Improvements in or relating to Electric Tramways or Railways.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1898-Accepted, 10th Sept.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electric Tramways or Railways.
We, JAMES MCKENNY, of 116, Stephen's Green, West, Dublin, Veterinary
Surgeon, and ARTHUR EDWARD PORTE, of 61, Dawson Street, Dublin, Member
of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a new or improved system of electric traction for tram-
ways and railways, and may, for convenience, be described as consisting of:
Firstly, the application of a solenoid and core to operate a switch.
Secondly, the switch mechanism.
Thirdly, the mounting and adjustment of the working parts in relation to one
another.
Fourthly, the means by which the electric current is conveyed from the main
feeder to the motors.
Our invention has for its object the provision of a more convenient, reliable and
efficient system of electric traction with especial reference to the switching
apparatus, than has hitherto been devised so far as we know, and may be carried
out as hereinafter described, or in any other similar suitable manner.
In carrying out our invention we place a solenoid in a suitable position in
connection with a switching mechanism, so that when the solenoid is energised
by an electric current a core is drawn, partly or wholly, into it, and, when the
current is cut off, the core is withdrawn, partly or wholly, as may be found necessary
or desirable, the end or ends of the core being in connection with suitable
mechanism to operate the switch.
The special switching mechanism referred to, consists of two electrically_con-
ducting movable jaws, one of these being connected with the main feeder, and the
other with the power stud hereinafter described, also a wedge, wholly or partly,
made of electrical conducting material, this wedge being attached to the core and,
so arranged, that, when the core is drawn into the solenoid, it drives the wedge
between the jaws, in this manner completing the circuit between the feeder main
and the power stud, and when the core is withdrawn, opening the said circuit as
hereinafter described.
The solenoid and switching mechanism referred to, are mounted on, or attached
to a slate slab or other suitable insulating material, the latter being securely
attached to the lid of the chamber or box constructed to receive the entire
mechanism, and, is so arranged, that, in the act of placing the mechanism in
the chamber, electrical contact is made through two springs, one connected with
the main feeder cable, and the other with earth, thus facilitating the ready
attaching and detaching of the entire mechanism from the stationary chamber,
substantially as set forth. It is obvious that, the core may be fixed and the
solenoid made to move to operate the switching mechanism, and, that, the solenoid
may have any movement that may be desired.
The means we provide in our invention for conveying the electric current from

page_text: the main feeder cable to the motors is as follows, or the same may be effected in
any other similar suitable manner. Between the line of rails on which the cars
run, or in any other suitable position, but preferably between the rails, we place
at suitable intervals apart, boxes or chambers made of iron or other material sunk
into the ground on a level with the road surface. These boxes or chambers are
fitted with two studs attached to the lid of the box or chamber above which they
protrude and from which they are insulated; one effects energisation of the
solenoid, and, may, for convenience, be called the energising stud, the other, from
which the car motors are electrically fed may be called the power stud.
The solenoid and core is so placed in the box or chamber in relation to the
movable jaws of the switch mechanism, that, when energised, the wedge attached
to the core is instantaneously driven between these jaws, by which the circuit
between the main feeder and car motor is established, the relative position of the
bar carried by the car which comes in electrical contact with the energising stud,
as hereinafter described only admitting of energisation of the solenoid while the
car is immediately over and in electrical contact with the said stud to which
current is conveyed, through the bar, from a preceding power stud.
One of the movable jaws of the switch is placed on an axle and brought into
connection, by a riband, with the main feeder cable, a branch from which is led
into the chamber or box through an insulated gland; the other jaw also works on
an axle, and is connected with the power stud by an electrical conductor.
The axles upon which the jaws play, are respectively so placed, that, when the
wedge is driven between the jaws, the parts automatically adjust themselves to
each other, being brought into complete and effective contact with a frictional or
sliding motion. The contact thus established, conveys the current by means of
the bar carried by the car which acts on the energising stud, from that stud to the
solenoid operating the core the wedge of which, as previously described, being driven
between the jaws, carries the main feeder current from the jaw in contact with
the main, through the wedge, to the other jaw, from thence to the power stud to
the car motors by the collectors presently described.
The car carries two bars which are electrically connected, one energises the
solenoid and core, the other collects the current from the power stud and conveys
it to the car motors. It is obvious, that, the first energising stud of the system
must be supplied with current from a battery of accumulators or some other
suitable source of supply.
The bar or other similar suitable devices which comes in contact with the
energising stud carrying current to the solenoid, is electrically charged from the
last preceding power stud, or may be charged by accumulators carried by the car,
as already referred to. In this way energisation of the solenoid and core is made
certain, providing current to the car motors, as well as removing all danger, as
each set of studs are electrically dead when the bars or other suitable device carried
by the car cease to be in contact with them.
Of course, it is obvious, that, these conducting bars, before leaving one set of
studs, engage in electrical contact with the next set, and so on along the line, by
which means, an unbroken supply of current is maintained.
In operating our system, we would have it understood, that, one of the features
of our invention in especial connection with the switching mechanism, consists
in having the wedge of the core and the movable jaws brought into electrical
contact with a sliding or frictional motion.
By this and the other means adopted, we effect reliable transmission to the car
motors of the electrical energy generated, substantially as set forth.
When we place the boxes or chambers between the rails, another important
feature of our invention then consists in placing each set of studs in a diagonal line
with the rails, by which it is apparent, that, one les before the other in the line of
travel but not in the same parallel line with the rails.
Dated this 12th day of October 1897.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electric Tramways or Railways.
We, JAMES MCKENNY, of 116, Stephen's Green, West, Dublin, Veterinary
Surgeon, and ARTHUR EDWARD PORTE, of 61, Dawson Street, Dublin, Member
of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, 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: -
Our invention relates to a new or improved system of electric traction for tram-
ways and railways, and may, for convenience, be described as consisting of:-
Firstly, the application of a solenoid and core to operate a switch.
Secondly, the switch mechanism.
Thirdly, the mounting and adjustment of the working parts in relation to one
another.
Fourthly, the means by which the electric current is conveyed from the main
feeder to the motors.
Our invention has for its object the provision of a more convenient, reliable and
efficient system of electric traction with especial reference to the switching
apparatus, than has hitherto been devised so far as we know, and may be carried
out as hereinafter described or in any other similar suitable manner.
The nature of our invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed or carried into practical effect will be more readily understood on
reference to the illustrative drawings hereunto annexed, the reference letters being
used to indicate the same or corresponding parts where shown.
Fig. 1, illustrates the general arrangement.
Fig. 2, is a plan showing the position of the energising and power studs.
In carrying out our invention we place a solenoid Fig. I A in a suitable position
in connection with a switching mechanism, so that when the solenoid is energised
by an electric current, a core Fig. I C is drawn, partly or wholly, into it, and, when
the current is cut off, the core is withdrawn, partly or wholly, as may be found
necessary or desirable, the end or ends of the core being in connection with suitable
mechanism to operate the switch.
The special switching mechanism referred to, consists of two electrically
conducting movable jaws Fig. I B & B one of these Fig. I B₁ being connected
with the main feeder Fig. II J and the other Fig. I B with the power stud
Fig. I hereinafter described, also a wedge Fig. I B wholly or partly, made of
electrical conducting material, this wedge being attached to the core and, so arranged,
that, when the core is drawn into the solenoid it drives the wedge between the
jaws, in this manner completing the circuit between the feeder main and the power
stud, and, when the core is withdrawn, opening the said circuit, as hereinafter
described.
The solenoid and switching mechanism referred to, are mounted on or attached
to a slate slab Fig. 1, D or other suitable insulating material, the latter
being securely attached to the lid Fig. 1 G of the chamber or box Fig. 1. G₁ con-
structed to receive the entire mechanism, and, is so arranged, that, in the act
of placing the mechanism in the chamber, electrical contact is made through two
springs Fig. 1 E & E¹ one Fig. 1 E connected with the main feeder cable,
and the other Fig. 1 E with earth, through the frame of the box, thus facilitating
the ready attaching and detaching of the entire mechanism from the stationary
chamber, substantially as set forth. It is obvious that the core may be fixed and
the solenoid made to move to operate the switching mechanism, and, that, the
solenoid may have any movement that may be desired.

page_text: The means we provide in out invention for conveying the electric current from
the main feeder cable to the motors, is as follows, or the same may be effected in
any other similar suitable manner. Between the line of rails on which the cars
run, or in any other suitable position, but, preferably between the rails, we place,
at suitable intervals apart, boxes or chambers made of iron or other suitable
material sunk into the ground on a level with the road surface.
These boxes or chambers are fitted with two studs Figs. I & II F & F attached
to the lid of the box or chamber above which they protrude, and from which they
are insulated one Figs. 1 & 11. F¹ effects energisation of the solenoid, and,
may, for convenience be called the energising stud, the other Figs. 1 & 11 F
from which the car motors are electrically fed, may be called the power stud.
The solenoid and core is so placed in the box or chamber in relation to the
movable jaws of the switch mechanism, that, when energised, the wedge attached
to the core is instantaneously driven between these jaws, by which the circuit
between the main feeder and car motor is established, the relative position of the
bar carried by the car which comes in electrical contact with the energising stud,
as hereinafter described, only admitting of energisation of the solenoid while the
car is immediately over and in electrical contact with the said stud to which
current is conveyed, through the bar, from a preceding power stud or from
accumulators carried by the car.
One of the movable jaws Fig. 1, B of the switch is placed on an axle Fig. 1 H
which is connected by means of a link Fig. 1 L with another axle Fig. 1 H¹
and brought into connection by a riband Fig. I I through the spring Fig. 1 E
with the main feeder cable, a branch Figs. 1 & 11 J¹ from which is led into the
chamber or box through an insulated gland Fig. 1 K; the other jaw Fig. 1 Bu
also works on an axle Fig. 1 H" and is connected with the power stud by an
electrical conductor Fig. 1 M.
The axles upon which the jaws play, are respectively so placed, that, when the
wedge is driven between the jaws, the parts automatically adjust themselves to
each other, being brought into complete and effective contact by a frictional or
sliding motion.
The contact thus established, conveys the current by means of the bar carried
by the car which acts on the energising stud, from that stud to the solenoid
operating the core-the wedge of which, as previously described, being driven
between the jaws, carries the main feeder current from the jaw in contact with the
main, through the wedge, to the other jaw, from thence to the power stud to the
car motors by the collectors presently described.
The car carries two bars which are electrically connected, one energises the
solenoid and core, the other collects the current from the power stud and conveys
it to the car motors. It is obvious that the first energising stud of the system must
be supplied with current from a battery of accumulators or some other suitable
source of supply.
The bar or other similar suitable device which comes in contact with the
energising stud carrying current to the solenoid is electrically charged from the
last preceding power stud, or may be charged by accumulators carried by the car, 4
as already referred to.
In this way energisation of the solenoid and core is made certain, providing
current to the car motors as well as removing all danger, as each set of studs are
electrically dead when the bars or other similar suitable device carried by the car
cease to be in contact with them. Of course, it is obvious that these conducting 5
bars before leaving one set of studs engage in electrical contact with the next set,
and so on along the line, by which means an unbroken supply of current is
maintained.
In operating our system we would have it understood that one of the features
of our invention in especial connection with the switching mechanism consists, 5
in having the wedge of the core and the movable jaws brought into electrical
contact by a sliding or frictional motion.

page_text: By this and the other means adopted, we effect reliable transmission to the car
motors of the electrical energy generated, substantially as set forth.
When we place the boxes or chambers between the rails another important
feature of our invention then consists in placing cach set of studs in a diagonal
line with the rails, by which it is apparent that one lies before the other in the
line of travel, but not in the same parallel line with the rails.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The application of a solenoid & core substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
2. Self adjusting movable jaws of the switch, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. The manner of adjustment or removal of the working parts, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
4. Diagonal position of the studs, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
5. The means devised for obtaining an unbroken supply of current, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
6. The combination of the foregoing in the actual operation of the system,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 9th day of July 1898.
JAS. MCKENNY, M.R.C.V.S.
ARTHUR EDWARD PORTE, M.I.E.E.