Improvements in Electric Railway Conduit Systems.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 26th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Railway Conduit Systems.
We, RALPH FOWLER THOMPSON, Electrician, and EDWARD JEREMIAH SULLIVAN,
Gentleman, both of Alexandria, in the Parish of Rapides, and State of Louisiana,
United States of America, 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:-.
The invention relates to improvements in electric railway conduit systems, and
particularly to that class of conduits which are placed underground and adapted to
receive the wires or tracks upon which the trolley or plow, projecting below the car,
runs.
The object of the invention is to protect the trolley wires from the sewage water.
that usually drops from the walls of the conduit, or the water that passes in
through the trolley slot, or water from any other source, such as leaking of sewers,
etc. This object is accomplished by means of two chambers, of substantially inverted
trough shape, one chamber being located on either side of the trolley slot, as shown
in the drawing. The side walls and roof of these chambers are air and water tight,
thus preventing any water leaking into the same; and the only manner in which the'
water can enter the chambers is by means of the bottom when the conduits become
flooded, and in that event the water cannot rise to a sufficient height to reach the
trolley wires, which are suspended from the roof of the chambers, by reason of the
pressure of the air confined in the upper part of said chambers. The above
construction is effective only when the tracks, and consequently the conduits, are
perfectly level their entire distance. When, however, the grade changes, air and
water tight partitions or diaphragms are provided, one in each chamber, and as well
as suitable means for permitting the trolley or plow to pass under the partitions, as
will be hereinafter fully set forth.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, represents a side elevation of the
improved system, with parts broken away to more fully illustrate the invention.
Figure 2, a cross vertical section thereof, showing the trolley in its normal position
ready for operation, Figure 3, a similar view, showing the trolley or plow out of
engagement from the electric current, and Figures 4 and 5 detail views of the trolley
arms or plow.
Similar letters of reference occurring on the several figures indicate corresponding
parts.
Referring to said drawings, A, A¹, represent the air and water-tight chambers,
which, as already stated, are substantially of an inverted trough shape and arranged
one on each side of the trolley slot, and suitably secured to the yokes B, as shown.
C represents the trolley wires or tracks attached to the insulators D in the roofs of
the chambers A, A¹, at the beginning of the grade so that the deviation from the
evel does not affect the height of water in the chamber at the lower portion, as
ully shown in Figure 1. As the tracks extend upward, and consequently the
conduit, another set of partitions is inserted to prevent a dangerous rise of water
between the two sets: the distance between the two sets being governed by the
teepness of grade. F, F, are curved projections formed on the inner walls of

page_text: the chambers, and adjacent to the slot opening, the object of which is such that the
trolley rollers G, G¹, strike the same and cause the trolley to be depressed and allow
the contact wheels or rollers H, H¹, to pass under the partitions E, E', and resume
their normal position, that is, in contact with the trolley wires or track.
L, L³, represent insulators on the trolley arms, which are employed for the purpose
of insulating the trolley arms, the rollers G, G¹, and the plow from the trolley
wheels H, H¹, or contact shoes even after having been submerged, while passing a
partition. A suitable insulated conductor or cable M, passes beneath the lower
edge of the partitions E, E¹, and connects the trolley wire or tracks, as shown.
The current is carried from the trolley wheels or contact shoes to the car by means
of the insulated conductors placed within the trolley arms and plow. The plow,
together with the trolley arms, is drawn upward by means of springs carried on the
car to hold the trolley wheels in contact with the trolley wire or track, and therefore
allow of their being depressed by the projections F, F¹.
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 :-
1. In an electric railway conduit system, a conduit comprising the air and
watertight chambers located one on each side of the trolley slot, and provided with
the insulators D, partitions or diaphragms E, E¹, and curved projections F, F¹,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. An electric railway conduit system, consisting of the conduit provided with the
air and water-tight chambers, one on each side of the trolley slot and secured to the
yokes said chambers being provided with the insulators D, trolley wires C,
partitions E, E¹, and curved projections F, F¹, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
3. In an electric railway conduit system, the conduit provided with the air and
water-tight chambers, located one on each side of the trolley slot, and having
insulators D, trolley wires C, partitions E, E¹, and curved projections F, F¹, in
combination with the trolley arms having contact wheels H, H¹, friction rollers G, G³,
and insulators L, L¹, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 10th day of Janu
2000
KOMUN
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.