IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING TRAMWAY CARS AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Brierly, of Halifax, in the County of York, and
Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING TRAMWAY CARS AND OTHER
LIKE VEHICLES," A communication from abroad by Hermann Eichler and
Johann Sigmund Seiler, both of Gorlitz, Silesia, in the Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Brierley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1879.
WALTER BRIERLEY, of Halifax, in the County of York, and Blackburn, in the
County of Lancaster, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PRO-
PELLING TRAMWAY CARS AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES." A communication from
abroad by Hermann Eichler and Johann Sigmund Seiler, both of Gorlitz, Silesia,
in the Empire of Germany.
This Invention relates to improved apparatus worked by compressed air, and is
designed mainly for locomotion on tramways; nevertheless, it may be employed
for other like articles.
The apparatus is constructed two fold and symetrically between and on two
parallel frames like the machinery of the steam locomotive.
There is a driving-axle and one or more running-axles. Between the frames are
compressing pumps, the pistons of which are moved by means of two handlevers.
The pumps take in the air and force it through the connecting tubes in the air.
chests of the propelling cylinders, which are of smaller diameter than the compressing;
pumps.
The distribution of the compressed air within the propelling cylinders is effected
by means of admission and eduction valves moved by beams, levers, sliding rod,
link, and eccentrics, and eccentric rods by the driving axle.
There is at the same time, by application of these parts, allowed a reversal of
gear by a reversing lever.
The movement of the pistons in the driving cylinders is transmitted to the driving
axle by means of connecting rods and cranks. Two other compression pumps with
suction and top valves are actuated by the cranks for the purpose of producing;
regular movement and a margin of the compressed air.
:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Walter Brierley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th February
1880.
WALTER BRIERLEY, of Halifax, in the County of York, and Blackburn, in the
County of Lancaster, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PRO-
PELLING TRAMWAY CARS AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES." A communication from
abroad by Herman Eichler and Joham Sigmand Seiler, both of Gorlitz, Silesia, in
the Empire of Germany.
This Invention relates to improved apparatus worked by compressed air, and is
designed, mainly, for locomotion on tramways; nevertheless, it may be employed
for other like vehicles.
The apparatus is constructed twofold and symetrically between and on two
parallel frames like the machinery of the steam locomotive.
There is a driving axle and one or more running axles. Between the frames are
compressing pumps, the pistons of which are moved by means of two handlevers.
The pumps take in the air and force it through the connecting tubes in the air-
chests of the propelling cylinders, which are of smaller diameter than the compressing
pumps.
The distribution of the compressed air within the propelling cylinders is effected
by means of admission and eduction valves, moved by beam levers, sliding rod, 1
link and eccentrics, and eccentric rods by the driving axle.
There is at the same time, by application of these parts, allowed a reversal of
gear by a reversing lever.
The movement of the pistons in the driving cylinders is transmitted to the
driving axle by means of connecting rods and cranks. Two other compression
pumps with suction and top valves are actuated by the cranks for the purpose of
producing regular movement and a magazine of compressed air.
Such being the nature and object of this our said Invention, we proceed to give
the particulars thereof.
Our new propelling apparatus is designed, mainly, as a means of locomotion on
tramways, nevertheless it may be employed for propelling cars and vehicles
generally, and is represented by the annexed Drawings, in which
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal view.
Fig. 2, plan and horizontal section through the cylinders.
Fig. 3, a vertical section through the first compressing cylinder.
Fig. 4, a vertical section through the driving or propelling cylinder and the
second compression cylinder.
Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section through a driving cylinder, with sliding
valve for the distribution of air.
The whole apparatus is arranged twofold and symetrically, similar to the
arrangement of a steam locomotive, between and on the frames R.
A is the driving axle and B a running axle.
Between the frames R, R, are placed and fixed to those frames the compression
cylinders P, P, the pistons of which are moved up and down by the manager by
means of the hand levers h, h.
The compression cylinders sucking or drawing in the atmospheric air press it
through the connecting channels r, r, to the air chest of the propelling cylin-
ders P¹, P. The distribution of the compressed air within the propelling cylinders
P³, P¹, is secured either by means of distributing valve or slide valves, the latter
appliances being shown by Figure 5. The valve of admission v, v, and the valves of
escape v, v, are moved by the beams 6 and 6¹, the levers p and p¹ fixed on the axles
of the beams 6 and 6', the sliding rod d, the connecting link c, the eccentric rods l, l,
and the eccentrics e, e, which are fixed to the driving axle A. The cranks of the

page_text: axle A are arranged at right angles one to the other, and, in like manner, the
eccentrics e, e, on both sides of the whole machinery.
The eccentrics e, e, and link c allow at the same time a reversal gearing by means
of the reversing lever h¹ fixed on the horizontal shaft w on which the connecting
links c, c, are suspended by means of levers and connecting rods in the ordinary
manner.
The movement of the pistons of the driving cylinders P1, P1, is transmitted to
the driving axle A by means of the connecting rods S and the cranks K. By
means of the connecting piece and the lever h", the cranks K act upon two
other pistons in aid of the compressing pumps or cylinders P1, P1, to obtain a
higher degree of conformity in movement, and to produce a magazine of compressed
air, the effect of which is utilized by expansion in the propelling or driving
cylinders fitted with section valves and valves v¹¹.
The slide valve V, shown in Figure 5, for distribution of air in the driving
cylinder is of the ordinary construction and fixed directly to the sliding rod d.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
:―
The pistons of the cylinders P, P, are moved by the manager by means of the
hand levers h, h, the air is compressed in the valve chests of the driving cylin-
ders P¹, P¹, and distributed by means of the valves or the slide valve within those
valve-chests or compressed air magazines, and from a slow motion of the hand-
levers h, h, operated by the manager, the propelling of the waggon, or tram car, or.
other vehicle follows with an augmented velocity.
Having thus fully described and illustrated the nature and particulars of this
Invention, I claim,―
The arrangement and combination of the two air-compression cylinders with the
driving cylinder, the latter of smaller diameter, so that a magazine of compressed
air is produced within its valve chests, in manner and for the purpose herein set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Brierley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.