IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL BRAKES FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: We GEORGE FORBES of 34 Great George Street Westminster in the County of
Middlesex Professor and ILLIUS AUGUSTUS TIMMIS of 2 Great George Street
aforesaid Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL BRAKES FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES, to be as follows:-
The objects of our Invention are to provide a Brake which shall be instan-
taneous, automatic, easily regulated and efficient in its action; and economical in
maintenance.
With these objects in view we take a Railway wheel either made specially or
an ordinary one adapted and altered to our requirements and on the outside face
of it (or on the back of it whichever be most convenient) we put a ring of metal
consisting by preference of rolled or cast steel or it may be of other magnetic
inetal.
This ring is faced, up smoothly and is of any convenient width and thickness and
fastened to the wheel by bolts and nuts or other convenient means. The outer
edge of this ring is fixed as near the outside rim or edge of the wheel as it can be-
having regard, if it be on the back of the wheel, to "guard rails" crossties &c.
This ring serves for purposes hereinafter mentioned.
We then take a coil of insulated wire or Tape (high conductivity copper by
preference) of any convenient area, in cross section. The number of coils of wire
or Tape is regulated by the electric and magnetic results (either or both) which we
wish to effect This coil of wire we place in an annular half tube, of soft iron, that
is a half tube in the shape of a ring and place it so that the open space containing
the coil of wire, or tape, faces the ring, before described as being fixed to the
wheel.
This annular half tube is made of soft Iron, by preference, and is fitted in
position by arms, or projections, or a disc, to a suitable boss which is carried by
the axle to which the wheel is fastened. The axle is free to revolve within this
Boss. The Boss, and the connecting-means, hold the half tube at a small distance
from the ring on the wheel and the whole is kept from revolving, when the wheel
and axle are revolving, by means of guides, or stops, fitted to the underframe of
the vehicle, or to any other suitable part of the vehicle.

page_text: Thus it will be seen that the wheel and axle revolve without any practical
hindrance from the annular half tube and its supports This annular half Tube
together with the coil of wire in it, the rings, supports and Boss, or centre, is
hereinafter called the Brake disc.
The two edges of this annular half tube are (when the coil of wire or tape has a
current of Electricity sent through it) opposite poles and on each edge (or near the
edge) we place brackets (by preference of spring steel) and on these brackets we fasten
four rings one ring being outside the outer annular half Tube edge the second
inside the same-the third inside the inner annular half Tube edge and the fourth
outside the same edge; so that one ring is on each side of the two edges of the
annular half Tube-These four rings are made; by preference, of hard rolled steel,
and project farther towards the wheel than the edges of the annular half tube.
These projecting surfaces are inclined at a suitable angle so that when the rings
are drawn towards the wheel only a small surface touches the ring on the wheel
but as they are pressed still more and give way by reason of the pressure causing
the supporting springs to give; the surface in contact with the ring on the wheel
increases, till the maximum surface in contact is reached, when these rings and
the edges of the soft Iron annular half tube are all in contact with the ring on the
wheel-It will be evident that special means must be provided to allow of this
spring action of the rings, and we prefer to divide them in such a number of parts
(and these separate parts may be in sliding contact or not in absolute contact) that
they may work easily.
The springs described above may be made of a non-magnetic metal or they may
be made of any suitable spring metal and instead of being in the shape of Brackets
they may be arranged in any convenient way and be of any suitable shape so long
as they enable the rings they support to give under a pressure which is more
powerful than the power in the springs. Of course there may be four rings as
before described or there may be any other convenient number.
Having fitted the parts hereinbefore described we apply the Brake in the
following manner. We send a current of Electricity through the coil of wire in
the annular half tube the intensity of which current is regulated according to the
Brake power which we wish to apply.
With a feeble current the rings with inclined edges or of whatever shape are
drawn into contact with the wheel by the magnetic attraction of the annular half
Tube. Local electric currents are thus created which absorb the energy of the
revolving wheel and act with a corresponding retarding energy. On increasing
the intensity of the current increased pressure is brought to bear against the
wheel and the edges of the annular half tube as well as the surfaces of the rings
are all pressed against the wheel and the magnetism produces a Brake pressure
which can be increased to any desired practical limit. This extreme pressure-or
any lesser pressure-can be maintained at will by the action of the inan or men
who have control of the Brake.
The Brake pressure can likewise be reduced or taken off by the reduction of the
Electric current.
When the Electric current is switched off the Brake gearing tends to separate
itself from the wheel but this action may be assisted by one or more springs.
The Electric current is generated-say for instance by a Primary Battery-one
being placed in each carriage with suitable connections from it to each of the coils
of wire or Tape in the Brake discs. These connections are so arranged that the
Brake arrangements of each carriage are complete in themselves if so required and
at the same time whichever end of the carriage has to be coupled up with any
other vehicle that is fitted with this Brake gearing the attachments are ready and
suitable and the strength of the current can yet be regulated by the man who has
control over it. If one or more vehicles are separated from a train by accident or
otherwise the connection terminals of the two wires at the ends of such vehicles
make contact automatically and complete the current connections at the ends of the
yehicles where the separation has taken place so that if one vehicle not having a.

page_text: guard in it becomes detached its terminals make contact and complete the circuit
from its Battery and its maximum Electric current at once and automatically puts
on its Brake and maintains it at full pressure for any time that it can reasonably
be wanted-And also the terminals at the end of the other vehicle from which it
was separated make contact and leave the remaining vehicles in possession of a
complete Brake apparatus and so likewise with any number of vehicles that may
become detached.
Instead of using a Primary Battery as herein before described we sometimes
use a secondary Battery, in each vehicle, which may be charged in any convenient
way.
It is possible to work the before mentioned Brake gearing with a current of
Electricity supplied from one central Battery, on any vehicle, or from a Dynamo,
driven by any suitable means, without interfering with the objects of our
Invention; but it is evident, in these cases, the Brakes would not act in vehicles
detached from the Battery or Dynamo.
Instead of putting the before inentioned Brake gearing on one side of a wheel we
may, if necessary, put it on both sides-and in addition to, or instead of, Braking
the wheels, any or all of them, we put, when convenient, wheel discs, one or more,
on any of the axles, of soft iron, by preference, or they may be made of any other
magnetic metal, or of two or more substances, and we apply our Brake apparatus
to one or both sides of each wheel disc. In this latter mode of application, in case
we wish to utilize the electric retarding energy of the local currents, already
alluded to alone; we place Brake discs, one on each side of the wheel discs, and so
arranged that the Brake discs project beyond the wheel discs-so that when a
current of Electricity is sent through the Brake discs, and they are drawn towards
the wheel discs, the projecting portions meet each other beyond the periphery of
the wheel discs, and the Brake discs are prevented from coming into absolute
contact with the wheel discs, so far as severe rubbing friction is concerned, but
contact is effected either by brushes or springs, or other suitable means; severe
wearing friction is thus prevented, and no sensible wear, of any of the parts, takes
place. The arrangement of the parts of the Brake discs, under these circumstances,
may be very considerably modified. In fact the coil of wire in the Brake discs may
be held in place in an almost infinite variety of ways; and the coil may be in one
or more systems, and wound, or coiled, in a great variety of ways. Then the metal
holding, or surrounding, or partially surrounding, the wire coil, or coils may be of
any suitable form and thickness-It being understood that the magnetic effect,
whether for the generation and utilization of the Electric Local currents, and, or,
the utilization of direct magnetic attraction, has to be regulated by the current we
find it convenient to use, and the mass, or masses of metal, we put into the
various parts of the Brake gearing.
=
The objects we have in view, in order to get the most perfect Brake results, are
First The generation and the utilization of Local currents of Electricity, by
the motion of Electrically conducting masses, in a magnetic field, in order to
consume the energy of the wheel, or wheel disc, momentuin; in the first place by
a sensitive delicate and economical retarding action.
Secondly Where necessary, by a direct magnetic attraction.
Thirdly-In case of accidents, to use both these retarding forces, instantly and
automatically.

page_text: We GEORGE FORBES of 34 Great George Street, Westminster in the County of
Middlesex Professor and ILLIUS AUGUSTUS TIMMIS of 2 Great George Street
aforesaid Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL BRAKES FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The objects of our Invention are to provide a Brake which shall be instan-
taneous, automatic, easily regulated and efficient in its action and economical in
maintenance.
With these objects in view we take a Railway wheel either made specially or an
ordinary one adapted and altered to our requirements and on the outside face of it
(or on the back of it whichever be most convenient) we put a ring of metal
consisting by preference of rolled or cast steel or it may be of other magnetic
metal.
This ring is faced up smoothly and is of any convenient width and thickness and
fastened to the wheel by bolts and nuts or other convenient means. The outer
edge of this ring is fixed as near the outside rim or edge of the wheel as it can be
having regard, if it be on the back of the wheel to "guard rails cross ties &c.
This ring serves for purposes hereinafter mentioned.
13
We then take a coil of insulated wire or tape (high conductivity Copper by
preference) of any convenient area, in cross section. The number of coils of wire
or Tape is regulated by the electric and magnetic results (either or both) which we
wish to effect. This coil of wire we place in an annular half tube of soft iron that
is a half tube in the shape of a ring and place it so that the open space containing
the coil of wire or tape faces the ring before described as being fixed to the wheel.
This annular half tube is made of soft Iron, by preference, and is fitted in
position by arms or projections or a disc to a suitable boss which is carried by the
axle to which the wheel is fastened. The axle is free to revolve within the boss.
The boss and the connecting means hold the half tube at a small distance from
the ring on the wheel and the whole is kept from revolving when the wheel and
axle are revolving, by means of guides or stops, fitted to the underframe of the
vehicle or to any other suitable part of the vehicle.
Thus it will be seen that the wheel and axle revolve without any practical
hindrance from the annular half tube and its supports. This annular half tube
together with the coil of wire in it, the rings, supports and Boss or centre is
hereinafter called the Brake disc.
The two edges of this annular half tube are (when the coil of wire or tape has a
current of Electricity sent through it) opposite poles and on each edge (or near the
edge) we place brackets (by preference of spring steel) and on these brackets we
fasten four rings one ring being outside the outer annular half tube edge the
second inside the same the third inside the inner annular half tube edge and the
points outside the same edge so that one ring is on each side of the two edges of

page_text: the annular half tube. These four rings are made, by preference, of hard rolled
steel, and project farther towards the wheel than the edges of the aunular half
tube. These projecting surfaces are inclined at a suitable angle so that when the
rings are drawn towards the wheel only a small surface touches the ring on the
wheel but as they are pressed still more and give way by reason of the pressure
causing the supporting springs to give; the surface in contact with the ring on the
wheel increases, till the maximum surface in contact is reached, when these rings
and the edges of the soft iron annular half tube are all in contact with the ring on
the wheel. It will be evident that special means must be provided to allow of this
spring action of the rings and we prefer to divide them in such a number of parts
(and these separate parts may be in sliding contact or not in absolute contact) that
they may work easily.
The springs described above may be made of a non-magnetic metal or they may
be made of any suitable spring metal and instead of being in the shape of Brackets
they may be arranged in any convenient way and be of any suitable shape so long
as they enable the rings they support to give under a pressure which is more
powerful than the power in the springs. Of course there may be four rings as
before described or they may be any other convenient number.
Having fitted the parts hereinbefore described we apply the Brake in the
following manner. We send a current of Electricity through the coil of wire in
the annular half tube the intensity of which current is regulated according to the
Brake power which we wish to apply.
With a feeble current the rings with inclined edges or of whatever shape are
drawn into contact with the wheel by the magnetic attraction of the annular half
tube. Local electric currents are thus created which absorb the energy of the
revolving wheel and act with a corresponding retarding energy. On increasing the
intensity of the current increased pressure is brought to bear against the wheel and
the edges of the annular half tube as well as the surfaces of the rings are all
pressed against the wheel and the magnetism produces a Brake pressure which can
be increased to any desired practical limit. This extreme pressure or any lesser
pressure can be maintained at will by the action of the man or men who have
control of the Brake.
The Brake pressure can likewise be reduced or taken off by the reduction of the
Electric current.
When the Electric current is switched off the Brake gearing tends to separate
itself from the wheel but this action may be assisted by one or more springs.
The Electric current is generated say for instance by a primary Battery one
being placed in each carriage with suitable connections from it to each of the coils
of wire or Tape in the Brake discs. These connections are so arranged that the
Brake arrangements of each carriage are complete in themselves if so required and
at the same time whichever end of the carriage has to be coupled up with any
other vehicle that is fitted with this Brake gearing the attachments are ready and
suitable and the strength of the current can yet be regulated by the man who has
control over it. If one or more vehicles are separated from a train by accident or
otherwise the connection terminals of the two wires at the ends of such vehicles
make contact automatically and complete the current connections at the ends of
the vehicles where the separation has taken place so that if one vehicle not having
a guard in it becomes detached its terminals make contact and complete the circuit
from its Battery and its maximum Electric current at once and automatically puts
on its Brake and maintains it at full pressure for any time that it can reasonably
be wanted. And also the terminals at the end of the other vehicle from which it
was separated make contact and leave the remaining vehicles in possession of a
complete Brake apparatus and so likewise with any number of vehicles that may
become detached.
Instead of using a primary Battery as herein before described we sometimes use
a secondary Battery in each vehicle which may be charged in any convenient way.
If it is possible to work the before mentioned Brake gearing with a current of

page_text: Electricity supplied from one central Battery on any vehicle or from a Dynamo,
driven by any suitable means, without interfering with the objects of our Invention;
but it is evident in these cases the Brakes would not act in vehicles detached from
the Battery or Dynamo.
Instead of putting the before mentioned brake gearing on one side of a wheel we
may, if necessary, put it on both sides and in addition to, or instead of, Braking
the wheels any or all of them, we put, when convenient, wheel discs, one or more,
on any of the axles, of soft iron, by preference, or they may be made of any other
magnetic metal, or of two or more substances, and we apply our Brake, apparatus
to one or both sides of each wheel disc. In this latter mode of application, in case
we wish to utilize the electric retarding energy of the Local currents, already
alluded to alone, we place Brake discs, one on each side of the wheel discs, and so
arranged that the Brake discs project beyond the wheel discs, so that when a
current of Electricity is sent through the Brake discs, and they are drawn towards
the wheel discs the projecting portions meet each other beyond the periphery of the
wheel discs, and the Brake discs are prevented from coming into absolute contact
with the wheel discs, so far as severe rubbing friction is concerned, but contact is
effected either by brushes or springs or other suitable means severe wearing friction
is thus prevented, and no sensible wear, of any of the parts, takes place. The
arrangement of the parts of the Brake under these circumstances, may be very
considerably modified. In fact the coil of wire in the Brake discs may be held in
place in an almost infinite variety of ways, and the coil may be in one or more
systems and wound or coiled in a great variety of ways. Then the metal holding,
or surrounding, or partially surrounding, the wire coil, or coils, may be of any
suitable form and thickness. It being understood that the magnetic effect, whether
for the generation and utilization of the electric local currents and or the utilization
of direct magnetic attraction, has to be regulated by the current we find it
convenient to use and the mass or.masses of metal we put into the various parts of
the Brake gearing.
The objects we have in view in order to get the most perfect Brake results are
First The generation and the utilization of local currents of Electricity by the
motion of Electrically conducting masses in a magnetic field, in order to consume
the energy of the wheel, or wheel disc momentum in the first place by a sensitive
delicate and economical retarding action.
Secondly: Where necessary, by a direct magnetic attraction,
Thirdly-In case of accidents, to use both these retarding forces, instantly and
automatically.
The following description of the drawings in conjunction with the foregoing
specification will explain the objects and nature of our Invention.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents in elevation a back view of a Brake disc D on the inside of
an ordinary carriage wheel W and Figure 2 represents the same wheel W and
disc D half in side elevation and half in cross section.
The same letters of reference apply to all the figures of the Drawings.
a is the axle on which the wheel W is fastened and it revolves in the Boss B2 of
the disc D. is a flat ring of magnetic metal (preferably soft iron) fastened to the
wheel W by the bolts c, c Figure 2. The disc D brakes against this ring. B is the
boss of cast iron or other suitable material fastened on the axle a by means of
bolts b, b within a recess in this Boss which acts as a bearing for it is placed
another Boss B2 having six radial arms d, d and onto each of these arms is fixed
another arm (of wrought iron or other suitable material) e, e by means of the
bolts f, f. At or near the extremity of the arms e, e is bolted (bolts g, g) an
annular half tube h, h of magnetic metal (preferably soft iron). Inside this half
tube (which may be of any convenient shape and suitable size) is laid a coil of
insulated wire or Tape of copper or other suitable high conductivity metal,
The

page_text: size of this wire or Tape and the number of turns in the coil are regulated as
herein before described.
The disc D has a slight amount of play as shown working on the Boss B to allow
it to approach or recede from the wheel W.
Against the two edges of the annular half tube h, h are fixed with screws or
other convenient means two rings jj and on either side of these two edges are
fitted four rings k, k. These latter are fitted to the annular half ring edges by
means of the springs 1, 1 for the reasons hereinbefore described. These rings and
springs are made as herein before described.
The disc D is kept from revolving by means of the bar m Figure 1 which is
fixed to the underframe of the vehicle at one end by means of the forging n,
bolts o, o and pin p and to the annular half tube of the disc at the other end by
means of the casting q and pin p¹. The casting q is bolted or rivetted to the
half tube h, h. Any other suitable stops or guides may be used as hereinbefore
described.
The wire or tape in the annular half tube is connected at its two ends so that a
current of electricity can be sent through it from a Battery or Dynamo as
hereinbefore described.
Figure 3 represents a wheel made specially in which the annular ring n is made
to fasten into the Tyre of the wheel as shown and so help to secure it on the well
known "Mansell" principle.
The disc here shown is practically the same as shown in Figures 1 and 2 except
that the four rings k, k are omitted and the rings j, j are made much broader on
the face so as to have a greater braking surface acting against the annular ring r.
Figure 4 represents a special wheel disc W' put on the axle a apart from the
wheel W and against this Brakes the disc D which is practically the same as the
disc shown in Figure 3. Of course the various parts shown may be altered in an
almost infinite variety of ways and the Brake discs may be placed against either or
both sides of any or all the wheels of a vehicle and one or more special wheel discs
(as in Figure 4 or of any other convenient shape) may be placed on any axle.
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
First: A magnetising coil of wire enclosed in a magnetic casing for the purpose
of being applied as a Brake substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
Secondly-The use of an annular magnetic face on one or both sides of any
wheel which it is required to brake substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
:-
Thirdly The construction of Electric Brakes generally substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described,