Waterproof Contact-apparatus for Electric Railways with Under- ground Conductor.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Waterproof Contact-apparatus for Electric Railways with Under-
ground Conductor.
I, GUSTAV IHLE, residing at Dresden, Uhlandstreet, No. 2, Civil-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:―
My invention concerns a waterproof electric contact apparatus in different forms
for railways with underground conductor.
The superiority of this contact apparatus to other ones consists, as already said
in the title, in the fact that the underground conductor end is not exposed to the
bad influence of water, getting in the cable channels of the railways for instance
on rainy days.
In the channel of the railway a cable-end as conductor of the electric current
is fixed, also a swinging lever or arm, which carries a wire piece in its interior
as conductor in order to transmit the electric current by a touching plate or current
transmitter to the clectric car, after being brought into contact with the main
conductor by occupying its working position, produced by the action of a turn-
stile-like apparatus.
The annexed drawings show
Sheet I Figure 1, a section of the electric contact apparatus, across the channel;
Fig. 2, a view from above in section;
Figure 3, a front view of the contact apparatus;
Figure 4, a scheme of the different positions of the turn-stile produced by the
action of the tappets of the electric car upon the turn-stile.
The walls of the channel are designated with (a), the cover plate of the channel
with (b). In the channel supports (k) carry the bolts (c) which are fastened to
them by means of screws. This bolt is provided with conical rings, round which
the lever or arm (e d r) is working on its centre piece (d), covering by its casing-
like shape the contact-ends.
The right arm of the lever or arm is formed by the hollow lengthening piece (r),
which includes in its interior, and through its whole lenght a wire piece (g) as
conductor of the electric current, surrounded by insulating material (h). The
wire or conductor (g) concealed in the interior of this arm (r) is, at the inner end
near the bolt, somewhat projecting out of the arm in the direction to the cable-
end, whilst its opposite end is provided with the touching plate or current trans-
mitter (g¹).
The bolt (c) is also hollow and serves as holder or support for the electric cable-
end (f), which is connected to the contact-spring (f).
In close proximity to the support (k) is a second support (n) bearing the turn
stile (m) and the cam (7). As soon as the turnstile is pushed and turned the quar-
ter of a circle by the first tappet of an electric car the cam piece follows, changing
its horizontal into a vertical position and pushes by this movement the short

page_text: arm (e) of the lever or arm (e d r) downwards, raising at the same time the right
arm (r).
(o) is a spring so arranged that it pulls back the right arm (r) into its normal
position, after the cam (7) has reoccupied its horizontal position. The spring (1)
keeps up the conical rings of bolt (c) fitting close to the likewise conical bearings.
The working process is as follows:
When the turnstile has turned a quarter of a circle, which is effected by the
first tappet of the electric car, one end of the cam piece (1) is placed vertically
upon the short arm (e) of the lever or arm (e d r), by this means it is pushed
down and the right arm (r) raised and projects outwards, in order to reach a
receiver rail of the electric car. When the lever or arm (e dr) is in this position,
the wire piece or conductor (g) touches the contact spring or end (f) and now the
electric current is permitted to go through the arm (r) or better said through
the conductor (g) to the transmitter (g¹) and so reaches the receiver of the electric
car.
At the next turning of a quarter of a circle of the turnstile the arm (r) regains
its normal position and the conductor (g) now gets out of touch of the contact
end (f) and the transmission of the current is suspended.
Based upon the same principle some other forms are shown upon further draw-
ings and are described by the following specifications:
Sheet II Fig. 5, side-view with partial section;
Sheet II Fig. 6, view from above.
The casing in the channel where the whole of the apparatus is placed, is desig-
nated with the letter (a), the turnstile apparatus with (m n 1) the cover closing
the channel at the top with (6). These parts are of the same construction as those
upon the first sheet and described in the preceeding specification and designated
with the same letters.
Upon the support (k) the lever or arm (e d r) is pivoting round the bolt (c) under
the influence of the turnstile upon the left arm (e). In the right arm (r) a
conductor (g) is included, surrounded with an insulating material (h).. This
conductor (g) at its outer end which is elastic is provided with the transmitter (¹)
which slides upon the receiver rail of the electric car.
The lower end of the same conductor leaves the arm and enters at point (¹)
a vessel (g¹) from where it re-enters the arm (r) at the point (r2).
The conductor end (f) is included in a screw wound elastic tube (o) and is held
up by the supports (¹). The top end is attached to arm (r) or rather to the
small vessel (a) where it is placed by the side of the conductor end (g), both being
of course well insulated from each other. The small vessel (x) carries some con-
ducting, easily moving material f.i. mercury, for the purpose of effecting the
closing of the circuit by covering the contact ends projecting into the small
vessel (a). In the normal position of the arm (e d r) the small vessel with its
bottom end shows downwards & as a matter of course the mercury remains at the
bottom, and away from the contact ends (f & g).
As soon as the arm (r) begins to rise under the influence of the turn-stile, the
mercury is running to the opposite end of the small vessel and closes there the
electric circuit by covering the two contact ends (f & g). It is evident that by
this construction not only the access of water but also of air to the contact ends
is entirely prevented.
Sheet II Fig. side view with cross section.
Sheet II Fig. 8 view from above with cross section of a third form of the
apparatus.
The difference between the present construction and the preceeding one consists
in the circumstance that instead of the arrangement of the loose conducting
material apparatus for the contact and the wound elastic cable tube (o), the cable
end (2) is included inside a closed pipe-like casing (c¹), which is elastic, & the
contact ends inside a box-like casing (61). This closed box-like casing (61) is

page_text: resting with one end upon the elastic pipe-like casing (c) whilst its
other end rests upon the part (d) of the arm (e dr) so that it is enabled to follow
the swinging of the arm (e dr). During the working or acting position of the
lever or arm (e dr) the contact end (d) leans against the contact end (¹), but
after having reoccupied its normal position, which act is performed by the help
of spring (k) attached at points (&), the turnstile having turned a quarter
of a circle releases the arm (e), the contact end (d) goes back from the other (e¹)
one, by the first way the electric circuit is closed, by the second interrupted.
(h) is a-holder for the cable end (f/2) and the elastic pipe-shaped casing (c¹); (i) is
the means of attaching the spring () to the casing (61).
Description of
Sheet II Fig. 9, side view of another form of the arm.
Sheet II Fig. 10, view from above of another form of the arm.
This variation of the arm (e d r) is intended to enable one to adjust the heave
or stroke of the arm (r) by means of the screw (M) and screw holder (L), whilst
the spring (0) placed upon the holder (N) is intended to press the arm (r) against
the adjusting screw (M) and to render elastic the arm on this side. The pivot
ear of the arm is designated in these figures with the letter (²).
Each arm of this double arm can be provided with every contact device described
in the preceeding description and shown on the drawings in question.
Sheet III Fig. 11, side view with partial section.
Sheet III Fig. 12, cross section of part (G).
Sheet III Fig. 13, section of (C D).
These figures show the different views of variation of the lever or arm (e dr)
in its part (e), in which form it is designated with the letter (C). This block (C)
which bears the turnstile (D E F) serves as a means of bringing under the influence
of the wheel (B) of the electric car, the arm (d r) into its contact position. For
this purpose the block (C) is bevelled on both sides in the going and coming
direction of the cars upon the line. When the wheel (1) is running upon the
bevel and the plane of the block (C) this is pushed down and the arm (C d r )
assumes its contact position. In order to keep it in this position as long as it is
necessary the turnstile (D) E F) is so arranged, that it is pivoting in a perforation
of the block (C) and moving its wings in the hollow (k) and with its plate in the
fork (G). As soon as the block (C) is pushed down by the wheel (B), the turn-
stile is made to revolve by same wheel (B) a quarter of a circle. Following the
action of the wheel (B) plate (F) is changing its vertical position into a horizontal
one, after having descended from the upper slit in the fork (G), into the broader
or wider space beneath the upper slit, leaning now against the narrow part, in
which position it maintains the arm (C, d, r) in its working position i.e. by closed
circuit. The second wheel (B) of the electric car turns the turnstile a second
quarter of circle, courses the uncogging of the plate (F) and permits the arm to
reassume its normal position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1, The combination of a fixed insulated electric main conductor with a swinging
insulated conductor going to the current-transmitter, means for making the
conductor swing and contact-ends or pieces, at each of both conductors, which
contact-ends or pieces, are in waterproof manner enclosed and adapted to being
brought together into contact by the swinging of the conductor, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The combination of a fixed insulated electric main conductor with a swinging
arm, means for making the arm swing, an insulated conductor going to the current
transmitter, which conductor is embedded in the swinging arin, and contact-ends
or pieces at both conductors which are in waterproof manner enclosed and adapted

page_text: to being brought, together into contact by the swinging of the arm, substantially
as and for the purpose seth forth.
3, The combination of a fixed insulated electric main-conductor with a swinging
arm, means for making the latter swing, means for adjusting the stroke of the
said arm, an insulated conductor going to the current transmitter, which conductor
is embedded in the said arm and contact-ends or pieces at each, of both conductors
which are in waterproof manner enclosed and adapted to being brought together
into contact by the swinging of the said arm, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
4, In an electric contact apparatus the combination of a fixed insulated electric
main conductor with a swinging waterproof casing, a hollow arm which is con-
nected to the said casing, an insulated conductor going to the current transmitter
which is embedded in the said arm, contact ends or pieces, the one of which
forming the end of the fixed electric main conductor, the other one that of the
conductor which goes to the current transmitter and both enclosed in the swinging
casing and adapted to being brought together into contact and means for making
swing the said casing substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5, In an electric waterproof contact apparatus the combination of a fixed electric
insulated main conductor with a swinging waterproof casing, a hollow arm, which
is connected to the said casing, an elastic casing which is also connected to the
said first casing and through which the main conductor is going to the same first
casing, an insulated conductor going to the current transmitter, which conductor
is embedded in the said arm, contact-pieces, the one of which forming the end
of the fixed electric conductor, and the other one the inner-end of the conductor
which goes to the current transmitter, both contact pieces being enclosed in the
swinging casing and adapted to be brought together into contact by the swinging
of the casing and means for making swing the said casing, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
6, In an electric waterproof contact apparatus the combination of a fixed electric
main conductor with a swinging hollow arm, an insulated conductor going to the
current transmitter, which conductor is embedded in the said arm, a waterproof
vessel which is connected to the said arm and is provided with an easily moving
conducting material, contact-pieces which form the ends of both conductors and
are embedded in the said vessel and adapted to be brought together into contact
by the said material and means for making swing the arm, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
7, In an electric waterproof contact apparatus the combination of a fixed insu-
lated electric main conductor with a swinging arm, a spring acting upon the arm
and adapted to keep it in its normal position, an insulated conductor going to the
current transmitter, which conductor is embedded in the swinging arm, contact
pieces which are arranged at both conductors in waterproof manner and adapted
to being brought together into contact by the swinging of the arm, a block which
is secured to the said arm, and which is adapted to be pushed downwards by the
electric car, a turn-stile adapted to being turned by the electric car by which action
the block is catched or let free, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8, In an electric waterproof contact apparatus the combination of a fixed insu-
lated electric main conductor with a swinging arm, a spring which acts upon
the latter and is adapted to keep it in its normal position, an insulated conductor
going to the current transmitter, which conductor is embedded in the swinging
arm, contact pieces arranged at both conductors enclosed in waterproof manner
and adapted to being brought together into contact by the swinging of the arm,
a block connected to the said arm and adapted to being pushed downwards, and
a turn stile which is adapted to be turned by the electric car and to keep the said
block in its downwards position substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In an electric waterproof contact apparatus the combination of an insulated
electric conductor, with a swinging arm, a spring which acts upon the latter, and
adapted to keep it in its normal position, an insulated conductor going to the

page_text: current transmitter, which conductor is embedded in the swinging arm, contact
pieces arranged at both conductors, enclosed in waterproof manner and adapted
to being brought together into contact by the swinging of the arm, a block which
is secured to the said arm, a turn-stile which is adapted to be turned by the
electric car and arms which are connected to the turn-stile, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
10, In an electric waterproof contact apparatus the combination of a fixed insu-
lated electric conductor with a swinging arm, a spring which acts upon the latter
and is adapted to keep it in its normal position, an insulated conductor going to
the current transmitter and embedded in the swinging arm, contact pieces arranged
at both conductors enclosed in waterproof manner and adapted to being brought
together into contact by the swinging of the arm, a block, secured to the said arm
and adapted to be pushed downwards by the electric car, a turn-stile, which is
resting in the block and is adapted to be turned by the electric car, a plate which
is connected to the turn-stile and is staying vertically in the normal position of
the arm, and a fork, which in its lower part is extending, in which lower part
the said plate enters and wherein it is brought into a horizontal position by the
now turning turn-stile substantially as and for the purpose set forth
•
Dated this 10th day of April 1898.
Agent for Applicant:
FELIX F. LOEPER,
Dresden, (Saxony).