Improvements relating to Conductors and Switches for Electric Railways.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1896-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1896
CUMPLERE DIDIFICATION,
[Communicated from abroad by ROBERT LUNDELL, of Brooklyn, in the County
of Kings and State of New York, United States of America, Electrician.]
Improvements relating to Conductors and Switches for Electric
Railways.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to-be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention is directed particularly to improvements in switch boxes and
electro-magnetic switches for use in connectiou with systems of electric railways of
the kind disclosed in the Specification of a prior Patent No. 10804, dated
the 19th day of May 1896 wherein is shown and described a system of inter-
connected electromagnetic switches adapted to automatically connect normally
disconnected sectional trolley conductors to a current feeder or main as a car or
vehicle travels over the route.
The present invention has for its, objects: First, the construction and arrangement
of switch boxes, such that the switching parts will be securely protected against all
kinds of inclement, weather; Secondly, the construction of an electro-magnetic
switch which will be positive in its operation when once energized and will not
easily get out of repair or fail to operate when energized as the car or vehicle
passes over it; Thirdly, the construction and arrangement of a switch box, in such
a manner that the operative parts thereof may be quickly, and readily put in place
without any possibility of an error on the part of the operator.; Fourthly, a simple
and efficient automatic cut out which may be replaced when once burned out
without danger to the operator, and Fiftbly, the adaptation of means at or near
crossings of other routes whereby the trouble from short circuiting of the operating
current is avoided.
The said invention may be fully understood by referring to the accompanying
drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved switch box in its position in the road-bed
with the cover removed so as to show the; internal structure thereof.
seed
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2, of Figure 1, and as
looking at that figure in the direction of the arrows, the interior or switch enclosing
box and the inleading cables or conductors. being shown, in elevation.
Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3, of Figures 1
and 2, and as seen, looking in the direction of the arrows.
Figure 4. is a vertical sectional view taken.through the body of the switch
enclosing box on the line 4-4, of Figure 5, which latter figure is in turn ä
horizontal sectional view of the game.switch enclosing box taken on the line 5-6,
of Figure 4, both of said figures, showing in detail the entire structure of the
switching apparatus.
Figure 6 isa.fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of the switeb
onclosing box taken on the line 66 of Figure 5, and as, seen when looking in the
direction of the arrows.
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic, view illustrating the rails of two crossing tracks and
the circuit connections of two switch boxes with sectional trolley conductors or
contacts embedded in the road-bed, together with the improved means for avoiding

page_text: the absolute opening of the circuit by the temporafy short circuiting of the
operating current between one of the trolley shoes the crossing line of rails and the
nearest sectional trolley conductors or contacts.
For a correct understanding of the circuit connections between the current
feeder or main, the electromagnet of each switch box, the sectional trolley
conductors and the interconnections between said switching magnet and the next
adjacent switching. magnets in advance and in the rear, reference is to be had to
the prior specification hereinbefore mentioned, it being only necessary to observe
that in the present invention the six conductors for each enclosing switch box are
so arranged with relation to the circuit-connections that three of them are upon one
side of the enclosing box and the remaining three upon the other side thereof and
are so located that in placing the enclosing box in position within the switch box
proper there is no possibility of an error being made in the connections.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3.
B represents a cast iron switch box, preferably of rectangular form and provided.
with four feet B' adapted to sustain the box in position between two ordinary
cross-ties or sleepers TT. The switch box is cast in one piece with an upwardly
extending inner flange B' extending entirely around the interior of the box and
adapted to form, with the top or exterior flange B', a deep seated groove which I term
a "mud-groove." A represents the cover of the box which is also of cast iron and
is provided with two downwardly extending flanges A A, the flange A' being
adapted to extend a considerable distance into the mud-groove, as will be seen on
examination of Figure 2.
The flange A is somewhat longer than A' and extends to a point near the bottom
of the box B. The lower portion of the box B is provided with a cylindrical
part B in the bottom of which is a 'drain opening B' for carrying off any moisture
that might penetrate the box.
The inuer surface of the cover or lid A is lined with insulating material A³ for
tbe purpose of preventing any possibility of the continuance of an arc when the
fuse "blows," as will be described later on in connection with the description of
this portion of the invention. The switch-enclosing box proper is composed of two
cup-shaped parts C and C, the lower part C being provided with an upper
grooved extension C and a lower cylindrical extension C, the arrangement being
such that the lower edge of the upper portion C of the enclosing box will fit within
the grooved portion C. The lower portion C constitutes not only a part of the
enclosing box but is also adapted to act magnetically as a part of the magnetic
circuit of the electro-magnétic switch, E' (Figure 4) being a cast or wrought iron
plate with an opening in its centre and held by screws e ee to the upper face of the
inner part of the grooved portion C. The lower part C of the enclosing box
constitutes a chamber for the switch-operating magnet which is of solenoid form
and is provided with two windings M and M, the circuit connections of which are
like those described in the aforesaid specification.
These coils M and 'M' are coiled upon bobbins of the usual form and enclose a
non-magnetic shell which extends to the bottom of the part C, N being a solenoid
core of soft iron secured to an insulating standard N' which in turn is secured by a
rods to a series of yielding conducting arms o oo which have secured to their outer
ends, by rivets o! o, a series of good metallic conductors 000, the whole
arrangement being such that when the solenoid core is in its lower position
the metal contacts OO will rest on the upper surface of the insulating plate E.
L'is a thimble and 77 are washers, and n is a uut all these parts being so arranged
upon the screw-threaded extension s¹ of the rod s as to secure the yielding spring's
around said rod. E is a base or support of insulating material, such as vegetable
fibre, for sustaining two insulating standards P3 P3, all of said parts being secured
to said base or support and to the plate E¹ by screws, as clearly illustrated, in
Figures 4 and 5. P P are blocks of conducting material and P P are clamps,
the outer edges of which rest upon the blocks of conducting material P and the
inner edges of which rest upon and act to clamp bevelled blocks of carbon P P

page_text: These parts are held together in their clamped position upon the top of the
insulating standards P P by screws pppp, the arrangement being such that
when the blocks of carbon P P are held in the position shown in Figure 4 and the
solenoid core N is held in its upper position ander the influence of an energizing
current, the working current will pass from the conductor joining one of the
carbon blocks P, to and through the contacts 000, arms oo and the other
contacts 000 to the remaining carbon block P and thence to the exposed
sectional trolley conductor embedded in the road in the manner disclosed in the
aforesaid specification.
It will be noticed upon examination of Figures 2 and 3 that all of the incoming
and outgoing conductors, which are preferably lead covered cables, enter the switch
box proper at points below the flange A and extend thence upward to circuit
connections on the top of the switch enclosing box, the arrangement being such
that all of said conductors are thoroughly well insulated and that the flange Ä² will
prevent the flooding thereof by reason of air becoming imprisoned within the space
surrounded by said flange. In order to permit this arrangement of ingress and
egress of conductors, each switch box is provided with lateral or side pockets B³ B³,
which when the parts of the switch box are in position readily permit the drawing
in or withdrawal of the conductors and act after the manner of a water-trap
to prevent the ingress of water around said conductors, these pockets or traps being
preferably filled with paraffine or other insulating material after the parts are in
their final position.
b is a flange in the bottom of the switch box B adapted to accurately centre or
locate the switch enclosing box C C when it is placed in position. All of the parts
of the switching mechanism including the electro-magnets are properly assembled
or connected together in the workshop and are placed in position in the enclosing
Bwitch box C³ the cables leading to the switch boxes and to the ends of the magnet
coils are bent downward in the side pockets C C as shown, and the cover C is placed
thereon with its lower edge resting in the groove C' after which this groove is filled
with paraffine, asphalt, or any desired insulating material so as to hermetically
seal it, thus insuring that all of the operative parts of the switch will be protected
at all times and be ready for use when they arrive at their destination, where they
may be placed in the outer switch box B B after the manner shown in Figure 2 and
the necessary connections be made between the several conducting cables.
All of the incoming and outgoing conductors pass to the top of the switch enclosing
box and are located beneath the insulating lining A³ of the cover A of the switch
box. Upon the top of the switch enclosing box, and insulated therefrom by a sheet
of insulating material C', is a base or support for metallic conducting blocks D D to
which the conductors are secured by binding nuts & d.
These metallic couducting blocks D D are provided with yielding lateral
extensions dd (Figure 3) adapted to receive, between their extremities, a pair
of conducting binges G G, which are in turn connected by rivets to a removable or
detachable fuse block or plate I of insulating material, such as slate or vegetable'
fibre.
f is a metallic pin located in or near one edge of the insulating block I, and F is
a metallic fuse, made preferably of copper wire, adapted to have its opposite ends
secured to the binding posts 9 g and its middle or central portion passed around
the metallic pin, the arrangement of these parts being such that when the
insulating block I rests in its flat position upon the top of the enclosing box, there
will be good metallic contact between the yielding lateral extensions d' and the
metallic hinges G G so as to constitute a continuous circuit from one of the metallic
blocks D through the hinge G, the fuse F, the other hinge G and metallic
block D to the binding post d. This fuse-block is, by reason of the yielding lateral
extensions d'd' and the hinges G G, absolutely detachable so that an attendant may
withdraw the fuse block from the switch bex after a fuse has been blown and insert
a new fuse without any danger of receiving an electric shock during such insertion
afterwards restoring the fuse-block to its normal position.

page_text: Referring now to Figure 7 of the drawings, I will describe the novel arrangement
for avoiding the dangerous effects of a short circuit between a sectional trolley
conductor and a closely adjacent rail of a crossing line of rails when a trolley shoe
is passing thereover.
SS represent the trolley shoes which are connected to the motor on the car, in
the manner disclosed in the aforesaid prior specification. R R represent the tram
rails of one line of rails, and R2 R3 corresponding lines of rails of a crossing.
ses, represent one line of sectional trolley conductors or contacts, and
ses, represent the parallel line of sectional trolley conductors or contacts.
BB represent two of the switch boxes, the circuit connections from the curront
feeder or main thereto and therefrom to the sectional trolley conductors, being like
those disclosed in the prior specification above referred to.
F represents a fuse in the switch box which is designed to "blow" for such
current as may be deemed best, and X represents a resistance in a shunt or derived
circuit about the binding posts to which the opposite ends of the fuse are connected,
the arrangement being such that when any short circuit occurs between either of
the trolley shoes (as S') one of the sectional trolley conductors sc and one of the
crossing lines of rails (as R³) the fuse will be "blown" but the circuit between
the circuit connections in the switch box and that particular sectional trolley
conductor or contact will not wholly be ruptured, and the sectional trolley conductor
when connected through the circuit connections in the switch box will still carry
sufficient current to move the car over the crossing to the next sectional trolley
conductor in advance. To illustrate this more clearly suppose the voltage to
be 500 and that 25 amperes are required to move a car; in the event then, of the
short circuit between the sectional trolley conductor &c and one of the crossing
rails R2, the fuse will of course be blown, and upon the supposition that the
resistance of the rheostat X is about 10 ohms, there will still be left margin
enough of conductivity to carry 25 amperes or more to the motor and move a car
forward to the next sectional trolley conductor when it will proceed' on its course
as before.
It is not intended to limit this invention to the special means of preventing the
absolute rupture of the circuit between a sectional trolley conductor and the circuit
connections in one or more switch boxes located closely adjacent to a line of
crossing rails, or to the specific type of detachable fusible cut out herein shown
and described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A switch box provided with a mud-groove near its top, in combination with a
cover provided with a downwardly extending flange adapted to rest in said groove
when the cover is in position, whereby mud and other refuse is prevented from
eutering the box ou removing the cover.
2. A switch box provided with a mud-groove near its top, in combination with a
cover provided with two downwardly extending flanges, one of which is adapted
to rest in the mud-groove and the other to surround the switching mechanism when
the cover is located in position, substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
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3. A switch box provided with a downwardly extending flange, which
with insulating material ou its inner surface, in combination with switching
mechanism adjacent to and surrounded by the downwardly extending flange, whereby
the continuation of an arc is avoided when the circuit is ruptured in the box;
substantially as described.
4. A switch box provided with a removable cover having a downwardly extending
flange coated with insulating material on its inuer surface, in combination with
a second enclosing box wholly enclosed within the first named box, the circuit
Connections being carried to the top of the inner box and at points well within the

page_text: Baid downwardly extending flange, all substantially as described and for the purpose.
specified.
5. In a system of electrical conductors adapted to carry currents of high voltage
or great quantity, or both, a fuse block provided with means for sustaining a fusible.
cut out, and additional means for detachably securing it to the system of conductors,
substantially as described.
6. A fuse block consisting of insulating material provided with means for
supporting a fuse, and additional ineans for detachably securing it to a system of
conductors whereby said block may be removed and a fuse replaced, and the block
afterwards restored to its normal position with said fuse in circuit, substantially as.
described.
7. A hermetically sealed switch box made of iron and enclosing an electro-
magnetic switch, a part of said box constituting also a part of a magnetic circuit of
the switching magnet, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
8. An electro-magnetic switch having a hollow plunger or a core which carries.
yielding contact devices, in combination with stationary contacts, the arrangement
being such that the yielding contact devices prevent any partial rupture of the
circuit after the magnet is once energized.
9. The means for preventing the absolute rupture of the circuit between a
sectional trolley conductor or contact and its controlling switching mechanism by
reason of a short circuit, substantially as described.
10. In an electric railway system one or more electromagnetic switching devices.
adapted to automatically connect the current feeder or main with a sectional trolley
conductor or contact, in combination with an automatic cut out device adapted to
rupture the circuit for abnormal currents and with additional means for permitting
a limited amount of current to flow after the circuit has thus been ruptured,.
substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd dex of August 1896
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.