Improvements in Electric Railways on the Closed Conduit System.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Railways on the Closed Conduit System.
I, HARRY CLIFTON REAGAN, Jr., of No. 3811 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Mechanical 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 electric railways, in which the feed wire is located in a
closed conduit, and is adapted to be suitably supported therein, and to serve as an
axis for oscillating contacts of a novel construction, said contacts having a portion
thereof provided with a resilient arm or extension by means of which the circuit is
completed between the feed wire and conductor, and thence to the car motor, said
contacts being actuated at the proper time by means of a magnet carried on said car,
as will be hereinafter explained.
It also consists of novel means for energizing the magnet which is employed to
actuate said contacts at the proper time.
It also consists of a novel construction of collector wheel or roller, which is
constructed in sections mounted on yielding supports, whereby provision is made for
positively ensuring that some portion of said roller will always be in contact with the
conductor, under all conditions.
It further consists of novel details of construction, all as will be hereinafter set
forth and described.
Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of an electric railway embodying my
invention, the same being shown as especially adapted to an underground conduit,
which latter and its adjuncts are shown partly in section, the other portions being in
elevation.
Figure 2 represents on an enlarged scale, a transverse sectional view of an
underground conduit, feed wire, and oscillating contact mounted thereupon, and its
adjuncts.
Figure 3 represents on an enlarged scale, a side elevation of a roller or collector
wheel employed, a portion of the same being shown in section.
Figure 4 represents a front elevation of Figure 3, having the yoke attached.
Figure 5 represents a diagrammatic view of a small charging motor or generator
employed, the same being similar to the one shown in Figure 1, but here shown as in
detached position.
Figure 6 represents a section on line x, x Figure 2, showing a portion of the feed
wire, an oscillating contact mounted thereon, and insulating or non-conducting
material or washers there between.
Figure 7 represents a part transverse sectional view of an underground conduit,
showing a modification of the oscillating contact mounted on the feed wire, said
contact having one arm of reduced thickness, so as to impart the necessary resiliency
thereto.
Figure 8 represents a transverse sectional view of a portion of an underground
conduit, showing a modified form of device for attracting the oscillating contacts
which are mounted upon the feed wire.
Figure 9 represents a transverse section of a modified form of conductor and its
adjuncts.
Figure 10 represents a sectional view of the same on line y, y Figure 9.
Figure 11 m

page_text: Figure 12 represents a perspective sectional view of an electric railway, and its
conduit, showing the magnetic paths employed, and means for conducting electricity
to the exterior of the conduit.
Figure 13 represents a side elevation, partly in section showing a car magnet
provided with auxiliary poles having laterally extending feet.
Figure 14 represents a sectional view of a collector wheel and means for heating
the same.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A Figures 1 and 2 designates a longitudinally extending feed wire, which is
supported within the closed conduit H in any suitable manner and his mounted
thereon the oscillating contacts B, the same consisting of the body portion C, which
has extending therefrom the arm or iron armature D.
E designates a spring which is adapted to have one end seated within a pocket
or cavity F in the top portion of the conduit, while its other end is in contact with a
suitable portion of the arm D, thus tending to press the latter downwardly.
G designates the top portion of said conduit H, which it will of course be under-
stood is composed of any suitable non-conducting material, and is shown in the
present instance as being located underground and between the car tracks.
J designates a ledge or stop located within said conduit H, upon which the arm D
is adapted to rest after the car and the magnet have advanced beyond it, as will be
hereinafter explained.
K designates a spring contact, which is mounted upon the feed wire A, the
extremity L thereof being adapted to contact with the conductor P at the proper
intervals, which latter it will be understood is made in sections insulated from one
another.
N designates a sleeve like body portion of the spring contact K, to which the latter
is attached by means of the portion M, although it is evident that if desired the
spring contact K can be secured directly to the armature D by means of a pin or
rivet P, as indicated in Figure 2, it being understood that said armature D, and
the spring contact K are thus enabled to oscillate freely in unison upon the feed
wire A.
The conductor P is preferably of angular shape, being composed of the
members P, P and Q, the laterally extending exterior member Q being located
without the conduit, said conductor being held in position between the top G and
a side of the insulated conduit by means of the screws R Figures 2 and 7 or other
similar devices.
S designates an asphaltum or other paving, of suitable non-conducting material,
which is placed over the top G of the insulated conduit H.
T designates a pin or stud of iron or other suitable conductive material, which
passes through the pavings and the top G of the conduit, so that it's free end
terminates at a point adjacent to the armature D, but normally out of contact there-
with, the function of said pin being to form a magnetic path leading into the conduit
to the armature D, it being understood that a number of such pins are affected by the
magnet employed at the same time,
U designates a magnet which is supported upon the car in auy suitable manner, so
as to travel therewith.
V and W Figures 1 and 5 designate conductors leading from said magnet to the
commutator strips of a suitable small hand generator H and conductors V and W,
have leading therefrom the conductors X and Y, Figure 5, which are in communi-
cation with the positive and negative poles respectively of the battery A', which
it will be understood is also carried upon the car, switches B', 0, being inserted
in the circuits or conductors X and V respectively, the function of which will be
evident.
D' designates a pinion which is mounted upon the shaft E¹ of the generator H',
the latter being provided with the pole pieces D, and having commutators of usual
construction, with which the conductors and W are connected.
F designates a gear which is in mesh with the pinion D', said gear being

page_text: rotated by means of the crank handle G', whereupon it will be seen that a few
rotations of said gear F will cause the magnet U to be energized whenever
desired for the purpose of attracting the armatures D upwardly towards the pins T
for the purpose of making contact between the resilient arms or strips L, or their
equivalents, and the conductor P.
J¹ designates a collector wheel, which is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4,
the same consisting of a plurality of dises or rings K, which are provided with
grooves or ridges as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the several discs composing
said wheel being supported by any means as the yoke L', which it will be under-
stood is carried upon the car in any suitable manner, the conductor M' which
leads from said yoke L' to the car motor N' mounted on the axle P¹ serving to
complete the circuit between the feed wire A and said motor, as will be understood.
from Figure 1.
QFigure 3 designates sockets which may be of any desired number, the same
being located within the inner periphery of the rings K, and having one end of
the springs R seated therein, the other ends of the latter being seated in the
sockets Swhich are located in the hubs T', it being of course apparent that the
number of sockets Q and S¹ must be in alignment with each other when
the springs R are inserted therein, said springs having the function of yielding
spokes, whereby it will be seen that if any slight obstruction, such as a pebble,
stick, and the like is encountered on the conductor Q, one of the discs K¹ will still
remain in contact with the conductor, since if one is raised by the obstruction, it will
not necessarily raise the adjacent ring, by reason of the yielding connection between
said rings and the hubs T.
In Figure 7 is shown another embodiment of the principle of my invention.
Y designating the body portion of the oscillating contact, which is mounted on
the feed wire A as before, and having the arm or iron armature Z' attached
thereto, and projecting therefrom as indicated, while the opposite extremity of said
contact is of reduced thickness, as indicated at A2, and is thus caused to be more
or less resilient, and thus impart a downward movement to the armature Z' after
the contact has once been made between it and the conductor P, said downward
movement being positively assured by the spring E, while the abutment A³ serves as
a support for said arm or armature Zi, when the contact is broken.
In Figure 8 the construction is substantially the same as in Figures 1 and 2, the
only difference being that tho pin T is replaced by the pin B, provided in its lower
extremity with the socket C, in which is inserted the pin D, suitable insulation E
being attached to the extremity of the latter, whereby it will be apparent that the arm
or armature D will never come directly in contact with said pin D*.
In Figure 6 is shown the manner of insulating the eontacts B from each other, the
same being threaded upon the feed wire A, and each having interposed between itself
and its neighbour the sleeve or washers B of 'suitable fibrous or other non-conducting
material, the object of which is evident.
The operation is as follows, reference being first had to Figures 1 and 2.
The contacts B normally assume the position seen in dotted lines Figure 2, the
extremity of the iron arm or armature D resting upon the ledge or abutment J. the
spring contact L being then removed from contact with the conductor P, the spring E
also assisting to hold the arm D in its lower position, in which position the circuit is
broken.
As the car progresses, the magnet U when it reaches the pins T, will cause the lines
of force to enter the same, and thus will instantly attract the armature D, the same
then assuming the position seen in full lines in Figures 1, 2, 8 and 9, whereupon
it will be seen that the circuit is completed from the feed wire to the conductor P, and
thence to the lateral portion or tread Q, and through the wheel J and its connections
to the car motor N'.
After the progression of the car, the magnet U moving therewith leaves the pins T,
the armatures D falling by gravity, their movements being assisted by the spring E,
assume the position seen in dotted lines, the circuit between the feed wire A and the

page_text: conductor P thus being broken, the downward movement of the armature D being
also aided by the spring contacts L, as will be evident.
The operation in Figure 7 is substantially the same, the resilient contact A being
the full equivalent of the spring contact L, seen in Figures 1, 2 and 8.
When for any reason it is desired to energize the magnet U, so as to cause the
lines of force to pass through the pin T, and thus attract the armature, it is only
necessary to employ the auxiliary device seen in Figures 1 and 5, and to give a few
turns to the crank handle G' of the small generator H', which is to be carried on the
car whereby the magnet will be instantly energized, provision being also made for
utilizing the battery A' with said magnet as indicated in Figure 5, said magnet being
normally in connection with the main circuit.
I desire to call especial attention to the function attained by the employment of the
resilient portions of the contacts L, or A2, seen respectively in Figures 1, 2, 7, 8, or 9,
since it will be evident that by reason of the resiliency of said contacts, the tendency
will be for the armature D to spring back after the circuit is once completed and to
fall upon the abutment J or A3, as the case may be, the downward movement of said
armature being further positively assured by reason of the spring E.
The manner of operation of the conductor wheel J' has been already explained, and
it is thought will require no further description.
In Figures 9 10 and 11 I have shown the preferred manner of constructing the
conductor Q, it being noted that that portion of the same which extends within the
conduit may be recessed at intervals intermediate of the contacts, there being us many
depending arms P as there are contacts, thus effecting a great saving of material,
and reducing the weight and expense to a minimum.
If desired, instead of recessing the depending portion of the conductor Q, depending
pins may be attached thereto which have the same function, as is evident.
The arm or armature D is in practice made of suitable magnetic material, while the
resilient strip L is of non-magnetic material.
It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the manner of
mounting and assembling the different elements constituting my invention, which will
come within the scope of the same, and I therefore reserve the right to make such
changes as will come within the spirit of my invention, and do not desire to be
limited in every instance to the exact construction I have herein shown and
described.
In Figure 12 I have shown a three-sided conduit, which is open at its base, and
has its top covered with suitable paving material V, such as asphaltum or similar
composition, it being noticed that said conduit rests on and is embedded in similar
material, so that its interior will be dry under all conditions.
Qdesignates blocks or magnetic paths of iron or other material, which are inserted
at intervals into the paving material V, said paths or blocks having a portion Q
depending therefrom towards, but not into the interior of the conduit.
M designates plates or strips which are suitably attached to the under side of the
top of the conduit under the magnetic paths Q, said plates being over the
armatures Z' of the contacts Y¹, which are rotatably mounted upon the feed wire A,
said contacts having a resilient arm A* which is adapted to contact at the proper
interval with the carbon button E3 in the head X' of the bolt Y which passes through
one side of the conduit, and also through the portion of the angle iron A', said
bolt being held in position by any suitable means as a nut D.
B designates a laterally extending flange or member of the angle iron A', upon
which the collector wheel is adapted to travel and thus convey the electricity from
the feed wire A to the motor, it being of course understood that the angle iron or
conductor A is made in a series of sections suitably insulated from each other.
The operation of the construction seen in Figure 12 is substantially identical with
those already described, the car magnet passing over the paths Q, whereby the lines
of force extend to the interior of the conduit, and thus attract the arm Z' of the
contact, thereby bringing the member A' against the carbon button or head E from
which the electricity is conducted to the car motor, it being of course understood that

page_text: the arms Z' of the contacts Y' fall after the progression of the car and the magnet
over the paths above each contact.
In Figure 13 I show the preferred device employed for attracting the contacts in
which the magnet of the car motor is utilized, D designating the motor casing, and
E the poles inserted into the motor poles F, the latter having the windings F, a four
pole motor being shown in Figure 13, although it will be evident that the principle of
my invention is applicable to a two pole motor.
The pole pieces E may be of steel or iron and have attached to them soft iron
shoes G which effectually serve to direct the lines of force through the blocks Q' and
the paving material V, the operation of the other parts contained within the contact
being the same as already described, especial attention being called to the fact that I
dispense with a separate magnet, since I utilize the poles of the car motor, and by
employing the laterally extending feet G I am enabled to cover a plurality of the
magnetic paths Q, it being evident that when the current is passing around the field
poles, a portion of the lines of force will travel through the supplemental poles E'.
In Figure 141 show a collector wheel R adapted to melt snow or ice from the
conductor, the same consisting of the body portion S, of suitable non-conducting
material as glass, or porcelain, and is preferably provided with the corrugations T
the inner surfaces of said wheel having a coating U of silver or other material of
high resistance and having surrounding it a metal shell V to take up wear.
W designates the hubs of the wheel which rotate in suitable bearings X³ and are
attached to the yoke Y' which may lead to the car motor in substantially the same
manner as indicated in Figure 1.
A designates contact strips which convey the current into and out of the hub W',
said current passing from the wheel through the strips A" thence through the hubs W
and through wires A³, which are embedded in asbestos B' which is contained within
the glass or porcelain wheel S, said wires having connections C leading therefrom to
the silver casing or coating U and thereby serving to highly heat the wheel R, the
electricity passing out through the strips Z to the motor, it being understood that the
upper portion of the yoke Y is properly insulated.
The operation of the collector wheel R will be evident, the same becoming highly
beated in its travel, and thus melting any accumulation of ice or snow upon the
conductor.
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 :-
1st. In an electric railway, a feed wire, a conduit, a conductor supported therein,
a contact movably mounted on said feed wire, said contact having a suitable body
portion, a sleeve surrounding the feed wire and engaged by said body portion, said
sleeve having a resilient arm extending therefrom, and adapted to complete the circuit
between said feed wire and conductor at proper intervals.
2nd. In an electric railway, a feed wire an oscillatory contact mounted on the
latter and provided with a magnetic arm or armature, and a resilient non-magnetic
arm also attached to said contact.
3rd. In an electric railway, a conduit of non-conducting material, a feed wire
suitably supported therein, a conductor passing through the top of said conduit, an
oscillatory contact mounted on said feed wire and having an arm or armature of
magnetic material, a resilient non-magnetic arm also mounted on said contact, and a
spring for actuating said armature so as to break the contact between said resilient
arm and the conductor.
4th. In an electric railway, a feed wire, an oscillatory contact mounted thereupon,
and provided with a magnetic arm or armature, a resilient non-magnetic arm also
attached to said contact, a conductor located in the path of said resilient arm, means.
for causing a contact between said resilient arm and conductor, and means for con-
veying the electricity from said feed wire to the car motor.
5th. In an electric railway, a collector wheel composed of a plurality of rings,

page_text: a hub on which said rings are mounted, and springs intermediate said hub and
rings.
6th. In an electric railway, a collector wheel composed of a plurality of rings,
a.hub on which said rings are mounted sockets in the latter and said rings, and
yielding devices seated in said sockets and adapted to form yielding spokes.
7th. In an electric railway, a closed conduit of non-conducting material, a con-
ductor supported therein, a feed wire located in said conduit, oscillatory contacts
mounted on said feed wire, and having washers of insulating material therebetween,
one arm of said contacts being of magnetic material, and the other arm being of
resilient and non-magnetic material, in combination with a collector wheel and con-
nections therefrom to a car motor.
8th. In an electric railway, a conduit of non-conducting material, a feed wire
suitably supported therein, an oscillatory contact mounted thereupon, and having a
resilient arm, an angular shaped conductor located in said conduit, and having
depending portions adapted to complete the circuit when the contact is made, and a
stop for said contacts.
9th. In an electric railway, a car, a car motor, a feed wire, a conduit therefor, an
oscillatory contact thereon having a resilient arm, a conductor wheel, and a magnet
mounted on said car, connections from said conductor wheel to said car motor, an
auxiliary charging motor, and connections therefrom to said magnet.
10th. In an electric railway, a closed conduit, a feed wire supported therein,
oscillatory contacts mounted on said feed wire, and having a resilient arm, a
magnet adapted to be supported on the car, a conductor, means for making a
circuit between said conductor and the car motor, a charging motor, a battery, and
connections intermediate said battery, motor and magnet.
11th. In an electric railway, a magnet, a non-conducting conduit, a feed wire
supported therein, an oscillatory contact mounted thereupon, and having an armature
and a resilient arm attached thereto, an angular shaped conductor located in said
conduit, means for holding said conductor in position, and a pin of magnetic
material located in said conduit for the purpose of producing a short magnetic path
between said magnet and armature, in combination with means for oscillating said
contact.
12th. In an electric railway, a car, a magnet carried thereby, a conduit, a con-
ductor located in the side of said conduit, a feed wire supported therein, a contact
device mounted thereon and provided with a resilient arm and an armature, and pins
of suitable magnetic material projecting into the interior of said conduit in proximity
to said armature, for the purpose of producing a short magnetic path between said
magnet and armature.
13th. In an electric railway, a car, a car motor, a conduit, a conductor located
partially within and partially without the same, a feed wire supported within said
conduit, an oscillatory contact mounted upon said feed wire, and provided with a
resilient arm, a magnet supported on said car, means for conveying the electricity
from said conductor to said car motor, an auxiliary motor and connections from the
latter to said magnet, in combination with pins of suitable magnetic material located
in proximity to said contact, for the purpose of producing a short magnetic path
between said contact and the exterior of said conduit.
14th. In an electric railway, a collector wheel composed of a plurality of rings
separated from each other, and a hub therefor, each ring having spokes composed of
springs common to said rings and hubs.
15th. In an electric railway, a car, a car motor, a conduit, a feed wire located
within said conduit, an oscillatory contact mounted on said feed wire, and having a
resilient arm, means for conducting electricity from said conductor to the car motor,
a magnet carried by said car, an auxiliary charging motor and connections from the
latter to said magnet whereby the latter can be energized when desired.
.16th. In an electric railway, a car, a magnet carried thereby, a car motor, a conduit,
a conductor located in a side thereof, means for conveying electricity from said
conductor to said car motor, a feed wire supported in said conduit, an oscillatory

page_text: contact device mounted on said feed wire and provided with a resilient arm and an
armature, and pins of suitable magnetic material projecting into the interior of said
conduit, in proximity to said armature for the purpose of producing a short magnetic
path between said magnet and armature, in combination with an auxiliary charging
motor and connections therefrom to said magnet.
17th. In an electric railway, a conduit, a conductor located in a side of said!
conduit, a feed wire supported in said conduit, an oscillatory contact device-
mounted on said feed wire and provided with a magnetic armature and a resilient
non-magnetic arm, pins of suitable magnetic material located in proximity to said
armature for the purpose of producing a short magnetic path between said magnet
and armature, a magnet carried by the car, means for conveying electricity from-
the feed wire to the car motor, an auxiliary charging motor and connections there-
from to said magnet.
18th. In an electric railway, a car, a car motor, a feed wire, a conduit therefor an
oscillatory contact mounted on said feed wire and having a resilient arm, a conductor-
located adjacent to said conduit, means for conveying electricity from said conductor
to the car motor, a magnet carried by said car, an auxiliary charging motor and.
connections from the latter to said magnet.
19th. In an electric railway, a conduit, a feed wire supported therein, an oscillatory
contact mounted on said feed wire and having a resilient arm, a conductor located
in proximity to said conduit, against which said arm is adapted to contact, and means.
for conveying electricity from said conductor to a car motor, in combination with
a magnet, a battery, an auxiliary charging motor, and conductors common to the
latter and to said battery and magnet.
20th. In an underground conduit, a conduit containing a plurality of contacting
devices, suitable protecting or paving material adapted to cover the top of said conduit,.
a series of independent magnetic paths separated from each other and bedded in said
material, and extending from the surface thereof towards but not into the interior
of said conduit and over said contacting devices, and said magnetic paths being out
of electrical connection with the interior of the conduit:
21st. In an underground conduit, a closed non-conducting conduit and a series of
blocks above the same, and embedded in the top of the paving material covering said
conduit, in combination with a series of plates or strips suitably attached to the
under side of the top of the conduit, and means for conducting electricity from the.
feed wire within said conduit to the exterior of the latter.
22nd. In an electric railway, a three-sided conduit adapted to rest upon and be
embedded in a paving material, a series of blocks embedded in the top of said conduit,..
a bolt projecting through a side of said conduit and having a carbon button in its
head, and an angle iron secured to a side of said conduit, said bolt serving as a
conductor of electricity and to hold said angle iron in position.
23rd. In an electric railway, a conduit, a feed wire supported therein, oscillatory
contact devices mounted on said feed wire, means for conducting electricity from said
devices to a car motor, and paving material covering the top of said conduit, in
combination with a series of independent magnetic paths separated from each other
and embedded in said paving material and extending from the surface thereof
towards but not into the interior of said conduit, said paths being located over said
contacting devices and being out of electrical connection with the interior of the
conduit.
24th. In an electric railway, a conduit, a feed wire supported therein, oscillatory
contact devices mounted on said feed wire, paving material covering the top of said
conduit, and a series of independent magnetic paths embedded in said paving
material, and extending from the surface thereof towards but not into the interior
of said conduit, said paths being located over said contact devices and out of
electrical connection with the interior of the conduit, in combination with a car motor,
and supplemental poles provided with soft iron shoes inserted in the poles of said car
motor, said shoes being adapted to travel over said magnetic paths.
25th. In an electric railway, a feed wire, a conduit therefor, an oscillatory contact

page_text: mounted on said feed wire, means for conducting electricity from said contact to the
car motor, a series of supplemental poles inserted in the poles of the car motor, shoes
of soft iron attached to said poles, and devices for producing a magnetic path to the
interior of the conduit, inserted in the path of said poles.
26th. In an electric railway, a conduit, a casing therefor, a series of inde-
pendent magnetic paths supported above said conduit and a magnet having soft
iron shoes attached to each pole thereof, said shoes extending over one or more
magnetic paths.
27th. In an electric railway, a collector wheel consisting of an inner glass or non-
conducting shell, a coating of silver thereupon, a metallic shell surrounding the whole,
coils of high resistance embedded in asbestos or similar material, contained within
-said non-conducting shell, and means for conducting electricity to and from said
wheel.
28th. In an electric railway, a closed conduit, a non-conducting material forming
a protection surrounding said conduit, and magnetic pins or paths of any suitable
material projecting through said non-conducting material to the interior of said
conduit, in proximity to armatures of contacting devices located in said conduit, in
combination with means for magnetically operating said devices.
29th. In an electric railway, a non-conducting conduit, a feed wire therein, an
oscillating contact mounted on said feed wire, magnetic pins or paths of any suitable
material projecting into said conduit, and a magnet supported on a car, said magnet
having poles covering a plurality of said magnetic paths.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1896
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.