Transporting Goods and Passengers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Transporting Goods and Passengers.
I, CECIL URQUHART FISHER, of 1 Castle Street, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, 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:-
This invention relates to an Electro magnetic apparatus for transporting goods and
passengers, and it consists in the novel combination of devices hereinafter described
and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the
invention, in which
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal central section of a curved section of the electro-
magnetic transmitter.
Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification thereof.
Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of a rectilinear section of the magnetic transmitter.
Fig. 4 is a transverse section in the planer a fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of the flexible carriage on a larger scale than the
previous figures.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section in the plane y y, fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a similar section in the plane y' y¹ fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is a sectional side view of a modification of the flexible carriage.
Fig. 8 8 show other modifications of the flexible carriage.
Fig. 9, is a transverse section in the plane a¹¹, fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a side view of the electro-magnetic brake.
Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the brake and switch combined, the line z 8,
fig. 12, indicating the plane of section.
Fig. 12 is a sectional side view of the same.
Fig. 13 is a transverse section of the switch and brakechaving an automatic circuit
closer, the line fig. 15 indicating the plane of section.
Fig. 14 is an inverted plan of the helix used in fig. 13.

page_text: Fig. 15 is a side view of the switch and brake with an automatic circuit closer.
Fig. 16 is a detached side view of an automatic lock for the switch on a larger
scale than the previous figures.
Fig. 17. is a sectional view of a switch leading from the main line or track to a side
track which is provided with a brake helix and a circuit closer.
Fig. 18 is a side view thereof.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.
each
In the drawings the letter A designates a tube of brass or of any other suitable
non-magnetic substance. Upon this tube are mounted at stated intervals at a
greater or less distance from one another, a series of helices B B B wound upon
spools of wood or other non-conductor of electricity; G is the carriage which fits
the tube A and to which motion is to be imparted. This carriage may be made in
the form of a tube g, (Fig. 5), on which are firmly secured a series of collars g³
made of any good non-conductor of heat, such for instance as mica, so that the
tube g cannot come in direct contact with the inner surface of the tube A. Said
non-conducting collars may be clamped against the end of the tube g, by means of
screw caps 9 (see fig. 5) and they may be secured on the body of said tube
by means of two rings g, as shown, or they may be fastened upon the tube by any
means suitable for the purpose. By referring to figs. 6 and 7 it will be noticed
that the non-conducting collars 93 are provided with slots, or passages g³, so that
the air can freely pass through the same as the carriage moves through the tube A.
The carriage G may be constructed of two tubular heads g, g¹ and an intermediate
flexible metallic body 9° (see figs. 5, 8 and 8" 8) and in this case the non conducting
In the example
collars are fixed upon said heads in the manner above described.
shown in figs. 5 and 5 the flexible connection ° consists of a series of thin magnet-
izable wires, sufficient in quantity to allow the carriage to magnetize as a whole,
but said flexible connection may be made of a flat strip of steel or other material
as shown in fig. 1 or it may be made of a series of coiled strips of sheet metal,
as shown in fig. 8, or of a series of coiled springs as shown in fig. 8b.
.
In the example shown in fig. 8, the carriage G is provided with a helix G¹ which
is mounted upon the flexible connection go, between the tubular heads g. g'. This
helix is wound upon a spool of any non-conductor of electricity but is provided
with non-heat-conducting collars g of the nature before described said collars being
made to project beyond the flanges of the spool to prevent them (the flanges) from
coming in contact with the tube or guide-way along which the carriage moves.
The ends 10 and 11 of the helix G¹ extend into the head g of the carriage and
they connect to the opposite poles of a battery g (or other source of electricity)
enclosed in said hend, whereby the helix is vitalized for the purpose of insuring a
good polarity of the carriage, It is obvious that this form of carriage may be
united in series and made of any desired length.
The carriage G is made flexible in order to enable it to pass through a carved
guide A as shown in figs. 1 and 2. In the example shown in fig. 1, the flexible
carriage closes the circuits through the helices B1 B2 B3 B4, B5, successively as it
The helices connect at
advances through the guide tube A in the following manner:
one end by wires 12. 13. 14. 15. 16 respectively with a wire 17 which connects with
one pole of a dynamo machine while the other ends of the helices connect with contact
pieces ³ ³ ³ h h h. Close to these contact pieces but insulated from the same are
contact pieces i, i²º, 8ª³, , which connect by wires 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 with a wire 23
leading to the second pole of the dynamo machine.
In the interior of the guide tube A are spring tappets j¹‚ j³‚ Ï³‚ Ï³‚ Ï³‚ Ï³, one for each
helix and the free ends of these tappets extend through the sides of tube A, and are
situated opposite the contact pieces h¹i', h² i³, h³ ³, hi, h³ ³, respectively. The
carriage G is supposed to move in the direction of the arrow shown on it in the figure.
In the position which the carriage occupies, a circuit is closed through the helix B
the circuit through the helix B' having just been broken and the carriage is propelled
by the axial magnetism of the helix B³. As the carriage advances the circuit through
helix B is closed in time to keep up the movement of the carriage and so on.

page_text: In figure 2, an example of the apparatus is shown with circuit closers controlled
entirely independent of the position and the properties of the carriage. B, B¹, B³ B³
are the helices which are supported upon the tube A.
One end of the wire of
each helix is in metallic contact with the tube A while the other end of each
helix connects respectively with a contact piece o, o³, o³, o³, of an ordinary switch
board. The tube À connects by a wire 30 with one pole of a battery H, while the
other pole of this battery connects by a wire 31 with the switch key J of the switch
board.
:
When the carriage G is properly inserted into the tube A in the direction of the
arrow marked near it in fig. 2 and the switch key is turned in the direction of
arrow 5, the helices B B B B³ are successively introduced into an electric circuit as
follows when the key comes in contact with the first contact piece o, a current passes
through wire 30, tube A, helix B, wire 32, switch-key J and wire 31, the helix B is
vitalized and motion is imparted to the carriage G. When the switch-key touches
contact piece o³, the helix B' is vitalized and so on throughout the entire series and
the carriage is moved forward to the end of the tube A. If desired, the switch-key
may be so constructed as to cover more than one contact point at a time and thus
vitalize more than one helix at a time and instead of connecting one end of the wire
of each helix to the metallic tube A, said ends may be connected directly to wire 30
and a trough or track may be substituted for the metallic tube. It will be noticed
that in both examples fig. 1 and fig. 2 the track is curved while the carriage is flexible
and made of soft iron. The arrangement of the helices apart from each other as
described and shown allows of the construction of the tube, trough or track in curved
forms, and also allows the air which is pushed before the moving core or carriage to
freely escape through the spaces between the helices thus enabling the carriage to
move freely on its track without material resistance from the air, as will be clear
by observing fig. 3 where an open trough or track is shown extending through the
successive separated helices. In the case of the tubes shown in fig. 1, the air, as
the core or carriage proceeds, escapes from the tube through the holes in its side
through which the circuit closing tappets jj and so forth pass.
In the example shown in figs. 3 and 4 the flexible carriage G is made in the form
of a magnet and in this case the tube or track A is inade of brass having one end of
the wire from each helix B B B² brazed or soldered or otherwise metallicaly
connected thereto, while the other end of each helix is connected respectively to a
contact piece D which has a contact point a of platinum attached thereto (see fig. 4).
Through the flanges of the spools containing the helices, extends an electric con-
ductor E which is insulated from the track A and from the helices and on this
conductor are mounted a series of magnets F. F' F which in the example shown are
mado in the form of borse-shoes and which embrace the helices B. B' B³ respectively.
These magnets are so constructed that they can swing a limited distance upon the
conductor in a plane at right angles to the track A. As the magnetic carriage G
advances on the track through the helices the magnetic circuit closers are successively
attracted and circuits are closed through the corresponding helices. For this purpose,
the conductor E connects by a wire 10 with one pole of a dynamo machine and the
track A connects by a wire 11 with the other pole of said dynamo machine. If the
magnet is brought in contact with its contact point a, a circuit is closed through
wire 11, track A, helix B, contact piece D, magnet F³, conductor E and wire 10 back
to the dynamo machine.
Of course any suitable source of electricity can be substituted for the dynamo machine.
In order to be able to stop the carriage at any desire.! point in the tube or on the
track A, a helix G' (fig. 10) is mounted upon said track said helix being made of such
dimensions as to adapt it to the size and requirements of the carriage and which
when vitalized by a current of electricity of sufficient strength, will stop the carriage
within said helix. This helix is vitalized by a battery 1 (fig. 10) the battery circuit
through the helix being controlled by a key H². This key may be operated by a
person or controlled by some mechanical or other means to keep the circuit closed
sufficiently long to assure the stoppage of the carriage.

page_text: With the brake helix G' a switch mecanisın is combined as illustrated in figs. 11
and 12. By referring to these figures it will be seen that the brake helix G' is
mounted upon a tube I which is supported in a frame K². This frame carries a
second tube J of the same dimensions as the tube I and it is mounted upon a
rock shaft R in such relation to the tube or track A, that either of the tubes I'
or J can be brought in such a position that it forms a section of the same. When
it is desired to stop the carriage, the frame K' is placed so as to adjust the tube 1³
in the main line.
The operator by depressing the key H³ vitalizes the brake helix G², and when the
carriage enters this helix it is caused to stop; the frame K2 can be shifted and the
tube 12 thrown out of and the tube J2 thrown into the main line, thus allowing other
carriages to pass, while the one brought to a stop can be emptied or filled. It is not
necessary that the arrangement to introduce the tubes I J' into the main line be in
the exact form hero described, as the carriage might be switched off from the main
line and stopped afterwards by a helix and circuit closer as shown in figures 17
and 18.
Instead of closing the circuit through the brake helix G by a band key as above
described, said circuit may be closed automatically by means substantially such as
shown in figures 13, 14 and 15. For this purpose, there is attached to the brako G³
an electric conductor E, which may be supported on the flanges of the helix or
which may be mounted in any other suitable manner, but which must be insulated
'from the wire forming the helix. On this conductor is hung a permanent magnet F³,
which is by preference made in the form of a horse-shoe embracing the holix as
indicated in dotted lines in fig. 13 and which can swing a limited distance on the
conductor E. On one branch of this horse-shoc magnet is secured a contact point: e
(fig. 14) and on the flange of the helix G2 is secured a metallic arm D³ provided
with contact point . L is an electro-magnet supported by a bracket which is
secured to the spool of the brake helix G. M is the armature of this electro-
magnet and m are two stops or contact points one on each side of the electro-
magnet L. One end of the wire of the electro magnet L' connects by a wire 40
with the metallic tube 12 which supports the brake helix G³, the other end of said
wire connects by a wire 41 with the inner end of the brake helix G². The stop m³
connects by a wire 42 with the outer end of the brake helix G and this outer end also
connects by a wire 43 with the arm D. The conductor E' connects by a wire 44
with one pole of a battery No, and the other pole of this battery connects by a
wire 45 with the tube 12. The stop connects by a wire 46 with the wire 44.
When the magnetic carriage G enters the brake helix G³, the magnet 1 is attracted
to close the contact at c, d. This causes a current to pass through wire 45, tube I³,
wire 40, electro-magnet L, wire 41, brake-helix G³, wire 43, arm D, magnet F
conductor E and wire 4 back to the battery N³, and since by closing this circuit the
electro magnet L is vitalized as well as the brake helix G³, the armature M is
brought into contact with the stops 1, m³, and a new circuit is closed through wire 45,
tube 1, wire 40, electro-magnet 1, wire 41, helix G³, wire 42, stop m³, armature M³,
stop and wires 46 and 44 back to the battery and the circuit through the brake
helix G will be thus maintained for any desired length of time after the contact c³ ·
of the magnet F has been broken.
'
With the switch frame K² is combined a latch 0° (see figs. 15 and 16) which is
attached to the armature M of the electro-magnet Lin such a manner, that when
the said armature is up, the latch catches in a recess, in a bracket to secured to the
tube or track A, but when the electro-magnet L' is vitalized and its armature is
attracted, the latch O' is raised and the switch frame K is permitted to follow its
inherent gravity to move from the position shown in full lines in fig. 11 to that shown
in dotted lines, thereby carrying the tube J' into line with the track A.
A suitable stop u prevents the switch frame from moving beyond the desired limits
in either direction.
The object of closing the circuit through the brake helix G may also be
accomplished by using the armature M' as the circuit closer in place of the horse-shoe

page_text: magnet F. If the magnetic carriage enters the section 12 the armature M³ of the
electro-magnet I is attracted by the magnetic action of the carriage itself and
the circuit through the brake helix G is closed as follows: Battery N°, wire 45,
tube I, wire 40, helix of the electro-magnet L, wire 41, helix G³, wire 42, stop m³,
armature Mo, stop and wires 46 and 44 back to the battery, provided the armature
of the electro-magnet L is adjusted to respond to the attractive force of the carriage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:
1. The combination with a series of helices placed at suitable distances apart and
with a metallic tube, trough or track extending through said helices, of a flexible
core or carriage which can freely pass through said helices, a series of inde-
pendent circuit closers, one for each helix, consisting of spring tappets adapted
to be actuated by the core or carriage, and contact pieces, and the connections of
the helices with a dynamo-machine or other source of electricity substantially as
described.
2. The combination with a series of helices placed at suitable distances apart and
with a tube, trough or track extending through said helices, of a flexible core or
carriage consisting of two heads and an intermediate flexible magnetizable material,
which can freely pass through said helices, a series of circuit closers one for each
helix detached froin said carriage and their connections with a dynamo machine or
other source of electricity, said circuit closers being actuated by the passing carriage
and serving to close and break said circuits through the successive helices in the
series, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a series of helices placed at suitable distances apart and
with a suitable tube, trough or track extending through said helices of a core or
carriage which can freely pass through said helices, two or more anti-heating collars
secured to said carriage, a series of circuit closers one for each helix, and the
connections of said helices with a dynamo machine or other source of electricity,
substantially as described.
4. The combination with a series of helices placed at suitable distances apart and
with a tube, trough or track extending through said helices, of a flexible core or
carriage which can freely pass through said helices, two or more anti-heating collars
secured to said carriage, a series of circuit closers one for each helix, and thoir
connections with a dynamo machine or other source of electricity, substantially as
described.
5. The combination of a tube, trough, or track, helices placed at suitable distances
apart thereupon, a circuit closer for each helix, connections between the helices and a
dynamo or other source of electricity, a travelling carriage which actuates the circuit
closers, and an electro-magnetic brake for stopping the carriage, substantially as
described.
6. The combination with a tube, trough, or track, of a magnetizable carriage, an
electro-magnetic brake mounted on the tube, trough, or track, a battery or other
source of electricity having a circuit through the brake, and a circuit closer connected
with the brake for closing the circuit through the latter to stop the carriage, sub-
stantially as described.
7. The combination with a tube, trough or track, of a magnetizable travelling
carriage, and an electro-magnetic brake mounted on the tube trough or track, and
disconnected from the carriage for stopping the latter, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a tube, trough or track, of a magnetizable travelling
carriage, a tubular brake helix through which the tube, trough or track, passes, a
battery or other source of electricity having a circuit through the brake helix, and a
circuit closer connected with the brake helix for closing the circuit therethrough to
stop the carriage substantially as described.
9. The combination of a tube, trough or track, a series of helices at suitable
distances apart, a series of circuit closers, one for each helix, connections between the

page_text: helices and a dynamo machine or other source of electricity, a travelling carriage
which operates the circuit closers, and a laterally movable carriage supporting switch
for diverting the carriage out of line with the main portion of the tube, trough
or track, substantially as described.
10. The combination of a tube, trough or track, a series of helices at suitable
distances apart, a series of circuit closers, one for each helix, connections between
the helices and a dynamo machine or other source of electricity, a travelling carriage
which operates the circuit closers, an electro-magnetic brake for stopping the carriage,
and a laterally movable carriage-supporting switch for diverting the carriage out of
line with the main portion of the tube, trough or track, substantially as described.
11. The combination of a tube, trough, or track, a series of helices at suitable
distances apart, a series of circuit closers, one for each helix, connections between
the helices and a dynamo machine or other source of electricity, a travelling carriage,
movable through the helices and which operates the circuit closer, and a carriage
supporting switch consisting of a movable section of the tube trough or track for
moving the carriage out of line with the main portion of the tube, trough or track,
substantially as described.
12. The combination with a tube, trough or track, and carriage impelling helices
thereupon at suitable intervals, of a carriage consisting of two heads and a flexible
magnetizable connection between the heads, substantially as described.
13. The combination of a tube or track, helices, a travelling carriage impelled by
helices, an electro-magnetic brake mounted on the tube or track to stop the carriage,
and a carriage-supporting switch section movable into and out of line with the main
portion of the tube or track substantially as described.
14. The combination with a carriage G composed of two heads, and a magnetizable
flexible connection between the heads, of a helix G¹, mounted on said flexible
connection, a battery g located in one of the carriage heads and connections between
the battery and helix, substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of January 1889.