Apparatus for Transferring Electric-car Batteries.
Year: 1890

page_text: Complete Specification Left, 40th Dec., 1990-Accepted, on May, Toot
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Transferring Electric-car Batteries.
I, FREDERICK GLEASON CORNING, of 38 West Washington Square, in the City,
County, and State of New York, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for "APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING
ELECTRIC CAR BATTERIES," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to devices for facilitating the transfer of "secondary
batteries or "accumulators" from an electro-motive car to the recharging
shelves or benches, wherein a great extent of charging space is required to be
condensed within a restricted horizontal limit, and wherein a saving of time in trans-
ferring the batteries and substituting recharged ones on the car for those exhausted
becomes an important object.
"
My invention consists, in conjunction with one or more vertical series of
recharging shelves or benches for the batteries, of a car-hoist for conveying
the car from one level to another in a path parallel with the said series of
benches and bringing the bed-sill or battery-receiving floor of the car directly
opposite and in a coincident horizontal plane with that of any of said benches
at will.
My invention consists, furthermore, in the conjunction, with successive floors or
levels of a building or other structure whereon the cars are moved or stored,
and a car elevating and lowering apparatus, of the series of recharging-benches
adjacent thereto interposed between or in perpendicular relation to said floors or
levels, whereby when the car is conveyed from one to another of such floors or levels
for sundry purposes the vertical travel may be utilized to bring the batteries into
line with the bed-sill of the car to effect the substitution.
My invention also consists in combination, with a vertically-movable platform
or section of car-track flanked by the battery-charging racks, wherein the
batteries are placed in vertical series, of an ascending grade or grades of track or
inclined plane whereon the car is conveyed to an initial level and from a
final level of the said movable platform or equivalent by the fraction of its
running-gear.
My invention also consists in a transferring bridge attached to the elevator in
the plane of the car bed-sill, forming a continuous surface or way between the
car-floor and a coinciding bench in the rack.
My invention, moreover, includes certain other instrumentalities, hereinafter
specified, pertaining to the elevator, for conveniencing the work of the attendant in
transferring the batteries or in obtaining access to different parts of the car
irrespective of its vertical motion.
I will proceed to describe such details of construction as are necessary to embody
my invention in practical form, it being understood, however, that I do not
limit myself to the particular construction of elevator or other parts shown,

page_text: ΠΟΥ
to an elevator moving in an actual vertical line in conjunction with the
shelves.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals of
reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views;
car thereon
Figure 1, is an end elevation showing the car hoist and a
elevated by a hoisting winch; the successive floors or levels appearing in
section.
Figure 2, is a side elevation of Fig. 1, the floors-again appearing in section, and
the nearmost guideways for the elevator being removed.
Figure 3, is a plan view of Fig. 2, being taken in horizontal section on the
line thereof. 1
Figure 4, is a detail view; enlarged, taken in section on the line y-y, Fig. 2,
showing the circuit contacts for the battery trays.
Figure 5, is an enlarged. cross-sectional elevation of the battery storage shelves,
the car, and the elevator; the latter being partly raised.
Figure 6, is a side elevation drawn on a small scale showing a modification
wherein the elevator is moved upon an inclined plane in lieu of vertical ways.
Figure 7, is a side elevation and Fig. 8, a plan view thereof, also on a reduced
scale, illustrating a gravity elevator, and ascending grades of track or inclined
planes in conjunction therewith, whereon the car ascends by the traction power of
its own motor and descends upon the elevator by preponderance of the latter and
the car in excess of counterbalancing weights.
In the several figures, I represents an elevator-platform movable at will by any
suitable mechanism into different horizontal planes.
2, 2, represent a floor or a succession of floors having car-tracks 3 coinciding
with those 4 of the elevator when the latter are brought to the level thereof.
5, 5, represent the battery-racks, comprising several tiers or vertical series of
recharging-benches-6, upon which the battery trays 7 are received.
8; 8, represent the-bed-sills of the car; 9, the battery-receiving closets, in which
the batteries are usually stored beneath the car-seats, and 10, 10, the panels hinged
to the bed-sills, which form a part of the sides of the car when closed, and which
are shown-open.in all of the views.
The battery-racks 5, 5, may be located in close proximity to the car; but in
order to afford access about the sides of the car, as well as to permit the panels 10
to be opened after the car has been moved upon the elevator, a considerable space
is left, which space is also-utilized for-locating portions 11, 12, of the frame of the
elevator. The space thus left between the bed-sill 8 and the battery-racks 5 is
supplemented by the bridges 13, hinged and supported upon the standards 14 upon
the elevator. The bridges 13 will invariably occupy the level of the bed-sill of the
car, provided the latter be of uniform height; but in order to provide for variance
of such height I have arranged adjustable supporting-arms 15, pivoted to the free
edge of the bridges, engaging with various notches 16 in the standards 14, whereby
to regulate the height of the portion of the bridge adjacent to the car. When the
substitution of batteries has been effected, the bridges 13 are disengaged and swung
down, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5 to clear the panels 10 while the latter
are being raised, before the passage of the car from the elevator.
The drawings, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, represent the elevator as partly raised above the
floor 2. The benches 6 are located in as close proximity vertically as convenience
will permit, and one or more pairs thereof-such as 6 or 6"-are preferably located
on the level occupied by the bridge 13 and bed-sill of the car when the elevator-
platform is coincident with a corresponding floor. Time is thus saved when it occurs
that the gang of batteries are to be transferred to or from the bench thus corre-
sponding in height with the bed-sill, when the car is first run on the clevator or
about to be moved therefrom.
Horizontal shifting of the batteries is facilitated by rollers 17 upon the car-floor,
the bridge, and the benches. Such rollers may be located upon the trays themselves,
suitable transverse rails being arranged on the benches, car, and bridge.

page_text: The usual electrical connections are arranged whereby each gang of batteries
when they are received upon the benches 6 are included in the recharging-circuit.
The closing of the circuit is automatically effected by contact-plates 30 on the
battery-trays connected to the poles of the battery and corresponding springs 31 in
the bench-racks and in the frame of the car. (See Figs. 2, 3, and 4.) The circuit
of each charging-bench is thereby initiated as soon as all the batteries of the gang
are shifted therein, said circuit being maintained until saturation is reached, which
condition is indicated by the ammeter of that particular branch of the circuit
pointing to zero.
20, 20, represent auxiliary platforms connected to the elevator for the purpose of
supporting the operators at a permanent height with respect to the car to enable
them to reach the various batteries. The platforms 20 are supported upon transverse
beams 21, and, as seen in Fig. 3, the structure thus formed surrounds the pier
supporting the benches 5, affording access to all parts.
22, in Fig. 5 illustrates a hanging platform which is located beneath a hatch-
way 23 in the platform 1, designed for purposes of inspection, &c., simultaneously
with the battery-changing operation.
The construction of elevator illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, consists in a
platform having uprights 11, 11, whereby it is guided in vertical ways 36, and
having four cables passing over suitable sheaves 37, 32, to the drums 33, Figs. 1,
and 3, of a hoisting-winch 34. The hoisting-winch may be driven by an electric
motor actuated by the recharging-circuit or other circuit, or the elevator may be
driven by a hydraulic or other source of power connected in any suitable or usual
manner with the cables. Counter-weights may also be employed to balance the
elevator and its load, so that the only power required to move the car vertically will
be that necessary to overcome the friction of the cables and sheaves or other lifting
devices.
In Fig. 6, the modification included by my invention consists in a construction
wherein the elevator is movable upon an inclined plane 40 from the floor 2 to 2¹
and the bench-rack constructed in inclined series accordingly, whereby the tiers of
battery-receiving shelves are successively passed and the battery-closets in the
cars brought opposite in coincidence therewith at different stages of ascent or
descent.
In Figs. 7 and 8, I have illustrated by side elevation and plan view, respectively,
a feature of my improved system, consisting in raising the car by its own motor
upon ascending grades and moving said car opposite the battery-racks by its
gravity. Successive cars may thereby be switched upon the ascending track 45
and run from the normal level 46 to the highest position of the movable platform 1,
thence descending by gravity upon said platform, and subsequently ascending the
track 47, returning to the normal level. The platform 1, is in this instance
provided with counterbalancing-weights 50, of less total gravity than the platform
and car combined, which are connected to the elevator by cables 52, passing over
sheaves 51, whereby the descent of the platform is caused by the weight of the car
and the ascent by the preponderance of the weights. The motion of the elevator
may be regulated or arrested opposite any of the benches by means of suitable
brake or other mechanism, the gangs of batteries being always substituted in
descending rotation. The range of movement of the platform 1, is preferably
from an initial position, which above the normal level 46, to a final position below
such level, whereby the energy of ascending the grades is divided between the
approach and departure of the car from the stall and the required elevation
attained within a minimum horizontal limit of travel for a given percentage of
grade. The plan view, Fig. 8, indicates the essential arrangement of the tracks in
order to permit the passage of the cars where the two grades approach the main
line at a substantially common point; otherwise should circumstances require, the
approaching and departing grades 45 and 47, respectively, may be located in opposite
or other directions with reference to the platform.
The operation referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, is as follows: A spent car

page_text: These
having been brought to the proper place upon the platform 1, the panels 10, are
opened and permitted to depend vertically and out of the path of the trays 7. The
bridges 13 are then raised up to a level with the bed-sills 8, of the car.
preparatory operations are effected while the car is ascending or descending, as
the case may be, until its bed-sill arrives on a level with two directly-opposite
vacant benches, such as 61, 61, Fig. 5. The two gangs of spent batteries are then
run out upon the benches and the platform moved to a succeeding or other pair of
benches, wherefrom two gangs of charged batteries are loaded into the car.
bridges 13, then being dropped and the panels 10 closed and locked while the platform
is moving to its normal level, the car is ready for duty, while no further operation is
required. Successive cars may therefore be brought immediately into place-that
is to say, while one car is moving off another may be moving upon the elevator in
a common direction-the tracks being continuous, if so desired.
The
The floor 2 (shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive) is presumably at the level of the
street, while other floors-such as 21, represented may be located above or below
such level. Assuming that the cars are stored upon the different levels in a
building, the act of transferring them from one floor to another may obviously
be utilized as
a means of changing the batteries by arresting the motion of
the car-hoist when the bed-sill of the car arrives opposite different recharging-
benches.
The operation referring to Figs. 7 and 8, consists as follows: The car is raised
by its own electric motor, ascending the grade 45. The platform I, being at its
elevated or initial position, (shown in Fig. 7) the said car is run upon it. By means
of the brake or other suitable retaining device the platform is kept in its initial
position until the car has moved wholly upon it or until it is desired to permit the
act of descent. As soon as released the car and platform gravitate, preponderating
the weights 50 and the speed of descent or the point or points of stoppage are
determined at-will-by-the-brake mechanism. After the batteries have been shifted
from the car and charged-ones-substituted, the descent. is completed and the plat-
form kept in its final position (illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 7) while the car
is run off by its own motor ascending the grade 47 thence to the normal level or
stand at 46. As soon as the car has left the platform 1, the latter is elevated
and restored to its uppermost position by the weights 50 now preponderating,
and regulated in its ascending speed by the aforesaid suitable brake mechanism,
being arrested at its original position preparatory to a repetition of the
operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The hereindescribed apparatus for transferring and recharging electric car
batteries, consisting in a rack having several charging-benches arranged in series in
different horizontal planes, wherein the batteries are distributed, and the combination
therewith of a car-hoist for conveying the car from one level to another in a path
parallel with the said series of benches, substantially as hereinbefore set forth with
reference to Figs. 1, to 6, inclusive in annexed drawings.
2. The hereindescribed apparatus for transferring and recharging electric car
batteries consisting in a rack or racks having several charging benches arranged in
vertical series of horizontal planes, and the combination therewith of a car-hoist
moving in a path parallel to the direction of succession of the benches, and
mechanism for moving and arresting the car-hoist at will whereby to bring the
battery receptacles in the car opposite the corresponding receptacles in the rack
substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, in the
annexed drawings.
3. The hereindescribed car elevating and lowering apparatus, in conjunction
with the several floors or levels of a building or other structure whereon the cars
are moved or stored, and the series of charging benches in combination therewith,

page_text: wherein the batteries are distributed, interposed between or in a substantially per-
pendicular relation to the said floors or levels adjacent to the path through which
the car ascends or descends, arranged substantially as hereinbefore set forth with
reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in the annexed drawings.
4. In the hereindescribed apparatus for transferring and recharging electric car
batteries, the combination with the car elevator and vertical battery-racks flanking
the same, of the auxiliary platforms directly connected to the said elevator and
located on the sides of said racks opposite the car, substantially as hereinbefore set
forth with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5 in the annexed drawings.
5. In the hereindescribed apparatus for transferring electric car batteries, the
combination with a car elevator, the car having battery receptacles, and the vertical
battery-racks flanking the elevator and its path of movement, of bridges connected
to the elevator supplementing the space between the bed-sill of the car and the
benches of the rack, substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to
Figs. 2, 3, and 5 in the annexed drawings.
6. In the hereindescribed apparatus for transferring electric car batteries, the
combination with a vertically movable platform or section of car track, and a
battery-charging rack or racks flanking the same, of an inclined track or plane or
plurality of the same whereon the car is conveyed from one to another of different
levels in the range of movement of said platform or equivalent, substantially
as hereinbefore set forth with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 in the annexed
drawings.
7. In the hereindescribed apparatus for transferring electric car batteries, the
combination of a vertically movable car receiving platform or equivalent, battery-
charging benches flanking the same, and graded car tracks or inclined planes
extending from a common level, respectively, to an initial and final level in the
range of movement of the said platform, substantially as hereinbefore set forth with
reference to Figs. 7 and 8 in the annexed drawings.
8. In the hereindescribed apparatus for transferring electric car batteries, the
combination with the battery charging benches arranged in vertical series and the
inclined grades whereon the car is moved opposite said benches at different levels,
and the gravity actuated platform for receiving the car and transferring the same,
substantially in the manner hereinbefore set forth with reference to Figs. 7 and 8
in the annexed drawings.
9. In the hereindescribed apparatus for transferring electric car batteries, the
combination with the charging benches arranged in vertical series, the ascending
grades approaching different levels opposite said series, and the gravity plat-
form opposite the said benches for receiving the car, of the counterweights.connected
to the platform by cables or otherwise to preponderate the same, but being
of less gravity than that of the platform and car combined, substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore set forth with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 in the
annexed drawings.
Dated this 20th day of December 1890.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for Applicant.