Improvements relating to Electric Traction on the Conduit System.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Electric Traction on the Conduit System.
We, THOMAS EDWARD DOYLE of 32 Great Western Square, Dublin, late
Manager of Galway and Salthill Tramway Company, and JAMES MCKENNY of
116 Stephens Green Dublin, Veterinary Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to a new or improved underground. system of
working electric tramways in a simpler, more economical and efficient manner than
hitherto so far as we are aware without the, danger of accidents peculiar to systems
at present in operation.
In carrying out our invention we propose in the first instance to construct one
rail of the track hollow so as to constitute a longitudinal conduit or channel. This
rail may be of any suitable shape in section, and of suitable dimensions according to
requirements, preferably wider at the base end than at the top to ensure stability
in fixing.
Along the top of the rail is formed a continuous slot of suitable width for the
purpose presently described, and through the interior is carried an insulated electric
conductor which is suspended or fixed by means of suitable insulators inserted
through the rail at intervals so as to maintain the conductor in a condition of
tension in a position at one side of the continuous slot whereby the conductor is
covered and thus protected from injury, or being the cause of danger.
The second part of our invention consists in securing to the tramcar by means of
suitable springs, or other suitable device, a vertical trailing rod, the free end of
which carries a suitable spindle on which is mounted a deep flanged pulley.
This trailing rod passes through the open slot, and the pulley impinges against
the electric conductor-preferably on the lower side-thereby making continuous
rolling contact with same. To facilitate the motion of the rod through the slot it
may be provided with a sleeve which would constitute a rolling contact between
the edges of the slot.
The object of the spring or device from which the trailing rod is suspended is t
absorb any oscillation in the moving car and thus ensure a uniformally horizontal
movement of the deep flanged pulley in the conduit rail.
The third part of our invention relates to means for removing water from the
conduit, and for this purpose we propose to provide the tramcar with a suitable
suction pump the free end of which enters the open slot of the conduit rail to a
suitable depth.
This pump may be operated by an eccentric mounted on one of the axles of the
car whereby it would would be worked automatically as the car travels, or
arrangements may be provided whereby it can be worked by hand or otherwise
when the car is not in motion. For the removal of debris we propose to attach a
loose chain, or brush, or both combined to the car to be trailed through the conduit
rail whereby debris may be swept along, and received at intervals in suitable
receptacles arranged underneath the rail, which are accessible from the road surface
for periodical cleaning.
Advantage is taken of these receptacles in order to obtain ready access to
openings provided in the side of the conduit rail for the purpose of affixing or
detaching the electric conductor, or adjusting the deep flanged pulley or the chain
brush as the case may be.

page_text: In the operation of our improved system it is understood that the conduit rail
which constitutes an essential feature of our invention will prove sufficient to serve
as the return circuit, it is however obvious that the two rails may be utilized for
the purpose if necessary.
Dated this 19th day of March 1896
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9 Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Electric Traction on the Conduit System.
We, THOMAS EDWARD DOYLE of 32 Great Western Square, Dublin, late
Manager of Galway and Salthill Tramway Company, and JAMES MCKENNY, of
116 Stephen's Green, Dublin, Veterinary Surgeon, 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 has reference to a new or improved underground system of
working electric tramways in a simpler, more economical and efficient manner than
hitherto, so far as we are aware, without the danger of accidents peculiar to systems
at present in operation.
In the annexed drawings,
Figs. 1. 2 and 3 show vertical transverse sections of suitable forms in which the
conduit rail may be constructed.
Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the conduit rail showing a handhole.
Fig. 5 is a vertical end view of the pump nozzle.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the pump nozzle.
Fig. 7 represents the pump nozzle in the conduit rail.
As the actuating and other parts of the pumping apparatus may be of any
ordinary suitable design workable by a revolving shaft or axle, it is obviously
unnecessary to furnish diagrams of these parts.
Fig. 8 represents a transverse vertical section of the conduit rail shewing the
vertical trailing rod a, the spindle of the deep flanged pulley e, the electric
conductor d, the sleeve e of the trailing rod a, the spring fin connection with the
trailing rod and car, the insulator g, and the insulated electric conductor / conveying
the current to the car motors.
In carrying out our invention, we propose, in the first instance, to construct one
rail of the track hollow so as to constitute a longitudinal conduit or channel. This
rail, constructed of one or more parts joined or bolted together so as to constitute,
mechanically, one member (Figs. 1. 2 and 3), may be of any suitable shape in
section and of suitable dimensions according to requirements--preferably wider at
the base than at the top to ensure stability in fixing-and on the inner side of the
rail under the tread and in vertical alignment with the edge of the slot, is formed
a continuous lip or flange (Figs. 1A 3A) which, for convenience, may be detachable
(Fig. 1) its object being to afford a safeguard against the electric wire being
interfered with.
Along the top of the rail is formed a continuous slot (Figs. 1B 2B and 3B) of suitable
width, substantially for the purpose presently described, and through the interior is
carried an electrical conductor which is suspended or fixed by means of suitable
insulators inserted through the rail, at intervals, so as to maintain the conductor in
a condition of tension in 'a position at one side of the continuous slot, whereby
the conductor is covered and thus protected from injury or being the cause of
danger.
The second part of our invention consists in securing to the tramcar by means of
suitable springs or other suitable device a vertical trailing rod Fig. 8. a, the free

page_text: end of which carries a suitable spindle 6 on which is mounted a deep flanged pulley
or wheel c, or other suitable electrical collector. This trailing rod passes through
the open slot and the pulley c, wheel or other collector employed, impinges against
the electric conductor d-preferably on the lower side- thereby making continuous
rolling contact with same.
To facilitate the motion of the rod a through the slot, it may be provided with a
sleeve e which would constitute a rolling contact between the edges of the slot.
The object of the spring for device by or from which the trailing rod is
suspended, is to absorb any oscillation in the moving car and thus ensure a
uniformally horizontal movement of the deep flanged pulley c, wheel or collector in
the conduit rail.
The third part of our invention relates to means for removing water from the
conduit, and, for this purpose, we propose to provide the tramcar with a suitable
suction pump, the free end or nozzle of which is oblong in form (Figs. 5. 6 and 7°)
and enters the open slot of the conduit rail (Fig. 7) to a suitable depth; or,
instead of nozzles thus formed, a series of flexible tubes may be used to give
greater area of suction capacity than could be otherwise obtained, having regard to
the narrowness of the slot and the possible curves of a line of track.
This pump may be operated by an eccentric mounted on one of the axles of the
car, whereby it would be worked automatically as the car travels; or, arrangements
may be provided whereby it can be worked by hand or otherwise when the car is
not in motion.
For the removal of debris we propose to attach a loose chain, or brush, or both
combined to the car, to be trailed through the conduit rail, whereby debris may be
swept along aud received, at intervals, into suitable receptacles arranged
underneath the rail, which are accessible from the road surface for periodical
cleaning.
Advantage is taken of these receptacles in order to obtain ready access to
openings provided in the side of the conduit rail for the purpose of affixing or
detaching the electric conductor or adjusting the collector or the chain brush, as
the case may be; and we further provide supplementary openings or handboles
(Fig. 4) at suitable intervals along the line of rail, for the aforesaid purposes.
In the operation of our improved system it is understood that, the conduit rail
which constitutes an essential feature of our invention, will prove sufficient to
serve as the return circuit; it is, however, obvious that the two rails may be
utilized for the purpose, if necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
clain is:
1. In an electric traction system, the combination of a rail and conduit,
mechanically, forming or constituting one member either as a whole or in two or
more parts joined or bolted together, substantially as set forth.
2. Handholes or openings in the conduit rail admitting of and facilitating the
adjustment of the insulators, attachment of the electric wires thereto, and the like,
substantially as set forth.
3. Pumps, carried by the cars, for keeping the conduit rail free from water, and,
automatically operated by the motion of said cars.
4. Pumps having their free ends or nozzles oblong or provided with a series of
suction tubes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The special arrangement of well known parts not mentioned in the foregoing
claims but essential to the working of our system, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of December 1896
THOMAS EDWARD DOYLE.
JAMES MCKENNY, M.R.C.V.S.