Improvements relating to Electric Traction.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements relating to Electric Traction.
I, THOMAS MEACOCK, Engineer, of 18, Burlington Chambers, New Street, in
the City of Birmingham, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This invention consists of improvements relating to electric traction for tramways
and railroads, my object being to provide simple and effective means for the
conveyance of the current beneath the rail surface, and for the collection of such
current by the moving car or vehicle on which the motor is mounted.
In carrying my invention into effect I employ track rails of a girder, double
headed, or other section to suit any required service, and form a central slot or
groove in the same, open at the upper but closed at the base or lower end.
Within this rail slot or groove I place strips of india-rubber or other insulating
material, each strip having a width equal to one half the width of the groove, so
that when placed in position the adjacent sides abut against each other in the
centre line of the groove. Near to the lower end of the strips I form recesses or
seatings in the insulating material of which they are composed, for the reception
of the conductor conveying the electric current from the generating station.
I preferably formn the conductor from two rectangular strips of copper so arranged
that their adjacent sides shall meet at the centre of the rail slot or groove.
The current is collected from the conductor by means of a bar or strip
preferably of copper and of a rectangular section, which I fix in the centre of an
insulated frame suspended from the car or vehicle on which the motor is mounted.
I employ spring connections between the collector frame and the car, and so
arrange the same that when the frame is lowered the collector passes into the
said slot, and its lower end enters between the two strips forming the conductor as
herein before described. The upper ends of the strips forming the conductors are
preferably curved on the inner side or are bell-mouthed to facilitate the admission
of the collector. In this manner a good contact is made between the collector and
the conductor and the current is thus transmitted to the motor or. motors by which
the propulsion of the car is effected.
The insulating pieces contained in the rail slots are pressed tightly together by
their own elasticity when not separated by the collector and thus prevent any water
or dirt from passing through to the conductor. The upper end of the pieces do
not extend to the surface of the rails sufficient space being provided at the upper
end of the groove or slot to admit the central flange of the rail wheels.
times treat the upper end or face of the strips with a suitable solution or material
to better enable them to withstand exposure to the weather.
To clean out the upper end of the slot or groove ! sometimes employ a circular
or other brush or brushes fixed to the car in advance of the collector frame, and I
preferably cause the same to revolve when the car is in motion. To protect the
collector frame from damage through contact with stones, ice, or other materials
that may become wedged in the groove, I fix a rod or bar to the vehicle in advance
of the frame, of sufficient strength to cut or clear away such obstructions.

page_text: The conductor fixed as described in the one rail serves for the current supply,
whilst a conductor fixed in a similar manner in the opposite rail of any pair can
be employed for the return current, and in this manner I provide a completely
insulated system of transmission.
Dated this 7th day of August 1896.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to Electric Traction.
I, THOMAS MEACOCK, Engineer, of 18 Burlington Chambers, New Street, in
the City of Birmingham, 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 consists of improvements relating to electric traction for tramways
and railroads my object being to provide simple and effective means for the
conveyance of the current beneath the rail surface, and for the collection of
such current by the moving car or vehicle on which the motor is mounted.
In the three accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter
referred to.
Figures 1, 2 and 3, on Sheet 1, are sectional views representing three types of
rails constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention.
On Sheet 2, Figure 4 is a sectional end. elevation and Figure 5 a plan representing
the application of my invention to another type of rail.
On Sheet 3, Figure 6 is an elevation and Figure 7 a plan representing a portion
of a car fitted with my means of collecting the current from the conductors.
Figure 8 is a section representing the application of my invention to a railroad.
The same reference letters in the different views indicate the same parts.
In carrying my invention into effect I employ track rails of a girder, double
headed, or other section to suit any required service, and form a slot or groove
in the same, such as A Figures 1, 2 and 3, open at the upper but closed at the base
or lower end. Within this rail slot or groove I place strips of india-rubber or other
insulating material, such as B B Figure 1, each strip having a width preferably
somewhat more than one half the width of the groove, so that when placed in
position the adjacent sides abut tightly against each other in the centre line of
the groove. Near to the lower end of the strips I form recesses or seatings in
the insulating material of which they are composed, for the reception of the
conductor conveying the electric current from the generating station. I preferably
form the conductor from two rectangular strips of copper as C C' so arranged that
their adjacent sides shall meet at the centre of the rail slot or groove.
The current is collected from the conductor by means of a bar or strip as D
Figure 6 preferably of copper and of a rectangular section, which I fix in the
centre of an insulated frame as E suspended from the car or vehicle on which the
motor is mounted. I employ a spring connection or connections between
the collector frame and the car, and so arrange the same that when the frame is
lowered the collector passes into the said slot, and its lower end enters between
the two strips forming the conductor as hereinbefore described. The upper ends
of the strips C C¹ (Figure 1) forming the conductors are preferably curved ou
the inner side or are bell-mouthed to facilitate the admission of the collector.
In this manner a good contact is made between the collector and the conductor

page_text: and the current is thus transmitted to the motor or motors by which propulsion of
the car is effected. The connection between the bars or strips D and the
motor is formed by suitable and ordinary conductors represented at D'
(Figures 6 and 7).
The insulating pieces contained in the rail slots are pressed tightly together by
their own elasticity when not separated by the collector and thus prevent any
water or dirt from passing through to the conductor. The upper end of the pieces
do not extend to the surface of the rail, sufficient space being provided at the upper
end of the groove or slot to admit the central flange of the rail wheels.
I sometimes treat the upper end or face of the strips with a suitable solution or
material to better enable them to withstand exposure to the weather.
Figure 2 represents one form of rail suitable for electric rail-roads and Figure 3.
a form of rail suitable for electric tram cars having wheels with side flanges.
In each of these cases the conductor is formed from one strip of copper as C
instead of from two strips as hereinbefore described, and the insulator B is also
formed from a single strip of material.
The track rail shown at Figures 4 and 5 on Sheet 2, is so constructed that
in laying the same a conduit as F can be readily formed for the purpose of
effectually draining the water from the track. Holes or apertures as G are formed
in the upper surface of the rails through which passes the water from the portion
of the road between the rails. The apertures A' are provided for the purpose of
allowing the water finding its way into the central slot or groove to pass into
the conduit F. The conductor is formed from two copper strips similar to those
shown at Figure 1.
To clean out the upper end of the slot or groove A I employ a brush or brushes
preferably of a circular type such as H (Figures 6 and 7) fixed to the car in advance
of the collector frames, and I preferably cause the same to revolve when the car
is in motion. Only the brushes at the forward end of the car are lowered on to
the rails, the brushes at the rear end being raised from contact with the rails.
To protect the collector frames from damage through contact with stones, ice,
or other materials that may become wedged in the groove, I fix a rod or bar
to the vehicles in advance of the frame, of sufficient strength to cut or clear away
such obstructions.
The conductor fixed as described in the one rail serves for the current supply,
whilst à conductor fixed in a similar manner in the opposite rail of any pair can be
employed for the return current, and in this manner 1 provide a completely
insulated system of transmission.
In the application of my invention to a rail-road in the manner illustrated at
Figure 8 1 employ a central rail as J of a T shape having grooves formed beneath
the head or upper part of the rail, one on each side of the central web, for the
reception of the conductors and insulating material such as hereinbefore described.
The conductor fixed on the one side of the rail serves for the current supply,
whilst that on the opposite side is for the return.
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. The improved means for the conveyance of the current beneath the upper
or working surface of an electric tramway or railroad and for the collection of such
current by a car or vehicle, substantially as described.
2. In electric traction, the utilisation of the track rails for the reception of
the conductors, substantially as described.
3. The combination comprising a slotted or grooved rail for an electric
tramway or railroad having an insulated conductor fitted within the same
substantially as described and as illustrated.
4. In electric traction, the combination of slotted or grooved rails having
insulated conductors fitted therein with bars or stripe suspended from the car or

page_text: vehicle which enter the slots or grooves and form a connection between the
conductors and the motor, substantially as described and as illustrated.
... Dated this 7th day of May 1897.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13. Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.