Improvements in Electric Conduits.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application. 2nd Sept., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Conduits.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT ELLIOTT of Kansas City, in the State of Missouri, United
States of America, Inventor 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 :-
This invention relates to conduits for electric wires more especially of that class
adapted for use in connection with railway cars which are to be driven by an electric
current conveyed by such conduit through the means of a contact piece or trolley
carried by the car and adapted to convey a constant current either of single or
alternating polarity and of the right potential to the car for the purpose of propelling
the same.
The invention consists of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts
hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly
pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a section of my conduit proper of the elastic
side form, on line 1-1 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the conduit showing it as adapted for use in con-
nection with a contact piece carried by a car and projecting below the level of the
earth, through a suitable slot in the centre.
Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 showing the device adapted for use in connection
with a contact piece projecting from the side or from the top of the car.
Fig. 5 is a cross section of the bar supporting the contact device.
Fig. 6 is a cross section of another form of my conduit.
Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of still another form.
Fig. 8 is a perspective detail.
Fig. 9 is a transverse section of a construction of my conduit wherein pivoted con-
tactors are employed.
Fig. 10 a longitudinal section through the slot.
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section through the conductor.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the trolley.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, A represents an approximately U-shaped casing com-
posed of earthenware, as terra-cotta, or of any other suitable non-conducting material.
H represents a flexible plate also of non-conducting material which occupies and
closes the fourth side of the conduit, the latter being preferably rectangular in cross
section as shown. Within the casing A, is a suitable filling body K, such as sawdust
or other non-conductive material which is used for filling said casing and within which
longitudinal wires W may be arranged if desired for the purpose of carrying
telegraphic, telephonic or electric light currents, although these wires form no part of
the present invention. The edges of the plate H are preferably made with flanges h,
which closely fit inside the side pieces of the casing and just inside these flanges and
against the inner face of the plate H, I preferably arrange longitudinal rubber tubes P
which may also carry electric wires for any suitable purpose if desired.
The filling body K which is preferably put into the casing in a soft or plastic
state holds these tubes in place and also holds the flanges h, against the sides of the
casing.
The filling K at its centre is depressed and in a longitudinal groove formed therein
I seat the main conductor C. In the present instance I have shown but one conductor
although it will be understood that more than one can be employed if desired and
they can be located side by side and the contacting device can be duplicated when it

page_text: is desired either to convey two currents to the car or to make a complete circuit
through the car and returning through one conductor.
Throughout the length of the plate H 1 attach to its two sidos, metallic plates M
whose ends are out of contact with each other but are preferably beveled dovetailed or
otherwise arranged as shown at m, so as to break joints with each other. The plates M
upon the inner side of the insulating plate H correspond in size and shape with those
on the exterior thereof and are of such thickness as to be normally held by the elastic
plate H out of contact with the conductor C.
The two serios of plates M M, are connected with each other by metallic bolts or
rivets B, passing through their bodies and through the intervening plate H. From
the above description it will be seen that if a contact piece or roller be passed along
the outer faces of the platos M and be pressed against them with considerable force,
the inner pintes M will be pressed into contact with the conductor and an electrical
current will be transmitted from the conductor at that point into the inner plate M
through the bolts or rivets B to the outer plate M and from thence may be led through
the contact piece or roller to whatever point is desired. It will also be seen that as
the roller progresses along the conduit, it passes from the end of one plate M to the
adjoining end of the next plate without interrupting the flow of the current on
account of the break joint form of said ends; and also, that the plates M in advance
and in rear of the point where the roller is pressing one of them into contact with the
conductor, will be carried out of such contact by the force of the elastic plato H
assisted by the tubes P.
In Fig. 3 have shown my conduit as located between the rails of a track and
mounted upon the tie T thereof, a complementary strip A¹ being preferably so placed
as to leave a central slot S between the rails through which projects an arm R
carrying the contnet roller G at its lower end. It will be understood that as the car
moves along the track, the roller G is carried with it and makes a progressive contact
with the conductor Cand that the latter is located beneath the surface of the ground
and out of all possible reach by person or animal as well as by the elements. The
arm is preferably made as shown in Fig. 5 wherein, c, is the conductor sur-
rounded by insulating material i, and this in turn surrounded by a strong metallic
frame f
It will of course be understood that when it is desired to cut off the flow of the
current, the communication between the metallic roller G and the car can be broken
by any well known means.
In Fig. 41 have shown my elastic side conduit as mounted upon a base X whereby
it is held above the ground at any suitable height, whereby it may be located along
the side of the track und the arm R may project from the side of the car and can
make contact through its roller in the manner above described.
It will be understood that if it is desired the conduit A. may be supported above the
car with its plate I on its lower side and the arm It may project from the top of
the car, whereby the device will serve all the purposes of a trolley but as this con-
struction is almost exactly similar to that shown in Fig. 4 1 have not illustrated it.
By the peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts of the above conduit,
the casing A and plate FL which are both of insulating material and are waterproof,
entirely surround and protect the conductor whereby loss of electrical energy is
avoided and access to the conductor by persons either accidentally or maliciously is
prevented.
Within this casing the filling K is placed which surrounds the conductor C on all
sides except one and which may also contain wires for other purposes as for instance
for use by the railroad.
Referring now to Fig. 6 the casing is composed preferably of a number of horizontal
pieces of non-conducting material clamped together by vertical bolts or by bands
passing around them. The interior pieces are somewhat shorter than the upper and
lower pieces and are thereby made to constitute the filling K and the adjacent faces
of all those pieces are provided with semi-circular grooves which, when the parts are

page_text: assembled, form longitudinal openings W for the reception of telegraph or telephone
wires.
The inner pieces K are flush at one edge with the top and bottom pieces whereby
a recess is formed along the opposite edges of the conduit and this recess is adapted
to receive metallic plates M similar to those shown in Fig. 1, that is to say, with their
ends m beveled or notched so as to break joint, but out of contact with each other.
In this instance B' represents a metallic bar of which there is preferably one near
each end of each plate M and the bodies of these bars pass through holes in the
bottom of the longitudinal recess and lie norimally in the bottom of apertures Z within
the filling K as shown in Fig. 6.
In this instance the inner ends of the bars are provided with heads k, the weight
whereof normally holds the plates M at an angle as shown. It will be understood
therefore, that when the wheel G bears against the plate M, the head k of the bar B'
will be thrown upwardly and will make electrical contact with the conductor C, the
bars B and plates M returning to their normal positions as soon as the roller G
passes off the ends of each of the successive plates.
Around the body of the bar B' where it passes into the apertures Z, I preferably
locate a rubber bushing E which not only prevents the loss of electric power but also
scals the conduit and makes it air- and water tight.
In the construction shown in Fig. 7, the arrangement of those parts is almost the
same except that the bar B slides through the opening Z and through a rubber
bushing E into contact with and against one side of the conductor (and is returned
to its normal position by means of a spring X' coiled around the bar and between a
shoulder thereon and a shoulder K¹ in the aperture Z in the filling.
In this instance, the roller G presses the plate M against the force of the spring
and into electrical contact with the conductor, the parts returning to their normal
position as soon as the roller passes from the end of each successive plate on to the
next plate.
Referring to Figs. 9 to 12, the tie T is bent downwardly at the centre as at t¹, to
form a drain or channel. S¹ is a slotted iron covering the drain and is of the shape in
cross section shown in Fig. 9, this iron being secured to the ties where it crossos them
and extending the entire length of the railroad.
Between the slotted iron and ties are clamped the supports U₁, preferably by the
same bolts B2 by which the iron is attached and the inner ends of these supports havo
shoulders u also as shown in Fig. 9.
The conductor C which is not insulated, rests in recesses or notches N¹ cut in the
insulating supports M' which are located between the ties within a compound tube K'
consisting of two U-shaped members fitting into each other as shown. The lower
member rests upon the support U' between its shoulder u, and the upright bar of the
slotted iron S' and the upper member fits over this lower member closely thereby
forming a waterproof coating the entire length of the conductor. The insulated
support M is of a size to fit exactly within this compound tube and the upper end of
the slot N' therein is covered by a plate H¹ when in position. The tube K¹ is
preferably coated or lined with asbestos or some other good waterproof material and
the conductor is thereby effectually protected from the elements as will be under-
stood.
The supports U are each provided with a threaded opening O within which is
screwed a block Z¹ wherein upon insulated bearings p, is pivoted a contractor P².
The upper arm of this contractor passes through a hole in the bottom of the lower
member of tube K' and is provided at its tip with a weighted head H³ which stands
normally below and out of contact with the conductor. The lower arm of the
contactor is curved slightly and depends below the lower face of the supports U¹.
Fig. 12 illustrates the form of trolley I use in connection with; my conduit. This a
metallic head having a groove t, in its upper face and rounded off at its ends as
shown. There are two of these heads connected to but electrically insulated from
each other and each is supported by a metallic bar Y which is electrically connected
with the motor on the car, but which is mechanically supported by springs Glas

page_text: shown. The conduit having hoen laid in a manner which will be understood from
the above description and drawings and an electric current passed from a dynamo or
other sourco of electrical energy along one conductor O and back on the other, the
car is now placed upon the track with the bars Y passing through the slot in the
iron S'. As the car progresses along the track, the lower curved ends of the con-
tactors P' ride up over the rounded ends of the heads T' of the trolley and pass along
the grooves this motion of the contactors throws thoir upper ends which are within
the tubes K' upwardly against the conductors C-one against one conductor and the
other against the other. The current is therefore passed from ono conductor through
its contactor, the head T' and the bar Y to the motor on the car and down the other
bar Y through the hond T' at that side, up the other contactor and into the other
conductor, whence it returns to the dynamo, all as will be clear to an electrician.
The hend T' must of course be of such length that one contactor will be thrown into
contact with its conductor before the next in rear thereof drops out of contact there-
with and a constant electric communication is therefore maintained between the
motor on the car and the dynaino at the engine house of the road.
Although I have not illustrated it, one of the conductors and one of the heads T'
and its bar Y may be omitted and the current returned through the rails in a manner
also well known among electric engineers and the principle of the invention need not
bo departed fromn.
When it is desired to have access to the conductor (or to the interior of the
tube K, the slotted iron S' is removal, the upper member of the tube lifted
off and the plates H' removed from the upper ends of the slots N', after which
the conductor will be exposed to view and access can be had thereto for any purpose
whatever.
The supports M' are preferably provided with holes E' whereby the tube K' is made
open from end to end and a current of air can be passed therethrough for the purpose
of cleaning out the dust or otherwise.
With this construction, a rubber packing or gasket F surrounds the contactor P
above its pivot p and seals the hole through the bottom of the lower member of the
tube and no leakage of air will therefore occur at that point.
B is a brush carried by certain of the cars on the road or by each car if desired
and as the car moves along the track this brush passes through the drain and cleans
the same, the dirt and water therein being swept thereby to suitable sinks in the
drain as will be understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invon-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. The combination in an electric conduit, with a casing, and a conductor passing
therethrough, of a series of contactors arranged adjacent to the said conductor, suid
contactors being normally out of contact with the conductor but adapted to he
successively operated upon by a contact-piece carried by a car, to effect said contact,
for the purpose specified.
2. An electric conduit consisting of a casing laving flexible pieces in one side,
a conductor within said casing and metallic bars passing through and held in
place by said flexible piecos, the inner ends of the bars being normally below and out
of contact with the conductor, as and for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with the arm R carried by the car and the contact roller G
mounted thereon, of the fixed conductor C, the casing having flexible pieces in one
side, and metallic pieces passing through said flexible pieces and held thereby normally
below and out of contact with the conductor but adapted to be lifted into contact
therewith by the roller Gas and for the purpose sot forth.
4. In an electric conduit, the casing A having the filling K provided with the
apertures Z opening at one side of said conduit, the conductor C passing by the inner
ends of said aperture, and the rubber bushings in the open outer ends of said
apertures in combination with the bars B' their bodies passing through said bushings

page_text: and their inner end provided with weighted heads & standing normally below and out
of contact with said conductor and the plates M secured to the outer ends of said bars
and standing normally at an angle with the side of the conduit, the whole constructed
as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In an electric conduit, a two-part waterproof tube, the upper part of which is
removable, insulating plates therein provided with open top notches within which the
conductor rests and plates secured across the upper ends of said notches, substantially
as described.
6. The combination in an electric conduit, with the tube containing the conductor
of a support below the same and a contactor pivoted in and passing through said
support and tube, its head standing normally out of contact with said conductor,
substantially as described.
7. The combination in an electric conduit, with the tube and the plates therein
supporting the conductor of supports for said tube beneath the same at points between
said plates and contactors pivoted in and passing through said supports and tube,
their heads standing normally out of contact with said conductor, substantially as
described.
8. The combination in an electric conduit with the tube and the perforated plates
therein supporting the conductor, of supports for said tube beneath the same at points
between said plates, contactors pivoted in and passing through said supports and tube
and rubber packing surrounding said contactors where they pass through the tube as
and for the purpose set forth.
9. In an electric conduit, the combination with the conductor C, the supports U₁
and insulating devices substantially as described between them, of the blocks Z screwed
into said supports and the contactors P' journaled upon insulated bearings within said
blocks, all constructed and operating as set forth.
10. In an electric conduit, the combination with the conductor, and the contactors
pivoted below the same with their heads normally out of contact therewith, of the
trolley carried by the car, the same comprising a head T' having rounded ends with
groovest, in their upper faces adapted to pass beneath the lower ends of the contactors
and turn the same on their pivots and the spring actuated bars Y supporting said
heads, as and for the purpose set forth.
11. In an electric conduit for railways, the combination with the ties, depressed at
their centres to form a drain and the conductors supported from the top of said drain,
of the trolley carried by the car and making contact with said conductors and a brush
carried by the car, the whole operating substantially as described.
12. In an electric conduit for railways, the combination of the ties depressed at
their centres, the slotted irons and conduit supports secured to said ties, the conduit
proper carried by said supports and contactors substantially as described pivoted
in said supports and adapted to be operated by the trolley on the car, as set
forth.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.