collector the conductor again drops on to, and is supported by the arm.
At convenient intervals the conductor must be anchored in order that a sufficient
strain may be put upon the conductor to prevent its sagging or dropping to too great
an extent between the supports. For this purpose we generally place two insulators
close together and parallel to the centre line of the conduit. A cross bar is supported
below and between these insulators on which is hinged a moveable arm, arched in such
a way as to permit of the conductor being secured to its other extremity without its
coming in the way of the passage of the collector.
We may use in addition to or in substitution of these insulators side insulators so
placed as to be more directly in the line of thrust and thus to be capable of resisting
the strain placed upon the cross bar to a greater extent.
This arrangement serves to retain the conductor at its normal level, except during
tlie passage of the collector when it can be readily lifted. The arm being free to
swivel on the cross bar as before described but the arm having only a lifting
movement, keeps a constant strain on the conductor.
A similar arrangement is also used to retain the conductor fairly centrally in the
tube when the conduit is curved to suit the direction of the tramway.
In going round curves we do not necessarily rigidly attach the conductor to the
lifting arm, but we may provide the arm with lips or projections allowing the con-
ductor free movement in the direction of its length, but preventing any lateral
movement.
We sometimes provide at the anchorage an arrangement so that the conductor
between its supports may be maintained to a constant length notwithstanding any
extension or contraction due to change of temperature or otherwise, and for this
purpose instead of rigidly attaching the conductor to the lifting arm, we carry it
round sheaves or pulleys arranged on the arm itself in such a manner as not to
interfere with the passage of the collector and thence through an eye in the axis of

page_text: the said lifting arm and over another sheave so situated that when the arm is in its
lower or normal position the conductor shall lie in a straight line between the
pulleys. We then attach a weight or an insulated spring to the conductor so as to
maintain a constant strain thereon. Sometimes instead of carrying the conductor
itself round the sheaves, we attach a chain, or a rope made with catgut or other
suitable material, so as to obtain greater flexibility. For each conductor we
generally use two collectors at a convenient distance apart, partly in order to prevent
any risk of sparking owing to the collector making bad contact from any uneveness
in travel, and partly to facilitate the passage of the collector on to a branch
conductor, as for instance at a turnout or siding. In this case we anchor the cable in
two places leaving a gap between of a less length than the distance between the
two collectors the electric continuity being maintained by means of an independent
conductor laid in any convenient position, not necessarily in the conduct itself but
so as not to come in contact with the passing collector.
The stalks or fastenings pieces attaching the conductor to the anchor arm are
shaped so as to facilitate the collector remaking contact after passing the gap.
A similar arrangement can be used when conductors of opposite potentiality have
to cross each other.
The collecting arm may be a shank or plate of iron attached to the axle of the
tramcar and passing through the slot.
We make the centre of this shank hollow, and lay an insulated conductor therein.
The collector itself is a U, V, or other conveniently shaped plate, having pre-
ferably a renewable wearing piece of soft metal-
-so as to cause as little wear of the
conductor as possible and is attached to the shank by means of a separator or
insulator of nonconductive material. This attachment is of a form to allow of the
collector being easily detached from the shank, so that the shank may be drawn up
through the slot and the collector removed through one of the hatchways.
Electrical connection is made between the collector and the car motor through
the insulated cable in the shank.
Our system can be applied to a system of tramways so situated that overhead
conductors may be used on a portion of the route but are inadmissable throughout
its entire length-as for instance where a tramway is partly in a town and partly on
suburban roads
In such a case we preferably carry the collectors on an independent truck which
may if desirable be provided with seats for passengers. The main tramcar is similar
in design to that ordinarily used with overhead conductors, being supplied with
motors and collecting arms.
When the car is travelling on the conduit portion of the road, the truck is coupled
thereto, both mechanically and electrically and on reaching the commencement of
the overhead wires the truck is uncoupled, and a collecting arm brought into contact
with the overhead conductor. The truck is then available for attachment to a
return car passing from the overhead line to the conduit section.
Dated this 16th day of Anril 1890.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means of and Apparatus for Distributing and
Collecting Electricity for the Propulsion of Vehicles.
We, JOHN EDWARD WALLER, of 11, Great George Street, Westminster, Civil
Engineer, and EDWARD MANVILLE, of 68, Victoria Street, Westminster, Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our invention, and in what manner.
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Our invention relates to those systems of electrical traction in which the car, or

page_text: cars, collect the currents by rubbing, or rolling contact from a conductor or con-
ductors laid the whole length of the line, and has for its object the providing of
means, and the construction of apparatus whereby, for an underground conduit
system of electrical traction, advantages in cheapness and simplicity of construction
and after maintenance and repairs, more perfect insulation, and constant regularity
of electrical contact are obtained.
Our invention may be applied where only one conductor is laid from the generating
station, the rail being used as a return, or where two conductors of opposite potential
are used, or where two conductors are used for the purpose of dividing the line into
sections so as to connect the locomotors in "series" circuit.
The invention having reference particularly to the mechanical details as herein-
after described and being applicable to any known method of distributing electricity
from a central station for the purpose of vehicular propulsion.
Our invention relates particularly to improvements in the following matters :--
1st. In a method of supporting the conductors.
2nd. In methods for rendering such supports flexible or movable.
3rd. In methods of insulating such supports from the post, frame, or other device
connecting them to earth.
4th. In apparatus to admit of suitable tension being kept on the conductors
without interference with the passage of a brush or other collecting device.
5th. In methods of obtaining a ready access to the conductors, insulators supports
and other apparatus when they are laid in a conduit or tube beneath the surface of
the ground, and for giving facility for the laying, removal, or renewal of such con-
ductors, insulators, supports, or other apparatus.
6th. In forms of brushes, or other collecting devices, more especially as applied
to tramways, or other railways where the current is collected from a conductor
or conductors laid below the level of the rails or vehicles, as for instance in a conduit,
or tube beneath the road surface.
7th. In devices for enabling the brushes or collectors being automatically guided
into one or other branch of the conductors or to cross another conductor as for
instance at the points, or crossings of railway, or tramway junctions, or sidings.
8th. In a method of facilitating the junction of a conduit system with a system
where overhead conductors are employed.
We will now proceed to describe in detail the various parts of our invention and
in order that we may be more readily understood we will describe our invention as
applied to a street tramway, where the conductor is laid in a conduit, or tube beneath
the level of the street, and where the current is conveyed from a conductor to the
motors on the tram cars, or vehicles, by means of a collecting arm or arms
propelled by the vehicle and passing through a narrow slot or opening in the road
surface, giving access to the conductor throughout the entire length of the conduit
or tube.
In order to make ourselves better understood we will describe the various parts
of our invention in relation to the drawings hereunto annexed, reference being had
to the letters and figures marked thereon. Like letters refer to like parts in
the various figures.
The conduit may be situated beneath one of the ordinary tramway rails, or
between such rails, or under the roadway outside the rails.
Although we describe our invention in connection with underground conductors,
we desire it to be particularly understood that many of the details are equally
applicable to an overhead conductor system.
Figure 1 is a sectional view of the roadway showing the conduit, and supports in
elevation and the collector and conductor in sectional elevation.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the conduit.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the conduit and collector provided with two sets of
conductors supports and collecting devices.
Figure 4 shows a form of rigid support for use round curves and similar
purposes.

page_text: Figure 5 is a side view of the same.
Figures 6 and 7 show two views of the tension device for maintaining a proper
tension upon the flexible conductor.
Figure 8 is an enlarged plan of the collector.
Figure 9 is a view of a dummy car and tramway car connected together upon a
section of line where underground and overhead systems meet.
Figure 10 shows a plan of the arrangement of rails, conduits, and overhead con-
ductors at such a junction.
Figure 11 is a sectional view of Figure 8.
Figure 12 is a side view of the collectors showing the disposition of the collecting
surfaces.
Figure 13 is a plan of a siding, or turnout showing the arrangement of the
anchorages of the conductors, and the electrical connections for the same to allow
of the passage of the collector to one or other branch of the line.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the arrangement of rails, conduits, and over-
head conductors at the junction of an underground and overhead system.
Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the collector as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 16 is an enlarged view of the collector about to make contact with the
voke at the end of a section of the conductor.
Figure 17 is a perspective Fectional view of the conduit rails, supports and
manhole.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of the tension device as shown in Figures 6
and 7.
We carry out our invention by using a flexible conductor A, resting upon suit-
able supports hereinafter more fully described in a conduit B from which the
current can be collected in a similar manner as it is collected when overhead
conductors are.used.
The flexible conductor may be of a section sufficiently small to allow of its being
taken out and put into the tube or conduit through the slot C in the roadway.
We form openings in the conduit at intervals generally coinciding with the
lengths of the slot rail such openings being roofed by the movable cover E as
shown in Figure 1.
In these openings and beneath the bottom of the cover we place an insulator, or
separator, preferably an oil insulator attached to the side or framework in such a
manner as will allow of its being easily removed or renewed. To this insulator we
connect the support to the conductor.
When the line of tramway to which our invention is applied is straight, the
insulator may be attached to the bar a resting in recesses in the yokes or chairs,
supporting the slot rails.
Upon this bar a the insulator is mounted, carrying a suitably shaped arm D
Figure 1 projecting into the tube on which the conductor rests, but is not attached
thereto, or through which the conductor is threaded, Figure 4.
The collecting device F as hereinafter more fully described is propelled by the
tramcar, or vehicle and is set at such a level as to enable it to pass over or under
the supporting arm D while lifting the conductor.
After the passage of the collector, the conductor again drops on to, and is sup-
ported by the arm D or after being lifted together with the arm drops to its original
position.
At convenient intervals we have found it necessary to anchor the conductor.
For this purpose we generally use the device as shewn in Figures 5 & 16 in
which we place two insulators ce close together, and parallel to the centre line of
the conduit. A cross bar e is supported below and between these insulators upon
suitable supports mounted in the insulators.
On the cross bare is hinged a movable arm g arched in such a manner as to
permit of the conductor being secured to its other extremity without the arm coming
in the way of the passage of the collector.
Where it is necessary to arrange the anchoring device so as to be capable of

page_text: resisting the strain placed upon the cross bar to a greater extent, we use either
in addition to, or as substitutes for the insulators as hereinbefore described, side
insulators, Figure 17, so as to be more directly in the line of strain and thus capable
of resisting the strain upon the cross bar to a greater extent.
This arrangement serves to retain the conductor at its normal level viz.: Al as
shewn in dotted lines Figure 4, except during the passage of the collector when it
.can be lifted in a radial direction by the same. The height of the conductor at
the lowest point in the sag is shewn at A2 in Figure 1.
The arm being free to swivel in the cross bar e of the before described
anchoring device and having only a lifting movement keeps a constant strain on
the conductor.
This, or a similar arrangement, we use to retain the conductor fairly centrally
in the tube, when the conduit is curved to suit the direction of the tramway.
When supporting the conductor round curves, we do not rigidly attach the
conductor (except.in the case of an anchorage Fig. 16 & 17) to the lifting arm g but
allow the conductor free movement in the direction of its length, but prevent any
lateral movement by means of the army.
Where it is necessary to provide an anchorage for the conductor, so that the
conductor between its supports may be retained to a constant length notwithstanding
any extension, or contraction, due to change of temperature or otherwise, we use the
following arrangement
Instead of rigidly attaching the conductor for anchorage to the lifting arm gas
shown in Figures 16 and 17 we carry it round sheaves or pulleys and has shown
in Figures 6, 7, and 18 arranged on the arme and thence through an eye ³ in the
axis of the said arm and over another pulley 2 so situated that when the arm is in
its lower or normal position the conductor shall lie in a straight line between the
pulleys and .
We then attach a weight L, or an insulated spring to the conductor, so as to
maintain a constant strain thereon.
It is obvious from the disposition of the pulleys and the eye ³ on the bar e that
the passage of the collector in lifting the conductor does not alter the height of the
weight L or the tension on the spring as the conductor passing through the axis of
rotation is radial thereto, consequently the radial movement of the arm merely bends
the conductor to a slight extent at the axis without altering its length between the
pulleys.
Sometimes instead of carrying the conductor itself around the sheaves h, h, and h
we attach a chain or a rope made with catgut or other suitable material so as to
maintain greater flexibility the circuit being completed by means of a metallic
stalk K, the end of one section of the conductor being rigidly attached thereto,
and the end of the other section of the conductor making rubbing contact
therewith.
For each conductor we generally use two collectors F situated at a convenient
distance apart partly in order to prevent any risk of sparking owing to the collector
making bad contact from any unevenness in travel and partly to facilitate the
passage of the collector on to a branch conductor as for instance at a turnout or
siding.
In this case we anchor the cable in two places by means of any of the before
described anchoring devices leaving a gap between such points of anchorage as
shewn in Figure 13 viz. from S to T or from S to T of a less length than the
distance between the two parts of the collector F attached to the tramway car, as
shewn in Figure 12.
The electrical continuity of the circuit being maintained by means of an
independent conductor t t laid in any convenient position not necessarily in the
conduit itself, but so as not to come in contact with the passing collector.
The stalk or fastening pieces K attaching the conductor to the anchoring arm, or
arms g is shaped so as to facilitate the conductor making contact when passing the
gap as shewn in Figure 7 & 16.

page_text: A similar arrangement can be used when conductors of opposite potentiality have
to cross each other.
The collecting arm we make in the form of a shank which is attached to the
tramcar or dummy car as the case may be in any convenient manner, and is made of
such a thickness as to easily pass through the slot in the road. The centre of this
shank we make hollow and lay a conductor m therein.
This conductor is insulated by insulating strips n from the side plates of the
collector which may be made of iron or steel.
This collector itself is a U, V, or other conveniently shaped plate O having
preferably a renewal wearing piece of soft metal P or other equivalent conducting
material so as to cause as little wear of the conductor as possible.
This collector is attached by screws or other equivalent fastening arrangement to
a separator or insulator » of nonconductive material.
The attachment we make between the separator and the shank is preferably of
the form shown in the various sections of the shank in Figures 8, 11, 12, 15, and 16
ciz.: that of a hook or dog-nose firmly fixed in the separator upon the collector,
passing through a slot in the shank and dropping down until the hooked end
engages behind the other side of the shank.
The object of this is that the collector may be detached from the shank and
removed through one of the hatchways or openings in the road, and the shank can
then be drawn up through the slot and removed.
The electrical connection is made between the insulated conductor m in the shank
and the collector by means of a spring and a plate o2 so that electrical
connection is automatically made when the collector is hooked on to the shank.
When our system is applied to a system of tramways so situated that overhead
conductors may be used on a portion of the route, but are inadmissible throughout
its entire length, as for instance where a tramway is partly in a town and partly on
a suburban road we make the following provisions.
Instead of carrying the collectors upon the tramcar proper we carry them upon
an independent truck which may if desired be provided with seats for passengers.
The main tramcar is similar in design to that ordinarily used with overhead
conductors, being supplied with motors and collecting arms.
When the car is travelling on the conduit portion of the road as shown in
Figures 9 and 10 the truck is coupled thereto both mechanically and electrically by
any
of the well known coupling devices, and on reaching the commencement of the
overhead system the truck is uncoupled, and the collecting arm on the tramcar
brought into contact with the overhead conductor.
The truck is then available for attachment to a return car passing from the
overhead line section to the conduit section.
As shewn in Figures 9 and 10 it will be seen that the overhead conductor
terminates at a³ and the underground conductor terminates at a¹, so that the two
systems overlap one another for the distance of a³ to a^.
Supposing that a tramcar and dummy car c¹ upon reaching the junction of the
two systems are disconnected both mechanically and electrically, the tramcar can
continue its journey upon the section of the line having the overhead conductors by
making contact therewith through the collecting arm d.
The dummy car e' can then be removed to the down line, and attached to another
tramcar returning along the underground conductor system.
By these means our system can be carried out in connection with any existing
overhead system without in any way necessitating the alteration of the existing
rolling stock and plant.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is -
1st. In combination with an underground conduit a flexible conductor constructed
in coctions sustained from
the
Hound hatwaon insulators by
n
automatin

page_text: longitudinal straining device, consisting of a hanging weight or spring a pulley and
a connecting stalk or yoke allowing the under collector to pass, the conductor being
free to be lifted from or with supports by the passing collector, substantially as
herein described.
2nd. A conductor straining device for use in combination with sectional conductors
consisting of a stalk or yoke (to which is attached one end of a section of the
conductor) attached to or making rubbing contact with the next sectional conductor
so as to complete metallic contact between the sections of the conductor, and a
straining weight or spring connected over pulleys in a rocking frame to one end of
that sectional conductor which makes rubbing contact with the yoke substantially
as herein described.
3rd. In a conductor straining device for use with sectional conductors a rocking
bracket as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 & 18 free to turn on an axis parallel to
the conductor, permitting the collector to lift the conductor as it passes, the said
bracket carrying pulleys over which the conductor passes through an orifice in
the axis of rotation to the straining weight L, or to an equivalent insulated spring,
so that the radial movement of the bracket, as the collector lifts the conductor,
does not tend thereby to lift the weight in a vertical direction, or to extend or
compress an equivalent straining spring, substantially as herein described.
4. In an underground conduit the conductor supporting devices consisting of a
spoon shaped arm for the straight road, in combination with a pivotted arm with an
eye for curves, permitting the lifting of the conductor and the free passage
of the collector, the said supports being mounted on insulators attached to a bar
supported in the rail chairs and readily removable through a hatchway formed in
the street or road, substantially as described.
5th. In a system of conductors for tramways, in which the electricity is drawn off
by under rubbing collectors, a device for maintaining at a junction the electrical
continuity of the conductor, and its vertical flexibility, whilst mechanical continuity
is broken, to permit the alternative passage of the shanks of the said collectors,
consisting of the combination of two under rubbing collectors, effecting contact by
the lifted weight of the conductor, and spaced wider apart than the width of the
mechanical gaps in the said conductors; a swivelling anchorage or tension straining
yoke at the end of each section of conductor, approaching the junction, permitting
the easy entrance of the collector; and an auxiliary looped conductor (not rubbed
by the collector) between the ends of the main conductors, substantially as
described.
6th. A system of distribution and collection of electric current for the propulsion
of vehicles consisting of a flexible conductor supported upon but not rigidly attached
to insulators, situated widely apart a rigid collector arm or arms detachably attached
to a shank, carried by the tram or by a dummy car, the said collector acting on the
under side of the conductor and being short enough to lift the conductor free from
or with its insulated supports to ensure uniform and effective electrical contact upon
the collector by the weight of the conductor; a straining device capable of moving
the conductor longitudinally and consisting of a hanging weight and connecting
yoke to the next section permitting passage of underneath collector and maintaining
continuous electrical contact between collector and conductor without considerable
if any pressure from straining weight upon the collector, substantially as described.
7th. In combination with a flexible conductor in an underground conduit, and with
a car carrying an electrical motor and driving appliance of a dummy or independent
car, travelling on the main bearing rails and preferably capable of carrying
passengers or attendants in a suitable upper car body, carrying a shank containing
an insulated conductor and arms entering the slot in the roadway and having
detachably attached collecting arms the dummy car and tram car being electrically
and mechanically coupled together to permit the current collected by the dummy
car being transmitted to the motor on the tram car.
8th. In combination with a flexible conductor in a conduit of a collecting arm
and shank detachably attached to one another by dog-head attachments engaging

page_text: through slots to be removable without the use of tools from the said shank and
withdrawn through a hatchway in the road the shank being then readily removed
through the conduit slot.
Dated this 22nd day of Januar 1891
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., Agents for the Applicants.