Improvements in Electric Railways.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Railways.
J, MARK WESLEY DEWEY, of the City of Syracuse, in the County of Onondaga, in
the State of New York, United States of America, Electrician, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC RAILWAYS," 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 electric railways wherein the motors are connected to
a line working conductor arranged along the path of the vehicle in series or derived
circuit.
In the series electric railways that have been proposed the supply or line working
conductor or conductors were constructed in sections with circuit makers and breakers
between the sections. These circuit makers and breakers were maintained in a close:
condition until the approach of the car, which, by means of various devices, operated
the circuit breakers, and thereby compelled the current in the supply conductor or
conductors to flow through the shunt-path in connection with the said conductor
and leading through the propelling-motor on the vehicle. Such a system is both very
expensive and difficult to operate on account of the complicated form of its supply-
conductor and their movable nature.
The objects of my invention are to simplify the line-working conductor, to employ
but one, to make such conductor plain, stationary, and parallel with the railway, and
also permanently continuous-that is, without making and breaking points
distributed along in the same, and, further, to direct the current through the motor
on the vehicle by creating resistance or counter electro-motive force in the line-
conductor between the connections leading to the motor.
To this end my invention consists, broadly, in the combination of a permanently-
continuous line-working conductor, a travelling vehicle, an electric motor to propel
said vehicle, electrical connections between said motor and working-conductor, and
suitable means to create electrical resistance or counter electro-motive force in said
conductor between the connections.
My invention consists, further, or more specifically in the combination of a source
of irregular or alternating currents, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor
connected thereto, insulated supports of paramagnetic material for said conductor,
a travelling vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections
carried by the vehicle and making contacts with the working-conductor to supply
electricity to the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or
counter electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections and consisting
of a sheath of laminated paramagnetic material entirely surrounding the line-working
conductor, a longitudinal slot through the sheath to permit said supports to pass
through, and an iron brush or brushes fixed to the side or sides of the slot and
extending transversely across the latter to maintain the same normally closed. Any
suitable means or devices may be employed to create electrical resistance or stress in

page_text: Gife line-working conductor, or for setting up counter electro-motive force or a tendency
thereto.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure is a side elevation, partly in section,
of an electric railway and motor-car embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross
section of the railway with slotted conduit. Fig. 3 is an end view of the counter
electro-motive force device or sheath having a normally-closed yielding longitudinal
passage through the same and in a proper position relative to the line conductor and
supports therefor. Figure 4 represents the preferred path of the line-working con-
ductor when arranged for a double-track road. Fig. 5 illustrates a plan wherein the
circuit on the vehicle or car is arranged for the operation of a continuous or
direct current motor from an alternating source of electricity and shows a
regulating-coil upon the sheath. Fig. 6 is an end view of the sheath with regulating-
coil. Fig. 7 shows a plan for inducing an electro-motive force in the coil or coils
upon the sheath to assist the iron sheath in opposing the flow of current in the line-
conductor through said sheath, and Fig. 8 shows my invention applied to an overhead
system.
Referring specifically to the drawings, A in the figures represents the vehicle or
car; A¹ a source of irregular or alternating currents; B the supply or line-working
conductor connected to said source and arranged along the path of the vehicle or
railway and supported on supports or standards b.
C is the resisting or counter. electro-motive force device in the form of a para-
magnetic or iron-sheath surrounding the line-conductor and carried by the vehicle,
and c and c¹ are the electrical connections or movable contacts, also carried by the
vehicle and disposed one in advance of the other in contact with the conductor B and
located one on each side of the sheath C.
D is the vehicle-conductor containing the propelling motor and having its terminals
connected to the contacts c and c¹.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, F represents an ordinary slotted underground
conduit along the railway and containing the line-conductor B supported by insulated
standards b, located at intervals along the way and extending approximately on
the line of the axis of the conduit. The insulation of the standards is indicated
at e.
D is a shunt-circuit around the motor on the vehicle and contains a current-
regulator d in the form of an adjustable resistance for the purpose of shunting more
or less current from the line-conductor B around the motor E to regulate the latter.
The motor E shown connected to the driving-axle by a belt or chain g; but said
motor and driving-axle may be, of course, connected together in any other suitable
manner. The terminals of the line-conductor h and may be connected together by
the ground or a return metallic conductor.
The electrical connections e and c are preferably wheels or rollers carried upon the
ends of springs i and fixed to a support G, depending from the truck-frame a of the
vehicle. The springs i and permit good yielding contact to be made with the line-
conductor, and are insulated from G at n n, but are connected to the terminals of the
vehicle-conductor D.
The resisting or counter electro-motive force device or the means to create
opposition to the flow of the current in the line-conductor between the contacts e
and c is shown in the drawings in the shape of a paramagnetic or iron sheath C herein-
before mentioned. This sheath partly or completely surrounds the line-conductor B
or that part of the latter located between the movable contacts cand c¹, and is preferably
of a cylindrical form. The sheath is constructed, preferably, of laminated iron or
steel and slotted longitudinally to permit the passage through said sheath of the
supports and so that it can be easily removed from the conductor when desired.
This sheath or cylinder of magnetic or paramagnetic material constitutes a magnetic
circuit around the line conductor B and creates or sets up a strong counter electro-
motive force to the currents which attempt to pass through the sheath in rapidly
alternating directions. The effect of such a sheath, practically, is to virtually convert

page_text: the part of the line-conductor between the contacts c and c¹ into a non-conductor of
alternating currents-a non-conductor which may be moved with and by the
vehicle and yet remain substantially stationary. The longitudinal slot or passage
through the sheath may be maintained closed and yet allow the supports to pass
through, as shown in Fig. 3, and thus heighten the counter electro-motive force effect
by fixing iron brushes kk to or in the walls of the said slot, so that they will extend
transversely across or project into the same and meet each other, and by making the
supports of iron or other paramagnetic metal.
I do not limit myself to the precise form of closed flexible passage through the
sheath shown, inasmuch as the same may be effected in various ways and by different
means.
Fig. 3 shows insulation n¹ between the sheath C and support G.
In Fig. 4 two tracks HI and H' are shown parallel with each other and leading from
the generating-station. From said generating-station, which is equipped with a
suitable source of irregular or alternating currents, extend the line-working con-
ductors B along each of the tracks, which are joined at the end remote from the
generating-station. It will be obvious that this system is equally adapted for a belt
line or when the tracks are not parallel to each other, or, in fact, any form of electric
railway now in use.
in
Although I do not limit myself to sources of alternating currents, better and
increased effects can be obtained by employing the same. When alternating currents
are used, a direct-current motor may be employed to propel the car by locating a
suitable current-rectifier in the vehicle-circuit D as indicated in Fig. 5. 7 and
the circuit D in the same figure represent current-controlling devices for the direct
current motor E, and g indicates a portion of the belt leading therefrom to the
driving axle.
The regulating-coil I upon the sheath in the same figure and also in Fig. 6 is for
regulating the counter electro-motive force of the sheath. The terminals of this coil
are connected to an adjustable resistance and circuit maker and breaker I. When the
latter device is open, the counter electro-motive force is at its maximum, and as it is
closed and the resistance cut out the said force is weakened, and more current is
permitted to flow in the line-conductor through the sheath C short-circuiting the
inotor E.
In Fig. 7 the coil J upon the sheath C is for the purpose of assisting the latter in
producing a counter electro-motive force in the line conductor and has induced in it
higher-tension currents for this purpose. This increased opposition is effected by
means of an inductional transformer L having its secondary coil connected to the
coil J and its primary connected to the springs i and i. The primary coil of
the transformer L is located in this case in the shunt D', and a portion of the
primary source of current is shunted through said coil, which induces higher-
tension currents in the secondary by reason of a difference in the size of the
conductors forming the coils and the number of convolutions. The coil J being
connected to the said secondary coil and wound upon the sheath in a proper direction,
will develop counter-currents of great strength in the portion of the line-conductor
between the contacts c and c and not only prevent the primary currents from
flowing in the line conductor through the sheath, but will also assist in supplying
current to the motor E. The vehicle A has been omitted from Figs. 5 and 7 for
convenience; but it will be understood, of course, that the apparatus and circuits
shown above the dotted lines in the figures are located upon the vehicles, and the
sheaths, contacts, &c., located beneath the said lines are supported and carried by the
vehicles.
In the overhead plan shown in Fig. 8, the supports bare sustained by brackets or
cross-pieces on poles arranged alongside of the railway, and both the contacts c
and and the sheath between them are made yielding vertically by means of
springs p p interposed between the said parts and the top of the car A.
I do not limit myself to the details of construction, as they may be modified in
various ways without departing from my invention.

page_text: 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-In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working-conductor, a
vehicle, an electromotor to propel said vehicle, electrical connections between said
motor and working-conductor, and suitable means to create electrical resistance or
counter electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections.
2-In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor, a
vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, electrical connections between said
motor and working-conductor, a portion of the line-working conductor between the
connections, and suitable means to create electrical resistance or counter electro-motive
force in said conductor between the connections.
3 In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor, a
vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections carried by
the vehicle and making contact with the working-conductor to supply electricity to
the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter
electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections.
In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor, a
vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections carried by
the vehicle and making contact with the working-conductor to supply electricity to
the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter
electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections, and consisting of a
sheath of paramagnetic material partially or entirely surrounding the line-working
conductor.
5-In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line working conductor, a
vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections carried by
the vehicle and making contact with the working-conductor to supply electricity to
the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter
electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections, and consisting of a
sheath of laminated iron partially or entirely surrounding the line-working conductor.
6-In an electric railway, a source of irregular or alternating currents, a
permanently-continuous line-working conductor connected to the source, a vehicle,
an electric motor to propel said vehicle, electrical connections carried by the vehicle
and making contact with the line-conductor to supply electricity to the motor, and
means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter electro-motive
force in said line-conductor between the connections.
7-In an electric railway, a slotted conduit, a permanently continuous line-working
conductor in said conduit, a vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two
electrical connections carried by the vehicle and making contact with the working-
conductor to supply electricity to the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to
create electrical resistance or counter electro-motive force in said conductor between
the connections.
8-In an electric railway, a source of irregular or alternating currents, a
permanently-continuous line-working conductor connected to the source, a vehicle,
an alternating current-electric motor to propel said vehicle, electrical connections
carried by the vehicle and making contact with the line-conductor to supply electricity
to the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter
electro-motive force in said line-conductor between the connections.
9 In a current-collector for a vehicle, the combination of two electrical connections
carried by the vehicle and making contact with a line-conductor along the path of the
vehicle and disposed one in advance of the other, and a suitable counter electro-motive
force device carried by said vehicle and located between the electrical connections.
10 The combination, in an electric railway, of two tracks leading from the
generating-station, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor extending from
the generating station along one of said tracks and returning to said station along
the other track, a vehicle, an electric propelling-motor on the vehicle, electrical

page_text: connections between the motor and line-conductor, and means to create resistance or
counter electro-motive force in said line-conductor between said connections.
11 The combination, in an electric railway, of two parallel tracks leading from
the generating station, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor extending
from the generating station along one of said tracks and returning to said station
along the other track, a vehicle, an electric propelling-motor on the vehicle, electrical
connections between the motor and line conductor and means to create resistance or
counter electro-motive force in said line conductor between said connections.
12-The combination, in an electric railway, of two tracks leading from the
generating-station, a slotted conduit for each track, a permanently-continuous line-
working conductor extending from the generating station along one of said tracks and
returning to said station along the other track and in said conduit, a vehicle, an electric
propelling-motor on the vehicle, electrical connections between the motor and line-
conductor, and means to create resistance or counter electro-motive force in said
line-conductor between said connections.
13 In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor,
supports for said conductor, a vehicle, an electric motor to propel said
vehicle, two electrical connections carried by the vehicle and making contact
with the working-conductor to supply electricity to the motor, and means
carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter electro-motive force
in said conductor between the connections, and consisting of a sheath of paramagnetic
material entirely surrounding the line-working conductor and a normally-closed
longitudinal yielding passage through the sheath to permit said supports to pass
through.
14 in an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor, a
vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections carried
by the vehicle and making contact with the working-conductor to supply electricity
to the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter
electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections, and consisting of a
sheath of paramagnetic material partially or entirely surrounding the line-working
conductor and a coil of insulated wire wound upon said sheath.
15- In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor, a
vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections carried by
the vehicle and making contact with the working-conductor to supply electricity to
the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter
electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections, and consisting of a
sheath of paramagnetic material partially or entirely surrounding the line-working
conductor and a coil of insulated wire wound upon said sheath and connected with a
source of electricity.
16 In an electric railway, a source of irregular or alternating currents, a per-
manently-continuous line-working conductor connected to the source, a vehicle, an
electric motor to propel said vehicle, electrical connections carried by the vehicle and
making contact with the line-conductor to supply electricity to the motor, and means
carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter electromotive force
in said line-conductor between the connections, and consisting of a sheath of para-
magnetic material partially or entirely surrounding the line-working conductor and
a coil of insulated wire wound upon said sheath and connected with a source of
irregular or alternating currents derived from or induced by the source connected to
the line-conductor.
17 In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor, sup-
ports for said conductor, a vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two
electrical connections carried by the vehicle and making contact with the working-
conductor to supply electricity to the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to create
electrical resistance or counter electro-motive force in said conductor between the
connections, and consisting of a sheath of paramagnetic material entirely surrounding
the line-working conductor, a longitudinal slot through the sheath to permit said

page_text: supports to pass through, and an iron brush or brushes fixed to or in the side or sides
of the slot and extending transversely across the same to maintain the slot closed.
18-In an electric railway, a permanently-continuous line-working conductor,
insulated supports of paramagnetic material for said conductor, a vehicle, an electric
motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections carried by the vehicle and
making contact with the working-conductor to supply electricity to the motor, and
means carried by the vehicle to create electrical resistance or counter electro-motive
force in said conductor between the connections, and consisting of a sheath of para-
magnetic material entirely surrounding the line-working conductor, a longitudinal
slot through the sheath to permit said supports to pass through, and an iron brush or
brushes fixed to or in the side or sides of the slot and extending transversely across
the same to maintain the slot closed.
19 In an electrical railway, a permanently continuous line-working conductor, a
vehicle, an electric motor to propel said vehicle, two electrical connections carried
by the vehicle and making contact with the working-conductor to supply electricity
to the motor, and means carried by the vehicle to creato electrical resistance or counter
electro-motive force in said conductor between the connections, a shunt circuit around
the motor on the vehicle, and means to regulate the current flowing through the shunt-
circuit.
20--In an electric railway, a line-working conductor, a vehicle, an electric motor
to propel said vehicle, electrical connections between said motor and working-con-
ductor, and suitable means to create counter electro-motive force or a tendency thereto
in the line-conductor between the connections.
MARK WESLEY DEWEY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.