Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Transport.
I, FREDERICK CARLETON ESMOND, of Royal Hotel, Blackfriars, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:-
My present invention relates to an electric railway system in which there are
exposed working conductor sections or points which are normally disconnected
from the supply conductor or feeders, but are brought into electrical connection
therewith by electromagnetically operated switches whenever a car happens to be
over or near a given section or sections. Railways of this general description are
well known in the art, but have not heretofore been adopted in practical
commercial use.
The chief difficulty has been in securing reliable means of making the necessary
temporary connection between the working sections and the supply conductor, so
that on the one hand there will be no break in the motor circuit through failure of
the switches to work, and on the other hand, no failure to disconnect the sections
so as to leave them electrically dead after the car bas passed.
The present invention provides certain novel features which I have designed in
the belief that the system will operate satisfactorily in actual service. The system
will be explained and the invention defined hereinafter, I may say, however,
briefly, that the working conductor sections are divided into sets of three, preferably
arranged one after the other in the direction of the line of travel. A switch is
provided for each set of sections and an electro-magnet for connecting the sections
with the supply conductor and maintaining the connection during the proper
interval, while a special arrangement of collectors on the car forms a branch circuit
through the magnet of an advance set of sections, so as to close the switches
successively, and ensure the intended operation of the system.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 illustrates a railway system in diagram,
Figs. 2 and 3 similarly illustrate somewhat modified forms of the invention, and
Fig. 4 illustrates diagrammatically the way in which the switch boxes are
arranged with reference to the track."
Referring first to Fig. 1, A is a supply conductor or feeder on which the desired
potential is maintained by the generators at the station. The supply conductor
may be insulated and located in any desired manner, and at any convenient distance
from the track. Working conductor sections are provided which ordinarily, in a
street railway, will be exposed on the surface of the street, though they may be
arranged in a number of different ways known in the art. The sections are

page_text: arranged in sets of three. The sections of one such set are marked in the
drawing a, b, c, while the sections of an adjacent set are marked a', b¹, c¹. Current
passes from the working sections to the motor M and returns as illustrated,
through the car wheels B and rails R. The return circuit is therefore like that of
the ordinary single trolley system, but this is not essential to the invention, and
may be formed in a variety of other ways. Switches, S, S', are provided, one for
each section, and adapted to connect the working sections with the supply con-
ductor when closed and to disconnect them when open, as will be understood. The
switches normally stand under the influence of gravity, or a spring s, in the
position shown at S₁ with the working sections disconnected from the supply
conductor. When the switch is closed, circuit to the working sections is
established through a contact t. For each set of sections there is an electro-
magnet m, m', having a winding connected at one end to the central conductor
section of each set, as at b, b₁ and at the other terminal joined to the remaining
sections of the set, as for example, a, c. A special arrangement of collectors is
used on the car for connecting the working sections with the motor, which, as will
be hereinafter explained, forms the necessary circuit through an advance set of
working sections, so as to close the line switches at the proper time. In reality
the parts used for this purpose constitute a single collector connected to one pole
of the motor, but for convenience in definition and in explaining the invention 1
describe them as double collectors, of which one comprises the rollers or
sliders D, D', so spaced that when the parts are in the position seen in Fig. 1
they bridge the adjacent end sections c, a', of two adjacent sets of working
sections. The other collector, or other part of the double collector- E, E,
bridges under the same conditions the central sections b, b', of the like set of
sections.
The parts are shown in Fig. 1 in the position which they occupy just after
the circuit is completed through the magnet m¹ of an advance set of sections,
though the corresponding switch S¹ is shown open in order that it may be better
contrasted with the showing at S. In this position the current is fed from the
supply conductor through the switch S, and then dividos through multiple paths
of substantially equal resistance leading to the motor. Que path may be traced
through the magnet m, section b and collector E. The other path passes through
the remaining three working sections on which rest the rollers D, D₁, E', in series,
including also the magnet m² between the working sections a', b'. The result will
be to close the switch S'. The collectors I), D', are shown connected to the motor
through a switch S2 and a resistance of comparatively small amount r, preferably
about equal to the resistance of one of the magnets.
As soon as the switch S' is
closed, the line current will be fed to the motor through it, and in passing through
the magnet m' the switch will be maintained closed until the collectors leave the
section b¹. Before this happens, however, as will be understood, still another
switch will have been thrown in the manner already explained.
For closing the line switches at any time, as for example, when the main circuit
has been broken so as to de-energize the magnets, a storage battery H, or other
source of electromotive force is usually carried on the car. The switch S2 is
arranged to close the circuit of the battery through the collectors D, D¹ joined to
one terminal and the collectors E, E', to the other terminal. The battery may be
charged when necessary by the line current.
The modification in Fig. 2 demands only brief explanation, since it corresponds
in all respects with Fig. 1, except that the working conductors, a, b, c, etc. are
shown as short contact points which will be mounted on switch boxes along the
line of travel, set the necessary interval apart. The arrangement of the pick-up
magnets and switches is the same as before. The collectors are formed of sectious
of some considerable length as compared with those in Fig. 1, and as indicated in
dotted lines D, D', may form a single section.
In the modification shown in Fig. 3 there is present the same arrangement of
working sections divided into sets, a, b, c; a, b, c, and collector bars, as shown

page_text: in Fig. 2. In this case, however, one terminal of the magnets is connected to the
end section of each sct, as at c, while the section is connected to an intermediate
point in the coil. With the parts as shown with the switch S closed, the main
circuit divides as before, one path including a portion of coil m, contact point b,
contact point 61, a part of coil m¹, contact point al and to the motor. The other
path includes the whole of magnet m, contact point c and to the motor. In this
case, the resistance of the magnets is divided substantially, equally between the
two paths, as in Fig. 1, though in a somewhat different manner. This change is
the only material difference from the modification of Fig. 1, and the operation will
be readily understood.
In Fig. 4 the rails R of a double track-road are shown. The supply conductor A
is arranged between the tracks and at the proper intervals are switch boxes P,
each of which will contain one, switch and magnet for a single track road, or two
switches and magnets for a double track road. To the switch box lead con-
nections 0, 0, 0, which connect the working conductor sections or points, as more
fully described in explaining Fig. 1.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Railways or Electric
Transport.
1, FREDERICK CARLETON ESMOND, of 488 Fourth Street, Brooklyn, New
York, United States of America, late of Royal Hotel, Blackfriars, in the County
of Middlesex, 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:-
My present invention relates to, an electric railway system in which there are
exposed working conductor sections, or points which are normally disconnected
from the supply conductor or feeders, but are brought into electrical connection
therewith by electro-magnetically-operated switches whenever a car happens to be
over or near a given section or sections. Railways of this general description are
well known in the art, but have not heretofore been adopted in practical commercial.
use. The chief difficulty has been in securing reliable means of making the
necessary temporary connection between the working, sections and the supply-
conductor, so that on the one hand there will be no break in the motor-circuit
through failure of the switches to work, and on the other hand no failure to
disconnect the sections, so as to leave them electrically dead after the car has
passed.
The present invention provides certain novel features. The system will be
explained and the invention defined hereinafter. I may say, however, briefly, that
the working conductor-sections are divided into sets of three, preferably arranged.
one after the other in the direction of the line of travel. A switch is provided for
each set of sections and an electromagnet for connecting the sections with the
supply-conductor and maintaining the connection during the proper interval, while
a special arrangement of collectors on the car forms a branch circuit through the
electro-magnet of an advance set of sectious, so as to close the switches successively
and insure the efficient operation of the system.

page_text: in the drawings left with the Provisional Specification,
Figure 1 illustrates in diagram a railway system under my invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 similarly illustrate somewhat modified forms of the invention, and
Fig. 4 illustrates diagrammatically a way in which the switch-boxes may be
arranged with reference to the track.
Referring first to Fig. 1, A is a supply conductor or feeder on which the desired
potential is maintained by the generators at the station. The supply-conductor
may be insulated and located in any desired manner and at any convenient
distance from the track. Working-conductor sections are provided which
ordinarily, in a street-railway, will be exposed on the surface of the street, though
they may be arranged in a number of different ways known in the art. These
sections are arranged in sets of three. The sections of one such set are marked in
the drawings a, b c, while the sections of an adjacent set are marked a¹, b, c².
Current passes from the working sections to the motor M and returns, as
illustrated, through the car-wheels B and rails R. The return-circuit is therefore
like that of the ordinary single-trolley system; but this is not essential to the
invention, and may be formed in a variety of other ways. Switches S S¹ are
provided, one for each section, and adapted to connect the working sections with
the supply-conductor when closed and to disconnect them when open, as will be
understood. The switches normally stand, under the influence of gravity, or a
springs, in the open position as shown at St with the working sections disconnected
from the supply-conductor. When the switch is closed, circuit to the working
sections is established through a contact t. For each set of sections there is au
electromagnet m, m³, having a winding connected at one end to the central working
conductor-section of each set, as at'b, b', and at the other terminal joined to the
remaining sections of the set, as, for example, a, c. A special arrangement of
collectors is used on the car for connecting the working sections with the motor,
which, as will be hereinafter explained, forms the necessary circuit through the
magnet of an advance set of working sections; so as to close the line switches at
the proper time. In reality the parts used for this purpose constitute a single
collector connected to one pole of the motor, but for convenience in definition and
in explaining the invention I describe them as double collectors, of which one
comprises the rollers or sliders D D', so spaced that when the parts are in the
position seen in Fig. 1 they bridge the adjacent end sections c, a' of two adjacent
sets of working sections. The other collector, or other part of the double
collector E E', bridges under the same conditions the central sectious 6, 6' of the
like sets of sections. The parts are shown in Fig. 1 in the position which they
occupy just after the circuit is completed through the magnet m¹ of an advance set
of sections, though the corresponding switch S' is shown open in order that it may
be better contrasted with the showing at S. In this position the current is fed
from the supply-conductor through the switch S, and then divides through
multiple paths of substantially equal resistance leading to the_motor.
One path
may be traced through the magnet m, section b and collector E. The other path
passes through the remaining three working sections on which rests the
rollers D D E' in series, including also the inagnet m¹ between the working
sections ab¹. The result will be to close the switch S'. The collectors D D¹
are shown connected to the motor through a switch S and a resistance of
comparatively small amount r, preferably about equal to the resistance of one of
the magnets. As soon as the switch S is closed, the line-current will be fed to
the 'motor through it, and in passing through the magnet m¹ the switch will be
maintained closed until the collectors leave the section b. Before this happens,
however, as will be understood, still another switch will have been thrown (closed)
in the manner already explained.
For closing the line switches at any time, as, for example, when the main circuit
has been broken so as to de-energise the magnets, a storage battery H or other
source of electrical energy is usually carried on the car. The switch S² is arranged
to close the circuit of the battery through the collectors D D¹ joined to one terminal

page_text: and the collectors E E' to the other terminal. The battery may be charged when
necessary by the line current.
The modification in Fig. 2 demands only brief explanation, since it corresponds
in all respects with Fig. 1, except that the working conductors a, b, c, etc., are
shown as short contact points which will be mounted on switch-boxes along the
line of travel, set the necessary distance apart. The arrangement of the pick-up
magnets and switches is the same as before. The collectors are formed of sections.
of some considerable length as compared with those in Fig. 1, and as indicated in
dotted lines D D¹ may form a single section.
In the modification shown in Fig. 3 there is present the same arrangement of
working sections divided into sets a, b, c, a, b, c, and collector bars, as shown in
Fig. 2. In this case, however, one terminal of the magnets is connected to the
end section of each set, as at c, while the section is connected to an intermediate
point in the coil. With the parts as shown, with the switch S closed, the main
circuit divides as before, one path including a portion of coil m, contact-point b,
contact-point 6', a part of coil m', contact-point a¹, and to the motor. The other
path includes the whole of magnet m, contact-point c, and to the motor. In this
case the resistance of the magnets is divided substantially equally between the
two paths, as in Fig. 1, though in a somewhat different manner.
This change is
the only material difference from the modification of Fig. 1, and the operation will
be readily understood.
In Fig. 4 the rails R of a double track road are shown. The supply-conductor A
is arranged between the tracks and at the proper intervals are switch-boxes P,
each of which will contain one switch and magnet for a single-track road, or two
switches and magnets for a double-track road. To the switch box lead con-
nections o, o, o², which connect the working-conductor sections or points, as more
fully described in explaining Fig. 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In an electric traction system the employment of working-conductor sections
divided into sets of three substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In an electric traction system the employment of collectors arranged.
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In an electric traction system the arrangement by which the middle contact
point is connected to the two other contact-points through the switch coil
substantially as set forth.
4. The combination in an electric railway of a supply conductor, working-
conductor sections or points arranged in sets of three, switches and magnets for
operating the switches with double collectors so arranged and spaced with
reference to the conductor sections that one spans the adjacent end sections of
adjoining sets of conductors, while the second spans the central sections of the said
sets for establishing a circuit through the magnet of an advance set of sections, as
set forth.
5. The combination in an electric railway of a supply conductor, working
conductor sections or points arranged in sets of three, a switch adapted to connect
all three sections making up each such set to the supply conductor when closed,
and an electro-magnet for each switch having an energizing coil connected
between at least two of such sections when the switch is in the open position, as
set forth.
6. The combination in an electric railway of a supply conductor, a series of
working sections or points arranged longitudinally one after the other in the
direction of the line of travel, and divided into sets each of which comprises three
successive sections, switches adapted to connect the different sets of working
conductors to the supply conductor, magnets for actuating the switches having a
coil connected between two at least of the sections of each set when the switches.

page_text: are open, and collectors on the car arranged to form a circuit from a live section of
one such set through the magnet of an advance set of sections for closing the
corresponding advance switch, as set forth.
7. The combination in an electric railway of a supply conductor, working
conductor sections arranged in sets of three, a magnet and switch for each such
set, and collectors on the car forming multiple paths to the motor at the time when
an advanced switch is to be closed, one path including the magnet operating the
switch of a rear set of sections, and the other the magnet of an advance set of
sections for closing the corresponding switch, as set forth.
8. The combination in an electric railway of a supply conductor, working
conductor sections or points arranged in sets of three, magnets and switches for
connecting the sets of working conductor sections with the supply conductor, and
collectors on the car resting on four sections and forming multiple circuits from
the supply conductor at the time when the magnet of an advance set of sections
is energized, one such circuit leading direct from one section to the motor, and the
other circuit including the remaining three sections in series, as set forth.
9. The combination in an electric railway of a supply conductor, working
conductor sections or points arranged in sets of three, switches for connecting the
said sets of sections with the supply conductor, and electro-magnets for operating
the switches, the central section of each set being normally connected to the
end sections of the said set through coils on the corresponding magnet, as set
forth.
10. The combination in an electric railway of an insulated supply conductor,
working conductor sections or points arranged in sets of three, a switch box for
each set of sections, located outside the track, connections leading from the three
sections of a set to a switch box, and a switch for connecting the sections with the
supply conductor, as set forth.
11. The combination in an electric railway of a supply conductor, working
conductor sections or points arranged in sets of three, double collectors arranged
as described, and a battery or other source of current adapted to be connected to
the different collectors, as set forth.