IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF GAS MOTORS TO TRAM CARS AND OTHER SELF-PROPELLING VEHICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Mathew Hilton and James and
Samuel Johnson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
1st January 1878.
MATHEW HILTON, of Prestwich, Manufacturer, and JAMES and SAMUEL JOHNSON,
of Pendleton, also Manufacturers, all in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE APPLICATION OF GAS MOTORS TO TRAM CARS AND OTHER SELF-PROPELLING
VEHICLES."
The object of the Invention is to provide motive power for tram cars and other
self-propelling vehicles, which shall be comparatively noiseless, convenient, reasonable
in cost, and unobjectionable in sanitary and aesthetic relations. For that purpose
we employ gas engines of any approved construction, compressed air engines, or
petroleum or other like motors, which require little or no attention, work
comparatively noiseless, and create no nuisance in other respects.
We employ engines of one or more cylinders, turning a crank shaft or main
driving shaft, with or without a fly wheel, the latter being either keyed upon it or
geared to it; from this shaft we drive on to the driving axle, by means of spur
wheels, bevel wheels with or without intermediate shafts, chains and chain wheels,
of friction wheels, the driving wheel being loose upon the crank shaft, and made to
be carried round with it by means of friction elutches sliding on feathers, and
regulated in the usual way.
In the case of non-reversible engines two clutches and intermediate wheels are
employed, or bevel wheels and shaft (the bevel wheels being feathered upon the
shaft or the axles). With these friction clutches the engines may be going full
speed, and the driving axle be absolutely motionless, or moving at any desirable
speed not exceeding that of the engine; this also enables the gradual application of
the load without shock to the engine or car. In some cases, however, we turn the
driving axle direct.
The engine or engines may be placed in a cabin occupying the centre or an end
of the tram car, in such a manner that in each case room be left for passengers to
pass the same on one or both sides, and so that the car may go either end first;
proper access to the cabin by doors being provided.

page_text: In reversible cars, or those running circuituous routes, i.e., those that have always
the same end foremost, the full width of the front end may be occupied by the
engine room.
In certain cases the engines may be placed under the carriage floor or in lateral
recesses, or they may be placed overhead, partly or entirely out of the way of
passengers, being suitably encased against atmospheric and other interferences.
The engine or engines, and all or part appertaining to it, may also be placed on
a seperate truck or vehicle, which will then act similarly to a locomotive.
The guiding or steering, the brake, speed regulator, and reversing and stop motions
are worked by rods, chains, screws, levers, and other gear, or any of them, or a
combination of any two or more, in such a way as to be accessible at each end
of double-ended cars, and on one end of single-ended ones, or in the cabin itself.
Reversible or swivel cars, i.e., those that allow the body to be turned round while
the frame remains stationary in order to have always the same end of the body
forward, may also be propelled by similar arrangements, the gearing being so
arranged that it will disengage sideways on the car being swivelled, and regeared
on the body taking its new position.
The fuel is stored in reservois occupying any available space, such as that
under the seats, between the carriage floor and the axles, overhead, and the like, or
a part of the room of the vehicle may be appropriated to it. In the case of gas, the
reservoirs may take the shape of metallic telescopic holders, or bags of leather,
india-rubber, or other suitable materials; they may be weighted or loose, according
to the requirements of the motor.
If storage room be limited the required quantity of gas may be compressed into
the available space either by machinery provided at the stations or by a compressor
in the engine room, worked by the car motor while taking a fresh supply of gas.
This compressor may also be geared with a friction clutch or clutches.
For petroleum or other oil, iron, copper, or other tanks may be substituted and
pumps employed if desirable.
If compressed air be used the ordinary reservoirs, suited in shape to the various
requirements of the space may be used, and a seperate compressor be provided on
the car which is thrown into gear when the vehicle descends inclines and when
engine power would not only not be required but the brake applied instead.
Important points in this Invention are the use of gas or similar motors for the
purpose named, the mode of placing the same, the arrangement for the storage of
fuel, the employment of friction clutches, the employment of compressors, and the
arrangement for steering, brake power, and speed regulators of the engine.