Improvements in the Electric Propulsion of Cars.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1894-Accepted 27th Oct., 1894
Improvements in the Electric Propulsion of Cars.
I, ARCHIBALD H. BRINTNELL, of 77, Victoria Street, in the City of Toronto,
in the County of York, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, 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 electric propulsion of cars and the
object of the invention is to devise a simple, efficient, safe and economical system
in which there will be no ground current, practically no magnetic leakage, no over-
head poles with exposed wires and consequently no short circuits no possibility
of burning out and in which any desired voltage may be used and it consists
essentially of a system in which the motor is comprised partly of armatures
attached to or forming part of the frame of the car and of field magnets located
in pairs at desired distances apart between the rails of the track, so that a
longitudinal pull is given to the armatures, so as to draw the car forward or
rearward as desired, mechanism being arranged for throwing in the current into
the field magnets and the parts being otherwise constructed and arranged in detail
as hereinafter more particularly explained.
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section through a car and portion of a road-bed showing
the various parts involved in my invention.
Fig. 2, is an enlarged cross section through the lines x-x¹, y―y'.
Fig. 3, is a plan view with the car body removed showing half trucks and frame
as constructed.
Fig. 4, is an enlarged perspective detail showing the construction of the magnet
stringer and parts for operating the same.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each
figure.
A, is the body of the car, B, the cross timbers, C, the longitudinal timbers,
D, the four wheel truck frames and E, the two wheel truck frames located next
the four wheel truck frames and, F, the central truck frame. The end four wheel
truck frames are pivoted on the cross bars, B, by the king bolts, B¹, (see Figs. 1
and 2) and are supported upon the semi-elliptical springs. The trucks, E, E, serve
to support portion of the weight of the car by means of the semi-elliptical
springs, El, which have journalled between and on the top of them the roller, E³,
upon which the cross beams, B, rest.
It will thus be seen that the car frames from end to end is supported by the
cross beams, B, supported by the elliptical springs, B2, on the four wheel trucks
and the cross beams, B, supported on the rollers, E³, journalled in the top of the
springs, E, on the two wheel trucks.
Two
G, are the armatures the construction of which is clearly shown by_the
armature, G, to the left hand side of Fig. 1, and the armatures in Fig. 2. Two
armatures, G, are secured to the bottom of each cross bar of the four wheel truck
frame, D, one on each side and equi-distant from the centre of the width as to the
car and two armatures are secured upon the cross bar of the truck frames, E, E,
one on each side and equi-distant from the centre as to the width of the car.
armatures, G, are also secured to the bottom of the cross bar of the truck frame, F
one on each side of the centre and equi-distant from it. The armatures are all of
the same length and width and are equi-distant from each other throughout the
length of the car and the bottoms of the armatures, which are flat, approach in
close proximity to the surface of the road-bed.
The truck frame, D, is provided with wheels, D¹, the truck frame, E, with

page_text: wheels, E³, and truck frame, F, with wheels, F', suitably journalled in their
respective frames. The trucks, D, are connected to the trucks, E, by the
frame, H, which is pivoted at, h, to one end of the truck and secured by bolts, h¹,
to the frame, E. The central truck, F, has two substantially triangular frames, I,
located one at each end of the frame. The frames consist of an upper and lower
plate in which are journalled the friction rollers, i, shown in full lines, and dotted
lines in Fig. 3, through which extend the rod, J. The frames I, are pivotally
connected by the bars, K, to the pivot pin, 3, at the inner end of the frame, H.
The rod, J, is supported in eye-bolts, j, at its outer end and, j', within the
openings, I, of the frame, I, as indicated.
It will thus be seen that in going around a curve as indicated in Fig. 3, that
the central portion of the frame namely the triangular frames, I, and connecting
bars, K, will be permitted of a longitudinal extension through the frames, 1, being
caused to move inwardly, the friction rollers running on the bar, J. When the
car reaches a straight portion of the track it will readily be seen that the frames, I
will move outwardly.
L, is the magnet stringer, which is comprised of a single strip of flexible metal
extending from end to end of the car and provided with a series of horse shoe
magnets, M, strung together upon the stringer, L, and secured to the stringer by
the wedge m. The stringer is located centrally between the wheels and is capable
of longitudinal movement and each bunch of magnets, M, are of equal length and
equi-distant upon the stringer. Each bunch of magnets, is held in position from
moving laterally by means of the side guiding plates, H¹, see in full lines in Fig. 2
and dotted lines in Fig. 3. L', are links pivotally connected one at each end of
the stringer to a lever 1, pivoted beneath the frame of the platform of the car
next the dash-board. The top end, l, of the lever, 1, fits into a socket, ², in the
bottom portion. The lever is provided with the usual spring plungers designed to
co-act with the quadrant, . The stringer is supported on a longitudinal rod, O,
extending throughout the length of the bottom of the car and suitably supported
upon the truck frames, the stringer L, being connected to the bar by the bell-
cranks, o which are pivotally connected to the triangular plates O', straddling the
stringer and provided with friction rollers, o³, between the plates, which are
capable of longitudinal movement within the slot, L³, in the stringer. Each
bell-crank, o, is supported in a suitable bracket, 3³, secured or connected to a
portion of the frame of the truck. Each end of the rod, O, is provided with a
bell-crank, O³, from the outer end of which extend a vertical rod, P, which is
suitably journalled in bearings attached to the dash-board of the car and is
provided with a handle, p.
It will be noticed that the handles, p, and their corresponding bell-cranks, O*,
on each end of the rod O, are reversely set and that the levers, l, at each end of
the stringer, L, are reversely set and this necessarily so. The rod, O, has a
plate, o, fastened to it, which is connected by a spring, Q, to a bracket, q, secured
to the cross bar of one of the truck frames, D. By means of the spring, Q, the
weight of the stringer, L, which is supported by the rod, O, is supported so that
the handle, p, may be readily manipulated without requiring any undue exercise
of power on the part of the motorman of the car.
R, is the commutator switch, which is located in a suitable casing, R¹, provided
with a top plate, R³, preferably of non-magnetic metal, which completely encloses
the top of the casing and is water tight. The plate, R2, is substantially flush with
the surface of the road-bed. The commutator switch is comprised of the weighted
pivoted lever S, having one end extending centrally beneath the plate, R³, and
provided with a soft iron disc, s, a contact strip, t, secured to the lever, S, and
insulated from it by the sleeve, s¹, and a carbon contact bar, u, secured in the top
of the standard, U. Normally the contact strip, t, is held away from the carbon
contact bar, u. V, are the field magnets which are supported in suitable frames
beneath the road-bed and the cores, v, of which extend up to and are flush with the
surface of the road-bed and substantially parallel to the bottoms of the armature, G.

page_text: The field magnets are arranged in pairs and at desired distances apart. In this
case such distance being six times the length of the armature and there are seven
pairs of armatures in the car. The reason of which I shall hereinafter explain.
o', is a wire leading from the coil V, to the standard, U, in the commutator
switch, and, ³, is the opposite end of the wire of the coil, which leads to one of
the main circuit wires, W. 8, is a wire leading to the binding post, t³, of the
strip, t, to the coil, V, at the right hand side of Fig. 2. The other end of the
coil, V, viz., v, leads to the other main circuit wire, ✗.
Having now described the principal parts involved in my invention I shall
briefly describe its operation. The car is supposed to be travelling in the direction
indicated by arrow. The section shown in Fig. 1, is through the commutator
switch, which is in the central portion of the track with the exception of the section
at the left hand side of Fig. 1, which is through one of the field magnets.
The
It will therefore be understood that each of the field magnets are correspondingly
situated to the commutator switch or are directly opposite to them one on each side.
The magnets, M, situated above the commutator switch second from the right in
Fig. 1, are the first to operate throwing the strip, t, against the carbon contact bar, u,
the circuit is then completed from the main circuit wires through the field magnets, V,
situated opposite to this particular commutator switch, consequently such magnets
will first attract and draw the armature in the direction indicated by arrow.
armature at the extreme right of the figure would then be brought up into the
position described as to the last armature in relation to the magnets opposite
the commutator switch to the extreme left hand side of Fig. 1, which field magnets
would draw these armatures over them. The armature second from the last as to
the direction of the movement would then be in position to be drawn by the field
When
magnets opposite to the commutator switch second from the left in Fig. 1.
this armature has been brought over such magnets the armature fourth from the
right would then be in position to be drawn by the magnets opposite the
commutator switch second from the right in Fig. 1, which when it has drawn this
armature over it the armature at the extreme left of this figure would be in position
to be drawn by the field magnets opposite to the commutator switch second from
the left. This operation would be continuously repeated as the car goes along the
track, thereby exerting a continuous pull on the car and the rapidity at which the
car would be caused to move would depend upon the manipulation of the magnet
stringer, which may be raised with it is desired to slacken the speed or stop the car
and lowered again when it is desired to have the car run on full voltage.
In order to raise or lower the stringer, L, the handle p, at either one end or
the other would have to be turned, so as to operate upon the rod, O, and bell
cranks, o.
In order to reverse the direction of movement of the car the lever, l, at the right
hand side of the figure would have to be thrown into corresponding position shown
to that of the lever, l, at the left hand side of the figure, when the bunch of
magnets, M would be thrown so as to come above the commutator switch, R,
to the extreme left in Fig. 1.
In a system such as I describe it will be seen that as there are no poles and
exposed wires there will be no short circuits and consequently no danger to animal
life, there will be no ground current, no burning out and the motor which is
comprised of armatures attached to the car and field magnets located in the road
bed may be reversed instantaneously. The expense of running will also be greatly
reduced as there will be no wear and tear of the motor as is consequent upon the
ordinary rotary motor now in use. The car will necessarily be lighter and any
desired voltage may be used with perfect safety.
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 A system for electrical pronulsion of cars comprised of a motor, the armatures

page_text: of which are secured to the frame of the car and located in proximity to the road-
bed and the field magnets of which are located in the road-bed and means whereby
the current is thrown into the field magnets successively to exert a magnetic pull
successively on the armatures of the car as and for the purpose specified.
2. A system for the electrical propulsion of cars comprised of a series of pairs of
armatures secured to the truck frames of the car and suitably supported in proximity
to the road-bed and located equi-distant from each other, of a series of pairs of
field magnets the tops of the cores of which are substantially flush with the road-bed
in the paths of the armature and are equi-distant from each other and a commutator
switch and a series of magnets attached to the bottom of the frame for operating
upon such switch to close the main circuit through each pair of field magnets as the
armatures approach them as and for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with a series of armatures and trucks to support the armatures
suitably attached to the bottom of the car, the armatures being arranged at equal
distances apart as specified and a stringer having a series of bunches of magnets of
corresponding size supported on the stringer at equal distances apart and means for
raising the stringer, of the field magnets, the cores of which extend upwardly from
underneath the ground to the level of the road-bed and in the paths of the armatures
and a commutator switch designed to be actuated by the bunch of magnets on the
stringer, so as to throw in the field magnets to exert a pull upon the armatures as
and for the purpose specified.
4. The combination with the armatures, G, of equal length arranged in pairs and
supported on the trucks of the car frame as specified, and the stringer, L, provided
with a series of bunches of magnets, M, of the field magnets, V, arranged in pairs
and having cores, v, extending to the surface of the road-bed and the commutator
switch, R, comprised of the lever, S, having a soft iron disc, a contact strip, t,
secured to the lever, S, and insulated from it, a carbon contact bar, U, secured on
top of the standard, U, and the wires, v¹, v², v³, and, vt, connected to the standard, U,
binding post, t2, and to the coils and main circuit wires, W, and, X, as shown and
for the purpose specified.
5. The combination with the armatures, G, arranged in pairs and secured to the
trucks of the car and the bunch of magnets, M, secured to the stringer, L, which is
connected by the links, L, to the lever, l, as specified, of the field magnets, V,
arranged in pairs in the path of the armatures and the commutator switch
constructed as specified and arranged to co-act with the magnets, M, to throw in
the circuit into the field magnets, V, successively as the car travels along the track
as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a system such as described the combination with the car, of a stringer, L,
provided with a series of bunches of magnets, M, a rod, O, connected by the bell-
cranks, o, to the plates, o', provided with friction rollers, o², extending into the
slot, Is, in the stringer and means for longitudinally adjusting the rod, O, as and
for the purpose specified.
7. In a system such as described the combination with the car, of a stringer, L,
provided with a series of bunches of magnets, M, a rod, O, connected by the bell-
cranks, o, to the plates, o¹, provided with friction rollers, o³, extending into the
slot, L3, in the stringer and the links, O', connected to the ends of the rod, O,
having an upwardly extending rod, P, provided with a crank handle, p, as and for
the purpose specified.
8. In a system such as described the combination with the car, of a stringer, L,
provided with a series of bunches of magnets, M, a rod, O, connected by the bell-
cranks, o, to the plates, o', provided with friction rollers, o³, extending into the
slot, L³, in the stringer and the spring, Q, connected to the rod, O, and a bracket, g,
attached to the truck, D, and means for longitudinally adjusting the rod, O, as and
for the purpose specified.
9. In a system of the class described a car provided with the four wheel truck, D,
supporting the ends of the car and connected to the cross beams by the king
bolts, B', the two wheel trucks, E, supporting the car by means of the roller, E²,

page_text: journalled between and on top of the semi-elliptical springs, E¹, and designed to
support the car underneath their corresponding cross beams, B, as and for the
purpose specified.
10. The combination with the trucks, D, and, E, of the frame, H, pivoted at, h,
to the truck, D, bolted to the truck, E, and the truck, F, provided with an
adjustable frame, I, provided with a friction roller, i, to run on the guide bar, J,
and pivotally connected by the bars, K, to the inner end of the frame, H, as shown
and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 25th day of August 1891
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.