Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 7th July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 10th Aug., 1888
.
FREDERICK CHARLES ALLSOP of Bexley in the county of Kent Electrical Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for containing, insulating,
conducting and collecting the current on Electrical Tramways and Railways by means
of which I greatly simplify the appliances and by such forms of conductor and inethods
of insulating reduce the mechanical strain on the insulators to a minimum.
In carrying out my invention I employ a channel or trough (open at the top which
top is flush with the roadway) of rolled iron or other suitable material and of
rectangular or other suitable section and constructed preferably in lengths of about
ten feet.
In this channel I then place the ordinary girder type tramrail in such a position that
it divides the channel into two seperate parts so that each part forms a seperate
channel by itself the one preferably larger than the other.
The larger one I call the "insulator channel" and the smaller one the "collecting
channel." Froin the rail being so placed the smaller or "collecting channel" has, on
the top which is exposed to the road a inch slot running the entire length of it, and
the larger one or insulator channel" a much wider opening into which I afterwards
fit a lid that is at all times removable and prevents all dirt and wet from coming into
it from the road.
Into this "insulator channel" I place the insulators preferably in couples at a
distance of about 3 feet from each couple.
To each couple is affixed in such a manner as to be perfectly insulated from the
channel a rod of copper, brass, or other suitable alloy the further end of which is bent
preferably in the form of a hook and which passes (without touching the sides)
through a hole drilled in the girder rail which forms the partition and projects a little
way into the smaller or "collecting channel."
On these hooks which project into the "collecting channel" I lay my conductor
which consists of a cable of copper or other suitable wires this cable merely resting on
the hooks and not fixed to them in any way.

page_text: Fixed to the axle or axles of the car I provide a collecting arm insulated in the
usual manner which passes through and runs in the slot (which it will be remembered
is in the top of the "collecting channel") and to the bottom part of this arm which is
inside the channel is fixed a grooved roller or rollers at such a height that they are
always above and clear of the hooks that support the cable.
I then place the cable over the roller so that as the arm moves along with the car
the cable runs over the roller and is lifted off each support as the arın passes falling
back into its place as the arm moves on this roller-collects the current from the cable
and from the roller it is transmitted by the arm up into the car and motor.
The return is effected by earth or by another cable fixed on uninsulated supports in
the "collecting channel" and worked by a seperato roller similarly to the insulated
cable.
In cases where there are likely to be many cars at work on the same line I provide
a second feed conductor of any suitable form and this conductor I place in the
"insulator channel" and fix it in such a manner to the insulators that it is in electrical
contact with the hooks that support the collecting cable.
It thus feeds the collecting cable at every hook and by this means a larger current
could be transmitted than otherwise.
Suitable means would be provided for draining both the "insulator" and "collecting
channel."
Among the advantages consequent upon my invention may be mentioned the
following.
The avoidance of all trouble caused by the breaking of the insulators from the
following causes which have hitherto rendered them useless for this purpose.
Strain put on them by the collecting armn while moving along.
Strain put on them by the expansion of the conductor by heat.
Dated this 15th day of October 1887.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Tramways and Railways.
I, FREDERICK CHARLES ALLSOP, of Bexley in the county of Kent, 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
following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for containing, insulating,
conducting, and collecting the current on Electrical Tramways and Railways, by
means of which I greatly simplify the appliances, and, by such forms of conductor and
methods of insulating, reduce the mechanical strain on the insulators to a minimun.
In carrying out my invention I employ a channel or trough (open at the top which
top is flush with the roadway) of rolled iron or other suitable material and of
rectangular or other suitable section and constructed preferably in lengths of about
ten feet.
In this channel I then place the ordinary girder type tramrail in such a position
that it divides the channel into two seperate parts, so that each part forms a seperate
channel by itself; the one preferably larger than the other.
The larger one I call the "insulator channel" and the smaller one the "collecting
channel."
From the rail being so placed, the smaller one or "collecting channel" has on the
top which is exposed to the roadway a inch slot running the entire length of it, and
the larger one or "insulator channel" a much wider opening into which I afterwards
fit a lid that is at all times removable, and which prevents all dirt and wet from coming
into it from the roadway. In this insulator channel I place the insulators, preferably
in couples with about three feet between each couple. To each couple of insulators is
affixed, in such a manner that it is perfectly insulated from the channel, a rod of
copper, brass, or other suitable alloy, the further end of which is curved preferably in
the form of a hook and passes (without touching the sides) through a hole drilled in the
girder rail which forms the partition, and projects a little way into the smaller or
collecting channel. On these hooks which project into the collecting channel I lay
my conductor, which consists of a cable of copper or other suitable wires; this cable
merely resting on the hooks and not fixed to them in any way.
Fixed to the axle or axles of the car I provide a collecting arm, insulated in the
usual manner, which passes through and runs in the slot which it will be remembered
is in the top of the collecting channel. To the bottom part of this arm which is inside
the channel, is fixed a grooved roller or rollers at such a height that it is always above
and clear of the hooks that support the cable. I then place the cable over the roller

page_text: so that as the arm moves along with the car the cable runs over the roller, being lifted
off each support as the arm passes it and falling back into its place again as the arm
moves on. These rollers collect the current from the cable, and from the rollers it is
transmitted up into the car by the arm, and from there by a lead to the motor in the
ordinary manner.
The return is effected by "earth," or by another cable fixed on uninsulated supports
in the collecting channel and worked by a seperate roller in a similar manner to the
insulated cable.
In cases where there are likely to be many cars at work upon the same line 1 provide
a second "feed" conductor, of any suitable form, and this conductor I place in the
insulator channel and fix it in such a manner to the insulators that it is in electrical
contact with the hooks that support the collecting cable. It thus feeds this cable at
every hook, and by this means a larger current could be transmitted than otherwise.
Suitable means would be provided for draining both the insulator and collecting
channel.
Among the advantages consequent upon my invention may be mentioned the
following:
High insulation of the conductors, and the avoidance of all trouble caused by the
breaking of the insulators from the jar of the collecting arm and expansion of the
conductor by heat.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood I have illustrated
it with the accompanying Drawings, and will proceed to describe it with reference
thereto.
Fig. I is a section of the iron conduit with the insulators, supporting arm, and
conductor in place. Inside the iron trough (a), is bolted by means of the bolt (c), the
tramrail (6), which thus divides the trough into two parts forming the " collecting
channel" (d), and tho "insulator channel" (e), into the top of which is fitted the
lid (o). To the bottom of the insulator channel are screwed the insulators (g), to
which is bolted one end of the metal arm (7), the other passing through the hole (m);
in the tramrail and being bent into the form of a hook supports the conductor (n).
The collecting channel is drained by the pipe (p), similar means being also
employed for draining the insulator channel should it be necessary.
"
Fig. 2 is a section of the iron conduit placed in its position in the roadway and with
the collecting arm on the car passing a pair of insulators, showing the method of
collecting the current.
A second or
feed
conductor is also shown in the insulator
channel. As the car moves along, the conducting cable (n), slides over the roller (t),
which is fixed to the bottom of the collecting arm (k), the roller being fixed at such a
height that it will always clear and pass over the hooks (h), which support the con-
ductor. It is in this position that the collecting arm is shown in the figure the car
wheel (w), is just above the insulators (9 g), and the collecting arm (k), is passing over
the supporting hook (h); the cable (n), being lifted off while the arm passes and
falling back into its place again after the car has moved on. In order to prevent the
collecting arm moving down loner from its proper height and so causing the roller to
catch the supporting hooks, the collecting arin is fastened to the axle or frame of the
car, and not to the body or other part of the vehicle that is usually supported on
springs.
Hitherto the electrical conductors in direct system electric trainways have been
rigidly fixed to the insulators or insulating material, so that when the collecting arm
is passing each insulator the mechanical strain thrown on them by the jarring and
It will be
pressure of the collector is very great, frequently causing them to break.
seen, however, on referring to the figure, that in this system the moment the collecting
arm is passing an insulator all strain, both mechanical and electrical, is entirely
removed from it.
The collecting arm (k), is insulated from the sides of the slot in the usual manner
by the insulating material (s, s), the steel plates (2) being bolted outside to take the
wear. (A) is the second or "feed" conductor, referred to above, that is employed when

page_text: of cars.
there is likely to be a heavy current, such as would be necessitated by a large number
It is laid in the insulator channel, and being bolted on to each supporting
arm, it thus feeds the cable (n) in the collecting channel at every insulator.
Fig. 3. is a perspective view of the iron conduit with one side of the collecting
channel broken away, showing the conductor (n), suspended by the supporting
hooks (h), the collecting arm not being shown. The iron lids (o), with the wooden
blocks driven in are easily removable, thus allowing ready access to the insulators.
Fig. 4 is a section of the iron conduit with the lid of the insulator channel
removed. The supporting arm (h), is bent up, and the conductor (n), is cut off and
fastened to the arm, so as to cause the roller to leave the conductor; such as would be
necessary at points, turnouts, and crossings. Beyond the crossing the roller joins the
conductor in a similar manner, connection being made across the break by a short
piece of cable run inside the insulator channel and connecting the two bent up
supporting arms together, the car being carried across the gap by its own momentum.
The roller on the collecting arm is shown in the figure as having just left the
conductor.
Fig. 5. is a plan of the supporting arm (h) showing the method of clamping it to the
insulators.
Fig. 6. shows the insulators (99), (one in section and the other in elevation)
screwed to the bottom of the insulator channel (a). The supporting arm shown in
Fig. 5. bolts round the grooves (B).
In all the preceeding figures the return has been effected by "earth," but in Fig. 7,
which is a section of the collecting channel, a second cable (N), supported by an un-
insulated hook (H), screwed to the side of the channel is shown for the return.
This cable is worked by a roller in a similar manner to that described for the
cable (n).
The conduits shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7 are for laying at the side of the track
the partition (b) forming one rail; but Fig. 8 shows a form that should preferably
be laid in the centre of the permanent way; between the two rails. Only one insulator
is used for each supp ort and placed at about a yard apart, the cable (n), being
supported and collected from in the manner described for the previous figures.
Fig. 9. is a section of a form of the iron conduit also for laying in the centre of the track,
there being two insulator channels and one collecting channel. Two conductors (n & N)
are used, the one for the "feed" and the other for the "return;" both cables being
insulated. Each cable is worked by a seperate roller, the rollers being attached to one
arm and insulated from one another in the ordinary manner. The collecting channel
is drained by the drain pipe (p).
By referring to any of the drawings it will be seen that the lids (o), in the insulator
channel, can be readily taken up and the insulators removed for cleaning or repairs
without interfering with the traffic.
A new conductor can also be readily relaid through the slot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
'
1st. In electrical tramways or railways; the method hereinbefore described of trans-
mitting electrical energy to a motor on a car or other vehicle, the said method con-
sisting essentially in the employment of a collecting arm with rollers adapted to work
on a flexible conductor supported on insulated arms, the conductor merely resting on
the arms and not fixed thereto, substantially as described.
2nd. In electrical tramways or railways, a conduit for containing the conductor and
insulators, the said conduit consisting essentially of a channel or trough in which is
placed a tramrail or other suitable division plate, in such a position as to divide the
channel into two parts, the one having a continuous slot in the top, and the other a
much wider opening in which is fitted a movable lid, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 3rd. In electrical tramways or railways, the employment of two channels the one for
containing the insulators and the other for the main conductor, substantially as
described with reference to the drawings.
4th. In electrical tramways or railways, the employment of an auxiliary conductor,
the said conductor feeding the main conductor at each insulated support, substantially
as described with reference to Fig. 2.
5th. In electrical tramways or railways, the combination of insulators and supporting
hook, substantially as described with reference to Figures 5. & 6.
6th. The improved electric tramway or railway hereinbefore described and
represented in the accompanying drawings.