Improvements in Systems of Suspending Electric Conductors.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Systems of Suspending Electric Conductors.
I, CHARLES JOSEPH VAN DEPOELE of 51 Center Street, Lynn, County of Essex,
State of Massachusetts United States of America Electrician 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 improvements in means for supporting the suspended
supply conductors used in what are called the overhead supply systems of electric
railways, to an improved arrangement and construction of said supporting devices,
and to various other details of construction, such as insulators, the method of
arranging switches and crossings as will more fully appear, reference being had to
the accompanying drawings, in which―
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the general arrangement of the
overhead conductor and supporting devices.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a part of the line including a turn-out.
Fig. 3 illustrates the arrangement when crossing another similar line.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the crossing switch.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the turn-out switch. Fig. 6 is an enlarged end
view of a portion of the line taken on the line 6, 6, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale showing a portion of the main
conductor and its suspending anchorage devices.
Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the arched suspending devices.
Fig. 9 is a detail view showing a rail connection.
Fig. 10 is a detail view of a link insulator.
Fig. 11 is a similar view of the link insulator somewhat differently constructed.
Fig. 12 is an elevation partly in section showing an insulating turning buckle.

page_text: Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic plan view at the end of a turn-out where double overhead
conductors are used.
Fig. 14 is an inverted plan view showing the construction at the point where
supply conductors of opposite polarities cross.
Fig. 15 is a side elevation of what is shown in Fig. 14.
Fig. 15a is a detail showing a different form of guard.
Similar letters denote like parts throughout.
As seen in the drawings A. A', A2, A3, A4 represent the curb lines of the sheets
along the line of travel of that portion of an electric railway illustrated in Fig. 1.
a, a, a, a, are the track rails of a double line of railway extending along the street B,
and curving into the street C at right angles thereto. P, P₁, are the main supply
conductors in circuit with the source of current and extending along the line of
way at a height of about 18 feet from the track and in a position substantially
central thereabove. The curved portions of the conductors P, P' are supported as
follows:-
:-
On the inside of the curve is located a pole d, from which a stout wire or cable E,
extends along the street B, to a pole e, which may be at the next crossing or at
any suitable intermediate point, the length of said rope after it passes 15 or 20 feet
from the crossing at which is located the pole d, being immaterial. A second
similar rope E extends from the pole d, along the street C, and is secured to a
pole e', which may also for convenience carry a cross wire e², supporting a straight
portion of the conductors. Poles F, F', are located at the adjacent crossings
preferably on the inside of the curbs A, A2, and connected by a cable F2, extending
across the street beyond the outer limit of the curve. Cables G G extend from
the poles F, F, to and are secured to poles f. f which may be located opposite
to the poles e, e cross wire e², being also secured to the pole.
"
As indicated in the drawings, the line begins at the cross wire or cable f2, secured
to suitable poles and to it the conductors P, P' are attached by insulating links H,
to be further specifically described, and adjacent to said links I provide turn-buckles
for adjusting the tension of the conductors. The straight portion of the con-
ductors P, P, between the terminus and the curve are supported by cross wires J, J',
which are secured to the cables E, G¹ said poles e, ", respectively being adjacent
to the curve must hold the conductors against considerable lateral strain. The
cross wire J, includes strong metallic suspending devices K to which the conductor
is directly attached. These devices which I have denominated "arched suspenders
are not herein claimed, being included in a Patent application of mine dated August 22,
1888, No. 501489. The arched suspenders K, are so constructed that the tension
of the cross wire is taken through the line of the suspension of the conductor, and
they therefore overcome all tendency to kick up and get in the way of the travelling
contacts. A similar cross wire J¹ is provided at the other extremity of the curve and
is shown as secured to cables E', and G, although it may, if desired, be secured inde-
pendently thereof. Any desired number of cross wires J, are secured to the cable F2,
on the outside of the curve, and extend to and are securely attached to the arched
suspenders K, K', by which the curved portions of the conductors P, P¹, are
supported.
.
I have only shown three of the cross wires J, but it will be understood that for
heavier or lighter, or a greater or less number of main conductors, or a longer
curve, the number of the cross wires ), will be increased or decreased according
to circumstances.
The cross wires j, are secured at their outer ends to cylindric insulators j²,
strung on the cable F³, and held in desired position by suitable clamps 3. Insu-
lating links H are also preferably placed in the wires j, near or at the point where
they are united to the suspenders K.
Heretofore it has been found necessary to supporting conductors on curves to
provide some means for maintaining the conductor in a practically curved position
throughout the curve, necessitating the addition of rigid metallic bars and other
devices. I find, however, that when my improved curve ear is employed no such

page_text: uxiliaries are necessary, and the conductor can be safely suspended at intervals of
everal feet around the curve, the portions of conductor between the arched suspenders
being substantially straight. Furthermore, the conductors being supported in the
same plane as the cross wire, the contact device will pass around without disturbing
or deflecting it.
The straight portions of the conductors P, P₁, are supported upon the cross wires
as J, e suitable insulators L, being secured to their supporting ears, and to the cross
wires. At the next desirable point of support for the straight portion of the conductor
which may be from one to several hundred feet, from the curve, according to circum-
stances, are located poles L1, L2, and a cross wire to which latter is secured a form
of arched suspender provided with anchorage ears L³, shown in elevation in Fig. 7.
The anchorage ears T³, constitute points of attachment for the anchorage cables G³, G³,
which extend from poles e, f, and are secured to said anchorage ears. Thus it will be seen
joining the straight portions of the conductors and the cables extending around both sides
of the curve, firmly bracing, guying, and uniting the straight and curved portions
of the overhead system. The remaining straight portions of conductor are supported
by insulators suspended from the cross wires except where the line is deflected,
when the arched suspenders K, are used, the point of suspension being then as
pointed out, in the same plane as the cross wire. The anchorage cables G², G³, would
be repeated upon the opposite end of the curve but that the line as shown toriminates
at that point.
The arched suspender comprises a metal arch M, provided with holes m, in each
extremity for the reception of the ends of the cross wire, or for attachment to an
insulator O, to which the cross wires are then secured. From the lower central portion
of the arch and arranged at right angles thereto, is formed or attached the bail M',
seen in clevation in Fig. 7, but without the anchorage lugs L³. The bail M', is tapered
towards its extremities for lightness and in order to possess some flexibility under
certain conditions, and is formed with a deep groove M', along its underside in which
groove the conductor P. is permanently secured, desirably by soldering, brazing,
The depth of the bail M', is such that the
welding, or other equivalent means.
conductor when in place will be in the same horizontal plane as the cross wire so that
lateral pressure exerted against the conductor by the contact wheel even when in
combination with the pressure of the wire due to a deflection from its straight course,
will not clevate either end of the arch and the conductor will consequently remain
where placed.
The lugs L³, seen in Fig. 7, form points of attachment for the anchorage cables
heretofore referred to. It being desirable to form the suspenders M, and the bails M',
in a single metal casting, the necessary insulation is provided by what I have called
link insulators, which are placed in the cross wires as seen in Fig. 6, or attached
directly to the suspenders themselves. Furthermore, I find it desirable to so construct
one form of link insulator that it shall combine the functions of an insulator and a
turn-buckle, thereby admitting of the ready adjustment of the line while in use
without any danger to the line-man.
A form of link insulator is shown in Fig. 11 as consisting of a link or bar Q, of
5 wood or other equivalent material, about one foot in length and three-fourths of an
inch in diameter, a desirable form having enlarged ends, 9, 7, strengthened by a metallic
ferrule, or sheath q', placed thereon and secured in position by a bolt or rivet passing
through the ferrule and insulator. An aperture is formed through the ferrule and
insulator for the reception of the cross wire to which it is connected.
Another form of link insulator is shown at Fig. 10, Q1, Q' representing flat strips
of vulcanized fibre or leatheroid or even wood, which are at their ends firmly bolted
to porcelain or other good insulting washers, which are desirably grooved to
receive the wires to which they are secured. For use as turn-buckle insulators the
insulating end sections q², are replaced by metallic parts q³, through which pass the
right and left screw threaded rods Q, Q, to which the cross wire is attached, and
which by rotating the turn buckle in the usual manner will be tightened or loosened
at will

page_text: to the cables and to the straight parts of the conductors at the extremities of the
curve, and anchorage cables connecting the end poles of the system to anchorage bails
secured to straight portions of the conductor, whereby the curve supporting structure
is mechanically united to the straight portions of the suspended system, substantially
as described.
Fifth. In a system of suspended electric conductors the combination with main and
branch conductors at a turn-out of suitable frogs or switches near its extremities
supporting poles at or near said extremities, cables extending between the poles along
the turn-out, in the direction of the line of way, and transverse conductor supporting
wires connected to said cables, substantially as described.
Sixth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a crossing comprising two
metallic channels following the direction of the crossing conductors, said channels
being in the form of a metallic frame or open bottom box depending from the
intersecting conductors at the point of intersection and in electrical connection there-
with, substantially as described.
Seventh. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a duplex turn-out comprising
separate switches for the positive and negative main and branch conductors, and an
insulating crossing at the point of intersection of the branch negative and main
positive conductors, substantially as described.
Eighth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a duplex turn-out comprising
separate switches for the positive and negative conductors, and an insulating crossing
at the point of intersection of the branch negative and main positive conductor
comprising a plate of insulating material interposed between and supporting the
positive and negative main conductors at the point of intersection, substantially as
described.
Ninth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a crossing for conductors of
opposite polarity comprising a plate of insulating material secured to the underside
of one of said conductors, the other of said conductors being supported at the lower
side of the plate and depressed below the surface thereof at the point of intersection,
substantially as described.
Tenth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a crossing for conductors of
opposite polarity comprising a plate of insulating material to the upper side of which
one of said conductors-as the negative-is secured, metallic ribs secured to said
conductor and extending to the underside of the plate and provided with separated
extremities of insulating material, bails secured to the underside of said plate for
supporting the other conductor, and a recessed part at the point of intersection into
which a portion of the conductor crossing at the, underside of the plate is depressed,
substantially as described.
Eleventh. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a crossing for conductors
of opposite polarity comprising an insulated plate upon the upper side of which the
negative conductor is secured, ribs extending from the negative conductor near to
the central portion of the underside of said plate in line with the said conductor,
bails depending from the underside of said plate for attachment to the other conductor,
a recessed portion at the point of intersection of said conductor into which the lower
conductor is depressed, and a guard or guards at the point of intersection for
preventing diversion of the trolleys when crossing the open space between the depressed
conductor and the ends of the ribs, substantially as described.
Twelfth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a crossing for conductors
of opposite polarity comprising an insulated plate upon the upper side of which the
negative conductor is secured, ribs extending from the negative conductor near to the
central portion of the underside of said plate, in line with the said conductor, bails
depending from the underside of said plate for attachment to the other conductor, a
recessed portion at the point of intersection of said conductor, into which the lower
conductor is depressed and a guard or guards for preventing lateral diversion of the
contact trolley at the point of intersection of the conductor and ribs, substantially as
described.
Thirteenth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, the combination with a

page_text: straight line, an arched meas
support therefor spanning said conductor and having its extremities in line
therewith, and transverse supporting wires for sustaining the same substantially as
described.
portion of the main conductor deflected from a
Fourteenth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, a transverse support for
suspending electric conductors comprising a metallic arch between the extremities
of which the conductor is secured supporting wires secured to the extremities of the
ear, and to the poles or cables along the line of way, and link insulators included
in and forming part of the transverse supporting wires, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. In a system of suspended electric conductors a supporting wire having
a loop or attachment to the parts to be sustained said loop formed of a bent portion
of the extremity of the wire, and a collar or sleeve encircling and uniting the main
and return parts of the wire, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. In a system of suspended electric conductors, the combination with a
supporting wire and an ear or bail to which said wire is to be attached, of a collar or
sleeve encircling and uniting the main and return bend of said wire substantially as
described.
Seventeenth. A link insulator having a longitudinal body piece or pieces of
insulating material, and a re-enforcing washer or ferrule at either end adapted to
receive the transverse supporting wire substantially as described.
Eighteenth. A turn buckle the body portion of which is composed of insulating
material, substantially as described.
Nineteenth. A turn buckle formed of longitudinal side pieces of insulating material
and having screw threaded metallic ends attached thereto, and reversely screw
threaded rods engaging the metallic ends, substantially as described.
TAL: Ch day of Auril 1889.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.
Dated this 6th day
or of A
April 1889.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.