An Improved System for Conveying and Furnishing Electricity to Railway Cars, and Devices Used in connection therewith.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System for Conveying and Furnishing Electricity to
Railway Cars, and Devices Used in connection therewith.
We ALVARO S. KROTZ, Electrical Engineer, of Euclid Avenue, WILLIAM
P. ALLEN, Commercial Traveller, of 336, 55th Street, and OLIVER S. KELLY,
Manufacturer, of Arcade Hotel, said WILLIAM P. ALLEN, being of Chicago,
Cook County, Illinois and said ALVARO S. KROTZ and OLIVER S. KELLY,
being of Springfield, in the County of Clarke, and State of Ohio, United States
of America, 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 and accompanying drawings:-
Our invention relates to systems and devices used in connection therewith for
operating railways, particularly street railways, by electricity; and the object
of our invention is to provide means for conveying and furnishing to a moving
vehicle an electric current from conductors and contacting devices which are
placed in a subway or conduit; the special object of our invention being to
improve on the method of insulating and supporting said conductors and
contacting devices to prevent leakage and short circuits, and also to secure
economy and simplicity in the construction which will permit ready access for
inspection and repairs.
In carrying out our invention, we employ, in addition to the usual insulators,
flexible metallic casings, which are formed in sections insulated one from the
other and adapted to yield under pressure from the travelling contacts, and, hy
the yielding, to establish electrical connection with conductors which are enclosed
within said insulated metallic flexible casings.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a conduit or subway having therein
devices which embody our invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of
the same with some of the parts broken away.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the enclosing metallic casing, illustrating the
switch for cutting out the auxiliary from the main conductors.
Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view showing a modification of our improved
device. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the enclosing casing and conductors.
Fig. 7 is a detail view of the insulators used in connection with the devices
shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.
Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of another modification in which two
conductors are employed, the one as a positive and the other as a negative con-
ductor, the figures heretofore described being shown as employing only one
conductor and being adapted for use with a ground or independent return circuit.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the euclosing casings and the contacting
devices shown in Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a contacting device adapted for use with the
constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. Fig. 11 is a bottom plan of the
same, Fig. 12 a sectional detail of a portion of the contacting whee!, and Fig. 13
a sectional detail of the flexible metallic enclosing casing employed in the
constructions shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.
Like parts are represented by similar letters of reference in the several views.

page_text: In Figs. 1 and 2, a represents a yoke having a base a 1 and upwardly-projecting
ends a 2. These yokes form the basis for the subway or conduit. They are
placed on suitable supports any proper distance apart, say three or four feet.
The yokes are connected together at the top by plates bb, which extend between
the respective yokes so as to rest at each end on the adjoining yokes. Each is
provided with a depending flange b1 adapted to hook over the outside of the
upwardly extending arms a 2 of the said yokes, and on the bottom and opposite
side with a brace 63, adapted to rest on a shoulder a 3 on the inside of the
upwardly-projecting portion a 2 of the yoke. The plates are separated at their
adjoining edges to leave a space or slot 64, through which a connection is adapted
to be made with the moving vehicle through the contacting devices.
The subway or conduit between the respective yokes and under the plates 6 may
be formed of masonry, or by other connecting plates which rest at each end against
the said yokes. It is not necessary, however, that the conduit or subway extending
between the yokes be formed tight. In fact, it is preferable to have the bottom
thereof formed of loose material, such as sand or gravel, so that the water which
would find its way into the subway will disappear.
Each of the yokes at the bottom is provided with supporting lugs or flanges a 4,
on which there rests an insulating block a 5, of any suitable insulating substance.
This block has lugs or projections a 6, preferably on each side of the center
thereof, and on these lugs or projections there is adapted to rest an elliptical-
shaped flexible metallic casing c. This casing is preferably formed of two pieces
of sheet metal, riveted together at the edges, as shown at cl, and enclosing an
insulating block c2, which extends through the same and rests on the bottom, of
the lower half of said casing; the base of said block being reduced so that
it stands between the projections a 6 a 6, though on the opposite side of the
flexible casing; that is to say, one is on the inside and the other on the outside of
the casing.
The flexible casing is made in sections of any suitable length, each section
being preferably adapted to extend for a distance measured by a number of the
yokes. Each section is closed at the end by a tightly fitting cover or block c3;
the construction being such that the inside of said casing is sealed water-
tight. Extending through all the sections of the flexible casing are conductors
or feed wires d and d 1, any number of which may be employed. These conductors
pass through the covers or blocks c3 in the ends of the respective sections, a tight
joint being formed about the same to prevent water or moisture from entering
through.
Each section of the flexible casing is provided with a series of contacting
devices, normally out of contact. Any number of these contacting devices may
be employed, but there being preferably one set for each yoke. These contacting
devices consist preferably of U-shaped metallic pieces c4 and c5, those c4 each
being adapted to rest on the insulating block c2, to which it is secured by a
bolt c6, which passes through an insulating sleeve c7, the block c2, and the
insulating support a 5. A conductor strip c8 is adapted to connect all the con-
tacting devices c4 together. This conductor strip c8 is, through the medium of a
detachable switch c 9, connected at or near one end of the flexible casing section
to one of the feed conductors d.
The upper or opposing contacting device of each set is a
similarly shaped
metallic piece which is attached to the top part of the flexible casing c by means
of a bolt c 10, which passes through an insulating sleeve or standard cll on the
top of said casing, and through a V-shaped contacting rail c 12, which rests on
said standard. This contacting rail c 12 is also made in sections, the respective
sections being insulated one from the other, but each section being connected to
one or more of the contacting devices c5. The contacting devices c4 c5 are
normally separated by the resiliency of the metallic casing c. An unusual
pressure, however, on the contacting rail c 12 will cause the said casing to be
deflected so as to bring the contacting devices c4 and c5 together and thus

page_text: establish an electrical connection from one of the main conductors or feed wires to
the section of the rail e 12 to which said contacting device is attached.
At intervals in the subway we provide a man-hole or well e, below the level of
the bottom of the subway, and the adjacent ends of the sections of the metallic
casings are adapted to stand at a point above this well or man-hole. The switch c 9,
which connects the auxiliary conductor c8 with the main feed wire or conductor d,
is also placed at the end of the section which stands adjacent to this man-hole, so
that an operator, by lowering himself into the man-hole and removing the cover or
plug c7, can obtain access to said section and cut out all the contacting devices
therein and examine the same for leaks or defects.
The arrangement of the insulating block within the casing and insulating
supports for said casing, together with the bolts c6 which extend through the
same, furnish the means for adjusting the elasticity of the flexible casing and
the distance by which the contacts are separated. By tightening the bolt and
thus drawing down on the block, the edges of the casing will be forced upwardly
and inwardly, thus separating the contacting devices. By loosening the bolt the
resiliency of the parts will elongate the section and cause the contacting devices
to approach each other, means being thus furnished for readily adjusting their
position.
It will be understood that the conductors d d 1 are insulated in the usual manner;
both where they pass through the ends of the sections of the casing and within
said casing. They are further insulated from the casing and from the contacting
devices by the insulating blocks c2; then the casing itself is insulated from the
yokes and from the sectional contacting rail so that a double insulation is secured
for all the parts which are essential in transmitting the current. The contacting
devices themselves are enclosed within the casing and insulated therefrom and the
casing also insulated by the supports.
A contact is formed with the moving vehicle through any suitable contacting
device which is adapted to run in contact with the rail c 12. In Fig. 2 we have
shown a sliding shoe f, connected by a suitable insulated standard f1 through the
slotted opening 64 to a moving vehicle. The preferable form of moving contacting
device, however, is shown in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, in which an outer casing g,
suspended by a suitable standard g 1 from the moving vehicle, carries a contacting
wheel g 2. This contacting wheel has an insulated contacting ring 9 3 on its
periphery, which is adapted to enter through the slot 64 and engage the contacting
rail, while the main body of the wheel 92 travels on the plates at the top of the
subway. An auxiliary contacting wheel 94, journaled in said casing and held in
contact with the main wheel by a spring g5, is adapted to take off the current
from said contacting wheel, from which it may be conveyed to the motors in the
usual manner. The casing 9, which encloses the wheels is formed, in the nature of
a shoe, as shown at g 6, and adapted to remove any foreign substance from the top'
of the subway in advance of the contacting wheel.
In Fig. 4 the flexible casing c consists of a tube formed of a single piece of
metal having book-shaped flanges 13 at the edges, which are adapted to be
joiued together by insulating clamping devices. This casing is enclosed within
a tube formed by U-shaped plates d2, and a flexible diaphragm d 3. Above
the diaphragm d 3 are covering plates d4 d4, which are bolted to the supporting
yokes and clamped against the diaphragm by suitable fastening bolts d 5, so as
to leave the usual slotted opening 64 between the plates. The V-shaped sectional
rail 12 is arranged in the upper part of the conduit thus formed, while the
casing c and the main conductor d are arranged in the lower part. The bolts e 10-
which secure the sectional contacting rail to the diaphragm also secure the parts
of the tube c together and form one portion of the contacting devices. The
other part of the contacting devices consists of metallic plates c 14 having hook-
shaped projections c 15, in which an auxiliary conductor c 16 is supported. This
auxiliary conductor is connected to the main feed wire or conductor by a branch
wire, which passes through the flexible casing. c in such manner us to form a

page_text: water-tight joint. The flexible casing c, as well as the lower part of the
conduit, is divided into sections which constitute water-tight compartments by
means of insulating gaskets d6, which are inserted between the ends of the
U-shaped plates d 2, which form the conduit, and the ends of the diaphragms d3;
the diaphragm, as well as the casing, being thus divided into sections insulated
from each other, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. The contacting device illustrated
in Figs. 10, 11, and 12 is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 as used with the form of the
invention therein shown.
In Figs. 8 and 9 the device is still further modified. In this case the flexible
casing c is also made in the form of a tube, which tube is formed in sections as
before. These tube sections are supported at the ends on insulating blocks h,
which are connected to the yokes or conduit so as to depend therefrom. Within
each of the tube sections there is an auxiliary conductor h1, which is normally
out of contact with the flexible metallic casing. The ends of the respective tubes
are closed by insulating blocks 2, which form a continuation of the conductor,
but which are. tapered so that they fit closely in the tubes at the ends, but are
removed therefrom at a slight distance from the ends. The feed wires or con-
ductors d d 1 in this case are supported on the outside of the flexible casing within
the subway. They are connected through branch wires 4 to the auxiliary
conductor 1 within the casing; the insulated branch wire being passed through
the flexible casing in such a manner as to form a tight joint so that the interior of
said casing is at all times watertight. When this form of the device is used, two
of said casings are preferably employed, one positive and the other negative, and
a double under-running trolley is employed having contacting wheels k and k 1,
adapted to engage with the respective casings at the bottom. As the wheels pass
along, the bottom of the flexible casing is raised until it contacts with the
conductor 1 and thus establishes a connection from said conductor to the trolley
wheel. As the trolley wheels pass along the auxiliary conductor is disconnected
from the casing, and only such section of the casing as is in contact with the
trolley wheels is in electrical connection. If desired, these sectional casings or
tubes c may be filled with oil as a further precaution against leakage. For this
purpose we have shown in Fig. 9 an oil cup or reservoir 5, which communicates
with the interior of the casing c, and has a removable plug h6 in the upper plate
or support of the conduit. The flexible casings c, in this case, as in the other cases,
are completely insulated from their supports by insulating strips h7; the auxiliary
conductor within the same being in turn insulated from the casing by similar
strips 8; bolts 9, of insulating material, or metal bolts properly insulated,
being employed for securing the parts together, so that a double insulation is
secured throughout for those parts which are instrumental in establishing
the electrical connection from the main conductors to the travelling contacting
devices.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The supporting yokes, a flexible casing supported thereby but insulated
therefrom, conductors extending through the casing which is formed in sections,
contacting devices within the casing connected to said conductors, and an outer
contacting device adapted to be brought into electrical connection with said
inner contacting devices by deflecting said flexible casing, substantially as
specified.
2. The combination with the yokes and the insulating supports having ribs
or projections, a flexible casing resting on the ribs or projections, and a
support within the casing which is wholly between said ribs, adjustable fastening
devices extending through said inner support and outer support, substantially as
specified.
3. The combination with the yokes and the supporting chairs, of a flexible

page_text: casing closed at each end, said casing being formed of two pieces of resilient
sheet metal, one of which is bent or flanged to receive the other which is secured
thereto, substantially as specified.
4. The arrangement of the conduit, which consists of an outer casing with a
slotted opening at the top, and a horizontal diaphragm which divides the casing
into two chambers, the upper one of which is continuous and the lower one divided
into separate compartments by insulating gaskets, a conductor having contacting
devices below the diaphragm in one chamber, and a sectional contacting rail above
the diaphragm in the other chamber, and insulated connections extending from the
sectional rail through the diaphragm so as to form a connection from the contacting
devices to said rail, substantially as specified..
5. In connection with an outer casing or conduit which is formed with an upper
and lower chamber, which chambers are divided by a flexible diaphragm, the
employment of an inner flexible tube enclosing contacting devices below said
diaphragm, as described, a sectional rail above the diaphragm and having con-
tacting devices which extend through the diaphragm and tube to form electrical
connections with contacting devices in the tube, the lower chamber and tube being
formed in sections or compartments, substantially as specified.
6. The arrangement of the flexible casing in sections, as described, with a
conductor also formed in sections, the conductor being adapted to be brought into
electrical connection with the casing by deflecting said casing, which is closed at
the ends with insulating blocks which form a continuation of said conductor,
substantially as described.
7. In connection with an outer metallic casing and an inner metallic core
normally disconnected therefrom, and means for closing the ends of said casing,
an oil reservoir connected to said casing, substantially as specified.
8. In connection with an electrical conductor, a contacting wheel supported
in an outer casing, and a trolley wheel held yieldingly in contact with said
contacting wheel and also supported in said outer casing, as described, in con-
nection with an electrical conductor arranged in a subway or conduit, substantially
as specified.
9. The system of transmitting and furnishing electricity to moving vehicles
which consists in the employment of conductors euclosed by flexible metallic
casings which are formed in insulated sections, and means for establishing
electrical connection with said conductors by deflecting said casings, substantially
as specified.
3000