Improvements in or relating to Electric Traction, and in Apparatus employed therein.
Year: 1897

page_text: K
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electric Traction, and in
Apparatus employed therein.
.I, EDOUARD VEDOVELLI, of 95, Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris, in the Republic
of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The present invention relates to an improved system of electric traction and to
apparatus employed therein. Let us first assume that it is applied to an underground
line.
In the system according to the present invention metal blocks are arranged
between the rails at regular intervals and the car is provided with a special contact
the length of which is a little greater than that between two successive blocks.
The rails are connected to each other and then to the pole of a dynamo, the other
pole of which is successively connected with each of the blocks when the car
passes over them. The result of this arrangement is that the current enters a
block only when it is covered by the car.
In this system each block supplies current to itself and when one of the blocks.
comes into circuit, it cuts off the current from the preceding one.
The invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which are represented, by way of example, the various parts of the
system of electric traction according to the present invention.
Next to each block B, B1, B2. there is arranged an electro-magnet E,
E¹, E². having a winding of fine-wire (Fig. 1). One end of the wire of
each electromagnet is permanently connected to its corresponding block, say B,
the other end being connected to a contact f¹ placed near the next block, say B¹,
for the purpose hereinafter described.
...
The current enters the conductor L, which is successively connected to the
contacts d, d¹, d², The return R T is connected to another series of contacts e
e' e².
Each block B B¹ B². is connected to the contact c c¹ c² . .
The end of the armature of each electro-magnet say, E can move between the
four contacts c d e f which are placed on either side of it, the arrangement being
such that the armature can connect together electrically either the two contacts c
and d or the two contacts e and f. Normally, that is to say when no car passes
over the blocks, the armatures A A¹ A². . . are respectively on the contacts e f
el f1, e2 f.
Let us assume that the contact F of the car is excited, that is to say connected
to the line wire L, and that the car advances till the contact F comes in contact
with the first block B. At this moment the shunt circuit of the electro-magnet E
will be closed, a current will enter it and cause the armature to be attracted. The
latter, leaving the two contacts e f, will make contact with c and d. The current
thus directly enters the block and from thence enter the car, which will thereforo
advance.

page_text: When the contact F comes, during the advance of the car, in contact with the
block B (position F¹ dotted Fig. 1), the same thing will occur again: the shunt-
circuit of the electro-magnet E¹ will be closed and the armature A¹ will be
attracted. The electric connection between e¹ and f¹ will be interrupted, and
c¹ will be connected with d'.
The results of this movement of the armature will be as follows:-
1) The two contacts el f¹ being no longer electrically connected, the circuit of
the electro-magnet E will be open and the armature A will fall again on the
contacts e and f, and the contacts c and d being no longer connected consequently
the block B will no longer be electrically connected to the line.
2) The connection of the contacts c' d' by means of the farmature A¹ results
in the current entering the block B', in the same manner as described with reference
to the first block B, and the current ceases to enter the block B as soon as it enters
the block B¹.
When the car continues to move and the contact F comes into the position F2,
the same operation takes place again: the block B2 will come into circuit, the
.current will be cut off from the block B¹ and, beside the phenomena already
described, it must be pointed out that the armature A¹ in returning into its initial
position will again connect the electro-magnet E to earth, and all the parts in com-
bination with the first block B will be ready to work again under the same
..conditions when another car passes over.
The electric connections between the different parts may be altered for instance
as indicated in Fig. 3 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In this latter modification, referring, say, to the block B¹, the electro-magnet E¹
is in shunt-circuit being connected on one side to the block and, on the other
permanently, to earth. When the contact F comes into the position. F1, the
: armature A¹ is attracted and connects the two contacts c¹ d¹, one of which d¹ is
connected to the block B¹ and the other, c¹, with the contact e² of the block B². In
this latter block B² the armature A² is in its lower position and consequently connects
the two contacts e² and f. The result of this is that the armature A¹ being
attracted establishes connection between the block B' and the source of electricity, as
the contactf2 of the next block is permanently connected to the source of electricity.
When the contact moves from the position F to F2, the same operations take
place. The armature A² will be attracted, the contacts c² and d² will be connected,
and the connection between the contacts e² and f² being interrupted, the block B¹
through which the current passed, up to that moment, by means of the two latter
contacts, will have the current entering only through the contact-piece F, so that
when the latter advances and leaves the block B¹, the electro-magnet E¹ no longer
having the current passing through it, will fall again and the same operation will
again take place as for the first block.
To simplify matters, everything hereinafter described will be supposed to operate
on the first system described, although of course it will equally well apply to the
second system. The switch of each contact is provided with an automatic cut-out
(Fig. 4). If is the maximum strength of current required for working the car, it
is advisable to have a switch which would prevent any current of strength greater
than a certain determined strength I from passing. This is effected in the following
manner:-
The electro-magnet E is of soft-iron and of horse-shoe shape; round one of the
branches of which is wound with fine wire, the other branch having a thick-wire
winding and connecting the block B with the contact c, The latter winding is in
opposition to the first fine winding.
Let be the strength of the current in the fine-wire windings of the electro-
magnet E and their number N; it will be easily understood, that if we make n the
number of windings on the branch F, NJ = n, then when a current of the strength I
Nj
passes through the thick wire, there will be equilibrium between the two branches:
the armature will no longer be attracted, and will fall and interrupt communication

page_text: between the contacts c and d. But as it might happen by reason of a slight error
n the equilibrium Nj = = n I, or from some other cause, that the armature does not
fall, another electro-magnet K is placed in series with the first one F and upon the
opposite side of the armature which magnet will act and strongly attract the
armature so as to produce a very sud len rupture at the contacts c and d.
Any other device may also be used either with winding in the opposite or in the
same direction such for instance as follows:-
On a single bar electro-magnet E (Fig. 5) are wound two wires 1 and 2. A is
the armature for closing the contacts. 3 is another auxiliary armature held at a
distance from the core of the electro-magnet by a suitable device, such for instance,
as a spring 4. This latter auxiliary armature is such that normally whether there
be any current in the electro-magnet or not it is not attracted and connects the two
contacts 5 and 6 inserted in the fine-wire-winding of the electro-magnet E.
The
If the current becomes too strong in the thick wire windings 2, the armature 3′
will be attracted and will break the fine-wire circuit of the electro-magnet E.
armature A is held in its position by the magnetic action produced by the thick-
wire winding of the electro-magnet E, which action ought to be quite sufficient;
but the armature A will certainly fall down when the current ceases to circulate in
the thick wire winding 2.
The two devices described are used as automatic cut-outs, but they serve also for
the following purpose :-
Supposing that the contact-piece of the car reaches a block Bn + 2 (Fig. 2) and
that no contact takes place between the two, this block will not come into circuit,
but the car will continue to advance and will thus uncover the block B, +1 which
is still excited.
In order to avoid this drawback, the car is provided with, besides the contact F,
another contact, permanently connected to the return wire through the wheels of
the car,
said second contact having a resistance R which is such that the strength
of the current which flows in the circuit when this second contact comes in contact
with the block shall be as nearly as possible equal to I. At this moment the block
will automatically become inoperative.
As will be seen from the preceding, the switches in the present system of
electric traction are operated by a shunt-current. When the armature A has been
attracted, the contacts è and ƒ are interrupted and a spark of an extra current is
produced. In order to avoid the injurious effects of the extra-current, the following
device is used :-
The spark appears between the points e and ƒ (see diagrammatic view of the
switch Fig. 6). A condenser C¹ of suitable capacity is employed and one side m
of said condenser is joined to the terminal e and the other side n¹ to the terminal f.
At the moment when the armature A is attracted and the points e and f
disconnected, the condenser will become charged preventing thus the extra-current
from having any undesirable effects.
When the armature A falls again, the condenser will be short-circuited. The
condenser may have any suitable shape so that it may be properly insulated and
protected. It may, for instance, be placed in an oil-bath. On the other hand, an
important consideration for preserving the coils is to keep them well insulated..
For this purpose the following arrangement represented in Fig. 7 may be adopted..
The electro-magnet E and the condenser C¹ are both placed in a vessel g filled
with oil, the side m¹ of the condenser being connected to the fine wire which
connects the end of the coil to the next switch; and the discharge-end of the
condenser is connected to the terminal e which in turn is connected to earth.
When the circuit of the electro-magnet E is interrupted the condenser will
absorb the extra-current and the coil will be protected.
Of course any similar arrangement may be used instead of that above described.
When high-tension currents are used, it becomes difficult to make an electro-
magnet with fine-wire windings, for the difference of potential between the single

page_text: windings becomes very great; this difficulty is overcome in the following
manner:-
A resistance R (Fig. 8) without self-induction is used, the two windings of the
electro-magnet E, having a resistance x, being placed in shunt-circuit across a
portion 10 of said resistance. The resistances of the portions 10 and 11 and the
resistance x of the two windings of the electro-magnet E are chosen so that the
current passing through E produces sufficient attraction.
One end of the resistance R is connected to the block B and the other to the
next following switch. The circuit thus formed will have the minimum self-
induction possible.
This arrangement may be combined with a condenser which is then arranged at
the end of the resistance 11, the other side of said condenser being connected to
earth, as shown in Fig. 9.
Moreover, if necessary, the electro-magnet E, the resistance R and the
condenser C¹ may be placed into an oil bath.
On the other hand, to avoid extra-currents it is sufficient to break the contacts
very slowly. To obtain this result, I proceed as follows:-
At the points e and f terminate two wires one of which is connected to a fixed
carbon-block 13 (Fig. 10) and the other to a lever 16 pivotted at 14 and carrying
at its end a carbon point 15, pressing against the carbon-block 13. The lever 16
is connected to the armature A by a spring 17 so that when the armature is
-attracted, the spring causes the lever 16 to interrupt contact between 15 and 13.
The lever 16 is continued by a branch 18 which carries at its end a disc 19
dipping into a bath of glycerine, mercury or other suitable substance.
The manner of working will now be easily understood: When the circuit E is
closed, it attracts the armature which establishes communication between c and d
and supplies the current directly to the block B. At this moment, the current
which supplied the preceding switch through the intermediary of the contacts e
and is still flowing, but passes through the carbons 13 and 15. But then the
armature A through the spring 17 pulls the lever 16 upwards. This movement
cannot be effected very quickly owing to the resistance of the liquid of the
receptacle 20 to the disc 19. It will be easily understood that with a disc of
suitable diameter and shape, the contact between the carbons 13 and 15 will be
interrupted as quickly or slowly as desired.
The present invention may be applied in practice whatever be the system of
electric traction used: whether single or double line etc.; hereinafter I shall
describe only, first, a practical arrangement for cases when two distinct parallel
lines are used, one for travelling in one direction and the other for returning,
there being some narrow places in which it becomes necessary to let the cars going
in opposite directions pass over the same line; and, secondly, an arrangement for
a line branching off into two lines and for two lines merging in one.
+2
To facilitate the description the indices 1 will be used to indicate blocks and
apparatus for the line on which cars move in one direction, the blocks and apparatus
used for the other line keeping the same signs as hereinbefore. Thus if B, B+1
BD etc. are blocks on a line in which the cars travel to the right for which the
contacts are effected as before; B¹³, B¹. + B+ 2, will be the blocks for the line on
which the cars travel in the opposite direction, for which the contacts are also
effected as before (Fig. 11). This has nothing peculiar about it. But supposing
that lines have to be brought into a single line, the block Ba+1 coincides with
the block B¹.. the block B+2 with the block B'+2, the block B. +3 with the
block B+ and that a car going say to the right comes near these blocks. The
switches which are actuated when going in this direction will act in a regular
manner, but the block B¹
will be excited and in order to stop the current from
circulating in this block it will be necessary that the block B be brought into
circuit. But as the car goes in the opposite direction, this block B,
come into circuit and the current will permanently remain in the block B¹
block B+ will come into circuit at the passage of the car, for the block B¹
1+1
+3
□ +3
#+4
n+4
will not
□ +3°
+3
The
being

page_text: +2
in circuit the electro magnet E¹.
will not be connected to earth and will not attract
its armature but the block B₁₁+1 will attract its armature and remain in circuit and
so on.
The result of the passage of the car which takes place in the direction of the
arrow will be to leave one block of the two in circuit in the direction to the left.
To prevent these blocks from coming into circuit it is sufficient to prevent the
corresponding electro-magnets from being connected to earth; to this end the
electro magnets E¹+2 E+3 En++ instead of being connected to earth directly, are
connected to a common cable which is connected to earth at desired moments, as
will be hereinafter described.
If the same reasoning is applied to a car coming towards the left it may be
concluded that everything will happen in the blocks B, B'a +1 etc. in the usual
manner, but that one block in each two will remain in circuit in the right hand
direction. To prevent these blocks from coming into circuit it will be sufficient to
prevent communication of the corresponding electro-magnets to earth. For this
purpose the electro-magnets E, +2, En + 3, En+ 4 instead of being directly connected
to earth, are connected to a common cable which will be connected to earth at desired
moments as will be hereinafter described.
The matter stands therefore as follows:
The two directions of travel have each a separate mechanism and they have both
in common the blocks B₁+1 and B¹₁ +3, B₁ +2 and B+ B +3 and B¹ and
hosides the bank.
n+1
+2 operating the block B,
n+1
B¹
n+3
B¹
"
"
وو
n+2.
B¹
□ +4
رو
B¹
>>
"
n+3
instead of being permanently connected to earth are connected to a common
contact P¹.
The two contacts P and P¹ form a reversing switch, the lever of which provided
with a soft iron armature x is connected to earth. According to this armature
being on one side or on the other either the contact P or the contact P¹ will be
connected to earth. The armature x may be attracted by two electro magnets with
fine wire winding. The first one-the one on the side P is connected on one side
with earth and on the other with the block B. The second-which is on the
side P¹ is connected on one side to earth and on the other to the block B¹..
From the preceding it will be easy to understand what occurs.
Supposing a car travelling to the right. Before it enters the common part of
the line the block B comes into circuit. The electro magnet C attracts its armature
to the side P and connects the blocks B₁+2, Bo+ 3, B₁ +1 to earth so that the car
will continue its travel without the blocks B¹n +1
B¹ Bi
n+2 +3 being effected, as the
connection with earth is interrupted and therefore they cannot become excited. If
another car comes after the first one, the same thing happens again.
In case of a car going to the left, before it reaches the common portion of the
line, the block B₁ comes into circuit. The electro-magnet C¹ attracts the armature
to the side P¹, and connects the blocks B₁₁ +2, B¹n +3 and B¹n +4 to earth, so that the
car also in this case can continue to travel without disturbing the blocks B + 1
B+2, and B. +, as they have now no connection with earth. It follows that in
whichever direction the car travels when reaching the common portion, the correct
travel of the car will not be affected.

page_text: +3
are
and B' + B + 2 and B'n + 2, Bn + 3 and B¹ + 1>
In practice, the blocks Bn +1
respectively combined into one apparatus and a single switch-device C is placed
near the line.
n+2
+1
In case of a line branching off into two the block B. +1 (Figs. 13 & 14) being
the last block common to the two lines, the car, according to whether the points
are placed in one or other position, will touch one of the two blocks B + 2
B¹ which either one or the other-will come into circuit. The excitement
of either of these blocks must therefore cause the connection of the electro-
magnet En of the block B +1 with earth to be interrupted. For this purpose
the wire of this electro-magnet may pass through the block Bn +2, but this block
instead of being directly connected to earth, is connected to the block B'n +2
and
other words the two devices for interrupting communication of blocks B
B'+2 to carth, are placed in series, so that whenever either of the blocks becomes
operative, the connection to earth is broken and there will be no current in the
block B +1
+2
In
In case of two lines merging into one (Figure 15) it will be sufficient to connect
the wires of the electro-magnets B+1 B'₁+1 in parallel and to bring them
When the block Bn +2
comes into
to B+2 as if there were only one single block.
and B¹
circuit, it will break the earth-communication of the two blocks B, +1
from whichever side the car arrives.
n + 1
It is of the greatest importance to prevent an accidental connection of one of the
blocks with the source of electricity; but this might happen by a shunt-circuit on
the surface of the ground if the latter were damp.
To prevent this, each block may be placed in the centre of a metallic casing 21
(Figure 16) of any suitable shape, said casing being insulated from the contact and
permanently connected with the pole of the sign opposite to that which could
unduly excite the block.
In this way, the current which might pass on the surface of the ground will be
It is
stopped, before entering the block by the metallic casing 21 as by a screen.
evident that it will be necessary to arrange the contact piece so that it can pass
over the block without touching the metallic casing. It is sufficient for this
purpose to make the block suitably project above the metallic casing.
A practical arrangement would be to place the block in a metallic box from
which it is suitably insulated; the box being then suitably connected with the
desired pole.
As has been explained in the beginning of the description, the present system
may be just as well applied to overhead as to ground lines. Figure 17 indicates
modifications which have to be made as applying the present system to overhead
lines.
In this system the line is divided in insulated portions of any desired length, each
portion being connected by means of a switch to an insulated feeder placed in the
ground. Owing to this arrangement each portion will be excited only at the
moment when the car passes. It will of course be necessary that the space between
two consecutive sections be small enough and the contact in this case placed on the
car-large enough to enable said contact to touch during an appreciable time as
short as desired, the two consecutive sections at once that is to say the one it is
going to leave and the one it is going to pass over.
To cause the contact to touch two consecutive sections in this manner the following
arrangement may be made.
The two wires 22 and 23 (Figure 18) of two consecutive sections terminate
opposite each other and overlapping in the same horizontal plane for a distance of
say 20 to 40 cms. They are held by a metallic connection 24 arranged as to connect
them to each other mechanically, but at the same time electrically insulated from each
other. In this way when the wheel of the contact-piece or trolley arrives, it will
be obliged to touch during an appreciable time both wires at once, and the switch-
devices will act.

page_text: Figure 19 shows another arrangement when the cars always travel on the line
only in the direction indicated by the arrow.
The ends 25 and 26 of the wires of each section are mechanically strongly
connected together by means of rods 27 and 28, bells 29 and 30 and an insulator 24,
or by any other means. At the point 26 is hinged a metallic part 31, which by
turning about said point, can bear against the point 25. The points 25 and 26 can,
therefore, be electrically connected. It will now be easy to see what happens:
when the trolley-wheel arrives along the wire 28, it raises the part 31 which
establishes an electric connection between the two sections. These two sections
will remain connected during the whole of the time the trolley travels between the
points 25 and 26; when the trolley has passed beyond the point 25, the part 31
will automatically fall thus breaking contact between the two sections.
Figure 20 shows an arrangement enabling the same result to be obtained with a
trolley going in either direction.
The
At the points 25 and 26 are hinged two parts each consisting of two arms.
arms 31 and 311 are conductors and can be placed so as to touch each other with
their faces, so that when they are in such position the current can pass from 25
to 26 as before.
The arms 33 and 34 normally lie in the continuation of the wires 22 and 23.
Finally at the points 35 and 351 are fixed two small insulated links 36 and 36', which
are pivotted together at the point 37.
The pivot 37 is guided so as to be movable only in a vertical direction by means
of a rod 38.
The
Supposing now that the trolley-wheel arrives along the wire 22, it meets the
arm 31 which it raises. This arm at the same time raises the point 37 which, in
turn, takes with it the arm 31, and the two faces 32 and 32¹ come in contact.
trolley passes on and until it reaches the point 26, the faces 32 and 32¹ remain
in contact. Having reached the point 26 the trolley meets the arm 34 which has
been lowered and raises it. This operation causes the parts 31 and 31³ to separate
and the communication between the points 25 and 26 to be broken.
If the trolley arrives along the wire 28 the operation is the same.
Having thus described in a general way the whole of the different parts of my
system of electric traction I will now describe them in detail.
The blocks used in the system of electric traction according to the present
invention consist of a cup made of cast-iron or any other conductive metal of
sufficient strength.
This cup 39 which is rectangular outside has in its centre a circular projection 40
(Figures 21 and 22).
Another cup 41 is placed in this one in an inverted position and is of such shape
that all points of its surface are at the same distance from the corresponding points
of the cup 39.
Between the two cups is placed insulating material 42 of sufficient strength, such
for instance as mineral cement, substances similar to vulcanised rubber etc.
The surfaces of the cups 39 and 41 placed opposite each other are provided
with recesses, so that when once the insulating material has been put in place it
is impossible to separate the cups.
In the centre of the block constructed in this way there is left a passage 43 for
the wire supplying current to the cup 41. This wire is cemented to a screw-threaded
hole 44 and held there by a washer 45 and by two other washers 46 47 one of
which forms a lock-nut. Of course the wire may be also fixed in any other suitable
manner.
The upper surface of the cup 41 which is of cast-iron would wear out very quickly.
To prevent this it may be covered with a steel or even cast-iron plate 48 firmly
secured by a strong bolt 49.
Moreover between the plate 48 and the cup 41 is interposed a sheet or plate. of
lead 50 which, being strongly compressed, fills up the uneven spots on the surface
of the metal thus making it bear equally over its whole surface.

page_text: '
Of course the blocks thus constructed may be applied to all electio magnetic
systems having a divided conductor. They can also if the potential be low be used
for the permanent passage of the current.
· Instead of making the blocks square they may be made rectangular and even
oblong so that they have the appearance somewhat of skates.
The covering plate 48 may also have the shape of a rail so as to transform the
block into a real continuous or divided rail of any cross-section. This rail may
either be used as an electric conductor to supply the current to the car through
a special contact-piece or be used as a rail for the car to travel upon.
In the system of electric traction according to the present invention, the rails are 1
used, as has been already mentioned as a return; it is therefore necessary to establish
electric connection between the different sections of the rails.
This is effected in the following manner (Figures 23, 24, 25 and 26).
To make the joints at the end of the rail 51 is made a hole of any section into
which is introduced a truncated cone 52 provided with two lugs or extensions 53 1
53 placed diametrically opposite and parallel to the axis of the cone; the length
of these lugs is a little greater than the thickness of the part, in which the joint is
to be effected, and they have beside the shape of a segment of a circle. On the side
opposite to the truncated cone at 54 these extensions 53 are bent at a right angle
and their thickness is slightly greater towards the end.
The truncated cone 52 is provided in the centre with a hole 55, into which is
placed a metal rod 56 forming the real electric conductor. The diameter of the base
of the truncated cone 52 is exactly equal to that of the hole made in the rail 51
and the truncated cone is introduced into this hole by striking on the lugs. As the
latter are thicker at the end they will strongly grip the conductor 56 when the whole 2
is put in.
As is easy to see from the preceding description there remain in the hole between
the two lugs two free sector shaped openings 57 (Figure 24) into each of which is
driven a wedge 58 (Figures 25 26). The lower extremity of the wedge meets the
surface of the truncated cone and is turned and strikes against the face of the rail 51; 3
the joint is now finished. The same is done at the other end of the conductor 56
on the other rail to be connected, and electric connection is thus established.
Instead of placing the conductor 56 in the nut 52 it may be cast in one piece
with the nut as shown in Figures 27, 28, 29. To put the joint in place, it is
sufficient in this case simply to drive in round the branches 53 of the nut the two 3
wedges 58 as explained above.
Instead of connecting the metallic conductor 56 to the nut 52 said conductor may
also as shown in Figures 30, 31, and 32 be connected with the two wedges 58 in
such manner that the whole of the three parts of the joint form only one piece. In
this latter case the nut is independent. To effect the joint, the nut is first put 4
in place, then the part constituted by the conductor and the two wedges is driven
in; the wedges which project from the conductor meet the head of the nut as before,
and bend over.
The exciting or bringing into circuit of the different blocks placed in the ground
is effected, as has been said before, by means of the contact-piece arranged on each 4
car.
This contact-piece is chiefly constituted by two similar parallelograms 61, 62, 63,
64 and 61, 62, 63, 64¹ (Figure 33) but placed in different longitudinal planes the
distance (62-62¹) between the two planes being about double the thickness of a
contact (the length P P¹ is exaggerated in the drawing to make it clearer).
Powerful springs 65 and 65¹ always tend to open the parallelograms.
The two contact pieces are electrically connected. It is easy to understand now
how they operate. If all the contact blocks are exactly on the same level, the
contact-pieces will always remain parallel to the contact-blocks, they will never
touch the ground and will always arrive tangentially above each contact against 5
which they will not strike.
If on the contrary, as in Figure 34 one contact-block P¹ is lower than the

page_text: preceding, one P the blade or contact-piece 61-62 will fall on the contact P1
whilst the blade 611 62¹ will still be on the contact P, so that the current will not
be interrupted. Of course instead of two parallelograms a greater number may
be used.
The contact-piece may also be made as follows;-the two blades 61, 62 and 611621
(Figure 35) are also hinged by means of links, but the links 61, 63 and 62, 64
are inclined towards the front, for instance the links 63-61¹ and 64-62' being
inclined towards the back.
Moreover the blade 61-62 carries a rod 66-67 and the blade 611-62¹ a
rod 661 67' said rods being at a distance from each other and being connected by
a spring 68 which tends to draw them together.
It is easy to see what happens :
The
The points 66 and 66¹ tend to come together and consequently to bring the two
links hinged at the points 63 and 64 together. The points 61-61 and 62-62¹
describe arcs of circles and consequently tend to come nearer to the ground.
two blades 61-62 and 61'-621 will therefore be equally drawn towards the ground,
as if they were independent.
It may also happen that it is necessary to have the contact pieces one behind
the other which must be maintained at different potentials. If the length is
sufficient it is easily effected, but it may be that this will be impossible. Then the
following arrangement may be adopted. (Figure 36).
The blade 61-62 is divided into three parts 61-70 71 and 71-62. These three
parts and mechanically connected by means of an insulating part 73 and metallic
parts 74-74 so as to form a rigid whole; the two parts 61-70 and 72-62 being
electrically insulated. The interval between the points 70-72 and the part 71 are
smaller than the width of one contact and the width of the part 71 is nearly equal
to that of one contact; owing to this arrangement the whole length of the contact-
piece will pass from 61 to 62 without shock and the contact will be successively
connected to the parts 61-70 and 72-62 without these parts communicating with
each other.
Insulating pieces 75 insulate the links and the wires 76 connect the parts of the
contact-piece to suitable points.
This arrangement may also be used for contact-pieces of other construction.
As has been said before the system of electric traction according to the present
invention comprises switch devices which may be of any suitable construction but
the following arrangement shown in Figures 37 and 48 is more especially suitable
for the purpose.
Figure 37 is a front elevation in section of the switch.
Figure 38 being a side-elevation in section.
Figure 39 is an underside view.
Figure 40 a plan, certain of the parts being removed.
Figures 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 show certain details of the apparatus.
Figures 46, 47 and 48 show in section and in elevation a box in which the switch
may be placed.
The switch consists chiefly of a coil 80 divided into several sections. In the
example illustrated in the drawing there are only two sections 81, 82, (Figure 37)
but of course this number may be varied.
The object of this arrangement is to enable the same apparatus to be used for
different voltages without changing its construction simply by connecting the
sections in different ways. The sections may be grouped for this purpose either
in series or in parallel or any combinations of the two methods.
In the coils 80 wound in the manner described there is a soft iron core 83 secured
to the end of a lever 84 pivotted about two points 85 and 86 (Figure 38). Instead
of having a hollow coil, a fixed core may be used which would attract a mass of
soft iron placed at the end of the lever 84.
The lever 84 has near its pivot 85 and 86, two parallel tongues 87 and 88 forming
a shackle. At the end of each of these tongues there is a hole 89, 90, (Figure 38).

page_text: These two holes 89 and 90 receive the extremities of a spindle 91 parallel to the
spindle 85-86. The spindle 91 is provided with a projection 92 (Figures 37 and
38) which is divided into two parts: one serving as a heel 93, and the other as a
bracket or support 94. On the bracket or support 94 is placed an insulating piece
on which is fixed a bent part 96.
The lever 84 carries about its middle an insulating piece 97 on which is fixed a
C shaped part 98. The ends 96 and 99 are horizontal and covered with caps 100
and 101. Each cap 100 and 101 has two arms provided with discs.
In Figure 40, which is a plan-view, certain parts being removed, the two arms 102
and 103 of the lower cap 101 are shown; these arms support discs 104 and
105.
In Figure 37 is represented one arm 106 of the cap 100. This arm is bent
downwards and supports the disc 107.
Over the discs 107 and 108 of the part 100 are fixed two carbon-cylinders 109
and 110. Under the discs 104 and 105 of the cap 101, which carry the carbons 114
and 115 are also secured two carbon-blocks 111 and 112 resting on an
insulating disc 116. These carbons are fixed centrally by means of a screw which
is screwed into the disc. This screw does not project from the faces of the cylinder,
its head being sunk in a recess made for the purpose.
In each cap 100 and 101, the surfaces of the discs which are to receive the
carbon-cylinders are well planed or smoothed and all in the same plane. More-
over the carbons in each cap are all of the same thickness so that in each piece the
free surfaces of the carbons are flat and in the same plane.
The construction of the pieces (or caps) 100 and 101 is such that when the
carbons have once been put in place, there is a stable equilibrium, and these caps
are easily maintained on the ends 96 and 99 which are formed with knife-edges.
It will thus be seen that when the lever 84 on the projection 92 change their
position turning about their respective axes (the lever 84 about the axis 85-86
and the part 92 about its axis 89-90), the free surfaces of the carbons will
always remain horizontal and consequently parallel.
The spindle 89-90 is mounted so as to have a great amount of friction in the
shackle 87-88 by means of springs 113 (Figure 40).
In a plane above the carbons 109 and 110 of the upper discs are arranged two
fixed carbon-cylinders 117 and 118 of the same dimensions supported by a disc 119
of insulating material:
A screw 120 fixed in the sides 87 and 88 (Figures 37 and 38) can strike against
the heel 93 which as has been said before, is a part of the projection 92. A second
screw 121 on the part 122 secured on the disc 116 can stop at a given moment
the heel 93, as will be hereinafter described, when describing the working of
the apparatus.
All parts of the apparatus are held between two plates 123, and 124 provided
with holes of suitable shape with which engage corresponding parts of the parts
to be fixed. Owing to its construction the whole apparatus may be taken to
pieces simply by removing the side-plates.
Normally when there is no current in the coil 80, the lower movable carbons 114
and 115 rest on the fixed carbon-cylinders 111 and 112. All the weight of the
movable parts (core 83 and lever 84) presses the carbons 114 and 115 strongly
against the carbons 111 and 112 by means of an adjustable stop 125 secured to
the part 98. This arrangement ensures a perfect contact and enables, besides, the
lowering of the core 83 to be regulated as desired by suitably moving the part 125.
When the lower carbons are in the position just indicated, the movable upper
carbons 109 and 110 do not touch the fixed carbons 117 and 118.
In the position just described the heel 93 bears against the end of the screw 121,
and the screw 120 is out of contact with it.
The main object of the working of the apparatus is to bring in contact the
upper carbons 109 and 110 with the fixed carbons 117 and 118, and to afterwards

page_text: raise the lower movable carbons 114 and 115 in order to separate them from the
fixed carbons 111 and 112.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-
As soon as current enters in the coil 80, the core 83 is attracted. The lever 84
turns about its axis 85 and 86, the part 98 following this movement, but the
end 99 does not immediately cause the lower cap 101 also to move owing to
the clearance between said end 99 and the part 125; but on the other hand, the
part 92 not meeting with any resistance immediately follows the movement of the
lever 84, owing to the friction before referred to.
By the movement of the part 92, the upper movable carbons 109 and 110 are
raised and come in contact with the fixed carbons 117 and 118, but the
arrangement is such that in this first position which they occupy, their axes do not
coincide.
At the moment of meeting of the upper carbons or a little afterwards, the end 99
of the part 98 comes in contact with the cap 101 and, the movement of the core 83
continuing, the discs 104 and 105 carrying the carbons 114 and 115 will be raised
and the latter will no longer be in contact with the fixed carbons 111 and 112.
On the other hand, the part 92 finding a resistance in consequence of the meeting
of the movable carbons 109 and 110 with the carbons 117 and 118 cannot rise
any further, but as it is mounted so that it can move with considerable friction
on the lever 84, the latter can continue to rise, overcoming the frictional
resistance (as this friction is not great enough to resist the ascension of the core 83).
At this moment the spindle 91 secured to the lever 84 describes an arc of a circle
about the axis 85-86. The shape of the parts is such that the arc of the circle,
described by the spindle 91, is practically parallel to the plane of contact of the
upper carbons. Consequently, the part 92 will be drawn the length of this arc, and
the carbons 109 and 110, secured to the part 92 will slide on the carbons 117
and 118. This movement will continue till the screw 120 meets the heel 93. The
part 92 should, at this time, describe an arc of a circle about the axis 85-86, but
it cannot do so, as its movement is arrested by the resistance caused by the meeting
of the carbons. The movement of the lever 84 is therefore stopped, and the result
of the attraction on the core will simply be to strongly press the carbons 109 and 110
against the carbons 117 and 118.
If under the circumstances, the current ceases to circulate in the coil 80, the
core 83 will descend the lever 85 describing an arc of a circle round 85-86 and
the part 92 not meeting any resistance will follow the lever 84 in its movement
owing to the friction between the two, and the contact of the upper carbons will
be interrupted. The part 92 follows the movement of the lever 84 till the heel 93
meets the end of the screw 121. At this moment the part 92 ceases to turn about
the axis 85-86, and its upper end moves approximately in a horizontal direction,
so that the axes of the upper carbons come into their original position. The
lever 84 still descending, the lower carbons come in contact, and all the parts
again return to their original position.
As this switch must be capable of being very quickly replaced in case of
any of its inner parts being broken, it is supplemented by a system of connections
which will enable the switch to be removed and replaced by a new one, without
necessitating connecting and disconnecting the wires each time.
Such connections are represented, by way of example in Figures 41, 42, 43, 44,
and 45.
Fixed plugs 130, 131, 132, 133, 134 (Figures 41 and 42) are connected in any
suitable manner to the fixed carbons and to the wires of the coil. Each of these
plugs has preferably the form of pincers, as shown in Figure 41; but of course they
may also have any other suitable shape. These plugs are carried by the insulating
upper disc 119 before referred to. The switch having been placed into the box
destined for the purpose and hereinafter described, the plugs 130, 131 etc. are in
front of the plugs 130', 131', etc., to which are permanently connected the wires,
which are to be suitably connected to the switch. These plugs are supported in

page_text: the box by an insulating plate 140 secured to the box. A series of double
plates 130, 131, 132", supported by a part 141 made of insulating material
(Figure 45) and provided with a handle 142, enables, when simultaneously
introduced into the pincers 130, 131 etc. on one hand, and into the
pincers 130, 1311 etc. on the other hand, communication to be established between
the series of plugs of the plate 140 and those of the plate 119.
The plates are connected two-by-two by a cut-out constituted by a lead-fuse,
and, moreover, the part 141 may form one or several small cups capable of being
filled with oil. The fusible lead-wires may be placed in these cups.
Instead of connecting the contacts directly by fusible connections, they may be
connected in any other suitable manner enabling the apparatus to be used, by
simply changing the position of the lever, either for travelling in the reverse.
direction or the destination of the apparatus to be changed.
By raising the handle 142, the switch will be switched out, and by pressing the
handle to drive in the plates into the pincers, the switch will be placed in circuit.
The switch is preferably placed inside an air-tight box shown in Figures 46, 47,
and 48.
The switch of the construction just described is placed inside this box in which
are fixed at 143 and 144 lugs 145 and 146 (Figure 43) secured to the plate
supporting the plugs 130, 131¹ etc. at which the wires terminate. The box is
provided with a cover 147 and has a double oil joint 148, 149. Over this cover is
placed a casing 150 resting on a circular support 151 cast on the box. Between
the support and the casing may be inserted wedges 152 enabling the upper face 153
of the casing to be inclined as desired, the box, and, consequently the parts which
it contains remaining vertical.
Finally the box which is open at the bottom is closed by a kind of spherical
cap 154, the parts being so shaped that there remain openings 155 for the passage
of cables. When the cables are in place, the cap 154 is secured to the box by
means of lugs 156 which are then bolted together. The lower cup thus formed is
then filled with insulating material up to 157. The box is thus made air-tight in
its lowering part, at the same time enabling the cables to be introduced.
Dated this 81st day of March 1897
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Electric Traction, and in
Apparatus employed therein.
I, EDOUARD VEDOVELLI, of 95, Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris, in the Republic
of France, 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 :—
The present invention relates to an improved system of electric traction and to
apparatus employed therein. Let us first assume that it is applied to an under-ground
line.
In the system according to the present invention metal blocks are arranged between
the rails at regular intervals and the car is provided with a special contact the length
of which is a little greater than that between two successive blocks. The rails are
connected to each other and then to the pole of a dynamo, the other pole of which is
successively connected with each of the blocks when the car passes over them. The

page_text: result of this arrangement is that the current enters a block only when it is covered
by the car.
In this system each block supplies current to itself and when one of the blocks
comes into circuit, it cuts off the current from the preceding one.
The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings which
accompanied the Provisional Specification, in which are represented, by way of example,
the various parts of the system of electric traction according to the present
invention.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view showing the arrangement of the parts of
the line.
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan showing the connection of the blocks with the
rails and the line-conductor.
Figure 3 shows a modification of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a detail of the automatic cut-out combined with the switch device of
each block.
Figure 5 shows a modified automatic cut-out comprising only one bobbin with two
windings in opposite directions.
Figure 6 shows details of the arrangement for avoiding the effects of the extra-
currents.
Figure 7 shows the practical arrangements used to insulate the bobbins.
Figure 8 shows an arrangement destined to replace the electro-magnet of fine wire
in cases where high tension currents are used.
Figure 9 shows the combination of the arrangement shown by Figure 8 with a
condenser.
Figure 10 shows a modified arrangement for avoiding the extra-currents.
Figures 11 & 12 show the arrangement of the parts in case when two parallel lines
are merged into one for a certain distance.
Figures 13 & 14 show the arrangement of the parts in case when one line is
divided into two.
Figure 15 shows the same arrangement for two lines merging into one.
Figure 16 shows the arrangement made for each block for avoiding the shunt
through the ground.
Figure 17 shows the application of this system of traction to overhead lines.
Figures 18, 19, & 20 show practical arrangements used to enable the contact
brushes to touch two consecutive pieces simultaneously.
Figures 21 & 22 are constructional details of the contact blocks.
Figures 23 to 32 relate to electric joints connecting the different parts of the
rails for utilising them as conductors.
E
Figures 33, 34, 35, & 36 are details of the contact-pieces for taking the current.
Figures 37 to 48 are constructional details of the line switching devices.
•
Next to each block B, B1, B2 . . there is arranged an electro-magnet E, E¹,
having a winding of fine-wire (Figure 1). One end of the wire of each
electro-magnet is permanently connected to its corresponding block, say B, the other
end being connected to a contact f¹ placed near the next block, say B¹, for the
purpose hereinafter described.
The current enters the conductor L, which is successively connected to the
contacts d, d³, d², . The return R T is connected to another series of
contacts e e¹ e²
Each block B B¹ B2
is connected to the contact c
cl c²
The end of the armature of each electro-magnet, say E, can move between the
four contacts c d e f which are placed on either side of it, the arrangement being
such that the armature can connect together electrically either the two contacts cand a
or the two contacts e and f. Normally, that is to say when no car passes over
the blocks, the armatures A A¹ A² . . . etc. are respectively on the contacts e f, el
f¹ e² f2.
Let us assume that the contact F of the car is excited, that is to say connected to
the line wire L, and that the car advances till the contact F comes in contact with

page_text: the first block B. At this moment the shunt circuit of the electro-magnet E will be
closed, a current will enter it and cause the armature to be attracted. The latter,
leading the two contacts e f, will make contact with c and d. The current thus
directly enters the block and from thence enters the car, which will therefore
advance.
When the contact F comes, during the advance of the car, in contact with the
block B (position F¹ dotted Figure 1), the same thing will occur again: the shunt-
circuit of the electro-magnet E will be closed and the armature A¹ will be attracted.
The electric connection between e¹ and f¹ will be interrupted, and c¹ will be connected
with d¹.
The results of this movement of the armature will be as follows:-
1) The two contacts e¹ f¹ being no longer electrically connected, the circuit of the
electro-magnet E will be open and the armature A will fall again on the contacts e
and f, and the contacts c and d being no longer connected consequently the block B
will no longer be electrically connected to the line.
2) The connection of the contacts c¹ d¹ by means of the armature A¹ results in
the current entering the block B, in the same manner as described with reference
to the first block B, and the current ceases to enter the block B as soon as it enters
the block B¹.
When the car continues to move and the contact F comes into the position F²,
the same operation takes place again: the block B2 will come into circuit, the current
will be cut off from the block B' and, beside the phenomena already described, it must
be pointed out that the armature A' in returning into its initial position will again
connect the electro-magnet E to earth, and all the parts in combination with the
first block B will be ready to work again under the same conditions when
another car passes over.
The electric connections between the different parts may be altered for instance as
indicated in Figure 3 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In this latter modification, referring say, to the block B¹, the electro-magnet E¹ is
in shunt-circuit being connected on one side to the block and, on the other per-
manently, to earth. When the contact F comes into the position F¹, the
armature A¹ is attracted and connects the two contacts c¹ d¹, one of which d¹ is
connected to the block B¹ and the other c¹, with the contact e² of the block B. In
this latter block B2 the armature A2 is in its lower position and consequently connects
the two contacts 62 and f2. The result of this is that the armature A¹ being attracted
establishes connection between the block B' and the source of electricity, as the
contact of the next block is permanently connected to the source of electricity.
When the contact moves from the position F¹ to F, the same operations take place.
The armature A² will be attracted, the contacts c² and d² will be connected, and the
connection between the contacts e² and f being interrupted, the block B¹ through
which the current passed, up to that moment, by means of the two latter contacts,
will have the current entering only through the contact-piece F, so that when the
latter advances and leaves the block B¹, the electro-magnet E¹ no longer having the
current passing through it, will fall again and the same operation will again take
place as for the first block.
To simplify matters, everything hereinafter described will be supposed to operate
on the first system described, although of course it will equally well apply to the
second system. The switch of each contact is provided with an automatic cut-
out (Figure 4). If i is the maximum strength of current required for working
the car, it is advisable to have a switch which would prevent any current of strength
greater than a certain determined strength I from passing. This is effected in the
following manner :—
The electro-magnet E is of soft-iron and of horse-shoe shape; round one of the
branches of which is wound with fine wire, the other branch having a thick-wire
winding and connecting the block B with the contact c. The latter winding is in
opposition to the first fine winding.
Let be the strength of the current in the fine-wire windings of the electro-

page_text: magnet E and their number N; it will be easily understood, that if we make n
Nj
the number of windings on the branch F, = n, then when a current of the
I
strength I passes through the thick wire, there will be equilibrium between the two
branches: the armature will no longer be attracted, and will fall and interrupt
communication between the contacts c and d. But as it might happen by reason
of a slight error in the equilibrium Nj = n I, or from some other cause, that the
armature does not fall, another electro-magnet K is placed in series with the first
one F and upon the opposite side of the armature which magnet will act and
strongly attract the armature so as to produce a very sudden rupture at the
contacts c and d.
Any other device may also be used either with winding in the opposite or in the
same direction such for instance as follows :-
On a single bar electro-magnet E (Figure 5) are wound two wires 1 and 2.. A is
the armature for closing the contacts. 3 is another auxiliary armature held at a
distance from the core of the electro-magnet by a suitable device, such for instance,
as a spring 4. This latter auxiliary armature is such that normally whether there
be any current in the electro-magnet or not it is not attracted and connects the two
contacts 5 and 6 inserted in the fine-wire-winding of the electro-magnet E.
If the current becomes too strong in the thick wire windings 2, the armature 3
will be attracted and will break the fine-wire circuit of the electro-magnet E. The
armature A is held in its position by the magnetic action produced by the thick-wire
winding of the electro-magnet E, which action ought to be quite sufficient; but the
armature A will certainly fall down when the current ceases to circulate in the thick
wire winding 2.
The two devices described are used as automatic cut-outs, but they serve also for
the following purpose:—
Supposing that the contact-pieces of the car reaches a block B₁ +2, (Figure 2) and
that no contact takes place between the two, this block will not come into circuit, but
the car will continue to advance and will thus uncover the block Ba+1 which is still
excited.
In order to avoid this drawback, the car is provided with, besides the contact F,
another contact, permanently connected to the return wire through the wheels of the
car, said second contact having a resistance R which is such that the strength of the
current which flows in the circuit when this second contact comes in contact with
the block shall be as nearly as possible equal to I. At this moment the block will
automatically become inoperative.
As will be seen from the preceding, the switches in the present system of electric
traction are operated by a shunt-current. When the armature A has been attracted,
the contacts e and f are interrupted and a spark of an extra current is produced. In
order to avoid the injurious effects of the extra-current, the following device is
used :-
The spark appears between the points e and f (see diagrammatic view of the
switch Figure 6). A condenser C¹ of suitable capacity is employed and one side m¹
of said condenser is joined to the terminal e and the other side n' to the terminal f.
At the moment when the armature A is attracted and the points e and f
disconnected, the condenser will become charged preventing thus the extra-current
from having any undesirable effects.
When the armature A falls again, the condenser will be short-circuited. The
condenser may have any suitable shape so that it may be properly insulated and
protected. It may, for instance, be placed in an oil-bath. On the other hand, an
important consideration for preserving the coils is to keep them well insulated. For
this purpose the following arrangement represented in Figure 7 may be adopted.
The electro-magnet E and the condenser C¹ are both placed in a vessel g filled with
oil, the side m¹ of the condenser being connected to the fine-wire which connects the
end of the coil to the next switch; and the discharge-end of the condenser is
connected to the terminal e which in turn is connected to earth.

page_text: When the circuit of the electro-magnet E is interrupted the condenser will absorb
the extra-current and the coil will be protected.
Of course any similar arrangement inay be used instead of that above described.
When high-tension currents are used, it becomes difficult to make an electro-
magnet with fine-wire windings, for the difference of potential between the single
windings becomes very great; this difficulty is overcome in the following
manner :-
A resistance R (Figure 8) without self-induction is used, the two windings of the
electro-magnets E having a resistance X, being placed in shunt-circuit across a
portion 10 of said resistance. The resistances of the portions 10 and 11 and the
resistance X of the two windings of the electro-magnet E are chosen so that the
current passing through E produces sufficient attraction.
One end of the resistance R is connected to the block B and the other to the next
following switch.. The circuit thus formed will have the minimum self-induction
possible.
This arrangement may be combined with a condenser which is then arranged at
the end of the resistance 11, the other side of said condenser being connected to
earth as shown in Figure 9.
Moreover, if necessary, the electro-magnet E, the resistance R and the condenser C¹
may be placed into an oil bath.
On the other hand to avoid extra-currents it is sufficient to break the contacts very
slowly. To obtain this result, I proceed as follows:-
At the points e and f terminate two wires one of which is connected to a fixed
carbon-block 13 (Figure 10) and the other to a lever 16 pivoted at 14 and carrying
at its end a carbon point 15, pressing against the carbon-block. 13. The lever 16
is connected to the armature A by a spring 17 so that when the armature is attracted,
the spring causes the lever 16 to interrupt contact between 15 and 13.
The lever 16 is continued by a branch 18 which carries at its end a disc 19
dipping into a bath of glycerine, mercury, or other suitable substance.
The manner of working will now be easily understood: When the circuit E is
closed, it attracts the armature which establishes communication between c and d and
supplies the current directly to the block B. At this moment, the current which
supplied the preceding switch through the intermediary of the contacts e and fis
still flowing, but passes through the carbons 13 and 15. But then the armature A
through the spring 17 pulls the lever 16 upwards.
This movement cannot be
effected very quickly owing to the resistance of the liquid of the receptacle 20 to
the disc 19. It will be easily understood that with a disc of suitable diameter and
shape, the contact between the carbons 13 and 15 will be interrupted as quickly or
slowly as desired.
The present invention may be applied in practice whatever be the system of
electric traction used: whether single or double line etc.; hereinafter I shall describe
only, first, a practical arrangement for cases when two distinct parallel lines are used,
one for travelling in one direction and the other for returning, there being some
narrow places in which it becomes necessary to let the cars going in the opposite
directions pass over the same line; and, secondly, an arrangement for a line branching
off into two lines and for two lines merging into one.
To facilitate the description the indices 1 will be used to indicate blocks and
apparatus for the line on which cars move in one direction, the blocks and apparatus
used for the other line keeping the same signs as hereinbefore. Thus if B, B+1
B+, etc. are blocks on a line in which the cars travel to the right for which the
contacts are effected as before; B¹, B¹ +1, B¹² + 2 will be the blocks for the line on
which the cars travel in the opposite direction, for which the contacts are also effected
as before (Figure 11). This has nothing peculiar about it. But supposing that
lines have to be brought into a single line, the block B, +1 coincides with the
block B¹ +3 the block B¸±
+2 with the block B¹+2, the block B +3 with the
block B+1, and that a car going say to the right comes near these blocks. The
switches which are actuated when going in this direction will act in a regular manner,

page_text: But
but the block B₁₁ +3 will be excited and in order to stop the current from circulating .
in this block it will be necessary that the block B₁₁ +4 be brought into circuit.
as the car goes in the opposite direction, this block B¹+4 will not come into contact
and the current will permanently remain in the block B¹+3 The block B¹+2 will
come into circuit at the passage of the car, for the block B¹+3 being in circuit the
electro-magnet E¹n +2 will not be connected to earth and will not attract its
armature but the block B¹+1 will attract its armature and remain in circuit and
so on.
n
The result of the passage of the car which takes place in the direction of the arrow
will be to leave one block of the two in circuit in the direction to the left. To
prevent these blocks from coming into circuit it is sufficient to prevent the
corresponding electro-magnets from being connected to earth; to this end the
electro-magnets E¹n +29 E' E' +4 instead of being connected to earth directly, are
connected to a common cable which is connected to earth at desired moments, as
will be hereinafter described.
+3
If the same reasoning is applied to a car coming towards the left it may be
concluded that everything will happen in the blocks B, B+1 etc. in the usual
manner, but that one block in each two will remain in circuit in the right hand
direction. To prevent these blocks from coming into circuit it will be sufficient to
prevent communication of the corresponding electro-magnets to earth. For this
purpose the electro-magnets En En ED instead of being directly connected to
earth, are connected to a common cable which will be connected to earth at desired
moments as will be hereinafter described.
+21
+3
The matter stands therefore as follows:
+4
The two directions of travel have each a separate mechanism and they have both in
common the blocks B₁+1 and B+3 B+2, and B¹n +29
and besides,
B+3
and B¹+1
instead of being permanently connected to earth are connected to a common contact I
(Figure 11).
In the same manner the blocks:
Ba+2
B'
+2 operating the block B₁
+1
B¹
□ +3
"
"
"
B¹
+4
"
"
"
B¹
n+3
instead of being permanently connected to earth are connected to a common
contact P¹
The two contacts P and P¹ form a reversing switch, the lever of which provided
with a soft iron armature x is connected to earth. According to this armature being
on one side or on the other either the contact P or the contact P¹ will be connected
to earth. The armature x may be attracted by two electro magnets with fine wire
winding. The first one-the one on the side P is connected on one side with earth
and on the other with the block B. The second-which is on the side P¹-is
connected on one side to earth and on the other to the block B¹..
From the preceding it will be easy to understand what occurs.
Supposing a car travelling to the right. Before it enters the common part of the
line the block B comes into circuit. The electro-magnet C attracts its armature to
the side P and connects the blocks B+ B+ B+1 to earth so that the car will
continue its travel without the blocks B₁₁+1
B¹ +2 B+ being effected, as the
connection with earth is interrupted and therefore they cannot become excited. If
another car comes after the first one, the same thing happens again.
In case of a car going to the left, before it reaches the common portion of the line,
the block B¹ comes into circuit. The electro-magnet C¹ attracts the armature to the

page_text: side P¹, and connects the blocks B¹
B¹
n+29 1+3 and B¹ +4 to earth, so that the car also
in this case can continue to travel without disturbing the blocks Ba+1, Ba+2 and B₁ +39
as they have now no connection with earth. It follows that in whichever direction
the car travels when reaching the common portion, the correct travel of the car will
not be effected.
+39 n+2
are
In practice, the blocks Ba+1 and B¹ B₁ and B¹+2, B+3, and B¹+1
respectively combined into one apparatus and a single switch-device C is placed near
the line.
+2
Bat
In case of a line branching off into two the block B₁ +1 (Figures 13 and 14) being
the last block common to the two lines, the car, according to whether the points are
placed in one or other position, will touch one of the two blocks B
which
either one or the other will come into circuit. The excitement of either of these
blocks must therefore cause the connection of the electro-magnet En+1 of the
block B+ with earth to be interrupted. For this purpose the wire of this electro-
magnet may pass through the block B+2, but this block instead of being directly
connected to earth, is connected to the block B¹ In other words the two devices
for interrupting communication of blocks B₁+ 2, and B1+2 to earth, are placed in
series, so that whenever either of the blocks becomes operative, the connection to
earth is broken and there will be no current in the block B₁+1-
+1
a+1
n
In case of two lines merging into one (Figure 15) it will be sufficient to connect
the wires of the electro-magnets Ba+1. B¹ in parallel and to bring them to Bn +2 as
if there were only one single block. When the block B₁+2 comes into circuit, it will
break the earth-cominunication of the two blocks B₁+1 and B
side the car arrives.
n+1
from whichever
It is of the greatest importance to prevent an accidental connection of one of the
blocks with the source of electricity; but this might happen by a shunt-circuit on the
surface of the ground if the latter were damp.
To prevent this, each block may be placed in the centre of a metallic casing 21
(Figure 16) of any suitable shape, said casing being insulated from the contact, and
permanently connected with the pole of the sign opposite to that which could unduly
excite the block.
In this way, the current which might pass on the surface of the ground will be
stopped, before entering the block by the metallic casing 21 as by a screen. It is
evident that it will be necessary to arrange the contact piece so that it can pass over
the block without touching the metallic casing. It is sufficient for this purpose to
make the block suitably project above the metallic casing.
A practical arrangement would be to place the block in a metallic box from
which it is suitably insulated, the box being then suitably connected with the desired
pole.
As has been explained in the beginning of the description, the present system
may be just as well applied to overhead as to ground lines. Figure 17 indicates
modifications which have to be made as applying to present system to overhead
lines.
In this system the line is divided in insulated portions of any desired length, each
portion being connected by means of a switch to an insulated feeder placed in the
ground. Owing to this arrangement each portion will be excited only at the moment
when the car passes. It will of course be necessary that the space between the con-
secutive sections be small enough and the contact in this case placed on the car-
large enough to enable said contact to touch during an appreciable time as short as
desired, the two consecutive sections at once that is to say the one it is going to
leave and the one it is going to pass over.
To cause the contact to touch two consecutive sections in this manner the following
arrangement may be made.
The two wires 22 and 23 (Figure 18) of two consecutive sections terminate oppo-
site each other and overlapping in the same horizontal plane for a distance to say
20 to 40 cms. They are held by a metallic connection 24 arranged as to connect
them to each other mechanically, but at the same time electrically insulated from

page_text: each other. In this way when the wheel of the contact-piece or trolley arrives, it
will be obliged to touch during an appreciable time both wires at once, and the
switch-devices will act.
Figure 19 shows another arrangement when the cars always travel on the line only
in the direction indicated by the arrow.
The ends 25 and 26 of the wires of each section are mechanically strongly con-
nected together by means of rods 27 and 28, bells 29 and 30 and an insulator 24, or
by any other means. At the point 26 is hinged a metallic part 31, which by turning
about said point, can bear against the point 25. The points 25 and 26 can, there-
fore, be electrically connected. It will now be easy to see what happens: when the
trolley-wheel arrives along the wire 23, it raises the part 31 which establishes an
electric connection between the two sections. These two sections will remain con-
nected during the whole of the time the trolley travels between the points 25 and 26;
when the trolley has passed beyond the point 25, the part 31 will automatically fall
thus breaking contact between the two sections.
Figure 20 shows an arrangement enabling the same result to be obtained with a
trolley going in either direction.
At the points 25 and 26 are hinged two parts each consisting of two arms. The
arms 31 and 31¹ are conductors and can be placed so as to touch each other with
their faces, so that when they are in such position the current can pass from 25 to 26
as before.
The arms 33 and 34 normally lie in the continuation of the wires 22 and 23.
Finally at the points 35 and 35' are fixed two small insulated links 36 and 36¹, which
are pivoted together at the point 37.
The pivot 37 is guided so as to be movable only in a vertical direction by means
of a rod 38.
Supposing now that the trolley-wheel arrives along the wire 22, it meets the
arm 81¹ which it raises. This arm at the same time raises the point 37 which, in
turn, takes with it the arm 31, and the two faces 32 and 32¹ come in contact. The
trolley passes on and until it reaches the point 26, the faces 32 and 32¹ remain in
contact. Having reached the point 26 the trolley meets the arm 34 which has been
lowered and raises it. This operation causes the parts 31 and 31¹ to separate and
the communication between the points 25 and 26 to be broken.
If the trolley arrives along the wire 23 the operation is the same.
Having thus described in a general way the whole of the different parts of my
system of electric traction I will now describe them in detail.
The blocks used in the system of electric traction according to the present invention
consist of a cup made of cast-iron or any other conductive metal of sufficient
strength.
This cup 39 which is rectangular outside has in its centre a circular projection 40
(Figures 21 and 22).
Another cup 41 is placed in this one in an inverted position and is of such shape
that all points of its surface are at the same distance from the corresponding points
of the cup 39.
Between the two cups is placed insulating material 42 of sufficient strength, such
for instance as mineral cement, substances similar to vulcanised rubber etc.
The surfaces of the cups 39 and 41 placed opposite each other are provided with
recesses, so that when once the insulating material has been put in place it is
impossible to separate the cups.
In the centre of the block constructed in this way there is left a passage 43 for the
wire supplying current to the cup 41. This wire is cemented to a screw-threaded
hole 44 and held there by a washer 45 and by two other washers 46 47 one of which
forms a lock-nut. Of course the wire may be also fixed in any other suitable
manner.
The upper surface of the cup 41 which is of cast-iron would wear out very quickly.
To prevent this it may be covered with a steel or even cast-iron plate 48 firmly
secured by a strong bolt 49.

page_text: Moreover between the plate 48 and the cup 41 is interposed a sheet or plate of
lead 50 which, being strongly compressed, fills up the uneven spots on the surface of
the metal thus making it bear equally over its whole surface.
Of course the blocks thus constructed may be applied to all electro magnetic
systems having a divided conductor. They can also if the potential be low be used
for the permanent passage of the current.
Instead of making the blocks square they may be made rectangular and even oblong
so that they have the appearance somewhat of skates.
The covering plate 48 may also have the shape of a rail so as to transform the
block into a real continuous or divided rail of any cross-section. This rail may either
be used as an electric conductor to supply the current to the car through a special
contact-piece or to be used as a rail for the car to travel upon.
In the system of electric traction according to the present invention, the rails are
used, as has been already mentioned as a return; it is therefore necessary to establish
electric connection between the different sections of the rails.
This is effected in the following manner (Figures 23, 24, 25 and 26).
To make the joints at the end of the rail 51 is made a hole of any section into
which is introduced a truncated cone 52 provided with two lugs or extensions 53 53
placed diametrically opposite and parallel to the axis of the cone; the length of these
lugs is a little greater than the thickness of the part, in which the joint is to be
effected, and they have beside the shape of a segment of a circle. On the side
opposite to the truncated cone at 54 these extensions 53 are bent at a right angle and
their thickness is slightly greater towards the end.
The truncated cone 52 is provided in the centre with a hole 55, into which is placed
a metal rod 56 forming the real electric conductor. The diameter of the base of the
truncated cone 52 is exactly equal to that of the hole made in the rail 51 and the
truncated cone is introduced into this hole by striking on the lugs. As the latter
are thicker at the end they will strongly grip the conductor 56 when the whole is
put in.
As is easy to see from the preceding description there remain in the hole between
the two lugs two free sector shaped openings 57 (Figure 24) into each of which is
driven a wedge 58 (Figures 25 26). The lower extremity of the wedge meets the
surface of the truncated cone and is turned and strikes against the face of the rail 51;
the joint is now finished. The same is done at the other end of the conductor 56
on the other rail to be connected, and electric connection is thus established.
Instead of placing the conductor 56 in the nut 52 it may be cast in one piece
with the nut as shown in Figures 27, 28, 29. To put the joint in place, it is
sufficient in this case simply to drive in round the branches 53 of the nut the two
wedges 58 as explained above.
1
Instead of connecting the metallic conductor 56 to the nut 52 said conductor may
also as shown in Figures 30, 31 and 32 be connected with the two wedges 58 in such
manner that the whole of the three parts of the joint form only one piece. In this
latter case the nut is independent. To effect the joint, the nut is first put in place,
then the part constituted by the conductor and the two wedges is driven in; the
wedges which project from the conductor meet the head of the nut as before, and
bend over.
The exciting or bringing into circuit of the different blocks placed in the ground
is effected, as has been said before, by means of the contact-piece arranged on each
car.
This contact-piece is chiefly constituted by two similar parallelograms 61, 62, 63,
64, and 61, 62, 63, 64¹ (Figure 33) but placed in different longitudinal planes, the
distance (62-621) between the two planes being about double the thickness of a
contact (the length P P¹ is exaggerated in the drawing to make it clearer).
Powerful springs 65 and 65¹ always tend to open the parallelograms.
The two contact pieces are electrically connected. It is easy to understand now
how they operate. If all the contact blocks are exactly on the same level, the
contact pieces will always remain parallel to the contact-blocks, they will never touch

page_text: the ground and will always arrive tangentially above each contact against which they
will not strike.
If on the contrary, as in Figure 34 one contact-block P¹ is lower than the preceding
one P the blade or contact-piece 61-62 will fall on the contact P¹ whilst the blade
61 62 will still be on the contact P, so that the current will not be interrupted.
Of course instead of two parallelograms a greater number may be used.
The contact-piece may also be made as follows:-the two blades 61, 62 and 61¹ 62¹
(Figure 35) are also hinged by means of links, but the links 61, 63 and 62, 64 are
inclined towards the front, for instance the links 63-61 and 64-62¹ being inclined
towards the back.
Moreover the blade 61-62 carries a rod 66-67 and the blade 611-62¹ a
rod 661 671 said rods being at a distance from each other and being connected by a
spring 68 which tends to draw them together.
It is easy to see what happens:
The points 68 and 66' tend to come together and consequently to bring the two links
hinged at the points 63 and 64 together. The points 61–61¹ and 62-621 describe
arcs of circles and consequently tend to come nearer to the ground. The two
blades 61-62 and 61-62¹ will therefore be equally drawn towards the ground, as
if they were independent.
It may also happen that it is necessary to have the contact-pieces one behind the
other which must be maintained at different potentials. If the length is sufficient
it is easily effected, but it may be that this will be impossible. Then the following
arrangement may be adopted (Figure 36). The blade 61-62 is divided into three
parts 61-70 71 and 71-62. These three parts are mechanically connected by
means of an insulating part 73 and metallic parts 74-74 so as to form a rigid whole;
the two parts 61-70 and 72-62 being electrically insulated. The interval between
the points 70-72 and the part 71 are smaller than the width of one contact and the
width of the part 71 is nearly equal to that of one contact; owing to this arrangement
the whole length of the contact-piece will pass from 61 to 62 without shock and the
contact will be successively connected to the parts 61-70 and 72-62 without these
parts communicating with each other.
Insulating pieces 75 insulate the links and the wires 76 connect the parts of the
contact piece to suitable points.
This arrangement may also be used for contact-pieces of other construction.
As has been said before the system of electric traction according to the present
invention comprises switch devices which may be of any suitable construction but the
following arrangement shown in Figures 37 and 48 is more especially suitable for
the purpose.
Figure 37 is a front elevation is section of the switch.
Figure 38 being a side elevation in section.
Figure 39 is an underside view.
Figure 40 a plan, certain of the parts being removed.
Figures 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 show certain details of the apparatus.
Figures 46, 47 and 48 shown in section and in elevation a box in which the
switch may be placed.
The switch consists chiefly of a coil 80 divided into several sections. In the
example illustrated in the drawing there are only two sections 81, 82, (Figure 37) but
of course this number may be varied.
The object of this arrangement is to enable the same apparatus to be used for different
voltages without changing its construction simply by connecting the sections in
different ways; the sections may be grouped for this purpose either in series or in
parallel any combinations of the two methods.
In the coils 80 wound in the manner described there is a soft iron core 83 secured
to the end of a lever 84 pivotted about two points 85 and 86 (Figure 38). Instead
of having a hollow coil, a fixed core may be used which would attract a mass of soft
iron placed at the end of the lever 84.

page_text: shackle. At the end of each of these tongues there is a hole 89, 90, (Figure 38).
These two holes 89, and 90 receive the extremities of a spindle 91 parallel to the spindle
85-86. The spindle 91 is provided with a projection 92 (Figures 37 and 38) which is
divided into two parts: one serving as a heel 93, and the other as a bracket or support
94. On the bracket or support 94 is placed an insulating piece on which is fixed a
bent part 96.
The lever 84 carries about its middle an insulating piece 97 on which is fixed a C
shaped part 98. The ends 96 and 99 are horizontal and covered with caps 100 and 101.
Each cap 100 and 101 has two arms provided with discs.
In Figure 40, which is a plan-view, certain parts being removed, the two arms 102
and 103 of the lower cap 101 are shown; these arms support discs 104 and 105.
In Figure 37 is represented one arm 106 of the cap 100. This arm is bent down-
wards and supports the disc 107.
Over the discs 107 and 108 of the part 100 are fixed two carbon-cylinders 109 and
110. Under the discs 104 and 105 of the cap 101, which carry the carbons 114 and
115 are also secured two carbon-blocks 111 and 112 resting on an insulating disc 116.
These carbons are fixed centrally by means of a screw which is screwed into the disc.
This screw does not project from the faces of the cylinder, its head being sunk in a
recess made for the purpose.
In each cap 100 and 101, the surfaces of the discs which are to receive the carbon-
cylinders are well planed or smoothed and all in the same plane. Moreover the
carbons in each cap are all of the same thickness so that in each piece the free
surfaces of the carbons are flat and in the same plane.
The construction of the pieces (or caps) 100 and 101 is such that when the carbons
have once been put in place, there is a stable equilibrium, and these caps are easily
maintained on the ends 96 and 99 which are formed with knife-edges.
It will thus be seen that when the lever 84 on the projection 92 change their
position turning about their respective axes (the lever 84 about the axis 85-86 and
the part 92 about its axis 89-90), the free surfaces of the carbons will always
remain horizontal and consequently parallel.
The spindle 89-90 is mounted so as to have a great amount of friction in the
shackle 87-88 by means of springs 113 (Figure 40).
In a plane above the carbons 109 and 110 of the upper discs are arranged two
fixed carbon-cylinders 117 and 118 of the same dimensions supported by a disc 119
of insulating material.
A screw 120 fixed in the sides 87 and 88 (Figures 37 and 38) can strike against
the heel 93, which as has been said before, is a part of the projection 92. A second
screw 121 on the part 122 secured on the disc 116 can stop at a given moment the
heel 93, as will be hereinafter described, when describing the working of the
apparatus.
All parts of the apparatus are held between two plates 123, and 124 provided with
holes of suitable shape with which engage corresponding parts of the parts to be
fixed. Owing to its construction the whole apparatus may be taken to pieces simply
by removing the side-plates.
Normally when there is no current in the coil 80, the lower movable carbons 114
and 115 rest on the fixed carbon-cylinders 111 and 112. All the weight of the
movable parts (core 83 and lever 84) presses the carbons 114 and 115 strongly
against the carbons 111 and 112 by means of an adjustable stop 125 secured to
the part 98. This arrangement secures a perfect contact and enables, besides,
the lowering of the core 83 to be regulated as desired by suitably moving the
part 125. When the lower carbons are in the position just indicated, the movable
upper carbons 109 and 110 do not touch the fixed carbons 117 and 118.
In the position just described the heel 93 bears against the end of the screw 121,
and the screw 120 is out of contact with it.
The main object of the working of the apparatus is to bring in contact the upper
carbons 109 and 110 with the fixed carbons 117 and 118, and to afterwards raise the

page_text: lower movable carbons 114 and 115 in order to separate them from the fixed carbons
111 and 112.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-
As soon as current enters in the coil 80, the core 83 is attracted. The lever 84
turns about its axis 85 and 86, the part 98 following this movement, but the end
99 does not immediately cause the lower cap 101 also to move owing to the
clearance between said end 99 and the part 125; but on the other hand the part
92 not meeting with any resistance immediately follows the movement of the lever 84,
owing to the friction before referred to.
By the movement of the part 92, the upper movable carbons 109 and 110 are
raised and come in contact with the fixed carbons 117 and 118, but the arrangement
is such that in this first position which they occupy, their axes do not coincide.
At the moment of meeting of the upper carbons or a little afterwards, the end 99
of the part 98 comes in contact with the cap 101 and the movement of the core 83
continuing the discs 104 and 105 carrying the carbons 114 and 115 will be raised and
the latter will no longer be in contact with the fixed carbons 111 and 112. On the
other hand, the part 92 finding a resistance in consequence of the meeting of the
movable carbons 109 and 110 with the carbons 117 and 118 cannot rise auy further,
but as it is mounted so that it can move with considerable friction on the lever 84,
the latter can continue to rise, overcoming the frictional resistance (as this friction is
not great enough to resist the ascension of the core 83). At this moment the
spindle 91 secured to the lever 84 describes an are of a circle about the axis 85-86.
The shape of the parts is such that the are of the circle, described by the spindle 91,
is practically parallel to the plane of contact of the upper carbons. Consequently,
the part 92 will be drawn the length of this arc, and the carbons 109 and 110,
secured to the part 92 will slide on the carbons 117 and 118. This movement will
continue till the screw 120 meets the heel 93. This part 92, should, at this time,
describe an arc of a circle about the axis 85-86, but it cannot do so, as its movement
is arrested by the resistance caused by the meeting of the carbons. The movement
of the lever 84 is therefore stopped, and the result of the attraction on the core will
simply be to strongly press the carbons 109 and 110 against the carbons 117 and 118.
If under the circumstances, the current ceases to circulate in the coil 80, the
core 83 will descend the lever 85 describing an arc of a circle round 85-86 and the
part 92 not meeting any resistance will follow the lever 84 in its movement owing to
the friction between the two, and the contact of the upper carbons will be interrupted.
The part 92 follows the movement of the lever 84 till the heel 93 meets the end of
the screw 121. At this moment the part 92 ceases to turn about the axis 85--86
and its upper end moves approximately in a horizontal direction, so that the axes of
the upper carbons come into their original position. The lever 84 still descending,
the lower carbons come in contact, and all the parts again return to their original
positions.
As this switch must be capable of being very quickly replaced in case of any of its
inner parts being broken, it is supplemented by a system of connection which will
enable the switch to be removed and replaced by a new one, without necessitating
connecting and disconnecting the wires each time.
Such connections are represented, by way of example in Figures 41, 42, 43, 44
and 45.
Fixed plugs 130, 131, 132, 133, 134 (Figures 41 and 42) are connected in any
suitable manner to the fixed carbons and to the wires of the coil. Each of these
plugs has preferably the form of pincers, as shown in Figure 41; but of course they
may also have any other suitable shape. These plugs are carried by the insulating
upper disc 119 before referred to. The switch having been placed into the box
described for the purpose and hereinafter described, the plugs 130, 131 etc. are in
front of the plugs 130, 1311, etc., to which are permanently connected the wires,
which are to be suitably connected to the switch. These plugs are supported in the
box by an insulating plate 140 secured to the box. A series of double plates 130¹¹,
131, 132, supported by a part 141 made of insulating material (Figure 45) and

page_text: provided with a handle 142, enables when simultaneously introduced into the
pincers 130, 131, etc. on one hand, and into the pincers 1301 131' etc. on the other
hand, communication to be established between the series of plugs of the plate 140
and those of the plate 119.
The plates are connected two-by-two by a cut-out constituted by a lead-fuse, and,
moreover, the part 141 may form one or several small cups capable of being filled with
oil. The fusible lead-wires may be placed in these cups.
Instead of connecting the contacts directly by fusible connections, they may be
connected in any other suitable manner enabling the apparatus to be used, by simply
changing the position of the lever, either for travelling in the reverse direction or the
destination of the apparatus to be changed.
By raising the handle 142, the switch will be switched out, and by pressing the
handle to drive in the plates into the pincers, the switch will be placed in circuit.
The switch is preferably placed inside an air-tight box shown in Figures 46, 47
and 48.
.
The switch of the construction just described is placed inside this box in which are
fixed at 143 and 144 lugs 145 and 146 (Figures 43), secured to the plate supporting
the plugs 130, 131, etc., at which the wires terminate. The box is provided with a
cover 147 and has a double oil joint 148, 149. Over this cover is placed a casing 150
resting on a circular support 151 cast on the box. Between the support and the
casing may be inserted wedges 152 enabling the upper face 153 of the casing to be
inclined as desired, the box, and consequently the parts which it contains remaining
vertical.
Finally the box which is open at the bottom is closed by a kind of spherical
cap 154, the parts being so shaped that there remain openings 155 for the passage of
cables. When the cables are in place, the cap 154 is secured to the box by means of
lugs 156 which are then bolted together. The lower cup thus formed is then filled
with insulating material up to 157. The box is thus made air-tight in its lowering
part, at the same time enabling the cables to be introduced.
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. In an electro-magnetic system of electric traction, or a system with a divided
conductor on the ground level, the use of insulated switches, one for seach block,
actuated by a current shunted from the main current, at the moment of the passage
of the car, only one block being excited and the excitement of any one block breaking
the circuit of the preceding one, said device comprising for any block B, an electro-
magnet E with fine-wire winding, said wire being connected on one hand to the
block B, and, on the other hand, to the contact fn + 1, of the switch of the block B. + 1;
the block B being connected to the contact c of the switch A, comprising three other
contacts d connected to the line, ₁ connected to earth and finally f. connected to
the wire of the preceding electro-magnet E₁ +1; the switch A, connected according
to the position it occupies, either the contacts c and d or the contacts en fa
substantially as described before.
2. In a system of electric traction of the character described, the modification
consisting in using for any block В an electro-magnet Е, with fine wire winding the
two ends of which wire are permanently connected one end to the block B and the
other end to earth; an armature moving between the four contacts c d e f of
which d is connected to the block c to the contact +1 of the next following
switch, to the preceding switch and f. to.earth; the armature, according to the
position it occupies, connecting either the two contacts c, d, or the two contacts en, fo
substantially as described.
3. In an electric traction system with a divided conductor of the character described,
a device constituting an automatic cut-out for the purpose of preventing the passage
of a stronger current than necessary, said device consisting of a horse-shoe electro-
magnet on one of the branches of which is wound fine wire, while on the other is

page_text: wound thick wire connecting any one of the blocks with one of the contacts of the
corresponding switch, the armature of the electro-magnet forming a switch lever and
being also capable of being attracted by another electro-magnet placed in series with
the first one and serving to overcome residual.magnetism, the horse shoe magnet
being capable of being replaced by a straight magnet with two different windings
wound in opposite or in the same direction substantially as described.
4. In a system of electric traction with divided conductor of the character described
the switches of which are operated by a short current, a device for keeping open
during a certain time, the circuit of the coils of a certain number of the switches for
different positions of points, for travelling in one or the other direction on a section
of the line, this device consisting of a switch constituted by the contacts P, P¹,
between which is placed a lever connected to earth and carrying a soft iron armature
placed opposite the electro-magnets C C¹ with fine wire winding, the connections of
which in case of a section common to both lines and containing switches (B¹n + 3
B¹
n + 1) (B¹
+ 2 B + 2) (B1 n + 1 B₁ + 3) are arranged so that the electro-magnet C¹
is connected to the block B¹, and the earth and the electro-magnet C is connected to
the block B, and the earth; the three blocks B + 2 B + 3 Bn + 4 being connected
to the contact P while the blocks B¹
B¹
n+4 are connected to the
contact P¹ substantially as described.
口+2
B1
I+3
5. In a system of electric traction with divided conductor of the character described,
the switch-devices of which are actuated by a shunt-current, a device for use in case
of a single line branching off into two branches, and consisting of two devices placed
in series for the purpose of cutting off the earth-connection of the first blocks of each
section of the doubled line, so that whichever block acts, the earth connection is
interrupted and the current is cut off from the last block of the single line
substantially as described.
6. In a system of electric traction with divided conductor of the character described,
the switches of which are operated by a shunt-current, a device for use in case of two
lines merging into one, consisting of the electro-magnets of each of the last blocks of
the double line being connected in parallel and also connected to the first common
block, as if they were only one block, substantially as described.
7. In apparatus for use in a system of electric traction with divided conductor of
the character described the switches of which are operated by a shunt-current, a
metallic casing surrounding each block and insulated from it, said casing being
arranged so that the contact-piece of the car cannot touch it and being connected to
the pole of the source of electricity which might unduly excite the blocks by
accidental shunt-current on the surface of the ground substantially as described.
8. A system of electric traction with divided conductor of the character described,
applicable to overhead lines in which only a short section of the line is always
connected to the source of electricity, each section being provided with a switch
similar to that placed near each block consecutive sections of the line being sufficiently
near one another to enable the contact-piece of the cars to touch simultaneously,
during a short period two consecutive sections substantially as described.
9. In the application to overhead-lines of a system of electric traction with divided
conductor of the character described for the purpose of enabling the contact-pieces to
touch simultaneously two consecutive sections, consisting when the car is to travel
only in one direction the mechanical connection of the two joints of the sections by
rods, belts and an insulator; the electric connection between the two points being
effected during the passage of the trolley by a part hinged at one of the points and
capable of touching the cther substantially as described.
10. In the application to overhead lines of a system of electric traction with
divided conductor of the character described, for the purpose of enabling the contact
pieces to touch simultaneously two consecutive sections, consisting in case of the car
having to travel in either direction hinging at the end of each section a bell-crank
arm the two bell-crank arms being capable of coming in contact with each other
owing to their being connected by rods which cause them to move in the same manner
substantially as described.

page_text: 11. In a system of electric traction with divided conductor of the character
described, a contact or block constituted by a rectangular cup provided inside with a
hollow projection engaging with a recess of suitable shape in another cup covering
the first one, insulating material being interposed between the two; the second cup,
to which is connected the electric conductor passing through the projection of the
first cup, being covered with a plate on which slide the contact-pieces of the car
substantially as described.
12. In a system of electric traction with divided conductor of the character
described, a means for joining the sections of the rails used as an electric return,
consisting of a bent rod, which engages in the end of each of the parts to be
connected, by means of a nut having two lugs, placed in a hole made in the part, the
ends of the bent rod being fixed in said nuts by means of two wedges driven into the
spaces left free by the lugs of the nuts in the openings in which the latter are placed
substantially as described.
13. In a rail connection of the character described the use of a bent-rod formed in
one piece either with the flanged nuts or with the wedges substantially as described.
14. In a system of electric traction with divided conductor of the character
described, a metallic contact-device fixed to the car, comprising two or more
articulated parallelograms electrically connected one arranged a little in front of the
other, each of said parallelograms having a tendency to open under the influence of
a spring, so as to depress its lower bar, which always remains horizontal, and to press
it against the contacts, the distance between which is smaller than the length of the
contact-piece substantially as described.
15. In a contact device of the character described the use of a single spring
connecting the two parallelograms one of which is then inclined towards the front
of the car while the other is inclined towards the back, said spring tending to bring
the sides of the parallelogram into a right angular position and so press the lower
horizontal bar against the blocks substantially as described.
16. In a contact-device of the character described for the purpose of having two
portions of the contact-device capable of being maintained at different potentials,
dividing of the contact bar into three parts connected mechanically, but insulated
one from another, the distance between the central parts of one from the two others
being smaller than the thickness of a contact, and said central part being
substantially equal to such thickness, the two outer parts being each connected
by a wire to the points on the car taking up the current substantially as described.
17. In a system of electric traction, with divided conductor of the character
described a switch for operating each contact or group of contacts, consisting of two
groups of four carbon-contacts two contacts of each group being movable and the
two others fixed, so that the movable carbons of the upper group come in contact
with corresponding fixed carbons before the movable lower carbons have left the
corresponding fixed carbons; the upper movable carbons afterwards sliding and
strongly pressing against the corresponding fixed carbons substantially as
described.
18. In a switch of the character described used for operating contacts in the system
of electric traction described a coil divided into sections into which penetrates a
soft-iron core supported by an oscillating lever provided with a projection which,
when the core rises in the coil, meets a cap having arms carrying the movable lower
carbons, a clearance being left between the projections and the cap, in order to
prevent the movable lower carbons from rising except after the core has risen a
certain distance substantially as described.
19. In a switch of the character described and used for operating contacts in the
system of electric traction described a piece mounted with a certain amount of
friction on the lever of the core and following the movement of said lever as long as
said piece does not meet any resistance capable of overcoming the friction; said
piece being caused to participate in the movement of the lever as soon as the latter
rises, and raising by its bent portion a cap the arms of which carry two movable
upper carbons which thus come in contact with the corresponding fixed carbons.;

page_text: "
the part mounted on the lever and carrying the core being unable to rise higher
owing to the meeting of movable and fixed upper carbons then describing in conse-
quence of the friction between it and the lever such an arc of a circle, that the upper
movable carbons simply slide against the fixed carbons substantially as described.
20. In a switch of the character described and used to operate the contacts in the
system of electric traction described connections constituted by a series of metallic
fingers or plates supported on a frame provided with a handle which plates are driven
into two rows of spring contacts or pincers, those of one row being connected in any
suitable manner to the fixed carbons and to the wires of the coil, and those of the
other to the line-conductors, the insertion of the frame with movable plates placing
the switch in circuit, and the removal of said frame putting the switch out of circuit;
the connections between the two rows of pincers being such that by turning the
frame it is possible to use the same switch for the travel of the car in the opposite
direction as hereinbefore described.
21. In a switch of the character described and used to operate the contacts in the
system of electric traction described, a switch box supporting on a plate a row of
pincers connected to the line-conductors, said box being provided at the top with a
cover with a double hydraulic joint and with a casing resting on a support in such
manner as to enable the upper face of the casing to be inclined, the switch and the
box remaining vertical substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of December 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.