Improvements in or relating to Conduits and Permanent Way for Electric Railways, Cable Railways, or the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1890-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Conduits and Permanent Way
for Electric Railways, Cable Railways, or the like.
A communication from abroad by JOHN LYNOH, of 1612, New Hampshire Avenue,
Washington, D.C., United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, 6, Bank Street Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster & 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 pertains to certain new and useful improvements in electric
railways and means for effecting the drainage from the electric conductor
chamber.
The invention has for its object the production of a drainage conduit composed of
an electric non-conductor for effecting the drainage or removing of all water, dirt,
trash, etcetera, which collect in an underground electric conductor chamber, and
conveying the same at suitable points into manholes, and from thence to sewers
through branch pipe connections.
The invention has for a further object simplicity of construction, durability and
general efficiency, and it also comprises the detail construction and arrangement of
parts, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth.
In the accompanying drawings:
1-
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken adjacent a cross tie and' showing this
invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view taken about midway between two ties.
Figure 3 is a plan view,
Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing the manhole connection with the
conduit.
Figure 5 is a détail perspective view of a portion of a tie and conduit, the latter
being slightly modified.
Figure 6 is an enlarged similar view illustrating a modification of the drainage
conduit.
Figure 7 is a view illustrating the arrangement around a'curve.
Figures 8 and 10 are details.
Figure 9 is a view of a modification.
Referring to the drawings:—
A designates the tiès, a the stringers, and a' the rails secured thereon. To tie A are
secured two angle plates a³, braced in position by inclined bars a³, secured thereto
and to said tie.
BB are approximately T-shaped plates oppositely disposed to form a central
opening b. These T-plates are secured upon the angle plates a³, and rest upon
corresponding brick walls 61 61 built up between the ties. These plates are additionally
secured by brace-bars b', secured thereto and to the sleepers a. In lieu of the T-plates B,
the bent or angular plates B' shown in Figure 9 may be used, the same being
likewise secured in place.
C designates the improved drainage conduit formed in sections running
longitudinally the length of the track. This conduit is let into grooves in the
underside of ties A, and is seated in a concrete bed C³, as shown in Figure 1, but
between the ties, said conduit is closed by brick walls b', and like said walls, rests upon
a bed (, as shown in Figure 2.
This drainage conduit is composed of terra cotta, each section being made in one
D
Referring to the drawings:—
A designates the tiès, a the stringers, and a' the rails secured thereon. To tie A are
secured two angle plates a³, braced in position by inclined bars a³, secured thereto
and to said tie.
BB are approximately T-shaped plates oppositely disposed to form a central
opening b. These T-plates are secured upon the angle plates a³, and rest upon
corresponding brick walls b' b¹ built up between the ties. These plates are additionally
secured by brace-bars b', secured thereto and to the sleepers a. In lieu of the T-plates B,
the bent or angular plates B' shown in Figure 9 may be used, the same being
likewise secured in place.
C designates the improved drainage conduit formed in sections running
longitudinally the length of the track. This conduit is let into grooves in the
underside of ties A, and is seated in a concrete bed C³, as shown in Figure 1, but
between the ties, said conduit is closed by brick walls b', and like said walls, rests upon
a bed (, as shown in Figure 2.
This drainage conduit is composed of terra cotta, each section being made in one
D
07

page_text: piece. In its upper wall is formed a series of transverse slots or openings d, through
which water, dirt, etcetera, is brushed down into the conduit.
At suitable distances apart, the sections of the conduit open into manholes D for
emptying water, dirt, etcetera, which is conveyed through a branch pipe d' to the
street sewer.
An approximately U-shaped plate E of terra cotta encloses each tie at the point
of intersection with the conduit, and from it projects a short post d for supporting
the electric conductor e. The conduit C and plates E being made of terra-cotta,
which is a perfect non-conductor, no loss of power or energy is occasioned.
The terra conduit has been described as being made of one, continuous piece, but
Mr. Lynch does not limit himself thereto, for, as shown in Figure 6, the lower
U-shaped portion thereof is alone made in one piece and is provided with a cover
. composed of a series of closely fitting blocks F. In these blocks, transverse
slots or openings f¹ are formed, and in their sides are grooves or recesses f',
which, when the blocks are placed together, form additional communication with the
conduit. In this form, the tie A is shown as let down into a grooved portion of the
conduit, and the enclosing plate e¹ is, as shown, slightly elongated and forms a flush
connection between the blocks F.
At the point of conjunction of two sections of the conduit, an approximately
U-shaped bed-plate E is employed, hugging the sides of the conduit and firmly
uniting the sections.
In Figure 7, the conduit is shown as constructed for a curve or bend. In this
form, the blocks F1 have a central raised portion 9 in a groove g', on which a
supporting plate for the conductor is secured. On either side of this central raised
portion, slots are formed, opening into the conduit.
It will be seen that a drainage conduit is produced for electric railways, that is
extremely simple, one that can be readily and easily constructed, and that by means
thereof all dirt, trash, etcetera, will readily fall (or can be forced by a brush through
the opening 6) into the conduit and carried into the manholes, from which it passes to
the sewer.
A conduit of terra cotta, in addition to being very durable and lasting, is a perfect
non-conductor, and hence no power is detracted from the electric conductor passed
thereover.
For the purpose of securing more thorough insulation of the walls of the electric
conductor conduit, they may be lined with glazed terra cotta plates H, as shown in
Figure 6.
It will be understood that, so far as the drainage features of this invention are
concerned, they are not restricted solely to conduits for electric railways,
but are applicable to conduits for cable roads as well, and, so far as the drainage
conduit is applicable to a cuble conduit, the latter comes within the scope of this
invention.
While it is preferable to make the conduit of terra cotta, the invention is
not limited thereto, for the same may be made of any other non-conducting.
material. Better results are, however, obtained by the use of terra cotta.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. A drainage conduit for electric railways composed of an electric non-conductor,
and having projecting supports for the electric conductor for supporting the latter
above said conduit, substantially as set forth.
2. The herein described improved system of drainage for electric railways,
consisting of a conduit of terra cotta formed in sections provided with
upper slots or openings, and manholes, periodically arranged, into which said
conduit opens, in combination with the electric conductor disposed above said conduit,
substantially as set forth.
3. In electric railways, the enclosing blocks or plates of terra cotta, having the

page_text: short supporting posts for the electric conductor and enclosing the cross ties,
substantially as set forth.
4. The hereindescribed improvement in electric railways, comprising the drainage
conduit of terra cotta, the supporting bed therefor, the enclosing walls, and the plates
or blocks enclosing the ties, having short posts for the electric conductor, substantially
as set forth.
5. As an improvement in electric railways, the combination, with the ties and
sleepers, of the angle plates secured to said ties, the opposite parallel plates
secured upon said angle plates, and the inclined brace-bars a³ 6', substantially as
set forth.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.