Improvements relating to the Distribution of Electrical Energy for Purposes of Locomotion.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr.. 1887
Complete Left; 7th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 24th Feb., 1888.
Improvements relating to the Distribution of Electrical Energy for
Purposes of Locomotion.
We, WILLIAM LOWRIE of No. 117 Bishopsgate Street in the City of London,
Engineer, and CHARLES JAMES HALL of No. 1 Portland Road, Finsbury Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
Our invention relates to the distribution of electrical energy for purposes of
locomotion. It has for its object, the economic supply over long distances of suitable
low tension currents to, and the maintenance of equal potential in, the exposed
conductors; from which the electric energy is supplied to the electro-motors employed.
We use alternating currents.
In carrying out our invention, we use a conductor of small area to convey high
tension alternating currents, or energy, from the source of supply throughout the
circuit. One or more low tension conductors, of large area, are used throughout the
circuit in which the tractive force is to be applied; but such conductor or conductors
need not be electrically continuous. Electrical connections are made between the
high tension and low tension conductors at intervals as required; each of the said
connections passing through an induction apparatus or electric converter of a suitable
kind, and such as we have already described in our application for Letters Patent
No. 10765 of 1886.
These converters, or secondary generators, are adapted to reduce the potential as
received from the high tension conductor to a low potential, suitable for tractive
purposes, to the low tension conductor or conductors; as for example from a tension
As the tension of
of 2000 volts in the former to 50 volts, or even less, in the latter.
the energy in the high tension conductor is practically uniform throughout its entire
length, even in extreme cases, it will be seen that the potential of the energy delivered
to the low tension conductor, through the several converters, will also be uniform
It may,
throughout its circuit; provided a sufficient number of the same are used.
however, over very long distances, be necessary to so grade the secondary generators
or converters, that the potential in the low tension conductor is kept equal, where a
fall of potential occurs in the primary circuit.

page_text: The low tension conductor may consist of one or more circuits, and in each circuit
it may be divided into sections insulated from each other. Each of these sections is
fed from the high tension conductor through a secondary generator or converter as
before described; or each low tension circuit may be continuous and still fed in the
same manner. The low tension, or working circuit, may consist of a railway, tram-
way, telpherage line, or even a line of iron pipés; provided the same is properly laid
and insulated from the earth. Any kind of motors, suitable for the work and for the
use of alternating currents, may be used; and communication established between the
same and the low tension conductor by brushes or other convenient manner. Instead,
however, of taking the current from rails, or a ground line separate from the railway,
an overhead or alongside line of conductor or conductors may be used: receiving its
supply of energy through the converters, and divided into insulated sections as
previously described.
By dividing the working line into insulated sections instead of using one electrically
continuous circuit, one or more sections may be intentionally or accidently cut out,
without affecting the working of the other sections. This refers also to the converters
used, which are, or should be, provided with safety fuses or automatic cut-outs, in
order to avoid overheating.
By our invention we are enabled to supply current or electrical energy of low
tension at considerable distances from the primary generator, and to do so at small
loss of energy, low cost of conductor, and with regularity or uniformity of potential.
By these advantages tractive power, to which distance is usually a concomitant, may
be applied in remote localities; and advantage taken of water power for the genera-
tion of motive force.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Distribution of Electrical Energy for
Purposes of Locomotion.
We, WILLIAM LOWRIE of No. 117 Bishopsgate Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, and CHARLES JAMES HALL of No. 1 Portland Road, Finsbury Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrician, 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 :-
Our invention relates to the distribution of electrical energy for purposes of
locomotion. It has for its object the economic supply over long distances of suitable
low tension currents to, and the maintenance of equal potential in, the exposed
conductors which supply electric currents to the electro-motors employed. We use
alternating currents of electricity.
In carrying out our invention we use a conductor of small area to convey high
tension alternating currents, or energy, from the source of supply throughout the
circuit. One or more low tension conductors of large area, are used throughout the
circuit in which the tractive force is to be applied; but such conductor or conductors
need not be electrically continuous. Electrical connections are made between the
high tension and low tension conductors at intervals, as required; each of the said
connections passing through a suitable induction apparatus or electrical conductor.
We do not confine ourselves to any particular kind of induction apparatus or
converter, but we prefer to use the kind we have invented and described in the
specification to Letters Patent No. 10765 of 1886.
These converters, or secondary generators as they are sometimes called, are adapted
to reduce the potential as received from the high tension conductor to a low potential:
suited to the requirements of the low tension conductor or conductors for tractive
purposes. For example, a current having a potential energy of 2000 volts in the high
tension conductor, is reduced by its passage through the converter, to 50 volts, or less,
if required, in the low tension conductor or conductors. As the tension of the energy
in the high tension conductor is practically uniform throughout its entire length:
even in extreme cases: it will be seen that the potential of the energy delivered to
the low tension conductor through the several converters, will also be uniform
throughout its circuit: provided a sufficient number of converters are used.
It may, however, over long distances in exceptional cases, be necessary to grade or
regulate the converters so that the potential in the low tension conductor is kept
equal; wherever a fall of potential takes place in the primary circuit.
The low tension conducior may consist of one or more circuits; and in each circuit
it may be divided into sections insulated from each other. Each of these sections or
circuits (according to the extent or capacity of the same), is fed from the high tension
conductor through an induction apparatus or electrical converter, as before stated; or
each low tension circuit may be continuous and still fed in the same manner through

page_text: a sufficient number of converters. The low tension or working circuit consists of a
suitable conductor or conductors placed over head, alongside, or beneath the line in
a suitable conduit; or it may form in itself a telpherage line, or one or both rails of a
railway or tramway. The locality, climate, requirements of the line, the means at
disposal, and the source of supply of the electrical energy will determine the form and
disposal of the low tension conductor or conductors. Any kind of motors, suitable
for the work and for the use of alternating currents may be used; and communication
established between the same and the low tension conductor, by brushes, rolling
contact, or in any other convenient manner.
By dividing the working line into insulated sections instead of using one electrically
continuous. circuit, one or more sections may be intentionally or accidently cut out,
without affecting the working of the other sections. This refers also to the converters
used, which are, or should be, provided with safety fuses or automatic cut-outs, in
order to avoid overheating.
We are enabled, by this invention, to supply current or electrical energy of low
tension at considerable distances from the primary generator; and to do so at small
loss of energy, low cost of conductor, and with regularity or uniformity of potential.
By these advantages, tractive power, (to which, distance is usually a concomitant),
may be applied in remote localities; and advantage taken of water power for the
generation of the motive force. It is to be understood that by the term over long
distances," we mean, over such distances that the cost of conductors or the cost of
energy expended in overcoming the resistance to the passage of the current, would
operate to prevent the use of the required low tension conductors over the whole
distance from the source of the supply of electricity throughout the working
circuit.
In the accompanying drawings, the like reference letters used refer to like parts in
all the figures; or to parts having the like function. Fig. 1 represents a carriage a
mounted upon wheels b, b, adapted to run upon rails c, c, and having a suitable
electro-motor d within or attached to the carriage in such a manner as to be capable
of propelling the same by electric energy in any way known to electrical engineers.
The motive power or energy is conducted to the motor d by a connection e, making
rolling or sliding contact with an exposed conductor f, which is carried upon
brackets attached to a suitable support h; in a manner well understood. The
primary or high tension current is conveyed by means of suitable insulated
con iuctors i, i, from the generative source of the currents, to the converters j, j.
along the line; one of the said converters being shown in the figure within a suitably
protected receptacle. The primary currents enter the converter from the con-
ductors i, i, and the secondary or low tension currents are led from the converter by
the conductor to supply the overhead conductor f, (or working circuit), from which
the current energy is taken for the motor d. The return is made by the rails c, c,
and their connections e', ', which are insulated from the earth; or one of the said
rails may be used as the working circuit, and supplied by low tension currents from
the converter j through a similar conductor to k; and the other rail used as a return
conductor. This latter arrangement is shown in the plan Fig. 2, wherein ff, is the
rail forming the working circuit; supplied with low tension or secondary currents by
the connections k, k, (all insulated from the earth), from the converters j,j; the
primary currents being supplied to the said converters by the insulated conductors i, i,
and the return secondary currents by the rail c, c, and the connections c¹, c¹, (also
insulated from the earth). The currents, therefore, pass from the rail or working
circuit, by means of brushes or wheels b, b, (see Fig. 1), through the motor d;
and by similar means down to the rail c, c, and through connections c², c', (Fig. 2), to
the converters j, j.
Fig. 3 is a plan and Fig. 4 a transverse section of a rail or tramway in which both
rails c, c, and connections c', c', are used as the return conductors for the secondary
currents; the working circuit in this case being shown by the conductor f, (insulated
from the earth) within the channel 1. The primary currents are convoyed by the
insulated conductors i, i, from the source of electrical energy to the converters j, j, as

page_text: While it
before. Suitable means are employed for establishing electrical connection
between the conductor, and the motor d, as is well understood. As before stated,
the working circuit or conductor f, need not be electrically continuous.
must be insulated from the earth, the surface of the conductor f, or as much as may
be required, is exposed; in order that the contact making devices, such as brushes or
wheels, may make electrical connection. For the purpose of the invention, it is
immaterial whether the working circuit is arranged alongside the line; or overhead
as in Fig. 1; or forms a part of the rail or tramway, as in Fig. 2; or is placed
beneath the surface as in Figs. 3 and 4; or is otherwise provided for, in a like manner
to the above. The insulated high tension conductors. may be suspended above
ground, or placed beneath in a pipe, trough, or other suitable channel; and closed
receptacles are to be provided for the converters, capable of protecting them from
climatic or other injury; and in which they are suitably insulated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :
1. Distributing electrical energy for locomotive or tractive purposes by one or more
electrical converters, the primary winding of which is connected to the insulated main
conductors conveying a high tension current, and the secondary winding is so arranged
as to convert by induction the said high tension current to a low tonsion current;
substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
2. The distribution of high tension currents over long distances by insulated
conductors into one or more local electrical converters placed in closed receptacles,
the said converters being adapted to reduce the potential of the said currents, and to
deliver the same into a local working circuit, or circuits for tractive power purposes;
substantially as described.
3. The distribution of electrical energy for tractive power purposes by means of
primary conductors of small sectional area charged with high potential currents; one
or more electrical converters; and one or more working circuits of comparatively
large sectional area charged with low potential currents: operating substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
4. An electrical converter operating to reduce high potential currents to low
potential currents, in combination with an electric railway, tramway, telpherage, or
other line in which electrical energy is used for tractive power purposes; substantially
as described.
5. The combination of insulated electrical conductors charged with high potential
currents; with one or more electrical converters operating so as to reduce the potential
of the said currents and to deliver the same at a lower tension into one or more
working circuits having an exposed surface, but insulated from the earth; sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
6. The combination of primary conductors i, i, with converter j, circuit con-
nections k, and working circuit f; substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. The combination of working circuit charged with low potential currents; with
electro-motor d; rail or rails c; converter j; and circuit connections k, e, and b;
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 5th day of January 1888.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicants.