Improvements in Means Connected with Electrically Lighting Trains, Sections of Railway Tracks, Stations en route, and Signals, all from a Single Source of Energy in a Train, and in the Distribution of Electricity to Stationary Motors, Storage Batteries, and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1889-Accepted, 13th July, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means Connected with Electrically Lighting
Trains, Sections of Railway Tracks, Stations en route, and
Signals, all from a Single Source of Energy in a Train, and
in the Distribution of Electricity to Stationary Motors, Storage
Batteries, and the like.
I, HARRY WARD LEONARD, of Chicago, United States of America, 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 invention relates to the use of electricity for lighting signalling and the like on
moving trains and on the tracks thereof, from a single source of energy on such
moving train. To enable my invention to be properly understood, I will proceed to
describe the same with aid of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1, is a plan view of a train of cars containing my improvements.
Figure 2, is a side view of a portion thereof.
Figure 3, is a plan view of the track and diagrammatic view of the generator and
connections.
Figure 4 is a cross section of the track and connections.
Figure 5, is a detail of the circuit switches and motors used for illuminating.
Figuro 6, is a detail of the ventilating motor and connections.
Figure 7, is a detail of the pressure equalizing valve.
Figure 8, is a front view of one coupling block and one coupling piece in position
to be coupled.
Figure 9, is a side view of the same.
Figure 10, is a detail view of the coupler wires and coupling pieces at opposite
ends.
A, is the locomotive B, the baggage car B', B', the passengar cars B2, the
dynamo B, a trolley carrying two rollers and B, another trolley carrying one
roller and controlled by the cord B³. From one pole of the dynamo pass the
conductors C, along trolley B, to roller D, C, along trolley B³ to roller D₁, and C
to the car lighting system. From the other pole of the dynamo pass the con-
ductors C³ along trolley B³ to the roller D, and conductor C to the car lighting
system. The train will be regarded as moving in the direction of the arrows in
figures 1, 2, and 3 and toward the observer in figure 4. E, E, are storage batteries
and E' E lamps or translating devices on the cars coupled in multiple are as shown
or in any other suitable manner between the conductors and their branches the
whole serving as electric light plant for moving trains.
Suspended along the track are the two outside systems of wires F and F¹
consisting of a series of conductors of suitable length overlapping and their ends
insulated so as to make a discontinuous conductor on each side of and along the
track though in some instances they might be continuous conductors. Midway
between these are placed a series of short diagonally arranged conductors G, G,
their ends insulated from each other and overlapping as indicated.
The trolleys
are so constructed that when the trolley B³ is elevated in its normal position indicated
n figure the roller D¹, and the roller D³, bear respectively against the diagonal
conductors & G and the discontinuous conductor F, as indicated. It will be clear
hat when any one of the conductors G, G, against which the roller D' bears is
connected with that portion of the discontinuous conductor F', against which the
oller D bears that a circuit will be formed through such connection; such a circnit
s shown as composed of the conductors H, and H', making connection with the
otor H2. The circuits starting from the generator B2, through the conductor C',

page_text: roller D¹, conductor G, conductor H, motor H³, conductor H, conductor
conductor C³, to generator B².
When the train is proceeding in the opposite direction, the trolleys could be made
reversible on the car so as to retain the same relative position or if not so the
car being reversed the roller D2, would traverse the discontinous conductor F, in 5
which event the motor H2, would require to be switched in proper manner into a
similar circuit connected with the conductor F. In like manner the lamp J, coupled
between the conductor J¹, and J2, is operated; so also the storage battery K, and
lamps K, K, are operated when the roller Di, is on that conductor G, with which
the conductor K2, from the battery is connected, and when the roller D², is on that
portion of the conductor, F¹, to which the conductor K³, leads from the battery.
These wires G, G, are suspended from the block L, by the links L, L. The
lamps J, J, might be suspended along the wire M, which is stretched between the
posts M, M¹, the several wires lamps and the like being suspended by means of
the blocks N, N, or in any other convenient and desirable manner. Proceeding from the
two adjacent portions of the discontinuous conductors F, and F', are the conductors O,
and O. The conductor O, is branched and passes first through the lamp 02, to the
contact 0³, and then through the lamp 04, to the contact 0³. The conductor O¹, lends
to the contact plate 0%, which alternately engages the plates 03, 05.
It will now be seen that when the rollers D2, D, are in contact with the dis-
continuous wires F¹, and F, a circuit will be formed through that one of the
lamps 02, 04, against whose contact the plate 0°, rests.
The wires F are supported by insulated connectors so as to make circuit through
the lamps J, J, back to the wires G, G. The lamps on one side of the track are
connected between the wires G, and F, and on the opposite side between the wires G,
and F. All the wires G, G, run diagonally to the course of the track and each
is connected in the manner above indicated with lamps on each side of the track and
at each end to light in front and behind the train said lamps being suspended
preferably in pairs on a cross wire M. The wires G, are arranged so that there will
be three in any cross section taken along the track.
Of course the arrangement number and connection of the lamps and wires could be
greatly changed without departing from the spirit of my invention, and when applied
to a double track road where the trains move usually in one direction the lamps on
one end of each wire G, and one side of the track could be omitted or they could be
omitted on either end or on either side as desired.
From the conductor C, lead the two branches C¹³, and C14. These branches
contain the ampere meters (5, and C, and C, contains the switch (17. At one
terminal of the wire (4, is the switch (18, adapted to make connection through the
variable resistance C1, with the branch conductor C14. The branch conductors (14,
and C¹³, and the conductor C4, I term together the compound conductor. The switch (7
is also adapted to engage the block C, on the conductor C, which leads to the
branch conductor C14. "D10, is the other brush by which the current from the generator
is connected with the conductor (2, which contains the switch D. E10, is a return
wire which is connected to the volt meter F10, from which connections lead to the
switch Go, which is adapted to connect with either of the branch wires C¹³, or C, as
shown in figure 1; by bringing it into engagement with either block G₁, or block G
to the branch conductor C³, are coupled the storage batteries. From the other end
of the batteries lead conductors to the return conductor 33. From the branch C
of the compound conductor lead connectors to the lamps thence to the return con
ductor. The switch G10, is normally open not as shown in figure 1, and is used to
connect the return conductor with the conductors C¹³, and C, through the volt mete
to indicate the pressure. The several conductors leading frou end to end of th
car are called the car conductors and they are twisted or crossed somewhere in th
car, as at P, so as to bring the terminals of each upon opposite sides of the others a
the opposite ends of the cars. The object of the variable resistance C, is to enabl
the operator to send currents of varying strength into the lamps and the batterie
at the same time and the object of the switch C", and block C, is to enable th

page_text: operator to couple the conductors C14, and C¹³, together in the baggage car so as to
enable the battery to supply the lamps when the generator is out of circuit; it might
be dispensed with. The automatic switch D12, is to cause the connection through the
generator to be broken when the voltage of the generator is less than that of the
and
battery. The coupling block M10, composed of the base M", and cover M¹²,
containing contact clamps M13, insulated from each other as indicated, is placed on the
inside of the outer pendant edge of the vestibule or platform, and the car conductors
are connected therewith in the order indicated in figure 8, as seen when looking out
of the car.
From each of these contact clamps project the contact plates N, N, and
from the two which are attached to conductors C2, and C33, project the spring contact
plates 0, 0, normally in contact when the coupler is not in place. There is one of
these coupling blocks on each end of each car and the coupling proper consists of
two fac-simile coupling pieces R, R, having each a series of insulated clamping
blocks S, S', secured in the case $, and provided each with an aperture and clamping
screws S2, S2, to secure the conductors which form part of said coupler and also the
projecting contact plates T, T. U, U, are contact plates normally in contact when the
coupler is detached and which connect such blocks S¹, S', as are intended to form
connection with the conductors C¹³, and its return wire C. R', R, are clamping
screws on the block. R2, is an insulation plate adapted to separate the contact
plates U, U; and R³, is an insulation plate projecting from the coupling piece R,
The conductors of
and adapted to separate the spring contact plates 0, 0.
the coupling piece are thus twisted as indicated in figure 10. The wire 03³, is really
only a return wire forming with the wire C2, a loop always normally closed at the rear
as indicated in figure 8, by means of the form of the coupling pieces and blocks.
X, is a telephone in one passengar car, X¹ a telephone in the locomotive suitably
connected; X³ is a ventilating motor, and X³, a signalling device all actuated from
the dynamo, X is a power storage tank and X', an engine to drive the generator B².
X, is an equalizing valve.
When the train is moving in the direction indicated in figure 1, the trolley B³,
should be normally elevated so that the roller D', will be in engagement with the
conductors G, and the rollor D2, will be in engagement with the conductor F, as
indicated in figure 3. The dynamo now being in operation, a current will pass thence
along the conductors (2, and 0, and their branches, indicated in figure 1, along the
cars of the train and will energize the several lamps E¹, E, and supply the
batteries E, E, and current may be used to operate the ventilator brake and signalling
devices. At the same time a current will pass from such generator along con-
ductor C³, and roller D2, to conductor F1, and along conductor C, and roller D¹. To
make a complete circuit for such current to pass it will only be necessary to connect
the translating devices or insert conductors between such wires G, and F¹, or between
adjacent portions thereof. This is shown in figure 3, where, beginning at the loft
there is first a motor H, connected between the conductors G, and F¹, by means of
the conductors H, and H', so that when the train is passing that conductor G,
and that portion of the discontinuous conductor F¹, to which such motor is coupled
the said motor will be energized and may be used for any desired work. In like
manner the lamp J, or a series of such lamps or several series of thein, are
coupled by means of the conductors J¹, and J2; and in like manner the storage
battery K, with its dependant lamps K¹, K', by the conductors K², K³, to the
conductors G, and F¹. O, is a conductor from the conductor F, leading through
the lamp 0, to the contact plate 08. 0¹, is a conductor leading from the con-
ductor F, to the movable contact plate 06, and 02, is a lamp in a branch of the
conductor O, which leads to the contact plate 03. The contact plate 0%, moving
between the contact plates 03, and 0, and adapted to alternately engage them is
itself moved back and forth by the bars 07, and 08, projecting for example from
a switch or forming part of such switch. Now if the lamp 02, is red and the
lamp 0, green one, indicating that the switch is thrown in one direction, and the
other that it is thrown in the other direction, it will be possible for the engineer

page_text: on the train carrying the dynamo B², to determine which way the switch is
standing by freeing the trolley 134, so that it will bear its roller D, against the con-
ductor F. Then it is clear that a current will pass through that one of the
lamps 02, 0, whose contact plate is in engagement with the contact plate 0. If
engaged as shown in full lines, there will be a current passing from the dynamo
through conductor O, roller D, conductor F. conductor O, lamp 04, contact plate 05,
contact plate 0" conductor 01, and conductor F, roller D, conductor C³, to and
through dynamo B², thus energizing the lamp 04. The lamps J. J, are suspended in
any desired manner as, for example, from the cross wire M, suspended on the
post M, M and in like manner the wires F, F, and G. may be suspended as well
as the block L, which supports the wires G, on its links L', all these devices may be
supported by means of the insulation blocks N, N if desired.
As soon as the
roller D', comes in contact with a wire G, the lamps J, J. connected with such wire
and with the connector F¹, against which the roller D². bears, will be energized;
and they will so remain as long as such circuits exists. Hence the light will be
energized by the passing train on either or both sides of the track and front or
rear or both as may be desired and according to the circuits. With a dynamo or
generator on a moving train as in the case of electric lighting for such train, it
becomes economically possible to light the track from such generator and also to
light local systems, as for instance for depots and the like. This requires track lighting
usually both in front and behind the moving train.
A prominent distinction between track lighting and track signalling by means of a
generator on a moving train will be found in the fact that the signalling devices
operate intermittently and not continuously, whereas in lighting the track it is
essential that the lamps or translating devices should be continuously operated for a
considerabie portion of time; and the energy required to so operate or energize such
local translating devices or track lighting lamps would require a generator of some
considerable capacity and hence the desirability of combining the track and train
lighting, since the generator used for energizing the train lamps could be simul-
taneously used to energize the track lamps. Thus the train is illuminated also the
track at the place of its movement, also the track for any desired distance front and
rear, say one-third of a mile, and the direction of the motion of the train can be easily
determined by any one having occasion to notice. The lights are so arranged along
the track and on the wires that they are extinguished and lighted in succession ; and
the ventilating and signalling for the train can be done from the same generator.
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 combination of a car with a series of conductors therealong so arranged
that the terminal of each is on opposite sides of each of the other terminals at the
two ends of the car.
2. The combination of a car with a series of conductors therealong, two of which
together constitute when in action a return loop, said conductors so arranged that
the terminals of the two conductors forming the loop having opposite relating
position with reference to the remaining conductor terminals at each end of the car.
3. The combination of a series of cars with a series of conductors in each car, and
connectors between such conductors, said connectors containing wires so arranged
that the conductor terminals in one car are connected each with oppositely located
conductor terininals on the adjacent car.
4. The combination of a series of cars with a series of conductors therealong so
arranged that the terminal of each is on opposite sides of each of the other terminals
at the two ends of the cars and a connector provided with wires so arranged that
the conductors of one car are connected each with the oppositely arranged conductor
on the adjacent car.
5. In a system of electric lighting for cars, a connector to couple adjacent cars,
consisting of two similar coupling pieces, having a series of terminals and crossed

page_text: wires leading from one to the other and coupling blocks having each a series of
terminals.
6. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of cars and conductors
with coupling blocks at each end of each car containing two terininals normally in
contact so as with their conductors to make a return loop closed at such coupling
block and two terminals normally not in contact with a coupler adapted to open such
loop and connect all the terminals with the terminals of the coupler.
7. In an electric lighting system for cars a coupler provided with two similar
coupling pieces and connecting wires each piece having two terminals normally in
contact and two normally not in contact, in combination with a coupling block
containing the terminals of the car conductors said closed terminals on the coupler
adapted to be opened and connected with terminals in the coupling block when the
two are brought together.
8. In an electric lighting system for cars, a coupler provided with two similar
coupling pieces and connecting wires, each piece having two terminals normally in
contact and two terminals normally not in contact, in combination with a coupling
block containing the terininals of the car conductors two of which are normally in
contact, and contact breaking plates on the block and the coupling piece so that when
interlocked such connected terminals are separated.
9. In an electric lighting system for cars, the combination of the cars, conductors
and coupling blocks which contain the terminals of such conductors, two of said
terminals normally in contact and two normally not in contact, with a coupler con-
sisting of coupling pieces and connecting wires said pieces containing the terminals
of said wires and two of such terminals normally in contact and two normally not in
contact, and contact breakers one on the block and one on cach coupling piece so that
when the block and pieces are interlocked all of such closed terminals are opened and
each car conductor is connected with its respective coupler wire.
10. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of cars and their con-
ductors with coupling blocks one at each end of each car containing the terminals of
such conductors, two of such terminals normally in contact and two normally not in
contact, with a coupler consisting of two coupling pieces and connecting wires, the
terminals of such wires in such coupling pieces and two at each end normally in
contact and two normally not in contact, and one contact breaker on each block
and each piece.
11. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading from one pole, a compound conductor leading from the other,
storage batteries and lamps as required for the cars, said batteries coupled between
the main and one branch of the compound conductor, and the lamps between the
main and other branches of the compound conductor.
12. In an electric lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading from one pole, a compound conductor leading from the other,
storage batteries having a variable resistance in series with each set, should more than
one set be used, and lamps as required for the cars, said batteries coupled between the
main and one branch of the compound conductor and the lamps between the main and
the other branch of the compound conductor.
13. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom and a return conductor connected therewith so as
to form a loop and a compound, conductor leading from the other pole, storage
batteries and lamps as required for the cars said storage batteries coupled between the
return conductor and one branch of the compound conductor, and said lamps between
the return conductor and the other branch of the compound conductor.
14. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading from one pole and a compound conductor leading from the
other, consisting of two branch conductors one of which contains a variable resistance
and a voltmeter and connections from the main conductor to either of the branch
conductors so as to test the difference of voltage between the main and either of the
branch conductors.

page_text: 15. In an electric lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading from one pole, and a compound conductor leading from the
other, and consisting of two branch conductors one of which contains a variable
resistance storage batteries and lamps as required for the cars, the lights coupled
between the main conductor and that branch of the compound conductor containing
the variable resistance, and the storage batteries between the main conductor and the
other branch of the compound conductor.
16. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom, a return wire connected with such main conductor
so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the
generator, having two branches and a volt meter and connections so that such return
or main wire may be connected through such volt meter with either branch of the
compound conductor.
17. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom, a return wire connected with such main conductor
so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the
generator having two branches, and a volt meter and connections so that such return
or main wire may be connected through such volt meter with either branch of the
compound conductor, and an ampere meter in each branch of said compound
conductor.
18. In an electric lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom, a return wire connected with such main conductor
so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the
generator and having two branches, and an ampere meter in each branch of said
compound conductor.
19. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom, a compound conductor leading from the other
pole of the generator having two branches, an ampere meter in each of said branches
means for connecting the two branches when the generator is disconnected, and
storage batteries and lights coupled between the main and such branch conductors
respectively so that when the generator is out of circuit and the branch conductors
connected, the two ampere meters will be coupled in series with the batteries and
lights.
2. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom, a return wire connected with such main conductor
so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the
generator having two branches, and a volt meter and connections, so that such
return or main wire may be connected through such volt meter with either branch of
the compound conductor and an ampere meter in each branch of said compound
conductor and a variable resistance in one branch thereof.
21. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom, a return wire connected with such main conductor
so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the
generator having two branches and an ampere meter in each branch of such conductor
and a variable resistance in one branch of such compound conductor.
22. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom, a compound conductor consisting of two branches
leading from the other pole, and switches in the main conductor and both branches
of the compound conductor.
23. In an electric lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading from one pole thereof, a compound conductor leading from
the other pole thereof, and composed of two conductors running through the train, a
resistance in such compound conductor so as to secure a difference of current strength
on the two wires of the compound conductor, and lamps coupled between the main
· conductor and one branch of the compound, and batteries between the main conductor
and the other branch of the compound conductor.
24. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of the cars with a

page_text: series of car conductors leading therealong and having their terminals at each end of
each car so arranged as always to occupy the same relative positions to each other
when considered as series as from right to left in a horizontal line from top to bottom
in a vertical line and the like and viewed from without the car.
25. In an electric lighting system for cars the combination of a car with a series
of conductors therealong, said conductors so arranged that the terminals of some of
them have opposite relative positions with reference to the remaining conductor
terminals at each end of the car.
26. In an electric lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a
main conductor leading therefrom and a compound conductor leading from the other
pole and consisting of two branches each of which contains a ampere mete:.
27. The combination of a series of short wires a series of long wires, a generator
of electricity a branched connector leading therefrom to the short wires and either
one of the long wires as the case may be, and series of lamps connected some with
the short wires and one of the long wires and others with the short wires and another
of the long wires.
28. The combination of a series of short overlapping wires, two long wires. two
series of lamps connected one series from one long wire the other series from the
other long wire and both to the short wires, and a generator movable along such
wires and a branch connector leading therefrom to the short wires and one of the
long wires.
29. The combination of a series of fixed conductors a series of translating devices
connected therewith a generator movable along such conductors, a movable connector
normally in contact with at least one of such conductors and and one pole of the
generator and connectors between the other pole of the generator and some of such
conductors, so as to successively energize such translating devices from the moving
generator, and normally to keep some of them constantly energized.
30. The combination of a series of fixed conductors a series of electric lamps
connected therewith a generator movable along such conductors, a movable connector
normally in contact with at least one of such conductors and one pole of the
generator, and connectors between the other pole of the generator and some of
such conductors so as to successively energize such electric lamps from the moving
generator, and normally to keep some of them constantly energized.
31. The combination of a series of fixed overlapping conductors, a series of trans-
lating devices connected therewith, a generator movable along such conductors a
movable connector normally in contact with at least one of such conductors and one
pole of the generator, and connectors between the other pole of the generator and
some of such conductors so as to successively energize such translating devices from
the moving generator, and normally to keep some of them constantly energized.
32. The combination of a series of fixed conductors along a railroad track a series
of translating devices connected therewith a movable generator adapted to be carried
along the track, a movable connector from one pole of the generator and norimally in
contact with at least one of such conductors, connections from the other pole of the
generator to some of such conductors so that the translating devices are successively
energized from the generator moving on the track and some of them always
energized when in operation.
33. The combination of a series of fixed conductors a series of incandescent
lamps connected therewith a generator movable along such conductors, a movable
connector normally in contact with at least one of such conductors and one pole of
the generator, and connectors between the other pole of the generator and some of
such conductors so as to successively energize such incandescent lamps from the
moving generator and normally to keep some of them constantly energized.
34. The combination of a generator with an electric circuit leading therefrom,
locally indicating translating devices, as lamps, in such circuit signalling devices and
circuits also including the generator, so that by the indicating devices the operator
çan ascertain the condition of the generator when about to signal.

page_text: 35. The combination of a generator with an electric circuit leading therefrom,
locally indicating translating devices as lamps in multiple are in such circuit signalling
devices and circuits also including such generator, so that the operator can ascertain
the condition of the generator when about to signal.
36. The combination of a train of cars with a generator thereon, an electric
circuit leading therefrom, locally indicating translating devices, as lamps, in such
circuit signalling devices, circuits containing such signalling devices and also the
generator, so that the operator on one portion of the train can ascertain the condition
of the generator and then signal to some other portion of the train if the generator
is found in condition.
37. The combination of a dynamo, an electric circuit therefrom locally indicating
translating devices, as lamps, in such circuit with such generator so that the operator
can ascertain the condition of the dynamo when about to signal.
38. The combination of a train of cars with a dynamo circuits connected therewith
and extending through the train translating devices as lamps, in multiple arc in such
circuit additional circuits formed in part of the same circuit wires and containing
the generator signalling devices in multiple are in the last mentioned circuits.
39. The combination of a train of cars with a dynamo thereon, conductors
connected with such dynamo and extending through the train locally indicating
translating devices in multiple arc across such conductors and also signalling devices
in multiple are across such conductors.
Dated this 24th day of April 1889.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
1, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for Applicant.