Year: 1888

page_text: I, CHARLES WILLIAM FARQUHAR of 111 Bolingbroke Grove, Wandsworth Common
in the County of Surrey Commercial Traveller do dereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to improved means for laying underground electric
conductors.
I suspend the wire separate one from the other within stoneware pipes formed as
is usual with pipes of this kind with a socket at one end-I also form all these pipes
with their upper part say-for about one third of the circumference divided longi-
tudinally from the lower part by radial slits or divisions.
. Across the lower part of the socket of each pipe or of every second third or other
number of pipes I form a division having notches in its upper edge for conductors
for conveying current for electric lighting or the transmission of power to lie in and
also with. perforations through their lower part for other conductors say telegraphic
to be threaded through. At the bottour of the transverse divisions I leave an opening
to allow any water which may pass into or condense in the pipes to drain off and
pass away at intervals through branch pipes to a drain.
The transverse divisions may be formed in one piece with the sockets or be separate
therefrom or the whole pipe might be made solid with passages for the conductors to
lie in and with the upper part removable. With pipes all formed in this way with
their upper parts removable long lengths may be laid in place and the electrical
conductors afterwards laid on to the transverse divisions and threaded through the
holes formed therein and the lids or covers of the pipes be afterwards put in and the
whole covered in.
Dated this 94th day of April 1888

page_text: Improvements in Laying Underground Electric Conductors.
i, CHARLES WILLIAM FARQUHAR in the employment of Messrs. Doulton & Co. of
Lambeth Pottery 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 invention relates to improved means for laying underground electric
conductors.
I suspend the wires separate one from the other within stoneware pipes formed as is
usual with pipes of this kind with a socket at one end-1 also form all these pipes
with their upper part say for about one third of the circumference divided longi-
tudinally from the lower part by radial slits or divisions.
Across the lower part of the pipes 1 form or place divisions having notches in their
upper edge for conductors for conveying current for electric lighting or the
transmission of power to lie in and it may also if desired be with perforations through
their lower part for other conductors say telegraphic to be threaded through. At the
bottom of the transverse divisions I leave an opening to allow any water which may
pass into or condense in the pipes to drain off and pass away at intervals through
branch pipes to a drain.
With pipes all formed in this way with their upper parts removable long lengths
may be laid in place and the electrical conductors afterwards laid on to the transverse
divisions and threaded through the holes formed therein and the lids or covers of the
pipes be afterwards put on and the whole covered in.
The drawings annexed show examples of stoneware pipes formed with their upper
part removable and with internal bridge bearers for carrying electric conductors as
above described.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of two stoneware pipes with a transverse partition
or bridge bearer in the sockets-Figure 2 is an end view of the socket end of one of
the pipes. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of stoneware pipes with transverse
partitions or bridge bearers within the pipes at intervals. Figure 4 is a cross section
through Figure 3-Figure 5 is a cross section showing how two bridge bearers
may be placed one above the other in the pipe if several conductors have to be
provided for.
.
The pipe A is an ordinary circular stoneware pipe with a socket at one end. Before
the pipe is fired a cut is made on each side down the entire length but not quite
through the thickness. The portion left uncut maintains the pipe in form during
firing and prevents warping. After being fired the top portion about one third of
the circumference can easily be removed by a little gentle tapping. Long lengths of
pipes formed in this manner can be laid and set in place, the cover pieces being
removed and cross partitions or bearers B either placed in the sockets as shown at
Figures 1 and 2-or laid loosely on to the bottom of the pipes at intervals as shown
at Figures 3 and 4. The conductors can then be laid into the pipes and made to lie

page_text: in the notches formed in the top of the bearers. If more conductors have to be
provided for than can be carried by single bearers such as shown at Figures 3 and 4
then second bearers can be placed above the first bearers and other conductors laid on
to them. The top portions of the pipes can then be laid on and a slight layers of
cement along the joint will render them water tight. To allow for the passing away
of any water that may condense in or find its way into the pipes each bearer is arched
or hollowed on its underside as shown and some of the pipes at convenient distances
apart have branch pipes leading from them at the bottom from which pipes can be led.
off to drains or other outlets.
In Figures 1 and 2 the bearer B placed in the socket is shown to have notches
formed in its upper edge to receive conductors and has also holes formed through it
for other conductors to be threaded through.
In place of the pipes A being circular in cross section as shown they might be of
oval or other convenient form.
Having now particularly described and, ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is-
1. The hereinbefore described system of laying underground electric conductors
consisting in laying the conductors in pipes that are formed with their upper part
removable the wires being laid into notches in or threaded through holes in such
bearers and the bearers being arched or hollowed on their underside to permit water
to drain off and pass away at suitable intervals.
2. The combination of the socketed stoneware pipes divided longitudinally so that
their upper part is removable arched bearers placed therein at intervals and electric
conductors supported in notches or threaded through holes in the arched bearings
substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of January 1889.