IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO RAILWAY BREAKU
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Joseph Ellis, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO RAILWAY
BREAKU"
Sealed the 12th August 1879, and dated the 15th February 1879.
:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Joseph Ellis at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1879.
ROBERT JOSEPH ELLIS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO RAILWAY BREAKS."
"IMPROVE-
My Invention relates to that class of breaks for arresting the motion of railway
rolling stock, known as continuous breaks, and where the break power is withdrawn
by the production and means of a vacuum, or by the direct pressure of compressed
air, as distinguished from that class of railway breaks wherein the break power is
applied by the direct suction and power and application of compressed air. According
to my Invention the break in its normal condition is always on or applied, the
requisite break power being obtained by springs.
In order that the points which constitute my Invention may be defined I have
divided them into four sections.
The first section consists in the use of an obtained vacuum for withholding the
continuous break, the apparatus used being a pumping or vacuum producing engine
situated on the locomotive, and which is connected by means of a suitable continuous
pipe to cylinders placed one underneath the frame of each carriage, van, truck, or
other description of rolling stock. Each cylinder is provided with a piston, which
is connected by suitable rods and levers to any suitable description of friction break
applied to the wheels of the carriage. The piston rod of each cylinder is provided
with a strong spiral or other suitable spring, by preference a spiral spring, which
in extension applies the break power, and which in compression enables the break
power to be withheld, the withholding of the break power being caused by means
of a vacuum formed in the cylinders by their connection through the continuous
pipe to the vacuum producing engine on the locomotive.
The second section consists in a novel means of and arrangement of apparatus
for controlling automatically, guarding, and recording the position of the break,

page_text: parts of which apparatus serve as a tell tale or automatic warner of the position of
the break. In carrying out this portion of my Invention I prolong the piston rod
of what I will term the break withholding cylinders by bringing such piston rod
through the end of the cylinder opposite to that on which the break spring is
applied. This prolonged piston rod is connected to a hand screw gear, by which
means the break can be withheld without the production of a vacuum. In connec-
tion with this gear is a shaft which works a pointer on each side of the carriage
frame, which pointer indicates whether the break is on or off. This gear also works
a cock or valve which is placed on the branch pipe, which connects each break
cylinder to the main or continuous pipe. This cock or valve is arranged so that
when the break is off, the vacuum in the continuous pipe is destroyed, as through
such cock or valve the pipe is open for the admission of air, and therefore no vacuum
can be obtained. This arrangement forms one of the essential features of my
Invention, as by its means should the break of any carriage be off the fault is easily
discovered and remedied.
The third section consists of a compound system of vacuum and compressed air,
carried into operation by a double system of continuous piping, the system being
arranged so that the vacuum may be used for keeping the break off by suction on
one side of the break cylinder; or compressed air inay be applied on the other side
of the piston to keep the break off. By this arrangement the rolling stock of
different railway systems having different classes of continuous breaks may bề
mixed, as a carriage fitted according to this part of my Invention is suitable for a
continuous vacuum break system, or a continuous compressed air break systeın.
The fourth section consists in so constructing the valves of the pumping engine
referred to in the first section as situated on the locomotive that such pumping
engine, by reversing or changing the valves, can be used as a vacuum producing
engine or as an air compressing engine. By this arrangement and with the compound
pipe system described under the third section, my Invention can be applied as a
vacuum system, and should a breakdown occur resource can be had to the com-
pressed air system; or my Invention can be applied as a compressed air system,
and should a breakdown occur resource can be had to the vacuum system.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Robert Joseph Ellis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th August
1879.
ROBERT JOSEPH ELLIS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO RAILWAY BRAKES."
"IMPROVE
My Invention relates to that class of brakes for arresting the motion of railway
rolling stock, known as continuous brakes, and where the brake power is withdrawn
by the production and means of a vacuum, or by the direct pressure of compressed
air, as distinguished from that class of railway brakes wherein the brake power is
applied by the direct suction and power of an obtained vacuum, or by the direct
power and application of compressed air. According to my Invention the brake in
its normal condition is always on or applied, the requisite brake power being
obtained by springs.
:"
In order that the points which constitute my Invention may be defined I have
divided them into four sections.
The first section consists in the use of an obtained vacuum for, withholding the
continuous brake, the apparatus used being a pumping or vacuum producing engine
situated on the locomotive, and under, the control of the engineer, and which is
connected by means of a suitable continuous pipe to cylinders placed one under-
neath the frame of each carriage, van, truck, or other description of rolling stock.
Each cylinder is provided with a piston, which is connected by suitable rods and
levers to any suitable description of. friction brake applied to the wheels of the
carriage. The piston rod of each cylinder is provided with or connected to a strong
spiral or other suitable spring or springs, by preference a spiral spring or springs,
which in extension applies the brake power, and which in compression enables the
brake power to be withheld, the withholding of the brake power being caused by
means of a vacuum formed in the cylinders by their connection through the con-
tinuous pipe to the vacuum producing engine on the locomotive.
The second section consists in a novel means of and arrangement of apparatus
for controlling automatically, guarding, and recording the position of the brake,
parts of which apparatus serve as a tell tale or automatic warner of the position of
the brake. In carrying out this portion of my Invention I prolong the piston rod
of what I will term the brake withholding cylinder by bringing such piston rod
through the end of the cylinder opposite to that on which the brake spring is
applied. This prolonged piston rod is connected to a hand screw gear, by which
means the brake can be withheld without the production of a vacuum.
In connec-
tion with this gear is a shaft which works a pointer on each side of the carriage
frame, which pointer indicates whether the brake is on or off. This gear also works
a cock or valve which is placed on the branch pipe, which connects each brake
cylinder to the main or continuous pipe. This cock or valve is arranged so that
when the brake is off, the vacuum in the continuous pipe is destroyed, as through
such cock or valve the pipe is open for the admission of air, and therefore no
vacuum can be obtained. This arrangement forms one of the essential features of
my Invention, as by its means, should the brake of any carriage be off, the fault is
easily discovered and remedied.
The third section consists of a compound system of" vacuum" and compressed
air, carried into operation by a double system of continuous piping, the system
being arranged so that the vacuum may be used for keeping the brake off by suction
on one side of the brake cylinder, or compressed air may be applied on the other
side of the piston to keep the brake off. By this arrangement the rolling stock of
different railway systems having different classes of continuous brakes may be
mixed, as a carriage fitted according to this part of my Invention is suitable for a
continuous vacuum brake system, or a continuous compressed air brake system.

page_text: The fourth section consists in so constructing the valve of the pumping engine
referred to in the first section as situated on the locomotive, and under the control
of the engineer, that such pumping engine by reversing or changing the valves can
be used as a vacuum producing engine or as an air compressing engine. By this
arrangement and with the compound pipe system described under the third section,
my Invention can be applied as a vacuum system, and should a break down occur
resource can be had to the compressed air system; or my Invention can be applied
as a compressed air system, and should a break down occur resource can be had to
the vacuum system.
.
The beforegoing being the nature, object, and purposes of my Invention, I will
now proceed to illustrate how the same may be practically applied, and to describe
a form and arrangement of apparatus suitable for being employed in carrying my
Invention into practice, and for that purpose I have hereunto attached a Sheet of
Drawings illustrative thereof, which are marked with letters and figures of
reference corresponding with those in the following explanation, like letters and
figures being used to denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the various
views:-
Referring to the Drawings,-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the frame of a railway carriage fitted with a
brake and gear constructed according to my Invention.
•
Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross section at X, .Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an elevation of a portion of a guard's van, showing how the brake
may be controlled by the brakesman or guard.
Figure 5 is a plan partly in section, illustrating the connection of the brake cylinder
to the vacuum. pipe and to the compressed air pipe.
In carrying out my Invention any suitable pumping or vacuum producing engine
is used, which engine is situated by preference on the locomotive, and under the
control of the engineer, and is connected by means of a suitable continuous pipe A
to cylinders such as B, placed one underneath the frame C of each carriage, van,
truck, or other description of rolling stock. Each cylinder B is provided with a
piston, which is connected through its piston rod D, and by suitable rods and levers
such as E, F, F, F¹¹, G, G¹, H, H, I, I, J, J¹, to the friction brakes K applied to
the wheels of the carriage. The piston rod D of each cylinder B is arranged to
withdraw the brakes K from the wheels L by acting against and taking off the
pressure of springs such as M, which in their normal state exert their power to
apply the brakes K to the wheels L. A convenient form and arrangement of spring M
is illustrated in the Drawings. It will be seen that the springs M are eight in
number, exorting their power to apply the eight brakes K to the four wheels L.
The power is applied by the extension of the springs M, and by compression of the
springs M by means of the piston rod D and its attendant goar the brake is with-
drawn. The power used for acting upon the piston rod D is that of a vacuum
produced behind the piston of the cylinder B through the pipe A, which leads from
the vacuum producing engine.
.
Upon further reference it will be seen that in carrying out my Invention I use
an arrangement of apparatus for controlling automatically, guarding, and recording
the position of the brakes K, parts of which apparatus serve as a tell tale. This
portion consists in prolonging the piston rod D of what I will term the brake with-i
holding cylinder B by bringing such piston rod N through the end of the cylinder B
opposite to that on which the brake gear is applied. This prolonged piston rod N is
connected to a hand screw gear O by means of suitable toothed wheels, such as
those shown on the Drawings, or their equivalent; By this gear the brake can
be withheld without the production of the vacuum. It will be seen that the rod N
is made in two pieces, and connected by a suitable hollow coupling N. The rod N
also serves to work the pointer or tell tale gear P, which is situated and arranged.
to indicate on both sides of the carriage, whether the brake is on or off. The rod N
also works the cock or valve Q, which is placed on the branch pipe A', which

page_text: connects each brake cylinder B to the main or continuous vacuum pipe A. The
same gear through the rod R actuates the cock S hereafter referred to. The cock
or valve Qis arranged so that when the brakes K are drawn off by the gear O the
vacuum in the continuous pipe A is destroyed, as through such cock or valve Q
the pipe A is open for the admission of air through the branch Q₁ of the cock Q,
and therefore no vacuum can be obtained. This arrangement forms one of the
essential features of my Invention, as by its means, should the brakes K of any
carriage be off, the fault is indicated, easily discovered, and remedied. The
construction of the cock Q will be understood upon reference to the detail,
-Figure 5.
My Invention further consists of a compound system of vacuum and compressed
air brake, carried into operation by a double system of continuous piping, A being
the vacuum pipe and a the compressed air pipe. By this system vacuum may be
used for keeping the brakes K. off by suction on one side of the brake cylinder B,
or compressed air may be applied from the pipe a through the cock S and the
pipe a to the other side of the piston of the cylinder B to keep the brakes K off,
the same tell tale gear P and withdrawing gear O being applicable in both cases.
By this arrangement of vacuum and compressed air brake the rolling stock of
different railway systems, having different classes of continuous brakes, may be
mixed, as a carriage fitted according to this part of my Invention is suitable for a
continuous vacuum brake system, or a continuous compressed air brake system;
and, further, in the event of one of the two systems, namely, the vacuum suction or
air compression being defective, and rendering the brake useless for the time being,
then the other could be immediately applied to the whole brake arrangements; or,
in short, if the vacuum brake broke down, the air compression brake could be
applied, or vice versa.
In connection with the branch from the vacuum pipe A to the cylinder B, I
provide a cock T, and in connection with the branch from the compressed air pipe a
to the cylinder B I provide a cock U. The cocks T and U are worked by the
rod W. Through the medium of the cocks Tand U the brakes of the carriage can be
shut off from the continuous pipe system A, a, and the brake can be withdrawn by
the gear O, and the carriage shut out of the brake system without affecting the
carriages at the front or at the rear.
Upon reference to Figure 4 it will be seen that the brake is under control of the
brakesman or guard through the cocks X and Y, by means of which cocks the
brakesman or guard is either enabled to destroy the vacuum in the pipe A, and
thus apply the brake, or to open the pipe a for the outlet of the compressed air, and
thus apply the brake. A like arrangement situated on the locomotive gives the
engineer the same power of putting the brake on or off in both systems.
Having now described and ascertained the nature, object, and purposes of my
Invention, and shown the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is
or may be used or carried out into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion
that I do not confine myself to the precise details and arrangement of parts shown
in the Drawings, nor to the dimensions of the same, as it will be evident that the
same may be considerably varied without departing from my Invention, but what
I claim as my Invention and secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The arrangement and combination of parts, substantially as described and
illustrated, constituting a continuous railway brake and gear, in which the brake
power is applied by springs, and taken off by means of a produced vacuum applied
by the engineer, brakesman, or guard.
Second. In an arrangement of continuous railway brake, withdrawing and with-
holding the brake power by means, substantially as described, of the direct applica-
tion of a manual gear such as O.
Third. The construction and arrangement of a tell tale gear, such as P, in connec-
tion with vacuum or other brakes for indicating the position of the brake, substan-
tially as herein described and illustrated.

page_text: Fourth. The improved system of arranging vacuum brakes, substantially as
described, with a cock such as Q, so that when the brake is withdrawn or withheld
no vacuum can be obtained.
Fifth. The improved system of a combined continuous vacuum and compressed
air brake, substantially as described, and carried into operation by a double system
of continuous piping arranged so that vacuum may be used on one end of the brake
cylinder for keeping the brake off by suction, or compressed air may be applied to
the other end of the brake cylinder to keep the brake off, the normal condition of
the brake being on, and the brake power applied by springs, and taken off either
by means of a produced vacuum, or by compressed air applied by the engineer,
brakesman, or guard.
Sixth. The arrangement and combination of parts, substantially as described and
illustrated, constituting a double system of continuous railway brake and gear, in
which the brake power is applied by springs, and taken off either by means of a
produced vacuum, or by compressed air applied by the engineer, brakesman, or
guard:
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Joseph Ellis, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.