Improvements in Electric Conductors and in Conduits therefor, and in Laying and Supporting Conductors within Conduits.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Electric Conductors and in Conduits therefor,
and in Laying and Supporting Conductors within Conduits.
1, ROOKES EVELYN BELL CROMPTON, of Arc Works, Chelmsford, in the county
of Essex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in and connected with underground
conductors of electricity, and its object is to reduce the first cost of the insulation
& to make the conductors more easily accessible for examination and repair. For
this purpose, according to my invention the conductors consist of bare copper strips
supported on insulators of peculiar form & arranged in underground culverts.
.I construct underground channels or culverts of masonry brickwork or cement
concrete. I prefer to divide these channels longitudinally by one or more partitions
or midfeathers according to the number of conductors I wish to insulate from one
another. These midfeathers may be of brickwork-in-cement, tiles set on edge, slates
or flags set on edge, slabs of asphalte or other suitable material. In the longitudinal
channels thus formed I support my copper conductors on insulators of a form here-
after described. I make my copper conductors of various cross sections, but the form
of cross section I prefer is that of tape laid flatways, that is to say with its breadth
parallel to the surface of the ground. I make this tape so thin that a roll of it can be
laid down on the pavement & flattened out by the pressure of the feet of the workmen.
It can then be conveniently drawn into the culvert-and be stretched by suitable
straining screws without any fear of any kinks or waves in the tape, which would be
liable to cause it to come into contact with the side walls or bottom or top of the
culvert. In some cases I prefer to make my conductor up to the area of cross section
required by superimposing several thicknesses or layers of copper tape. After the
first layer of tape has been laid over the conductors & strained, it is an easy matter to
draw the succeeding layers to pass through the supporting notches in the insulators.
One method I employ for straining these conductors is, to build into the walls of the
culvert at suitable intervals, horizontal straining bars either of wrought or cast iron

page_text: or steel, or suitable material of the cross section best suited to resist the strain, & to
hook on to these cross bars the shackle straining screws which may be somewhat of
the same pattern as the coupling screw used for coupling railway carriages together.
In some cases I strain my copper strip by bending a short portion up or down into a
U form and rivetting on & eyes and applying the straining shackle across the
U bend. By this I avoid the use of any extra insulation as the copper strip may be
supported at either side of the U by ordinary insulators. The insulators I employ may
be of the sheave or disc form having a deep notch formed round the periphery in which
the conductor may rest. These discs can be supported on metallic spindles passing
through their centres the metallic spindles being again insulated by dropping into
notches formed in the top of a pair of standard Z pattern insulators fixed in recesses
in the sides of the culvert. These disc formed insulators may be left free to revolve
on the spindle so that when the conductors are drawn in over the insulators, little or
no side strain need be brought on the spindles & insulating uprights. In some cases
I use ordinary Z pattern insulators mounted on short iron pins suitably galvanized to
prevent corrosion & these pins stand in sockets imbedded in the cement concrete of
the bottom of the culvert. Rectangular notches must be formed in the top of these
insulators to carry the copper strip, or in some instances detached crutches are formed
of metal or other suitable material may be dropped into recesses formed to receive
them in the top of the insulators. The Z insulators may be formed with an oil
channel as it is well understood by those accustomed to manufacture these kind of
insulators in order to increase the insulation. In some cases I provide suitable
pipes or channels for filling up the oil recesses in these insulators these pipes or
channels extending to a convenient position and heing closed in such a manner that
the oil can be filled in from the surface of the ground as required without disturbing
the cover of the surface boxes. Instead of the permanent partitions or midfeathers
described in the early part of this specification I sometimes employ temporary
insulating diaphragms which can be drawn into the channel; these temporary
diaphragms being for the purpose of preventing contacts between adjoining con-
ductors at such times as alterations and repairs are being carried out or new strips
are being drawn into the culverts. For the purposes of adding copper strips I
employ a carrier or runner of suitable form consisting of one or more rollers or
small wheels mounted in a frame to which the leading end of the strip that is to
be introduced into the culvert is attached. This carrier runs on the strip already
in position the wheels holding on the strip & the carrier & its wheels are guided
through the notches in the insulators by suitably formed wing guides.

page_text: and in Laying and Supporting Conductors within Conduits.
I ROOKES EVELYN BELL CROMPTON of the Arc Works Chelmsford Essex, Engineer,
do hereby declaro the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in by the following
statement :-
This invention has reference to the construction of electrical conductors for use in
underground conduits in means of coupling straining and supporting the conductors
of electricity in such underground conduits in the means for laying the electric
conductors therein, in the means of insulating the electric conduits and the con-
struction and arrangement of the conduits for containing the conductors and their
means of support underground so as to render the conductors more efficient, thoir
straining and support. in their desired relations more uniform and effective, to enable
them to be laid more easily and correctly, to reduce the first cost of the insulation of
the conductors, to render them more accessible for, examination and repair when laid,
and generally to attain and preserve better means of conveyance of currents of
electricity particularly adapted for use in conveying currents of electricity for
transmitting power, and for electric lighting.
I make my improved conductors of copper of various forms of cross section but
I prefer to use copper tape of thin rectangular cross section and the tape to be laid
flat wise that is to say with its breadth or flat surface horizontal. I employ copper
tape made preferably so thin that a roll of such tape can be laid down on a pavement
of hard surface and flattened out by simple pressure as of the feet of the workmen.
The tape guided in its traverse can then be drawn conveniently into the culvert and
by the aid of suitable straining screws tightened up without fear of waves or kinks
being developed in the tape such as would be liable to bring the tape into contact at
parts with the side wall or bottom or top of the culvert and thereby be liable to impair
continuity of conduction.
I am also enabled where desired by these means conveniently to build up my
conductors to any desired area of cross section by superimposing several subsequent
thicknesses or layers of copper tape upon a first laid tape already laid over and upon
the supports and strained "taut." After this first tape has been carefully and
correctly laid and strained it is an easy matter to draw thercover each succeeding
and superposed layer of copper tape using the first and aleady laid layer or layers as
a bridge or roadway for the successively laid tapes. The already laid tape or tapes
serving to correctly guide and cause successive layers to pass through the notches of
the supports of the insulating means.
"taut"
.
The straining of these conductors is effected first by hauling them as
as convenient and then effecting the final straining either from a fixed bar or beam
or from one to another part of the conductor itself.
I

page_text: If the straining is from a bar the end bar is built into the walls of the culvert at a
suitable interval each from the next. These bars may be of wrought or cast iron,
steel or other suitable material and constructed in cross section to be best calculated
to resist strain. On to this bar at each hooked or connected side are connected one
end of each of the shackle straining screws which serve to draw up the slack of
conductors and their other ends are each connected to the conductors so that the
adjacent ends of such conductors are drawn towards the fixed bar when the screw
coupling is turned and its length contracted. The continuity of conductivity of the
conductor past this break is preserved by a strip joined to near the adjacent ends
of the conductor and passing from one to the other portion as a bridge.
If the straining is effected by taking the slack in the form of a loop in the copper
strip the screw shackle connector is attached to the conductor at each side of this
looped part and strain brought to bear by screwing up. The loop may be upward or
downward and of single U W or other form as most, convenient.
The end pieces of the shackle I preper to rivet to the tapes. By these means I
avoid the use of any extra means of insulation as the copper strip can be supported
efficiently by ordinary insulating parts at each side of the loop or bend.
The insulator 1 employ by preference is of the sheave or disc form having a deep
notch formed round the central portion of its circumference in which the conductor
snugly rests and these discs are supported on spindles preferably of metal passed
through their centres and being again insulated by being dropped into notches or
bearings formed on the top of a pair of standard Z pattern insulators fixed in
recesses in the sides of the culvert.
These disc formed insulators being left free to revolve on their spindles on friction
being applied as when the conductor strips are drawn in over these insulators and
consequently little or no side strain need be brought on the spindle or upon the
insulating uprights.
In some cases I use ordinary Z pattern insulators mounted on short iron pins
suitably galvanized or coated to prevent corrosion and these pins rest in sockets
embedded in the cement concrete forming the bottom of the culvert.
I form rectangular notches or recesses on the upper sides of these insulators to
receive and retain the copper strip or strips or in some instances I form detached
crutches of metal or other suitable material which are dropped into recesses formed
to receive them in the upper side of the insulators. I prefer to form the Z shaped
insulators with an oil channel in manner well understood by those accustomed to
the construction of these kinds of insulators so as to increase the efficiency of the
insulation.
In some cases I provide suitable pipes or channels for filling up or replenishing the
oil in the oil recesses in the insulators, these pipes being carried up to a point readily
accessible from the causeway or sidewalk where they terminate and are closed when
not required by suitable stopping means. When occasion arises insulating oil can bo
poured therein from the ground level without necessarily disturbing the cover of the
surface boxes.
In place of constructing the conduits with a permanent partition or partitions or
midfeathers as previously described herein I sometimes dispense therewith and
employ temporary insulating diaphragms for the purpose of preventing contact
taking place between adjacent conductors as otherwise would be liable to occur
whilst alterations and repairs were being effected in existing conductors or when
new or additional conductors were being drawn into and through the culverts.
For the purpose of adding additional or new copper strips I employ a carrier or
guiding runner consisting of one or more rollers or small wheels mounted on a spindle
or spindles having suitable bearings in a frame and straps therefrom carry a roller or
revolving bar around which the leading end of the strip is bent and the end brought
back and connected to the strip itself temporarily by a loop or otherwise held the
front end of the frame is secured to the line or band to which the pull is given.
.
The vertical wheels or rollers of this carrier run on the strip already in position as a
roadway whilst side or horizontal wheels placed so that their peripheries just engago

page_text: previously laid one. The wheels of the carrier are guided in their passage through
the insulators by wing guides suitably formed so that the carrier is correctly led
through and past them.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a portion of a continuous conveying conduit
for the electrical conductors under ground showing so much as can conveniently be
included in the shoet of drawings.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1 taken above the line of conductors and showing
two parallel conduits conveying two lines of conductors.
Fig. 3 shows to a smaller scale a cross section of this double conduit each
division formed by the mid feather or wall a containing a separate line of
conducting strips supported on coluinns, posts or pin supperts at appropriate
intervals.
Fig. 4 shows a cross section of modification of conduit wherein three divisions
are attained by the use of two mid feathers or partitions a, a' each containing a
separate line of conductors and supporting columns b.
Fig. 5 shows a cross section of a modification of a conduit in which the mid
feather a is dispensed with and the two adjacent lines of conductors are carried on
parallel lines of columns b.
Fig. 6 shows a cross section of a similar arrangement in which three lines of
conductors and posts are arranged in one conduit.
Fig. 7 shows a portion of one division of a conduit having one line of columns
and one line conductors in it.
Fig. 8 is a like view of a double line of columns and conductors in one
conduit.
Fig. 9 is a plan view and Fig. 10 is a section of a piece of metal tape such as is
described more particularly for forming the superpositions of conductors.
Fig. 11 is a plan view to a larger scale of such tape in position in two parallel
lines resting on insulators carried by columns b in a single conduit. The columns 6
are here shown arranged in alternate positions longitudinally of the conduit one of
the next to avoid too close proximity.
Fig. 12 shows by side view and Fig. 13 by plan view of same another portion of
the double conduit shown by Figs. 2, 3 and 7 with the means of straining or taking
up slack employed when a fixed bar is not required or provided.
Fig. 14 shows by side view-Fig. 15 by plan view and Fig. 16 by cross section of
a conduit the carrier as used to convey into proper positions the tapes subsequent to
the first one to be superposed as the electrical conductor in single conduits or
separated divisions of conduits such as shown by Fig. 3 this carrier running on the
previously laid tape.
Fig. 17 shows another cross section of a conduit with the carrier as last described
in position for laying the primary strip but in this case with the addition of large
bearing wheels which bear on the floor of the conduit and are carried by legs
pendent from and bolted temporarily to the carrier in order to support the first
strip over and lay it into the recesses of the insulated supports on the columns b.
Fig. 18 shows a modified construction of a double carrier adapted to run on the
tapes laid previously in parallel lines in an undivided conduit but drawn by one line,
the tape being attached to the one or the other part 2.
Fig. 19 shows by cross sectional view and Fig. 20 by plan view another modifica-
tion in detail of the means of support and insulation as well as in the arrangement of
the walls of the conduit in which the mid feather or partition a as well as the side
walls are at spaces cut away to provide standing room for the columns of support
for the insulator which in this case is adapted to afford a roller bearing for the
conductor.
Fig. 21 shows by a cross section of a divided conduit having a mid feather a not
carried up to the top so as to leave a larger area at the upper part of the conduit and

page_text: side cheeks or recesses adapted for use with the last described form of support and
insulation and also for the use of the modified form of carrier having side wheels
constructed to run on the side cheeks and mid feather of the conduit whilst another
wheel centrally slung on the axis thereof aids in laying.
Fig. 22 shows a cross section of a single conduit having a double line of columns
and conductors each column surmounted by an insulator to support superposed layers
of metal tape each insulator provided with a concentric channel-to be kept supplied
with oil.
Such oil to be renewed from time to time by means of pipes the lower ends of
which are bent in to conveniently deliver with the said channel whilst their other
ends pass up through the roof of the conduit into a recess in the pavement above
readily accessible the opening being closed by a suitable stopper and if required
covered by the covering plate.
A is the conduit for the electrical conductors and containing their supporting
insulating laying straining devices-a being the dividing partition-a¹ being a second
such partition supplemented by other partitions if desired or they may be dispensed
with and one common conduit employed. are the columns, c the insulators supported
on those columns. d are detachable crutches socketted in the heads of the insulators
and forming holders for the tape or superposed tapes e. fare socket pieces embedded
in the floor of the conduit in which the columns b are held upright-g is a horizontal
cross bar socketted into each side of a conduit or division of a conduit and to which
the ends of the tapes-are-at-intervals anchored preferably by a screw shackle h, one
rotatory hook of which is hooked into a bar and the other, the scrowed hook h²
is engaged in the eye of the loop h* carrying the rotatory insulator / to which is
attached the loop connection rivetted to the inetal tape conductor e. The tape is
then carried along the conduit and over and into the various supports d until it is
again anchored to another bar g, the slack of the tape is taken up at intervals by
means of other screw shackles h the connections of which are made directly to the
metal tape by rivetting, the slack being bent up into convenient form here shown
approximating to the shape of a letter W so as to prevent the same from touching the
sides of the conduit.
g
by
Referring particularly to Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17. The tape is attached to a carrier by
bending one end of it into a loop passed around a roller or bar i¹ of the carrier and
bent back on itself secured by a strap e¹. This roller is by straps 2 connected to a
pin passing through the checks of a plate i and through a wheel it of which it forms
an axis. The front end of this plate i has an eye to which is connected lead
which the carrier and its tape is borne along are anti-friction wheels carried by
the plate and taking their bearing against the sides of the conduit a so as to proserve
a central position to the wheel it and consequently to the tape e thereby to lay said
tape e correctly in the crutches d. This carrier i is in its journey with the first layer
of tape mounted on temporarily supporting high wheels which bear on the ground
and are carried by the frames adjusted in height so as to enable the carrier just to
clear the crutches d, but in its journeys with the subsequent layers of tape, these high
wheels are dispensed with and the central wheel it becomes the vortical support for the
carrier running on the first laid tape as its roadway and so on on each successively
laid layer, lateral deviation being prevented by the wheels, 28 as aforesaid, or two
carriers may be found more convenient for use, one having high wheels permanently
attached, and the other having the central and lateral guidance wheels. The only
difference in the construction of a carrier i such as shown by Fig. 18 for laying one
tape on either of already laid tapes or even if desired simultaneously two tapes in a
common conduit on double lines of columns contained therein is that one lead i
attached to one plate i (in this case an insulating plate) and one pair of lateral guide-
wheels serves for two vertically supporting wheels provided with like connections
to two tapes e said tapes being drawn along in common in the same manner as already
described with reference to Fig. 15, 16 and 17.
•
The object of the double carrier even when laying only one tape being to ensure
correct spacing apart and accurate laying of each tape on its pile,

page_text: At the parts where by shackle attachments such as shown in Fig. 1 the conductors
are anchored to fixed parts and the conductor is disconnected, the continuity of con-
ductivity of the tapos may be preserved by rivetting to the tapes at e adjacent
to the connections of the shackles portions of tape which serve to conduct tho
currents.
Referring particularly to Figs. 19. 20. 21 the mid feather a, double conduit A,
tapes e, ground sockets f, columus b and insulators e are substantially the same except
that the sockets f and columns b are located in recesses formed in the sides and
dividing walls of the conduit instead of being placed in the fair way thereof as in the
preceeding figures. The crutches d are superseded by a recessed roller bearing k
which turns on an axial pin k¹ the ends of which are bent round and socketted into
the heads of the insulators c.
This roller being itself formed of insulating material forms a supplementary
insulator and the insulation of the tapos laid therein is thus doubly ensured. This
form of insulator is more particularly useful where there is any great change of level
of the conductor, as for instance when passing underneath a roadway where the
change of level causes a U bend.
The tapes may pass alternately over and under the rollers so constructed and
arranged. In cases where they pass under the rollers the latter must be secured in
such manner as to resist the upward pull of the tape, as well as the downward pull-
the downward pull already provided for.
It is sometimes convenient to employ a form of carrier shown by Fig. 21 which
only differs from the carrier i shown in the previous Figures in that the side wheels 2
are adapted to run on the tops of the midfeather and side walls.
Referring to Fig. 22, in this arrangement the insulator d is shown as provided with
an annular recess d¹ to receive oil adapted to effect insulation the supply of which is
maintained by replenishment effected through the pipe d one end of which passes up
to and is secured in a recess d covered by a plate d' at the road level is the
turned in end delivering into the recess d¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In conductors of electricity for power and other uses in underground culverts
or channels the employment of tape of metal arranged horizontally superposed layer
upon layer and built up to the required sectional area as set forth.
2. In insulated conductors of electric currents for power and other uses the com-
bination of flat horizontally laid tapes e with crutches d, insulators c, supports
contained in underground conduits or channels as set forth.
3. The construction or arrangement of culverts divided by partitions or midfeathers a
to contain electrical conductors for power or other uses consisting of copper tape laid
horizontally substantially as set forth.
4. In apparatus for conveying currents of electricity for electric lighting, transmission
of power or other uses the employment of copper tape or equivalent form of copper
conductor laid in supporting parts insulated from the supporting columns in under-
ground conduits or channels as set forth.
5. In an insulated support for conductors of electricity for electric lighting,
transmission of power or other uses in underground culverts or channels the com-
bination of a recessed horizontal roller of insulating material adapted to receive the
conductors capable of rotation on an axis borne insulated by suitable columns or
supports within said channels substantially as set forth.
6. The method of laying horizontally a flat tape conductor for transmitting electric
currents for power or other uses on insulated bearings in underground culverts or
channels and then laying a superposed layer or layers of such tape thereon by means
of a suitable guided carrier using said first tape as means of vertical support therefor
substantially as set forth.
7. The constructions of carriers for use in first laying a horizontal tape or conductor

page_text: or horizontal tapes or conductors of electricity in underground channels or conduits
and then correctly laying superposed layers of tapes thereon substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
8. The various constructions and arrangements of means or apparatus for supporting
and insulating copper conductors of electricity in underground conduits or channels
substantially as set forth.
9. The combination or arrangement and use of apparatus for effecting the adjust-
ment of tensile strain in and preserving the continuity of conductivity to conductors
of electricity composed of tapes of copper in underground or like conduits substantially
as set forth.
10. In apparatus for effecting adjustment of the tensile strain on conductors of
electricity in conduits or channels the employment of a fixed anchorage part, a screw
shackle coupling or couplings connected to said part and to the conductor whose
strain is to be adjusted in combination with an elastic conductor connected to said
conductor so as to preserve continuity of conductivity thereto as set forth.
11. In insulated conductors of electric currents for transmission of power or other
uses the employment of crutches & insulators c supports b arranged and combined in
underground conduits or channels substantially as set forth.
12. The construction or arrangement and use in combination of underground
culverts or channels provided with dividing partitions or midfeathers a so as to
contain separately conductors of electrical currents for the transmission of power or
for other uses of ordinary or known-character as set.forth..
13. The construction and use of carriers for laying electrical conductors in under-
ground channels-or similar conduits in manner and for the purposes substantially as
hereinbefore set forth.
14. The construction or arrangement and use of parts of apparatus for use in
containing conductors of electricity for the transmission of power or other uses on
insulated supporting columns in underground channels or conduits in combination
with a recess or recesses for insulating oil around said insulator and means for use in
effecting replenishment of said oil from the road level as and for the purposes
substantially as set forth in respect of Figure 22.
15. The general arrangements and combinations of parts of apparatus for laying,
straining, supporting insulated and preserving the continuity of conductivity of
electrical conductors in underground conduits or channels substantially as set forth.
Dated the 18th dow of Fahrra 1000
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.