Improvements relating to Electric Conductors for Traction Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1891-Accepted, 4th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Electric Conductors for Traction Purposes.
I, ALEXANDER LOGIN LINEFF, of 88 High Road, Chiswick in the County of
Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the means for supplying electricity for
traction purposes described in the Specifications of two several Letters Patent
granted to me and bearing date respectively July 11th 1888, No. 10092, and
January 30th 1890, No. 1644, and the object of the present invention is to reduce
leakage between the continuous conductor and the underflanges of the magnetic
surface rails, and to enable the conductor to be laid down in a more perfect and
expeditious manner than heretofore.
In the Specifications above referred to, a naked copper conductor is laid directly
upon the insulating tiles, which are continuous throughout the track, and leakage
can therefore take place from the main surface magnetic rails by a path which
comprises the whole of that portion of the surface of the insulating tiles which lies
between the main and the magnetic rails. It has also been found, in practice, that
the metal strip forming the magnetic main, is liable to come into contact with the
sides of the channel formed by the insulating tiles, thereby further reducing the
length of traverse for the leakage current, and so increasing the leakage.
To prevent the possibility of this contact occurring, I increase the length of
the path for the leakage current, and reduce its area. To this effect, I increase the
depth and width of the channel formed by the insulating tiles, and I rest the copper
conductor on earthenware insulating supports placed at intervals along the channel.
The copper main I make of U shape or similar section, so as to present a con-
siderable amount of rigidity in a vertical direction, and I place it in the centre of
the channel. The conductor will thus be completely surrounded by air, except at
these supports. To further increase the path for the surface leakage, I may form
longitudinal grooves in the side walls of the channel, & I may also make the
supports for the copper main in the form of oil insulators. The supports may be
secured in position by means of a stem formed therewith, which takes into a hole
made in the channel tiles to receive it.
The magnetic main may also be prevented coming into contact with the sides of
the channel by means of guiding pieces secured to its under side, which enter
between the side walls of the conductor, and regulate its movement in a vertical
direction between the portions of the main conductor.
Dated this 29th day of August 1890.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Electric Conductors for Traction Purposes.
I, ALEXANDER LOGIN LINEFF of 88 High Road, Chiswick 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in the means for supplying electricity for
traction purposes described in the Specifications of two several Letters Patent
granted to me and bearing date respectively July 11th 1888, No. 10092, and
January 30th 1890. No. 1644.

page_text: In the system of electric traction forming the subjects of the above mentioned
Patents, two parallel magnetic rails are employed situate between the track, one
standing on a level with the road, and the other sunk in the ground.
These rails are connected, when magnetised, by a passing electro magnet, with
the main electric conductor, to which the working current is supplied by a loose
flexible strip of iron extending along the track.
It is an electro magnet situated below the travelling carriage by which
magnetism is induced in the rails, thereby causing them to lift the flexible
strip underlying them, and maintain electrical connnection therewith during the
passage of the carriage along the track.
The current of electricity thus supplied to the magnetic rails, is taken off in two
parallel circuits, one of which goes through the motor engine in the carriage, and
the other through the coil of wire that charges the magnet, the return being
through the carriage wheels and track rails, back to the generating station. The
main electric conductor is enclosed in a sealed channel, the base of the magnetic
rails forming the covering of the channel.
The objects of the present invention are (1) to reduce leakage of the main
or supply current between the continuous conductor and the base of the magnetic
rails, and (2) to enable the conductor to be laid down in a more perfect and
expeditious manner than heretofore.
In the Specifications above referred to, a naked copper conductor is laid directly
upon the insulating tiles constituting the channel, thus forming a continuous contact
between the tiles and the conductor throughout the track. In consequence of this
arrangement, leakage is liable to take place from the main to the surface magnetic
rails by a path which comprises the whole of that portion of the surface of the
insulating tiles lying between the main and the magnetic rails. It has also been
found, in practice, that the metal strip which serves to produce the contact, between
the copper conductor and the magnetic surface rails, is liable to come into contact
with the sides of the channel formed by the insulating tiles, thereby further
reducing the length of traverse for the leakage current, and so increasing the
leakage.
The
To diminish this leakage of the current, I increase the length and reduce
the area of its path. This I effect by increasing the depth and width of the
channel formed by the insulating tiles, and I rest the copper conductor on
earthenware insulating supports placed at intervals along the channel.
electric conductor make of shape or similar section, so as to present a
considerable amount of rigidity in a vertical direction, and I place it in the centre
of the channel. The conductor will thus be completely surrounded by air, except
at these supports. The further to increase the path for the surface leakage,
I may form longitudinal grooves in the side walls of the channel, and I may
also make the supports for the copper conductor in the form of oil insulators.
The metal strip is prevented from coming into contact with the sides of the
channel by means of guiding pieces secured at intervals to its underside, which
guides enter between the side walls of the copper conductor, and regulate its
vertical movements.
I will now proceed to describe and illustrate my invention by way of example.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 shews in cross section that portion of the track which relates to my
present improvements, the copper conductor being supported by oil sealed insulators
placed at intervals along the channel.
Figure 2 shews a longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 3 shews in cross section the like portion of the track slightly modified,
the copper conductors here being supported on earthenware insulators placed at
intervals along the channel, the oil seal being omitted. In this example, the sides of
the channel are represented as provided with longitudinal grooves, in order to
increase the length of the path of travel for the leakage.
Figure 4 shews a longitudinal section of the same.

page_text: Figures 5 & 6 illustrate, by longitudinal and transverse sections respectively, a
method of joining adjacent lengths of the iron strip which forms the transmitter of
the electric current ; and,
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate by side view and transverse section respectively,
a convenient method of joining adjacent lengths of the copper conductor.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, A is the contact magnetic rail, or that over
which the electro magnet traverses, and B the hidden rail which connects together
electrically, through nonmagnetic bolts and distance pieces, the insulated lengths of
the contact rail. G is the copper conductor or main for supplying the working
current. This conductor is made of such a section as to present a considerable
amount of rigidity in a vertical direction.
On the top of the conductor rests the iron strip F, which serves to connect
electrically the conductor with the surface magnetic rail A. The channel for the
reception of the copper conductor or main is composed of tiles H, which I make
somewhat deeper and wider than that described in my previously mentioned
Specifications.
The bottom of the channel is made slightly curved, so that moisture may readily
drain off. At intervals along the channel are placed insulating supports I, provided
with stems i, which fit into holes formed to receive them in the tiles H, or they
may be fixed in any other suitable manner. These supports I are shewn in
Figures 1 and 2 as provided with a downwardly projecting annular lip, for
dipping into an annular oil trough h¹, formed in the bottom of the tile H. Or the
oil or other insulating liquid may be contained in cups so arranged that any
current leaking from the charged main to earth, or to the return conductor, either
by way of the surface rails A or otherwise, shall be forced to pass through the
liquid insulator.
In carrying out my invention, as illustrated at Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen
that I rely only on an increase in the length and a decrease of the sectional area of
the leakage path, to reduce the leakage. The insulating supports are in this case
made without the sealing lips, and the sides of the channel are longitudinally
grooved.
I may remark that it is not necessary for the purposes of my invention that the
insulating supports shall be distinct from the tiles. They may equally well form
an integral part thereof, the tiles with the insulating supports being separated from
one another by the interposition of a suitable number of plain channel tiles.
The copper conductor G is shewn as secured to the insulating supports by means
of screws, passing through the conductor into plugs of vulcanite or other similar
material, placed in holes in the upper surface of the supports I.
In order to prevent any movement of the electric conductor F, otherwise than
in a vertical direction, and so to guard against any accidental contact between it
and the sides of the channel A, the guides are provided (see Figures 5 and 6).
With the copper conductor of the shape represented, these guides may conveniently
take the form of short pieces of channel iron, which will also serve the purpose of
joining consecutive lengths of the iron strip.
The joints between the component parts of the copper conductor G, I arrange as
shewn in Figures 7 and 8, where a piece of sheet copper g is bent so as to clip
tightly the exterior of the adjoining parts. The ends of two consecutive portions
of the copper conductor are driven into this connecting sheath, thereby securing a
perfect joint throughout the main.
The manner of leading off the electric current to the coils of the electro-magnet,
and to the electro-motor respectively, I have not thought it necessary here to
explain, as that forms no part of my present invention, and for the like reason
I have not thought it necessary to explain the manner of starting and of stopping
the carriage.
It may however be well to state that ventilation is maintained in the sealed
channel by means of blowers or equivalent mechanism.

page_text: 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 combination with a sealed and ventilated channel, a copper electric con-
ductor resting on raised supports (contained therein) at intervals, composed of
insulating material, as and for the purpose described.
2. The combination of supports for the electric conductor, and of tiles for
containing the same, as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, whereby
provision is made for an oil insulation.
3. The construction of the flexible strip as described, in which the junction pieces
serve also as guides for maintaining the proper central position of the strip upon
the copper conductor.
Dated this bath
1001
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.