Improvements in Underground Systems of Electrical Distribution for Electric Railways and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Underground Systems of Electrical Distribution for
Electric Railways and the like.
(A communication to me from abroad by ALVARO S. KROTZ, Electrician, WILLIAM
P. ALLEN, Commercial Salesman, and OLIVER S. KELLY, Manufacturer, citizens
of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the County of Clark, and State
of Ohio, United States of America).
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of London,
Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, 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 underground systems of electrical
distribution, and is especially designed for transmitting electric currents to moving
collectors for use on electric railways and for other similar purposes.
The invention consists in the various constructions and combinations of parts
hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a
portion of a subway containing the improvements.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the combined insulators and supports for
the feeding conductor and the contact rails, showing the latter attached thereto.
Figure 3 is a partial vertical sectional elevation of the same.
Figure 4 is a top view of the insulator cap.
Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view of the subway and
contents, taken through one of the enlarged chambers or manholes.
Figure 6 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view of a portion of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a detail view of the contact rail and part of the devices for making
electrical connection therewith.
Figures 8, 9 and 10, are respectively, enlarged side, vertical section and bottom
plan views of the detachable contacts and devices used in forming a connection
between the contact rail and the main or feeding conductors.
Figure 11 is a plan view, partly in section, of a modification of the subway.
Figure 12 is a partial vertical transverse section of Figure 11.
Figures 12 and 14 are respectively longitudinal and tranverse sectional views of the
pipes or casings in which the main feeding conductors are supported.
Like parts are represented by similar letters of reference in the several views.
In the said drawings, a a represent yokes or supports which are placed at proper
distances apart along the line of the subway, and are adapted to retain the supports
for the various conductors and their connections within the subway. Plates a¹ are
placed on top of the yokes and form a cover for the subway, a slot a² being left
between the plates through which electrical connection is established between the
contact rail in the conduit and the electro-receptive device outside the subway.

page_text: The subway between the respective yokes a may be built up in any suitable
manner, of any suitable material; so long as the proper conduit is provided.
The upper or overhanging portions a³ of the yokes a are preferably reinforced by pairs
of parallel webs or ribs at, which extend inwardly and upwardly from the sides of the
yokes to form braces or supports for said arms or overhanging portions a³, and within
these yokes and between the ribs at are placed insulators b, to which the hangers or
conductor supports c are connected. These insulators b are each preferably formed
with a metallic cap 61, which is provided on each side near the top with perforated
sleeves or ears b², that fit neatly between the opposite ribs at and are attached
thereto and supported in their proper positions by rods or bolts 63, which extend
through proper perforations in said ribs and said sleeves as shown; these rods being
preferably formed with heads 64 at one end and perforated at the other to receive
cotters or split keys 6'; the construction being such that the insulated supports c may
be readily removed or replaced for repairs or otherwise.
The supports c, which are connected to said insulators are preferably made of
malleable metal and are each provided at the bottom with a foot c', having slotted
openings c² therein, for the passage of bolts securing the contact rails thereto, and
said support is further provided at one side with an open ring c³, in which the main
or feeding conductors are supported.
The working conductors or contact-rails d are preferably formed of angle metal
and are bolted or otherwise secured to the foot c' of the supports by fastening
devices d'; which pass through the slotted openings c² in said foot. These contact
rails may be formed in sections of suitable lengths to extend past one or two
supports, and the sections are preferably electrically connected together by a flexible
connecting strip d² of copper or other suitable material. This connection is preferably
accomplished by perforating the ends of the contact rails and screw-threading the
perforations, and having the fastening device d¹, formed in the nature of a bolt,
screw-threaded and adapted to screw into and through the openings in the rail d;
then the perforated end of strip d² may be slipped on bolt d', and clamped to said
rail by a nut d³. The connection between the rail and the foot c¹ of the support c,
formed by bolt d' working in slot c², permits of the free expansion or contraction of
the rails, without affecting their electrical connections.
The main or feeding conductors e are preferably supported in metallic pipes or
casings e preferably lined with suitable insulating material e². The feeding con-
ductors employed are preferably insulated cables. The pipes or casings e¹ and
conductors e are. upheld in the open rings c3 of the supports c, and to facilitate the
placing and securing of said casings and conductors in place, I preferably form the open
ring with a lip c, which normally stands at right angles to the axis of the
support, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3, but can be bent up around the
casing or conductor when the same is in place, so as to secure it against accidental
displacement. I also further provide the support e with an overhanging lug or lip c³,
located just above and removed from the top of the contact rail d, to form a shield
to protect the insulator b, from any arcing, which might occur between the contact
rail and the travelling collector.
As above stated, the contact rail, or working conductors are preferably connected
together to formn longer sections, which may be of any desired length, but preferably
terminate in an opening or chamber f, which is formed at one side of and
communicates with the subway; being preferably formed between two adjoining
yokes a, a, and provided with removable covers f¹. The casings e¹ for the main
conductors e are also preferably formed in sections of a length adapted to extend
from one chamber f to the next; the ends of the casings preferably terminating
substantially flush with or near the respective sides of said chambers while the
contact rails extend into the chamber with only a short space between their ends
past which the travelling conductors may readily pass.
The connections between the main or feeding conductors and the contact-rails or
working conductors are established in these chainbers, and in order to provide for a
connection which may be readily removed or replaced if burned out, and also to

page_text: prevent arcing at the point of connection in case of a blow-out I deflect the main
or feeding conductors to the outer side of said chamber f and preferably support the
deflected portion of the main conductor from a bracket f2 secured in the chamber.
as shown; it being understood that the main conductors e are continuous and extend
entirely through the length of the subway.
Each bracket f2, is provided with a suitable insulator f3 and on each side of said
insulator f the main conductor e is bared, and there is camped thereon a two-part
contact and supporting block g (Figures 8-10) having at one side a screw-threaded
opening g² into which is adapted to be screwed a stud g³, preferably provided with a
circumferential flange or collar g', above which is attached a handle g of rubber or
other suitable insulating substance, and the flange g4 is also preferably formed at the
bottom with an annular shoulder go, around the stud g³. Strung on the stud g³ is a
flat strip g of copper or other suitable conducting material which preferably has a
screw-threaded perforation by which it is screwed on to said stud so as to rest against
said shoulder; the screw-threads being removed from said stud at a point adjacent to
the shoulder equal to the thickness of said strip g7, so that when the latter is in place
it will not interfere with the turning of the stud. The outer end of the stip g' is
preferably formed into a sleeve g', in which is secured the end of a connection g³,
which extends to a similar strip g on a similar stud g³ attached to the contact rail.
This connection g is adapted to conduct current from the feeding conductor to the
contact rail and is preferably formed, of fusible material to form a safety fuse
connection. The connection g³ is attached to the contact rail in a manner similar to
its attachment to the main conductor. The stud g³ is screwed into the rail,
preferably at the horizontal portion, so as to clamp the strip g7 between said rail and
the coilar or shoulder go. (See Figures 5 and 6) In case one of the connections g
should be burned out, the studs g³ are removed by unscrewing the same from the
contact-clamp and rail, respectively. This may be done by means of the insulating
handles without danger. After the studs are removed new connection g may be
applied and the devices replaced in the manner shown and described.
It will be seen that by this arrangement the points of connection between the
main or feeding conductors and the working conductors or contact-rails are so far
reinoved as to prevent arcing in case of a blow-out. At the same time the
connections are such that they may be easily and readily removed or replaced as
occasion requires, extra connections go being preferably provided so that it is only
necessary to renew them in order to repair a break after a blow-out.
To prevent moisture from entering the ends of casings e¹, I preferably provide
each end of said casing with a hood or shield e³, as shown, which has an inwardly
curved top e and an outwardly curved bottom es, the top being preferably slightly
longer than the bottom so that the end of the casing is protected and any water or
moisture deflected therefrom.
In Figures 11 and 12 I have shown a modification of the subway, and arrangement
of conductors. In this case the casing containing the feeding conductors is placed
at one side of the subway, but ends in the chambers f, as before; and the main or
feeding conductor e may be extended parallel with the subway throughout, but the
connections are established between the feeding conductors and the contact rails in
the manner before described.
If preferred the ends of the working conductors which project into the chambers
may have, the bottom flanges inclined, as shown in Figure 7, and provided with
the block d, which is pivoted with a screw-threaded perforation d5, in which the
stud g3 of the connecting device may be screwed to forin the connection, as such
construction may facilitate the making of the connections.
The metallic casing for the main conductors are supported loosely in the open
rings or bearings on the supports c, and may be made in any suitable lengths,
preferably screw-threaded and connected together by the usual pipe connecting devices,
preferably at points between the yokes and supporting devices. This construction
permits the casings to move slightly in the support to compensate for expansion
and contraction by changes of temperature.

page_text: The main or feeding conductor being placed in the casings, which has a lining
of insulating inaterial, and being supported on the supports which are insulated
from the yokes, is doubly insulated. If insulated cables are employed, then the
insulation is still further perfected, so that danger of loss by leakage from the main
feed conductor is further obviated. When the contact rails or working conductors are
connected directly to the supports which also support the casings, as shown, each
section of the casing (if of metal) and the corresponding section of the working
conductor are in electrical connection so that the casing will form an auxiliary
conductor for the contact rails or working conductors independent of the main or
feeding conductors. If desired, however, the working conductor may be properly
insulated from the supports so as to be electrically disconnected and independent
of both of said supports and of the casing. The lateral chambers in the line of the
subway and the deflected main feeding conductors, in connection with the devices
before described, render all the connections of easy access and provide facilities for
inspection or repairs of said connections of the simplest and most advantageous
character.
It is obvious that the devices herein described may be employed in a system in
.which a complete metallic circuit is used, two working conductors and their
corresponding connections being employed. Or it may as shown, be employed in a
system in which an earth or track return is employed in which only one working
conductor and its corresponding connections is used.
When properly insulated main or feeding conductors are used extending through
the casings, the insulations in said casings may be dispensed with if desired, and in
cheaper constructions the casings themselves.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A subway having yokes, main or feeding conductors and contact rails or working
conductors in said subway, said feeding conductors and working conductors being
supported on a common support, an insulator connected to said support, said
insulator being removably secured to one of said yokes, said working conductors being
formed in sections electrically connected together by a flexible connection, and loosely
attached to said support, substantially as specified.
2. The combination with a main or feeding conductor and a contact rail or working
conductor, a support common to both, an insulator to which said support is attached,
and a lip or shield on said support located between said insulator and said contact rail
to prevent injury of said insulator by arcing, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
3. The combination with the main or feeding conductor and a contact rail or
working conductor, a support common to both, a foot on said support having a slotted
opening, as described, a screw-threaded bolt extending through said slotted opening
and engaging in an opening in said rail, a flexible connecting piece on said bolt.
and a nut on said bolt adapted to clamp said piece to said rail, substantially as
specified.
4. A subway having yokes with overhanging portions reinforced by parallel webs
or ribs which extend inwardly and upwardly from the sides of the yokes as described,
in combination with an insulator having a cap with lugs or sleeves adapted to fit
between said ribs, and removable pins extending through said ribs and sleeves,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In combination with the contact rails, a support therefor, an insulator secured
to said support, a lip or shield on said support between said insulator and rail, a cap
on said insulator having sleeves, yokes having depending ribs or lugs between which said
sleeves are adapted to fit, and removable pins extending through said ribs and
sleeves, substantially as specified.
6. In a subway having laterally disposed chambers at intervals therein, working

page_text: conductors or contact rails, and feeding or main. conductors extending through said:
subway, said feeding conductors extending continuously through the subway and
chambers and said contact rails being formed in sections extending from one
chamber to another, with detachable electrical connections substantially, as described
between said feeding conductors and said contacting rails within said chambers,
substantially as specified.
7. In a subway, the sectional working conductors or contact rails, and continuous
main or feeding conductors supported on common supports, laterally disposed
chambers in said subway extending across the line of said contact rail sections
which extend from one chamber to another, the main feeding conductors being
deflected laterally from said casings in said, chambers, independent supports for said
conductors in said chambers, and independent connections from said conductors to
the ends of the contact rails which extend into said chambers, substantially as
specified.
8. The combination with the feeding conductors and contact rails, of screw-
threaded studs having insulated handles, and electrical connections having perforated
ends adapted to engage said studs, and means, substantially as shown and described,
for connecting said screw-threaded studs to the contact rails and feeding conductors
respectively, substantially as specified.
9. An electrical connecting device consisting essentially of two or more screw-
threaded studs having insulated handles, an electric conductor connected to each of
said studs and provided with perforated ends adapted to screw onto said studs, and
means substantially as described for connecting said studs to different metallic
or conducting parts, substantially as specified.
10. The combination with a main conductor, having attached thereto a two-part
clamping contact device having a screw-threaded opening, a screw-threaded stud
adapted to engage said opening having an insulated handle, and a conductor from
said stud, said conductor being perforated to fit onto said stud, substantially as
specified.
11. A screw-threaded stud having a circumferential flange above the threaded
portion, and an insulated handle on said stud above the flange, a conductor having a
perforated end adapted to screw onto said stud and rest in a channel below the
flange, and a connecting block or support having a screw-threaded opening into
which said stud is adapted to be screwed, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
12. The combination in a subway having a series of yokes and laterally disposed
chambers arranged at intervals along the line of said subway, insulated supports
suspended from said yokes, contact rails and feeding conductors on said supports,
said feeding conductors being supported in casings formed in sections which extend
between adjacent chambers, and said contacting rails being also formed in lengths
electrically connected together to form a section, the ends of which extend into,
adjacent chambers, said main feeding conductor being deflected at said extended
chambers, and electrical connections between said main feeding conductor and
the adjacent section of the contact rails in said chambers, substantially as
specified.
13. In a subway having laterally disposed chambers as described, and the tubular
casings formed in sections and extending from one of said chambers to another, a
feeding conductor extending through said casings, said casings being provided at the
ends with hoods or shields, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
14. The combination with the main feeding conductors and the casing therefor, of a
hood or shield on the end of said casing, said hood or shield being formed with
an inwardly-curved top and an outwardly curved bottom, substantially as shown
and specified.
15. An electrical connecting device consisting essentially of two or more studs
having insulated handles and projecting flanges as described, an electrical conductor
removably connected to each of said studs, and means substantially as described, with

page_text: reference to figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, for attaching and detaching said studs
to different metallic or conducting parts, substantially as specified.
Dated this 20th day of July 1897.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C. Chartered Patent Agent.