Improvements in Electric Tramways or Railways on the Slotted Conduit System.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Tramways or Railways on the Slotted
Conduit System.
I, FRANK HEWER, of 48, The Avenue, Bedford Park, in the County of Middlesex,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
"
My invention is more particularly addressed to that system of electric tramways
known as the "slotted conduit system. It has been found in practice that
this system as ordinarily constructed is very expensive in first cost and
necessitates great inconvenience in laying down, due to the disturbance of streets
and the removal of pipes. My invention is designed to overcome these diffi-
culties, and consists essentially of a shallow conduit which is simple, economical,
and efficient, both as regards drainage, and insulation.
The conduit or slot may be formed of rolled or cast steel or iron sides set in a
concrete foundation, or any convenient substitute, and secured to the rails by
means of yokes and tie bars spaced at convenient distances. These side pieces
are made up of sections of convenient size and shape and may be coated internally
with a composition to prevent condensation.
Interposed between any two sections is a manhole or access cover, which may
be arranged to form the top of the conduit. The insulator holders are fixed
to the sections at convenient distances from the manholes, or access covers
so as to be readily accessible and are so arranged as to admit of the insulators
being rapidly withdrawn and replaced. The insulator holds the conductor but
allows it to expand freely.
The conductors are so formed (although firmly secured by the insulators) as
to very readily admit of the latter being withdrawn. The conductors are made
up of sections any one of which can be easily removed.
These sections may be permanently connected together or insulated and electric-
ally bonded in such a manner as to allow any section to be cut out of the circuit.
Between the conductors and the insulators also between the latter and their
holders a suitable packing, spring, or buffer, may be placed to take up any
strain or vibration which might otherwise damage the insulator, and which also
forms a flexible holder for the insulator.
.
At convenient points, preferably under manholes or access covers, drain pipes
lead from the bottom of the conduit to a convenient sewer. And for centre con-
struction the track is preferably laid so that the conduit slot is at a higher level
than the rails, so as to drain the surface water away from the slot.
Referring to the drawings which shew one method of carrying out my inven-
tion A A, Figs. 1, 3, and 4, form the sides and slot of the conduit which are set
in concrete R R, Figs. 1 and 2, and secured to the rails B B Fig. 1, by yokes C C
and tie bars D D.
Between sections of A A access covers E E, Fig. 2, are placed which in this

page_text: case are hinged at F F to frames H H bolted to the sections, and form part of
the conduit.
Fig. 3, shews a method of securing the insulators and conductors so as to allow
the insulators to be easily withdrawn.
The insulator holders G G are bolted to the sections A A at convenient distances
from the ends (see Fig. 4).
The insulators J J are held by the holders G G and the packing spring or
buffer K K, and the conductors L L are in turn secured by the insulators J J
and the packing spring or buffer M M.
By opening the access covers E E, Fig. 2, the insulators J J and the con-
ductors L L Fig. 4, can be readily removed.
The drain pipe N which is placed preferably under the access covers leads
from the bottom of the conduit to the sump P. And the main drain S S runs
longitudinally with the track, and is connected to the main sewer at convenient
points, or to any other convenient outlet.
The grating T, Fig. 2, drains the centre of the road and gives access to the
sump for cleaning.
Although my invention is here described and illustrated as applied to a centre
construction the conduit may also be arranged in connection with one of the track
rails.
It is also obvious that this system can be used in connection with one as well
as two conductors.
Improvements in Electric Tramways or Railways on the Slotted
Conduit System.
I, FRANK HEWER, of 36, Thornton Avenue, Chiswick, (formerly of 48, The
Avenue, Bedford Park), in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, 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 follow-
ing statement: --
My invention is more particularly addressed to that system of electric tramways
known as the slotted conduit system.. It has been found in practice that
this system as ordinarily constructed is very expensive in first cost &
necessitates great inconvenience in laying down, due to the disturbance of the
streets and removal of pipes. My invention is designed to overcome these diffi-
culties, and consists essentially of a shallow conduit which is simple, economical,
and efficient, both as regards drainage, and insulation.
Referring to the drawings which accompanied my Provisional Specification and
which form a part of this specification;
Figs. 1 & 2 are half sections of the double track. One half of Fig. 1 shews
the sleepers & tie bars, and the other half shews the construction between the
sleepers. One half of Fig. 2, shews the section through the access
doors, drain pipe, grating and sump, and the other half shows the section through
the access doors
2
Figs. 3 and 4 shew the insulators, insulator holders, and the conductors.
Referring to sheet of drawings filed with the Complete Specification
Fig. 5 is a plan of a double track shewing the disposition of access doors, sleepers,
and conductors.
The conduit and slot is formed of pairs of specially designed rolled steel or

page_text: iron or shaped sections A A of suitable length, the botton flanges resting
on the depressed central portion of the concrete bed R R which, together with
the sleepers CC set therein, at suitable intervals, forms the bottom of the conduit.
The webs of the rolled steel or iron 1 or ] shaped sections A A form the
sides, and the top flanges the top of the conduit and slot, whilst the bottom
flange, which can be turned inwards to form a part of the bottom of the conduit
instead of outwards as shewn, is securely fastened to the sleepers C C.
The tramrails, B B, rest on the raised portion of the concrete and sleepers, and
are securely bolted to the latter, and are also tied to the sections A A by the tie
bars, D D, at. suitable intervals.
Interposed between and bolted to the ends of the pairs of 1 or ] shaped
sections are cast steel or iron frames F F Fig. 2, which form the sides of the
conduit between the sections. Hinged to these frames are cast steel or iron access
doors, EE, (Fig. 2) which form the top of the conduit; and complete, when
closed, the continuity of the road surface and the slot, in the intervals between
the pairs of sections A A.
The top of the sections, A A, is preferably kept above the level of the tram
rails, B B, so that the surface water drains away from the slot towards the sides
of the road. In the case of a double track gratings T (Fig. 2) are provided to
drain the centre of the road into a sewer, S S, which is placed in any convenient
position as shewn in Figs. 1, 2, and 5.
At convenient distances drain pipes, N, N, (Figs. 1 and 5) are placed under
the access doors, E E, to drain the conduit into the sewer or any other con-
venient place.
The insulator holders, G G, are bolted to the webs of the sections, A A, at
suitable distances from the access doors, E E, and are provided with grooves
lined with suitable packing, K K, to carry and protect the insulators, J J.
The conductors, L L, are made up of sections, any one of which can be with-
drawn through the access doors. These sections can be electrically connected
together, or bonded, in such a way as to allow of any section being cut out of
the circuit, but still offer a uniform surface to the collector. At the insulating
points the conductor is lined with a suitable packing, M M, over which the
insulator slides and is protected thereby.
The insulators, J J, are provided with projections to slide into the insulator
holders, and grooves to receive the conductors L L, and may be protected from
damage due to vibration and strains by the packing in the insulator holders and
conductors. The insulators can be easily withdrawn through the access doors
by sliding them along the conductors out of the holders. The insulators extend
above and below the conductors and on both sides of the insulator holders, to
protect the back from dirt and moisture, and so maintain a high insulation.
The conduit may also be formed in conjunction with one of the tram rails,
one side of the conduit being formed of or ] shaped sections, concrete bed,
sleepers, access doors, and tie bars, as described and illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings; whilst the other side is formed by the tram rail.
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. In an electric railway conduit, the combination of pairs of specially formed
rolled steel or iron 1 or ] shaped sections of suitable length, the webs forming
the sides of the conduit, and the top flanges forming the top of the conduit, with
cast iron or steel frames interposed between and secured to the ends of each pair
of sections, and forming the sides of the conduit; and supporting cast steel or
iron hinged access doors, which form the top of the conduit, and complete the
continuity of the road surface and slot when closed, all substantially as described
and illustrated in the drawings.
2. In an electric railway conduit, the combination of pairs of specially formed

page_text: rolled steel or iron 1 or ] shaped sections of suitable length, the webs forming
the sides of the conduit, and the top flanges forming the top of the conduit; and
cast iron or steel frames interposed between and secured to the ends of each pair
of sections, and forming the sides of the conduit, and supporting cast steel or
iron hinged access doors which form the top of the conduit, and complete the
continuity of the road surface and slot when closed, with a concrete bed having
steel or iron sleepers set in same and having a depressed central portion to which
the 1 or shaped bars are secured, and raised ends to which the rails, which
are tied to the sides of the conduit, are securely fastened; the depressed central
portion of said sleepers together with the concrete forming the bottom of the
conduit, all substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
3. In an electric railway conduit the combination of pairs of specially formed
rolled steel or iron or shaped sections of suitable length, the webs forming
the sides of the conduit, and the top flanges the top of the conduit;
cast iron or steel frames interposed between and secured to the ends of each pair
of sections, and forming the sides of the conduit, and supporting cast steel or
iron hinged access doors which form the top of the conduit, and complete the
continuity of the road surface and slot when closed, and a concrete bed having
steel or iron sleepers set in same, and having a depressed central portion to which
the Lor] shaped bars are secured, and raised ends to which the rails, which
are tied to the sides of the conduit, are securely fastened; the depressed central
portion of said sleepers, together with the concrete, forming the bottom of the
conduit, with insulator holders fixed to the webs of the 1 or ] shaped sections
at convenient distances apart, and provided with horizontal grooves or recesses
to hold the insulators, all substantially as described and illustrated in the draw-
ings.
4. In an electric railway conduit the combination of pairs of specially formed
rolled steel or iron L or ] shaped sections of suitable length, the webs forming
the sides of the conduit, and the top flanges the top of the conduit;
cast iron or steel frames interposed between and secured to the ends of each pair
of sections, and forming the sides of the conduit; and supporting cast steel or
iron hinged access doors which form the top of the conduit, and complete the
continuity of the road surface and slot when closed; a concrete bed having
steel or iron sleepers set in same, and having a depressed central portion to which
the Lor shaped bars are secured, and raised ends to which the rails, which
are tied to the sides of the conduit, are securely fastened; the depressed central
portion of said sleepers together with the concrete forming the bottom of the
conduit, with insulator holders fixed to the webs of the L or ] shaped sections
at convenient distances apart, and provided with horizontal grooves or recesses
to hold the insulators, and insulators which slide into the recesses in the holders
and over projections on the conductors, all substantially as described and illus-
trated in the drawings.
5. In an electric railway conduit the combination of pairs of specially formed
rolled steel or iron or shaped sections of suitable length, the webs forming
the sides of the conduit and the top flanges the top of the conduit; cast
iron or steel frames, interposed between, and secured to the ends of each pair
of sections, and forming the sides of the conduit, and supporting cast steel or
iron hinged access doors which form the top of the conduit, and complete the
continuity of the road surface and slot when closed; a concrete bed having
steel or iron sleepers set in same and having a depressed central portion to which
the or shaped bars are secured; and raised ends, to which the rails, which
are tied to the sides of the conduit, are securely fastened; the depressed central
portion of said sleepers together with the concrete forming the bottom of the
conduit; insulator holders fixed to the webs of the 2 or 3 shaped sections
at convenient distances apart, and provided with horizontal grooves or recesses
to hold the insulators; and insulators which slide into the recesses in the holders,

page_text: and over projections on the conductors, with conductors which are formed into
sections and provided with projections over which the insulators slide, all sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
6. In an electric railway conduit the combination of pairs of specially formed
rolled steel or iron or ] shaped sections of suitable length, the webs forming
the sides of the conduit and the top flanges the top of the conduit; cast
iron or steel frames interposed between and secured to the ends of each pair.
of sections, and forming the sides of the conduit, and supporting cast steel or
iron hinged access doors which form the top of the conduit, and complete the
continuity of the road surface and slot when closed; a concrete bed having
steel or iron sleepers set in same, and having a depressed central portion to which
the or] shaped bars are secured, and raised ends to which the rails which
are tied to the sides of the conduit are securely fastened, the depressed central
portion of said sleepers together with the concrete forming the bottom of the
conduit, with insulator holders fixed to the webs of the Lor] shaped sections
at convenient distances apart, and provided with horizontal grooves or recesses
to hold the insulators, and insulators which slide into the recesses in the holders,
and over projections on the conductors, and packing interposed between the
holders and insulators and also between the insulators and conductors, all sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
7. In an electric railway conduit, the combination of insulator holders fixed
to the sides of the conduit, at convenient distances apart, and provided with
horizontal grooves or recesses to hold the insulators, with insulators which slide
into the recesses in the holders, and over projections on the conductors, and
packing interposed between the holders and insulators, and also between the
insulators and conductors, all substantially as described and illustrated in the
drawings.
8. In an electric railway conduit, the combination or pairs of specially formed
rolled steel or iron 1 or ] shaped sections of suitable length, the webs forming
the sides of the conduit, and the top flanges forming the top of the conduit, and cast
iron or steel frames, interposed between, and secured to the ends of each pair
of sections, and forming the sides of the conduit, and supporting cast steel or
iron hinged access doors which form the top of the conduit, and complete the
continuity of the road surface and slot when closed, with a concrete bed having
steel or iron sleepers set in same and a depressed central portion to which
the 1 or 1 shaped bars are secured, and raised ends, to which the rails, which
are tied to the sides of the conduit, are securely fastened; the depressed central
portion of said sleepers together with the concrete forming the bottom of the
conduit, and insulator holders fixed on the sides of the conduit at convenient
distances apart, and provided with horizontal groove or recesses which hold the
insulators; insulators which slide into the recesses in the holders, and over pro-
jections on the conductors; and packing interposed between the holders and
insulators, and also between the insulators and conductors, all substantially as
described and illustrated in the drawings.
9. In an electric railway conduit the combination of a steel or iron bar of
suitable length, insulators, insulator holders, conductors, and sleepers, which
together with the concrete bed form the bottom of the conduit, frames, and doors,
all substantially as claimed in Claim 8 with the track rail forming one side of
the conduit as described.